Author: scoutprime2014

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MRGO Must GO

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FromWWL

A coalition of scientists, environmentalists and politicians on Tuesday told the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to close — once and for all — a shipping channel that scientists say contributed to the devastating deluge of parts of eastern New Orleans, including the Lower 9th Ward, the home of Fats Domino.

The Corps is expected to release a report next Wednesday to outline what should be done with the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, a channel built in the 1960s that has destroyed hundreds of square miles of wetlands. It was built as a shortcut to New Orleans and a way to kick start the development of reclaimed swampland east of New Orleans that wound up drowned by Hurricane Katrina.

The coalition also issued a report, which said in part, “The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, known locally as Mister Go, was a bad idea when constructed and has become a worse one every year.”

The document, unambiguously called “Mister Go Must Go,” was handed out to members of Congress, who will have a say on what direction the Corps takes.

It is indeed time for MRGO to go. Click Read More for the reasons.

Continue reading “MRGO Must GO”

On Wisconsin, Scoutprime7 Comments

Arrests Continue at WI Capitol

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Yesterday Athenae posted a video of the arrests at the Solidarity Sing Along. As a result of yesterday’s arrests a much larger crowd attended the sing along today and the arrests continued. About a dozen officers would enter the rotunda led by one officer who would walk through the crowd and point to someone: Other officers would then arrest that person. The officers would lead the individuals out and to the basement where they were issued citations. After about 10-15 minutes the officers would return and more arrests would begin again. The lead officer would walk through the crowd and … Continue reading Arrests Continue at WI Capitol

Scoutprime, Uncategorized4 Comments

Walker–“Divide and Conquer”

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“Divide and Conquer”–That was Walker on film giving his union strategy to billionaire supporter Diane Hendricks who has since given the Governor $510,000 in campaign contributions.The Milwaukee Journal Sentinenal reported the story last night: In the video shot on Jan. 18, 2011 – shortly before Walker’s controversial budget-repair bill was introduced and spawned mass protests – Hendricks asked the governor whether he could make Wisconsin a “completely red state, and work on these unions, and become a right-to-work” state. Walker’s reply: “Well, we’re going to start in a couple weeks with our budget adjustment bill,” Walker said. “The first step … Continue reading Walker–“Divide and Conquer”

On Wisconsin, Scoutprime

Unity Rally pt. 2

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Here are some photos from the Unity rally along with some commentary.

John Nichols was one of the speakers and he is always great to listen to because he can get quite fiery.

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I love the reaction of this young member of the audience to the fiery Nichols:

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Senator Fred Risser, one of the WI 14 and the longest serving state legislator in our nation’s history, is beloved here.

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Mahlon Mitchell, who was a Madison firefighter, is the current President of the Fire Fighter’s Association and now the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor, has been continually present since the early days of the protests and is also very well liked and respected here.

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More after the cut…

Continue reading “Unity Rally pt. 2”

On Wisconsin, Scoutprime7 Comments

49’r state

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A new poll shows the state’s in a dead heat at 49% per. From Greg Sargent at The Plum Line: A new poll taken by pollster Celinda Lake — who is a Democrat but is well respected by polling professionals — has found that the battle between Scott Walker and challenger Tom Barrett is now deadlocked, at 49 percent each. The poll — which will be released later today and was comissioned by the pro-labor Greater Wisconsin Committee’s political fund — also finds that independents are breaking towards Barrett, 49-44. VOTE! Walker thinks you won’t… New ad: Behind the Recall: … Continue reading 49’r state

Hurricane Katrina & Federal Flood, Scoutprime4 Comments

ICF bonuses

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From a CNN report today on the Road Home program in Louisiana… SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over: An empty lot is all that’s left of Antoinette Page’s New Orleans home after hurricane Katrina. But she’s still paying the mortgage on this invisible house and getting deeper in debt. Insurance paid just $2,400 and Paige has been waiting almost a year to get help from a Federally funded program called the road home. PAGE: This is unbelievable. I never thought the day would come that this would happen to the citizens of Louisiana and I know it’s just not me. A … Continue reading ICF bonuses

Scoutprime, Uncategorized4 Comments

Body armour was promised for April–Contract has not even been awarded yet

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Stars and Stripes has been trying to find out why but can’t get an explanation… ARLINGTON, Va. — The Army is late in delivering newer, lighter body armor to soldiers downrange. In April, an official with Program Executive Officer Soldier (PEO Soldier) said that soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan would begin to receive the Improved Outer Tactical Vests that month. “The Army will begin fielding the IOTV April 07 as directed by [Headquarters, Department of the Army/ Army Central Command],” said Steven Pinter in an e-mailed response to questions to Stars and Stripes last month. But the Army has not … Continue reading Body armour was promised for April–Contract has not even been awarded yet

Hurricane Katrina & Federal Flood, Scoutprime8 Comments

Hurricane Center director warned by superiors to stop commenting on hurricane satellite possibly failing

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Earlier this week AP reported on how the aging QuikScat satellite used for predicting the intensity and path of hurricanes could fail at any time. Bill Proenza, director of the National Hurricane Center has been outspoken on this but was warned by superiors to stop commenting on it… On Friday, Proenza was given a 3-page letter from the acting head of the Weather Service, Mary Glackin. Proenza’s recent statements “may have caused some unnecessary confusion about NOAA’s ability to accurately predict tropical storms,” Glackin wrote. Glackin, who visited Proenza’s office at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, said that talking … Continue reading Hurricane Center director warned by superiors to stop commenting on hurricane satellite possibly failing

Scoutprime, So Called Liberal Media17 Comments

CNN teh so funny

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Well CNN spent quite a bit of time today covering the suspicious packages in Boston. Then they learned it was a hoax which had CNN anchors Kyra Phillips and Mike Brooks calling for stiff consequences for those responsible. Little did they know they were hitting sooo close to home… PHILLIPS:As Mike was saying, obviously, definitely a sick joke in light of 9/11 what, we saw happen there. And then you see this type of scare hit a city. Of course, the media covering it and all the response. I mean, this costs a lot of money, when you have all … Continue reading CNN teh so funny

Scoutprime, Uncategorized7 Comments

Friday Cat Blogging

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This is from an email I received that I think is making the rounds but it’s Friday and it made me laugh so… Excerpts from a Dog’s diary Dog… 8:00 am – Dog food! My favorite thing!9:30 am – A car ride! My favorite thing!9:40 am – A walk in the park! My favorite thing! 10:30 am – Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!12:00 pm – Lunch! My favorite thing!1:00 pm – Played in the yard! My favorite thing!3:00 pm – Wagged my tail! My favorite thing! 5:00 pm – Milk bones! My favorite thing!7:00 pm – Got to … Continue reading Friday Cat Blogging

Hurricane Katrina & Federal Flood, Scoutprime10 Comments

Strip Lieberman

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Lieberman is threatening to leave the party again.Kos says this… I WISH he’d bolt, but he won’t. He has more influence doing his periodic threats. I wish Reid would simply strip him of his committee assignments and bid him adieu. I agree and especially regarding Lieberman’s chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hillary Clinton recently introduced legislation to “restore FEMA to an independent, Cabinet-level agency, with an administrator who would report directly to the president and have authority to take whatever action is necessary during emergencies.” This is a much needed change yet Lieberman has … Continue reading Strip Lieberman

Scoutprime, Stupid Republican Tricks5 Comments

Oh that Dick and his love for the Press

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Todd J. Gillman of the Dallas Morning News has been reporting and blogging about his travels with Cheney in the Middle East. From his blog post on a meeting between Cheney and the Saudi king… Several photo ops. Moving from tea to a meeting room, photogs from two countries were scurrying to round a corner and pass thru a doorway ahead of the two. The king paused and gestured for the photogs to pass. Cheney, who has a reputation of disdain for the news media, quipped, “You’re too kind.” Continue reading Oh that Dick and his love for the Press

Scoutprime, So Called Liberal Media9 Comments

Today’s Cabloid Follies

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First we see CNN’s David Mattingly being attacked from 2 camera angles by mean fish. Then Fox News is shocked their producer was able to call and get a hostage on the phone in the midst of being held hostage (hmm maybe they picked up the phone thinking it was a hostage negotiator?) Whatever… Fox was so proud that their producer “was able to generate so much information” via her super duper producer power of “just reading into it” as well as being able to see through the phone as to what was “possibly” occurring. (Length: 2:40) Continue reading Today’s Cabloid Follies

War in Iraq16 Comments

Riverbend has new post

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“The Great Wall of Segregation“ On a personal note, we’ve finally decided to leave. I guess I’ve known we would be leaving for a while now. We discussed it as a family dozens of times. At first, someone would suggest it tentatively because, it was just a preposterous idea- leaving ones home and extended family- leaving ones country- and to what? To where? Read the rest Continue reading Riverbend has new post

Hurricane Katrina & Federal Flood5 Comments

LA Times: Homeless pet crisis persists in Katrina’s wake

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From The Los Angeles Times… Animal advocates say many pet owners living in trailers and tight on cash while they rebuild their flood-damaged homes opt to give up their animals because they don’t have space or can no longer afford to keep them. “So many people out there need help with their pets,” said Charlotte Bass Lilly, ARNO’s executive director. Beaulieu estimated that the number of families surrendering their pets to shelters had gone up between 45% and 60% since Katrina. ARNO was founded shortly after the storm. Laura K. Maloney, executive director of the Louisiana Society for the Prevention … Continue reading LA Times: Homeless pet crisis persists in Katrina’s wake

War in Iraq2 Comments

SFGate.com: Corners cut in rush to add troops

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SFGate.com reports on the lack of training time and equipment for troops is hurting readiness… Soldiers of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division had so little time between deployments to Iraq they had to cram more than a year’s worth of training into four months. Some had only a few days to learn how to fire their new rifles before they deployed to Iraq — for the third time — last month. They had no access to the heavily armored vehicles they will be using in Iraq, so they trained on a handful of old military trucks instead. And some … Continue reading SFGate.com: Corners cut in rush to add troops

Hurricane Katrina & Federal Flood, Scoutprime3 Comments

Allstate Sucks Up Your Tax Dollars

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( Sign seen in Lakeview neighborhood of NOLA, August 2006: Photo scout) “Allstate SUCKS” just does not do justice to describing what the company has done in handling Katrina claims. I’m thinking more like— Allstate: Criminally Fraudlant Bastards. But they have Sucked up YOUR tax dollars. From the Times Picayune… If Allstate attributed the damage to wind or rain, for example — putting it on the hook for payment under the customer’s homeowner policy — the company priced the cost of removing and replacing the drywall at 76 cents per square foot. But if the damage was blamed on storm … Continue reading Allstate Sucks Up Your Tax Dollars

Hurricane Katrina & Federal Flood5 Comments

At least 4 Taco Bells left untouched since Katrina

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I’ll never eat at Taco BellToxic Hell again. Many local mom and pop shops don’t have the funds to reopen and their places remain abandoned. But most of the national chains that do business in the city of New Orleans and in other devastated areas have either gutted, demolished or reopened their stores. With one notable exception: At least four Taco Bell restaurants in New Orleans East and St. Bernard remain much as they were when Katrina hit – laying wide open with rotted food, broken glass and piles of garbage. Taco shells still lay on the counters, mostly turning … Continue reading At least 4 Taco Bells left untouched since Katrina

War in Iraq5 Comments

West Point grads leaving service at highest rate in over 3 decades

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From Boston Globe: WASHINGTON — Recent graduates of the US Military Academy at West Point are choosing to leave active duty at the highest rate in more than three decades, a sign to many military specialists that repeated tours in Iraq are prematurely driving out some of the Army’s top young officers. According to statistics compiled by West Point, of the 903 Army officers commissioned upon graduation in 2001, nearly 46 percent left the service last year — 35 percent at the conclusion of their five years of required service, and another 11 percent over the next six months. And … Continue reading West Point grads leaving service at highest rate in over 3 decades

Hurricane Katrina & Federal Flood4 Comments

The Miserable Road Home

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Time for an update on the latest developments on Louisiana’s Road Home program which compensates hurricane/flood damaged homeowners. It’s quite a mess indeed. Very few people have received their grants thus far. The program reports that 140,243 people have applied and there have been only 22,174 closings as of May 28. And now the program faces some very messy funding issues. The progam is facing an enormous shortfall of funds which has triggered a nasty battle over who will make up the deficit. The shortfall is at least $2.9 billion but may end up as much as $5 billion or … Continue reading The Miserable Road Home

Hurricane Katrina & Federal Flood11 Comments

Bush Administration Turned Down Post Katrina Foreign Aid

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This has been known for some time but through FOIA’s CREW has uncovered the extent to which the Bush administration delayed, declined and failed to collect foreign aid pledged after Katrina.The Washington Post reports that CREW obtained over “10,000 pages of cables, telegraphs and e-mails from U.S. diplomats around the globe” and made them available to the paper. It is damning evidence of yet another Katrina failure by the administration of which CREW executive director Melanie Sloan stated, “It’s clear that they’re trying to hide their ineptitude, incompetence and malfeasance.” Allies offered $854 million in cash and in oil that … Continue reading Bush Administration Turned Down Post Katrina Foreign Aid