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Saturday, February 25, 2006
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NSA Wiretaps
TalkLeft: "The ACLU has released the results of a new poll by conducted by the Washington-based firm Belden, Russonello & Stewart, measuring voters' attitudes toward the NSA warrantless surveillance of Americans."
Category: 2008 Presidential Election
8:15:34 AM 
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Iraqi War
Adding Understanding: "Sadly, I also saw the more brutal parts of this war. The oil refineries in Kirkuk suffered a serious attack during our first week there creating a fire that lasted for days. The area around Kirkuk has also been ravaged by roadside bombs. As many as 10 were discovered per day. Five soldiers were killed on our last day in Kirkuk by a massive bomb. We flew the Colonel to the scene. The vehicle was still burning when we arrived and the destruction was total. It was a sober reminder of the cost of this war."
Victor Davis Hanson: "Again, the question now is an existential one: Can the United States - or anyone - in the middle of a war against Islamic fascism, rebuild the most important country in the heart of the Middle East, after 30 years of utter oppression, three wars, and an Orwellian, totalitarian dictator warping of the minds of the populace? And can anyone navigate between a Zarqawi, a Sadr, and the Sunni rejectionists, much less the legions of Iranian agents, Saudi millionaires, and Syrian provocateurs who each day live to destroy what's going on in Iraq?
"The fate of a much wider war hinges on the answers to these questions, since it would be hard to imagine that bin Laden could continue be much of a force with a secure and democratic Iraq, anchoring ongoing liberalization in the Gulf, Lebanon, and Egypt, and threatening by example Iran and Syria. By the same token, it would be hard to see how we could stop jihadism from spreading when an army that is doing everything possible still could not stop Islamic fascism from taking over the ancestral home of the ancient caliphate.
"Can-do Americans courageously go about their duty in Iraq - mostly unafraid that a culture of 2,000 years, the reality of geography, the sheer forces of language and religion, the propaganda of the state-run Arab media, and the cynicism of the liberal West are all stacked against them. Iraq may not have started out as the pivotal front in the war between democracy and fascism, but it has surely evolved into that. After visiting the country, I think we can and will win, but just as importantly, unlike in 2003-4, there does not seem to be much of anything we should be doing there that in fact we are not."
Thanks to Blogs for Bush for the link.
Category: 2008 Presidential Election
8:09:13 AM
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Clinton or McCain for President?
Oval Office 2008: "For most American voters, it seems, we haven't really moved on from the stage where celebrity and name recognition are all that count. As last week's CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll revealed - detailed here by CNN - Hillary Clinton and John McCain remain top of their respective parties' lists of presidential hopefuls."
Category: 2008 Presidential Election
8:04:02 AM
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Schweitzer for President?
New West: "On Sunday, the national news show 60 Minutes will be airing a piece on our very own Gov. Brian Schweitzer. The last time the award-winning news program came to Montana, it was to retrace the Montana Power Company's devastating collapse and the aftermath of deregulation, so this is definitely a step up for the Treasure State."
Category: 2008 Presidential Election
7:57:30 AM
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Abramoff case special counsel?
Elevated Voices: "U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar has teamed up with Sen. Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico to request that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales appoint a special counsel to investigate Jack Abramoff's Pacific dealings and the demotion of Frederick Black, former U.S. Attorney for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands."
Category: 2008 Presidential Election
7:54:33 AM
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Immigration
U.S. Senator Arlen Specter has introduced new immigration legislation, according to the Denver Post. From the article, "The impending political skirmish over how to rewrite immigration laws moved forward today as a key senator released his comprehensive reform package, one the Senate could end up voting on next month.
"The proposal from Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Penn., head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, includes a temporary guest worker program, enhanced border security, new requirements for employers to verify workers' legal status, and a provision for some 11 million illegal aliens now in the country to come forward and work legally. It calls for a study of whether a fence is necessary along the southern U.S. border...
"Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, head of the group that opposes a guest worker program for people who entered the country illegally, condemned Specter's package, calling it an 'unmitigated disaster'...
"Specter's proposal would create new conditional work status for illegal immigrants able to prove they were working in the United States prior to Jan. 4, 2004. They would pay $500 and undergo a medical exam.
"In addition, the proposal creates a new visa for foreigners who want to come to the U.S. and work. Once an employer proves he has a job that no American wants, a foreign citizen can obtain a work permit to fill that job for three years. That's renewable one time, after which the person would be required to leave the country."
Category: 2008 Presidential Election
7:30:52 AM
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Durango whitewater park?
Why can't we all just get along? Oh yeah, we're talking about water in Colorado. Conflict is endemic. According to the Durango Herald the Southwestern Water Conservancy District may be heading to court to stop Durango's plans for a whitewater and boating park.
From the article, "Southwestern believes that recent actions by city councilors and staff members threaten to scuttle six months of negotiations between the two entities. Among issues debated are the protection of water rights of upstream residents and how much water the city wants for its boating park.
"Board members, in a telephone conference Wednesday, went into closed session to discuss strategy. No announcements were forthcoming.
"The city of Durango studied two possible sites for the boating park - an existing course at Smelter Rapid, which would be expanded, and Schneider Park at the Ninth Street Bridge. The Smelter site is the recommended one. The city tentatively is seeking flows through the Smelter course ranging from 185 cubic feet per second to 1,400 cfs during two weeks in June.
"Disputes over recreational water parks have become common statewide with the increased interest in white-water sports.
"In Durango, city councilors appeared ready Tuesday evening to approve an application to the state for a Recreational In-Stream Diversion without incorporating apparently agreed on language. In the end, councilors scheduled a special meeting, including a closed discussion, today to debate further.
"The main issue before councilors Tuesday was whether to file an application with a water court and amend it later. Protests by upstream water users also would be dealt with later.
"Councilor Sidny Zink said such an approach gives city staff members too much discretion. Colleague Doug Lyons said the city has a 'moral obligation' to upstream water users.
"If protective language is left out of the application, about 100 water users upstream from Durango who don't have official (court-approved) water rights could be out of luck if Durango gets court-approved water for its boating park. The upstream residents would have to fight the issue in court...
"Southwestern, an alliance of water interests from Pagosa Springs to the Utah line, also is worried about water availability for future development north of Durango."
Category: Colorado Water
7:20:10 AM
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Colorado Rural Water Association Wastewater Operator of the Year
Congratulations to fellow sewer rat, Mike Frazier, for winning the Colorado Rural Water Association Wastewater Operator of the Year award.
From the Craig Daily Press, "Frazier has worked for the city for 26 years -- 23 of those in the wastewater department.
"It's hard to walk away from a conversation with Frazier without learning a little bit about his job and without having gained a little more respect for it -- and for Frazier...
"'Talk to me about sewage or goats, and you'd better have some extra time on your hands,' Frazier said...
"Frazier's job requires him to stay updated on the ever-changing rules and regulations regarding wastewater treatment. He operates the treatment plant, is responsible for some 32 miles of sewer lines and manages sludge disposal.
"And to him, each aspect is fascinating.
"'Peering down beneath the surface at the 1 million gallons of sewage that flow through the treatment plant's oxidation ditch each day, a person can hardly imagine the scale of drama taking place among unfathomable numbers of bacteria, microscopic bugs and viruses frantically consuming Craig's intestinal wastes,' he said."
Coyote Gulch shares Mr. Frazier's enthusiasm for sewage. At Denver's Wastewater Management Division our unofficial slogan is, "It may be crap to you but it's our bread and butter." 
Category: Colorado Water
6:44:20 AM
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© Copyright 2009 John Orr.
Last update: 3/14/09; 8:02:40 PM.
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