Great Time to be a Kid…. And We Survived!!

EPA and Drones

The Environmental Protection Agency declined to answer questions this week as the Omaha World-Herald sought to clarify whether the agency had the legal authority to conduct overflights of cattle operations to determine if cattle are pooping in streams in the Midwest.

I don’t know much about bovine latrine habits, but I’ve been around enough pastures to know that cattle really aren’t that particular.

It seems to me that they let go pretty much wherever they are, stream or no.

So I think I can say with some authority, that, yes, cattle all around the Midwest are indeed pooping in streams, legally or otherwise.

That’s the kind of rugged individualists that cow herds appear to be now in face of the bullying- pun intended-cowards in the Obama administration. It’s gotten so bad that not content to rough up people, the Obama administration has to go do some environmental cow-tipping.

What’s supposed to be sport for drunk people, is now official policy

http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/johnransom/2012/06/05/epa_takes_to_air_to_watch_cow_pies

Can Anyone Explain Why, If Obama has a “Jobs Plan”, It Has to Wait Until September to be Revealed

      Prior to his respite on Martha’s Vineyard, Barack Obama has embarked on a three day bus tour (referred to as “Downgrade One” by Eric Bolling of Fox Business Network). While on this tour, in which he is visiting places he won in 2008 and where unemployment is BELOW the national average, Obama is spouting that his plan is to present a “Jobs Plan” sometime in September!

      His bus tour, at the taxpayer expense, is nothing more than a campaign stump.

      And then there is talk of a new government department— the Department of Jobs. Hell, as it is, I think we need to eliminate the Department of Education and the EPA. The Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor should be merged….. and hey, jobs… labor… they correlate! I think we’re making progress in cutting government size and cutting spending!

We Didn’t Have the “Green” Thing Back Then!!!!

 In the line at the store, the cashier told an older woman that she
should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren’t good
for the environment.
 
The woman apologized to her and explained, “We didn’t have the green
thing back in my day.”
 
The clerk responded, “That’s our problem today.  Your generation did
not care enough to save our environment.”
 
She was right — our generation didn’t have the green thing in its day.

Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles
to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and
sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and
over.  So they really were recycled.
 
But we didn’t have the green thing back in our day.
 
We walked up stairs, because we didn’t have an escalator inevery
store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn’t
climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two
blocks.
 
But she was right. We didn’t have the green thing in our day.
 
Back then, we washed the baby’s diapers because we didn’t havethe
throw-away kind.  We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy
gobbling machine burning up 220 volts — wind and solar power really
did dry the clothes.  Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their
brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady
is right; we didn’t have the green thing back in our day.
 
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house — not a TV in every
room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief
(remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana.
 
In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn’t have
electric machines to do everything for us.
 
When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used a wadded
up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
 
Back then, we didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut
the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power.  We exercised by
working so we didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
 
But she’s right; we didn’t have the green thing back then.
 
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup
or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water.
 
We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we
replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the
whole razor just because the blade got dull.
 
But we didn’t have the green thing back then.
 
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their
bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour
taxi service.
 
We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets
to power a dozen appliances.  And we didn’t need a computerized gadget to
receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to
find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn’t it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old
 folks were just because we didn’t have the green thing back then?

First They Came For Your Toilet, Then Your Light Bulbs. Now Your Shower Will Be Regulated

The federal government wants to tell you how to take a shower.

From an editorial on the subject:

I did, however, read with astonishment of the proposed federal regulations that would forever banish the Medusa-like shower heads relied upon by the rich and famous that allow one to enjoy a goodly portion of Lake Michigan when washing off one’s heiny.

My first reaction was one of shock that not only does one now share a commode with Uncle Sam, but also the shower and its many spouting fountains. After all, at what point does Uncle Sam butt out?

Good instincts! Unfortunately, the writer came to her “senses”, and realized that she and the government do know what’s best for everyone.

And then, my more rational side remembered that we do, indeed, face a growing water shortage nationally. Obviously, there are few things more seriously a matter of public interest than the maintenance of a clean water supply at reasonable prices. Since we have already long past the “reasonable prices” stage, we must concentrate on marshalling our water resources as best as possible. Multiple shower head fixtures clearly do not meet this need.

To me, the big picture solution is a multi-tiered water pricing system. Each water account would get a certain number of gallons at the “regular” price, whatever that may be. For every excess gallon used, a second-tier price structure would kick in at significantly greater per-gallon costs.

