West Virginia, where do you stand?

by: Clem Guttata

Sat Jan 10, 2009 at 09:29:55 AM EST

- Is West Virginia going up in smoke?

(Neat  interactive map... not so neat implications.) Kentucky makes us look good by comparison. Are workplace and restaurant bans a way to drive down our high percentage?

- Obama says he's open to ideas on the stimulus.

Here's one. Senator Boxer is urging tighter coal waste regulations. Let's go ahead and fund clean up efforts. Money well spent will move Marsh Fork Elementary School out of harms way.

- Good news from Congress yesterday. Paycheck Fairness Act, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act First Bills to Pass House.

Guess how our delegation voted? Democratic Reps. Mollohan and Rahall both voted in favor with Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito voting against. (Is Shelley still trying to curry favor with Pres. Bush? Does she hold out hope for a paternal pardon or is Shelley reverting to form in a non-election year?)

- The economy of West Virginia remains dependent on extraction carbon-based industries. What does it mean when the CEO of Exxon comes out in favor of a carbon tax?

Kevin Drum provides a short hand summary on the pros and cons of Cap-And-Trade vs. Carbon Taxes. If you're not sure which alternative you support, definitely read his short post.

- Finally, if Virginia West can identify "huge electric and gas cost savings" with wind and solar power for a middle school in Worchester, why can't West Virginia do the same for its schools?

(Friend me on Facebook and you'll get a links like this every few days.)

Flickr image credit: Braxton County, WV by PastorLarry

Mud boggin' Barth

by: Carnacki

Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 23:09:06 PM EDT

Of all the candidates I've seen campaign over the years, I've never seen one who has worked so hard and seemed to enjoy meeting with people so much as Anne Barth.

Whether out canvassing in 90 degree plus heat near Hedgesville, or meeting with people long into the night after the West Virginia Serenade in Martinsburg, she's always ready with a smile and a handshake.

Capito's campaign spokesman keeps complaining that Barth is a negative campaigner just because she points out the truth about Shelley Moore Capito's voting record and past statements and who is contributing funds to re-elect Capito. If the truth is a negative for Capito, that ain't Barth's fault.

Mud boggin' is the only time you'll see Anne Barth throwing dirt.

Here's something else that is true: you'll never meet a more positive and up beat person than Anne Barth.

While Capito likes to complain and cast blame instead of looking for real solutions, Anne Barth rolls up her sleeves and gets things done. She did it as Sen. Robert C. Byrd's state director and soon she'll be doing it as the Congressional representative for WV-02.