Keystone XL Pipeline Loses in Senate by One Vote

I've already lamented here about the mystery of exactly why conservatives have a big ol' chubby for the Keystone XL pipeline. Maybe it's because of that XL there, sounding like a super-sized SUV or a roller coaster. It's certainly not the scads of permanent jobs, because even the thing's builders have copped to 35-50 permanent jobs. It's not "energy independence," because it's not our oil, it's Canada's. Near as I can figure, Keystone gives conservatives a woody because liberals--especially Obama--are against it. Ipso facto, it's got to be good.

Image from source, MSN

I frankly see this as just about the best example of the worst of our politics, and while it is slathered all over the right, it drips onto quite a few of the left. This is a combination of a) "truthiness," the feeling that it must be good, whether or not the facts are in evidence; b) greed; c) money in politics; d) extremely divided "us vs. them" politics; e) blindness to the possibility of consequences; f) the inability to let facts change a full-speed-ahead charge to an outcome; g) craven politics on both sides. And oh, so much more.

Of course, when Sen. Mitch McConnell gavels in the Republican Senate in January, they'll put Keystone XL up right away, and it'll pass. And then the President will have to veto.

[Excerpt]

Senate Democrats reject bill to build oil pipeline
 
The Democrat-controlled Senate has defeated a bill to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The Senate's 59-41 vote Tuesday night was a nail-biter to the end. The bill needed 60 votes to reach the White House. The House passed it overwhelmingly last week. . .

Read more at: MSN

Keystone XL Pipeline to be Fast-Tracked by Congress - Both Sides Seeking Credit

I really wish somebody could explain this to me. The Keystone XL pipeline is loathed by environmentalists, and some climatologists. If successful, the oil extracted from the sands it will move is allegedly "game over" for the environment. And if it should leak, it could endanger a major aquifer that supplies water to a huge portion of the American populace. It will move oil that isn't ours, and will not be ours when it is sold either. It will employ lots of people for the time it takes to build it, but won't have many long-term jobs at all.

So, why does Right Wing World have a hard on for it, exactly? I know this is a major political football, so much so that both sides of Congress--particularly Louisiana Senate candidates looking at a runoff--are seeking to fast-track it, and try to take credit for it. But why? Why is this priority #1?

[Excerpt]

Keystone XL Pipeline: Lame-Duck Congress Fast-Tracks Legislation

The tortuous six-year fight over a controversial proposal to funnel oil from Canada to the Gulf Coast took another turn this week after both houses of the lame-duck Congress moved to vote on the Keystone XL pipeline. As the legislation barrels through Congress and heads to the Oval Office, President Barack Obama may soon settle one of the most politically charged debates of the decade. The White House appeared to downplay the congressional maneuvering Wednesday, saying it takes a "dim view of these kinds of legislative proposals. . ."

Read more at: NBC News

Ed Schultz Changes Mind, Now Opposes Keystone XL Pipeline

I listen to Ed Schultz most days at work, sort of by default. I like to listen to talk radio, but enjoy the left-wing variety. Which, if you didn't know, is a very scarce commodity. And since Tom Hartmann switched to a later hour (where he conflicts with Randi Rhodes), I'm pretty much stuck with Schultz.

I'm not a fan. I find him very knee-jerk, blustery, loud and rough around the edges. Sandwiched between Stephanie Miller and Rhodes, Schultz just comes off as sour. But I usually listen (when Ed deigns to be on for all or part of the show, which is less often than you'd think). And lately, he's been even more irritating, on several issues, but notably, on the Keystone XL pipeline.

Ed was all for it. He proudly announced his diversion from the "party line," and made it a centerpiece in his show. Over a period of a few weeks, Ed's been softening, and now he's apparently changed his mind. Which I think  is worth a bit of an attaboy. Most people in his position would hold fast, or just stop talking about it, moving on to the next controversy.

[Excerpt]

Keystone Supporter Ed Schultz Now Opposes The Pipeline, Tells President Obama To Go To Nebraska

 

Ed Schultz, host of MSNBC’s The Ed Show, has changed his mind and become the latest prominent opponent of approving the Keystone XL pipeline. Schultz had angered Keystone opponents by taking the State Department environmental analysis at face value, arguing that the oil is going to come out of Alberta anyways, and the pipeline could be better for the climate. The report left some key context out, and over the course of the last few weeks, Schultz has had a very public — and fascinating — process of coming to grips with the arguments against the pipeline. Climate Progress’ Joe Romm was a guest as this process started. . .

 

Read more at: Think Progress

Game Over for the Climate?

Jor-El was right. Have we learned nothing from
Superman?

On one side, there are scientists, saying that we're getting perilously close to the point of no return: coastal cities under water, melting ice sheets, intolerable heat. And on the other, we have the talking heads on FOX "News," saying it's all a hoax. Who do you believe? Listen, I'm gay. . .no plans for children. I'll be old or dead by the time things get that bad. But what about you "family values" types? You've got kids. . .grandkids. . .What if they're right?

[Excerpt]


Game Over for the Climate

GLOBAL warming isn’t a prediction. It is happening. That is why I was so troubled to read a recent interview with President Obama in Rolling Stone in which he said that Canada would exploit the oil in its vast tar sands reserves “regardless of what we do. . .”

Read more at: The New York Times 

Why Are Gas Prices Going Up With Low Demand?

With the economy improving on most fronts, and an upward trajectory for quite some time, it is no longer assured that the Republicans can win on "it's the economy, stupid." Because, if the economy is improving under President Obama's leadership, why should we change horses? An excellent question.

But one sticky wicket is gas prices. Gas is at about $3.50 per gallon on average right now, which isn't--by far--an all-time high, but it is higher than it has been in a while. Why? Demand is down. Republicans are sure to zero in on President Obama. They're wrong, and they're right. First, Obama isn't the reason for high gas prices. But, Obama could have lead the charge to reign in oil speculators, who caused gas prices to rise into the near-$5 range in 2008, and seem to be behind the most recent rise.

We got screwed by speculators in 2008. Why on earth didn't Obama, or hell, even the Republicans do something about it after that?

UPDATED JUST TO ADD: Notice that anything you read about this will say that we can expect gas to go over $4 this summer, and possibly $5 by the end of it. How. In the world. Does anyone. Know this? Speculation!!! (cue the scary music)

[Excerpt]

Oil Prices Are Rising Despite Lowest Demand Since 1997

. . .Strangely, the current run-up in prices comes despite sinking demand in the U.S. “Petrol demand is as low as it’s been since April 1997,” says Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst for the Oil Price Information Service. “People are properly puzzled by the fact that we’re using less gas than we have in years, yet we’re paying more. . .”

Read more at: Think Progress

New McCain Ad Blames Obama for Gas Prices

I'm not one of those bloggers who is against "negative" political ads as a matter of principal. If a negative ad is true, and does not exaggerate, I have no problem with it. Most don't adhere to those rules, and we've even come to accept that anything goes with political ads. It is a most lamentable fact.

Some negative ads are just stupid. They try to join a politician with something that doesn't even make sense. The new John McCain ad, "Pump," is one of those ads. It tries to blame Barack Obama for the high price of gas, and does so by trying to paint him as a Washington insider. This while McCain (the very definition of Washington insider) also tries to paint Obama as inexperienced. Huh? Whatever, dude.

[Excerpt]



"Who can you thank for rising prices at the pump? O-ba-ma! O-ba-ma!"

Sure, and blame Obama for bad tomatoes, too

A new television ad by Sen. John McCain's campaign seeks to exploit anger over gas prices by directing it toward his opponent. . .

Read more at: PolitiFact

McSame: W on Gas Prices for US Americans

If there's one thing I can't get enough of, it's the "I personally believe. . ." video from the Miss Teen USA pageant. Intersperse it with George W. Bush and John McCain, and it's just too good to pass up.

More on the "China Drilling for Oil in Cuba" Story

Image from source, TPM Muckraker

This story is a prime example of how the right-wing operates, and for why we absolutely need a change in the political direction in this country. There is no guarantee that a Barack Obama Presidency would bring about that change, but of our two choices, it is the best one we've got.

It's possible--maybe probable--that other Presidents (and their administrations and supporters) have engaged in this type of behavior. But the Bush Administration (with support from right-wing talk radio and FOX "News") have turned "truthiness" into standard operating procedure. It works like this: assert something to be true, even if you know it's not. Appear on FOX "News," and spread your story. If your story is questioned or even debunked, keep repeating it anyway. Friendly surrogates and pundits then quote your story, and eventually report the story as true. Over and over. For a grace note, you can then cite one of those people as evidence of the merit of the story!

