The State Corporation Commission - Hearings on APCO Rate increase

Here we go again.....

Virginia regulators are hearing testimony on a proposed rate increase for Appalachian Power customers.
The State Corporation Commission on Tuesday began an evidentiary hearing in Richmond to discuss the company’s request for an about 12.5 percent base rate increase. The hearing is expected to continue until at least Friday.
Appalachian Power is asking the commission for the increase based on rising costs of providing service to its customers. But company officials did acknowledge the hardships faced by its customers in parts of the state particularly hurt by high unemployment and higher-than-expected winter heating costs.
Lawmakers passed a bill last month suspending the interim rate increase following complaints.
The commission is set to rule on the rate increase by July 15.LINK

I think Alton has this covered well in his post "To My Readers Who Are AEP Customers; Please Stop Blaming The SCC"

There is legislation that guarantees power companies a profit. Alton writes-

"...the law as it stands now ties the hands of the only entity in the state with the power to regulate monopolistic utilities, the Sate Corporation Commission (SCC). Under the present law our state essentially guarantees AEP a certain profit, with no means available to factor in bad management practices if they exist. This must be changed.
Another portion of the bill that must change allows utilities such as AEP to begin charging customers a higher rate before the SCC has ruled. If, and as I pointed out, the SCC is even able to deny the requested rate increase, AEP is required to reimburse its customers for the denied, though still collected, rate increase. Since there is no provision to audit AEP in this area of business practice, no one knows for certain if the full amount has been refunded or credited. This must be changed."

We must change this. I do not believe any company should be guaranteed a profit by the state. All the company has to do is show they are below the guaranteed profit and the increase is needed....The SCC's hands are tied.

Technorati Tags: SCC, Virginia, APCO

New Jobs for Southwest Virginia...New jobs, not Good jobs..Thanks Rick Boucher!

Well Rick Boucher touted it, as did Gov McDonnell.

Whether they’re called work at home or virtual jobs, 100 of them are coming to Southwest Virginia.
Congressman Rick Boucher made stops in Abingdon, Bluefield and Christiansburg to announce that Direct TV is expanding into the area. “I am pleased to announce that DIRECTV will operate a virtual call center in Southwest Virginia, hiring 100 of our region’s residents to serve as remote agents,’ Boucher said.LINK

Rick says -

"The individuals hired will earn an average of $10 per hour with the possibility of an additional $650 per month based on performance. The workers will also have access to medical, dental and vision insurance and a 401K pension plan."

Ok...."access to health ins"........That $10 bucks just went down...One commenter states they emailed the company and here is the deal-

"I was sent the press release from DirectTV’s call center partner Convergys regarding the jobs and job fair.  Jobs are part time; 20 to 28 hours per week.  No mention of benefits; must provide own computer; must pay own phone and internet connections.  Pay $9/hour.  Sounds like Boucher is really reaching for some good employment news."

Sadly, I believe that. First - 100 jobs for the whole SWVA region is not worth mentioning. We all remember when Sykes call centers were first talked about they said $20 per hour jobs....Finding a happy Sykes employee is rare as the truth is they pay less than $12 and very few get 40 hours. Would love to know their turnover rate. It must be huge because they are always hiring.

Gov McDonnell should have stayed clear of this job fluke. That is one press release no one is happy about in the coalfields.

Technorati Tags: Jobs, Southwest Virginia, Rick Boucher, Bob McDonnell

A new smoke connection

If you look on the left sidebar you will see a Cigars Direct logo. Great selection at fair prices with fast shipping. So if you order your sticks online please give Cigars Direct a look. You wont be disappointed.

Technorati Tags: Cigars

Political Violence goes both ways

This seems to be a talking point. Jerry has shown there are nut cases and all sides - here - here and here. NRO's Jonah Goldberg has a good piece up that is worth reading.

The Hostility Follies
So what if some nutcases happen to have right-wing politics? I thought liberals rejected guilt by association as McCarthyism.

