Positive Energy

I am pleased to bring to you more information about the renewable energy initiative that Jay Inslee is promoting as part of a positive agenda for our state and country in 2006. The following is from the folks at Washingtonians for Energy Security:

BALLOT INITIATIVE FOR CLEAN, SECURE,
AFFORDABLE ENERGY
A Smart Energy Vision for Washington in 2006

Washington State is preparing to take an exciting step forward – toward securing clean energy sources for its citizens. Washingtonians for Energy Security, a broad coalition of businesses, environmental and labor organizations and concerned citizens, has launched an initiative for the November 2006 ballot. The initiative will help the state’s economy, environment, and rural communities by assuring electric utilities implement energy efficiency measures and purchase 15% of their power from clean and renewable resources by 2020.

Benefits of Clean Energy

Health and the Environment

Facing increased natural gas prices and prohibitive capital costs for new hydro and nuclear facilities, many utilities are considering new coal plants. According to the EPA, burning fossil fuels to generate electricity accounts for 69% of all sulfur dioxide emissions, 40% of carbon dioxide, 33% of mercury, 22% of nitrogen oxides, and 8% of particulate matter. Renewable generation creates little if any waste and spares the region’s limited water supplies. Clean energy resources are the only economically and technologically viable alternatives to major expansion in coal-fired power.

Rural Economic Development

Renewable projects boost tax revenues in often-economically distressed rural counties. Wind farms provide farmers and ranchers a vital second income -- upwards of $5,000 per year for each turbine on their land. Washington has been a leader in clean energy technologies and entrepreneurship, employing more than 4000 people -- expanding the in-state market for smart energy will bolster efforts at attracting new companies and venture capital to the state.

Stable Rates

Energy efficiency measures reduce the need to buy additional, more expensive electricity. Most renewable energy needs no fuel, which produces long-term price stability. Greater diversity is particularly important in Washington, which relies heavily on drought-susceptible hydro resources. In addition, the price run-ups of the 2001 energy crisis dramatically demonstrate the danger of our over reliance on volatile fossil fuels.

Why an Energy Security Initiative is Necessary

The only sure way to deter increased use of fossil fuels is to require utilities to meet new power needs with efficiency and renewable energy. Twenty other states and Washington, D.C., have similiar standards, including a renewable portfolio standard passed by ballot initiative in Colorado in 2004. As these states have demonstrated, standards prompt utilities and state and local governments to overcome barriers. Several years of effort in the Washington Legislature have yielded little progress in improving Washington’s energy security – it’s time to take it to the people.

For more information contact:
Washingtonians for Energy Security
www.energysecuritynow.org
info@energysecuritynow.org
Phone: 206-283-3335

I sincerely hope that everyone who is concerned about the current state of our energy situation in this state and in the country (from whatever point of view you may approach it) will help to make this positive step a reality by volunteering to gather signatures or contributing in any way you can.

Peace,

Chad (The Left) Shue

Welcome Mr. Pelz

The Washington State Democrats (http://www.wa-democrats.org/) have a new Chair. Dwight Pelz was elected (on a second ballot) by the Central Committee to succeed Paul Berendt and lead the party into the 2006 election cycle and, perhaps, beyond. Congratulations to Chairman Pelz. Now it's time to walk the talk.

As most folks know, 2006 is a Federal election year with one of our two US Senate seats and all of our Congressional seats up for election. In addition, there will be State House races and some local seats up for grabs as well. To "help" kick off his tenure, Pelz must first start working to get the state party out of debt while the counties and LDs are standing in line for "$tate Aid".

It is yet to be seen how the Cantwell/Wilson situation will play out. I don't know that Wilson would have fared any better with anyone else at the helm, but I believe it is pretty certain that he will be treated like the "fart in the elevator" in a Pelz Party. Out of all the candidates for the position, Mark Hintz, Snohomish County Chair, was the only one to refer to "THE Senate Seat" as opposed to "Maria's Seat." The big question, however, is: How will Wilson's supporters be treated? Many of this group are the same folks who were told to "suck it up for Kerry." and we saw how that turned out.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, there is the question about how the new Chair will be able to build bridges and work with the various county and LD officers who lined up to support a different candidate in the State Chair's race. Can the folks in Snohomish County and in the 4th CD expect to be treated fairly when it comes time to distribute state resources?

I certainly wish Dwight all the best as he begins his new challenge. He has a dedicated group around him in the Central Committee and Executive Board. As a PCO and Vice-chair in the 38th LD, I look forward to working with the new Chair for Democratic victories in 2006.

Peace,

Chad (The Left) Shue

More from Mark Wilson

After reading the recent article in the Seattle PI from our junior senator, I felt the need to check in with Mark Wilson:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------


LS: Mark, it’s been a while since we last had a chance to chat. It’s officially 2006. How’s the campaign going?

MW: I’ve been out to over 60 Democratic events and organizations including the “peace and justice community”. I have received some notable earned press statewide, including Associated Press and several radio interviews. I’m finding a much warmer reception than I initially expected. My opponent has done much to increase my viability. By that I mean her lack of accessibility and sporadic press releases like the recent “no regrets” article in the PI. People in Washington State are more interested in hearing a voice that represents them rather than the millionaires from big Corporations that describe both Sen. Cantwell and Mike McGavick.

I am a regular working class family man. The father of two veterans and the son of a Marine Corps veteran and I am a Marine Corps veteran myself. I was a teamster and have commercial fished the Bering Sea. I’ve worked in surgery and have been a small business owner distributing wire and cable to the construction industry for many years. I am really representative of the people of the state of Washington. My wife, Glynis, and I are proud parents of a 3 year old son. We have a real stake in the future. I am committed to working for a future that has hope and meaning for everyone, rather than just the Corporations and the wealthy few at the top of the pinnacle.

LS: Of course we’ve all read the recent article in the Seattle PI in which Senator Cantwell re-affirms her vote to authorize force in Iraq. This is obviously the centerpiece of your challenge but what do you have to say to her assertion that Iraq will be just another piece of the overall picture as people determine their level of support for her?

MW: To minimize the impact that avoidable illegal war based on lies has on the voters of Washington State is evidence of the complete disconnect Maria Cantwell created with people in the state and in the Democratic Party who overwhelmingly oppose the continued occupation and the war itself. Support for her is waning. Many leaders in the party are shocked at the shallow calloused statement made in admission of ‘no regrets”.

Over 2000 American families will NEVER be the same, having suffered the loss of a loved one in this reprehensible crime against humanity. Tens of thousands have been critically wounded. Over 100,000 innocent civilians in Iraq are estimated to have been killed. This tragic loss fuels the recruitment of terrorists throughout the world all united against The United States.

Over $234 billion wasted and tens of billions missing in this pork laden feeding frenzy for many Bush cronies profiteering in this outrage. That money could go to so many critically needed programs here at home. Then there is the environmental degradation of this adventure. With hundreds of burning oil wells and the use of depleted uranium munitions as well as the shameful use of phosphorus weapons in the brutal “shake and bake” of Fallujh. Not to mention the destruction of basic infrastructure, water, electricity and the lack of critically needed medicine all has led to a tragedy of untold proportion.

Her other votes for the USA Patriot Act and for confirmation of Condaleeza Rice as Secretary of State, who used terror to drum up support for this illegal war with the threat “don’t let that smoking gun be a mushroom cloud” was repeated over and over. As well as the vote to confirm John Negroponte as Director of National intelligence, at a time when the president authorized the illegal warrentless invasion of privacy of Americans is a clear violation of the law. This is an impeachable offense.

Senator Cantwell voted for NAFTA during her one term in the House. Last year she voted for CAFTA, an act that will likely have at least an equally devastating impact as NAFTA, which has led to the loss of over ONE MILLION good living wage jobs in this country. She also voted for the movement of class action lawsuits from State to Federal court assuring working families will get no justice for corporate wrongdoing. And finally the Bush Energy Bill. This pork laden giveaway steals billions of taxpayer dollars that are then given to the oil and gas industry in the form of subsidies. I oppose each and every one of these votes. And I would have voted against them all.

The totality of the record here should be spelled “wreckord”. Corporations are clearly well represented by my multimillionaire opponent, a former vice-president of a giant wealthy corporation.


LS: As you know, we are in the home stretch of selecting a new State Party Chair to take us through the 2006 election year and, perhaps, beyond. I’m sure that you have noticed (I certainly have) that the so-called front runners (Pelz and Ruderman) are solidly in the Cantwell column. Do you find this at least a bit demoralizing knowing that you not only have to challenge the incumbent but also the inner machinery of the State Party just to be heard? Do you have a particular preference for State Chair?

MW: Unfortunately, the term "Democratic Leadership" is becoming an oxymoron, save damn few brave souls. I’d be shocked if they challenged the voting record of my opponent or even compared her voting record to the state party platform.

As far as the relationships within the state party go, for many, those friendships are more important than saving this important seat. Few have the courage to warn of the vulnerability of this important seat. And this seat is certainly vulnerable from within. After the electability pitch to support Kerry in 04 got us a second term of Bush the junior, few will vote against their values again. Maria’s support for the war and for corporate rule have alienated many. And, we need the support of everyone within the party to retain this important seat.

While no one will forget that 129 votes separated the governor’s outcome in 04, we should remember that Cantwell “won” by only 2229 votes in 2000. Whoever becomes chair should be open to the primary process and be generating tremendous energy to not only wake up the base that is split over Cantwell but also find resonance with third parties that have tremendous impact in the outcome of statewide elections. I am reaching out to both Greens and Libertarians. Many of them will join the progressive base in the party in the primary and vote for me.

LS: Recently a mutual friend attended a meeting where a representative of the Green Party of Washington announced that they would be naming a candidate for the US Senate in this year’s race. Do you think that this development could pose a problem to your campaign?

MW: Greens will only run in the general election against Cantwell if she is the nominee. They have no primary election. I am hopeful that Greens will support the platform and background I bring to this effort.

LS: Finally, as we look at the current issues in DC, what are your views on the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, George Bush’s violations of the 4th amendment and his conclusion that there are “special Commander in Chief powers” that no one knew about until 9-11, and this whole business of lobbying and corruption in the Halls of Congress?

MW: I oppose the confirmation of Samuel Alito. I believe that his confirmation to the bench poses a grave threat to liberty and privacy. If in the senate now I would not only vote against confirmation but would charge the well to filibuster this nomination.

I’ve said repeatedly that the high crime of taking the nation into illegal war based on lies and the criminal negligence in the administration's foot dragging response to Katrina as well as undermining the Corps of Engineers, denying the funding to protect the levies of New Orleans as well as the admitted criminal invasion of privacy by warrentless search on Americans while condoning torture-are the most severe crimes a president has ever committed in the history of the United States. George W. Bush should be impeached. I will work towards that end.

911 offers many unanswered and even unasked questions. One that troubles me most is the admission of Larry Silverstein (leaseholder of the WTC), that the decision was made to “pull” (demolish) Building 7. It was demolished by controlled demolition seven hours after the twin towers fell. Who set the charges? And when were the charges set that brought down a 47 story steel structured building?

I doubt that any demolition team could ever coordinate the setting of the charges in that big building that day. When we consider the devastation of the WTC on 911, logic dictates that that building must have been charged before September 11th 2001. That means a conspiracy.

These questions must be asked and answered. I am asking and will continue till we find the truth wherever that truth will lead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I have said on more than a few occasions, Maria is always welcome to post here (even if it is just to say she feels no need to post here). In the meantime, it's good to hear a true Progressive point of view in the race for US Senate. If you would like to find out more about Mark or offer your support, check him out on the web at:
VoteMark.org


Peace,

Chad (The Left) Shue

Looking for a Positive Spin

OK. Someone help me out here:

Cantwell: No regrets over Iraq vote

By DAVID AMMONSAP
POLITICAL WRITER Seattle PI

Just as I was starting to think I could get through January on a positive note, Howie Martin had to direct my attention to this gem in yesterday's PI:

""No, I don't think it was a mistake," the Washington Democrat told The Associated Press in an interview during a visit to the state Capitol.
It was her most definitive defense of her vote, which has caused some angst among the peace movement in her party. She has drawn a primary challenger, Mark Wilson, who lists the war vote as a prime reason to deny her the nomination.(ed. Along with confirmation votes for Rice and Negroponte and the anti-consumer vote to send class-action cases to the Federal Courts) Cantwell acknowledged that she has encountered some blowback from her party, but said she expects to maintain strong support because of her work on other issues that are important to activists, including the environment and energy."

While it is true that Maria has done some good work on environmental issues and certain woman's issues, this war vote is a bitter pill.

"The senator said she has heard a variety of opinions from party loyalists about the war, but that almost no one would bring troops home tomorrow."
She apparently hasn't been talking to the "loyalists" in her own state.

I guess the positive here is that her poll numbers are still in the double digits over McGavick so, unless Mark Wilson pulls the upset of upsets (remember, he is fighting Cantwell AND the entire inner machine of the State Party), Senator Cantwell will be able to return to DC to continue to protect the ANWR while the rest of us work around her to protect the rest of the world.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

A Message on the Message

With Jay Inslee leading the charge toward cleaner energy through the Apollo Energy Project (http://theleftshue.blogspot.com/2006/01/president-gore-speaks.html), one of the five major Democratic Party themes for 2006 is being addressed. Thanks to Jack Abramoff, Congressional Democrats, led by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, are moving on a second theme: Clean Government. Yesterday, January 18th, the Democrats from the House and Senate announced the "Democratic Declaration of Honest Leadership and Open Government." from the Great Hall in the Library of Congress.

In making this announcement, the Democrats took a good step forward. Over the past five years, the "leadership" of the Democratic Party has been guilty of merely complaining about the bad stuff the republicans have been doing without coming forward with any positive plans to change things. While it is true that it is harder for an opposition party (I refuse to believe we are the minority party) to actually produce the changes they promote, it seems that the Democrats have simply stopped trying. Enter Howard Dean as DNC Chair......

With Howard Dean criss-crossing the country talking to the various state and regional party activists, the message that he has been able to deliver to the "beltway Democrats" is that we want to move forward and that the "just say no" approach is not selling in the precincts. We would never have gotten here with Terry McCauliffe and the rest of the Madison Avenue crowd in charge. Of course we still need specifics to talk about but it is good to see the party starting to come together around a positive message.

There are still three more parts to the puzzle Howard Dean talked about in November; Education Reform, Universal Healthcare, and perhaps the one that will truly define the Democratic Party in 2006, a real and ethical foreign policy (Beginning with withdrawal from Iraq). With the recent news of the (well predicted) debacle that is the republican "Medicare Deformed" Program, the conversation should start heating up again around the healthcare mess. Stay tuned..........

Peace,

Chad (The Left) Shue

President Gore Speaks..............

Ok, so I still have my delusional moments...But they are great delusions!

Welcome to the new year. Here is my resolution:

I will not dwell on the negative but rather, I will work for positive results in this year.

Recently, Rep. Jay Inslee (D- WA 1st CD) took some time out his schedule to speak with the Progressive Caucus of Snohomish County Democrats. The conversation centered on a general vision of Democratic leadership for this year. It was reassuring to me that much of what Inslee had to say mirrored what Howard Dean spoke about at the DNC Houseparties in November. The Democratic message will be focused on clean government, quality education, universal healthcare, an ethical foreign policy, and domestic jobs (fueled by a drive toward renewable energy).

Those who are familiar with Jay Inslee know that he has been a leading player in the renewable energy field for some time and is a leader in the New Apollo Energy Project. He has introduced legislation in the US House to meet many of the goals of that initiative. In an effort to push federal action, Jay has joined forces with a group in Washington State to launch a state-wide initiative that will require 15% alternate sourcing (ie. Solar, Wind, Bio-diesel, etc.) for electrical power production by 2015 (I hope I have the year correct). I look forward to working closely with Rep. Inslee on this initiative.

Now about Vice-President Gore:...

While it is always refreshing to hear a Democrat stand up and speak plainly about the corruption and deceit of the Bush Administration, it is my hope that we are about to see some real Republicans wake up from their long slumber. If there is one place where Democrats and Republicans historically come together it is over the issue of civil liberties. While there may still be some who will carry Bush's water over his so-called "War on Terror" the public call by House and Senate Republicans for investigations into illegal wiretapping of American citizens may just be the beginning of the end.

There is hope...........

Chad "The Left" Shue