Quotation

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.

Question of the day

October 6, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Is David Clarke running for something?

Or is he just in heat for publicity?

He has delusions of grandeur, once ran an embarrassingly bad campaign for mayor of Milwaukee.

He considered running for county executive when Scott Walker was elected governor, but the Republican bosses told him it was Jeff Stone's turn, so he backed off.

Chris Abele's up in April, and doesn't have an opponent.  It's a free ride for Clarke, but a loss could really hurt his standing. 

Meanwhile, Clarke's always been a publicity hound, so he's loving the attention and happy to pick a fight every day, whether it's about the budget, guns, or illegal immigrants.  And the media just eat it up. 

It may energize the right wing base, but he sounds a lot like someone who's off his meds.  And that could be a problem.

Hey Consumer Watchdog, It's Only Ok If You Are a Republican? Get it?

October 6, 2011 by Calitics

Consumer Watchdog in Middle of Fight for Insurance Rate Regulation

by Brian Leubitz

Consumer Watchdog (CW) has more than its share of enemies.  While most normal Californians have very little idea who they are, the denizens of the Capitol are not really normal, are they? They have a pretty good idea of who they are.

They have enemies from the 2007 health care fight, where California ended up with no health care reform package, partly because the left didn't want to be complicit with Gov. Schwarzenegger's plan.  You see, fellow progressives, we are supposed to stand by while the "adults" do all the negotiating and then cheer when we get some scraps.  By adults I mean, the corporate right, the Tea Party, and the center-right Democrats.  So, you know, "serious" people.

It turns out that when CW helped out with blowing up that 2007 process, there were some hard feelings. And these things linger in Sacramento.  Of course, for Consumer Watchdog, it is hardly the first time they've pissed anybody off.

Fast forward to this year, when AB 52, health insurance rate regulation is up in the Senate. It ultimately fails, and Sen. Ed Hernandez, the chair of the Healthcare committee that ultimately passes it to the full Senate, catches some flack.  Hernandez didn't ultimately support the bill in the full Senate, or at least he has said as much.

No guns allowed where he works, but shootouts OK in other county buildings, sheriff says

October 6, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele has sensibly proposed continuing a ban on carrying concealed weapons in county buildings, a decision the county can make despite a new concealed carry law which takes effect on Nov. 1.

Guess who disagrees?

The Lone Ranger, Sheriff David Clarke, who used to oppose concealed carry and said it would put his deputies in danger. Now he thinks people need weapons to shoot the bad guys.

Clarke wants people to be able to bring weapons into county buildings -- just not the ones he works in.

The new law prohibits weapons in the courthouse, safety building,jail and Mitchell airport. So Clarke will be safe; only law enforcement personnel can pack guns where he works.

Abele -- after checking with county department heads -- says he also wants to ban weapons in county park buildings, the Mental Health Complex, the zoo, senior centers, the public museum, and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

The City of Milwaukee already has approved posting city buildings with "No weapons" signs. Abele's plan needs County Board approval. The Journal Sentinel reports: