Fool Me Once... Won't Get Fooled Again, Maybe

I don't get it. I don't have that good of a memory, which makes reading an eternal joy. Read a good book, put it on the shelf and in two years, it is a new book I can enjoy again. I know that.

When it comes to politics and world economic stuff, I hope there are those out there who are leaders who are smarter than me.

So when I hear that BP had this problem in the gulf and they were not ready for it and it may have been prevented by a shut off and the current shut off failed in testing, I guess I am not surprised they lie about other stuff.

I mean, how far can they really be trusted? Their history as a firm is one of manipulation of governments. They owned the Iranian oil riches. When Iranian oil was nationalized in the early 50s, they conned MI 6 and the CIA into organizing a coup, took back over the oil fields, but made a joint venture with Iran stating they would only take back 40% of the oil fields, with Shell and others getting the rest. O yes, they COULD NOT BE AUDITED or have any Iranians on the Board. I am sure they were honest all the way in their profit sharing.

Then they bought a percentage of Standard Oil of Ohio (SOHIO) and SOHIO was supposed to keep a branding, but BP bought they other 45% surprisingly. Guess who had invested heavily in the development of Prudhomme Bay Oil? They bought Standard of CA and Indiana. The government nicely protected American business interests.

So here we have a company that has in the past directed coups, using the strength of other countries intelligence and military infrastructure, lied as it took over companies and we expect the truth now?

How naive!

Considering they have brought down other governments as they were nationalized, what are the chances we will get a fair shake economically over the Gulf spill?

rojo

A Memorial Day to Remember

This is certainly a busy news day. First, let us honor the memory of those who have lost their lives protecting this country in war.

I see that California is passing legislation that will review Texas schoolbooks and make sure they are factual so that the conservative bias will not enter the CA school system. It does make me wonder why there are not minimal national standards.

In another CA story, there are 4 judges running for office in San Diego area who are conservative Christians and feel that they need to be elected so that the liberal courts can get a taste of Christian justice. As expected, the right-to-life candidates are pro death penalty. These guys went to law school? I just don't get it. I would think you go to school to learn, not back up your ideas with theories.

CA is now going to make those who divert water from streams actually state how much water they take. The State Water Board wondered why rivers never made it to the deltas. Duh?! Because people were not required to say they took water. Every other western state requires water rights diversion and use reports annually. Gee, why is there no water for salmon? Let me guess. Because people can take water and use is with impunity and complete disregard for water rights. I mean, no farmer or business would ever take water that is not theirs to keep a crop alive in 100 degree heat, would they? We can trust businesses completely, right?

And finally, Israel kills 10 people minimum (some reports are now at 19) as aid is attempted to be delivered to refugees on the Gaza. This is a rogue country and they have NUKES. Doesn't anyone get that? We worry about Iran, and yet we let this country have nukes. and kill with no regard. I just shake my head.

rojo

A Well-Regulated Militia, NOT!

In reading this morning's Sacramento Bee, there were TWO stories of people being shot as the result of gun-toting libertarianism. The first was in Yuba City, CA where a census worker was threatened at gun point to leave. When the police came to settle matters, the man surrendered his handgun, but an older woman in the house came out with a shotgun, advanced on police and was killed. In Arkansas, two Ohio anti-government crazies gunned down State Police with AK-47s when they were being ticketed for speeding.

I believe the second amendment talks about a well regulated militia and the right to bear arms. Not to shoot the fuck out of people over census or speeding.

rojo

Dinosaur Hunt







and now one with his protege Tal Wilkenfield on bass!

rojo

Thoughts for a Sunday

First thought--
There had been a big push to "Drill, Baby, Drill", but with that push there was no guarantee that any oil wells drilled would produce crude oil that would be sold for energy in the US. Seems like Deep Water Horizon actually found a gusher. In that they succeeded. But in the end, they were going to cap it and sit on the oil until hell froze over or they could wait for prices to climb making it more profitable. So, their reticence to actually produce and rather wait for more profits caused this problem.