Progressive price rationing? There must not be such a thing as water neutrality.

http://www.foundingbloggers.com/wordpress/2011/01/first-they-came-for-your-toilet-then-your-light-bulbs-now-your-shower-will-be-regulated/

Raising the Country’s Credit Card Limit

“There are some great alternatives to raising the debt ceiling. Congress should hold votes to eliminate farm subsidies, abolish the Department of Education, close the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), shut down the Department of Energy, repeal Obamacare, and bring our troops home from places like Japan and Europe.”

http://townhall.com/columnists/FloydandMaryBethBrown/2011/01/07/dont_raise_limit_on_obamas_credit_card/page/full/

A “Mandate” to Dictate what Appliances We Should Have?

“Assistant Secretary of Energy Cathy Zoi said Thursday that the U.S. Department of Energy has a “mandate” to issue regulations that will determine what household appliances are available to Americans in the future.”

 

 

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/75469

 

Can someone tell me where she gets the idea that she was given such a mandate?

Newest Plan to Plug the Oil Spill Hole in the Gulf

That should get the job done!!

ObamaEnergy: A Death Sentence to the Housing Market?

     I received the following in my INBOX this morning, complete with links:

We can only hope all who voted for this kind of “hope/change” begin really soon to get the message.     Let the Dem’s we put in power continue to grow government like the Health Care Bill (that was also a secretive bill making the government to become the ONLY body to decide who qualifies for student education loans AND the ONLY body authorized to issue and profit from the loans) and now this monstrous bill … and we’re all permanently screwed.

Own a home but don’t want to be bothered with “Political stuff?”   You damn sure better be bothered with this one.  It will come as a huge shock if you aren’t informed as to what Obama is up to, and it has already passed one hurdle.  It will take very little now to put it into actual law!  A License Required for your HOUSE?  Could that really be happening???? If you own your home you MUST check this out. At the end of this email are some links to use to verify.  If the country thinks the housing market is depressed now, wait until everyone sees this; no one will be buying homes in the future. We encourage you to read the provisions of the Cap and Trade Bill that has passed the House of Representatives and being considered by the Senate. We are ready to join the next march on Washington ! This Congress and whoever on their staffs that write this junk are truly out to destroy the middle class of the U.S.A …. A License will be required for your house…no longer just for cars and mobile homes….Thinking about selling your house.  Take a look at H.R. 2454  (Cap and Trade bill).  This is unbelievable!  Only the beginning from this administration! Home owners take note & tell your friends and relatives who are home owners! Beginning 1 year after enactment of the Cap and Trade Act, you won’t be able to sell your home unless you retrofit it to comply with the energy and water efficiency standards of this Act. H.R. 2454, the “Cap & Trade” bill passed by the House of Representatives, if it is also passed by the Senate, will be the largest tax increase any of us has ever experienced. The Congressional Budget Office (supposedly non-partisan) estimates that in just a few years the average cost to every family of four will be $6,800 per year. No one is excluded.  However, once the lower classes feel the pinch in their wallets, you can be sure these voters get a tax refund (even if they pay no taxes at all) to offset this new cost. Thus, you Mr. And Mrs. Middle Class have to pay even more since additional tax dollars will be needed to bail out everyone else.. But wait. This awful bill (that no one in Congress has actually read) has many more surprises in it. Probably the worst one is this: A year from now you won’t be able to sell your house. Yes, you read that right. The caveat is (there always is a caveat) that if you have enough money to make required major upgrades to your home, then you can sell it. But, if not, then forget it. Even pre-fabricated homes (“mobile homes”) are included. In effect, this bill prevents you from selling your home without the permission of the EPA administrator. To get this permission,you will have to have the energy efficiency of your home measured. Then the government will tell you what your new energy efficiency requirement is and you will be forced to make modifications to your home under the retrofit provisions of this Act to comply with the new energy and water efficiency requirements. Then you will have to get your home measured again and get a license (called a “label” in the Act) that must be posted on your property to show what your efficiency rating is; sort of like the Energy Star efficiency rating label on your refrigerator or air conditioner. If you don’t get a high enough rating, you can’t sell.  And, the EPA administrator is authorized to raise the standards every year, even above the automatic energy efficiency increases built into the Act. The EPA administrator, appointed by the President, will run the Cap & Trade program  (AKA the “American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009″) and is authorized to make any future changes to the regulations and standards he/she alone determines to be in the government’s best interest. Requirements are set low initially so the bill will pass Congress; then the Administrator can set much tougher new standards every year. The Act itself contains annual required increases in energy efficiency for private and commercial residences and buildings. However, the EPA administrator can set higher standards at any time. Sect. 202 Building Retrofit Program mandates a national retrofit program to increase the energy efficiency of all existing homes across America.  Beginning 1 year after enactment of the Act, you won’t be able to sell your home unless you retrofit it to comply with the energy and water efficiency standards of this Act. You had better sell soon, because the standards will be raised each year and will be really hard (I.e., ex$pen$ive) to meet in a few years. Oh, goody! The Act allows the government to give you a grant of several thousand dollars to comply with the retrofit program requirements IF you meet certain energy efficiency levels. But, wait, the State can set additional requirements on who qualifies to receive the grants. You should expect requirements such as “can’t have an income of more than $50K per year”, “home selling price can’t be more than 125K”, or anything else to target the upper middle class (and that’s YOU) and prevent them from qualifying for the grants.  Most of us won’t get a dime and will have to pay the entire cost of the retrofit out of our own pockets. More transfer of wealth, more “change you can believe in.” Sect. 204 Building Energy Performance Labeling Program establishes a labeling program that for each individual residence will identify the achieved energy efficiency performance for “at least 90 percent of the residential market within 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.” This means that within 5 years 90% of all residential homes in the U.S. must be measured and labeled. The EPA administrator will get $50M each year to enforce the labeling program. The Secretary of the Department of Energy will get an additional $20M each year to help enforce the labeling program. Some of this money will, of course, be spent on coming up with tougher standards each year… Oh, the label will be like a license for your car. You will be required to post the label in a conspicuous location in your home and will not be allowed to sell your home without having this label. And, just like your car license, you will probably be required to get a new label every so often – maybe every year. But, the government estimates the cost of measuring the energy efficiency of your home should only cost about $200 each time. Remember what they said about the auto smog inspections when they first started: that in California it would only cost $15.  That was when the program started. Now the cost is about $50 for the inspection and certificate; a 333% increase. Expect the same from the home labeling program. Sect. 304 Greater Energy Efficiency in Building Codes establishes new energy efficiency guidelines for the National Building Code and mandates at 304(d) that 1 year after enactment of this Act, all state and local jurisdictions must adopt the National Building Code energy efficiency provisions or must obtain a certification from the federal government that their state and/or local codes have been brought into full compliance with the National Building Code energy efficiency standards. CHECK OUT Just a few of the sites;  Cap and Trade: A License Required for your Home http://www.nachi.org/forum/f14/cap-and-trade-license-required-your-home-44750/ HR2454 American Clean Energy & Security Act:   http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2454 Cap & Trade A license required for your home: http://www.prisonplanet.com/cap-and-trade-a-license-required-for-your-home.html Cap and trade is a license to cheat and steal:  http://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/columns/oped_contributors/Cap-and-trade-is-a-license-to-cheat-and-steal-45371937.html Cap and Trade: A License Required for your Home: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2393940/posts Thinking about selling you House? Look at HR 2454: http://www.federalobserver.com/2009/10/01/thinking-about-selling-your-house-a-look-at-h-r-2454-cap-and-trade-bill/

 

GOP Senator Explains CapNTrade Opposition to Committee, then GOP Boycotts Hearing

Republicans boycotted the start of committee debate Tuesday on a bill to curb greenhouse gases, protesting that the bill’s costs have not been fully examined. The action put a spotlight on the difficulties Democratic leaders face in moving climate legislation this year.

Republican Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio attended the session for 15 minutes to explain the GOP’s argument for staying away. He insisted the tactic “is not a ruse” to block the bill, but concern that its widespread impact on the country has not been made clear.

But Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, the panel’s chairman, argued the EPA already has provided “a full blown economic analysis” and that Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised further studies when the bill is merged with other legislation. She insisted, “We’re not rushing. We are taking our time.”

The partisan rift in the Environment and Public Works Committee, which delayed votes on amendments to the legislation, exposed the sharp divisions in the Senate over how to address global warming. Democrats also have been split on the issue. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who said he had deep reservations about the bill also was absent.

For full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091103/ap_on_bi_ge/us_climate_bill