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Random Thoughts on a Hot Summer Day...
Posted
7-29-2007
Why are Republican Congressmen Phil English and
John Peterson trying to prevent the conversion of Interstate 80
to a toll road? The conversion is a part of the bigger plan to
better fund roads and transit in Pennsylvania. The plan is one
their own party members supported in Harrisburg and one that
would still ensure I-80 is maintained properly because the money
from the tolls could only be spent on I-80. But the millions of
dollars of federal money (and some state money) that currently
is spent on I-80 could be freed up for other uses. One gets the
impression they want to do nothing more than gum up plans of a
Democratic governor to better fund transportation and transit in
the state.
If they wanted to stop wasteful spending, they
should have passed legislation that would have taken money from
the Federal Transit program that was made available for the
underwater tunnel from downtown Pittsburgh to the North Side.
Because the money was there, the temptation was too great for
the Port Authority of Allegheny to not submit a request (and
receive it) for this "demonstration" project. However, the
federal funding doesn't pay the full amount, and a struggling
agency like the Port Authority must come up with the rest of the
money to not only build the tunnel, but also add to their
operating costs. It is an unnecessary project that will only add
to people's frustration with the Port Authority.
Transportation usually is an issue that is
non-partisan. At least that is how it has been at the
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, where the region's county
commissioners oversee the spending of federal transportation
money. Democrat and Republican commissioners come together to
manage the region's transportation challenges and the issue of
political party virtually never comes up. Now when a decent
attempt is made to overcome some of the chronic funding problems
for transportation, these two Congressmen try to throw a wrench
in it.
Leave it to the Trib, they cannot even get
"Whispers" right. I have not criticized Perry Christopher's
musical tastes, I simply am not interested in them. When I've
visited his blog, it has been to see what the political
commentary has been. If I want to hear music, I'll go to YouTube
where a person can see and hear just about any music they
desire. And poor Perry, he worked so hard each day to come up
with a song for me that even his Republican visitors told him to
take a chill pill. He was looking too eager to please me. But I
do appreciate the effort.
It is interesting to see Kim Ward try to cover
her tracks on the Hempfield Township Municipal Authority (HTMA)
caper. She is trying to act like the board members who've spent
authority money for questionable purposes aren't her minions.
C'mon Kim, many people might not be able to connect the dots but
Melena and Regola the elder are part of Kim's converts.
Now the HTMA is going to develop a code of
conduct? Why wasn't it done after Mr. Regola's FIRST ethics
violation? Could it be that at that time Ward and the Senator
were still confidants? But now with his myriad of problems, the
whole Regola crew is a political liability.
By the way, Ward isn't going to play the gender
card in this election either. One of her flunkies e-mailed me
asking if I dislike women in politics because I've told the
truth about Kim Ward. It was a ridiculous comment since my wife
has been elected to public office, and gender should never be an
issue with so many women in public life. Most women have
recognized trying to use their gender as an excuse to be treated
differently than men is insulting to the concept of gender
equality. In Kim Ward's case, she orchestrated one of the most
mean-spirited campaigns in county history when she brought in
Bob Jubelier's henchmen to attack Allen Kukovich. Your party
shows no special consideration to women when they are Democratic
candidates, so why should we? The bottom line is, gender isn't
the issue in this election; the ability to get the job done is
the issue.
Can things get any more embarrassing for Bush
and his puppet Alberto ("Senator, I can't answer that")
Gonzales? Watching news coverage of the hearing over Gonzales'
political firings of US Attorneys would be pure comedy, if it
wasn't tragic that the most powerful nation in the world has a
total dolt for Attorney General. I know the Bush Administration
thinks they are above the law (no administration ever has
claimed "Executive Privilege" as much as this one) but Gonzales
has to be an embarrassment to Republicans in the US Senate too.
For them to watch this exhibition by Gonzales has to make them
squeamish to keep protecting the guy. But I know why Bush stands
by him; they are intellectual soulmates.
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