Homer Says - "Nuclear Good!"

During a recent trip to Portsmouth, NH, Hillary Clinton unveiled what her energy plan might look like if she were president. As with many “energy plans” we have seen from some Democrat hopefuls, it starts by demonizing the oil company’s and quickly moves into green initiatives. However, what stood out during the speech was Ms. Clinton’s exchange on nuclear power (excerpts from the Foster’s Daily Democrat):

“Picking up on a point from Monday night's presidential candidates' debate in South Carolina, Clinton said she's not for nuclear power and "I'm not 100 percent against it." She said there remains no plan to dispose of the waste, which prompted a young, well-dressed boy in the front row to note "the French do have some ways of recycling nuclear waste." She said that option was discarded long ago due to security concerns.”

What I found interesting was the interaction with the young man regarding the recycling of nuclear waste. 80% of Frances electricity comes from nuclear power (compared to 20% in the US). 96% of the waste matter is recycled/reused. Qiao Wu, University of Oregon, learned that the recycling process only added 6% to the total cost of the power, which is still cheaper than what the average American pays (Gazette Times - Reuse Nuclear Waste)! France also seems to be handling the security concerns on this matter rather effectively. How is it possible that France is able to manage this, and America couldn’t?

We need to become less dependant on foreign oil, but we must be prepared to embrace a more balanced approach to any possible solutions. Solar power = Too expensive, still inefficient. Wind power = "Not in my backyard (West Virginia, Massachusetts Propaganda – Kennedy’s Back Yard)," Coal = US Inventory is strong, but still burns too dirty. Biofuels = False promises (Washington Post - False Hope of Biofuels for now). Nuclear = Perceived as dangerous and dirty (Bum rap? - Nuclear Energy Industry)

Nuclear is not perfect, but to dismiss it outright like so many have done is the wrong reaction. What is frustrating is that France has achieved their nuclear program within 30 years, using an American designed reactor (Westinghouse)! America can learn from France, but also from the once aggressive anti-nuclear country of Finland (Ministry of Trade and Industry), which is moving towards more nuclear power. Unfortunately, most Americans learn about nuclear power from what the see on the Simpsons (d-uh!).

America’s energy future will continue to include oil. But for America to reduce its dependencies on foreign oil, we must not rule out any valid opportunity because of ill-conceived prejudices. Our plan must include all of the above mention energy options (including Nuclear) and energy conservation that does not hinder America’s way of life.

I applaud the young man for having the courage to address Ms. Clinton. I just wish that she had more respect to explore the conversation beyond the typical left-wing response. Liberals like to bring up France’s healthcare system as a model of efficiency (which it far from reality), but ignore their energy program, which is extremely successful, simple because nuclear power is at the core (pardon the pun) of the plan.

PBS – Frontline Discussion on France’s Attitude on Nuclear Power:

Frontline - France and Nuclear Power

Back to the Future

My father is a great admirer of General Patton. The movie PATTON was the first movie my father and I attended together. At the age of 12, he gave me a biography of one of America's greatest tacticians for my birthday. I think many men find it easy to admire someone like Patton because he looked at life as black and white, right or wrong, courageous or cowardice.

Patton was a paradox. He read the bible and believed in the power of prayer, but also believed in reincarnation. He had to repeat his first year at West Point due to poor mathematical skills. But the following year he disguised himself by achieving honors and would be later known as a military genius. He was promoted through the ranks faster than General/President Eisenhower, yet lack the diplomatic temperament to avoid controversy.

I have often wondered what historical figures, like Patton, from the pass might say if they were alive today. How would they react to America's actions and place in the world? Recently a video was posted on the Internet featuring the famous opening scene of the movie Patton. This video has been one of the most talked about this past week and worth viewing.

Live Free or Die?

We all know the story. The Colonialist had grown weary of the distant rule of a far off government. Grumblings had been heard in assembly halls, street corners and in pubs throughout the Colony. Freedom would not be denied, but action would be needed to ensure our independence.

