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Tuesday, January 9, 2007
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Iraq
According to a recent USA Toady/Gallup poll, "taken Friday through Sunday shows a daunting sales job ahead for the White House, which is considering a plan to deploy up to 20,000 additional U.S. troops to Iraq. Those surveyed oppose the idea of increased troop levels by 61%-36%."
"2008 pres"
5:52:04 PM 
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Healthcare
Denver Business Journal: "Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield called Monday for universal health care coverage for children and pledged $30 million to support initiatives that help the uninsured get health care.
"The insurer, a subsidiary of Wellpoint Inc., backs a plan that would expand public programs and help low-income individuals buy private health insurance. Wellpoint is based in Indianapolis."
"2008 pres"
5:49:57 PM
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McCain for president?
John McCain (via the Power Line weblog): "During my recent trip to Iraq, commanders spoke of adding as many as five additional brigades in Baghdad, and one or two additional brigades in Anbar Province. This, I believe, is the minimum we should consider. It would be far better to have too many reinforcements in Iraq than to suffer, once again, the tragic results of insufficient force levels."
Thanks to Ed Cone for the link.
"2008 pres"
5:46:14 PM
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Dems recapture big part of Hispanic vote
San Jose Mercury News: "Democrats recaptured a big part of the Hispanic vote in the November midterm election, support that Latino activists caution won't necessarily be there in the next contest. Nearly seven in 10 Hispanic voters supported Democrats in the congressional elections, according to exit polls. But that's not the whole story. Republican candidates in several key states did well among Hispanics, suggesting that Latinos could be important swing voters in the 2008 presidential election."
"2008 pres"
5:35:35 PM
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Pew Research: A Portrait of 'Generation Next'
Andrew Sullivan: "The Pew Research Center has just done their latest survey (PDF) of attitudes among the young. They are markedly less religious than their elders - and previous generations. The percentage claiming they are agnostic or atheist has doubled in twenty years to one in five today; they regard heavy drinking as worse than smoking pot; they have become much less Republican than they once were. George W. Bush has persuaded most of the younger generation to vote Democratic, reversing Reagan's gains among the young. They are much more pro-immigrant than their elders and 74 percent favor some privatizing of social security (yay!); but they're dovish on the use of military force. They are divided equally on gay marriage (47 - 46 in favor, compared to 64 - 30 against among those over 25) but overwhelmingly support gay adoption. I find myself sympathetic to most of their views. "
"2008 pres"
5:29:01 PM
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? for president?
Dick Morris and Eileen McGann (via the New York Post) have a look at the conservative credential of four of the front-running Republicans. They write, "Rudy Guiliani? Pro-choice, pro-affirmative action, pro-gay rights, pro-immigration, pro-gun control Rudy?...
"Sen. John McCain? The McCain of the Kennedy-McCain bill to let illegal immigrants become citizens? Of the 'anti-torture' bill to handcuff our agents when they question terrorists? Of the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance bill that the right wing hates? Of the Lieberman-McCain anti-global-warming bill that addresses a problem the right doesn't believe in? That John McCain for president?...
"Mitt Romney, who was pro-life and then switched to pro-choice when he ran to become Massachusetts governor and now is switching back again as he runs for president? The Mitt Romney who said 'I will protect and defend the right of Massachusetts women to choose?' The Romney who has flip-flopped on gay issues?...
"Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich? A man who has never valued the right-wing social agenda?
"And then there are the personal lives - the only one of these guys who hasn't had multiple wives is the Mormon."
Thanks to Political Wire for the link.
"2008 pres"
5:20:00 PM
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Stem cell research
U.S. Representative Diana DeGette's stem cell research bill is still scheduled for a vote on Thursday, despite the news over the weekend that a new source for stem cells has been found, according to the Denver Post. From the article, "A scientific discovery that amniotic fluid holds potent stem cells isn't likely to prevent Congress from passing controversial legislation expanding embryonic stem-cell research, those close to the issue predicted Monday. But the scientific findings published Sunday set off a burst of political activity. With a vote in the House of Representatives scheduled for Thursday on the stem-cell bill she authored, Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., fielded questions from journalists and lawmakers all day Monday. Along with Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del., she sent a letter to House members arguing that the new findings don't preclude the need for more embryonic stem-cell research. 'None of these stem cells are a replacement for another,' the letter said. 'That is why a significant federal commitment should be made to the area of regenerative medicine and all areas of scientific research that may lead to cures for Americans.' Opponents of the bill countered with statements that the research shows there are alternatives to using embryonic cells to find cures for deadly and debilitating diseases."
"2008 pres"
6:24:51 AM
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CWQCD to enforce stream temperature regulations?
9News.com is reporting that Trout Unlimited is hoping to push the Colorado Water Control Commission to start enforcing measures on the books relating to stream temperatures. From the article, "An advocacy group is planning to push the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission Monday to start enforcing measures to monitor and control the temperatures of the state's streams. Colorado Trout Unlimited director Dave Nickum says that state already has some rules on the books, but fears major water users such as Denver Water will try to delay enforcement. Water temperature is considered important to maintaining a healthy supply of trout and other fish. But several factors, including water diversion for residential or industrial use, can reduce the amount of cool water flowing into streams at lower elevations."
"colorado water"
6:09:42 AM
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Water rates up in Severance
Water rates are going up in Severance, according to the Windsor Tribune. From the article, "As one of the fastest growing communities in the area, Severance finds itself trying to play catch-up with its services. Water and sewer rates are the most recent example. Although rates have gone up, it has not been enough to keep up with what the town pays the North Weld Water Conservancy District, which is expected to be $342,500 in 2007. A recent raise in those rates should help bring in an extra $28,332 to the town this year. Until Dec. 6, residential water rates were $23.50 for the first 5,000 gallons of water, $2.45 for the next 10,000 gallons and $2.70 for every 1,000 gallons after that. Sewer was $21. As of January, the rates are now $24.50, $2.55, $2.80, respectively. Sewer rates increased to $23 a month."
"colorado water"
6:02:10 AM
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We're being bled to death here
Denver and Xcel have signed a 25 year agreement effecting the water right for the Shoshone Power Plant in Glenwood Canyon, according to the Glenwood Springs Post Independent "reg". From the article, "A controversial agreement between Xcel Energy and the Denver Water Board will affect a historic water right held by the Shoshone hydroelectric plant in Glenwood Canyon. The 25-year agreement, which went into effect Jan. 1, allows Denver to dictate a reduction in the plant's water right on the Colorado River during certain times of the year...
"The plant has one of the oldest water rights on the Colorado River, dating to 1905, for 1,250 cubic feet per second. When diversions upstream of the plant reduce the flow of the Colorado to less than what the hydroelectric plant is entitled to, it can issue a 'call' or demand for that water. Holders of younger or junior rights upstream of Shoshone are then required to reduce their diversions or to make releases from reservoirs to offset those diversions. The 2006 agreement replaces a previous agreement between Denver and Xcel, which was inked in 1987. The agreement was reached during separate negotiations for an Xcel franchise with the city to use city streets to provide electric service to its customers. Denver leveraged the desired franchise to gain the Shoshone water right relaxation...
"The new agreement, which was negotiated without public input, nevertheless had important input from the Glenwood Springs-based Colorado River Water Conservation District, an organization that 'protects and develops Colorado River water,' said district spokesman Chris Treese. Treese spoke to the Garfield County commissioners Monday about water issues affecting the county. 'We were not part of the negotiation between the city and county of Denver and Xcel,' he said. But the district met with Xcel executives last year during those negotiations to present the West Slope perspective on the agreement. 'We got what we thought was a very fair set of protections, which we feel resolve 90-95 percent of the issues,' Treese said. Among the issues Treese said Denver agreed to were limiting the relaxation from mid-march to late May so it would not impact the busy Glenwood Canyon rafting season that starts up in the spring. The reduction can take place only when snow meltoff is forecast to be less than 85 percent of normal in a given year. Further, Denver cannot relax the Shoshone call if it would trigger the downstream Cameo call, a collection of senior water rights held by various irrigation groups in the Grand Valley...
"Commissioner John Martin said the curtailment of the historic Shoshone call without public participation only points to the need for the county to be involved in state water initiatives. 'We're being bled to death here,' he said, referring to the water diversions to the Front Range. 'I'm worried. We've had very little input. Our voice has just been silenced.'"
"colorado water"
5:48:10 AM
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© Copyright 2009 John Orr.
Last update: 3/14/09; 8:59:01 PM.
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