Ohio unemployment rises for 2nd straight month

An Associated Press article in The Times-Reporter, followed by my comment.

http://www.timesreporter.com/news_mobile/x1837749794/Ohio-unemployment-rises-for-2nd-straight-month

Typical results from conservative, republican policies. This is purely a result of Kasich and the conservative majorities in the State Senate and State House. From their first day, ramming through legislation, with little or no debate, little or no public hearings. A governing style, more akin to totalitarian fascists dictatorships, than a Constitutional Republic, that should be abhorrent to all Americans.

Conservative policies and methods have and continue to hammer public and private Ohio workers, consumers, schools, students and children, retirees and working seniors, and others. Oh, lest I forget, elimination of every environmental safeguard they can. All in the name of budget restraint and fiscal responsibility.

Incredibly, at the same time transferring more and more of the 'savings' to corporate, Wall Street, and other financial cronies, engaging in sweet heart state deals with campaign contributors and their companies, all with promises of growth and employment and a golden age for Ohio. These benefactors rarely, if ever, have used this conservative government largesse, provided by federal or state conservative government in states across the country currently or anytime in our history, and turned it into job creation and better wages, safer working conditions, or better benefits. You know, those things that were promised and most often guaranteed will happen, otherwise known as scamming the American people. Can you imagine the largesse actually being used for job creation? Boy, that'll be the day.

In less than a half a year the republican Governor and republican run statehouse have managed to return this state to rising unemployment, increased poverty, falling wages, threats to clean air and water, threats to our freedom and civil rights. Two years of consistent falling unemployment rates in Ohio since the Bush Cheney recession began and that were falling as a result of President Obama, Congressional Democrat's, and Governor Strickland's policies.

Kasich and conservative state legislators have brought us to this. All as a result of tired old republican and conservative policies that have failed every time they are trotted out and sold to the public, only to wreck the economy, whether in Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, or the country, take your pick, name a conservative run state. The results.....are always the same: more people out of work, more families and children needing public assistance, increased homelessness and hunger, decreasing wages, greater and greater disparity of wealth, increased poverty and despair, attacks on education and science, women and minorities, civil rights and personal liberty.

Conservative policies and philosophy do not provide anything, none, nada, nothing toward the betterment of our society; Conservatives provide nothing, nothing toward any remedies to our state and nations debt or sputtering economy. What conservatives offer is truly un-American, treasonous behavior, uncompromising, willful sabotaging of the American economy and sovereignty ... and here we all are again, a conservative manufactured catastrophe that is only being made worse by conservatives. That is the Republican model for America's future.

viva la revolution

This bullshit article was in the local paper, but they don't publish the column on its website, this is from the Chicago Tribune, followed by my commentary.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-08-09/news/ct-oped-0809-thomas-20110809_1_credit-rating-credit-score-s-p

Cal Thomas continues to support and defend the wealthiest Americans and the wealth and power of Corporate America from contributing anything to America's fiscal mess. Defending those who are, in fact, the real free loaders of our society. Thomas and arguably all conservatives and republicans do everything they can to prevent the very wealthy and corporate America from contributing and sacrificing anything approaching their fair share to get the country through this economic mess. A mess, that was largely and in most part a result of conservative and republican majorities during the Cheney/Bush administration. Remember...two unfunded wars, unfunded trillion dollar tax breaks to the wealthiest 2% of society, and hundreds of billions and trillions of dollars given away to corporate America, particularly pharmaceuticals, energy, and health insurance, just given to them, not loans, not bailouts, but gifts, largesse from the American treasury, taxpayers money mind you, handed over to corporate America by the elected members of the conservative movement holding power at the time.

