It's been a busy couple of weeks (traveling for a nephew's high school graduation) and a few items have piled up in my email inbox...
...The US Environmental Protection Agency issued a draft assessment report on the potential effects on drinking water of the use fracking (aka - hydraulic fracturing) as a method of extracting oil and gas from the ground.
It's wordy and, as the risk of sounding that I'm making a pun (I'm not), dry reading, but is well worth the time and effort needed to get through it.
Note: it was written as if one of the contributors was on the payroll of someone who profits from fracking activities, so plan to "read between the lines".
...Infamous warmonger John Bolton announced his endorsement of, and financial support for, Congresswoman Martha McSally (R-AZ7).
This endorsement may hurt her more than it helps - she's been trying to project an air of moderation as she tries to keep her job of representing a competitive district, but Bolton isn't know for picking sane people to support.
...From Thursday, July 16 thru Sunday, July 19, Netroots Nation will be taking place in Phoenix. There will be dozens of discussion panels and training sessions as we gear up for 2016, but one of the highlights is certain to be an appearance by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) on Friday morning (7/17), a longtime favorite of activists. Get your tickets here.
...Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced his proposal to give additional funding for Arizona's schools by taking a greater amount of money from the state's land trust fund (which is funded by sales of state trust land and was created to provide support for the state's schools, something that it has done for over 102 years).
Of course, the trust fund was created in an era when it was inconceivable that the state's legislature and governor would work so enthusiastically *against* the long term interests of the people of Arizona.
Does anyone else see the parallel between this and Aesop's fable about the goose that laid the golden eggs?
This will take the approval of Arizona's voters. If a majority fall for this scheme (not a sure thing), expect the governor and legislature to propose further schemes to undermine the long term fiscal stability and viability of Arizona in the quest to enhance corporate profits (aka - provide cover for more massive tax breaks for corporations).
...Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC), who, along with John McCain, is one of the country's most enthusiastic supporters of a US foreign policy of "Forever War", has become yet another passenger in the clown car known as "The Burgeoning Republican 2016 Primary Field Of Candidates".
In one of the first interviews he gave after his announcement, he advised that anyone who is "worn out by war" to not vote for him.
Wasn't going to vote for him anyway, but I thank him for the advice.
I'm going to guess that he secured the support of the Cheney wing of the GOP with that statement, though...
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