Raising Kaine - Recent Comments

of course, some of us already purchased his book -

teacherken — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:04:54 GMT

and some of us have already written about it.

I will have to see what my schedule is like. I think I'd like to hear what he has to say, and I have not been to P&P for a while.

yeah

vatechhokies50 — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:53:38 GMT

Well, at least it's not the philosophy of drill, drill, drill, you know? I sent this article to Ben at NLS and he got it up immediately... it's his lead story... lol.

At least SOMEBODY is thinking big

Lowell — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:51:33 GMT

...and it's a Virginia Republican, Randy Forbes (4th CD):

Thanks, I saw that.

Lowell — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:43:21 GMT

Honestly, I think a national speed limit is not going to accomplish much of anything. I mean, sure, it will save a little bit of gasoline, but not enough to make a dent, especially since most people hate going 55 miles per hour on the highway. Been there, done that...meh.

Senator John Warner asks energy chief to study national speed limit

vatechhokies50 — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:28:26 GMT

http://www.chron.com/disp/stor...

Check this article out, Lowell. You all do good work here at RHK.

Matthew

"Now we are going to have to do this the hard way."

Lowell — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:55:32 GMT

Sadly, I think you may be right. The federal government has completely failed in the area of energy policy, as have most states (including this one). And you're right about "pandering," too; people say they want their politicians to be "straight talkers," but they really don't, at least when it comes to energy and environmental issues.

Ultimately though..

ericy — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:13:40 GMT

people can lobby for anything they like, but I don't see prices going down in any significant way. So simple economics means that people will downsize their vehicles, and they will move closer to work. It is too bad that it had to come to this - some of us have been aware for years that this day would come, but the cheap gas and cheap consumer goods was too alluring. Now we are going to have to do this the hard way.

The problem though is that if the public demands actions that we know to be ineffective, that we will also end up with ineffective leaders. That's the danger going forward - I hate to say it but the lesson from the Carter years is that the people don't want tough love - they want pandering instead.

And who was in charge?

Bubby — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:49:07 GMT

In 1985 America was in the thrall of re-elected President Ronald Reagan - the Great Deregulator. The solar panels that Jimmy Carter had placed on the Whitehouse roof had long been ripped off in an act of defiance to the idea of limited resource and sustainability. No natural limitation would stand in the face of Smiling Dutch, and his Reaganomic Order.

Americans had a right to unfettered access to horsepower, bulk, and excess - like God's Chosen People. "Government is not the solution, Government is the Problem", Reagan said, and his throng cheered. "Let the Markets be Free". GM built large-displacement engines, and what is good for GM, is good for America. America needed big gas-guzzling vehicles to access our cowboy fantasies, and keep us safe.

Dutch handed the reins to Daddy Bush and rode West. Daddy Bush had little of the charm and more of the greedy cronies. He also had big investments in the Oil Bidness. There would be no C.A.F.E. improvements. The Reagan Babies had grown to driving age, and needed their lug-tire SUV to reach the top of the pile. It was their birthright. Have you heard the latest Jimmy Carter joke?

When the "free markets" decided to turn the Savings and Loan industry into a government-funded ATM machine, America got the bill and decided it was time for a change (but not C.A.F.E.). A new sheriff came to town - Bill Clinton, and he renewed Jimmy Carter's goal of ending America's addiction to oil. The War Against Big Oil. His National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced their intention to study new fuel efficiency technologies for revising CAFE.

But not so fast. Reagan had inspired a whole generation of city dudes and conservative Republican intellectuals to stand tall in the face of reality. Into the fray rode Newt Gingrich, with his "Contract With America". Carved on his tablets, Newt had the Way to Shrink Government.

Empowered by their new majority, the Republican congress declared that the NHTSA would have their revised CAFE regulation de-funded! America had better things to do like protecting the Health Care lobby, and fighting Communism. As victory piled on victory, the philandering Newt decided that what WE really needed to do was outlaw Democratic Presidents. America was treated to a 6 year Republican Jihad against Anything Clinton.

Meanwhile, in the 30 years since Jimmy Carter told America that our oil addiction was a threat to our way of life, and put us at the mercy of market cartels, America's oil imports have doubled. In 1980 America consumed 17,056,000 barrels of oil, in 2007 America was consuming 20,697,000 barrels of oil.

So what does our Republican President, and the Republican Party suggest that we do. Drill for oil, everywhere, now. Kick the oil monkey down the field and wait for a solution to our oil addiction - it will surely come from someplace awesome and unknowable. Won't it?

Also, anything

soccerdem — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:38:55 GMT

on their Religion page. Read the Washington Times for the truth.

I do so commit myself - Kenneth J. Bernstein

teacherken — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:07:59 GMT

my honor may be limited and is certainly not sacred, and in real terms I have little fortune, although my possessions exceed those of 95% of the people now walking on earth. But these, and my life, I dedicate to this purpose.

Peace.

Dang...

Bwana — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:41:55 GMT

I had pals of mine in college from NJ, and at the end of each sumer they made it a point to their fortune's told to see if they were going to have a good school year...whether it was out of a devotion to Springsteen or a belief in Madam Marie's powers, I don't know, but it was something they always had on the summer bucket list...

I can't speak for these groups, but...

Lowell — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:02:37 GMT

...to my knowledge, they all support energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Once again

notwaltertejada — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:46:08 GMT

Walter Tejada pulling a stunt that boils down to rolling out the red carpet for illegal immigrants in Arlington. The County Board has already established that it is a sanctuary county for illegal immigration. About 700 times. Since they insist on being counter productive on this issue, they need to just move on.
Also Love the Barcroft 4th of July parade. Can't believe it's our 20th year having it! Should be a good one.

Legal Issue

heywaitaminute — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:32:58 GMT

It will be interesting to see how the plaintiffs utilize a Georgia state case to persuade a Virginia court to upend a legislatively mandated power plant. Since the Virginia General Assembly appears deadlocked in filling state court judge positions presently, Gov Kaine could very well be making interim appointments, even to the state's supreme court and many circuit courts. We know how he feels. Nothing is ever as simple as it may seem.

pu$h-pull politics

hereinva — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:21:35 GMT

The people elect 'em, the corporations direct 'em $$?

Very "savvy" of Transurban to grease the skids all around, though Dominion is the hands down winner of "cash all around".
From 2005 - 2008, Dominion scattered @$2.01mm among our VA elected officials..the top recipient from 2005-2008: Bill Howell's Dominion Leadership Trust PAC @$170,000.