Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Social Security policy Josh Marshall: "Fresh from the airwaves, we hit the video vault to find out just why John McCain believes Social Security is an 'absolute disgrace' (including special new debamboozling video to help you not be spun by the McCain camp's damage control ...)" "2008 pres" 7:13:40 PM

Iraq Juan Cole: "This is the first time al-Maliki has spoken this way publicly, but it isn't a new idea in his circles. The fundamentalist Shiite United Iraqi Alliance that is al-Maliki's main backer in parliament had originally put a plank in its party platform calling for a timetable for US withdrawal from Iraq back in late 2004, but apparently dropped it at American insistence. Al-Maliki himself was elected in 2006 initially with the backing of the Sadr Movement, which has all along demanded a timetable for US troop withdrawal. "A US military operation in al-Maliki's ancestral village in Karbala province recently left one of his cousins dead. Iraqis complained that the US had not coordinated the operation with them, even though it had formally turned security duties over to the Karbala security forces. Al-Maliki was reportedly furious, and the incident may have been a turning point for him. Many forces in Iraqi society are demanding that US troops not have the prerogative of launching military operations in Iraq without obtaining the permission of Baghdad." "2008 pres" 5:14:48 PM

? for President? Andy Borowitz: "The liberal blogosphere was aflame today with new accusations that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) is trying to win the 2008 presidential election. Suspicions about Sen. Obama's true motives have been building over the past few weeks, but not until today have the bloggers called him out for betraying the Democratic Party's losing tradition." Thanks to NewMexiKen for the link. "2008 pres" 5:13:47 PM

2008 Republican National Convention: Hispanic outreach From email from the RNCC: "The 2008 Republican National Convention today announced the launch of the Spanish language section of its official convention Web site. The Spanish section, www.gopconvention2008.com/enespanol, will feature Spanish versions of convention information, fact sheets and press releases. The section will feature regular updates in Spanish leading up to and during the 2008 Republican National Convention. "'The launch of the Spanish-language section of our Web site is another important step toward creating a fully interactive online community to engage millions around the country,' said convention President & CEO Maria Cino. 'It is our goal to carry the Republican Party's message to all communities, so they may experience Sen. John McCain's extraordinary leadership and his positive vision for America.' "As part of its outreach to Hispanics, the convention also announced today two new hires who will engage media leading up to and during the four-day event. Joanna Burgos will serve as Press Secretary and will lead the convention's press operation for national media. Burgos previously served in various communications positions at the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security. She is a fluent Spanish speaker and native of Miami. "Yohana de la Torre will serve as Deputy Press Secretary for Specialty Media and will oversee outreach to several constituencies, including Spanish-language media. Also a fluent Spanish speaker and native of Miami, de la Torre is currently owner and managing editor of the Gulf Coast Times in Fort Myers, Fla. She previously served as a communications specialist for Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) and at the Republican National Committee." "2008 pres" 5:13:16 PM

Energy policy: Oil and gas Here's a follow-up to the story about benzene in a spring near Parachute, from The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. From the article: State regulators have begun examining data provided by four energy companies to try to determine which of their wells' waste may have contaminated drinking water at a cabin northwest of Parachute and sickened a De Beque man. Debbie Baldwin, environmental manager for the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, said all four companies cited in connection with the incident met Monday's deadline for providing well site information to the state for evaluation. "At this moment we're trying to figure out which operations are responsible," she said... The agency issued notices of alleged violation to Williams Production RMT, Marathon Oil Co., Petroleum Development Corp. and Nonsuch Natural Gas. Baldwin said the allegations are only that at this point, based on the proximity of the companies' wells to the cabin and geological and hydrological information in the area. The state required the companies to provide information on any pits used on well pads, including whether they are lined; fluids were placed in the pits; oil and gas condensates were observed on the pits; and any tanks that were used on site and whether any spills occurred. The companies also were required to fence off impacted surface water to restrict access by livestock and wildlife, and provide Prather with water for drinking, household use and livestock. Susan Alvillar of Williams said Prather has been provided with bottled water and a 3,100-gallon tank of fresh water that has been refilled at least three times so he can flush out his water system. Prather has declined to comment on the incident. "2008 pres" 6:30:58 AM

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