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Buy American
Author: BobR
Date: 02/04/2009 13:03:22
I've noted before that when I was growing up, the unions would have commercials exhorting us to "look for the union label". That was back in the good old days when clothes were actually made in the U.S., and the workers in the factories were frequently unionized. After Reagan essentially broke the backs of the unions, and imports were becoming popular, the call was to "buy American". After 9/11, Bush asked us to just "buy buy buy".
Of course - for most Americans, "buy buy buy" means "charge charge charge". As a result (in addition to the housing bubble), the amount of money lent out by banks began to exceed their ability to cover the loans. Thus, the banking industry imploded and we are left teetering on the precipice of another depression. The latest "are you kidding?" bit of news is that California is broke and has halted all payments. This is serious stuff.
Just like the last depression, the president is proposing we spend money on jobs, so that the pay these workers receive gets circulated back into the economy, hopefully revving it back up. I already covered in a previous blog how the Republicans want to use tax cuts for their magical trickle-down theories, so I won't go over that again. This time, the controversy is over Buy American.
The bill has some references to buying American-made products for infrastructure projects. One would normally assume that the Republicans are insisting on this language. One would be wrong. Oddly enough, along with our trading partners, the Republicans want that language taken out:
Even stranger? Obama agrees with them:
While I understand the concern that protectionism helped create and extend the Great Depression, perhaps we need to tell our trading partners that we just want to reduce our trade defecit, which is averaging about $60 Million/Month. Simply reducing our trade deficit to zero would put $720M/Year back into our economy.
While I can understand that private companies shouldn't be forced to buy American only, the U.S. Government should at least try to buy American whenever possible. It is, after all, our economy we're trying to stimulate with our tax dollars (and the tax dollars we're borrowing from our children and grandchildren to pay for this). It's become increasingly hard for Americans to find products made in the U.S.; it's not too much to ask our government to buy American when it can. After all - aren't we trying to create jobs here in America?
Of course - for most Americans, "buy buy buy" means "charge charge charge". As a result (in addition to the housing bubble), the amount of money lent out by banks began to exceed their ability to cover the loans. Thus, the banking industry imploded and we are left teetering on the precipice of another depression. The latest "are you kidding?" bit of news is that California is broke and has halted all payments. This is serious stuff.
Just like the last depression, the president is proposing we spend money on jobs, so that the pay these workers receive gets circulated back into the economy, hopefully revving it back up. I already covered in a previous blog how the Republicans want to use tax cuts for their magical trickle-down theories, so I won't go over that again. This time, the controversy is over Buy American.
The bill has some references to buying American-made products for infrastructure projects. One would normally assume that the Republicans are insisting on this language. One would be wrong. Oddly enough, along with our trading partners, the Republicans want that language taken out:
The US Senate should strip a "Buy American" clause from President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan, the chamber's top Republican said Monday amid anger at the restriction from US allies.
"I don't think we ought to use a measure that is supposed to be timely, temporary, and targeted to set off trade wars when the entire world is experiencing a downturn in the economy," said Senator Mitch McConnell.
[...]
The House of Representatives last week voted to require that public works projects funded by its 819-billion-dollar stimulus bill to use only US iron and steel. The Senate version extends that restriction to all manufactured goods.
Even stranger? Obama agrees with them:
President Barack Obama said on Tuesday he did not want to send a protectionist message on world trade and would look at altering "Buy American" language in an economic stimulus bill coming out of Congress.
"I think it would be a mistake ... at a time when worldwide trade is declining for us to start sending a message that somehow we're just looking after ourselves and not concerned with world trade," Obama said on the Fox television network.
His comments came as the U.S. Senate was debating a nearly $900 billion economic stimulus plan that allows only U.S.-made iron, steel and manufactured goods to be used in public works projects funded by the bill.
While I understand the concern that protectionism helped create and extend the Great Depression, perhaps we need to tell our trading partners that we just want to reduce our trade defecit, which is averaging about $60 Million/Month. Simply reducing our trade deficit to zero would put $720M/Year back into our economy.
