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Thursday, August 24, 2006
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Iraq
Bull Moose: "While the American people are increasingly disatisfied with the war, they will likely be even more distraught over an American defeat and the consequences of a catastrophic foreign policy setback. It would be useful if the Administration faced an opposition that was demanding a victory strategy, and not just opponents who advocate a course that is guaranteed to result in defeat.
"Any takers?"
"2008 pres"
9:52:57 PM 
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We're doing exactly what the terrorists want
Bruce Schneier: "The point of terrorism is to cause terror, sometimes to further a political goal and sometimes out of sheer hatred. The people terrorists kill are not the targets; they are collateral damage. And blowing up planes, trains, markets or buses is not the goal; those are just tactics. The real targets of terrorism are the rest of us: the billions of us who are not killed but are terrorized because of the killing. The real point of terrorism is not the act itself, but our reaction to the act.
"And we're doing exactly what the terrorists want."
"2008 pres"
9:44:05 PM
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Internet neutrality
Say hello to Save the Internet.com. They're working hard to make sure that we all just get along online - hoping to protect Internet neutrality. Both Colorado U.S. Senators, Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar are undeclared on the issue.
"2008 pres"
9:27:44 PM
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Ritter or Beauprez for governor?
Denver Post: "With gasoline prices hovering around $3 a gallon and electric utilities struggling with brownouts, energy has become a local concern. Both Beauprez and his Democratic opponent, Bill Ritter, are pushing plans aimed at putting the state in a position to be a leader in cutting-edge energy technology and re-energize rural Colorado, although neither sets specific implementation plans.
"Energy also has become political ammunition. Ritter has criticized Beauprez's congressional vote that cut more than $20 million from the Golden-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Beauprez blamed the cuts on U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid's move to earmark $34 million in energy funds for his home state of Nevada. The NREL funds were eventually restored by the Bush administration."
"denver 2006"
7:05:16 AM
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Denver Water rate hike in 2007?
Denver Water is saying that they will likely raise rates in 2007, according to the Rocky Mountain News. This is fun to watch - the utility raises rates, customers conserve, revenues go down, the utility raises rates, rinse and repeat.
From the article, "The Denver Water Board dropped a hint about rate increases next year when discussion Wednesday turned to a 7 percent, or $12.2 million, shortfall. That doesn't mean that Denver Water's 1.2 million customers will see blanket 7 percent increases in their bimonthly bills, said utility spokeswoman Trina McGuire-Collier. But something has to be done to make up for that revenue shortfall, she said. A 7 percent shortfall is down from the predicted 8 percent a few months ago, said John Wright, Denver Water's manager of rate administration. This year's shortfall comes from the loss of revenue that results from conservation and from the increased costs of running the system, but also from the cost of new programs, Wright said.
"Among proposals for 2007, Denver Water wants to spend an additional: $3.5 million to encourage conservation, including rebate programs and education; $1.3 million to meet rising chemical costs and other increases in water treatment; $1.9 million to maintain the nearly 100-year-old system; $600,000 for a recycling plant so neighborhoods at Lowry and Stapleton can use recycled water on the lawns."
Here's the coverage from the Denver Post. From the article, "For the average single-family home, the rates could rise 3 to 5 percent a year, or about $9 to $15. Customers who use more than 200,000 gallons of water a year, however, could face steep increases under two of three rate plans being considered. Under one alternative, residential customers who use more than 350,000 gallons could see a 20 percent increase on their annual bills - a more than $170 jump. Denver Water, the state's largest water provider, said it is being pushed to raise rates to compensate for lost revenues as use declines. During the 2002 drought, Denver Water's 1.2 million customers cut water use 24 percent over the historical average. Denver Water commissioners say they are trying to come up with a rate policy that encourages conservation using price and other incentives...
"Denver Water customers have complained they are being penalized for conserving water during dry times by continued rate hikes - a complaint noted Thursday by commissioners 'I think we blunted a lot of customers' desire to help,' Commissioner George Beardsley said. Denver Water finance officials are proposing new rate structures to give customers more control over their bills by putting a greater emphasis on consumption. Rates are currently dictated by water consumption and a fixed meter charge, which recovers 10 percent of the rate revenue. Under a new alternative, the utility would adjust consumption charges, do away with the meter charge and replace it with a lower service charge. That fixed charge would recover 5 percent of the rate revenue, placing more emphasis on how much water a customer uses."
"colorado water"
6:57:08 AM
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Beauprez for governor?
Bob Beauprez was stumping in Cañon City on Tuesday. Here's a report from the Cañon City Daily Record.
From the article, "Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bob Beauprez said Tuesday his choice of running mate is closely aligned with his conservative political stance and that she seeks answers to social problems outside the scope of government. Janet Rowland of Grand Junction, Beauprez's selection for Lieutenant Governor, has an extensive back-ground in human services. A 10-year veteran of the Mesa County human services department, Rowland is a relative newcomer to the political arena. She was elected Mesa County Commissioner in 2004...
"He addressed long-standing rural issues, including the protection of water and water rights. 'Money will find the water and move it,' Beauprez said, if appropriate checks are not put into place. He said he believes binding agreements are necessary to protect water rights. Beauprez also said he is against the use of eminent domain to condemn private land in Eastern Colorado to build a strip toll road dubbed 'Super Slab.'[...]
"Beauprez said he believed the November ballot issue about same-sex relationships is the first step toward legalizing gay marriage in the state."
Here's another article about Bob Beauprez - from the Durango Herald. They write, "Beauprez said education needs a 'massive' infusion of funding. He said part of the financial support could come from giving businesses or individuals a $1 tax credit for every $2 donated to education. But as important as money is getting parents involved in the education of their children...
"On other issues, Beauprez said: Referendum C, which allows the state to keep certain tax surpluses, must be fixed or the next economic downturn will put Colorado in the same revenue-short predicament that spawned Referendum C; Beauprez would allow the state to spend only the $3.7 billion that taxpayers gave up from state tax surpluses over the next five years, not the estimated $5 billion surplus; Balancing demands for water among agricultural, recreational and residential users requires 'pulling rabbits from a hat'; Satisfying needs must be based on conservation, improved water storage and development of more storage facilities; Concerted efforts are required to squeeze more from solar, wind and biomass sources to meet energy needs; With improved technology, there are enough rooftops in America to satisfy all energy needs; Health care is a mess; Among solutions: combine Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus; require care providers to offer a way to meet off-hour and emergency situations; advice lines operated by nurses to answer routine questions; and long-term health insurance even for the uninsured-by-choice."
The Herald quotes the congressman as saying, "There should be no need for inter-basin transfers of water (as is being discussed statewide now)."
"denver 2006"
6:29:33 AM
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© Copyright 2009 John Orr.
Last update: 3/14/09; 8:29:52 PM.
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