Obama -- The South Dakota Feminist Choice

Anna at DakotaWomen has been giving us South Dakota blog guys a hard time for favoring Obama over Clinton. I'm trying really hard to avoid any latent sexism in my pro-Obama/anti-Clinton posts (and believe me, Mrs. Madville Times is watching). That's why I thought it was worth noting that 1,500 "Feminists for Peace" have declared their support for Obama.

That's why I think the following video from Lorna Brett Howard, former president of the Chicago National Organization for Women, is worth noting, especially for South Dakotans interested in protecting South Dakota women's rights:



The only U.S. Senator to help fight South Dakota's 2006 abortion ban. The only U.S. Senator.

I know that may lose Obama some South Dakota votes (though I don't think he's going to win the Hunt-Unruh-Howie crowd anyway). But for those of us interested in protecting the basic rights of South Dakota women as equal citizens, it's one more reason to vote for Obama in June and November.

Make Your Own Gas Tax Holiday: Slow Down

Even a big-government liberal like me can recognize when individual responsibility offers the best solution to a problem. If we're worried about high gas prices, we have the solution right here in our hands... or rather, our lead feet. Slow down!

AP reports on the benefits of easing back on the throttle out on the highway. David Greene, a senior researcher at the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge National Lab, says that if we all would ease back from 70 mph to 60 mph, we'd see a 2 to 3 percent decrease in demand, as happened in the 1970s when Nixon set the speed limit at 55. Green estimates that drop in demand would lead to a "larger reduction in price, maybe 10 percent" [see Richard Richtmyer, "As Fuel Prices Rise, Some Speedometer Needles Fall," AP via Yahoo News, 2008.05.07].

10 percent out of $3.45/gallon (going rate here in Madville) = 34.5 cents a gallon.

Amount federal gas tax holiday would save you at the pumps = 18.4 cents a gallon.

Another article I blogged on three years ago when Hurricane Katrina swamped some refineries said a similar speed reduction could produce 15% fuel savings.

A northeastern U.S. trucker in the Richtmyer article says he's eased back from 72-73 to 60-65 and is saving $100 a week. Con-Way Freight of Ann Arbor, Michigan, has dialed back the governors on its 8,400 trucks from 65 mph to 62 mph. They expect to save 3.2 million gallons of diesel a year -- $13.3 million (not to mention 72 million pounds of carbon emissions).

Of course, asking folks to slow down means a sacrifice. Calling for sacrifice calls for leadership, and Richtmyer finds that quality in short supply among our politicians. Bills to reduce the speed limit in Alabama and Connecticut are going nowhere. Utah just voted to raise the speed limit on one strip of the Interstate 15 to 80.

So, here's the morning political quiz: If you're a patriotic American looking to do what's good for your country, which action do you take to address high fuel prices?

1. Support turning good farmland into a giant industrial complex (the Hyperion refinery in Elk Point)
2. Support stripping South Dakotans of land rights to allow a foreign company to run oil pipeline over our aquifers (TransCanada Keystone Pipelines I, II,...)
3. Support opening up a national wildlife reserve to oil drilling (Bush's ANWR plan)
4. Support cutting the gas tax while our troops fight and die in the Middle East and while Minnesota rebuilds the I-35 bridge
5. Give up a few minutes a day and slow down.

Slowing down saves gas, saves money, saves lives. And you can do it yourself.

McGovern Explains Switch to Obama on SDPB

South Dakota Public Broadcasting gets the newsmaker of the day, Senator George McGovern, on Dakota Midday for his first interview* following his announcement that he is going from hedging his endorsement to a full-tilt switch from Senator Clinton to Senator Obama for President. The conversation with SDPB's Pual Guggenheimer (and Paul -- darn fine interview!):

Says McGovern: Hillary Clinton has waged a "very valiant campaign for the nomination," and only she can make the decision to drop out. But given that there is "very little chance of her catching the nomination," McGovern thinks the time has come for party to unite. Obama has a clear lead, the superdelegates are evenly divided, and there is no way mathematically for Clinton to win. McGovern says it's time to get behind Obama and do what we can to win next fall.

Guggenheimer asks if McGovern has any trepidation about urging her to drop out, thus rendering the SD primary moot?
--No, McGovern didn't think about that. The South Dakota primary is always important, but Obama's lead "is so strong that we can't make the decisive vote here in South Dakota."

McGovern adds that if Obama has clear majority of pledged delegates or at least big lead, it "would tear the party in two" to have it decided by superdelegates.

Guggenheimer asks if McGovern has any concerns about recent controversies dogging Obama?
--McGovern says he hopes people don't draw the conclusion that it's dangerous to go to church because your minister might say something you disagree with. McGovern says the Wright controversy is irrelevant. McGovern says he's a lifelong churchgoer, and "never had a minister I agreed with 100%, but I don't make a big deal about it." He just continues going to the church. Obama doesn't have to make any apologies for the church he attended, says McGovern. (Good answer to my question, Senator!)

Guggenheimer: What about people's concerns about not knowing enough about Obama, versus Clinton's perceived battle scars?
--McGovern says she's "impressive, one of the most intelligent women in the country.... She would have made a strong president," but the voters have given Obama the edge. He's "potentially a great President," and "I have no hesitance about supporting him." Both Obama and Clinton are very capable people.

Guggenheimer: Have you spoken to Clinton yet?
--Not directly, says McGovern, but he talked at length with Hillary's husband Bill this morning. It was not a hurried conversation, and not a cross word was spoken. "We will remain friends," says McGovern. "She has a great future ahead of her in the Senate and anything else she should seek."

Guggenheimer: What did President Clinton say?
--McGovern says that Bill said he's confident in Hillary. "We didn't talk at length about what she should do... just a good conversation between two longtime friends." The former President wanted McGovern to stay with her but he "didn't make any great effort in that direction."

Guggenheimer: Given the longtime relationship with the Clintons (Hillary worked on the McGovern 1972 campaign), how hard was it to make this announcement?
--Very tough to make this announcement, says McGovern. The former senator "didn't sleep much last night." He says he wrote his public statement during the night, and he stands by every word.

Guggenheimer: Attending her appearance tomorrow?
--McGovern says he hasn't decided, but "I certainly wish her well." McGovern says he "may well be there as someone who supported her this far."

Of course, that depends on whether Clinton is going anywhere tomorrow. Dave Kranz weighs in right after the McGovern interview to say he suspects Tim Russert's report that the Clinton campaign has canceled the SD trip (and everything else on tomorrow's schedule) is right.

Wow: maybe South Dakota -- or at least one famous South Dakotan -- will decide this primary after all.

end note: Guggenheimer and Ross talk about May 19 as a date being batted around as the date for Barack Obama's first visit to the state. Better back it up a couple days so you can catch free camping weekend at South Dakota's state parks!

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*Update 13:10 CDT: make that first South Dakota media interview: it sounds like NPR's Day to Day got him before Paul Guggenheimer did. Still, good hustle, SDPB!

230 Economists Oppose Gas Tax -- Complete List!

Found it, thanks to Shots in the Dark, who posts a link to the (PDF format) letter signed by 230 economists saying the Clinton-McCain gas tax holiday is a bad idea. Shots in the Dark discusses the letter under the headline "Smart People Against Hillary"... a headline I might characterize as a tautology... if I wanted to risk more criticism from Anna.

Peruse the list: you'll see Dems and Republicans. You'll see former Clinton honchos like Alice Rivlin (Office of Managemen and Budget director, 1994-1996) and Robert Shapiro (chief econ advisor, Clinton campaign, 1992). You'll see Reaganites like Clyde Prestowitz (Counsellor to Sec. Commerce). You'll even see Tim Wolf, global Chief Financial Officer of Molson Colson Brewing.

Beer exec versus gas tax holiday? Part of a don't drink and drive campaign? Your speculation is welcome....

Clinton Beats Obama to SD Punch

On a glorious spring morning when I should be celebrating Senator Obama's continued 2-1 lead over Clinton in primary/caucus victories (Obama 32, Clinton 16) and the continued pattern of big wins for Obama versus squeakers for Senator Clinton, I must praise the Clinton campaign for scoring her first big points of the campaign season here in South Dakota. On Thursday, she becomes the first Democratic Presidential candidate to visit South Dakota. The only other visit we've gotten this primary season was from her fellow New Yorker Rudy Giuliani back in November.

Clinton drops in for an airport speech Thursday afternoon at 2:15 p.m. in Sioux Falls. She'll be flying in from West Virginia, then flying right back out for an evening event in Oregon. (If I were her, I'd buzz Montana with a megaphone while I was at it!) Coast-to-coast campaigning, sun-up to sundown -- that's the kind of hustle that makes this primary season so exciting!

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Update 08:35 CDT: AP Headline:

"Clinton Lends Herself $6.4M as Obama's Lead Grows"

Come on -- airfare to South Dakota isn't that much!

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Update 08:41 CDT: And maybe while we're here, we can get her clarify what standards we are to use to determine which economists know what they are talking about and which ones are just out-of-touch elitists. Surely the answer isn't simply, "The economists who agree with me are right, the economists who don't are elitists." Surely not.

Madison Boosts Teacher Pay Base over 11%

Send your résumés: At last night's meeting, the Madison Central School District approved a new contract that raised starting pay for teachers from $27,300 to $30,500. That's $3,200, an 11.7% boost. This raise beats the base salary increase the Watertown school board passed last month: new teachers at Watertown get $29,250 next school year, a boost of $1,750. Of course, the Watertown board also approved a remarkable three-year contract that guarantees the base salary will keep going up, to $30,750 for 2009-10, then $32,000 for 2010-11.

My source says Madison's returning teachers will see good raises as well. Once again, our local districts are doing more than their share, while the state focuses on kissing corporate keester.

TransCanada Lawyers Ply Trade on Blog Comments?

So the following somewhat snarky (and, of course, anonymous) comment appears right away on this morning's TransCanada post:

I was wondering when this site would get to the McGovern numbers. But I certainly wasn't surprised this site made light of the margin of error. With that in mind, what Corey doesn't tell you is that a full 60% of South Dakotans would still be in favor of pipeline if the results were skewed lower.

Wouldn't it also stand to reason that the support West River might rise with the expansion of this project? The support East River is slightly higher than West River already and that side of the state has a publicly announced project closer to completion. There certainly remains the possibility that west river support will rise when they hear more about the economic development to state and country.

Finally, why didn't they use this route right away on the first Keystone line? How about because they converted existing natural gas lines in Canada to lessen the cost of the original project and save resources. Responsible journalism, which is a concept that blogs are adament they don't have to comply with, would have uncovered that nugget.

I complimented the commenter for helping uncover that nugget as part of what I might start calling "collaborative community journalism." But then I got curious. My site stats indicate that the comment time and date coincided with a visit and a click on the comment button by someone on the mail.zdclaw.com server who this morning made his 82nd return visit to the Madville Times. (Click graphic for full image.)

ZDC Law? I get more curious. ZDC Law is Zimmer, Duncan, and Cole, LLC, based in Parker, SD. ZDC Law partner Dennis Duncan has been "Representing the interests of national clients such as... TransCanada Corporation" by testifying against SB 138 and SB190, South Dakota legislation that would have protected South Dakota interests against mistakes by TransCanada.

Now this is just what my site stats and Google searching tell me. For all I know, someone might have hacked into the mail.zdclaw.com server to hide theie identity. It might have just been some ZDC Law intern or kid on a job shadowing trip goofing around with the company computers.

But what do I know? I'm not a responsible journalist. I'm not even getting paid to write this stuff....

But if my suspicion is correct, I would love to see the itemized bill to TransCanada: "Blog Lobbying -- 5/6/2008 -- 55 minutes -- $200"? Make 82 visits, and that could be a lot of moolah. Maybe the commenter knows whereof he/she speaks in mentioning the economic development TransCanada may already be bringing to at least a few fine folks in our state.

Wow -- maybe I need to get on the Big Oil bandwagon so TransCanada will pay me to spread its propaganda.

I generally won't bust anonymity here: if you want to comment anonymously, that's your business. But readers do have a right to know if someone's comments are paid propaganda. And folks selling a message for a business interest should buy an ad.

230 Economists Say Obama Right, Clinton-McCain Wrong

Now Clinton has 230 economists to dismiss as elitists: Jonathan Weisman on the Washington Post blog The Trail reports that a group of economists has signed a letter saying we should stick a fork in gas-tax holiday proposals. These aren't snooty eggheads scoffing at the notion that working-class folks deserve a little break. These economists -- including four Nobel laureates -- are saying cutting the gas tax won't give us that break:

"First, research shows that waiving the gas tax would generate major profits for oil companies rather than significantly lowering prices for consumers," they wrote. "Second, it would encourage people to keep buying costly imported oil and do nothing to encourage conservation. Third, a tax holiday would provide very little relief to families feeling squeezed." [Jonathan Weisman, "Economists Release Letter Opposing Clinton Gas Tax Plan," The Trail, 2008.05.05].

Obama has the good sense to recognize that wishes and dreams don't beat basic economics. And don't forget: cutting the gas tax means cutting road funding, which one commentator suggests means cutting jobs for road-construction workers. Tell me again: who's fighting for the working class?

TransCanada Aiming for West River, Too...

...better call your lawyer now, Doug!

