Monthly Archives: November 2011

Is This What The Secret Service Is Intended For?

From the Washington Post:

[Cain spokesman JD Gordon] would not say how many Secret Service agents would be positioned with Cain, but the spokesman said the coverage began Thursday night in New York, where Cain taped an interview on the “Late Show with David Letterman.”On the campaign trail, Cain “draws anywhere from a dozen to 50 media at his events,” Gordon said. “When he gets out at a rally or a campaign stop, it has been increasingly common for media to be physically putting themselves and others in danger by trying to follow him with a lot of heavy equipment and cameras in close quarters like we saw yesterday.”

There are reasons why a candidate may need Secret Service protection, but keeping the press at bay isn’t one of them.

Friday Open Thread [11.18.11]

There is hope for us yet. In Arizona, the Arizona Supreme Court overturned Mein Fuhrer Frau Jan Brewer (R) and reinstated the chair of the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission Colleen Mathis. This is an humiliating rebuke to the Republican Party in Arizona, who thought they could just removed the head of an independent agency without cause, or any good reason at all really, and no one would dare question them on it. Good for the Supreme Court to stand up to such bare partisan thievery.

E.J. Dionne Jr. says Congress should do nothing, and he’s right. For once, Congress should nothing.

The prospect of $7.1 trillion in tax increases and some cuts that would begin taking effect in January 2013 … should hearten every deficit foe now prepared to mourn a failure by the supercommittee.

Because the bulk of the $7.1 trillion comes from automatic revenue increases, the power in future negotiations would shift toward those seeking a balance between cuts and taxes. Doing nothing is not an option when it comes to job creation. Congress still needs to act. But on the deficit, inaction now could lead to wiser action later. […]

A balanced deal would be nice but it’s now impossible — and not because of some vague congressional “dysfunction” the media like to talk about. Sane fiscal policies are blocked because one party refuses to accept the need to roll back the excesses of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. If Congress does nothing, those tax cuts go away. That’s why a “failure” by the supercommittee to endorse a deeply flawed deal is actually a victory for sensible deficit reduction.

In an interview with the Des Moines Register’s editorial board, Michele Bachmann defended the practice of waterboarding. Because of course, waterboarding is not torture. But would Michele ever subject herself to the harmless procedure? Of course not.

A new Rasmussen survey in Iowa shows Newt Gingrich leading with likely GOP caucus-goers with 32%. Mitt Romney is at 19%, Herman Cain at 13%, Ron Paul at 10%, Rick Perry at 6% and Michele Bachmann at 6%. I must say, having Gingrich win the nomination is the next best thing to Palin winning it.

Afghanistan – touch down in flight from Augustin Pictures on Vimeo.

OK, Occupy, that was stupid.

The Occupy Wall Street movement has been incredibly successful in changing the debate in this country, away from austerity and budget cuts and slashing social programs to further enrich the rich, and toward unemployment and the horrible income disparity that is pervasive in our society. The Occupy movement has once again engaged and inspired the young into direct political action, which is wonderful.

I still support the Occupy movement, but it is time the movement rethink its tactics. Today’s Day of Action and the resulting arrests, violence and horrible traffic and transit disruptions in NYC and Philly will probably lose the protestors support they were already losing. How do I know this? I know it when I see my nonpolitical friends who were otherwise sympathetic to the ideas and ideals behind the Occupy movement say this on Facebook:

I AM part of the “other 99%” AND I contribute to the recovery of the economy everyday by working, and then spending my paycheck to ensure jobs at places I spend my money. So how come the protesters get to block traffic preventing me from getting home, and preventing others from getting TO work! Be passionate and protest…just don’t keep others from doing what they HAVE to (like work) in the process!

Today was stupid. And it is time to rethink and change tactics and strategy so the movement can continue and grow rather than flaming out with nothing but the general public’s resentment rather than support. It has been 60 days, and residents in respective cities do want their public parks back so they can use them too. How about this:

We declare “victory” and throw a party … a festival … a potlatch … a jubilee … a grand gesture to celebrate, commemorate, rejoice in how far we’ve come, the comrades we’ve made, the glorious days ahead. Imagine, on a Saturday yet to be announced, perhaps our movement’s three month anniversary on December 17, in every #OCCUPY in the world, we reclaim the streets for a weekend of triumphant hilarity and joyous revelry.

We dance like we’ve never danced before and invite the world to join us.

