Side Splitter: Politico Says Jury Still Out On “Green” Jobs And DOE Loans

By William Teach June 26, 2012 – 9:24 am

So says the headline

On green jobs and DOE loans, the jury is still out

Yet, the information they provide right at the beginning blows that lie right out of the water

The Energy Department’s clean-energy loan program hasn’t yet yielded the kind of moonshot-style success that President Barack Obama envisions would transform the U.S. economy. But its results also go well beyond the $535 million collapse of Solyndra.

With help from the $16 billion loan guarantee program, solar farms are spreading across the California and Arizona deserts, wind turbines are producing electricity in Oregon, and workers in southwestern Kansas are building a factory to convert inedible plant parts into ethanol. Some of the 26 projects aided by the program are even creating jobs — as many as 4,000 all told, according to partial figures provided by several of the companies that received the guarantees.

Doing the math, that comes to $4,000,000 per job. That is not a success. That is not a partial success. That is not “the jury is still out.” That’s a vast waste of money for projects that barely provide power, that people file lawsuits over having in their area (in the desert, in mountains, etc), and many are going bust.

It’s too early to tell whether most of the projects are successes or failures. DOE finalized 11 of the loan guarantees just last September as it was hurrying to sign off on billions of dollars before the program expired, so many of the efforts are in their early stages.

Still, the incomplete, muddled picture deters neither supporters nor critics of the program from speaking out.

No, not really. There have been a few wins, which Politico points to, one being US Geothermal, as their business model and technology works. Caithness Energy may be considered a “win”, however, they are attempting to get residents near their Oregon windfarm to sign waivers giving them the ability to complain about the noise from the wind turbines.

NRG/First Solar is supposed to be a “win”, which is weird, since FS announced in April they are laying off 2,000 employees. There’s also a huge class action lawsuit filed in March of 2012. Part of the reason for the suit was due to the defects in the solar panels. And the whole project was cronyism.

Divided States provides a list of 14 green energy fails, all of which received loans from the Obama DOE. American Thinker provides some numbers for so many of the failures. A big part of the problem is that Obama’s Stimulus pushed for green projects to be built, rather than pushing research to address the inherent problems and to make the projects feasible.

  • On-shore wind is a failure because the turbines are loud, they can only operate during certain wind speeds, the power cannot be stored for later use, the turbines are a blight on the landscape, and they kill lots of birds. They have a limited lifespan, and many have been knocked down and even caught on fire from…….wind. (off-shore has its own issues with birds, but none of the funds have been used for off-shore)
  • Solar panel makers were killed by the lower price of Chinese panels, as well as because they really didn’t work (poor design, shoddy construction), the power cannot be stored for later use, huge swaths of land had to be clear cut, environmentalists and others sued over putting them in deserts, they kill off the local wildlife and plant life, and, face it, they create lots of toxic chemicals when the panels are built.
  • Geothermal has a chance, if it is constructed in the right place.
  • Environmentalists not only block the construction of hydrothermal dams, but they are suing and advocating to have current ones torn down. The Stimulus did not push for any hydrothermal, though it is one of the best “green” methods.
  • Ethanol tends to use a ton of water and actually produces more CO2 for less power than gasoline. Oh, and corn based ethanol raises the cost of food.
  • Making cellulosic ethanol has its own concerns (Politico considers Abengoa Bioenergy, which is building a plant thanks to Stimulus funds a “highlight”), including the degradation of forestlands and other wilderness. The energy provided is so low compared to coal and petroleum that you need a LOT more. Plus, no one is really sure what the by-product of its use will be.

And I’m not even going to get into silly cars like the Chevy Fuego, er, Volt.

Read: Side Splitter: Politico Says Jury Still Out On “Green” Jobs And DOE Loans »

Posted in Barry Obama, Energy, Wonky Media | 2 Comments | Trackback URL

Food Stamp President Wants Even More People On Food Stamps

By William Teach June 26, 2012 – 8:26 am

What he wants is more people dependent on the Central Government, owing their allegiance to Obama and the Democrats, as opposed to finding ways to get the economy moving so that people have the money to purchase food on their own with government help

(CNN Money) More than one in seven Americans are on food stamps, but the federal government wants even more people to sign up for the safety net program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been running radio ads for the past four months encouraging those eligible to enroll. The campaign is targeted at the elderly, working poor, the unemployed and Hispanics.

The department is spending between $2.5 million and $3 million on paid spots, and free public service announcements are also airing. The campaign can be heard in California, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, and the New York metro area.

“Research has shown that many people — particularly underserved seniors, working poor, and legal immigrants — do not understand the requirements of the program,” said Kevin Concannon, a USDA under secretary.

Just to be fair, the story does point out that that President Bush did some of the same under the USDA. We all agree he wasn’t a fiscal conservative. However

In fiscal 2011, the federal government spent more than $75 billion on food stamps, up from $34.6 billion at the end of fiscal 2008, according to the USDA.

Obama doubled the amount being spent. Can’t blame that on Bush.

“We ought to be looking for ways to save money in the program, not to encourage more people to use it,” said Chris Edwards, an economist with the Cato Institute, a libertarian organization.

Actually, we ought to be looking for ways to empower the jobs market so that people are making money and able to purchase food for themselves.

Hilariously, the official USDA pre-screening tool to see if one is eligible for food stamp assistance keeps timing out. But, hey, you can scroll the USDA website to see if you meet eligibility requirements. Looks simple enough.

Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.

Read: Food Stamp President Wants Even More People On Food Stamps »

Posted in Barry Obama, Current Affairs, Democrats | 1 Comment | Trackback URL

Is Obama’s New Policy Which Suspends Immigration Agreements With Arizona Grounds For Impeachment?

By William Teach June 25, 2012 – 7:00 pm

Like most bloggers and even legacy media folks, I’ll throw some bombs here and there, but I try not to go too far, especially with Mr. Obama (to the obtuse, said bombs are rhetorical. Also, explaining that to any USSS or DHS personnel who might read this. Yes, I’ve seen IPs from governmental sources even on my little Pirate’s Cove blog). The only truly big one I’ve thrown his way (as opposed to big criticism’s) was when I declared he was no longer my president. However, is Obama’s pronouncement following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Arizona immigration law grounds for impeachment?

(Washington Times) The Obama administration said Monday it is suspending existing agreements with Arizona police over enforcement of federal immigration laws, and said it has issued a directive telling federal authorities to decline many of the calls reporting illegal immigrants that the Homeland Security Department may get from Arizona police.

Administration officials, speaking on condition they not be named, told reporters they expect to see an increase in the number of calls they get from Arizona police — but that won’t change President Obama’s decision to limit whom the government actually tries to detain and deport.

“We will not be issuing detainers on individuals unless they clearly meet our defined priorities,” one official said in a telephone briefing.

President’s take an oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the land. What Obama is saying is that he is refusing to uphold the laws and the Constitution simply because he disagrees with them and doesn’t like that Arizona has simply codified that it’s law enforcement personnel should run the immigration status of anyone they pull over for other offenses if there is “reasonable suspicion” to believe someone is an illegal immigrant (doesn’t speak English, no ID, vehicle overloaded with people, says driver’s license is suspended, but there is no record of that DL, being told lies, saying they have a green card (they aren’t green, but mostly white at this time), etc. Officers who deal with illegals know the “tells” of an illegal). Arizona law enforcement agents will be following what existing federal laws say.

Obama has directed the federal government to no longer execute the laws of the land. The question is, does this rise to the level of “high crimes and misdemeanors”? Ace thinks the presidential order may be a basis for a counter suit by Arizona. I think it is grounds for impeachment. Not that we’ll see that happen.

Others discussing the Washington Times article: The Gateway Pundit, The PJ Tatler, Wake up America, Clayton Cramer’s Blog, Riehl World View and The Lonely Conservative

Read: Is Obama’s New Policy Which Suspends Immigration Agreements With Arizona Grounds For Impeachment? »

Posted in Barry Obama, Constitution, Illegal Immigration | 6 Comments | Trackback URL

Strangely, Hispanics Not That Concerned Over Illegal Immigration Fixes

By William Teach June 25, 2012 – 2:04 pm

For all of Obama’s carping about fixing illegal immigration, which mostly disappeared from his rhetoric after he announced, proving that it was simply a shiny object to distract from bad economic news and the issues surrounding his stonewalling attorney general, most Hispanics who are legal citizens eligible to vote aren’t that concerned about the issue. They’re worried about what everyone else is

(Politico) American Hispanic voters are more concerned about health care and unemployment than they are about immigration, according to a new USA Today/Gallup poll.

In fact, only 12 percent of Hispanic registered voters said that immigration policy is the most important issue to them.

Health care was cited by 21 percent of registered Hispanic voters as the most important issue; 19 percent said unemployment; 17 percent said economic growth; and 16 percent said the gap between rich and poor.

Hispanic voters are an increasingly important electoral demographic, and President Barack Obama’s recent change in immigration policy — to halt deportations of certain young illegal immigrants — was widely seen as a boost to his already strong support from Hispanics. But this survey suggests that several issues are more important to Hispanic voters.

“Although Hispanic voters are less likely to mention immigration as their top concern, those who are immigrants and first-generation Hispanic Americans are more likely to mention it than those whose family has been in the U.S. longer than that,” notes Gallup.

Those Hispanics who do care should ask themselves if the program announced by Obama will even happen. Keep a good eye on DHS, see if they start offering the work visas prior to the election. And wonder if you are simply being pandered to.

Read: Strangely, Hispanics Not That Concerned Over Illegal Immigration Fixes »

Posted in Barry Obama, Elections, Illegal Immigration | 3 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach June 25, 2012 – 1:00 pm

…are awesome buses that everyone (else) should take instead of their private cars, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is And So It Goes In Shreveport.

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 2 Comments | Trackback URL

Bummer: Your iPad Is Killing Gaia

By William Teach June 25, 2012 – 11:21 am

Sorry, Warmists, it’s time for you to give up your iPad, it’s bad for the environment because it uses too much electricity, which destroys sustainability and causes the seas to rise

(Grist) ……you have to charge the thing. According to a study from the Electric Power Research Institute, adding the cost of powering your $1,400 investment brings your annual total up to … $1,401.36.

Consumers who fully charge their iPad tablet every other day can expect to pay $1.36 for the electricity needed annually to power the device, according to an  assessment by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

The analysis shows that each model of the iPad consumes less than 12 kWh of electricity over the course of a year, based on a full charge every other day. By comparison, a plasma 42” television consumes 358 kWh of electricity a year.

Also mentioned are iPhones, laptops, and even CFL bulbs. Now, CFLs are cheaper than incandescent, yet, they still use power. Time to turn the computers and Apple products off while sitting in the dark. It’s the only way to save Gaia. A buck here, .25 cents there, it all ads up when all Warmists practice what they preach.

Read: Bummer: Your iPad Is Killing Gaia »

Posted in AGW Idiocy, Global Warming | 3 Comments | Trackback URL

E.J. Dionne Wonders If We’ll Miss Obamacare If SCOTUS Kills It

By William Teach June 25, 2012 – 8:30 am

Does anyone think Obamacare supporters are getting a bit nervous over the coming announcement as to how the Supreme Court rules on Obamacare? Here’s EJ Dionne’s take

Any day now, the U.S. Supreme Court may make possible something that has yet to happen: an honest and complete discussion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Perhaps EJ should have a talk with Nancy Pelosi, whon infamously said “we have to pass it to find out what is in it.”

And if it throws out all or part of the law now popularly known as “Obamacare,” we will need a fearless conversation about how a conservative majority of the court has become a cog in a larger right-wing project to make progressive political and legislative victories impossible.

In other words, the far left will have to reframe their talking points, because people aren’t buying as much of their mule fritters as they used to. Here’s an idea: prove that your leftist ideas actual work in the real world. So far, they’ve been miserable failures every time they’ve been tried.

The ACA is the victim of a vicious cycle: Obamacare polls badly. Therefore, Democrats avoid Obamacare, preferring to talk about almost anything else, while Republicans and conservatives attack it regularly. This makes Obamacare’s poll ratings even worse, which only reinforces the avoidance on the liberal side.

While he’s correct regarding Democrats avoiding mention of Obamacare, he’s dead wrong on the polls. Every poll has been consistent since even before the travesty of a law was passed, showing roughly 60% of the American public are against the bill. The ratings haven’t changed.

Maybe now, supporters of the ACA will find their voices and point to the 30 million people the law would help to buy health insurance, how much assistance it gives businesses, how it creates a more rational health insurance market, how it helps those 26 and under stay on their parents’ health plans, how it protects those with pre-existing conditions. “Obamacare” isn’t about President Obama. It’s about beginning to bring an end to the scandal of a very rich nation leaving so many of its citizens without basic health coverage. However the court rules, we need to remember why this whole fight started in the first place.

This is similar to what the George Soros funded Think Progress is pushing, in a post entitled 10 things you would miss about Obamacare. But, what won’t we miss if Obamacare is tanked?

  1. Intrusion by the federal government in our health care decisions
  2. The federal government mandating that we purchase health insurance
  3. Companies and institutions dropping their health insurance offerings as it is cheaper to pay the fine than offer the insurance and/or because HHS has mandated certain coverages, as in the case of Catholic institutions
  4. The cost of medical devices skyrocketing, due to the increased taxes on certain devices
  5. Restrictions on Health Savings Accounts, such as limits on how much can be in the account and the need to get a doctors note for certain OTC medicines
  6. The federal government essentially taking over the student loans process (remember, that was in the legislation)
  7. It causes health spending to rise more than it had been, and will be out of control when everyone thinks it is free
  8. The government will be on the hook for out of control spending, raising the debt and deficit exponentially
  9. It discriminates against the young in favor of the old by forcing the young to buy expensive insurance they do not want or need.
  10. It forces state governments to spend money they do not have
  11. It’ll kill the private health insurance market, putting lots of people out of work
  12. The government deciding if someone is worth treating, the so called “death panels” (Independent Payment Advisory Board)
  13. Insurers leaving the child insurance market
  14. It stops small physician owned hospitals from opening
  15. Causes doctors to leave the market
  16. Unaccountable bureaucrats will be in charge of health decisions
  17. Premiums will go up

The list goes on and on, which isn’t particularly shocking when we are talking about a 2,000+ page piece of legislation that no one who voted in favor of it read.

Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.

Read: E.J. Dionne Wonders If We’ll Miss Obamacare If SCOTUS Kills It »

Posted in Healthcare, Liberal World, Wonky Media | 1 Comment | Trackback URL

Obama Plays Small Ball With Carp, Pythons

By William Teach June 25, 2012 – 8:04 am

Unable to do anything meaningful to get the US economy moving, Mr. Obama has resorted to playing small ball in many states with issues that should simply be normal government business

(Politico) President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are jousting over the big national themes of 2012: the economy, the deficit, the crisis in Europe.

But voters in swing states also are hearing a lot about decidedly smaller topics: Burmese pythons, Asian carp, a local port and the like.

It’s the micro-issue side of the macro-issue campaign. In an election where every vote matters, Team Obama is also trying to go big by going small.

Take the publicity surrounding the Burmese python.

Democrats count eradication of the invasive species that preys on herons and egrets in the Everglades as a winning issue in the Sunshine State. So when the Interior Department banned the import of the scary snakes in January, the administration and the campaign made sure Floridians knew about it.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe announced the ban while visiting the Everglades. They also met with the Orlando Sentinel editorial board to explain how the snakes are threatening the Everglades habitat.

Soon after, the Obama campaign’s top regional press secretary, Tom Reynolds, weighed in via Twitter: “Big snakes a big problem in FL. Thats why Obama Admin banned 4 types of pythons 2 wks ago. DOI said the snakes threaten native U.S. species.”

We also see something similar when discussing the Asian carp invasion and how the “carp czar” has been working to stop the species from making it into the Great Lakes. Obviously, it’s only through Obama’s super duper leadership that these historic measures are taking place, because no one else could possibly accomplish this….excepting, this is simply normal business of the government, and these measures simply highlight that Obama cannot stand on his overall record. The economy and jobs are the top issues for the vast majority of Americans, and Obama’s policies have failed.

The Obama campaign has been sending out press releases, tweets, and campaign staff to make sure the locals know that Obama is super awesome. But, again, what else does he have but to discuss pythons and carp?

Read: Obama Plays Small Ball With Carp, Pythons »

Posted in Barry Obama, Elections | 1 Comment | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach June 24, 2012 – 3:48 pm

…is a mode of transportation that doesn’t use fossil fuels, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Neo-Neocon.

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 2 Comments | Trackback URL

Good Grief: New York To Be Swamped By 2.77mm Of Sea Rise A Year

By William Teach June 24, 2012 – 12:37 pm

On Sunday’s I usually like to wait till the afternoon to post another article, what with the Patriotic Pinup post. However, I ran across a really silly doom and gloom Warmist article over at Tom Nelson’s spot, which is truly idiotic and scaremongering, pushed by the AFP

New York at risk from rising sea levels

The sea level on a stretch of the US Atlantic coast that features the cities of New York, Norfolk and Boston is rising up to four times faster than the global average, a report said on Sunday.

This increases the flood risk for one of the world’s most densely-populated coastal areas and threatens wetland habitats, said a study reported in the journal Nature Climate Change.

Since about 1990, the sea level along the 1,000-kilometre “hotspot” zone has risen by two to 3.7 millimetres per year.

The global rise over the same period was between 0.6 and one millimetre per year, said the study by the US Geological Survey (USGS).

If global temperatures continue to rise, the sea level on this portion of the coast by 2100 could rise up to 30 centimetres over and above the one-metre global surge projected by scientists, it added.

Everybody panic!!!!!!1!!!!!! Oh, wait, science occurs elsewhere via actual data, rather than hysterical ranting and prognostication (click the “read more”)

Read More »

Read: Good Grief: New York To Be Swamped By 2.77mm Of Sea Rise A Year »

Posted in AGW Idiocy, AGW Scaremongering, Collapsing Science, Global Warming, Science | 7 Comments | Trackback URL
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