There was an almost American out-pouring of people voting and being able to select their representatives without bloodshed or violence. Actually, their "turnout" was much better.
We done good.
There will be "some" misteps, but overall, there is a new face on how things get done in Iraq.
We've come a long way, baby.
Thanks, again... Mr. Bush.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Taking steps toward energy independence...and meaning it
I like where Governor Rendell's(PA) head is at.
The Bill he just signed should be prolific. It should be the mark in State Government that makes Virginia and others jealous.
Only when we start introducing all the alternatives , and doing more of it at a local level, can we truly break free of the offshore controlling interest in our fuels. By embracing alternative, we can free up the electric demand that burns up much of our domestic product, natural gas.
By redirecting natural gas into the automotive sector, we can seriously put a dent in the oil we purchase from OPEC (which will disappear altogether, if Iran had it's way).
We're already on our way, according to the report here
My previous YouTube movie regarding the Solar panels at Franklin Park was a big hit, and I've received numerous comments about how many more of those panels are sitting in respective States, awaiting hookup to the local power grid.
The Bill he just signed should be prolific. It should be the mark in State Government that makes Virginia and others jealous.
Only when we start introducing all the alternatives , and doing more of it at a local level, can we truly break free of the offshore controlling interest in our fuels. By embracing alternative, we can free up the electric demand that burns up much of our domestic product, natural gas.
By redirecting natural gas into the automotive sector, we can seriously put a dent in the oil we purchase from OPEC (which will disappear altogether, if Iran had it's way).
We're already on our way, according to the report here
My previous YouTube movie regarding the Solar panels at Franklin Park was a big hit, and I've received numerous comments about how many more of those panels are sitting in respective States, awaiting hookup to the local power grid.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
John Brownlee. The "smart" choice For Virginia AG.
The "thinking" Republican's choice.
Here's a short bit on experience. I'll draw a few more lines on the post as time allows over the next day or two.
Quick link to the graph's originator:
Westlaw Profiler is a proprietary tool created by Westlaw to provide competitive intelligence for lawyers about their opponents in civil litigation. Profiler automatically scans Westlaw, and creates a list of the number of times an attorney's name appears in Westlaw. It includes things like the number of federal court cases in which an attorney has appeared (for our nonlawyer readers, when a lawyer "enters an appearance" he or she puts his or her name on the record as representing a party with an interest in a case), a list of all of the official and unofficial published opinions resulting from the lawyer's cases, the number of jury trials conducted and the results of those jury trials, settlement reports of cases, and so forth.
Here's a short bit on experience. I'll draw a few more lines on the post as time allows over the next day or two.
Quick link to the graph's originator:
Westlaw Profiler is a proprietary tool created by Westlaw to provide competitive intelligence for lawyers about their opponents in civil litigation. Profiler automatically scans Westlaw, and creates a list of the number of times an attorney's name appears in Westlaw. It includes things like the number of federal court cases in which an attorney has appeared (for our nonlawyer readers, when a lawyer "enters an appearance" he or she puts his or her name on the record as representing a party with an interest in a case), a list of all of the official and unofficial published opinions resulting from the lawyer's cases, the number of jury trials conducted and the results of those jury trials, settlement reports of cases, and so forth.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Wolf issues a position on Power lines
Wolf has now jumped into the power line discussion by writing Gov. Tim Kaine a third letter asking for a response. (You know, Timmy ... who added a Dominion Power lawyer and lobbyist to the State's Corporation Commission? There's a conflict of interest if I ever saw one.)
One more reason Dominion Power is nobody's friend...unless you're a banker, or a self-centered prick.
And then onto Frank's Letter:
January 22, 2009
The Honorable Tim Kaine
Governor of Virginia
State Capitol
Richmond VA 23219
Dear Governor Kaine:
I write today for the third time in four months to again urge that you convene a meeting with your counterparts in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland to set in motion discussion of an "interstate compact" process for the siting of electric transmission facilities among Virginia and these states.
As my previous correspondence noted, federal law (P.L. 109-58) allows for an "interstate compact" of three or more states to join together to create a regional transmission siting agency that has the authority to review, certify, and permit regional transmission facilities. If the states agree on a plan, this interstate compact would pre-empt federal authority. This would put the power to decide what is best for each state back in the hands of the states.
