Coyote Gulch

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Gay rights
Captains Quarters: "With the recent remarks of General Peter Pace regarding homosexuality still reverberating through the national media, former Republican Senator Alan Simpson weighs in on the ban on gays serving in the military. One of the original supporters for the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, Simpson has changed his mind: 'As a lifelong Republican who served in the Army in Germany, I believe it is critical that we review -- and overturn -- the ban on gay service in the military. I voted for 'don't ask, don't tell.' But much has changed since 1993.'"
"2008 pres"
6:24:24 PM

? for president?
Pollster.com: "A new Rasmussen Reports automated survey of 800 likely voters nationwide (conducted 2/7 through 2/8) finds former Gov. Mitt Romney trailing both Sen. Hillary Clinton (41% to 50%) and Sen. Barack Obama (36% to 51%) in nationwide general election match-ups."

Political Wire: "In New Hampshire, a new Franklin Pierce College/WBZ-TV poll shows Sen. Hillary Clinton leading among Democrats with 32% support, trailed by Sen. Barack Obama at 25% and John Edwards at 16%."

Political Wire: "In Nevada, a new Voters Service Survey shows Sen. Hillary Clinton leading among Democrats with 32% of the vote, followed by Sen. Barack Obama at 17% and John Edwards at 16%. Among Republicans, Rudy Giuliani leads with 34%, followed by Sen. John McCain and Mitt Romney tied at 19% each.

New York Observer: "It's Presidential fund-raising season, and for the ladies and business titans who have turned this cyclical money game into a high-stakes social pastime, their calendars have rarely been so full, or their money more in demand."
"2008 pres"
6:15:27 PM

Iraq
Kuwait News Agency: "The rate of killings of US troops in Iraq has been on the decline, down by 60 percent, since the launch of the new security measures in Baghdad, according to statistics revealed by the Multi-National Force - Iraq Combined Press Information Centre. Only 17 members of the US military in Iraq have been killed since February 14 till March 13, compared to 42 from January 13 to February 13; the rate was on the decline during the first month of the security crackdown, compared to a month before. Two of the 17 soldiers died at US Baghdad camps of non-combat causes. The remarkable decrease in killings among the US troops came at a time when more of these troops were deployed in the Iraqi capital, especially in districts previously regarded as extremely hazardous for them such as Al-Sadr City, Al-Azamiyah, and Al-Doura. Meanwhile, US attacks on insurgent strongholds north of Baghdad curbed attacks against helicopters. Before the new security plan, many such craft were downed leaving 20 soldiers dead."

Thanks to Don Surber for the link.

Talking Points Memo: "Senate votes to allow debate on proposal for withdrawal from Iraq."

Here's a report on the debate from Daily Kos.
"2008 pres"
6:02:50 PM

? for president?
Political Wire: "According to a new Rasmussen Reports poll, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) has added six points to his lead over Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) since last week. Giuliani currently beats McCain 37% to 16%, with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) coming in third with 11% and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) in fourth with 10%."
"2008 pres"
6:56:03 AM

Reorg for COGCC?

Here's a look at HB 07-1341 [pdf], Concerning the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission, and, In Connection Therewith, Directing the Commission to Foster Oil and Gas Development Consisten with the Protection of the Environment, Wildlife Resources, and Public Health, Safety, and Welfare from the Telluride Watch. From the article, "A long-awaited bill written by the Ritter Administration to change the membership and mission of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is officially before state lawmakers for their consideration. Department of the Natural Resources Director Harris Sherman said House Bill 1341 is aimed at providing a 'more balanced' approach to dealing with the environmental, health, land disputes and wildlife issues associated with a surge in oil and gas production throughout Colorado...

"Sherman also mentioned the increasing number of so-called 'split-estate' disputes, in which owners of surface land complain about damage to their property when the developers drill for the minerals under the surface. The bill, co-sponsored by Democrat Reps. Kathleen Curry of Gunnison and Dan Gibbs of Silverthorne, adds the directors of both DNR and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment or their designees as ex-officio voting members of the commission, and changes the areas of expertise for the other seven. The bill reduces from five to three the number of commission members from the industry. The other four would have expertise on local government issues, environmental or wildlife protection, soil conservation or reclamation, and one actively engaged in agricultural production who also is a royalty owners. The bill is set for its first hearing Wednesday in the House Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources, which Curry chairs. If it passes the House, it will be carried in the Senate by Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, whose southwest Colorado District 6 includes Telluride...

"Mary Bachrum, identifying herself as an 'environmental health evaluator' for a non-profit group, said she was able to isolate 245 chemicals in 171 products used by the natural gas producers on the Western Slope. 'How can we believe them when they say they are only using water, sand and soap?' she asked. Eastern Colorado Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, said he opposed the bill in part because it is being driven by environmental activists who want to stop development of natural resources throughout the county. He specifically referred to Bachrum's testimony. Other opponents said some of the problems could be resolved with better enforcement of existing rules and regulations. Curry, however, said the COGCC has focused more on job safety than public safety in the past 10 years."

More Coyote Gulch coverage here.
"colorado water"
6:41:14 AM