July 4, 2012

:woohoo: This is my 12,000th post.

Congratulations to me!

July 3, 2012

I blame reagan.

He brought the religious right into the tent and that led to Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and those narrow-minded social conservatives' eventual take-over of the GOP.

They formed a symbiotic relationship with reagan and it has hardened over the decades into the hate-fest that characterizes the repuke party. The rise of vitriolic wing-nut radio was another factor.

JMO

July 2, 2012

It's a done deal. The budget is signed, sealed and delivered.

Governor Tom Corbett signs budget with minutes to spare
Published: Sunday, July 01, 2012, 12:31 AM Updated: Sunday, July 01, 2012, 1:48 AM
JAN MURPHY, The Patriot-News By JAN MURPHY, The Patriot-News

Gov. Tom Corbett avoided the embarrassment of a late state budget, but he made it close.
Like last year, he only had minutes to spare before the clock struck midnight on the last day of the fiscal year when he signed it in the Capitol Rotunda.

The nearly $27.7 billion budget includes no tax increase or new taxes. It ensures that no public school or public university receives less money than last year.

The 2012-13 budget cuts business taxes by $288 million and doubles funding for tax credits for businesses supporting education.*

At the same time, it cuts spending on child care programs for low-income working families, eliminates cash assistance for a slice of the state's welfare recipients, cuts funding for county-provided human services and cuts funding for environmental protection.*

Link: http://blog.pennlive.com/midstate_impact/print.html?entry=/2012/07/governor_tom_corbett_signs_bud.html

**emphasis added by poster.

The big tax break for the cracker plant in Beaver Co. passed, as did another $75 million cut for businesses who offer "scholarships" for students to attend private schools. A tougher teacher evaluation system will be implemented, based 50% on student test scores. Funding for schools and colleges remains at last year's levels. According to the right wing Tribune-Review, 14 democrats voted for it.

Link: http://triblive.com/news/2133876-74/schools-budget-corbett-bill-public-million-cameras-fiscal-legislation-signed

And there you have it....

July 1, 2012

I have been postponing retirement because of health care...

but now I am seriously considering going after the next school year.

I have been waiting for this for a long time!

July 1, 2012

Elvis. nt

June 28, 2012

Romney speaking right FUCKING now.

Bad manners... going before the President!

Says he will repeal it... going on and one about why "Obamacare" is bad for America.

Just. Go. Away.

June 28, 2012

Romney to make a statement at 11:45. Boehner NOT making a statement now.

Just reported on MSNBC.

Boehner has to pop a couple of happy pills first, I guess???

June 28, 2012

President Obama will make a statement at 12:15.

Just reported on MSNBC.

June 27, 2012

Recent LTTE by Rep. Critz, defending the frackers and the DEP:

Stick to fracking science, not the politics

By Mark S. Critz

Published: Saturday, June 23, 2012, 2:38 p.m.

At a recent U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson justified the agency’s “desire to do additional science around hydraulic fracturing ... because the public’s trust in that technology we believe is also based on the belief that we are looking to bring the very best science to bear, to ensure that it remains safe.” While no one would argue with the importance of ensuring safety in responsible shale-gas development, recent missteps and questionable actions by the EPA have regrettably cast doubt upon the agency’s credibility and ability to put forth the “best science” to ensure the public’s trust.

In addition to last month’s embarrassing resignation of the EPA’s Region 6 administrator for subjectively placing a bull’s-eye on the oil and gas industry, the EPA also has shown an anti-gas bias in Pennsylvania with its attempts to torpedo the proposed MARC 1 Pipeline after the project gained approval from the federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

As a result, there is mounting concern that EPA officials are committed to political agendas instead of looking out for the overall best interests of the public.

>snip<

*With the huge strides made by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) over the last few generations, there are clear indications that Pennsylvania’s hydraulic fracturing regulations are working. And while the EPA has an important role as partners with the state, the agency should avoid stepping into an area that the DEP has a long history of overseeing.

More at link: http://triblive.com/opinion/2055478-74/epa-fracturing-hydraulic-public-science-agency-gas-pennsylvania-based-concern?printerfriendly=true

* I added the BOLD. This POS has the gall to defend the PA DEP while everyone "knows" that Gov. Gashole exempted the drillers from environmental regulations.

June 25, 2012

Some pundits are saying tomorrow or Thursday.

Or Tuesday or Wednesday... LOL

JMO, but if they keep the ACA except the mandate, the media will portray it as a stunning defeat for Obama. If that happens, I would encourage the President to go back to the drawing board and find another way to fund it. The other provisions are very popular with the public.

My hope (of course) is that it will not be struck down in part or at all. Nancy Pelosi predicted 6-3 in favor. Hoping she is correct.