Latest reporting shows that Brightsource has invested $400 Million in it's Mojave desert solar mirror, boiling water array project. The scandal is that Obama's administration has provided $1.6 Billion in a low-interest loan. And these loans are payable last in a bankruptcy.
Also, Brightsource's chief lobbyist is Joe Biden's former chief of staff.
And, on the lighter side, the California DOE's 667 page report that approved the project says that flying birds are in danger of being "fried" in flight, airplanes in can be destabilized by hot rising air, and driver's on nearby roads blinded.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Scandals: Brown Drops HSR Plan to Ease Enviromental Approvals
Common sense and environmentalists have won a battle in the High Speed Rail war.
See here: Brown Bows to Enviros on HSR
"All along we thought it was a stupid idea," said Kathryn Phillips, Sierra Club California director. "Trying to reduce environmental review for one of the largest public works projects in the state's history really makes no sense."
I don't like the overbearing nature of current legislation like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act and California's CEQA, but I also can't agree with evading existing law for political purposes.
See here: Brown Bows to Enviros on HSR
"All along we thought it was a stupid idea," said Kathryn Phillips, Sierra Club California director. "Trying to reduce environmental review for one of the largest public works projects in the state's history really makes no sense."
I don't like the overbearing nature of current legislation like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act and California's CEQA, but I also can't agree with evading existing law for political purposes.
Fast & Furious: Executive Privilege? Or Not?
On the day after Obama's first exercise of executive privilege, the legal community is doing its best to advise the media on the meaning of the action.
Let's make this simple: Most experts agree that privilege cannot apply in this case.
See here: Napolitano: President-obama-attorney-general-holder-and-executive-privilege
Here is an even simpler interpretation: You can't invoke privilege on something that is illegal. F&F used illegal methods and committed crimes (allowing gun walking that resulted in deaths) as its central theme. So how can privilege protect against committed crimes?
Let's make this simple: Most experts agree that privilege cannot apply in this case.
See here: Napolitano: President-obama-attorney-general-holder-and-executive-privilege
Here is an even simpler interpretation: You can't invoke privilege on something that is illegal. F&F used illegal methods and committed crimes (allowing gun walking that resulted in deaths) as its central theme. So how can privilege protect against committed crimes?
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Fast & Furious: Holder Found in Contempt of Congress
After more than a year in which DOJ and Eric Holder have been significantly non-responsive to requests for documents and details of reasoning and decision-making in the Fast &Furious gun walking case, the House Oversight Committee today voted to refer a Contempt of Congress Report to the Full House of Representatives. The next step is a vote of the full House,
but a floor vote is not expected before next week.
After a full day of discussion, the vote came down to a party line vote of 23 to 16. This is unfortunate in my opinion. The Democrat side argued in favor of "benefit of doubt" about how responsive DOJ has a been. The Republican side concentrated on the serious nature of the subject and the matters of the deaths of agents and Mexican citizens and the fact that open government was not being served by DOJ throughout this matter.
I think there is truth on each side, but I lean strongly in favor of the exposure of the truth. The obvious stonewalling by Eric Holder and DOJ, and the obvious water-carrying by Democrat members for various reasons such as more gun control, sympathy for Holder, protection of the Administration, and blatant mis-representation of facts did not serve their side at all. Some Democrats expressed valid views about investigation of broader issues of oversight of ATF and DOJ, and these issues have some merit, although in a broad context that may be too broad at this time.
Fast & Furious: Holder Gets His Boss to Bail Him Out
This morning Eric Holder dodged appearing before the House Oversight Committee. He was to have been there to answer to contempt charges over the failure of his DOJ to produce 60,00 plus documents related to the Fast & Furious Operation. (There is some question here, since last week Holder said there were now 140,000 documents.) He has consistently stonewalled this release of documents since last May. But he has always maintained that there was nothing of much importance in the documents.
Last night Holder sent a letter to the President to request Executive Privilege. His letter said those documents pertain to the "deliberative process" on how to respond to congressional and media inquiries. Obama granted it in a letter given to the Committee this morning from Deputy Attorney General James Cole.
