After watching the interview on Foxnews with former Senator and Actor Fred Thompson, I believe he is going to run for President. Fred Thompson had a good conservative track record as Senator from Tennessee, where ironically he won the seat vacated by Al Gore. I believe that he understands the values of rural Americans.
In his interview on Fox he had a presence about him that I don't recall seeing since Ronald Reagan was president. When he speaks you get a feeling of trust. This is probably why many people are pushing for him to run. Draft Fred Thompson is now a very popular site for those wishing for him to join in the fray.
A recent poll with knowledge of Fred Thompson's lymphoma in remission do you think he should run? 64% say he should run in the primary regardless, 22% say he is viable even with lymphoma, and only 8% thought the lymphoma should keep him from running. Fred is a cancer survivor and I think that will touch a cord with many Americans that live with or know someone that has cancer. 20 years ago, I believe that would have been the death of his candidacy, but not now.
What we are going to have to ask ourselves in the coming months is this; What Presidential candidate best represents the values of West Virginians? I believe the answer to this question could put Fred Thompson at the head of the pack, but only time will tell as we hear more from the candidates.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
How do you find $35,000?
I read the article in the Times News about the Mineral County Sheriff finding an account with $35,419.76 in it. How exactly does an account going missing for 13 years? In order for it to be lost over 13 years there should have been 156 monthly bank statements that had to have went unnoticed by several levels of county government. 13 years of deposits, would have knocked the county budget out of balance each of those 13 years. Did anybody not wonder why?
Most of us have a check book. If our check book says we have $1000 in it and the bank says we have $1500, then we assume we missed writing in a $500 deposit. We probably wouldn't let that go on for 13 years without checking it out. Especially when the extra would have gotten bigger every year. I don't understand how 2 Sheriffs, 8 County Commissioners, 4 County Clerks, and a host of employees both Democrat and Republican could have allowed something like this to go on 13 years.
I would hazard to guess, that the account was probably not lost. It probably has a specific purpose, and that purpose is outlined in the county budget, or state code. That would explain why no red flags were thrown on each budget review. It bothers me that no one in county government can seem to account for this funding. Maybe it is time for a deep audit of the county books.
Most of us have a check book. If our check book says we have $1000 in it and the bank says we have $1500, then we assume we missed writing in a $500 deposit. We probably wouldn't let that go on for 13 years without checking it out. Especially when the extra would have gotten bigger every year. I don't understand how 2 Sheriffs, 8 County Commissioners, 4 County Clerks, and a host of employees both Democrat and Republican could have allowed something like this to go on 13 years.
I would hazard to guess, that the account was probably not lost. It probably has a specific purpose, and that purpose is outlined in the county budget, or state code. That would explain why no red flags were thrown on each budget review. It bothers me that no one in county government can seem to account for this funding. Maybe it is time for a deep audit of the county books.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The Winds of Change?
In the early years of national independence Thomas Jefferson wrote a comprehensive survey of his state, the famous Notes on Virginia. When speaking of the western section of Virginia, Jefferson lists a number of resources such as coal. This book was published to advertise the strong character of the people and the variety of natural resources that the state had to offer. However, I doubt that Jefferson ever considered wind as a natural resource to cultivate.
Some environmentalists have told the public for years that tremendous potential exists in the power generation of wind farms. Others protest that wind farms harm the environment. Walter Cronkite and Ted Kennedy, no friends of coal or any other supplier of power, successfully prevented construction of wind farms off of Martha’s Vineyard for aesthetic reasons alone. Some argue that birds flying into the blades and shortening their lives provides a compelling reason to not construct these farms (don’t they also fly into cars, windows of buildings, and other immovable objects?)
Only one reason alone exists to build or to not build, long term viability. Can these energy sources become profitable in the long term without government support? Governor Manchin signed a bill into law recently that raises the property tax rate on wind farms from the salvage rate to the regular rate. Although this removes an incentive to construct these projects, it does give county governments a reason to try to attract them. Manchin also opened the door for wind farm operators to earn tax credits with local investment.
Will wind power displace coal as the source of energy that keeps the lights on? Not a chance. However it creates investment opportunities on land that otherwise may not be developed, helping the local tax base. It also creates a few good paying jobs while increasing West Virginia’s most profitable (legal) export, electric power. Strangely enough, the wind farm that operates now in Tucker County has proven to be a tourist attraction of sorts. You can actually see people, even in busses, stop to get their pictures taken beside the gigantic wind harnessing machines. It makes you wonder if the Dutch that built those windmills so long ago saw them as beautiful or interesting features on the landscape. If these farms can generate profits as well as power, they will create an innovative and environmentally friendly source of wealth for the state and its people.
Some environmentalists have told the public for years that tremendous potential exists in the power generation of wind farms. Others protest that wind farms harm the environment. Walter Cronkite and Ted Kennedy, no friends of coal or any other supplier of power, successfully prevented construction of wind farms off of Martha’s Vineyard for aesthetic reasons alone. Some argue that birds flying into the blades and shortening their lives provides a compelling reason to not construct these farms (don’t they also fly into cars, windows of buildings, and other immovable objects?)
Only one reason alone exists to build or to not build, long term viability. Can these energy sources become profitable in the long term without government support? Governor Manchin signed a bill into law recently that raises the property tax rate on wind farms from the salvage rate to the regular rate. Although this removes an incentive to construct these projects, it does give county governments a reason to try to attract them. Manchin also opened the door for wind farm operators to earn tax credits with local investment.
Will wind power displace coal as the source of energy that keeps the lights on? Not a chance. However it creates investment opportunities on land that otherwise may not be developed, helping the local tax base. It also creates a few good paying jobs while increasing West Virginia’s most profitable (legal) export, electric power. Strangely enough, the wind farm that operates now in Tucker County has proven to be a tourist attraction of sorts. You can actually see people, even in busses, stop to get their pictures taken beside the gigantic wind harnessing machines. It makes you wonder if the Dutch that built those windmills so long ago saw them as beautiful or interesting features on the landscape. If these farms can generate profits as well as power, they will create an innovative and environmentally friendly source of wealth for the state and its people.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Jet Fuel from Coal
I had the opportunity to see David Neeleman, the founder and CEO of Jetblue, on C-SPAN this past weekend. He was talking about what is needed to make the investment in converting coal into liquid fuels. He stated that money to do these projects is not an issue, many corporations can do it and be profitable. Oil needs to stay above $40 per barrel, according to Neeleman, in order for the companies to remain profitable.
With us unlikely to see oil drop below $40 per barrel in the foreseeable future, now is the time of the Economic Development in Authorities in the Potomac Highlands to move. The less likely a drop in oil, the more likely an investment will be made in a CTL (coal-to-liquid) plant. David Neeleman is showing that the airline industry is willing to take a look at CTL. The airline industries single biggest variable in cost is fuel. In 2005 Sir Richard Branson owner of Virgin Atlantic Air announced that he was going to build an oil refinery just to supply fuel for his airline.
The airline industry offers an opportunity that the Potomac Highlands should be capitalizing on. Now is the time for our Economic Development Authorities to contact people like Richard Brason, David Neeleman and ask them to look at a joint venture plant. We can bring together the end users of Jet Fuel, and the producers of coal such as Massey Energy and make a CTL plant a reality. We may not be able to put something together, but we know for sure nothing will happen if we don't try.
Even if Virgin Atlantic builds its own oil refinery, it is still tied to the volatility of oil prices, and the political instability of the middle east. West Virginia offers a large supply of coal, and a stable political climate. This will make sure the idea of a venture will be more appealing. West Virgina has a the resources, so we should be an economic powerhouse of a state. The only thing lacking is a political will to move forward.
With us unlikely to see oil drop below $40 per barrel in the foreseeable future, now is the time of the Economic Development in Authorities in the Potomac Highlands to move. The less likely a drop in oil, the more likely an investment will be made in a CTL (coal-to-liquid) plant. David Neeleman is showing that the airline industry is willing to take a look at CTL. The airline industries single biggest variable in cost is fuel. In 2005 Sir Richard Branson owner of Virgin Atlantic Air announced that he was going to build an oil refinery just to supply fuel for his airline.
The airline industry offers an opportunity that the Potomac Highlands should be capitalizing on. Now is the time for our Economic Development Authorities to contact people like Richard Brason, David Neeleman and ask them to look at a joint venture plant. We can bring together the end users of Jet Fuel, and the producers of coal such as Massey Energy and make a CTL plant a reality. We may not be able to put something together, but we know for sure nothing will happen if we don't try.
Even if Virgin Atlantic builds its own oil refinery, it is still tied to the volatility of oil prices, and the political instability of the middle east. West Virginia offers a large supply of coal, and a stable political climate. This will make sure the idea of a venture will be more appealing. West Virgina has a the resources, so we should be an economic powerhouse of a state. The only thing lacking is a political will to move forward.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Ruth Rowan Defends Potomac Highlands Values
Ruth Rowan Defends Potomac Highlands Values
When the 50th Delegate District sent Ruth Rowan to Charleston in 2004, she had to know that she went under a shadow. Long time delegate Jerry Mezzatesta’s behavior in office was described by Hardy County Democrat and Delegate Harold Michael as affecting “how the public perceives the entire House of Delegates.” That being said, “Mezz” had a knack for bringing home the bacon from Charleston. Delegate Rowan served as a schoolteacher before going to the Legislature just as Mezzatesta did. Although she definitely could not start with the same kind of influence as her predecessor, Delegate Rowan serves the 50th with honesty, efficiency, and dignity.
