Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Can I do it?

Yes I can. (Apologies to Bob the Builder.)

Lunch

This gas tax issues is yet another fine example of why Obama needs to be the nominee and next prez. Barack takes a stands, Hillary panders and try to ride the fence.

It's a very mild ad - why are some people upset? If you want harsh attacks on Obama, try listening to Right Wing radio.

Hah, Clinton should do it if they agree to make it a permanent reduction in a grossly unfair regressive tax.

Craig: I am so excited to see you on MSNBC tomorrow! Good job to everybody who posted on the MSNBC Bulletin Board comments: "Where in the Heck is Craig Crawford?"

Flatus all the gas tax money goes to fund infrastructure, we have crumbling roads and collapsing bridges. How do you propose paying for these things? We are risk of turning into a third world country due to the appalling state of roadways and bridges.

Brian, take it out of the general revenues. Increase marginal tax rates on high-income taxpayers to make-up the shortfall.

And, yes, you're right, we are about to become third-world if things continue as they have.

It’s going to take more than that little, feel-good tax break to fix rising food & day-to-day living costs…and have you seen plane fares lately? Once that trickles into the tourism industry, a lot more people are going to be hurting. (Good thing we went to Vegas when we had the chance.) Even Starbucks is hurting now; no more disposable income for those over-priced beverages. Need a much bigger idea to fix this mess.

Ok this is ironic gang because I just posted a new blog about my feelings on being better "environmentalists"... Personally I don't think gas taxes should be reduced...

Anyway, please read my humble entry and I would LOVE to read any comments and/or suggestions:

http://eurotom.blogspot.com/

Oh and I posted this on the other page, but if you are "activist" oriented, please visit http://www.change.org to learn about campaigns and what you can do to help.

Tom

Both should redirect the question.
It is not the tax that is the problem.
It is bad foreign policy that increases tension in the world that is the problem.
The more disorder there is in the oil producing regions of the world the more of a risk premium that futures traders will need.
They set the oil price.
The risk premium that they charge is way more than McCains tax break.

We need to quit letting the Republicans set the debate.

Jack

Flatus it's a shame your candidate isn't willing to take a stand on the issue. That really is the point of today's thread isn't it? I guess HillCo hasn't had enough time to focus group the issue, or maybe she owes money to the focus groups companies and they are waiting to get paid before doing anymore studies on her behalf.

"and have you seen plane fares lately? "

Look at the bright side. We might finally get back the nation wide passenger rail system we threw away in 1950. It will only cost us several billion (trillion?) to get from point A to point B safely and rapidly.

Thanks Tom!!! You are so wonderful!!! I'm an awful blogger though, can't seem to be able to keep upwith it.
Yes the 2 little guys are mine, Patton and Tripp. Today is take your child to work day here, so Tripp has gone to the capital with daddy to lurn how to Lobby the legislature. My little special interest in training: )

Jack, I agree. And, oversight of the futures market is essential.

Brian, whatever.

ah.... Craig..... glad to know MSNBC will welcome you back into the fold....
can't say I'll watch.... but I'm glad for you and those here who will watch....

just heard a very interesting hour with Michael Kinsley on the Diane Rehm show.... he had a lot to say about starting Slate..... he had a lot to say about his Parkinson's disease..... he had a lot to say about how poorly the media is handling this election....... and.... he said he thought the Democratic nominee would be Obama and that he would lose to McCain....

EdVB..... ROFL!......

oh yeah..... gas tax.... I think people who eat burritos should be taxed more..... uh, oh..... did I just use a "code" word for racist..... again.... well slap my butt....

Eighteen cents? It's been eighteen cents Federal tax for eons. It's not about eighteen cents. It's about refineries that have been closed to constrict the market. There is plenty of oil there is just not enough refineries operating. Like I said in 2000 when BushCo took the power, "hold on to your wallets".

Ewww, that should have been learn not lurn.
On a side note about gas, it cost my friend $95.00 to fill her tank yesterday.

Standing in long lines. Sitting on your baggage because your flight was cancelled. Dealing with traffic, parking, overstressed passengers, curt security folk, overpriced airport food and lousy airline food?

Encourage kindness to the environment and your own mental health. Take a train.

http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=328&category=10

What's the problem Flatus, that is the point of today's thread isn't it? Do you really think Craig cares about the gas tax. This is Clinton's problem all along isn't it?

For the war, now against the war.

Florida and MI shouldn't be counted, now they should

Undocumented workers should be able to get a drivers license, now they shouldn't.

I was ducking sniper fire, well folks actually I liked, I was sleep deprived.

I won't bore you with the entire list, I'm sure you know it as well as any of us.

The problem, Brian, is attacking the pseudo issues while ignoring the need for developing an overarching strategic vision for our nation.

