D.I.R.E.C.T. ENERGY PLAN

Comprehensive, progressive, hope and change are just some of the buzz words, of the future election and candidates participating. However, there are very few fresh and hard hitting ideas, in either Barack Obama, or John McCain's camps. The economy and high gas prices are two of the major issues, maybe the top issues, of the upcoming campaign. Yet, there is no singular solution for either, of the problems, hitting millions of Americans, daily. If one of the candidates would look at this "comprehensive" idea, then run with it. It would magnify the candidate, as a caregiver of the people, the sense of not cowering to lobbyists, and it would provide an immediate action on prices and future stimulation for "global warming technologies." A simple acronym, D.I.R.E.C.T., could win an election (or put a candidate, in the "cat bird seat").

D.I.R.E.C.T. ENERGY PLAN

D-- Drill and a mandate to aggressively drill. Drilling in ANWAR, off both coasts, farther east in the gulf (not in the everglades), South Dakota and Colorado, are all attainable and will be a boon, some sooner than others. The farthest drilling points, away from already standing pipelines, would be eight to ten years away. Although, drilling off the coasts and in the gulf, where some oil platforms/pipelines already exist, or are readily attainable (easy places to drill and build) will bear fruit, within two to four years (maximum).

I-- Integration. There are all types of energy, the United States can and must use. Wind, solar, gas, oil, hybrid technology, and many more are not only here to use, but are on the cusp of being in the US markets. American people, scientists, and industry giants must utilize and compromise to integrate all forms of energy into American hands. Politicians must look at the United States as a whole, not just taking care of there own state and getting reelected. Massachusetts and Kansas will not have wind mills in their states (Mass. because of the "elitist attitudes" and not wanting to "clog up waterways," so they can boat. Kansas is balking, because of farming industry and overall not wanting to "clog up the flatlands"). America has the most coal, of any country, in the world. Clean coal technology and massive coal production must be part of the solution. Shale drilling, in Colorado is a must, in order to utilize all possible resources and possibly making gains, scientists did not know previously. In the EU, nuclear energy has proven to be clean, but must be thought out, planned, and is a solution for problems in the long run. Finally, there must be more refineries built, for the ever-growing need and the US hasn't built one in over thirty years.

R-- Regulation. Obviously, there are CEO's in the oil, gas, and energy companies, who are completely out of control. Making millions of dollars a year, while most people are barely able to fill their tanks. Regulation of the energy companies (oil, gas, wind, nuclear, and any other kinds, in the future) is the only way to allow for common goals, not just massive prices. Regulation in not just profits, but also in carbon emissions, new oil and gas drilling conservation projects (so there are limited, if any "Exxon Valdise" problems), and an overall regulation to bring together conservation people and energy people, under a common flag and set of goals/rules.

E-- Eradication of small speculators and making the large speculators buy 50% of the product the are speculating. The overall impact of smaller speculators, on Wall Street, have oil more than 60% over what a barrel of oil costs, in America (meaning if speculators were held to task, made to invest/buy at least 50% of what they are speculating on, a barrel of oil would be $50-60, not $140.00 and rising). The overall market needs speculation and the men/women who are doing there job. However, there needs to be a complete inspection and management of smaller speculators, who are sticking it to the prices and American people. If speculators, thru Congress, were made to purchase 50% of oil product, it would eliminate the smaller/problem speculators, decreasing prices immediately and putting money in Americans pockets.

C-- Conservation. There should never be any mining, drilling, wind power, or any other energy needs at the cost of our most precious resources, like the everglades, Grand Canyon, and Mount Rushmore. When nuclear, oil, coal and shale technologies come into play, there must be a massive amount of conservation people and experts at the forefront, to keep the energy companies at bay. However, there must be a give and take, in the conservation portion. Recently in California, "the right price and right place" gave way to a common energy outlook. Like in the conservation of animals, some of the best conservation people are the hunters, fishermen, and smaller groups of people. The same must happen for the energy conservation. Big conservation corporations, lobbyists, and some far leftists should not be the major leaders, the same for the energy side (with the major Exxon, Coal, Nuclear pushers of energy), as they will always end at a stand still, with nothing being achieved.

T-- Transparency. Not one thing will be achieved, in America, under the banner of energy expansion, if there is not a complete form of transparency. The government, energy companies, and conservation associations all must be held under a complete banner of money, land, and overall opaque transactions and deals. The United States people are the ones who are being held at gun point, due to the high prices, small speculators, and high end lobbyists now. Therefore, the United States people must be able to see every single step, dollar, acre of land, oil platform and refinery being built on the Internet (on the D.I.R.E.C.T. dot Org web site). If there is no transparency, there will be constant corruption, lobbyist obstruction, nothing will be achieved, and American's will continue to languish under the same corrupt and boorish rule.

D.I.R.E.C.T. Energy Plan, will allow for all voices to be heard, both immediate, middle, and long term planning to be accomplished, and finally it will bring a comprehensive model to the American people. The model will be both transparent and fruitful on all levels, and the American people will be able to monitor the government and the individual companies, utilizing the energy and land we all rely on. Finally, this plan must be adopted by someone with foresight, a constant vision of today and tomorrow, plus the back bone to stand up to anyone who fly's in the face of the plan. If there is not a leader to enable this to happen, then a plan should not be implemented at all, allowing the American people to continue to be bullied, overcharged, and manipulated. The United States must act now, or like the Roman Empire, America will crumble under it's own weight, greed, and elitist attitudes.
From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone

People may, or may not, come together to celebrate a given event, based on the "time they have," "where they are at in their lives" or "the kind of relationship, they had with a father, or a mother" during these holidays. Holidays, like father's day, mother's day, Memorial Day, and other "non-major" holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, et. Al.), sometimes go by the way side. By comparison, even Capitalism, does not give these holidays the due, the general "full court press" (if you will), and overall hammering home of sales, deals, and pandering for American's hard earned cash. However, Father's Day and Mother's Day are the only two holidays (not counting the religious holidays, for some), in which, there is an all inclusive nature. Everyone has a father and a mother, regardless of the relationship, lack of relationship, or maybe not knowing a parent (or both). Without a father and a mother, there would be no "YOU," period.

