Arkansas Blog

Not sure what Norma's wearing to the debate, but I think I'll be wearing a smile.

Norman, please keep in mind that you have produced some pretty 'cutzy' articles so far so we have very high expectations for you.
Your pal,
Strangelove

Norma has a stalker.....how 'cute'.

No, norman is cute. I'm just humble and in awe of my pal's 'cutzy' communication skills.

I so hope this happens! Colber-Obama-McCain

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- It may be a longshot, but the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum in Hannibal is asking the presidential contenders to come to Hannibal for a debate -- with Stephen Colbert as the moderator.

The museum said it has invited Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain to a town hall-style debate. No date has been announced, but Colbert's staff provided dates when he is available if the candidates should accept.

Museum board member Cindy Lovell said the debate is in keeping with the spirit of Twain, who spent his childhood in Hannibal and who often commented on politics.

The museum said that since Twain often used humor in his political commentary, Colbert would be the perfect fit for moderator.

Tuesday's capitulation by the BEDs (Bush-enabling Dems) allowed the moratorium on offshore drilling expire. Here's some info provided by Ralph Desmarais in his frequent compendium of eco-reports.
DRILLING FOR OIL IS NOT THE ANSWER by Jonathan G. Dorn

http://www.earthpolicy.org/Bulletins/2008/Bulletin3.htm

Background

. The United States consumes nearly 21 million barrels of petroleum per day (7.5 billion barrels per year), one fourth the world total.
. Of the crude oil consumed in the U.S., 66 percent is imported.
. The U.S. is on pace to spend over $500 billion on petroleum imports in 2008.
. U.S. oil production currently occurs onshore in the lower 48 states (2.9 million barrels per day (mbd)), offshore (1.4 mbd, primarily in the Gulf of Mexico), and in Alaska (0.7 mbd).

More Drilling Cannot Make the U.S. Energy Independent

. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that 10.4 billion barrels of oil are technically recoverable in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)-less than one and a half years of consumption.
. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that of the 59 billion barrels of technically recoverable oil in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) of the lower 48 states, only 18 billion are off limits under the federal moratorium.
. DOE projects that lifting the OCS moratorium would not increase production before 2017 and that by 2030 production would only amount to 0.2 million barrels per day-less than 1 percent of current consumption.
. Total U.S. proved oil reserves are estimated at 21 billion barrels-less than a 3 year supply at the current rate of consumption.
. Since peaking in 1970, U.S. crude oil production has declined 47 percent. World production could be peaking now.

More Drilling Will Not Reduce Oil or Gasoline Prices

. DOE projects that opening ANWR would lower gasoline prices at the pump by a mere 2 cents per gallon.
. Lifting the moratoria on drilling in ANWR and the OCS would reduce the price of a gallon of gasoline by at most 6 cents-and this would not be seen for at least another decade.
. Oil is traded as a global commodity and its price is set on the world market. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) could simply reduce exports to negate even the nominal potential price reduction, a fact acknowledged by DOE.

We Can Move Beyond Oil

. The increase in U.S. automobile fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon of gasoline mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 is projected to save more than 1.1 million barrels of oil per day in 2020-roughly half of current U.S. imports from the Persian Gulf. Technology exists to raise standards higher faster.
. Electrifying the U.S. transportation system and restructuring urban transport could reduce petroleum consumption by over 50 percent, nearly eliminating the need for imports.
. Wind-generated electricity could power plug-in hybrid cars, such as GM's prototype Chevy Volt, at the equivalent of less than $1 per gallon of gasoline.

If more of something doesn't reduce the price then are you rejecting the basic concept of 'supply and demand'?

I'm going to violate my own rule and acknowledge strange, but for this one time only. He has a point, and to extrapolate that to blog postings, the more you post, the less relevance you have. Supply and Demand. Too much supply, and certainly no demand = worthless.

Mortgage help for bankrupt homeowners dropped

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080927/ap_on_bi_ge/financial_meltdown;_ylt=AkREox6q9__OaLu9zpl515SyBhIF

Now why the hell doesn't this headline surprise me? Gawd, I'm glad I fled the Democratic party before it turned into a complete pile of crap.

"If more of something doesn't reduce the price then are you rejecting the basic concept of 'supply and demand'?"

Cherry-picking simpleton. Is this how you debated your kids? Hit an runs? Straw mans? You're out of your league.

Dangit, why'd I press enter... I can't..help..it....must stop...feeding troll.

I am an environmental whacko as defined by Mike Huckabee. I was called a Godless environmentalist at an AR Dept of Environmental Quality by a Harrison cattle rancher wanting to be able to spread chicken $hi+ on steep slopes in the Ozarks.

But as relates to OCS drilling, I believe environmental protections should be the debate. If the ocean can be reasonably protected from OCS shelf drilling then why not allow it?

I believe we should set standards and if they can be reached then drilling should be allowed.

Dometic drilling may not lower the global cost of petroleum but it will lower the transfer of weath from the US to other countries.

Now drilling in ANWR is a completely differently issue and I am completely against it and the argument for it is a study in untruthful spin/misrepresentation/lies of omission, etc...

Jim Lendall I have followed your career in city and state gov't and have agreed much more than not with your positions but this OCS drilling is an item I believe I may need more info on or I am for it.

I'll buy you lunch anytime you wish to enlighten me.

JD: In other words, you don't have an answer. Not suprising.

Oddball: Do me a favor, don't acknowledge me if that is the best you can do.

Let me add one more deal breaker from the Republican point of view: the insane idea of putting 20% of the proceeds to a slush fund for Acorn and La Raza. The other 80% goes to retiring the debt. The Repubs position should be 100% goes to retiring the debt. It is the people's money not some lobbying group that is known for committing voter fraud.

It is a minimal of 20 years before we have a marketable alternative to fossil fuels. In the interim we will still have to primarily rely on oil for our transportation needs. However, I want to emphasize one area that is always forgotten---petro chemicals. All of our plastics are made from oil. Alternative fuels do not replace petro chemicals. We are going to be relying on oil and large quantities of oil for the foreseeable future. Not drilling and developing domestic sources of oil is national suicide. If we continue as we are for the next 20 years at a minimum we are going to be exporting a substantial portion of our wealth to foreigners.

cutzy -- edgy, cutting-edge or what? cutesy, is that what you meant? with some folks like sl is just hard to tell.

Maybe Sl is george bush in disguise, having infiltrated our blog?

1.5 HRS INTO THE DEBATE... IF I HEAR OBAM STUTTER I I I . ONE MORE TIME I WILL HURL.L HE IS OUTGUNNED TONIGHT . PAY ATTENTION.. SOMEONE AT THOSE PODIUMS HAS BEEN THERE , DONE THAT, AND WAS FRONT AND CENTER AT THINGS LONG BEFORE OUR LIL BABY ARAB WAS. OBAMA IS PITIFUL.. HIS PARTY SHOULD BE ASHAMED... AND 932 MIL IN HIS SHORT SHORT TERM IN OFFICE. CUT IT OUT WHEN HE STARTED RUNNING FOR PRES AND IT JUST WASNT AS CUTE AS IT USED TO BE.
THIS MAN IS BAD NEWS FOR AMERICA. HE IS SO FULL OF S . THAT HIS BROWN EYES ARE BROWN, AND FOAMY. HE SPEAKS NOT THE TRUTH..ONLY WHAT HE THINKS MOST OF US WANT TO HEAR. DOESNT HE KNOW HE ISNT RUNNING AGAINST GEORGE BUSH. HE JUST DOESNT GET IT.. NOT ENOUGH TIME ON THE PLANET FOR ANYBODY WITH A DROP OF INTELLIGENCE. THE DEMO PARTY IS SORELY LACKING IN THAT DEPT LATELY. WHEN IS BIDEN'S SO CALLED "HEALTH ISSUE" GOING TO BE A CALLING CARD FOR GOOD OLD HILLARY.... SHE WILL BE PRES. SHE WILL NOT BE VP LONG IF SHE IS ENLISTED TO TAKE HIS PLACE... OBAMA JUST CANT KEEP HIS MOUTH FROM RUNNIN DURING ANOTHERS ANSWER.. SEEMS MOST DEMS ARE LIKE THAT.. RUDE CRUDE, AND SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE. LEHRER IS OUT OF HIS PAY GRADE. FOR THIS ONE.

OMG! Large has just outed himself.

He's Chasv.

Citizen,
Besides the information in the article above ("Drilling for oil is not the answer"), there are other reasons for maintaining the moratorium on expansion of drilling.

First, considering the current financial situation, the U.S. needs to increase the fees for leases, especially after the sweetheart deal the oil companies got on the current leases. The oil companies want to get the leases now when the price is low. It doesn't mean that they will actually drill. They are just using the anxiety at the gas pump to take advantage of bargain prices for leases.

Second, oil and gas companies have more than over 4,000 undeveloped leases in the western Gulf of Mexico. Of the over 40 million acres of offshore leased right now, only 10 million acres are being used. One of the excuses the oil companies have for not using the areas already leased is that they are using all of the drilling equipment available.

Third, they do not have the refining capacity here to turn the oil into gasoline. We are importing gasoline refined in other countries.

Finally, why not leave something for the next generations of Americans when the scarcity of oil REALLY hits? I would love to hear the conversation you will have with your children and grandchildren about how you don't care about what happens to this country after you die as long as you have cheap gasoline today for yourself.

Strategically, wouldn't it be wise to have some untapped reserves in this country in 60 or 90 years?

Obama kicked ass and took names. John McCain never once called Barak by his first name and looked at him directly only twice.
Shove that up your LARGEASS.

SORRY JOHN MCCAIN WILL NOT NEED ON THE JOB TRAINING.. HE IS LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF THE ARAB,. MAN DOES THAT ARAB EVER STOP STUTTERING..OR IS IT JUST TO GET HIS ANSWER STRAIGHT.

TYPICAL.. STUTTER OR ASK A QUESTION WHEN ASKED ONE YOURSELF.. HE IS CLEARLY NOT READY FOR THIS JOB. CASE CLOSED.. GO TO BE KIZZY... NO ONE WANTS YOUR FAT ASS. AND FAT LIP.

McCain and his jaw critter did better than I expected. Now they didn't change my mind any, but I wasn't exactly a-straddling the fence. I wonder what the undeciders are thinking right about now. I can't even fathom how horrible my life would be if I couldn't make up my mind between these two. You either is or you ain't.

I wonder if the Senator from Arizona buys flag pins which were made in China. Dang things will not stay on!

Barack did just fine. I am proud that he is my candidate. I don't know how good or great a President he would or will be. But for a guy with a fraction of the experience of his opponent, he did very well indeed. And this debate was supposed to be Advantage: McCain.

I'd say Obama won; others would say McCain did.

Election after election, I seem to be getting smarter as the overall electorate gets dumber. And lord knows I wasn't the brightest bulb on the string to begin with.

I guess we look forward to this week when the Clintons still won't be doing nearly enough; the economy will still be in the tank, despite McCain's valiant rescure effort; and Jesse Helms will still be dead.

A previous poster calls Obama an Arab. Click on my name to see what a real Arab looks like.

Think I'll keep posting this until strangehate responds (first posted 9/25 at 11:09):

"No, the responsibility for the war in Iraq lies with the Congress. They authorized the war and appropriated the money to fund it----several times." strangehate

Gee, and here I thought Republicans were in charge of both the House and Senate way back in '03 when the occupation of Iraq was authorized and funded. Sorta makes that a Republican occupation- signed, sealed and delivered.

Republicans led the House, the Senate and the presidency- golly gee. Now, strangehate, pray tell us who was in position to override those in charge. Please. I just love learning more about the federal government, and I've probably forgotten a lot that I learned in school. Help me here, please. Throw me a lifeline.

Is that to say some Democrats are not culpable in falling for W's disinformation campaign? Of course not. But the R's earned the lion's share of the blame, hands down.

Apologies to (almost) all for my feeding the troll.

While we're looking at pictures, here's another affectionate shot.

I was in the middle of posting last night, when JD's realization hit me . . . . DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS! Yet, this morning, upon viewing the vitriolic rantings above from LARGE, who was clearly separated at birth from chasv (of course unless they are all the same person) have necessitated some commentary. My MIL used to type in all caps, but after repetitive nudges that it is rude and seriously selfish bordering on narcisistic to believe that you are above everyone else who actually types, she learned not to be so lazy. And that's really what LARGE is when you come down to it. Reading the same post over and over again is useless and, yet, we can't help ourselves. It's like watching a horrible D movie (which spouse loves and drives me crazy) -- the inanity comments are repetitive, insulting and hard to see. Yet we (and they) persist.