Now Romney says that "corporations are people, my friend". Well you know what Mitt? When is my community or state going to give me, a person, a ten year tax abatement to induce me to stay in the community or state, or give all of us persons, tax abatement's to stay in the community and state? when is it going to happen? You know what Mitt? you know what Cal? Real people pay taxes, corporations get out of paying taxes and pay far less (and some amazingly pay none) as percentage of income than real people do. The same for the wealthiest 2%, as a percentage of wealth and income they pay far less than an average real person. And simply ending tax loop holes are off limits. Boy, I tell you, the tax loop holes wouldn't be off limits if they existed and were used by real people, by real people consumers, by real people working men and women, by real middle class people. You can be sure the republicans would have eliminated those loop holes in an instant and then transfer the "savings" to the very wealthiest and corporate interests.

Real Americans know and understand this, they recognize unfairness, injustice, greed and avarice.... and there will be a reckoning, there will be an accounting. You know what else? It will happen worldwide, as people every where will overthrow and tear down the evil that is modern capitalism. The disparity of wealth is getting greater and greater all around the world and the anger against it and the groundswell of billions of oppressed people, real people, will exact justice and change.

Intransigence And Reckless Governing Of And By The Contemporary Conservative Movement And The Fanaticism Of The Tea Bag Cult Are The Biggest Threats To Our Country

Boehner, McConnell, Cantor, and the entire News Corp presence in the United States, particularly Fox News, last week - "Yes, we forced a bad debt ceiling bill on America WE ARE THE WINNERS. Watch us do this victory lap."

Then this week after S&P’s downgrade of America’s AAA rating- "I swear we had nothing to do with it."

President Obama had a 4.7 trillion dollar deal that Boehner walked out of. It's deplorable that the GOP submitted to being lead around by the nose by the tea baggers and created this crisis by attaching deficit reduction to the full faith and credit of the United States. The intransigence and recklessness of and by conservatism and the fanaticism of the tea bag cult are the biggest threat to our country.

Chesapeake Energy ready to drill in Tuscarawas County



WELL WATER AFTER  HYDRO-FRACKING 

My comment to the following article:   http://www.timesreporter.com/topstories/x919513385/Chesapeake-Energy-gets-commissioners-green-light-to-drill

'Chesapeake agreed to reimburse Tuscarawas County for any additional costs associated with the maintenance of roads as a result of the company's activities during construction, drilling and completion of wells. This includes any dust suppression needed during peak activity periods' How nice. Hey, wait a minute...... hey commissioners, how about our potable water supplies? for God's sake, where's the guarantee from the industry for that? Or guarantees for environmental reclamation and restoration?

The article and those identified explained it very well, this isn't about producing energy but it is clear it is all about making money; It is about profits before people and planet.

The industry tells us fracking was and is safe so it must be safe, right? And we all know corporations are looking out for people, right? That the energy industry is honest with the public, right? That's why the industry writes the legislation that gets passed into law by their flunky politicians that guarantees them unrestricted access to the resources, free from regulations, and protection from litigation. It's because they're looking out for people!

Well now; there our countries that are now banning the process and states are as well, New Jersey is the first, others are beginning to stringently regulate fracking and still others are reviewing and including environmental interests for input in strengthening, reinforcing and applying regulations to the process that provide protection to aquifers and water tables, streams, forests, and air quality. How could this happen? My God, the poor drilling and energy industry!!

Wow! who would have thought that any of us would live to see the day where Americans citizens would have to fight to ensure that our water stays drinkable. And that their efforts are beginning to make a difference to boot! Freaking A right! Reasonable, intelligent, logical people, rural and urban folk, from all walks of life, can still prevail, that's a good message for America's future. Ensuring water quality before profits, wow, what a concept.

It's not a message that has reached Ohio though, at least apparently not yet. In Ohio, once again, the bottomless lust for short term profits trump the long term (or even short term) health of our community, region, state and country.

Still the industry continues with misinformation and lies of the safety of its methods. The energy industry and their advocates, as well as those who would make great profits from this, would just as soon destroy the water supply and environment as to make a few bucks.

So, once again...It seems so obvious, we, that is you, I, all of us, need clean drinking water to live. So why would we allow private industry to mess with it...it is not like they have the best track record when it comes to the environment. No fracking! We, all of of us, need clean drinking water more than we need cheap natural gas.  