In a small New England town a group of patriots waited for word of the location of the British fleet. A silversmith from Boston, Paul Revere, rode to warn the citizen militia that “the British are coming.” There would only be a few partisans, but they knew surprise was the key to victory. With that, the Sons of Liberty committed themselves to the first battle of the Revolutionary War at Fort William and Mary, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

What!? William and Mary?…Portsmouth?….New Hampshire? I know what you are thinking……you thought the “shot heard round the world” occurred in the Spring of 1775, in Concord and Lexington, MA. The Battle of Lexington and Concord was indeed the first exchange of gunfire between British Troops and the future Continental Army. But the first Battle of the Revolutionary War took place on December 14 – 15, of 1774, at the mouth of the Piscataqua (Pis-scat-ta-quaw) River, months before the armed insurrection at Lexington and Concord.

Residents from Exeter, Durham, Dover, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire had been warned by Paul Revere, days before the battle, that the British planned to reinforce Fort William and Mary, and that British ships were expected any day. The Sons of Liberty decided to raid the fort and take its gunpowder and cannons. The fact that they achieved this victory without anyone being killed or wounded is probably why you may have never heard of this “battle.” In fact, many argue that the absence of gunfire means that William and Mary could not be considered a real battle. I just like to think that our brothers to the South in Massachusetts had a better press agent.

After the battle, the cannons and gunpowder were scattered throughout the countryside, and would eventually find their way to the Battle of Bunkerhill (“Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes”). Many of the participants of the Battle of William and Mary went on to fight in other Revolutionary battles and participate in the founding of the United States of America. But their heroics at the Battle of William and Mary have been lost to time.

The Battle of William and Mary reminds us, the citizens of New Hampshire, of our place in history. New Hampshirians (or is New Hampshirites?) are a humble people, with a legacy of working together as a united community to identify the problem and quickly resolving it. I am afraid that some of that spirit has been lost and needs to be rekindled. New Hampshire has always done well when it remained true to its core “Granite State” value of self-sufficiency.

The 2006 election will most likely go down in history as an example of the power of the ballot that Thomas Jefferson envisioned when he wrote the Constitution. However, it should not have meant that New Hampshire was abandoning its heritage to conservative principals. Live Free or Die isn’t about helmet or seatbelt laws, or if a person has the right to smoke in a restaurant. Live Free or Die is about whether “We the People...” control our destiny, or whether we turn that responsibility over to the government.

Brilliant!

The recent debates on the Iraq War have revolved around the belief that we must establish a timeline for the withdrawal of our troops. A timeline based on political necessity instead of clear military and diplomatic objectives will doom Iraq, the region, and eventually the rest of the world.

Iraq’s fate as a free Republic rest with us. These recent debates are nothing than more political folly and self-aggrandizing, and the actions of the Democrats continue to hurt this mission.

The Democrats have no plan, or worse their suggestions are lunacy. The banter being offered up by the Democrats remind me of the recent Guinness Beer ads. Stupid observations, followed by the belief that they are brilliant opinions.

For example, one of the previsions of the recently defeated Iraq Surrender Bill stated that the military could continue to engage the enemy, as long as they were identified as al-Qaeda??!!?? How exactly would our troops know this? I know…….we will offer free t-shirts to al-Qaeda members with a bull’s-eye on the front, and the slogan “al-Qaeda Gone Wild” on the back. Brilliant! Whoever had this prevision added should be slapped upside the head.

The Democrats are catering to the fringe elements of their support, a collection of morons who don’t even have the veracity to state that this is really about their hatred of President Bush, and has been since the day he was elected. The Democrats and their band of dingbats are a sad lot who have lost their way and their integrity.

"Don" Harry Reid: The Godfather of Defeat

“Don” Harry Reid is preparing to “go to the mattresses” during the pending debate on the Iraq War. Warning the Senate that the debate will continue throughout the night, Don Harry has ordered that cots be placed off the Senate floor.

The Godfather, along with fellow Senpronos, Dicky “The Claw” Durbin and Chucky “Childs Play” Schumer, threatened to use the Sergeant at Arms to haul those lawmakers who ignore the debate into the Senate Chamber.

A word of advice to Don Harry…...Drop the gavel, grab the cannoli’s.

Just a reminder on the position the Democrat’s took when it was convenient for them: