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myles spicer

minnetonka, MN
Commenter for
5 years 24 weeks

Recent Comments

Posted on 01/23/12 at 03:50 pm in response to Pipelines like Keystone remain the best way to transport oil and gas

Rolf makes the legitimate point that (by deduction) there are fewer and fewer good options for the continued use of fossil fuels.

First a disclaimer: I have owned Canadian oil trusts and stocks for years, so the Keystone would be great for me, they pay handsome dividends and are well run. So, I have learned more than I wnat to know about tar sands oil. And I do have serious concerns. The extraction and processing costs are large for tar sands -- it takes lots of heat (energy) and...

Posted on 12/20/11 at 06:45 pm in response to 'Excuse me, sir, but do you carry this in American?'

Actually Dennis (while I too do not approve of heavy handed government actions), Gibson was importing "endangered" ebony and rosewood from Madagascar --- both clealy prohibited by what is called The Lacey Act. What teed off the government was that Gibson apparently KNEW they should not be doing this, they had been on the ground in Madagascar before the shipments were made, and just decided to thumb their nose at government regulations. Many trees are now almost extinct, and log poaching is...

Posted on 12/16/11 at 10:33 am in response to Until we take big money out of politics, our democracy will represent corporate interests

Citizens United was the biggest blow to fair elections in America's recent history (yes, Dennis, that includes union money too).

It has now been estimated that $5.3 Billion was spent on the 2008 election (again yes Dennis, that includes Democrats as well as Republicans).
This is obscene, and the average citizen's voice is being drowned in a sea of money, ads, influence and worse.

For those who agree, and want to see Citizens United reversed, I direct you to the website of...

Posted on 12/16/11 at 01:16 pm in response to Until we take big money out of politics, our democracy will represent corporate interests

Short answer Tom -- ALL money. Period. The way it should be!

Posted on 12/16/11 at 07:18 pm in response to Until we take big money out of politics, our democracy will represent corporate interests

dennis, the case decided by SCOTUS was not about money or unions, it related strictly to the concept that "corporations have the same rights as individuals" so that is the crux of the Sanders Amendment. It is specific to overturn that concept. It does however note that it is inclusive of other entities who similarily can now give money. It WOULD prevent unions as well from funding third party groups who now pour huge amounts into our elections.

Posted on 12/02/11 at 11:11 am in response to Protracted presidential campaigns damage our electoral process

True, Richard, but no one is disputing the "frequency" of campaigns; we have elected our Representatives every 2 years...Senators every 6...and a president every 4, since the nation was formed. What is at stake here is the "length" (and now character) of those elections.

A pundit recently noted that elections in the 21st century are far different from those previously because of the internet and proliferation of mass media -- thus with the addition of massive funding we not only have...

Posted on 12/02/11 at 01:22 pm in response to Protracted presidential campaigns damage our electoral process

Sorry Rolf -- I can spot a nincompoop much faster than the two years they now campaign. One debate should just about do it!

Posted on 12/03/11 at 11:14 am in response to Protracted presidential campaigns damage our electoral process

Joe
I cannot agree that longer campaigns weed out poor candidates. Given that theory, should they then be LONGER? I might also remind you, O'Donnell lost. No, I fear we will have both good and bad candidates regardless of length of compaigns.

Actually you can make a case that the Tea Party gained traction with longer campaigns -- by stacking the caucuses and state conventions.

As for Richard's comments, they are positive thoughts. Could really be better electoral process...

Posted on 12/04/11 at 08:29 pm in response to Protracted presidential campaigns damage our electoral process

Richard
Agreed. In fact afeer 45 years in the ad agency business, I am convinced one reason the Republicans win is that they are more adept, more savvy, and effective in their use of the media.

On some issued, I am also convinced,the public is "snowed"; and proof is the frequency in which they vote against their own interests.

Posted on 12/05/11 at 11:19 am in response to Protracted presidential campaigns damage our electoral process

Wow! Steve, what a treat...what a victory...having a liberal and conservative agree on something. Kind of like to old days. Thanks!