"We regret that we have arrived at this point, after the many steps we have taken to address the committee's concerns and to accommodate the committee's legitimate oversight interests regarding Operation Fast and Furious," Cole wrote. "Although we are deeply disappointed that the committee appears intent on proceeding with a contempt vote, the department remains willing to work with the committee to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution of the outstanding issues."
See here: House-republicans-tee-up-imminent-contempt-vote-against-holder
And here: WSJ Article
"This untimely assertion by the Justice Department falls short of any reason to delay today's proceedings," Issa said.
So today it seems maybe Holder has been lying all along. This is sort of like invoking the 5th Amendment - everyone then surmises you are guilty. The general assumption now will be that there is incriminating evidence in the documents that can be politically damaging to the Administration, right before an election.
The quote from James Cole above is classic stonewalling language similar to that which Holder and DOJ have been using for over a year to avoid a substantive response the the Committee's subpoenas for documents and witnesses.
Unfortunately, this 11-th hour action by the President has touched off a nasty spat between Democrat and Republican members of the Committee. To my observation, the Democrat members are trying their best to sidestep the basic issues and to make like this investigation into F&F look like a political witch-hunt. for instance, Rep. James Quigley, D-IL, made a long speech about how the Arizona gun dealers are supplying "hundreds of thousands" of AK-47s to Mexican cartels. This is false, and merely highlights the anti-gun side's willingness to use bogus stats to change the subject.
If you listen to the hearing on C-Span, especially watch Trey Gowdy, R-SC, a former federal prosecutor, highlight the grievousness of the Committee's task. He brings it all back to the reality of dead agents and dead Mexicans and probable conspiracy in DOJ and State to continue an ill-conceived and illegal operation.
See here: C-SPAN - Meeting-to-Consider-Attorney-General-Holder-Contempt-Citation
I also recommend comments by Jackie Speier, D-CA, about investigation into DOJ's practices. I rarely agree with her, but do on this point. (Of course she also displays her anti-gun bias later on.)
Then watch Rep. Raul Labrador, R-ID, discuss Holder's evasive testimony practices over the past year.
To me, this hearing today sums up the reasons why there has been such slow progress in this matter. F&F could have been cleanup by Holder and DOJ easily last year. Instead, they pursued the stonewalling tactic. It is sad to see the partisanship being played by some Democrats on the Committee. I see the Republication being more concerned with finding the truth, while the obstructive Democrats are concerned with politics.
Bottom line: Brian Terry is dead and his mother still doesn't know why. Hundreds of Mexicans are dead and there is no explanation from DOJ. Justice and truth are not being served yet.
Last night Holder sent a letter to the President to request Executive Privilege. His letter said those documents pertain to the "deliberative process" on how to respond to congressional and media inquiries. Obama granted it in a letter given to the Committee this morning from Deputy Attorney General James Cole.
"We regret that we have arrived at this point, after the many steps we have taken to address the committee's concerns and to accommodate the committee's legitimate oversight interests regarding Operation Fast and Furious," Cole wrote. "Although we are deeply disappointed that the committee appears intent on proceeding with a contempt vote, the department remains willing to work with the committee to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution of the outstanding issues."
See here: House-republicans-tee-up-imminent-contempt-vote-against-holder
And here: WSJ Article
"This untimely assertion by the Justice Department falls short of any reason to delay today's proceedings," Issa said.
So today it seems maybe Holder has been lying all along. This is sort of like invoking the 5th Amendment - everyone then surmises you are guilty. The general assumption now will be that there is incriminating evidence in the documents that can be politically damaging to the Administration, right before an election.
The quote from James Cole above is classic stonewalling language similar to that which Holder and DOJ have been using for over a year to avoid a substantive response the the Committee's subpoenas for documents and witnesses.
Unfortunately, this 11-th hour action by the President has touched off a nasty spat between Democrat and Republican members of the Committee. To my observation, the Democrat members are trying their best to sidestep the basic issues and to make like this investigation into F&F look like a political witch-hunt. for instance, Rep. James Quigley, D-IL, made a long speech about how the Arizona gun dealers are supplying "hundreds of thousands" of AK-47s to Mexican cartels. This is false, and merely highlights the anti-gun side's willingness to use bogus stats to change the subject.
