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Subscribe to RSSPresident Obama's Interior secretary is due for a raise, but Louisiana GOP Sen. David Vitter threatened to block that pay increase unless the Interior Department opens more access to Gulf drilling. Democrats say that Vitter's opposition amounts to coercion.
This morning, aides to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar say he asked the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to withdraw any effort to address Salazar's planned salary increase over a rare and personal dispute launched by Vitter. Salazar wrote to Reid, that Vitter's demand is "wrong" and called it "attempted coercion."
Vitter is demanding Salazar take action to open more drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico, an issue important in his home state after last year's spill. In a letter, Vitter threatened to use a procedural move that would allow him to block Salazar's pay adjustment.
Vitter wrote, "[W]hen the rate of permits issued for new deepwater exploratory wells reaches pre-moratorium levels (so 6 per month), I will end my efforts to block your salary increase."
Salazar is entitled to a raise of $19,600, elevating his salary to that of other cabinet posts now that his original Senate term has expired. In long-standing rules, senators appointed to executive branch jobs cannot be paid at the higher rate until their elected terms expire. Secretary Clinton also is under this rule until 2012.
Salazar aides say the secretary had not requested the salary raise himself, and does not want the salary related vote to occur because of Vitter's action.
Vitter's office says he will not withdraw his objection to the raise at this time and Vitter says in a written statement, "It's just my way of keeping the 'boot on the neck" of Interior until they get job the done. Surely, the secretary can appreciate that approach." That is a reference to Salazar's use of the boot-on-the-neck phrase during oil spill hearings last year.
Today Vitter responded, "I'm glad the secretary has dropped his push for a pay raise; it was truly offensive to Gulf energy workers who are struggling under his policies. Now I hope he starts earning what he already makes and properly issues new permits for much needed drilling in the Gulf."
Aides say Salazar is in Colorado today. Reid's office says he plans to work with Republicans to get Vitter to drop his opposition.
Senate Majority Leader Reid just issued this statement:
"I have worked with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on this issue for weeks and it is wrong for Sen. Vitter to try to get something in return for moving forward on a matter that the Senate has considered routine for more than a century."Ken Salazar is extremely well-qualified, hard-working cabinet secretary, and deserves better than to be strong armed while trying to do an important job for the American people."
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I'm still stunned that the voters of LA keep voting David 'diaper boy' Vitter back into office!
Touche'
That's called taking the sails out of someones wind! lol
...and the 'ho monger' decides to block a vote on a pay increase....
Hey, Vitter, you should be investigated for using tax payer time and probably money for your....well, you know!
The people of Louisiana need to wake up!
Feisty, Vitter is one ugly piece of work.
This is a guy who champions right-wing fundamentalist Christian positions while cheating on his wife for DECADES with hookers in DC and Louisiana.
This is a guy who actually wanted to either block the teaching of evolution in schools or at least promote "intelligent design" ahead of any discussions of evolution.
This is a guy who was very loudly one of the GOP "Party of NO" Senators after President Obama took office.
This is a guy who is very MUCH in favor of the Ryan budget plan.
And now this scumbag hopes to save his sorry (diaper covered) backside by pandering to some oil patch roughnecks, supply boat operators, helicopter pilots, and others by taking aim at Secretary Salazar. It's worse than unethical, it's criminal.
I can't wait until Democrats have a REAL Majority Leader!
Harry Reid is too WEAK!
Who doesn't LOVE the sweet smell of desperation? LMFAO!
*insert snark*
Tornado warning in downtown Kansas City right now. Clara and anyone else who may be affected, please stay safe.
BTW and a little off topic. I just saw the clip of the President's toast, and he dlearly had started speaking before the music started. If anything, the musicians made a mistake by starting the music before he finished his toast. What on earth is the matter with people trying to make a mountain out of such a little molehill?
Thank you, DBO!
I find it telling that your lefty friends out here are so quick to slam the righties for collapsing threads....
Why just last week I was lambasted by one of them for collapsing (even though I typically don't do that AND even if I wanted to... I only have one vote to do so... not nearly enough to accomplish the goal).
Even with all of their accusations... we see clearly in today's FIRST THOUGHTS who the REAL collapsers are... Let's hear it for freedom of speach and tollerance!
(Now collapse me too you hypocrits.)
@Rick: Reid is not weak. He plays by the rules and does his best to be honest. If he has a weakness--that is it.
Not at all. I almost never vote to collapse. In this case, I want everyone to see exactly who you are, SOTB.
It's always hard for Vitter to reach down and pull out a new low, but in the petty and vindictive column this is pretty low.
jkh
Feisty:
Maybe the Republicans can recruit that porn star who was thinking of running against Vitter in the last election. Anything to make the Pug primaries even more entertaining!
