I should have included "lingering" in the title.
Last Thursday the news of Air America's demise wasn't as shocking as it was inconvenient. One of our stations had been airing liberal talk for the last three years. Air America version 2.0 was the backbone of that station making 24/7 progressive talk practical regardless of the drama surrounding the network and it's inconsistent talent line-up. Air America's failure to deliver on it's promise spelled rapid death for that radio format.
People might think this happened because of disappointment with the liberal agenda throughout the nation but actually it was the result of a poor business plan and a lack of understanding about what makes radio work.
Rush Limbaugh could talk about anything and be a hit. The man knows how to entertain as well as inform. Successful talk show hosts on radio are a breed apart from other types of entertainers. Successful radio networks scout out people who are already on radio somewhere in the country and are popular ratings winners in their markets. Air America never really got this fact. The only true star they ever had was Randi Rhodes and they threw her aside over political nonsense. The rest were just names with no talent for a media that is unique. If the owners of the network had hired more broadcasters and listened to them they might still be around today.
Comments expressed
January 26, 2010
January 21, 2010
The First Year
Watching the Nightline interview with President Obama I had the distinct feeling that the president's personal confidence is shaken. This is a very different image for the once supremely confident chief executive who admitted in the course of the interview that he has not been able to deliver on those bold promises he made for his first year in office. National polls seem to reflect this as most Americans now think the country is headed in the wrong direction. This is the problem with making too many promises on the campaign trail. So far the Obama administration has encouraged at least one change that is welcome. Republicans are able to field some very competent candidates who have been there all along but the mistakes of the current government has caused these people to step up. We are seeing this in the 1st Congressional District and throughout the country. Bad news for David Wu.
January 18, 2010
Have You Voted?
There are only two measures on this special election ballot. One bumps up the tax rate for those who show income of 125K plus and 250K plus for those filing jointly. The other measure deals with an increase in corporate taxes.
The Oregon Legislature came up with these new taxes to cover a budget shortfall as state government continues to grow and grow. You are voting on them only because those who object to the taxes put them on the ballot by initiative petition.
When you finally pick up that ballot just keep in mind that these taxes will translate into higher prices and do nothing to stimulate private sector jobs. I see the Corporate taxes as a pass-through. Just like cities charging cable and utilities a fee to use city right of way that is passed directly to customers. Same thing.
Those that say voting against these measures will result in drastic cuts to critical services are using a crystal ball in making that kind of statement.
The real effect of voting against these taxes will be to put the legislature on notice that Oregonians expect them to be more creative when they go back into session in February.
It would send a clear message that this approach is inappropriate in a crippled economy.
The Oregon Legislature came up with these new taxes to cover a budget shortfall as state government continues to grow and grow. You are voting on them only because those who object to the taxes put them on the ballot by initiative petition.
When you finally pick up that ballot just keep in mind that these taxes will translate into higher prices and do nothing to stimulate private sector jobs. I see the Corporate taxes as a pass-through. Just like cities charging cable and utilities a fee to use city right of way that is passed directly to customers. Same thing.
Those that say voting against these measures will result in drastic cuts to critical services are using a crystal ball in making that kind of statement.
The real effect of voting against these taxes will be to put the legislature on notice that Oregonians expect them to be more creative when they go back into session in February.
It would send a clear message that this approach is inappropriate in a crippled economy.
Quick Reminder
Thanks to everyone who took part in our annual On Air Auction Saturday. Successful bidders may start picking up certificates of ownership this morning when our office opens at 8am and we close at 5pm today.
We are located in downtown Warrenton at 285 SW Main CT suite 200 second floor in Houston Plaza located behind city hall on 3rd street.
Be sure to ask about extra left over from the auction. We have a nice selection and it's first come first served.
You have until Wednesday at 5pm to get your items.
We are located in downtown Warrenton at 285 SW Main CT suite 200 second floor in Houston Plaza located behind city hall on 3rd street.
Be sure to ask about extra left over from the auction. We have a nice selection and it's first come first served.
You have until Wednesday at 5pm to get your items.
January 14, 2010
Wyden Questions LNG
At a town hall meeting at Astoria High School yesterday U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, responding to a student question, said that Oregon does not need three LNG import terminals. He seriously questions the strategy of importing natural gas comparing that to the import of foreign oil. The Senator says it makes better sense to find ways to use domestic energy resources than to continue the pattern of dependency on foreign suppliers. Wyden says that the democrats running the country will be taking a very hard look at future appointees to FERC and points to past legislation that he plans to reintroduce that would take siting authority away from the feds and put it back in the hands of the state.
Senator Wyden knows how to play a crowd.
I wonder if he now supports oil exploration in the Alaska wilderness reserves? Will he support efforts to build more pipelines for natural gas out of Alaska and support plans to turn that gas into LNG for shipment to domestic markets in the lower 48?
I find it interesting that he would push for state's rights in facility siting but then he explained that the previous legislation, that went nowhere, was co-sponsored by President Obama when he was in the senate. Then I understood perfectly. It's one of those things that plays well at home but everyone knows it is likely to get stuck in committee so that those members can make those all important speeches about states rights and then just let it fade.
Unless we change everything about America all at once we will continue to consume the majority of available energy in the world. It has to come from somewhere.
Senator Wyden knows how to play a crowd.
I wonder if he now supports oil exploration in the Alaska wilderness reserves? Will he support efforts to build more pipelines for natural gas out of Alaska and support plans to turn that gas into LNG for shipment to domestic markets in the lower 48?
I find it interesting that he would push for state's rights in facility siting but then he explained that the previous legislation, that went nowhere, was co-sponsored by President Obama when he was in the senate. Then I understood perfectly. It's one of those things that plays well at home but everyone knows it is likely to get stuck in committee so that those members can make those all important speeches about states rights and then just let it fade.
Unless we change everything about America all at once we will continue to consume the majority of available energy in the world. It has to come from somewhere.
January 09, 2010
Port Loses Another
In an earlier post I reported that a Federal Magistrate had reviewed and recommended rejection of objections made by the Port of Astoria to a lawsuit filed by Oregon LNG over the sublease it holds with the port over the Warrenton LNG terminal site . Magistrate John Jelderks has written two opinions and made one summary judgement in favor of OLNG's suit that would find the Port in breach of that agreement.
Those were recommendations made to the U.S. District Judge who would rule on the objections.
That ruling judge is Michael Mossman and he has now agreed with the magistrate in denying the early objections and issued an order. This is not the end of it but foreshadows the ultimate outcome I had predicted months ago. The Port doesn't have a leg to stand on.
In this order Judge Mossman finds that the State should not be party to the suit as the Port contended because the suit deals only with the sublease between the port and OLNG which is a separate agreement from that made by the Port with the Division of State Lands for the same property. While stating that in the big picture these two leases are obviously dependent on each other, for the purposes of ruling on this objection, Mossman takes a strict stance on the separate nature of the two agreements.
This approach in defining the arguement leads me to believe that when Judge Mossman comes to the consideration of connection between the State lease and the Port sublease he will see the Port in breach since OLNG signaled it's intent to enter into the 30 year sublease extension, paid the amount agreed and the Port cashed the check without being in a position to control the property it is leasing for the full term of the sublease.
Port Executive Director Jack Crider recently told our reporter Jeff Nelson that the Port does not believe that OLNG will be able to complete the permitting process in the two years the Port has agreed to extend the sublease with DSL because they have been unable to do that in the five years that have gone by. He says the commissioners are concerned that OLNG will fold and leave the Port responsible for 30 years of payments to DSL. To say this and to take the actions the Port has taken is a self fulfilling prophesy. Unless OLNG can show is has control of the property through the expected life expectancy of the plant it is unlikely FERC will grant a permit for it.
If I understand this why wouldn't a Judge understand this?
Comment Here:http://webfoot.womf.com/88001/Rocky-Legal-Road-For-Port
Full story Here:http://www.kast1370.com/pages/6076376.php?
Those were recommendations made to the U.S. District Judge who would rule on the objections.
That ruling judge is Michael Mossman and he has now agreed with the magistrate in denying the early objections and issued an order. This is not the end of it but foreshadows the ultimate outcome I had predicted months ago. The Port doesn't have a leg to stand on.
In this order Judge Mossman finds that the State should not be party to the suit as the Port contended because the suit deals only with the sublease between the port and OLNG which is a separate agreement from that made by the Port with the Division of State Lands for the same property. While stating that in the big picture these two leases are obviously dependent on each other, for the purposes of ruling on this objection, Mossman takes a strict stance on the separate nature of the two agreements.
This approach in defining the arguement leads me to believe that when Judge Mossman comes to the consideration of connection between the State lease and the Port sublease he will see the Port in breach since OLNG signaled it's intent to enter into the 30 year sublease extension, paid the amount agreed and the Port cashed the check without being in a position to control the property it is leasing for the full term of the sublease.
Port Executive Director Jack Crider recently told our reporter Jeff Nelson that the Port does not believe that OLNG will be able to complete the permitting process in the two years the Port has agreed to extend the sublease with DSL because they have been unable to do that in the five years that have gone by. He says the commissioners are concerned that OLNG will fold and leave the Port responsible for 30 years of payments to DSL. To say this and to take the actions the Port has taken is a self fulfilling prophesy. Unless OLNG can show is has control of the property through the expected life expectancy of the plant it is unlikely FERC will grant a permit for it.
If I understand this why wouldn't a Judge understand this?
Comment Here:http://webfoot.womf.com/88001/Rocky-Legal-Road-For-Port
Full story Here:http://www.kast1370.com/pages/6076376.php?
January 07, 2010
Government Cell Waste Incredible!
The results are in and it turns out that the State Of Oregon has thrown away $588,000 of your money. That's a conservative number based on a state audit.
This is a hard number based on audits of how Oregon agencies failed to track cell phone usage by just two of three providers. The audit did not include all companies providing the service.
It's the tip of the iceberg.
The audit revealed that in some cases former employees continued to use state issued cell phones racking up high data charges and going well over allowed monthly minutes.
The audit revealed that these agencies could not account for more than a handful of the cell phones they issue.
The audit outcome estimates that if all vendors were included in the survey for these two agencies alone the waste would amount to some $1.3 MILLION DOLLARS.
Just keep this in mind as you consider giving the state more money to throw away in the special election this month.
Full story here: http://www.kast1370.com/Audit-finds-state-wastes-nearly--600-thousand-doll/6053081
Comment Here:http://webfoot.womf.com/87638/Example-Of-Waste
This is a hard number based on audits of how Oregon agencies failed to track cell phone usage by just two of three providers. The audit did not include all companies providing the service.
It's the tip of the iceberg.
The audit revealed that in some cases former employees continued to use state issued cell phones racking up high data charges and going well over allowed monthly minutes.
The audit revealed that these agencies could not account for more than a handful of the cell phones they issue.
The audit outcome estimates that if all vendors were included in the survey for these two agencies alone the waste would amount to some $1.3 MILLION DOLLARS.
Just keep this in mind as you consider giving the state more money to throw away in the special election this month.
Full story here: http://www.kast1370.com/Audit-finds-state-wastes-nearly--600-thousand-doll/6053081
Comment Here:http://webfoot.womf.com/87638/Example-Of-Waste
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