More on Canadian trash

I don't know if anyone's still reading this, but I thought I'd post this since the topic's come up here before:

http://stabenow.senate.gov/infocus/progress/trash01.htm

This is a page from Debbie Stabenow's site about trash coming in from Canada and going to Michigan landfills. The page basically outlines the situation, explains why it is a problem for Michigan, notes that Canada has other trash disposal options, and details Stabenow's efforts to stop the import of Canadian trash.

That is an awful lot of trash, and the argument against the import of trash makes a lot of sense to me. Look over the article -- since they started inspecting the trash in 2003, they've found radioactive waste and attempts at smuggling drugs. Those were issues I hadn't even thought of. Also, I had expected that Michigan must be profiting financially from this arrangement, but it all goes to private landfill companies, and they're not all Michigan companies, either (as it says at the bottom of the FAQ).

I'm from one of the counties receiving this trash, and I'm sure many of you are, too. This is definitely an issue I'll keep my eye on.

bye

And yet again, another post I thought I should leave. I hope everyone has a wonderful exam week and summer! Thanks Miguel for everything!

what a freak

Eric Rudolph has pleaded guilty to a 1998 abortion clinic bombing that killed a police officer, the first in a string of bombings that he has admitted to as part of a plea deal.

What a sick freak! Did anyone know about this?

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A hostage shown in a videotape on an Arabic language satellite TV network Wednesday is the American who was kidnapped Monday at a construction site in Baghdad, according to a U.S. Embassy official.
The official said an identification card shown in the video bears the name Jeffrey Ake, which is the name of the abducted man. The official said Ake is a resident of Indiana.
Al-Jazeera aired video of armed men pointing their machine guns at the hostage. On the tape the man isn't heard speaking, but Al-Jazeera reports he is asking the U.S. government to open a dialogue with the insurgents and that U.S. troops leave Iraq.

Things just keep getting better...

here is a link to the video http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/04/13/iraq.main/index.html

Single-issue voting

Shortly before the election, I remember briefly discussion politics with a guy in my dorm, and I explained a bit about my problems with President Bush. He said he wasn't a big fan of the man either, but he felt obligated to vote for him because he is pro-life.

We talked recently about voting, and the different reasons and rationales people bring into the booth. What do you think about voting based on a single issue? Is it noble to make a stand for an issue that's important to you?

Personally, I think it's an unhealthy approach. There is far more than one important issue, and citizens ought to look at the big picture and decide who would do a better job on the whole. At the center of democracy is compromise.

Back to abortion specifically, I don't think this is an issue the president has much control over anyway. More control this time than usual, perhaps, since chances are good Bush will be able to appoint a Supreme Court Justice, but that hardly makes Bush's control direct.

Just some thoughts. Let me know what you think.

Debbie Stabenow Response

I wrote a letter to Debbie Stabenow: asking why did she sign the Bankruptcy Reform bill. This is her response back to me.

April 11, 2005
TO:Mr. Pedro L Soto
Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Thank you . . .. . for contacting me regarding your opposition to the Bankruptcy Reform bill currently being considered in Congress. I appreciate you taking the time to make me aware of your concerns.

We know that there are problems with existing bankruptcy laws. Any effort at bankruptcy reform must strike a balance between consumer protections and personal responsibility. I believe the Senate bill strikes that balance and introduces personal responsibility into the bankruptcy process in a fair and common-sense way.

The bill allows individuals to continue to avail themselves of bankruptcy should the need arise, but in a way that is appropriate to their financial situation. Those who truly are unable to pay their debt because they have no disposable assets would be able to enter Chapter 7 bankruptcy just as they can today. Additionally, the bill safeguards and protects our most valuable assets from creditors during bankruptcy: our homes, automobiles, food, clothing, and insurance. The bill also protects assets used to pay for support of elderly parents, sending children to school, and paying the heating bill.

The Senate passed this bill by a vote of 75-24 on March 10, 2005. As the bill moves through the House of Representatives for their consideration, I will be monitoring the process closely to ensure that this balance is maintained in the final legislation. Thank you for taking the time to contact me. Please feel free to do so again whenever I can be of assistance to you and your family.

Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator

Question about oil

A lot of people have forever blamed war in the middle east on oil. Especially since we have gone back into Iraq. Some argue that the main hidden reason we went back into Iraq was for oil. I know oil has played it's role in wars, but if we did go to Iraq mainly for it's oil wouldn't gas prices be going down now that we have occupied and have access to it's oil resources?

Senate shutdown???

NEWS: Reid threatens partial Senate shutdown Parties hurtle toward April clash over Democratic filibusters of Bush judicial nominees.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7193614/

Another Puzzle

Whoever makes it, tells it not. Whoever takes it, knows it not. And whoever knows it, wants it not.
What is it?

Oil, Big Problem!

The government projected on Thursday that gasoline prices would surge even higher in coming weeks and remain high through the summer, a forecast underscoring both the economic effect of the sharp rise in energy costs and growing political risks for President Bush.
The Energy Information Administration, an arm of the Energy Department, said it expected the price of unleaded regular gasoline to hit a peak national average of $2.35 a gallon in May and to average $2.28 from April through September. Last week the average price was $2.22.
With crude oil prices at record highs in recent weeks and still close to them, the White House is casting itself as immersed in addressing the problem. It is using the increase in oil and gasoline prices to raise the pressure on Congress to pass Mr. Bush's stalled energy bill, which the administration says would encourage domestic oil exploration and production, support alternative energy sources and improve conservation.

Take Back the Night

I'm using this opportunity to promote an event that is taking place on campus called Take Back the Night. TBTN is going on Thursday, April 7, 2005 and is a rally against sexual violence. The schedule of events are listed below:
-Rally Against Sexual Violence: (featuring 3 keynote speakers) Miller Fountain Plaza 6pm
-Demonstration March to Kanley Track: 6:45
-Candle Light Vigil/ Speak Out: Kanley Track 7:30
-Demonstration March to Gazebo: 8:30
-Musical Celebration: Gazebo/Pond 9pm (food and entertainment included)
I would highly recommend this event to everyone on campus, it's for a good cause and will be informative and fun. Hope to see you all there!

Some Drug Stores Refuse to Fill Emergency Birth Control Prescriptions

A Doctor sends a prescription to a Pharmacist for birth control. The Pharmacist does not agre with birth control, so s/he refuses to fill the prescription. Is that okay?

This is not an isolated case. Many Pharmacists are taking it upon themselves to start handing out moral lessons in place of prescriptions. One woman in Texas had to drive 22 miles to get her prescription filled. Many Pharmacists are even refusing to give the unfilled prescription back to the customer so that they can get it fill elsewhere, causing them to have to go back to their doctor.

Doctors prescribe medications, Pharmacists fill them. The end. Or is it? Do they get to pick and choose who gets what medications?


http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/2005-04-04-birth-control-access_x.htm