Drill here, drill now?

For all the right wing rants about President Barack Obama being so far to the left, it is pretty clear (to all but them) that he occupies turf well in the mainstream. Healthcare reform, if you ignore the tainted tea baggers' distortions, brings only modest change that is still market-based (i.e. insurance companies still calling most of the shots). Despite the irrational fears hawked by the NRA and others, President Obama has done nothing that remotely diminishes gun rights.

And now, to the obvious delight of the "drill here, drill now" advocates including Governor Bob McDonnell, the president will open vast areas off the east coast to oil exploration and drilling. His announcement will come today at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and could mean lease sales beginning in 2012. As shown in the New York Times map, the first lease could be in a triangular tract about 50 miles off the Virginia coast. Don't go counting Virginia's royalties and looking for lower gas prices just yet - any oil and gas reserves are largely unknown because the seismic data are three decades old. Some estimates say two to three years of oil and gas (at current consumption rates) may be recoverable.

That's generally the same area where wind resources could provide sustainable, clean energy for decades, not just a few years. Maybe some smart engineers and politicians (?) can figure a good way for the oil/gas infrastructure to have a second green life finding answers to our energy needs blowing in the wind.

Are Valley Republicans into leather?

Local Republicans send lots of money to the Republican Party... both state and national. I wonder if any of those hard earned Valley dollars are going to some of the GOP's "family values" retreats? Seems Republicans recently paid "Voyeur West Hollywood, a lesbian-themed California nightclub that features topless dancers wearing horse-bits and other bondage gear" for meals (any other expenses?).

In addition, the Republican National Committee has recently spent more than $30K for private jets and limos, even more on luxury hotels, and the tab topped $43K for a midwinter meeting in Hawaii.

Gotta wonder if Shenandoah Valley Republicans know or care where their donations are going. Perhaps they are so blinded by the light they are oblivious to the misuse of their money. Kind of gives a new meaning to people in bondage - I wonder if they have whips and chains at tea parties?

Tea Party Terrorists

The actual, real, documented acts of violence by the tea party folks are a long long ways from patriotism... they are acts of domestic terrorism. Eric Cantor, John McCain, John Bainor and other Repugs are tiptoeing around condemnation of vandalism/violence and encouragement of broken glass and cut gas lines... not quite telling the wingnuts to stop while saying words like "target" and "reload" are appropriate in this heated political environment.

I ran into a tea party type at a local grocery this week. She was in her 70s and her car sported a variety of flags like "Don't Tread on Me" and bumper stickers calling President Barack Obama a "socialist." She pulled in close so I asked her why she had all those flags and stickers. Her answer - "healthcare reform is socialism, a government takeover." I asked if she was on Medicare and happy with it. "Yeah," she said, "and they're trying to take it away." Huh?? She said "it was time to eliminate Obama and those damn Democrats who support him..." Now I don't know what she meant by "eliminate" but it sounds like PalinSpeak. Hunt 'em from helicopters??

Do you see the hypocrisy and misinformation in her comments? Can you hear idiots like Glen Beck echoing in her shallow brain? Or maybe the hate spread for months by local yokel politicians. It is time for Repugs to move beyond hate and into real policy. Into solving problems instead of creating divisions. I ain't holding my breath.

Visualizing the Census form return rates

The U.S. Census Bureau and Google Earth announced a project to track the 2010 census participation of returns of forms by state, county, and census tracts. A couple weeks ago the Census Bureau mailed questionnaires to 120 million households... and they are coming in to data centers every day. Using the Google Earth layer will show the percentage of forms that have been received - data is not available by household nor are answers on questionnaires tabulated. Return rates for the 2000 census are also posted. The daily updates will continue through mid April.

As of Friday, March 26 the return rate for the State of Virginia was 39%. Most localities in the CCC area are slightly better: Augusta County- 43%, Rockingham County - 44%, Rockbridge County - 39%, Bath County - 31%, Highland County - 26%, Staunton - 46%, Waynesboro - 44%, and Harrisonburg - 36%.

If you want to save the U.S. Government some money, and yourself some hassle, return your census form promptly. Homes from which no form is received can expect a visit from a census enumerator, perhaps multiple visits, until the information is obtained. Answers are completely confidential and are required by law. For most households completing the questionnaire will only take 5-10 minutes. More.

Urge officials to protect the George Washington National Forest

The Forest Service wants to know what you think about their management plan for the George Washington National Forest. More logging or less? Close roads or not? How much commercial use versus protecting pristine area? The Forest service wants your comments and ideas on roadless areas, protecting ecologically sensitive species, controlled burns, and much more. To get your views there will be a series of public hearings. All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 9:00 p.m.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Valley Elementary School

98 Panther Drive

Hot Springs, VA

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

East Hardy High School

Baker, WV

Monday, April 19, 2010

Rockbridge County High School

143 Greenhouse Road

Lexington, VA 24450

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Woodstock National Guard Armory

541 Hoover Road

Woodstock, VA 22664

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Augusta County Government Center

19 Government Lane

Verona, VA 24482

You can get more information about mailing a letter or commenting online here. There is a good article in The Roanoke Times. When you comment, come down on the side of more environmental protection rather than less

Is he as good as his word? I doubt it.

Rush Limbaugh said he'd leave the country if the healthcare bill passed. It did. Will he live up to his word? Doubtful... he's a blowhard who is only interested in sucking in money and dupes who believe his tripe.

If you are interested in seeing one less idiot in the U.S.A., how about making a contribution to the guys at A Ticket for Rush. They've raised almost $2K... isn't that enough for a one-way ticket to Costa Rica? Hey, what's wrong with Afghanistan??

And if the village idiot reneges... like we all know he will since there is little believable in any crap that comes out of this mouth... the donations will go the Planned Parenthood Action Center. Too back his mom didn't catch a ride...

Andrew Lewis bust joins other famous Virginians in Capitol

Andrew Lewis (1720-1781), a Revolutionary War era hero whose family was among the first settlers in Augusta County, was remembered during a ceremony when his bust joined those of George Mason, Patrick Henry, and other famous Virginians in the old House of Delegates chamber in the Virginia Capitol.

Lewis's family came to America in the early 1730s eventually settling in Augusta County where Andrew learned the skills of surveying. He married and moved to Roanoke County near Salem where they established a home named Richfield. They would have seven children. Lewis is perhaps best known for service in the French and Indian War and Revolutionary War, but the battle that ensured his military legacy was at Point Pleasant when he defeated the Shawnee Chief Cornstalk. Lewis

Lewis has previously been memorialized in both Virginias. Lewisburg, West Virginia is named in his honor. A portion of I-81 is designated the Andrew Lewis Memorial Highway. Salem's Andrew Lewis Middle School is named for him. And there are streams, Boy Scout camps, and memorials found in communities in the Valley and West Virginia.