Related:  http://www.ewg.org/gas-drilling-and-fracking

http://www.greenchipstocks.com/articles/shale-gas-scam/1360?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+greenstocks+%28Green+Chip+Stocks%29

http://www.ewg.org/reports/cracks-in-the-facade

Here is Levon Helm

The People's Burden

The "deal" between The White House, the Congressional Republican leadership, and the Democratic leadership, is nothing but another pitiful example of the Democratic Party's  ineptness and incapability of defending their own principles and of being bullied by the extremism on the right that was the cause of the crisis in the first place.

This agreement, if it comes to pass, will finally after nearly a decade, begin to pay down the reckless unfunded spending and tax cuts of the concurrent years of the Bush/Cheney administration and the total Republican control of Congress, of which they have never taken any responsibility for. It will be paid down in the way republicans have always wanted, on the backs of the middle class and all others that are not at the very top of our society. Make no mistake, it is the Democrats that have yielded their principles and the most extremist element of the right sustaining and strengthening their own.

Who is now responsible to pay to for the two unfunded wars, the prescription drug debacle that simply turned over 550 billion plus dollars to the pharmaceutical industry, and the multi-trillion dollar tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans? Who do think? Why, the American middle class, unemployed and working poor, seniors, students, the poor and disabled, you get the picture, right?

The republican party at the behest of its most extremist wing, insisted on, and the Democrats, including the President, folded like a deck of cards to their demands that the debt be the sole  responsibility of the least able to cover it, the millions of Americans who are already struggling and at the breaking point.

Once again, the rich and powerful get a free ride, a pass. Those that benefited the most from the policies that sank our economy get a pass. No shared sacrifice by the wealthy; remember, they're wealthy, having them contribute to the burden is an outrageous proposition, and an offense to their being wealthy, their wealth protects them from such indignant things as being part of any shared sacrifice. My God, the outrage that must have been on display at Country Clubs across the country at such a thought. And the relief, now, that their political investments and political lackeys appear to have come through for them. The President and Congress of The United States have the backs of the most rich and powerful, and their actions indicate it is simply damn the rest.

The right wing generated debt ceiling debate and government default.

If the President and Congressional Democrats cave into the extremists right wing of the Republican Party, I see no point in continuing a two party system. There is no use in arguing on the behalf of and defending Democratic, liberal and progressive philosophy and policies, arguing on behalf of and defending Social Security, Medicare, environmental protection, new and alternative energy sources, education, labor rights and labor safety, the elderly, students, and all the other progressive, enlightened programs and laws that have, yes, that have, made this country great and the envy of the world, only to see Democratic congressional leaders and a Democratic President give it all up to a minority extremist fringe on the right with nary a bit of fight to prevent it, simply caving in to their demands.

It will be no more defending the Democrats when it is clear they will not, that they will not, defend us, the people. There is, by all indications, overwhelming public support for the very programs that Democrats are prepared to gut or, indeed, outright eliminate in their negotiations on the debt ceiling.  Democratic politicians will have, if this comes to pass, will have have abandoned everything their predecessors fought for, everything that the people have gained over multiple generations and 50, 60, 70, 80, 100 years. 

And, God knows, the answer is most certainly not in moving to the right. My beliefs and philosophy will not change. The Democratic Party has abandoned its own philosophies and has no longer any reason to exist, The Democratic Party needs to  just be honest and honestly subscribe to the conservative philosophy and end the ongoing scam perpetuated on the people with spin and lies that they are the people's party and have the peoples back.

There must, therefore, be another party that truly speaks for the disadvantaged, infirm, the poor and working poor, worker's rights and safety for the environment, health care for all, education, the American middle class (what's left of it) and, consumers. Call it what you will, The Labor Party, The Progressive Party, The Liberal Democratic Party, whatever, but the Democratic Party is no longer representative of workers, consumers, minorities, women, students, environment; they are at best moderate republicans, and many more are full blown conservatives and all are beholden to the rich and powerful rather than the people.

Woody Guthrie~ All You Fascists Bound To Lose

Ry Cooder and The Golden Gate Quartet (Cliff Givens, Bill Johnson, Pico Payne, Jimmy Adams) with Nobody on SoundStage in 1978 - celebrating the release of the legendary Jazz album.

Mud Run, polluted by mine runoff; Warwick Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio

link to the article in which the subsequent comment was made by me.

http://www.timesreporter.com/features/x242965775/Restoring-polluted-Mud-Run-is-topic-of-meeting-Monday

These grass roots organizations are more critical than ever now, not only for previously damaged watersheds from past mining 'booms', but also in the present and near future from the current and soon to be surging oil and gas industry 'boom' and its use of fracking in East Central Ohio. Streams and aquifers, woodlands, meadows, and wildlife, farmland and quality of life are now and will continue to be critically damaged or destroyed wherever the method is used. What about when the boom ends, when their done? The oil and gas industry, like mining interests in the past, simply move on. After having taken what mineral resource wealth there was and simply move on with nary a second thought of the wreckage left in their wake. But, hey, a handful of people will have benefited. Mostly though, industry people are quite content with literally raping an area of its natural resources, extracting as much wealth from it as possible, acquiring as much as possible for themselves, and moving to the next location to do the same thing.

Past mining interests did not do the right thing of their own accord, minus any regulation requiring it, there was no motivation to, the result being the environmental effects and impact are still being felt 57 years, 60, 70, 100 years later; likewise, the will the oil and gas industry will not do the right thing. Again, why would or should they? Now, this time around, the industry has written their own legislation, passed by their very own flunky conservative politicians, protecting its industry from litigation and any requirements for environmental rehabilitation and reclamation.

Organizations like the Huff Run Watershed Restoration Partnership and Mud Run project will be all the more important given that the oil and gas industry have been given a pass by conservative state and federal legislation of having any responsibility or accountability for any environmental damages. The experience in organization and advocacy of such groups, the utilization and knowledge of resources at the local, state, and federal level acquired by such groups will be critical in east central Ohio’s near future, as well as around the country as fracking becomes more and more prevalent and with politicians continuing to allow, through legislation, the oil and gas industry to do what it damn well pleases.

Mr. President, (my email to The White House, President Obama)

Mr. President,

The right wing, republicans, conservatives, and from about four months into your administration tea baggers, have worked tirelessly and relentlessly to undermine your administration, the economy, the middle class and consumers. To what end? Not, Mr. President, from a strong ideological belief in their conservative views. No sir, it was solely to undermine and prevent any successes from a Democratic controlled Congress and from a Democratic President. These people are the antithesis of American tradition, history, and the idea of a loyal opposition. Please Mr. President, defend working men and women, the working poor and unemployed, the elderly, students, and the environment.


I believe, with all my heart, Mr. President, that those states led by Democratic governors and Democratic legislatures, who are investing and focusing on infrastructure, education, research, development, and innovation, investing in energy alternatives, investing in a clean and healthy environment, investing in health care for all their citizens, and sustainable job creation will lead this country forward. These states, Mr. President, will lead this country out of its economic decline, and lead the country into sustained job growth and national renewal, the likes of which will have never been seen before. It will be these Democratic governed states, Mr. President, that will once again demonstrate to the world that The American experiment and experience was not simply a blip in human history, but rather, history's most incredible and enlightened moment.


I have, Mr. President, contacted my local, state, and Congressional representatives, imploring them all to do the right thing for the middle class, poor, elderly, and infirm. You, Mr. President must not allow our great country to go into default by using every means available. Demand, yes, demand, Mr. President, a straight up and down vote on a clean bill, or utilize, certainly the 14^th Amendment.
My God, nearly, if not everyone I know, sir, have throughout their lives, done everything that was asked of them, they did not rely solely on Social Security for their retirement but rather built up their own retirement and it will be all of them and myself who get hit so very hard when our 401 K's get decimated by a U.S. government default, who lose our homes from skyrocketing interest rates, and prices on everything surge out of control.


