When is someone going to shut DICK Cheney up? The man has not been Vice President for nearly six months, and he is still acting like he's in Office.
His pal, Georgie Dubya had the wherewith all to leave the governance of the United States to his successor. DICK still thinks that he can push everyone around just like he did during the tragic former Administration.
The RNC needs to put a muzzle on this Republican malcontent, so the Obama Administration can go about righting the wrongs that DICK and friends created. If they don't, discord will be sown amongst the Congressional Leadership...but, maybe that's just what DICK wants.
In any event, the FORMER Veep's publicized rants need to desist or the efforts of the current Administration to fix this country will be frustrated by a splintering, partisan Congress, and the path towards a better future will be lost.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Obama Vs Bush in Two Points
Just under five months into the Obama Administration and we're already seeing differences in approaches and policy. The Department of the Interior administers the National Parks, Natural Resources, etc of the United States. My purpose today is to illustrate two of the major differences between Obama and Georgie Dubya Bushie.
During the Bush years, it was a cowardly, but common practice to make announcements regarding both small and sweeping environmental policy changes either in the middle of the night, or during long holiday weekends. This afforded the Administration the ability to basically minimize the impact of changes because when these announcements were made, there were few (if any) reporters at the West Wing.
By the time it was better known, other news stories, having more precedence in the media, would break, and the policy changes would get swept away unnoticed. By the time anyone did notice, it was too late for any outcry, thus allowing the changes to move forward—usually without Congressional or Public comment.
So far, the Obama Administration is strongly avoiding this practice by conducting high-profile announcements in the middle of the day such as Sec. Salazar’s recent announcement (at Red Rocks Natl. Conservation area) regarding “$305 million [that] will fund more than 650 Bureau of Land Management projects across the country under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The investments will restore landscapes and habitat; spur renewable energy development on public lands, and create jobs.” (Dept of Int. website) The method of announcement was clearly, loudly a departure from Bush Administration tactics.
Next, the coal industry has had a financial hey-day the last eight years due to loosened regulations regarding recovery of coal from the Appalachian Mountains. Historically, tunnels were dug spider web fashion to extricate the maximum amount of coal possible.
However, “Topping” has become a faster, less costly method. Instead of digging tunnels, the tops of mountains are literally blown away, and crews can dig open pits to access the coal easier, and with less danger.
The drawbacks? All waste is generally dumped into valleys adjacent to the mine, and the coal companies have not been made responsible for the environmental and aesthetic damage caused by this method of mining. Streams are polluted, aquifers and watersheds damaged, and gigantic holes are left where mountains once stood.
The caveat in this whole thing was the accelerated approval process for such mining which reduced or eliminated environmental review for each application. The last I read, more than 1200 mountains had been topped, with applications pending for some 1500 more.
As soon as the Obama Administration began, the permitting process slowed to a crawl, and a review ordered of past issuances in Topping permits. While the practice continues (based on issued permits), the future of this type of mining is in doubt as actual environmental reviews proceed, and the long-term impacts are determined.
So, the question comes to this—Is the Obama Administration differing its approach to the running of the Dept of the Interior from that of the GW Bush Administration? The answer is a simple, “Yes.” The GW Bush Administration was secretive and covert in its approach to environmental policy; often executing critical changes to laws/regulations that legally required public comment. It allowed the acceleration of permitting for Mt. Topping in the Appalachians while blatantly ignoring the devastating environmental impacts it would create.
Meanwhile, President Barak Obama seems to be fulfilling his promise of a more open government though very public announcements, and by actually reviewing the permitting processes used by the former Administration in regards to coal mining. He is showing the American people that he cares about the damage caused by the former leadership. These two men (and their methods) couldn’t be more diametrically opposed.
During the Bush years, it was a cowardly, but common practice to make announcements regarding both small and sweeping environmental policy changes either in the middle of the night, or during long holiday weekends. This afforded the Administration the ability to basically minimize the impact of changes because when these announcements were made, there were few (if any) reporters at the West Wing.
