Category Archives: Oil

Accountability

4/19/2012 – 2:19 pm

What is a reasonable cost for a conference for 300 civil servants from across the western US?  Airfare, food, lodging, conference facilities, speakers, prep, etc., etc.  From the news stories, it’s clear that $823,000 is way too much.  Next year’s conference, I’m just guessing, will be substantially less extravagant, so let’s say $300,000.  That means [...]

By floegel | Also posted in Civil Liberty, Commentary, Economy, Energy | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

How to Read the Washington Post

10/20/2011 – 1:17 pm

Sunday, the Washington Post published “Obama allies’ interests collide over Keystone pipeline,” which on its face is a news story.  It’s also a guide to life in our nation’s capital.
The gist of the story is that when it comes to the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, the White House is pinched.  On one side are environmentalists, [...]

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Pure Speculation

9/22/2011 – 3:38 pm

Along toward the end of August, I received an email from my state’s junior senator, Bernie Sanders (I).  I look forward to these because a) Senator Sanders is even more PO’ed about the state of the nation than most of his constituents (although right-winger politicians can say the same) and b) he’s not beholden to [...]

By floegel | Also posted in Commentary, Economy, Peak Oil | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Race to the Bottom: Homestretch

9/1/2011 – 1:25 pm

In this space the first week of January 2004, I predicted it would be the year that would determine whether or not American democracy would survive.  In the last month of that same year, I was forced to conclude, with sorrow, that American democracy is doomed.  Although I’ve been allowed brief moments of hope since [...]

By floegel | Also posted in Commentary, Economy, Energy, Global Warming, Nuclear Energy, Oceans | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Who Lost Venezuela?

7/15/2011 – 12:02 pm

What kind of cancer do you think Hugo Chavez has?  He mysteriously disappeared into Cuba for three weeks last month, then suddenly appeared looking drawn and haggard but announcing the success of cancer surgery.  He did not say where the cancer was.  Now he’s talking about chemo and radiation.
Using the medical license bestowed by middle [...]

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Faster Than Ever

3/31/2011 – 4:19 pm

It’s supposed to snow tonight. It’s supposed to snow tomorrow, tomorrow night and into the middle of Saturday morning. Except during the warmer, mid-day hours tomorrow, when it’s supposed to turn to rain and then back into snow.
Spring snow is not unusual around here, but tonight’s will probably carry radiation. It’s been [...]

By floegel | Also posted in Civil Liberty, Commentary, Energy, Nuclear Energy | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Romantic Poetry

3/17/2011 – 6:09 am

BILOXI, MS – It’s five in the morning, St. Patrick’s Day 2011; I’m in a cheap motel 75 yards from the Gulf of Mexico. I’ve opened the door to let in cool pre-dawn air. I hoped to hear the surf but it’s drowned out by the hum of electric lights outside and the [...]

By floegel | Also posted in Commentary, Economy, Nuclear Energy, Oceans | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)