Windmill Turbines for Fayette Horizon

Update

Hearing July 31

Fayette windmill dispute spurs proposal

By Liz Zemba
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, July 17, 2008

...The project was halted March 11, when the zoning board rejected PPM's request for a special exception for 24 of the turbines. PPM has appealed the board's decision in Fayette County Court, with a hearing slated for 9:30 a.m. July 31 before Judge Ralph Warman...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_578039.html

Original Post

A nod to the Tribune Review and reporter Liz Zemba for continuing to track the progress, or lack thereof, of a windmill turbine project which has been the subject of controversy from nearby property owners.

Deal Reached in Wind Turbine Dispute

A few weeks ago, during a board of county commissioners' public comment period, several citizens spoke about the project. A few supported erecting the turbines for a variety of reasons. On the other side of the issue, several citizens, wearing t-shirts which read: Trees Not Turbines, expressed concerns about noise, setbacks, potential negative impact on home prices, etc.

We covered the issue in our post:

May 23, 2008
Windmills Tilting for Fayette Land?

http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2008/05/windmills-tilting-for-fayette-land.html

It appears some negotiations are ongoing with nearby property owners who have raised concerns with some verbal agreements concerning setbacks being made before the appeal raised by the project's sponsor is settled in court.

The Herald-Standard notes a July 31st hearing to determine the status of county ability to be among the interveners.

During public comment at a May Board of Commissioners' meeting, proponents and opponents of the project spoke. Notably, information was revealed that the setback distance was double the requirements.

Those residents with concerns asked for a 1-mile setback.

Net the Truth Online

Deal reached in wind turbine dispute
By Liz Zemba
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, June 20, 2008
Two Fayette County property owners who opposed a windmill project have reached a tentative agreement with the developer that will ensure the turbines are built at least 6,000 feet away from their homes.
Eric Williams of Skyline Drive in Wharton said Thursday that he and another property owner, Larry Williams, expect to finalize the tentative deal with PPM Atlantic Renewable Energy Corp. by next week. Sam Enfield of PPM confirmed yesterday that a verbal agreement has been reached.

The two property owners, who are not related, were seeking to intervene in a lawsuit brought by PPM.

PPM wants a county judge to reverse the Fayette Zoning Hearing Board's March 11 rejection of its request for a special exception for 24 wind turbines.

The 24 windmills were among 27 that were to be installed over a 3.5-mile section of Chestnut Ridge in Wharton, Georges and Springhill townships. They would produce electricity for PPM's South Chestnut Ridge Windpower Project.
Eric Williams yesterday said that as a result of the tentative agreement with PPM, he and Larry Williams no longer need to intervene in the case. The agreement, he said, calls for PPM not to locate any of the turbines within approximately 6,000 feet of nine homes on Skyline Drive.

Without the agreement, Eric Williams said, one turbine would have been built within 3,000 feet of the homes. Eric Williams said by doubling the distance, he is satisfied the project won't devalue homes or create noise problems.

A third property owner who had sought to intervene, Thomas J. Bozek, was granted permission to do so after a hearing yesterday before Judge Ralph Warman.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_573705.html

Judge rules Bozek can be added to wind turbines suit
By Amy Zalar, Herald-Standard
06/21/2008

A Fayette County judge has ruled that a neighboring property owner will be permitted to join a lawsuit involving a plan to construct wind turbines in Springhill and Georges townships that was denied by the Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board.


During an evidential hearing Thursday, Judge Ralph Warman allowed Tom Bozek to be included in the case. The inclusion was permitted at the request of Bozek's attorney, Gary Altman.

Altman said Bozek's home is located just less than 2,000 feet from one of the proposed wind turbines and Bozek is primarily concerned about noise.

Another hearing on the case is scheduled for July 31, when the court will hear arguments about allowing the county to intervene in the case.

However, Gary Verkleeren of Iberdrola Renewables said the company is trying to reach an agreement with other neighboring property owners who are concerned about the location of a couple of the turbines.

"We are making concessions with turbine locations," Verkleeren said...

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19792102&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=468520&rfi=6

Related

Wind Energy may Save Consumers Money

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0806/17/ino.01.html

Fun with Wind Market Fund
Thursday, June 19, 2008

http://www.newenergynews.blogspot.com/?fb_page_id=21173710633&

November 2005
GOVERNOR RENDELL’S CLEAN ENERGY POLICIES MAKE PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL LEADER

http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=447702

PA Governor Announces Local Spanish Wind Energy Investments
Renewable Energy Today, Sept 28, 2004

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0OXD/is_2004_Sept_28/ai_n6214914

June 19, 2007

GOV. RENDELL DEDICATES LOCUST RIDGE WIND FARM; SAYS PROJECT ILLUSTRATES ECONOMIC GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FOR PA
WORLD-LEADING FIRMS LOCATED IN PA; INVESTING IN STATE WITH JOBS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

The wind farm is owned by Iberdrola, the largest owner and operator of renewable energy facilities in the world, and was developed by its affiliate, Community Energy Inc. Gamesa constructed the 13 turbines at the Locust Ridge Wind Farm. Both companies are international clean energy leaders that chose to establish operations in Pennsylvania as a result of the Rendell administration’s energy policies and strategic investments.

Locust Ridge will produce 68,328 megawatt hours annually—enough emission-free electricity to power more than 6,500 typical homes each year.

Pennsylvania is already a leader in wind energy production on the East Coast with 179 megawatts (MW) of capacity, including Locust Ridge. Within the next 12 months, the commonwealth expects new wind farm projects will add another 214 MW of capacity and more than double the state’s current capacity.

http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=464460

Region takes lead role in wind farms
By Rick Stouffer
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, May 28, 2006

...Spain's Gamesa, one of the four largest wind turbine manufacturers in the world, opened its North American headquarters and East Coast development offices in Philadelphia. It also is constructing four manufacturing plants, including one in Ebensburg, Cambria County, to produce turbine and windmill blades, towers and nacelle assemblies, the enclosures that house a windmill's gearbox, shafts, generator, controller and brake.

Windfarms are capital intensive, with the demand for wind power driving many small developers out of the business. For example, Goldman Sachs acquired Zielka Renewable Energy and Scottish Power's PPM Energy bought Atlantic Renewable Energy Corp. Both acquired firms were involved in the development of many of the region's windfarms.

Spain-based Iberdrola, the world's largest wind power company in terms of installed capacity, with 3,600 megawatts as of March 31, earlier this year acquired Community Energy Inc., a Wayne, Delaware County-based developer. Iberdrola's goal is to reach 10,000 megawatts of primarily wind capacity by 2011.

"One reason for the marriage with Iberdrola was the wind turbine shortage and attendant price increases for the turbines," said Brent Alderfer, Community Energy's president and chief executive. "When you work on a project-by-project basis, you can't compete for equipment."

Alderfer said Iberdrola seriously is considering taking the path of competitor Gamesa by building manufacturing plants in the U.S.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_455762.html

Barack Obama Didn't Back Out of Public Funding Promise

It was conditional upon coming to an agreement with the Republican nominee for President as explained by Keith Olbermann and Howard Fineman...

Fineman also said the grassroots contributions received by Barack Obama are public financing, directly from individuals.

Get the transcript. Good discussion of the entire situation, including how the news media has been basically paroting John McCain's charge Obama breaking a promise.

CNN's group discussing with Wolf Blitzer

Sanchez says Obama broke a promise.

Jonathan Prince... says that's wrong he didn't break a promise... it was conditional on negotiating with the Republican nominee some details

Get the transcript

Wolf Blitzer interjects... he changed his mind...

Very interesting

June 19, 2008, 8:54 am
No ‘Easy Decision’ for Obama on Public Financing
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama announced that he would become the first presidential candidate to forgo public financing of his general election campaign since the system was established three decades ago.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/06/19/no-easy-decision-for-obama-on-public-financing/

McCain attacks Obama for opting out of public financing

Sen. John McCain on Thursday accused Sen. Barack Obama of breaking a promise when the Democrat decided to forgo public financing in this fall's campaign.

Obama told supporters in an e-mail message Thursday that he would not accept about $85 million in public funds when he becomes the Democratic presidential nominee.

In the e-mail, Obama said the public campaign financing system allowed "special interests [to] drown out the voices of the American people" and asked his supporters to "declare our independence from a broken system."

