Saturday, October 31, 2015

Republican candidates have a point

Republican candidates have complained about the debate format and the way the questioners used “gotcha” questions.  I must say I agree with them.  True, I only watched about the first ten minutes, but the question “What’s your biggest weakness?” is amazingly Micky Mouse.  One of these men or women will probably be the Republican presidential nominee.  (I know, I know–hard to believe.)  We ought to get serious and thoughtful questions about actual issues and policies.  


It is possible that the Republican crew lends itself to silly questions?  The answers in the Democratic debate were thoughtful and substantive.  One of those men or women will probably be the Democratic nominee, and, if we are blessed, the next president of the U.S.

Friday, October 30, 2015

Door hangers in Bowmanstown

Bowmanstown is one of the smaller boroughs in Carbon County.  In a burst of party spirit, I volunteered to put door hangers for the Carbon County Democratic candidates on the doors of the residents of Bowmanstown.


Here’s what I learned.  It may be one of the smaller boroughs in Carbon County, but it still has a lot of doors.  I was out this morning and this afternoon, and I am nowhere near finished.  Linda said she would help me tomorrow, but I have a feeling I might be back in Bowmanstown again on Sunday. 

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Lindsay Graham on waitresses

Last night I watched an interview with Lindsay Graham after the debate of the B-Team.  Graham was talking about how to grow the economy.  He said that if a town had lots of economic activity, and restaurants were opening up, waitresses would be in demand and their wages would rise.

I wonder if Sen. Graham knows that the “tipped minimum wage” in Pennsylvania is $2.83 an hour.  I wonder if he knows that many waitresses would love to have the opportunity to get an education and move to a better job.  I don’t think he has a clue about the difficulties of the working poor.

Today Linda and I visited Sagamore Hill, the Long Island home of Teddy Roosevelt.  He was the president known as the “Trust Buster.”  He won a Nobel prize for ending the Russo-Japanese War.  He was responsible for creating some of our most famous national parks and national monuments.  He settled a coal strike and won the respect of miners.  


Theodore Roosevelt was a Republican.  That sound you hear is old Teddy spinning in his grave after last night’s Republican debate.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Federal judicial vacancies

Tonight Mike Morrill, Director of Keystone Progress, explained to the Carbon County Democrats for Progress how Senate Republicans are abusing the Constitutional mandate to “advise and consent” on appointments to the federal judiciary.

In Pennsylvania alone there are seven vacancies in the federal courts, but the Republicans are holding up all of the President’s judicial appointments, and will try to do so until next year.  They are hoping for a greater majority in the Senate and a Republican president elected in 2016. 


I don’t think many people realize how far Republicans are willing to go to destroy the traditions of American democracy for partisan advantage.  Trashing campaign finance laws, voter suppression, gerrymandering, wrecking the federal judiciary--they are attempting to make this nation a one-party state.  I know that I sound like an alarmist, but it is time we are alarmed.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Buying Republicans

One reason Pennsylvania still does not have a budget is because Gov. Wolf is holding firm on his demand that an severance tax, used in every other state, be imposed on the fracking companies.

The Republicans have been adamant in their opposition.  Could the reason be that the oil and gas companies have poured more than $8 million in contributions to Pennsylvania political campaigns since 2007?  The gas companies have given more the $660,000 to the PA House, acting as major supporters for Speaker Mike Turzai and the House Republican campaign committee.

The gas industry gave more than $846,000 to Senate President Joe Scarnati, Majority Leader Jake Corman, and the Republican Campaign Committee.  Since the governor’s proposal would generate millions each month, the campaign contributions have been a good investment for the gas companies.

I am so tired of this crap.


Facts for this post are available in the Fall 2015 issue of The Sylvanian, a newsletter published by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Rep. Justin Simmons, Weasel

When he ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2010, State Representative Justin Simmons promised that he would serve no more than three terms.  Simmons, a supporter of the Tea Party, was opposed to career politicians.