For this Sunday, being Father's day, some father's are around (a child's whole life), other father's divorce wives (sticking around, or staying in the children's lives), and then there are those who father a child and split immediately, never to see the child again. Regardless, father's of all stripes are still the person who made half of you. Every person on the planet has a father, no matter how close, or distant they were, a man is half of your genealogy.

There are a lot of things people say, do, and quibble over, but there is very little that truly makes a difference, in the world today. In order to make a difference, a person has to make a conscious choice, to do something correct, effect someone other than themselves, and most of the time, it involves getting out of a person's comfort zone. Most people do not like to take that stroll out of the "comfort zone" and they stick to the mundane. Only stepping out of the "comfort zone" and making a choice to do something for someone, like your father/mother, can come from you. This only happens once in a while, true change, or that scary step out of the comfort zone. However, when it happens, it hits you and the recipient, like a lightening bolt.

Time is not on anyone's side, "On a long enough time line, the survival rate of every person, eventually drops to zero and you die." Today could be the day, you step out of your comfort zone, speak to your Father and/or Mother, and give thanks for them giving you life. As without them, you would not be here. Therefore, regardless of your relationship with your family, father, and/or mother, you still owe them everything. Take a small step, by making a phone call, dropping a card off into their mailbox (not mailing it, but drive by and leave it), make a call and ask to stop by and talk, or spend actual "quality time" thanking your father/mother, or even stopping by the cemetery (where some flowers, a sit down chat, and reminiscing over old times, with just you and a past loved one). Nobody else can make you do it, choose for you, and you are responsible. Life is here and now, it is up to you, what you do.

OBAMA WINS, CLINTON OPINES, "DREAM TICKET" IN THE WORKS?

Barack Obama is now the democratic nominee, and Hillary Clinton is officially out of the running, for President of the United States. After fifty-four states, primaries and caucuses, the die has been cast for "the hope and change" ticket, of Obama. On the steamy night, of June 3rd, actually all three major politicians (McCain, Clinton, and Obama) gave speeches. Obama and McCain spoke about the upcoming general election, facing off on the diverse issues to come and they both were saying (to some extent) "bring it on." However, Clinton's speech was more of a victory speech, than a concession speech. Odd, for a candidate, who had just been eliminated (officially), from becoming president. Yet, it did not stop her from saying things like, "We are not done yet" and "Our work is far from over." Also, before the election results poured in, the "Clinton Campaign" said, "Hillary would be interested in being the vice presidential candidate, with Barack Obama."

In less than thirty-six hours, Hillary Clinton went from "we are going all the way," to "I would consider being a VP." Pretty interesting, to say the least. The primaries are over, Hillary Clinton has the popular vote (or close to it, considering whose numbers, one believes), and she has more political clout than ever. In comes, the "Dream Ticket" talk, of Barack Obama (president) and Hillary Clinton (VP). Although, Obama has not actually won over the full support of the "middle" portion of the democratic party and there is a rift (to say the least) between him and Clinton, the hype has gone viral. Whether the democrats supported Clinton, or Obama, there is no guarantee they will support them, as a unit.

Barack Obama has sown up the nomination and will be heading into the fall staking a claim to his policies, proving to the American people he is not a "typical politician" and most importantly give the majority of the electorate reason to vote for him, unequivocally. Change and Hope, are the two themes/staples, in the Obama quest for the presidency. However, if he decides to pick Hillary to run and possibly lead, at his side, for the vice presidential pick, he risks losing one of those words ("change"). Hillary alone, is a staple in American politics, but with Hillary comes Bill Clinton and he brings a completely different dimension. No resemblance of "change" is possible, when a former president is in the White House, while you are trying to take the country in a new direction. Then there will be the barrage of 527 advertising, republican pundits, and other schills who will be looking to undermine the overall campaign, of the "Dream Ticket," by pulling out the countless bad stump moments, the Utube.com footage from Obama's church, calls on Obama's judgment (with the Wright, Ayers, Father Pfleger, Trinity United, and others), and the bad Michelle Obama footage.

Hillary and Bill Clinton have more bad press between them, than ten Obama's. However, most of their laundry has been out in the open and drudged thru countless times. The real question is going to be, with the Clintons, is will they be able to get along with the Obama's. Health care in America, is a major issue, and the Clinton/Obama health care packages do not work together, so Clinton will have to give in to Obama (as he could be the president). Iraq is virtually the same thing, with a different issue, Clinton has made herself into a "hawk" (on Iraq and national security). Obama, who will be president, has based his whole campaign on bringing the troops home within 6 months, negotiating with Iran (Syria and Venezuela) without precondition, and other things that are in complete opposition to Clinton's stance. How will this work? Will people vote for a ticket of convenience, to win, rather than to look at each issue and how they differ? Will the Clintons and the Obamas be able to bury there disdain and problems, to make a "Dream Ticket" at all? One can only imagine, at this point, but the prognostications have already begun and will continue, until Obama chooses a vice presidential candidate.