Let’s shout this from the rooftops. This is for the fox / right wing media watching jerks that think gas prices are up because we don’t pump enough oil out of the ground, ruining the environment. They shout under tRump the US was energy independent. They are showing how clearly they don’t understand the oil to gas production. The US has always pumped the most oil. What we don’t do is refine most of it to the kinds of fuel we need most here, because as I understand it, the refineries are set up for a different type of oil. The oil from the US is mostly not the right kind to make the fuels we use. Also oil is sold on a worldwide market and oil companies can make more money selling it over seas than here. We need more refineries to refine the oil into the fuels we need here, but again that cuts into the profit margin of the oil / gas companies. And in the US, profit is king. The Saudis pump the kind of oil we need, it is imported. They can screw with us to keep us doing what they want by restricting the amount they pump / sell. The right wing people are too uninformed to know that they are bowing to the Saudi government every time they scream at and blame Biden for gas prices. And compared to a lot of advanced countries, the US has relatively cheap gas. Oh and closing the Keystone 2 pipeline before it could operate did not cause a fuel price increase / shortage. The pipeline was never used. Plus the oil that would run in it was destined to be sent out of the country. Hugs. Scottie
You won’t hear President Biden talking about it much, but a key record has been broken during his watch: The United States is producing more oil than any country ever has. The flow of huge amounts of crude from American producers is playing a big role in keeping prices down at the pump, diminishing the geopolitical power of OPEC, and taming inflation.
The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline nationwide has dropped to close to $3, and analysts project it could stay that way leading up to the presidential election, potentially assuaging the economic anxieties of swing state voters who will be crucial to Biden’s hopes of a second term.
But it is not something the president publicly boasts about. The politics of oil are particularly tricky for Democrats, whose chances for victory in the 2024 elections could hinge on whether young, climate-conscious voters come out in big numbers.
You won’t hear President Biden talking about it much, but a key record has been broken during his watch: The United States is producing more oil than any country ever has. https://t.co/ue1Tiqx4aK
A short-term boost in domestic oil production and a corresponding decline in gas prices could have a long-term benefit for environmentalists — helping prevent the return to power of Trump and other deniers of climate change, said Josh Freed, the director of climate and energy at the center-left think tank Third Way.
“The fastest way to end all of American climate action is to see oil prices dramatically rise and have Republicans get elected to office,” he said, commending Biden’s handling of the issue.
It’s not like Trump is much younger, either. But people have drunk the Fox News kool-aid on this, and (of course) the Dems haven’t done enough to counter that messaging.
What a sticky widget. Oof. He’s done more for EV, solar and wind infrastructure than any other administration. And yet, this situation. I’m honestly incredibly impressed at the administration’s ability to thread the needle, ya know?
This is a great cartoon. Please go to the link above and read it, and understand that is how the wealthy really think of the rest of us, and our having anything. Hugs. Scottie
Thanks again to Ten Bears for a wonderful video. In case you are not aware, Ten Bears posts daily lists of links to a diverse collection of stuff. His site is well worth a daily visit but you may end up with a lot more stuff to watch or read. Hugs. Scottie
How are Lithium Batteries Recycled? Today we find out. Whether its Electric Car batteries, cell phone batteries, or tool batteries the process is all the same. HUGE thanks to Li-Cycle for giving us a tour: https://www.li-cycle.com/ if you’re looking to recycle your old cell phone or battery, you can find a drop off location here: https://www.call2recycle.org/locator/ and Call2Recycle will handle the rest. Lets get those old electronics and batteries turned into NEW technology!
But republicans on Putin’s payroll or his blackmail list they don’t care, it is not making their master happy. His will be done in all things. See one DJT or as we know him TFG, among other names. Hugs. Scottie
Please read the quote below from the post on Ten Bear’s site. Then think of the things tRump and his supporters claim they plan to do. Hugs. Scottie
White Rose survivor Jürgen Wittenstein described what it was like to live in Hitler’s Germany: “The government – or rather, the party – controlled everything: the news media, arms, police, the armed forces, the judiciary system, communications, travel, all levels of education from kindergarten to universities, all cultural and religious institutions. Political indoctrination started at a very early age, and continued by means of the Hitler Youth with the ultimate goal of complete mind control. Children were exhorted in school to denounce even their own parents for derogatory remarks about Hitler or Nazi ideology.”
Diversity efforts are designed to bring more minorities into positions of authority and better paying jobs. Ask your self why anyone would be against that? Ask why those people would go to the point of using the power of the entire state to deny such programs? It is about white cis straight power! It is flat out racism! I don’t know how else to explain it. These people are threatened by programs that reach out to minorities instead of just giving all the good jobs to white people or include black / brown people in higher education. Hugs. Scottie Some quotes below
However, DEI programs typically provide support not only for students from marginalized communities, but also for veterans, low-income students, first-generation students, single parents and students with disabilities.
“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments, programs, and entities play a pivotal role in providing a safe and inclusive space for minority and marginalized communities on higher education campuses,” the statement reads. “These initiatives offer students a platform to voice their concerns, establish a home away from home, and foster unity within the student life community. Any attempt to remove personnel, funding, and programming jeopardizes the very existence of these essential spaces.
Oklahoma’s ban is the latest in a wave of efforts across the country to walk back DEI initiatives that were largely popularized during and after 2020. Earlier this year Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor, signed bills banning institutions from spending federal or state dollars on DEI initiatives, while, last month, the Iowa Board of Regents voted to direct the state’s public universities to cut DEI programs that are not necessary for research contracts or accreditation. The same day Stitt signed his executive order, according to WPR, Wisconsin Republicans successfully pushed the University of Wisconsin to freeze DEI staffing through 2026 and eliminate or refocus about 40 positions focused on diversity.
Order prohibits agencies and public colleges and universities from using state funds, property or resources towards DEI initiatives
University of Oklahoma Sooners’ college campus. The university’s president has stressed its commitment to ‘access and opportunity’ for all students. Photograph: Forge Productions/Alamy
On Wednesday Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma’s governor, signed an executive order in effect banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at agencies and public colleges and universities across the state.
The order prohibits them from using state funds, property or resources towards DEI initiatives and orders them to dismiss “non-critical personnel”. It is effective immediately, but institutions are expected to comply no later than 31 May 2024.
The 25 public colleges and universities in the state also have to provide reports that detail the expenditure of their former DEI initiatives and job positions. Stitt said he is “implementing greater protections for Oklahomans and their tax dollars”. But according to local news outlet KFOR, only “around $10.2m was spent on DEI programs in the past decade. It accounted for three-tenths of one percent of all higher education spending.”
Kevin Stitt, the governor of Oklahoma. Photograph: Sue Ogrocki/AP
The governor also said that Oklahoma should focus on supporting low-income and first-generation students instead of supporting students based on their race. However, DEI programs typically provide support not only for students from marginalized communities, but also for veterans, low-income students, first-generation students, single parents and students with disabilities.
In response to the executive order Joseph Harrosz Jr, the president of the University of Oklahoma, sent a letter to the OU community acknowledging how alarming the elimination of these programs may be for some people. But he doubled down on the university’s commitment to accessible education, writing, “Please be assured that key to our ongoing successes as the state’s flagship university – now and forever – are the foundational values that have served as our constant north star: access and opportunity for all of those with the talent and tenacity to succeed; being a place of belonging for all who attend; dedication to free speech and inquiry; and civility in our treatment of each other. These values transcend political ideology, and in them, we are unwavering.”
“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments, programs, and entities play a pivotal role in providing a safe and inclusive space for minority and marginalized communities on higher education campuses,” the statement reads. “These initiatives offer students a platform to voice their concerns, establish a home away from home, and foster unity within the student life community. Any attempt to remove personnel, funding, and programming jeopardizes the very existence of these essential spaces.
Oklahoma’s ban is the latest in a wave of efforts across the country to walk back DEI initiatives that were largely popularized during and after 2020. Earlier this year Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor, signed bills banning institutions from spending federal or state dollars on DEI initiatives, while, last month, the Iowa Board of Regents voted to direct the state’s public universities to cut DEI programs that are not necessary for research contracts or accreditation. The same day Stitt signed his executive order, according to WPR, Wisconsin Republicans successfully pushed the University of Wisconsin to freeze DEI staffing through 2026 and eliminate or refocus about 40 positions focused on diversity.
Read the full article. Stitt, who appeared here last month when he publicly praised illegal cockfighting, is a self-avowed Christian nationalist. He recently declared November to be “family month as ordained by God.” In June 2023, he authorized the nation’s first state-funded religious charter school. Last year he claimed “every square inch of Oklahoma in the name of Jesus.” Upon his inauguration, Stitt’s wife declared that his administration’s main priority would be “bringing people to Jesus.”
When he states that he wants to”protect Oklahomans” he really means the lily white males. Of course. The universe protect us from these Christian fanatics!
“Last year he claimed “every square inch of Oklahoma in the name of Jesus.” Upon his inauguration, Stitt’s wife declared that his administration’s main priority would be “bringing people to Jesus.””
When republicans show you who they are, believe them. What they say is not as important as what they try to do. They have learned there is no downside for them to lying, and they make their money by giving the countries wealth to the already wealthy at the expense of the lower incomes. Hugs. Scottie
Florida governor—and failing 2024 presidential candidate—Ron DeSantis sold his Party’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law as a way to protect children in elementary schools from LGBTQ+ “sexualization.” Then it was expanded through grade 12. Now, a Republican proposed legislation to expand it to the workplace. These efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights are never really about the children, and it’s time Americans wake up and realize that.
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