Jim ~ thanks for the visual. ;-)
Maybe legislation could be passed to recquire all DC and New Orleans prostitutes to be periodically tested for a Vitter DNA match.
jkh
I'm hoping 'Nailin Palin' decides to go down that path... ;o)
As much as I dislike his politics I do agree with him on this, Salazar is an ex Federal Prosecutor that, along with his boss knows nothing about the industry (other than what some lobbyists tell them) hates the Gulf Coast and is trying to dry up all the jobs in the areas most prolific jobs provider.
However much you dislike the Oil & Gas industry YOU need it, 99.9% of everything you eat, touch, sit on, ride on, wear, etc. etc. uses oil & gas. It is not going to go away, and stopping drilling in the gulf oil/gas field is only going to increase debt, both domestic & foreign and increase our reliance on people who hate us and everything we stand for.
Pray tell, Phil, exactly where DO you get your information?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Salazar
One thing is for sure: you aren't getting GOOD information. Either that, or you don't care how you twist the truth to make a point.
Sounds just like a modern conservative.
Salazar is just doing what his boss tells him to do.If the "Thug in Chief"has his way we are going to see 8$ per gal. gas.Then we can take advantage of the non-existent Green alternatives.Once they realize that there are no "green" alternatives, then they will give us credits for the horse and buggy.
Its the rethuglican way
You will see 8 dollar a gallon gas someday regardless of who is president regardless of how much you drill. You will never see 3 dollar a gallon gas again. Once it goes up it never drops below where it was, you might as well wish for a 29 cent loaf of bread, or a nickel candy bar. The one billion they cut was for green tech electric cars to be built in the USA, and incentives for their purchase, Cantor, Vitter, and others want to make sure you will always desperately need their master's oil.
BTW Thug in Cheif that is a good one republicans throw out there every time the skinny kid from Chicago hands the republicans their head on a platter. Want to see a birth certificate, want to know who got Bin-Laden? I'll take a thug over a shrub any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
I can't even read about Vitter, because I don't understand why this creep is still in office in the first place. Carry on...
A couple of things here. First, feisty, the craigslist report is FRIGGIN hilarious, thanks for sharing. Second, Forrest, I was reading something the other day, you will have to forgive me I will need to do the research to find out where, but it stated that the cost of a barrel of oil is the same now as it was in the 90's but we are still paying higher prices. So long story short, you are VERY right.
That's called taking the sails out of someones wind! lol
_______________________________________________
Bartender, give me what ever the Nasty Redhead is drinking!! Sounds like it's pretty powerful stuff. I think she got that saying exactly backwards, unless she was talking about propelling a toy sailboat in a bathtub with human produced "wind".
LMAO!!!!
Vitter is disgusting...he is, in effect, offering a bribe to the man to do his bidding. If he does what Vitter wants he gets his proper salary he is entitled to, if he does not Vitter will block it.
So unethical it is obscene.
You do not peg lagislation or policy changesto a appointees or elected officlials pay. It is a bribe he is offering. And he is paying the bribe with our money.
Vitter demands drilling, well, he is an expert on drilling every prostitute he can find.
No one on this blog has an kind of PERSONAL relationship with Vitter so you do not know what is in that man's heart.
None of us served in the US Senate so we don't know what type of relationship they had. Salazar might just be reaping what he sowed while in the senate.
Vitter may just not like the dude. This is what happens sometimes .
Joe,
See you're as eloquent as ever. Still calling people names like the schoolyard bully. I bet it makes you feel like a man doesn't it.
Oh and way to add to the debate Joe in Albany. Real class act.
Well, the king of prostitues, engaging in a little "blackmail"? He gives new meaning to the word "slimeball". Just goes to show those Rethugs just love crooks of all kinds, they keep electing them. I'd like to hold up his pay until he proves he gave up the call girls. Prove it, buddy! Get your wife out there again so you can stand behind her. Ugh!
Demanding more work for more pay is not coercion, the Secretary of Interior is not a union job he should be required to perform to earn more money.
Maybe we need to lower the pay of the other cabinet posts until they perform.
And as an aside, to the criminal activities of TP/Rethugs, yesterday the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the right's hero, Gov. Cristie's cut of $500 million to the poor school districts, was overturned as unconstitutional, as the state has a constitutional duty to fund all public schools. This from CNN, where's MSNBC on this little gem? These Rethug govs. are completely out of control, and need to be challenged on all these attacks on education, voter's rights and so on. They are getting away with theft and more.
Oh, Feisty, NOW we know why Chris Lee appeared on CraigsList shirtless. He was RECRUITING!
Wiping tears of laughter from my eyes! Thanks for clearing the muddy waters!
Michelle, "the king of prostitutes"? Really, seems a little harsh. Are you just bitter becuase you lost one of your best clients? Since you seem to think the republicans are the only ones a little out there, can I bring up a name? Clinton. Not enough, Can I mention John Edwards? or how about Al Sharpton? There's enough blame to go around to both parties, the only difference is that teh dems always are the first to act like their so dang innocent and pure which makes the whole thing funny.
IntheMiddle, TX
HAHAHAHAHA.... That's one of the funniest post I've read in a while./... no one knows what's in his heart?
HAHAHAHA.... we may not know what's in his heart, but we know he's a creep... who I will never leave around anyone's kids....
Jim in Dallas, us Dems know we are sinners and fall short of the glory of God. But we aren't hypocrites, running around yelling, "we got family values".
@michelle.
Really not hippocrites. Sipping tea with the Queen and hanging out with the liberal elites in San Fran really show that the Dems are for the middle class. Your party are bigger hypocrites. Not every Republican is part of the Christian Coalition just like every Democrat is not part of lunatic left.
@the rest of the liberals on this site: using your colorful adjectives drops your creditability when making your points. Do me a favor, stop quoting the DNC Newsletter your look a lot more intelligent.
John, weak, really weak.
So Salazar is holding up drilling permits that hurt Louisiana's economy, and Vitter is holding up a pay increase for Salazar.
It sounds like tit for tat to me. If Obama is really interested in helping lower gas prices, why not issue some drilling permits? Or is it just more empty rhetoric? What's that old saying about "Ignore what a politician says, and look at what they actually do"?
I don't really care what his salary is. There is so much waste in government now that another $20k won't be a show stopper. The right and the left here are obviously bickering because that is their hobby.
The country needs oil and it should be produced here until a viable, cost effective alternative is developed. In the meantime, the country is in a tailspin because of recession and lack of domestic oil production.
I am not got corporate subsidies of any kind and the oil industry certainly doen't need them. But America needs oil. Those who think we can live without it until new cost effective technology is developed are fooling themselves, and are a huge part of the problem.
My wife and I have curtailed our transportation fule use by at least 80% in the last 5 years without ever using public transportation. What have any of you done to match that? I'll bet very little. Buying a hybrid is not the answer. You will have to drive it about 50000 miles before the cost of one breaks even from the carbon footprint of building one is paid back.
The products the vegans want are made from oil - plastics. Most electricity is produced by coal. Renewable energy like ethanal would never be produce without corporate tax credits and is raising the cost of food, while lowering the efficiency of the gas it is used in.
Wind and solar power are both currently not cost effective as they are dependent upon the weather and there is no way to store the energy they produce. Payback is virtually nonexistent. The only reason either is produced is because of taxpayer subsidies. And while we all know that nearly everyone on both sides hates government subsidies, those on both sides are crying for them. Corporate welfare and welfare for those who have chosen not to be productive need to end. All of it. The only welfare that should be available is to those who are here legally, and who cannot work. Those who never paid into the system because of choice should receive nothing.
There will be those on both sides of the aisle that disagree, but the facts remain. You have a right to pursue happiness, but there is nothing in the constitution that guarantees it. Most of those who think government is supposed to be a lifeline have shurked their own responsibility to take care of themselves.
You are your responsibility. If you can't take responsibility for yourselves and family, then do everyone else a huge favor, as well as yourselves, and quit breeding.
@ InTheMiddleTx, what do you mean we don't know what is in his heart? Are YOU implying that Republicans actually have a heart? Was it evolution or did God just sort of "Poof" it there?
Why should any of these clowns get a raise???
Wow, just wow. This is so beyond unethical it takes your breath away. Makes you wonder if Viitter considers taking bribes for political favors just the way pols do "bidness." Anybody checked Vitter's bank acount lately?
Or freezer?
Or Tiffany account?
Maybe he bought himself some 14 carat gold, diamond studed DIAPER pins.
Amy B. Portland, ME
Wow, just wow. This is so beyond unethical it takes your breath away. Makes you wonder if Viitter considers taking bribes for political favors just the way pols do "bidness." Anybody checked Vitter's bank acount lately?
Let not forget this FULL WING NUT’S smear of ACORN workers. A woman accused of running a Washington prostitution ring placed five phone calls to David Vitter while he was a House member, including two while roll call votes were under way, according to telephone and congressional records.
Now we know the true heart and soul of the Family Values Party.
Are you the very same people that say these people make too much money or does that only apply to the GOP? Guess what? If he wants a raise, give him what the military is going to receive 1.6%. That seems fair for screwing over the American people.
Wow, that is blatant. Vitter needs to be immediately removed from office, and criminal charges should probably be filed. What he is doing amounts to blackmail, or bribery depending on how you look at it. Trading money for a vote is a crime. This type of behavior by an elected official is nauseating.
If this is the behavior officials will do publicly, how far are they going in private?
3Wolves, you say Secretary Salazar is "screwing over the American people"?
What an absurdity.
Of course, I bet you think Vitter is just the cat's meow ....
As for the matter of the "raise," you should read the story before making such assertions. Sec. Salazar is not really getting a "raise," although the word is loosely applied in the report, but instead has become eligible for the full salary paid to a person in the Cabinet position.
In this case it is a higher wage than that he earned as a member of Congress; he remained at that pay level until his term expired. Secretary Clinton is in the same situation.
Would any of you naysayers and anti-Salazar posters be saying these same things were we discussing the salary of a corporate executive? An oil executive? A big businessman?
fielden
Would any of you naysayers and anti-Salazar posters be saying these same things were we discussing the salary of a corporate executive? An oil executive? A big businessman?
Of course, they'd be advocating for more tax breaks.
Business executives and CEOs are not elected officials or public servants. Your anaology is ridiculous. If one of those CEOs or Executives had control over a officials salary and did this, they would be arrested and convicted...THis is a bribe situation.
Not like Salazar and the Obama administration ignored a court order (twice) to lift the moratorium. Oh wait, yes they did..
The Obama Administration acted in contempt by continuing its deepwater drilling moratorium after the policy was struck down, a New Orleans judge ruled.
Interior Department regulators acted with "determined disregard" by lifting and reinstituting a series of policy changes that restricted offshore drilling, following the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history, U.S. District Judge, Martin Feldman of New Orleans ruled yesterday.
"Each step the government took following the court's imposition of a preliminary injunction showcases its defiance," Feldman said in the ruling.
"Such dismissive conduct, viewed in tandem with the re- imposition of a second blanket and substantively identical moratorium, and in light of the national importance of this case, provide this court with clear and convincing evidence of the government's contempt," Feldman said.
From Feb 3 2011
Brother- Surprised you weren't collapsed by the "Free-Thinkers" here on PMSNBC. Talking bad about a state re-electing a stooge from the party of "The Lyin' of the Senate" aka Booze Houndin' Woman Drownin' Ted the Turd Kennedy and his 4 decade sinecure in the People's Republic of Messachusetts (not a typo). Of course it was none of my business who those knuckleheads elected. I don't live there.
If Vitter is that horrible maybe Louisisana will stop voting for him. Of course the "Feisty Crew" loves to tell others their business and how to think. It comes from the model of their thought leaders. People can't possibly understand what they want without orders from the State.
Liberal lemmings, click your heels 3 times and say "there's no place like home". Your ideas belong in Oz.
Last night a democrat won an election. Celebrate the good times. Whatever it takes to forget the absolute crushing of November 2010. Worship the Immaculated One while your party circles the bowl.
The Democrat Party is like a septic tank. The really big chunks float to the top. Conservation my arse, flush twice and jiggle the handle.
Don't worry. This is just a temporary setback for Salazar. When he is no longer a government hack and is one of those other things, they won't.
This playing games with a person's livelyhood in the gulf is definitely dirty politics and canceling drill permits that were previously approved is part of that dirt!
Nearly 20,000 people were denied their jobs when this administration put a moritorium on drilling. Disgusting. We should be supporting jobs for the public not deleting jobs in this bad economy!
Hopefully, Vitter won't wimp out the way Repubs usually do when confronted.
Make them drill relief wells simultaneous to the "exploratory" well and there will be more work than they can handle. But then you'll b!tch about the cost, which would only reduce the oil company's profits.
You don't give a damn about the workers. We call your bluff, b!tch.
More republican douchbagery. Maybe Vitter is cranky from diaper rash, anybody got some Desitin? Vitter has the red ass again.
Doesn't the term "douchbaggery" have 2 g's ? Now the noun may only have one. As in "Hang that darn douchbager HIGH!" OR the would that be 'Diaperbager' in this particular case?
Sane minds want to know. Is FAITH just another prostitutes n
I was cut off, sorry...Is FAITH just another prostitute's name for this guy?
Hope and Charity too, I guess. This 3-some isn't indicative of his heart, they were in his pants. Now we find he practices Vindictive Values too! hmmmm.
What a disingenuous person Vitter is. The Dept of Interior has been granting permits for oil exploration and drilling in the Gulf, it was only stopped during the BP Deep Water Horizon disaser. Vitter should stop the lies and the grandstanding. More blackmail ransom and hostage taking by the GOP; keeping the boot on the neck of the Interior Dept. How ironic Vitter chose those words. The GOP had a hissy fit and accused President Obama of putting his foot on the neck of BP to pay for the damage and pay the people for the damage caused. I am happy to see Salazar say he didn't want the raise but it angers me that one senator can hold the entire Senate hostage for personal gain.
Everytime I see or hear the name David Vitter, I wonder how in the world he was re-elected. I see his poor, sad and humiliated wife dragged on stage to "stand by" her man while he confessed to his marital failings, his "mistakes."
If a man would cheat on his wife and kids he will cheat on everything. If your wife and kids can't trust you, nobody should trust you.
So true. I felt the same with Hillary.
Hey, did you all see where the Presidents limo, "The Beast", filled up while in London?
Source: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23953562-presidents-men-fill-up-the-beast-in-surprise-visit-to-bp-garage.do
The irony.
When is that guy predicting the world will end, because I'm about to agree with JS1. Bill Clinton forever tarnished his reputation, of all the things he has accomplished in his life, the affair is the one thing that people hate him will remember, and the one thing people who liked him can't forget. But that is what a man does to his good name, and to his wife and kids when he cheats. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I don't go for that stuff one bit. I think that is why some of these older women marry much younger men, they could not find a decent man so they decide they will raise themselves one.
Good for you. Me, too, and Forrest, too, I see. In fact, I don't remember any democrat saying they thought he had done right. But since Clinton wasn't out there preaching family values, like Vitter, for example, democrats also thought the whole business was private, and although highly distasteful, not a "high crime and misdemeanor" under the Constitution. It was simply all that remained when republicans, after having wasted millions of taxpayer dollars on their witch hunt, couldn't make anything else stick.
It was never a crime, and not an impeachable offense, he lied about it, and that brought on his legal troubles. He should have simply admitted it, and then it would have been a private matter between him and his family. I never understand how a fling is worth your reputation, if you don't want to be married get a divorce first then do your fling.
I always thoght Vitter's old lady was kind of hot. Guys like David deserve gals more like Smiff.
What does any woman see in a man in diapers?
$$$ signs?
Vitter was at the gym and said to the trainer which machine should I use to impress that gal over there and the trainer said "the ATM machine".
I just hope the Democrats remember this precident set by Republican Vitter when, inevitably, there is another republican president.
Why is this an issue? Do we not have a wage freeze for Federal Employees in effect for 2011 and 2012?
Oh Maggie... there you go talking sense again.
Give them a minute and they will collapse your post so that it doesn't 'confuse' anyone!
Not collapsing just contradicting the flawed logic in Maggies post.
He is not getting a raise. He is, now that his senate term would be over, being elevated to the standard pay of his new position.
Not to get in the way of your narrative though; please continue you misrepresentation of the situation....
It appears that Maggie and Sickof do not know how to read and comprehend. The basis of the salary increase is for his promotion to Cabinet Secretary and not his Senate salary. How would you like to be promoted and not receive fair compensation for your added new role and responsibilities?
Ted Mid Michigan
Sorry, I did not mean to cause a snit. I really thought a freeze meant just that. I looked it up and found that this wage freeze allows for automatic pay increases (step pay). It also allows for promotions in grade,overtime pay and bonuses. My next question would have to be, what was the point in saying we had a two year pay freeze? It sounds good but means nothing.
Maggie - I think that it means that no one will get a raise unless he or she is promoted to a higher level. That seems fair. If I was promoted, I would want to see a raise commensurate with the responsibilities.
Maggie, maybe you should ask that question at the Fox "News" site, I'm sure you'd get the answer your looking for.
Vitter has had a hardon for Obama from the get-go. He even jumped on the Michelle Malkin bandwagon when she was perpetuating the lie about President Obama giving Petrobras Brazil $2 billion to "drill in the gulf while denying American companies permits".
Well, in the immortal words of Gomer Pyle: Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! When Vitter was schooled in the actual role of Ex-Im Bank, he couldn't backpedal faster, or distance himself more, from this non-issue.
NO MORE DRILLING!
Europe is far ahead deriving energy from Wind & Sun. We keep distressing our planet, we can look forward to more tornados, floods, earthquakes!
The well being of our planet and our citizens comes before profits! no exceptions! nor bargaining on this.
Things are just so wonderful across the pond. Listen, tell you what, when we can power an entire US city, (lets pick Little Rock Arkansas (pop. 200,000)), with your Wind & Sun machines, we'll know your little concept works and we can start in on other cities. And by the way, we'll be taxing your paycheck 30% to pay for it all.
Deal?
Let's see. If you tax me, but I don't have to pay for electricity or for gasoline, and I know the environment will be protected, and American jobs will be created in the manufacture of the wind machines, and no seagulls or dolphins will be harmed during the creation of these wind machines, and we can stop conducting military oil protection activities on behalf of Halliburton, the Koch brothers (speculators, doncha know), Blackwater, and Middle Eastern dictatorships who then turn around and foster terrorism against us, using our oil dollars for their financing, then yes.
It might be a pretty good deal after all.
All that is:
That is the funniest and most ridiculous post EVER. The Europeans (excluding the French who went nuclear decades ago) have been banging away at wind, tide, pig-@!$%# (no solar, not enough sun) ways of producing enough power to charge a 9volt battery. for decades and are no nearer which is why they get most of their power from the French (God forbid)
We do better here using methane from city dumps
Hydrogen is the only potential alternative energy source, for mass market use anyway, until then, natural gas or go sweat/shiver in the dark
As comedian Bill Engvall would say to you, "Here's your sign".
JoAnna ~ You mean "I'm stupid"?
I'm stung. Or would be, if I wasn't so stupid.
Okay, that explains me, but what's YOUR excuse?
I power my home using solar energy system. I do have use a small back-up generator about 4 days a year. They aren't really that expensive when you think of the utility company bill you won't have to pay. Long -term investment.
Hydrogen as a gas will never be the answer, it is explosive in a 5% solution, way too volatile for general use, it makes Acetylene look tame. The only people talking up hydrogen are the oil companies because they know it won't happen. If hydrogen is too be used it won't be in a gaseous state.
Terrific! I'm happy for you. Others should consider the same.
To have a proof of concept though, Wind and Sun machines need to power many diverse applications. Homes, office buildings, street lights, industrial plants. It needs to be shown that Wind and Sun machines are capable of providing the energy needs not for just a family, but for at least an average size community.
Take $1 billion to do it. Heck, take $10 billion to do it. Lets see it work, because right now, it can't.
JoAnna ~ You are making way too much of the obvious. Automobiles, when first invented, were not accessible by the average family. Nor were personal computers, flat screen TVs, microwave ovens, or many other innovations at their inception. Personal space travel is still out of reach for the average citizen. But to make progress, you have to start somewhere.
I remember sitting across the desk from one of my supervising attorneys when I was first practicing law, listening to him pontificate on why I didn't need a desktop computer. Computers, he said, would never replace dictation machines. He could not foresee a day when everyone would have one of those new-fangled machines on his or her desk. I wrote that off to failure of imagination, or lack of that "vision thing" that George H.W. Bush used to talk about. Some people are just like that; you seem to be one of them. Anyway, I walked down the hallway, and began again with another attorney. Before too long, I had my PC. Before too much longer, so did he.
And you can't read. I said show us Wind and Sun machines are feasible, show that they can produce enough energy to power a community. The Greens started long ago with this plan of theirs, they've have been attempting to do so for what, 40 years now? It didn't take that long for proof of concept for automobiles, TVs, or microwave ovens (don't recall the government subsidizing them either, but that's another topic). So when are these magical tools going to produce enough energy to power a residential area, an office building, a steel mill, and re-charge all those electric cars we're going to have? We're not even close to having that happen. These Green machines are currently nothing but toys.
And that "sign" of yours Anna. It's not for your benefit, it's to warn others.
And they'll still be nothing but toys as long as the short-sighted refuse to fund the research. If you were in charge we would never have gone to the moon, never have built the interstate highways, and never have developed the hydropower that runs much of the Southwest United States. We wouldn't have Tang, for heaven's sake, not to mention Velcro.
You can call me stupid all you want, JoAnna, and it won't affect me. Probably because I'm stupid and write in incomplete sentences. The sign is sort of superfluous as those who need to know it, no doubt already do, unless your assumption is that you're the only smart one in the room. You're not.
All in all, though, I'd rather be stupid than a person who knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing, like you. The value of some things, like a clean environment, simply cannot be measured in dollars. I pity you if you don't understand that.
By the way, I think you're wrong about the automobile. It seems it was actually invented as early as 1672.
http://www.car-history.org/automobile_timeline/
I don't know how you can put a specific deadline on technological developments. It take the time it takes, and it would take considerably less to develop solar and wind power if we funded its development, instead of choking it off, which is what we're doing in Wisconsin under Walker.
What if we did that with regard to the development of experimental drugs? Got a good cancer treatment but can't move it to market in six months? So sorry.
And you call ME stupid.
From the 2009 stimulus package Obama signed into law:
* A large sum for energy efficiency, including $5 billion for low-income weatherization programs; over $6 billion in grants for state and local governments; and several billion to modernize federal buildings, with a particular emphasis on energy efficiency.
* $11 billion for "smart grid" investments.
* $3.4 billion for carbon capture and sequestration demonstration projects (otherwise known as "clean coal").
* $2 billion for research into batteries for electric cars.
* $500 million to help workers train for "green jobs."
$28 billion, with just that one bill. To you that's "not being funded"? Here's your next sign.
Source: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/obama-signs-stimulus-packed-with-clean-energy-provisions/
Too easy. According to you, that's hardly enough because it won't work anyway, at just about any price. Wisconsin had its own program, too, carefully developed over some period of time as incentives to private businesses, which people like you normally profess to like; but Walker, in lockstep with his Koch brothers paymasters, who are deep in the oil equipment and oil speculation business, ironically decided to curtail it by putting stricter regulations on it.
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_e094cb5e-4458-11e0-9446-001cc4c03286.html?sourcetrack=moreArticle
Really?! MORE regulations? Did you ever hear of such a thing coming from republicans? Phony baloney hypocrites, worshipping, as always, at the altar of political expediency. Nothing means anything but money, and then only in certain hands. I have no doubt that if republicans got control of Congress, they'd do whatever they could to rescind any part of that stimulus money that hasn't already been spent, while making darn sure there would be no more forthcoming.
But keep those signs coming, JoAnna. I'll wear them as badges of honor, coming as they do, from you. I love it when you make fun of me. It says so much.
That's it. I'm finally speechless. See you all later.
Anna Molly
That's it. I'm finally speechless. See you all later.
I'm wondering how does Vitter mean drilling in the gulf considering his past actions which came under investigations? Vitter, most definitely, would need the extra cash for that.
LoL Beverly. Exactly.
I always thought that it was the job of the Secretary of the Department of Energy to do whatever is right to provide clean, reliable sources of energy, including renewable energy. I never knew that his job was specifically to issue permits for drilling. That would make it a little like pimping, wouldn't it?
It has been a business doing pleasure with you. - David Vitter
LoLoL "The pleasure was all yours, Mr. Vitter. The business was all mine." ~ DC Madam
When did drill baby drill become drill and bill baby?
Senator Vitter (Republican Christian) of Louisiana having sex with female and male prostitutes...
In diapers...
www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/56689/
Mrs. Vitter said she'd cut off her husband's genital if she caught him with prostitutes...
sayanythingblog.com/entry/david_vitters_wife_during_lewinsky_scandal_i_wouldnt_be_forgiving_like_hill/
Spending tax payers money on male and female whores!
I was wondering why people kept referring to diapers!
Wonder why Vitter is so worried about new leases? Hundreds of wells are drilled and capped. Something is strange here. If Salazar was a republican under a republican president would this story even be here? Besides, why doesn't Vitter demand the DOJ audit the Oil Folk's books? Naw, he couldn't do that. He ain't got the patriotism or the guts.
Exactly, they do not need to drill more wells, they need to actually tap the ones that they already have drilled and capped, you know, actually start using the oil that they have accessed. But noooo, they get big tax breaks for the 'exploration and drilling' phase and would have to pay royalties on the oil that they did bring up and put on the market.
A sad commentary of where our politics have gone, there are no longer boundaries that politicians will not cross to get their way. This was not always the case, politics of the past respected certain rules and traditions, they could disagree without being disagreeable, now it's how much can I convince the public that the other side is evil and out to destroy our country. We no longer have gentlemen serving in congress, Sad.
@retired military: One side in a way has not done this nation well. Wages of the upper per cents increased by many fold. Middle class now hanging on and many in bankruptcy. Oil $100 a barrel when its really worth $10. Health Insurance for a family of four 12 to 18 thousand a year. Before Bush, oil was in the low 20's. Health Insurance for family of four was a little under five thousand. The republicans did this. They used the wars and fear against the American people. If it were not for the vast expanses of right wing information outlets, by 2004, GWB and half of the Congress would have been charged with fraud and war crimes. Hannities, Limbaugh's, Coulters, and their ilk provided the perfect cover and distraction so justice was never done. Goebbels could not even dream of such a finely tuned information machine.
Barry, I do agree that most of the mean spirited rhetoric has come from those on the far right, however some has come from the left as well. As for the policies I do agree that the republican party has been leaning more and more to the wealthy and large corporations. What I find lacking in politics today is honest disagreement, instead we demonize each other to get what we want, that I find distasteful no matter who does it.
I gree BUT you have to look for TRUTH and it is very difficult to recognize these days because it is often draped in a veil of deceit and worn by wolves in sheeps clothing.
The American people are learning how to discern the truth for themselves and they can hear the familiar clap-trappery and clatter of words being spun into a fabric of innuendo and lies that purports to be the TRUTH.
Of course these messengers mould the message against and in contrast to the reality of the lives lived in America today. Their truth is a manufactured story line that leads to to a maze of illogical logic to be believed by blind followers of the FOX freakazoidilic GOP/TP crowd whose only focus is to HATE everything OBAMA and Democratic.
Retired Military..
What I find lacking in politics today is honest disagreement, instead we demonize each other to get what we want, that I find distasteful no matter who does it.
I'm an old Goldwater republican and I could not agree more. I've also posted several comments to exactly this point and got the expected results. For example, look at the posts here. comments about his character, the Tbaggers, the far right and you know the rest. This story is about EXTORTION. Unless you do this then you don't get that. That's wrong no matter who does it. Leave the other garbage out and talk to the issue without the vitriol.
One only needs to look at the mechanics of passing ObamaCare to see how far the bar was lowered in politics. Blame the Republicans and ignore the low ground taken by the Democrats, sheesh!
this guy is a creep, why his wife stays with him is beyond me. The Secy did the right thing, why give this poor excuse for a fellow human being any further media time. Though shame on the rest of the Senators for not objecting on the record, that makes them aggreable to his blackmail tactics.
The people of Louisana should be ashamed to send him to DC as their representative.
Salazar should double the number of people working on drilling platforms by simply requiring that every exploratory well must be accompanied by a relief well being drilled simultaneously. If Vitter cares about oil jobs, which I doubt, he can't oppose that proposal........................it would double the work force he claims to care about.
And this is why nobody trusts politicians to do the right thing.
Sounds like extortion to me. Vinter needs to be arrested and charge like any other criminal.
At least an ethics committee investigation seems in order.
Vitter figures the "do what I say or I don't pay" tactic played out well with the "working girls" he hired; now he's trying it on for size with a cabinet member.
Much crappier than that diaper thing he's into.
If they slapped him with federal charges, he would fudge his huggies.
Don't worry about it. Vitter has no actual power. It's all just blow.
lmao! Didn't obama go on record as promoting a wage freeze?
american, this is not a wage increase, it's the salary that he was supposed to earn as Secretary, because he was a member of congress, his salary could not go into effect until his term in congress would have expired, which happened during the last election cycle.
Poor timing on his part then. Many Americans have had to partake in a "shared sacrifice" through events not entirely of their making. BTW - I don't agree with any current wage inceases or colas for our federal politicians or bureacrats either
Sleazy-ass Vitter should resign his seat as Ensign has done.
This isn't a raise subject to the wage freeze idiots!!!! Can't you frigg'n read the darn article!!! Idiots abound here! JAS1 being their head idiot!
What the hell is he going to do with the money, buy another prostitute? Vitters is a moron.
Feisty Redhead calling David 'diaper boy' Vitter fits right into "politicians are like diapers - they need to be changed often and for the same reason!" - Jim Hightower
HUH? Vitter is STILL here ?-I was so sure he'd be sucked up with the "Rapture" on May 21!
He's been holding hands with Eric Cantor in the playground; again!
lets drill , drill and drill--no government intervention or safety concerns-----UNTIL--- a spill occurs and the crying starts to the government to bail them out and clean them up.
OH, and then they say the govenment didn't do it's job.
How can any regulatory agency do it's job when their funding has endured drought conditions for years. On top of that add the Reagan-Bush-Bush cronies who ran the regulatory agencies that jumped in bed with the industry guys for YEARS of payoffs that we learned of after last years spill.
Starve the beast is their strategy and lies are their mode of operation and
US All are on to them.
No raises for Fed govt elites until general populaceunemployment rate hits 6%. What unmitigated gall!
Dahly, let's say you got promoted from sorting mail (which I do BTW), to programming the computers in your office, but you had to stay at your mailroom pay for two years while doing more skilled work, because of company rules. Then, imagine the office manager threatened to block an increase in your pay to programmer level, if you didn't lower the firewall so he could watch porn at work. Get now?
Vitter lusts for a pay raise himself so he can get quieter, higher-paid prostitutes.
And designer diapers!
I say ANY government appointee getting a pay raise when veterans and social security recipients got nothing for 2 years is simply wrong.
Due for a pay raise! HA!
Whether you think he deserves a pay raise or not is besides the point. He isn't being given a merit increase or a promotion for good performance. His salary is simply being raised to match other cabinet secretaries. He's doing a similar function and should get the same salary.
JJMurray
let's say you got promoted from sorting mail (which I do BTW), to programming the computers in your office, but you had to stay at your mailroom pay for two years while doing more skilled work, because of company rules. Then, imagine the office manager threatened to block an increase in your pay to programmer level, if you didn't lower the firewall so he could watch porn at work. Get now?
He does not need a $19K raise, nor does anyone in the Fed government.
Mike686512
Especially your sleazebag, whoring, senator. Are all you Louisiana's as low moraled as Vitter?
The guy defied a Court Order and still has his job. Like it or not, folks who put themselves above the law need a wakeup call, even if you hate the messenger (Vitter). The present political climate and disrespect across the three branches of government is quite astounding and then appointees, like Salazar just ignore the law in a nation that supposedly prides itself in the "rule of law" (that is... when you actually LIKE the law)..