Apparently there’s a self-proclaimed militia leader named Mike Vanderboegh who runs an obscure, low-traffic blog out of Pinson, Ala. (population 5,007). Mr. Vanderboegh recently called on his fellow “sons of liberty” to break the windows of Democrats to protest health-care reform.
Let’s start with the obvious: Vanderboegh is an idiot, and anyone who followed his advice is an idiot, too. These people are buffoons, not just because such tactics help Democrats but because such behavior is simply wrong, reprehensible, and clownish.
Equally wrong, reprehensible, and clownish: the reaction to Vanderboegh and his alleged ilk. Read it All

Indeed. Violence is not the answer for the current problem. Voting for good candidates is the answer.

Technorati Tags: Political Violence

Tea Party Convention contributor sues movement's leader

The Tea Party lost me when they started talking "Leaders".....

A lawsuit filed last week in Williamson County by Brentwood-based conservative Bill Hemrick, the founder of Upper Deck sports cards, accuses Tea Party Nation leader Judson Phillips of backing out of a partnership deal and spreading defamatory comments about him.
The lawsuit, first reported by FoxNews.com, stemmed from Hemrick's lending the group $25,000 to secure the former Alaska governor as a keynote speaker at the convention, which took place at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in February. According to Hemrick's attorney, his client gave the loan to establish a long-term relationship with Phillips' Tea Party Nation. LINK

Hey guys, It's about the people...not leaders. It is starting to look like just another political party. Leaders, corruption, failure.....You know the story.

Technorati Tags: Tea Party

Newsleader Censors Philbilly's LTE?

Well it sure looks that way. After reading Here and Here it makes me happy that I have the Kingsport Times. Fight the good fight Phil!

Technorati Tags: Censorship, Bullshit

Hey JC Wilmore - Obama Donor arrested for Eric Cantor death threat

I bet JC Wilmore left that part out of his post. From Newsmeat. 

Leboon, Norman Sr
Philadelphia, PA 19149
Disabilied/Retired
OBAMA, BARACK (D)
President
OBAMA FOR AMERICA
$250
primary
06/21/08

Leboon, Norman Sr
Philadelphia, PA 19149
Disabilied/Retired
OBAMA, BARACK (D)
President
OBAMA FOR AMERICA
$255
primary
06/20/08

This nut was also Anti Bush, Anti Cantor, Anti GOP....Sounds one hell of a lot like a Democrat to me, but no one is saying that. Unlike JC Wilmore who is fast to label people for what he believes to be some sort of political gain. He Sounds a lot like a asshole doesn't he?

Technorati Tags: Eric Cantor

If George W. Bush had......

From a email I recieved.

If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?
If George W. Bush had spent tens of thousands of dollars to take Laura Bush to a play in NYC, would you have approved?
If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plan's holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved?
If George W. Bush had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics, would you have approved?
If George W. Bush had given Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved?
If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky?
If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia , would you have approved?
If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the non-existent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a  minor slip?
If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current in their income taxes, would you have approved?
If George W. Bush had stated that there were 57 states in the United States , would you have said that he is clueless.
If George W. Bush would have flown all the way to Denmark to make a five minute speech about how the Olympics would benefit him walking out his front door in Texas , would you have thought he was a self important, conceded, and egotistical.
If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to "Cinco de Cuatro" in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you have winced in embarrassment?
If George W. Bush had misspelled the word "advice" would you have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and potato as proof of what a dunce he is?
If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on Earth Day, would you have concluded he's a hypocrite?
If George W. Bush's administration had okayed Air Force One flying low  over millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown   Manhattan  causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually  get what happened on 9-11?
If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in   New Orleans , would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue  with claims of racism and incompetence?
If George W. Bush had created the position of 32 Czars who report directly to him, bypassing the House and Senate on much of what is happening in America , would you have approved.
If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?
If George W. Bush had proposed to double the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have approved?
If George W. Bush had then proposed to double the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved?

So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive? Can't think of anything? Don't worry. He's done all this in 10 months -- so you'll have three years and two months to come up with an answer.

Indeed.

Technorati Tags: Barack Hussein Obama, Dumb Ass

Saturday Night Video - Avett Brothers Head Full of Doubt Road Full of Promise 1st time ever

Enjoy and sing along!

There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it
When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it
There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out
There’s a darkness upon you that’s flooded in light
And in the fine print they tell you what’s wrong and what’s right
And it flies by day and it flies by night
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it
There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out
There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

Coffin on Congressman's Lawn? Reminds me of Organized Labor

http://www.nrtw.org/

I remember well.....A pick up truck hauling a bullet ridden casket with SCABS Future or something like that written on it. Nothing new except this time instead of intimidating the common man in Wise County Virginia, it is directed at a congress critter.
The people are mad and it will get worse.

Technorati Tags: Healthcare, Organized Labor

Bristol Motor Speedway Crash Video!

Wow! Legends indeed.

Technorati Tags: NASCAR

A Couple Ladies @ Bristol Motor Speedway - "Alton eat your heart out"

My good friend Eric and two southern belles at the track Friday.....Eric says " Alton eat Your Heart out!!! Click to Embiggen...I know you want to!

Technorati Tags: NASCAR

More Bristol Motor Speedway Pics

Dream car

A little Jack and some Moon in a mason jar!
More to come.






Technorati Tags: NASCAR

Kilo @ Bristol Motor Speedway - The rest of the story

I tried to explain that Danica is a friend.....

But they have no sense of humor.

 It's my life.....Click Pics to Embiggen

Technorati Tags: NASCAR

Kilo and Danica Patrick @ Bristol Motor Speedway

 Click to Embiggen

Well what can I say. Stay tuned for the rest of the story in pictures.

Technorati Tags: NASCAR

Massey Energy - double metallurgical coal sales !

Great news for my friends at Cumberland Resources!

Mine operator Massey Energy says this week's $960 million acquisition of Cumberland Resources will advance its goal of doubling sales of higher-priced coal used to make steel by 2012.
Massey, like other coal producers, has moved aggressively to capitalize on surging demand in Asia for metallurgical coal, with the U.S. and Europe still recovering from the recession.
Massey told analysts Wednesday the company is pushing for 20 million tons of metallurgical sales.

Virginia-based Massey plans to ship 10 million tons this year and says Cumberland should contribute 5 million more within two years.Link

Jobs and security for our miners and our country.

Technorati Tags: Coal, Coal mining

Ronald Reagan on Socialism & Liberalism

"Now back in 1927 an American socialist, Norman Thomas, six times candidate for president on the Socialist Party ticket, said the American people would never vote for socialism. But he said under the name of liberalism the American people would adopt every fragment of the socialist program."~ Ronald Reagan

Boucher’s $140,000 franked mail tab - seventh-highest in House

What a waste.

A new public radio station. A cultural heritage center for Bristol’s Birthplace of Country Music. A veterans cemetery that would be the first in Southwest Virginia.
U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher has made all of those projects possible by securing $10 million in federal money, and he wants his constituents to know.
A recent mailing to Bristol residents from Boucher might be self-promotional – it is studded with references to the 9th District Democrat’s role in procuring the money, and features him in four photos – but it is not campaign literature. The italicized print in the upper left hand corner designates the mail as “official business,” prepared and mailed at taxpayer expense. Last year, Boucher was among the most prolific congressional users of franked mail, a legislative privilege that allows lawmakers to send mail through the U.S. Postal Service with their signature in place of a stamp.

Noooo, it's not campaign lit...Heh. Ole Feckless Rick is on the ropes!

Technorati Tags: Rick Boucher, Waste, Democrats in Charge

Nikolaus Johnson - Death Row Cop Killer on Facebook - He needs your Comments

Amazing.

Convicted cop-killer Nikolaus Johnson may be on death row, but he’s still finding a way to communicate with the outside world using Facebook. Although Johnson is not allowed access to the internet inside the Nashville prison he currently calls home, through Facebook he is staying in touch with his family and friends.
“Inmates don’t have access to the internet,” Tennessee Department of Correction Communications Officer Dorinda Carter said. “We don’t allow them to go on the internet and post whatever they want. He’s likely talking to someone on the phone or by mail and they are posting the messages for him on Facebook.”
Nearly three years ago, a jury convicted Johnson of the 2004 killing of Bristol, TN police officer Mark Vance. Despite that murder conviction and subsequence death penalty sentence, Johnson has 232 Facebook friends.
“A lot of people love him,” Johnson’s mother Kathy Bunche said. “You can see that. They understand that the story that he is a monster can’t be right. Everybody knows that’s not the case.” Read it all

His facebook page is here. I guess it comforts his family...or something. I'm waiting on that Ride the needle comment.

Technorati Tags: Facebook

Snow Devil

C'mon over!

Mar 2, 1865: Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia

Union General George Custer's troops rout Confederate General Jubal Early's force, bringing an end to fighting in the Shenandoah Valley.
The Shenandoah Valley was the scene of many battles and skirmishes during the Civil War. It was located directly in the path of armies invading from the south--as Confederate General Robert E. Lee did during the 1863 Gettysburg campaign-and the north. The fertile valley could sustain armies, and the gentle terrain allowed for rapid troop movement. In 1862, Confederate General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson staged a brilliant campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, defeating three Yankee armies with quick marching and bold attacks. In 1864, Early drove through the valley to threaten Washington, D.C., as he tried to relieve pressure on Lee, who was pinned down near Richmond.LINK

History.....

Technorati Tags: Civil War, Virginia

Michael Reagan - The Next American Tax Rebellion Has Begun

Reagan is one of my favorite columnists. His latest kicks butt!

The Next American Tax Rebellion Has Begun

My father, Ronald Reagan, battled successfully to simplify the tax code but his work has been largely undone. The arrogance of those who use the tax code to manipulate citizen behavior and Congressional ambitions for personal advancement have again corrupted the already destructive income tax system. It will fall to the American people to once again reject unfair taxation that favors the mighty at the expense of the public.
These 237 years after the Boston Tea Party and 31 years after the tax revolt that contributed to the election of my father as President, America is again rejecting “taxation without representation” and the rule of new American aristocrats. This time, the digital world is joining the physical world so even home-bound Americans can voice their dissatisfaction with our corrupted tax system. With a new online technology that brings the future to Uncle Sam, a hundred thousand people have already chosen graphic avatars to begin an online tax revolt march on Washington. Arriving April 15th, hundreds of thousands of Americans will digitally join those who can afford the time and expense of physically traveling to Washington for what may be the most powerful tax protest since Boston Harbor. Please Read It All.

Using the new media for a online march combined with a physical march on Washington DC is a cool idea. If you cant march in person you can sign up to march online at The Online Tax Revolt. This is some of Reagan's best work. Will it matter? I think thousands marching will make a statement. I can only hope it makes a difference. I signed up and you should too. What do we have to lose...Everything.

Technorati Tags: Michael Reagan, Taxes, Fair Tax, Tax Reform, Protest

Online Tax Revolt - Online March On Washington DC

Via my friend Anne we find this pretty cool Online Tax Revolt.

There is a massive rejection of the established powers taking place in our country.  Americans are mad as hell and we are not going to take anymore.  The Online Tax Revolt is about sending a clear message to Washington that we are a growing and vocal movement that is calling for real change.
The first-ever Online Tax Revolt, a free, interactive march on Washington was launched using state of the art technology. Concerned Americans can have a voice on tax policy, culminating on April 15 with events in Washington, D.C.
“The Online Tax Revolt is open to every American who believes taxes and spending are out of control, harmful to our country and a threat to our nation’s future,” said Campaign Chairman Ken Hoagland.  “Our economic future and that of future generations is at stake.  We need taxes that are lower and a tax structure that’s fair.
“We’re in serious trouble and it falls to us to get the nation back on track. This march is a wake-up call to everyone in Washington that the American people won’t be ignored any longer,” said Mr. Hoagland.
Marchers simply log on to www.OnlineTaxRevolt.com, choose an appropriate avatar and have it march to the nation’s capital.  Participants can march individually or in teams.  Other team leaders will be announced in coming weeks.
One team will be led by Michael Reagan. Another team will be led by nationally syndicated radio host Neal Boortz.  There will also be state-based teams and veterans’ teams.  Other prominent team leaders will be announced in the coming weeks.

I joined Michael Reagan's team. Check it out!

Technorati Tags: Taxes, TEA Party

Senate Democrats - Va. gun bills sent to special subcommittee?

A Special Subcommittee???

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Senate Democrats have found a way to block passage of several bills to loosen the state's gun laws.
Senate Courts of Justice Committee Chairman Henry Marsh on Monday announced the creation of a subcommittee to handle bills concerning guns and other issues. The subcommittee is stacked with four anti-gun Democrats and one Republican LINK

Gun owners can file this under grab your ankles and smile.

Technorati Tags: 2nd Amendment, Virginia Politics, Democrats in Charge

Huge GM Recall - 1.3 Million Cars

Government Motors has announced a recall is forthcoming.

DETROIT — General Motors Co. said Monday it will recall 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac compact cars sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico to fix power steering motors that can fail.LINK

Not good.

Technorati Tags: General Motors, Bailouts, Auto

Rick Boucher Drip, Drip, Drip

From Retire Rick.com

It has only been a week since the Crystal Ball published our most recent comprehensive view of House races across the country, but political news abhors a vacuum and there already many new developments to report. The Crystal Ball moves five Democratic seats from a “safe” rating onto our list of competitive races: KY-6 (Ben Chandler), MA-10 (Bill Delahunt), OH-13 (Betty Sutton), SC-5 (John Spratt), and VA-9 (Rick Boucher). Read More

Things are not looking good for my feckless congress critter. Boucher's cap n trade vision for our future is not sitting well with many people in the 9th. That spells trouble because many folks are not to happy with his past.

Technorati Tags: Rick Boucher, Virginia, Virginia politics

Farrakhan says Obama better look out for those Jews and Whites

I couldn't make this up.

In a 3 1/2-hour speech marking Saviours' Day, a Nation of Islam holiday, the movement's leader told 20,000 followers in Chicago's United Center that Obama's political difficulties came after he stood up to the Jewish lobby at an Oval Office meeting.
"When they left the White House, his problems began," the Chicago Sun-Times quoted Farrakhan as saying............In the same speech, Farrakhan said “the white right is trying to set Barack up to be assassinated,” and reiterated his conviction that 9/11 was an "inside job." read it all

Farrakan never ceases to amaze and offend.

Technorati Tags: Racism

Climate Fraud - More on Peabody Energy Lawsuit

I wrote about this a few days back. I see STLtoday.com has a good editorial - Peabody is right to challenge science in climate change reports by Vic Svec — St. Louis Senior Vice President, Peabody Energy. He is responding to a previous article 'Blowing Smoke".

""The editorial "Blowing smoke" (Feb. 22) improperly criticizes Peabody Energy for calling into question what has become an almost daily litany of retractions, apologies and embarrassing admissions about the poor quality of science contained in the U.N. International Panel on Climate Changer report.
The same day as the editorial, we learned of yet another revelation: researchers withdrew a claim that sea levels are rising drastically. This followed a separate retraction of the claim that Himalayan glaciers would disappear by 2035.
The editorial said that Peabody is cherry-picking facts. But the mounting questions around the IPCC report suggest an orchard of flawed science. The authors of the U.N. report said they were put "under pressure" to present a "nice tidy" picture of unprecedented 20th century warming. They suppressed information and relied on material from advocacy groups that led them to embarrassing mistakes. 
Peabody believes that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should not outsource its obligation to apply rigorous science to policies that could reshape the U.S. economy. The agency needs to step back and begin a thorough review of the real state of science surrounding climate change. It needs to determine if we have man-made climate change or simply a man-made crisis.
We support continual emissions reductions toward the ultimate goal of near-zero emissions from coal. We believe in technology first, followed eventually by targets when the costs and regulatory regime are determined.
Peabody is joined by numerous states, business organizations and Congressional leaders advocating a common-sense approach. None of us should place blind faith in a flawed process that is sure to harm the economy, suppress investment and raise energy costs for every American.""

Well said. Fight the good fight!

Technorati Tags: Coal, Coal Mining, Global Warming

NASCAR- Jamie McMurray is Back!

Wise Girl is a long time Jamie fan so there was lots of excitement after he won the Daytona 500. I hate him. He is a wreck ready to happen. It was good to see him get back to his old ways and not only wreck himself, but his teammate Montoya. Wrecking is always bad in racing, but crashing a teammate is the worst. Yep, Jamie Mac is back.

NASCAR - Goodbye Danica Patrick

She is gone from NASCAR for 4 months: Can they survive? How did she do?  Alton has a good post "Danica Patrick Is One Hot Little Woman.

The lady fans I am around don't like the image Danica is putting out there. I am just glad she is gone.