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Wednesday, July 19, 2006
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Merely the piano player in the bordello of corruption
Bull Moose: "Ralph Reed and Jack Abramoff truly deserve each other. Ralph would have had us believe that he didn't know what old Jack was up to. He was merely the piano player in the bordello of corruption. This claim gives a new meaning to the word chutzpah."
"2008 pres"
7:50:06 PM 
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Stem cell research
beSpacific: "The House failed to override the President's veto of HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, by roll call vote #388, 235 yeas to 193 nays."
Western Democrat: "While this debate has national implications, it is worthwhile noting that the true leader in this debate has been U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (CO-1) - a real Western Democrat.
"'This is not just some wedge issue like flag burning. This is medical research that could save millions of lives,' she (DeGette) said. (Rocky Mountain News)
"Sometimes I feel that we rarely highlight women who exemplify the Western Democrat mindset.
"Plainly said, women are not represented in the 'talk straight, wear cowboy boots' club nearly as often as they should. But there is a different kind of Western Democrat, still as powerful as the straight-laced, straight-talking Governor or Attorney General: a Western Democrat who gets things done by bringing people together."
Make sure you watch the video (linked from Western Democrat) with Stephen Colbert introducing Denver and interviewing Representative DeGette.
"2008 pres"
7:23:20 PM
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Referred Question 1A
Last week we received a request through email for information about Referred Question 1A - (Xcel Franchise). Approval of this ordinance, by qualified voters, is required by the City Charter.
Here's the report from DenverGov.
The upside from the Colorado Renewable Energy Society. From the article, "The city also negotiated with Xcel for more renewable energy. Xcel will contribute $200,000 to the solar power plant Denver is building on the site of the former Denver International Airport. And Xcel agreed to purchase 22 megawatts (MW) of hydroelectric power from the Denver Water Board over the next 20 years.
"This power purchase agreement is critical to small hydroelectric installations because without it the city cannot move electricity it generates to where it is consumed or sell it to someone else. Denver, Boulder, and some towns in Colorado generate a significant portion of their electricity from water supply pipes and at wastewater treatment facilities.
"CRES and renewable energy advocates maintain these small hydroelectric facilities could spread throughout the West in the coming years. They are usually small and quiet, so neighbors rarely notice them. They are installed at existing facilities, so they do not affect stream flows. And they often pay for themselves through electricity sales. Once the utility is on board, these installations are often win-win arrangements for the power companies and water agencies across the West." They link two Post articles about the agreement.
The Wash Park Prophet weighs in, "Xcel Energy will be asking Denver customers to lock themselves into twenty more years of service from it in the August 8, 2006 primary election, when voter turnout is expected to hit record lows because there are no contested races in most of the city and there has been almost no publicity about the vote, which was just recently announced."
"colorado water"
6:06:11 PM
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Ritter or Beauprez for governor?
Rocky Mountain News: "The race for the Colorado governorship has developed an unexpected dynamic, with Democrat Bill Ritter outpacing Republican Congressman Bob Beauprez in fundraising, most recently by a 2-1 ratio. While Beauprez still has a slight lead in overall fundraising, Ritter has established a formidable base of financial support. This has surprised many observers, who assumed an incumbent Republican congressman would have an advantage over a former Denver district attorney."
"denver 2006"
6:52:12 AM
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Israel
Bull Moose: "This is an odd moment. While some Western elites do not comprehend the stakes in this fight, the Saudis, Jordanians and the Egyptians understand that Iran must be stopped. They know that this conflict is less about Israel protecting its borders and more about thwarting Iranian imperialism.
"Israel has always been on the frontlines in the war against terror. In their neighborhood, Israelis do not have the luxury to wait for the international community to act. This is not about an 'age old feud' between warring parties, as some neutrals would suggest. Israel withdrew from the land that the terrorists claim.
"Rather, this is another front in a World War against Islamist-fascist Jihadism. If Hezbollah is not clearly and unmistakably defeated, it will be a victory not just for a terrorist group, but a triumph for Tehran and Damascus, as well. And what makes the stripped pants set think that their generous offer of carrots to the mullahs will halt their nuclear program? Like the Soviet Union in the aftermath of the Viet Nam war, the Iranians are on the march and only strength will deter them.
"Israel must be allowed to defeat Hezbollah. It is a cruel illusion that a 'ceasefire' necessarily results in peace."
"2008 pres"
6:51:06 AM
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Gay marriage amendment fails (again)
U.S. Representative Marilyn Musgrave failed in her attempt to pass her gay marriage amendment yesterday, according to the Rocky Mountain News. From the article, "Rep. Marilyn Musgrave's second effort to pass a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage fell short of the two- thirds majority it needed to pass Tuesday. But with a 236-187 majority backing the measure, nine more than in 2004, Musgrave and other House Republicans called the outcome a "victorious defeat" and vowed to resurrect the amendment next term. A similar bill failed in the Senate last month, garnering 49 votes. Some members said the measure is unnecessary. Forty-five states either have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage or statutes outlawing same-sex weddings. But on the floor of the House on Tuesday, Musgrave said until there is an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the door will be open for courts to decide on gay marriage."
"2008 pres"
6:34:55 AM
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H.R.810
Here's an article about the U.S. Senate vote on Representative Diana DeGette's stem cell research bill from the Rocky Mountain News. They write, "Although backers were holding out hope of a last-minute change of heart, DeGette's name could become the answer to a historic trivia question: Who wrote the first piece of legislation that Bush targeted with a veto pen? 'I'd rather not become the answer to a trivia question,' DeGette said, while doing shuttle diplomacy between the Senate and House of Representatives...
"Colorado's senators split on the vote, with Democrat Ken Salazar voting for the DeGette bill and Republican Wayne Allard voting against. DeGette and Castle tried to appease critics by including the first ethical standards for embryonic research and by focusing expanded federally funded research on leftover embryos from fertility clinics that otherwise are slated to be discarded as medical waste. Still, Bush was standing by the veto threat, and it appeared unlikely that Congress could muster the two-thirds majorities it would take to override."
Here's the coverage from the Denver Post. They write, "DeGette came to the Senate to watch the vote on her bill, sitting in the back of the chamber and nodding her head as senators argued for the bill. When senators entered the chamber to vote, DeGette greeted several, including Specter and Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., another supporter. She told them 'thank you' and patted Frist on the back. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., put his arm around DeGette's shoulder after seeing her in the chamber. Former Sen. Gary Hart, D-Colo., was also in the chamber, and DeGette greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. She also hugged and kissed Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a supporter, with a kiss audible several feet away. DeGette was unable to watch the actual vote on her bill, however. After the bill banning the growing of embryos for stem- cell use passed, a Senate clerk told DeGette she needed to rush to the House because it was taking up that bill. DeGette was on the House floor, managing debate on the new Senate stem-cell bills, when she heard her measure had passed the Senate. She smiled."
"2008 pres"
6:31:49 AM
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© Copyright 2009 John Orr.
Last update: 3/14/09; 8:23:19 PM.
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