First it was the Dominion Power request before the State Corporation Commission (SCC) for the recently approved Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line (TrAIL) project, which encompasses my congressional district. Now a proposed Allegheny transmission line called Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) would traverse my district.
Serious questions have been raised about the regional need for these transmission lines. A recent Washington Post analysis showed that local homes and businesses used about 2 percent less electricity in the first nine months of 2008 than they did in 2007. The power companies tout that more transmission lines are needed because of the risks of overloading, blackouts and high demand. With such reports that energy usage is decreasing, does the necessity of these lines still exist?
Where does it stop? How many separate power line projects are really necessary? Because these projects span the region incorporating the states bordering the Commonwealth to the west, north, and east, doesn’t it make sense that these states act in common interest?
I also remain concerned that specifically in the Commonwealth, the power companies may not have the citizens’ best interests in mind and are failing to keep those in affected areas informed. For example, I recently became aware that Dominion had purchased a residential property in Leesburg with the intent of constructing a 130-foot transmission pole in close proximity to other homes. I understand all the neighbors in the area were not notified, and it was only after the mayor, my office and other local officials became involved that Dominion took steps to explain its plans. This power line project was approved by the SCC last February; however, Dominion’s action appeared to be inconsistent with the SCC’s order.
Is Virginia properly planning for these transmission lines and also the potential for additional lines that threaten neighborhoods and the Commonwealth’s historic landscapes? Is the State Corporation Commission empowered statutorily to give the necessary weight to citizen concerns?
With these concerns in mind, in addition to meeting to discuss a regional compact with your fellow governors, I also urge you to convene a statewide meeting to include Dominion and Allegheny, citizens and elected officials to discuss the future energy plans in the Commonwealth. Residents in affected areas need their voices heard. The SCC regulatory process is broken and must be fixed. This meeting could look at proposals for reforming the SCC and ensure that the views of citizens are fairly weighed in the process.
I urge your personal attention to these issues of such importance to my constituents and all the people of Virginia.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
Frank R. Wolf
Member of Congress
Now, Timmy, if you could stop hosting illegal in-session fundraisers at the Governor’s mansion, we'd appreciate a courtesy call to the member representing the 10th Congressional District with some answers.
One more reason Dominion Power is nobody's friend...unless you're a banker, or a self-centered prick.
And then onto Frank's Letter:
January 22, 2009
The Honorable Tim Kaine
Governor of Virginia
State Capitol
Richmond VA 23219
Dear Governor Kaine:
I write today for the third time in four months to again urge that you convene a meeting with your counterparts in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland to set in motion discussion of an "interstate compact" process for the siting of electric transmission facilities among Virginia and these states.
As my previous correspondence noted, federal law (P.L. 109-58) allows for an "interstate compact" of three or more states to join together to create a regional transmission siting agency that has the authority to review, certify, and permit regional transmission facilities. If the states agree on a plan, this interstate compact would pre-empt federal authority. This would put the power to decide what is best for each state back in the hands of the states.
First it was the Dominion Power request before the State Corporation Commission (SCC) for the recently approved Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line (TrAIL) project, which encompasses my congressional district. Now a proposed Allegheny transmission line called Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) would traverse my district.
Serious questions have been raised about the regional need for these transmission lines. A recent Washington Post analysis showed that local homes and businesses used about 2 percent less electricity in the first nine months of 2008 than they did in 2007. The power companies tout that more transmission lines are needed because of the risks of overloading, blackouts and high demand. With such reports that energy usage is decreasing, does the necessity of these lines still exist?
Where does it stop? How many separate power line projects are really necessary? Because these projects span the region incorporating the states bordering the Commonwealth to the west, north, and east, doesn’t it make sense that these states act in common interest?
I also remain concerned that specifically in the Commonwealth, the power companies may not have the citizens’ best interests in mind and are failing to keep those in affected areas informed. For example, I recently became aware that Dominion had purchased a residential property in Leesburg with the intent of constructing a 130-foot transmission pole in close proximity to other homes. I understand all the neighbors in the area were not notified, and it was only after the mayor, my office and other local officials became involved that Dominion took steps to explain its plans. This power line project was approved by the SCC last February; however, Dominion’s action appeared to be inconsistent with the SCC’s order.