Movement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R6gcbC9Hz4

(Brainwashed - Then & Now)

Well, Bill Clinton certainly knew how to make deals with Congress, and he knew when to let them make fools of themselves by shutting down the government. I would imagine Hillary is pretty well-versed in the same. But honestly? The disposition of the federal gas tax is nowhere near being a deal-breaker as to how I vote.

Flatus I'd be very happy to read Hillary's strategic vision for repairing our infrastructure without the gas tax revenue. Would you be kind enough to tell me where I can find that, many thanks in advance.

Yesterday I made a a contrast NOT a judgment between Pope Benedict XVI and Pastors Wright and Hagee if anyone is interested in the point I was trying to make please click the link to my blog,

http://heathercuttie.blogspot.com/

Thank You
--Heather

With regard to the last thread and voters fibbing that they voted for Obama in the exit polls, perhaps we should look through the looking glass the other way. Perhaps voters tell pollsters that they voted for Obama because they are embarrassed to admit they voted for Clinton.

I told one of my friends last year that I thought people would vote for Clinton but would lie to their friends about it because it is "popular" and "acceptable" to hate Hillary because the media tell us that she is the devil. In addition, subliminally it might very well be more acceptable to be sexist than racist.

Cut the gasoline tax? (Great sound bite.) Lots of voters still think lower taxes is the solution to all problems.

Yes, this would cut spending on infrastructure & raise the deficit, but those are long-term & hard to understand. (No good sound bites.)

This could be another winner for the GOP.

We can always borrow more $ from the Chinese to maintain the interstate highway system.

We may have to change I-90 to "Shanghai-90"

Rev Wright says that McCain's proposal comes from the Devil...

"I will NOT get my kicks,
on route 666."

New Theme song for McCain:

Jackson Browne, "Running On Empty."

Nash:

Do you ever offer substance to go with your clever clever talking points and sound bites you say hard to understand, elaborate in that, please go into detail, don't just act all high minded and say clever tidbits like "long-term & hard to understand"

DETAILS please Nash

--Heather

Nash I'm sure the Chinese can hire Bill to sell that notion for them.

Actually something I've been curious, and maybe one of you Clinton supporters can answer this for me. If by some miracle Hillary ends up the next prez will Bill retire or will he continue to work as a lobbyist?

Heather, you know the types--masters of carping criticism.

Ally,

"I thought people would vote for Clinton but would lie to their friends"

I can't help but wonder in primary states how many wives told their husbands they weren't voting for Hillary but suddenly changed their minds once behind the curtain in the booth.

The REAL reason Sen. Obama won the caucus states: The husbands were watching. :-)

Think about that gas tax break proposed by McCain as a stimulus to get people to drive and take those vacations that the cost of fuel makes seem prohibitive- Say you get 25 mpg in the family minivan and go on a vacation 500 miles away - that's 20 gallons, 18 cents a gallon, or $3.60 less - $7.20 round trip. Say you use another two tankfuls while you go from hotel to theme park to outlet center while on vacation. That vacation cost you (drumroll, please) $14.40 less than it would have. That's a little less than it will cost you to feed the family lunch at McDonald's on the way to the beach, Now if that doesn't stimulate the economy by encouraging you to drive and take the vacation, I don't know what will. Say you use another tankful per week for the 11 other weeks of the summer for commuting and taking the kids to baseball games and the pool. Voila, another $39.60, for a grand economic stimulus package of (drumroll again, please) $54.00 for your little family.

It's a gimmick - meant to make people think McCain is cutting taxes, and Obama was right to reject it. So should HIllary, and they should both point out that it's a big whoop, and not much more.

Who it will help is truckers, if the tax on deisel is also lifted, and the airlines, if the tax on jet fuel is lifted. I suppose I should look into that. Maybe I will.

Oh Flatus you're still here, I thought you were off looking for Hillary's strategic vision for infrastructure improvements without gas tax revenues. So much for "ready from day one".

"If by some miracle Hillary ends up the next prez will Bill retire or will he continue to work as a lobbyist? "

One, I believe there are some federal laws that might apply.

Two, he probably has another book or two in him.

Three, He already said that he wanted to concentrate on his library and the world wide charity.

Jamie: You are SO right on the husband/wife caucus thing. I know if two instances of this just ON MY BLOCK.

Jamie: You are so right about the husband/wife caucus thing. I know of two instances just on my block. I really do think people vote for Hillary behind the curtain...they just don't want to admit to their friend and husbands that they don't "hate" her. It is way more popular to be part of the "Hate Hillary Club."

Brian, you just don't get it.

I'm not her surrogate.

I will vote for her because I believe she has the most developed and mature attitude towards governance, and how to make it effective for the period we are now in.

Pogo's comments about the gas tax are thought out. And address the reality that just within that single tax there are complex interactions.

You want simple? Go Obama.

Hillary's Energy conservation plan

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/energy/

Barack's Energy conservation plan

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/energy/

Pretty much the same across the board.

I want honest, go Obama!

McCain did indeed recommend suspending the diesel tax - 24.4 cents per gallon.

Interestingly enough, Obama voted for a similar 6 month reduction of Illinois' gas tax in 2000, (which was about $2.00/gal. ago) but voted against making the reduction permanent.

Here's the WSJ article about it.

http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB120900047323640215.html

I personally think the negatives of the lost revenue for highway projects are enough to reject the proposal as little more than election year politics.

"I personally think the negatives of the lost revenue for highway projects are enough to reject the proposal as little more than election year politics."

Pogo I hope you'll email Hillary and let her know how you feel, maybe if she gets enough emails she'll stop pandering on this one.

Dear Nick:
Thank you your words are deeply appreciated ☺

Sincerely,
Heather

Pogo

Are you telling me that Sen. Obama said one thing once and is now saying another thing now?

Obviously, he must be a liar since that is the only reason someone running for President ever changes their position.

I think what Pogo is saying is that Obama understands that something that might have been suitable in 2000 on a statewide level isn't suitable in 2008 on a national level. And since i suspect none of use know much about the Ill. gas tax structure and where exactly those funds end up it's really a hollow response to Hillary's dance on the edge of a razor blade act on this issue.

And really Jamie do you want to go down this road of switching issues for the presidential campaign. "I was voting for more inspections, I wasn't voting to go to war"

Afternoon economics report - housing market continues to decline - new home sales fell 8.5% at lowest rate since the housing recession of the 90s, inventories are waaaay up, highest in 25 years. And the market ROSE on the news.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/business/24econ-web.html?hp

There are a couple of pieces of good news - jobless claims are down a bit and the government revised durable goods figures for Jan & Feb, so the losses in those months were less.

I report, you decide.

Just to be clear, here's what she said about the gas tax holiday.

"Speaking on CNN Monday night, New York's Sen. Clinton outlined a series of steps to address gas prices, including the release of oil from the country's strategic reserves. She said she would "also consider a gas-tax holiday, if we could make up the lost revenues from the Highway Trust Fund," which the federal gas tax supports. She didn't specify how those lost revenues would be recovered."

Sometimes taking a stand on an issue requires a little investigation beforehand. Seems prudent enough to me.

A couple of things...

1. Craig, I don't know what in the ad was offensive to McCain accept the thoughts of the same thing with Hagee being hung around his neck like a flaming tire. My only reaction was why have some pasty white blue hair at the end instead of Jesse Helms.

2. With regards to the gas tax rebate...when will a politician say the following:

"We can cut all the taxes you want, just remember with each cut comes a cut in services. Yyes gas is high. The nature of the global economy and some speculators on wall street have caused the current climate. However, with roads in need of repair and with bridges across the country, crumbling to the point of collapse, I don't think it is wise to cut a tax that goes to that specific purpose."

Anyone who spoke something along those lines would get a lot of votes, in my humble opinion.

Jamie

Rose has no place in a black and white world

You are wasting you time pointing it out to the people of blackandwhite world.

Jack

hmmm. That 10% Daily gallup edge BO had 2 days ago appears to be going away.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/106801/Gallup-Daily-Democratic-Gap-Narrows-Obama-Keeps-Advantage.aspx

It's narrowed to 5% in 2 days.

pogo how much time does she need to figure this one out? It's not as if this is a new problem is it?

Pogo,

I have become a CNBC junkie lately and to listen to the vast array of eye candy and talking heads, I have learned that the situation with oil and gas isn't a supply issue but a refining issue.

There is plenty of oil available on the world market right now. In the US, even without the requirements of the special refining blends that are needed for various states, the demand for refined gasoline would barely be met. When you dig further, most of the refining capacity in the US is in the Gulf area and it hasn't fully recovered from Katrina and some other calamities.

At some point, we need greater refining capacity. The best way to describe is that oil capacity is the equivalent of a 5 lane highway. Our refining capacity is trying to take 5 lanes of traffic and fit it into 3 lanes...

There is no such thing as a "temporary" tax cut. Once in place, no one in Congress would have the guts to even suggest ending it.

In fact, there would be ongoing pressure to cut it even more, until there was zero tax on gasoline.

Brian,

Unlike your candidate who prefers facile answers and media soundbites that sound good but have little substance, Sen. Clinton actually likes to investigate the possible consequences of an action before making a firm statement. She has even actually been known to change a position or propose an alternative course of action that seems more viable.

Since this ability will work better in the White House than it does on television, you probably won't approve.

"Rules provide for the Florida and Michigan delegations to be seated

Senator Obama and his surrogates, including MoveOn.org, are waging a public relations battle to pressure the DNC to refuse credentials to the Michigan and Florida delegations for the Democratic National Convention.

Their message consists of misrepresentations and lies about the DNC rules concerning these states. Unfortunately most news outlets and commentators are repeating this misinformation without ever checking the Obama campaign’s claims for accuracy against the actual DNC rules."

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/04/24/a-talking-points-memo-rules-provide-for-the-florida-and-michigan-delegations-to-be-seated/

Isn't it a little absurd to be talking about efforts that encourage gas consumption during 'green month".

Do we know that the federal gas tax truly goes into a highway trust fund?

It sounds logical and high-minded, but I recall when New York State got into the gambling business with our state lottery, those funds were earmarked for education. There may still be match of lottery revenues and education expenditures, but my understanding is that it now all runs through the general fund.

Gotta run for the afternoon, but I'll look back for anyone's answer later tonight.

Thanks

The only will you are going to get a lot of people to stop driving SUVs and wasting gas is for the price to go through the roof.

Jamie doesn't all that spinning make you dizzy? Once you're head has cleared I'm eager to read your explanations on Hillary's war flip-flops and her flip-flops on the driver licenses issue. Actually I'm a little stumped as to you giving Hillary a free ride on the drivers license issue considering your hatred for the undocumented worker.

Next, the Republicans will go after STATE taxes on gasoline which will reduce maintenance on state highways & bridges and things like snowplowing.

In a few years, driving in the USA will be like driving in a 3rd world country.

People will still be driving huge SUVs, but they won't be able to go over 15 mph. (Potholes.)

Heather,

I just read your post...I hope you don't think I was castigating you with my comments yesterday.

My personal view on all religions is that when practiced as a matter of personal faith, they are a good thing. Organized religion to me is nothing but a money making pyramid scheme in my eyes. I will never be able to comprehend the number of wars that were started because of religion and it blows my mind to see the generational conflicts between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland or the Sunis and Shias in the middle east.

Many of the people that you think have an issue with you are upset that when they look at your picture, they are immediately in violation of a couple of the 10 commandments and don't like the guilt they are left with for the rest of the day...lol

Cool David Woo rep. and SD from Colorado has just endorsed Obama, I wonder if he's OD's congress person.

The proposal also included a similar temporary halt to the diesel tax at 24.4 cents per gallon. The idea has merit in that it would make commuting to work about 5% less expensive, but more importantly it would assist the nations truckers in delivering produce and goods at a lower cost. It would immediately have an effect on the groceries we buy, at least temporarily. The impact on our roads and bridges would be negligible.
http://brokengovernment.wordpress.com

If the gasoline tax is lowered, the oil companies will quickly raise prices to the distributor. These price increases will be masked by the overall reduction in selling price.

Net result, oil company profits will break new records.

You can bet that the considerable lobbying power of the oil industry will be behind this proposal. They'll probably run their own ads.

bear, that's my understanding as well. One issue of course is whether the government has had or should have a role in restricting or broadening refinery capacity. The RWNM believes government is responsible for the limited refining capacity through denial of permits for new refineries. The flip side is that the big oil guys have not invested in maintaining and upgrading the existing refineries. I don't know which view is right, or whether it's one of those one from column A and one from column B things. one thing that does occur to me is that in light of the profits the oil companies have reported since Katrina, I'm skeptical about why they haven't been able to restore the refining capacity there.

brian, I can't answer a bullshit question like yours - that is a question only the person who has to take a position can answer - but I can propose 2 questions that are, I think, important to know about the issue - how much highway construction revenue would be lost if the gas and diesel taxes were suspended for the 3 month summer vacation season, and are there sufficient unused funds in the federal Highway Trust Fund to make up any shortfall in the foreseeable future? Frankly, I don't have to know what the answers are in my position, as a voter and driver I don't support he gimmick, but that is information that I would want to have as a policymaker before I took a position on the issue.

nash, you've visited West Virginia? It's like that here already.

Actually, that's a good point you raise re: state gas taxes, which range from 7.5 cents to about 34 cents, I believe, but those efforts have been underway for years - since at least 1000 in Illinois, for instance.

OD's from CO? For some reason I thought OD was from OR.

Pogo a band aid response to something that has been plaguing this country for over 30 years just isn't going to cut it anymore. Here's my bottom line Pogo has Hillary ever had what could be called a "profiles in courage" moment. Her willingness to leave a stupid tax cut on the table I find unacceptable. Her willingness to use the strategic reserve as a tool of market manipulation doesn't impress me. Focus groups are a poor substitute for actually having a spine.

damn typos - that would be 2000 - I could be wrong, but I don't believe IL existed as a state 1100 years ago.

Myth 1: Oil refineries are not being built in the U.S. because environmental regulations, particularly the Clean Air Act, are so bureaucratic and burdensome that refiners cannot get permits.

Fact: Environmental regulations are not preventing new refineries from being built in the U.S. From 1975 to 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received only one permit request for a new refinery. And in March, EPA approved Arizona Clean Fuels’ application for an air permit for a proposed refinery in Arizona. In addition, oil companies are regularly applying for – and receiving – permits to modify and expand their existing refineries.[1]
http://www.citizen.org/cmep/energy_enviro_nuclear/electricity/Oil_and_Gas/articles.cfm?ID=11829

The cost today has less to do with refinery capacity and everything to do with speculation.

"There was no improvement in the CAFE standards under the Clinton Administration."

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0412-11.htm

Pogo,

I would agree with your assessment that the oil companies haven't invested in upgrading their refining capacity. I wonder how much of that is because of heightened state regulation.

If we could get past the NIMBY mentality, we would be smart to build a regionally based refinery network to ease this problem.

Dear Bear:
No I did not consider you in that category at all so don't worry. I know my religion has it's flaws but that is by man, I do not blame God for that, God gives humankind free will to choose good or evil, if some humans choose evil and as a result sometimes innocent people suffer which is why Jesus suffered and died for our sins so that despite our wicked deeds and choice of evil we may have forgiveness.

As for greed in organized religion I agrees that there is and that saddens me, but despite that I do not believe in abandoning my religion because of corrupt sinful clergy, thats exactly what the evil one wants is for people of faith to turn from Jesus, remember in scripture it was pride and jealousy that got satan kicked out of Heaven. I want to avoid that trap pride and jealousy.

In any event Bear thank you for your kind post

Sincerely,
Heather

Of course pogo on OD you're right, I don't what I was thinking, sometimes I just try to do too many things at once.

The oil companies have no reason to upgrade refineries, they are making huge profits maintaining the status quo. Profits are their game, not sound energy policy.

If the gasoline tax is lowered, the oil companies will quickly raise prices to the distributor. These price increases will be masked by the overall reduction in selling price.

Net result, oil company profits will break new records.

You can bet that the considerable lobbying power of the oil industry will be behind this proposal. They'll probably run their own ads.

Posted by: nash

===============================================================

Nash:
Can you put something in YOUR OWN WORDS PLEASE

--Heather

Nash you better do what Heather says, she's into wicken and might put a spell on you. BTW Heather how do you rationalize your belief in witchcraft and being a catholic.

Brian you figure it out ok since you know everything about me

if you had a brain you'd have a headache brian

--Heather!

Nothing for me to figure out, I think religion is mankind at it's very worst.

still cant figure it out can you brian lol
the military has a perfect saying for people like you "trainee don't let your mouth overload your behind" fits you to a T

Relax Brian:
You won the war you hate me because of an ideological disagreement, fine, its all good. I will leave you got your wish you can celebrate and be happy, I bear you no malice I will move on, I bid you well and I will miss everyone here even you Brian
My love to all

This looks to be a really interesting resource on roads:
http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/pubrds.htm

I remember when the system of interstates was created. It seemed as if overnight we went from the single Pennsylvania Turnpike to a series of superb roads traversing most every state in the country.

These roads weren't built from gasoline taxes. They were funded by general tax revenues from the businesses and workers of our country. And, we were able to do it after a world war followed by a regional war, and during the Cold War.

But now, we don't have the motivation or money to build anything of substance within our country. Nothing. What has been built during the past twenty years? The project in Boston? Some subway tunnels? Come on, give me a list that is more than a shadow of the Interstate System.

All of it, everything, was done from everyday taxes. And during a period when most every family had a single wage earner. And healthcare was affordable. And we looked forward to the future.

LynnC, that's what I thought was the answer on that part of the issue. I suspect that the lackof recovery of refining capacity in the GoM is also strategic. It's all been a smokescreen to open up drilling in ANWR and other public lands IMHO.

Focus groups? Got any proof that focus groups have been utilized by her on this issue? As long as OPEC dictates the level of crude supplies shipped, nothing we do here short of developing an alternative fuel for vehicles or some other measures that reduce demand for the stuff will solve the problem of supply/demand and the resulting price pressure for gasoline. Clinton may be open to the idea - but I disagree with her if she supports it after getting whatever information she needs to decide. And she has not come out in support of it that I am aware of. And I wonder if that 6 month suspension of IL's tax solved IL's problem of high gas prices in 2000? Maybe it took Obama 6 months studying the issue that had been plaguing this country for 24 years at that point to decide that making that suspension permanenet was not good policy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORSzfw8FE-o

Oregon Dem: What has the response been to the Oregon Compact and the Debate Challenge? Get us caught up from the Trail when you have a chance!

Oh this one is pretty cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPw1i9dAJiQ

Now see what you did, Brian....Heather is leaving again.

Shame on you Brian...go take a time-out!!!

Does anyone, besides me, think Heather and Brian are really the same person??

Now see what you did, Brian....Heather is leaving again.

You'd think they would get along since they have the same personality traits. How can we miss them if they won't go away.

Cool David Woo rep. and SD from Colorado has just endorsed Obama, I wonder if he's OD's congress person.

Brian,
You were right but spelling wrong.

PORTLAND, OR — Today U.S. Congressman David Wu from Oregon announced his support for Senator Barack Obama for president, citing his ability to make real change:

Heather if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

bear, I know that there has been a great deal of NIMBY opposition in the western gulf coast area to new refineries - particularly in the Houston & Galveston area, but I don't know whether increased state regulation is part of it.

heather, you really shouldn't leave, although you will be in very good company - many of us will miss your posts. Brian's comments should be taken for what they're worth, considering the source, and nothing more. It's really not worth leaving when you can simply ignore him.

OD's from Portland/Salem I believe

This is cool:
Reducing the Amount of Juice Electronic Gadgets Consume
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/technology/personaltech/24pogue-email.html?8cir&emc=cira1

Thanks Rez.

Brian, I'll fulfill you request as soon as you actually post something that isn't an attack on another human being or some snarky remark of absolutely no useful substance.

Brian, someone must have really kicked the crap out of you when you were younger. I hope you find a way of taking care of yourself other than taking things out on people here who you sense as being vulnerable.

Heather,

Ignore the trolls and brainless.
Take some time off if you need.

But Remember, you are a valuable perspective here.

Jack

Bear,

If state governments throughout the southwest invested the same amount of money in assisting all buildings to go solar that they spend on all the various costs of oil, they would save money, have a cleaner environment, and have no need of another refinery. The major industries that pay for their campaigns would be unhappy, but the people who vote for them might be pleased.

Some info on alternative energies. You don't have to live where the sun shines to go solar

http://www.climal.com/solar-heating.php

Jamie,

That's very true. As far as I know, only Arizona is working towards that. I remember reading something from the governor talking about building solar farms in the AZ desert. They have an interesting concept. Instead of using the sun light to charge batteries, they will use mirrors to reflect the light to heat water pipes. They will then use that energy to drive a turbine to create electricity. It would work even on days that were not sunny.

A lot of the builders I talk to here in the Metroplex are eager to transform their businesses towards "greener" pastures. They recognize that it's best to be ahead of the curve and it does seem that the state will follow suit.

As I think about it, wind technology would be great to use in TX since there is rarely a calm wind day in these parts.

Brian, I know that if you look at Heather's pictures you will never experience a "Thank God I'm Heterosexual Moment"...please don't fuck it up for the rest of us...

heather

id tell brian to shut his mouth but tht would ruin his sex life

Flatus I didn't take anything out on Heather, she often brings religion into the conversation and asking how someone who claims to be a catholic and bases a lot of her principals on that reconciles believing in Wicca, which according to my understanding is a major no no in the eyes of the church. If Heather doesn't want to be questioned regarding her religious beliefs she'd do better to leave them on the church steps and not repeatedly bring them into the public square.

Isn't it a little absurd to be talking about efforts that encourage gas consumption during 'green month".

Posted by: BrianInNYC | April 24, 2008 2:31 PM

YES !!!

I wanted to comment more on gas taxes, but I need to sleep... it's 10:10 and I open my shop at 6:30 and I am sleepy

Good afternoon, evening and night...

Brian, You feel as if she's forcing her religious beliefs into the forum rather than keeping them personal. (If I'm wrong, correct me.) And that causes you to react negatively.

If she, and other religious persons, wear their religion inside their jackets instead of on their sleeves, will you refrain from using your intelligence to create predictable reactions from them?

Please let me know so that we can try to put things on a more even keel.

I'm hardly anonymous.

This very funny clip from the daily show

Rob Riggle: "In 2001, there was a memo -- Bin Laden determined to attack United States from a safe haven in Afghanistan. . .
Now 7 years and $700 billion later, we get a new memo saying Bin Landen determined to attack United States from a safe haven somewhere around Afghanistan. . .

We are right back where we started. We could have gotten here by doing nothing."

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=166729

Jack

Flatus

"All of it, everything, was done from everyday taxes. And during a period when most every family had a single wage earner. And healthcare was affordable. And we looked forward to the future."

We did have one major advantage since we were one of the few countries left standing and had little to no competition for our products and services. It gave us a whole generation of bliss and then the rest of the world started to catch up and the world population started exploding against creating even greater demand for goods and services with less land to fill that demand.

There were 138 million people in the U.S when I was born and now there are over 300 million and they all want to eat and drive.

Bear,

it is my understanding that Texas leads the US in Wind Power. T. Boone Pickens is building a huge wind farm up in the panhandle and as you drive out west on I 20 toward El Paso you can see tons of windmills working out on the mesas.

yo soy Horsedooty!