While I can understand that private companies shouldn't be forced to buy American only, the U.S. Government should at least try to buy American whenever possible. It is, after all, our economy we're trying to stimulate with our tax dollars (and the tax dollars we're borrowing from our children and grandchildren to pay for this). It's become increasingly hard for Americans to find products made in the U.S.; it's not too much to ask our government to buy American when it can. After all - aren't we trying to create jobs here in America?
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 02/04/2009 13:48:53
wickedpam on 02/04/2009 13:48:53
Morning :hug:
I don't get it, why is it every other country in the world can focus on buying products made in their own country to help their economy but when we do it's selfish and protectionist..... *sigh* (sorry just a bit cranky)
I don't get it, why is it every other country in the world can focus on buying products made in their own country to help their economy but when we do it's selfish and protectionist..... *sigh* (sorry just a bit cranky)
Comment by 
Random on 02/04/2009 14:09:14
Random on 02/04/2009 14:09:14
I...am....pissed...
btw. Great Post BobR
P.S.
I missed my home here.
btw. Great Post BobR
P.S.
I missed my home here.
Comment by 
BobR on 02/04/2009 14:11:01
BobR on 02/04/2009 14:11:01
Comment by Random on 02/04/2009 14:12:49
Well damn it...
I was gonna go into Japanese Studies...thanks alot BobR
Random on 02/04/2009 14:12:49
Quote by BobR:
This is awful. It makes me wonder what kind of healthcare system they have in Japan...
Well damn it...
I was gonna go into Japanese Studies...thanks alot BobR
Comment by BobR on 02/04/2009 14:24:29
BobR on 02/04/2009 14:24:29
off to the dentist for my biennial cleaning. TTFN...
Comment by 
Scoopster on 02/04/2009 14:27:42
Scoopster on 02/04/2009 14:27:42
Mornin' guys.. :coffee2:
I heard a short blurb on NPR this morning on the whole protectionist measures that might be added to the bill.. that had me a bit concerned.
But yeah, then there's the whole argument about Smoot-Hawley and not wanting to repeat mistakes.
Anyways, on to more light-hearted matters. It seems a local radio producer made a mashup video of the Bill-O and Christian Bale explosions. Warning - the audio is NWS!
I heard a short blurb on NPR this morning on the whole protectionist measures that might be added to the bill.. that had me a bit concerned.
But yeah, then there's the whole argument about Smoot-Hawley and not wanting to repeat mistakes.
Anyways, on to more light-hearted matters. It seems a local radio producer made a mashup video of the Bill-O and Christian Bale explosions. Warning - the audio is NWS!
Comment by 
Raine on 02/04/2009 14:44:44
Raine on 02/04/2009 14:44:44
Good Morning!!!!
Comment by wickedpam on 02/04/2009 14:46:39
wickedpam on 02/04/2009 14:46:39
wow that was a cheery enterance :p
Comment by Random on 02/04/2009 14:50:55
To be fair, that's exactly how the other countries are being described too. or at least the way i see it.
Random on 02/04/2009 14:50:55
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning :hug:
I don't get it, why is it every other country in the world can focus on buying products made in their own country to help their economy but when we do it's selfish and protectionist..... *sigh* (sorry just a bit cranky)
To be fair, that's exactly how the other countries are being described too. or at least the way i see it.
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 14:53:16
Raine on 02/04/2009 14:53:16
Comment by 
starling310 on 02/04/2009 14:58:18
starling310 on 02/04/2009 14:58:18
*sigh*
Shock Doctrine is Naomi KLEIN!
Shock Doctrine is Naomi KLEIN!
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 14:59:49
Raine on 02/04/2009 14:59:49
So aside from Howard Dean... who do y'all think for HHS? (becuase I really don't think Howard Dean is going to be the pick)
I am thinking I would like to see Bill Bradley ... He is for Single payor and he still has a lot of contacts in congress.
I am thinking I would like to see Bill Bradley ... He is for Single payor and he still has a lot of contacts in congress.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/04/2009 15:06:17
Scoopster on 02/04/2009 15:06:17
Major shenanigans going on behind the scenes at Bank of America
There's a whole lotta whistleblower action going on in this diary, especially in Updates 2 & 3.
There's a whole lotta whistleblower action going on in this diary, especially in Updates 2 & 3.
