Time to get FIT Virginia…
By bruce | May 12, 2009
As one opposed to the soon to be built through NOVA Dominion power line, I’ve been primarily focusing on the low hanging fruit of demand side management, but recently have been reflecting on the progressive environmental perspectives that seem to put us mostly into the “party of no” column. No mountain top removal, no nukes, no new coal plants, no offshore gas or wind… These are all righteous, but leave us with out the capability to propose real solutions.
I’ve recently become quite the zealot on Feed-In Tariffs (FIT) as THE way for us to promote dramatic increases in our renewable energy resources as well as take some of the power away from Dominion. The FIT program internationally had proven to increase renewable power and in some cases even reduced the Kw hour costs! It’s often been described as Democratizing energy production as so many individuals, small businesses, co-ops etc generate the power.
This program is very new to Virginia and I’m seriously thinking of starting a PAC to move the conversation in the Commonwealth to a different agenda. Would you be interested in helping in some way?
I know this stuff is new so I’ve got a link to two recent forums on the topic to get you up to speed and a LINK of the Washington Monthly article on the Rooftop Revolution.
New America Foundation forum on FIT
World Future Council FIT Symposium
The Washington Monthly The Rooftop Revolution
I’ve also prepared and delivered a FIT briefing book for Deeds and Bowerbank.
FIT’s have the potential to really separate us from the pack with real proposals to reduce our dependence on carbon based power generation, and with Obama’s new ’smart grid’ allow us to move much closer to a generation centric distribution system as opposed to a grid centric one that now requires all that cheap coal electricity being shipped from parts unknown (losing electrons along the way).
Interested? EMAIL ME AT ROEMMELT[AT]EROLS.COM
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Deeds Wins 10th CD Straw Poll…
By bruce | May 9, 2009
Creigh Deeds won the straw poll conducted at the 10th CD reorganization meeting this morning at Heritage High School in Loudoun County.
The results:
Terry 23
Brian 24
Creigh 49
Woot!
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Ronald Reagan Switches Parties, DINO No More…
By bruce | April 29, 2009
Much hand wringing by the right over Specter. It was fine when old Ronnie did it.
One to go…
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
That Gay Storm…
By bruce | April 21, 2009
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Just in case we forget what a good president W was…
By bruce | March 4, 2009
Ben & Jerry created “Yes Pecan!” ice cream flavor for Obama.
They then asked people to fill in the blank to the following:
For George W. they created “_________”.
Here are some of their favorite responses:
- Grape Depression
- Abu Grape
- Cluster Fudge
- Nut’n Accomplished
- Iraqi Road
- Chock ‘n Awe
- WireTapioca
- Impeach Cobbler
- Guantanmallow
- imPeachmint
- Good Riddance You Lousy Mother (Censored)… Swirl
- Heckuvajob Brownie
- Neocon Politan
- Rocky Road to Fascism
- The Reese’s-cession
- Cookie D’oh!
- The Housing Crunch
- Nougalar Proliferation
- Death by Chocolate… and Torture
- Credit Crunch
- Country Pumpkin
- Chunky Monkey in Chief
- George Bush Doesn’t Care About Dark Chocolate
- WMDelicious
- Chocolate Chimp
- Bloody Sundae
- Caramel Preemptive Stripe
- I broke the law and am responsible
for the deaths of thousands…with nuts
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
How HOPEful to have an HONEST President…
By bruce | February 22, 2009
The New Your Times reports today that President Obama will include in his first budget, 2.7 Trillion dollars of spending that “W” failed to in his past budgets. The number includes the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Medicare reimbursement to physicians, and disaster response numbers. And Bush was the first MBA President?
Telling the truth is a great way to regain the faith of the American people and the world in the American Presidency. I believe that one of the key elements in our recovery from the Bush Depression is the American people regaining their confidence in our government.
Bush’s response to 911 - “Go Shopping”
Obama’s response to this Gilmorel-like power transfer present - “Go to Work”
What other dirty little secrets will be uncovered from the Bush II era?
Now the tough work begins but this first Obama budget is a huge start.
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wondering where the converted have been…
By bruce | February 17, 2009
Watching my boy Keith tonight and as usual I was just amazed at the Republic rage over the impact of the stimulus package. The local Right Wing blogs are awash with “we’re doing everything we can to keep the Reagan Faith… but Obama is going to cause Armageddon with this plan.”
I’m just uncomfortable with understanding deficits, GNP, etc. My supposed area of expertise is teaching, not economics, but this reaction to a true national crisis is just mind boggling. And as usual Rove is leading the way by continuing to craft the Right’s talking points.