Now he is running for a 4th term, after slamming his opponent in 2010 as a “career politician.”  

Simmons is 29.  Surely he could find another job.  Wal-Mart generally has openings, and I see a lot of help wanted signs at McDonalds.


If you would like to write to Justin and tell him what you think of politicians who renege on their promises, his address is P.O. Box 201131, Harrisburg, PA. 17120-2131.  

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Republicans behaving badly, again

#1
Wisconsin’s “John Doe” law gave prosecutors the right to obtain search warrants and order people to testify in investigations of corruption.  The law was often used to investigate bribery and malfeasance in office.  

Under the law six of Mr. Walker’s aides or or supporters were convicted of various crimes.

Yesterday Scott Walker, boy wonder of Wisconsin, signed a bill to limit such investigations.  The bill had passed on party lines, with Democrats opposed.  Earlier the legislature, overwhelmingly Republican, also loosened campaign finance laws.

#2
The Texas state health department ordered the Planned Parenthood health centers in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Brownsville to turn over patients’ records and employees’ home phones and telephone numbers.  

Who uses Planned Parenthood services?  Is it rich women?  Is it middle class women with good health insurance?  Of course not.  It is women who can’t afford doctors who use the services provided by Planned Parenthood.  And why does the state of Texas want these records?  To intimidate patients and employees.


I found the information for both of these items on page 13 of today’s New York Times.  There were more examples–on Carson, on Trump, on the Benghazi Committee–but these seemed the most blatant examples of evil Republican behavior.  And it is evil.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Looking for common ground

The policy on forfeiture of assets for accused drug dealers is a travesty.  The government can seize assets of suspected drug dealers before they are convicted.  This is not the way the justice system is supposed to work.  A Pennsylvania  Republican legislator has introduced a bill to reform this system.  Here is a copy of a letter I wrote to Rep. Heffley on the issue.

Dear Rep. Heffley:

The issues on which you and I agree could probably be counted on the fingers of one hand, but I am hoping that one of those issues is SB 869 sponsored by Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon.  Mr. Folmer’s bill would end the present ability of district attorneys to seize assets of accused drug dealers.  They do not have to convicted; just accused.  The district attorneys have an added incentive to seize assets because they control the money seized.

I think this goes against the American belief in innocent until proven guilty and in the past had led to some great injustices.  I hope you give Rep. Folmer’s bill your support.


I just sent the letter, so I have not heard from Rep. Heffley.  I’m hoping he agrees.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Joe Biden

Joe Biden is a good man–intelligent, even-keeled, and a man who would, I believe, have made an excellent president.  Nonetheless, I’m glad he has decided not to compete for the presidency.  Fifty years ago he would have had time to prepare for the run, but the American presidential race has become ridiculous in length.  If you have not started your campaign at least two years before the actual election, you have waited too long.  

The need to raise millions, the organizational requirements in the caucus states, and the necessity to build an organization of hundreds of thousands of volunteers all mitigated against Biden.


Biden supporters can now concentrate on either Clinton or Sanders.   Either one would make a fine president.  

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Becoming an intervener on the PennEast pipeline

In my last post I explained that people cannot make comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on the PennEast pipeline unless they are registered as “interveners.”  (Incidentally, some people also spell it “intervenor.”)  

I will give you a step-by-step rundown of how to do it below.  If you are as bad with tech stuff as I am, you won’t be able to print it.  If that is the case, email me at <hiramc@ptd.net> and I will send you a Word document with the same material.  

We also have a guy in the organization who will do it for you.  Send your name, address, phone #, intervener text (your message to FERC), and your relation to the pipeline (landowner, concerned citizen, environmentalist, etc.) to Mike at <westamwellcop@gmail.com> and he will sign you up as an intervener.

Here is the step-by-step rundown:

Step 1:  Registering

Enter <ferc.gov>.  You will get to the home page.  At the top is a row of terms.  Each of them has a drag-down menu.  Go the the 3rd one that says “Documents and Filings.”  Drag down to “eFiling” and click.