Second thoughts--
We have all heard the story of the Family Values dude who went to rent boy to get someone to carry his bags and give him massages while on vacation together (got him from rentboys.com, I believe). But he was not gay and did not participate in any gay behavior. I see all mention of him has been scrubbed off the Focus in the Family website. These Christian clowns from Colorado Springs really thought they had a cure for "teh gay" and marketed it. So far the co-founder has been on a cruise with someone from rentboy and one of the teachers was photographed picking up a dude in a gay club, while his wife was in the hotel room upstairs. Sounds like their cure doesn't take.

But that opens up a bigger topic. There are people a lot who focus their attention on criticizing what in their minds is "the gay agenda." The only reason they hate it so much is because it is part of their psyche and they don't like it. It gets consciously repressed and comes out in all sorts of weird ways. So far three of the biggest gay haters have been caught in gay trysts. Sounds like they have some self-awareness recognition and homework to do.

rojo

Friday Toone Trilogy








rojo

What Emergency Action Plans?

I work in a highly regulated industry, sewage and water treatment. For sewage treatment, you need to have a plan in case a sewer line ever backs up. This includes in someone's house, in a street, or near a waterway or storm sewer system. You need to have emergency by-pass pumping, the hose to go from one manhole to another, booms or sandbags to stop the flow of raw sewage above ground, a means of sucking up any spill, and a means of disinfecting and cleaning up the spill. This does not include reporting requirements. Improper reporting carries its own fine. Oh yes, you have to practice emergency response, too.

The fines for spilled sewage depend upon the damage and the State, but can go up to $10,000 per gallon, while $1-2/gallon are more common. If you are the licensed operator when this happens under your license, you can lose your license if you are unprepared or if you report incorrectly.

In the Gulf, it appears there was no Emergency Action Plan (dictated by OSHA beyond getting personnel off the platform). It was reported incorrectly in terms of severity. There were no oil booms at ready in case of a blunder. No privateers ready to be hired to contain the spill. The Coast Guard had to be involved. Now there is the use of chemicals to spread it out so it doesn't look so bad. These chemicals themselves may be harmful if they enter the food chain. Considering most shellfish (mollusks, oysters, clams, etc.) are filter feeders that is very likely to happen. So, let's see, BP was operating without an Emergency plan. Did not have containment procedures in place. Not enough oil containment booms, no practice and no way to get booms in place for the few they had. Oh yes, causing billions of dollars of long-term damage. And to slap the locals in the face, they mistakenly offered them $5,000 as long as they signed a waiver saying the firm had no future liabilities. Yes, that just happened to appear on the preprinted forms by accident. No malicious intent there. Nope, didn't try to to slip liability limiting clauses in without telling anyone. Yet, they had record profits.

How can anyone keep a straight face and allow them a business license in the US? Oh, wait, they have us by the nuts because Reagan and those who followed said we do not need alternative energy. Way to go. Hell, as far as I am concerned we could take over all their platforms and assets in the US by imminent domain because of their business practices and operate them ourselves or sell them to the highest bidder and say "FU BP!"

rojo

Music Today





and


Gosh, there are so many things I wanted to write about yesterday as I was driving, but the only one I can remember is thinking of how many people I have seen chanting "Drill, Baby, Drill!" on national TV on stage at the Republican convention. Well, recent events have shown the hazards of having an oil based economy. In the end, I would distrust anyone who had that thought to make my energy decisions. I think it will take routine oil disasters to keep this at the foremost of our thoughts as we make decisions in terms of our energy consumption and sources of energy. And I do not understand why the media does not just discredit or paint these people as the buffoons they are, instead of being serious people. Oh, they are serious, all right. Seriously stupid in terms of energy policy. We are not talking renewables here. Just keeping that oil pipeline open to the US will forever keep us in debt as we pay our military to keep our presence around the globe fearsome enough to stop evil-doers from blocking oil imports (the debate of whether over consuming are the real evil-doers will be had another time.)