Is Virginia properly planning for these transmission lines and also the potential for additional lines that threaten neighborhoods and the Commonwealth’s historic landscapes? Is the State Corporation Commission empowered statutorily to give the necessary weight to citizen concerns?
With these concerns in mind, in addition to meeting to discuss a regional compact with your fellow governors, I also urge you to convene a statewide meeting to include Dominion and Allegheny, citizens and elected officials to discuss the future energy plans in the Commonwealth. Residents in affected areas need their voices heard. The SCC regulatory process is broken and must be fixed. This meeting could look at proposals for reforming the SCC and ensure that the views of citizens are fairly weighed in the process.
I urge your personal attention to these issues of such importance to my constituents and all the people of Virginia.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
Frank R. Wolf
Member of Congress
Now, Timmy, if you could stop hosting illegal in-session fundraisers at the Governor’s mansion, we'd appreciate a courtesy call to the member representing the 10th Congressional District with some answers.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
My favorite memory. A testament to Bush as he departs...
The guy had a swagger. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I know a thing or two about a swagger.
The guy was a "cowboy" - and not in the way the movies reflect them. It was more like you didn't readily confront him, because you could never be 100% sure of the outcome.
Here's my final tribute to President George W. Bush. Thank you for your service, sir.
You were misunderstood and under-appreciated.
The guy was a "cowboy" - and not in the way the movies reflect them. It was more like you didn't readily confront him, because you could never be 100% sure of the outcome.
Here's my final tribute to President George W. Bush. Thank you for your service, sir.
You were misunderstood and under-appreciated.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Uh oh. Look....they're at it again.
Your Congress, even in this dire time of need, is still so intent on "padding" and "milking" that they can't seem to stop themselves, even when they know you're looking at them.
Here's that padding
Here's that padding
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Rehash of Powerlines.
A new comment brought out lots of new thought on the matter. I actually should have done an update after I attended a preliminary meeting on the matter in Lovettsville, Va which brought quite a bit of information to light, as well as being attended very well. There were folks from Frederick County, Va as well as a few from nearby Frederick, Md.
First info on the matter
See the comments.
The overall focus should be that these lines aren't even needed and the Utility's own study is flawed in that it "creates" a need for these lines where there is no evidence or fact that supports that.
First info on the matter
See the comments.
The overall focus should be that these lines aren't even needed and the Utility's own study is flawed in that it "creates" a need for these lines where there is no evidence or fact that supports that.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wow. Falling down on a standard that we should uphold.
36 have been accused of spousal abuse
7 have been arrested for fraud
19 have been accused of writing bad checks
117 have directly or indirectly
bankrupted at least 2 businesses
3 have done time for assault
71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
8 have been arrested for shoplifting
21 currently are defendants in lawsuits
84 have been arrested for drunk driving
in
the last year
Can
you guess which organization this is?
Well, it's :
The members of the
United States Congress
This is the
same group that cranks out
hundreds of new laws each year
designed to keep the rest of us in line.
Do you see a problem here?
7 have been arrested for fraud
19 have been accused of writing bad checks
117 have directly or indirectly
bankrupted at least 2 businesses
3 have done time for assault
71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
8 have been arrested for shoplifting
21 currently are defendants in lawsuits
84 have been arrested for drunk driving
in
the last year
Can
you guess which organization this is?
Well, it's :
The members of the
United States Congress
This is the
same group that cranks out
hundreds of new laws each year
designed to keep the rest of us in line.
Do you see a problem here?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
It is a good day to fight! It is a good day to die! Strong hearts, brave hearts to the front! Weak hearts and cowards to the rear!
“It is a good day to fight! It is a good day to die! Strong hearts, brave hearts to the front! Weak hearts and cowards to the rear!”-- Crazy Horse
Thus the opening shots by this blogger aimed at Kelly Burk and any other Supervisor who dares to misinform the public about HCA from this day forward.
It recently came to my attention that Ms. Burk was heard to say she still can't endorse HCA's Broadlands Regional Medical Center because it's too close to INOVA and would endanger Cornwall in Leesburg.