McCain said that Obama's move to drop out of the system "should be disturbing to all Americans" and that he may decide to opt out, too.

"Sen. Obama's reversal on public financing is one of a number of reversals ... that he has taken," McCain said while touring flood-damaged parts of Iowa.

"This election is about a lot of things, but it's also about trust. It's also about whether you can take people's word. ... He said he would stick to his agreement. He didn't."

He said his campaign will reconsider whether to opt out as well.

"We''l have to reevaluate in light of his decision," he said. But he said he leans toward taking public money.

But Rep. Rahm Emanuel, an Obama supporter, argued that the Democrat had "more than realized the objective of public financing" by setting up a system to accept small donations over the Internet.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/19/obama.public.financing/

Posted by Rick Hasen at 08:14 AM
Sen. Obama Opts Out of Public Financing
You can find his video announcement here. The news is currently the lead story on the NYT website.

I find Senator Obama's decision completely defensible and unsurprising. The system is broken. We cannot expect opt ins by successful candidates, especially in the internet age which has greatly decreased the cost of fundraising from micro-donors.

http://electionlawblog.org/

February 21, 2008
Posted by Rick Hasen at February 21, 2008 09:39 PM
Sen. McCain in Legal and Political Pickle Over FEC Letter
Though the New York Times story about Sen. McCain's alleged improprieties with a lobbyist is dominating today's news, another story could prove equally or more important to the success of McCain's candidacy. Today's FEC decision barring McCain, at least temporarily, from withdrawing from the presidential public financing system for the primary season could affect McCain legally, by limiting his ability to spend money until the Republican party convention this summer (and even potentially subjecting McCain to fines for violating campaign finance laws), and politically, by taking the wind out of the sails of his recent attacks on Sen. Obama for suggesting Obama may back out of a pledge to take public financing for the fall campaign if his Republican challenger does. The developments look to be good news for Obama, at least in the short term.

Here's the relevant background:

http://electionlawblog.org/archives/010296.html

John Wilson post

Why Obama Is Right to Reject Public Financing
by JohnKWilson
Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 10:20:13 AM PDT

Early in 2007, Obama asked the FEC for permission to leave open the possibility of public financing in the general election, even though he made no promises. In his USA Today op-ed in February 2008 (matching the wording of his earlier promises), Obama wrote that he would "aggressively pursue such an agreement" for public funding.

But Obama explained that such an agreement would have to be carefully negotiated: "The candidates will have to commit to discouraging cheating by their supporters; to refusing fundraising help to outside groups; and to limiting their own parties to legal forms of involvement. And the agreement may have to address the amounts that Senator McCain, the presumptive nominee of his party, will spend for the general election while the Democratic primary contest continues. According to the Obama campaign, McCain’s side simply refused to take the difficult steps necessary to fulfill this condition outlined by Obama.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/19/1389/65398/560/538444

Related

Public Financing Advocacy Group Files FEC Complaint Against McCain
by Associated Press
Monday, June 9, 2008

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/09/public-financing-advocacy-group-files-fec-complaint-against-mccain/

Predicting McCain will attack Obama over public financing, CNN's Crowley did not report that McCain may be breaking the law
Summary: On CNN's American Morning, reporting on Sen. Barack Obama's decision to opt out of public financing for the general election, Candy Crowley asserted that "you can expect that [Sen. John McCain] will hit Obama on two scores: One, you went back on what you said you would do; and two, this is not how to reform Washington." But Crowley did not report that McCain may actually be breaking campaign finance law.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200806190002

Purple Dress Subliminal Michelle Obama Message?

Very interesting. Who'd have thought...

She Dresses to Win

...But it was particularly the color Michelle Obama chose Tuesday night that seemed symbolically rich, even if its message may have been so subtle as to be subliminal.

“I don’t know if that’s something they consciously thought about,” said Mr. Anthony, referring to the fact that purple is, as every schoolchild knows, created by mixing the primary colors red and blue.

Of course, political wives have always cut their clothes to suit their husband’s politics; as far back as the Harding presidency, chromatic manipulations were in play. “The color thing predates television,” said Mr. Anthony, noting the association between Warren Harding’s wife, Florence, and a pure delphinium blue she favored, a symbolism that permeated a 1920 campaign largely predicated on the sense that, as Malcolm Gladwell wrote in “Blink,” Harding was considered White House timber less on account of his qualifications than because he appeared presidential.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/fashion/08michelle.html

UN Official Wants 9/11 Explosion Investigation Criticized

Critics Demand Resignation of U.N. Official Who Wants Probe of 9/11 'Inside Job' Theories
Thursday, June 19, 2008

By Joseph Abrams
Critics are calling for the resignation of a U.N. official who publicly supports investigating theories that the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were an "inside job."

Richard Falk, the special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, investigates alleged Israeli violations of human rights law for the U.N.'s Human Rights Council.

But the former Princeton professor would also like to investigate whether "some sort of controlled explosion from within" destroyed the Twin Towers, he told FOXNews.com.

"I do think there are questions that haven't been answered, questions about the way the buildings collapsed and the failure to heed a variety of signals that there was danger coming," Falk said.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,369122,00.html

Fayette Commissioners Informed Keystone Opportunity Zones May Extend Into New Decade

Update June 21, 2008

Looks like the state House passed the HB 2297 legislation which implements an extension of KOZ on undevelopmed properties. We've warned our Fayette board of commissioners this might be coming our way again.

As a short recap.

Commissioner Vincent Vicites has taken a position publicly over the course of a few years against KOZs for property zoned for residential housing and commercial.

Newcomer, and Chairman, Vincent Zapotosky made public comments on Bob Foltz radio program during campaigning last year that he did not support KOZ for residential housing developments.

Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink has opposed tax exemptions and made a statement regarding them being unfair after a man spoke during the May 22, 2008 commissioners' business meeting that he was in support of tax breaks for the companies who were planning to build windmill turbines in the Fayette area.

We'll track further developments.

This is how the political game is played. Won't locate unless we're in a KOZ... is it another Fortune 500 Company seeking the tax exemption for 7 to 10 years?

PetSmart Inc. is eyeing the Valley View Business Park for a possible distribution center that could bring 663 jobs to the area.

A major hurdle still exists, however, as the company first wants the state to extend the Keystone Opportunity Zone designation, which gives tax incentives to relocating companies, for an additional seven years.

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19667055&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415891&rfi=6

Net the Truth Online

News from the Pennsylvania General Assembly
By The Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 05/07/2008 04:57:19 PM EDT

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A program that offers tax breaks to companies that develop former industrial sites and other blighted areas would be expanded under a bill passed by the House 126-72. The measure would allow municipalities and school districts to extend the tax abatement period for undeveloped land within existing Keystone Opportunity Zones for at least seven years. The program was established under a 1999 state law. The bill goes to the Senate. (House Bill 2297)

http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_9183471

Key Votes:
HB 2297: Expansion of the Keystone Opportunity Zone

Issues: Budget, Spending and Taxes, Business and Consumers, Housing and Property Issues
Date: 05/07/2008

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=19231&can_id=47407

This editorial aired on AM 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 22

A BILL EXTENDING KEYSTONE OPPORTUNITY ZONE & EXPANSION ZONE PROGRAMS PASSED 126-72 IN THE STATE HOUSE RECENTLY. 1 AREA STATE REP & HOUSE LEADER, WHO USED TO BE A STRONG KOZ SUPPORTER, VOTED NO TO HOUSE BILL 2297.

http://www.wmgh.com/editorial.html

pennsylvania bill 2297 keystone opportunity zones

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pennsylvania+bill+2297+keystone+opportunity+zones&btnG=Search

HB 2297 PN 3702 susp mot rules

Y MAHONEY

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/RC/Public/rc_view_action2.cfm?sess_yr=2007&sess_ind=0&rc_body=H&rc_nbr=1678


Referred to FINANCE, May 12, 2008

An Act amending the act of October 6, 1998 (P.L.705, No.92), known as the Keystone Opportunity Zone, Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone and Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone Act, providing for extension for unoccupied parcels, for additional subzones authorized, for substitution of parcels and for cap and trade; further providing for sales and use tax, for corporate net income tax, for local earned income, net profits and business privilege taxes and for local sales and use tax; and providing for recapture and for work performed...

