If I could make a wish for the Libyan people it would be to stop fighting.

They are more important than their plans for freedom.  If they stopped fighting today, it is not a victory for Gaddhfi.

The people of Libya have made lasting impressions on the global community.

They are not alone. 

If every Libyan stopped confronting Gaddafi today, the people would not be relinquished to Gaddhfi by the rest of the world.  We know their longings more than they do and we will not forego their victory simply because they are quiet.

If munitions are running low and their desperate dictator is using THEIR military against them, they need to know they are not hopelessly lost.  The world is watching.  We are resolved.  This will not an end in their 'quiet waiting.'

...Al Jazeera television (click title to entry for video - thank you)  said rebels had rejected an offer by Gaddafi to hold a meeting of parliament to work out a deal under which he would step down....

Is General Petraeus still commander?

Gen. David Petraeus, (click title to entry - thank you) the commander of the International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan, walks with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Monday, March 7, upon Gates' arrival in Kabul....

 

I am just as sick about losing American soldiers as Karzai is losing his civilians.  It is especially sad when that is children. 

 

So, does Karzai want us there or not, because the truth be known we rather leave.

 

The truth is that Former Commander Stanley McCrystal might have some interesting insight.

 

Secretary Gates needs to investigate the 'influence' the House and Senate has on the actions of USA military.  The new House members tend to like to kill and quite possibly General Petraeus may be feeling obliged to 'make it happen' in ways that is compromising to sincere efforts to rid Afghanistan of its corruption.

 

Seriously, Secretary Gates needs to make sure his Commander doesn't see 'communing' with the new Tea Party Patriots as a benefit to outcomes for the military budget.  There should be no 'fan club' for any member of the military when there are soldiers engaged with their lives.

Was the Kilauea Volcano eruption actually a caldera ?

The eruption at Kilauea is very different than its past history.  The USGS needs to really define this one.

Explosive eruptions (click here for history at USGS) at Kilauea are thought to be caused when water comes into contact with hot or molten rock (magma) and flashes into steam. In 1924, this happened after the level of the lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater dropped below the water table. The walls of the crater then collapsed and blocked the opening down which the lava had drained, allowing steam pressure to build up and cause violent explosions.

Scientists monitor eruptions at Hawaii volcano (click title to entry - thank you)

HONOLULU | Mon Mar 7, 2011 10:39am EST

HONOLULU (Reuters) - Scientists were closely monitoring heightened activity at Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, after a fissure sent lava spewing 65 feet in the air.No homes were threatened and no campers were injured, said park rangers, who cautioned visitors to still keep their distance from the volcano.
Kilauea has been in constant eruption for 28 years. But geologist Janet Babb of the U.S. Geological Survey said this weekend's activity indicates "new episodes in eruptions and further unknowns."...

Hick-uckabee should know that "Birther" is another name for "Bigot."

Another Murdoch Lieutenant hard at work trying to draw in 'the fringe.'

The popular, (click title to entry - thank you) but genuinely folksy, FOX TV Sunday program hosted by former 2008 presidential candidate by Mike Huckabee gives him a unique advantage among other possible 2012 GOP contenders. Huckabee long ago honed his media skills working as a former staffer for televangelist James Robison before becoming a very popular Arkansas governor....

Speaking of Mafia, House Representative Peter King wants to investigate Muslims just as all ethnic groups have been investigated for racketeering.

Muslims are NOT an ethnicty.  Maybe Rep. Peter King doesn't see any 'fault' in radicalizing an entire religious segment of society by including them with CRIMINALS from the past involved with racketeering.  I find his analogy more than conveniient.  "King's List"  (click here)

By Robert Costa

National Review Online has obtained the list of witnesses set to appear at Rep. Peter King’s hearings on radicalization within the American Muslim community:  Abdirizak Bihi, the brother of Burhan Hassan’s mother; Melvin Bledsoe, the father of Carlos Bledsoe (Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad); Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, an Arizona physician and military veteran; Lee Baca, the sheriff of Los Angeles County; Rep. Keith Ellison (D., Minn.); Rep. Frank Wolf (R., Va.).

Al Qaeda does not have a training camp in the USA.  Supposedly the American Clerics and Imams are radicalizing their congregations.  Where is the EVIDENCE of that.  It is called treason to be turning entire congregations against their country.

During the same conversation referred to in The Washington Post article below was when King referred to past criminal dynasties in the USA.

The radicalization of the Fort Hood murderer was 'online' from Yemen.  What is King referring to?

...."We're talking about al Qaeda," King said.  (click title to entry - thank you)  "There's been self radicalization going on within the Muslim community, within a very small minority, but it's there and that's where the threat is coming from at this time."...

Fort Hood shooter case now to commander

Legal advice to be given before decision is made (click here)

Updated: Friday, 04 Mar 2011, 3:22 PM CST
Published : Friday, 04 Mar 2011, 3:22 PM CST

Pamela Cosel

FORT HOOD, Texas (KXAN) - The U.S. case against former Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Hasan, accused shooter in the November 2009 massacre at Fort Hood , moved a small step forward on Thursday when the disposition for charges was forwarded to the III Corps and Fort Hood commander Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone.
The case is first being reviewed by III Corps and Fort Hood staff judge advocate so legal advice can be given to the commander in the Article 32 investigation against Hasan.,,,

Former Governor Mitt Romney signed a health care bill for Massachusetts that has been a success.

It is a mistake for him to distance himself from this issue.  Republicans always want to make every controversy for their cronies a States Rights issue.

Health care is NOT a States Rights issue.  United Healthcare is a nationwide company as are many others.  They have imperiled the health of citizens across the USA and the States have done NOTHING to stop them.

This is a matter of the American people having safe, consistent and affordable health care and the states have proven beyond any doubt they cannot provide it.

Romney's position now that he is attempting a run for President was 'directly' dictated by "Big Talker" radio host Neil Bortz when he stated two days before Romeny made his position known, that in order for Romney to be taken seriously about any Republican nomination he would have to distance himself from health care.

Romeny is ANOTHER puppet of the Right Wing Media.  When does that stop so we finally have a Republican Party that actually has policy and leadership NOT beholding to Murdoch? 

Two days.  And Romney was jumping to attention as a good scout / lieutenant would.  Lieutenant is actually a better word.  Mafia.  The Murdoch Mafia.

Romney Signs Massachusetts Health Care Bill Into Law (click title to entry - thank you)

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Apr 12, 2006

BOSTON - APRIL 12: Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney signs into law a new health care reform bill during a ceremony at Faneuil Hall April 12, 2006 in Boston, Massachusetts. U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) (2nd R) and others joined Romney for the signing of the bill, which makes Massachusetts the first state in the country to require that all residents have health insurance.


...But then there’s the enthusiasm gap.  (click here)  Romney, somewhat to my surprise, seems to have lost much of his luster for the conservative establishment. Maybe it’s a bait-and-switch, but National Review, deeply in Romney’s pocket in 2007/8, has been playing up Jeb Bush and Pawlenty instead in 2011....

Locations across the USA, exluding Canada and Mexico where hydraulic fracturing is taking place with complete abandon.

Add to this reality the 'fresh water lakes' where fishing occurs AND the pollution along the Gulf Coast and where exactly are Americans going to obtain 'toxic free' food.

Nearly the entire corn belt could be receiving toxic water for irrigation from hydraulic fracturing.

This is hideous.

Just once.

Just once.

I would love to hear Dick Cheney tell his plutocracy in regard to the environmental protections of the American people, "Shut up and sit down."

Just once.

For the people of the USA to completely understand the degree of which the Petroleum Industry disregards their safety and QUALITY OF Life, I offer this!

Where the petroleum industry and any other for that matter; (Simply examine the Superfund Records) can 'get away' with murder, they will and have no conscience in doing to. 

...With hydrofracking, (click title to entry - thank you)  a well can produce over a million gallons of wastewater that is often laced with highly corrosive salts, carcinogens like benzene and radioactive elements like radium, all of which can occur naturally thousands of feet underground. Other carcinogenic materials can be added to the wastewater by the chemicals used in the hydrofracking itself.

While the existence of the toxic wastes has been reported, thousands of internal documents obtained by The New York Times from the Environmental Protection Agency,  state regulators and drillers show that the dangers to the environment and health are greater than previously understood....

Why are industries getting away with poisoning water supplies, causing cancers and murdering Americans?  Because there are geologists that 'have no clue' about human health if their own lives depended on it working for these MAD MEN INDUSTRIES.

