CHAOS's blog

What has happened to America that allows individuals to lose every aspect of human dignity and compassion? These people were noted NOT to be from this town and it makes you wonder how much they are paid to just show up and be disruptive.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32694893#32694893

I do not know how to imbed the actual video. I hope the link works one way or the other.

hecklers at rally

This is a reminder of why I maintain my composure at these rallys as I will not compete with them or sink to their level. I challenge each of you to do the same.

There are weeks when it is embarrassing to be from the mountains, or maybe even from North Carolina when Virginia Foxx is discussing Health Care Reform. This is one of those weeks! She was actually at this rally. I wonder if she talked about frying squash for her husband again.

The Republicans have no interest in health care reform, and they do not hand out any cards that can be used, so the Democrats need to step up, claim their power and give us health care reform!

When the people come up with this crazy death panels idea....I want to SCREAM....the real "death panels" are the insurance companies and the needless deaths caused by denial of payment for care or the deaths caused by lack of care available to individuals with no insurance.

Democrats Seem Set to Go It Alone on a Health Bill

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/health/policy/19repubs.html?ref=us

But as this article states, will all of the moderate, conservative progressive and liberal democrats be able to come together to support this and see it through?

And why has Obama mentioned nothing about Health Care Reform for 2 1/2 days now (unless I missed it)? That is not helping....SHOW YOUR POWER MR PRESIDENT! DO NOT BACK DOWN.

Progress Energy has announced that it plans to close coal fired plants in eastern NC. These plants were built in 1952, 1951, and 1962.

http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/5819496/

I am glad that they are doing this now and I hope that the cleaner energy produced when they build a newer natural gas fueled plant (with less CO2 emissions) in eastern NC, will help keep wind turbines away from the coast. I wonder how many wind turbines, and what size, operating at 30% capacity factor, would be required to have the same 550 Megawatts generating capacity increase that is planned with this new plant.

I will work on that figure....you might be amazed.

This project is pending regulatory permissions. This is a step in the right direction in my opinion.

If all people are insured in the future, Obama has not done enough to make sure the Healthcare System could handle the increase in Patients. There is some information about getting more family practice physicians to rural areas....but I do not see or hear anything about nurses, and other healthcare workers. Nursing is already short-staffed in many areas, so this would really push an already stressed system. I hope something is done to provide more nurses, and nurses who work in an expanded role....nurse practitioners in all fields. If something is not provided, this could result in very poor patient care for all at all levels....from the physician office to the hospital. The current level of research for various diseases will decrease, as will the research for new medications to treat diseases.

Senate Bill 1068 passed its third reading in the Senate. The bill respected the 1983 Mountain Ridge Protection Act. Goss and Appy state tried to rally at the end, but it did not work. I know you will call me NIMBY and what ever, but the ridges were protected by a law years ago, and I have a profound respect for the people that put that bill in place.

At the same time, I have a right to be NIMBY as I do not think the research is there to support big wind energy. I hope that the coast can work to keep the turbines away from shore, or best yet, under water. That technology looks promising, and as usual, the Russians are ahead of us. We need to keep working on solar.

Now the bill will be debated in the house.

Another blogger posted all the items covered in the wind permitting section of senate bill 1068.

And yes, there are two words "federal permits" but the issue of wind farms, wind turbines and their affect on radar capabilities, flight patterns, military operations, and weather information would not affect us on a federal level, it would affect us on a state level, as well. The aspect of navigation of coastal water is covered.....but airspace is not. The effect on air space is not mentioned. I find that interesting and concerning.

The Air Force is very strict with navigable air space and the federal permits should be pointed out clearly.

I have flown for several years, and I would hate to think I was flying into "wind turbine clutter" and end up in turbulence. I would hate to see a medical flight team diverted from helping a trauma victim because of "weather" when it is wind turbine clutter.

So, could the AIR FORCE save the 1983 NC Mountain Ridge Protection Act?

What do you think the ridge law as written, means and please comment on what you think it defines as protected ridges in terms of heights, etc. Thanks

THe senators were not able to reach an agreement. Our ridges are still protected! Small wind is OK. There will be no irresponsible environmentalists on the protected ridges!

Maybe the ASU dept of wind energy will take a hint, and finally get down to some small wind projects and leave the highest ridges alone. OR MAYBE SOME FACULTY CUTS ON THE WAY?

Nothing scheduled for this week.....

There are lots of other places to harness wind in NC, they need to listen to the people and get down to it!