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2007&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=2297

HOUSE PASSES OPPORTUNITY ZONE BILL
The state House recently passed a bill designed to promote more redevelopment of former industrial land in Pennsylvania communities. The bill, HB 2297, is one component of Gov. Ed Rendell's economic stimulus package. It would extend and expand the Keystone Opportunity Zone program, which allows tax abatements for redevelopment of specifically designated idle or abandoned properties. The bill also extends the abatement period for another seven years to stimulate development in existing KOZ districts...

http://www.psats.org/legislation/psatnews.htm

Update June 21, 2008

Recall state Rep. Tim Mahoney publicly agreed on Bob Foltz radio program that KOZs were unfair, not uniform according to PA Constitution, and unconstitutional..

Monday, September 10, 2007
Keystone Opportunity Zones unfair agrees state legislator Tim Mahoney

http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2007/09/keystone-opportunity-zones-unfair.html

Post May 23, 2008 by Net the Truth Online

Friday, May 23, 2008
Windmills Tilting for Fayette Land?

http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2008/05/windmills-tilting-for-fayette-land.html

Post about Special Commissioners' Meeting Discuss Explanation Budget Surplus less than expected

Post June 19, 2008 (after break from focus on local to national campaign blogging)

the board of Fayette County commissioners were informed at the public meeting May 22, 2008 that state legislation was in the works to extend and potentially expand the state's Keystone Opportunity Zone program.

Net the Truth Online blogger (namesless) approached the officials at the meeting during public comment occurring after the business meeting.

Noted were the expansion was part of Governor Ed Rendell's economic stimulus package for 2008.

Also noted was the co-sponsorship of state Rep. Peter Daley.

Mentioned was the fact of long-standing concerns and opposition to KOZs because the program treats taxpayers and residents differently, it's therefore unfair.

And not uniform according to PA Constitution and therefore unconstitutional.

Cited was the Springhill township KOZ site which years back sought a zoning change to expand a housing development project which would have included building even more than already planned houses ranging from $200,000 to $500,000.

The comments included mention that state legislators had been contacted in the past and currently, though no names were mentioned.

Noted was the fact many have stated they don't like the KOZs for housing and commercial projects.

The information was provided as a warning that an extension may be in the works and at some time in the near future an attempt be made to apply the extensions to undeveloped properties already designated KOZs.

the recommendation was for the board to be at the forefront and take the lead to prevent the extensions, especially for housing developments and commercial properties.

Windmill Project Public Input discussion Public Comment

(also see May 23, 2008 Windmills Tilting for Fayette Land?

http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2008/05/windmills-tilting-for-fayette-land.html )

the next speaker spoke about supporting windmill companies if not able to build the windmill project where the current project has determined, build it elsewhere. The citizen stated he would be in favor of tax breaks or tax exemptions for the windmill companies...

Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink responded... Everyone should be fair and equitable in regard to taxation. the state legislators come in and go out every couple of years... they should amend the PA Constitution as the tax exemption programs, any of them are in direct violation of it... doesn't make it right... she wouldn't be one who would ask to exempt a windmill company since that is not fair and equitable... have to make it up somewhere...

Speaker suggested wages be taxed.

Commissioner Zimmerlink said the county doesn't impose a wage tax...

Dan V... spoke in favor of the windmill project... environmental... energy production...

(John Joseph) windmills like landowners rights... taking rights away from landowners... not allowing the windmill...

Zimmerlink asked how is she taking rights away...

Joseph says we're talking about windmill project and setting precedents... and she spoke about setting precendents in other matter... he is of the belief the zoning board set precedents...

Zimmerlink said she was involved only in the lawsuit to make sure the zoning board didn't overstep bounds...

Vicites asked what about the impact what about those living within a few thousand feet of the windmills... what about the impact on them...

Josephs... doesn't see an impact the setbacks were double or triple what they should be so that precaution has been taken... these setbacks were set by county... if those were followed what's the impact... sees economic development and postitive for landowner to get something back from investment...

Commissioner Vicites again questioned the impact on others and said any who wanted to intevene should have made comments during the zoning hearing board hearing, before... not after the fact...

Zimmerlink supportive of individual property rights why said about taxing needs to be fair and equitable and any person should do what they want with their property as long as it doesn't negatively effect the health and well-being of others... not comfortable the zoning hearing board heard all aspects... that's why the intervention measure by two board members (Zapotosky and Zimmerlink)

Gary Williams not closed to project as a whole this can go forward ... everyone can benefit... wonderful pr opportunity for county... how taking step forward if allow something to be built so close to their homes that they are going to move out of the area... doesn't think these should be built so close to houses... don't want to sell... but forced to because these built so close... if zoning has to be changed... if it is changed and allows it change it for both of us... protect people who have to live near this... consider the setbacks of a few of these select turbines... thinks it can go forward.

Unidentified... opponent... 21 homes being built 2 are on hold... if we could get 7900 feet he'd be for this... PPM says only 100 decibals... like a swoosh, but what if it's a bang that doesn't sound so nice... mentioned bats there was testimony about bats... property values will go down... making that much noise that close to you... one of properties owns back taxes $8,000... a bad deal... turns over material... filed intervention too... just wants to save his own property if it's built 7900 feet from those few homes, he'd have no objections... says another state will get the electricity... run that wire from a house to the windmill...

Stoffler... opposed not against all of them one Turbine number 3 going to be in back of our yards... already as a transmission line ... if could move or relocte number three be satisfied... he gets no break on county taxes... just want number 3 moved and most of us will be satisfied... only one located near a good bunch of houses... plans open a B & B, spent income and life there... if had the bed and breakfast and a noisy wind turbine nearby would you sleep there... just get it moved...

woman... opposed had road paved concerns with trucks and people traveling that road and seeing how long it would take for state to cover cost of fixing road... restrictions on it... and should not have to use main road... safety issue for 9 homes come through constantly... not quiet any longer

Net the Truth Online

Related

Commissioners Meetings Minutes

http://www.co.fayette.pa.us/fayette/cwp/view.asp?a=2269&q=516995

Monday, March 24, 2008
Full State Legislative Record Ignored in Article

http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2008/03/full-state-legislative-record-ignored.html

Friday, March 14, 2008
PA: Keystone Opportunity Zones Expansion Sought as Expected

http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/search?q=keystone+opportunity+zones+peter+daley

Prevailing wage requirement defeats purpose of Keystone Opportunity Zones

Thursday, May 8, 2008
HARRISBURG, PA – The incentives available to businesses that locate within a Keystone Opportunity Zone would be diminished if prevailing wage requirements remain in legislation (H.B. 2297) that would expand the program, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry said today.

"Expansion of prevailing wage would undermine the very purpose of Keystone Opportunity Zones, which is to encourage economic activity in underserved regions of the Commonwealth," said Gene Barr, PA Chamber vice president of government and public affairs.

Pennsylvania's Keystone Opportunity Zone program was enacted in 1998, with additional zones created in 2001, 2003 and 2004. The zones offer property owners, residents and businesses greatly reduced or no tax burden for a period of 10 years.

With the first of the zones set to expire this year, the General Assembly is looking to extend the program. On Tuesday, May 6, the House adopted an amendment on second consideration that would require all future public works projects undertaken within a KOZ be subject to the prevailing wage. The House passed the bill, with the prevailing wage amendment, on Wednesday, May 7.

Prevailing wage rates can add up to 30 percent to the cost of school district and municipal capital projects. Barr said similar cost add-ons could be expected for projects undertaken within opportunity zones.

http://www.pachamber.com/www/news/2008/08_prev_wage_opp_zones.php

Prison Coming Around Again

Beware new prison for Fayette area still in the works

We thought this died down over 4-years ago when different approaches were proposed, including alternative programs. Obviously not. How quickly public officials forget the cost projections. Some $34 million! That's right. Let's see if another bond issue is proposed once the surplus is in part, reserved, for just such purposes.

Net the Truth Online

During the business meeting of the Fayette board of commissioners for May 22, 2008, a citizen made public comment on agenda items (how to spend the surplus, or not)about the need for a new county prison. Inevitable, said the citizen, this would cost, but it's necessary...

Board members responded, with Commissioner Zimmerlink saying this was something under consideration for years and the cost was discussed back at that time.

Alternative programs were also mentioned by Commissioner Vicites. Vicites said he favors a step-by-step approach, phasing in the project a bit at a time. He said the alternative incarceration programs had been effective and the population over time was reduced...

The board tabled the item to discuss/distribute surplus... without explanation. News reports of the next day and a followup special meeting explained what happened.

Related

2002

New Fayette Jail: Do it right the first time
Saturday, January 19, 2002

There's no question that Fayette County needs a new prison.
The average daily population in the century-old current jail continues to increase sharply (up 28 percent to 221 inmates in 2001).

Considering the building is only meant to safely house 180 inmates, the county jail is a disaster waiting to happen.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier/editorial/s_12833.html

Charge Obama Return Pre-911 Mentality Ignores Bush Negligence

While there is tremendous merit to the position there was an existing mentality to treat 1993 World Trade Center bombing "terrorists" as a law enforcement matter, and that was and remains a mistake, just read Laurie Milroie's works, the charge against Barack Obama by John McCain, James Woolsey, and Rudy Giuliani and others "Obama is naive" for his comments about how the 1993 WTC bombing was handled ignores George W. Bush pre-September 11, 2001 intelligence information pertaining to bin Laden and potential to hijack airplanes as later reported Bush was aware of before September 11, 2001.

We're still unsure of exactly when Bush received the report. some reports say August 6th at his Texas Ranch.

And we're still not informed whether the Pentagon had planned mock attacks on September 11, 2001 or thereabouts, using explosives...

By the way, the report was entitled:

Bin Laden determined to attack inside the U.S.

White House releases bin Laden memo
Presidential briefing was at center of Rice's testimony
Wednesday, May 19, 2004 Posted: 12:22 AM EDT (0422 GMT)

(CNN) -- The White House declassified and released Saturday the daily intelligence briefing delivered to President Bush a month before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The declassified intelligence report said the FBI had detected "patterns of suspicious activity in this country consistent with preparations for hijackings."

The names of countries that supplied the CIA with intelligence have been removed from the memo dealing with Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network and dated August 6, 2001.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/10/bush.briefing/

April 12, 2004, 2:45pm EDT
REPORT WARNED OF POSSIBLE AL-QAIDA ATTACKS IN UNITED STATES

An intelligence document submitted to President Bush on Aug. 6, 2001 warned that al-Qaida terrorists already living in the United States could be planning airplane hijackings or the targeting of buildings with explosives, possibly in New York and Washington.

Online NewsHour Special Report:
Investigating 9/11

The White House declassified the document at the request of the 9/11 commission, which was established by Congress to investigate the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks that killed some 3,000 people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

The document, reportedly prepared by a CIA analyst, was entitled "Bin Laden Determined To Strike in U.S."

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/pdb_04-12-04.html.html

How did President George W. Bush handle that information. He didn't.

Nobody ever held George W. Bush accountable for potentially suppressing knowledge of the report and its contents. Bush was never held accountable by the 9/11 Commission on his inaction after receiving the report. Why not?

Happened to turn on Morning Joe even though Scarborough has returned. He's sort of participating in the interview of Ron Paul. (Paul suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination for president)

But it's Mika who presses.

Ron Paul on MSNBC asked about how to treat the terrorists as enemy combatants in the court system or military tribunals?

Paul responds ...Why are we going into all of these countries... things are much worse than they've ever been... no improvement whatsoever... before September 11 we were spending $40 billion a year and we IGNORED ALL THE EVIDENCE...

... it isn't a country... al Qaeda is bigger than ever before... we've incited the Arab countries...

What do we do with the terrorists now ask Mika it seems to try them in regular court isn't the way to go...

Paul responds ...conditioned by the media... all are suspects... we put them in secret places... if have a reason hold them that's one thing... but why do we have secret prisons all around the world... violating the principles our FF put into our Constitution...

Exactly. That's the danger. The secrecy. The naming of anybody at any time for an unknown public reason - that is the danger - to all of our freedoms.

Paul understands that. Not only is the secrecy a danger to all of our freedoms, out-of-the sunlight of the public's focus, even if the public is represented by media, who is to say that evidence is not 'manufactured' against the detainees or enemy combatants.


Susan Rice talking on CNN

Get the transcript.

Advisor to McCain Campaign says Obama should be asked about habeas corpus and bin Laden...

Rice... McCaion in 2003 said people in Gitmo should be charged or released.

Rice to deal with bin Laden if he is captured that would have to be military or judicial process that is how we put people away or use the death penalty...

Net the Truth Online

TRANSCRIPT: Jake Tapper Interviews Barack Obama
Presumptive Democratic Nominee on Gay Marriage, Education & the General Election

page 2

TAPPER: Speaking of the Supreme Court, you applauded the decision that the Supreme Court made last week. The Bush administration says, no matter what people think about other programs, other policies they've initiated, there has not been a terrorist attack within the U.S. since 9/11. And they say the reason that is, is because of the domestic programs, many of which you opposed, the NSA surveillance program, Guantanamo Bay, and other programs.

How do you know that they're wrong? It's not possible that they're right?

OBAMA: Well, keep in mind I haven't opposed, for example, the national security surveillance program, the NSA program. What I've said that we can do it within the constraints of our civil liberties and our Constitution.

page 3

OBAMA: Well, but the fact that they disagree does not mean that they're right on this. What it means is, is that they have been willing to skirt basic protections that are in our Constitution, that our founders put in place.

And it is my firm belief that we can track terrorists, we can crack down on threats against the United States, but we can do so within the constraints of our Constitution. And there has been no evidence on their part that we can't.

And, you know, let's take the example of Guantanamo. What we know is that, in previous terrorist attacks -- for example, the first attack against the World Trade Center, we were able to arrest those responsible, put them on trial. They are currently in U.S. prisons, incapacitated.

And the fact that the administration has not tried to do that has created a situation where not only have we never actually put many of these folks on trial, but we have destroyed our credibility when it comes to rule of law all around the world, and given a huge boost to terrorist recruitment in countries that say, "Look, this is how the United States treats Muslims."

So that, I think, is an example of something that was unnecessary. We could have done the exact same thing, but done it in a way that was consistent with our laws.

CNN Transcript Susan Rice interview


Laurie Milroie

January 23, 2004, 8:38 a.m.
Mishandling Terrorism
The law-enforcement mistake.
By Laurie Mylroie

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/mylroie200401230838.asp

TRANSCRIPT: Jake Tapper Interviews Barack Obama
Presumptive Democratic Nominee on Gay Marriage, Education & the General Election
June 16, 2008

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Politics/story?id=5178123&page=1

McCain Camp Hits Obama for Terrorism Remarks
Praise of 1993 World Trade Center Bombers Prosecution 'Naïve' and 'Dangerous,' Campaign Says
By JAKE TAPPER
TAYLOR, MICH., June 17, 2008

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5184811&page=1

ABC News video

Obama Defends Gitmo Decision
Senator says detainees could have been put on trial like after first WTC attack.
06/17/2008

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5184225

Related

From the Fact Check Desk: Obama's Army Anecdote
February 22, 2008 1:33 PM


http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/from-the-fact-3.html

Is Obama Anti-Smear Site Right on Denial Raised Muslim?

Lie:
Barack Obama is a Muslim.

Truth:
Senator Obama has never been a Muslim, was not raised as a Muslim, and is a committed Christian.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/christian

The Israel Insider site informs its readers otherwise.

Linked from World Net Daily with the front page Introduction:

Obama's half-brother: Barack grew up Muslim
Kenyan sibling contradicts campaign's claim about Islamic background
--Israel Insider

the Israel Insider article references and links a Jerusalem Post report which quotes a half-brother, Malik Obama...

The Jerusalem Post titles its spot:

Jun 12, 2008 12:15
Malik Obama says his brother will be good president for the Jews

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1212659716936&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

The Israel Insider front page entitles its piece Malik Obama confirms his half-brother Barack grew up a Muslim and introduces its article as

Barack's Kenyan kin takes as a given that his half-brother was brought up Muslim but still thinks President Obama will be good for the Jews.

http://www.israelinsider.com/

But we find the line crediting Obama's half brother Malik with confirming Obama was "raised" Muslim raises more questions about the article's headline and its contents and confirms nothing specifically about Obama being raised a Muslim.

Note the difference:

Israel Insider: Jerusalem Post reports

As the Jerusalem Post reports, "Barack Obama's half brother Malik said Thursday that if elected his brother will be a good president for the Jewish people, despite his Muslim background. In an interview with Army Radio he expressed a special salutation from the Obamas of Kenya."