By the time it was better known, other news stories, having more precedence in the media, would break, and the policy changes would get swept away unnoticed. By the time anyone did notice, it was too late for any outcry, thus allowing the changes to move forward—usually without Congressional or Public comment.
So far, the Obama Administration is strongly avoiding this practice by conducting high-profile announcements in the middle of the day such as Sec. Salazar’s recent announcement (at Red Rocks Natl. Conservation area) regarding “$305 million [that] will fund more than 650 Bureau of Land Management projects across the country under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The investments will restore landscapes and habitat; spur renewable energy development on public lands, and create jobs.” (Dept of Int. website) The method of announcement was clearly, loudly a departure from Bush Administration tactics.
Next, the coal industry has had a financial hey-day the last eight years due to loosened regulations regarding recovery of coal from the Appalachian Mountains. Historically, tunnels were dug spider web fashion to extricate the maximum amount of coal possible.
However, “Topping” has become a faster, less costly method. Instead of digging tunnels, the tops of mountains are literally blown away, and crews can dig open pits to access the coal easier, and with less danger.
The drawbacks? All waste is generally dumped into valleys adjacent to the mine, and the coal companies have not been made responsible for the environmental and aesthetic damage caused by this method of mining. Streams are polluted, aquifers and watersheds damaged, and gigantic holes are left where mountains once stood.
The caveat in this whole thing was the accelerated approval process for such mining which reduced or eliminated environmental review for each application. The last I read, more than 1200 mountains had been topped, with applications pending for some 1500 more.
As soon as the Obama Administration began, the permitting process slowed to a crawl, and a review ordered of past issuances in Topping permits. While the practice continues (based on issued permits), the future of this type of mining is in doubt as actual environmental reviews proceed, and the long-term impacts are determined.
So, the question comes to this—Is the Obama Administration differing its approach to the running of the Dept of the Interior from that of the GW Bush Administration? The answer is a simple, “Yes.” The GW Bush Administration was secretive and covert in its approach to environmental policy; often executing critical changes to laws/regulations that legally required public comment. It allowed the acceleration of permitting for Mt. Topping in the Appalachians while blatantly ignoring the devastating environmental impacts it would create.
Meanwhile, President Barak Obama seems to be fulfilling his promise of a more open government though very public announcements, and by actually reviewing the permitting processes used by the former Administration in regards to coal mining. He is showing the American people that he cares about the damage caused by the former leadership. These two men (and their methods) couldn’t be more diametrically opposed.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Local Observations About This Recession
I'm seeing probably my 3rd or 4th severe recession. As I look back over the previous economic problems versus today's, I can't help but notice some strong differences amongst the general population that I haven't seen before.
Now, I don't know if that is because I live in an area that I have not previously experienced recession before, or if what I'm seeing is reflective of a national attitude. Let's get started...
First, as I look around I am seeing far more unnecessary debt. By that I mean that there are more people who are buying 'toys' simply for the sake of having them--not because these things are needed; but because they are simply wanted...desired (for lack of a better word). 'Toys' can range from seldom used snowmobiles to one car for every person in a household; from always having the newest, coolest video game console to being obsessed with owning the latest in telecommunications technologies (phones, blackberry's, etc); from flashy but useless automobile gadgets to showing friends your monstrous new 100" HDTV. It's as if we aren't satisfied with what we've got...we simply want to have more stuff than our neighbors.
Next, during the previous downturns, the number of cars on the roads dropped dramatically as commuters would carpool, and weekly household errands were done in one trip. Since the crash last Fall, I have not seen a decrease of traffic on my local roads. There seems to be no increase of carpooling or even public education about carpools; no increase in mass transit options or availability.
How about dining out? In my experience, during recession, the foot traffic at grocery stores increases dramatically, while restaurants see a significant drop-off in weekly sales. With the current recession, the restaurants around where I live are just as busy as every; while the grocery stores aren't any busier than a year ago--a real paradox when you stop to consider that people historically are extremely proactive about saving every penney when things get tough.
