http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/group_rss/SmartEnergy We have to be smarter about our supplying our energy needs. By building up sustainable sources of energy we can create much-needed jobs in our communities, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and we can enhance our national security by decreasing our reliance on foreign oil. And we won't have smarter energy policy unless we demand it. Now. Click here to join this group. Check out the energy policy section in the ProgressNow.org online clearinghouse. Religious Leaders Urge Action on Climate Change, Clean Energy Jobs As leaders from Colorado’s faith communities, we call for dramatic action to avert the most drastic effects of global climate change as one of the dominant moral imperatives of our time. The earth, our home, is a gift—we did not create it or earn it, and we do not own it, but we do have a sacred responsibility to be good stewards of that gift. The earth's resources are finite, and with our technological prowess we have the ability to upset the ecological balance which supports our life on this earth. We must be attentive to the impacts of our activity on the environment, and not foolishly pretend that we are immune from those impacts. We believe that our planet is in great peril from the threat of climate change. We believe it is real, and that it is to a significant extent human-induced. We accept the vast body of scientific evidence which forecasts severe consequences for the Earth and all its inhabitants—including rising sea levels, increased drought and desertification, more frequent and more severe extreme weather events, ocean acidification, new disease epidemics, massive population relocation and attendant conflicts-- if we fail to act. Our thirst to consume the earth's natural resources, and our reliance on old energy sources which emit greenhouse gases, has led us to a both a spiritual and environmental crisis. In view of this, for us as spiritual leaders to remain silent would be an abdication of our responsibilities. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nbock6552/CZSJ http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nbock6552/CZSJ/commentary#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:49:18 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nbock6552/CZSJ Nelson Bock http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/4b519578d91f18752b_efm6b4e7n.jpg Nelson Bock 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZSJ/ If anyone attended the recent conference which was held in Golden this past Saturday, I would be interested in an informal report particularly as it might relate to future applications of thin-film solar products. So, thanks for any information which you might provide.... I have not yet seen anything about the conference in the Denver Post...... etc...... http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/leetruitt/CZ5D http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/leetruitt/CZ5D/commentary#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:15:39 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/leetruitt/CZ5D Lee Lee 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZ5D/ Part of ProgressNow Colorado's mission is to counter the right-wing message machine, and invariably that really ticks off the far-right and the unfortunate souls who actually believe the likes of the leader of the Republican Party, Rush Limbaugh. Earlier this week, I sent out a message to our members in the 4th Congressional District that seems to have struck a nerve. We asked folks to sign our thank-you card to Representative Betsy Markey for her leadership and favorable vote on the House climate change bill known as "ACES." Here's a sampling of the hate mail I received from the far right. Particularly interesting is the misogynistic tone many of them took. I wonder if they speak to their wives and mothers like this? Names and addresses removed to protect the moronic...spelling and grammar errors left intact. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZgM http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZgM/commentary#comments Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:27:44 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CZgM Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZgM/ Sent to a few thousand friends in Rep. Salazar's district today: The time is now to speak out for clean energy and environmental protection. A critical vote in Congress on the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) is set for Friday, and we need our own Rep. John Salazar to support this bill. That's why I'm writing. Can you take two minutes right now to call Rep. Salazar's D.C. office, and let them know that you want him to vote for the Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454)? Time is short: please call his office now at 202-225-4761. This is one of the most important votes Rep. Salazar will ever cast. The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) sets practical, science-based limits on pollution linked to climate change, and puts the country on the path to building a national New Energy Economy. ACES offers our country the most important opportunity in generations to jump start our economy, create millions of new, good-paying jobs, and set the stage for America to compete and prosper in the 21st century. Please call right away, and thank you for doing your part at this critical moment. Sincerely, Leslie Robinson Garfield County resident http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZCD http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZCD/commentary#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:18:42 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CZCD Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZCD/ And that's great news for the future of the Earth, and doubly great because it will really annoy the right-wingers. According to treehugger.com : The Alliance's new CEO is Maggie Fox, a longtime advocate for