Category Archives: Andy’s Other Thoughts

For those topics that pique my interest but dont’t fit the Single-party State categories.

Tracking the Growth of American Authoritarianism

“Can There Really Be Fascist People In A Democracy?”
Libertarians are stealthily taking over America.

Since the 1971 Powell Memo, America has moved closer and closer to Fascism.

 

My Most Recent Postings Are Shared at Op Ed News

——— Check them out! ———

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The Darkness of Plagues – Dawn of Better Societies

Now we are in a forth plague that could “bend the arch of history” and “upend core economy structures.” We can do better than capitalism. Continue reading

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How My Moral Values Guide My Politics

Our moral values inform and provide the foundation for our political choices. My political choices have changed over the decades as I’ve evolved my moral foundation. As I’ve stated many times, including in my email signature, “The morally right option … Continue reading

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Fiscal Conservatism Has It’s Place – Just Not at the Federal Level

If the federal government were forced into fiscal conservatism and had to balance its budget instead of balancing the economy, our economy could not be rescued or protected from another financial crisis nor could it help solve national problems like it did after other Great Recessions, or needs to do now to minimize the Sixth Great Extinction. Continue reading

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Protection, Empowerment, Freedom from Injustice, and Participation – Rebuilding the Middle Class

As an American Baby Boomer, I’ve lived under two different systems of government: Post depression/post WWII and pre 1980s government: Government of, by, and for the People requires: Government with the moral purpose to equally protect and empower ALL the … Continue reading

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It’s All About Voters Who Are Angry at the Establishment.

The BREXIT surprise resulted from a broken political system burdened by an austerity driven, neoliberal, economic system under the EU that drove angry voters to the polls. Is this a precursor for a surprise in the US presidential election? Aren’t … Continue reading

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More Than Ever, Dems Need Progressive Independents to Win – Two Perspectives

Based on two different graphics about voter preferences, one for party and one for progressive vs conservative, Dems will win only if they inspire the progressive base and progressive independents to vote. According to results of the above Gallup poll, … Continue reading

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November election – How to Minimize War and It’s Fuel: Greed

The Powell Memo of 1971 formalized our path to this point in our corporatocracy. Since the corporate plan laid out in this memo has: been funded by the likes of Koch, Coors, Olin, Bradley, Scaife, and others; has constructed a … Continue reading

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The New Socialism and Bernie Sanders, #FeelTheBern

From Bernie Sanders is a democratic socialist, but what does that term mean?: There are essentially two types of socialists in modern Western democratic politics. Social democrats are effectively what the left is in nearly every Western European and North … Continue reading

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Lawrence Lessig’s “The USA is Lesterland” – But It Take More Than Spreading the Funding Influence

Lawrence Lessig: We the People, and the Republic we must reclaim Please watch the video first.   Lessig ends by saying, “We have lost that Republic. All of us have to act to get it back.” I agree with that … Continue reading

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I guess the only thing left to do IS VOTE.

– First they came for the unions, but I didn’t vote. – Then they diverted pay raises for my increased productivity to corp profit and my spouse went to work to help pay the mortgage, but we still didn’t vote. … Continue reading

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Amerian Wariors Proliferate War Mentality Across America, Atlantic Ocean Warms, Fracking Protest

Suggested Reading for Week Ending 8/24 A Former Marine Explains All the Weapons of War Being Used by Police in Ferguson One small way to measure the police violence against black people in Ferguson is to attend to its details. … Continue reading

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Success of 50 Years Of Fighting to End Poverty Minimized by 30 Years of Neoliberal Economics, But …

… social change is happening and growing inequality is the great enabler. Relative to Bill Moyer’s 8 stages of successful social change and postings in Popular Resistance, we are in Stage 6, “Majority Public Support.” According to the review of … Continue reading

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Move the “Center” Back to the Left – Where America Is

The following is a slightly longer version of my letter to The White House. Mr. President, I’ll be 65 in a few days. I’ve seen and experienced parts of America’s history which you may have only read about. Also since … Continue reading

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In Support of Mayors Against Illegal Guns – Stop Domestic Terrorism

Americans are more likely to be killed by domestic terrorists with guns than international terrorists with bombs. When will we redirect our national resources to reflect this higher threat to American lives? Sign the petition … Also, here’s my message … Continue reading

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Chief Justice Roberts Affordable Care Act (ACA) decision: Winning Battle – Losing the War?

Based on comments made by Thom Hartmann last week, Roberts has handed the extreme right another rallying cause. Just like Roe v Wade, this decision will be used for decades to rally the right-wing authoritarian base. It will inspire ALEC … Continue reading

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War on Deficit/Debt – Sharing the Pain

If we are going to be forced to deal with the deficit/debt and ignore the economy and jobs, then getting the deficit/debt under control must be shared by all. Everyone must sacrifice, but some more than others. It must be … Continue reading

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The Lipstick Applied by the White House is not Making this Pig Pretty

The following are my two rants sent to the White House on their tax break stimulus package. To Anyone who cares: I’ve watched the White Board video to explain the infamous tax break agreement and I’m not convinced. Something about … Continue reading

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As a Texan, Im Ashamed of Congressman Joe Barton

Mr. Barton, You’re ashamed of BP suffering through a meeting with the President and having to honor their promise to pay “all legitimate claims?” As a homegrown Texan, I’m ashamed of your apology to BP. What could have made you … Continue reading

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Lois B. Hailey, WWII Pilot and Teacher – She Will Be Missed by So Many

  Lois “Brooksie” Hailey 1/18/1915 to 4/24/2010 Lois Brooks Hailey, 95, passed away April 24, 2010 at her son’s home in Friendswood, Texas. She was born on January 18, 1915, in the house where she would grow up in Reno, … Continue reading

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DEMOCRATS – It’s Time To Stop Playing by Their Rules

The following was sent to leaders of the Democrat Party: ————————– Why are Democrats so afraid of the Republicans? Why are Democrats so afraid of standing up for their progressive values? Why are Democrats so afraid of a Republican filibuster? … Continue reading

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Pro Life Discontinuity – At Birth Life/Health Is Subjugated to Profit

Conservatives without conscience (CWC) want life protected at all costs while it exists in the womb. Once you are born, however, CWCs believe “you’re on your own.” Your life after birth and your health are totally up to you – … Continue reading

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Restoring the Rule of Law or Complacency to Apathy to Bondage – Mr. Holder’s Choice

Mr. Holder, Every time the executive branch of our federal government erodes the rule of law, our nation takes one more step toward its end. To delay that end, there must be a thorough and complete investigation of any laws … Continue reading

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Indefinite Detention Rates only a “Huge Pause”

Mr. Presidnet, I am writing to you concerning indefinite detention of suspected criminals/terrorists. On July 3, you told the Associated Press that the idea of indefinite detention gave you” huge pause.” However, huge pause does not mean you oppose it … Continue reading

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Bad Deeds for 7-3-2009

  Swiss Bank Helped Rich Americans Evade Taxes – Swiss bank UBS AG “systematically and deliberately” violated U.S. law by dispatching private bankers to recruit wealthy Americans interested in evading taxes, the Justice Department said in a court filing Tuesday. … Continue reading

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The Public Health Care Option – Conservative vs. Progressive Views

  Add your name: WeWantThePublicOption.com   After asking others to support the above effort, I got this one response: You mean the public option which is the government supplied option that will be offered if you still want to use … Continue reading

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Inside the Beltway – A Bad Barrel Produces Bad Apples

Mr. President, There was an exclusive news report on MSNBC tonight. The main point was that instead of reemphasizing what you have said in public about letting the Justice Department decide about prosecuting wrong doings of the previous administration, you … Continue reading

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My Favorite Progressive Bumper Stikers

Here are some phrases worth keeping in mind, and which can minimize the effects of conservative strict-father worldview talking points. You should also try these Thinking Points.   Fearful People Do Stupid Things   Think for Yourself – Question Authority … Continue reading

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Release of the Four Torture Memos by President Obama

Mr. President, I agree with not prosecuting the lower level CIA employees for their part in bad policies produced by Bush II and company. These torture policies built a bad barrel that took these good people and made them do … Continue reading

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President Obama – Continuing the Clean Up After the Bush Administration?

Mr. President, Thank you for authorizing the release of the CIA torture guidelines from the previous administration.   This is another step toward undoing the wrongs of the past. I also agree that the hands-on implementers of those guidelines are … Continue reading

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Employee Free Choice Act – Ron Paul and I Disagree

In late March, I received the following response from Congressman Ron Paul to my request to support the EFCA: Dear Mr. Hailey: Thank you for contacting my office regarding my position on collective bargaining. Please be assured, I do support … Continue reading

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Employee Free Choice Act – Shifting the Balance of Power, Just a Little

In 1983, two groups of aerospace employees had just had their benefits reduced and were told about it after the fact and in a very cavalier manner by senior management. Soon after, salt was rubbed into the wound when the … Continue reading

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Stop Enabling The War Frame – We Need to Think in Terms of Occupation and Beyond Just a Military Solution

The following was originally posted on The Citizens Briefing Book: Our nation is not at war with the nation of Iraq. Referring to the Iraq War is absurd! Our nation is not at war with the nation of Afghanistan. We … Continue reading

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Dear Conservative Without a Conscience – A Post Inauguration Letter

Your conservative worldview has held sway for many years. Your conservative cognitive policy has changed the minds of many and perpetuated many unfortunate ideas, values and principles. But we the people have started to recognize what has happened, what has … Continue reading

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Please Support Sound Science in the Texas Classroom

Jim normally provides the postings under Bad Deeds. Now, however, he is trying to prevent future bad deeds from the Texas State Board of Education: Would you like to be part of a statewide grassroots network of mainstream Texans who … Continue reading

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“You’re On Your Own” with John and Sarah

Senator Obama made the following during his acceptance speech on August 28, 2008: For over two decades, he’s [John McCain] subscribed to that old, discredited Republican philosophy – give more and more to those with the most and hope that … Continue reading

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Secretary of State Asked To Declare Candidate Ineligible

The following was provided by: Mary Vogas Volunteer for the Ewing Campaign 281-482-5423 or 281-250-8204 Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade has been asked to declare long-time State Board of Education member David Bradley ineligible to serve on the Board … Continue reading

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Hate Can Divide Us – We Must Unite Against A Common Enemy

Labels divide us and some of our fellow Americans are unknowingly using them to help bin Laden implement his plan to destroy us. At the start of this conflict, bin Laden committed a horrendous crimial act and murdered almost 3,000 … Continue reading

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State Board of Education Member Bullies Teachers and Other Board Members

The most important race in Texas for our students’ education is in State Board of Education District 7 between David Bradley and Laura Ewing. David Bradley is the incumbent. Mr. Bradley is in insurance for a business while Ewing is … Continue reading

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I’m So Close to My Goal – Please Help Me by October 24, 2008

I’m only $130.00 away from my Grassroots Finance Committee commitment to Senator Obama’s presidential campaign. Since, I’m matching contributions dollar-for-dollar, I only need contributions totaling $65.00. Please watch the videos below and consider making a small contribution toward that $65.00. … Continue reading

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How To Select a Second in Command – The non-Political Way

The draft letter below was submitted to readers of the H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War on 9/9/2008. I think the process used to select Palin, as compared to the process described below, … Continue reading

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A Form of Government Similar to What Our Founding Forefathers Rebelled Against With Great Britain

The following was sent to Jim Lehrer of PBS. He needs to get Senator McCain to talk about his health. Senator McCain’s health is critical to the future foreign and domestic policy of this country. The voters need to understand, … Continue reading

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Let’s Put Our Students First

There is an extreme faction on our State Board of Education (SBOE) that has a specific agenda that is not in the best interest of our children’s education. Incumbent board member David Bradley is a member of this extreme faction. … Continue reading

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Help Start the Next Progressive Era – Support Senator Obama by October 24, 2008

This is a critical time for America’s future and we must all do what we can. I hope you can help me help Senator Obama become our next president. We must end control of our governments by “Conservatives Without Conscience.” … Continue reading

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The ‘Crude’ Realities of Oil Supply

In a recent email announcing the introduction of The Domestic Drilling Act (H.R.6593) and The Consumer Energy Supply Act (H.R. 6578), Congressman Nick Lampson (D-TX) stated, “As we find ourselves competing with rapidly growing nations such as China and India … Continue reading

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Telecom Immunity – Only If They Testify to Other Crimes

With the help of Congress.org, I sent the following to GWB and others: I oppose: The unitary presidency and its absurd abuse of power through signing statements and fear mongering, A Congress that is scared into ignoring this abuse of … Continue reading

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The Neocon’s Solution to Our Dependency on Foreign Oil – The 51st State

Imagine a group of neocons gathered together brainstorming about our dependency on foreign oil. During this meeting, they write down a set of questions for which they discuss the possible answers. Here is one possible list they might develop and … Continue reading

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Favorite Quotes Collected While Trying to Figure Out Where We Are Going

That [NSA survellance] capability at any time could be turned around on the American people and no American would have any privacy left, such [is] the capability to monitor everything: telephone conversations, telegrams, it doesn’t matter. There would be no … Continue reading

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Who Should Pay for the Mistakes of Our Leaders and Their Rich Friends?

If I made a major decision that I later came to regret because it is costing me much more than I can manage while still living my life of ‘luxury,’ what options do I have. Should I ask strangers to … Continue reading

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Bad Deeds for 3-17-2008

Bush Asked for Weaker Smog Standard – The Environmental Protection Agency agreed to weaken an important part of its new smog requirements after being told at the last minute that President Bush preferred a less stringent approach, according to government … Continue reading

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Remember the Troops? Is That All We Should Be Doing?

I recently received one of those emails encouraging me to view a YouTube video with lots of photos of our courageous men and women in uniform.   We need to do more than remember the troops and their significant sacrifices. … Continue reading

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Bad Deeds for 1-18-2008

Mitch McConnell Calls Himself an Environmental Leader While Helping Oil and Gas Companies Generate Dirty Energy – Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has received more than half a million dollars in campaign contributions from the oil and gas lobbyists who … Continue reading

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Bad Deeds for: 1-17-2008

Charity Paid US Commander $100,000 While Cutting Wounded Veterans Budget – A charity that has been accused of ripping off veterans — and donors — paid a former commander of the United States Armed Forces to endorse it, before he … Continue reading

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Terrorist or Fearful Citizen – Who Has The Advantage?

This country has survived times far more difficult than what we’ve suffered in the early years of this new century. Yes, terrorists have killed our citizens in a very dramatic and traumatic manner. However, this new crisis pales compared to … Continue reading

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Senator Kay Bailey-Hutchison – CEOs Are Her Real Concern

In Congress is drilling a dry hole, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison tries to scare us into supporting the poor abused CEOs of the oil industry. I couldn’t resist. I had to send her the following message via her web site. … Continue reading

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Terrorist or Thief – Which Should We Fear Most?

Fear mongering, along with “noble lies,” addressed elsewhere in this blog, are major components in the authoritarian’s tyrannical toolbox. Ever since we were attacked in 2001, we have been manipulated with the fear card. Any time the Administration wants us … Continue reading

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AS A NATION – WE HAVE SUNK SO LOW

Below is a message I sent to Congressman Nick Lampson and it includes a message I sent to Congressman Ron Paul: I’m surrounded by your district, but I contributed to your run against the worst Congressman ever and have attended … Continue reading

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Has Our Congress Done Its Job – A Letter to My Senator

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Thank you for your reply email dated 8/16/07. Below I quote some of your reply followed by my concerns. “I support the President in his efforts to strengthen domestic and international security, …” I, like the … Continue reading

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Spare the Dead Lines – Spoil The Iraq Government

I’ve contended for some years now that there was the potential that the Iraqi’s may not have all the resources needed to make any form of stable government work. This is espicially true since those with the most to offer … Continue reading

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Beyond Nine-Eleven – Enabling My Evolving Hopes

I started writing this in late 2001 and have not revisited if for quite some time. I’m posting it with some 2007 updates and have added guidelines on how to enable these hopes. May our leaders use all sources of … Continue reading

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ExxonMobil and The Neocons – $10,000 Bribes To Dispute Global Warming

As I have written in previous postings, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) has helped Bush II with his latest plan for the conflict in Iraq, want’s to minimize and control our liberties, and represents the authoritarian leadership of the extreme … Continue reading

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IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE SUMMER

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE SUMMER – Global warming continues to disrupt the traditional winter holiday season. We’ve seen record high temperatures in the US Northeast. Not long before the city of Boston lit their annual Christmas tree, … Continue reading

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Global Warming Could Devastate Economy

Global Warming Could Devastate Economy Unchecked global warming will devastate the world economy on the scale of the world wars and the Great Depression, according to a new report from the British government, eventually costing the world the equivalent of … Continue reading

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Gasoline Prices – Now With Prices and Emotions Falling, A Little Perspective

According to the Energy Information Agency (EIA) of the U. S. government, “In 2005 the price of crude oil averaged $50.23 per barrel, and crude oil accounted for about 53 percent of the cost of a gallon of regular grade … Continue reading

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Keeping Fear of Terrorism in Perspective – And Putting Reasoning Back Into Our Decision Making Processes

Are you tired of being scared? Maybe a little perspective would help? Do you fear dying from heart disease?  700,142  Americans were kill by it in 2001. Do you fear dying from cancer?   553,768  Americans were kill by it … Continue reading

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CO2 Emissions – Who Are the Worst Emitters, In The World?

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) provides official energy statistics from the U. S. Government. The statistics include sources of energy, international comparisons, CO2 emissions and much more. Energy Consumption by Source, 1635-2000 (Quadrillion Btu) Click on the image to see … Continue reading

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283,865,610,000 Gallons of Petrol – Breaking the Addiction, Maybe, Maybe Not?

The United States consumed almost 284 billion gallons of finished petroleum products in 2005. About half, 49 percent, went to power our autos, pickups, hybrids, and SUVs. Another 22 percent, distillate fuel oil (diesel and fuel oils), went to space … Continue reading

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Not Ready for a Hybrid, Can’t Afford Solar Collectors? – Try Making a Tax Deductible Contribution

Driving your car, air-conditioning your home, eating, traveling by commercial air and recycling all affect the amount of CO2 released into our atmosphere. Take The Carbon Quiz to see what your CO2 contirbution is. Then, if your concerned, visit one … Continue reading

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Oil Profits – Can’t Someone Else Pay for Them?

Every time the issue of oil profits makes the news or is part of a nearby conversation, I wonder why we only get upset with big oil? Why don’t we rant and rave about others who make fast growing profits … Continue reading

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Bush Says We’ll “double the amount of ethanol,” While The EPA Eliminates Mandated Inclusion of Ethanol in Reformulated Gasoline

In the March 8, 2006, issue of Personal Finance, there is an article that discusses a change in federal regulations at the Environmental Projection Agency (EPA). The PF article stated: In the early 1990s, the EPA came to the conclusion … Continue reading

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A Cold Wind Blows – And a Personal Loss

It was late Friday afternoon and I arrived home from work to greet Mary. She had good news. Earlier that day she found an ad for a couple of Shih Tzu puppies. She called the number in the ad at … Continue reading

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Shrinking Sea Ice Area Helps Promote Record Hurricane Season

In Warnings from Katrina and Rita?, I provided a chart that plots the number of named storms over time for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.   This chart was created by a coworker from various internet data sources and goes … Continue reading

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China – Overt Military or Stealth Political Powerhouse?

Will the administration’s lack of recognition of the growing political power of China add international failure to the current list of domestic failures of my boomer generation? Continue reading

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What Price Crude? – To Keep Our SUVs or Hybrids Humming

What are our options, the likelihood of their success, and when does it become cost effective to invest in those options? Continue reading

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What Else Interests Me?

In my Other Thoughts category, you will find interests of mine which I felt inspired to write about, but which do not fit the primary intent of the site to record my thoughts on some critical issues that as a … Continue reading

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Big Oil Profits – Some Perspective, No Rhetoric

So, with the exception of Conoco Phillips, shouldn’t everyone be equally upset with all companies that have seen earnings growth that is even higher than Exxon Mobile? This includes Home Depot, Johnson & Johnson, Hershey Foods, Toyota, Walgreens, Coca-Cola. Continue reading

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Excessive Profits? – What About Employee Benefits?

Yes, oil companies have seen an increase in their profits, but I’m more concerned about another company with high earnings.   Not only has this company made $2.54/share in the last year, it has rewarded its CEO with $12.5 million in … Continue reading

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Warnings from Katrina and Rita?

What most probably don’t know is how the number of named storms has changed over the recent past. Continue reading

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Impose Windfall Profits Tax – Why?

Yes, a lot of small businesses and low income families are severely affected by the cost, but who should they be angry with? Continue reading

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Oil – Capacity vs. Usage vs. Price

Jan 11, 2006, Personal Finance: World usage, 2006 – 29.565B barrels, plus .365B more each year China, 2006 usage – 1.46B barrels, 4.94% US annual usage – 7.54B barrels, 25.5% US consumption of crude Arab Oil Producer Costs – less … Continue reading

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