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CORRUPTION UPDATES 93 July 17-18, 2007 The CORRUPTION UPDATES posts corruption news stories from California, the Nation and the World, and gives you the straight story. |
CORRUPTION UPDATES 93
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1) The Article linked below was Abstracted from the cited source. Following the Abstract, you will find analysis and commentary, references to related articles, and a link to the database with suggested search terms.
Bear Stearns Says Battered Hedge Funds Are Worth Little
NYT, July 18, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/18/business/18bond.html?pagewanted=print
Bear Stearns told clients in its two battered hedge funds late yesterday that their investments, worth an estimated $1.5 billion at the end of 2006, are almost entirely gone. In phone calls to anxious investors, Bear Stearns brokers reported yesterday that May and June had been devastating months for the portfolios.
“In light of these returns, we will seek an orderly wind-down of the funds over time,” a letter to Bear Stearns clients said.
Overseen by Bear Stearns Asset Management, the hedge funds had been stellar performers until this spring when the mortgage securities market began to falter. Delinquencies on loans made to risky borrowers, known as subprime mortgages, started climbing in February; since then the value of the securities have spiraled downward.
Investors tried to get out of the funds, but in May, Bear Stearns halted redemptions. Shortly after that, several banks and brokerage firms that had provided loans began demanding more cash as collateral. On June 26, Bear Stearns said it would offer a $1.6 billion loan to shore up the more conservative fund and unwind its positions.
The announcement that the funds are now almost worthless came as a surprise to many on Wall Street.
Even before Bear Stearns made its disturbing disclosures, the ABX index, which tracks the price of insuring losses in subprime bonds, hit fresh lows. The part of the index that tracks A-rated segments of mortgage securities issued in late 2006 and early 2007 fell to 68.5 cents on the dollar, down from 72.36 cents Friday.
“There are a bunch of unanswered questions here,” said Joshua Rosner, a managing director at Graham & Fisher, an investment firm. “For me, one of the big unanswered questions is, do the prime brokers and others who have extended lines of credit to the hedge funds really have a good handle” on how those borrowings have been invested.
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Hedge Funds Threaten Economy
Alex Wierbinski, Berkeley, Ca., June 25, 2007
(First published for CU 83_8)
The problem is not just unregulated markets, it's why they're unregulated.
The problem is that we are allowing markets to lead, rather than follow, the will of the people. Supply-Side economics says if you give the rich all the money, they will rain down a golden shower upon all us lesser folk.
In pursuit of that goal, taxes have been lifted from our corporations, and the personal income of our super-rich. Control of Politics and law by our corporate elite has concentrated the greatest amount of American wealth in the smallest number of hands ever.
Instead of using law to concentrate wealth in the hands of the rich, god bless them, we should require the rich to earn their wealth, their concentration of capital, by drawing consumer spending to their endeavor.
The hedge funds represent just the opposite. Rather than earning wealth responsibly, and being restrained by the requirements of responsibility, the hedge funds appeared, and grew, as regulation and taxation on wealth receded.
Once you allow Supply side economics to run out its first stage, concentrating wealth at the top of society, the second stage begins. Vast pools of concentrated capital are guided to create, and profit from, the market effects of their own movements.
In the case of Amaranth, they fell into a hole of their own creation, similar to the Silver hole the Hunts created, and fell into, in the early '80s. You must understand that when a big market player makes a monopolistic move on a position, be it a stock or commodity, at a certain point their purchases create a shortage of that position in the market, driving up the price.
By theory, in a "perfect" market, the price drop when they unload the position will equal out with the price rise when they bought in. But we do not live in a perfect world, and perfect markets do not exist.
The big moves of the Big Market Players creates not just a shortage of the position, but has the potential to create a psychological momentum in the market that drives up the price enough to cover the dumping, the offloading of a big chunk of their position, at a vast profit, before the price tanks completely.
Amaranth, like the Hunts, failed to pull the trigger at the proper moment, and got caught in their own trap.
To avoid this bullshit, we must revert to citizen-side economics, maintaining the majority of the wealth of this country in the middle and lower classes.
Concentrations of wealth and capital must emanate from, and be responsible to, the middle class for the highest degree of economic security.
Also See:
Corruption Updates 81, 8th article on the page, "Bear Stearns Staves Off Collapse of 2 Hedge Funds: Billions in Worthless Loans Ready to Hit Market"
Corruption Updates 83, 8th article on the page, "Report on Amaranth Collapse Is to Be Made Public"
Search the Corruption Database under
Hedge Funds
Economics
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2) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE :
Newark: Sentence for Man in Espionage Plot
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
July 18, 2007
Metro Briefing | New Jersey
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/18/nyregion/18mbrfs-SPY.html?pagewanted=print
A former Philippine National Police officer was sentenced in Federal District Court yesterday to six years and four months in prison for his role in a plot in which he obtained secret United States documents in an attempt to undermine the Philippine government. The former officer, Michael Ray Aquino, 41, pleaded guilty in July 2006, admitting he possessed the secret documents. Also pleading guilty in the case was Leandro Aragoncillo, 48, a former marine who worked as a military aide to vice presidents Al Gore and Dick Cheney before becoming an F.B.I. intelligence analyst.
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Trust Economic Immigrants to Betray American Values
Alex Wierbinski, Berkeley, Ca., July 30, 2007
Those who immigrated here for the money are only loyal to money, and those who hold money. To expect anything else is to ignore the ramifications of our greed-based immigration policy.
But what happens when the money runs out, or duty and loyalty to the Constitution are put aside to pursue wealth and power?
When loyalty and duty to the Constitution are put aside for wealth and power, Alberto Gonzales happens. John Hsu happens. South Florida full of fascist Cubans happens.
Also See:
Corruption Updates 41, 8th article on the page, "Philippines: Estrada associate guilty of graft"
Corruption Updates 92, 10th article on the page, "Manila terror law draws criticism: Another Corporate Fascist Bitch State Adoptin..."
Corruption Updates 82, 1st article on the page, "National Archives are Target in Cheney Fight on Secrecy Data" Note that Cheney is fighting to loosen controls on secret documents while his staff is giving away state secrets, as indicated by the abstract above and, the Plame incident.
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Record Gulf of Mexico ‘Dead Zone’ Is Predicted
NYT, July 18, 2007
The discharge of chemicals from fertilizer, municipal wastes and other sources into the Gulf of Mexico has increased so much that government scientists are predicting that this year’s summertime “dead zone,” or the area of oxygen depletion, in the gulf may cover 8,500 square miles, the largest area ever. Not since 2002 has the area of oxygen depletion been that large — covering an area the size of New Jersey — said David Whithall, a coastal ecologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
American Growth equals Death for Nature
Alex Wierbinski, Berkeley, Ca., July 30, 2007
America has grown so large and powerful that we are not just shooting nature full of "Dead Zones," as the article above describes. American growth and consumption patterns have changed the weather patterns around the world. The timing and content of the seasons here in California, and around the world are significantly different than they were 10 short years ago.
The rains begin and end at different times than they did 10 years ago. The winds blow from a completely different direction during Wintertime. The winds bring strange weather from the South during Summertime.
These changes in our local weather pattern now draw significant weather from the tropical regions, rather than the North Pacific, our traditional source of weather. Global patterns have shifted as significantly as the weather patterns have shifted in California.
The monsoon is now unreliable in China and India. It comes not at all, or it brings devastating flooding. Searing heat is burning South-Eastern Europe, while floods ravage England. The German wheat crop just came in 30% below last year's yield, due to unstable weather. I predict that this year's global crop yields will be significantly lower that normal, accompanied by complete crop failures in many nations around the world.
China is facing significant food shortages due to the historically unprecedented flooding they have experienced this year. Indian subsistence farmers have been failing and starving for the last decade. Temps across arid lands have risen significantly during the last decade. Deserts are spreading around the world.
Up to 2 billion peasants who depend on traditional weather patterns for food production are going to be faced with famine and starvation this year, as climate change drives crop declines and failures around the world.
Despite the Climatic Meltdown, neither our Politicians nor Press have questioned our policy of unlimited growth and expansion. The two-thirds of the population that just got here don't even realize that our weather has changed. The supermarkets are air-conditioned and full of food, so why worry?
The foreigners also believe that the rich have always dominated politics here, just like in Mexico and China, so why not join the frenzy of greed and materialism?
Also See:
Corruption Updates 39, 10th article on the page, "Top Scientists Warn of Water Shortages and Disease Linked to Global Warming"
Corruption Updates 47, 10th article on the page, "Permanent drought predicted for Southwest: Climate Already Changed, People and Scientists too stupid..."
Corruption Updates 65, 1st article on the page, "BEES: Honey, I'm Gone"
Corruption Updates 71, 9th article on the page, "'Only 50 years left' for sea fish"
Corruption Updates 76, 7th article on the page, "Study finds huge decreases in bird populations"
Search the Corruption Database under
Environment (50 Abstracts)
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China: Challenge to World Bank Pollution Claim
NYT, July 18, 2007
World Briefing | Asia
A senior Chinese official rejected the findings of a recent World Bank study that said pollution caused 750,000 premature deaths in this country every year. “I think the World Bank report lacks a precise, scientific foundation, regardless of how many people it says die in China because of pollution.” said the official, Zhou Jian.
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
China Makes American Corporations Billions at Cost of less than a Million
Alex Wierbinski, Berkeley, Ca., July 30, 2007
What a great deal. Wal-Mart and the rest of the Corporate Manufacturing-Distribution-Sales infrastructure has moved its manufacturing to China, where environmental concerns are virtually nonexistent, let alone any rules or standards for product purity, worker's wages, or safety.
Our corporations have killed three birds with one stone: They have gutted decent wages and the middle class here, They have concentrated the wealth and political power of our country at the top, among themselves. Finally, and most importantly, they have attained the power necessary to use, abuse, and throw away millions of people's lives in their global pursuit of power and wealth.
Also See:
Corruption Updates 36, 6th article on the page, "China about to pass U.S. as world's top generator of greenhouse gases"
Corruption Updates 65, 7th article on the page, "China puts economy before climate"
Search the Corruption Database under
China (49 Abstracts)
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Panel vacancy puts us at risk
Chron, Wednesday, July 18, 2007
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/18/BUGOSR22R21.DTL
...President Bush's failure to fill a vacancy on the three-person Consumer Product Safety Commission created a potentially dangerous situation for the public. Without a full slate, the commission is unable to levy fines or force a recall.
And now, with the vacancy still unfilled and no nominee in sight, the worst-case scenario has arisen.
The commission says that a Texas company called Kazuma Pacific is importing from China a defective all-terrain vehicle for kids and that the company has refused to cooperate in voluntarily pulling the product from the market.
"We have a recalcitrant company that is failing to meet its obligations to safety," acknowledged Scott Wolfson, a spokesman for the commission.
He confirmed that the commission, because of its lack of a quorum, is unable to slap Kazuma with fines or force a recall.
The commission says the Meerkat 50, which is intended for kids age 6 to 11, places children "at risk of injury or death due to multiple safety defects," including a lack of front brakes, no parking brake and being able to start the vehicle while in gear.
In a lengthy e-mail, Kazuma's president, Jason Tsai, said that he's instructed the Chinese manufacturer to make the Meerkat 50 safer, but it will take several months before the new-and-improved model makes it to the United States.
He expressed surprise that the commission is targeting his company. "It seems to me that CPSC is more interests to destroy Kazuma name rather than just warning the public," Tsai wrote.
The commission has been without a full three members since July 2006, when Hal Stratton, who was appointed chairman by Bush in 2002, left to take a job with a law firm that specializes in shooting down class-action lawsuits filed by consumers.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Act, two commissioners can conduct business for six months after a third commissioner quits. After that, they're restricted from taking action on regulatory maters or civil penalties until the vacancy is filled.
The six-month mark was hit on Jan. 15. In March, Bush nominated Michael Baroody, a top manufacturing-industry lobbyist, to serve as chairman and thus oversee regulation of the business that for years provided him with a livelihood.
In May, Baroody withdrew from consideration one day before his Senate confirmation hearing was to have taken place. He'd been asked by senators to provide copies of his severance agreement with the National Association of Manufacturers.
The word out of Washington is that the White House has no one else in mind to fill the vacancy and that Bush might even leave the seat empty until the end of his term next year.THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Chinese Immigrant Brings Chinese Death Machines to American
Alex Wierbinski, Berkeley, Ca., July 30, 2007
What a burn. Jason Tsai deserves the same opportunity to screw Chinese labor, and kill American consumers, just like the rest of our big corporate importers do.
But there's no need to worry, Jason. The corporations control our government, and will preserve your "American" right to make money at any cost to the general welfare of the public, and insult the few citizens that are left in this country.
If you want to give Jason Tsai a piece of your mind: Contact Page for Kazuma Pacific.
Consumer Reports: Kazuma replies: Meerkat 50 just a "toy ATV"
Killing Americans with Political Bribery:
Corruption Updates 10, 5th article on page, “DO BRIBED POLITICIANS PROVIDE SAFE REGULATION OF PIPELINES, OR ANYTHING ELSE?” AP IN BEE.
Corruption Updates 16, 4th article on the page, "EPA STANDARDS WILL KILL YOU: SPECIAL INTEREST BRIBERY BRINGS AMERICA DEATH"
Corruption Updates 21, 9th article on page, “White House under Investigation for Censoring Science”
Corruption Updates 24, 4th article on page, “ BIG OIL OWNS INTERIOR DEPARTMENT”
Corruption Updates 24, 5th article on page, NYTIMES, 12-3-06, “LOBBYING BY TRUCKING INDUSTRY BRINGS DEATH TO NATION'S HIGHWAYS INSURANCE AND SAFETY LOBBIES HAVE INSUFFICIENT BRIBE MONEY TO STOP TRUCKING LOBBY FROM GUTTING SAFETY RULES”
Corruption Updates 25, 5th article on page, AP, 12-6-06, “BATTERY LOBBY BRIBES ENDANGER HEALTH BUSH REPAYS BRIBES WITH OUR HEALTH AND WELFARE BY ATTEMPTING TO KILL LEAD STANDARDS”
Corruption Updates 25, 6th article, AP, 12-6-06, “FARM LOBBY BRIBES ENDANGER HEALTH GRASSLEY (R-IOWA) REPAYS BRIBES BY KILLING EPA REGULATION OF FARMS
Corruption Updates 32, 2nd article on the page, "BUSH TRIES TO KILL CHEMICAL RULES, SCIENCE, AND INTEGRITY IN ONE FELL SWOOP: INTEGERTY FALLS, RULES AND SCIENCE DAMAGED, BUT STILL STANDING
Corruption Updates 1, 2nd to last article on the page, “Big Oil Owns our Politicians”
Corruption Updates 2, 6th article down, “Contribute to Win, Big Contribs try to Trump State Safety Laws”
Corruption Updates 3, 2nd article on page, “Big Business Spends Lawmakers into Compliance”
Corruption Updates 4, 1st article on page, “Checks in, Laws Out, It's that Simple”
SEE: Corruption Update #21, 5th article: “Some legislative candidates run with big money but no opposition” This article highlights the redistribution of funds between Dem candidates, and how this predicts power within the party.
Search the Corruption Database under
Killing Safety Regulations
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Waxman studies possible political use of drug office
Doolittle's office says two meetings were routine roundtables.
By William Douglas - McClatchy Washington Bureau
Published 12:00 am PDTWednesday, July 18, 2007
http://www.sacbee.com/capolitics/v-print/story/278317.html
The White House sent officials from the Office of National Drug Control Policy to 20 political events featuring vulnerable Republican members of Congress shortly before the 2006 elections, and at taxpayers' expense.
Is that evidence of improperly politicizing a government office? Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is looking into that question. He sent letters Tuesday to drug czar John Walters and former White House Political Affairs Director Sara Taylor requesting documents and interviews.
His inquiry comes on the heels of an ongoing congressional investigation into allegations that the Bush administration has politicized the Justice Department and after former Surgeon General Richard Carmona testified last week that the White House routinely interfered with his ability to do his job by imposing political limits on him.
Waxman said the committee had received a Nov. 20, 2006, memorandum that showed that Walters and his deputies had attended more than 20 events with vulnerable Republican members of Congress in the months before the midterm elections. The trips were combined with announcements of federal grants to the endangered lawmakers' states or districts, according to Waxman.
"You included no Democrats or Independents in your memo of suggested travel for Director Walters," Waxman wrote to Taylor.
Two of the events were in Rep. John Doolittle's congressional district in April 2006, about six weeks before the June primary elections.
The two events were described as "roundtables with community leaders" in Nevada City and Oroville on April 11 and 12. No press releases announcing the events were found on Doolittle's campaign or congressional Web sites and there were no entries in the congressman's campaign finance reports for the period showing money was taken in or spent on them.
Republicrat Government Has Two Roles:
Defend and Expand Corporate Profits and Power, and elect those who do
Alex Wierbinski, Berkeley, Ca., July 30, 2007
The parties have been using the power of government to protect their hold on office for decades, but the Bush Administration has set new records by politicizing virtually every executive branch agency. Targeting grants to vulnerable candidates through the Office of National Drug Control Policy is merely the latest misuse of office by this administration.
Bush has extended the politicization of office well beyond the scope of "normal" political corruption, which traditionally involves placing industry insiders into politically appointed positions in all the executive branch agencies.
Bush's political appointees at Interior have given millions to big oil. Bush's appointees at the EPA, FDA, NOAA, and NASA have endangered the public's health, approved dangerous drugs, suppressed science, and broken independent review, respectively. This is only a partial list of the agencies the current administration has politicized and otherwise abused. By far the worse example so far is that of the Justice Department.
The politicization of the Justice Department has made the rule of law a slave to political ends. Put simply, corrupting the Justice Department covers the corruption and crimes in the rest of the executive branch.
The White House recently informed Congress that the Justice Department would ignore subpoenas the White House disagreed with.
Until we get our democracy back, we don't have a chance of having an honest government. Both parties live off the bribes of the biggest Corporate Special Interests in our country, and neither party puts the welfare of our citizens before the profits of their bribers.
The only difference between Bush and the Democrats is the extent to which they serve their corporate masters: Bush and the Repugnants will give the rich and powerful everything. Billery and the Democraps will give the corporations almost everything, but throw a few table scraps to the remnants of the middle class.
Also See:
Corruption Updates 20, 9th article on the page, "Interior: ROVE USING PATRONAGE AND PAYOFF PROMISES TO MOTIVATE SUPPORTERS"
Corruption Updates 43, 9th article on the page, "Doan. GSA Chief Is Accused of Playing Politics"
Corruption Updates 45, 7th article on the page, "Doan: GSA chief can't recall videoconference"
Search the Corruption Database under
Politicization
Interior
NASA
NOAA
Food and Drug Administration
Environmental Protection Agency
Killing Safety Regulations
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He backs Clinton; her backers help him
Ex-Iowa Gov. Vilsack endorses senator, then receives $87,000 from her supporters to help pay off his own presidential campaign debt.
By Dan Morain
Times Staff Writer
July 17, 2007
From the Los Angeles Times
Shortly after endorsing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign, former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack received nearly $90,000 in donations to his defunct presidential campaign from some of Clinton's major backers, campaign finance reports show.
The donations, disclosed in Federal Election Commission filings over the weekend, came from Clinton fundraising bastions of New York, California, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
None came from Iowa, where Vilsack served two terms as governor.
Once he dropped out, Democratic candidates came courting, hoping he could help them win the important early caucus state. In March he endorsed Clinton, and his Democratic organization is viewed as key to her chance of winning in Iowa six months from now.
In May and June, at least 45 Clinton donors contributed $87,000 to Vilsack's presidential campaign account. Vilsack used part of the money to repay himself $55,000, part of a personal loan he had given to his campaign.
Clinton's major donors included partners at national law firms such as DLA Piper, who gave her $190,000; Kirkland & Ellis, who gave her $111,200; and Skadden Arps, who donated $89,800.
Employees of Cablevision chipped in $93,600.
Among her notable donors, she received $2,300 from Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President Kennedy, and from News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch, the mogul who has reached a tentative agreement to buy the Wall Street Journal.
Altogether, Clinton took in $51,000 from employees of Murdoch's empire, including 20th Century Fox. Obama received $56,000 from Fox employees.
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Clinton Pays Vilsack 90,000 for Endorsement
Alex Wierbinski, Berkeley, Ca., July 30, 2007
Simply put, politicians who bribe other politicians are "leaders."
The role of a party "leader" is to launder special interest bribes into elections where the party is weak. This doubles the corrupting force of the Bribe; the corporate briber gains additional clout by having their bribe buy two politicians for the price of one.
The parties can't have local voters decididing who runs for, and gets elected to office. That would get in the way of their service to their corporate masters.
The only way to stop corporate bribery is to restrict political contributions to those who are qualified to vote in the election. No more corporate bribes, no more corporate union bribes, no more bribes at all.
Since the parties are not much more than massive depositories of corporate wealth, our initiative limits the total party contributions to any candidate to 30% of the total contributions the candidate received from qualified local contributors.
This puts the local voters first, the political parties second, and the special interests third in the electoral heiarchy.
We can no longer tolerate a government elected by and for the special interests. It is killing our country.
Also See:
Corruption Updates 20, 6th article on page,"Dems Woo Buisness Groups"
Corruption Updates 22, 6th article on the page, "Deep pockets carry the day: MONEY WINS IN ALMOST EVERY POLITICAL RACE"
Corruption Updates 24, 6th article on the page, "POLITICIANS WHO BRIBE POLITICIANS ARE LEADERS"
Corruption Updates 33, 2nd article on page, "Corporate Democrats of the Democratic Leadership Council Laugh at democracy"
Corruption Updates 34, 11th article on page, "In cash race, Clinton context is lacking"
Corruption Updates 62, 6th article on page, "Suit Sheds Light on Clintons’ Ties to a Corporate Benefactor"
Corruption Updates 62, 10th article on page, "Clinton: Pakistani businessman, donor to Dems, returns to U.S. to face charges"
Search the Corruption Database under
Clintons
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8) The Article linked below was Abstracted from the cited source. Following the Abstract, you will find analysis and commentary, references to related articles, and a link to the database with suggested search terms.
Study: Demand to Outpace Crude Supply
Monday, July 16, 2007
(07-16) 16:28 PDT WASHINGTON, (AP)
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/07/16/national/w162841D59.DTL
Conventional crude oil supplies won't keep up with growing global demand in the next 25 years and other fuels from ethanol to liquefied coal and oil from tar sands will be needed to close the gap, says a draft oil industry report.
The draft report by the National Petroleum Council, an advisory group to the federal government, is unusual in its emphasis on the need for a broad range of supplemental fuels and conservation to meet future petroleum needs.
The document, titled "Facing the Hard Truths about Energy," is to be approved by the 175-member council Wednesday and then presented to Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman. A copy was provided to reporters Monday.
The council is made up of a cross-section of oil industry executives and other energy experts selected by the energy secretary to advise the department. Its chairman is Lee Raymond, retired chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corp.
The report projected continued growth of conventional global crude oil production but said that it would not be enough to meet demand.
"It's a hard truth that the global supply of oil and natural gas from the conventional sources relied upon historically is unlikely to meet projected 50 to 60 percent growth in demand over the next 25 years," says the report.
To bridge the supply-demand gap the report called for ramping up development of biomass fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, liquefied coal and unconventional crude oil sources such as oil from tar sands, ultra deep water areas and shale oil.
Among the "hard truths" about the global energy future outlined in the report is that "an expansion of all economic energy sources will be required" to meet the demand growth.
The report cited estimates by the International Energy Agency and the U.S. Energy Information Administration that projected total liquid fuel production of 116 million to 118 million barrels a day by 2030. International oil companies indicated that amount may not be achievable. Today global crude oil production is about 85 million barrels a day.
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Big Oil Recommends Full Tilt Production of All Fuels
Alex Wierbinski, Berkeley, Ca., July 30, 2007
Gee, we've run out of gas. What a big surprise. The way our politicians, corporate media, and corporations talk and act, I thought we had enough water, energy, oil, and food to expand our population forever.
In 1970 we had about as many domestic resources as we needed to support our population. In 2007 we have grown so large there are not enough resources in the country to support our basic needs.
Maybe we should just stop expanding our population. Or maybe we should reduce our population.
How much less fuel, energy, and food will we use with 12 million less people? A hell of a lot.
How much unfunded pressure will be taken off our educational and medical facilities with 12 million less people? A hell of a lot.
An even better approach to our water, energy, global warming-climate change crisis would be to stop future expansion of our population.
Imagine how much less of everything California would consume if we stopped accepting 750,000 Crimigrants every year.
During the last 30 years the United States consumed the natural domestic resources that would have lasted our country indefinitely into the future.
But we got greedy, and consumed them all.
Now our resources are gone, and the climate change will make many of them impossible to restore.
Good work, Asswipes.
Also See:
Corruption Updates 1, 11th article on page, "BIG OIL OWNS OUR POLITICIANS"
See “politics in Alaska under investigation...,” Corruption Updates #5, third article down.
Corruption Updates 24, 4th article on page, "BIG OIL OWNS INTERIOR DEPARTMENT"
Corruption Update 29, 3rd article on page, "ENERGY LOBBYIST WHO WAS INTERIOR DEPT #2 TARGET IN ETHICS PROBE:ANOTHER LOBBYIST APPOINTED TO GOVERNMENT SUSPECTED OF BETRAYING PUBLIC TRUST WITH ABRAMOFF"
Corruption Updates 31, 5th article on page, “Oil Lease Chief Knew of Error, Report Asserts”
Search the Corruption Database under
Big Oil (27 Abstracts)
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Ex-Legislator in Tennessee Admits Bribery
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NYT, July 17, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/17/us/17tennessee.html?pagewanted=print
MEMPHIS, July 16 (AP) — The last of five lawmakers indicted in an undercover inquiry into public corruption pleaded guilty on Monday to bribery.
The defendant, former State Senator Kathryn I. Bowers, Democrat of Memphis, pleaded guilty to one federal count accusing her of splitting $11,500 with an accomplice who served as a go-between with F.B.I. agents posing as dishonest businessmen.
Ms. Bowers had maintained for two years that she was innocent. Outside of federal court here Monday, she said, “I needed to go on and admit that I’d made some mistakes so that I can go on and try to move on with my life.”
In exchange for her plea, prosecutors dropped five charges of extortion, counts that were more serious and carried a maximum of 20 years in prison each. The bribery charge that Ms. Bowers admitted carries maximum punishment of 10 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, though federal guidelines call for a much lighter sentence for a first-time offender. Sentencing is Oct. 24.
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Do Y'all Know Al Gore?
Alex Wierbinski, Berkeley, Ca., July 30, 2007
After watching Gore the Bore for so long, I thought Tenn. only produced dullards.
I stand corrected: Tenn produces Dullards and Thieves. And some pretty good whiskey.
Also See:
Corruption Updates 40, 11th article on the page, "MEMPHIS POLITICAL MAFIA BUSTED:POLITICAL PULL PAYS POWER BILL"
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Tennessee
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Despite affair, Villaraigosa still seen as 2010 contender
By Kevin Yamamura - Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 12:00 am PDTWednesday, July 4, 2007
http://www.sacbee.com/capolitics/v-print/story/255858.html
Don't dismiss Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa from the 2010 governor's race just because he revealed Tuesday he had an ongoing extramarital relationship, political analysts say.
Villaraigosa said Tuesday he has had a relationship with reporter Mirthala Salinas of the Spanish language network Telemundo...
The acknowledgment of the relationship came after the mayor separated last month from his wife, Corina, who has since filed for divorce.
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Good Catholics All...
Alex Wierbinski, Berkeley, Ca., July 30, 2007
Adultery, Conflicts of Interest, Lies and deceptions. All in a day's work for a politician in California.
Also See:
Corruption Updates 35, 3rd article on the page, "HUGE SPECIAL INTEREST BATTLE OF THE BUCKS OVER LA SCHOOLS"
Corruption Updates 35, 9th article on the page, "LA MAYOR SELLING INFLUENCE THROUGH SCHOOL ELECTIONS"
Corruption Updates 57, 4th article on the page, "Villey: Mayor drops school fight"
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Villaraigosa
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