Headline

Malik Obama confirms his half-brother Barack grew up a Muslim
By Israel Insider staff June 13, 2008

http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Politics/12918.htm

In the Israel Insider piece, the quote referenced does not contain any "confirmation" Obama was raised a Muslim. The Jerusalem Post quote as referenced states Malik (Barack Obama's half brother) said "that if elected his brother will be a good president for the Jewish people, despite his Muslim background..."

Key words are "despite his Muslim background."

That's quite a stretch to Obama was raised a Muslim, which obviously, Obama's half-brother, at least in the quote referenced, does not state.

Having a Muslim background has been admitted. Obama emphatically denies being raised a Muslim on the new anti-rumor website, Fight the Smears and elsewhere.

World Net Daily follows its headliner with a poll question and two "exclusives."

WND POLL
Are you now or have you ever been ...
If it turns out Obama really was raised a Muslim, would it make a difference to you?
--WND

WorldNetDaily Exclusive
Obama anti-smear site: 'He was never a Muslim'
But contemporaries, records indicate candidate once 'quite religious in Islam'

Posted: June 12, 2008
10:50 pm Eastern
By Aaron Klein
© 2008 WorldNetDaily

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=66981


WorldNetDaily Exclusive
TV ad questions Obama's statements on faith
'Whether he was Muslim not as important as whether he's telling truth'
--WND

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/

We won't be surprised when Sean Hannity of Hannity and Colmes graps the headlines from World Net Daily and the Israel Insider and devotes an entire radio hour and program special to the topic without rebuttal directly from the Obama campaign site, or blogs such as ours which attempt to dissect everything down to its roots to reveal the truth.

Bloggers are already discussing the headline and quote as being factual, when nothing in the quote attributed to Barack Obama's half-brother confirms Obama was raised a Muslim. A photograph of Barack Obama appearing as an older man in obviously Muslim clothing has surfaced and been circulated for months.

A Hillary Clinton Forum picked up on the headline

http://www.hillaryclintonforum.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=16742

If one reads the Israel Insider piece more thoroughly, in fact, it notes Malik Obama didn't meet his half-brother Barack Obama until 1985, a few years after Obama's father was killed in an car accident.

The Obama brothers' father, a senior economist for the Kenyan government who studied at Harvard University, died in car crash in 1982. He left six sons and a daughter. All of his children - except Malik -- live in Britain or the United States. Malik and Barack met in 1985.

http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Politics/12918.htm

So that bit of info brings up the question how could Malik Obama have any direct knowledge of how Barack Obama was raised when Malik was not raised apparently with Barack during the formative years of childhood?

Our ruling

the statement malik obama confirms his half brother grew up muslim and variations on it appearing in search terms

is debunked

this is the find that comes up - it's a one-liner comment made by Malik Obama during a radio interview and the headline from the Jerusalem Post is quite different than that of the Israel Informer and World Net Daily and other blogs

Malik Obama says his brother will be good president for the Jews

Jun. 12, 2008
JPost.com Staff , THE JERUSALEM POST
Barack Obama's half brother Malik said Thursday that if elected his brother will be a good president for the Jewish people, despite his Muslim background.

In an interview with Army Radio he expressed a special salutation from the Obamas of Kenya.

This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com /servlet/Satellite?cid=1212659716936&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1212659716936&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter

Further

Infolive.tv

Malik Obama says his brother will be good president for the Jews
Barack Obama's half brother Malik said Thursday that if elected his brother will be a good president for the Jewish people, despite his Muslim background. In an interview with Army Radio he expressed a special salutation from the Obamas of Kenya.


http://www.infolive.tv/en/infolive.tv-23891-israelnews-malik-obama-says-his-brother-will-be-good-president-jews

Net the Truth Online

Related

AMERICAN MORNING

Epic Flooding in Iowa: Cedar Rapids Under Water; Obama Fights Rumors with New Web Site; How Floodwaters Impact Food Prices; Gas Prices Hitting New Record Overnight; Los Angeles Has New Plans to Solve Drinking Water Shortage; Saving on Food and Fuel by Eating Some Home Cooking
Aired June 13, 2008 - 06:00 ET

Barack Obama dogged by persistent rumors on things like his patriotism and religion. Many claims peppered on the Internet now. So Obama is using cyberspace to fight back. Suzanne Malveaux has more -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN White House CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Kyra, John. Obama has been burned in the past. During the primary season, rumors continue to dog him questioning his patriotism, his faith, sincerity. Well, now, he's trying to reintroduce himself to voters across the country in the general election. So he's not letting false claims spread over the Internet go unanswered.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX (voice-over): Barack Obama has had enough while he's been dogged by rumors over the Internet for months. It was the claim that his wife Michelle was on videotape in church referring to someone as whitey that propelled his campaign to fight back.

His new Web site, www.fightthesmears.com takes on that rumor first. It cites conservative Republican blogs and talk show host Rush Limbaugh as the sources behind the smear.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RUSH LIMBAUGH, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: They're waiting to use it in October -- of Michelle going nuts in the church, too, talking about whitey this and whitey that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: The Web site counters, the truth is no such tape exists. The rumor hit Obama directly last week when a newspaper reporter confronted him with it.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESUMPTIVE PRES. NOMINEE: There is dirt and lies that are circulated in e-mail, and they pump them out long enough until finally you, a mainstream reporter, asks me about them, and then that gives legs to the story.

MALVEAUX: Another story Obama confronted is the claim he attended a radical Muslim school.

OBAMA: This is the same kind of nonsense that we started with the madrassas, in which CNN had to fly to Jakarta to disprove it.

MALVEAUX: Obama's Web site actually has a link to CNN's report which debunks the false rumor.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, FIGHTTHESMEARS.COM)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The deputy headmaster tells me he's unaware that his school has been labeled an Islamic madrassa by some in the United States and bristles at the thought.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Obama's Web site states he is not a Muslim but a Christian. A photo shows he was sworn into the U.S. Senate with his hand on a family bible, not the Koran. And there is video showing him leading the pledge of allegiance debunking the rumor he refuses to do so. The persistent false claims have been frustrating.

OBAMA: Simply because something appears in the e-mail, that should lend it no more credence than if you heard it on the corner.

MALVEAUX: Conventional wisdom has been for candidates to ignore the buzz and hope that the vitriol goes away.

ALEX WELLEN, CNNPOLITICS.COM, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR: At the lightning speed at which rumors are being spread, it's wise for a lot of these campaigns and they're learning this, to respond in a way that kind of debunks the information quickly.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Obama's campaign aides tell me that the best antidote to a smear campaign is the truth, and it's the campaign's responsibility to make sure the most accurate information about Obama is actually out there. And the Web site also encourages supporters to fight these false claims by sending mass e-mails discrediting the Internet buzz -- John, Kyra.

ROBERTS: Suzanne Malveaux for us this morning. Suzanne, thanks.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0806/13/ltm.01.html

$28 per 3 month cycle savings gas tax holiday

Guest on MSNBC this morning Robert Gibbs noted to Mike Barnacle contrary to the belief the gas tax holiday would be an effective savings to consumers, the holiday as proposed by candidate John McCain would be about $28 per 3-month summer cycle.

Barnacle had started to claim the savings would be $30 per month, but Gibbs quickly set him straight.

Net the Truth Online

NYT: Sexism Hurt Hillary Clinton (We Believe?)

Sure it did. The New York Times quotes so. Don't they? It must be true. (Well they don't appear to name any names of those making the claim Sexism was used by the media to diminish Hillary Clinton other than implying Katie Couric is at odds with the refutation of the claim by the Clinton supporters!

They refer to a comment by Candy Crowley, but the comment appears to be two-sided.

The NYT's article begins:

Angered by what they consider sexist news coverage of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, many women and erstwhile Clinton supporters are proposing boycotts of the cable networks, putting up videos on a “Media Hall of Shame,” starting a national conversation about sexism and pushing Mrs. Clinton’s rival, Senator Barack Obama, to address the matter.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/us/politics/13women.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp&adxnnlx=1213355531-LSV1jW2dxawbqQif/QpcAQ

MSNBC is discussing the NYT's article. Mika is hosting with Mike Barnacle who she says is mentioned in the NYT's article. She calls Barnacle, Barnacle, and some have said that's sexist. (We think that's Mika being her witty self)

Clinton did not lose this because of sexism. If she was treated differently it was because her last name is Clinton, not because her first is Hillary. (Chuck Todd)

Our sentiments exactly and so well expressed by Chuck Todd.

