One Down, Three To Go

Today marks the end of the first year of the regime of BHO. And what a year it has been! Definitely a lot of material for us bloggers within that first year.

Before I get into the rant about BHO's first year, my most heartfelt "congrats" goes out to Scott Brown (you little piece of eye candy!) for finally bringing honor back to the Senate seat in Massachusetts. Now go kick some a$$, buddy!!! Time to rant.

The first order of business for the administration was to order the closing of Gitmo. Heaven forbid that we treat those kept there as enemy combatants in the war on terrorism. Now, we have the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and ilk slated to take place in New York City, the very place where they killed thousands of Americans on 9/11. It's a travesty and an insult.

Unprecedented spending also took place within that first year. Cash for Clunkers, stimulus money, bank bailouts, and the takeover of two of the major three automakers headlined for weeks. Unemployment has risen to over 11%, and many Americans are still being asked to tighten their belts while the government spends OUR money like drunken sailors on shore leave. What ever happened to living within our means?

The housing market took a nosedive within the last year due to Bawney Fwank and his cronies telling banks that they couldn't "red line," a practice of not lending money to those in high-risk neighborhoods. The result was people acquiring loans for houses they couldn't pay back, and massive foreclosures ensued. Of course, the blame was cast entirely on to the previous administration.

Cap and Trade was front and center for a while, but has taken a back seat of late. The ingenious idea of taxing carbon dioxide (plant food) was spawned during the whole "global warming" hysteria, a notion that has since been debunked and proven to be a statistical fraud. Yet the lefties of this country still echo Chicken Little's message of "The sky is falling!" in hopes of keeping their globalist agenda alive.

In the past year, our president has bowed numerous times to world leaders, sending the message that we are weak. Way to go, you moron! Dictators the world over have been given an almost royal treatment. Kim Jong Il received a personal letter from BHO asking that North Korea halt their nuclear development program. The result? An underground test fire of a nuke. Hugo Chavez was given a warm reception by BHO, and Hugo reciprocated with the gift of a book from his favorite Communist author. How appropriate.

The rise of terror activity during the past year has given Americans cause to once again worry, but the threat is constantly being downplayed. The shooting at Fort Hood that claimed 14 innocent lives, the foiled Christmas Eve bombing attempt, and other miscellaneous plots that were foiled have emboldened the enemy. Is BHO waiting for another 9/11 to recognize exactly what we are up against? It sure seems that way.

We've seen radical czars appointed within the past year. From Cass Sunstein to Kevin Jennings, the radical left has gained a foothold in the government as never seen before. Van Jones, the former Green Jobs Czar, has been the only one run out of town in disgrace. The rest of them keep pushing their respective agendas on the American people regardless of whether the people agree or not. The czars see this as their only chance to push their ideals into the mainstream, and they're not going to give up until the citizenry rebels.

ACORN, the community group who helped get people to vote more than once in many instances during the presidential election, was busted by a couple of undercover citizens giving advice on how to get government money to pay for a prostitution ring. While federal funding of the group was temporarily suspended, they're once again receiving our tax dollars. The sister group of ACORN, the SEIU, has picked up where ACORN left off in shady dealings with Andy Stern, the group's president, making numerous White House visits.

Lastly, the push for socialized medicine in this country under the benign name of "healthcare reform" has come to fruition. Over half the population doesn't want it, but BHO, Pelosi, Reid, and the rest of the socialists have decided that they know what's best for Americans, and they plan on giving the American people a healthcare-reform colonoscopy. So much for the voice of the people.

With all that has happened in the past year, our only hope is that November brings a Congress that is willing to stand up and voice the opinion of the American people when we say "NO MORE!" Should that not come to pass, our liberties in this country will be on life support. And we all know how this administration would handle that medical emergency.

BOHICA!!! Cap and Trade Moves Nearer

Newsmax.com is reporting that Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has split from the rest of the GOP to negotiate a compromise with Senator John Kerry (D-MA) on a bill to limit carbon emissions in this country. No matter what it's called, it's still cap-and-trade.

The two senators wrote a collaborative piece for the New York Times saying that they feel they could garner support for this crap by working out a compromise.

"We refuse to accept the argument that the United States cannot lead the world in addressing global climate change," Graham and Kerry wrote. "We are also convinced that we have found both a framework for climate legislation to pass Congress and the blueprint for a clean-energy future."

Graham is one of about 12 senators who are sitting on the fence when in comes to a bill that is being floated by Kerry and Senator Barbara "My face looks like the ass of a" Boxer (D-CA). Evidently, Lindsey feels some sort of sick obligation to play footsies with these two. A spokesman has said that Graham does not support the bill as it is currently written.

At its core, though, the bill reflects the legislation passed on June 26 of this year by the House with the help of eight spineless Republicans. Companies would have to buy an annual permit for every ton of carbon emissions. Those who do not use their permits could sell what they don't use to companies who need them. And who do you think is going to end up getting the bill for these permits that companies have to purchase? If you said the consumer, you get a black and gold star for the day.

Kerry and Graham have suggested that Congress set the minimum and maximum fees for the carbon permits citing that if Congress does not do so, the Obama administration could impose severe regulations. And we all know just how much Dear Leader LOVES big business.

The DUHnamic Duo has also suggested trade sanctions against those countries who do not reduce their emissions. Yep. Just the thing to do. Piss off those who are holding the purse strings on our currency. Am I wrong on this? It makes absolutely no sense at all.

Lindsey Graham has finally shown everyone his true colors. And they're not red, white, and blue.

Btw...for those who may not know: BOHICA=Bend Over; Here It Comes Again

Cap and Trade: Mark Kirk Doesn't Get It

Image via Wikipedia

Bungalow Bill suggested that I dig into Mark Kirk (R-IL), one of the Republican 8 who voted for the Wacky-Marxist cap and trade legislation. Much thanks goes out to him!

Mark Kirk is expected to announce that he is going to run for the Senate seat that will be vacated by Roland Burris, the man who bought, I mean was appointed to the seat vacated by Dear Leader. Burris has said he will not run for the job.

Kirk received no earmarks in return for his vote. Sounds great, eh? But in doing a bit of research on Mr. Kirk, I found a letter that was written to a constituent where Marky Mark decides to try and justify his decision to vote for the crap and tax. My comments on his reasoning (or lack thereof) will be in purple.

Congressman Kirk's letter to a constituent:

Dear ____________________ :

Thank you for taking the time to contact me about the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), H.R. 2454.

For 2009, our top goal should be energy independence. I support exploring for energy off our coasts, expanding nuclear power and building a natural gas pipeline across Canada to lower heating costs in the Midwest--an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy.

As a Navy veteran, I think [it] is time to set America's policy towards defunding Middle Eastern dictatorships by cutting our foreign oil bill, giving our troops less to worry about. That is why during the debate on the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) bill, I voted for the Republican Forbes (R-VA) Substitute, based on the text of the New Manhattan Project for Energy Independence, H.R. 513. Our "Manhattan" energy bill set a goal of reducing our dependence on foreign oil by 50% in 10 years and 100% in 20 years. The bill cost $24 billion but would eliminate the $400 billion Americans currently spend on foreign oil. Our bill backs solar, wind, hydro, clean coal and nuclear power. It enhances research, especially in nuclear fusion, bio-fuels, carbon-capture systems and efficiency upgrades. Unfortunately, this bill was defeated by a vote of 172 to 255.

While less ideal than the Forbes Substitute, the underlying ACES bill would still lower our dependence on foreign oil by diversifying American energy production. It is time to break the boom and bust cycle of high gas prices and the need to deploy three separate armies to the Middle East (Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom). As you may know, I am a veteran of the Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom missions.

Blackandgoldfan: You're right. We do need to be energy independent, but not in the way you suggest. WE NEED TO DRILL!!! That's it. Bio-fuels would be too expensive to produce in the short-term, and there's not even evidence that the market sees an overwhelming demand for it. And in regards to your service to this country, thank you. The need for three separate armies in the Middle East would be nonexistent if we just drilled.

With regard to the main thrust of the ACES bill, I am also concerned about growing air pollution, both from our country and overseas. I do not think we should ignore this problem. While the ACES bill is overly complicated, I voted in favor of the legislation to address these problems, looking forward to major improvements in the Senate.

In 1998 and 1999, I served as part of the U.S. delegation to both the Kyoto and Buenos Aires UN Climate Change conferences. In those years, there was a significant debate about the amount and effect of atmospheric carbon dioxide. I was a skeptic and spent hundreds of hours on the subject of 1990s climate science. In the Congress, our job is to learn as much as possible from the latest peer-reviewed non-partisan scientists and then plot the best course for our nation.

Blackandgoldfan: If you were a skeptic in the 1990's, you were on the side of science. Technology has improved since then, and it's all pointing away from the idea of global warming and the alarmist message the greenie wienies have touted. Kyoto was a bad idea, and we were right in not signing on to it. Bad enough we have you wonks trying to "fix" a problem that doesn't exist; the UN would've destroyed us. Your job, Mr. Kirk, is not to "learn as much as possible from the latest peer-reviewed non-partisan scientists and then plot the best course for our nation." Your job is to listen to the American people; you didn't.

There is now a growing scientific consensus that the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide affects average temperatures. According to the National Academy of Scientists, carbon dioxide levels rose to a high of 290 parts per million 130,000 years ago, causing a 20 degree increase in temperature. As carbon dioxide levels fell, so did average temperatures. Both Presidents Bush and their advisors recognized this long relationship and put forward their own plans to reduce the recent rapid growth of atmospheric carbon dioxide, both here and abroad.

Blackandgoldfan: There is no scientific consensus, Mr. Kirk. The earth has gone through warming and cooling cycles since its creation by God. Anything man does cannot change it. It's the solar flare activity, you moron!!!

According to NASA, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rose from a pre-industrial level of 280 parts per million in 1850 to 385 parts per million today. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the rate of increase is accelerating, from 376 parts per million in 2004 to 385 today. The National Academy of Sciences reports that the Earth's average temperature already increased by 1.4° F, from 56.8° F in 1920 to 58.2° F in 2007. NOAA also reports that due to a 30% drop in winter ice covering the Great Lakes since 1972, evaporation may be the cause of Lake Michigan's declining water level.

Blackandgoldfan: Why would the temperature begin to rise before the Industrial Revolution of the 1940's? If our emissions and exhaling are to blame, then answer that question for me. And what's with the "evaporation may be the cause of Lake Michigan's declining water level"? MAY? You mean there could be other factors? Please elaborate, Mr. Kirk.

If we examine the lowest-case NASA projection, they expect the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide to rise to 440 parts per million by 2020. I am a strong supporter of the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. When they reported the Democratic health care bill cost $1.6 Trillion, we should take notice and rewrite that bill. That is why I have become one of the leading Republican authors of an alternative health care bill that will be the Congress's least expensive bill, costing our Treasury very little. I read their report on ACES carefully too. CBO reports that peer-reviewed scientists expect the world's average temperature to increase by 9 degrees by 2100, lowering U.S. economic output by 3% annually. In sum, they estimated the costs of the bill per household at $140 annually.

Blackandgoldfan: Number one, keep your hands off my healthcare, you jackass. Second, I'd gladly pay the extra $140 annually than the estimated $2000 annually that this cap and trade scheme is going to cost me.

The main section of the ACES bill affects entities that emit more than 25,000 tons of carbon annually, roughly 7,400 sites across the U.S. (e.g. the current Clean Air Act already covers 22,000 sites). The best way to understand this bill is to look at its effect on our district's main source of electricity, the Midwest Generation electrical plant in Waukegan. If you go to any beach in our district, you will see it on the northern Lake Michigan shoreline. In sum, Midwest Generation burns coal to produce four million megawatt hours of electricity, serving 330,000 households annually in northern Illinois. Under ACES, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would issue permits for the four million tons of carbon this plant plans to emit in 2012. Half of the permits would be issued for free, half at a cost of $15 per ton, totaling $33 million in new costs (electricity generators using solar, wind, hydro and nuclear technologies do not emit carbon and would not pay such costs).

Midwest sells its electricity to Commonwealth Edison. Under ACES, EPA would refund to ComEd $30 million of the $33 million Midwest paid to EPA. The Act requires that this funding be used to reduce the cost of electricity to lower and middle income families. In the end, Commonwealth Edison would pass about $3 million in new costs on to northern Illinois consumers, or roughly $14 annually per home. As you can see, the costs of this bill are modest, mainly intended to move energy production in the United States to renewable technology. Midwest Generation also advised me they strongly supported the bill, as did Commonwealth Edison.

Blackandgoldfan: So let me get this straight: Commonwealth Edison would pass "only" $3 million a year on to their customers, right? Why the hell should there be ANY costs to be passed on? Oops...that $3 million more dollars you and your cronies would have to spend on much-abused social programs.

Major emitters can also invest in plants and trees that remove carbon from the atmosphere. By planting nine acres of trees, an emitter can offset a ton of carbon emissions annually. Many of these investments will help farmers and may be arranged by the Chicago Climate Exchange, using our city's expertise in trading credits for agricultural products.

Blackandgoldfan: Farmers plant crops, not trees, you nitwit. And what if these "major emitters" don't have nine acres to plant trees on? Are you going to use eminent domain to take that land? The traders in Chicago are probably just loving your vote on this stuff. They'll stand to make a bundle off the consumers if it passes.

Under this legislation, we also expect total wind power generation to expand at an annual rate of 16%, doubling wind production from its current 3% of U.S. totals [sic] power to 6% over the next 10 years. Because the U.S. solar and wind production is still so small, the legislation also contains provisions to encourage the construction of new nuclear plants to power our economic growth. Recently, our country started building new nuclear power plants, with 17 applications for 26 new plants.

Blackandgoldfan: Regardless of what you and your environmental (stress on mental) cronies think, wind and solar will never be as cheap or efficient as coal. You want windmills? Then you deal with PETA and their minions when they start whining about the Bird-o-Matic. Nuclear power is going to take a while to get up and running. Then the consumers should have a CHOICE about their energy needs. Of course, you'll be there to make sure the choices are limited.

ACES also increases energy efficiency standards for homes and commercial buildings - but recently passed Illinois standards are already as stringent as the new federal standards. The effect of this bill will be to increase other states to the Illinois standards. By one estimate, such efficiency standards will lower household energy costs by $3,900 annually. This would cut our foreign oil bills substantially.

Blackandgoldfan: Why do we need MORE federal standards??? I know...more control. You make me ill, Mr. Kirk.

In sum, I would have preferred a bill that focused more on energy independence and less on some of the complications in this bill. Nevertheless, the 1990 Clean Air Act signed by President Bush established a cap and trade system to reduce acid rain that proved to be a great low-cost success. Much of the poisoned lakes in the east and New England have recovered from acid rain. In the coming Senate debate, I hope we can repeat this environmental success and aggressively back a national program to defund Iran and Venezuela by reducing America's need for foreign oil.

Blackandgoldfan: No need to fund those countries who hate us...JUST FRICKIN' DRILL!!! And acid rain? I've yet to see any evidence that increased sulfur output contributed to the acidification of the lakes in the Northeast. Got any?

Thank you for taking the time to contact me on this issue. Please feel free to visit my website, www.house.gov/kirk, or contact me again should other issues of concern to you come before the Congress. To stay better connected to current legislation please sign up for my e-newsletter at kirk.houseenews.net/mail.

Sincerely,

Mark Steven Kirk
Member of Congress

Those of you in Illinois: KEEP THIS JOKER OUT!!! He didn't listen to your voices in the House, do you really think he'll listen to you in the Senate?

Cap and Trade: Big Names and Big Bucks Part 4

Okay. Now that life has slowed down a bit for the day, I can get back to this.

*=co-sponsored [PD]=presidentially-directed

Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Ceres, CA - East Service Road sanitary sewer extension -- $500,000

Diane Watson (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Culver City, CA - storm water improvements -- $500,000

Xavier Becerra (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Los Angeles, CA - Elysian Park water recycling project -- $500,000

Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $400,000

• City of Ridgecrest, CA - wastewater treatment facility infrastructure -- $400,000

Mike Honda (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1.3 million

• *City of San Jose, CA - San Jose Redevelopment Area sewer main rehabilitation -- $300,000
• *US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Sacramento, CA - South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project (USGS) -- $ 1 million

Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1.3 million

• *City of San Jose, CA - San Jose Redevelopment Area sewer main rehabilitation -- $300,000
• *US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Sacramento, CA - South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project (USGS) -- $ 1 million

Ken Calvert (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• City of San Juan Capistrano, CA - ground water recovery plant expansion and regional distribution facility -- $500,000
• Western Municipal Water District, Riverside, CA - Arlington Desalter Biodenitrification -- $500,000

George Miller (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $750,000

• City of Vallejo, CA - Mare Island sanitary sewer and storm drain improvements -- $750,000

John Larson (D-CT) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $650,000

• The Mattabasset District, Cromwell, CT - wastewater treatment facility upgrades -- $500,000
• Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Hartford, CT - Harriet Beecher Stowe Center Preservation -- $150,000

Ron Klein (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• *City of West Palm Beach, FL - water infrastructure improvements -- $500,000
• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000

Robert Wexler (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• *City of West Palm Beach, FL - water infrastructure improvements -- $500,000
• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000

Andrew Crenshaw (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• Jacksonville Water and Sewer Expansion Authority, Jacksonville, FL - septic tank replacement -- $500,000
• US Forest Service, Washington DC - Osceola National Forest, Pinhook Swamp Wildlife Corridor -- $500,000

Jeff Miller (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $220,000

• Santa Rosa County, Milton, FL - Navarre Beach water clarifier -- $220,000

Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• *South Seminole and North Orange County Wastewater Transmission Authority - wastewater structure improvements -- $500,000
• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000

John Mica (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $ 1.5 million

• *South Seminole and North Orange County Wastewater Transmission Authority - wastewater structure improvements -- $500,000
• National Park Service, St. Augustine, FL - Castillo de San Marcos National Monument -- $500,000
• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000

C.W. Bill Young (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• *City of Clearwater, FL - wastewater treatment facility improvements -- $500,000
• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000

Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• *City of Clearwater, FL - wastewater treatment facility improvements -- $500,000

Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $ 500,000

• *City of Homestead, FL - water utility upgrades -- $500,000

Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000

Kendrick Meek (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• *Florida Trail Association, Gainesville, FL - Florida National Scenic Trail -- $500,000
• City of Opa-Locka, FL, Public Works Division - wastewater infrastructure improvements --$500,000

Allen Boyd (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $440,000

• City of Quincy, FL - inflow and infiltration improvements -- $440,000

Sanford Bishop (D-GA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $ 1 million

• Fort Valley Utility commission, Fort Valley, GA - wastewater reclamation facility -- $500,000
• *City of Atlanta, GA - sewer system infrastructure improvements -- $500,000

David Scott (D-GA) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $ 1.5 million

• *Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, Atlanta, GA - multiple water and wastewater system improvements -- $500,000
• *City of Atlanta, GA - sewer system infrastructure improvements -- $500,000
• *Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Athens, GA - Georgia Streambank Restoration -- $500,000

Phil Gingrey (R-GA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• *Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, Atlanta, GA - multiple water and wastewater system improvements -- $500,000

More on the way soon!!!

Cap and Trade: A Post from Bungalow Bill

We're finding out more and more what earmarks were garnered in the Wacky-Marxist bill known as cap and trade. Bungalow Bill has done an excellent job here. It complements my earmark posts very well.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Moderates in Congress Were Paid Off With Campaign Contributions For Cap And Trade Support: Steve Driehaus and Other Democrats Sell America Out for $2,000

The Politico reports liberal Democrats in the House of Representatives bought the votes of moderates the night before the cap and trade vote. Tens of thousands of dollars were obviously used to pay off moderate Democrats who were initially opposed to cap and trade legislation according to the Federal Election Commission.

From the Politico:

Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) doled out $28,000 to reps who eventually voted yes on June 24, two days before the big vote -- on a day when House leaders were doing some heavy-duty arm-twisting.

Clyburn recipients who voted for the bill included a who's-who of battleground district Dems: Steve Driehaus, D-OH ($2,000); Martin Heinrich, D-NM ($2,000); Suzanne Kosmas, D-Fla. ($4,000); Betsy Markey, D-Colo. ($2,000); Carol Shea-Porter, D-NH ($2,000), Baron Hill, D-Ind. ($2,000); Alan Grayson, D-Fla. ($2,000); Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa ($2,000); Jim Himes, D-Conn. ($2,000); Mary Jo Kilroy, D-OH ($2,000); Kurt Schrader, D-Ore. ($2,000); Jerry McNerney, D-Calif. ($2,000) and Tom Perriello, D-Va. ($2,000).

On the other hand, Clyburn also gave at least $14,000 to Democrats who voted no despite his pressure: Mike Arcuri, D-NY ($2,000); Marion Berry, D-Ark. ($2,000); Bobby Bright, D-Ala. ($2,000); Chris Carney, D-Penn. ($2,000); Chet Edwards (D-Tx.), Travis Childers , D-Miss. ($2,000); Parker Griffith, D-Ala. ($2,000) and Harry Mitchell, D-NM ($2,000).

The same pattern held true for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who gave $4,000 to yes-voting Ohio Democrat Zack Space and the same amount to no-voting Chris Carney.

House Energy and Commerce Henry Waxman gave at least $16,000 to yes-voters on June, 25, FEC records show.

A Waxman campaign spokesman said the payouts were part of the usual "end-of-quarter activity."

Well, there’s proof moderates stand for absolutely nothing and will sell out their own country for just a few thousand dollars. Remember when more American factories move overseas causing more job losses thanks to cap and trade that people like Mary Jo Kilroy sold these Americans out for $2,000. This is criminal!

Remember all of these names at election time!!!

Big Names and Big Bucks: Part 3

I apologize for taking so many posts to do this in, but there are sooooo many earmarks! Don't forget, either, that there are over 400 members of the House. It takes time to organize all of these.

In doing today's list, I've noticed more Republicans popping up. Although only 8 voted FOR cap and trade, the others must have decided to get their pet projects in while being able to say they voted against this crap.

I do need to make a correction on one member's list. John Lewis (D-GA) did not earmark for the Fort Valley Utility Commission's wastewater reclamation facility. He did, however co-sponsor an earmark for the city of Atlanta's sewer system infrastructure improvements. It was still a $500,000 dip into your pocket.

Again: *=co-sponsored earmark [PD]=Presidentially-directed earmark

Here are today's contestants.

Jim Langevin (D-RI) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $700,000

• *Water Sytems Council, Washington, DC- Water Systems Wellcare Program -- $700,000

Tom Latham (R-IA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,200,000

• *Water Sytems Council, Washington, DC- Water Systems Wellcare Program -- $700,000
• City of Garner, IA - wastewater treatment infrastructure improvements -- $500,000

Mike Arcuri (D-NY) - Number of Earmarks: 1 -- $700,000

• *Water Sytems Council, Washington, DC- Water Systems Wellcare Program -- $700,000

Leonard Boswell (D-IA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- $700,000

• *Water Sytems Council, Washington, DC- Water Systems Wellcare Program -- $700,000

Walter Jones (R-NC) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- $13,000,000

• *National Rural Water Association, Duncan, OK - Rural Water Technical Assistance, National Rural Water Association -- $13,000,000

Adam Smith (D-WA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $4,500,000

• *University of Washington, Seattle, WA - Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative -- $4,000,000
• City of Lacey, WA - regional reclaimed water project -- $500,000

Brian Baird (D-WA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $4,500,000

• *University of Washington, Seattle, WA - Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative -- $4,000,000
• City of South Bend, WA - Willapa Regional wastewater facilities project -- $500,000

Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $3,500,000

• *Brownsville, El Paso, TX - El Paso/Brownsville water and wastewater infrastructure -- $2,500,000
• [PD] Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR -- $1,000,000

Mike Rogers (R-AL) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $375,000

• Eastern Alabama Water Sewer and Fire Protection District, Valley, AL - wastewater system planning -- $275,000
• Talladega College, Talladega, AL - Swayne Hall Historic Restoration and Renovation -- $100,000

Bob Bright (D-AL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Enterprise, AL - Enterprise Southeast Lagoon upgrade project -- $500,000

Bob Aderholt (R-AL) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $800,000

• City of Sulligent, AL - water well and storage tank project -- $500,000
• City of Fort Payne, AL - Historic Fort Payne Coal and Iron Building Rehabilitation -- $150,000
• *University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL - Historic Montevallo Mai Hall Renovation -- $150,000

Jo Bonner (R-AL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• Washington County Commission, Chatom, AL - Washington County sanitary sewer extension -- $500,000

Robert Berry (D-AR) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• Cabot Waterworks, Cabot, AR - wastewater improvments -- $500,000

John Boozman (R-AR) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Fayetteville, AR - Elkins outfall Sewer Line sewer replacement -- $500,000

Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- $2,000,000

• *The Pascua Yacqui Tribe, Tucson, AZ - master drainage plan -- $1,000,000
• *University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ - U.S./Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program -- $1,000,000

Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• Town of Chino Valley, AZ - water and wastewater infrastructure -- $500,000

Jerry Lewis (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $1,300,000

• Big Bear Department of Water and Power, Big Bear Lake, CA - Big Bear Lake water system infrastructure improvements -- $500,000
• City of Calimesa, CA - storm drain improvements -- $500,000
• Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms, CA -- visitors' center -- $300,000

Brian Bilbray (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• Carlsbad, CA - Carlsbad for Vista-Carlsbad joint wastewater project -- $500,000

Dan Lungren (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Galt, CA - Wastewater treatment plant upgrades -- $500,000

Duncan Hunter (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• Helix Water District, La Mesa, CA - El Monte valley groundwater recharge project -- $500,000

Sam Farr (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,500,000

• Monterrey County Water Resources Agency, Salinas, CA - Lower Carmel River and Lagoon Floodplain restoration and enhancement project -- $500,000
• [PD] Los Padres National Forest Big Sur Ecosystem -- $1,000,000

Buck McKeon (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,000,000

• Palmdale Water District, Palmdale, CA - water main replacement -- $500,000
• Angeles National Forest, Arcadia, CA - Angeles NF Shoemaker Canyon -- $500,000

Grace Napolitano (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $1,000,000

• South Montebello Irrigation District, Montebello, CA - water system infrastructure improvements -- $1,000,000

Adam Schiff (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $500,000

• South Pasedena, CA - Wilson Reservoir Replacement -- $300,00
• City of Temple City, CA - storm drain installation -- $200,000
  

David Dreier (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $500,000

• City of Arcadia, CA - Arcadia and Sierra madre joint water infrastructure project -- $500,000

Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $675,000

• City of Bell, CA - sewer infrastructure modernization -- $675,000

Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,000,000

• Bureau of Land Management, Sacramento, CA - Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument -- $500,000
• City of Cathedral City, CA - South City Improvement District groundwater protection -- $500,000

Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $645,000

• Town of Prospect, CT - drinking water infrastructure -- $495,000
• City of Derby, CT - Sterling Opera House renovation -- $150,000

Until next time...

Cap and Trade Earmarks: Big Names and Big Bucks Part 2

Here's the list for today, kids. There are Republicans on the list. Of the three Republicans on today's list, only one, Chris Smith (R-NJ) is one of the Republican 8. I guess the other ones decided to stuff their earmarks in realizing that they could have it both ways: Satisfy the constituency while voting against cap and trade. BUSTED!!!

Remember: *=co-sponsor [PD] = Presidentially-directed earmark

Ed Pastor (D-AZ) -- Number of earmarks: 4 -- Total: $3,220,000

• *University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX - Southwest Consortium for Environmental Research and Policy (SCERP) -- $1,000,000
• *The Pascua Yacqui Tribe, Tuscon, AZ - master drainage plan -- $1,000,000
• Town of Miami, AZ - sewer collection system upgrades -- $220,000
• *University of Arizona Tuscon - U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program -- $1,000,000

Hal Rogers (D-KY) -- Number of Earmarks: 4 -- Total: $5,200,000

• *Water Research Foundation, Denver, CO -- $1,700,000
• *Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), Washington, DC -- $2,500,000
• Perry County Sanitation District Number One, Hazard, KY - wastewater treatement infrastructure -- $500,000
• Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, Middlesboro, KY - Fern Lake -- $500,000

John Dingell (D-MI) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,500,000

• *Wayne County, Detroit, MI - Rouge River Wet Weather Demonstration Project -- $500,000
• *USFWS, Fort Snelling, MN - Mass marking of hatchery fish -- $1,000,000

Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $3,500,000

• *University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX - Southwest Consortium for Environmental Research and Policy (SCERP) -- $1,000,000
• Brownsville/El Paso, TX - El Paso/Brownsville water and wastewaer infrastructure -- $2,500,000

John Olver (D-MA) -- Number of Earmarks: 6 -- Total: $5,987,000

• *Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), Washington, DC -- $2,500,000
• *Pioneer Valley Planning commission, West Springfield, MA - Connecticut River CSO -- $750,000
• Hancock Shaker Village, Hancock, MA - Hancock Shaker Village Restoration -- $150,000
• Trustees of Reservations, Stockbridge, MA - Stockbridge Mission House Renovation -- $117,000
• Silvio O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Lab, Turners Falls, MA -- $220,000
• [PD] Silvio O Conte NWR&FR -- $2,250,000

Steny Hoyer (D-MD) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $1,200,000

• Town of Chesapeake Beach, Chesapeake Beach, MD - WWTP Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade and Expansion -- $700,000
• *National Park Service, Washington, DC - Chesapeake Bay Gateways -- $400,000
• National Park Service, Washington, DC - National Capital Parks East, Washington DC - Harmony Hall Restoration -- $100,000

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $1,000,000

• *City of Sunrise, FL - water reclamation system -- $1,000,000

Alcee Hastings (D-FL) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $1,000,000

• *City of Sunrise, FL - water reclamation system -- $1,000,000

Steve Rothman (D-NJ) -- Number of Earmarks: 6 -- Total: $5,300,000

• *Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, Newark, NJ - combined sewage overflow project -- $750,000
• Borough of Fort Lee, Fort Lee, NJ - CSO abatement upgrades -- $500,000
• *Great Swamp NWR, Basking Ridge, NJ -- $750,000
• *Georgian Court University, Lakewood, NJ - Georgian Court Mansion restoration -- $200,000
• [PD] Edwin B. Forsythe ACE Basin NWR -- $1,100,000
• [PD] Cape May NWR -- $2,000,000

Chris Smith (R-NJ) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $200,000

• *Georgian Court University, Lakewood, NJ - Georgian Court Mansion restoration -- $200,000

Elijah Cummings (D-MD) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $1,050,000

• *National Park Service, Washington, DC - Chesapeake Bay Gateways -- $400,000
• *Maryland Dept. of Business and Economic Development, Baltimore, MD - Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail -- $500,000
• Park and People Foundation, Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Urban Forestry Watershed Demonstration Co-Op Project -- $150,000

Larry Kissell (D-NC) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $1, 700,000

• *Water Research Foundation, Denver, CO -- $1,700,000

John Lewis (D-GA) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $2,000,000

• *Fort Valley Utility Commission, Fort Valley, GA - wastewater reclamation facility -- $500,000
• *Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, Atlanta, GA -- $500,000
• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000

David Price (D-NC) -- Number of Earmarks: 5 -- Total: $5,213,000

• *Water Environment Research Foundation, Alexandria, VA -- $2,000,000
• *City of Raleigh, NC - Dempsey E. Benton Water Treatment Plant -- $500,000
• *Town of Cary Public Works and Utilities Department, Cary, NC - Western Wake regional wastewater -- $1,000,000
• *US Forest Service, Pisagh Forest, NC - Catawba Falls Access and Trail Acquisition -- $713,000
• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000

Jim McDermott (D-WA) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $6,650,000

• *University of Washington, Seattle, WA - Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative -- $4,000,000
• City of Seattle, WA - Magnuson Park Wetlands Project -- $500,000
• [PD] Mt. Ranier -- $2,150,000

Mike Rogers (R-MI) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,500,000

• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000
• Lansing Board of Water and Light, Lansing, MI - energy-efficient drinking water system -- $500,000

Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) -- Number of Earmarks: 2 -- Total: $1,500,000

• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000
• [PD] James Campbell NWR -- $500,000

John Conyers (D-MI) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $1,000,000

• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000

Edolphus Towns (D-NY) -- Number of Earmarks: 1 -- Total: $1,000,000

• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000

Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) -- Number of Earmarks: 3 -- Total: $1,100,000

• Village of Saugerties, Saugerties, NY - water and wastewater infrastructure improvements -- $800,000
• Village of Oswego, NY - Historic Oswego Municipal Building Rehabilitation -- $150,000
• Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Poughkeepsie, NY - Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Restoration -- $150,000

And today's winner of "Porker of the Day":

Denny Rehberg (R-MT) -- Number of Earmarks: 9 -- Total: $14,890,000

• *Water Research Foundation, Denver, CO -- $1,700,000
• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnical Research -- $1,000,000
• Em-Kayan County Water and Sewer, Libby, MT - infrastructure improvements -- $290,000
• City of Bozeman, MT - Main Street Historic District Restoration -- $150,000
• [PD] Helena National Forest, Blackfoot Challenge -- $1,000,000
• [PD] Rocky Mountain Front CA -- $3,750,000
• [PD] Multi-Greater Yellowstone Area -- $1,000,000
• [PD] Blackfoot River Special Recreation Management Area -- $4,500,000
• [PD] Meeteetsee Spires ACEC -- $1,500,000

There you have it for today. I'm still going through the earmarks. Talk about a labor of love!

Cap and Trade Earmarks: Big Names and Big Bucks

I started going through the congressionally-directed earmarks in the House Interior and Environment Appropriations passed through the Wacky-Marxist debacle. A lot of names were repeated throughout, so I focused my attention on them. Then, I decided that I'd show what some of the more well-known names in the House got earmarked.

There's really not any particular order to these, but I'll try to get some sort of arrangement going as I type.

If you see a project with an asterisk (*), that means that the earmark was co-sponsored by more than one member of the House. I'm putting the whole dollar amount of the earmark rather than splitting it because I feel that no matter how many co-sponsors there were, they are all equally culpable.

Some members got Congressionally-directed and Presidentially-directed. If the project was Presidentially-directed (that means they kissed Barry's butt), the project will be marked [PD].

And awaaaay we go!!!

Jim Moran (D-VA) - Number of earmarks: 11 - Total: $7,675,000

• *Water Research Foundation, Denver, CO -- $1,700, 000
• *Water Environment Research Foundation, Alexandria, VA -- $2,000,000
• National Biosolids Partnership, Alexandria, VA -- $750,000
• *National Park Service, Chesapeake Bay Gateways -- $400,000
• Rappahanock River National Wildlife Refuge, Warsaw, VA, Bower's Property -- $500,000
• City of Alexandria, VA - water reuse project -- $ 500,000
• City of Alexandria/Arlington County -- Four Mile Run infrastructure improvements -- $500,000
• City of Falls Church, VA -- Fort Ward Park preservation -- $75,000
• National Park Service, McLean, VA - Fort Hunt NCO quarters restoration -- $250,000
• [PD] James Campbell NWR -- $500,000

David Obey (D-WI) - Number of earmarks: 8 - Total: $7,965,000

• City of Abbotsford, WI - water treatment infrastructure -- $1,000,000
• City of Park Falls, WI - sewer infrastructure -- $550,000
• Village of Athens, WI - wastewater treatment facility upgrades -- $1,000,000
• Village of Stetsonville, WI - publice drinkng water system -- $1,000,000
• Bayfield County, Washburn, WI - Bayfield Historic Courthouse Restoration -- $150,000
• National Park Service, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Bayfield, WI - Apostle Islands lighthouse restoration -- $2,000,000
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI - Ice Age Scenic Trail -- $265,000
• *Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, Cross Plains, WI - Ice Age Natural Scenic Trail -- $2,000,000

Norm Dicks (D-WA) - Number of Earmarks: 7 - Total: $7,191,000

• Jefferson County Department of Commercial Development, Townsend, WA - Port hadlock wastewater system -- $500,000
• City of Tacoma - downtown sustainable storm drainage system -- $1,146,000
• West Sound Utility District, Port Orchard, WA - reclaimed water distribution system -- $165,000
• Sound Experience, Port Townsend, WA - Schooner Adventures Restoration -- $180,000
• USGS Washington Water Science Center, Tacoma, WA - Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen Study -- $200,000
• Cascade Land Conservancy, Seattle, WA - Regional Urban Forestry Restoration Project -- $1,000,000
• *University of Washington, Seattle, WA - Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative -- $4,000,000
  

Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) - Number of Earmarks: 3 - Total: $ 3,000,000

• *Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, San Francisco, CA - Angel Island State Park Immigration Station Hospital Rehabilitation -- $1,000,000
• [PD] Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument -- $1,000,000
• U.S. Geological Survey - South San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds Restoration -- $1,000,000

Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) - Number of Earmarks: 2 - Total: $13, 500,000

• *National Rural Water Association, Duncan, OK -- $13,000,000
• City of Newport, RI - UV disinfection system improvements -- $500,000

John Murtha (D-PA) - Number of Earmarks: 2 - Total: $1,193,000

• Tri-County Joint Municipal Authority, Fredrickstown, PA - water treatment infrastructure -- $393,000
• Municipal Authority of the City of Lower Burrell, PA - Wildlife Lodge Road sanitary sewer -- $800,000

John Sarbanes (D-MD) - Number of Earmarks: 2 - Total: $900,000

• *National Park Service - Chesapeake Bay Gateways -- $400,000
• *Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Baltimore, MD - Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail -- $500,000

Edward Markey (D-MA) - Number of Earmarks: 1 - Total: $500,000

• City of Malden, MA - Citywide lead water service replacement -- $500,000

Bart Stupak (D-MI) - Number of Earmarks: 3 - Total: $3,880,000

• [PD] Ottawa National Forest - Great Lakes/Great Lands -- $1,500,000
• *The Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research, Inc., St. Simon's Island, GA - Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research -- $1,000,000
• Keweenaw National Historic Park, Calumet, MI - Keweenaw National Historic Park Union Building -- $1,380,000

James Oberstar (D-MN) - Number of Earmarks: 2 - Total: $1,750,000

• [PD] Chippewa/Superior National Forests - Minnesota Wilderness -- $750,000
• Grand Rapids Public Utility Commission, Grand Rapids, MN - wastewater facility improvements -- $1,000,000

Nita Lowey (D-NY) - Number of Earmarks: 3 - Total: $1,167,000

• The Friends of the Mozartina Musical Arts Conservatory, Tarrytown, NY - Tarrytown Music Hall Restoration -- $150,000
• Westchester Joint Water Works, Mamaroneck, NY - water main rehabilitation -- $517,000
• City of White Plains, NY - drinking water transmission line -- $500,000

Ok, folks. That's it for today's episode. I keep making typos, and my eyes feel like sandpaper. Don't worry...I'll keep at this!

Cap and Trade Earmarks: The Presidentially-Directed Side -- Part Two

Here's the second part of the earmarks approved by Barry. Though there are only two agencies listed here, they got a REALLY big chunk of "change".

National Park Service Construction Projects (17) -- Total : $112,455,000

• Blue Ridge Parkway, repair craggy gardens, retaining and guardwalls -- $2,278,000
• Chiricahua, replace filing sewer systems -- $2,410,000
• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (NRA),demolish and remove hazardous structures -- $2,234,000
• Delaware Water Gap NRA, rehabilitate Childs Park -- $3,048,000
• Fort Pulaski, replace Cockspur Lighthouse revetment -- $1,577,000
• George Rogers Clark National Historic Park (NHP), restore and rehabilitate historic Wabash River floodwall -- $3,600,000
• Glacier National Park (NP), safety improvements at Many Glacier Hotel -- $8,507,000
• Grand Canyon, employee housing -- $16,890,000
• Grand Teton NP, construct critical housing -- $13, 174,000
• Harry S Truman National Historic Site (NHS), rehabilitate interior grounds of historic Noland House and install interpretive exhibits -- $1,018,000
• Katmai, replace failing infrastructure at Brooks Camp -- $6,741,000
• Mesa Verde curation center -- $11,675,000
• Mesa Verde visitor information center -- $10,500,000
• National Capital Region, preserve and protect Meridian Hill Park -- $3,844,000
• National Capital Region, Theodore Roosevelt rehabilitation site -- $1,706,000
• Olympic National Park, restore Elwha River ecosystem and fisheries -- $20,000,000
• Point Reyes, restore critical dune habitat -- $2,803,000

National Park Service Land Acquisition Projects (17) -- Total: $43,049,000

• Big Thicket National Preserve -- $5,000,000
• Blue Ridge Parkway -- $1,703,000
• Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area -- $3,100,000
• Congaree NP -- $1,320,000
• Fort Smith NHS -- $362,000
• Golden Gate NRA -- $5,000,000
• Guilford Courthouse National Military Park (NMP) -- $880,000
• Harry S. Truman NHS -- $1,300,000
• Minidoka NHS Japanese Internment -- $350,000
• Mt. Ranier -- $2,150,000
• Natchez NHP -- $264,000
• Olympic NP -- $3,000,000
• Palo Alto Battlefield National Park -- $3,120,000
• Petrified Forest National Park -- $4,575,000
• Prince William Forest Park -- $425,000
• San Juan Island NHP -- $6,000,000
• Virgin Islands National Park -- $4,500,000

U.S. Forest Service Capital Improvement and Maintenance (construction) projects (53) -- Total: $53,144,000

• Angeles National Forest (NF), Pyramid Lake Rehabilitation -- $1,069,000
• Arapaho/Roosevelt NF, Pawnee Campground/Picnic Area Phase I -- $1,240,000
• Arapaho/Roosevelt NF, Shadow Mountain Village Exterior Building Rehabilitation -- $668,000
• Bighorn NF, South Fork Campground Rehabilitation -- $490,000
• Cherokee NF, Tellico River Corridor Recreation Rehabilitation, Phase III -- $330,000
• Chippewa NF, Walker Administrative Site Phase I -- $1,000,000
• Chugach NF, Porcupine Creek Campground Reconstruction -- $1,911,000
• Cibola NF, Magdelena Ranger Station, Phase I - $1,568,000
• Custer NF, Camp Crook Water System -- $564,000
• Deschutes NF, Allingham Guard Station Water System Phase II - $250,000
• Dixie NF, Pine Valley Recreation Area Reconstruction Phase III -- $450,000
• Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), Freight Elevator replacement -- $785,000
• Francis Marion NF, Burrells Ford campground rehabilitation -- $355,000
• Francis Marion NF, Ranger District Office Phase II -- $1,080,000
• George Washington/Jefferson NF, Elizabeth Furnace Water/Sanitation rehabilitation-- $265,000
• Gifford Pinchot NF, Johnston Ridge Observatory Deferred Maintenance -- $410,000
• Grand mesa/Uncompahgre/Gunnison NF, Lottis Creek Recreation Area rehabilitation -- $1,312,000
• Hiawatha NF, Clear Lake Environmental Education Center -- $480,000
• Idaho Panhandle NF, Outlet Campground Phase I -- $760,000
• Idaho Panhandle NF, Nursery Roof Replacement -- $450,000
• International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF), Sabana Woodshop Renovation -- $519,000
• Inyo NF, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Visitor Center -- $2,105,000
• Kaibab NF, Kaibab Lake Campground -- $818,000
• Klamath NF, Oak Knoll Work Center -- $1,028,000
• Lassen NF, merrill Campground Phase III -- $1,115,000
• Lewis & Clark NF, Interpretive Center Health and Safety Improvments -- $386,000
• Malheur NF, Prairie City offices and warehouse -- $1,800,000
• Meadow Ponds Dam Rehabilitation -- $400,000
• Medicine Bow/Routt NF, Walden Bunkhouse -- $1,080,000
• Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument -- $1,195,000
• Northern Research Station (NRS), Grand Rapids Lab Renovation -- $379,000
• NRS, Parsons Lab Renovation -- $254,000
• NRS, Silas Little Experiment Forest Remodel -- $253,000
• NRS, St. Paul Elevator and Roof replacement -- $475,000
• Ottawa NF, Watersmeet Administrative Site Phase III -- $2,000,000
• Ozark-St. Francis NF, Pleasant Hill Ranger District Office Addition and Renovation -- $1,500,000
• Payette NF, Seasonal Housing -- $2,130,000
• Pacific Northwest (PNW), Juneau Lab Collection Phase I -- $4,980,000
• Prescott NF, Lynx Southshore Recreation Area -- $450,000
• Pacific Southwest (PSW), Hawaii Research Field Stations Phase II -- $660,000
• Regional Office, Aerial Fire Depot Roofing -- $381,000
• Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS), Bozeman Research Complex -- $906,000
• RMRS, Ft. collins Prospect Renovation Planning & Design -- $370,000
• RMRS, Tenderfoot Creek, Experimental Forest Administrative Site -- $495,000
• Salmon-Challis NF, Central Idaho Fire Aviation Center -- $2,400,000
• San Dimas, Energy conservation and Renewable Generation -- $400,000
• Siuslaw/Corvallis Collocation-East Wing Replacement -- $4,100,000
• Six Rivers NF, Smith River National Recreation Area Warehouse -- $996,000
• Southern Research Station (SRS), Wood Products Insect Laboratory -- $1,000,000
• SRS, Oxford HVAC Replacement -- $432,000
• Stanislaus NF, Long Barn Barracks -- $1,126,000
• Tongass NF, Thorne Bay Quads Phases II and III -- $906,000
• Tonto NF, Needle Rock Campground Phase I -- $668,000

U.S. Forest Service Land Acquisition Projects (22) -- Total: $21,684,000

• Allegheny NF -- $500,000
• Angeles NF-Bighorn Mine -- $1,000,000
• Black Hills NF-Lady C Ranch -- $1,000,000
• Chattahoochee-Oconee NF -- $1,000,000
• Chequamegon-Nicolet NF-Wisconsin Waterways -- $1,000,000
• Cherokee NF-Rocky Fork -- $3,000,000
• Chippewa/Superior NF-Minnesota Wilderness -- $750,000
• Gila NF-Bear Creek Ranch -- $1,000,000
• Green Mountain NF -- $250,000
• Helena NF-Blackfoot Challenge -- $1,000,000
• Hoosier NF -- $250,000
• Los Padres NF-Big Sur Ecosystem -- $1,000,000
• Mark Twain NF-Missouri Ozark -- $500,000
• Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie/Wenatchee NFs-Cascade Ecosystems -- $1,000,000
• Multiple-Greater Yellowstone Area -- $1,000,000
• Multiple=Sierra Nevada Checkerboard -- $1,000,000
• Ottawa NF-Great Lakes/Great Lands -- $1,500,000
• San Bernardino NF-Garner Home Ranch -- $500,000
• Six Rivers NF-Agnew Tract -- $1,000,000
• Wallowa-Whitman NF-Imnaha River Canyon, Hells Canyon -- $1,500,000
• Wasatch-Cache NF-High Uintas -- $1,500,000
• White Mountain NF -- $434,000

Whew.... Part Two Total: $230,332,000; Part One Total: $81,420,000. That means that Dear Leader has set aside earmarks in the amount of.......

$311,752,000

Aren't you glad you work so hard? Gonna start on the congressionally-delegated side. I'll probably have that ready for Monday. On the weekends, everyone has other stuff to do, and I think this is too important to go up when no one's paying attention. This oughta be a blast!!!

Cap and Trade Earmarks: The Presidentially-Directed Side -- Part One

I thought I'd start at the top of the food chain with the Cap and Trade earmarks. Crap rolls downhill, right? I'm going to do this in parts because I don't want people's eyes to glaze over part of the way through.

The presidentially-directed earmarks were made by none other than Dear Leader himself through the House Interior and Environment Appropriations. Some of them were also requested specifically by House members, but I want to put those earmarks with those who made them, so I'll probably do that under the congressionally-directed side.

This is what Barry requested and received in the Cap and Trade bill. It seems pretty repetitive, but I want everyone to know how he's spending the money you work so hard for. Pay special attention to how much money was earmarked for land acquisition. Those of you who may own property bordering one of these refuges: be extra vigilant. This is the money they will use to buy what they want from you (a bribe) before using eminent domain should you refuse to sell.

Bureau of Land Management Construction Projects (12) -- Total: $6,202,000

• Bridgeport Access Trail -- $176,000
• Browning Ranch House Preservation -- $124,000
• CA Radio Fencing and Grounding Improvement - $537,000
• Campbell Airstrip Safety Fencing -- $190,000
• El Toro Creek Parking Project -- $1,209,000
• Five Mile Pass Recreation Site Facility -- $362,000
• Knolls Facility -- $381,000
• Lemhi River Total Maximum Daily Load Road Maintenance Phase IV -- $1,588,000
• Partners Point Waterline --$110,000
• Pelican Lake Recreation Site Reconstruction -- $697,000
• Sawtooth Campground -- $541,000
• Sharkey Hot Springs Renovation -- $287,000

Bureau of Land Management Land Acquisition Projects (11) -- Total: $21,650,000

• Blackfoot River Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) -- $4,500,000
• California Wilderness -- $500,000
• Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument -- $1,000,000
• Craig Thomas Little Mountain Special Management Area (SMA) -- $2,000,000
• King Range National Conservation Area (NCA) -- $2,000,000
• La Cienega ACEC/ El Camino Real De Tierra Adento National Historic Trail (NHT) -- $3,000,000
• Lacks Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) -- $750,000
• Lesser Prairie Chicken Habitat ACEC -- $1,500,000
• Meeteetsee Spires ACEC -- $1,500,000
• Sandy River/Oregon NHT -- $2,100,000
• Upper Sacramento River ACEC -- $2,800,000

Fish and Wildlife Service Construction Projects (9) -- Total: $10,123,000

• Allegheny National Fish Hatchery (NFH), rehabilitate fish production and electrical systems -- $1,500,000
• Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Old Timbers Dam Phase I -- $100,000
• Fergus Falls Wetland Management District (WMD), Stang Lake Dam Phase II -- $175,000
• Guam NWR, invasive species fence construction -- $866,000
• Jackson NFH, replace water supply line -- $1,650,000
• Quinault NFH, replace electric fish barriers -- $1,000,000
• Turnbull NWR, Lower Pine Lake Dam Phase II -- $250,000
• Wichita Mountains WR, Lake Rush Dam Phase II -- $4,100,000
• Willow Beach NFH, water treatment (filters/wells) to remove Quagga mussel from water supply -- $482,000

Fish and Wildlife Service Land Acquisition Projects (31) -- Total: $43,445,000

• Alaska Maritime NWR -- $300,000
• Back Bay NWR -- $545,000
• Balcones Canyonlands NWR -- $1,000,000
• Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (MBR) -- $500,000
• Big Muddy National Forest & Wildlife Refuge (NF&WR) -- $300,000
• Blackwater NWR -- $2,000,000
• Bon Secour NWR -- $500,000
• Bond Swamp NWR -- $1,200,000
• Cape May NWR -- $2,000,000
• Cherry Valley NWR -- $500,000
• Chicksaw NWR -- $500,000
• Cypress Creek NWR -- $500,000
• Dakota Tallgrass Prairie Wildlife Management Area (WMA) -- $1,000,000
• Edwin B. Forsythe NWR -- $1,100,000
• Ernest F. Hollings ACE (Ashepoo, Combahee, and South Edisto Rivers) Basin NWR -- $500,000
• Grasslands WMA -- $1,000,000
• James Campbell NWR -- $500,000
• James River NWR -- $1,000,000
• Laguna Atascosa NWR -- $500,000
• Leslie Canyon NWR -- $500,000
• Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR -- $1,000,000
• Nestucca Bay NWR -- $1,000,000
• Nisqually NWR -- $500,000
• North Dakota WMA -- $1,000,000
• Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR -- $500,000
• Panther Swamp NWR -- $500,000
• Patoka River NWR -- $1,150,000
• Prime Hook NWR -- $1,000,000
• Rachel Carson NWR -- $3,000,000
• Red River NWR -- $500,000
• Red Rock Lakes NWR -- $1,000,000
• Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Area (CA) -- $3,750,000
• San Bernard NWR - Austin's Woods Unit -- $2,500,000
• San Joaquin River NWR -- $2,000,000
• Sevilleta NWR -- $500,000
• Silvio O. Cooke NWR & Federal Register (FR) -- $2,250,000
• St. Marks NWR -- $500,000
• Togiak NWR -- $500,000
• Upper Mississippi River NWR&FR -- $1,500,000
• Upper Ouachita NWR -- $1,000,000
• Waccamaw NWR -- $600,000
• Willapa NWR -- $750,000
• Yukon Delta NWR -- $500,000
  

With only part of these earmarks approved by Daddy O, we are so far up to a total of $81,420,000 of YOUR money. I'll put the rest of Dear Leader's approvals up ASAP.

Something's Working!!

In checking my Google analytics today, I found that after yesterday's post on Cap and Trade earmarks, I got 14 hits from the House of Representatives. Wait until they see the post I have planned for the near future!!!

Wonder why they're so nervous?

Cap and Trade: Got Earmarks?

I know lots of people are saying "Get off the cap and trade thing already!" I won't. It's poised to be voted on in the Senate, and that is our only hope of this monstrosity being killed. If people stay angry, maybe the pressure will be put on the Senate.

Eight House Republicans voted for the Waxman-Markey bill (shall henceforth be the Wacky-Marxist bill) despite what the constituency wanted. The following is a list of the earmarks those eight put into the legislation they voted in favor of. Grab a cup of coffee and get ready. Duct tape is also recommended.

"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful bill..."

1. Mary Bono-Mack (R-CA) -- It seems Mary secured a $500,000 earmark (that's your money, folks) through the Bureau of Land Management for land acquisition. The project? The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. But this had nothing to do with her voting "yea", did it? She also had ANOTHER half-million dollar earmark for groundwater protection in Cathedral City, CA. That earmark goes through the EPA.
   
2. Mike Castle (R-DE) -- From the spreadsheet I saw, he didn't put in any earmarks. That doesn't make him any smarter for voting for it.
3. Mark Steven Kirk (R-IL) -- No earmarks listed, but still a chucklehead. Co-chairman of the moderate GOP Tuesday Group.
4. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) -- Lenny got $500,000 for the city of Califon, NJ, for stormwater improvments, also acquired through the EPA. Where's my thank you note for the money, Lenny?
5. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) -- Mr. LoBiondo did not get any congressionally-directed earmarks. Instead, he got a presidentially-directed earmark of $2 million for the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge for land acquisition. Evidently, we have to protect the wildlife. They'll be running the treadmills to power this nation should cap and trade become law.
   
6. John McHugh (R-NY) -- The folks at Traditional Arts in Upstate New York, Canton, NY, are probably just oozing mush from their ears due to the $150,000 earmark McHugh got them. The money is going for restoration of Village Park. The National Park Service will be cutting the check. This has to do with energy how???
7. Dave Reichert (R-WA) -- Dave got lucky. He received a $333,000 congressional-directed earmark through the EPA for the City of Buckley to get a new emergency intertie booster station, and he also prostituted himself to Dear Leader for $2.15 million of our dollars to go to Mt. Ranier.
8. Chris Smith (R-NJ) -- Evidently, there are no conservatives in New Jersey. The National Park Service was nice enough to give Mr. Smith a $200,000 earmark for Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ, to restore the Georgian Court Mansion. You would think that for what a college education costs that taxpayer funding wouldn't be needed. Go figure!!!

These are earmarks that came through the House Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. I'm going to try to break down and organize all the other earmarks by who got what. The spreadsheet is 276 lines long on the congressionally-directed side and 189 lines on the presidentially-directed side, so please bear with me.

We all wondered what the promises were.... This is just the beginning.

Another Cap and Traitor

A few days after the hideous Waxman-Markey bill (Cap and Trade) passed the House of Representatives, I did a post on some of the special favors some received in exchange for their supportive votes. A lot of people got REALLY mad after reading it. Well, here's another one.

It seems that Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) of Toledo wanted a new federal power authority similar to the Bonneville Power Administration in Washington State that would allow for lending to renewable energy and economic development projects in Ohio and other Midwestern states. How much did good ol' Marcy get for her project in exchange for her "yea"?? Drumroll please......$3.5 BILLION. The project was tucked into the 310-page amendment that was made public just hours before debate and a final vote were to begin.

Miss Kaptur trumpeted her handiwork on her congressional Web site. She said the new federal authority would bring new economic development to Ohio and the struggling Great Lakes region and would also ensure "regional equity" with other parts of the country that already have such programs.

"The federal government has been subsidizing infrastructure and economic development in other parts of the country since the New Deal. Now, it's our turn," she said. "With the Midwest taking the brunt of the economic crisis, my priority was to bring our region additional tools to create jobs and promote energy independence."

The provision empowers the Energy and Commerce departments to recommend to Congress the final structure of the new federal lending authority. In the meantime, the provision authorized $25 million in startup money in 2010.

Although the program would benefit his home state, House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, also of Ohio, criticized the provision during a more-than-hourlong speech Friday evening. He said an Ohio-based power authority was unneeded because electricity already flows well through Ohio without a new federal power authority.

Although political favors are nothing new on either side of the aisle, those who were flat out bribed for their vote on Waxman-Markey have no business being on Capitol Hill. Hey Marcy!!! Hasta la vista!!!

Cap and Trade: The Price of a Sell Out

While surfing my usual haunts in cyberspace, I came upon this article from keenobserver.blogtownhall.com. OMG!!! It was posted on Tuesday, but, of course, we heard nothing from the slobbering, leg-tingling MSM about this. It details what some of those who voted for this travesty got in return for voting to support the largest tax to be introduced to the American people yet.

Changing her vote from "nay" to "yea" was Debbie Halvorson (D-IL). She swore up and down that she would "never cave in to pressure from Obama to vote yes on cap and trade." Shortly, after a brief conversation with Barry..."I had a nice chat with the President this morning, and I'm fine with the bill." One of two things happened at that "chat": Chicago thuggery politics or she was promised pork for her district beyond anything she imagined. Nonetheless, she needs to go if she can't stand on principle.

Next, Henry "The Nostrils" Waxman, co-sponsor of the bill (or should I say DRAFT that was voted on) cornered Alan Grayson (D-FL) who comes from a Republican area in Central Florida. It is Grayson's first (and hopefully last) term in the House. After a spirited discussion, Grayson got a "pledge of support" from Waxman in exchange for his vote. What was behind Door Number One? $50 million pledged to a new proposed hurricane research facility in Orlando, which just happens to be part of Grayson's district. BUH-BYE!!!

John McHugh (R-NY) was next to put his tail between his legs and promise his support "in the name of bipartisanship". He's up for Secretary of the Army, so he won't be back in Congress. Thank Heaven for small favors, and pray for the Army.

Blue dog Democrat Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) went from adamantly decrying the measure to an enthusiastic thumbs -up after being promised a seat at the table when joint negotiations begin on a final version should it pass the Senate. Time to weed out THAT yellow rose!

From a heavily-industrialized part of Ohio, Tim Ryan (D-OH) went against his constituency and voted "yea". He said that without this hideous legislation, we would continue to be energy-dependent on those who want to "fly airplanes into our buildings." Guess what? They still want to do that, you twit! I say we tell them to pound salt and DRILL FOR OUR OWN!!! Let's see if any earmarks make it to Northeastern Ohio.

Also from the Buckeye State, John Boccieri (D-OH) voted against what his district of Canton wanted and put his vote in the "yea" column. Boccieri told of waiting in long gas lines as a child (Carter years) and "this bill reduces foreign oil imports." Didn't anyone tell him that the oil companies are predicting having to mothball their domestic refineries and up refined oil import levels? Maybe he's been promised earmarks or a job should the Republicans win in 2010. Whatever he may have been promised, he's got to go.

By Thursday evening (June 25), Pineapple Princess and company were still 22 votes short for Friday's vote. Obama decided to invite a group of rookie Democrats, who had sworn to their constituents to stand up and vote "no", to the White House luau to tell them how he understands that they have to run every two years. They then get a call from Rahm "The Fisherman" Emanuel, who advises them that if they vote the wrong way, there will be no support (i.e. party funding) from the White House. Kinda sounds like bribery, eh? Well, that put 10 more votes into Pelosi's lap.

At 3 a.m. Friday morning (June 26), the 325-page addendum was tacked on. In it, the agriculture area undecideds were promised federal subsidies on ethanol and "sweeteners" for fertilizer production. Conservative Democrats struck deals on farming offsets and CO2 allowances. The coal states were promised that the cap and trade energy tax would be postponed until 2020. Even then, they left enough loopholes to allow western coal industries to not have to scale back their emissions.

According to the piece, Pelosi checks Patrick Kennedy (D) out from a drug rehab hospital at about 8 a.m. Friday morning so he can vote on this measure . The vote is set for noon, but Pelosi postpones it until 7 p.m. when she finds she's still short.

In the late afternoon of Friday, June 26, Obama calls Republicans elected from heavily-Democratic areas and tells them that if they vote "yea", the Democrats won't run anyone against them in 2010. In addition, the majority of their state's pork will be diverted to their home districts for whatever they want to use it for. Presto chango!!! These were the last eight votes needed to make the Pineapple Princess happy.

To the Democrats who joined most Republicans in voting against this piece of garbage legislation: Thank you for seeing it for what it is and voting on the side of the American people.

To those who voted "yea": We here in the blogosphere won't let people forget. I hope selling your souls to this regime was worth it. Maybe you can think about it when you're no longer a member of Congress.

“A government big enough to give you anything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.” -- Thomas Jefferson

A Letter to the Senate

Dear Sirs and Madams:

Last night, the House of Representatives passed what is commonly called "Cap and Trade" in what was a narrow vote. Unfortunately, they did not listen to what the people wanted. They instead voted for what their lobbyists and high-roller campaign donors wanted.

Consider this a notice to ALL of you. The citizens of this country are watching and paying attention to every move you make on this piece of legislation. And, right now, we are not happy.

The bill passed in the House of Representatives last night had a 300-page amendment put in and made public at approximately 3 a.m. Eastern Time. How many representatives do you truly believe were able to read the entire bill let alone that one amendment? We citizens are not stupid. We're learning very quickly all the petty tricks used to get something the American people don't want passed. And it makes us sick. My suggestion? Read and understand the bill before you vote on it.

We out here in America don't care what letter you put after your name. We are sick and tired of all the snarky little political games played at our expense. Just because your party may have the majority, you do NOT have the right to vote against the will of the people. Should you decide to do so, we will remember. None of you have a lifetime appointment to Congress, and many of us have already vowed to see that none of those who voted "yea" last night are re-elected.

Expect to get numerous phone calls and emails from the American people. We crashed the switchboard once, and we know we can do it again. This time, don't make the same mistake your colleagues in the House did. See that for what it is: The voice of the people. If you truly believe the promises you are forever making to the people about how much you care about us, listen.

From a personal perspective, this is for Mr. McConnell (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader:

A lot of conservatives are angry with what we are now calling the Republican 8, those among our party who voted "yea". Mr. McConnell, I beg you to show the base that the ideals of the Founding Fathers are not being lost to self-serving special interests. We believe in freedom, limited government, and capitalism. We come from all walks of life: housewives, factory workers, waitresses, mechanics, doctors, lawyers... Though we may not be able to contribute thousands of dollars to a campaign, does that make our voice less important? Please show us that our party still believes in what many of the Founding Fathers risked their lives to give people they knew they would never know.

I am going to leave all members of the Senate with a quote. Please think about it; the American people are watching.

I shall choose friends among men, but neither slaves nor masters. And I shall choose only such as please me, and them I shall love and respect, but neither command nor obey. And we shall join our hands when we wish, or walk alone when we so desire. -- Ayn Rand

I Warned You, Mr. Murtha!!!

I'm still seething over last night's passage of the Cap and Trade mess in the House of Representatives. Now, I am on a mission to see that my representative, John P. Murtha, will never occupy the seat that he has held for 18 (not a typo) terms. This is the poster boy for term limits.

Murtha represents the 12th Congressional District here in Pennsylvania, which includes Johnstown and Altoona areas. Everywhere you travel in this area, you will see many buildings and roads bearing his name. Why don't they just rename Johnstown "Murthaland"?These areas are democratic strongholds largely due to the fact that many early residents were coal miners and belonged to the union. And we know that the unions aren't in bed with Republicans nearly as often as Democrats! I'd almost venture a guess to say that if most of the people in this district had to choose between a million-dollar check or voting Democrat, they'd still be poor and unemployed.

Old Johnny Boy really raised the hackles of most Americans who really had no idea who he was when he called our brave soldiers "murderers" for the incident in Haditha. Murtha claims that innocent civilians were killed by our Marines before any facts or testimony were presented. Well, being a former Marine, you would think Jack would have a little more RESPECT for the military. Guess not. Yet he chairs the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee and, if he gets hacked off at the military, he has a lot of say as to whether or not they get funding. Isn't that special???

Even more special: Murtha's nephew, Robert C. Murtha Jr., just received a $4 million no-bid no-competition contract from the Department of Defense for his company, Murtech. What does Murtech do? Warehousing. That's it. A lot of the offices in the building are unoccupied and its reception area is unmanned. Many days, you can see only a handful of cars in the parking lot, and no trucks pull up to the 10 loading bays. One of Bobbo Murtha's contracts came through PMA, a Jack Murtha-associated lobbying group now at the center of a federal investigation for corruption in earmarking and influence peddling. Better yet....Robert C. Murtha Sr. (John's brother) runs a highly-successful lobbying group, KSA, that specializes in (drumroll please)....DEFENSE CONTRACTS FROM THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE. Nepotism at its very finest!

By the way, have you received a "Thank You" note from dear Jack for the stimulus money for the John P. Murtha-Cambria County Airport? You didn't know? Let me tell you what you kind folks have done. In the stimulus package passed by Congress earlier this year, $800,000 of that is going to be spent to pave the backup runway at Jacko's airport. Pretty cool, huh? Recently, the Washington Post had an article about the airport after a reporter visited there. On the day of the reporter's visit, four passengers lined up to catch a flight, and those passengers were outnumbered by seven security staff members and supervisors, all who wore uniforms and gloves to screen the six pieces of luggage. After all that hard work, they all got a three-hour break because no flights, private or commercial, came in or took off. During the week, three commercial flights leave the airport -- all bound for Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC. In the past decade, this airport of all airports has received $200 million in federal funds, and Murtha is credited with securing at least $150 million of that. It's been dubbed "The Airport to Nowhere".

John Murtha is definitely one of the most corrupt members of Congress, yet the people of the Johnstown area keep electing him based on his ability to bring money into the area. Nevermind that he's not creating a lot of jobs in what has been a depressed area since the coal mines shut down. He's just securing funding for already established projects that usually bear his name.

Coming from a region rich in coal and coal-mining history, I would almost think for a nanosecond that he would've voted against Cap and Trade. Then I wake up and I'm still in the nightmare known as the 12th Congressional District.