My question is relatively simple. Where was the GOP the last eight years? All this crap about not being involved in the process. I for one recall the Delay Days. Ahhh - truly a bi-partisan party them days were.
But when you ask the question who do you trust to get us out of this mess, I suspect it all starts with historically who reduces the national debt the most (or at all). Looking at Obama’s approval ratings seems to me that the “Real America” is on board with my guy Barack.
Bush was a nightmare on so many levels, but I again ask where was the outrage the past eight years? When the Patriot Act passed without any discussion? When the BS War in Iraq was not even included in the deficit numbers? And on and on…
So I went to the Wiki on the National Debt and was just astonished by the chart below.
Eric Cantor, did you just fall off the turnip truck???
Don’t you just long for the days of old Ronnie when we increased our national debt by over 20%? “W” looks like a rocket surgeon with “just” a 15% increase. This just might move him up to the 8th worst president. I know it’s Clinton’s fault for leaving the MBA President with a surplus!
Not me baby. I’m happy that Obama is the man and trying to engage, but as he told the reporters in ChiTown this week, “I’m no sap.” Mr. President, you have my permission to administer a group dope slap at your discretion.
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
These are awesome Inaugration Pics…
By bruce | January 25, 2009
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/01/the_inauguration_of_president.html
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
WOW!
By bruce | January 16, 2009
From WTOP…
County votes to dissolve volunteer fire department
January 16, 2009 - 3:27pm
Neal Augenstein, WTOP Radio
GAINESVILLE, Va. - Major changes are coming to a local fire department after allegations of wrongdoing.Prince William County’s Board of Supervisors voted to dissolve the Gainesville Volunteer Fire Department Friday.
“Frankly, the management of the Gainesville Volunteer Fire Department was sick and beyond repair and the board took the bold and very decisive action to dissolve the company,” Stewart says.
Stewart says the decision came after allegations the volunteer chief was living at the firehouse with his family.
“When these revelations came to light, we felt we had no option but to dissolve the company,” Stewart says.
The county’s decision will not change the fire response for citizens.
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
$78.21 per Hour is a Bunch of …
By bruce | November 27, 2008
I’m a union guy. I believe in organized labor and what it has and will continue to do for America (and the middle class).
I’m a bit like McCain on the economy (I need some heavy remedial work), but at least my primary advisors are not like McCain’s Wall Street lobbyist pal (Phil “we got too much Wall Street regulation” Graham).
On the subject of the solution to the American auto industry crisis, I do beleive that we’ve got to do something. Our country cannot allow three million auto workers to become unemployed. President elect Obama is on the right track with his reasoned pragmatic response (from the Financial Post)…
“We can’t allow the auto industry simply to vanish,” Mr. Obama told reporters in Washington as he introduced his new economic team. “[At the same time], taxpayers can’t be expected to pony up more money for an auto industry that has been resistant to change.”
Mr. Obama said he was surprised that executives with General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC did not have a “better thought-out proposal” when they testified before congressional committees last week in a pitch to win US$25-billion in emergency government aid. He said congress did the right thing in postponing a vote on auto aid until the week of Dec. 8 and requiring the automakers to present detailed “viability” plans by Dec. 2 showing how they plan to use public funds.
Hey it’s a complex issue, but it just steams me that all of the conservatives (with the notable exception of MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough and commentator Pat Buchanan) want to just let the big three die AND blame it all on the unions. The biggest Con talking point is the UAW hourly wage first put out there by Andrew Ross Sorkin in the New York Times where he wrote…
Then (there’s) the auto workers, whose benefits are off the charts.
G.M. currently employs about 8,000 people who actually don’t come to work. Those who do go to work are paid about $10 to $20 an hour more than people who do the same job building cars in the United States for foreign makers like Toyota. At G.M., as of 2007, the average worker was paid about $70 an hour, including health care and pension costs.
I was amazed but found it difficult to get some hard data on salaries (I told you I needed remediation), then my old pal Keith Olberman put the truth out there tonight and I was off to the races.
The best expose of the false information is on the Political Byline (a Libretarian Blog by the way). And of course how could you not go to my favorite read the Washington Monthly and read the Political Animal.
“Hear me know and believe me later” it ain’t the unions who made all those bad decisions over the lat 30 years it’s the bosses. And just ’cause the unions wanted a piece of the pie, don’t get all weepy on my. The same argument is not put forth when the bosses make millions and not a peep has been chirped about them giving it back. A great Huff Post article on “Congress Bails out those who shower before work, but not those who shower after work.
This is like the Republicans blaming the McCain Palin loss on the media, and not the fact that the Republican candidates were really just more Bush.
This whole wage meme is just another attempt to eliminate unions. Well Bubba the Employee Free Choice Act is a coming. That’s the Change I voted for!
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Virginia and California, There’s More Work to do…
By bruce | November 10, 2008
Keith Olbermann’s special comment on Prop 8. Just in case you progressives thought our work here is done…
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
A Prince William County Dem Starts to Reflect…
By bruce | November 6, 2008
At the Prince William County event Monday night I just knew we would prevail. The last 4 minutes of Barak’s speech was life altering. Click the Picture below…
It got me up at 4:00 AM on Election day. It carried me through my rounds while the polls when the polls were open. It buoyed me up when the little problems seemed to potentially be the reason my little district would be the cause of our great county still having to wait for the change we so desperately needs. I calmed me when Republicans at the polls called me out for various reasons, union membership, getting out of Iraq, really supporting the troops, and all the rest. Those last few minutes of President Elect Obama’s speech got me through the pouring rain Tuesday afternoon. Those words were burned into my brain. Fired Up, Ready to Go.
And I kept thinking of the point of that marvelous story. One voice can change a room, one room can change a city, the voice of one city can change a state, the voice of one state can change a country, and the voice of one country can change the world.
I’ve gone through a variety of emotions since the election was called for Obama. And continue to do so. Mostly it’s an emotion of immense pride about our great nation continuing a profound commitment to our founding father’s ideals and hopes.
But we did it. Obama has changed the way politics will be done in the USA for decades. The Republicans will continue their decline as a national party. And I really don’t see a bright future for them in Prince William either. They seem to have no room for moderates. The Under 30’s broke two to one for Obama. Our future is now with the young.
There’s a lot of work to do, but my faith in President Obama’s abilities is unwavering. If he runs the country half as well as he ran the campaign it will be a thing of beauty. I’m ready to do my small part.
I’m so happy I could cry…
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
90,000
By bruce | November 4, 2008
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
The Most Hopeful Indicator of an Obama Win — NASCAR Dads…
By bruce | October 27, 2008
I’m a Democrat. I voted absentee a week ago for Senators Obama and Biden, Governor Warner, and my friend Dr. Feder. No real surprise there.
I also have been coordinating the Veterans and Military Families for Obama in Region six. My area covers Prince William and Fauquier Counties, and Manassas and Manassas Park. Our hardy band of American patriots has grown from an initial list of 12 to 300 strong. We’re phoning Vets all over the Commonwealth with the real facts of Senator Obama’s genuine support for our military.
As the Gainesville Democratic Committee Chair I’ve coordinated canvass’, phone banks, parades and a host of other outreach activities, all in near perfect synchronization with the incredibly dedicated small staff on the Obama and Coordinated campaigns.
Now with a week to go, most of the yard signs have been stuck in the ground, the bumper stickers applied and - take a deep breath - the Get Out The Vote is about to start in the Commonwealth - a GOTV effort that will be talked about for ever!
I’m taking nothing for granted, and neither are the campaigns and we’re going to work these last few days like our country’s future depends on the outcome and I truly beleive it does.
The efforts expended in the cause are intense and the anticipation of the outcome is high, especially in light of Virginia’s history, but we’re gonna take it to the house, with righteous energy. But sometimes the task is daunting, then I read something today that gave me the inspiration to suck it up and truly sprint to the finish line. 
Today NASCAR icon Junior Johnson endorsed Senator Obama.
Here’s the text of the letter that went to all those NASCAR folks in North Carolina…
My family and I have given this election a lot of thought.
Our country is in a rough spot, and we’re going to need some serious change. There’s only one candidate ready to deliver it — and that’s Barack Obama.
Every day I talk to someone else who’s never voted for a Democrat, but now they’re voting for Barack Obama. They realize that Barack understands what we’re going through here in North Carolina. And they’re ready for change.
So I’ve made up my mind, and I’m ready to get involved. I know that I could never have won a race without my pit crew, and I know Barack can’t win this one without us.
Can you sign up to volunteer this last crucial week?
When I talk to folks about why I support Barack, I just tell it like I see it.
There’s been a lot thrown at him this election, and he’s stayed calm, positive, and focused. I know a little something about how important it is to stay cool under pressure.
And with all the dangers in our world today, that’s the kind of rock-solid leadership our country needs.
