Wednesday, August 13, 2008

70% looking for a solution...

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"A new survey finds that 70% of Virginians support increased access to domestic oil and natural gas resources."

Energy Tomorrow.org has the results of a new poll showing that the majority of Virginia VOTERS understand the importance of developing and delivering known American energy reserves to the American energy inventory. Very good site for information...


"This is a critical shift in public opinion, and one that our leaders in Washington need to recognize. According to federal government data, the United States has enough oil to fuel more than 65 million cars for 60 years and enough natural gas to heat 60 million homes for 160 years. But current policies restrict access to 85% of the outer continental shelf and 83% of onshore federal lands."


"About the SurveyThe poll was conducted by telephone between July 10 and July 21, 2008 by Harris Interactive and commissioned by API. The survey of 501 registered Virginia voters who are likely to vote in the upcoming presidential election found 70 percent of those surveyed said they somewhat or strongly support increased access to domestic oil and natural gas resources. Only 20 percent of respondents said they opposed increased access. An overwhelming 99 percent said they are somewhat or very concerned about the price of gasoline. Click here to view the survey methodology."

Monday, August 11, 2008

Rockingham County Fair ~2008~

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Rockingham County Fair August 11-16th, 2008




Nice kick-off for the Rockingham County Fair on Monday 11 August with many people arriving as I was leaving and the start of the Moto-cross event at the Pepsi Grandstand...












The Harrisonburg \ Rockingham Republican Party had the usual impressive campaign booth covering all of the local and national candidates in the upcoming elections...



Republican Candidate for Harrisonburg City Council Tracy Evans working the booth and walking in the daily parade held each day at 6:30pm...













United States Marines and members of the Stonewall Detachment of the Marine Corps League challenge parade patrons to the "chin-up" bar and to step up for the "Toys for Tots" program with a donation\entry into the drawing for an authentic M-1 Garand...




Artist Charles R. Vogan Jr. in front of some of his works on display at the Fair and can be found at "The Presidential Gallery"...



Noticed a friend and co-worker over the Democratic Party booth and stopped by to say hello to Muawia and talk "Politics" which we do often at work during break times. Muawia is new to the local political scene and I always enjoy and appreciate his viewpoints of topics we discuss, but I must admit I was dissapointed by the reception and actions of the Democratic Party "operatives" at the booth once I was introduced as a person from the "Rightside" of politics...


Sunday, August 10, 2008

"Let them Speak"!!! "Let them Vote"!!!

"Pelosi's Vacation" ~Day Seven~

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Maybe she really does need a vacation?...

“House Republicans,” Pelosi said, “have opposed forcing oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres they already control, new investments in renewable energy, increasing vehicle fuel efficiency standards, making mass transit more affordable, cracking down on price gouging, and releasing oil from the government’s stockpile.”


Maybe she really does need a vacation?
If the evil-oil companies really were able to get a substantial amount of oil from the leases they have would they rather not enjoy the profit margin of oil they “own” as compared to oil they are buying from other countries? With the free market system there is not a single oil company that could develop these oil surpluses and get it to market to make a profit?


New investments in renewable energy? From what I have read many of the major oil companies are the ones leading research and development in new areas of energy so to secure their futures. Only smart business thing to do…


Making mass transit more affordable? How much cheaper and where will the money come to make it cheaper? Government subsidies? Pretty cheap now and people refuse to use it for they would rather operate and pay for their own private forms of transportation…


Cracking down on price gouging? Always a favorite cry when the prices go up during supply interruptions such as hurricanes and the likes. Still waiting to see proof of actual “price-gouging” and I am sure the Democratic Party would be waving that proof high if they had it….


Releasing oil from government’s stockpile? This one is the most disturbing for if the leader of the House of Representatives, members of the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party candidate for President, and many “Prius” owners who really believe this to be a real solution for the energy "crisis" we have. If Pelosi really believes that by releasing our “Strategic” reserves to lower fuel prices for a very short time is worth risking the nation’s emergency oil supply this lady really does need a vacation!!! This will only result in a temporary drop in fuel price and DO NOTHING to bring any more energy into our inventory which is what the problem is… Drilling for known American oil reserves will bring more inventory on-line resulting in actual lower fuel prices and maintaining a strong economy to finance and make research\development of new and renewable sources of energy possible…


"Pelosi's Vacation" ~Day Six~
"Pelosi's Vacation" ~Day Five~
"Pelosi's Vacation" ~Day Four~
"Pelosi's Vacation" ~Day Three~
"Pelosi's Vacation" ~Day Two~
"Pelosi's Vacation" ~Day One~





Deerfield Parade ~2008~

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The Bob Goodlatte campaign took a ride out to Deerfield for their annual parade and to spend some time with strong conservative republicans who understand the importance of proper representation in Congress...


