Just The Facts, Energy IS More Than Just Fat Cats

REAL People, Real Money

Hey folks,

Let's get real about all this shall we? In today's From the Energy Front, I want to talk about the PEOPLE and the MONEY that are directly and indirectly involved in the Energy Field. I know this goes against the Anti-Oil agenda that says, "It's all about Evil Big Oil, and Windfall Profits."

We have already talked about "Windfall Profits." There is no such thing in the energy business. This does not stop some from attempting to convince you that they do nothing but sit back and collect "Insane Profits." We hear all the time how some in Government want to STEAL "Big Oil's" profits and spread them around. They give the impression, that YOU, who may be having a hard time paying your bills, will be sharing in the BILLIONS of dollars that those evil Oil Companies make. Do not forget, we will also "Save the Planet" with some of these profits as well.

None of this is true. YOU will get nothing. There will be NO Green Jobs created. There is nothing viable in the "Green Arena" yet, nor is there likely to be any time in the next Decade or two. What we WILL get, is HIGHER Energy costs, HIGHER Unemployment, and NOTHING in the way of "Saving the planet."

Here are some FACTS about the people and fiances involved. Some Democrats are getting it.

The Economic Impacts of the Oil and Natural Industry on the U.S. Economy




“I am communicating that in every way I know how,” said Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), one of at least a half-dozen Democrats who've told the White House or their own leaders that it's time to jettison the centerpiece of their party's plan to curb global warming.

The creation of an economywide market for greenhouse gas emissions is the heart of the climate bill that cleared the House earlier this year. But with the health care fight still raging and the economy still hurting, moderate Democrats have little appetite for another sweeping initiative — especially another one likely to pass with little or no Republican support.

“We need to deal with the phenomena of global warming, but I think it’s very difficult in the kind of economic circumstances we have right now,” said Indiana Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh, who called passage of any economywide cap and trade “unlikely.”

At a meeting about health care last month, moderates pushed to table climate legislation in favor of a jobs bill that would be an easier sell during the 2010 elections, according to Senate Democratic aides.

“I’d just as soon see that set aside until we work through the economy,” said Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.). “What we don’t want to do is have anything get in the way of working to resolve the problems with the economy.”

“Climate change in an election year has very poor prospects,” added Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.). “I’ve told that to the leadership.”

At least some in the Democratic leadership appear to be listening.

Asked about cap and trade last week, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said: “At this point I’d like to see a complete bill, but we have to be realistic."

Moderate House Democrats who voted in favor of the cap-and-trade bill just before the July 4 recess came under fire back home, and Republicans have vowed to make the issue a key line of attack during next year’s elections.

Some Democrats would prefer to deny them that target.

“I’d prefer to do energy because I think you could get a really broad consensus on a lot of energy legislation,” said Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.).

But supporters of the climate bill say that cap and trade is an inextricable part of any energy package for next year.

Again, this shows you that they really DO understand that this is all based on a HOAX. Why? Because if they REALLY believed that the planet was about to die, we would NOT be debating ANYTHING. NOTHING would come before doing SOMETHING to stop the impending disaster. We would NOT have agreed in the eleventh hour of Copenhagen to, well, talk more next year, just to give the impression they accomplised something, we would have ACTUALLY DONE something. You got an astorid comming, and threat rising, all come together to STOP it, and attempt to SAVE us. Yet, nothing. Talk. Even though SOME in the Chicken Little Crowd want you to believe we only have 10 years, oops, uh 20 years, oops, uh, another 20 years,, 100 MONTHS!, uh, nevermind. We'll talk later.

The truth is, real people, and real money will be hurt and LOST, if the Kooks get Cap and Tax on top of Obamacare, that will already kill the economy. Once again, we see the difference in Dreams and Reality. Time to WAKE UP AMERICA!
Peter

Sources:
API
Politico - Senate Democrats to W.H.: Drop cap and trade

Democrats Expect to Lose House and Senate

Preview For Sunday 010310

Hey folks,

Happy Sunday to you. Welcome to the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. Hope you all have recover from your, uh, celebrations, and welcoming the New Year in. Now it's back to reality. Happy 2010 to you all.

OK. You want proof that the Democrats are not listening? They are bailing in droves. I'm not kidding. According to the AP - 2010 situation grows more difficult for Democrats By National Political Writer Liz Sidoti, Ap National Political Writer – 49 mins ago

WASHINGTON – An already difficult situation for Democrats in Congress is worsening as the 2010 political season opens.

To minimize expected losses in next fall's election, President Barack Obama's party is testing a line of attack that resurrects George W. Bush as a boogeyman and castigates Republicans as cozy with Wall Street.

{Laughing} At least they are being honest.

Four House Democrats from swing districts have recently chosen not to seek re-election, bringing to 11 the number of retirements that could leave Democratic-held seats vulnerable to Republicans. More Democratic retirements are expected.

Over the holiday break, another Democrat, freshman Rep. Parker Griffith of Alabama, defected to the GOP. "I can no longer align myself with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy, and drives us further and further into debt," said Griffith, who voted against Democrats' three biggest initiatives in 2009: health care, financial regulation and reducing global warming.

Translation. I'm no Kook. I am not on a quest for Tyranny. I am a servant of the people. I AM Sane.

In the Senate, at least four Democrats — including Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and five-term Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd — are in serious trouble. The party could also lose its grip on seats Obama held in Illinois and Vice President Joe Biden long occupied in Delaware.

Going into 2010, Democrats held a 257-178 majority in the House and an effective 60-40 majority in the Senate, including two independents who align themselves with Democrats.

But they face an incumbent-hostile electorate worried about a 10 percent unemployment rate, weary of wars and angry at politicians of all stripes. Many independents who backed Democrats in 2006 and 2008 have turned away. Republicans, meanwhile, are energized and united in opposing Obama's policies.

United to protect America itself from the Dictatorship of a wannabe Dictator. Obama. The Democrats KNOW they are in trouble, because they KNOW that over 70 percent of you now, want NOTHING to do with Obamacare, Cap and Tax, Government Take overs, and an increasingly oppressive Taxation. The majority of people are also growing weary of the Liberal Leadership's continuing unconstitutional agendas. They are tired of being ignored by the very people they put in office to SERVE them.

Yes. The majority also do not trust nor care to much for Liberal Light, AKA Republicans. Yes. There is a clear and consistent Conservative uprising. An ascendancy. The Conservative Movement is growing. The Republican Leadership can either benefit from this, or be destroyed themselves.

It really is simple. Most Americans still love this country. Most, are Conservative, if proclaimed or not. They believe in God. They believe in Family. They believe in MORALS. They believe in FREEDOM. They believe that the people we elect into higher office, are there to SERVE them. They believe in smaller Government. Less Taxation, and opportunity for all. The only real legitimate salvation for the Democrat Party is to lose the insane Dictator Wannabes that have taken over the Party. These so called "Progressives" AKA Socialists, Marxists, Communists, call them what you will, only represent an extremely SMALL group of Kooks. You would think that they are mainstream, because they have the Mainstream Media telling you that they are. This is simply not true. They know this. They also know that they are NOT listening to the Majority of Americans, yet carrying out their agendas no matter the cost. We need to make sure that the Cost will be GREAT.

Coming right up today?

We ARE At War
One "Green" Answer Failing Fast
Danger in the Bottle and Can
DLA for 010310
Idiot Of The Year Award For 2009

Speaking of being at War. Did you catch this? According to the AP - U.S. official: Extremists seek new ways to attack U.S.

WASHINGTON – A top counterterrorism official is warning that al-Qaida and other extremists are working to test U.S. defenses and launch an attack on American soil.

National Counterterrorism Center Director Michael Leiter says the failed Christmas Day attempt to bring down a U.S. airliner is the starkest reminder of that threat.

Leiter said in a statement Saturday that officials "know with absolute certainty" that al-Qaida and others are trying to refine their methods.

The center is part of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. It draws experts from the CIA, FBI, Pentagon and other agencies who try to ensure that clues about potential attacks are not missed.

Terrorism expert Harvey Kushner of Long Island University said a significant concern is that many U.S. airports don't currently have the necessary technology to protect flights from the type of explosives attack attempted on Christmas.

The suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, apparently assembled an explosive device, including 80 grams of Pentrite, or PETN, in the aircraft toilet of a Detroit-bound Northwest flight, then planned to detonate it with a syringe of chemicals. Passengers intervened, and the plan failed.

"What's disturbing about this is we're almost nine years after 9/11 and billions of dollars have been spent and we don't have in place a system which can make us safe in the air," Kushner, chair of the school's Criminal Justice Department told The Associated Press. "You'll never be able to harden the targets to rule out terrorist activity. But we need to spend more money and have more concentration on the dangers in the skies."

Doesn't that just give you a warm and fuzzy feeling inside? Going to fill my cup, be right back.
Peter

Sources:
AP - 2010 situation grows more difficult for Democrats
AP - U.S. official: Extremists seek new ways to attack U.S.

We ARE At War

At least Obama admits it. Well, sort of.

Hey folks,

Surprise! We really ARE at War. As I have told you in the past. The Fort Hood Gunman, IS a Terrorist. The failed Bomber of Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit, is a Terrorist as well. Both Muslim, BOTH trained by and has connection with, the SAME radical Imam in Yemen.

So this makes it officially TWO attacks against the US since Obama took office. None after 911 with Bush, because those that would attack us, KNEW that they would pay dearly if they attempted it. With Obama? They have no fear whatsoever.

It is good to see, that at least Obama is starting to deal with reality here. Not to many in the State Run American Media are reporting this, but according to the BBC - Obama blames al-Qaeda for Christmas Day jet 'bomb'

US President Barack Obama has for the first time publicly accused an offshoot of al-Qaeda over the alleged Christmas Day bomb plot to blow up a US plane.

He said it appeared Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula had armed and trained the accused, 23-year-old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.

The group admitted responsibility in an internet statement last week.

Mr Obama has already condemned lapses that allowed the accused, who was on a terror database, to board the jet.

In his weekly radio and video address posted on the White House website early on Saturday, Mr Obama said more details of the alleged plot were becoming clear.

"It appears that he joined an affiliate of al-Qaeda, and that this group, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, trained him, equipped him with those explosives and directed him to attack that plane headed for America."

US officials have not until now publicly accused al-Qaeda over the incident on Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit.

Mr Obama has come under heavy criticism from Republicans, who accuse him of not doing enough to prevent attacks on the US.

You think?

Some Democrats, too, have joined the clamour for an overhaul of intelligence procedures.

The US president - who last week ordered two security reviews - used much of his latest address to outline his administration's measures to keep America safe.

He said these included withdrawing troops from Iraq, boosting troop levels in Afghanistan and targeting militants in Yemen, where the suspect spent time before the attack.

"All those involved in the attempted act of terrorism on Christmas must know you too will be held to account," he said.

Empty threats. That's what I hear. I would be willing to bet, that's what THEY hear as well.

The US Congress, meanwhile, is preparing hearings to question intelligence officials on security failings that allowed a man whom US officials had been warned about, and who had a valid US travel visa, to allegedly smuggle explosives on to a transatlantic jet.

Where are all those yelling for Obama's Head? Was this an inside Job? Did Obama allow this to happen? They knew about this. They even knew his name. Where are all the Conspiratist, and those in the Media giving them credibility?

Mr Abdulmutallab, now in US custody, is accused of trying to detonate explosives strapped to his body as the plane, with nearly 300 people on board, prepared to land.

The mid-air drama on 25 December has spawned a worldwide aviation security review.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned on Friday that rising Islamist militancy had turned Yemen into "an incubator for terrorism".

He announced an international conference in London in late January to discuss the danger.

Hey, NEWS FLASH! We are at WAR. We have an Enemy that wants to kill us and destroy our way of life. They no longer fear retribution. The attacks will only grow in frequency and severity. Obama needs to do more than Talk Tough, and apparently, just a smile and false image of brilliance created by the Media is just not doing the trick.
Peter

Sources:
BBC News - Obama blames al-Qaeda for Christmas Day jet 'bomb'

One "Green" Answer Failing Fast

Bad year? Why? Where is Obama?

Hey folks,

I just found this extremely interesting. If you really think about this, it tells you the TRUTH of what is going to happen if the Kooks ever get there way and force us to go "Green" one hundred percent. It also tells you the truth of what the reality is behind the whole thing.

According to the AP - Bad year for biofuel ends on a dour note By SEAN MURPHY, Associated Press Writer Sean Murphy, Associated Press Writer – Fri Jan 1, 2:04 pm ET

OKLAHOMA CITY – An alternative fuel for diesel engines is off to a shaky start this year though it emits fewer pollutants and cuts down on petroleum use because it's made from environmentally friendly waste and vegetable oil.

In the beginning of the whole Biofuel craze, it also started food riots. Remember that?

A federal tax credit that provided makers of biodiesel $1 for every gallon expired Friday. As a result, some U.S. producers say they will shut down without the government subsidy.

Where is the love?

Biodiesel's woes come on top of a year of problems for the fledgling biofuel industry — an irony given the push to cut down on greenhouse gases and ease the nation's need for foreign oil. A key driver for the alternative fuel — the high cost of oil — disappeared as diesel prices dropped 18 percent since the beginning of the recession. Then in March the European Union placed import-killing tariffs on biodiesel and other biofuels.

Which is why Obama said he LIKED High Energy Costs. He LIKED $4.00 plus a gallon.

It was a huge hit for U.S. biofuel makers, with Europe taking 95 percent of all global exports.

Biodiesel, which is usually blended with traditional fuel, had over the past few years been the fastest growing fuel among fleet vehicles like buses, snow plows and garbage trucks.

Those fleets, however, can shift to traditional fuel, as some have, when the prices of diesel drops.

Logic and commonsense.

The biodiesel industry is now operating at only 15 percent of its potential capacity, according to the National Biodiesel Board, largely because the price of traditional diesel has collapsed. There are close to 180 biodiesel plants operating in about 40 states.

The country's largest biodiesel refinery, in Houston, sits idle. Another major refinery in Hoquiam, Wash., that was restarted recently to meet alternative fuel mandates in Oregon and British Columbia was shut down after an explosion in December.

The loss of the tax credit, which helps pay salaries, buy new equipment and in good times to turn a profit, will hit small producers particularly hard.

A one-year extension of the biodiesel tax credit was included in a bill that was approved by the U.S. House recently, but it never made it through the Senate.

Where is Reid? Where is Obama pressuring the Senate to pass the Law? Oh, yeah, they really do not care. They are more worried about the Socialistic Take over of One Sixth of the US Economy. That is more Power, Control, and Money than they get from extending the Tax Credit. But what about saving the Planet?

Lawmakers say the tax-credit will be retroactive if approved.

Production will cease in Valliant, Okla., where Dwight Francis created a biodiesel startup this year as the local timber economy tanked.

For each of the 12,000 gallons of biodiesel that Francis produces each week, he has received a $1 tax credit to help keep operations going.

His company has been riding out the economic downturn until now, thanks to the tax credit.

"By the time you buy the feedstock and the chemicals to produce the fuel, you have more money in it than you get for the fuel without the tax credit," Francis said. "We won't be producing any without the tax credit."

Ethanol producers, for instance, were hit by a string of bankruptcies, next-generation biofuels were stung by scandal.

That's because they really do nothing. Expect RAISE energy cost, and hurt middle America. There are also studies that show Ethanol pollutes MORE than Natural Oil and Natural Gas.

This summer a federal jury found that Cello Energy, a next-generation biofuel company that specialized in plants-to-fuel technology, had defrauded investors. That is expected to leave the Environmental Protection Agency far short of the millions of gallons of biofuel it had planned to blend into traditional fuel this year.

The whole thing is based on a SCAM to begin with.

VeraSun, the country's second largest ethanol producer, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October and its assets sold. Other ethanol refineries were swept up for pennies on the dollar.

"You could say the entire biofuels industry has had a rough year," said Robert McCormick, principal engineer at the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

There is little chance that the U.S. will reach alternative fuel benchmarks of 36 billion gallons a year by 2022 in hopes of weaning the nation off foreign oil.

Still, ethanol producers appear to be bouncing back and maintain unflagging political support. And the Department of Energy announced last month that next-generation biofuels would get more than $600 million in federal funding.

Even though they are failing. So why are they not in a rush to fund them? Why did they let the Tax Credit expire? Do we NOT only have like 100 days top save the planet? Wasn't Bio-Fuel suppose to be one of the best "Green" answers we have? It was. Now in real life operation, it is showing to be a failure. So why would we want to continue to throw money away on it. Why would we want to continue to throw more and more money away on OTHER unrealized theories?

I've said this countless time before. I'm all for alternatives. Let's start small. One town say. Convert it to all these theories. Biofuel, Wind, Solar, Hydro, whatever. What fails, DROP IT! What shows signs of success, go with it. Increase the size. A City. Get the bugs out. Find cheaper and more productive ways to operate it. If it works, go BIGGER. Two Cities, three, ETC. Make sure it is affordable for all. Meanwhile, keep the Economy going on what RUNS the Economy. Keep finding ways to make energy more efficient and more affordable for all, using what IS proven. Let's stop trying to destroy Reality, in the hopes of a unrealized dream.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Bad year for biofuel ends on a dour note

Danger in the Bottle and Can

Health and Science For Sunday 010310

Hey folks,

No I'm not talking about Alcohol. I'm not talking about Energy Drinks, or even High Fructose Corn Syrup. As a matter of fact, I'm not talking about what is IN the Bottle or the Can at all. I am talking about the Bottle and Can themselves.

You drink Diet Pop? Regular Pop? All those Energy Drinks, Coffee Drinks? What about that Bottle of Water you drink at the Gym? Or for other "Social Reasons." What about the Baby?

Now most of you know, or have at least heard of BPA in Baby Bottles. Well, do you even really understand what that is? We are going to take a look at BPA today in our first Health and Science Segment of 2010.

BPA - Bisphenol A

Discovery and Use

Background

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an important industrial chemical that is used primarily to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, both of which are used in a wide variety of applications. For example, polycarbonate is used in eyeglass lenses, medical equipment, water bottles, digital media (e.g. CDs and DVDs), cell phones, consumer electronics, computers and other business equipment, electrical equipment, household appliances, safety shields, construction glazing, sports safety equipment, and automobiles1. Among the many uses for epoxy resins are industrial floorings, adhesives, industrial protective coatings, powder coatings, automotive primers, can coatings and printed circuit boards.

First Synthesis of Bisphenol A

The first reported synthesis of BPA was from Thomas Zincke of the University of Marburg, Germany. Zincke acknowledged in his paper that the synthesis of BPA, from phenol and acetone, was based on chemical reactions previously reported by others as well as unpublished work (from thesis dissertations) conducted at the University of Marburg. His paper reporting the synthesis of BPA and a number of related compounds was published in 19052. Zincke reported key physical properties of BPA (e.g., molecular composition, melting point, solubility in common solvents) but did not propose any application or use for BPA or the other materials he synthesized.

Commercial Production and Use of Bisphenol A

In 1953, Dr. Hermann Schnell of Bayer in Germany and Dr. Dan Fox of General Electric in the United States independently developed manufacturing processes for a new plastic material, polycarbonate, using BPA as the starting material. Polycarbonate plastic was found to have a unique combination of very useful properties, in particular optical clarity, shatter-resistance and high heat-resistance, which have made polycarbonate an important part of everyday life in a wide variety of applications. Commercial production began in 1957 in the United States and in 1958 in Europe. About this same time, epoxy resins were developed with the versatility to meet a wide range of industrial and consumer needs. Commercial production of BPA began in the 1950’s when large-scale uses for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins were developed and has grown worldwide along with the continued growth of the uses for these materials.

So, what is the danger? It is a synthesised Human Hormone. It occurs naturally in the body. So it has been tested right? Well, it is one of the most tested compounds in history. However, the FDA do not do their own testing and must rely on the Creators of Chemicals to submit reports. But, I’m sure that the Manufacturers would let us know if it was unsafe. Right? (Yeah right).

But it is not just those Baby Bottles and Water Bottles. Fox News did a story on this. According to Fox News - Study Finds Plastic Chemical BPA in Name-Brand Canned Foods Wednesday, November 04, 2009

In its December issue, Consumer Reports tested soups, juice, tuna and green beans, and found that 19 name-brand foods contain some amount of BPA, which is used in the plastic lining in many canned foods. And organic foods were not exempt — they didn't always have lower levels of BPA than non-organic foods. Some labels also declared their cans BPA-free, but this claim wasn't always true either.

Consumer Reports found that the highest levels of bisphenol-A were found in Del Monte Fresh Cut Green Beans Blue Lake, Progresso Vegetable Soup and Campbell's Condensed Chicken Soup.

The study also found much-maligned BPA in Similac Advance Infant Formula and Nestle Juicy Juice in a can.

"The BPA levels in our samples of Nestle Juicy Juice, at about 9 parts per billion, were not among the highest in the foods we tested. However, considering how many servings of juice young children may consume daily, a child still could exceed a level that Consumers Union thinks would provide an adequate margin of safety," said Dr. Urvashi Rangan, director of Technical Policy, at Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports.

"The lack of any safety margin between the levels that cause harm in animals and those that people could potentially ingest from canned foods has been inadequately addressed by the FDA to date," he added.

Current FDA guidelines put the upper limit of safe exposure to BPA at 50 micrograms of BPA for each kilogram of body weight. But the guidelines were based on studies done in the 1980s. The FDA is expected to issue new guidelines on what levels of BPA are safe for human consumption in the near future.

Again, based on what they are TOLD by those that profit from it's use. I found THIS very interesting. If you really want to know how to avoid BPA? Where can you go? The following is from King County Hazardous Waste Management. Yup. Not the EPA, not the FDA. A local Waste Management Company out of the State of Washington. They even tell you how much, and where to get BPA Free Products. King County Hazardous Waste Management - Bisphenol A (BPA), Plastic Bottles, Canned Goods, and You

Easy ways to avoid bisphenol A in everyday products.

Recent scientific reviews and news reports on the use of polycarbonate plastics containing bisphenol A and potential human health problems are worrying and confusing consumers.

The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County is committed to protecting the public’s health and the environment by reducing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Given the current scientific understanding of biological effects of bisphenol A or BPA, there is good reason for concerned consumers to reduce their exposure to bisphenol A -containing products, especially for infants, children, and women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Infants and young children are at greater risk because of their small size and developing bodies. Studies of laboratory animals or cultured human cells have shown exposure to bisphenol A can cause neural and behavioral changes, precancerous growths in breast and prostate tissues, early onset puberty and other effects at very low doses. In addition, bisphenol A crosses the placenta and has been found in amniotic fluid and umbilical cord tissue, showing that there is no prenatal protection from a mother’s exposure.

Recent reports from the National Institute for Environmental Health conclude that there is concern for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants, and children at current levels of exposure to BPA. Presently, there are no recommended minimum exposure limits for infants or children. More research is also needed to understand all the health effects that may be associated with exposure to Bisphenol A.

There are easy ways to reduce the risk of exposure to BPA for children. Many of the ‘new’ ways are a return to earlier safe food storage practices.

Easy ways to avoid bisphenol A in everyday products

For infants and children

Breastfeeding is the best way to feed newborns and infants. Follow the tips here and on the links to reduce bisphenol A in an infant’s and nursing mom’s diet.

If you use infant formula:

•the first choice is dry powdered formula packaged in non-metal cans
•liquid formulas sold in plastic, mostly polyethylene and polypropylene (#1, 2, or 5) which do not contain any bisphenol A
•concentrated liquid formulas (diluted)
•avoid ready-to-eat liquid formulas in metal cans; they are lined with bisphenol A epoxy resin (sealant)
Use glass baby bottles or plastic bag inserts, which are made of polyethyelene, or switch to polypropylene bottles (labeled #5) that come in solid colors or are milky white, not clear.

Other resources and shopping suggestions *Adapted from National Geographic’s Green Guide Baby bottle choices

Baby Bottles (#5 Plastic)
Gerber Fashion Tints ($4.99 for 3-9 oz. bottles; http://www.thebabyoutlet.com/)
Medela Breastmilk Storage and Feeding Set ($18.99; http://www.target.com/) glass baby bottles
BornFree Vented Glass Bottles ($37.99/2-9 oz. bottles; http://www.newbornfree.com/)
Evenflo Classic Glass Nursers ($8 for 3-4 oz. or 8 oz. bottles; http://www.ingeling.com/)
Sippy Cups Klean Kanteen 12 oz. stainless steel bottle with sippy adaptor ($17.95; http://www.kleankanteen.com/)

For your family
For food storage and drinking use glass or stainless steel water bottles without plastic linings. Avoid plastic containers labeled with a 3, 6, or 7 (inside the recycle symbol). Not all number 7 plastics contain bisphenol A, but they are not separately labeled.

Dispose of cracked or scratched plastic bottles in the garbage.

When buying new bottles take along the shopper’s card: www.thegreenguide.com/doc/BGG2/saferplastics.
For descriptions of plastics and the symbols: www.thegreenguide.com/products/Kitchen/Plastic_Containers.

Foods packaged in juice boxes or cardboard "brick" cartons, by Tetra Pak and SIG Combibloc, are made of safer layers of paper, aluminum and polyethylene (#2) and are also recyclable.

Reduce your use of canned foods by using fresh or frozen foods or foods packaged in other containers like glass or cardboard brick cartons. Save canned foods for convenience or emergencies. Almost all food cans are lined with bisphenol A epoxy resin (sealant) and industry studies confirm that BPA is in canned foods and beverages.

Learn to preserve your own foods using glass containers. The WSU Cooperative Extension offers canning tips and instructions at http://foodsafety.wsu.edu/. Find a Farmer’s market with Puget Sound Fresh Food at: http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/.

If you use plastics for food storage, follow these safety tips.

If you are using polycarbonate bottles like Nalgene (labeled #7 on the bottom), wash them by hand with mild dishwashing soap and not in the dishwasher. Harsh chemicals and heat degrade the plastic and increase leaching of bisphenol A into foods and liquids.

Avoid using plastic containers to heat food in microwaves because chemicals leach out into the food faster when heated. Ceramic, glass, and other microwaveable dishware are good alternatives.

Others links
Canned food study: www.ewg.org/reports/bisphenola
Consumer tips www.ewg.org/node/20944
Plastic Products at a Glance Chart www.checnet.org/healthehouse/pdf/plasticchart.pdf

I do not know about you, but this has got me thinking about being a bit more careful in my choices I make while shopping and the advice I am about to give my friend who is do to give birth in April. As with anything, the more we know, the better off we are. Do your own research into BPA, and make your own choice. I think I may start leaning on the side of caution and reduce my, and my families exposure.
Peter

Sources:
Bisphenol A - Website
Fox News - Study Finds Plastic Chemical BPA in Name-Brand Canned Foods
King County Hazardous Waste Management - Bisphenol A (BPA), Plastic Bottles, Canned Goods, and You

DLA for 010310

As usual, you want to know what someone really thinks, go to the Source.

Hey folks,

Our first DLA {Display of Logic Award} for 2010, goes to Ray Heinlen, owner of Heinlen Trucking LLC in St. Johns, for his Logical and commonsense question about Obamacare.

First the context. This is something that is completely opposed to what Obama and Crew keep telling us about the support for and the desire of the majority of Americans, to not only have Obamacare, but the Public Option IN Obamacare.

83 Percent of Small Businesses Say 'No' to Health Care Public Option, 89 Percent Say Government Cannot Provide Adequate Health Care

Michigan Business and Professional Association Releases New Health Care Overhaul Survey

WARREN, Mich., Dec. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eighty-three percent of the owners of small businesses surveyed across Michigan do not support a government-operated health care plan as a public option for insurance, according to a new survey of the members of the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) and the Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA) headquartered in Warren. This is intriguing data as Michigan's economy has been under national scrutiny and the bills were designed to help small business.

The U.S. House bill, as currently drafted, imposes a penalty of up to 8 percent of a business' payroll for not following the health care insurance mandate, a provision that 86 percent of Association members opposed in the survey.

Jennifer Kluge, COO of both Associations, said, "Small business has an important stake in the health care reform discussion, given the fact that our current economic condition has left many individuals without insurance and many businesses having to cut insurance as a cost savings measure. Legislators believe that small businesses see the public health care option as a positive, but our survey results show otherwise. The Associations oppose any health care changes that have a public option and we would encourage our lawmakers to do further diligence as they merge these bills"

Well said Jennifer. You are the runner up today. But the award goes to this Gentleman for asking this, most obvious question.

Association member Ray Heinlen, owner of Heinlen Trucking LLC in St. Johns, doesn't believe the government can provide a satisfactory health care plan, adding, "I can't name one government program that is efficient, or that is not out of money. Why would this be any different?"

It will not be. They could not even run Cash For Clunkers.

Bonnie Zeigler, an Association member and president of New-Tech in Midland, said if a government-run health care plan was put into effect, she would continue to provide insurance to her employees. "My reaction is to continue to offer our current plan, but we may not be able to afford it."

Which is the point.

The survey, sent out the week of Dec. 14, 2009 to Association members, offered a clear look at how many Michigan small business owners view the health care reform issue.

-- 85 percent do not support the provision of mandatory health care for
individuals, or the imposition of a 2.5 percent tax on those without
insurance.
-- Should a government-run health care plan take effect, survey
respondents said they would make the following choices:
-- 16 percent said their company would pay the tax of up to 8 percent
annually of payroll and employees would enroll in the government
public option plan.
-- 23 percent said their company would continue to offer their
employee health care plan and pay the premiums.
-- A staggering 56 percent were not sure what they would do.
-- 77 percent of survey respondents said the new government health care
plan should not cover abortions.
-- 89 percent of Association members responding said they do not believe
the government can provide adequate health care that will meet the
needs of the country under the proposed legislation.

Kluge urged small business owners to continue to contact their U.S. senators and representatives to air their concerns about national health care reforms and the potential impact upon their business and their employees.

They are not listening.

Based in Warren, Mich., the MBPA (www.michbusiness.org) is the largest business organization of small to medium-sized businesses in Michigan, representing more than 20,000 members who employ over 180,0000 persons. Members include attorneys, physicians, architects, accountants, construction companies, banks, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and the like. Member businesses receive numerous benefits including free legal and financial consultations; discounted technology, automotive and office products; employee training and recruitment assistance; and competitive insurance rates. The MBPA is a sister association to the Michigan Food & Beverage Association (MFBA, www.michfood.org) with more than 3,400 members.

Source: Michigan Business and Professional Association

Congratulations Ray Heinlen, you ARE the Display of Logic Award winner. It really is a simple question. When asked, EVERYONE knows the answer. Yet no one will give the answer. It will not be different. It will fail. It is NOT about Healthcare.
Peter

Idiot Of The Year Award For 2009

This one was tough.

Hey folks,

It is the first Sunday of 2010. Which means I have spend some time this past week, going over all the IWA, Idiots of the Week, looking for our Winner for 2010's Idiot of the Year. Usually, one or two stand out, that are CLEAR winners. Then the debate becomes which one is the biggest display of idiocy and the one that deserves the Award the most.

This year, that was not the case. No. With all the idiots running Congress and a President with a "Screw You, we will have a Socialistic America," attitude, I was hard to find the most idiotic person.

Obama is a given. From his delay in answering the call for more Troops, causing 98 American Soldiers to loose their lives, to his Socialistic Agenda here at home, He was the leader in the quest for the Idiot of the Year. But that would be to easy.

Here are the Runners up.

Congressman Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) IWA For Sunday 011809 Remember him? He was nothing more than a Poser. He attempting to prove some kind of point by saying he was going "Green" and wanted to show he cares about the environment. So he wanted to show up in a Enviro Friendly Car. Problem is, he doesn't OWN one. {Laughing} So he decides to BORROW one from GM. Problem Two, it will not make it from NY to Washington. Sorry folks, but if a car can not make it past 200 miles, it is nothing but a piece of garbage to me. So he has to use TWO. Both cars are TOWED, by SUVs for him to drive, then driven BACK by SUVs {Laughing} I guess he really showed the Kooks he cares.

Number 5 - Kathleen Parker IWA For Sunday 022209 I still love this one. "I suspect that if you cut Obama open, you’d find a little Buddha sitting inside, smiling." {Laughing, banging hand on desk} She should win the Suck Up Award. So here is a "Conservative Columnist" who took a flight on Air Force One. Her reaction? How fit everyone was. She also tells us how she set up the Obama little girls. The bait she used to get close to them.

"may I say, with the sole female, who just happened to have a little green Ugly Doll hanging from her purple purse, very similar to one spotted several weeks ago on Sasha’s book bag." Then this. "I wouldn’t call my Ugly Doll “bait” exactly, but I might call it strategy. As a conversation starter, it worked." But it was this now famous statement that won her the award.

"What struck me most was his immense calm. I kept looking for fissures in the façade, some signal that the cool cat is a defense mechanism or some tactical ploy to deflect or defuse an opponent. Nary a crack. You may as well try to find the Dalai Lama’s Achilles heel. I suspect that if you cut Obama open, you’d find a little Buddha sitting inside, smiling."

Number 4 - Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner IWA for Sunday 032209 Here is a guy that put the authorization in the Bill to ALLOW the AGI Bonuses to be paid.

Then after they were paid, DENIED that he wrote the one sentence that allowed it. I guess some little Gremlin must have snuck in a typed in that sentence when no one was looking.

Then he said, Yeah OK, I did wrote it. But the Obama Administration said I had to.

Yes, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner IS responsible for this "outrage" over the Bonuses being paid to AIG Employees. He AUTHORIZED them. Now we have the House passing an unconstitutional bill to target Private Citizens, just a certain group of Private Citizens, with a 90 percent tax to STEAL the money back that Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner put into writing that they could have.

Number 3 - Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi IWA For Sunday 20109 for "Chirica" Population Control, Pelosi's Stimulus Idea. Pelosi is not the innovator of this concept of telling the poor and undesirable of the population that they are not to have kids. She is following the Chinese Population Control Method. She is PROUD of it. Why do these people, the LWL {Left Wing Loons} LOVE Communism so much? Power, control, and money.

Seriously folks, Pelsoi's plans are those of one of the biggest human rights violators on the planet. China. She wants the "Chirica" China / America Population Control Program here in our country. She said that it would cut costs if the Poor and undesirable just stopped having kids. {Laughing} Bet she is happy her Mother decided to have her. Huh?

And the Runner up? Has to be Hillary Clinton IWA for Sunday 030809 First we have our Idiot go to Geneva to present Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with a red button. {Laughing} That all by itself it stupid. But it was suppose to be a symbol of a renewed relationship. It was suppose to be "Reset" in Russian. According to her, They worked "very hard" in getting the right word,,,well here is the exchange.

Lavrov: "Thank you very much."

Hillary: "You're very welcome. We worked hard to get the right Russian word. Do you think we got it?"

Lavrov: "You got it wrong."

Hillary: "I got it wrong?"

Lavrov: "It should be perezagruzka."

Hillary: "Ahhhhh!"

Lavrov: "Your sign say 'peregruzka,' which means 'overcharge.'"

Hillary: {witch cackle}: "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Well, we won't let you do that to us. I promise."

Lavrov: "Okay, thank you very much."

Hillary: "Thank you so much."

Lavrov: "It will be on my desk."

I bet it will be on his desk, it will be there to show how stupid Americans are. Notice his hand jester? He is giving America the Middle Finger. But then we have our Idiot Clinton getting all tongue-tied.

She also won for mispronouncing many names, then claimed U.S. democracy was older than Europe's. She also echoed Rahm Emanuel who said,"Never let a serious crisis go to waste. What I mean by that is it's an opportunity to do things you couldn't do before." when she said, "Never waste a good crisis ... Don't waste it when it can have a very positive impact on climate change and energy security." At least she was telling us how these people work.

So what could POSSIBLY beat all that? Who is our 2009 Idiot of the Year? You get arrested. You not only plead guilty, you BRAG about your crime. You say you want to go to jail, or get the Death Penalty, you get NO Trial. Really, the only thing then that needs to be determined is what the Judge feels your sentence should consist of. Nothing else is needed. Well, maybe a psych-eval. But seriously, nothing else is needed.

So now we have:

A NON-US Citizen.
A Mastermind that killed 3000 American Lives.
A person that said YES. I did it.
A person that has bragged about doing it.
The Uncle of the one that attacked the WTC First.
One who has ASKED for the Death Penalty.

So what does our ingenious Attorney General Eric Holder decide? Lets bring him the New York City, give him the Rights afforded to US Citizens, and grant him a trial that is unnecessary.

What will this do? Give the Mass Murdering TERRORIST more credibility. If we do execute him, make him a Martyr. Put Top Secret Intelligence procedures, SOP, differing Interrogation Techniques, and broadcast them to all our enemies around the world, putting the US at greater risk. Not to mention painting a HUGE red target right smack in the middle of NYC.

Yes folks, Attorney General Eric Holder announced Friday that he was going to bring Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and four others detained at Gitmo, to trial at a lower Manhattan Courthouse. Right near where the WTC use to stand.

You see folks, this is really NOT about bringing THEM to Justice at all. This is about BUSH! They do not care if these mass Murdering Terrorist are released onto NYC streets because the Court throws out the cases against them. It COULD happen. U.S. Civilian Courts prohibit evidence obtained through coercion. Some say they were tortured. Hence, whatever evidence they gave would be thrown out. Then, if one of the Idiotic ACLU pro-bono Lawyers on a quest to find America guilty, hence, Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld, will demand that the US Intelligence Agencies turn over things that they will REFUSE to turn over, in which case, again, these Terrorists will be released.

This is nothing more than actually putting America on trial. Not those seeking to kill us, and destroy our way of life. This is a way to further the insanity that we need to be more of a citizen of the world and treat all equally. They seem to forget we are at WAR. They seem to forget that these are NOT US Citizens that committed a criminal act against other Citizens. These are Mass Murdering Terrorist. Enemy SOLDIERS bent on attacking our country. They have no business being tried in our Courts, given Rights, or being held up as Martyrs for their cause. But then again, as I said, it really isn't about THEM at all. Is it?

Congratulations Attorney General Eric Holder, we all know you are nothing more than Obama's Patsy. We know he just passed all the blame and heat onto you when he said "This is a Prosecutory decision." We know that you have another agenda that you hope will come out during the trial. We know you are an Idiot. You are the Idiot of the of the YEAR for 2009.

All these Terrorist are, are pawns, to bring about another one of the Insane Left's agenda. Get Bush. Sorry, we really are at War, and YOU just put America in greater danger. Just remember Eric, when another attack comes, or they WALK, YOU will be to blame. You will not be able to pass it off to where the blame really lies, with Obama. YOU will be held accountable. How does it feel to be a Patsy? How does it feel to be the idiot of the Year?
Peter

Mainstream Media, Obama Drunk, Misses REAL News

From The Emails 010110

I love this.

Hey folks,

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU! Yes, it IS New Year's Day!! The first day of 2010. This means we have less than a 11 months to go to slow this train wreck down. We have 11 months to get the word out, that these insane Socialistic Dictator Wannabes, need to go.

One thing we do know, is that we can not count of the State Run Mainstream Media to help us, tell us the truth, or even simply do their jobs. True Journalism is DEAD. Here is a CLEAR example of what we are talking about.

"Hey, at least we know what Michelle is wearing right?" {Laughing} Yup.

Andrea Mitchell

“What a day it was. It may take days or years to really absorb the significance of what happened to America today....When he [Barack Obama] finally emerged, he seemed, even in this throng, so solitary, somber, perhaps already feeling the weight of the world, even before he was transformed into the leader of the free world....The mass flickering of cell phone cameras on the Mall seemed like stars shining back at him.”

One they missed?

Van Jones

White House Green Jobs adviser Van Jones resigned from his post in September after weeks of pressure over his radical past. A former self-avowed Marxist and anarchist, Jones signed a 2004 petition that suggested the U.S. government was involved in the Sept 11. terrorist attacks. The New York Times and Washington Post ignored the story until Jones' resignation, which occurred in the middle of the Labor Day weekend.

What they reported?

Joe Klein

“The legislative achievements have been stupendous — the $789 billion stimulus bill, the budget plan that is still being hammered out (and may, ultimately, include the next landmark safety-net program, universal health insurance). There has also been a cascade of new policies to address the financial crisis — massive interventions in the housing and credit markets, a market-based plan to buy the toxic assets that many banks have on their books, a plan to bail out the auto industry and a strict new regulatory regime proposed for Wall Street. Obama has also completely overhauled foreign policy, from Cuba to Afghanistan. ‘In a way, Obama’s 100 days is even more dramatic than Roosevelt’s,’ says Elaine Kamarck of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. ‘Roosevelt only had to deal with a domestic crisis. Obama has had to overhaul foreign policy as well, including two wars. And that’s really the secret of why this has seemed so spectacular.’”

One they missed?

ACORN Tapes

Filmmakers James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles, posing as a pimp and a prostitute, went undercover to the offices of the community organizing group ACORN in the summer. They secretly videotaped employees instructing them in how to falsify tax forms and seek illegal benefits for 13 "very young" girls from El Salvador whom the pair said they wanted to import to work as child prostitutes. New videos emerged daily, but the mainstream media ignored the growing scandal for days, even as federal agencies began severing their ties with the group and members of Congress cried for an investigation.

What they reported?

Janeane Garofalo

“The type of female that does like Rush is the same type of woman that falls in love with prisoners. You know what I mean? They like Richard Ramirez or — Squeaky Fromme is a good example. I think Charles Manson’s — Eva Braun, Hitler’s girlfriend. That is exactly the type of woman that responds really well to Rush. And there will be some Eva Brauns, Squeaky Frommes out there that will respond really well to this cattle call right now.”

One they missed?

Science Czar John Holdren

President Obama's "science czar," John Holdren, floated a number of lethal policies to shrink the human population -- including compulsory abortions and other Draconian measures -- in science textbooks he published in the 1970s. Though the news spread widely through the blogosphere, the mainstream media never touched the controversy. Click here to see a slideshow of the radical ideas he proposed.

What they reported?

Katie Couric

“You’re so confident, Mr. President, and so focused. Is your confidence ever shaken? Do you ever wake up and say, ‘Damn, this is hard. Damn, I’m not going to get the things done I want to get done, and it’s just too politicized to really get accomplished the big things I want to accomplish’?”

One they missed.

Climate-Gate

Hackers broke into the servers at a prominent British climate research center and leaked years' worth of e-mails onto the Web, producing what some skeptics of man-made climate change said was "smoking gun" evidence of collusion among climate scientists. One e-mail referenced a plan to "hide the decline" in global temperatures, as another lamented the "travesty" that temperatures had not increased over the past decade. Prominent climate scientists discussed blackballing skeptics and admitted to dumping data to avoid public scrutiny. The head of the Climatic Research Unit at Britain's East Anglia University stepped down amid the uproar that followed. But the television networks ignored the story for so long they even got scooped by Comedy Central.

What they reported?

Terry Moran

“I like to say that, in some ways, Barack Obama is the first President since George Washington to be taking a step down into the Oval Office. I mean, from visionary leader of a giant movement, now he’s got an executive position that he has to perform in, in a way.”

One they missed.

Politicizing the NEA

A senior official at the National Endowment for the Arts encouraged artists to promote President Obama's political agenda in a conference call he organized with the White House. The NEA's communications director Yosi Sergant eventually resigned in August amid accusations that the grant-making organization was becoming politicized. The administration called it a "teaching moment," but the media didn't seem to catch the lesson.

What they reported?

Evan Thomas

“Reagan [at the 1984 D-Day commemoration] was all about America, and you talked about it. Obama is, ‘We are above that now. We’re not just parochial, we’re not just chauvinistic, we’re not just provincial. We stand for something.’ I mean, in a way, Obama’s standing above the country, above — above the world. He’s sort of God. He’s going to bring all different sides together.”

What they missed?

Chas Freeman

Chas Freeman, the Obama administration's appointee to chair the National Intelligence Council, had major conflicts of interest with the Saudi and Chinese governments as a private citizen. He referred to Tibetan Buddhist protests against the communist government in China as a "race riot," and said the Chinese had been "overly cautious" in killing hundreds of protesters in the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989.

But Freeman drew special ire for his fierce and open criticism of what he called Jewish "colonists" in Israel. Even as prominent members of Congress blasted the appointment, the New York Times covered the story only after Freeman had already withdrawn his name for consideration.

What they reported?

Thomas Friedman

“Watching both the health care and climate/energy debates in Congress, it is hard not to draw the following conclusion: There is only one thing worse than one-party autocracy, and that is one-party democracy, which is what we have in America today. One-party autocracy certainly has its drawbacks. But when it is led by a reasonably enlightened group of people, as China is today, it can also have great advantages. That one party can just impose the politically difficult but critically important policies needed to move a society forward in the 21st century.”

What they missed?

Tea Party Protests

In the wake of the bank bailouts and the federal stimulus package, some critics of the Obama administration's economic crisis plans urged citizens to mail tea bags to their congressmen as a form of protest, recalling the Boston Tea Party and unjust taxes imposed by the British before the American Revolution. The Tea Party movement grew to include massive protests, as tens of thousands of Americans joined in on Tax Day. After utterly ignoring the movement for weeks, the mainstream media finally caught up to the story, but mostly used their coverage as an occasion for sexual puns and frathouse humor.

What they reported?

John Harwood & David Shuster

Correspondent John Harwood: “He had this fly that was persistently buzzing around him....He swatted his hand and he said, ‘I got the sucker.’ He threw it onto the ground. It was a, you know, Dirty Harry ‘make my day’ moment.”...

MSNBC anchor David Shuster: “Amazing...An amazing interview....It never fails — great weather, rainbows, incredible speeches, and three-point basket. A fly and he nails it. Unbelievable. Unbelievable.”

What they missed?

Kevin Jennings, Safe Schools Czar

President Obama's "safe schools czar," Kevin Jennings, is a former schoolteacher who advocated promoting homosexuality in schools and was forced to admit he had poorly handled an incident in which a student told him he was having sex with older men. Jennings has since been tied to a pornographic suggested reading list for 7th graders that was designed by the organization he founded and directed for over a decade, and dozens of members of Congress have called for his ouster.

What they reported?

Denis Leary

Actor Denis Leary: “I do have to say that I think that President Obama is the greatest President in the history of all of our Presidents, and that he can do no wrong in my book. So how’s that for prejudice on the Democratic side?”...

Fill-in host Joy Behar: “What do you think of Obama’s pick of Sotomayor?”

Leary: “Fantastic!”

Behar: “You love her?”

Leary: “Everything you ask me about President Obama I’m just going to say it’s the greatest thing ever. I love the guy!”

One they missed?

Democratic Stimulus

A December study from George Mason University showed that Democratic districts have received nearly twice as much stimulus money as Republican districts -- and the cash has been awarded without regard to how badly an area was suffering from job losses or income problems. Blue districts garnered the majority of the $787 stimulus package, getting an average of $439 million per district to the Republican average of $232 million.

Real news IS out there. What is happening to us, and our country, is out there in the open, right in front of every one's face. Yet, the State run, Mainstream Media, will NEVER report these things. They simply report whatever they are told to. What are they told to report? Obama. They have created the Dream. They created the imagine. They will NEVER report the TRUTH. They will cover, ignore, and completely make stuff up to further the agenda of those that OWN them. That is those on a quest for Tyranny. It really is, just that simple.
Peter

Sources:
Fox News - Nine Big Stories the Mainstream Media Missed in 2009
Media Research Center - The 22nd Annual Awards for the Year's Worst Reporting

Note: From The Emails is a weekly Segment every Friday, or occasionally anytime, that appears here at the OPNTalk Blog. Please feel free to Email any Articles, Comments, Thoughts, Whatever, that you may like to share to opntalk@gmail.com As always, you never know what you may see here.