Crowley comment:

Media and Critics Split Over Sexism in Clinton Coverage

...Candy Crowley, covering the campaign for CNN, said that for the most part, she did not see a drumbeat of sexism in the daily reporting, “but I certainly did see it in the commentary.” Still, Ms. Crowley said, “it was hard to know if these attacks were being made because she was a woman or because she was this woman or because, for a long time, she was the front-runner.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/us/politics/13women.html?hp

The NYT's article continues with a refutation of the Clinton supporters' cricitism of sexism by network media.

But many in the news media — with a few exceptions, including Katie Couric, the anchor of the “CBS Evening News” — see little need for reconsidering their coverage or changing their approach going forward. Rather, they say, as the Clinton campaign fell behind, it exploited a few glaring examples of sexist coverage to whip up a backlash and to try to create momentum for Mrs. Clinton.

“I get it, that in this 24-hour media world, you’ve got to be on your game and there’s very little room for mistakes,” Mr. Griffin said. “But the Clinton campaign saw an opportunity to use it for their advantage. They were trying to rally a certain demographic, and women were behind it.”

His views were echoed by other news media figures. “She got some tough coverage at times, but she brought that on herself, whether it was the Bosnian snipers or not conceding on the night of the final primaries,” said Rem Rieder, editor of American Journalism Review. “She had a long track record in public life as a serious person and a tough politician, and she was covered that way.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/us/politics/13women.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1213355531-LSV1jW2dxawbqQif/QpcAQ

Couric's published comments entitled



Uh well, they didn't quote a thing we called her...

Net the Truth Online

Part 2

Fortunately, for us, Joe Scarborough is absent from the program named for him, Morning Joe. For one month he wasn't around, awaiting the birth of a child. Then late last week he was back on in the morning talking about whatever with Mika and the crew. We switched. Can't take Scarborough since he is a total hypocrite.

He had the opportunity to really do dynamite interviews with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama face to face May 5th. See our coverage of the interview that wasn't.

He didn't say a word when Clinton spoke about the gas tax holiday and said nothing about her interview with Bill O'Reilly previously wherein she invoked the tax climate of the 40s, 50s, and 60s which she said she would employ - some 70 percent on somebody, and she continued to promote determining the amount of profits she calls windfall profits oil companies should be able to make. She'd freeze the profits basically to her idea of what's fair and tax the rest!

If that's not socialism, what is? Yet Scarborough said nothing about socialism while he had either Clinton or Obama face to face.

So when Joe Scarborough is on MSNBC, we simply will not watch.

He probably agrees with the NYTs that Hillary Clinton suffered sexism during her campaign by media people.

Wonder what O'Reilly will say tonight. He's probably crowing about the NYTs outing the sexism by all others but him and Fox News. Another anchor we haven't watched at all after his so-called interview with Hillary Clinton. He pressed somewhat when Clinton made the gas tax holiday - windfall profits comment - but then like a hot potato, he dropped the subject and went on to something else - he spent several minutes on trying to get Hillary to make a comment on Obama's former pastor Rev. Wright, rather than hone in on her gas tax holiday socialism views.

Part 3

Back to Mika and company on MSNBC, they're going to discuss the NYTs article further.

Mika interviewing guest Gail Collins (NYT)

Most mentioned are visiting commentators...

Mika quotes the Barnacle quote

"looking like everyone's first wife standing at probabe court"

Barncacle... should we have a national discussion... maybe... to imply principle reason Clinton's campaign ran aground is ludicrosu... if my remark was sexist you determine... if some statements are stupid... wallpaper with those...

Collins... those women, economic distressed, husbands left them... they are probably the women, the first wives, standing at probate court... the women's situation as a rights' movement not considered like civil rights movement...

Say what? Oh my goodness, how far is Collins willing to go to prove her own points?

We heard Tucker Carlson make the comment attributed to him in the NYT's article, but did not take what he said as sexist, it was the reverse, critiquing Clinton just like he would anybody else evidencing a certain pattern of behavior. Is she not up to the same treatment? That was the question, nobody asked.

None of this is to deny sexism exists and sexist men exist in this day and age. And yes, we should have a national dialogue.

But not a dialogue that rests on Hillary Clinton's charges of sexism against her in her campaign.

While we could perceive Tucker Carlson's comment implying Hillary Clinton is so shrill against men she virtually castrates them, we're sure of one thing. Hillary Clinton will use every avenue, every trick, including psychological warfare for her own political gain.

That she has is the reason Carlson's comment should be perceived as accurate when applied to Hillary Clinton.

Clinton will go the distance, how ever far that is, to make it appear men like Carlson are just saying these things about her in the way they have because they are men.

The fact is men are saying the same thing many women who didn't support Hillary Clinton are saying - it's because Hillary is Hillary we didn't vote for "her."

Clinton should be proud both men and women can say that. But she'd rather use any opportunity to further her own personal cause.

Net the Truth Online

Critics and News Executives Split Over Sexism in Clinton Coverage
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE and JULIE BOSMAN
Published: June 13, 2008


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/us/politics/13women.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1213355531-LSV1jW2dxawbqQif/QpcAQ

Olbermann Hits 'Worst Person' Katie Couric for Charging Anti-Hillary Bias
By Brad Wilmouth | June 12, 2008 - 06:06 ET

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brad-wilmouth/2008/06/12/olbermann-hits-worst-person-katie-couric-charging-anti-hillary-bias

All-male Morning Joe panel laughed as Barnicle compared Clinton to “everyone’s first wife standing outside a probate court”

Discussing the most recent Democratic presidential candidates debate on Morning Joe, political and social commentator Mike Barnicle said Sen. Hillary Clinton “look[ed] like everyone’s first wife standing outside a probate court,” eliciting laughter from the all-male panel that featured MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, Willie Geist, and David Shuster.

http://mamimagazine.com/wordpress/?p=693

Tucker Carlson on Clinton: “[W]hen she comes on television, I involuntarily cross my legs”
On the July 16 edition of MSNBC’s Tucker, discussing presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), producer Willie Geist described a Clinton doll being advertised at the website HillaryNutcracker.com that features “serrated stainless steel thighs that, well, crack nuts,” according to Geist. He later asked, “What do you think they’re saying about Hillary?” Host Tucker Carlson replied, “I have often said, when she comes on television, I involuntarily cross my legs.”

Tucker on Sen. Clinton: “[T]here’s just something about her that feels castrating, overbearing, and scary”


On the March 20 edition of MSNBC’s Tucker, host Tucker Carlson noted that a 1984-inspired attack ad posted on YouTube.com characterizes Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) “as an Orwellian Big Sister” and proceeded to endorse this depiction of Clinton, saying, “But there’s just something about her that feels castrating, overbearing, and scary.” Carlson maintained: “I mean, you’ve gotta admit, when you watch that, it does get right to heart of people’s instinctive problems with Hillary, which don’t have to do with policy.” Carlson further noted that the ad “seems to be the work of one person with a computer who doesn’t like Hillary or, in any case, perceives the truth about her.”

http://mamimagazine.com/wordpress/?p=693

Ron Paul Suspending Campaign

Lou Dobbs noted Republican candidate Ron Paul has suspended his campaign for the nomination as of today an announcement will be made...

Net the Truth Online

Ron Paul Ends His Campaign - for Real This Time

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/12/ron_paul_ends_his_campaign_-_f.html

Forms New Org

"Texas Rep. Ron Paul announced Thursday he is suspending his bid for the Republican presidential nomination to focus his time on building an organization to help recruit and elect 'limited government Republicans. Paul's decision to leave the race is an acknowledgment he had no chance of winning the GOP nomination...

http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?no_d2=1&sid=08/06/12/2250202

Jim Webb Style

For info and discussion - Webb's argument

Jim Webb: Women Can't Fight
Share | Print By James Webb

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/2182.html

Perot Charge McCain Suppressed Evidence Vietnam POWs Left Behind Resurfaces

Jonathan AlterWhen Ross Perot Calls…
The former presidential candidate blasts John McCain, and gets an education about Barack Obama's religion.

Jan 16, 2008 | Updated: 9:25 p.m. ET Jan 16, 2008

...Perot's real problem with McCain is that he believes the senator hushed up evidence that live POWs were left behind in Vietnam and even transferred to the Soviet Union for human experimentation, a charge Perot says he heard from a senior Vietnamese official in the 1980s. "There's evidence, evidence, evidence," Perot claims. "McCain was adamant about shutting down anything to do with recovering POWs."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/94827

John McCain shrugs off Ross Perot's comments on POWs

05:08 PM CST on Friday, January 18, 2008
By TODD GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News
tgillman@dallasnews.com

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — John McCain on Friday shrugged off an attack from Dallas billionaire and former presidential candidate H. Ross Perot, who has long maintained that Mr. McCain ignored the ongoing captivity of Americans held prisoner by North Vietnam.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/011908dnmetmccain.35725f1f.html

Friday, January 18, 2008
Former POW's Letter to Newsweek

http://susankatzkeating.blogspot.com/2008/01/former-pow-responds-to-perot.html

John McCain Opposed the Truth Accountability Bill(HR 3603) that House passed 401 to 0
Award Winning Documentary Shows Allegations Of McCain's Efforts To Block POW Investigations, Reports KST Communications

"Everything it says is the truth." - Ross Perot (Feb. 2004)

"Missing, Presumed Dead" was supported by several POW/MIA organizations who cite John McCain as one of the biggest obstacles in resolving the abandonment of America's POW/MIAs. Go to http://www.missingpresumeddead.com to learn more.

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=117118

Bring Forgotten POWs Home
NewsMax.com ^ | May 29, 2007 | John LeBoutillier

Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 11:36:36 AM by kellynla

Today Newsmax begins a true public service by doing something the so-called mainstream media will not do: informing you about the worst act of U.S. government malfeasance in American history.

And that is the deliberate abandonment of 700 US POWs in Vietnam and Laos back in 1973 — and the continued cover-up of the existence of these men.

It is the duty of all Americans to demand that our government right this wrong and — no matter the cost or embarrassment or damage to some political careers — do whatever it takes to make a deal to bring these men home while they still have a breath of life in them.

The book is titled "An Enormous Crime; The Definitive Account of American POWs Abandoned in Southeast Asia," written by former Rep. Bill Hendon and Beth Stewart, published by St. Martin's Press.

Among the many new revelations in An Enormous Crime:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1841430/posts

Where's the McCain Girls' Eye Twitch Ad

Has to come next. will Moveon.org start the battle?

Newsbusters, obviously conservative, frowns on the orgs' most recent...

Net the Truth Online

Actor John Cusack Does Anti-McCain Ad For MoveOn.org

By Noel Sheppard | June 12, 2008

John McCain Eye Twitcher Singer Bomb Bomb Bomb Iraq

Look at it this way, the man has an eye twitch, if you'll look closely when he's speaking or even greeting people in a line - it's his left eye, and it isn't simply blinking away sweat - it's a tic or a twitch.

Now he's 72 years old, and maybe this happens, but can we afford the twitching to happen when John McCain is seated across the table from a leader of another country, negotiating something, or discussing whatever?

Imagine McCain back bent though he's trying to sit up straight, and his face begins to twitch, twitch, twitch while he's speaking forcefully.

Right, we believe that twitch doesn't mean anything.

Just like we believe the pundits and experts discussing politics and stating "age doesn't matter."

Age does matter.

Age matters when coupled with mannerisms that mean something - stress, ill health, and worse, the mannerisms are apparently uncontrollable.

Just the image we need to have presented on our behalf. The President can't control his eye-twitching but we expect him to take control of any situation even at 3 a.m. in the morning.

Age does matter. coupled with McCain's recent and continuing flubs regarding Shiite and Sunni, having to be corrected by sidekick Joe Lieberman, you bet age matters.

He doesn't recall correctly Shiite and Sunni, what else will he unconsciously misstate. He didn't even realize he'd made a mistake until Joe Lieberman sets him straight.

Now he's seated across from whomever and his eye twitches all the while one of his advisor's say Joe Lieberman whispers in his ear, uhoh, John, it's this way, not what you're saying.

Hear the laughter.

Worse, he thought his bomb, bomb, bomb Iraq refrain was a decent joke. Decent, one that he could actually say, and repeat the word more than once.

Nobody laughed and he thought everybody would just forget, like he has.

Is this the leader of the free world anybody wants to see engaged in negotiations with anybody?

The General Election will be over before it arrives the instant a 507 group or MoveOn.org creates a 3 a.m. ad featuring John McCain taking a teleconference call before he gets his face made up and his eye twitches uncontrollably.

Net the Truth Online

Tells

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/9/102357/9500/219/532699

894th out of 899!

After the last eight years of entitled stupidity and stupendous incompetence by a likable but belligerent, stubborn legacy with major father issues, can we afford another 40 watt light bulb flickering dimly in the Oval Office? Do any of us really want to live in a country where our president--the leader of the free world--finished 894th out of 899 in anything having to do with rankings of brain power or performance?

http://www.236.com/blog/w/alec_sokolow/middie_mccain_more_moron_than_5544.php

Obama rebuts rumors on new Web site

By Brian Knowlton Published: June 12, 2008

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/12/america/campaign.php

Will Obama's Anti-Rumor Plan Work?
Thursday, Jun. 12, 2008 By KAREN TUMULTY/WASHINGTON

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1813663,00.html

Obama Anti-Rumor website

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesmearshome/

Headlined on 3/24/08:
New Anti-Obama Smears in Tabloids Owned by Staunch Clintonista

by Skeeter Sanders

It turns out that American Media Inc., the parent company of the Enquirer, Globe and the Examiner, is, in turn, controlled by Evercore Partners, whose founder, chairman, co-CEO and principal owner is Roger Altman, a prominent New York investment banker.

Altman is also a former deputy treasury secretary in the administration of President Bill Clinton -- and a key economic advisor of Hillary Clinton's campaign for the White House.

Enquirer Claims Obama Behind Murder of Gay Choir Director of His Church

The Enquirer, in dramatic fashion, published a story in its March 17 issue claiming that Obama may have had something to do with the murder last December of Donald Young, the choir director at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, to which Obama has been a member for more than 20 years.

Yes, it's the same church whose former pastor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, made headlines with his inflammatory sermons -- a controversy that threatened to derail Obama's campaign and forced the Illinois senator to confront the race issue head-on in a powerful speech last Tuesday that evoked memories of John F. Kennedy's 1960 speech on the controversy over his Roman Catholic faith.

The 47-year-old Young was found dead in his South Side apartment two days before Christmas, the victim of multiple gunshot wounds. A spokesperson for the Cook County medical examiner's office would say only that Young's death was ruled a homicide and that Chicago police were investigating the incident.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_skeeter__080323_new_anti_obama_smear.htm

Governator Keeps High Sugar Content Fruit Juice in Schools

This post was inspired by reading

The woes of the Internet by Tadd Mercer

clip

...Governor Arnold Swarchenegger made it illegal to allow your kids to be overweight. Though I can’t find any articles to support that (sorry!) there are laws in California against selling sugary foods and drinks to k-12 in public schools and only serve health foods...

http://www.taddmencer.com/2008/05/28/the-woes-of-the-internet/

09/15/2005 GAAS:432:05 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Landmark Legislation to Combat Childhood Obesity"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 12 by Senator Martha Escutia (D- Montebello), SB 281 by Senator Abel Maldonado (R- San Luis Obispo) and SB 965 also by Senator Escutia at the Governor's Summit on Health, Nutrition and Obesity today in Sacramento.

California is facing an obesity epidemic. That is why today I am signing into law the most progressive school nutrition reforms in the nation. This legislation will take junk food and sodas off the school campuses, and put more fruits and vegetables into school meals," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "This is a great victory for our children and I want to thank Senator Escutia and Senator Maldonado for authoring these landmark bills. Today we are taking some first steps in creating a healthy future for California. It is important that everyone --businesses leaders, community groups, health care providers, the public health community, parents and government -- rise to the challenge and join in this crucial fight."

This legislation ensures California's students will have access to healthier snacks, meals and beverages in public schools. Specifically:

SB 12 sets food nutrition standards for food served and sold in K-12 public schools.
SB 281 provides a framework to implement the $18.2 million in the Governor's budget to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in school meal programs.
SB 965 extends the ban on the sale of soda currently in middle schools to public high schools, but allows the sale of milk products, juice-based products, water and electrolyte drinks to continue.