These days, I run a small country ham and pork skins business. Barack Obama will fight for a fair economy where small businesses like mine have the freedom to grow, and he’ll defend the Second Amendment to protect the hunter’s way of life.
But the most important reasons I’m speaking out for Barack Obama are named Robert and Meredith, my two children. My wife Lisa and I talked it over, and honestly, we know in our gut that their future is more secure if Barack Obama is president.
At the end of the day, there’s just nothing more important than that.
That’s why I’m going to talk to my neighbors this week, and I’m asking you to do the same. This election in North Carolina is going to be one of the closest ever, and we all need to lend a hand.
Join me by volunteering this week:
http://nc.barackobama.com/NC100kHours
I’ve been in a lot of races in my life. But this may be the most important one of all. So let’s all get in gear and win it together.
Yours,
Junior Johnson
P.S. — I know what it means to run an aggressive race, but I also know what it means to compete with integrity. Have you gotten one of these pre-recorded calls that are flooding our state smearing Barack Obama’s character and questioning his patriotism? That’s crossing the line, and North Carolinians deserve better. Help fight back by canvassing this week to tell your neighbors the truth about Barack.
First Bluegrass Icon Dr. Ralph Stanley endorses Senator Obama, now Junior.
I feel a vibe in Virginia, Prince William, and the Gainesville District like never before. Hitting 1500 doors, each day, making 2000 phone calls each day (not those McCain/Palin Robos, but real people reaching out to real people, and making a difference like never before.
Work with us to take our country back. It will be worth your effort like nothing you’ve ever done in your life.
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
The Return of Swift Boaters…
By bruce | October 10, 2008
You betcha…
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
The Busy Season …
By bruce | October 7, 2008
Sorry for not posting to my three avid fans. Since the Debate watch party we’ve coordinated/worked on:
- Huge Haymarket Days parade effort (50 people plus float)
- Haymarket Days Democrats booth
- Multiple Vets for Obama events and activities
- Another party for the first debate
- Pumpkin Pandemonium booth (where are the R’s??
and we took a few days to go to NYC so i could ride my ship back to the pier.
Two more events to coordinate and then the big election day. What a great time to be a Democrat in Virginia.
We are getting converts all the time…
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Yes Virginia we’re in play, BIG TIME…
By bruce | August 30, 2008
Last Thursday, the Gainesville and Brentsville Democratic Committees of Prince William County hosted a party to watch our Presidential Nominee, Senator Barak Obama make his acceptance speech. I was hoping for a respctable 30-50 folks to attend as has been the case with most events other than when Senator Colgan has Mark Warner coming to town.
I rented the Social Hall of my church BRUU and committed to buying beverages etc, and started inviting people. I checked out the wireless internet access and my new Mac was chomping at the bit to stream the High Def pictures coming from the DNC site in Denver.
Then the numbers started coming in, 50 here - 75 there and 100 from canvassers. The message was clear to me - buy more beer. Turned out that over 230 people RSVP’ed and over 175 attended. Standing room only! We even had soon to be elected House of Representatives member Judy Feder in the house.
The video worked flawlesly (sorta like the Federal Government with President Obama at the helm) and a fantastic time was had by all, but these thoughts kept running through my head…
Would this have been possible last year, or during Senator Webb’s crushing victory over a sitting official, or three years ago, or when the last presidential race was run? No way. And definitely not in Manassas and Western Prince William County. The times are a changing.
Virginia is really in play and that with polling numbers that don’t include tens of thousands of new voters registered or the tens of thousands that have cell phones and are not polled. This does not bode well for McCain nor the Mayor of Moose Nose or what ever.
I was so proud to be a part of this event and the people who watched will not go away. They will walk, they will call, they will reach out to their neighbors, they will proudly display yard signs and bumperstickers, and … they will vote for our great Democratic candidates on November 4th!
Virginia will be blue very soon. We’re in play and even Senator McCain believes it when he says “We have a good shot to win Virginia.”
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Virginia Veterans for Obama, Sit-Stat…
By bruce | August 25, 2008
Four Years ago something happened in the Presidential contest that nearly ruined politics for me - the Swiftboaters. Not gonna happen this time. There will be no Democratic version of that crap, just lots of veterans supporting the senator.
Senator Obama’s campaign has established Veterans For Obama groups in all 50 states and Virginia being a battleground is leading the way. We’re organized as are the Obama regions and have several hundred members already.
I’m coordinating Region 6 (Prince William and Fauquier Counties and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park) and from an initial list of 15 names we’ve grown to over 150 proud veterans supporting the Campaign for Change.