If you listen to the hearing on C-Span, especially watch Trey Gowdy, R-SC, a former federal prosecutor, highlight the grievousness of the Committee's task. He brings it all back to the reality of dead agents and dead Mexicans and probable conspiracy in DOJ and State to continue an ill-conceived and illegal operation.
See here: C-SPAN - Meeting-to-Consider-Attorney-General-Holder-Contempt-Citation
I also recommend comments by Jackie Speier, D-CA, about investigation into DOJ's practices. I rarely agree with her, but do on this point. (Of course she also displays her anti-gun bias later on.)
Then watch Rep. Raul Labrador, R-ID, discuss Holder's evasive testimony practices over the past year.
To me, this hearing today sums up the reasons why there has been such slow progress in this matter. F&F could have been cleanup by Holder and DOJ easily last year. Instead, they pursued the stonewalling tactic. It is sad to see the partisanship being played by some Democrats on the Committee. I see the Republication being more concerned with finding the truth, while the obstructive Democrats are concerned with politics.
Bottom line: Brian Terry is dead and his mother still doesn't know why. Hundreds of Mexicans are dead and there is no explanation from DOJ. Justice and truth are not being served yet.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Fast & Furious: Eric Holder Comes Up Empty-Handed
Eric Holder remained true to form today. This afternoon, he met with Daryl Issa and several House Oversight Committee members to preview what requested documents he would give the Committee before the Committee votes on a Contempt Resolution tomorrow. Remember, only about 7000 out of 75,000 documents have been produced.
Eric Holder came empty-handed. Once again, he stonewalled by proposing another meeting, at which they could review some documents and then the subpoena would be ended. What a joke. Ain't gonna happen. The meeting was over in 20 minutes. His ass is on the line tomorrow at 10 AM. Even last eek, 30-some Democrat Congress members were ready to vote against Holder.
As for the public, 40% says Holder should resign, 20% say no, the rest demur. Maybe soon Brian Terry's mother will find out who is responsible for her son's death.
Eric Holder came empty-handed. Once again, he stonewalled by proposing another meeting, at which they could review some documents and then the subpoena would be ended. What a joke. Ain't gonna happen. The meeting was over in 20 minutes. His ass is on the line tomorrow at 10 AM. Even last eek, 30-some Democrat Congress members were ready to vote against Holder.
As for the public, 40% says Holder should resign, 20% say no, the rest demur. Maybe soon Brian Terry's mother will find out who is responsible for her son's death.
Scandals: Another Solar Firm Bites the Dust
From Power Engineering, June 18:
NovaSolar Inc., the thin-film solar manufacturer that was created from the management and technology of OptiSolar, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 15, according to NASDAQ. OptiSolar had previously halted production of its solar technology in 2009. The company has claimed $6 million in assets and $14 million in liabilities.
NovaSolar's Chapter 11 filing is the latest in a number of recent solar company bankruptcies, which includes Solyndra LLC, Evergreen Solar Inc., Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (ENERQ) and Solar Trust of America LLC.
No word yet as to how much the DOE sank into this one. But in 2009, OptiSolar had a power purchase deal with Pacific Gas & Electric for a 550 MW AC solar project. NovaSolar spent $400 million in stock to get OptiSolars assets.
Ya gotta love the optimism of these solar developers. But even with subsidies the solar business model still seems mostly unworkable.
NovaSolar Inc., the thin-film solar manufacturer that was created from the management and technology of OptiSolar, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 15, according to NASDAQ. OptiSolar had previously halted production of its solar technology in 2009. The company has claimed $6 million in assets and $14 million in liabilities.
NovaSolar's Chapter 11 filing is the latest in a number of recent solar company bankruptcies, which includes Solyndra LLC, Evergreen Solar Inc., Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (ENERQ) and Solar Trust of America LLC.
No word yet as to how much the DOE sank into this one. But in 2009, OptiSolar had a power purchase deal with Pacific Gas & Electric for a 550 MW AC solar project. NovaSolar spent $400 million in stock to get OptiSolars assets.
Ya gotta love the optimism of these solar developers. But even with subsidies the solar business model still seems mostly unworkable.