Flatus I neither praised or attacked, I asked for clarification. Heather frequently brings her beliefs into the discussion, I wouldn't say she forces them, she has every right to bring them up, but in all fairness Flatus Heather seems to feel the only appropriate response to her musings is to gush praise upon her. This is a blog, not a fan site.

Jamie,

Perhaps I'm trying to put the genie back into the bottle.

Or maybe things have changed so dramatically that we no longer have the ability to do wonderful things. Seems as if every time someone proposes something that's complex, people look for reasons why it can't be done. That's a shame.

OD

Oregon Rep. David Wu has endorsed Sen. Obama. Go say mean things to him. :-)

It's safe to miss KO tonight. His guest is Richard Lewis. Between insufferable and incomprehensible, it will be a good night to check out the new CNN political show "Election Center"

Interesting MSNBC "First Read" article about Michigan

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/04/24/943238.aspx?CommentPosted=true#commentmessage

It refers back to a Detroit Free Press editorial that I will try to find.

Flatus

I agree with you that the US seems to have lost the talent for cooperative action. I think coming out of the Great Depression and WW II there was a period when everyone wanted to do what was best for everyone else.

Unfortunately, coming off the farm and into the suburb seems to have destroyed that whole idea of collective survival. There was a time when every man spent an evening at his club and women spent at least one afternoon or evening with her group. When combined with church or school groups they provided a societal framework to get necessary things done.

If things get hard enough one of two things will happen, we will separate into destructive have and have not groups that rip society to shreds or we relearn the old lessons of mutual survival.

haven't done this in a while

Cost of the Iraq war
For the cost of one year in the Iraq war we could replace 2136 defective bridges the size of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapsed in Minneapolis MN

That is 42 bridges per state about 1/3 mile long.

Jack

Craig: Would love to hear your reaction to this article:

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=ec466d61-a900-414c-8daf-16ff27ccf85c

Lot of good analysis of why Obama could win the popular but lose the electoral college BIG.

*Passes Heather the ignore button*

Personally , I think they should legalize weed and then tax the hell out of it like cigarettes.

Okay, Brian, I think I understand--it's one of those personality things that if you two walked into the same supermarket, one or the other, or both of you would head for the door.

I'm still having trouble making up my mind, but I'll narrow it down once the post positions are drawn. Let me know who you want.

Adriano
Anak Nakal
Big Brown - Jamie
Big Truck
Bob Black Jack -
Colonel John
Cool Coal Man - Jamie
Court Vision
Cowboy Cal
Denis of Cork
Eight Belles
Gayego
Monba
Pyro
Recapturetheglory
Smooth Air
Tale Of Ekati
Visionaire
Z Fortune
Z Humor

Sorry for the copy and paste. I know the rules. But I thought this was something worth sharing. It's an excerot from a Jann Arden Journal entry. To read the full text go here: http://www.jannarden.com/journal.php?page=1

Change...
17-Apr-2008 08:43 pm

Some people have to be right and that’s the brunt of the problem. They would rather be right than have peace. Being right is more important that friendships or love or family or loyalty or anything for that matter. I don’t want to be right. I don’t need to be. When you choose peace, you are choosing what is right.

More on words…they can kill people when used without wisdom and knowledge. When they are not kind, they are like jagged blades that cause wounds that seldom, if ever, heal. It never ceases to amaze me how some people have absolutely no sense of responsibility. They see themselves with halos over their heads. They do not see what everybody else sees. They see what they want to see, however distorted that is. Everybody else is wrong. Everybody else is dumb. Everybody else hasn’t got a clue. Life for them is a tunnel. Nothing exists other than what they create and control. It is a sickness. The closer you get to these people, the easier it becomes to get sucked up like you’re in the middle of a tornado, the kind that ate Dorothy and the dog and the whole damn house.

Jamie

I'm sticking with Cowboy Cal
$2 to win

Or what ever is cheaper
Jack

Craig...interesting use of the word "cavalier" to describe BHO. You sure a right on point about that!

Jamie, I am not a bit optimistic about things should the economy really tank. A lot of people may think it's stupid, but we have enough stuff to be able to survive, outside, indefinitely. Yup, we'll survive.

But, then, we didn't have electricity at the old farm until, must have been, '51 or '52. And Stinky was born during the Japanese occupation of Korea and went through the Korean War.

I don't sense that the ultra-wealthy, with a few notable exceptions, have the same commitment to our country as the rest of us. I suspect they'll be out of the country headed for greener pastures.

C'est la vie.

Rev Wright is back in the news again. Sound Bites in his appearance on Bill Moyers tomorrow night. Sounded like he threw Obama under the bus. His does Pastor things and Obama does Political things.

The Rev got three events starting tomorrow and ending on Monday. Not good timing.