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 15:10:49
I am thinking we can strike some kind of balance here.
What is wrong with putting US steeworkers... you know -- BACK TO WORK?
Raine on 02/04/2009 15:10:49
Quote by Random:Quote by wickedpam:
Morning :hug:
I don't get it, why is it every other country in the world can focus on buying products made in their own country to help their economy but when we do it's selfish and protectionist..... *sigh* (sorry just a bit cranky)
To be fair, that's exactly how the other countries are being described too. or at least the way i see it.
What is wrong with putting US steeworkers... you know -- BACK TO WORK?
Comment by wickedpam on 02/04/2009 15:11:06
wickedpam on 02/04/2009 15:11:06
Comment by wickedpam on 02/04/2009 15:12:15
I would think it would be more cost effective for us to make the steel here instead of purchase it elsewhere and pay for importing it
wickedpam on 02/04/2009 15:12:15
Quote by Raine:I am thinking we can strike some kind of balance here.Quote by Random:Quote by wickedpam:
Morning :hug:
I don't get it, why is it every other country in the world can focus on buying products made in their own country to help their economy but when we do it's selfish and protectionist..... *sigh* (sorry just a bit cranky)
To be fair, that's exactly how the other countries are being described too. or at least the way i see it.
What is wrong with putting US steeworkers... you know -- BACK TO WORK?
I would think it would be more cost effective for us to make the steel here instead of purchase it elsewhere and pay for importing it
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 15:22:31
Raine on 02/04/2009 15:22:31
*sigh*
My feeling of dislike for the republicans is growing deeper and deeper.
My feeling of dislike for the republicans is growing deeper and deeper.
Comment by 
livingonli on 02/04/2009 15:28:37
livingonli on 02/04/2009 15:28:37
Good morning everyone. 
Great blog there, BobR. And the fact that Obama is siding with the GOP on this one is why I am sometimes worry that what Obama might do is stay to the center and do things that will not help the economy in order to court GOP support.
Great blog there, BobR. And the fact that Obama is siding with the GOP on this one is why I am sometimes worry that what Obama might do is stay to the center and do things that will not help the economy in order to court GOP support.
Comment by livingonli on 02/04/2009 15:29:00
livingonli on 02/04/2009 15:29:00
Shelagh. 
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 15:30:07
Raine on 02/04/2009 15:30:07
Sorry... I still do not think Areal Killing is appropriate.
You want to hunt? Th
You want to hunt? Th
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 15:30:30
Raine on 02/04/2009 15:30:30
Sorry... I still do not think Areal Killing is appropriate.
Comment by livingonli on 02/04/2009 15:34:01
If you can't live on that, you're a greedy bastard. Maybe you should try living on my salary.
livingonli on 02/04/2009 15:34:01
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
A $500,000 Salary Cap for CEO's? I like it!
seems fair to me
If you can't live on that, you're a greedy bastard. Maybe you should try living on my salary.
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 15:34:39
Raine on 02/04/2009 15:34:39
Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin ... 
:prince:
:prince:
Comment by livingonli on 02/04/2009 15:34:44
I'm with you on that.
livingonli on 02/04/2009 15:34:44
Quote by Raine:
*sigh*
My feeling of dislike for the republicans is growing deeper and deeper.
I'm with you on that.
Comment by wickedpam on 02/04/2009 15:40:23
wickedpam on 02/04/2009 15:40:23
Comment by wickedpam on 02/04/2009 15:42:11
wickedpam on 02/04/2009 15:42:11
love me some Dexter - too bad I can only see it on the DVD's
Comment by Scoopster on 02/04/2009 15:54:20
Darlin', I don't blame you.. Look what I found today.
Scoopster on 02/04/2009 15:54:20
Quote by Raine:
*sigh*
My feeling of dislike for the republicans is growing deeper and deeper.
Darlin', I don't blame you.. Look what I found today.
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 15:56:41
Raine on 02/04/2009 15:56:41
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
*sigh*
My feeling of dislike for the republicans is growing deeper and deeper.
Darlin', I don't blame you.. Look what I found today.
