McCain Not Helping Solve It - We Can!

"McCain's hoping to use gas prices as a wedge issue to win the election. That's why it's so critical that we keep spreading the message that McCain's been heavily influenced by the oil companies.When people think of Bush, they think 'oil,' but that's not true of McCain yet—even though his energy policy is almost identical to Bush's and his campaign is literally run by oil lobbyists! Check out this video from our friends at Progressive Accountability. Once you've watched, pass it on! And then please consider a donation (below) to help us spread the word."
MoveOn.org Political Action: Democracy in Action

Below is are a few things I've read on the matter:

"The projections in the OCS access case indicate that access to the Pacific, Atlantic, and eastern Gulf regions would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030. Leasing would begin no sooner than 2012, and production would not be expected to start before 2017. Total domestic production of crude oil from 2012 through 2030 in the OCS access case is projected to be 1.6 percent higher than in the reference case, and 3 percent higher in 2030 alone, at 5.6 million barrels per day. For the lower 48 OCS, annual crude oil production in 2030 is projected to be 7 percent higher—2.4 million barrels per day in the OCS access case compared with 2.2 million barrels per day in the reference case (Figure 20). Because oil prices are determined on the international market, however, any impact on average wellhead prices is expected to be insignificant." http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/otheranalysis/ongr.html

Mccain's campaign also says it will do no good; http://thinkprogress.org/2008/06/18/top-mccain-adviser-offshore-drilling-will-have-no-immediate-effect-on-gas-prices/

No expert will back the BushCain claim; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/23/impossible-finding-expert_n_108692.html

They are relying on skewed polling data based on biased questions to proclaim more Americans are for drilling: http://solveclimate.com/blog/20080728/poll-truth-clean-energy-solutions-topple-drilling and http://wilderness.org/Library/Documents/upload/BRS-Omnibus-Poll_07-22-08.pdf

The Saudi's will pump more this year at our President's request than the entire drilling venture would contribute; http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/6/24/151852/447

And here's why they are so under informed; http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/6/25/10526/4230.

The simple reality is, drilling just will never, ever do what McCain and Bush think it will.
Here's why
http://www.theseminal.com/2008/06/18/drilling-is-a-fraud/

John McCain's Connection to Big Oil & The Enron Loopholehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdRbuUQNcxw

and http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/6/30/62830/1353

On MSNBC Live, Andrea Mitchell discussed Sen. John McCain's call to end the moratorium on offshore oil drilling with RNC deputy chairman Frank Donatelli, but did not mention that Donatelli was a registered lobbyist for energy sector clients ExxonMobil and Dominion Resources before joining the RNC. Click here to read more... http://mediamatters.org/items/200806180004

Suppose we raised average fuel efficiency to 40 MPG by 2030; this would save us more than 5 million barrels of oil per day, 25 times as much as we would get from Senator McCain's offshore drilling. Since many cars sold today already get more than 40 MPG, this is hardly an unrealistic target. Americans drove 11 billion fewer miles in '07 http://www.dot.gov/affairs/fhwa1108.htm.

Wherever we set our targets, the simple arithmetic shows that it is far easier to have an impact on oil markets through conservation than drilling in environmentally sensitive areas.
http://www.truthout.org/article/john-mccain-wants-drill-your-toilet

An EPA email that the white house refused to open, in an attempt to stall enacting the measures recommended within, found danger to human health caused by climate change. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/24/AR2008072403423.html?hpid=sec-health

and http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/white-house-wont-open-emails-pt2.php

Robert Kaufmann, director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies at Boston University, talks about the realities of offshore oil drilling, including how much oil there might be, when it would be available and what the consequences could be. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92677194

Alaska's longtime senator, Republican Ted Stevens, has been indicted by a federal grand jury as part of a continuing investigation of corruption in Alaska politics. The indictment accuses Stevens of filing false disclosure reports about his personal finances for 2001-2006, concealing more than $250,000 in home renovations that a private company paid for. That company was VECO, a multinational oil services company that has been at the center of the feds' corruption investigation since it was made public in 2007. http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2008/07/feds-indict-alaska-sen-stevens.html

Testimony before Senate by Michael W Masters:

I have been successfully managing a long-short equity hedge fund for over 12 years and I have extensive contacts on Wall Street and within the hedge fund community. Itʼs important that you know that I am not currently involved in trading the commodities futures markets. I am not representing any corporate, financial, or lobby organizations. I am speaking with you today as a concerned citizen whose professional background has given me insight into a situation that I believe is negatively affecting the U.S. economy.While some in my profession might be disappointed that I am presenting this testimony to Congress, I feel that it is the right thing to do.You have asked the question “Are Institutional Investors contributing to food and energy price inflation?” And my unequivocal answer is “YES.” http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/_files/052008Masters.pdf

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The government charged an oil trading firm Thursday with manipulating oil prices in the first complaint to be announced since the regulators began a new investigation into wrongdoings in the energy markets. http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/24/markets/cftc/

H. R. 6604
Bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to bring greater transparency and accountability to commodity markets, and for other purposes http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-6604

Please join more than one million others who know it will take all of us coming together to solve the climate crisis. http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/s/challengeremix

Conservative Ralph Nader by the Southern Avenger

It appears to me that Mr. Nader is really concerned with fixing the system, removing the corporate buyout and setting things back in order. I'm sure he has personal opinions, but it doesn't seem like he would push those over having the system, unhindered by bias and politics, do it's job. It seems as though he is working, not for the left, or the right but for the Americans. I'm quite certain he would be dismayed to see a majority of his fellow Americans choose not to accept single payor government health care, but I'm sure he'd be the happiest man on earth if that decision was made democratically by the American people without fraud or manipulation.

The explosive video above is produced by a conservative blogger, with whom I have little in common. Faith and hope in the American way and the ability to see the difference between politicians and patriots appear to be two things we do see eye to eye on.

West-Eastern Divan Orchestra - Arabs and Jews Making Musical Connections

Winner of the prestigious Wolf Prize at the Knesset and Conductor of the Arab Israeli youth orchestra West-Eastern Divan, Mr.Daniel Barenboim in a speech before the President an audience and member of the Wolf Foundation, relates that when he was 10 years old in 1952 four years after Israel's declaration of independence his parents and he immigrated. The declaration of independence, to him, was a source of inspiration. The declaration expressed an obligation he quotes:

"The State of Israel will dedicate itself to the development of this country to the benefit of all it's people. It will be founded on the principles of liberty, justice and the welfare of all its people guided by the visions of the prophets of Israel. Regardless of the differences of faith, race or sex, it will guarantee all its citizens equal social and political rights. It pledges the assurance of freedom of religion, opinion, language, education and culture. On behalf of all, the signatories of the declaration of independence vow their allegiance to: 'Peace and Good Neighborly Relations will all bordering states and their peoples.' With profound distress I'm asking today: 'Does the occupation of another state and rule over its people accord with the declaration of independence? Is there any sense in the independence of one country at the expense of the fundamental rights of another? Can the Jewish people, whose history is one of persistent suffering and persecution, allow itself to be indifferent to the basic rights and the sufferings of a neighboring state? Can the state of Israel permit itself to indulge in the unrealistic dream of an ideological end to the conflict, instead of striving for a pragmatic, humanitarian solution based on social justice? I have always believed that there can be no military solution to the conflict, neither on moral nor on strategic grounds. Now that is has become apparent that a solution has to be found, I ask myself: Why should I wait until such a solution materializes? This is why, together with my late, lamented friend, Edward Said, I have established a workshop for young musicians from all the countries of the Middle East, Jews and Arabs alike. By its very nature, music can elevate the feelings and the imagination of Israelis and Palestinians to new unimaginable spheres. Accordingly, I have decided to donate the monies that come with this award to the musical education activities in Israel and Ramallah. Thank You!"

He was promptly chastised by the chair of the Wolf Foundation and minister of education culture and sport Limor Livnat for using the arena and podium to what she called, "Attack the state of Israel". The relatively small crowd came to life at this point, some cheers some boos and a small sign that said "Music makes you free" held by an elderly gray haired man. Explaining that it was a difficult decision for her to take part in the ceremony and give Daniel Barenboim the award and it was not only difficult for her. She goes on to say that she was unable to dissuade the chairman of the Knesset who had elected not to be present, and she believed it was not right. She thought she would be able to conduct the ceremony without offense and outrage. Linvat says she respected the decision of the jury and hoped that her audience would respect her view also. She expressed sorrow that Mr. Barenboim had decided differently and immediately left the podium to retake her seat.

Again Mr. Barenboim takes the podium, looking a little startled and slightly confused, He asked to be allowed for one minute to remind the minister of education Limor Livnat that she has recalled the fact that freedom exists here, thus giving him the opportunity to say what he had said. "But I should also like to point out that I have not attacked the state of Israel, I have taken the liberty of quoting from the declaration of independence, and asking some rhetorical questions. Madam minister, it is your undisputed right to give different answers to them. Thank you."

The man holding the sign, the design which was found to be hanging over the gate at Auschwitz, was Menahem Alexenberg, member of the Wolf Foundation Council. "I held it up after Barrenboim started talking about the arts, he made a political speech. The idea that you can completely ignore the political situation here and think that you can make peace with people who want to kill you. The Arab and Islamic world trying to destroy Israel as an independent Jewish state" He goes on to say Mr. Barenboim is a party to that. The next scene is of the Arab and Israeli youth from the orchestra, made possible by Mr. Barenboim, swimming and playing together in a swimming pool looking very much like teenage friends or family members at a summer gathering here in America.

People take what they want from words and experiences, sometimes what they want is a surprise to them. I found it hard to understand the anger from Limor Livnat and Mr. Alexenberg completely confused me with how he could hold that sign after listening to the music made by an orchestra of Arab and Israeli youth, and then listening to the man that made it possible quote liberty, justice, equality, freedom of religion and thought, Peace and Good neighborly relations from the Israeli declaration of independence, his own declaration of independence, then accuse him of being a party to the process of "the Arab and Islamic world trying to destroy Israel as an independent Jewish state".

The entire program was shown today on OVTV, but I don't see it scheduled anywhere again on TV. Here is a link for the speech noted above: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CTpf_jUXHyI

Here is the link for the windows media center trailer: http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ai=455&ar=4401&ak=null

Here is the link for the windows media player firefox player: http://www.israelifilms.co.il/40420/4401

U.S., Israel and Iran: A Clear View

A fellow blogger Payvand has published a very direct and to the point article, re-stating what many lesser media friendly faces have been telling us for a while.

Please check out the article

• Iran is effectively surrounded by American troops which are based in Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey and Persian Gulf.
• Iran is being threatened almost daily by American and Israeli officials. Even nuclear attacks on Iran have been contemplated and discussed.
• U.S. and Israel have nuclear weapons. Iran doesn't.
• U.S. and Israel have invaded other countries in the region. Iran hasn't.
• Israel recently conducted a massive exercise over the Mediterranean consisting of around 100 planes. This was supposed to be a dry run in preparation of a possible attack on Iran.
• A just published expose piece by investigative journalist Seymour Hersh has revealed that the Bush Administration has stepped up its secret moves against Iran by budgeting $400M to create chaos in Iran and to destabilize the regime.
• U.S. Congressional Resolution H.CON.RES 362 ( calls on the president to stop all shipments of refined petroleum products from reaching Iran. It also "demands" that the President impose "stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains and cargo entering or departing Iran." Experts say the measures called for in the resolutions amount to an act of war.
• U.S. has held many intimidating war games in Persian Gulf and just finished another one!

The fact is it is the U.S. troops that have barged in Iran's backyard and threaten to enter the house. Now why is it so upsetting if Iran fires a few missiles to say we are ready? Should we instead expect them to kneel down and submit, because that fits our interests? Iran has repeatedly stated that they will attack back if they are attacked. However, this defensive posturing is conveniently interpreted as provocation by both U.S. and Israel while ignoring their own offensive posturing!

There is no way out of this stalemate except for dialogue and diplomacy. Iran has repeatedly signaled readiness to engage in negotiations without any preconditions. U.S. has however repeatedly shunned Iran's offers and continues to insist on "verifiable uranium enrichment freeze by Iran" as a precondition to negotiations. Many analysts and experts are pressing the Bush Administration to drop the precondition and engage in dialogue. It's time to heed the advice of these experts.

War will not benefit Americans, Israelis or Iranians. In fact many experts have sounded the alarms that an attack by U.S. or Israel on Iran will engulf the whole region in fire and have global repercussions. This warning shouldn't be taken lightly. It is time to focus the world's energies on addressing important issues such as global warming, food shortages, poverty and diseases. No more killing and destroying please!

About the author: Ali Moayedian is a concerned Iranian-American. He lives in San Francisco Bay Area.
... Payvand News - 07/10/08 ...

Mccain=Bush Doesn't even Fly at a Republican Gathering

DENVER, Colo. On orders from Senator John McCain's security detail, Denver police escorted a 61-year-old woman away who was waiting in line to attend a so-called town hall meeting with McCain that was billed as open to the public.

Carol Kreck, who works as a librarian in Denver, held a homemade sign reading 'McCain = Bush.' On orders from McCain's security detail, police cited her for trespassing and escorted her to the sidewalk. She was told if she returned she would be arrested.
'And all I did was carry a sign that said McCain = Bush,' Kreck said. 'And for everyone who voted for Bush, I don't see why it's offensive to say McCain = Bush.'
This episode by McCain's Secret Service appears to be a rerun of McCain's 2005 town hall in Denver with President Bush in which the Secret Service had three Denver citizens removed from an 'open' event where McCain was campaigning with Pres. Bush for his plan to privatize social security."

This meeting was held on public city property. You will also be seeing this sort of thing at the Democrat's gatherings. Is this the sort of America you thought you lived in? Don't you think it will be easier now, to stand up for what you think America should be, rather than waiting until later when the effort might take a more drastic turn? Independence, Revolution...either of those ring any bells for you?

Take the time this year, do your research, show up at the meetings, make your voice heard. You'll never forgive yourself if you don't.