If Gore Really Meant It

Congratulations!  Since leaving the White House Al Gore has earned well over $100 million dollars as he has continued his crusade against the evils of man's impact on the world.

I am glad he is doing well and embracing capitalism, seriously!  He grabbed an idea and marketed the hell out of it and some people ate it up.  I don't even begrudge him his home energy usage, other then the hypocrisy of the Goracle being the King of Carbon, after all he buys carbon offset credits from his own company, right?

What I don't understand is why he doesn't actually do something that would not only help solve his signature green issue but would actually improve and prepare America as well? Of course helping America could impact his image and his, "citizen of the world" standing, but I think he could spin the issue to his advantage.

As Mr. Gore knows from the recent upgrades to his home, solar energy is very expensive -- to the point of still being too expensive to be practical for the average home:

FindSolar.com, operated by solar industry interests and the DOE, has a handy Solar Estimator that calculates an estimated cost for a home solar PV system and provides a list of contractors in your area. It uses some curious formulas that I don't quite understand to calculate positive ROI, but it provides some interesting insights.  (...)

Conclusion: While good for the environment (assuming "green" manufacturing practices), residential solar PV systems are still too expensive and not yet cost effective. Expect this to change, however, as R&D produces better and cheaper solar panels and manufacturing ramps up.

Middle class America simply can't afford to install these units, even after tax credits, they are just too expensive.

If Mr. Gore were serious about saving us from ourselves, his carbon offset company would stop paying to plant trees, saving the Rain Forest, or preventing third world advances by pressing green only advancements.

Rather, if Mr. Gore, as the former Vice President of The United States, wanted to do his part for every aspect of American life, from energy independence, to economic stability, and even national security he would use those carbon offsets to purchase and install solar panels here in the states.

Wouldn't the overall impact of such a program be far greater then planting a tree?  Of course it wouldn't encourage the sweeping changes the environmentalists want, but is the goal really the changes or the environment?

He could start with schools and then pledge to have a panel installed on each and every home (that wanted one, not mandated!) by a date certain.  I would sign up for that!  Imagine the impact a lower electric bill would have on the poor each and every month!

The impact would not only be felt today but would help to ensure that our nations electric production capacity were prepared for the demand of the electric vehicles of the future, something that really needs to be addressed if electric ends up being the solution.

I like the idea and would start a company myself if I had the money.  Mr. Gore has the money, how about he put it to work helping rather then just blowing hot air.
DKK

Daily Trek -- June 30, 2008 -- Catch Up

What'd I miss? Everything you need to know to stay informed each day in 5 minutes or less! This is a make up edition of the Daily Trek as I was out having medical tests last week. It also gives me an opportunity to get the format of the Trek down as I am going to make this a regular item.
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A McCain presidency would mean electric cars powered by nuclear plants, clean coal.David Brock on Obama,

"He’s the most effectively political creature we’ve seen in decades. Even Bill Clinton wasn’t smart enough to succeed in politics by pretending to renounce politics." David Brooks

Obama used his own Presidential Seal two weeks ago but scrapped it the following Monday, but was the seal illegal? I don't think so but could be.

Obama's fundraising results have dropped since February and the Reverend Wright issue hit the news, but his spending hasn't. He spent more in May then he brought in.

A compromise has been reached in FISA and Obama decided opposing it wasn't smart, after opposing it.

Mark Shields says Obama couldn't pass a polygraph test.

Why did Obama claim he, "extended health care for wounded troops," when he wasn't there to vote the day that law passed?

President Bush called out the Democrats on Oil production, and rightfully so!

Meanwhile that congress has the lowest approval ratings since they started asking. Compare that to our military and their high ratings!

McCain put out a campaign ad calling Obama Dr. No because he says no to every solution that would get us out of the energy problem. No drilling, no nuclear, no prize for battery -- other then taxes what does Obama want?

If the Democrats don't want to drill because it wouldn't solve an actual problem for 5 years, why are they so dead set on doing everything they can to solve a theoretical problem 100 years from now? How about Medicare and Social Security?

"It's a lethal thing to suddenly raise taxes," he explains. "This would be devastating to the world economy, to the United States, and it would be, I think, political suicide" Robert Mundell, economist. So should the Republicans get a unified message on taxes or would it sound like more of the same in this season of change and non-politics politics?

Obama says Republicans are going to run a racist campaign against him.

It also seems rather humorous that the Presidential candidate who was supposed to be such a "uniter" and transcend race is the one talking about it the most. 

Obama's campaign is making, "homemade," signs for the crowds. You have to admit they know how to work it! If our war propaganda had been half this good Iraq would not be an issue today.
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Lots more later today.
DKK

Update -- Note to bloggers, if you use the draft dashboard don't click on the edit pencil under a post as it loses all formating currently.  I think I have fixed it.
DKK

Inside The Liberal Mind -- Juan Williams, if we were armed, "We'd all be shooting our husbands and wives!"

via RedLasso

Inside the liberal mind -- Juan Williams explains the honest truth, liberals believe people can't be trusted, especially with guns. Even his fellow elite media members can't be trusted as he explains that they would be shooting their husbands and wives if they were allowed to carry weapons!
DKK

A Day Of Rest -- Post Testing

Hey, I am restarting meds today, slowly, and recovering from an exhausting week.  Regular posting to begin shortly.
DKK

Testing Day Number Five

Testing continues.  Posting to follow!
DKK

Supreme Court Strikes Down DC Gun Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the individual's right to bear arms.

Check out SCOTUS blog for the ruling.

Lunch break from testing, more to follow.
DKK

Testing Continues

Testing continues and I am miserable, but that won't stop the Supreme Court from issuing their ruling on the DC gun ban! It should be on the SCOTUS Blog sometime after 10am central.
DKK

Who Is Ultimately Responsible For High Gas Prices -- So That's Why We Can't Get A Compromise

Bottom line:

Democrats blame YOU!

Hence their solutions are designed to punish and rehabilitate each and every one of us!
"It's your fault so you must pay and change!"

Republicans blame Government.

Hence their solutions are designed to get Government out of the way and let Americans
do what Americans do best!
"We can solve this problem without starving the world or some other stupid government run debacle if you just get out of the way!"

Extended explanation:

There is a fundamental difference between the belief of the Democrats and the Republicans in Washington about who is ultimately responsible for today's high gas prices and this difference is why a compromise is so hard to reach on this issue.

Democrats make noise about blaming the oil companies, the speculators, the Saudi's and of course the Republicans. But the Democrats underlying belief, deep down, is that the ultimate responsibility for our current energy situation falls squarely on the every single resident of the United States! (This should be no surprise to any observer of history over the last 45 years or so.)

That's right, you and I, your neighbor and even their infant child!

You use too much, don't conserve, are wasteful, and fat too -- if you would walk more you would use less energy and maybe loose some of that butt you have!

Barack Obama, Sunday, May 18, 2008,

"We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times..."

That is why their solutions are all punitive. Tax increases, increased regulation, forced change, even outlawing incandescent light bulbs. These are all punishing roadblocks and attempts at social engineering.

On the other hand Republicans believe that the ultimate responsibility for high gas prices lies with Government.

In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.
Ronald Reagan, First Inaugural Address

Thus their solutions involve eliminating restrictions and getting government out of the way.

The American people need to send a message to the Democrats in congress, loud and clear, that we are not to blame -- THEY ARE. We can't afford to let this continue!

As Jean Kirkpatrick said back in 1984, "(T)hey always blame America first. The American people know better."

Until the Democrats understand this they will not allow the American people the freedom to do what Americans do best -- solve the problem using hard work and ingenuity.
DKK

Wow, That's A Responsive Campaign!

Just Monday I noted that Congressman Don Manzullo's campaign site was lacking even basic elements such as his bio as well as quickly accessible links to items such as Manzullo's energy plan.

Well, by Tuesday morning both of those items had been corrected. Now that is a responsive campaign! I'm sorry I wasn't able to mention it right when I noticed it Tuesday AM but I had to get to my specialist.

Having links to web based (non-pdf or word doc) information about policy and issues right on the front page and throughout campaign sites is a must for any campaign in 2008, pdf's and doc files are not web or mobile friendly as you are not always somewhere you can download the files.

Congressman Manzullo also has a presence on Youtube, here.
DKK

Hey, Did You Know Someone Is Challenging Durbin For Sentate -- Meet Dr. Steve Sauerberg!

I like what he has to say.

Having watched Durbin on the news for years now I would add that Durbin is probably the most partisan politician in Washington today. He will do anything to prevent solutions that do not advance his party's ambitions (and thus his own as the second ranking Democrat in the Senate) no matter how much harm is done to Americans.

There are not many people in the world that can make my stomach turn as the speak, but within a couple of minutes of Durbin blaming everything on George Bush I really have to fight back the acid burps!

Here Dr. Steve Sauerberg's YouTube channel and here is his Senate Campaign Site. In case you forget his name he made the site easy to remember, Dr. Steve For Senate. It is also a pretty good campaign site, even including a multimedia page that includes his YouTube videos.
DKK

Testing Continues

Testing continues today so nothing this AM.

I will try for a Daily Trek and catch up later today.
DKK

CO2 Rises, Temperatures Remain The Same

The American Thinker has two posts today on Carbon: the New Chemical Villain, and Your 2007 Carbon Footprint that do a great job of educating readers of some of the facts relating to CO2.

Another interesting post this weekend was by Anthony Watts on his blog, Watts Up With That, where he does the math on the numbers from the last 11 years and finds that despite continuing increases in CO2 levels (which are still only 385 parts per MILLION) the earths temperature has remained virtually the same.

Yet, as if in a panicked response, James Hanson of NASA is set to testify this week before congress and is expected to:

(C)all for the chief executives of large fossil fuel companies to be put on trial for high crimes against humanity and nature, accusing them of actively spreading doubt about global warming in the same way that tobacco companies blurred the links between smoking and cancer.

Is it a wonder that most Britons, who get more of a daily dose of eco-wacko alarmist media then we do:

The majority of the British public is still not convinced that climate change is caused by humans - and many others believe scientists are exaggerating the problem, according to an exclusive poll for The Observer.

The results have shocked campaigners who hoped that doubts would have been silenced by a report last year by more than 2,500 scientists for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which found a 90 per cent chance that humans were the main cause of climate change and warned that drastic action was needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

In our solar system planets with atmospheres start with the crushingly thick air on Venus, Mercury having lost any it may have started with as it was burned off by the nearby sun. As you progress out past Earth to Mars the atmosphere gets thinner and thinner. Could it be the sun has something to do with that?

The Earth has had far higher levels of CO2 in the past but it currently has only 0.038%. Venus has 96.5% CO2 and Mars has 95.3% CO2.
DKK

Mr. Bill Returns To TV

A true classic from Saturday Night Live has returned to television in a new Mastercard commercial. It's nice to see he has continued acting and that Mastercard has given him this opportunity.

DKK

Testing All Week

As I noted earlier I will be undergoing routine medical testing this week. Posting may be sporadic.
DKK

Manzullo Calls On Democrats To Allow Vote On Common Sense Domestic Energy Increase

From Congressman Manzullo's house site:

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today echoed calls for House leaders to schedule votes on bills that will allow more domestic production of oil to reduce gas prices in America and end our addiction to costly foreign oil.

More than 112 billion barrels of oil exist within our borders and along our shores – enough to power 60 million cars for 60 years – and Americans should be allowed to extract the oil as part of our plan to reduce surging gas prices in America.

Unfortunately, House Democratic leaders have refused to call for a vote any legislation that allows extraction for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR – exploration would occur on 2,000 acres of the 19 million acre refuge), along the Outer Continental Shelf off our coasts (Congress banned drilling along the OCS in 1981), and on other federal lands in the United States. Manzullo added there are now more environmentally friendly and safer offshore oil and gas extraction methods today. Case in point – not a drop of oil was spilled from oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico when Hurricane Katrina passed over them nearly three years ago.

“The ultimate plan is for alternative energy – such as electricity, hydrogen or something not yet invented – to power our vehicles in the future, and I support comprehensive efforts to spur research and development on a host of alternative and renewable fuels. But the mass commercialization of those products could be many, many years away,” Manzullo said. “In the meantime, we must take additional steps to increase the supply of oil and gas in this country so we no longer have to rely on foreign countries that often don’t have our best interests at heart. Americans simply can’t afford to keep paying these surging gasoline costs at the pumps.”

Additional drilling was already part of Congress Manzullo's 12 point gas price reduction plan but this call for a vote is very welcome. Gas prices are hurting Northern Illinois particularly hard due to our regressive state sales tax and our higher then average unemployment rate.

So that no one is confused as to which party is the part of higher gas prices, the Republican controlled Congress approved drilling in ANWR in 1995 but Democratic President Clinton vetoed that measure. Every year thereafter until control of the house was lost to the Democrats in 2006 the house approved drilling in ANWR but were blocked by Senate Democrats. The Democrats mantra that the oil won't be available for years is amazingly short sighted and foolish -- does anyone really think we won't need that oil the minute it comes out of the ground years from now? (Not to mention the fact that we could have it by now if we had just taken action!) Not everyone will be able to get a new car in 5 or 10 years!

Congressman Manzullo's opponent, Robert Abboud would put party loyalty ahead of gas prices by bashing oil companies and hanging his hopes on alternative energy that ignores the reality of life for those of us who live in the 16th! Gas is not an option!

As an aside, as I have pointed out previously Manzullo's campaign site is really sad -- even his bio isn't on the bio page. It still says to check back later -- isn't there an election coming up? He has a bio on his congressional page that should be accurate, right?
DKK

George Carlin Dies at 71

George Carlin died Sunday at 71 year of age.

Comedian George Carlin, a counter-culture hero famed for his routines about drugs, dirty words and the demise of humanity, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday. He was 71.

Reuters
DKK

Obama's Candidacy Described In 40 Seconds

Brit Hume summarizes Obama's entire candidacy in 40 seconds on Fox News Sunday
Redlasso
DKK

NY Times Identifies CIA Interrogator Against CIA Wishes

Too bad, because an otherwise fascinating story about the scramble to build a counterterror apparatus after 9/11, the merits of coercive vs. non-coercive interrogation, and the stings that nailed Abu Zubaydah and KSM is going to be submerged in a debate over their decision to publish the lead interrogator’s name against his wishes and those of CIA chief Michael Hayden. Here’s the obligatory editor’s note justifying the decision. Quote:

After discussion with agency officials and a lawyer for [the interrogrator], the newspaper declined the request, noting that [the interrogator] had never worked under cover and that others involved in the campaign against Al Qaeda have been named in news stories and books. The editors judged that the name was necessary for the credibility and completeness of the article.

The Times’ policy is to withhold the name of a news subject only very rarely, most often in the case of victims of sexual assault or intelligence officers operating under cover.

Read the piece and you’ll see that credibility and completeness have nothing to do with it. It’s not a story about him; he’s just the springboard to explore the themes I mentioned earlier.
Hot Air -- NYT reveals name of KSM’s chief interrogator — against CIA’s wishes

Hey, didn't Valarie Plame work for the CIA? This case, like the Plame case did not involve a covert agent -- but unlike the Plame case this agent was overseas within the last 5 years, which I think was of concern when determining Plame's status.
DKK

The Attempted Neutering Of McCain Continues -- Obama Plays Preemptive Race Card

Earlier I posted my explanation of how the Obama campaign neutered the Clintons through a combination of claiming Hillary's attacks were all below the belt while at the same time attacking Hillary in the very same manner. Then came the inevitable race sensitivity. The combination of these two virtually eliminated all of the Clinton's tools from their tool belt.

Previously I noted that Obama had already begun the duplicity by attacking McCain for political posturing even as Obama was political posturing himself.

Well, as expected, Obama has now preemptively played the race card.

Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama said on Friday he expects Republicans to highlight the fact that he is black as part of an effort to make voters afraid of him.

“It is going to be very difficult for Republicans to run on their stewardship of the economy or their outstanding foreign policy,” Obama told a fundraiser in Jacksonville, Florida. “We know what kind of campaign they’re going to run. They’re going to try to make you afraid.

“They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?”

He said he was also set for Republicans to say “he’s got a feisty wife,” in trying to attack his wife Michelle.

Right Wing Nut House notes the effect:

We expected it, of course. It is his greatest political weapon and he will use it again and again, shamelessly accusing the GOP of bringing up his race (even, as this proves, when they don’t) in order to deflect criticism away from he and his wife for anything they say or any associations in their past.