The truly disappointing fact is, though, that there are way too many people who belive the "arab" comment, who fail to do the necessary research to determine the truth. All we can do is continue our quest to make sure that the right person ends up in office and that we don't have the scariest person I've ever seen on the national ticket be the successor to the presidency (She who shall not be named because i think it gives too much credence to her candidacy, but it's still worth mentioning that she's CRAZY TOWN). Maybe it's actually her posting as LARGE. Moniker fits.

YOU RANTING FOOLS. HAS ANYONE WITH ANY BRAIN ACTIVITY TO SPEAK OF.. HEARD OF " VISION PROBLEMS.. SO THEY USE ALL CAPS" TO BE ABLE TO SEE.
VISION (SOMETIMES) YOU CAN FIX .. STUPID IS FOREVER. BET YOU ALL WERE BULLIES IN SCHOOL TOO. EVEN FAT ASS KIZZY/JAZZY. NO APOLOGIES NEEDED. NONE SURE AS HELL EXPECTED.
GOTTA CONSIDER THE SOURCES.. AND I DO.

LEAVE CHASV OUT OF THE MIX.. CHAS IS DOING WELL ENOUGH ON HIS OWN

LENDALL IS FRIED FROM THE POT. DEMAND /SUPPLY. HELLO

Yeah, ya gotta consider the SOURCE, Sam. See, if LARGE had just told us he had vision problems, I'm sure some of us would have had some useful suggestions for him.
(No, not those, you liberal "RANTING FOOLS" with no "BRAIN ACTIVITY TO SPEAK OF." All you "BULLIES . . . EVEN FAT ASS KIZZY/JAZZY." "STUPID IS FOREVER . . . LENDALL IS FRIED FROM THE POT." Nope, "NO APOLOGIES . . . NONE SURE AS HELL EXPECTED.")

But just in case you stuck around through all that, LARGE, try this.
Leaving this page up, go to your word processor program, choose your type style and SIZE -- I'd guess that 14 or maybe 16 oughta do it for ya -- then type your comment on that page. When you're finished, click "Edit" on top of that page, then "Select All", then "Copy." At this point, don't do anything more on the word processor page. Come back to this box which you've left on in the background. Click in the box, then hit the "Paste" control button (Control V on my program) you saw under "Edit" on the word program page. Your comment is copied here in this size.
NOTE: I'm working with Microsoft Works Word Processor and if yours is different, your instructions will differ. Look things over a bit and I'll bet you can figure it out. Someone might even tell you specifics if you tell them what program you have.

Now as to apologies . . . well, at the risk of being a tad sanctimonious, I'd say you do have three or four to make.

DOIGOTTA.. NO I DONT. THANKS FOR THE EYE OPENING 101. LET ME TAKE YOU TO THE BIG DAM BRIDGE. GO ABOUT HALFWAY.. RIP A RIGHT. AND THERE YA GO. IF YOU SPENT 1/ZILLIONTH OF A SECOND ON CHARITABLE WORK OR HELPING SOMEONE YOU LOOK DOWN ON. (NOT ME OF COURSE) YOU WOULD STRAIGHTEN OUT THIS WHOLE RACIST. HATE MONGERING GROUP SINGLEHANDEDLY.

WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO TELL SOMEONE WITH POOR VISION HOW TO GET IT 20/20 . NEXT YOU;LL BE TELLIN MAX HE ONLY SEES HALF OF WHAT HE SHOULD... YOU ARE PITIFUL. GO SAY A PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS. BET YOU LAUGH AT HANDICAPPED TOO. YOU WERE ONE OF THE BULLIES IN MY SCHOOL I REMEMBER YOU. GROW UP

OUCH. That'll teach me to be a do gooder. Never was good at it anyway.
Actually, I have been known to tell Max what he should or shouldn't do a time or two. And you know what? I don't believe I'd hesitate to accost the big guy on the street, in his office or maybe even in a dark alley, if I thought he really stepped over the line. At most, we'd probably agree to diagree.
You I'll give a good leavin' alone.