KELO catches up with the Madville Times and reports on TransCanada's planned expansion of its Keystone pipeline project. Even before receiving the final go-ahead from the courts to take our land and plow through the James River Valley, TransCanada is drawing a big green (oh, the irony) line through West River. (Now why didn't they think of that direct route in the first place?) One landowner on the Nebraska border says he's already seen surveyors out checking out possible routes for the line that would cut from Harding County down to the Winner area on its way to the Gulf of Mexico.

Not that anyone here in South Dakota seems to mind: that new font of public opinion data, the McGovern Center at Dakota Wesleyan, reports that two thirds of South Dakotans support the construction of the current Keystone Pipeline. There's slightly more support (69%) for construction of the Hyperion oil refinery. The poll suggests a slight split across the river: refinery support is higher West River (73% West River to 65% East River), while pipeline support is higher East River (68% East vs. 66% West). Those splits don't mean much with a 6-point in-state margin of error (maybe more on the regional split?). More interesting will be the next poll that sees whether support West River changes once TransCanada starts eminent domaining their land, too.

Looking on the bright side of our addiction to fossil fuels, elite intellectuals may help us get that oil out of Alberta's tar sands with less environmental damage. Listening to CKUA this weekend, I heard a news report (sorry -- can't find a link!) about University of Alberta researcher who says she has come up with a way to remove bitumen from the tar sands with carbon dioxide instead of water. Current extraction methods use 2.5 to 4 barrels of water to wrest 1 barrel of oil from the sticky sands. The researchers says her CO₂ method could totally replace water without adding cost, thus keeping the tailings ponds from expanding.

Now if someone could just come up with a way to replace the 700 million cubic feet of natural gas burned each day to produce tar sands oil. Not that Canadians will need that fuel to heat their homes: extracting, refining, and burning the tar sands oil will put another 112 billion tons of CO₂ in the atmosphere, all part of Canada's secret plot to use global warming to reduce its heating bills.

Meanwhile, instead of pandering to Big Oil and criss-crossing our state with strips of foreign dominion, we could be building great swaths of windmills to produce electricity that we could sell or just use ourselves. Anyone care to think ahead?

GF&P Proposes One-Lion Limit...

...mountain lions consider traveling in pairs...

KELO shares an AP report that South Dakota Game Fish & Parks is proposing new mountain lion regulations. Good idea: pass enough regulations, and the mountain lions will think this is Minnesota and move somewhere freer, like Montana. ;-)

No, no, the new regulations would be on shooting mountain lions. Landowners would have to get a special license, but they would then be permitted to shoot mountain lions on their property any time during the year.

Well, one mountain lion. GF&P only wants to let you kill one lion. I suppose if you bag one lion, word will get out in the lion 'hood that you're one bad dude, not to be messed with.

The report doesn't make clear whether that's one lion per property or one lion per person on the property. So if our friend PP gets nervous about the big cats, maybe he can get a license for everyone in the family (that would be a lot of dead cats!).

At peril of sounding like I'm playing the testosterone card that I have elsewhere decried, let me declare now my intention to violate South Dakota law. Regardless of the regulations GF&P proposes, if I see mountain lions on my property and I have weaponry handy, I will shoot first (and shoot often), and call Conservation Officer Brandon Gust later.

Clinton Fans "Elitism" Flame; Obama Offers Context

Senator Clinton dismisses the "elite opinion" of economists who say the Clinton-McCain gas tax holiday is a rotten idea. That includes elite economists like Robert Reich, whom her husband hired as Labor Secretary before she decided she needed to pander to the working class by talking like a Republican and denigrating expert advice.

Meanwhile Obama speaks of his far-from-elite background, growing up the child of a single mother who had to go on food stamps at times but still scrimped and saved to get her kids a good education.

So what's the difference between Clinton and Obama? As Obama himself says, "Politics didn't lead me to working people; working people led me to politics."

Obama Opens Third SD Office -- Clintons Play Catch-Up

What's that? The Obama campaign opens its third campaign office in South Dakota? Northern Valley Beacon notes the grand opening of the Obama Aberdeen office Sunday, joining the Obama offices in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. "No lack of opportunity to help rebuild the country," says Dr. Newquist, for folks who want to get on the Obama train.

The Clinton campaign is still catching up. They are opening their Sioux Falls office a couple doors down from HuHot near 41st and Western this evening at 6 p.m. But the Clintonistas are gunning for South Dakota: a staffer who attended the Lake County Dems meeting assured us that, after the Kentucky and Oregon primaries may 20, all three Clintons -- Hillary, Bill, and Chelsea -- will be spending the last two weeks of the primary season here and in Montana, along with a host of other Clinton big guns (like Madeleine Albright -- now she would be a fun guest here at Lake Herman! Come stay at the cabin, Madame Secretary!).