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The Hughes Report
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Political Tools of the Left
Topic: Politics

Political Tools of the Right:

1. The U.S. Constitution
2. The Declaration of Independence
3. Representative Legislation
4. The Vote
5. Talk Radio
6. Grassroots protests

Political Tools of the Left:

1. The Race Card
2. The Nazi Card
3. The Fascist Card
4. Starving children
5. Other sob stories
6. The McCarthyism Card
7. Network news media
8. National Public Radio
9. Presidential Fiat
10. Government takeover
11. Union thugs
12. Trial lawyers
13. Special interests (ACLU, NAACP, MoveOn.org, Code Pink, etc.)
14. Professional protesters
15. Entitlements and the Welfare State

©2009 The Hughes Report Blog. Used by permission.
https://members.tripod.com/pneuma_music/hughesreport/


Posted by hughes at 12:39 PM CDT
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Congressman Downplays Protest
Topic: Democrat Watch

Longtime Austin Democrat Congressman Lloyd Doggett apparently thinks very little of constituents speaking out, considering them an unruly mob.

Source:

http://m.kvue.com/kvue/db_19808/contentdetail.htm%3Bjsessionid=EE7A8232599DFEC528025B82705E2CD3?contentguid=P0z1Fbx1&detailindex=0&pn=0&ps=4&full=true


Posted by hughes at 11:30 AM CDT
Government Targets Fox-Tied GM Dealer

The government has targeted for closure a GM dealership that has been operated by the family of Fox News hostess Gretchen Carlson for 90 years. There is no rhyme or reason behind the shutdown, unless it is purely political.

Rumor has it that the recent Chrysler dealer closures were also political, targeting contributors to the Republican Party.

Source:

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jeff-poor/2009/06/10/fox-news-host-gretchen-carlson-government-unfairly-shutdown-my-parents-gm


Posted by hughes at 11:18 AM CDT
Obama Intends to Eliminate Private Insurance
Topic: Democrat Watch

Barack Obama is reported to have made statements in 2007 that reveal his intention to eliminate private health insurance in favor of government-run socialized medicine:

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/08/02/obama-2007-said-he-wanted-eliminate-private-health-insurance


Posted by hughes at 11:11 AM CDT
The Obama Joker Poster
Topic: Democrat Watch

A poster portraying Barack Obama as the Joker, a la Heath Ledger, and the word "Socialism" at the bottom, is mysteriously appearing around Los Angeles.

Source:

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/08/01/obama-joker-poster-popping-los-angeles







Posted by hughes at 10:57 AM CDT
Cash for Clunkers Form Violates 4th Amendment
Topic: Democrat Watch

A story not being reported by the Mainstream Media up to this point (surprise, surprise):

 Government online forms required for car dealers to participate in the "wildly successful"Cash for Clunkers giveaway-bailout scheme were discovered by informed sources and reported by Glenn Beck to contain the following language:

"This application provides to the DoT CARS system. When logged on to the CARS system, your computer is considered a federal computer system and it is property of the United States government. Any and all uses of this system and all files on this system may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and disclosed to authorized CARS, DoT and law enforcement personnel, as well as authorized officials of other agencies, both domestic and foreign."

The latest word is that this language, once exposed, was removed from CARS.GOV overnight.

Sources:

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jeff-poor/2009/07/31/beck-exposes-cash-clunkers-language-giving-feds-authority-take-control-co

http://hotair.com/archives/2009/07/31/glenn-beck-cash-for-clunkers-may-be-a-government-scheme-to-take-over-your-computer/

http://www.foxnewsradio.com/2009/08/03/cash-for-clunkers-2/


Posted by hughes at 10:45 AM CDT
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Sonia Sotomayor's Butchery of English
Topic: Supreme Court

In just a few days of hearings, justice-to-be Sonia Sotomayor has racked up a negatively impressive record of butchering the English language. If "W" Bush had committed this many malapropisms over the course of months, the media and late-night comedians would have a field day.  Consider:

"This first seven who are gonna be hired, only because of the, uh, vagrancies [vagaries] of the vacancies."

"Under New York law, if you are being threatened with eminent [imminent] death or very serious injury at that moment. . . ."

"They build up a story [store] of knowledge about legal thinking."

"All questions of policy are within the providence [province] of Congress first."

Sources:

http://bench.nationalreview.com/post/?q=N2JiMWI3NDJlMDEwZTA0NDI1M2NmYmQxN2NhMmVlMjI=

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_071609/content/01125108.guest.html


Posted by hughes at 1:13 PM CDT
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Yet Another Move Toward One World Government
Topic: Totalitarianism
The Pope calls for a single global economy:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090707/ts_nm/us_pope_encyclical

Globalism is also the overarching goal of Communism.  They say that for Communism to really work, it has to be global.

Speaking of Totalitarianism, Al Gore has recently compared the fight for Global Warming theory acceptance to World War II (with himself in the role of Winston Churchill).  Some commentators think that Gore also was making a veiled identification of Global Warming Deniers with Nazis:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,530378,00.html

In another speech, Gore said, "What is being tested is the proposition of whether or not the combination of an opposable thumb and a neocortex is a viable construct on this planet."  In other words, acceptance of Global Warming totalitarianism shows that man is evolving, whereas Global Warming deniers are un-evolved.  Listen to his speech:

http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/Al%20Gore%2007-07-2009.WMA

A Slate writer notes that Churchill warned, "We must also be careful that a pretext is not made of war needs to introduce far-reaching social or political changes by a side-wind," i.e., beware of those who would introduce extreme measures in a time of emergency.  Ignoring Churchill's plain meaning, Gore remarked, "I'm tired of this right-wing side-wind."  Those who would use Global Warming to introduce totalitarian measures are actually Gore and the Left Wing.

See http://www.slate.com/id/2064402/

Posted by hughes at 4:02 PM CDT
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Prescient Statement on Antichrist in 1972 Book?
Topic: Armageddon
I have been conducting a Bible study series on the Book of Revelation and End-Time prophecy.  One of the resources I have been using is a 1972 book by Catherine Graham entitled, Revelation Simplified:  Verse by Verse.  Sister Graham had been teaching Revelation in the South Texas District and elsewhere for 30 years, and self-published her materials by popular request.  The book contains a forward by Dr. Blake Farmer, then president of Southwestern Assemblies of God College.

I was consulting her book on the First Seal of Rev. 6:1-2, the conquering king on a white horse.  It is generally agreed that this king is the Antichrist, not to be at all confused with Christ coming on a white horse in chapter 19.

I was taken aback when I read the following statement, referring also to Daniel 11:24:

"The crown was given to him.  He did not earn it; neither is he worthy of it.  He will go forth and will not spare anything, to do as he desires, and to get the desired results he is working toward” (p. 64).

Sound familiar?  Now Graham gives these passages an emphasis that would not have immediately come to my mind prior to recent events.  I have to wonder whether her interpretation will prove to be prophetic.

Posted by hughes at 12:35 PM CDT
Updated: Thursday, May 21, 2009 12:38 PM CDT
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
US Military Burns Afgan Bibles
Topic: Anti-Christian
US Christian troops in Afganistan have been found to be experiencing revival, and giving out Afgan language Bibles as gifts to Afgans.  See video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVGmbzDLq5c

In order to appease Afgan Muslim leaders, it is now reported that the US military has burned these Bibles:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090505/ts_nm/us_afghanistan_
proselytising;_ylt=Ahl8DCO3lM3DojkVq8sJHwd34T0D

Think about it:  it is politically correct now to burn Bibles, and our government entities are doing it.  Shades of Nazism!

Posted by hughes at 12:24 PM CDT
Friday, May 1, 2009
Blair-Holt Bill HR-45 Threatens 2nd Amendment
Topic: Politics
Snopes confirms that current Bill HR-45 in Congress "would prohibit ownership of handguns by those who have not obtained firearm licenses":

http://snopes.com/politics/guns/blairholt.asp

Where there is licensing and other regulation there is control.  That is why, so far, the US government does not license newspapers or churches.  Licensing implies permission, and further that permission can be withdrawn.

While we are at it, let us remind ourselves of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution.  Pay special attention to IX and X, as well as I and II.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Posted by hughes at 5:03 PM CDT
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Lindsey Graham Nails Obama Policies
Topic: Democrat Watch
Lindsey Graham has been on the wrong side of Immigration and other issues in recent years, but truly nailed it on Obama's policies on Fox News Sunday, April 19, 2009:

"If you're looking at what we're doing in Washington and you're not upset, the problem is with you, not the protesters. The Obama budget triples the national debt. In 2019, we'll pay more interest on the national debt than the Defense Department.

"He raises taxes on job creators. He cuts the defense budget dramatically over a 10-year period. This is a budget that's a nightmare for the country. The stimulus bill and the omnibus bill together have spent more money in 90 days than we did in Iraq, Afghanistan and Katrina combined.

"People need to be upset. This is a complete, absolute abandonment of fiscal discipline, and the Obama budget is a road map for disaster that will bankrupt this country. I am glad people took to the streets. There's nothing wrong with you. The problem's wrong in Washington.

"This is not the change people were hoping for. This is unbelievable growth in government at a time we can afford it the least."

Posted by hughes at 11:10 PM CDT
Monday, April 27, 2009
Look, Ma, I'm a Right-Wing Extremist!
Topic: Democrat Watch
According to Janet Napolitano's Department of Homeland Security report, I am classed a right-wing extremist because I:

Support freedom of religion and free speech (1st Amendment)
Support the right to keep and bear arms (2nd Amendment)
Support State's Rights (10th Amendment)
Support Only Legal Citizenship, am against illegal immigration (14th Amendment)
Am against homosexual marriage (Genesis 1:27, et al.)
Am against abortion (6th Commandment)
Am concerned about a coming one-world government (Revelation, et al.)

I am not, however, a returning war veteran -- but wish I was.

Read the report while it is still available:
http://www.fas.org/irp/eprint/rightwing.pdf
http://video1.washingtontimes.com/video/extremismreport.pdf

Posted by hughes at 12:33 PM CDT
Monday, February 16, 2009
Aren't You Mad Yet?
Topic: Democrat Watch

Aren’t You Mad Yet?  Just Some of the Pork in the Stimulus Bill

The true cost of the stimulus is estimated to be $3,270,000,000,000.00.

As you peruse the list below, you will probably see things that you would approve of, but other things you find outrageous (which will likely vary from person to person).  That is the insidiousness of pork/earmarks:  the authors try to “grease enough palms” with taxpayer money that those who benefit are willing to swallow other things along with it.

The welfare in the bill brings overall federal welfare spending to a total of $1,340,000,000,000, which works out to a burden of $17,400 per household that actually pays income tax in the U.S.  (This does not include state taxes.)

And now the list, which is not exhaustive, in  descending order by dollar amount.

$264,000,000,000                        New federal welfare spending

$140,000,000,000                        The “Making Work Pay” credit (wealth redistribution welfare)

$8,000,000,000                        Harry Reid’s Disneyland-Las Vegas speed train

$6,000,000,000                        Making federal buildings green

$5,500,000,000                        Making federal buildings green

$5,000,000,000                        ACORN Neighborhood Stabilization Programs

$2,000,000,000                        Low-emissions powerplant in Mattoon, Illinois

$2,000,000,000                        Batteries for hybrid cars

$1,500,000,000                         Carbon capture projects

$1,300,000,000                        NASA

$1,200,000,000                         Summer jobs for youth

$1,000,000,000                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration office buildings

$850,000,000                        Amtrak, in addition to its current subsidy

$800,000,000                        Federal Prison System buildings and facilities

$750,000,000                         National Computer Center

$650,000,000                        Digital TV transition coupon program

$650,000,000                         Abandoned mine sites

$600,000,000                        Hybrid vehicles for federal employees

$522,000,000                        Bureau of Indian Affairs construction

$500,000,000                        Wildland fire management

$500,000,000                        National Institutes of Health facilities

$500,000,000                         State and local fire stations

$412,000,000                        Centers for Disease Control headquarters

$307,000,000                        National Institute for Standards and Technology office buildings