This China/Cuba story by all appearances is false. Just like the Iraq-9/11 story, and oh-so-many others. No matter how thoroughly debunked it is, some of the right-wing mouthpieces will still assert that it is true. Maddening.

[Excerpt]

Searching For The True Source Of A Bogus Story

We've been trying to find the original source for that mysterious meme about China drilling for oil off the coast of Cuba and Florida.

It's flat out wrong. The AP debunked it a few days ago after Vice President Dick Cheney tried to pass it off in remarks to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce about high energy prices. . .

Read more at: TPM Muckraker

Science is Cool: Oil from Algae?

Image from source, LA Times

Talk about your green energy! Seriously, this is pretty cool. I mean, typically bio-fuels have the unintended effect of straining food supplies. But algae just sorta happens. Forget to put chlorine in the pool? BOOM! Barrels and barrels of oil! Well, maybe not, but you get my drift.

[Excerpt]

Sapphire Energy turns algae into 'green crude' for fuel

A San Diego company said Wednesday that it could turn algae into oil, producing a green-colored crude yielding ultra-clean versions of gasoline and diesel without the downsides of biofuel production.

The year-old company, called Sapphire Energy, uses algae, sunlight, carbon dioxide and non-potable water to make "green crude" that it contends is chemically equivalent to the light, sweet crude oil that has been fetching more than $130 a barrel in New York futures trading. . .

Read more at: LA Times

Oil Peaks Again, With Predictions of $200 per Barrel

Image from MotorTrend

Do you remember when oil hitting $50 per barrel seemed outrageous? It might be because it was in the twenties when George W. Bush took office. While that seems like forever to us now, it really wasn't that long ago. With that startling difference, it really is amazing that the price of gasoline is only about to hit $4 per gallon. But then, the price for gas was only about $1.35 when The Decider moved into the White House. Remember that?

[Excerpt]

Oil nears $123 on $200 oil prediction, supply concerns

Oil futures blasted to a new record near $123 a barrel Tuesday, gaining momentum as investors bought on a forecast of much higher prices and on any news hinting at supply shortages. Retail gas prices edged lower, but appear poised to rise to new records of their own in coming weeks. . .

Read more at: Yahoo! News

Exxon Mobil has Disappointing Quarter?

I know that I can sometimes sound pessimistic, seemingly able to find the dark cloud around the silver lining. But even I couldn't have dreamed up a negative headline for ExxonMobil's most recent flabbergastingly huge profit for a quarter.

[Excerpt]

Exxon Mobil slips on disappointing first quarter

US oil giant Exxon Mobil posted the smallest earnings increase among the world's top three oil companies, falling short of analyst estimates as production dropped and profit margins from refining narrowed.

Exxon's shares slipped 2.5pc to $90.77 in trading before US stock exchanges opened after the company said first-quarter profits rose to $10.9bn, from $9.28bn, a year earlier. . .

Read more at: Telegraph.uk

Truckers Protesting High Fuel Prices

Photo from source, Breitbart

There are lots of harbingers of doom as it pertains to the US economy right now. But truckers going on strike would be a deep wound. I think of my own city of Las Vegas, and how we'd get buy with no trucks. Not so well, I'm thinking. We might have to resort to Kentucky Fried Pigeon. Let's hope this doesn't ever get organized.

[Excerpt]

Truckers Protesting High Fuel Prices

Independent truckers around the country pulled their rigs off the road and others slowed to a crawl on major highways in a loosely organized protest of high fuel prices.

Some truckers, on CB radios and trucking Web sites, had called for a strike Tuesday to protest the high cost of diesel fuel, saying the action might pressure President Bush to stabilize prices by using the nation's oil reserves. But the protests were scattered because because major trucking companies were not on board and there did not appear to be any central coordination. . .

Read more at: Breitbart

Cooking With Gas: Congress Grills Oil Companies

Photo from source, My Way

OK, right up front, I'm going to admit that I don't understand high finance. No matter how many times the stock market is explained to me, I still don't get it. The same goes for oil and gasoline prices.

Why does the price of unrefined oil today make the price of the (already refined, already trucked) fuel at the gas station go up immediately? What the hell does "supply and demand" have to do with anything, unless we're (currently) running short of it? The price goes up during the summer, because "demand is up." What does the demand have to do with the price? Did somebody run out? Or is it as I suspect, because they can?

