Friday, November 04, 2005

Beneath The Noise, Good Things Are Happening I posted this note (below) on one of those "progressive" websites because otherwise they really wouldn't have known how much progress the vast right-wing conspiracy is making.  What, with their preoccupation with trashing the Bush administration and all.  I feel it my duty to engage them in reality based conversation.  That usually doesn't happen but I've not given up.  :)    Nevertheless, it is news that should encourage those who may be troubled by the 'polls' the media is creating. Amid all the noise out there with a guy named Scooter, and Cheney, and Haliburton, et.al., there's a chance this news hasn't been heard in lala land. 1. The Supreme Court is poised to change its complexion from one that legislates from the bench to one of an originalist. This shift puts the law making capability back in the hands of legislatures, as it should be. 2. The latest economic numbers and employment numbers and unemployment numbers are good and sustained. This includes the time during and after the hurricane devastation. 3. We are one step closer to finally getting some of our own oil out of the ground in ground that was originally set-aside for just that purpose, called ANWR. The Senate voted yesterday to allow drilling there provided the oil is used for domestic purposes only. 4. A big product liability case against Merck was settled and Merck prevailed. This is important if you want medicines and, a'hem, vaccines at a price you can afford, if not AT ALL. So while the 'Bush lied and people died' crowd is busy creating distractions, lets not overlook the progress that is happening day by day. 4:12:46 PM    comment [] trackback []

Senate Approves Drilling In ANWR, FINALLY It takes the AP four paragraphs before they write of the passing in the Senate today of drilling authority in ANWR, by a 51-48 vote. The vote shows the Democrats' commitment to reducing our dependency on foreign oil. But the story as it is presented is about how the opponents failed to defeat it, not that it passed and it’s a first step, not a last step, in oil pumping. In the third paragraph of the story titled 'Senate Backs Drilling in Alaska Refuge,' they pass along the 'cutting welfare and food stamps' line for the party, the Democrat party. At any rate, this isn't the last straw; it's the first. Senate opponents to drilling in an Alaska wildlife refuge failed Thursday to strip the measure from a massive budget package as supporters of exploration argued that the oil is needed to help break America of its import habit. Environmentalists, who believe strongly the refuge should continue to be off limits to oil companies to protect the area's wildlife, had acknowledged that it was a long shot to get the provision killed and now are concentrating on defeating the overall budget bill. A vote on the budget measure, which includes a myriad of spending cuts from food stamps to welfare funds, was expected later in the day. An amendment offered by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., that would have removed drilling authority for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), was defeated 51-48. She called the drilling proposal a gimmick that will have little impact on oil or gasoline prices, or U.S. energy security. H. JOSEF HEBERT Associated Press Writer 1:46:04 AM    comment [] trackback []

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