Senate Democrats advance climate bill without GOP

November 5, 2009 — Ralph Maughan

Republicans boycotted the committee vote, so the Democrats passed the bill without them, 10 to 1-

What the Democrats did is what you might expect, but in the past the Democrats have said, “Oh we need some bipartisanship,” when it is clear the minority at present wants nothing to do with bipartisanship.

I guess no one will be surprised by the one Democrat to vote against it — Montana’s nobleman senator Max Baucus.

So the climate bill will head to the floor of the Senate.

Senate Democrats advance climate bill without GOP. By Dina Cappiello. The Associated Press
New on Nov. 6.  Democrats Push Climate Bill Through Panel Without G.O.P. Debate. By John M. Broder. New York Times.

Posted in Climate change, politics. Tags: , , . 16 Comments »

Obama avoids a ‘war on the West’

September 23, 2009 — Ralph Maughan

Rocky Baker points out that the Idaho Cattle Association is pleasantly surprised-

A lot of people I know worked hard to get Barack Obama elected President;  not just conservationists, but independents and Democrats who had sat on their hands for years.

As Barker points out, after the election the traditional Western resource users (who are often irritatingly called “The West”) expected the worst and were ready to fight against another “war on the West.” This is something they claim — a “war on the West” —  whenever some President doesn’t give them the deference and subsidies they think they are entitled to.

Now they are grinning. He has done nothing to disturb them. “Democrat” Walt Minnick, Idaho’s soon-to-be-defeated congressman in the state’s first district reportedly said “The Obama people have learned from Clinton’s first 90 days.”

I think they’ve learned the wrong lesson. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in conservation, politics. Tags: , . 62 Comments »

Congressional Dems eye reversal of recent and pending Bush anti-environmental regs

November 12, 2008 — Ralph Maughan

Maybe we won’t have to wait for Obama-

This would be incredible! Dems eye midnight regulations reversal. By Eria Lovely and Ryan Gram. Politico.

Posted in endangered species act, politics. Tags: , , , . 23 Comments »