The press will let him get away with it because they are terrified of being accused of racism themselves.

This neutering worked against the Clintons effectively removing all of the tools from their tool belt by unilaterally changing the game (with the willing help of the MSM).

Let's hope the McCain camp have a workable tactic for this. One suggestion is for McCain to go to BOTH the places Republicans won't go and the places Obama won't go! McCain already started this with his visit to New Orleans, but this won't be enough
DKK

Daily Trek June 22, 2008

What'd I miss?

Basically a link dump of some of the stories that have backed up on my list. Let me know if you like the format.

US News has a list of 7 Ways McCain can use energy to beat Obama.

Barack Obama's foreign policy advisers said Tuesday that Osama bin Laden, if captured, should be allowed to appeal his case to U.S. civilian courts, a privilege opposed by John McCain.

Obama has decided that NAFTA isn't so bad after all! Funny, isn't that what his campaign strongly denied what one of their own told Canada he was just playing politics?

9th Circuit Court overruled a previous decision and has ruled that people can't be fired for having social security numbers that don't match as being theirs. Meanwhile the EU has strengthened their ability to hold and deport illegals.

Obama's campaign had to correct his mistaken words when he told AIPAC that Jerusalem should be the 'undivided' capitol of Israel. "Barack Obama has no grasp of the basics of diplomacy, and doesn't even realize it. That is a frightening thought about a potential commander in chief."

Removing Muslim women from behind Obama is what happens when your image is overly managed and your campaign is supported by people who are so desperate to win the White House they can taste it! Things will only get worse as the election approaches -- the wacko left wants it win after so many losses!

The GAO has ruled in Boeing's favor on issues related to the 35 billion dollar tanker contract that was originally awarded to Airbus/Lockheed partnership.

McCain called for the construction of 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030 and pledged $2 billion a year in federal funds for clean coal development in an effort to reduce dependence on foreign oil.

In an attempt to counter McCain's energy proposal another Democrat, Maurice Hinchey,has called for Nationalizing refineries -- all the better to control every aspect of our lives!

When Obama said there wasn't much difference between his position and Bush's, after opposing the war and now opposing the war again, was he basing his policy on the waxing and waning of convicted felon and FOB (friend of Barack) Tony Rezko's business prospects with the Iraqi government?

"Obama has yet to make one important decision in his adult life."

Senate Housing Bill Requires eBay, Amazon, Google, and All Credit Card Companies to Report Transactions to the Government

China reduces oil subsidy, increasing price. Oil drops on hopes of reduced demand.

"While Michelle Obama was fixing her image on “The View,” Cindy McCain was in Vietnam and working for children with facial deformities."

The US Treasury Department froze the assets of two Venezuelan diplomats who are Hezbollah frontmen. Yet Hugo has the left wrapped around his finger.

Obama goes back on his promise to use public financing in his campaign -- what's worse is that he blamed the flip on non existent Republican 527's that he claims attacked him already and then lied by saying McCain had put campaign finance reform ahead of his political ambition. Anyone remember McCain Feingold that conservatives have railed against for years and even took to the Supreme Court!

"Along with the two mentioned at the end of my earlier post, this makes three separate lies springing from his decision to opt out of public financing."

After the Supreme Court told Mexico that US laws are all that matter they have taken their appeal of the death penalty to the UN for a Mexican National convicted of murdering a Texan!

Republicans have a history of eliminating income inequality by moving people up from the lower levels while the Democrats have repeatedly failed at redistribution of wealth. Now the effects of their programs, including Section 8 have lead to a crime wave in previously crime free neighborhoods.

Mars Phoenix Lander finds ice on Mars!

Oregon's public health care system won't pay for new expensive cancer treatment, but they will pay for assisted suicide if you want to be responsible and end it early and save your fellow citizens some money!

"Obama wants change unless, change might bring down the price of gasoline, in which case, Obama wants to change back to the status quo!"

The government has banned incandescent light bulbs after 2014, switching to Chinese CFL's but one Congressman wonders if that ban was constitutional.

When would 100 professors object to naming a new department after a recently deceased, world renowned professor? When that professor was a conservative economics professor named Milton Friedman!
DKK