Quackers - and Geez!

Weird Logic

Is this the party on whom I'm spying?

LORAN Termination?

LORAN Termination Proposed by Coast Guard

Action Alert!

Published: BoatU.S.* Magazine Volume XI, May 2006

March 10, 2006 - With no warning to users, the U.S. Coast Guard has proposed termination of the Loran system by requesting zero budget for Loran in its FY 07 budget request sent to Congress. This surprising development came with no stakeholders’ input and after the Coast Guard spent $160 million modernizing the Loran system, an improvement in signal strength, maintenance and coverage that is nearly complete.

BoatU.S. and other users, such as commercial fisherman and aircraft pilots urge the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee to support continuation of Loran for the long term and direct the Coast Guard to finish the modernization program. BoatU.S. has long supported continuing Loran as a low-cost, land-based backup to GPS.

While GPS has dominated the electronics market since the 1990s, new combined GPS/Loran receiver technology is now available, eLoran, and new international developments offer the potential for export opportunities for U.S. manufacturers. In addition, the GPS signal has been shown to have susceptibility to jamming, a problem Loran does not have.

BoatU.S. encourages boat owners who use Loran to e-mail or fax a letter to key Congressional appropriators and their own elected representatives to support FY 07 funding for the Coast Guard to continue fully operating the Loran navigation system as a backup to GPS and that the agency finish the modernization in the interest of national security and safe navigation. Links to contact info for all House and Senate Members:

Senate

House

Key committee members:

(Address all letters, Dear Representative or Dear Senator
and preferably fax to their offices.)

The Honorable Harold Rogers (Fax: 202-225-0940)
U. S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C 20515

The Honorable Martin Sabo (Fax: 202-225-4886)
U. S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Jerry Lewis (Fax: 202-225-6498)
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable David Obey (Fax: 202-225-3240)
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Thad Cochran (Fax: 202-224-9450)
U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Judd Gregg (Fax: 202-224-4952)
U. S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Robert C. Byrd (Fax: 202-228-0002)
U. S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510

Ted Stevens (Fax: 202-224-2354)
U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510

Daniel Inouye (Fax: 202-224-6747)
U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 2051
______________

*Boat Owners Association of The United States

Barbi - BoatU.S. Member Since 1987

Michigan's Children

Haven't posted in looooong time and mostly it's due to guilt. I had to bow out of my Area Organizer position because of some family issues. I guess I didn't feel worthy of Michigan politics.

Anyway, I have joined the e-publication of Michigan's Children, which is a child and family focused organization and website. They have a new site and some interesting bits to share and advocate.

Our Vision
We envision a Michigan where all children thrive.

Mission Statement
Michigan’s Children is a statewide, independent voice for children and their families. We work with lawmakers, business leaders and communities to make Michigan a place where all children have the opportunity to thrive.

Just for laughs!

Top 10 Things to Know About DeVos

May 4, 2006

Joel Wendland:

*Dick DeVos: Top Ten Things to Know about his Real Agenda Republican candidate for governor in Michigan

Dick DeVos won't tell the truth about his record,
so here it is.

1. DeVos has financial and personal ties to Tom DeLay and the Republican culture of corruption.
2. DeVos paid over $4 million for a $300 million corporate tax break.
3. DeVos secretly backs a dishonest campaign to repeal the estate tax.
4. DeVos believes in cutting jobs.
5. DeVos gets richer while Michigan workers suffer. DeVos supports "free trade" agreements like NAFTA.
6. DeVos thinks large corporations shouldn't have to pay their fair share of Michigan's tax burden.
7. DeVos dishonestly fought Michigan’s minimum wage increase.
8. DeVos despises Michigan's public schools. This is no exaggeration.
9. DeVos supports the failed Republican ideology of tax cuts for the rich and deregulation.
10. DeVos hides the truth about his wealth. So far DeVos is refusing to release his income tax returns.

***

Protection From Gas Gouging

Governor Signs Legislation to Better Protect
Michigan Consumers from Gas Gouging

May 2, 2006

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation increasing penalties for any company that takes advantage of customers at gas stations in Michigan. The act, which increases penalties for gas station owners who intentionally deliver less fuel to a customer than the pump indicates, is the latest in a series of steps the Governor has taken in recent weeks in her efforts to strengthen consumer protection.

“While the price of gas remains at near record levels and the federal government refuses to take action to cap oil company profits, we must do all we can at the state level to make sure consumers are treated fairly and are getting what they pay for,” said Granholm.

In the past nine months, the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) has responded to the Governor’s call and nearly doubled the number of inspectors investigating complaints about fuel quality and quantity. As a result, MDA has been able to respond to 100 percent of complaints.

In addition, Granholm has started an online petition to call on President Bush to cap excessive oil profits. Just ten days after being launched, more than 250,000 people have already signed on. Granholm said Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin also launched a petition yesterday and additional state efforts may be announced in coming days.

“More than a quarter million people are raising their voices together,” said Granholm. “Paying $3.00 per gallon while oil companies enjoy $10 billion in tax breaks and rake in billions more in profits is just plain wrong.”