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Van Hollen's boot-licking response to NRA: 'I'm making it as easy as I can'

October 7, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Wisconsin's attorney general, J.B. Van Hollen, sure knows how to talk tough.  The National Rifle Association criticized his department this week, saying it was drafting rules for concealed carry training that were too strict, required four hours of training and included firing a weapon. (Imagine that!)

Van Hollen's weak-kneed response:

"I'm surprised the NRA isn't grateful," Van Hollen said. "We're making it as easy as possible."

The rules don't require any hands-on practice as [the NRA's Chris] Cox believes, the attorney general said. 

So, not to worry.  You won't actually have to handle or fire a weapon in order to get a permit to carry one.  (You might be a little surprised at how much noise it makes if you ever pull the trigger.)  Presumably, the four hours of training will include information on which way to point it and which end the bullet comes out.

Second VA Energy Conference: a time to spotlight the desire for renewables

October 7, 2011 by ArticleXI

The Virginia Sierra Club recently announced its intentions to attend the second Virginia Energy Conference, held by our dirty energy-loving governor, Bob McDonnell. The conference will be held on October 17-19 and anyone in favor of clean, renewable sources of energy for VA are encouraged to attend.

For all of his promises to the contrary, Gov. McDonnell has focused his administrations attention on bolstering VA's coal, gas, oil, and nuclear commitments to the exclusion of renewables.

We can of course discuss the political cronyism that's obviously taking place, but the more important issues are the human and environmental ramifications that a continued reliance on nonrenewable sources of energy will have in VA.

First, committing to more "domestic" sources of nonrenewable energy will almost inevitably mean higher rates of diseases and illnesses related to the increased domestic production of nonrenewable energy. That is, more Virginians will become sick or die.

Secondly, Virginia's various and invaluable ecosystems will take unparalleled "shocks" that may lead to their irreversible decline.

Udall Holds Oversight Hearing on Federal Efforts to Clean Up Uranium Contamination

October 7, 2011 by Democracy for N...

U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Children’s Health and Environmental Responsibility, held an oversight hearing yesterday on the status of cleanup operations at legacy uranium mining and milling operations in New Mexico and elsewhere in the United States. Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) testified before the subcommittee about federal cleanup efforts.