Editorial and Comments

Path to citizenship proposed

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., filed cloture today on the Dream Act amendment to the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization bill. The bill will also contain language repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell. 

The Dream Act offers a path to citizenship for young, undocumented people in the country if they serve in uniform. It is anticipated that Republicans such as John McCain will argue against the amendments. On-the-other hand, Rep. Luis Gutierrez is heading to Nevada on October 15th through 17th to campaign for Reid. 

Judge blocks key parts of Arizona immigration law

A federal judge in Phoenix on Wednesday blocked key provisions of Arizona's controversial immigration law from taking effect as scheduled Thursday, granting in part an injunction requested by the Obama administration.

BP to claim $10 billion U.S. tax credit because of losses in gulf spill

Citing steep losses from the Gulf Coast oil spill, BP said Tuesday that it plans to seek a tax credit of up to $10 billion from the U.S. government, or about half the amount it pledged to aid victims of the disaster.

via www.washingtonpost.com

A hidden world, growing beyond control

The top-secret world the government created in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has become so large, so unwieldy and so secretive that no one knows how much money it costs, how many people it employs, how many programs exist within it or exactly how many agencies do the same work.

via media.washingtonpost.com

Geothermal Energy Right Under Our Feet

Between Mesquite and Bunkerville (Nevada) are warm water wells atop geothermal hot spots. 

These hot spots exist throughout Nevada with both the potential to make Nevada a leading source of clean energy and generating revenue for economically starved communities.

via 65.60.58.10

The influence of oil company donations

As part of the Republican efforts to blame the White House for the BP oil spill disaster, former half-term Gov. Sarah Palin (R) appeared on Fox News yesterday to share a conspiracy theory of sorts.

"I don't know why the question isn't asked by the mainstream media and by others if there is any connection with the contributions made to President Obama and his administration, and the support by the oil companies to the administration," Palin said, "If there is any connection there to President Obama taking so dog-gone long to get in there and dive in there and grasp the complexity and the potential tragedy that we are seeing here in the Gulf of Mexico."

Let's just pause a moment to appreciate the humor in the dimwitted Fox News personality accusinganyone of failing to "grasp the complexity" of anything.

Soon after, "Face the Nation" host Bob Schieffer asked White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs about the accusation. "I'm almost sure that the oil companies don't consider the Obama administration a huge ally," Gibbs noted, adding that Palin should probably "get slightly more informed as to what's going on."

But in case anyone's inclined to take the substance (I use the word loosely) of Palin's nonsense seriously, the Wall Street Journal had a worthwhile report.

According to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, Republicans receive far more campaign money from the oil and gas industry than do Democrats.

So far in 2010, the oil and gas industries have contributed $12.8 million to all candidates, with 71% of that money going to Republicans. During the 2008 election cycle, 77% of the industry's $35.6 million in contributions went to Republicans, and in the 2008 presidential contest, Republican candidate Sen. John McCain received more than twice as much money from the oil and gas industries as Obama: McCain collected $2.4 million; Obama, $898,000.

This is a decades-long trend, the center says: Since 1990, oil and gas companies have donated $238.7 million to candidates and parties, with 75% of the money going to Republicans.

To borrow Palin's phrase, does she wonder if there's any connection between the contributions made to Republican candidates and the Republican Party's support for the oil companies. "I don't know why the question isn't asked by the mainstream media and by others."

What's more, as Ben Armbruster noted, even conservatives seem to think Palin is on the wrong track with this one. Ed Morrissey warned Republicans not to "overplay their hand on this issue."

Deepwater BP Oil Spill | The White House

President Barack Obama has released contact information for individuals injured by the BP oil spill in the Gulf. Click on the link to see the announcement and obtain contact information.

via www.whitehouse.gov

Afghanistan war longest in U.S. history

The Afghanistan war, launched in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, seemed to be close to resolution after three months, when every major Taliban city in the country had fallen and Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was on the run. 

But bin Laden evaded capture, and while America was waging war on Iraq, the Taliban regrouped and regained control in key areas of the country.

 

More...

• Deadly day in Afghanistan claims the lives of 12 foreign soldiers
• Child asylum seekers to be deported back to £4m Afghanistan reintegration centre

However, America's longest war is not its bloodiest. There have been 1,000 U.S. casualties in Afghanistan, compared to the 58,000 troops lost in Vietnam. 

But, with President Obama committed to decisive action to beat back Taliban insurgents, analysts fear there could be many more fatalities to come. 

Public support for the war has also fallen as the number of dead has increased - just as it did with Vietnam. More than half of Americans now believe that the fighting in Afghanistan has not been worth the cost. 

Upcoming Elections Hold Promise for Progressive Growth in Nevada

Beneath the veneer of conservative Republicans, Tea Partiers, Oath Keepers and Friends of the Founding Fathers lays a progressive undercurrent of local residents concerned about the environment and economic conditions of Mesquite. 

via 65.60.58.10

Coffee Party activists say their civic brew's a tastier choice than Tea Party's

let's start a coffee party . . . smoothie party. red bull party. anything but tea. geez. ooh how about cappuccino party? that would really piss 'em off bec it sounds elitist . . . let's get together and drink cappuccino and have real political dialogue with substance and compassion.

via www.washingtonpost.com