In decades past, it was rare to see someone actually pay for anything with a credit card. I'm not talking about a debit/cc, but a real CREDIT card. Today, the average american household has about $5500 in credit card debt; that is, the amount of monies owed to a credit lender (plus fees, interest, etc).There are far more people living on money they don't have than I have ever seen before. Pretty scary when you stop to think that literally everything you own could be taken away from you because you defaulted on your credit payments.
Lastly, I recently read an article which stated that the average american is only saving a fraction of their income compared to even ten years ago. We are spending nearly everything we are earning! The post-baby boomer generation has no way to pay for retirement. Why? Because they are spending at an unprecedented rate, driving up inflationary numbers far higher than they should be, and causing economic upheaval on a scale never before seen.
Yes, there are a great number of varying factors which formulate the economic impact we are feeling today; and what has been described here is but a cog in a HUGE wheel; but, these thing are indeed new to this recession. They have contributed, and they will continue to contribute to a fading economy so long as we (the spending public) continue on our reckless course towards financial devastation.
It's time we asked ourselves what we are doing every day that is adding to the economic woes besetting our country; and by so asking, knowing what we must do and then enacting those things which will strengthen our individual viability. Only then can we begin to add our small part to the huge economic wheel which we are all a part of; and the upkeep of which we are all responsible for.
Now, I don't know if that is because I live in an area that I have not previously experienced recession before, or if what I'm seeing is reflective of a national attitude. Let's get started...
First, as I look around I am seeing far more unnecessary debt. By that I mean that there are more people who are buying 'toys' simply for the sake of having them--not because these things are needed; but because they are simply wanted...desired (for lack of a better word). 'Toys' can range from seldom used snowmobiles to one car for every person in a household; from always having the newest, coolest video game console to being obsessed with owning the latest in telecommunications technologies (phones, blackberry's, etc); from flashy but useless automobile gadgets to showing friends your monstrous new 100" HDTV. It's as if we aren't satisfied with what we've got...we simply want to have more stuff than our neighbors.
Next, during the previous downturns, the number of cars on the roads dropped dramatically as commuters would carpool, and weekly household errands were done in one trip. Since the crash last Fall, I have not seen a decrease of traffic on my local roads. There seems to be no increase of carpooling or even public education about carpools; no increase in mass transit options or availability.
How about dining out? In my experience, during recession, the foot traffic at grocery stores increases dramatically, while restaurants see a significant drop-off in weekly sales. With the current recession, the restaurants around where I live are just as busy as every; while the grocery stores aren't any busier than a year ago--a real paradox when you stop to consider that people historically are extremely proactive about saving every penney when things get tough.
In decades past, it was rare to see someone actually pay for anything with a credit card. I'm not talking about a debit/cc, but a real CREDIT card. Today, the average american household has about $5500 in credit card debt; that is, the amount of monies owed to a credit lender (plus fees, interest, etc).There are far more people living on money they don't have than I have ever seen before. Pretty scary when you stop to think that literally everything you own could be taken away from you because you defaulted on your credit payments.
Lastly, I recently read an article which stated that the average american is only saving a fraction of their income compared to even ten years ago. We are spending nearly everything we are earning! The post-baby boomer generation has no way to pay for retirement. Why? Because they are spending at an unprecedented rate, driving up inflationary numbers far higher than they should be, and causing economic upheaval on a scale never before seen.
Yes, there are a great number of varying factors which formulate the economic impact we are feeling today; and what has been described here is but a cog in a HUGE wheel; but, these thing are indeed new to this recession. They have contributed, and they will continue to contribute to a fading economy so long as we (the spending public) continue on our reckless course towards financial devastation.
It's time we asked ourselves what we are doing every day that is adding to the economic woes besetting our country; and by so asking, knowing what we must do and then enacting those things which will strengthen our individual viability. Only then can we begin to add our small part to the huge economic wheel which we are all a part of; and the upkeep of which we are all responsible for.
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