Ms. Burk, here's a NEWSFLASH. HCA and BRMC openly offered to underwrite that Leesburg Cornwall location. Publicly. Now, if (that's a big word right there) Cornwall sees trouble, it has TWO hospital corporations to back it up. This is even BETTER than having a sole entity pushing money in.
So you can drop the scare tactics and the empty rhetoric about the Leesburg healthcare being impacted. It's been solved. Let's move on to bigger and further lies by INOVA. They promised three more community outreaches by 2006 in small towns in the west. They failed horribly UNTIL BRMC showed up and pushed those "competition" buttons.
Suddenly, INOVA started offering BRMC as the excuse as to why those facilities never emerged.
But, being an optimist, I can see where HCA might just fix that problem, too. Just wait till the BRMC argument is behind us, and watch HCA do a county medical needs assessment. When they roll up in Purcellville, Middleburg and Lovettsville to deliver healthcare in those towns, no matter how many times INOVA says it won't be able to deliver out here, they'll never stand by and let HCA take the lead in the west. So...basically, HCA will "underwrite" healthcare out here, too. The citizens all win as we have two corporations ready to carry the freight of these outposts.
Furthermore, Sally Kurtz and Jim Burton are rumored to be leaning towards reversing their previous votes for an identical application they actually supported the last time out. What's changed since then, people? Were you merely playing politics against the last majority? Did you make a bad decision last time? Or will you actually show some continuity and get it right again this time?
Mark Herring is dancing on eggshells on this one, too. With a step-father on the INOVA Board, I think he'd be more careful in wading into this decision...but evidently he thinks he's above a voter backlash. Mr. Herring, people do not like to see their elected officials use their positions to aid personal wealth and influence. Did you notice the last elections for the local Supervisor's seats?
You'd be wise to notice what happened to the biggest peddlars of favoritism, and where they are now.
UPDATE: The Mark Herring contributions...
Notice, that $500 from HCA didn't exactly line up against $27,000 large.
Thus the opening shots by this blogger aimed at Kelly Burk and any other Supervisor who dares to misinform the public about HCA from this day forward.
It recently came to my attention that Ms. Burk was heard to say she still can't endorse HCA's Broadlands Regional Medical Center because it's too close to INOVA and would endanger Cornwall in Leesburg.
Ms. Burk, here's a NEWSFLASH. HCA and BRMC openly offered to underwrite that Leesburg Cornwall location. Publicly. Now, if (that's a big word right there) Cornwall sees trouble, it has TWO hospital corporations to back it up. This is even BETTER than having a sole entity pushing money in.
So you can drop the scare tactics and the empty rhetoric about the Leesburg healthcare being impacted. It's been solved. Let's move on to bigger and further lies by INOVA. They promised three more community outreaches by 2006 in small towns in the west. They failed horribly UNTIL BRMC showed up and pushed those "competition" buttons.
Suddenly, INOVA started offering BRMC as the excuse as to why those facilities never emerged.
But, being an optimist, I can see where HCA might just fix that problem, too. Just wait till the BRMC argument is behind us, and watch HCA do a county medical needs assessment. When they roll up in Purcellville, Middleburg and Lovettsville to deliver healthcare in those towns, no matter how many times INOVA says it won't be able to deliver out here, they'll never stand by and let HCA take the lead in the west. So...basically, HCA will "underwrite" healthcare out here, too. The citizens all win as we have two corporations ready to carry the freight of these outposts.
Furthermore, Sally Kurtz and Jim Burton are rumored to be leaning towards reversing their previous votes for an identical application they actually supported the last time out. What's changed since then, people? Were you merely playing politics against the last majority? Did you make a bad decision last time? Or will you actually show some continuity and get it right again this time?
Mark Herring is dancing on eggshells on this one, too. With a step-father on the INOVA Board, I think he'd be more careful in wading into this decision...but evidently he thinks he's above a voter backlash. Mr. Herring, people do not like to see their elected officials use their positions to aid personal wealth and influence. Did you notice the last elections for the local Supervisor's seats?
You'd be wise to notice what happened to the biggest peddlars of favoritism, and where they are now.
UPDATE: The Mark Herring contributions...
| Singleton, John Knox | President of INOVA | |
| Weatherholtz, Gertrude M | Loudoun Healthcare | |
| John Henry Cook | $3,000 | Loudoun Internal Medicine Assoc. with LH |
| Sarva Rejandra | $1,000 | Loudoun Oncology/Hematology Assoc. with LH |
| Walters, H Patrick | Executive VP of INOVA | |
| Turner, Woodrow W Jr | | |
| HCA for Good Government | | |
| Sinclair, Shannon E | VP & General Coucil for INOVA | |
| Carroll, Susan | COO INOVA Loudoun Hospital | |
| Williams, Roderick | | |
| Goldberg, David S | | |
| Charles L Waddell | Inova Loudoun Board / Herring Step-father | |
| Rhonda Paice | $ 1,800 | Attny for Broadlands/Inova |
| Mark Stavish | $ 6,000 | LHI Board Secretary |
| Mark D Lowers | $ 1,000 | LHI Board Chair |
| | | $27,250 |
Notice, that $500 from HCA didn't exactly line up against $27,000 large.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Remembering Jimmy.
Jimmy was a friend. Jimmy was a firefighter, and a great guy. I last saw him in Aug. 2000 at a High School Reunion. He will be missed.
From the Culpeper Star-Exponent:
James (Jimmy) John Kratochvil, 46, of Culpeper, Virginia passed away at UVa. Medical Center, Wednesday, January 7, 2008. Jimmy was born to Joseph Kratochvil and Freda Connors Kratochvil February 24, 1962 in Long Island, New York; graduated from Culpeper County High School in 1980 and was a former member of the Culpeper Volunteer Fire Department (Co.1).
Surviving Jimmy are his parents, Joseph and Freda Kratochvil of Culpeper, Virginia; his siblings, Joseph Kratochvil and his wife Anneliese of Rixeyville, Virginia, Eileen Hunter and her husband Bob of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Maureen McNemar and her husband James of Culpeper, Virginia, Loretta Fleming and her husband Tim of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Jane Bunch and her husband Vernon of Culpeper, Virginia; his former wife, Arline Rupard Kratochvil and children, Taylor Rupard, Mark (Tony) Kratochvil and Joseph (Joey) Kratochvil and twelve nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday, January 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in Precious Blood Catholic Church with Father Leo Zonnaveld conducting the service. Interment will be private and at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the Culpeper Volunteer Fire Department, 151 West Davis Street, Culpeper, Virginia 22701. Condolences may be given at clore-english.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Clore-English Funeral Home, 11190 James Monroe Highway, Culpeper, Virginia 22701.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Plethora of news from Israel
The actions of Israel in this round of kick-ass have now prompted Annie Lennox, along with a whole bunch of other bleeding hearts, to decry Israel as a big, bad, mean nation-- picking on those little Palestinians. Here's a newsflash, Annie... It's a very American saying, but it's relative worldwide... "If you mess with the bull, you get the horn".
And in response to his actions against Israel, a top leader of Hamas has been rubbed out.
Anyone else ready to step up and fill that void?? Be forewarned that if your jaw gets to flappin like 'ol Abdel Aziz Rantisi's , you're newly acquired position will soon be vacant....again.
See, 'ol Rantisi came to his position after the Israelis dealth with the ramblings of his predecessor.. the group's founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. He's more of the same 'ol, same 'ol.
So, again, the question is....who wants to be the big cheese of Hamas in Palestine??
And in response to his actions against Israel, a top leader of Hamas has been rubbed out.
Anyone else ready to step up and fill that void?? Be forewarned that if your jaw gets to flappin like 'ol Abdel Aziz Rantisi's , you're newly acquired position will soon be vacant....again.
Israeli Foreign Ministry official Gideon Meir gave the reasoning for wiping out Rantisi.
"We tried to do it a few months ago. At that time, he managed to run away. This time we got him," Meir has said.
"Somebody who is sending suicide bombers to kill innocent Israelis is a legitimate target for the government of Israel," he told CNN.
See, 'ol Rantisi came to his position after the Israelis dealth with the ramblings of his predecessor.. the group's founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. He's more of the same 'ol, same 'ol.
So, again, the question is....who wants to be the big cheese of Hamas in Palestine??
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