West Virginia Blue
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One way or another Republican leaders are trying to shut down the United States government. House Republicans passed a continuing resolution that makes $60 billion in additional cuts from a budget that was already strategically cut $40 billion by Democrats. Republicans are using a machete in a situation that calls for a scalpel. What does this mean for society? It means that we will have less people protecting the borders; less investigators making sure food is safe; and an recovering economy that takes a sucker punch right on the chin.
So how have Republicans responded? At the risk of job losses in the economy, Speaker Boehner has said, "So it goes." Sarah Palin has said a government shutdown would be good for the country. I guess to hell with the people not receiving their Social Security checks. Funny how the people that beat you over the head with their ultra nationalism are the same ways that seem to hate our government.
Everyone recognizes the need to address the large deficit. What pisses me off about this whole process is the unending hypocrisy of how the GOP has approached the cuts. They were absolutely committed to extending billions in crippling deficit driving Bush tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans but are the first to say we should increase the retirement age for someone that has made minimum age their entire life at a back breaking job. They are all about cutting health benefits to the working poor but voted to protect millions in subsidies to South American cotton farmers and advertising support to NASCAR. How out of touch these folks are would be funny if it weren't so damned serious.
The President and Democratic Senate, this includes you Manchin, must protect the country from this hypocritical assault from the Right. We must take a balanced approach as we reduce the deficit and protect the long term viability of the country.
Senator Earl Ray Tomblin continues to waste tax payer dollars as he pretends to be Governor of WV. Tomblin is taking a $150,000 salary when he should only be getting $20k plus a per diem as is the total allowed for in the Senate. Beyond changing all the stationary; road signs; letters on the door and God knows what else in his power grab, the guy is filling his pockets with money specifically designated for an elected Governor. How is this legal? What is going on up at the Statehouse now reminds me of when I was up there in the late 80s when people like AJ, Boettner and disgraced Senate President Larry Tucker were dropping like flies because of corruption.
The WV Supreme Court ruled there was no such thing as an Acting Governor and ordered Tomblin to quit pretending to be one. He was ordered to immediately call for an election. Tomblin's 'act as' status does not give him the right to get a $150k salary and I hope the story takes hold with the public and ends his power play to take control of the State.
The Senate Health Committee has passed out an increase in the WV tobacco tax. The money produced by the tax would go to health care for the poor, paying down long term debts, and tobacco prevention efforts.
Senator Truman Chafin and Senator Earl Ray Tomblin have undercut the effort with grandstanding and obstructionism. Chafin made a big fuss in Finance Committee with something about coal miners smoking cigarettes and people crossing the border to other states. Chafin was dressed down by Senator Roman Prezioso, who said,
I think the real hypocrite is the guy that stands on the sidelines, that panders to his constituents.
On the House side, Earl Ray Tomblin apparently told Tobacco Prevention experts not to attend a public hearing on the tobacco tax. This was pointed out by Twilight Campfighter in another post here on Blue.
Yesterday there was a public hearing in the House chambers over the proposed tobacco tax hike. Tomblin opposes it because, well, you know, cigarette machines, Southern Amusement, all that. Anyway, at an open public hearing on tobacco you would expect to hear from the state tobacco prevention experts at DHHR. But there were no DHHR folks there. None. Standing room only but no state tobacco experts. Tomblin ordered DHHR to stay away. This is the kinda guy you're getting, people. He's the Chamber's man, the Coal Association's man, and Manchin's man. And very likely your next Governor.
The tax increase of $1 would place West Virginia at #23 nationally in state tobacco taxes, behind Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC and within a few cents of Ohio and the national average. Hell, people from Oakland, Maryland come over to Terra Alta all the time to buy cigarettes and would still come if this law passed because Maryland's cig tax is $2 and this increase would bring WV's to only $1.55.
West Virginia has one of the nations highest smoking rates and one of the most chronically ill populations. Tomblin and Chafin are not leaders- they are shills for the lobbyist with the biggest pocketbook. A shame the people of WV can't afford their price.
Public employees in Wisconsin have drawn a line in the sand and to the credit of the WI Democratic Party they are getting some help in the WI Senate. Newly elected Republican Governor Scott Walker is pushing legislation that would eliminate collective bargaining for WI public employees. Walker has gone so far as to threaten to replace union workers with the national guard- an offensive and dangerous gesture. They are trying to break the backs of unions across the country but they are awakening a sleeping giant. The people will not stand for being pushed around any longer- the working person has had enough.
WI union workers have showed up in overwhelming numbers to fight the draconian political ploy with crowds of 25-30k at the WI statehouse. The pictures of the crowd are inspiring.
The fight by workers in WI has already spread to Ohio with approximately 4k public union workers showing up in Columbus. The story from WI hits chords nationally as disrespected public employees all over the country find themselves under attack as states scurry to find ways to make up for budget shortfalls.
To our friends in WI and all over the country, West Virginia stands in your corner with our red bandannas proudly displayed. Your fight is inspiring a national movement and West Virginia is with you.
Acting Senate President Jeff Kessler is thinking outside the box about West Virginia's natural resources. Kessler's natural gas proposal would have the State hold back a quarter of the severance tax dollars stemming from the production of Marcellus Shale. This money would be placed into an interest-bearing special revenue account and could be used for the State's long term liabilities, economic diversification, and improvements to our crumbling infrastructure in the decades to come.
I think a candidate like Kessler is the State's best hope of bucking the trend of absentee robber barons exploiting the State for our natural resources. I hope they tax the hell out of this natural gas and increase the severance tax on coal as well. This is our land and we need to make sure that our resources are extracted in a way that do not destroy our communities; put our workers at risk; and once extracted, benefit our citizens for generations to come.
West Virginia is one step closer to a meaningful reform of the State's ethics laws. Last year the House passed the ethics reform legislation but the bill did not make it out of the Senate. Senator Klempa, who supported the bill last year in the House is quoted in the Gazette:
As politicians, I believe we ought to walk around with NASCAR uniforms, so everybody knows who our sponsors are.
A great deal of credit should be given to House Speaker Rick Thompson and Acting Senate President Jeff Kessler's Judiciary team for pushing the bill through the process. The State should not stop here. Democrat or Republican, cleaning up WV politics should be a priority for all of us.
According to the Center for Public Integrity, who ranked WV poorly in a 2008 grading of State ethics laws, states on their website:
If the bill passes the state senate and becomes law, West Virginia, which failed our survey last year with only 45 points, could potentially move up the ranks to number 26 on the list, tying with Florida. Despite the significant jump, however, the state would still receive a D grade from the Center, mostly due to a complete lack of client and real property ownership information from legislators, neither of which seem to be addressed in the current proposal.
Prescription drug abuse is destroying lives and families in the Mountain State. This is not a news flash. Citizens throughout the State have watched as drug epidemic after drug epidemic shatter the lives of family, friends, and neighbors.
The difference here is that the drug kingpins are pharmaceutical companies and doctors. Don't get me wrong- the scientists creating pharmaceuticals mostly do so to the great benefit of very sick patients. Also, most doctors only prescribe these powerful drugs when completely necessary. Unfortunately, the bad actors are creating serious problems in society with these drug pushing pill mills. Hell, I know dozens of people who seem to be able to get any number of powerful pharmaceutical whenever they want it. How can that be?
I have libertarian leanings when it comes to people's personal choices but I refrain from taking black and white positions on complicated public policies. These are manufactured controlled substances intended for the very sick and they are being abused by people simply trying to get high. This isn't like someone drinking a beer or smoking a joint (practices that I think should be legal as long as the user does not then infringe on the rights of another). These prescription drugs are chemist created narcotics, regulated by the government, and something must be done to prevent these drugs from falling in the hands of people unless they absolutely need them.
WV policymakers have announced a summit to address prescription drug abuse this month. Allison Knezevich has also been writing a number of great stories over at the WV Gazette on the issue that I recommend people read. I am still researching the issue but if anyone has any ideas on steps that may address this problem please share them.
As we have all watched the events unfold in Egypt over the past several days, I couldn't help but realize how inherently wrong I was in my original assessment of the transition of power in West Virginia. After former Governor Manchin moved to the US Senate, I posted that WV Senate President Tomblin should remain Governor until the 2012 regularly scheduled elections. No bones about it- I was just wrong.
My reasoning was driven by two factors- cost and continuity in governance. On each point, I overstepped in my conclusions because my assumptions were misguided. Concerning cost, as several others pointed out, the value of democracy is not something that should be measured in dollars and cents, for the inherent expression of the people's will through their vote is the linchpin of our entire political structure. Regarding continuity, others have correctly pointed out that the current situation at the Statehouse is as uncertain as any West Virginia has ever faced. The only way to redress the lack of stability is to have an election, not put one off.
The people of Egypt, and people all over the world, fight and die for a right that we often take for granted. Even I have taken this for granted and appreciate venues like WV Blue and other forums that allow for exercises in democratic discussion that give citizens a chance to share and hear the viewpoints of others. I genuinely learn from these exchanges.
Under the assumption that the May 14 compromise for a primary and October 4 general special election date will become law, let's prove our commitment to democracy and to our State by fully exercising democracy. Let's all take heed the lessons from the people of Egypt and remember that democracy cannot be taken for granted.
Democrats need to stop Earl Ray Tomblin from becoming the next Governor of West Virginia. Some say Tomblin is Manchin without the charisma. He is worse. Here are a few reasons:
Too Close to Corruption
His link to corrupt politicians like Joe Ferrel and self serving position on gambling back in the 90s are only two of the troubling skeletons in the Tomblin closet.
The Tomblins have been a powerful political force in Logan County for years. According to an article posted on West Virginia Watchdog:
Tomblin's own father, former Logan County Sheriff Earl Tomblin, was a member of the "Logan Five;" five elected officials convicted of election rigging in the 1970s. Later, in 1992, Earl pleaded guilty to bribery related to the election for former Logan County Sheriff Oval Adams.
In addition to that Tomblin pushed an effort to legalize gray machines (illegal gambling machines before regulated video lottery) while his family's business apparently operated the machines. Watchdog goes on to say:
An effort was led by the senior Tomblin to legalize the machines under former Gov. Gaston Caperton, only to fail due to investigations into the West Virginia Lottery Commission at the time.
Acting as More than Governor
Governor's are elected. Earl Ray Tomblin has not been elected. Yet, Tomblin has tried to squirrel his way in there by slapping his name on all the doors, letterhead, and signs he can find. Thank the good heavens the WV Supreme Court put him in his place stating he was not even acting Governor but merely an act as Governor. That being said, I'll bet my hound dog Tick that Tomblin hasn't changed his letter head or even the way he is announced to reflect the highest court in the State. It is offensive.
Can't Beat Em, Join Em
Tomblin has pulled two major flip flops and he has been selling himself as Governor for just a few months. First, Tomblin tried to put off holding an election. He said he wanted to hear from the people. Ha! He never had any intention of having an election and fought it all the way to the Supreme Court (it was Tomblin's lawyers arguing against having an election this year). To beat all, once the Court told him he couldn't fake being Governor anymore he acted like it was his idea to have the freaking election. Does he really think people in WV are that dumb?
Tomblin also got out maneuvered in the Senate...twice. First, Senator Kessler and his crew of merry Democrats took the Senate leadership away from Tomblin's old guard. Tomblin tried to fight it but once Kessler secured the right number of votes, Tomblin tried to act like he was going to stay out of Senate business. Right. Tomblin was out positioned after fighting the new leadership like hell behind closed doors and then tried to pretend to be above the entire matter. What is worse is that Tomblin directly interjected himself into Senate matters while telling everyone he would not- does not say much for how far you can take his word.
Then, yes there is a then (which is actually now I guess) Tomblin threw his old leadership team under the bus to make himself appear above the fray. I would wager that Tomblin promised his old leadership that he would not abandon them and when he did he pissed some people off- Former Senate Finance Chairman Walt Helmick went so far as to not vote for Tomblin for Senate President (one of only three votes against Tomblin after all the deals were made). Now we have Senator Chafin and Senator Jenkins raising three kinds of hell on the Senate floor about Tomblin's absence, while Tomblin sits down in the Governor's Office. How Tomblin could leave his guys out to dry is beyond me and if he gave them his word that he wouldn't then he should have kept his word. Chafin and company are too smart to be crossed and Tomblin may have sold out the wrong people at the wrong time.
Bad Policy Positions
Tomblin has taken some pretty egregious positions on a number of policy issues. His position on coal is like most of the other State Democrats but even a coal guy like myself thought it a bit much to promote a pro MTR rally as a sitting Governor. Hell, not even a Republican would have the gall to do that. It might not hurt him with the coal money but I bet it pissed off some of citizens being protected by the EPA's recent moves.
Tombin has also tried to throw one time money at teachers and State workers and called for cutting a number of taxes. The thing is- who the hell is Tomblin to push those types of budget impacting policies having not been elected. He is just trying to win the vote of business and placate enough teachers and state workers to win election. Beyond that, Tomblin always talks about how the State needs to save money but I guess that does not apply when it comes to winning votes.
Tomblin torpedoed ethics reform. The House of Delegates rightfully passed ethics reform legislation last year and Tomblin was instrumental in killing the bill. The legislation would have given more power to the ethics commission to delve into the finances of politicians' families (a lot of politicians hide money with their families for all types of nefarious reasons). Why did Tomblin want to kill it? Not sure but I like my politicians open and honest about their finances and given Tomblin's associations it does not bode well for him to block it.
You name the issue- union topics, environmental issues, free choice, gay marriage, etc- Tomblin's position is not in line with Democratic values.
Given all this, I strongly encourage Democrats to get behind a candidate like Perdue and do so quickly. Don't think Tomblin has no shot because of the items I listed above because he is getting name recognition in his act as Governor role and has a ton of money. Don't let the Republicans, and in that breath I am referring to Tomblin as well, win this election.
Call it a slap in the face, call it stupid, or call it treacherous- Republican Larry Kump's proposed legislation requiring a nonbinding referendum in the eastern panhandle to determine the EP's desire to secede from West Virginia and become a part of Virginia will at least get the first term delegate attention.
West Virginia is a sum of her parts. The beauty of the eastern panhandle and the wonderful people that live there are a credit to the Mountain State. WV could no more afford to lose the eastern panhandle than a human being could afford to lose a heart.
Delegate Kump's legislation is a slap in the face of every West Virginian, especially those in the eastern panhandle. If Kump is so fond of Old Virginia then I strongly recommend he move there. I hope the proud people of Berkeley County make this first term delegate a one term delegate. Here is to the Mountain State, Almost Heaven, Vandalia, West Virginia, and all the people that are proud to call her home.
In a headlined story by Charles Owens in today's Bluefield Daily Telegraph State Senator Richard Browning clearly points out how the Tea Party hatred of earmarks affects folks in southern West Virginia...
“As far as earmarks in general, I cannot for the life of me figure out why any congressman or senator would want to stop earmarks,” Sen. Richard Browning, D-Wyoming, a long-time supporter of the Coalfields Expressway project in southern West Virginia, said. “Less than 1 percent of the federal budget goes for earmarks. If they can’t bring money home for special projects, we have to rely upon bureaucrats in Washington to do that, and it doesn’t happen. A good example is the R.D. Bailey Water Project that I worked on for three years. We relied upon bureaucrats in Washington to get us stimulus money for it, and we didn’t get it. Had our congressman been able to earmark that money, we would have been able to get it. As a state senator myself, I don’t want a bureaucrat in Charleston deciding what is good for my district. I know what is needed, and I know not to ask for anything that is wasteful.”
Supporters of the Coalfields Expressway, the King Coal Highway and the Shawnee Parkway have been largely dependent upon federal earmarks to date to develop the new southern West Virginia corridors, Browning said.
Further complicating matters is the percentage of highway funding the state receives from the federal government, which can be used at the state’s discretion. But the state has failed to allocate any of that funding toward the three southern West Virginia roadway projects, according to Browning.
King Coal Highway Executive Director Mike Mitchem underlines the problem as well...
Federal earmarks have been critical to the construction of the King Coal Highway,according to King Coal Highway Executive Director Mike Mitchem.
“I think it would greatly impact it because there are certain area like the Mercer County segment that I think it would have a great impact on,” Mitchem said. “They (earmarks) have helped with millions of dollars with the King Coal and Tolsia segments. Earmarks have been great for the King Coal Highway, and that’s the only way it’s ever going to be built.”
Tea Party regulars as well as their syncohants in the Republican party have no concept of what the real problems are with regard to our deficit including two never ending wars, tax cuts for the extremely wealthy and the phenomenal amounts of our tax dollars spent to support the military industrial complex. Building these highways is critical to the future of the southern coalfields that have suffered enough at the hands of coal extractors such as Massey Energy. I wonder how the voters that supported the likes of Spike Maynard and John Raese will feel as they realize money that supports them at home is being eliminated so that tax cuts for the wealthy can be supported?
Senator Jeff Kessler announced that he was running for Governor in the Spring of 2009. For a relatively unknown statewide candidate, it was probably viewed as a necessary move. While serving admirably as the Chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee and successfully taking on some tremendously difficult policy issues, Kessler did not have a statewide name. Unfortunately for the Marshall County Democrat, even after announcing his campaign most people in the State would not know Jeff Kessler if he was sitting beside them in church. Kessler was well down the list of viable Democrats considering a run for Governor with little apparent means to make up the name recognition gap. This tumultuous season in WV politics has changed all that.
Kessler's move against Tomblin and the old guard in the West Virginia Senate has been said to be for all kinds reasons. One insider told me that Kessler truly made the move because of his commitment to principals. Senator Chafin said it was a power grab (probably because Chafin is the one losing power). Regardless of one's opinion on this, Kessler is now a real player in the race for Governor- whenever that may be. Kessler's chances will only improve as he takes the helm in the Senate and plays an integral role in navigating the State through this unprecedented political storm.
So where is Kessler in the political power rankings? Depends on who is running and when the election is held. If there is a special election with a convention then Perdue is probably the favorite, with Thompson perhaps being second. If a traditional primary is held then Tennant, Tomblin, and Kessler are likely going to be at the top of the list.
Beyond the name recognition, two factors have really pushed his chances into the realm of realistic. By taking on the old guard in the Senate, Kessler has certainly made some powerful enemies. At the same time, however, he will pick up some powerful allies. Those allies are both constituent based but also includes power brokers in the State. The constituency that Kessler may pick up are citizens fed up with the status quo approach of the West Virginia Senate over the years. The southern power base in the Senate has been driven by coal politics and lacks any progressive vision on how to improve the State.
Of the power brokers, Kessler has had Senator McCabe by his side since midway through the first Democratic caucus debate on these matters. McCabe, who has indicated interest in running for governor as well, could boost Kessler's campaign tremendously by throwing Kessler his support. IF that happens then watch out because Senator Kessler may have pulled off one of the most impressive political power moves in West Virginia history.
WEST VIRGINIANS UNITE BEHIND ACCUSED WIKILEAKS
WHISTLEBLOWER AT STATE CAPITOL RALLY THURSDAY
CHARLESTON, W.Va.-West Virginians will gather in support of accused WikiLeaks whistle blower Pfc. Bradley Manning Thursday, December 23rd at 2PM at the Veterans Memorial at the State Capitol in Charleston. The rally aims to bring attention to the detained former U.S. Intelligence Analyst charged with violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including eight criminal offenses and four non-criminal violations of Army regulations, involving the release of a classified video of a military operation filmed in Baghdad, Iraq in 2007, known on the web as "Collateral Murder," a classified PowerPoint presentation, and over 150,000 diplomatic cables from the U.S. Department of State. The event also calls upon the need for Congress to craft legislation for a more open, transparent and accountable government, a pledge made by President Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign.
The rally will feature a few speakers and a petition will be in circulation.
Since September of this year, more than twenty cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia have held rallies for Bradley Manning. In California, Berkeley City Council introduced a resolution that would have named Manning a hero. It was tabled due to the city council's inability to determine whether or not Manning is a hero or traitor.
"Bradley Manning had evidence of corruption and criminality within our government. Rather than keep his mouth shut, Manning showed tremendous courage and made this evidence public," said event organizer Brad Wood.
"Public workers in West Virginia have learned the hard way the importance of whistle blowing to governmental accountability and transparency," said Gordon Simmons, field organizer for West Virginia Public Workers Union, who will be speaking at the event.
"Workers from agencies as diverse as Environmental Protection to the Office of Technology to county health departments have been either told to keep silent on important matters of public policy or face retaliation, including being fired.
The penalty may be less than that faced by Bradley Manning, but the principle is the same. Corruption requires secrecy. Censorship is the enemy of democracy."
In an article published on "Wired.com" on June 10, 2010, featuring edited pieces of an online chat log from May 2010 between former hacker and convicted felon Adrian Lamo, and Manning, Manning stated he saw fifteen detainees taken by the Iraqi Federal Police for printing "anti-Iraqi literature."
Manning said he was instructed to investigate and find out who the bad guys were, and found out after having the literature read to him by an interpreter that it was a harmless scholarly critique against then Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, following the corruption trail within al-Maliki's cabinet.
Manning, according to the chat log, told the officer requesting the information the situation and the officer "didn't want to hear any of it" and told him to "shut up and explain how we could assist the FPs in finding more detainees."
Manning stated that he found the video ["Collateral Murder"] of a United States Apache helicopter firing on civilians in New Baghdad from 2007, stored in a JAG officer's directory, which he found to be odd.
"It was just a bunch of guys getting shot up by a helicopter... no big deal... about two dozen more where that came from right... but something struck me as odd with the van thing."
Manning investigated what went on in the video from within, then read an article in the New York Times about the events that allegedly transpired the day the video was shot. Manning forwarded the video to WikiLeaks.
A total of 11 adults were killed, including two Reuters' employees, including 22 year old Reuters' photojournalist Namir Noor-Eldeen and his driver, 40 year old Saeed Chmagh. Two children, passengers in the van that arrived on the scene after the first bout of gunfire had ceased, were seriously injured when the Apache helicopter opened fire on their van.
Manning stated in the chat log that he hopes his actions will bring about "worldwide discussion, debates, and reforms."
Lamo later turned Manning in to the Army.
Wood doesn't think people should look at Manning as a traitor to his country.
"Read the cables [on WikiLeaks] for yourselves. Government bureaucrats and their allies in the media are treating Bradley as a scapegoat," said Wood.
"Manning did not reveal defense secrets or troop positions. He exposed crimes and corruption."
Manning's 20-year-old friend Tyler Watkins told "Wired.com" on June 6, 2010, "He wanted to do the right thing."
"That was something I think he was struggling with."
Manning was arrested in late May of 2010.
If convicted, Manning faces up to 52 years in prison, dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and benefits and unspecified fines.
Manning is currently being held at the Marine Corps Brig in Quantico, Virginia.
The event is scheduled to last for a little over an hour. People are encouraged to bring signs, take pictures, Tweet and blog about the event.
For more information on Bradley Manning, please visit www.bradleymanning.org.
ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS & PEOPLE FED UP WITH CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT AND FLIPPING THE BILL FOR IT, ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. A PETITION WILL BE IN CIRCULATION.
On June 6, 2010, Pfc. Bradley Manning was charged with violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including eight criminal offenses and four noncriminal violations of Army regulations.
On April 4, 2010, whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks published a classified video [SEE BELOW]of a United States Apache helicopter firing on civilians in New Baghdad in 2007. The video, allegedly leaked to WikiLeaks through Pfc. Manning, shows Americans shooting and killing 11 individuals who do not return fire. Two of those killed were Reuters' employees, including 22 year old Reuters' photojournalist Namir Noor-Eldeen and his driver, 40 year old Saeed Chmagh.
A total of 11 adults were killed. Two children, passengers in a van that arrived on the scene after the first bout of gunfire had ceased, were seriously injured when the Apache helicopter opened fire on their van.
No charges have been filed against the American soldiers in the Apache helicopter who shot and killed the civilians in the video.
If convicted, Manning faces up to 52 years in prison, dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and benefits and unspecified fines.
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