URGENT UPDATE:Please check the end of this post for a Tea Party Urgent action item regarding a Senate Bill that grants permanent, UNLIMITED BAILOUT AUTHORITY to the Federal Reserve.
Dear Readers: Today’s title is inspired by an American Movie Classic – 1997′s “Volcano” with Tommy Lee Jones (just a hint of sarcasm there!). It is the moving saga of a volcano arising in the Los Angeles areas, and provides a nice segue into a wide array of subjects.
Iceland’s volcanoes are on everyone’s mind. In this post, I wanted to highlight that, unlike Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Pinatubo(two rather famous volcanoes that erupted in recent times), Iceland’s eruptions are NOT a one-off event. The Laki fissure eruptions of 1783, for example, occurred over an 8 month period. Eyjafjallajokull (ay-yah-FYAH-lah-yer-kuhl) volcanic activity often triggers an event at the nearby Katla volcano. Katla has a history of erupting every 80 years — and is overdue! More details are HERE:
Katla Volcano, via http://www.skimountaineer.com/
Threat of new, larger Icelandic eruption looms
A Katla eruption would be 10 times stronger and shoot higher and larger plumes of ash into the air than its smaller neighbor, which has already brought European air travel to a standstill for five days and promises severe travel delays for days more.
The two volcanoes are side by side in southern Iceland, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) apart and thought to be connected by a network of magma channels.
Katla, however, is buried under ice 550 yards (500 meters) thick — the massive Myrdalsjokull glacier, one of Iceland’s largest. That means it has more than twice the amount of ice that the current eruption has burned through — threatening a new and possibly longer aviation standstill across Europe.
Paterrico’s Pontifications has a discussion on the impact of air travel: Planes Flying Again; Is it Safe?Related to this, I located a website that features analysis of volcanic activity around the globe, Volcano Live. Today’s Report:
Ash emissions from Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland are decreasing as parts of the glacier have melted, allowing lava to reach the surface without magma-water interaction. This will be good news for travelers because it will help clear skies over Europe. However volcanic eruptions are unpredictable, and activity can change without warning. Some airlines are not taking any new bookings on flights to Europe until the middle of May, as the backlog of travelers need to be cleared first.
As I am planning on heading to Italy in mid-June, I have a deep interest in the status of Iceland’s volcanoes….and Italy’s for that matter. Mt. Vesuvius, near Naples and the volcano that destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii and Heruclaneum, is thought to be overdue for an eruption.
Italy's Mt. Vesuvius, via http://history.howstuffworks.com/
Talking about dangerous places, as an ex-Detroit resident who fled from the tepid Michigan economy in the mid-80′s, I was a bit disheartened to learn that my old home town has earned a rather unique distinction for an American city. CNN compiled a list of the world’s most dangerous cities, which includes places like Baghdad, Karachi, Pakistan, Beirut — and the Motor City. New Orleans is included for similar honors, too! I wish CNN would pay more attention to the real news happening in Louisiana, but that would really be too much to ask of them.
Speaking of making history, Republican congressional candidate Charles Djou — who is running for the district who includes Obama’s Hawaiian hometown — his having a money “wave” today. So, please toss a few coins his way, if you can! His campaign’s chances are improving daily, and his is truly a Tea Party race! Other candidates, who could use similar help and who I really like:
Allen West for Florida’s 22nd (endorsed by Sarah Palin)
Chuck Devore for US Senate
Jay LaSuer for San Diego Sheriff
And, if you want to help out an independent Democrat AND undermine Boxer’s campaign, donate to Mickey Kaus for Senate as well!
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MUT’s News and Views:
Michelle Malkin: All the president’s Goldman Sachs men; Who made money off SEC/Goldman Sachs announcement?; Obama: Hey, I’m fighting evil fat cats. Now, send me your donations!
Hot Air: AFP’s entry in the EPA Propaganda sweepstakes; Report: Crist preparing to announce independent run; What closing of the conservative mind?
Gateway Pundit: Bill Clinton Gassed and Starved Thousands of Children But Has the Nerve to Lecture Tea Party Protesters on Violence & Civility; ACORN CEO Bertha Lewis Praises Socialism, Bashes Conservatives at Socialist Youth Conference (Video)
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URGENT UPDATE FROM TEA PARTY PATRIOTS!
THIS FRIDAY, SENAT BILL 3217, also known as the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010,introduced by Democrat Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut,is scheduled to hit the floor of the US Senate where it must wait 72 hours before it comes up for a full vote.
CLICK HERE to read the actual 1,421 page bill:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:s3217pcs.txt.pdf
In short it grants permanent, UNLIMITED BAILOUT AUTHORITY to the Federal Reserve. It’s like TARP forever without the nasty, unpopular debates and votes in Congress.
Beyond that it gives the Fed the power to takeover vaguely defined “nonbank financial companies”. And the Fed has the power to decide whatconstitutes a “nonbank financial company”on a case by case basis.
Related articles:
How To Create Bailouts Forever
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/04/13/how-to-create-bailouts-forever/
Hidden Danger in Dodd Financial “Reform” Bill
http://www.redstate.com/jimbo51/2010/04/18/hidden-danger-in-dodd-financial-reform-bill/
Dodd Bill Creates Permanent TARP and You Can Quote That
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/03/26/morning-bell-dodd-bill-creates-permanent-tarp-and-you-can-quote-that/
Connecting the Dots: Does Wall St. Want Dodd Bill?
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/04/20/connecting_the_dots_does_wall_st_want_dodd_bill_105240.html
Obama: Read My Lips, No More Bailouts (But Let’s Keep $50 Billion Around Just in Case)
http://blog.heritage.org/2010/04/14/obama-read-my-lips-no-more-bailouts-but-lets-keep-50-billion-around-just-in-case/
SO, WHAT ARE WE ASKING YOU TO DO?
1.) Please contact your own Senators first and voice your opposition to this bill. If possible, physically go in person to the local home offices of your two Senators and speak to someone there who will take note of your opinion and pass it on. If you’re not able to go in person, please call, email, and fax the offices of both Senators from your state. (Find Your Senators by State on the Senate Website)
2.) Call, email, and fax these8 Republican Senators who are not yet 100% opposed to this bill. Some staffers know this bill as “THE DODD BILL” vs. SB 3217:
- Bob Bennett of Utah (202) 224-5444 http://bennett.senate.gov/public/
- Susan Collins of Maine (202) 224-2523 http://collins.senate.gov/public/
- Christopher Bond of Missouri (202) 224-5721 http://bond.senate.gov/public/
- Saxby Chambliss of Georgia (202) 224-3521 http://chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm
- Bob Corker of Tennessee (202) 224-3344 http://corker.senate.gov/public/
- John McCain of Arizona (202) 224-2235 http://mccain.senate.gov/public/
- Olympia Snowe of Maine (202) 224-5344 http://snowe.senate.gov/public/
- Scott Brown of Massachusetts (202) 224-4543 http://scottbrown.senate.gov/public/
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[...] Please check out Left Coast Rebel’s post on the Financial Reform Bailout. Please keep the pressure on, related to regarding a Senate Bill that grants permanent, UNLIMITED BAILOUT AUTHORITY to the Federal Reserve. [...]