...Honing in on the Northeastern boom, (click here) Pennsylvania State University is so deeply involved with the gas industry that it’s hard to know where one stops and the other begins. If there is a father of the rush into the Marcellus Shale, it is probably Penn State geologist Terry Engelder. His home page carries a 2008 UPI report valuing his scientific contribution to “U.S. energy resources by a trillion dollars, plus or minus billions.”...

Where are the FRESH water quality standards that PREVENT this tragedy?  Whatever happened to the toxicology report regarding the 'fish and bird' die off from the Southern States?

The Gulf of Mexico is a Superfund site and the State of Louisiana is its primary polluter.

At the title to this entry is a 'fun site' that reflects accurate understandings of 'ppm' (Parts Per Million) of 'natural' components of ocean water.  Any chemical composition outside of those parameters has 'A SOURCE' which is causing imbalance and potential danger to the fisheries, the fish consumed from those fisheries, threatened and endangered marine mammals and corals, which leads to impacts on economic dynamics including tourism, sports fishing, commercial fishing, etc., etc., etc. It doesn't get easier than this.  The chemical components of ocean water is well known from decades of analysis.  Where the components of ocean water 'falls outside' the parameters of 'benign' to sealife is where analysis of 'fish meat' results in toxicity levels that effect human health which is also well documented. There is absolutely no reason why the people fishing our waters and those eating fish from those waters should have ANY doubt to what they are hauling in and what is going to market.   Where are the standards, where is the daily testing of fishery waters and where are the prohibitions on the petroleum industry to cause ANY and ALL toxicity to our waters. NO OFFSHORE DRILLING UNTIL OUR COASTS ARE COMPLETELY SAFE AND STANDARDS ARE ESTABLISHED. Oil consuming bacteria as a 'methodology' to oil spills is a wive's tale and nothing more because it robs our waters of vital oxygen for the fisheries to flourish. There is no reason for any of this mess to exist.  It is measurable and vital to our national security. Any State that allows components in their waters greater than what is reasonable without quick detection and response is negligent to citizens AND their economies.  Where States have been negligent in setting these standards and enforcing them the federal government IS REQUIRED to set standards and enforcement.  Just that simple. The people of the USA are tired of States that abuse their powers forcing the entire country to deal with their negligence while running up our national debt.
Trace Elements (Under 1 ppm)

• Rubidium – Rb
• Aluminum – Al
• Lithium – Li
• Barium – Ba
• Iodine – I
• Silicon – Si
• Nitrogen – N
• Zinc – Zn
• Lead – Pb
• Selenium – Se
• Arsenic – As
• Copper – Cu
• Tin – Sn
• Iron – Fe
• Cesium – Cs
• Manganese – Mn
• Phosphorous – P
• Thorium – Th
• Mercury – Hg
• Uranium – U
• Cobalt – Co
• Nickel – Ni
• Radium – Ra
• Beryllium – Be
• Cadmium – Cd
• Chromium – Cr
• Titanium – Ti
• Molybdenum – Mo
• Vanadium – V
• Antimony – Sb
• Gold – Au
• Silver – Ag
• Krypton – Kr
• Xenon – Xe
• Bismuth – Bi
• Zirconium – Zr
• Niobium – Nb
• Thallium – Tl
• Hafnium – Hf
• Helium – He
• Argon – Ar
• Neon – Ne
• Tungsten – W
• Germanium – Ge
• Rhenium – Re
• Lanthanum– La
• Neodymium – Nd
• Tantalum – Ta
• Yttrium – Y
• Cerium – Ce
• Dysprosium – Dy
• Erbium – Er
• Ytterbium – Yb
• Gadolinium – Gd
• Praseodymium – Pr
• Scandium – Sc
• Holmium – Ho
• Lutetium – Lu
• Indium – In
• Terbium – Tb
• Samarium – Sm
• Europium – Eu
• Protactinium – Pa
• Radon – Rn
• Technetium – Tc
• Ruthenium – Ru
• Rhodium – Rh
• Palladium – Pd
• Osmium – Os
• Iridium – Ir
• Platinum – Pt
• Astatine – At
• Francium – Fr
• Actinium – Ac

BP Deepwater Horizon Well Cap

There is absolutely no reason for ANY abandoned oil and gas rig to be left in USA waters. No reason for abandoned well rigs to be ANYWHERE on Earth.

NO REASON.

Absolutely no reason.

The US Food and Drug Administration demands all kinds of studies on products Americans consume.

But, no where when it comes to the damage the petroleum industry does to the American fisheries is there ANY federal toxicology study or REGULATION.

LD50s are demanded for all product the FDA allows to be marketed, so where are the LD50s and the effects on 'HUMAN CONSUMPTION and TOXICITY' of the fsiheries when the petroleum industry has disasters that effect...

...WATER QUALITY.

Where is the WATER QUALITY standard for 'salt water' in our fisheries where our fisherman obtain NUTRITION for the nation.

I defy anyone to find a FEDERAL STANDARD for 'salt water ocean water quality' and 'fish toxicity' coming out of the national's fisheries.

IT


IS


NOWHERE !

The Petroleum Industry was never demanded to perform these studies to prove they would not effect the people of the USA with their offshore drilling.

NEVER.

NOR, are there studies within the industry that shows their concern.

NONE.

Get those damn oil rigs out of USA waters.  NOW.  Until there are studies and conclusions about the SAFETY of the food products of our oceans they don't belong there!

Get the lousy things out of the Gulf of Mexico. Haven't done enough damage? Haven't they?

Louisiana is PATHETIC.  (click title to entry for video - thank you)

Louisiana needs to have all oil and gas drilling permits recalled.  They should NOT be allowed to conduct these operations off their coast, they endanger the countries fisheries and the Gulf Coast.

Maybe, just maybe there should be NO rigs in the Gulf of Mexico anywhere near the USA. 

NONE !

Because when one looks through the National Marine Fisheries Insitutie data there are ABSOLUTELY no stuides on the effects of toxic oil sluge on USA fisheries along the Gulf Coast.

NONEA !

What are those lousy things doing in our waters without the people of the USA even considered to be important enough to conduct toxicology studies BEFORE events that POISON us happen?

GET THEM OUT OF THE USA WATERS !

NOW !

The Coast Guard has (click title to entry - thank you) established a 1,000 yard security zone around the platform. There is also a temporary flight restriction 5 nautical miles around the platform and up to 5,000 feet, according to a Coast Guard news release.
After it received the report, the Coast Guard launched the following air and sea rescue vessels:

• MH-65C helicopter and crew from Air Station, New Orleans

• MH-65C helicopter and crew from Air Station, Houston, Texas

• HC-144 Ocean Sentry and crew from Aviation Training Center, Mobile, Alabama

• Coast Guard Cutter Sturgeon, an 87-foot protector class patrol boat homeported in Grand Isle, Louisiana.

Impressive turnout in Maidson.

Madison, Wisconsin is the 81st largest city in the USA with a 2000 censusbof 208,054.  Its 2009 estimated population was 235,626, making it the second largest city in Wisconsin.

235,626 people in Madison, Wisconsin.

MADISON (click title to entry - thank you)  — Nearly 70,000 people converged Saturday on the Wisconsin Capitol to join in protests over a Republican bill that would strip public workers of most of their collective bargaining powers.

The rally drew thousands of University of Wisconsin students, Madison teachers and Madison people who work in the tall state office buildings that ring the Capitol square.

continued...

For as inexperienced as one would expect the Libyan people to be they have formed a Transitional Council. Impressive.

Latest update: 04/03/2011 

By Cyril VANIER / Jérôme BONNARD

Preparing for after Gaddafi: Benghazi rebels organise transition council (click title to entry for video - thank you)

In Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city and one of the first to fall under rebel control, dissidents are scrambling to get organised. After Gaddafi's former Justice Minister announced the creation of a national transition council based in Benghazi, our reporters wanted to find out what that council is doing. They take us inside dissident headquarters in the city.

I am assuming every government on Earth knows they have to cancel all arms sales to Gadhafi.  Right?  Potentiallly aiding the gennocide of the Libyan people.  Got that?

All contracts to Libya's military are cancelled.  I suppose it would be best if the UN Security Council wrote a resolution to that effect.  End the killing.  Tough to do with protest signs.

Within the Transitional Council there can be 'advisors' from friendly nations.  The advisors can be Ambassadors 'in waiting' to return to the country.  The people may be unprepared to understand how to govern, but, they are completely campable of knowing they want a just and peaceful government that provides opportunity to them.  There should be such understandings in the UN Resolution as well.  Supportive allies to help with government transition, training and education.

The petroleum industries should not be anywhere near these people.  The oil fields belong to the people and it is the Libyan people that need to run their own oil infrastructure.  The petroleum industry has proven itself 'toxic' to any populous in any country.

"Morning Papers" - Its Origin

The Rooster
"Okeydoke"

My cast comes off on Wednesday.

Not the cat's cast, my cast. 

Fiberglass casts are marvelous things, but, when an extremity is ending its healing process and all one wants is to be set free, there exists nothing but annoyance.

I am counting the hours and to put together a blog tonight regarding the nation's sincere problems and where our focus needs to be would be tweeked by 'my attitude' at this moment.

The cast is coming off, in complete compliance with the surgeon, on Wednesday. 

There is a god.

Have a good evening and I'll be far happier and willing to be open minded this time next week.

Good night.

Senator Rubio believes "Race to the Top" gives the right incentives to State Governments.

He believes in Pell Grants (click title of entry for videos - thank you) and has used them himself to pay for higher education.  He states cutting defense budget is important as he sees much duplication and inefficiency. 

He is a bit confusing about Entitlements, however.  He states current recipients should go undistrubed while future beneficiaries should expect things to be different.  Then he states to a group of Tea Baggers:

...The West Miami Republican, (click here)  sent to Washington last fall with heavy tea party backing, said Medicare and Social Security spending is unsustainable. And the federal government’s $1.5 trillion deficit must be harnessed, Rubio told state lawmakers gathered in the House chambers.
But Rubio also conceded, “we have a political process in Washington that is frozen.”...

Senator Rubio needs to 'set his policy' and stick with it. 

What I am really curious about in relation to the entitlements is the profound future.  In other words, with the global picture taking less of a 'cold war' profile the need to sustain high military budgets is senseless.  I mean how long does the USA have to be the world's police?  Considering that in relation to continued reductions in spending to military expansion and knowing 'The Baby Boomer Bubble' will eventually end, will the entitlements actually take on a reasonable dynamic with ALL elements of expenditures in play and not just a 'future' picture based on 'here and now.'  I guess that is just me.

For the most part he sounds moderate, but, then he retreats to 'old rhetoric' to supply a connection to the public that is illegitimate. 

"We all have budgets to run our homes...but, the federal government simply passed continuing resolutions to continue spending at 'the same rate' as the previous years budget."

That statement was regarding the current Republican rhetoric regarding, "It is on way to run a government" in the 2010 continuing resolutions.  I might sound 'cute' for political purposes in attempting to further defame the Minority Speaker Pelosi (if that is possible), but, such a statement is poorly researched.

"Continuing Resolutions" were necessary in 2010 because of the Obstructionist Republicans in the Senate.  In nearly every bill effecting the fiscal spending of the USA in 2010 a 'conference' was convened to facilitate the funding of the government.  So before new and young Republicans with high hopes for their future start to recant the rhetoric of 'populous' media, they may want to actually have a staff member research the rhetoric and consider being THE LEADER they have aspirations to be.  Consider the source of such rhetoric Senator Rubio before it destroys a promising career.  Seriously.

Status of Appropriations Legislation for Fiscal Year 2010  (click here)

There is also some extremeist that is more about 'opportunism' of his power than sincere policy. 

He goes on to take on extremist views regarding the EPA.  He actually wants to attach a budget resolution to limit the EPA regarding The Clean Water Act after the worst oil and gas disaster in Gulf Coast history.  Could he be working with Florida's extremist governor to allow oil sludge to wash up on Florida's beaches while putting forward permits to drill off the Florida coast in ways it was protected before? 

My guess is yes. 

These regulations also impact a favorite crony of the Florida Republicans, The Sugar Industry.  How much election money and 'friendly ads' did he get in his run for US Senate?  Just because Rubio's has different cronies doesn't mean they are any different than the Koch brothers in their priorities and methodologies.  The Republicans always believe 'What is good for the cronies is good for the people."  Not when that means poor water quality, dying wetlands and everglades and potential toxic sluge from the BP Deepwater Horizon and oil rigs off Florida shores. 

The attack on the EPA as defended in the St. Pete Times isn't about any 'economic gains,' the regulations have been 'on the books' for decades.  This is an action by Rubio to remove the standards and lower costs to his cronies.  One has to ask, does anyone really want monies from businesses and organizations that seek to 'harm' to citizens and the 'small businesses' of any state?

...Rubio’s plan mirrors (click here) a similar measure by Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, who inserted a rider into the House budget bill that would severely limit the EPA’s funding for water-quality criteria in Florida. Now Rubio is planning to insert a similar rider in the budget resolution in an effort to bar the EPA from implementing those rules.
Rubio defended his decision in a statement made to the St. Petersburg Times: “At a time when our state is facing double-digit unemployment and our families are struggling with the effects of a prolonged recession, the last thing we need is another Washington mandate that will cost billions, destroy jobs and increase daily costs.”
According to Julie Hauserman of environmental law firm Earthjustice, Rubio’s budget rider will stop the EPA from enforcing new limits on sewage, fertilizer and manure waste, all of which “spark toxic algae outbreaks all over Florida, closing beaches, wrecking fishing, and causing serious health problems for people and animals.”...

There are no new EPA rules in Florida, this is a matter of enforcing the ones that already exist.
In Print: Thursday, March 3, 2011
...Congressional action cannot undo the new pollution rules, said David Guest of Earthjustice, the law firm that successfully pursued the lawsuit against the EPA. Because the rules are in place "that means people have to comply with it," he said. To argue otherwise "is like saying the Clean Water Act doesn't apply south of the Georgia line."

Rubio is a liar and he is pandering to cronies.  Like I said, these regulations have been in place for decades.  We have witnessed these toxic dumps and the algal blooms off the Florida coast because the Sugar Industry in Florida disregarded the law.

In the case of Columbia, South AMERICA, Rubio and Obama agree.  The Columbia FTA has come a long way from its first 'write' in 2006.  Columbia is as strategic a partner, as is Israel, it is time the Columbia FTA be signed and put into law.  Unlike NAFTA, this agreement eliminates 80% of tarriffs on American goods being exported and will create job opportunities rather than destroy them.  Columbia has worked hard at eliminating all of the US concerns and there is simply no reason not to sign this into law.  The Columbian leadership met with President Obama during his summit, but, it never got much attention so much as Mr. Chavez's book did in attempts to exploit the possibility of fostering President Obama as a communist or worse a "Socialist."  So much for the USA Media and what is not sensationaism rather than 'good reporting' about the facts.

It is the 'faux' content of Republican rhetoric Senator Rubio needs to shun, along with the cronyism and corruption of 'post elections.' 
State Sponsors of Terrorism?  Cuba?  Gitmo is there, what is Rubio talking about?  The USA probably has more information regarding Cuba than anty other country on the planet.  Cuba would never get away with sponsoring terrorism.  If anything it is a good listening post.

Obama: We will move forward with Colombia FTA (click here)

Thursday, 11 March 2010 15:22 Kirsten Begg

U.S. President Barack Obama said his nation plans to move forward the U.S.'s free trade agreement (FTA) with Colombia, in an address on export policy at the Export-Import Bank's annual conference.
"We're going to strengthen relations with key partners, specifically South Korea, Panama, Colombia, with the goal of moving forward with existing agreements in a way that upholds our values," said the president.
Obama's comments come amid growing exasperation from Colombia over the U.S.'s reluctance to seal the deal on the agreement....

It may be Senator Rubio is not as 'wild' in his ideologies as the Tea Baggers want to him be either.

...Though Rubio (click here) became a darling of the tea party and attended rallies during the 2010 campaign, his early decisions have illustrated he’s more the former Florida House Speaker he once was than a tea party convert.
He hired a D.C. insider — Cesar Conda, an advisor to former Vice President Dick Cheney — as his chief of staff and he traveled in January to Afghanistan and Pakistan with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell....
...“Instead of going after quotes and attention and interviews, he’s focusing on learning policy,” said state Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, the Republican majority leader in Tallahassee....


The "Cheney Connection" is evident in some of his policies primarily with 'strong arming' nations smaller and less able to defend from USA military armament.  Those communists make good political targets for electioneering rhetoric.  Increasing flights to Cuba opens up competition between airports and airlines.  Oddly, I thought Republicans thrive on competition.  One just never knows.

A legislative effort to block (click here) White House plans to expand travel to Cuba failed, but the sponsor, Sen. Marco Rubio, said he will continue to push for passage.

WASHINGTON -- — Sen. Marco Rubio's effort to block the Obama administration's planned expansion of travel to Cuba has been grounded -- at least for now.
The Florida Republican and Democratic New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez had hoped to prevent any new flights from U.S. airports to Cuba following the White House announcement last month to ease travel restrictions to the communist island nation.
But the amendment the pair had hoped to attach to a funding bill for the Federal Aviation Administration won't be heard.
The effort drew sharp criticism from the Tampa Area Chamber of Commerce, which backs Tampa International Airport’s bid to host some of the flights. The group sent a letter to Rubio, asking him to withdraw the amendment, which it called "unfair to those businesses and Cuban-Americans who must bear the undue financial burden and inconvenience of having to travel through Miami....

And he actually was quoted as saying this, "Increasing direct commercial or charter aircraft flights with state sponsors of terrorism is totally irresponsible," (click here)




Senator Rubio has been given a high ranking committee position for a Freshman Senator to 'kick start' his prowess in 'global affairs.'  After all no one wants the next Republican candidate for Vice President to be a complete dolt.  I am somewhat confident the now Senator Rubio was the 'die for candidate' to run with Jeb Bush at the head of the ticket as soon as 2012.  According to the former governor that isn't a possiblity.

As chair in this Subcommittee, Senator Rubio needs to focus less on rhetoric about tyrannical regimes and more on halting the drug cartels fueling the Mexican border issue.  There are also guns passing over the USA border into Mexico that faciliates their terrorism of the Mexican people and enforcement of their drug economy.  After all there were USA embassies targeted by the Mexican drug cartels and officers gunned down.  If Senator Rubio is serious about his appointment and wants to sincerely contribute then he needs to re-focus on the issues rather than the rhetoric.  He might find that difficult with a Neocon as a chief of staff.

...U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that he will lead Republicans on the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Global Narcotics Affairs under the umbrella of the full Senate Foreign Relations Committee -- giving the Sunshine State one more seat at the table in dealing with the U.S.’s policy in Latin America.

Rubio said he understood the important connections between South and Central American nations and the Sunshine State.

“The United States’ economy and security are inextricably linked to this hemisphere’s future,” said Rubio. “As the gateway to the Americas, Florida in particular benefits enormously from robust commercial, cultural and family ties to Latin America.”

Rubio, who met Tuesday with Gov. Luis Fortuno of Puerto Rico, said he would use his new position to promote greater free-trade opportunities with Latin American nations and would stand up to tyrannical regimes in the region....

I like Marco Rubio's potential.  I believe he is capable of 'clarity' few Republicans value or seek.   I sincerely want him to be afforded the opportunity he seeks and prepares for.  I certainly hope my expectations of  'sincerity' and 'correctness' of Senator Rubio are not disappointed.

Bridging the great divide.

I am the last one to agree with Republican policy.  Why?  Because I believe with every ounce of fiber that those policies and principles are wrong for the country.

However and I mean this with every ounce of my fiber, that there is a 'greater good' to be served in the USA by closing the 'political ideology bridge' with real facts, the truth and what is best for the USA.

Regardless of how Former Governor Jeb Bush urshered in policies for Florida which I strongly believe was adverse to what is best for Florida and were more political than they should have been;  I cannot ignore what is best for the country and I believe he would say the same thing.  The fact that the country needs to be healed of its extremist views which dominated the 2010 elections.  Views that Former Governor Jeb Bush never adhered to or made a part of anyone's reality.  He didn't 'do a go round with Governor Perry or otherwise.  I anyone recalls.

I am pleased to see and I thank the Former Governor Jeb Bush for appearing on the same stage with a President I love dearly and his Education Secretary as they attempt to bring the nation together in the same spirit of cooperation.

I could carry on and on and on with 'What's wrong with this picture?;' but, it would not do the nation any good.  Former Governor Jeb Bush came forward to make a statement about closing the 'great divide' between Democrats and Republicans to find 'the high ground' where what is best for the nation.  There is NOTHING wrong with that picture.

I would sincerely like the rhetorical statements by any party to stop and real progress take place in the USA.  Let's hope this helps.  I sincerely doubt President Obama or Secreatary Arne Duncan are changing their policies or philosophies as to what is best for the country.  There is sincerely ways of closing the gap on what is best for America and it includes the love of family, the ideal of American exceptionalism and what is good economic policy that doesn't kick 'the entire next generation' down the road for the sake of deficit reduction.  There are right ways and wrong ways to seeking the same goals.  Let's hope this joint appearance helps with that understanding.

Personally, from observing President Obama since he took office; many of his policies are strongly based in the idea of 'The Future of America while solving the present problems.' He does this with a love for his daughters.  I don't care if that policy is about the economic stability of the country, education and protecting and preparing our mind trust or climate policy.  He looks at policy from a stand point that includes the next generation and not simply 'here and now.'

I thank him, Secretary Duncan and Former Governor Jeb Bush for taking this valuable first step.

Nice.

It seems to me two years after its passing, the Recovery and Reinvestment Act is finally reaching the USA economy.

March 4 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama (click title to entry - thank you) said the future of the U.S. economy depends on investing in education to produce "highly skilled" workers as he defended teachers by imploring the nation to honor them.

"The single most important thing companies are looking for are highly skilled, highly educated workers," the president told students and teachers today at Florida's Miami Central Senior High School. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, a Republican, and Education Secretary Arne Duncan accompanied Obama on the visit....

The 2010 elections showed a country out of touch with their own realities and reacting to emotionally charged rhetoric rather than a clear understanding of how their government clearly works.  That is sincerely unfortunate in the USA.

The state legislatures that meeting only occassionally every year would not have acted on the 2009 funds until 2010 and the implementation of those funds would not be for another six months or so resulting in late year 2010 and early 2011 job growth.  Then take into account loans to small businesses being delayed due to unavailable bank funds and government legislation to provide those funds and now we are starting to see the result.

The American people can't be this 'dim' about the way their government works, are they?  If so, then why?

In many states across the country the legislation sessions are far different than the way Washington conducts their sessions (click here).  This website shows when sessions were convened and adjourned.  In many instances the legislation sessions are only three months long.  That meant the Recovery Act would have passed the federal legislature and went to signature in February 2009.  Those funds were not available to the States due to their short sessions until 2010.  In the case of Arkansas their fiscal session would only occur on even years, hence 2010 would be the earliest it would have looked at state budgets and funding.

Nothing happens in government as fast as it does in the daily lives of Americans.  Complain if you like, but, that will never change.  It is far different calling everyone to dinner when they first have to receive food stamps funded by federal dollars than it does the dinner table in any American home.

The jobs numbers reflect SPENDING and not CUTTING by the federal system.  I mean get real here.  Unitl there is a recovered economy in the USA the 'cutting' of federal budgets can only be 'ceremonial' and nothing more.

Get real already.  Supposedly 'being real' is what Americans are all about these days, right?  Sure.

There were four states in the USA that didn't even have legislative sessions in 2010 and won't be looking at Recovery money until this year.  The people of the USA are very poorly aware of their government and that allows a lot of lies and manipulation to control elections.  It is a problem.

This is Wisconsin in 2010:

 Last general session convened on January 19, 2010 and the business floor period ended on April 22; no more are currently scheduled. 

This is the legislative session for Wisconsin 2012 (click here)

January 3, 2011 Monday

FloorperiodJanuary 11, 2011 Tuesday

FloorperiodJan 25 to Feb. 10, 2011 Tu − Th

FloorperiodFebruary 22 to 24, 2011 Tu − Th

FloorperiodMarch 8 to 10, 2011 Tu − Th

Bills sent to GovernorMarch 24, 2011 Thursday

FloorperiodApril 5 to 14, 2011 Tu − Th

FloorperiodMay 10 to 19, 2011 Tu − Th

FloorperiodJune 7 to 30, 2011, OR budget passage

Nonbudget Bills sent to GovernorAugust 4, 2011 Thursday

This is an outrage and goes too far. If there are clubs banned because of hated of gays, then there should be no sports teams either.

Victimizing young people is about as low as it gets.  The administrators and elected officials should be charged with discrimination and removed from their jobs.

...In a 2009 survey by the Gay, (click title to entry - thank you) Lesbian and Straight Network, 1 in 9 American LGBT students reported experiencing harassment at school, proving a need for GSAs in schools to help combat bullying and prejudice....

This is bullying at the highest levels.  The adults need to be removed from their jobs.

...The mayor of Redondo Beach, (click here) California is planning to run for a seat in US Congress, which would make him the first openly gay Republican voted into the House.
Mike Gin, 48, has been a councilman in Redondo Beach for eight years and is in his second term as mayor.
There are no openly gay Republicans currently serving on Capitol Hill, but he would be the fifth openly gay member of the House. According to the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, Gin would be the first out gay Asian American to run for Congress....