$300,000,000                        Hybrid and electric cars for federal employees

$300,000,000                        Federal Bureau of Investigation office buildings

$275,000,000                         Flood prevention

$200,000,000                        Re-sod the Mall in Washington

$200,000,000                        Workplace safety in Department of Agriculture facilities

$200,000,000                        Leasing alternative energy vehicles for military installations

$200,000,000                         Public computer centers at community colleges and libraries

$200,000,000                        Filipino World War II Veterans

$198,000,000                        Design and furnish Homeland Security headquarters

$180,000,000                        Bureau of Land Management facilities

$125,000,000                        Washington, D.C. sewer system

$110,000,000                        U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service construction

$110,000,000                        Farm Service Agency computer upgrades

$100,000,000                        Grants to Small Shipyards

$100,000,000                        U.S. Marshalls office buildings

$100,000,000                         Lead paint hazard reduction

$100,000,000                        U.S. atomic energy program site cleanup

$88,000,000                        Public Health Service renovations

$75,000,000                        Smithsonian Institution

$75,000,000                        FBI employee salaries

$75,000,000                        State Department Security officers training facility

$65,000,000                         Watershed rehabilitation

$60,000,000                        Arlington National Cemetery

$10,000,000                         Fighting Mexican gun-runners

$10,000,000                         Urban canals

$5,500,000                        “Energy efficiency initiatives” for National Cemetery Administration

The bill also contains:

Temporary Increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit, a wealth-redistributing welfare program

Waiver of Requirement to Repay First-Time Homebuyer Credit

“Build America” bonds to finance public building projects

Sources:

http://blog.heritage.org/2009/02/12/true-cost-of-stimulus-327-trillion/

http://www.reason.com/news/show/131611.html

http://www.heritage.org/Research/Economy/wm2276.cfm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/12/AR2009021203502_pf.html

http://gawker.com/5153361/harry-reids-disneyland-train


Posted by hughes at 9:33 PM CST
Updated: Monday, February 16, 2009 9:40 PM CST
Friday, January 23, 2009
Obama to Allow US Funding of Foreign Abortions
Topic: Democrat Watch

It is shocking that in a time of declared economic emergency, new president Barack Obama's priorties include releasing terrorists from Guantanamo and expanding abortion.

Obama plans to overturn by executive order the policy first instated by Ronald Reagan to withhold US federal funds from funding international abortions.  The policy has been variously labeled the "global gag rule" (by abortion advocates, no doubt) and the "Mexico City policy."

Recall that during the Saddleback forum, Obama refused to define when a baby becomes a baby, calling it "above my pay grade."

Read about it:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090123/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_abortion_ban

 


Posted by hughes at 9:52 AM CST
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Re: Praying for Obama
Topic: Democrat Watch

I am being told that Christians should pray for Obama and not be critical. 

Fine, but in that case we should pray that Obama has an epiphany, on the scale of a Damascus Road experience, and gets saved, because the majority of his appointees are party hacks, extreme partisans, and/or have huge conflicts of interest (e.g., Hillary), even illegalities (e.g., Geithner).  His appointments telegraph that he is not planning to change the government for the better (meaning personal freedom and empowerment), but to be the reincarnation of FDR (meaning control over business and our personal lives).  Moreover, his placing demands on the media for access smacks more of Stalin.  As we speak, Obama is "getting away with murder" by not having his appointments seriously challenged by the media or the Democrat-controlled Congress.

In short, I know waaaaaayy too many facts about Obama and his cohorts to do anything less than hold his feet to the fire.  I recommend that we all keep a close record of his actions, and judge him strictly thereby.  Trusting his judgment is not an option, much less his rhetoric.

However, I was pointing ultimately to his being regarded by so many as a messiah.  He has not let himself get pinned down on many specifics, yet his followers insist that he is the savior of the country.  All his actions point toward increasing government control over all aspects of our daily lives, deciding who deserves things and who does not, redistributing wealth, expanding the welfare state (already 40% of the population), taking over healthcare, and increasing overall dependence on government.

There were at least two leaders in recent history who were accorded such status.  One was named Adolf and the other Benito.

I note at this point that there are currently calls being put forth for global governance because of alleged Global Warming, as well as a world currency due to the monetary crisis; and further that those of a totalitarian bent see a crisis as an opportunity to exert control (e.g., Rahm Emanuel).

While I am not in favor of date-setting the Rapture or trying to identify the Antichrist, I do see a level of willing deception being perpetrated on American society and the world which, if not the beginning of the actual End-Times, certainly demonstrates how readily a free people can be converted to a mindset that might "deceive the very elect," and a worldview that will accept that "no one can to buy or sell unless they receive the mark."


Posted by hughes at 2:09 PM CST
Updated: Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:13 PM CST
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Doubting Barack Obama
Topic: Democrat Watch
Thinking citizens seem oddly silent regarding Barack Obama's inauguration as president, as well as government moves to take over large segments of the US economy.  Am I the only one appalled at the willingness of so many Americans, led by the nose by the mainstream media, to surrender constitutional rights to government and look for rescue in a messianic figure?

The Press has been remarkably lacking in curiosity over Obama.  Much worse, they have helped provide cover for him rather than uncover facts.  We still do not know what he really thinks, what he has done in the past, or what he plans to do as president, beyond generalities and platitudes.  Masses treat him as a savior, while he has no record of significant accomplishment.

What we do know suggests that he comes from the corrupt Chicago polical machine, he has worked for the controversial agency ACORN, he has had close associations with radicals, he has made statements suggesting socialism and wealth redistribution, he has lied and obfuscated in regard to his past, and he obtained a "sweetheart" home loan through a convicted felon (Rezko).

In regard to Obama's inaugural speech, Rush Limbaugh predicted that it would be lauded no matter what he said.  Afterward, Glenn Beck called it boring.  Some of the best post-speech sense I have heard comes from an unexpected source.  I have often clucked my tongue over statements made by Juan Williams on the Fox Sunday show; he is moderate at best, and seemed so often clueless.  In his analysis, however, Williams (who is black) writes,

"If [Obama's] presidency is to represent the full power of the idea that black Americans are just like everyone else -- fully human and fully capable of intellect, courage and patriotism -- then Barack Obama has to be subject to the same rough and tumble of political criticism experienced by his predecessors. To treat the first black president as if he is a fragile flower is certain to hobble him . . . .

"Yet there is fear, especially among black people, that criticism of him or any of his failures might be twisted into evidence that people of color cannot effectively lead. That amounts to wasting time and energy reacting to hateful stereotypes. It also leads to treating all criticism of Mr. Obama, whether legitimate, wrong-headed or even mean-spirited, as racist.

"This is patronizing. Worse, it carries an implicit presumption of inferiority. Every American president must be held to the highest standard. No president of any color should be given a free pass for screw-ups, lies or failure to keep a promise.

. . . .

"The importance of a proud, adversarial press speaking truth about a powerful politician and offering impartial accounts of his actions was frequently and embarrassingly lost. When Mr. Obama's opponents, such as the Clintons, challenged his lack of experience, or pointed out that he was not in the U.S. Senate when he expressed early opposition to the war in Iraq, they were depicted as petty."

Link:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123249791178500439.html

Posted by hughes at 2:57 PM CST
Updated: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 3:02 PM CST
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Founding Fathers vs. Socialists Video
Topic: Politics
I accidentally discovered this little jewel of a video about the Founding Fathers, and how Christians need to counteract the movement of socialists into powerful positions by taking positions of influence themselves.  It stars Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, Loretta Young, William Holden, and other movie stars.

In the 1951 film, Father Keller, founder of the Christopher Movement, presents to these stars the fact that our nation is based on faith in God, and the need stated above.  The film is also quite amusing.

I discovered the video on a DVD collection entitled, "The Best of Jack Benny," which I purchased at Wal-mart for $5.00.  However, I have also found the video available free on the Internet, for which I paste a link below, along with a link to Keller's book version on the Christopher Movement Web site.

I suggest you pass this information on to all your friends.

http://www.archive.org/details/You_Can_Change_The_World_-_1951-tv-documentary

http://www.christophers.org/Page.aspx?pid=299

Posted by hughes at 1:58 PM CST
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
One of the Two Million
Topic: World War II
One day, my dad stopped to talk to the elderly lady across the street, who is left-leaning politically.  The subject of the Atom Bomb came up, and she told him how terrible it was that the US bombed Japan in World War II.

My dad replied that he did not regret dropping the bomb, because, as he put it, "I am one of the two million."

You see, my dad was a crewman on board the battleship USS Alabama in 1945-46.  He is shy about his naval service, judging that he did not do anything compared to the many who took real risk in the war.  The Alabama was patrolling off the West Coast, and did not see actual combat.  My dad, who later attended college on the G.I. Bill, says he got much more out of his service than he ever put in.

However, as the US fleet encroached upon Japan, they were increasingly hammered by kamikaze attacks that sank hundreds of ships.  Since the Japanese were refusing to surrender, regularly fighting to the death, and even training their women to fight with sharpened sticks, our government estimated that a conventional invasion would cost one million lives on each side.  Other estimates were higher.  My dad had a well-founded expectation of being involved if such a major invasion took place.

After the war, many Japanese thanked US troops for ending the war quickly.  Many of them were also "one of the two million."

Posted by hughes at 1:23 PM CST
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Energy Colony States Wrongly Criticized
Topic: Energy Independence
People in most states do not understand what it means to live in an oil and gas-producing state.  There was a time when natural gas was just a by-product of oil production and too cheap to make it profitable to store or ship.  But it was dangerous, being both poisonous and explosive, so they would "flare" it, lighting up the gas well and letting it burn.  There were places like my dad's native Sand Springs, OK, that were lit up like daylight by gas flares 24 hours a day.

People also used to run a pipe out to such a well to use for lighting and heating their homes.  These pipelines were not pressure regulated, so it was fairly common for someone's house to blow up.  More safety regulations were enacted, such as the addition of the stinky smell, after the school in New London, Texas, blew up, killing over 200 children and teachers.  I have heard that there are still towns in which natural gas is provided free of charge, but they are the exception.

Back in the 1920s, my maternal grandfather left the farm in search of a better life.  He tried his hand in the oilfield in the boomtown of Sour Lake, Texas; but they say that in those days, with the wooden wildcatting derricks built close together, an average of one man per day was killed.  So he moved on to the great refinery in Baytown, and worked there his whole career (in addition to being a minister).

Oil is to Texas, Oklahoma, and other producing states like a crop, like corn in Iowa.  When the business prospers, there are jobs and prosperity.  The government would not overburden the corn growers in Iowa -- on the contrary, they subsidize them tremendously -- but they will overburden the oil and gas industry with regulation and taxes.  They do the same with nuclear energy.

Texas and other producing states have long been treated as energy colonies by the Northeast and other parts of the country.  Our oil and gas should be dirt cheap, but due to interstate price regulation, prices are kept low outside the state and artificially inflated here.  At the same time, the same states that blame the oil and gas companies, and producing states, for high prices maintain a NIMBY ("not in my back yard") attitude.  They want pure air and clean beaches, but still demand cheap fuel.  If you look at a map of oil and gas pipelines in the US, you will see dozens running from east of Houston, and other parts of Texas, up to the Northeast.

The demand for cheap oil and gas gave OPEC and other foreign producers the opportunity to undercut domestic production.  Since the 1970s, domestic production has largely "gone to pot," as we say, meaning allowed to deteriorate, along with jobs.  We have been buying and using all the foreign crude we can get, and wanting more.  Meanwhile, oil refining states bear the lion's share of the hazards of polution and danger (since we still refine the foreign crude), at the same time being picked on by the EPA, and denigrated by the "clean water and beaches" states, for those same hazards.

Posted by hughes at 12:54 PM CST

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