Cape & Islands News

Sour grapes, Boston Globe! Democracy works in wonderous ways as proven yesterday! :)

Let me be the first to say that I am glad Kennedy, Kerry, Delahunt, et al were able to use a Senator from Alaska to do their bidding on the windfarm.

You get what you vote for! Hypocrites!

Fact of the matter is that this has and will go on! Come on Pierre, even you know this.

PS. But... usually this kind of thing doesn't get any attention at all and simply slips through. That is what I mean about democracy. This couldn't have been any more 'out there'. And it still went through... based on its merits, is my belief.

It is of course within the perogative of the editor to write a story however they choose. Anyone who knows the history of the press realizes that stories are written not to pass news along but often to incite people's belief. News can chamge the course of history as the "yellow journalist" knew. Why even wars can be justified by the power of the written word.
If you distill it down this is simply the truth wrapped in a "yellow blanket"

THE COUNTRY'S MOST IMPORTANT = "A"

DANGER OF BEING SANDBAGGED = "being voted on"

and so on and so on.

Even as an American citizen opposed to the project and fully expecting it to be processed through the "system", I have to say that BOTH sides have blown this thing WAY out of proportion. It is neither the BANE nor the BLIGHT that the country has to face today. It will not bring OPEC to it's knees and it will not help nor hinder the scorching of the EARTH.

The way both sides go about the business of advancing their cause is neither far above nor below the table to be news worthy.

The sooner the deciding vote is cast the better.

Magical, This is bad government. Porc. is correct.

They tried to get drilling in ANWR using this trick and it almost worked. You will be singing a different tune when an anti-bird law goes through this way.

MEE... please do not incorporate my handle into yours... it is stupid, childish and unimaginative. Any comments you make will be written off go unanswered because of it.

You won\'t answer to my comments? Now I\'m definitely keeping this name!

Magical:

I loved this in the Cape Cod Times, while it's a bit off topic, "''By arbitrarily legislating a new barrier on a single project, solely because of local opposition,'' Gordon said, ''this provision will impede the development of offshore renewable energy throughout the country.''

Of all people, I thought that Jim Gordon would have understood that public safety is the central focus, finally. And, that this project is specifically targeted due to public safety issues.

Then again, maybe Jim does "get it" but may think that we do not "get it."

Barbara, it is amazing to me that Gordon refuses to ever acknowledge the safety issues, EVER. And that he seems to think Cape Wind is the ONLY chance for wind energy in this country. Talk about arrogant and out of touch with anything but his own hype. I guess if you say something enough you begin to bleieve it and Jim is a prime example of that. nothing else gets through to him... Public safety? Whats that got to do with anything? says Jim.

Well, Barbara, if "public safety is the central focus, finally" - why is there no mention of it in the language approved by the Senate conferees?

Here come the big boys. http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=rw-br&FC2=/rw-br/html/iwgen/leftnavs/zzz_lhn2_2_0.html&FC3=/rw-br/html/iwgen/about_shell/wind/wind_1017.html

You will not have Jim Gordon to push around next time. The Big Oil companies see there is money in wind. Prepare to be out spent.....

Magical:

MEE hasn't figured out the the wind power interests are very enthusiatically engaged in overcoming obstacles like the ESA.

H.R. 3824 an attack on the Endangered Species Act launched by Pombo.

From his summary: “There is increasing recognition from most quarters that the Endangered Species Act (ESA) needs to be improved.” (I think by improved he means dismantled).

California Richard Pombo heads the House Committee that oversees the US Department of the Interior. His aides pressed Gale Norton at the DOI to suspend environmental guidelines opposed by the wind power industry without disclosing that Pombo’s family has a substantial stake in wind energy. The guidelines sought to reduce the number of birds killed by wind towers. The Alameda County Board of Supervisors was reviewing the permit to operate wind turbines at the Pombo ranch when Richard Pombo’s aides intervened. Pombo’s parents own a 300 acre ranch in the Altamont Pass and have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in royalties from wind power turbines on their land.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released a 93-page report entitled Beyond DeLay: The 13 Most Corrupt Members of Congress, documenting the egregious, unethical and possibly illegal activities of the most tainted Members of Congress. Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) is on the list for "misuse of the franking privilege, accepting campaign contributions in return for legislative assistance, keeping family members on his campaign payroll, and misusing official resources. Two California environmental groups have asked Congress to launch an investigation into whether Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, violated ethics rules when his staff sought to alter wind energy regulations without disclosing his parents' financial interest in an Altamont Pass wind farm.

I'll be back, Jack.

By all means, Barbara. After all we've heard about the alleged perils of wind turbines to boats, ferries, planes, wind surfers, etc., it does seem a rather conspicuous omission for none of these issues to be addressed in the actual legislation approved by the Senate conferees.
Puzzling indeed.

Not puzzling at all since the gov't is about to launch their own studies, Jack. But a safe move in the meantime.

PS... and it gives the gov't time to catch up with the regulatory framework which is not, as yet, in place for off-shore wind power plants.

Wrong again, Magical. That comprehensive regulatory framework that Cape Wind's opponents complained was lacking went into effect last summer when the federal energy bill became law (replacing the regulatory framework for Cape Wind in place a mere four years by then).
As for those government studies you cited, wouldn't it make more sense to wait until the results are in before derailing the project?
Then again, those studies might end up favorable for Cape Wind. Just look at what happened with the DEIS, Mass. Energy Facilities Siting Board, ISO- New England and Audubon. Why take a huge chance like that and get proven wrong yet again.

That is BS Jack. And you know it.

Devastating rebuttal, Magical. What next, "says who?!" or "liar, liar, pants on fire!"
By the way, were you ever able to confirm that claim you made about the London Array offshore wind project allegedly getting sidelined in Great Britain because of radar concerns, navigation problems, acorns falling from the sky, etc.?

Hey Jack don't forget to mention the AAEA which wrote that paper for Cape Wind and is listed as a supporter...

Boy I tell you. Did you read his comments on the BLACK SQUIRRELS in Wash DC? Riveting stuff!!!! All about how scientist have released a study that "they were multiplying because their dark coats allowed them to retain heat from sunlight, leaving them less desperate for warmth than their lighter-colored cousins...If you can do it with solar heat, you don't need quite as much metabolic heat, and therefore, need less food."

Due to that "these solar powered brother squirrels" (his words not mine) are being targeted...

"Some residents have called to complain that the new squirrels are aggressive, driving out the friendly gray squirrels."

Please make sure you use the diverse range of Cape Wind supporters.

http://groups.msn.com/AAEA/presidentscorner.msnw

Jack have you checked your pants..... I smell smoke

Perhaps it's something other than smoke coming from yours, Little Fish.
If alleged falsehoods by me are so numerous as to cause spontaneous combustion of my clothes, you should have no difficulty finding evidence of this. Please cite examples beyond song titles.

Jack I didn't need it confirmed.. i read it in black and white. It was you who wanted confirmation and for me to do your leg work... now you know better than that Jack. And I won't get you coffee either!

Right, Magical. The largest proposed offshore wind farm in the world - 1,000 MW, more than twice the size of Cape Wind - was allegedly sidelined and that magically managed to escape the notice of the British press. Sure, whatever you say.
Having done a bit of leg work in my day, it appears to me that you've done very little.

Good Folks...when can we go home and hug our families, play with our pets and stop insulting each other?

We are all God's children and right now the children in Nantucket Sound are leading this race.

Kiss and make up.

There will be another day for a schoolyard scrub.

See you next winter and God Bless.

OK Jack ya got me there,

I looked and I looked but the truth is without turning over every piece you have actually penned I could not find anything that could actually be a lie. Fact is I don't think you ever write anything that you have to say for yourself except for your snide (I would call them snide) remarks and opinions. You don't really ever write much more than "satire" do you? Everything else is cut and paste or out right authored by someone else. So no one could really catch you in a lie though they also could not catch you in the truth because you don't stick your non vein bulging neck out as to actually say something.

Allow me to save you the trouble because no I certainly don't present "facts" here it's not my place or desire to do that. Its the VIEW and the VISION to me... things that people should be able to see for themselves. News/Facts/Reports are mostly all "manufactured" according to the manufacturer's specification and the fact that some people still believe that anything they read in print must be true.

a "bit of leg work in your day" another truth.

Hopefully, this is the death knell for this inappropriate project, but not for future wind projects. The Orleans wind tower, the MMA project and the new turbine in Hull are on track. They are focused and help the town or institution directly. Cape Wind was designed to feed expensive electricity into the gridand collect a $270 MILLION tax subsidy as well. What a country!
Now i notice the whining from CW has begun..Jim Gordon, Mark Rodgers et al crying unfair. Well, so was targeting a critical environmental site with no proper oversight in place. So, in the end, all is well and Jim Gordon can peddle his project somewhere else. I might even support it if he plays fair. LOL

Well Jack you missed this one! And since you are too lazy to follow up on it or maybe not being able to face the truth you will just have to wait. But it is old news.

Good Folks...when can we go home and hug our families, play with our pets and stop insulting each other?

We are all God's children and right now the children in Nantucket Sound are leading this race.

Kiss and make up.

There will be another day for a schoolyard scrub.

See you next winter and God Bless.

Maverick:

What do you mean by, "See you next winter?"
Is the charter business calling??? I hope that you're not going far. We need your voice of reason here. We were vindicated with Nantucket Sound’s recognition as a site that is unsuitable for an industrial wind plant. The Boston Globe should have acknowledged, in print, the pertinent information regarding the air traffic and navigational safety issues long before now. The public has a right to know all the facts, and the newspapers that don't provide the facts are not providing the service.

Jim Gordon may have spent 5 years and $25 million, (Jim’s figure), but he has always known the risks and the potential rewards. FPL, as I recall, had profits in 2003 of $2 billion and paid no income taxes. There are no victims only volunteers, and Jim could best be described in this scenario as a volunteer. There are too many conflicts associated with Cape Wind as you are well aware as someone who works there to earn his living.

Return to port safe and soon, okay?
Thank you for everything you do to SOS.

Guilty as charged, Little Fish - I am a huge fan of satire and try my hand at it often, although with mixed results. This does little to endear me to those on the receiving end, but this remains one of satire's enduring pleasures.
As for me allegedly being unwilling to stick my neck out, well, let me ask you - is there much doubt in your mind when it comes to my opinion of Cape Wind? No? Didn't think so.
As for too much cutting and pasting, first I heard of that was after I started citing excerpts from William Tucker's article on Storm King in Harper's.
The article was written in December 1977, incidentally, which explains the difficulty in finding a link to it online.
In lieu of a link, the only way for me to share Tucker's words of wisdom here was to cite excerpts. Clearly they've had much the same irritating effect as satire.

Jack:

The Washington Post was satified with Cliff Carroll's documentation in support of the facts contained in my letter to the editor of the Post of April 4, regarding the issues of public safety as presented by Cape Wind.

They required extensive documentation from all authorities, which they deemed to be the authorities, before they would print my letter.

Public safety is the job of the Coast Guard, airport managers, the Steamship Authority, Hy-Line and every other agency that has appealed this proposed location, including the air traffic controllers.

Yes, Jack, public safety is a big issue for Cape Wind, and it just keeps getting bigger.

There are public safety issues that extend beyond the aforementioned to the Department of Defense and Homeland Security. Our government is very interested in learning more about the radar interference caused by wind "farms" as determined by the British Ministry of Defense.

We definately do have safety issues, that's a fact, Jack.

Barbara D...please don't go to Bretton Woods or this tired old sea dog will chase you all over the mountain.

I will never catch you but would have fun trying.

Wish you and your family all my love. And thank you for your research and the truth you brought to this debate.

Hug your hubby and thank him for allowing you to spend this time with all of us.

Love Ya,
Jack

Cape Wind's opponents definitely have issues, Barbara, on that we can agree.
As to these issues allegedly being insurmountable when it comes to safety, why aren't any of them included in the language approved by the Senate conferees? That's where it counts, not in Washington Post editorials or letters to the editor.
Odd for issues seemingly so important to somehow never get into the actual legislation itself, don't you think?

Nice try, Magical. It has to be news first before it's old news, later. See how it works? You know what they say - no news is no news.
Wishful thinking by you trumpeted as fact without a shred of evidence doesn't qualify as news, old or otherwise.

Jack,
The political path of the Senate conferees may be circuitous, but they arrived at the correct destination.
"All those who wander are not lost"

Jack C...please relax.

Cape wind may ultimatly win.

This would be a good time to lay low and wait to see which way the wind blows.

Or are you getting paid per word? As a friend at this juncture the less said the better.

Wait a day and come back with innocent thoughts on your position versus attacks on the enemy that already has the upper hand.

Stay cool, talk about true offshore renewable energy, thank your adversaries for their thoughts, kiss your bride, hug your kids, pet your pup or kitten, say a prayer for all of us, and watch for tomorrow's sunrise.

Then enjoy the day with your family and go down to Harwich Port at sunset and look out at the Sound and look into your soul and ask it one question.

Who would want to disturb " this thing of beauty and a joy forever. "

I have to agree with Mav, relax Jack you are truly amongst friends here.

The truth is if it weren't for satire I would not be interested in reading or writing half the stuff. I thought my "conversations between Nixon and Gordon were much better than you JFK - MAGICAL piece but that ended the conversation and nobody had anything to say about it. SP (can't call him you know what and break our salt treaty) thought yours was brilliant well because "you know why".

No actually I mean that a good portion of your pieces jump right into quoting who said what and with the quotation marks so I just figured you were going to the source, copying cutting and pasting. So it's not like you're talking to these people, getting an exclusive and sharing it with us little people. I have to tell you I have actually witness magic research her stuff and make phone calls and correspond so for what it's worth she ain't just whistlin' dixie although although that is what she does to get my attention racist that she is and then Ize come a runnin... can't believe a few didn't get that satire tradition.

Little Fish, I missed your satirical Nixon-Gordon conversation. When did you post so I can scroll back and take a look?

Conversation between Richard Nixon and Jim Gordon. "So Jim tell me what your plan is?" Jim G. "Well I just want to do what is best for mankind and help out the environment and our future" Nixon "Oh you're one of those hippie freak pinkos J. Edgar been keeping an eye on" Jim G. "No sir, I'm a Capitalist and Industrialist and I hate Ted Kennedy" Nixon "God Bless You my boy, now remember tell the people #1 YOU ARE NOT A CROOK or a LIAR if you smile a lot many of the suckers will believe you. #2 Hire people that know how to act dumb if you know what's good for you!"

Further conversations. NIXON "OK so what are you thinking." JIM G "Well every investor knows land is the best investment, so what if there were some land that you could get for... well nothing... and what if you could sell people on the idea that you can make a big difference in the cost of things like heat/electricity and stuff like that and get this, what if you were getting all this "wink wink" from wind" NIXON "hmmm we could get the taxpayers to believe that paying you for doing it was "the American way" I want a piece of that pie but don't offer me anything for approvinging building contracts, trust me that jerk VP is enough "nolo contendres" around here as it is. What a schmuck, but he's my best defense against a bullet". JIM G. "Well trust me sir it's a dream come true for the investors that is. Picture it out in the water in a shoal all protected. NIXON "you mean protected like a "water gate" JIM G. "EXACTLY". NIXON "DAMN IT! Betty erase everything up until I say GET THE HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE YOU COMMIE. Another "GORDON" just like LIDDY should have known. Sic em CHECKERS".

JIM G. "But Sir what if it was right off from the Kennedy Compund" NIXON "Wait you mean" JIM G."YES NANTUCKET SOUND" NIXON "How many of these whirly gigs could you put there?" JIM G. "Oh probably a dozen or so way out in the ocean and where they like to party" NIXON "Screw that closer, make it at least 100 or more... BIG BIG BIG monstrosity, so they have to have lights on them to pass FAA and make it so they kill innocent animals. JIM G. "You mean like pidegeons" NIXON "Screw pidgeons I mean like Eagles.... yeah American eagles" JIM G "But sir that will get people protesting" NIXON "You bet your boots but like my sainted mother always said "if you want to make a true American mad just try and take away his right to kill something" JIM G "Good point sir you are a genius" NIXON "Who do you think slipped the quaaludes in Teddy's drink that night I don't hang with guys named BeeBee Rabozo for nothing" JIM G "But sir I don't know, you got people like the Audobons they are pretty wildlife happy" NIXON "yeah and I guess you think Audobon himself got those animals to sit pose for him too"

Jack Coleman (registered blogger) writes:


A conversation between JFK and Magical, early 1961 -
JFK - I propose we send a man to the moon and return him safely to earth by the end of the decade.
Magical - terrible idea, Mr. President. We can do it much faster than that.
JFK - How so?
Magical - skip the wasteful and unnecessary Mercury and Gemini programs and go straight to Apollo. The Russians are planning to send an unmanned probe to the moon within a couple of years; Mercury and Gemini are already obsolete.
JFK - but aren't we risking the lives of our astronauts by rushing through this before we have sent a single one of them into space?
Magical - risk comes with the territory, Mr. President, just as it would if the astronauts were working in deep-water, offshore environments. It wouldn't be our problem, it would be theirs. They're big boys, they can handle it.
JFK (skpetical) - well, ah, thank you for your time, Magical. Let me run it by Bobby and see what he thinks

there ya go jack, no need to scroll back, that cut and paste thing really works