Monday, June 18, 2012
MSM For Obama: NBC All-in with Egregious Editing
Remember when George Zimmerman was arrested for shooting Trayvon Martin? Remember how an NBC editor doctored the telephone tapes of the 911 calls to make it look like racism was involved? The guy got fired.
Once again NBC strikes with biased editing in favor of their hero, President Obama. On Andrea Mitchell's show, she tried to make Romney look like a dufus and disconnected from the ordinary people by implying with grossly edited audio that he was somehow surprised by seeing touch pad checkout machines at a Wawa store (a supermarket chain based in Wawa, Pa). See how the International Business Times repeated the gaffe story, instead of the real one. Mitt-romney-wawa-video-gaffe-twitter
However, as exposed by a blogger, the actual full length audio has Romney talking about how private industry is so much better that government at competing and creating things that people really need. And how government regulation (using the example of an optometrist he met that day who had tried to change his address using a 33 page form) is so inefficient vs. a simple touch pad for ordering and paying for a hoagie sandwich in Wawa's.
See here for Politico's update on the story where they recognize the context issue: Romneys-wawa-visit Too bad they didn't link to the full video.
Here is the full context video: Full context video
Once again NBC strikes with biased editing in favor of their hero, President Obama. On Andrea Mitchell's show, she tried to make Romney look like a dufus and disconnected from the ordinary people by implying with grossly edited audio that he was somehow surprised by seeing touch pad checkout machines at a Wawa store (a supermarket chain based in Wawa, Pa). See how the International Business Times repeated the gaffe story, instead of the real one. Mitt-romney-wawa-video-gaffe-twitter
However, as exposed by a blogger, the actual full length audio has Romney talking about how private industry is so much better that government at competing and creating things that people really need. And how government regulation (using the example of an optometrist he met that day who had tried to change his address using a 33 page form) is so inefficient vs. a simple touch pad for ordering and paying for a hoagie sandwich in Wawa's.
See here for Politico's update on the story where they recognize the context issue: Romneys-wawa-visit Too bad they didn't link to the full video.
Here is the full context video: Full context video
Fast & Furious: Reporting Update
I have reported before that the mainstream media is pretty much ignoring F&F. NBC has still not reported about F&F even once, even with Eric Holder in big trouble this week.
In contrast, Sharyl Attkisson of CBS has won an Edgar R. Murrow Award for her original and in-depth reporting on Fast & Furious. Congratulations to Ms. Attkisson.
In contrast, Sharyl Attkisson of CBS has won an Edgar R. Murrow Award for her original and in-depth reporting on Fast & Furious. Congratulations to Ms. Attkisson.
Fast & Furious: Border Patrol Council Calls for Holder to Resign
On this anniversary of the first hearings for F&F, the National Border Patrol Council, which includes 17,500 officers in non-supervisory roles, has called for Attorney General Eric Holder to resign. President George McCubbin III announced this this week. Mr. McCubbin says the Border Patrol officers have lost confidence in the AG. See more: Border Patrol Article
Wednesday is the day that The House Oversight Committee will vote on a Contempt of Congress resolution against Eric Holder. Tomorrow Holder is supposed to hand over requested documents to the Committee in the morning, and will meet with Issa, Grassley, Cummins and others at 5 PM. Presumably he will be trying to get out of Wednesday's spotlight. Failure to provide the requested documents will cause Wednesday's hearing to proceed.
In General in Washington, there is a growing bi-partisan chorus demanding accountability from Eric Holder. An interesting week, with hopefully some justice finally about to be done.
Wednesday is the day that The House Oversight Committee will vote on a Contempt of Congress resolution against Eric Holder. Tomorrow Holder is supposed to hand over requested documents to the Committee in the morning, and will meet with Issa, Grassley, Cummins and others at 5 PM. Presumably he will be trying to get out of Wednesday's spotlight. Failure to provide the requested documents will cause Wednesday's hearing to proceed.
In General in Washington, there is a growing bi-partisan chorus demanding accountability from Eric Holder. An interesting week, with hopefully some justice finally about to be done.
Imperial President: Why Are We Allowing Illegality?