Comment by livingonli on 02/04/2009 16:02:34
I think this guy is part of the Nassau GOP machine. I saw campaign ads for him near where I work back in the fall.
livingonli on 02/04/2009 16:02:34
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
*sigh*
My feeling of dislike for the republicans is growing deeper and deeper.
Darlin', I don't blame you.. Look what I found today.
I think this guy is part of the Nassau GOP machine. I saw campaign ads for him near where I work back in the fall.
Comment by Random on 02/04/2009 16:02:40
Hey...I'm all for being selfish and protectionist...
Just sayin.
Random on 02/04/2009 16:02:40
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:I am thinking we can strike some kind of balance here.Quote by Random:Quote by wickedpam:
Morning :hug:
I don't get it, why is it every other country in the world can focus on buying products made in their own country to help their economy but when we do it's selfish and protectionist..... *sigh* (sorry just a bit cranky)
To be fair, that's exactly how the other countries are being described too. or at least the way i see it.
What is wrong with putting US steeworkers... you know -- BACK TO WORK?
I would think it would be more cost effective for us to make the steel here instead of purchase it elsewhere and pay for importing it
Hey...I'm all for being selfish and protectionist...
Just sayin.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/04/2009 16:16:20
Sounds like someone might be making a play for Peter King's seat when he runs for the Senate.
Scoopster on 02/04/2009 16:16:20
Quote by livingonli:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
*sigh*
My feeling of dislike for the republicans is growing deeper and deeper.
Darlin', I don't blame you.. Look what I found today.
I think this guy is part of the Nassau GOP machine. I saw campaign ads for him near where I work back in the fall.
Sounds like someone might be making a play for Peter King's seat when he runs for the Senate.
Comment by livingonli on 02/04/2009 16:18:13
livingonli on 02/04/2009 16:18:13
I am checking out the Stephspace today. They sure did a lot of stuff today.
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 02/04/2009 16:19:40
I love, LOVE this quote:
“That is pretty draconian — $500,000 is not a lot of money, particularly if there is no bonus,” said James F. Reda, founder and managing director of James F. Reda & Associates, a compensation consulting firm. “And you know these companies that are in trouble are not going to pay much of an annual dividend.”
Hey asshat, 500k is ten time the median household income! Another fricking clueless muldoon!
Mondobubba on 02/04/2009 16:19:40
Quote by Raine:
A $500,000 Salary Cap for CEO's? I like it!
I love, LOVE this quote:
“That is pretty draconian — $500,000 is not a lot of money, particularly if there is no bonus,” said James F. Reda, founder and managing director of James F. Reda & Associates, a compensation consulting firm. “And you know these companies that are in trouble are not going to pay much of an annual dividend.”
Hey asshat, 500k is ten time the median household income! Another fricking clueless muldoon!
Comment by 
clintster on 02/04/2009 16:23:16
Bradly would be good, but I would also like the thrill of saying "Secretary Chairman Governor Doctor Dean".
clintster on 02/04/2009 16:23:16
Quote by Raine:
So aside from Howard Dean... who do y'all think for HHS? (becuase I really don't think Howard Dean is going to be the pick)
I am thinking I would like to see Bill Bradley ... He is for Single payor and he still has a lot of contacts in congress.
Bradly would be good, but I would also like the thrill of saying "Secretary Chairman Governor Doctor Dean".
Comment by Scoopster on 02/04/2009 16:24:52
Scoopster on 02/04/2009 16:24:52
MULDOON!! 
Mondo you're awesome..
Mondo you're awesome..
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/04/2009 16:33:24
Yeah, like correcting that the ML brokers in private wealth management were being fired. Even before I got to the graph about that, I knew it was wrong. A friend of mine here is finishing up his time as an IT dude for Merril; the only part of the company that made money last year was private wealth management. This is why my friend has had job he was supporting all those Blackberries and whatnot. Hell he even got one of those accelerated bonuses. His was enough to make a down payment on a new Sentra. Thain totally had his back!
Mondobubba on 02/04/2009 16:33:24
Quote by Scoopster:
Major shenanigans going on behind the scenes at Bank of America
There's a whole lotta whistleblower action going on in this diary, especially in Updates 2 & 3.
Yeah, like correcting that the ML brokers in private wealth management were being fired. Even before I got to the graph about that, I knew it was wrong. A friend of mine here is finishing up his time as an IT dude for Merril; the only part of the company that made money last year was private wealth management. This is why my friend has had job he was supporting all those Blackberries and whatnot. Hell he even got one of those accelerated bonuses. His was enough to make a down payment on a new Sentra. Thain totally had his back!
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/04/2009 16:34:22
:goes all Sally Field:
Mondobubba on 02/04/2009 16:34:22
Quote by Scoopster:
MULDOON!!
:goes all Sally Field:
Comment by 
TriSec on 02/04/2009 16:35:03
TriSec on 02/04/2009 16:35:03
NaCl
:sprint:
:sprint:
Comment by livingonli on 02/04/2009 16:36:23
I want to see these pricks now try and live on my income or better yet try living on minimum wage. Greedy, whiny asshats.
livingonli on 02/04/2009 16:36:23
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
A $500,000 Salary Cap for CEO's? I like it!
I love, LOVE this quote:
“That is pretty draconian — $500,000 is not a lot of money, particularly if there is no bonus,” said James F. Reda, founder and managing director of James F. Reda & Associates, a compensation consulting firm. “And you know these companies that are in trouble are not going to pay much of an annual dividend.”
Hey asshat, 500k is ten time the median household income! Another fricking clueless muldoon!
I want to see these pricks now try and live on my income or better yet try living on minimum wage. Greedy, whiny asshats.
Comment by starling310 on 02/04/2009 17:28:06
starling310 on 02/04/2009 17:28:06
Thom's makin' me hot again! 
Comment by livingonli on 02/04/2009 17:28:06
livingonli on 02/04/2009 17:28:06
Good questions, Thom. That's why we should stick it to these Rethuglicans.
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 17:28:15
GO ON THOM!! !!!
Raine on 02/04/2009 17:28:15
Comment by livingonli on 02/04/2009 17:30:28
livingonli on 02/04/2009 17:30:28
Maybe one of us should call in to Thom at sometime.
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/04/2009 17:34:24
You're just figuring that out now, or are you stating know facts? Or both.
Mondobubba on 02/04/2009 17:34:24
Quote by Scoopster:
Senator Coburn is a sneaky fucking scumbag..
You're just figuring that out now, or are you stating know facts? Or both.
Comment by BobR on 02/04/2009 17:46:53
BobR on 02/04/2009 17:46:53
Comment by BobR on 02/04/2009 17:47:07
BobR on 02/04/2009 17:47:07
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 17:50:29
NO. Absofuckinglutely NOT.
Who the hell is floating that out there anyway?
Raine on 02/04/2009 17:50:29
Quote by Scoopster:
*SHUDDER*
NO. Absofuckinglutely NOT.
Who the hell is floating that out there anyway?
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/04/2009 18:02:45
Mitt himself? He is a self-aggrandizing dickwad of the first order.
I'm sure Tri can tell us of the wonders of "universal healthcare" in the commonwealth.
Mondobubba on 02/04/2009 18:02:45
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
*SHUDDER*
NO. Absofuckinglutely NOT.
Who the hell is floating that out there anyway?
Mitt himself? He is a self-aggrandizing dickwad of the first order.
I'm sure Tri can tell us of the wonders of "universal healthcare" in the commonwealth.
Comment by Scoopster on 02/04/2009 18:04:11
Look like some twit over at Time Magazine.. No idea why anyone in their right mind would agree to put that goon in charge of this country's healthcare.
Shit, why don't they just go all the way and suggest Bill Frist.
Scoopster on 02/04/2009 18:04:11
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
*SHUDDER*
NO. Absofuckinglutely NOT.
Who the hell is floating that out there anyway?
Look like some twit over at Time Magazine.. No idea why anyone in their right mind would agree to put that goon in charge of this country's healthcare.
Shit, why don't they just go all the way and suggest Bill Frist.
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 18:05:16
Raine on 02/04/2009 18:05:16
Wow. This is a strange turn of events...
Obama supporter now suspect in fire that derailed her trip to D.C.
Racially charged graffiti was sprayed on fence near her home
Obama supporter now suspect in fire that derailed her trip to D.C.
Racially charged graffiti was sprayed on fence near her home
Comment by Scoopster on 02/04/2009 18:48:50
Scoopster on 02/04/2009 18:48:50
Dispatches from the computer world time..
Google Earth is seeing red...... planet!
Move over Intel.. IBM's working on a 1.6 million-core super computer!
Major worldwide RAM producer files for bankruptcy, prices expected to spike - This makes me glad I retrofitted my computers with extra memory a month ago!
Google Earth is seeing red...... planet!
Move over Intel.. IBM's working on a 1.6 million-core super computer!
Major worldwide RAM producer files for bankruptcy, prices expected to spike - This makes me glad I retrofitted my computers with extra memory a month ago!
Comment by Random on 02/04/2009 18:51:37
Well, Bill Frist can tell all sorts of things from just a video tape, no chart needed. So he's perfect. We need someone who is that good running out health care system.
Random on 02/04/2009 18:51:37
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
*SHUDDER*
NO. Absofuckinglutely NOT.
Who the hell is floating that out there anyway?
Look like some twit over at Time Magazine.. No idea why anyone in their right mind would agree to put that goon in charge of this country's healthcare.
Shit, why don't they just go all the way and suggest Bill Frist.
Well, Bill Frist can tell all sorts of things from just a video tape, no chart needed. So he's perfect. We need someone who is that good running out health care system.
Comment by starling310 on 02/04/2009 18:57:29
starling310 on 02/04/2009 18:57:29
WHY DO PEOPLE FEEL THE NEED TO YELL WHEN THEY CALL A RADIO SHOW?
Comment by livingonli on 02/04/2009 18:58:51
WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!! AM I ON??
livingonli on 02/04/2009 18:58:51
Quote by starling310:
WHY DO PEOPLE FEEL THE NEED TO YELL WHEN THEY CALL A RADIO SHOW?
WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!! AM I ON??
Comment by Random on 02/04/2009 19:03:24
Care to explain what you are talking about?
Random on 02/04/2009 19:03:24
Quote by starling310:
WHY DO PEOPLE FEEL THE NEED TO YELL WHEN THEY CALL A RADIO SHOW?
Care to explain what you are talking about?
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/04/2009 19:04:33
:rofl: Well played, Sir Livin!
Mondobubba on 02/04/2009 19:04:33
Quote by livingonli:Quote by starling310:
WHY DO PEOPLE FEEL THE NEED TO YELL WHEN THEY CALL A RADIO SHOW?
WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!! AM I ON??
:rofl: Well played, Sir Livin!
Comment by BobR on 02/04/2009 19:10:59
Why do people think they need to talk louder on a cell phone than on a regular phone? You see them out in public all the time talking into their phones like they're on the other side of the room.
BobR on 02/04/2009 19:10:59
Quote by starling310:
WHY DO PEOPLE FEEL THE NEED TO YELL WHEN THEY CALL A RADIO SHOW?
Why do people think they need to talk louder on a cell phone than on a regular phone? You see them out in public all the time talking into their phones like they're on the other side of the room.
Comment by livingonli on 02/04/2009 19:52:01
livingonli on 02/04/2009 19:52:01
Time to go head off to the salt mine. 
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 19:53:48
Raine on 02/04/2009 19:53:48
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 20:22:31
Raine on 02/04/2009 20:22:31
Breaking from the AP: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar scraps sale of oil-and-gas leases in wild areas of Utah.
:party:
:party:
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 20:25:29
From WaPo.
Raine on 02/04/2009 20:25:29
Quote by Raine:
Breaking from the AP: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar scraps sale of oil-and-gas leases in wild areas of Utah.
:party:
From WaPo.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is canceling oil and gas leases on 77 parcels of federal land in Utah, according to sources familiar with the decision, ending a fierce battle over whether to allow energy exploration in the environmentally sensitive area.
The Bush administration conducted the lease sale in December, but environmental groups went to court to block the winning bids encompassing roughly 110,000 acres near pristine areas such as Nine Mile Canyon, Arches National Park and Dinosaur National Monument.