According to Project Vote Smart, Delegate Rowan’s voting record, especially in 2006, has reflected the kinds of values that West Virginians tend to support. She voted 70% of the time to limit government waste, 80% of the time in favor of pro-family issues, and 86% of the time in support of small businessmen and women. The National Rifle Association honored Delegate Rowan with an “A” rating and she also was endorsed by the West Virginia AFL-CIO. Certainly the last mention does not necessarily reflect purely conservative values, but it is in step with many West Virginia voters.
Beyond Delegate Rowan’s honesty, her reflection of her voters’ values, and her increasing effectiveness (due to ever increasing seniority) is her personality. If you were to try and create a perfect citizen-legislator, you would combine intelligence, experience with everyday concerns, and approachability. If West Virginia voters collectively made an effort to rid the state legislature of corrupt members and replace them with real citizen-legislators such as Delegate Rowan, we might finally see a political system that truly works for the state.
*********************************************************************
It may be shocking to the Christian Science Monitor, (“Firing of US Attorneys Puts New Focus on Voter Fraud”, April 5, 2007) but most certainly not those of us in West Virginia that vote buying continues to plague our democracy. The St. Clair County Illinois Democratic Executive Committee paid East St. Louis residents $5 or $10 to secure a vote for John Kerry and other Democrats in 2004. Although this incident was investigated and resulted in a conviction, other United States attorneys refused to seek out and prosecute similar instances of voter fraud. Therefore the Bush administration wisely sent several of them packing.
Liberal Democratic organizations such as the People for the American Way insist that voter fraud is not substantial enough to warrant the time of federal investigators. However former US Attorney Kasey Warner noted that votes in West Virginia sold in large numbers for between $15 and $25 (obviously St. Clair County residents were getting gypped.) This was in the same year, 2004, that state Republican party chair Kris Warner and his brother Monty had received death threats for their pledge to root out vote buying and other forms of corruption. Although the People for the American Way do not seem to believe vote buying is an important issue, the vote buyers seem to take it extremely seriously.
How on earth can we take democracy seriously if it is for sale?
When the 50th Delegate District sent Ruth Rowan to Charleston in 2004, she had to know that she went under a shadow. Long time delegate Jerry Mezzatesta’s behavior in office was described by Hardy County Democrat and Delegate Harold Michael as affecting “how the public perceives the entire House of Delegates.” That being said, “Mezz” had a knack for bringing home the bacon from Charleston. Delegate Rowan served as a schoolteacher before going to the Legislature just as Mezzatesta did. Although she definitely could not start with the same kind of influence as her predecessor, Delegate Rowan serves the 50th with honesty, efficiency, and dignity.
According to Project Vote Smart, Delegate Rowan’s voting record, especially in 2006, has reflected the kinds of values that West Virginians tend to support. She voted 70% of the time to limit government waste, 80% of the time in favor of pro-family issues, and 86% of the time in support of small businessmen and women. The National Rifle Association honored Delegate Rowan with an “A” rating and she also was endorsed by the West Virginia AFL-CIO. Certainly the last mention does not necessarily reflect purely conservative values, but it is in step with many West Virginia voters.
Beyond Delegate Rowan’s honesty, her reflection of her voters’ values, and her increasing effectiveness (due to ever increasing seniority) is her personality. If you were to try and create a perfect citizen-legislator, you would combine intelligence, experience with everyday concerns, and approachability. If West Virginia voters collectively made an effort to rid the state legislature of corrupt members and replace them with real citizen-legislators such as Delegate Rowan, we might finally see a political system that truly works for the state.
*********************************************************************
It may be shocking to the Christian Science Monitor, (“Firing of US Attorneys Puts New Focus on Voter Fraud”, April 5, 2007) but most certainly not those of us in West Virginia that vote buying continues to plague our democracy. The St. Clair County Illinois Democratic Executive Committee paid East St. Louis residents $5 or $10 to secure a vote for John Kerry and other Democrats in 2004. Although this incident was investigated and resulted in a conviction, other United States attorneys refused to seek out and prosecute similar instances of voter fraud. Therefore the Bush administration wisely sent several of them packing.
Liberal Democratic organizations such as the People for the American Way insist that voter fraud is not substantial enough to warrant the time of federal investigators. However former US Attorney Kasey Warner noted that votes in West Virginia sold in large numbers for between $15 and $25 (obviously St. Clair County residents were getting gypped.) This was in the same year, 2004, that state Republican party chair Kris Warner and his brother Monty had received death threats for their pledge to root out vote buying and other forms of corruption. Although the People for the American Way do not seem to believe vote buying is an important issue, the vote buyers seem to take it extremely seriously.
How on earth can we take democracy seriously if it is for sale?
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