In 1776, the peoples of the 13 Colonies declared their way forward without rule from England. They declared that rule by a Monarch or similar imperial leader was not what they wanted. Thus began the United States, based on rule of law and elected representatives, with the People first, the States second and a Federal government third.
Why then, in 2012, do we have a new Imperial President? How did this happen? What is he doing to make himself imperial? President Obama has famously declared several times that he cannot do all of the things he wants to do, for the good of the People, as he sees it, because Congress is deadlocked. Thus he sees his job as going around Congress using the device of the Executive Order, which is legal in many instances. Unfortunately, President Obama is using it in ways not intended. He is also using the power of the White House to have the Executive Branch rule regulation. He set the tone for his department heads to create very broad regulations which have the force of law, but which have not been voted by Congress.
What are some of the extra-legal and not-Constitutional things he is doing:
1. Internet gaming - Congress passed two specific laws banning Internet gaming. President Obama has gone around them and eased regulations.
2. DOMA - The DOJ under Obama and Holder has fought against the Defence of Marriage Act for the past 3 years. I am not defending or denigrating DOMA here - that is another conversation. I am pointing out that it is the Duty of the President and DOJ to uphold the laws of the land - they are not doing that.
3. Immigration reform via Executive Order. Congress has not passed any immigration reform bills for several sessions. On June 15th, Obama announced that young illegal immigrant will be given 2 year grace periods so they can apply for green card status. With this, Obama and DOJ more blatantly continue to operate like the DREAM Act is in effect. They are ignoring the will of Congress. In addition, the accommodations Obama is now making for political reasons vis-a-vis the upcoming election will probably make a real solution harder in the future.
4. EPA over-reaching. With Obama's backing, EPA has been making extra-legal rules for years now. At least the Supreme Court is starting to rein them in. See Sacketts v. EPA.
5. No Child Left Behind: Obama has reinvigorated President Bush's NCLB program by adding new federal standards, but at the same time has used an executive order to grant more waivers of standards to almost half of the states. Once again he bypasses Congress.
6. Voting Laws: Obama and his DOJ continue to ignore federal voting laws. Worse, they are actively working to destroy voting laws enacted by many states, such as Texas and Arizona, even when those laws essentially mirror federal law.
Why then, in 2012, do we have a new Imperial President? How did this happen? What is he doing to make himself imperial? President Obama has famously declared several times that he cannot do all of the things he wants to do, for the good of the People, as he sees it, because Congress is deadlocked. Thus he sees his job as going around Congress using the device of the Executive Order, which is legal in many instances. Unfortunately, President Obama is using it in ways not intended. He is also using the power of the White House to have the Executive Branch rule regulation. He set the tone for his department heads to create very broad regulations which have the force of law, but which have not been voted by Congress.
What are some of the extra-legal and not-Constitutional things he is doing:
1. Internet gaming - Congress passed two specific laws banning Internet gaming. President Obama has gone around them and eased regulations.
2. DOMA - The DOJ under Obama and Holder has fought against the Defence of Marriage Act for the past 3 years. I am not defending or denigrating DOMA here - that is another conversation. I am pointing out that it is the Duty of the President and DOJ to uphold the laws of the land - they are not doing that.
3. Immigration reform via Executive Order. Congress has not passed any immigration reform bills for several sessions. On June 15th, Obama announced that young illegal immigrant will be given 2 year grace periods so they can apply for green card status. With this, Obama and DOJ more blatantly continue to operate like the DREAM Act is in effect. They are ignoring the will of Congress. In addition, the accommodations Obama is now making for political reasons vis-a-vis the upcoming election will probably make a real solution harder in the future.
4. EPA over-reaching. With Obama's backing, EPA has been making extra-legal rules for years now. At least the Supreme Court is starting to rein them in. See Sacketts v. EPA.
5. No Child Left Behind: Obama has reinvigorated President Bush's NCLB program by adding new federal standards, but at the same time has used an executive order to grant more waivers of standards to almost half of the states. Once again he bypasses Congress.
6. Voting Laws: Obama and his DOJ continue to ignore federal voting laws. Worse, they are actively working to destroy voting laws enacted by many states, such as Texas and Arizona, even when those laws essentially mirror federal law.
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