And if the price at the pump is necessary because of oil prices, refining, trucking, etc., why are the oil companies making record profits? And that's no exaggeration. They're making more profit than any company--ever--in all of human history! So, good for Congress for at least making them squirm a little.

[Excerpt]

Congress Presses Oil Execs on High Prices

Top executives of the five biggest U.S. oil companies were pressed Tuesday to explain the soaring fuel prices amid huge industry profits and why they weren't investing more to develop renewable energy source such as wind and solar.

The executives, peppered with questions from skeptical lawmakers, said they understood that high energy costs are hurting consumers, but deflected blame, arguing that their profits - $123 billion last year - were in line with other industries. . .

Read more at: My Way

Bad News in Iraq, and at the Pump

Photo from source, Times Online

After all the rosy talk of "success" in Iraq, both by The Commander Guy and elsewhere, feels a little hollow with stuff like this going on. I'm so tired of happy talk, and the efforts of this administration to create its own reality. Enough.

[Excerpt]

Areas of Baghdad fall to militias as Iraqi Army falters in Basra

Iraq’s Prime Minister was staring into the abyss today after his operation to crush militia strongholds in Basra stalled, members of his own security forces defected and district after district of his own capital fell to Shia militia gunmen.

With the threat of a civil war looming in the south, Nouri al-Maliki’s police chief in Basra narrowly escaped assassination in the crucial port city, while in Baghdad, the spokesman for the Iraqi side of the US military surge was kidnapped by gunmen and his house burnt to the ground. . .

Read more at: Times Online

Raw Story White House Reporter Nails Dana Perino

Photo from source, Raw Story

I've read a few posts at Raw Story about how they have a White House reporter, but they always get ignored in press conferences. Well that reporter, Eric Brewer, finally got picked today. But I'm pretty sure Dana Perino wishes she hadn't called on him. Kudos, Raw Story!

[Excerpt]

Bush: Al Qaeda is in Iraq, stealing our oil

I had a lot of fun at the White House Wednesday afternoon, and not because I made Dana Perino mad. In fact, I felt a little sorry for her today. It's not her fault that Bush's speechwriters put ludicrous statements into his speeches. [snip]

His question:

"The President warned of the danger that al Qaeda could gain access to Iraq's oil resources. But I don't understand how a fragmented, clandestine, non-Iraqi terrorist organization could produce and sell Iraqi oil on the global market, especially when the majority of Iraqis have turned against al Qaeda. Could you describe a plausible scenario?"

Read the rest of his question and Perino's befuddled response at: Raw Story

The Adventures of HercuBush!

I found this video on AmericaBlog this afternoon. It gave me chuckle, so I thought I'd share. . .

Military Using 340,000 Barrels of Oil Per Day

Photo from source, Raw Story

Oil and gasoline are big story topics, on the left and right, in the mainstream press, even on FOX "News." The stories cover the gamut from greenhouse gasses and global warming, to the price at the pump, and the finite amount of oil in the ground.

This story covers an angle that I hadn't considered. It is frankly staggering how much oil is being used in the Iraq War, and thus purchased, expended and belched into the atmosphere. So outside of the human cost of the war in Iraq, we're rapidly worsening several elements of our energy crisis. And we're also adding to the overwhelming amount of money we have to borrow to fund this fiasco.

[Excerpt]

US military guzzling 340,000 barrels of oil daily

The skyrocketing price of oil isn't just a burden for American drivers at the gas pump -- it's also a potentially crippling problem for the US military, the nation's number one energy consumer.

The combined branches of the American military burn through a whopping 340,000 barrels of oil a day, reports CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr. "If you think it's expensive to fill your gas tank," Starr told Situation Room host Wolf Blitzer, "just consider what the military is going through right now."

Read on at: Raw Story

Criminal Probe: Oil Spill in San Fran

Looks like a bunch of people were asleep at the wheel with this one. Of course, it was nobody's fault thus far... Asses are being covered as we speak. Oil... ain't it grand.

I heard Dick Cheney & George W. were spotted near the shore line with straws in hand... The both looked rather euphoric & they were wearing milk mustaches, made of oil.

Criminal Probe into San Fran Bay Oil Spill

Scrambling to Save Wildlife



Photo Credit to AP