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2007/s1876904.htm

Researchers warn of high sugar content in fruit juice

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2007/s1876904.htm

Kucinich Motion Commit Bush Impeachment Judiciary

Bill O'Reily interviewed Dennis Kucinich tonight about the Impeachment Motion against George Bush. O'Reilly said the bill was going nowhere... we're winning the war in Iraq... there's nothing to this...

Kucinich said it was upon his motion to commit the Motion to the Judiciary Committee... also pursuing finding out about Cheney's meetings in private with oil companies... not given any requested documents of the private meeting...

Net the Truth Online

Washington, Jun 10 - Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio
In the United States House of Representatives
Monday, June 9th, 2008
A Resolution
ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT FOR PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

Resolved, that President George W. Bush be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, and that the following articles of impeachment be exhibited to the United States Senate:

Articles of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the name of itself and of the people of the United States of America, in maintenance and support of its impeachment against President George W. Bush for high crimes and misdemeanors.

In his conduct while President of the United States, George W. Bush, in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has committed the following abuses of power...


Article XXII
Creating Secret Laws.

Article XXIII
Violation of the Posse Comitatus Act.

Article XXIV
Spying on American Citizens, Without a Court-Ordered Warrant, in Violation of the Law and the Fourth Amendment.

Article XXV
Directing Telecommunications Companies to Create an Illegal and Unconstitutional Database of the Private Telephone Numbers and Emails of American Citizens.

http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=93581

Roll Call Votes: 110th Congress
House Vote #401 (Jun 11, 2008)
On Motion to Refer: H RES 1258 The Kucinich Privilege Resolution
House Vote #401 --- Jun 11, 2008
Result: Passed

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2008-401

Article which includes list of reasons for impeachment and video of
part of Kucinich's message to the House at:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article20061.htm

Kucinich Presents 35 Articles Of Impeachment Against Bush

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDZ8seg4Nr4

Here is a transcript of the 35 articles:

http://chun.afterdowningstreet.org/amomentoftruth.pdf

Congress has 72 hours to table it, send it to committee, pass it, or reject it.

Call 800-828-0498 and ask for each of the House
Judiciary Committee members by name and they'll connect you...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VotePA/message/3928

Related

Resurrecting the Bush (Huge) Land-Acquisition-in-Paraguay Story
by Residentcynic [Subscribe]
Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 11:54:04 PM PDT

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/28/2544/07385

Meeting Discuss distribution Hotel Tax Money

We didn't attend the meeting. If the board of commissioners adopts the plan which distributes grant monies to for-profits, how will that be fair to those who don't obtain some of the grant monies? The plan that includes a county-based tourism promotion agency, handled under the authority of the commissioners, also seems at odds with the idea commissioners should be at least one-step removed from such programs that might become politically-driven rather than need-driven.

Our position remains unchanged from years of observation. Any time government officials become involved in these gimmicks to distribute tax monies, favoritism follows. It's inevitable. Somebody gets the grant money and somebody else doesn't as there is only so much to go around.

That's not to say no grant monies should ever be distributed, but the elected officials should be as far away from that process as they could get, and an argument could be made for exclusion of for-profits because then somebody is left out. This pits one for-profit against another with one receiving "government subsidy" while the other doesn't.

Then the public has to be watchdogging for the next ten years who gets the grants and who doesn't and wonder whether any favoritism is shown.

With an organization such as the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau handling the distribution of grants to the area, with input from a county representative appointed to the board, there is less interaction by elected officials directly in such decisions.

The public can still have an ability for oversight since the board of commissioners would have such in their annual reauthorization of the Bureau's status.

Net the Truth Online

Net the Truth Online

Fayette board mulls hotel-tax split
By The Tribune-Review
Friday, June 20, 2008

Under Zapotosky's and Vicites' proposal, 50 percent of the estimated $750,000 annual proceeds would go to Laurel Highlands for regional tourism marketing; 25 percent for a tourism grant program for nonprofit Fayette-based entities; and 25 percent to Penn State Fayette for development of a four-year Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management Program.

Under Zimmerlink's proposed, Laurel Highlands would receive 20 percent, with a $150,000 cap. A grant program would receive 50 percent, with both nonprofit and for-profit businesses eligible for grants. No money would be given to Penn State's Eberly campus. Ten percent would be designated for tourism projects at county-owned sites and 20 percent would be placed in escrow to develop a county visitors center. Zimmerlink proposes that a memorandum of understanding with the bureau be renewed each year, providing an opportunity to track and review revenues.

Zapotosky said his reason for opposing for-profit businesses being eligible for funding is the potential for public funding being lost in the event that a business goes bankrupt after receiving funding...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_573735.html

Opposition voiced to excluding for-profits from hotel tax grants
By Amy Zalar, Herald-Standard
06/20/2008

The Fayette County commissioners Thursday heard opposition to a proposal that excludes for-profit organizations in a grant program funded by proceeds of the hotel occupancy tax...

...During the nearly three-hour meeting to discuss the proposed memorandum of understanding that must be approved before the July 1 implementation of the 3 percent tax, several individuals also spoke out about the need for a visitor's center in the county.

A proposal backed by Commissioners Vincent Zapotosky and Vincent A. Vicites calls for allocating 50 percent of the tax for the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau to be used for marketing and promotion; 25 percent for a tourism grant program for only nonprofit tourism organizations in Fayette County; and 25 percent for Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, to develop and launch a four-year degreed hotel, restaurant and institutional management program.

Previous estimates are that proceeds of the tax are expected to generate $750,000 annually.

The lower of 2 percent or $40,000 is allocated to the county treasurer's office to collect the tax.

Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink, who voted against implementing the tax, also presented a proposal.

Zimmerlink's proposal includes allocating 20 percent to LHVB but no more than $150,000 and continuing with LHVB as Fayette County's tourism promotion agency through July 1, 2009; designating 50 percent for a grant program administered by LHVB for both non-profit and for-profit tourism entities, allowing both for marketing, advertising and capital improvements; designating 10 percent for county tourism projects and keeping 20 percent escrowed for a Fayette County Tourism Visitors Center...


http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19789393&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6

Allocation of hotel tax revenue to be discussed in Uniontown
By The Tribune-Review
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Fayette County commissioners will hold a public hearing 6 p.m. June 19 at the Public Service Building, 22 E. Main St., Uniontown.
Commissioners are seeking public comment on the proposed allocation of revenues from a hotel tax that will be implemented on July 1.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_572080.html

Disapproval Rampant Among Democrats Hillary Clinton Tactics

Stamp of Disapproval came swiftly among CNN panelists discussing Primary results from South Dakota and Montana, Barack Obama gaining more than the amount necessary to claim the nomination of the Democrat Party for President, and Hillary Clinton's speech to her supporters wherein she did not indicate she was conceding that night, if ever to Barack Obama.

What was most striking about the discussion, Carl Bernstein refrained from observing the continued ploys by the Clintons to go so far as to utilize tactics of psychological warfare against Barack Obama.

We are the only net presence highlighting or even acknowledging Bernstein's critique of the Clintons which includes their use of psychological warfare to get what they want, anyway, anyhow.

In an April posting, a poster to Daily KOS gives our previous post a plug during discussion of psych ops...

by northanger on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 07:28:45 PM PDT
Carl Bernstein: Psychological Warfare Observed

During a CNN interview [19-Feb-2008] wherein David Gergen was a guest, and talking about the duo of Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, and the Wisconsin campaign and charges of plagiarism made within the last day concerning a Barack Obama speech, coming from the Clinton campaign, Carl Bernstein uttered the phrasing: psychological warfare

Above link also links to Bernstein's story on The CIA and the Media: How Americas Most Powerful News Media Worked Hand in Glove with the Central Intelligence Agency and Why the Church Committee Covered It Up - Originally published in Rolling Stone, October 20, 1977...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/19/201242/800/170/499187

Bernstein is a well-respected and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist. Yet he doesn't indicate in any way the implications of Hillary Clinton's refusal to recognize Barack Obama as the presumptive nominee of the Democrat Party by virtue of obtaining the required amount of delegates. Carl Bernstein knows the Clintons and Hillary Clinton well, having written a book about Hillary.

During the CNN panel discussion, when Carl Bernstein had an opportunity on one of the most historical dates in the history of the United States to set the historical record straight, he failed to do so.

Why?

Net the Truth Online

Transcript Barack Obama Speech

Hillary Clinton Remarks

Carl Bernstein