Ask your Rep to Support American Clean Energy and Security Act Today

Written by: publius on Jun 25, 2009 1:29 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Georgians for Clean Renewable Energy DFA, DFA Atlanta Alumni Crew, Macon - Bibb County DFA

GA Senate Candidate Jim Martin's concession a class act

Written by: publius on Dec 5, 2008 10:33 PM EST

Linked to groups: DFA Atlanta Alumni Crew, Macon - Bibb County DFA, Georgians for Clean Renewable Energy DFA

Remarks to Supporters
December 2, 2008

Tonight, the voters of Georgia have spoken. I accept the decision that has been made. I called Senator Chambliss and congratulated Saxby and Julianne on his re-election to the United States Senate.

I want to thank my wife Joan for her constant love and support. I want to thank my family and campaign team, and all you volunteers who came in from all over the country - thank you so much. I want to thank all the Georgians who have helped me in this campaign and all the Georgians who voted for me. I am proud of each of you and of the campaign we ran.

For me and my family and campaign team, and all of you, this is a sad moment.

In a similar situation over 50 years ago, Adlai Stevenson reminded us that, "It is traditionally American to fight hard before an election. It is equally traditional to close ranks as soon as the people have spoken."

But it hurts.

Adlai Stevenson quoted Abraham Lincoln's remark after an election defeat in which he said he "felt like a little boy who stubbed his toe in the dark. He said he was too old to cry, but it hurt too much to laugh."

I know our campaign has been successful even though we did not win. But that success does not belong to me.

It belongs to my family, who worked so hard on my behalf.

It belongs to my campaign staff, who worked so hard and so well.

It belongs to my brothers and my sisters-in-law, who have been so great for all of these years.

It belongs to all my supporters who so generously contributed their money and time to make this campaign possible.

After he lost his primary campaign to President Jimmy Carter, Senator Edward Kennedy addressed the Democratic Convention. He concluded his remarks with a statement that still inspires me. And I hope it will inspire you. "For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

So it is in our defeat tonight we celebrate a victory beyond our campaign. We celebrate a campaign that stood up for Georgians and for the important issues: ending top-down economics that is destroying our middle class, ending the war in Iraq and regaining our moral leadership in the world, protecting our environment, celebrating our wonderful diversity, creating a health care system that is available to all, and helping those in our society whom Hubert Humphrey described as in the sunrise of life, in the sunset of life, and in the shadows of life.

I have a special word for Democrats and Republicans.

To Georgia Democrats: although we did not win this campaign, we won the Presidency, and that is more important. Barack Obama will be a great President, and with his leadership, this country has a bright future.

And in Georgia, in this process, as Democrats, we found our soul. We are the party of opportunity for all Georgians, with a base as broad as our vision.

To Georgia Republicans: for generations the hope for the South has been the development of a viable two-party system, so that public policy is formed by a free debate of all ideas. You have some good ideas. We do, too. Others have other ideas that are just as good. Let us engage in a discourse of mutual respect about how we can move Georgia and our country ahead together. In these difficult times, we need each other.

God bless each of you, and God bless America.

GA Dem Jim Martin launches runoff campaign for US Senate against Saxby Chambliss

Written by: publius on Nov 5, 2008 5:43 PM EST

Linked to groups: Georgians for Clean Renewable Energy DFA, Macon - Bibb County DFA, DFA Atlanta Alumni Crew

Dear Publius, We now know that there will be a runoff on December 2nd between Saxby Chambliss and me. With your continued support, I am confident that we will prevail. America has elected Barack Obama President, and now is the time for all of us to help him succeed. In the Senate, I'll do what's best for Georgia, what's best for our country, and what's best for the middle class folks who've been ignored the past eight years.  I think that starts with helping Barack Obama succeed, not undercutting him for partisan advantage or to protect special interests. And that's the difference in this runoff election. I will do everything I can to help Barack Obama change Washington and get our economy moving again. Saxby Chambliss will do just the opposite. This runoff will be over in the blink of an eye. We can return this Senate seat to someone who will follow in the traditions of Russell, Nunn, and Cleland, rather than someone who, for the past six years, has been a rubber stamp for George Bush and Dick Cheney. But we will only be able to do so with the support of friends like you. Please click here to make a contribution to our runoff campaign today. Your contribution of $500, $250, $100, $50, or whatever you can give, will make a real difference. Last night, America spoke. And last night, Georgia spoke as well - a majority voted against sending Saxby Chambliss back to Washington. In 27 days, we can make that a reality. Together, we can make a real difference. Yes we can. Sincerely, P.S. Speed is critical - we are hiring additional organizers and launching our field campaign as we speak. Please click here to make your contribution today!

VP Al Gore lays out plan for unified, RE powered, smart grid for all to plug into

Written by: publius on Oct 29, 2008 10:19 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Georgians for Clean Renewable Energy DFA, DFA Atlanta Alumni Crew, Macon - Bibb County DFA

http://www.wecansolveit.org/

In  a  20 minute  web cast  this evening, Al Gore cited the oft quoted solar electric postulate that existing solar electric photo voltaic and concentrating thermal technologies could power the entire US with 100 sq miles of collectors in the desert southwest.

Citing efficiency and waste reduction as the highest priority, Mr. Gore then indicated renewable (RE) energy could meet demand.

He indicated this southwestern solar resource and the wind resources of the mountain regions and Dakotas  would be enough -

IF:
 
Automobile fleet was converted to electric to serve as a giant distributed battery connected (when parked) to -
a nationwide, unified smart grid  buried underground to move western RE generation (and any other RE generation) throughout the nation.

Said unified smart grid could be implemented for $ 400 billion.  Indicated that business losses from unreliable power on existing grids add up to $120 billion per year.  Therefore, reliability improvements from unified smart grid pay off the 400 b in less than 4 years.

State rate payers ought to consider these compelling options before being on the hook for "bailing out" those planned utility company nuclear and coal plants which are headed toward the "ash can of history."

Its Going to Pass - Time to Move from Recklessness to Responsibility

Written by: publius on Sep 29, 2008 10:30 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Atlanta Alumni Crew, Macon - Bibb County DFA, Georgians for Clean Renewable Energy DFA

Obviously, Congressional leadership and much of the rank and file have been convinced that there is a real collapse and panic in waiting.   One might say that  the biggest faith based program of all time  has been an investment policy that moved individuals and institutions to hand over their money and financial security for Wall Street to dump into its nebulous global finance creations.

Now that the miracle work promised by the laying on of hands by the full faith and credit of The United States of America is about to commence, let there by light on a new investment policy in America.  Keep capital at home for reality based enterprise that puts Americans to work on rebuilding decaying infrastructure and building the foundations of a sustainable economy.  Time to plant the seed corn that Wall Street and its global capitalists have been glutinously feasting on with the blessings provided by the disastrous Reagan Bush tax policies.  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/29/AR2008092900623.html?hpid=topnews

"If we do this and it works right, it's most likely that people will never appreciate how close we came to the brink. So there's not much political upside to this," said Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), the lead negotiator for Senate Republicans. But lawmakers are ready to support the bill, Gregg said, because they know "we are facing a crisis of proportions that are almost incomprehensible."

Meanwhile, Democrats meeting nearby in the basement of the Capitol also heard a rallying cry from their leaders, who won support from some surprising corners. Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.), who represents a conservative-leaning district and is a frequent GOP target, told his colleagues that passing the legislation is more important than winning reelection.

"I am willing to give up my seat over this," Marshall said, according to one attendee.

Congressman Marshall, with your voting record, I was not aware that any such issue could exist. 

Given the nation's reckless tax, budgetary, energy, trade, and imperial military policies that have made the daily functioning of government and business dependent on foreign creditors, it isn't really a stretch  to  concede  that Paulson and Bernanke were not crying wolf even as they were asking for the blank check.

It should be acknowledged that this bill isn't a blank check.  There are several layers of oversight in the legislation.  Paulson has been reported as planning to spend about $ 50 billion per month in this rescue.  That could add up to $ 200 billion by January 20.  This bill and the financial malpractice that birthed it have made a change of the party in power at White House even more imperative.  November 4, 2008 looms.  

Congress, Hold on to that $ 700 Billion for a while!

Written by: publius on Sep 21, 2008 10:17 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Atlanta Alumni Crew, Macon - Bibb County DFA, Georgians for Clean Renewable Energy DFA

1. Capital can be put to much better use than whatever it is Wall Street does with it:

"Finance set the terms of corporate behavior over the past quarter-century,
and not in ways that bolstered the economy.
By its actions-- elevating shareholder value over the interests of other
corporate stakeholders, focusing on short-term investments rather than patient capital,
pressuring corporations to offshore jobs and cut wages and benefits -- Wall Street plainly preferred to fund production abroad and consumption at home." *

2. This is a rerun of the Reagan tax cut/national debt binge in the 80's:
Postmortem of October 1987

"What might have been is lost forever. The jobs that never opened up, the goods that were never made and enjoyed, the services that were never performed - these were forestalled or aborted by the speculating. 
Their ultimate loss or nullity is what Wall Street cost the nation, and the world. . . .
. . .the "supply side" tax cuts of 1981-82 were mistakenly supposed to stimulate savings and investment. . .These confused policies gave a trillion dollars of American money to people who couldn't use it; these people entrusted it to Wall Street; and Wall Street flushed it down the drain." **

(Note: Point No. 8 worth a look at)

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Lunch with Howard Dean in Georgia Today

Written by: publius on Jul 26, 2008 5:55 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Macon - Bibb County DFA, Georgians for Clean Renewable Energy DFA, DFA Atlanta Alumni Crew

It was my good fortune to have lunch today with DFA founder Howard Dean.  Chairman Dean was in town during Democratic Party Georgia (DPG) Committee meeting.  The DPG was meeting to elect its members of the Democratic National Committee.

Barack Obama's  successful  foreign affairs trip was discussed around the lunch table.  Chmn Dean expressed how significant it was that this candidate for the American Presidency could move thousands of Europeans to wave American flags.  Obviously, neither G W Bush nor John McCain could inspire such a display.

Howard Dean appeared very fit and is very energetic in his mission.  He admitted that he copied some well worn Republican National Committee tactics, such as purchasing and mining consumer data for targeting likely supporters.  He said that he had not expected the DNC to have a decisive impact on federal elections before 2012 but credited the mostly twenty-something DNC staffers for sleeping at their desks and swinging some seats (House and Senate) to the Democrats in 2006.

It is significant that DPG and the DNC are together in Central Georgia for an official event.  Chmn Dean recognized that the south and the Democratic party have changed a lot in the past 40 years.  He recognized that the national party had "not been showing up here for 30 years." 

As a native Georgian, I know that estrangement suited past state and local party officials  just fine.  But the DPG is at the bottom now, I hope that Dean's visit is a sign  that current state leadership recognizes that America's national challenges are  also our southern region's challenges as well.  And, that unity with the DNC and productive influence upon DC Democrats represent the best route for  rebuilding  the state party and serving Georgia's citizenry.

Chmn Dean recognized there are some areas of disagreement between traditional Democratic platform positions and some traditional southern voters but that -

Treating People Fairly, Respecting Hard Work, and Believing Americans Can Best Make Decisions About Their Own Personal Lives Without  Government  Interference -

are values that the Democratic Party and  the southern populace share.

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Georgia Primary Senate and House Endorsements

Written by: publius on Jul 13, 2008 7:15 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Atlanta Alumni Crew, Georgians for Clean Renewable Energy DFA, Macon - Bibb County DFA

Hometown newspaper declined this offering so I share it with DFA. 

Anyone so inclined can sample the local editors' preferences at:

http://www.macon.com/letters/

July 9, 2008

Letters
The Telegraph

The Editors,

The Telegraph came close on its Senate race endorsement but missed the opportunity support Rand Knight as the best choice.  The editorial briefly mentioned Knight's
"idea that we can develop fuel for our vehicles from algae."

The October 2007 edition of National Geographic presented a great survey of biofuels development -

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/10/biofuels/biofuels-text

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If its Pay as You Go for the small assets then it ought to be Pay as You Go for the big liabilities

Written by: publius on Jun 25, 2008 11:35 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Georgians for Clean Renewable Energy DFA, Macon - Bibb County DFA, DFA Atlanta Alumni Crew

The credits ought to be paid for with taxes on fossil fuels.

But then, so should the military expenditures dedicated to keeping troops in the vicinity of the Persian Gulf be charged directly to us at the motor fuel pumps.   

If the Blue Dog Dems in the House of Reps insist on pay as you go for $ 6 billion in RE tax credits,  but  continue to acquiesce to the Republicans in funding  Iraq at $ 200 billion every few months on credit, then they are are not wisely and responsibly exercising their legislative power. There are small deficits and there are HUMONGOUS DEFICITS.

Ronald

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/25/AR2008062502886.html?hpid=topnews

A Republican senator from Nevada, home to the highest foreclosure rate in the nation, yesterday blocked an ambitious plan to help troubled borrowers save their homes, saying he will not permit the measure to go forward unless the Senate adds tax breaks to encourage the production of renewable energy.

. . .
Ensign said he would not back down from his demand to tack on more than $6 billion in tax breaks for producers of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power. The measure is popular with both parties -- Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) is a co-sponsor. But Senate Democrats oppose adding it to the housing bill because it is not accompanied by tax increases to make up for the lost revenue. Such an addition would ruin efforts to forge a compromise on the housing bill with the House, where 218 Democrats, a majority of the chamber, have signed a pledge to reject measures that increase the deficit.

. . .

But Ensign said the nation also has an energy crisis, and he questioned whether Democrats would kill the housing bill because it contains renewable-energy provisions -- "something they say they believe in.

Clinton's Wins Indicate Superior Electability

Written by: publius on Mar 5, 2008 2:26 PM EST

Linked to groups: DFA Atlanta Alumni Crew

In the primary states - where voters go to the polls and choose just like they will in November - the popular vote totals are astonishingly close. A microscopic % 0.33 (That's ZERO . POINT three three percent) separates Obama's 83584 vote advantage from Clinton's total.

However, the road to the White House runs through the Electoral College.
Clinton's primary performance in the rich electoral states and in those states whose electoral votes went to Gore and Kerry is DECISIVE ! Obama's electoral deficit against Clinton is a whopping 31percent, 34 percent inside the blue states.

Okay Democrats, do you want to win a nomination OR do you want to win the White House?

The responsibilty of party officials known as Superdelegates is to put a Democrat in the White House. In that contest, the Electoral College rules. (Hope format of table holds on post, Vote Totals shown in Extended Entry/Read more)

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