Then we clean up, scale back and most of us go indoors while the die-hards hold the camps. We use the winter to brainstorm, network, build momentum so that we may emerge rejuvenated with fresh tactics, philosophies, and a myriad projects ready to rumble next Spring.

Whatever the movement does, it cannot again make life hard and difficult on the very people whose support you are seeking. There cannot be police in the hospital in NYC, no matter how much violence they inflict on the protestors. A nonviolent protest has as its hallmark…. guess what…. NONVIOLENCE.

BREAKING: Delaware to Vote No on Fracking!

Big news from Governor Markell’s office. Here is the press release, plus Gov. Markell’s letter to in opposition:

“Fracking” Proposal Currently Lacks Sufficient Health and Safety Protections

Delaware will vote “No” at Monday meeting of the Delaware River Basin Commission

WILMINGTON – The proposed regulations that would authorize drilling and hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) to begin in the Delaware River Basin lack critical details on how public health and safety would be protected, Governor Jack Markell wrote today in a letter to the other voting members of the Delaware River Basin Commission.

In the letter, Markell made clear that Delaware’s representative would vote against the Natural Gas Development Regulations at the Commission’s meeting in Trenton this Monday.

“Instead of beginning the exploration in the Delaware River Basin and hoping we get a proper regulatory framework in place after-the-fact, it is Delaware’s view the Commission has an obligation to ensure that critical issues regarding well construction and operation are finalized first and not subject to subsequent dilution,” Markell wrote.

Over 3,000 wells have already been drilled in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to harness natural gas out of the Marcellus Shale. While the watershed area that would be opened up to drilling under the Commission’s proposed regulations covers only a small portion of the Shale, it serves as the primary water supply source for at least two-thirds of Delaware’s citizens.

“By far, the single most important issue for a downstream state like Delaware is whether the wells are being drilled, constructed, and operated in a manner that adequately protects our public and private water supplies. Once hydrofracturing begins in the basin, the proverbial “faucet” cannot be turned off, with any damage to our freshwater supplies likely requiring generations of effort to clean up.  In this case, it is more important to get it right, than to be fast,” Markell wrote.

Markell made clear that he believes the nation can pursue the promise of this important domestic energy source without compromising the quality of our water supply. However, doing so demands the close coordination of multiple regulatory bodies including the state and local governments of Pennsylvania and New York, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, and the Commission. Some of these regulatory offerings under consideration in each of these jurisdictions have (1) yet to be finalized; (2) have just been finalized but not fully evaluated; or (3) are final but inadequate to protect public safety.

For example, Pennsylvania’s legislative bodies are currently debating the science that underlies two separate pieces of legislation that would strengthen the rules regarding well construction and operation. In New York, scientists and citizens are still reviewing and commenting on New York’s draft regulations regarding well construction. Because those and other regulatory debates are still underway, Markell continues “to have significant concerns that the regulations may not adequately safe guard our regional water supply by adopting best practices for water withdrawal, siting and setback requirements, drilling and construction standards, ongoing operational protections, and clean up protocols and financial assurances should a release occur.”

The text of the letter is below.

November 17, 2011

The Honorable Governor Chris Christie

Office of the Governor

PO Box 001

Trenton, NJ 08625

The Honorable Governor Thomas W. Corbett

Office of the Governor

225 Main Capitol Building

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120

The Honorable Governor Andrew P. Cuomo

Office of the Governor

NYS State Capitol Building

Albany, NY 12224

Colonel Christopher J. Larsen

Army Corps of Engineers

North Atlantic Division

302 General Lee Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11252

Re: Delaware River Basin Commission’s Natural Gas

Development Regulations

Dear Commissioners:

The Delaware River Basin Commission (the “Commission”) is scheduled to vote on the revised draft Natural Gas Development Regulations this Monday, November 21, 2011. This is an important issue and many of you have asked about Delaware’s intentions. This letter outlines Delaware’s position in advance of Monday’s meeting and the rationale for that position.

It is without question that the decisions we make regarding this issue can have a profound impact on the Delaware River Basin for generations to come. While I believe our nation can pursue the promise of this important domestic energy source without compromising the quality of our water supply, doing so in this case requires a thoughtful regulatory balance and coordination between several states, the federal government and the Commission. For the reasons stated below, I am not convinced we have yet struck that balance or have demonstrated that coordination, and that is why, after careful and deliberate consideration, Delaware will vote no on the adoption of the Commission’s draft regulations at this time.

