Republican idiocy

The toxic legacy of coal-burning power plants lives on even after they're shut down:

The pollution is likely responsible for a 50% reduction in largemouth bass in the lake, says Dennis Lemly, an associate professor of biology at Wake Forest who written a new study of the lake's fish population. He says he has direct evidence that selenium poisoning is killing an estimated 900,000 bluegill in the lake every year.

He put the value of the fish killed at between $4.5 million and $7 million per year. And he said selenium leaching from the ponds is leaving thousands more fish deformed.

Of course Duke Energy disputes this study, even though they've known for years that the Sutton coal ash situation has been deteriorating steadily. And it's not just the fish that are being adversely impacted, Sutton leaks are ruining the water table in the area, as well:

A few snippets from yesterday's NC DHHS Twitter town hall disappointment:

@NC_DHHS what's the plan for increasing patient beds? @ncpsychiatry members see this as a major issue #ncmentalhealth

— NC Psychiatric Assoc (@ncpsychiatry) December 2, 2013

Said it much better than I did:

We'll start with some sobering findings:

"@neashoemaker: N.C. teachers see legislative changes as harmful, study finds: http://t.co/BpSwxcs66R" Concern over how #ncpol affects edu

— NLC North Carolina (@NLC_NC) November 26, 2013

What are we going to do when it gets to the point there aren't enough qualified people willing to put up with all the crap associated with being a teacher?

Pretty sure the word "mature" doesn't mean what he thinks it does:

“It is long past time for the federal government to stop forcing American taxpayers to spend billions of dollars to prop up a now-mature energy source,” said Congressman Jones. “Combined with my concerns about the effects of wind turbines on the military installations and residents of Eastern North Carolina, I fully support the expiration of the PTC at the end of this year.”

Yeah right, this doesn't have a damn thing to do with Cherry Point, it's simply another push by the Koch Brothers to snuff out alternative energy sources, and Walter Jones is scrambling to please them before they Primary his ass into oblivion. Not to mention the rest of the usual suspects:

Had a conversation with a progressive friend recently, and when the subject of fracking came up (it's inevitable, if you talk to me for more than thirty seconds) , he hit me with the question, "What's the deal with NPR?" I spent an inordinate amount of time babbling about the subversion of CPB and the loss of private donations via the recession, but while my mouth was churning along, a voice in my head was barking, "Stop trying to defend them!" So I will.

NPR's association with ANGA (American Natural Gas Alliance), for whatever reason, is simply wrong. It amounts to the network giving tacit approval to industry lies and propaganda, which could be used as a tool to endanger people across the country. If you feel as I do, make your voice heard. Here's some reasons why:

The following has absolutely nothing to do with the title, but I laughed hard, so:

But don't expect them to support campaign finance reform:

Protesters are Republicans who oppose the tactics used by both Karl Rove and Speaker Tillis that promote corruption, cronyism and unconstitutional practices. The protest will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. this Thursday outside of the fundraiser to be held at the Bank of America Stadium at 800 South Mint Street.

“A growing contingency of Republicans oppose how both Thom Tillis and Karl Rove wield power to influence elections and legislation through their corporate donors,” said Chuck Suter, video reporter and founder of Constitutionalwar.org.

You're kidding, right? The vast majority of Republicans love how their leaders can rake in the cash and push people around. These are admirable traits, to be emulated whenever possible to make the GOP a stronger political adversary. But by all means, continue to bang the drum about corruption and cronyism. Just don't expect more than a couple of dozen Republicans to listen.