Also, the US just keeps sending money to states that politically are our ostensible enemies (damned radical Muslims) as we just buy our oil fix from them daily. I was watching a TV clip yesterday where the retired Senator was proudly stating that by 1985 we would energy self-sufficient. Yeah, like that happened in the past 25 years.

I am sorry, but Reagan taking the solar panels off of the White house is alone to vilify him and his ilk forever. Completely condemned the US to a future debt our great-grandchildren will have to pay. It is so much larger than the debt we would get from Nationalized Health Care or social handouts, especially when military spending is included, it is ridiculous!!!! Just shows to go you that Republicans, who are supposed to be conservative spenders, have no long term plan, just political expediency. Doubt it if Dems are much better. Few in power have ever thought of sustainability, just keeping power during their lifetimes.

rojo

How many Executives Does it Take to Do a Good Deed?
or what are death panels, really?

Well Point is at it again. Dropping women from insurance roles when they are diagnosed with cancer. Guess what health reform did not prevent. No, it allows this to happen and then the government gets to pay for it. Kind of a no risk, cut expenses move for Well Point. They make money on you until you get sick and then they will dump you for government funded insurance as you get sick. Makes me think that the government, until regulations get tightened will pay for all the sick ones and the insurance companies will scam off the well ones. Who could have seen this coming?

No, really. What right-thinking person would think that this type of scam is possible? I look at myself as a fairly normal person. Would I even have the audacity to sit in a meeting and propose some one devise an algorithm to see when we have to cut someone's health coverage to keep our profits at X%? No, I would say, what do we have to charge to keep our profits at X% because we know what our costs are and can project what are income has to be to make ends meet. I don't have the mind of a psychopath. I sell insurance which means paying to those at a time of need. It does not mean take their money and when they need coverage, kick them to the curb. If I had to sleep at night, I could not do that to people. It is too cruel and unethical. Who does think of things like this? and why are they not in prison?

Screw the fact that this is unethical. It is rewarded in our current culture. Screw someone and make profits everyone lives happily ever after. That is the business executive model nowadays. That is what generates bonuses. Basically sentence people to death and you make more money. Death panels, anyone? There they are, plain and simple for people to see. Now it is time to push, write our congresspeople and make that sort of unethical behavior illegal and punishable by law. Sentence someone to a slow and painful death, you are making a premeditated decision to torture them and it needs to be handled that way in a criminal conviction and have civil penalties attached.

To put it bluntly, if you make those kind of decisions, what the fuck is wrong with you? I think of that kind of decision is not only unethical but needs to be prevented because there are people out there who can think like that. This ranks right up there with the cola mine owner donating to Tea Parties and local judges and figuring out how much he has to pay to keep Mine Safety off his back so he can make money. Well, he did that and people dies. He committed murder with premeditation proved by his actions. Put him on death row and take his company from him.

rojo

Hard to Turn



and another view



rojo

Toone for a Day!

Fun for the day!



rojo

Drug Combos! and Wild Life

Here is one aspect of chemical and pharmaceuticals many don't think of.

rojo

For Shits and Giggles



rojo

Restoration, One Small Step at a Time

The first article describes in detail why there are water woes in CA. To summarize, when they started distributing water rights, no one actually did a calculation to see what normal water flows were, did a conservative estimate and did not let more than 90% of those rights be committed. No, in the voice of economic advancement, almost 800% of the available water was committed. Just think of that. Eight times the amount of water available was committed to projects and then as the water was unavailable people (fisherman who no longer have salmon, farmers with dry fields, etc.) became upset. Yet, the price of buying these rights is still cheap. When I left CO, it cost > $1200 per acre foot (326,000 gallons) unit. The unit was determined annually based upon snowfall, so you could get between 20-100% depending upon snow pack. Here in CA, I have heard anywhere from $300-$500 dollars for an acre foot. Why so cheap. And because water is unavailable, the farmers started punching in wells and dried up aquifers with the ground sinking in some cases up to 6 feet. The aquifer just shrunk and even if it were wet, it would never expand to take in all the water that was drained. The State Water Resources Control Board forgot to regulate well permits and water rights. OMG!!!!! Other western states do that continually.

The other article has to do with restoration of creeks, etc. The process is called daylighting, or bringing old drainages and creeks out of culverts under the streets and buildings back to the light of day. At least in small sections. I know they did this to a creek in Arvada when we lived there. I was surprised it happened, instead of putting in a new culvert and building over it. And the results were pretty, raccoons, foxes and small animals showed up quickly. I am guessing, since this is interconnected to bike paths, creek paths and river basins, there will be the occasional deer and coyote showing up, if not a bear or cougar eventually. In the Berkeley example, it will probably be just small animals, but every little bit helps. The appearance of nature in a city just brightens the whole day. I have often wondered what could happen if some of the rivers and drainages in LA could be if they were taken out of cement channels. I know car chases could not then be filmed there (think Grease), but how cool would it be to have to have restored duck habitat. Yes, it would produce mosquitoes, but ....

rojo

Three Things before Rehab

1) Too bad Butler did not win. They were where they wanted to be, down by one possession and 12 seconds left. Dang!
2) If companies now have the rights of people, who gets charged in the deaths of the miners for safety violations. At best, it is manslaughter, at worst, since MSHA citations on safety were not addressed, it is first degree murder. Not trying to make light of a situation. If corporations have free speech, the same as individuals, they also have social obligations. One is bringing the workplace up to a safe level. When you are cited by MSHA or OSHA and do not comply, who gets arrested, the executives or does the company get the death penalty?
3) Given you can get a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback for a 3rd or 4th round draft choice, why not trade more draft choices and sign veterans? George Allen did it for years with various versions of the "over-the-hill" gang. The Raiders also did it in the 70s with their band of misfits.

rojo

Would you like some BPA with your water, Sir?

I can recall when polycarbonate was considered the safest vessel next to stainless for drinking water jugs and was sold as such by health food and organic food stores. Now, the opinion is not so good and you are asked not to feed your children from bottles that have a 7 in the recycle label on the bottom of the bottle. The chemical that leaches out is BPA, which lowers sperm counts and mimics estrogen. Little things like causing cancer and sex change in fish. Imagine scientists surprise as it washes up on beaches now! Who knew that the Pacific Ocean garbage dump would leach plastic as it is attacked by salt water, wind and sunshine? or epoxy paint could or would breakdown? No one could predict that, right? I mean we never see plastics fall apart in sunshine, do we? D'oh!

rojo

Stolen form Other Sources

Per the latest Harris poll, the number of Republicans who think Obama...

- Is a socialist (67%)
- Wants to take away Americans' right to own guns (61%)
- Is a Muslim (57%)
- Wants to turn over the sovereignty of the United States to a one world government (51%); and
- Has done many things that are unconstitutional (55%).
- Resents America's heritage (47%)
- Was not born in the United States and so is not eligible to be president (45%)
- Is the "domestic enemy that the U.S. Constitution speaks of" (45%)
- Is a racist (42%)
- Want to use an economic collapse or terrorist attack as an excuse to take dictatorial powers (41%)
- Is doing many of the things that Hitler did (38%).
- Even more remarkable perhaps, fully 24% of Republicans believe that "he may be the Anti-Christ" and 22% believe "he wants the terrorists to win."


I wish people in the U.S. could read. And after Bush--who had an attack so they could start a war and violated the Constitution left and right. WoW!

rojo

Domestic Terrorism Revisited

Health Care passes! Death threats against Congressmen. The gas line at the brother of one Congressman was cut. This is not just vandalism and threats. This is not just obstructionism where the Republicans are known as the party of "NO!" This is the promulgation of domestic terrorism. This is the use of threats of physical violence to obstruct the ability to govern and needs to be treated accordingly.

This is so wrong I don't know where to begin. The problem is if the law enforcement branch of government actually starts to crack down on this as terrorism, it becomes a rallying cry and a self-fulfilling prophecy. The Obama Administration is taking away their rights.

What rights? The right to beat the shit out of someone. Well, yes, that is a right, but it carries consequences. Just ask the demonstrators at Kent State and Jackson State. At this point John Boner is threatening other Congressmen from his home state. This is much more than poor sportsmanship and being a sore loser. It is more than obstructionism. It is outright terrorism and needs to be treated accordingly. And you cannot say it is just a few on the lunatic fringe of the far right. Too many congressman have shown up at Tea Parties and helped foment this. Showing up is one thing, not telling those in attendance their actions carry results and ramifications is quite another. There is no need to foment more and more anger.

I have met with many tea party folks (my profession is one of the most conservative in the world) and have discussed the basis of their protest, tax structure, with them. They all claimed that their taxes went up. So we went to the tax tables for the previous years and showed them they were wrong. So it became "you know, other taxes." School taxes, property taxes, gas taxes--hidden expenses for welfare queens. When you point out the federal government as a rule does not set local taxes you are told it is part of Nancy Pelosi's gay agenda. Or a socialist plot. Or whatever. There is just anger out there and a sense of displacement that government actually is trying to govern. Making government so small it can go down the drain of a bathtub is not governance. That is anarchy. You have to take care of roads, water systems, sewer systems, education systems, etc.

These people do not understand that they are basically anarchists and do not want anyone telling them what to do. If you told them they are anarchists, they would scream they are patriots. Recently, even in national news, Congressmen are mentioning the "War of Northern Aggression." The Republican Party has become the home to those who wanted slavery, old style White Rulers and the like. And they feel displaced. I feel sorry for them, but the world has changed.

The next ten years are going to be extremly important to the direction of the country. Militias and Tea Partiers will push to go back to Reagan or previous incarnations of fondly remembered white rule. They don't care if they are the dupes of corporations and the middle class and their purchasing power is shrinking because corporations have the same rights as people. As long as whites are in charge and the rulers are simple, they are happy. There only way this can be avoided is to keep pushing forward. I feel DADT will be a dead issue in ten years as the older generation falls by the wayside. The militia/tea party movement will be a hard one to slow down though. Home schooling and a lack of the grasp of civil discourse and how government works reinforces this type of rigid mental patterning. The banking program and education need to be reformed next. Bill Maher is incorrect in his glib dismissal of Texas school books. What is taught matters!!! Focus on the Family is not as important as Thomas Jefferson. When over 60% of the population does not know the three branches of government and carrying guns while drinking coffee at Starbuck's is protest, rational Americans have their work cut out for them. Just think what would have happened had Al Gore actually had time to have votes counted in Florida. There would not have been two wars and an economic meltdown of such extreme proportions. But ask for an up or down vote on health care and you get death threats. That is terrorism and needs to be dealt with!

rojo

Colorado River

I have been sitting around healing and am finally getting back to my normal topic of conversation, water. The following is an overview article about the Colorado River and the trials and tribulations of the Delta and the fact that the river is overcommitted.

More than a little interesting, when you consider LA has overdrawn its water allotment as it grew for years. Now there is enough of a population in Arizona and Nevada to need all their allotment.

I have often wondered about treaties and their sovereignity when they were decidied almost 100 years ago and there was no environmental or ecological consciousness and the population of an area has not yet developed. I mean specifically how many people in Nevada (Las Vegas) were actually needing the water in 1930 as opposed to now and how many snowbirds lived around Phoenix then as opposed to now?

rojo

Robin Williams On Dock Ellis's NO HITTER on LSD.avi

OMG! Not safe for work, but...

rojo