numerous national issue, political and environmental campaigns. Fox was the president of America Votes, the largest voter mobilization effort in the country. Prior to that, she worked as deputy ED of the Sierra Club. The Alliance has been making waves recently, announcing that they are greatly expanding their field presence with the goal of getting climate legislation passed this year. Steve Hildebrand, of the Obama campaign, and Steve Bouchard, another campaign veteran, have been tapped to grow the organization. Maggie Fox, if I may swoon for a moment, is one of my favorite people in the whole wide world. She's a powerhouse when it comes to community organizing. She's also Senator Udall's wife, and everybody knows what a champion he is for renewable energy and environmental protection . Between Mark Udall in the Senate and Maggie Fox at the Alliance for Climate Protection, I feel more confident than ever that we will be able to fulfill President Obama's commitment to end our dependence on foreign energy sources and bring the Earth back from the brink of destruction by climate change. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQY5 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQY5/commentary#comments Sun, 29 Mar 2009 12:22:36 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQY5 Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQY5/ The past few months have provided a dizzying series of messages in the blogosphere praising or persecuting the new President of the United States (POTUS). Thankfully, Salon.com produced an “over the nation” report on the Republican Party today that deserves more attention, and a more in-depth analysis (from yours truly, naturally). Here’s the Salon.com link - The state (by state) of the GOP Once again, Dick Wadhams’ penchant for media attention provides the clue for how to defeat him and continue the GOP decline: "This notion that Colorado has suddenly become a Democratic state is preposterous. I think Democrats who have a grip on reality know that." -- State GOP chairman Dick Wadhams The lesson from Dick is a hard and true fact of politically strategy from today to 2012, and unfortunately, too many high level Democratic leaders are positively oblivious to the concept. While basking in the glory of Barack Obama’s victory, I am seeing too many messages ignoring recent losses and weaknesses going into future ballots. This kind of complacency and false posturing is a formula for a disaster in the 2010 General Election. Salon.com is absolutely correct by highlighting the dominance of the GOP at the county and community level. Even in Larimer County, the Democratic Party leadership is mute on the loss of a seat on the Board of County Commissioners. Reveling in the glory of former Democratic Party Chair Betsy Markey defeating Marilyn Musgrave is apparently too intoxicating to take a clear look at the dangers of the political landscape. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQsd http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQsd/commentary#comments Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:18:24 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQsd Ralph T http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 5 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQsd/ Paul Begala : If Republican politicians are so deeply opposed to President Obama's economic recovery plan, they should refuse to take the money. After all, if you think all that federal spending is damaging, there are easy ways to reduce it: Don't take federal money. [...] Justice Louis Brandeis famously called states "laboratories of democracy." So let's experiment. Gov. Sanford can be the guinea pig. His Palmetto State already gets $1.35 back from Washington for every dollar it pays in federal taxes, according to 2005 numbers, the latest calculated by the Tax Foundation, a nonprofit tax research group. That's exactly right. According to the same data Begala cites, Coloradans only get 81 cents back for every dollar they send to Washington . And Coloradans are strangled by the grip of TABOR, and thanks to the Bush administration, federal lands have been given away to the oil companies for a song while state and local government have to bear the burden of a boom-and-bust cycle. So we'll take our stimulus, thank you very much. Colorado has sent more money to Washington than it has received in Federal spending for sixteen of the past twenty-five years. Washington owes us one, and thankfully seven of our nine-member Congressional delegation have fought to make it so. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQY7 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQY7/commentary#comments Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:25:55 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQY7 Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 2 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQY7/ Today President Obama has penned an op-ed in the Washington Post called The Action Americans Need in which he spells out in no uncertain terms what is happening in Washington right now: In recent days, there have been misguided criticisms of this plan that echo the failed theories that helped lead us into this crisis -- the notion that tax cuts alone will solve all our problems; that we can meet our enormous tests with half-steps and piecemeal measures; that we can ignore fundamental challenges such as energy independence and the high cost of health care and still expect our economy and our country to thrive. I reject these theories, and so did the American people when they went to the polls in November and voted resoundingly for change. Read the piece and then sign our petition urging Congress to act. Our friends in congress need to hear from you because the right-wing astroturf machine is in full swing. And those who stand in the way of this economic recovery plan need tobe reminded that Big Oil-funded "think tanks" do not represent us. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQTH http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQTH/commentary#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:03:10 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQTH Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQTH/ Over the last year, we've seen and felt first-hand the impact of rising energy prices--from erratic gas prices to increases in home heating bills.  And we're all feeling the squeeze since the economy has taken a turn for the worse. http://progressnowcolorado.org/sb51 As you know, there's been a lot of talk recently about renewable energy and energy efficiency. Things like solar, wind power, geothermal energy, and general improvements in our own homes--from drafty windows to inefficient heating units. But it's hard to make the up-front investment in these energy efficiency improvements because they're expensive, even with government rebates or tax credits. State Senator Morgan Carroll recently introduced a bill that will make it easier for people to invest in these renewable energy improvements without shouldering a big financial burden.  Senate Bill 51 would create smart financing options for energy efficiency improvements, making it easier for you to cut your costs on energy bills. But this important bill won't pass unless you contact your legislators and tell them to support Senate Bill 51.  Would you take a minute and sign the petition by clicking on the link below? http://progressnowcolorado.org/sb51 We'll deliver your comments early next week.  Thanks for helping make Colorado a leader in energy efficiency. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CQkP http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CQkP/commentary#comments Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:59:11 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CQkP Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQkP/ Being the complete and utter nerd that I am, I would be remiss if I didn't post this. Some fellow nerds at Harvard University have a new project going that is way too cool. It's a piece of software that runs on your computer during idle time to process computer models of different materials in order to discover new and more efficient designs for solar cells. It runs using the same distributed computing scheme as the long-lived SETI@Home project, which uses your computer's extra cycles to find little green men. Only our friends at Harvard are looking for ways to make a big green planet. Download it and use a few of your electrons to help get us off of fossil fuels ! http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQDr http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQDr/commentary#comments Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:37:41 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CQDr Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQDr/ Colorado Public Utilities Commission 1560 Broadway, Suite 250 Denver, CO 80202 Ref.: Xcel proposed rate increase December 5, 2008 Dear Sirs, I am writing you to object the rate increase that Xcel is proposing for the electric power service. I hope this letter makes it on time because the Xcel notification of their proposed rate increase just came in the mail a couple of days ago and this is also unacceptable short notice. This company has recently raised the rates already by quite a bit, they still claim is not enough and I find this very hard to believe. Also, last summer they produced unjustified blackouts California style, for tricking the people into believing that there is a reason for their unjustified rate increase. The excuse that the population grows and so does the demand is not a good excuse because although such demand does increase then their income does in proportion and even if there are capital improvements needed that is no different from what it has been all along. If Xcel does not want to look at the future and invest its own money in maintaining and expanding the electric grid, then the State should do it but it should keep ownership and only LEASE the grid to the utilities company(ies) that are willing to use it. The only justification for a rate increase would be if inflation in their unit cost occurs and in the current recession it is rather the other way and their costs are effectively deflated. As it is, they do not have any inflated costs but instead they are the ones PRODUCING the inflated prices while we suffer reduction on our income or at best freeze. I find that the State of Colorado needs indeed to get rid of Xcel altogether and go back to a decentralized and competitive system where smaller and local companies are allowed to produce and distribute electric power locally and statewide through the State grid that should be owned by the State. The cost of grid maintenance has to be shared and administered under very tight control from the State to assure it is fair and we never fall again on the current situation where Xcel monopoly puts us under their boot. The system should be what it was before the monopolies took over, taking advantage of a lenient government that gave in to the lobiest pressures to stop encouraging competition and fairness. Our government should work for us and not against us like it is doing now. If the democrats government does not go for the people than the republicans will get back the power because the people will get cynical and will withdraw participation in governemnt issues. This happened in the past and could happen again if we don't watch it. Of course we are trying to cut back on the unnecessary usage, and use alternative energy, but this is by no means a justification for Xcel to raise the rates to make more profit while delivering less of their product. At least for now, I require from Xcel that they maintain just a reasonable profit and explain where the money goes in full detail. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/juanfontenla/CQDZ http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/juanfontenla/CQDZ/commentary#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:41:37 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/juanfontenla/CQDZ User from Erie, CO User from Erie, CO 1 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQDZ/ For several years now the evidence of the Alberto Gonzales gang's manipulation of the Federal Civil Service within the Department of Justice has been well publicized. The fact that right-wing political ideologues were being approved for career professional positions based on social issue orthodoxy, rather than competence and qualifications, is yet another blight on the scandalous legacy of the current occupant of the White House. Today's report in the Washington Post reveals that this practice of burrowing right-wing political operatives into the Civil Service is also in-place in the scientific agencies. Perhaps this is the mis-administration's strategy for making permanent the Republican obsession for combating the truth of science with their twisted political and social priorities. The Center for Public Integrity is soon to release their "Broken Government" study. The fund-raising teaser release promises 120 specific cases. This kind of investigative effort to hold the Bushies accountable as the mis-administration fades into oblivion is crucial.  Revealing and acting on the depth and breadth of this conspiracy is vital to the success of any reforms and corrects to the offenses of the past eight years. The Obama-Biden Administration will be stretched and tested to uncover and flush-out these right-wing activists who have burrowed their way into the Civil Service like so many termites. The evidence of these infestations must be met with quick action. Executive appointees selected for positions above these people must be prepared to take every possible action within the laws and regulations of the Civil Service structure to either get them dismissed, or make it too hard for them to stay and accomplish their nefarious goals. Attention to the selection of the Administrator of the Office of Personnel Management will be a key to success in this area. Various Executive agency inspectors general must be supported in investigating these political opportunists. IF they are found to be substantially unqualified for the job description that they were hired to fill, then it should be clear grounds for dismissal as an unlawful appointment. The Obama-Biden appointees who are saddled with these burdens must enforce clear, precise and enforceable performance standards. When confronted with qualitative requirements to enforce and perform based upon laws and regulations that these infiltrators are likely to hold ambitions to undermine and avoid, could more easily force them to resign. Even in its demise the minions of the current mis-administration are appearing to be increasingly unwilling to follow the current occupant of the White House and the vice out of Washington. This certainly adds to the challenge and urgency of establishing the new administration's executive leadership. Too many months and too many acting, caretaker, leaders in the executive departments will make it all the harder to untangle the tentacles of the Bush parasites. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQDn http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQDn/commentary#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:53:14 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQDn Ralph T http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 425 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQDn/ Comments by Nelson Bock, of Colorado Interfaith Power and Light, on the need to support green jobs in a renewable energy economy. I am pleased to represent Colorado Interfaith Power and Light, and the IPL movement which now has affiliates in 28 states, and whose mission is to mobilize the religious community to respond to the threat of climate change. I am here to support green jobs in a new energy economy, because it is our conviction that green jobs is not just an economic issue, and not just an environmental issue, but that it is also a profoundly spiritual issue. The earth, our home, is a sacred gift, the care of which we have been entrusted, and on which we live in a web of interdependent relationships. Living with reverence for that gift and those relationships is at the core of spirituality, and also the key to our survival and health as a human family. This is an issue that connects the health of our planet, the health of our people, and the health of our economy, because those things are all intrinsically connected in the larger scheme of things The earth, our home, is in peril because of our excessive dependence on the fossil fuel economy we have built over the last two hundred years. Climate change, accelerated and exacerbated by greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere as a result of human activity, threatens to severely disrupt the ecological balance which has supported human life, and the life of millions of other species with whom we share the earth. At the same time, human health is threatened by the emission of many other pollutants which foul not just the air, but the water and the land on which we likewise depend. And the health of our communities is threatened by economic dislocation and by the environmental destruction of public lands caused by ever more rapacious activities necessitated by the drive to seek and extract the last drops of fossil fuels wherever they may be found. These activities do not just damage landscape and wildlife habitat; they damage our spirits, as they increasingly estrange us from the earth, which we treat not as a living system of which we are a part, but as an inert depository of raw materials and a convenient repository for our waste. Further, these activities estrange us from one another, as exploitation of the earth's resources is based on exploitation of people and communities whose environment is despoiled and whose labor is treated as just another commodity, and who are then left to deal with the economic and environmental fallout when the resources are depleted. What we are learning is that a healthy society--one in which people and communities are healthy and happy and secure-- is dependent on a healthy relationship to our environment. Yes, people need jobs, and that is why we are here today. But a job is not just a job. Work is an expression of the human spirit. The work we do also shapes our spirit, making us more or less healthy as we embody our relationship to the earth through our work. So what kind of jobs are going to give us healthy people, a healthy economy, and healthy communities? The kinds of jobs which preserve a healthy planet. Jobs which discover, create, and utilize renewable sources of energy, jobs which help us to conserve the earth's finite and precious resources. Jobs which are based on sustainable sources of energy and other natural resources. Jobs which create and promote alternative forms of transportation. Jobs which allow communities to be more self-sustaining and less dependent on global supply lines and the exploitation of the labor and resources of people from other parts of the world. Jobs which allow people to express and take pride in the dignity of their labor through a reverent and respectful use of the earth's resources, and which provide families with a living wage. So we want to urge the people of Colorado and the United States to support candidates, initiatives, and policies which move us away from our unhealthy reliance on fossil fuels and towards green jobs in a green economy, for the health of our people, our communities, and our planet. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nbock6552/CQDS http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nbock6552/CQDS/commentary#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:24:51 EST http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/nbock6552/CQDS Nelson Bock http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/4b519578d91f18752b_efm6b4e7n.jpg Nelson Bock 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQDS/ Bob Schaffer's out of touch, wrong on critical issues rap-sheet grows by the day. I found this latest charge in Ed Quillen's column in the Sunday Denver Post. Read the whole column online at http://www.denverpost.com/quillen/ci_10799075 or scroll down to the extended post text. The Referendum A test still carries a lot of weight with me.  Once again here's a case where Bob Schaffer sided with big-monied interests and against Colorado farmers, ranchers and communities. Hopefully, he'll be sliding into the dustbin of Colorado political history by 10:00 PM on November 4th.  Being too cozy with the "drill baby, drill" crowd of oilies is bad enough, but working on the wrong side of water policy is unforgiveable. PS - If you get a chance, drop a complimentary email to Ed (his email link at at the end of the Extended Post Text).  It is so hard to find something worthy of praise in the Denver Post these days that we should encourage Ed to continue his good work. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQ8p http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQ8p/commentary#comments Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:59:31 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQ8p Ralph T http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQ8p/ I was just listening to former Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder on a radio show. He made a critical and brilliant observation about John McCain. His evaluation of the Sarah Palin selection rests on that decision as an indicator of how McSame would later decide on the people to fill the other leadership positions in a supposed McSame mis-administration. This is a powerful indictment of a candidate for president of the US when the nation so despirately needs a clear change of direction. The specter of Sarah Palin equivalent appointments throughout the US Executive Branch shows no chance of reforming, and certainly not reversing, the criminal excesses of the past seven years. There will be no resolution to the US Attorney firings, and little hope of removing the fraudulently hired radical right-wingers who have been peppered throughout the Department of Justice to undermine, rather than enforce, the law. This demonstrated decision-making pattern by John McCain is a screaming warning to America. No other fact shines so brightly than the selection of Sarah Palin to confirm that McSame is the incarnation of a third, and perhaps more devastating, term for the G.W. Bush policies. Considering everything you find important, think your retired relatives who will be hurt if McCain succeeds and leads America down the path of more for the wealthiest and less for the rest. Victory in the race for the White House is critical, but top to bottom electoral victories on the ballot is equally important for our communities and state. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CZB9 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CZB9/commentary#comments Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:22:03 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CZB9 Ralph T http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZB9/ Several email exposes regarding Sarah Palin have landed in my in-box. The most useful is the message from MoveOn.org (go to the extended Post Text). I hope my mother, my wife and my teenage daughter will excuse this one - but, my initial reaction holds that McCain is having a post midlife crisis moment here. Now he gets to spend the rest of the campaign on stage with either a blonde or a brunette former beauty queen; sometimes both. Considering the depth and experience available to him in the rest of the GOP universe I am completely baffled that there can be any other reason for this decision. I am now even more appreciative for the intelligent and practical decision by Barack Obama to grab Joe Biden as his VP running mate. The supposed VP Debate won't be. With this line-up it is clear that candidate Palin will carefuly recite radical right wing talking points fed to her by the McCain handlers. Even if Biden were allowed in the format/rules to challenge her on any issues we'll hear nothing original. Thus there could not be a more distinct choice between the two tickets. Looking at the "rap-sheet" provided by MoveOn, American voters can have no doubts of the radical and destructive policies and positions John McCain is accepting by filling the GOP ticket with Palin. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cq7N http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cq7N/commentary#comments Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:56:44 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cq7N Ralph T http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 2 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cq7N/ Report by FOX-31 TV: http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CqPf http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CqPf/commentary#comments Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:05:26 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CqPf Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqPf/ If you've been reading your newspaper(s) this week, you've probably read that the righties really thought they had Rep. Mark Udall caught in a "broken promise." They've been crowing about it for two days. Just one problem -- they're full of crap. Udall votes to oppose ending Congressional session It turns out that Rep. Mark Udall kept his promise after all to oppose Congress taking its summer break without first considering a crucial energy bill. Udall, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, took a drubbing this week from his Republican opponent, Bob Schaffer, when he missed the vote on whether to recess. During a debate Monday with Schaffer, Udall vowed to oppose the recess unless energy legislation was considered. The resolution Wednesday called for Congress to adjourn by Thursday, Friday or Saturday of this week and return to Washington Sept. 8. For that resolution to be official, there had to be a final adjournment motion sometime this week. In floor action today, the House voted on the final adjournment motion. Udall joined Republicans in requesting a recorded vote to oppose the motion to adjourn. "I think the House should continue trying to pass legislation to improve our national energy policies," he said. If you don't know what I'm talking about, read this , this , or this . Or maybe don't bother--it's all pretty stupid as it turns out. http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CqPq http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CqPq/commentary#comments Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:46:24 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CqPq Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqPq/ Our prescient video from a few months ago: Apparently, the answer is "yes." http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CqyQ http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CqyQ/commentary#comments Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:05:45 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CqyQ Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqyQ/ This is looking kind of bad, folks: Feds look at Schaffer oil deal in Kurdistan An oil contract U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer helped negotiate in Iraqi Kurdistan is one of several production deals the U.S. State Department has flagged as problematic for Iraq and its attempts to establish a national oil policy. The oil contract, finalized in November 2007, allows a subsidiary of Schaffer's former employer, Denver-based Aspect Energy, to produce oil on a nearly 104-square-mile plot in the Dohuk Governate in northern Iraq. Schaffer confirmed Wednesday he was one of several Aspect Energy executives who visited Kurdistan in November 2006 and laid the groundwork for the company's oil deal. The Kurdistan Regional Government, which governs the semiautonomous region of Iraq, has moved during the past several years to aggressively develop crude oil resources in northern Iraq. Those efforts run counter to moves to implement a national oil policy. According to a June 23 report from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office, Aspect Energy's oil contract and roughly two dozen other similar deals have been a point of contention between Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. "The (Kurdistan Regional Government) has negotiated an estimated 25 contracts with foreign oil firms, which the Iraqi federal government claims are illegal," according to the report. Update: The Dead Guvs sum this one up : As we discussed late last week, this is another potentially devastating situation for Schaffer, possibly worse than the Abramoff/Marianas scandal--which polls show has already seriously damaged his election prospects. The finalization of an Iraqi petroleum law is viewed by most experts as critical to the stabilization of Iraq, and the story emerging here is about American oil companies--like Schaffer's--who were more concerned with getting 'a piece of the action' than they were with supporting American foreign policy goals in Iraq. Is there even another former Congressman out there who voted to invade Iraq, then immediately went to work for an oil company pursuing contracts there? We're not aware of any. That's bad enough, but the idea that the contracts he pursued could be prolonging the Iraq war instead of helping end it? If you were trying to imagine something worse than defending sweatshops and forced abortions on American soil ...well, here you are. Horrifying, isn't it? http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CqyK http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CqyK/commentary#comments Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:25:13 EDT http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/post/al/CqyK Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 0 http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqyK/