Media

Well I am for one glad to see history made in American politics. Senator Barack Obama is now the Democratic Presidential Nominee. Many people are crying and showing great emotions here at the Convention.I have witnessed many displays of emotion.

This was something I predicted early would happen concerning Mr.Obama because I seen first hand the spirit of Americans of all race seemly upset about how things were going in Washington and the economy.Now one may feel that this celebration will be short lived but I will only comment by saying let's enjoy history now and celebrate with those who are excited about history being made.This blog is not about what Obama is or not but that History has been made and it is good for our nation.

The choice for the next president is up to us Americans but I love the process of this and what it brings to Americans. Whoever wins hopfully we will all feel like winners and love our Country  The United States Of America. Whether you are Republican or  a Democrat you are an American so let's elect who we feel is our best choice.

I send greetings to you from the Convention!

Well I have witnessed seeing so close to my domain a F2 Tornado. I find it kind of strange during the month of August which is usually the dry and hot time of the summer to be the rainy and windy time for the upper midwest/NW Indiana area.Now with weather conditions reported for the upper 90 plus degrees and no rain forcasted for a couple of days with 50 percent chance. But seemly out of nowhere the storm came a day it was to be a dry day. It was as if the weather man missed calulated this big storm front.Have you ever seen them miss like this? Come on now this was a F2 Storm passing over head.

This storm was so strong going thru even my city that I could not believe what was happening.It passed over my home but a tornado has been reported to have actually hit some parts of the city. Some residents electricity was off for about 5 days with roofs blown off.

But about 12 miles further east in Griffen,Indiana a city that I go thru all the time was hit with a F2 tornado. There were at least 30 homes totally distroyed. It was an amazing thing to witness the destruction.Well I guess there will be storms that the weather man will miss.I found this amazing with all the new technology.

A bill that makes major investments to develop new technologies that address high gas prices and the energy crisis.The bill is intended to help America invest and invent its way out of high gas prices and the energy crisis. The Fiscal year 2009 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act proposes more than $33 billion in energy and water development which is a $2 billion increase from 2008. Congressman Visclosky is the chairman of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee.

In order to address high gas prices, the bill provides:$305 million for research to pursue technology breakthroughs that will reduce petroleum use by all automobiles;$2.52 billion for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs like renewable energy and conservation research and development activities,energy assistance programs,and Weatherization Assistance funding;$853.6 million for Fossil Energy Research and Development to pursue low cost carbon capture;$250 million for Bio-mass and Biorefinery Systems Research and Development to develop technologies that will enable future biorefineries to convert cellulosic bio-mass to fuels such as ethanol;$200 million for demonstrating the GEN IV reactor to maintain the supply of emissions free nuclear energy;$25million for Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Grants to retail and Wholsale motor fuel dealers for installation and storage of renewable fuel blends;$4.86 billion for the Department of Energy's research that will be critical in addressing energy needs.

Other priorites will be confronting Nuclear threats by boosting nuclear nonproliferation environmental cleanup and improving water infrastructure.

I strongly believe that the solutions to our current troubles lie in Americans ingenuity. Now what do you think about this LA?

I am outraged by the price of a gallon of gas.The price at the pump keeps going up and families are being forced to spend large amounts of their budgets on gas.Just buying enough gas to get to work is cost prohibitive for the hard working people of our nation.Some are faced with the difficult decision of whether to fill up their gas tank or buy food for their family.

In the greatest Country on earth, this should never be the choice.The big oil companies announced their first quarter profits for 2008. The numbers were even more shocking than what we might imagine.BP's profitsd of $7.6 billion dollars were 64 percent higher than the same period last year. Shell's profit of over $9 billion were up 25 percent from a year ago. And lastly Exxon/Mobil's take of $10.9 billion was the second biggest U.S.quarterly profit ever.

These multinational Oil Giants are doing everything they can to maximize profit with little or no concern for the financial hardship it causes honest,hard working people. Companies should make a profit, but these numbers are excessive,to consumers,and destructive to the national economy.

Efforts are underway to do something toward the price gouging oil companies.Last year congress passed, and the President signed, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.That law grants the Federal Trade Commission new authority over the manipulation of wholesale crude oil,gasoline,and petroleum markets. The FTC announced  that it has begun its rulemaking process that will establish how it will exercise its authority to go after price fixing in the oil industry.Has the FTC taken a step in the right direction?

Will it require new leadership to protect consumers from price gouging oil companies? Bringing down gas prices will not happen overnight, but it can be done I believe.What are your thoughts about this matter Oil? The national average for the price of gas is $3.94 per qallion  as of this writing May 27,2008.

This earthquake struck close to the New Madrid fault area and was 5.2 on the scale. Thousands of people witnessed the tremble,shake,and train noise. In fact my daughter who lives about 7 miles farther north says her home shook and floors trembled.

But the amazing thing is I slep thru the whole thing not feeling anything at all.No damage either.I heard that people felt this quake 100 miles north of where I reside.This earthquake was about 300 miles south of Hammond,Indiana.

Actually I have never experenced a quake in my life.

Thank God from all the reports I have heard.