Comment by TriSec on 02/04/2009 20:51:54
TriSec on 02/04/2009 20:51:54
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 20:55:33
Raine on 02/04/2009 20:55:33
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 20:58:56
Raine on 02/04/2009 20:58:56
That is messed up.
Comment by TriSec on 02/04/2009 21:17:34
TriSec on 02/04/2009 21:17:34
Comment by Random on 02/04/2009 21:23:12
ahh that's great.
Random on 02/04/2009 21:23:12
Quote by TriSec:
ahh that's great.
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 21:41:42
Raine on 02/04/2009 21:41:42
I just had a thought regarding todays Blog.
The 'Buy American' provision should be for stimulus recipients working on public/gov't projects. Is that a fair balance to Smoot-Hawley concerns?
<--- you see that is funny cause Smoot-Hawley was actually mentioned in the Movie.
The 'Buy American' provision should be for stimulus recipients working on public/gov't projects. Is that a fair balance to Smoot-Hawley concerns?
<--- you see that is funny cause Smoot-Hawley was actually mentioned in the Movie.
Comment by Raine on 02/04/2009 21:49:47
Raine on 02/04/2009 21:49:47
John McCain has intro'd an amendment cancelling the "Buy American" clause in the Senate version of the stimulus package.
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 00:20:52
For Now.
She still wants the Commish spot. Rice at NFL. *ush at MLB.
Give it 5 years... the Neo Cons will take over professional sports.
Raine on 02/05/2009 00:20:52
Quote by Mondobubba:
The Pac-10 is safe from neo-con influence.
For Now.
She still wants the Commish spot. Rice at NFL. *ush at MLB.
Give it 5 years... the Neo Cons will take over professional sports.
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/05/2009 00:43:45
I say this only half in jest, Bush couldn't be any worse than current commish of baseball. Worst commissioner ever and that is saying something.
Mondobubba on 02/05/2009 00:43:45
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
The Pac-10 is safe from neo-con influence.
For Now.
She still wants the Commish spot. Rice at NFL. *ush at MLB.
Give it 5 years... the Neo Cons will take over professional sports.
I say this only half in jest, Bush couldn't be any worse than current commish of baseball. Worst commissioner ever and that is saying something.
Comment by livingonli on 02/05/2009 00:47:01
If that happens then I won't be watching either sport. Oh, well, there's always Hockey.
livingonli on 02/05/2009 00:47:01
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
The Pac-10 is safe from neo-con influence.
For Now.
She still wants the Commish spot. Rice at NFL. *ush at MLB.
Give it 5 years... the Neo Cons will take over professional sports.
If that happens then I won't be watching either sport. Oh, well, there's always Hockey.
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 01:09:46
Keep your eyes on Bremmer...
Just saying.
Raine on 02/05/2009 01:09:46
Quote by livingonli:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
The Pac-10 is safe from neo-con influence.
For Now.
She still wants the Commish spot. Rice at NFL. *ush at MLB.
Give it 5 years... the Neo Cons will take over professional sports.
If that happens then I won't be watching either sport. Oh, well, there's always Hockey.
Just saying.
Comment by Raine on 02/05/2009 01:13:06
Raine on 02/05/2009 01:13:06
A teaching moment on KO... Wowser.
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/05/2009 01:25:17
Mondobubba on 02/05/2009 01:25:17
Comment by Random on 02/05/2009 02:19:07
Random on 02/05/2009 02:19:07
Comment by Mondobubba on 02/05/2009 02:30:04
Awesome, Random! :rofl:
Mondobubba on 02/05/2009 02:30:04
Quote by Random:
Awesome, Random! :rofl:
Comment by Random on 02/05/2009 02:33:57
Random on 02/05/2009 02:33:57
It's the most creative thing I've done in a long time...I'm proud of it.
Comment by Random on 02/05/2009 02:43:44
Random on 02/05/2009 02:43:44
Comment by livingonli on 02/05/2009 02:50:20
:rofl:
livingonli on 02/05/2009 02:50:20
Quote by Random:
:rofl:
Comment by Random on 02/05/2009 03:25:48
Random on 02/05/2009 03:25:48
Thank you Liv