Two orange boxes will appear on the screen:  Login and eRegister.  If you have not registered before, click on the eRegister box and follow the instructions to register “fully.”  Then hit the “next” box at the bottom.  Follow the instructions.  In a few minutes FERC should send you a verification email that you are registered.

Step 2:  Becoming an intervener

After you get the verification email, go back to <ferc.gov> and the home page.  Go to “Documents and Filings”  Drag down to “eFiling” and click.

This time click on the orange box that says “Login.”  Follow the instructions and a new screen that says “Filing type” will appear. 
Click on “General.”  A new list will appear on the right.  Click on “Intervention.”

Another list will again appear on the right.  Click on “(doc-less) Motion to Intervene.”  Click “next” on the bottom right corner.

A new screen will appear with the title “Select Docket.”  In the box “Enter Docket Number,” type CP15-558.

A new screen will appear with a description of the PennEast Pipeline Co., LLC.  Click on the blue + sign, then hit “next.”

A new screen with a large box will appear.  Type in why you want to become an intervener.  You can be an affected landowner, concerned about bog turtles, worried about explosions, a water customer of the Bethlehem Water Authority, concerned about forest fragmentation, or any other reason you oppose the pipeline.

After you type your message, hit “next.”  You will be filing “As an individual.”  Hit next.  
Put in your email address and “Add as signer.”  On the screen that appears, hit “next.”  You will get a description in a box.  If you are ok with it, hit “next.”


On the final screen, hit “submit.”  Congratulations.  You are an intervener.  Go pour yourself a stiff drink.  Keep in mind you may add more comments at a later time.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

More complicated than I thought

I had planned to give you a link to a video to tell you how to become an “intervenor” with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  I had also planned to walk you through the process.  Unfortunately, the video’s sound is all screwed up, and my own intervenor status is in question.  FERC does not make things easy.


I’ll be back tomorrow after making some phone calls.  Hopefully I can tell you how to go about the process.  My apologies.

Monday, October 19, 2015

PennEast/UGI battle continues

Linda and I attended a meeting in Hellertown tonight where we learned that 70% of the New Jersey landowners in the path of the PennEast/UGI fracking gas pipeline have refused to allow PennEast surveyors on their property.  In Pennsylvania the number is 30%.  They know how to fight back in New Jersey.

We also learned that if you negotiate with PennEast/UGI to sell your easement rights and the pipeline blows up and kills your neighbor, you can be sued, since you entered into a voluntary agreement.  In addition, the company has a good claim to expand on its easement–for example, a second pipeline.  On the other hand, if you force the company into eminent domain proceedings, while you can still be sued if the pipeline blows, you will almost assuredly win the lawsuit, since you did not enter in the easement voluntarily.  

The meeting organizers also noted that any comments made before the official filing in late September will now be deleted.  If you want to make any comments on the pipeline, you must be an “intervener.”  Say you are disturbed that Beltzville State Park will have a gash running through it, or you are worried about the pipeline disturbing wetlands along Spruce Hollow Road, or you think the pipeline harms agricultural production.  You must be an intervenor to make those comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.


Tomorrow I will tell you how to file as an intervener.  Being an intervener doesn’t obligate you to comment, but if you do decide to comment, you must be on the list.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

The death of accepted scientific truths

In recent weeks someone wrote to the Allentown Morning Call saying that the paper should no longer print letters or opinion pieces from people who claim global warming is a hoax.  Since then the Morning Call has printed a number of letters stating that such a policy would stifle free speech, and that people should be able to look at all the evidence.

I am a firm believer in free speech to the extent that I send in my annual dues to the ACLU, but I do not think the Morning Call is obligated to print drivel.  Suppose the paper received letters rejecting a heliocentric view of the solar system or claiming that the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” was a legitimate publication.  A newspaper editor should exercise judgment.

