I’m No Expert…

I have to hand it to the Republicans, with slight of hand and misdirection they have all but convinced America the deficit was caused by the Democrats and President Obama. But this is not the first time they misdirected the attention of the American people:

“Democrats were quick to point out that President Bush’s budget creates a 1 trillion dollar deficit. The White House quickly responded with ‘Hey, look over there, it’s Saddam Hussein.’”
– Craig Kilborn, April 2003

Tags: Economy, Politics by Jay Stuart
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The Republicans have always had an uncanny ability to fool the American people and here we go again. Well they are at is again. In July,22 NY Times, Paul Krugman’s insight into the Republican’s new campaign to rewrite history and cleanse Bush policies of having anything to do with the current ec0nomic mess will have consquences if the American people fall for it again. Don’t miss this important read!!

 “Republicans aren’t trying to rescue George W. Bush’s reputation for sentimental reasons; they’re trying to clear the way for a return to Bush policies. And this carries a message for anyone hoping that the next time Republicans are in power, they’ll behave differently. If you believe that they’ve learned something — say, about fiscal prudence or the importance of effective regulation — you’re kidding yourself. You might as well face it: they’re addicted to Bush.”

Tags: Economy, National Issues, Politics by Jay Stuart
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As if you really need to ask. But Jonathan Powers, a veteran of the war in Iraq, reaffirms the reasons, probably adding a few you never thought of, and describes the consequenses of maintaining the status quo.

“This year, as Americans across the nation celebrate July Fourth with barbecues and fireworks, those most responsible for defending our independence, the military, will continue to fight two wars. And it is a shame that we will let yet another July Fourth pass us by without making substantial progress toward ending our unnecessary dependence on oil, a dependence that is funding the bullets that our enemies fire at our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.”  READ MORE

Tags: Energy, National Issues, Politics, Renewable energy, environment by Jay Stuart
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BP engineers said Saturday that the “top kill” technique had failed and, after consultation with government officials, they had decided to move on to another strategy. Repairing this disaster is no easy feat and we can be sure the best minds in the country are working on it. But that doesn’t mean it that there is actually a fix out there.

First, BP tried to repair a blowout preventer with submarine robots. That failed. Then its efforts to cap the well with a containment dome failed when it became clogged with a frothy mix of frigid water and gas. BP then tried using a hose to gather escaping oil but managed to catch only a fraction of the escaping oil. In the meantime, BP has started work on two relief wells, but has said that it will not be completed until August — further contributing to what is already the worst oil spill in United States history.

At a rate of 12,000-19,000 barrels of oil a day (504,000-798,000 gallons a day), the spill has already dumped 18 million – 40 millions gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Assuming the spill continues until the relief wells are completed that would add an additional 1,104,000- 1,748,000 barrels of oil or 46,368,000 – 73,416,000 gallons (for grand total of 64,368,000-113,416,000 gallons).

But what if the relief wells don’t stop the leak? What then? How can we count on that working in light of the current failures. Is anyone preparing for this? Can we prepare for this? Will the Gulf of Mexico become a wasteland void of life? The Gulf fishing industry crushed? I’m no expert so no answers here. But what is surprising are the lack of questions and discussion that it’s time to make a serious effort to move away from this oil-based society.

The argument that moving to renewable energy would cost too much pales in comparison to the cost of staying on oil.

Tags: Economy, Energy, National Issues, Politics, Renewable energy by Jay Stuart
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“We can’t expect to solve our problems if all we do is tear each other down. You can disagree with a certain policy without demonizing the person who espouses it. You can question somebody’s views and their judgment without questioning their motives or their patriotism.”

—President Obama

Obviously Rand Paul, Republican Senate nominee from Kentucky, doesn’t agree! What a shock that is! In response to the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar insisting that BP be held accountable for what is becoming the worst oil spill disaster in history, Rand Paul called Salazar’s comments “Un-American.” So I guess if you have a position different from Rand Paul or the Tea Party you are “Un-American.” He touts himself and the Tea Party as being different from GOPers but it sounds a lot like the Bush administration rhetoric.

What more, it seems Rand Paul’s Criticism of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (now a foundation of  United States ideals) as too broad and should not apply to private businesses, is OK! Ata boy Randy, at least you’re honest!

Tags: National Issues, Opinion, Politics by Jay Stuart
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I don’t often read Presidential speeches, in fact I have only read one, in its entirely before. But after reading John P. Avalon’s column at CNN.com I decided to read Obama’s University of Michigan commencement speech. It’s worth a read, it’s inspiring and very “Presidential”

President Obama’s University of Michigan commencement speech

Tags: National Issues, Politics by Jay Stuart
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Reporters are clearly looking for sound bytes instead of  real news. In an exclusive interview with President Obama, ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos asked the President what he thought of Sarah Palin’s criticism of his nuclear deal. The President was right to point out that Sarah Palin  “is not much of an expert on nuclear issues.” So that begs the question why didn’t George Stephanopoulos ask the President about John McCain’s opinion who has vast experience in foreign policy and nuclear issues. It’s most likely that question would not get as much coverage, headlines or controversy. Shame on you George. I’ve listened to you long enough to know that you have little respect for Sarah Palin’s opinions. Keep your eye on the ball and stick to what’s important–Sarah Palin’s opinion is not!

Tags: National Issues, Politics by Jay Stuart
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My naïveté about the anti-Obama folks must be at an all time high. But Maureen Dowd hit the nail right on the head when she understood an unspoken “Boy” at the end Joe Wilson’s “You Lie” outburst. According to Dowd, this South Carolina congressman “belonged to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, led a 2000 campaign to keep the Confederate flag waving above South Carolina’s state Capitol and denounced as a “smear” the true claim of a black woman that she was the daughter of Strom Thurmond, the ’48 segregationist candidate for president. Wilson clearly did not like being lectured and even rebuked by the brainy black president presiding over the majestic chamber.”

I never thought of the anti-Obama crusade this way but it makes sense.

She goes on to say that “Some people just can’t believe a black man is president and will never accept it.”

Her editorial appears in The September 13th, Sunday NY Times.  Click here — It’s worth a read!

Tags: National Issues, Politics by Jay Stuart
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President Obama is being blamed for increasing the nation’s deficit to anywhere from 7 – 9 trillion dollars through 2019. But an analysis from the independent Congressional Budget Office and the administration’s Office of Management concluded that almost 90% of the projected deficit is inherited. Policies such as extending the Bush tax cuts, adjusting the alternative tax for inflation and blocking cuts mandated for doctors’ medicare reimbursement add hundreds of billions more. They concluded that President Obama’s policies probably added 2 trillion but so would any president, republican or democrat, since the amount reflects policy adjustments that have bipartisan support.

As for President Obama’s new policies such as healthcare and energy, they probably do not add to the projected deficit since they have proposed saving and tax increases to offset costs.

It seems that the same people telling us about the cause of our deficit may be the same people screaming about “death panels.”

See full story in NY TIMES

Tags: Economy, National Issues, Politics by Jay Stuart
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Mob politics has taken root and is growing. It’s interesting to note that opponents of healthcare reform have been promoting violent behavior as a means to shoot down the bill. “Become part of the mob!” was posted on the Web Site of Sean Hannity. Not “become part of the solution” or “Become part of the debate” but become a mob. I guess when you don’t have a valid or rationale argument the next best thing is to distort the truth and promote irrationality.

Tags: Health, Medicine, Politics by Jay Stuart
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