Congressman Goodlatte walked the entire parade route and met with many people along the route resulting in the parade slowing down at numerous points because of many people wishing to greet the congressman...






Travis Smithdeal and family assisted in float set-up and then rode the parade route while distributing Goodlatte campaign balloons and candy...


Congressman Goodlatte then went to the Augusta County Fair at Expo where he met Delegate Steve Landes who represents Augusta County in the Virginia House of Delegates...


Congressman Goodlatte and Delegate Landes stopped by the Marine Corps reserve booth that supports the "Toys For Tot's" program and spent time with Marine Corp Reserve member Chris Green talking numerous topics ongoing both in Washington and Richmond...

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Sportsmen on Board with Bob Goodlatte...

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Dominion Outdoors made the call and requested signs representing signs to show support for our Strong Conservative Republican candidates who support small business and the second amendment...


"Pelosi's Vacation" ~Day Six~

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Maybe we found the real reason why Pelosi "Dropped the gavel" so quickly last week to start her FIVE WEEK vacation without allowing a vote for increased drilling for known American oil reserves...

"Although 73 percent of Americans favor offshore drilling, Speaker Nancy Pelosi won't allow the House of Representatives to vote on the Republican bill to lift the drilling ban."
Maybe scheduled events during the planned FIVE WEEK vacation were more important?...

"While this important legislation stalls in the House, the speaker is traveling the country to promote her new memoir, Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters (Doubleday, $23.95). Last Monday she appeared on Today, The View, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. She's visiting bookstores nationwide. At this point the book seems to be tanking. Know Your Power is short--both in length and substance. In just over 170 pages with large print and wide margins, Pelosi races through her journey "from homemaker to House Speaker."
Nancy's Vacation Days...

Why stop at the tire gauge?...

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Obama stepped out last week with his “Save all” idea of getting people to simply inflate their tires to the proper amount and we can skip drilling for more oil all together. Simple thought for a tough solution and hope it gets better if this guy ever gets close to the Oval office…

Obama says we can replace any additional oil drilling by just checking the tire pressure but why stop there? It is estimated that “Obama’s Plan” could save 2.5% in fuel consumption if people followed his simple advice. (Disregarding those responsible adults who already maintain their vehicles without government direction).

Obama and his Democratic Party buddies in Congress are big on solving our energy needs by calling for conservation instead of increased production of known energy supplies. They feel there is no need to increase oil drilling production for conservation will make up the difference and this plan keeps their environmental base happy and content. Unfortunately this is a “Static” solution and ignores increased world population and energy use growth.

If the Democratic congress really wanted to save energy and make it to where we would never need to increase drilling for known American resources like the ones in ANWR and off our coast of Virginia, they need to really step up to the plate. Instead they skipped town and started their FIVE WEEK vacation without debating or voting for increased drilling for the known American resources just mentioned…

If the “Democrats” wanted a real solution data shows that simply slowing down when driving can save 7-23% in fuel consumption. That, along with Obama’s obvious idea would save millions of barrels of oil consumption!

But why isn’t Pelosi and the “Democratic” congress calling for or implementing this obvious solution to our energy crisis? Before bolting for her FIVE WEEK vacation Pelosi could have easily pushed through a bill mandating a lower speed limit or even direction for law enforcement agencies to enforce the speed limits already in place. Imagine the revenue increase government would see if the Troopers would just write tickets for those driving over 65 on the highways? There would be so much revenue coming in from fines that Pelosi’s & Obama’s heads would be spinning. And don’t forget the 7-23% savings in fuel consumption by all those other drivers who slowed down to avoid getting a ticket? And let’s not forget getting those drivers who love to play “Bump drafting” off your tailgate when driving down the highways…



Pelosi, Obama, and the Democratic congress could solve all the energy problems with calling for this simple solution and then we could shut down thousands of oil drilling rigs and put birdhouses on top of them to keep their “bird friends” happy…


The truth is Pelosi and friends know that a obvious solution like that would never fly with the majority of the public and they would be voted out in a November heartbeat. Instead it’s easier to come up with a “Novelty” solution or statement like Obama’s as a solution without looking at the overall “real” picture.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

"Pelosi's Vacation" ~Day Five~

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"Now somebody bring me two Daiquiris , I'm on vacation you know"...

Although 73 percent of Americans favor offshore drilling, Speaker Nancy Pelosi won't allow the House of Representatives to vote on the Republican bill to lift the drilling ban. In a recent CNN interview, Pelosi said she has "no plans" to schedule a vote on it because she opposes drilling in "protected areas." She is contradicting the pledge she made in 2007 at her swearing-in as speaker: "I accept this gavel in the spirit of partnership, not partisanship, and I look forward to working with you, [Minority Leader John] Boehner, and the Republicans in Congress for the good of the American people." What's her excuse for her recent stand? The Politico reported last week that she said, "When you win an election, you win the majority, and what is the power of the speaker? To set the agenda, the power of recognition, and I am not giving the gavel away to anyone."
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Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Time to ask SAM some real Questions...

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The Democratic Party Candidate for the sixth district of Virginia has been active for sometime now and has gained some traction with those who “want” to hear what he is saying without being asked the real questions to issues.

Today’s article in the NewsVirginian has SAM standing in the middle of The Augusta Free Press delivering his ideas for renewable energy to the local press. It should be noted that the headquarters for The Augusta Free Press has numerous signs surrounding the building supporting SAM and campaign literature throughout the office. The owner, editor, and reporter of The Augusta Free Press is also the Chairman of the Waynesboro Democratic Committee and strong supporter of SAM. I have little problem with this association as long as the reader is aware of it and understands in the majority of the time this results in a “bias” or lack of harder questions being asked.

SAM is campaigning to become the Democratic Party Virginia Representative to the House in Congress and is on track to fit right in with Pelosi and her “Alternative” version of the House. Like Pelosi and her gang, who cut town last week to start their FIVE WEEK vacation without allowing debate and a vote on drilling for our own and known oil reserves, SAM is being allowed to present his energy “solutions” without being asked real questions… NewsVirginian reporter Bob Stuart has been fair in his reporting in the past and perhaps he did not get the opportunity or print space to ask pertinent questions, but the NewsVirginian reporting of this event lack the questions needed to be asked.

Now SAM stated: “We can manufacture wind turbines and solar panels here. We can also create service-oriented jobs with the installation of these,” Great idea but where are the questions asking how many jobs? How long will the service or installation jobs last once the turbines are erected and operating? With all of the opposition to wind turbines for they destroy “vista’s” and injure wildlife(?), where will these wind farms be allowed? Several attempts to develop wind farms in this area have been met with powerful “Environmentalism” forces favored by the Democratic Party and how would SAM vote? Wind turbines now only produce 20-25% of their rated capacity so what is the effective or “real” amount of open space needed to produce enough energy to make a difference?

SAM also stated: “If we can put a man on the moon in less than a decade, we can become energy independent in the same time.’’ Very good but what will you do to increase or maintain the economy to take on such a great effort? The Democratic Party that SAM is striving to become a voting part of claims that additional drilling efforts would not deliver any oil for another ten years. How will SAM pay for the next Ten year project with present fuel\energy costs continuing to rise? Higher and increasing energy costs will result in a slower or receding economy so how will Pelosi and SAM pay for their Ten year “Moon” project?

SAM continued with: “America’s car industry needs hybrid technology, and the U.S. rail system needs an upgrade so freight can be moved more quickly on it from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast” More great ideas and I agree with both ideas but how much will Hybrid technology save and at what “cost”? Hybrid vehicles do save gasoline but what is the true cost to the taxpayer as our government dumps millions into projects like this to make them work? Look at the cost of a forced ethanol program that is resulting in a actual higher cost in producing the same energy. Many of Pelosi’s friends are calling for electric cars as a solution to energy and fuel consumption problems, but where does the electric come from that recharges these quick and “Stage One” solutions?

SAM finishes with: “Rasoul said it is also a question of national security given America’s dependence on foreign oil. The U.S. imports more than two thirds of its oil.” I agree! So how will preventing drilling for known American oil reserves reduce our dependence on foreign oil? By allowing drilling for the known and easier locations of oil this will result in those millions of dollars that are going to our “foreign enemies” to go into American companies and paychecks, thus financing the new and “alternative” sources of energy that we all agree must be developed…

A few weeks back SAM stood at a local gas station paying a $dollar$ for each gallon, up to $10.00 pumped while talking to each gasoline customer. Now I am sure this made the consumer feel good at the moment, but what happened in a day or two once that ten gallons of “cheap” gas was consumed? Now unless SAM plans on standing as the Democratic Virginia Representative to Congress at every gas station in the sixth district handing out $1 for every gallon pumped, (tax money?) how was that a real solution to the problems we face?

Both national and local media needs to start asking the harder questions to these “Alternative” energy solutions….