We live in an age when GMO foods are opposed because they are unsafe to eat, in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.  (There are excellent reasons to oppose GMO seeds, but food safety is not one of them.)  People believe a discredited article that vaccinations cause autism.  They believe that the earth was created in six days or rides on the back of a turtle.  They believe that President Obama is a Muslim or was born in Kenya.  (In fact, I think Trump believes that.)


And how do people know that such beliefs override scientific evidence or empirical truth?  Because they read it on the Internet.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Kill the cats

The Australian government has proposed a plan to kill millions of feral cats.  Feral cats are a major reason that 27 mammal species in Australia have become extinct in the last 200 years.  

As Mr. Gregory Andrews, Australia’s threatened species commissioner noted, such species as the lesser bilgy, desert badicoot, crescent nailtail wallaby and big-eared hopping mouse, “delightful creatures, rich in importance in Australian indigenous culture,” have all been extirpated, largely as a result of cats.

One critic of the plan actually said the killing of cats was genocide, which makes a mockery of the Holocaust, the Armenian massacres, and the Ruanda tragedy.


I have always had a problem with animal rights people who put individual animals above species preservation.  Why are feral cats more important than the crescent nailtail wallaby?  Australia has an estimated 20 million feral cats.  If every one of them were killed, cats would not be extirpated.  Unfortunately, 27 other species already are.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Bridge of Spies

“Bridge of Spies,” directed by Steven Spielberg, will transport you back to the height of the Cold War.  Starring Tom Hanks, the film revisits the swap of a Soviet spy for Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 pilot shot down over the Soviet Union.

The film reaffirms American values, and the Hanks character takes the American constitution seriously, something that many others are quite willing to discard.  

I am old enough to remember some of the events portrayed in the film.  It was a dangerous time, but the movie may make you nostalgic for the Cold War, when we knew our enemies and ISIS, global warming, and Ted Cruz were decades in the future.


Anyway, see the film.  The acting is outstanding, the cinematography is amazing, and the actor who portrays the Soviet spy should receive an Oscar.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

"The Grown-Ups Take the Stage"

That was the headline in the lead editorial in today’s Times.  I thought it was a perfect summary of the Democratic presidential candidate debate, and I wish I had thought of it.


What an amazing contrast with the clown car, aka, the Republican debates.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Landowner Bill of Rights

Yesterday we received a large envelope from the PennEast/UGI people entitled “Landowner Bill of Rights.”  I expected to open it and find a big message in all caps saying, “NYAH, NYAH, YOU DON’T HAVE ANY.”


Instead, it was a single-spaced letter that ran to two pages.  We read it carefully and concluded that the message was as follows:  “NYAH, NYAH, YOU DON’T HAVE ANY.”

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

The Democratic Presidential candidate debate

I must admit that I didn’t give it my full attention.  I was canning sweet peppers, and it was on the background.  In fact it still going on.  Nevertheless, I learned a few things.

First, the Democrats don’t have clowns running for President.  No Ted Cruz, no Donald Trump, no Huckabee, no Ben Carson, no Carly What’s Her Name.

Second, none of the five people participating in the debate are stupid.  No Rickie Santorum or Scott Walker.


Finally, whomever of the five is nominated, I won’t have any problems voting for her or him.  In fact, I could be positively enthusiastic, given the opposition.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Bigotry costs Hazleton taxpayers

Earlier this month a U.S. District Court Judge ruled that the city of Hazleton must pay $1.4 million in legal costs the city incurred in defending its racist immigration law passed in 2007.  The Mayor at the time, Lou Barletta, pushed the law and became famous enough to win a seat to the House of Representatives, where so far he has had a completely undistinguished career.

Although he did push the law, it was not all his fault.  The law was quite popular among Hazleton voters.  Even now a Councilman named Yannuzzi says, “We still feel are right.”  Kind of ironic that guys with names like Yannuzzi and Barletta were pushing an anti-immigrant bill. 


So now the taxpayers of Hazleton must cough up $1.4 million.  Serves them right.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

A rigged system

Today the Times printed a front page map with the locations of 158 families who have given 1/2 of the money spent so far this presidential election cycle.  The amount was $176 million, and most of the money–big surprise here–went to Republican candidates.

The families are concentrated in a few areas of the country.  New York and the Palm Beach area had the largest groupings.  The article also pictured eight of the homes of these families in one neighborhood in Houston.  The homes are amazing; they make the mansions on Newport, Rhode Island, look lower middle class.

Where was the wealth generated?  As you might expect, the largest single group of people who gave $250,000 or more was from hedge fund, private equity, and venture capital investors, followed by other securities and investments.

These are not “job creators.”  They do not add to the strength of the nation.  They move money around, and they are ticks sucking the financial blood out of the body politic, then turning around to corrupt the system. 


Democracy is not the right word to describe our form of government.  The correct term is plutocracy.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Possible frost!

A small note on the Times News front page today said we might have a frost tonight.  This is not something to be taken lightly.  The most exciting day on the farm when I was growing up was the day before a predicted killing frost.  The whole family was involved in gathering up every possible vegetable we could before darkness set in.

This summer I grew about 50 pepper plants--green and purple bells, jalapeños, habañeros, chiles, black pearls, red peters, pequins, bananas, cherries, poblanos, and more.  After all, I am the hot pepper king of Carbon County, a title bestowed on me by myself.

I was out all afternoon harvesting peppers.  In the beginning I was carefully picking them off the plants, but by the end of the afternoon I was ripping out the whole plants and throwing them on the back of the truck.

If you live in the vicinity of 6495 Pohopoco Drive, stop in.  I’ll be happy to give you some peppers, no charge.  

All next week I’ll be canning and drying peppers.  I know that the Pennsylvania Dutch are not big pepper eaters, but 32 years in California eating Mexican cuisine has made me a convert to heat and spice.  These Dutchies don’t know what they are missing.


Friday, October 9, 2015

90 every day

That’s approximately how many people die every day in the U.S. from firearms.  And, as I predicted, the reaction to the Oregon Community College massacre was an uptick in the sale of firearms.  

The Boston Massacre, which is credited with one of the causes of the American Revolution, killed five people.  

Five people.


Maybe it is time for a new revolution, this time the target being, not the British redcoats, but the N.R.A. and gun manufacturers.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

The Pennsylvania budget stalemate

Gov. Wolf was elected by a clear majority of all Pennsylvanians who voted.  The Republican House of Representatives, on the other hand, was elected from gerrymandered districts drawn to give Republicans a majority.  In the district in which I reside, the most Democratic area, Summit Hill, was excised to give Representative Heffley a lock on the vote.

What this means is in any battle between the Governor and the House, the Governor represents the will of the people.  The voters wanted an extraction tax on frackers.  They wanted increased funding for education.  They did not want to turn over liquor sales to big box stores.


Hang in there, Governor Wolf.  Pennsylvania legislators are not representative of the common will.  Deep down they know that, but they still answer to their campaign contributors.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Thank you, Elizabeth Warren

The U.S. Consumer Bureau, a federal agency that owes its existence to Elizabeth Warren, is proposing to end the practice of financial companies barring their customers from filing class-action lawsuits as a condition for obtaining checking accounts or credit cards.  

The Consumer Bureau found that very few people make it to arbitration, and when they did, payouts were limited.

In fact, business got bigger judgements from consumers ($2.8 million) than consumers received ($400,000.)

This will be a battle, of course.  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will oppose the change.  Congressional Republicans will oppose the change.  In fact, congressional Republicans have already tried to have the Consumer Bureau dismantled.  Anything to aid their campaign contributors.


(Information for this post came from “U.S. Consumer Bureau Proposes End to Arbitration-Only Credit Clause” in today’s Times.  Of course, I’m sure readers who tell me they get all the news they need from the Internet already knew all of this.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Illegal fishing

Much of what the Obama administration does occurs under the radar.  Steps are being taken in all sorts of areas that get little publicity but will have ramifications for years to come.

An example is the announcement that the U.S. will step up the fight against illegal fishing and oceanic pollution. 

In a videotaped message to an international conference now being held in Chile, the President said, “Our economies, our livelihoods and our food all depend on our oceans.  And yet we know that our actions are changing them.”  

Once again, I am so pleased that this man is our President, and I shudder to think of the yahoos that are running in the Republican Party to replace him.



Monday, October 5, 2015

Nestle comes to Eldred Township

Nestle North America wants to tap water in nearby Eldred Township in Monroe County.  The water will be used in its Deer Park bottled water production.

The company proposes to tap 200,000 gallons of water a day.  This is about 1000 times the average daily use of a household.  Imagine 1000 new homes in Eldred Township tapping water.

The company did some testing and says its extraction won’t have any effect on private water supplies.  Residents are dubious.  

Would an international multibillion dollar corporation lie just to make a profit?  Would a company that sells a product at great profit that people can get free out of their sinks bend the truth?  Would a company that tries to convince Third World mothers to use expensive formula rather than breast feed their babies be less than truthful?  


Your call.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

The Martian

We went to the matinee 2-D version.  (I don’t like to wear those glasses.)  The film, directed by Ridley Scott, is an uplifting film that will make you leave the theater wishing reality were that inspiring.  

The NASA team includes men and women, Chinese, Indians, and blacks, all working toward a common goal.  The crew on the space ship is made up of men and women, at least one Latino, a German, a lesbian, and again, they are united in a common purpose and work as a real team.


The rescue mission includes aid from China–the rescue mission would not succeed without China’s help.    Even so, the whole film emphasizes an American can-do attitude of cooperation, mutual aid, and ingenuity.  It is also exciting as it can be.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Don Edwards, 1915-2015

Often when I try to register voters, I will get the response “Why bother, they’re all crooks.”  I often feel like responding, “You never met Congressman Don Edwards.”

When we lived in San Jose, Don Edwards was our Congressman.  He was a former FBI agent, hated by J. Edgar Hoover, because he always rose in defense of the Bill of Rights.  He authored numerous civil rights bills, including the Voting Rights Act provision for “pre-clearance” to prevent certain states from adopting laws to restrict black voting.  (This was struck down by the Supreme Court on a 5-4 vote in 2013, and already states like North Carolina have adopted laws to depress black turnout.)

Edwards was on the right side of every issue.  He opposed the Vietnam War.  He pushed for the impeachment of Nixon.  He was able to work with Republicans to protect the First Amendment, and he was sometimes called “The Congressman from the First Amendment.”  He helped to scuttle proposed constitutional amendments on flag burning, busing, abortion, and a balanced federal budget.

I have been represented at the federal and state levels by some rather mediocre and downright pathetic legislators (Santorum, Toomey, and Heffley spring to mind), but I was also represented by one of the best.  


Our national refuge in south San Francisco Bay was named the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge.  I can’t think of a better honor, unless they name the new FBI building for him as well.  

Friday, October 2, 2015

Canning tomatoes

I’m canning eight pints of the last of the summer’s tomatoes.  You need to keep them in a boiling water bath for one hour and 25 minutes.  The amazing thing is that I still have tomatoes to can  Those idiots who deny the whole idea of global warming obviously don’t grow tomatoes.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

The N.R.A. supports Oregon killings

What, you think that headline isn’t fair?  Of course it is.  Once again we get grieving relatives, grief counselors, tearful interviews with survivors, and a run on gun purchases because the crazies think this time there might be some action to limit weaponry.

I have reassuring news.  No need to run to your local gun store.  No need to panic.  The N.R.A. has bought enough politicians and scared the rest so that nothing will  change.  Don’t worry about it.  And in a few weeks or months, we’ll do it again.