Saturday News: President Obama Thanks U.S. Troops in Hawaii; Bill McKibben's Paris Climate Conference Takeaways

by Lowell

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Saturday, December 26. Also check out the great Bill McKibben's takeaways from the Paris climate conference; in short, it's a start, but it's "weaker than it should be...because the fossil fuel industry continues to hold the cards; we need to understand that these guys are not just filthy rich, they are filthy...it's basically purchased one of our political parties...if they carry out their stated business plan, then the planet tanks...We just have to keep building a movement that can somehow balance their money...Whether we're going to get there in time is an open question."

• President Obama Thanks US Troops in Hawaii on Christmas
• In Pakistan, Modi’s Surprise Visit Aims to Ease Tensions
• In Blow to Syrian Rebels, Airstrike Is Said to Kill Leader
• Bill Clinton's first home damaged in suspected arson
• Pope urges Christmas prayers for Syria, Libya peace
• Only Virginia and California say Guard could house immigrant children
• Virginia’s mental-health merry-go-round
• After last year’s horse mishap, McAuliffe will stick to the slopes for vacation
• Goodbye 70s, hello 50s. The region's temperatures head downward.

Ben Carson: a Whimpering Apology for Republican Racism

by Dan Sullivan

The sorry souls whose autos sport bumper stickers and who man the tables for Ben Carson are confessing. They sense the terrible sin of the right these past seven years. Instead of debating issues on merit, their strategists encouraged dog whistle attacks against President Obama to leverage their base’s bigotry.

At the Ben Carson canopy during this year’s Shad Planking and the booth at the Virginia State Fair, fair-skinned apologists sat righteously demonstrating their support for an African American other than Obama. They are secretly ashamed of their complicity and Ben Carson is a useful astringent to cleanse that shame. “Supporters” fancy they enjoy a shield against charges of racism when they “blame Obama” through the safe, symbolic support of another fellow who never had a snowball’s chance in hell of garnering the Republican nomination. He might have been the racial version of the gender balance tokenism attempted by shoving Sara Palin onto a ticket. But trust me, the Republican Party will never stand for a Cuban and an African-American paired together, so the chances grow slimmer by the day. Imagine the rest of us sweating in prayer for four years, concerned about the Secret Service keeping Ted Cruz safe.

There is more than that that makes Carson palatable to these moral cowards. His uninformed and childlike world view fits like a cheap suit; simple mantras dismiss complex, perplexing problems.

“I’m not a Democrat, I’m not a Republican, I’m an independent. If there was a party called the logic party I would be a member of that.” – Ben Carson

Scaling Green’s 15 Top Cleantech Stories of 2015

Cross posted from Scaling Green

As the video illustrates, 2015 was an extremely eventful, largely positive year for clean energy. At Scaling Green and Tigercomm, we’re very much looking forward to what 2016 brings! Before we get to 2016, though, here are the 15 cleantech stories we considered to be the most important in 2015.

1. Pope Francis’ encyclical “on care for our common home.” As we wrote on June 25: “the Encyclical released last week by Pope Francis helps bring values and science into agreement, offering ‘moral guidance rooted in an ‘integral ecology’ based on fundamental Catholic teaching about care for all creation.’ As part of that care for creation, Pope Francis makes it clear that global warming and other serious environmental problems are ‘aggravated by a model of development based on the intensive use of fossil fuels, which is at the heart of the worldwide energy system.’ The answer, in Pope Francis’ eyes, is clearly “an urgent need to develop policies so that, in the next few years, the emission of carbon dioxide and other highly polluting gases can be drastically reduced, for example, substituting for fossil fuels and developing sources of renewable energy. ‘That’s what’s so encouraging about the Pope’s Encyclical – it’s a big step forward in the values conversation around the most important issue of our time,’ said Mike Casey, president of Tigercomm, a marketing communications firm that serves the cleantech space.”

2. The Paris Climate Summit: As The Guardian wrote on December 12, this agreement could signal the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era, “with massive consequences for industry, global security, financial markets and public health.” Quoted in that story, Unilever’s chief executive, Paul Polman, said that the impact of the Paris climate agreement “will be felt in banks, stock exchanges, boardrooms and research centres as the world absorbs the fact that it is embarking on an unprecedented project to decarbonise the global economy.” Or, as President Obama put it, the world succeeded in reaching “an enduring agreement that reduces global carbon pollution and sets the world on a course to a low-carbon future.” Let’s hope he’s right.