Brian farts and all the hot chicks leave.
Way to goooooo Brian. You ruined the whole party.
You're gonna get some noogies for that!! Come over here!

Actually -- and I can't believe I'm typing this -- I think Brian is right and Heather was being a bit oversensitive on the latest insult.

By Brian's standards, that wasn't even a baby slap.

Come back Heather. Most people here like you. Nobody's out to persecute you.

The guy who came up with the Willie Horton ad and the new Obama ad was on Hannity show and said he is working on some more ads. He said they don't break any election rules. He even has a web site. http://exposeobama.com/

*pops a GasX*

Now this is interesting...Jenna Bush not yet on board with McCain....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080424/ap_on_el_pr/jenna_bush_mccain

Once, someone(I don't remember who)left the blog, for the umpteenth time, posting that they were leaving, never to return....

Anyway, I think it was either KGC or Patsi who had a great 1-liner about "clutching pearls and leaving the blog"...it was hilarious!! I wish I could remember the exact line...

I really miss the 1-liners that used to fly around all day!!

harborwoman

I watched that portion of Larry King...I was actually quite impressed that Jenna actually said that...Laura Bush's face was priceless after the remark. I'll bet Grandma Barbara really was PO'ed. But, Jenna is one of those fortunates who literally won the lotto (by birth) without having to buy a ticket or play. I am sure Grandma Barbara can't cut her out of her already established trust funds.

I don't think Jenna has to vote for McCain.

This race reminds me of a best of seven game series. Obama takes a 3 game lead. Hillary wins games 4 and 5. (Ohio and PA) Now we are in game 6. I have seen so many times the winner of game 6 goes on and wins game 7. You got the win game 6 and that's Ind now. He's playing defense and hopes he does not make any mistakes. There are some cracks and shes going after them. This is so much fun to watch. You got to love this. Why would any political junkie want this to end. The network ratings are thru the roof. Last night with Carville and Richardson going at it live. Bush's daughter saying she is not sure what candidate. The last debate had over 10 million viewers. Look how many people voted on Tuesday. Even on the Rep side.

Laura was not that thrilled when Larry brought up Chelsa and Jenna said she wanted to talk to her.

Blonde wino and LushisLinda...

I was just impressed that she was thinking for herself. That's wonderful! Clearly, genetics smiled and she inherited some of her mother's intellect.

Jenna can communicate much better than her Dad and Grandfather. She should of taught Daddy how to talk. Is he really her Dad.

Vadaryl...which is "why" it bewilders me that BHO will not debate or have a re-vote. More exposure for him. It sort of reminds me of how GWB wouldn't hold press conferences during his first term. Something about BHO and GWB remind me of mirror images...

harborwoman...she came off very natural...not contrived or controlled. Actually, disarming.

Laura was not that thrilled when Larry brought up Chelsa and Jenna said she wanted to talk to her.
--vadaryl

Why do you think Laura would have a problem with that? I am surprised that Chelsea and Jenna aren't already friends.

Blonde...

I didn't watch. Now I'm rather sorry I missed it. I had no idea that either of the twins had any depth to them.

BTW, I'm really pleased to see you posting again. You add a lot to the list, IMO.

BHO could meet with Hillary and say to CBS we want to debate but we want to deal with only the issues and if you ask any other questions we will not answer them. Ok let's say CBS tells them, no way, then they could go to C-SPAN or PBS. They are not run by NY Execs trying to make it more entertaining for ratings.

Someone on CNN last night compared the race between Obama and Clinton to a boxing match. Obama is ahead on all cards. He needs to keep his distance from her. Stick and move. Don't let her hit him.

*pops a GasX*

Posted by: BrianInNYC

Oh, dear God.

He pops a GasX -- and he disappears.

It makes such horrible, terrible, wonderful sense.

I am surprised they are not friends either, but look at Laura's reaction, unless it was still there when her daughter did not back McCain.

LushIs...I love the "clutching your pearls" line too. That's funny.

Thing is...being Scarlett O'Hara in scene one...sitting on the front steps of Tara with all the beaus fawning, is a pretty good gig. But if you sign up for that, you also have to be on board for the scenes where you're running through a burning city, or rutting around elbow deep in the dirt, or eating roots and listening to Leslie Howard whimper about the good old days. :)

"Come on back, Katie Scarlett...and you must never forget...it's the BLOG...It's the BLOG."

I can't figure out why he does not want a re-vote either. He knows FL and MI are so important in November. I guess he's worried that he will lose by more votes than he did the first time with current events happening. Maybe he should of said OK a few weeks ago, had the vote when he was winning right and left. Now it may be a problem for him.

Wait. I just realized that based on my last post, Brian is Rhett Butler. Egads!!

It's OK if Obama does not agree to debate Hillary. She can run atta