If you want to help us out, sign up or make a small donation at our ActBlue Site.
http://www.actblue.com/page/virginiavetsforobama
We’re going to use the money for Vets Obama stuff. The campaign is correctly focusing on funding field operations and responding to swiftboaters in minutes not weeks. We’ll step up, after all it’s kinda like our GI’s trying to Up-Armor their Humvees or buying their own bulletproof vests or helmet liners.
If you want to join our group, send your contact information to Bruce.VetsForObama@verizon.net
Wait till you see about 75 of us with our float in the Haymarket Days Parade!! Gonna be a thing of beauty.
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Greg Lettique approves of the UU Knoxville murders/terrorism???
By bruce | August 4, 2008
I happened to stumble upon a post about Mimi and her Howling Latina blog on BVBL. Mimi’s got real issues with Senator Obama and posted a “questionable” graphic. Now I’ve had some real issues with her failure to accept the primary process, but hey it’s her blog. She does seem to be in denial, but that’s her issue.
My issue is that there is a blog in Manassas, that has a fair amount of readers, that’s advising the faithful it’s ok to kill people if you don’t agree with thier ideas and values.
Greg Lettique takes Mimi’s post about a few bloggers (presumably “Lefties”) wanting their blogs removed from her blog roll as proof that Democrats are the spawn of the devil, yadda, yadda. Sort of expected, but then I read the last paragraph and just about spun off into the ether. This direct quote is from this post…
The implosion of the left will only continue with these demands for orthodoxy. You can ultimately herd leftists no more easily than you can herd cats, unless of course deadly force is on the menu of coercive methodologies that can be employed.
So close to the Knoxville murders. So painful to so many. Is it any wonder that the Atkinson’s of the world storm into a UU sanctuary or an Amish worship house with the intent to act on their paranoia?
This kind of hate is similar to, oh I don’t know, you tell me. What is the point of this other than to validate and incite hate and violence. I’m no rocket surgeon, but I know what deadly force is. Is this a veiled threat? And don’t give me that <wink> <wink> can’t you take a joke. This is just wrong. Killing people for their ideas? Maiming humans because of what they believe?
Mimi’s post pales in comparison to these vile words.
This is about people’s lives.
I consider myself a progressive, but since I’ve been accused by Greg in the past of being one of these lefties (In Greg’s mind, the un-pure I suspect) I guess I could be adversely affected by this advice to his faithful as well.
In the Pledge of Allegiance there are those very powerful words, “…with liberty and justice for all.” I believe in those words, I don’t just say them. I suspect that each of us needs to assess whether we really believe them or not.
I could care less about Mimi’s blog, but Greg’s statement is a direct attack on my family. I will protect my family…
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Some days it’s tough to live and believe in your values…
By bruce | July 28, 2008
Just heard of the shooting in Knoxville at a Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Two dead, and five more in critical or serious condition.
Right now I’m just too pissed off to think rationally about this domestic terrorism/hate crime. But our UUA National President Bill Sinkford speaks for us all.
UUA President Releases Statement on Tennessee Shootings
July 27, 2008
Statement from Rev. William G. Sinkford, President, Unitarian Universalist Association
I am shocked and sorrowed by the terrible shootings in the sanctuary of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. My heart is heavy and my prayers are with our injured sisters and brothers in Knoxville. While many details of this tragedy remain unclear, our Association will do all we can to support Unitarian Universalists in Knoxville in the hard days to come.
A tragedy such as this makes us acutely conscious of the beauty and fragility of our lives and those of our loved ones. I am especially saddened by this intrusion of violence into a worship service involving children and youth. I know that many people, both in Knoxville and around the country, are struggling with shock and grief right now. I pray that those so affected will find strength and comfort.
Members of the Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry are on their way to Knoxville to offer additional ministry to the congregation as it grieves. And Unitarian Universalists around the world are sending love and prayers to the Tennessee Valley congregation to tell them they are not alone on this dark day.
The Kubler Ross model of Grief Stages is appriopriate here…
The stages are:
- Denial:
- Example - “I feel fine.”; “This can’t be happening.”
- Anger:
- Example - “Why me? It’s not fair!” “NO! NO! How can you accept this!”
- Bargaining:
- Example - “Just let me live to see my children graduate.”; “I’ll do anything, can’t you stretch it out? A few more years.”
- Depression:
- Example - “I’m so sad, why bother with anything?”; “I’m going to die . . . What’s the point?”
- Acceptance:
Sorry for my lack of perspective on this one, kinda stuck in anger right now…
b
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »