There is an issue whether or not the President has the power to authorize wiretapping without court approval - seems like a reasonable subject for discussion. Now the Conservative talking faces have decided that the issue is not whether the President has overstepped his authority, but rather that someone leaked the program.
Now, if it turns out that what he did was legal, THEN the persons involved should be investigated. HOWEVER, let's look at this logically. If the President (or anyone in power) was doing something illegally, and no one could speak out because it was against the law, how would anyone ever know something illegal was going on???
The person(s) who leaked the story, and the reporters who wrote the story, probably are very well aware how serious this is and that they could be procescuted. That might be why they held the story for so long. It seems they were even asked by the White House (so someone asked or told the White House about this) to sit on the story.
The problem I have a hard time grasping, is if it is illegal to point out something illegal, our laws are truly messed up.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Connecticut energy prices
Today it was announced that electricity prices in Connecticut would be going up 17+% in January and another 4+% in April. Everyone is running around surprised.
However, people seem to be happy that the price of gas has come down, even though it is still 30 - 40% higher than a few years ago.
Gas Price Chart
They don't see the connection.
Now, as with gas prices, people will run around pointing fingers, but no one will be able to find the culprit. Why are prices so high? Here are some of my thoughts:
1. Deregulation was supposed to result in lower prices, and they initially were, because there was mandatory price caps put on. This forced the electricity generation companies to either cut corners or make no profit. Now with some of these controls off or being phased out, the market is responding.
2. The price of oil was low and therefore alternative energy source were not explored, now watch for development,
3. Electricity usage kept going up (how many $79 air conditioners were sold last year..)
4. The generation and supply parts of the puzzle were split. Now there is less control and cost sharing.
5. No one was complaining.
Now - what to do about it:
1. Relax - we are still cheaper than New York (maybe)
2. Get angry and vote everyone out of office (works on a lot of levels)
3. Sit down and really look at your electric bill (too much work)
4. Write letters to the Editor (if it helps you)
5. Start a blog (why didn't I think of that)
6. Make your house more energy efficient (good idea)
7. Write your representitives (not a bad idea - be constructive)
As I find out more, I will post my suggestions. But for now, do 1, 3, and 6.
Don't do 7 until you know more about the problem, and we can't do 2 until next year!
However, people seem to be happy that the price of gas has come down, even though it is still 30 - 40% higher than a few years ago.
Gas Price Chart
They don't see the connection.
Now, as with gas prices, people will run around pointing fingers, but no one will be able to find the culprit. Why are prices so high? Here are some of my thoughts:
1. Deregulation was supposed to result in lower prices, and they initially were, because there was mandatory price caps put on. This forced the electricity generation companies to either cut corners or make no profit. Now with some of these controls off or being phased out, the market is responding.
2. The price of oil was low and therefore alternative energy source were not explored, now watch for development,
3. Electricity usage kept going up (how many $79 air conditioners were sold last year..)
4. The generation and supply parts of the puzzle were split. Now there is less control and cost sharing.
5. No one was complaining.
Now - what to do about it:
1. Relax - we are still cheaper than New York (maybe)
2. Get angry and vote everyone out of office (works on a lot of levels)
3. Sit down and really look at your electric bill (too much work)
4. Write letters to the Editor (if it helps you)
5. Start a blog (why didn't I think of that)
6. Make your house more energy efficient (good idea)
7. Write your representitives (not a bad idea - be constructive)
As I find out more, I will post my suggestions. But for now, do 1, 3, and 6.
Don't do 7 until you know more about the problem, and we can't do 2 until next year!
Ground rules
Okay, now for some ground rules:
1. Nothing is a simple as it appears,
2. No one person or group, is responsible for everything - it takes two to tango,
3. Just because you understand something, does not mean you understand how to fix it,
4. Bad things sometimes come from people with good intentions,
5. Very rarely do good things come from bad people, but it depends on your point of view,
6. Calling people names just belittles you.
I will add rules as I come across them.
1. Nothing is a simple as it appears,
2. No one person or group, is responsible for everything - it takes two to tango,
3. Just because you understand something, does not mean you understand how to fix it,
4. Bad things sometimes come from people with good intentions,
5. Very rarely do good things come from bad people, but it depends on your point of view,
6. Calling people names just belittles you.
I will add rules as I come across them.
Got to start someplace
I have been "blogging" for years - then we called it letters to the editor, articles for publication, newsletters and most recently - my web page. I am looking to see if I can manage to get my ideas out there in what now is a more conventional way.....a blog. It may last for years or it may last for weeks. Hopefully it will be a step above what is out there, if not, I am sure someone will let me know.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)