3. The Clean Power Plan (CPP) moves ahead. As Tigercomm President Mike Casey wrote on August 3: “the CPP will make a big – a really big – contribution to moving the U.S. economy onto clean energy footing.” In doing so, it will create jobs, cut electricity bills, reduce pollution, and “[b]egin the process of kicking the fossil fuel sectors off the decades of preferential treatment that politicians have showered on them despite being mature, highly profitable businesses.” Also check out the interesting discussion on this issue by The Energy Gang, which argued that the CPP was “the biggest thing that happened for the U.S. on [energy] policy” in 2015.

Christmas Day News: Record Warm Weather, Where's Climate-Science-Denying Freak Sen. Jim "Snowball" Inhofe When You Need Him? Heh.

by Lowell

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Friday, Christmas Day 2015. As for the Spock picture, yeah, I'm a total Star Trek/sci fi nerd In fact, last night I re-watched the original Star Trek episode where Spock goes back 5,000 years, reverting to a time when Vulcans were illogical barbarians, falls in love with a beautiful woman, tries to kill Dr. McCoy and even enjoys eating animal flesh. Also, Leonard Nimoy died in February 2015, which makes me really sad, even if that's totally "illogical." ;)

• In fatal traffic stops, a disproportionate number of victims are black (Nope, no racism here!)
• Krugman: Things to Celebrate, Like Dreams of Flying Cars ("The bigger revolution looking forward, however, is in renewable energy, where costs of wind and especially solar have dropped incredibly fast. Why does this matter? Everyone who isn’t ignorant or a Republican realizes that climate change is by far the biggest threat humanity faces.")
• Karl Rove: Obama Should React to Terrorism Like Bush Did (As usual, Karl Rove isn't just wrong, but wildly wrong. Also, the guy has no shame.)
• U.S. plans raids to deport families who surged across border (We should be accepting refugees from violence, not kicking them out of the country.)
• Oh, the irony: GOP loses support of top evangelist because he bought their lies
• This Freakishly Warm, Totally Wrong Christmas Eve Weather, Explained ("And it’s true: Heat waves like this one have among the clearest ties to global warming of any extreme weather event. Next week, New York City will lock in its longest-ever stretch of days above freezing. The seasons are perceptibly shifting.")
• Virginia Gov. McAuliffe applauds settlement on long lines at polls
• McAuliffe’s $240M higher education spending plan is a bigger deal than you might think
• Senator Dick Black Strongly Endorses Tom Garrett for Congress (Two right-wing-extremist birds of a feather, flocking together.)
• Rolling Stone seeks dismissal of lawsuit by ex-fraternity members
• 10 years later, Virginia's testing of crime scene DNA continues
• Decline of coal hitting Southwest Virginia hard (Coal mostly brings economic and environmental misery; long past time to switch to a clean energy economy.)
• D.C. area forecast: A tropical Christmas, featuring humidity and rain chances

Top Virginia Political Stories of 2015

The following list is not meant to be comprehensive (nor is it in any particular order), but these are some of the top political stories, IMHO, that took place in Virginia during 2015. Note that I "crowd-sourced" this list, so these are not all my ideas (although I agree with them all). Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments section. Thanks, and happy New Year!

• Republicans hold the State Senate, despite a huge effort - and enormous cash infusion - by Democrats. On the plus side, Democrats held all their incumbents. On the negative side, so did Republicans. In short, there's almost zero competition in the vast majority of incumbent-drawn-for-their-protection districts, and it showed in 2015.
• House of Delegates Democrats, despite having minimal resources, manage to pick up a seat (getting them to 34 out of 100). Obviously, there's still a long way to go to get to 50 or more, but there are plenty of Obama/Kaine districts held by Republicans that should, at least in theory, be competitive. Next shot: the gubernatorial election year of 2017.
• Virginia Republicans continue their refusal to expand Medicaid. This, despite the fact that an increasing number of Republican-led states have moved to do just that. So far, though, "no go" here in Virginia. Perhaps the VHHA's major push to figure out a way to bring back our tax dollars to help hospitals and the uninsured in Virginia will pay off in 2016. Let's hope so, for all our sakes.
• Battle over state Supreme Court nominee (currently Justice) Jane Roush. This one got super nasty, with utterly absurd charges of sexism and racism being thrown around. To the contrary, this was 100% about power, specifically a Republican power play to try and show Gov. McAuliffe who's boss in Virginia. We'll see how it goes in coming weeks, but right now it looks like Republicans plan to boot Roush off the court and install their own pick, whoever that might end up being. Ridiculous.
• Rise of virulent Islamophobia in Virginia. Utterly appalling, with crap like this angry, bigoted mob in Spotsylvania County, the craziness over Roanoke Mayor Bowers relating Syrian immigrants and World War II internment camps for Japanese-Americans, "Liberty" University President Jerry Falwell talking about using a gun to "end those Muslims," etc. Some of the ugliest days in Virginia since "massive resistance." Ugh.

Thursday News: Trump (and Cruz, Carson, etc.) Supporters Most Certainly Are NOT "Better than This;" Candidates Line Up to Replace Rep. Robert Hurt

by Lowell

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, December 24. Also, check out the year in Republican science denial.

• Donald Trump Isn’t the Biggest Narcissist in the GOP Field. Ted Cruz Is. ("I know a televangelist candidate when I see one.")
• The Republican Fear of Facts on Guns
• The right’s war against the spirit of Christmas ("Anger, not love, is the core of far-right candidates’ appeal this year." The other part of the real "war on Christmas" is hypermaterialism, consumerism, etc.)
• Despite what Donald Trump says, Americans are better than this (Clealry, Trump's supporters - and the supporters of other extremist candidates - Cruz, Carson, etc. - are NOT "better than this.")
• Marco Rubio Dips in the Polls Heading into Christmas ("He hasn't fallen far, but the Republican presidential hopeful is going in the wrong direction at the wrong time.")
• Sorry, Conservatives, Obamacare Is Still Working (As much as Republicans have tried to sabotage it!)
• 10 of the Worst Cable News Moments of 2015 (Is there anything good about cable "news?")
• How Trump Beats Cruz ("The populist real estate magnate can define Cruz as just another politician controlled by special interests.")
• Newly Elected Governor Strips 140,000 Of Voting Rights, Lowers The Minimum Wage (Yep, that's what teabaggers do...in our neighboring state of Kentucky this time.)
• Rand Paul: I won't do an undercard debate (Whatever.)
• 13 times Trump looked finished, and wasn't("Political pundits, GOP rivals and the media have all prematurely predicted the real estate mogul's demise over and over again.")
• Jeb Bush: ‘The problem with the Confederate flag isn’t the Confederacy’ (Again, I ask, "JEB" was supposed to be the SMART Bush?!?)
• Democrats, Virginia reach accord to cut wait times at polls
• McAuliffe calls for more acceptance following school calligraphy lesson
• Virginia’s struggle with guns
• Update: State Sen. Tom Garrett to pursue Hurt's 5th District congressional seat ("Republicans mention a number of potential candidates for the seat, including state Sens. William M. Stanley Jr., R-Franklin and Thomas A. Garrett Jr., R-Buckingham; former Del. Clarke Hogan, R-Halifax; NASCAR driver Jeff Burton and Hurt's brother, Charlie, a journalist.")
• Va. GOP capitalizes on political backlash to handgun permit changes
• Clean energy — not drilling — for Virginia (On top of the obvious risks that go with offshore oil drilling, the LAST thing we should be doing now is locking in additional, long-term fossil fuel infrastructure, given the urgent need to slash carbon emissions.)
• Businesses want state Supreme Court to settle issue on electric rates
• Chief of enforcement for Northern Virginia Cigarette Tax Board arrested ("... on charges of taking indecent liberties with a minor and use of a communications device to solicit a minor.")
• Natural Bridge among 11 entries added to Virginia Landmarks Registry
• Canadian Pacific's pursuit of Norfolk Southern could get nasty
• Mandated coverage burden eases on group policies
• Richmond signs $2.36 million contract for body cameras, tasers
• D.C. area forecast: Record-crushing warmth today and humid; Wacky weather lasts through weekend (Meanwhile, Republicans are desperately trying to deny the overwhelming evidence of massive, manmade climate change.)

Tea Party Treat: Augusta County Chaos

by Dan Sullivan

To be clear: there was no credible threat to Augusta County schools. A discredited Sheriff’s Department compounded hysteria over a simple, harmless art assignment by foisting a ludicrous rationale that something might occur. Meanwhile, an alleged beat down of a student by fellow classmates has gone uninvestigated by local officials.

"What concerns me the most is what we don't have knowledge of," Fisher said. "What people in chat rooms may be organizing that we haven't found yet." – as reported in The News Leader

Wednesday News: "Oh vey! Enough of Trump;" Robert Hurt Retiring, But Will Anyone Notice?

by Lowell

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, December 23. Also check out "You're a mean one, Mr. Trump!"

• Oy vey! Enough of Trump. (Go Dana Milbank!)
• Trump dominates GOP field heading into 2016 (Trump 39%, Cruz 18%, Carson 10%, Rubio 10%, Christie 5%, Paul 4%, Bush 3%, Huckabee 2%, Kasich 2%, Fiorina 1%...and of course Jim Gilmore at zero, where he's been pretty much since the beginning.)
• Why Donald Trump Loves Vladimir Putin ("Because he loves himself a lot—really, he does.")
• Iraqi Forces Fighting ISIS for Ramadi Push Toward City Center
• How conservative media’s reach shields Ted Cruz from attacks
• The GOP is really this hateful: How the political press got Trump (and Hillary) so embarrassingly wrong ("The pundit class was lightening fast to write off the Donald's candidacy. Six months later, it's learned its lesson")
• This is America’s religion of violence: The impunity of police violence & the destruction of Sandra Bland
• What Ted Cruz said behind closed doors ("A secret tape from a New York fundraiser could mean trouble for a candidate selling authenticity")
• Clinton Takes Shot at Trump: 'Shouldn't Let Anybody Bully His Way to the Presidency'
• Jeb Bush: Trump's potty mouth helps Clinton
• Washington Post deletes cartoon of Ted Cruz’s kids as organ grinder’s monkeys after candidate complains ("The cartoon by Telnaes was in response to an ad the candidate ran during the Democratic debate on Saturday, featuring a wholesome Cruz family reading Christmas stories critical of Democrats and front running candidate Hillary Clinton, In the ad, both of Cruz’s daughter join in the mockery, which Telnaes claims made them 'fair game.'")
• Schapiro: A Virginia Nightmare Before Christmas
• Gov. Terry McAuliffe's ethics panel releases recommendations (OK, but not even close to adequate.)
• AG Mark Herring's move on concealed handgun permits rankles Republicans (In short, Virginia Republicans are all about enforcing THE LAW except when they don't want to.)
• Va. GOP congressman Robert Hurt retiring at the end of 2016, Republicans say (Bye bye, don't let the door hit you...)
• Virginia to stop recognizing concealed carry gun permits from 25 states Editorial: Records should be open
• America’s anti-Muslim hysteria comes to a Virginia school ("An ugly reaction to a harmless assignment exposing students to Islamic culture.")
• Bob McDonnell again urges Supreme Court to hear his appeal (On and on and on and on...)
• McAuliffe denies bid to send convicted killer Jens Soering back to Germany
• Virginia Delegate introduces menhaden bills ("Virginia Delegate Barry D. Knight once again has introduced legislation that would put the regulation of menhaden into the hands of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission instead of the General Assembly.")
• As Norfolk rezoning vote is delayed, councilman alleges a political ploy
• Gov. Terry McAuliffe pardons Roanoke's Davey Reedy
• Frank Beamer: The face, the soul and the drawl of Virginia Tech
• D.C. area forecast: Showers today, then record-breaking warmth with daily shower chances

Paging Tom Perriello! Paging Tom Perriello!

UPDATE: I'm told there's a strong Democratic candidate, Jane Dittmar, who's already running in the 5th. Maybe there are/will be others as well. That's great to hear, as the 5th CD deserves strong representation, not an utter loser and Teabagger like Robert Hurt (biggest downgrade in Congressional history from Perriello to Hurt? quite possibly). UPDATE #2: Also, Ericke Cage is running.

Lyin' Ryan, Clearly Feeling Heat from his Right, Falsely Claims Lifting Crude Oil Export Ban Equivalent to "100 Keystone Pipelines"

In 2012, I took to calling Paul Ryan "Lyin' Ryan," because almost every time he opened his mouth, what came out was usually false or distorted in one way or the other. Today, Lyin' Ryan - clearly feeling heat from his right for the "Omnibus" bill - is back in a big way, with this desperate, pathetic, flailing claim.

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is touting the end of the oil export ban, comparing Congress’s vote to lift the restriction to building the Keystone XL pipeline 100 times. 

Speaking Tuesday evening with conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt, he listed oil exports as one of the top victories during his short time leading the House so far, and compared exports’ impact on oil markets to the controversial pipeline that President Obama blocked last month. 

“We think we got good victories for the energy markets. Having the oil export ban lifted permanently, it’s like having 100 Keystone pipelines,” Ryan said.

How far off is Lyin' Ryan from the truth on this one?  First off, keep in mind that the Keystone pipeline would have had capacity of 830,000 barrels per day, so 100 of those would equate to 83 MILLION barrels per day (to put that in perspective, it's just a bit lower than total world oil production in 2015 of 95 million barrels per day).

Second, how much more U.S. oil production will the lifting of the crude oil export ban lead to? The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) modeled this, and in their "reference case," they found that in 2025, the difference in U.S. oil production with or without the crude oil export ban in place was...wait for it...yep, ZERO! In short, Lyin' Ryan was infinitely far off in his crazy "100 Keystone pipelines" comparison, unless you think that ZERO is greater than 83 MILLION barrels per day! LOL