From the Progressive Democrats of America Website:
pdamerica.org
As observed by Juan González of Democracy Now! (video below), Rand Paul, the Republican candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in Kentucky, set off a "firestorm" of controversy when he criticized those portions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act which applied to private businesses, implying, when he appeared on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show, that the 46-year old federal legislation infringed on the First Amendment rights of private businesses.
RACHEL MADDOW: Should—Woolworth lunch counters should have been allowed to stay segregated?...
RAND PAUL:...I don’t believe in any discrimination. I don’t believe that any private property should discriminate either...But what you have to answer, when you answer...is an abstract, obscure conversation from 1964...you have to say then that you decide the rules for all restaurants. And then, do you decide that you want to allow them to carry weapons into restaurants?
As observed by Prof. Blair Kelley on Democracy Now, Rand Paul's public/private distinction bears an eerie resemblance to pro-segregationist arguments that older Americans like myself can all too well remember. Amy Goodman discusses a fact, first reported by the blog barefoot and progressive, that "Rand Paul’s former communications director, Christopher Hightower...resigned in December after his MySpace page was found to have a post declaring 'Happy N-Word Day'—but it used the full word—and showing a photo of a lynching around the time of the federal Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday."
May 28, 2010
BP ROV Web Cam Status Press Release Gulf Oil Spill
From:
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-news/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=10511119
Dont listen to the television -- Read this release on the status and plans.
May 28, 2010
UPDATE ON GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL RESPONSE
BP today provided an update on developments in the response to the MC252 oil well incident in the Gulf of Mexico.
Subsea efforts continue to focus on progressing steps to stop the flow of oil from the well through interventions via the failed Deepwater Horizon blow out preventer (BOP), and to collect the flow of oil from the leak points. These efforts are being carried out in conjunction with industry experts and governmental authorities.
Operations on the top kill procedure continue. Heavy drilling fluids were pumped under pressure into the BOP starting May 26 at 1300CDT, and top kill operations continue through 2400CDT on May 27. It is estimated that the full top kill procedure could extend for another 24 to 48 hours (June 1).
If the well were successfully 'killed', it is expected that cementing operations would then follow. The top kill procedure has never before been attempted at these depths and its ultimate success is uncertain.
In parallel with the ongoing top kill operation, preparations have been made for the possible deployment of the lower marine riser package (LMRP) cap containment system.
Deployment would first involve removing the damaged riser from the top of the failed BOP to leave a cleanly-cut pipe at the top of the BOP's LMRP. The cap, a containment device with a sealing grommet, will be connected to a riser from the Discoverer Enterprise drillship, 5,000 feet above on the surface, and placed over the LMRP with the intention of capturing most of the oil and gas flowing from the well.
The LMRP cap is already deployed alongside the BOP in readiness for potential deployment. If it is decided to deploy this option, this would be expected to take some three to four days.
In addition to these steps, planning is being advanced for deploying, if necessary, a second BOP on top of the original failed BOP.
Drilling of two relief wells began on May 2 and May 16. It is estimated that each of these wells will take three months to complete from the commencement of drilling.
Surface Spill Response and Containment
Work continues to collect and disperse oil that has reached the surface of the sea, to protect the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico, and to collect and clean up any oil that has reached shore.
Almost 1,300 vessels are now involved in the response effort, including skimmers, tugs, barges and recovery vessels. Operations to skim oil from the surface of the water have now recovered, in total, some 274,000 barrels (11.5 million gallons) of oily liquid.
The total length of containment boom deployed as part of efforts to prevent oil reaching the coast is now almost 1.9 million feet, and an additional 1.25 million feet of sorbent boom has also been deployed.
So far 26,000 claims have been filed and 11,650 payments have already been made. BP has received over 96,000 calls into its help lines to date.
Additional information
The cost of the response to date amounts to about $930 million, including the cost of the spill response, containment, relief well drilling, grants to the Gulf states, claims paid and federal costs. It is too early to quantify other potential costs and liabilities associated with the incident.