On one hand, the Marcellus Shale formation offers the promise of providing a critical source of domestic energy, with its enticing potential to provide local, low-emission, and cost-effective energy. In addition, hydrofracturing in the Delaware River Basin has the potential to create significant numbers of direct and indirect jobs in Pennsylvania and New York, not to mention potential tax revenue for states struggling to meet budget shortfalls. On the other hand, as Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley of Pennsylvania has stated, “no amount of economic benefit would justify the degradation of our land, air and water.”

For the past seventeen months of the Commission’s rulemaking process, Delaware’s interest has been simple. As a downstream state that could be adversely affected by poorly crafted and/or executed regulations, Delaware is focused on protecting the water quality throughout the Delaware River Basin. While this watershed only covers a small portion of the Marcellus Shale, it serves as the primary water supply source for at least two-thirds of Delaware’s citizens. For this reason, we have worked to ensure the Commission’s regulations strike an appropriate balance between potential economic development and responsible stewardship of our precious natural resources.

Striking this balance has proven to be very difficult and complicated because it requires the close coordination of multiple regulatory regimes: the state and local governments of Pennsylvania and New York; coupled with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and this Commission. Some of these regulatory schemes have (1) yet to be finalized; (2) have just been finalized but not fully evaluated; or (3) are final but inadequate. As such, we continue to have significant concerns that the regulations may not adequately safe guard our regional water supply by adopting best practices for water withdrawal, siting and setback requirements, drilling and construction standards, ongoing operational protections, and clean up protocols and financial assurances should a release occur.

One only has to look at the prior experience in Pennsylvania to determine that the Commission should not adopt regulations without fully addressing critical issues regarding well construction and operation. After Range Resources announced it had discovered a large gas field in southwestern Pennsylvania in late 2007, businesses big and small inundated small towns in Pennsylvania, seeking permits to drill in the Marcellus Shale. More than 3,000 wells were drilled in just over three years, and only after the fact, in 2011, did scientists, environmental and business leaders convene as part of Governor Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission and offer recommendations regarding the safe, efficient and environmentally responsible extraction and use of natural gas reserves in Pennsylvania. In its final report, the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission noted several high profile incidents that underscore the potential impacts on ground and surface water caused by irresponsible hydrofracturing. As a result of its comprehensive and thoughtful review, the Commission offered 43 separate recommendations in July 2011 on how to better protect the public health and environment in Pennsylvania, many of which are not yet adopted by law, regulation or policy.

Instead of beginning exploration in the Delaware River Basin and hoping we get a proper regulatory framework in place after-the-fact, it is Delaware’s view the Commission has an obligation to ensure that critical issues regarding well construction and operation are finalized first and not subject to subsequent dilution. By far, the single most important issue for a downstream state like Delaware is whether the wells are being drilled, constructed, and operated in a manner that adequately protects our public and private water supplies. If the Commission is going to rely on the regulatory schemes of state and local governments on such issues, the Commission must review and evaluate such schemes in each of those states.

Otherwise, as EPA Regional Administrators Garvin and Enck properly noted in comments to this docket, the Commission should establish a minimum set of standards that any state requirements must meet. Because these state standards are still under development, Delaware has worked to improve the regulations with additional requirements for monitoring, financial assurance, site investigation following a release and remedial action; however, many smaller drilling operations will fall below the DRBC thresholds and will thus be governed by state regulations that are not yet final. Without a clear understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements regarding well construction and operation in New York and Pennsylvania, either through finalized and/or enacted state law or regulation, or through the Commission establishing minimum standards that must be met, I cannot conclude that the water resources in the basin will be adequately protected.

This does not mean that Delaware will refuse to move forward under any circumstances. In fact, I agree with Governor Corbett that the decision makers at all levels of government with respect to hydrofracturing should be guided by science, not emotion or desire for profit. But in Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth’s legislative bodies are currently debating the science that underlies two separate pieces of legislation that would strengthen the rules regarding well construction and operation. Further, in New York, scientists and citizens are still reviewing and commenting on New York’s draft regulations regarding well construction. Thus, the very efficacy of the Commission’s regulations depend heavily on state law or regulation but the decision makers in each state have yet to determine whether sound science will ultimately prevail. As such, this Commission is simply not able to properly evaluate these regulations based on the science at this time.

One final note on the process moving forward: the DRBC regulatory process has been a deliberate and thoughtful seventeen month process in which multiple public comment sessions were held, and more than 68,000 public comments were received and reviewed.

The Commission’s rulemaking process and the intense public interest on both sides of this issue reflect the importance of the decision the Commission will make. Delaware has repeatedly raised the issue of ensuring that the public has the opportunity to review and comment upon significant revisions to the draft regulations. However, the regulations presented for adoption on Monday, were released publicly on November 8 with very significant substantive changes upon which the public should have the ability to comment. Indeed, as recently as November 16, additional changes were made, and it is doubtful the public will have an opportunity to review them, let alone comment, before the public meeting. In the end, if we want the residents of our four states to have confidence in the final product, we must be completely transparent, including providing sufficient public comment opportunities in a manner similar to Federal and state regulatory processes.

In closing, the decision whether to allow hydrofracturing in the Delaware River Basin is a decision that will affect multiple generations of Delawareans. Once hydrofracturing begins in the basin, the proverbial “faucet” cannot be turned off, with any damage to our freshwater supplies likely requiring generations of effort to clean up. In this case, it is more important to get it right, than to be fast. As New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg stated, “[b]ecause full-scale development of natural gas exploitation in the watershed could degrade water quality, a rush to regulate and drill risks the long-term viability of one of the most important drinking water sources in the United States.” This risk is a significant concern for Delaware and therefore, until we have confidence that the Commission’s Natural Gas Development Regulations, coupled with the state and local regulations upon which they rely, are adequately protective of this water supply, I have a duty to current and future generations of Delawareans to vote no.

Sincerely,

Jack A. Markell

Governor

Just Evil.

Federal law enforcement authorities yesterday arrested a 21-year-old Idaho man suspected of shooting with a semiautomatic rifle at the White House on Friday night, as the Secret Service reported finding that at least one bullet had indeed struck the presidential residence.

In response to this, on Twitter, the president of the College Republicans at the University of Texas, Lauren Pierce, had this to say:

“Y’all as tempting as it may be, don’t shoot Obama. We need him to go down in history as the WORST president we’ve EVER had! #2012.”

Of course, after she called lambasted on the Internets for her evilness, the coward Pierce says it was a joke, as if joking about something is a get out of jail free card in the conservative mind. I will let Booman speak for me :

She said this in late November of Obama’s third year in office. She said it from Texas. She said it after a bullet blew out an ornamental window in the White House residence and was stopped by a backup bullet-proof window behind it.

To me, the most telling part is that Lauren Pierce seemed to know her audience. She assumed that they would be sympathetic to the idea of shooting the president and wanted to tell them that it wasn’t a good idea. Coming just days before the forty-eighth anniversary of the JFK assassination, it wasn’t a sensitive statement, but what’s really troubling is that it is assumed that most college Republicans in Texas have had their heads filled with so much crap that they have a murderous hatred of a president who hasn’t done anything to deserve it.

Slam Quote of the Day

“He did ask if I could debate here in Washington on Monday. It is my understanding that such a letter has come in. Monday I’m going to be in Portland in the morning, I’m going to be visiting some of our labs. I’m in California in the afternoon, that’s two. I can’t remember what the third is.”

— House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), quoted by Politico, rebuffing Rick Perry’s request for a debate on overhauling Washington, DC.

Since when was Perry running for Congress?

Thursday Open Thread [11.17.11]

Jack Markell is in Afghanistan for some reason. Sure, the Governor and his staff will say the purpose of his trip is to visit the Delaware National Guard and check on their progress, but, in my opinon, the only reason for a Governor of Delaware to go to Afghanistan is: 2016.

Some good economic news: 1) Jobless claims drop to 7-month low and 2) “U.S. industrial output rose more than expected in October as factory and mining production expanded strongly, suggesting the economy was gaining steam.”

Bloomberg polls in New Hampshire and Iowa find wide majorities of likely Republican voters view Mitt Romney as “smart, business-savvy and fit to be president,” but, at the same time, “substantial numbers, almost half in Iowa and two out of five in New Hampshire, also view him as someone who will do or say anything to get elected, ‘a flip-flopper,’ or not a true social conservative.”

“Those warring impressions help explain how Romney has attained front-runner status in national polls while remaining unable to secure enough backing to break away from his rivals.”

Meanwhile, Newton Leroy Gingrich moves into the lead nationally, according to a new Fox News poll shows Newt Gingrich leading the GOP presidential field nationally with 23%, followed by Mitt Romney at 22% and Herman Cain at 15%. The rest of the pack: Ron Paul at 8%, Rick Perry at 7%, Michele Bachmann at 6%, Jon Huntsman at 3%, and Rick Santorum at 2%.

Meanwhile, a new Economist/YouGov poll also has Gingrich leading nationally with 23%, followed closely by Herman Cain at 21% and Mitt Romney at 19%.

A new Iowa State University/Gazette/KCRG poll in Iowa finds Herman Cain still leading the Republican field with 25%, followed by Ron Paul at 20%, Mitt Romney at 16%, Rick Perry at 8%, Michele Bachmann at 8%, Newt Gingrich at 5% and Rick Santorum at 5%. Wouldn’t it be something if Ron Paul actually won both Iowa and New Hampshire. It is very possible.

People are awesome:

The Big Guy is Running Again

Former Sussex County Recorder of Deeds John Brady has announced that he is running for Clerk of the Peace next year. Affectionately known as “The Big Guy,” Brady will be seeking the office being abandoned by homophobe George “Bad Wig” Parish. Brady switched back to the Democratic Party after the 2008 election.

Brady has served as an attorney in the General Assembly and as town counsel for Dewey Beach and Milton.

Back in 2008, I slammed John for what I perceived as some shortcomings. After the election, John and I sat down and had a good talk. Some of my criticisms were valid, some weren’t. John is now a good friend. His support crosses party lines and he’ll make a great Clerk of the Peace.

I Watched PolitiChicks So You Don’t Have To… But I Bet You Watch

This is a whole new level of stupid.  First, what sort of grown woman is comfortable calling herself a chick?  Second, if surrounding these women with books was supposed to add intellectual heft it was a huge fail.  There aren’t enough books in the world…

I did watch the entire video.  I couldn’t look away.  Victoria Jackson needs professional mental help.  I dare you to press play and not finish watching.  Just when you think there’s nothing more stupid to be said you’ll hear about the Islam-ifying of America and how in American cities a Muslim man can legally beat and behead his wife, how Eric Holder and Janet Napolitano have dead eyes, and how gay people are suing priests who refuse to marry them.  All of this is put forth with a large dose of victimology.  I also loved the way Victoria Jackson hijacks the scheduled topic away from the moderator within seconds.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcCvvJWyx4c&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

I don’t think the women of The View need to worry about PolitiChicks.

In Which We Find That John Carney Still Doesn’t Get It

There are still 14 million people unemployed in America and today we find that John Carney is still working on stuff that creates no jobs:

because Rep. Carney’s legislation protects Social Security and allows for public investments by separating the federal capital and operating budgets. It also provides for extenuating circumstances by allowing outlays to exceed receipts in a time of economic recession, declared war, or imminent national security threat as voted on by Congress.

Great. In addition to creating no jobs, this Balanced Budget Amendment does exactly what the other one does. It lets people burnish their budget cred in public. This — much like Coons’ exercise in bipartisanship — is meant to be theater. Because you know something interesting? Budgets originate in the House. If the House cared about producing a balanced budget, they’d get their staff to churn out one. This amendment fetish is just a way to keep one upping people on this budget without having to do the hard work of producing a balanced budget OR in having to do the hard work of selling the amendment to a bunch of states. The federal government is meant to be a different animal than state governments and while I’m killing metaphors here, the federal government budget isn’t like a household budget. So while I’m still astonished that *this* is the Congressman’s priority while 14 million of his fellow citizens are unemployed, I’m starting to be insulted by these guys trying to sell me this balanced budget snake oil for something they could do with a little leadership and discipline.

OK. Except that isn’t about job creation, EITHER. And it doesn’t look to me like Representative Carney is following the travails of this committee. They look like they are heading for failure — the latest deal floated is that the GOP might consider tax hikes if Dems agree to privatize Medicare. Carney boasted of this event on his Facebook page (where you should go to tell him what you think his priorities should be):

I just got back to my office after participating in a bipartisan press conference urging the Super Committee to “go big.” Great turnout from Democrats and Republicans from House and Senate who want the Super Committee to agree on a large deal that is balanced, responsible, and fair.

Notwithstanding the fact that this has nothing to do with employment — and I’m reminding everyone that fuller employment goes someway towards genuine deficit reduction — I want Carney to explain how he thinks there is going to be balanced, responsible or fair from people who refuse to consider raising revenue and who think that privatizing Medicare is a responsible thing to do?

So c’mon, Representative Carney — what we don’t need is more theater. We need serious leadership and governing to get the jobs back. And it doesn’t help that you are actually proud of spending time and energy on symbolic stuff that has not one thing to do with bringing jobs or the economy back.