Mr. President, Americans across this country have lived their lives doing the right thing, doing what they've been asked, to what end? To get completely scammed by politicians and lose everything? Defend the American people Mr. President. I and millions of Americans across our great country implore you to make a strong and committed stand against all those that would destroy this country, stand up against all those who are doing all they can to achieve what Asama Bin Laden could not, destroy the United States by wrecking its economy and financial health, and to achieve posthumously for Bin Laden what he could not do in life.

Please have our backs Mr. President, and we will have yours.

Respectfully Submitted,

Strasburg Corn Fest jalapeno poppers, freakin' A right. The reason to go...well, it also is a throwback festival, in a park, on grass, meanders among trees, rather than blacktopped, downtown streets. No carnival food, none, but rather a variety of food, crafts, and games in tents and booths sponsored by Strasburg and Franklin Township organizations. It is, I imagine, what a community festival 75 or 100 years ago or so must have been like. 

A very Republican Dilbert comic strip

If you vote Republican / As a rule of thumb / You're either filthy rich / Or you're filthy dumb

email to my Congressman; Rep. Robert Gibbs, 18th District Of Ohio

Tell me Gibbs, are you so beholden to Grover Norquist's pledge and tea party craziness that you are willing to risk the American middle class, seniors and retirees, working men and women, and the working poor, the unemployed, students at all levels...are you willing to risk the security of The United States, and the health and vitality of its people and the full faith and credit of the United States, are you willing to be part of the cause of the destruction of the American economy and most probably the world economy? You would do this to what end? to satisfy and not offend Grover Norquist and crazy people in the tea party?

For God's sake man, vote to raise the debt ceiling, vote for shared sacrifice among all Americans, including those you have been protecting and are in the pocket of, yes, that's right, in the pocket of the wealthiest and most powerful Americans. For God's sake man, have the courage to stand up to the craziness that is the tea party and contemporary republican and conservative politics. For God's sake man, make a stand on behalf of the most vulnerable Americans, make a stand on behalf of American working people, the working poor, seniors, and the American middle class, and for the people of your district, state, and country. How about honoring your oath of office? How about representing the people and legislating on their behalf? Have you even thought about that? Legislating on the people's behalf, I know for you, that must sound like a very novel idea.

Do the right thing Gibbs, do your job on behalf of the people and not to Grover Norquist for God's sake. After you and your ilk have started American ruination, how about on August 3rd the first checks stopped are to all those congresspeople and their staff‘s who voted in favor of default by way of their intransigence and uncompromising philosophy, and who blindly follow Grover Norquist, tea party crazies, and right wing lunacy. You then, at least, can honestly say, the buck stops here. Honestly, Gibbs, I do not expect you to do the right thing. Therefore, you deserve nothing but scorn and ridicule.
email to Rep. Robert Gibbs~07-26-11

Congress is crazy, my first blog posting

If House Speaker Boehner and Senate Minority Leader McConnell are for this then it is certainly bad for the American middle class, working men and women across America, the working poor, the unemployed, seniors, students at all levels, the health and safety of all Americans, the environment, liberty and freedom....and most certainly a threat to the Constitution of The United States.

Other than a fixed number of equal seats between democrats and republican­s, there is nothing so much as mentioned that even regional representa­tion would exist. Hell's bells, the seats could conceivably be all from the south, or Texas, or the west. The United States is a constituti­onal representa­tives republic, where does this fit into that. If this abrogation of constitutional authority comes to pass, clearly it will make both chambers of the Congress of The United States irrelevant.

Citizens per congressional district has risen from an average of 33,000 in 1790 to almost 700,000 as of 2008. Now, they want representa­tion to be, with a proposed 12 member central committee, er..super-congress, that representation in out great Democracy, would be something like 25,833,333 to one representative, and make the United States House Of Representatives and The United States Senate irrelevant.

This is the republican leadership along with Senate Majority Leader Reid's response to the urgency of a debt ceiling increase, a legislative matter that was little more than an after thought and congressional housekeeping prior to this time around. No thanks.