BP Press Office London +44 20 7496 4076
BP Press office, US: +1 281 366 0265
Unified Command Joint Information Center +1 985-902-5231
www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com
www.bp.com/gulfofmexicoresponse
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-news/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=10511119
Dont listen to the television -- Read this release on the status and plans.
May 28, 2010
UPDATE ON GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL RESPONSE
BP today provided an update on developments in the response to the MC252 oil well incident in the Gulf of Mexico.
Subsea efforts continue to focus on progressing steps to stop the flow of oil from the well through interventions via the failed Deepwater Horizon blow out preventer (BOP), and to collect the flow of oil from the leak points. These efforts are being carried out in conjunction with industry experts and governmental authorities.
Operations on the top kill procedure continue. Heavy drilling fluids were pumped under pressure into the BOP starting May 26 at 1300CDT, and top kill operations continue through 2400CDT on May 27. It is estimated that the full top kill procedure could extend for another 24 to 48 hours (June 1).
If the well were successfully 'killed', it is expected that cementing operations would then follow. The top kill procedure has never before been attempted at these depths and its ultimate success is uncertain.
In parallel with the ongoing top kill operation, preparations have been made for the possible deployment of the lower marine riser package (LMRP) cap containment system.
Deployment would first involve removing the damaged riser from the top of the failed BOP to leave a cleanly-cut pipe at the top of the BOP's LMRP. The cap, a containment device with a sealing grommet, will be connected to a riser from the Discoverer Enterprise drillship, 5,000 feet above on the surface, and placed over the LMRP with the intention of capturing most of the oil and gas flowing from the well.
The LMRP cap is already deployed alongside the BOP in readiness for potential deployment. If it is decided to deploy this option, this would be expected to take some three to four days.
In addition to these steps, planning is being advanced for deploying, if necessary, a second BOP on top of the original failed BOP.
Drilling of two relief wells began on May 2 and May 16. It is estimated that each of these wells will take three months to complete from the commencement of drilling.
Surface Spill Response and Containment
Work continues to collect and disperse oil that has reached the surface of the sea, to protect the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico, and to collect and clean up any oil that has reached shore.
Almost 1,300 vessels are now involved in the response effort, including skimmers, tugs, barges and recovery vessels. Operations to skim oil from the surface of the water have now recovered, in total, some 274,000 barrels (11.5 million gallons) of oily liquid.
The total length of containment boom deployed as part of efforts to prevent oil reaching the coast is now almost 1.9 million feet, and an additional 1.25 million feet of sorbent boom has also been deployed.
So far 26,000 claims have been filed and 11,650 payments have already been made. BP has received over 96,000 calls into its help lines to date.
Additional information
The cost of the response to date amounts to about $930 million, including the cost of the spill response, containment, relief well drilling, grants to the Gulf states, claims paid and federal costs. It is too early to quantify other potential costs and liabilities associated with the incident.
BP Press Office London +44 20 7496 4076
BP Press office, US: +1 281 366 0265
Unified Command Joint Information Center +1 985-902-5231
www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com
www.bp.com/gulfofmexicoresponse
May 27, 2010
We need a Franklin Delano Roosevelt -- not Obama
Stand up and be tough Americans!
I'm all for charisma, I'm all for excellent oratory (especially after 7+ years of bumbling incoherence), and I'm all for youthful energy (even as I see my own retreating). But what I'm really for is a president who will boldly push forward initiatives and ideas and programs that will answer the many crises created or greatly abetted by years of BushCo malfeasance. In short, as admirable as JFK was, we need a new FDR.
When FDR was sworn in as president in 1933, the world was in the grip of the Great Depression--a global economic and social catastrophe that directly contributed to cementing Mussolini's power in Italy and to the rise of Hitler in Germany. FDR's predecessor, Herbert Hoover, had done nothing to stem the misery of the times, preferring instead a "wait and see" laissez-faire approach to solving America's problems, leading to a host of social ills for all but a very tiny slice of American society.
The parallels to our own current economic meltdown are sobering. And let's not forget that there was a partly human-caused climate-based disaster going on as well: America's iconic "Dust Bowl," which ravaged the Plain States from 1930 to 1936 and produced a huge migration of people away from the heartland to the northern industrial states and especially to the West Coast (think Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath).
In short, FDR faced incredible challenges, any one of which would have been daunting. But he surrounded himself with competent and talented people and instantly--within the first 100 days of his administration--enacted a slew of legislation and reforms, leading to myriad programs designed to create jobs and revitalize American agriculture and industry (and even fine arts).
The now-legendary acronyms--CCC, TVA, NRA, PWA, SSA... Roosevelt knew that America needed solid, energetic action to shake off its years-long malaise and despair. Even though not all of these programs worked (and indeed, the Supreme Court ruled against the excesses of the NRA--the National Recovery Act), FDR's willingness to "think outside the box" helped get America back on its feet far more quickly than even his most enthusiastic supporters could have envisioned.
That's what we need today: bold, innovative, and empathetic leadership. We need a leader who will level with us about the hardships we face, as FDR did via such venues as his famous radio "Fireside Chats." We need a leader who will press on with needed reforms despite skeptical and hostile obstructionists. We need someone who will restore our Constitutional rights and our moral standing in the world. We need someone who will go head-to-head against corrupt and selfish corporate interests--and win.
Only another FDR will be able to help America recover. Who will be this new FDR?
theres more...
www.dailykos.com
I'm all for charisma, I'm all for excellent oratory (especially after 7+ years of bumbling incoherence), and I'm all for youthful energy (even as I see my own retreating). But what I'm really for is a president who will boldly push forward initiatives and ideas and programs that will answer the many crises created or greatly abetted by years of BushCo malfeasance. In short, as admirable as JFK was, we need a new FDR.
When FDR was sworn in as president in 1933, the world was in the grip of the Great Depression--a global economic and social catastrophe that directly contributed to cementing Mussolini's power in Italy and to the rise of Hitler in Germany. FDR's predecessor, Herbert Hoover, had done nothing to stem the misery of the times, preferring instead a "wait and see" laissez-faire approach to solving America's problems, leading to a host of social ills for all but a very tiny slice of American society.
The parallels to our own current economic meltdown are sobering. And let's not forget that there was a partly human-caused climate-based disaster going on as well: America's iconic "Dust Bowl," which ravaged the Plain States from 1930 to 1936 and produced a huge migration of people away from the heartland to the northern industrial states and especially to the West Coast (think Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath).
In short, FDR faced incredible challenges, any one of which would have been daunting. But he surrounded himself with competent and talented people and instantly--within the first 100 days of his administration--enacted a slew of legislation and reforms, leading to myriad programs designed to create jobs and revitalize American agriculture and industry (and even fine arts).
The now-legendary acronyms--CCC, TVA, NRA, PWA, SSA... Roosevelt knew that America needed solid, energetic action to shake off its years-long malaise and despair. Even though not all of these programs worked (and indeed, the Supreme Court ruled against the excesses of the NRA--the National Recovery Act), FDR's willingness to "think outside the box" helped get America back on its feet far more quickly than even his most enthusiastic supporters could have envisioned.
That's what we need today: bold, innovative, and empathetic leadership. We need a leader who will level with us about the hardships we face, as FDR did via such venues as his famous radio "Fireside Chats." We need a leader who will press on with needed reforms despite skeptical and hostile obstructionists. We need someone who will restore our Constitutional rights and our moral standing in the world. We need someone who will go head-to-head against corrupt and selfish corporate interests--and win.
Only another FDR will be able to help America recover. Who will be this new FDR?
theres more...
www.dailykos.com
May 24, 2010
Republican Tea baggers
Funny how the Republican Teabaggers never mention the 10 million jobs lost during Bush and his treasury secretary Paulson (biggest crooks not in jail) in history all the while the Federal Treasury with the trillion dollar plus bailout.
The values should be for Main Street. Freedom Works and other corporate lobbyists fund the Tea Party. Get with it America and be informed!
The values should be for Main Street. Freedom Works and other corporate lobbyists fund the Tea Party. Get with it America and be informed!
May 23, 2010
Must See Movie - OutFoxed - Fox News and Its Lies
What you must know about the right wing echo chamber
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvSLNSn5swk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvSLNSn5swk
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