You might use Project Vote Smart

or other voting tool and comparison resource.

Since I have all but no interest in this campaign how about you tell me your opinion?

Special $7.49.com Sale! – Danica Domain Search Landing Page

Read the text of the E-mail Blast below:

Dear Christopher,

For the first time ever, I am endorsing a candidate in the Alabama Democratic Primary.

I’m proud to join political leaders like Dr. Richard Arlington, Hank Sanders, Joe Reed and the Alabama Democratic Conference and New South Coalition in supporting Ron Sparks for Governor. Why?… because I know Ron’s heart is right.

Ron Sparks wants to create jobs, pay for free college scholarships for our children with our own Educational Lottery and pay for nursing home care for our seniors by taxing casinos. Ron is courageous and the hardest working man I’ve seen, well, since I was a candidate.

That would be enough but I am also disappointed in Artur Davis…Not only because he voted agaist health care and took a bunch of money from insurance companies, but Artur has taken several thousands of dollars in contributions from the very people who had me prosecuted and put in prison.

I just don’t understand who Artur really is deep inside. But I do know who Ron Sparks is and what he stands for, and I like everything I know about Ron Sparks. So, it’s for these reasons that I am supporting Ron Sparks for Governor.

Don Siegelman
Governor of Alabama 1999-2003
205-260-3965
siegelmand@gmail.com

Mr. Grimsley,  You just may have my vote so I can see what silly ad you will come up with next…  Call it the entertainment factor.

[sniplet grimsley]

The article from the AFL-CIO Blog outlined how Rush Limbaugh was once again wrong.  Everyone knows that the Massey Energy Big Branch mine was not union.  Just read the blog post from the AFL-CIO and you will see.

Limbaugh Lies About Big Branch Mine: No, Rush, It Wasn’t Union

by Mike Hall, Apr 16, 2010

It was Sen. Al Franken (D- Minn.) in his previous incarnation as an author and comedian who called Rush Limbaugh “A big fat liar.” Well, others can address the first part, but Limbaugh himself has again offered solid evidence about the liar part.

Last week, Limbaugh lambasted the Mine Workers (UMWA) for not protecting their members who, he claimed worked at the Upper Big Branch mine in Raleigh County, W.Va., where 29 coal miners were killed when the Massey Energy Co. mine exploded.

Of course as we all know, and has been widely reported in mainstream media–and even on  Fox News–Upper Big Branch was non-union coal mine. While he never acknowledged his mistake, at least he piped down for a few days.

But yesterday, with a full bag of gas at the ready, Rush claimed he had irrefutable facts to back him up, that UMWA did certainly represent the miners at Upper Big Branch. He said the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) had ordered Massey to hire union coal miners.

There were union workers at this mine…You people, it’s been 21 years. At some point you are going to learn: If you go up against me on a challenge of fact, you are going to be wrong. It’s just that simple.

Let UMWA President Cecil Roberts throw the challenge flag on this one.

Yesterday, Rush said on his program, “But in 2009, the [NLRB] agreed with the decision that Massey Energy rehire 85 coal miners who said they had been discriminated against because they were union members. So there were union workers there. So the United Mine Workers should have been overseeing their safety, the United Mine Workers of America.”

Wrong again, Rush. The decision you refer to was AT ANOTHER MINE! And, Massey is appealing that decision, meaning the workers who were discriminated against at the Cannelton mine (in another county from the Upper Big Branch mine) have yet to reclaim their rightful jobs as the NLRB ordered.

Those are the facts. Who’s wrong now, Rush?

While Limbaugh may have lost a few pounds, that liar part still fits quite snuggly.

[sniplet TvSpotMitch]

If you enjoyed his video consider donating $5 or more to Mitchell Howie’s Grass Roots Campaign.

As time goes on you are sure to learn more about Mitchell J. Howie for US Congress from me as I will be helping out with his campaign as much as I can.  Mitch sent out a mass e-mail today that I thought you might enjoy:

by Mitchell John Howie, Alabama 5th Congressional District Candidate

For far too long Washington has failed to operate because of gridlock.  Gridlock due to party politics being placed higher than the desires of the American People.  Parker Griffith’s flip to a Republican after campaigning as a Democrat is a good example of this self serving problem.  Washington politicians are far too concerned with winning reelection than serving the people they represent.  The instinct of professional politicians (like Parker Griffith) for self preservation and their perpetual political posturing leads to these sorts of Washington-style games. When Parker Griffith takes a poll and flips parties, he abandons the values and principles he was elected on and betrays the public trust.  This is not what the people deserve. The people deserve someone who is dedicated to service, they deserve a military officer who understands service to this country.

Gridlock leads to our government not getting anything positive accomplished. Instead, we are left with a system of professional politicians attempting to score political points and one party is portrayed as failing and the other succeeding.  But the only folks succeeding are professional politicians.  Service to the country becomes a casualty in these political games and the people are left with each party’s political failures.

I am convinced that the American people, whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Liberal, or an angry Tea Partier, you want our government to serve the people and stop playing tired Washington politics.  Just as I joined the military to serve my country, I am dedicated to serving North Alabama and doing what is in the best interest of the people and our country.  I am not going to congress to play political games, I am going for service.

Now I am a Democrat and I will not switch parties.  Not because of partisan politics but I believe folks should campaign on values they believe in and then legislate based on those same values.  It is a matter of my personal integrity and governing based on values I share with the residents of all the communities across North Alabama in District 5.

Those shared values are strength and growth.  I want to strengthen and grow all our communities by growing our economy, by strengthening our education system and ensuring our National Security.  Last week we announced our candidacy in every single county across North Alabama.  Since that time, I have met with seven mayors, 3 university presidents, a board member of the TVA, and countless constituents.

In meetings with the mayors and other local officials I explained my jobs initiative of a Green TVA and received a warm response.  My jobs proposal would replace many manufacturing jobs that have been lost over the years in North Alabama.  Once we implement this proposal, North Alabama will attract companies to North Alabama to manufacture solar panels and wind turbines.  By easing our reliance on foreign oil with this jobs proposal we will simultaneously ensure our national security while strengthening our economy.  When I am in congress I will work with state and local elected officials and private industry to make this vision a reality.  With your help Alabama will become one of the first leaders in this new technology just as we were pioneers with space technology.  It is time for a new day in Washington with a young patriot dedicated to serving this country with innovative ideas.

I need your help.  Will you help me defeat the likes of self-serving politicians like Parker Griffith and implement service oriented representation in congress?  I need you to take the time to donate $25 or more on my website.  This simple act will help elect someone who is dedicated to service and who will get the job done in Washington. You can send a clear message to all politicians that what is important is service to the people, not saving their political career or their next re-election campaign.  This is a message that needs to be sent, please send it with me.

The time is now!  We have our financial reports due at the end of this month, and people are waiting to see who is getting funding to make decisions on who to support.  I disagree with this dynamic but recognize that running a campaign is expensive and without funding, even the best ideas and noble values are lost. For my service oriented campaign to succeed I need your help and your contribution.  If you cannot afford to donate at this time then please go to our website and get involved with the campaign.

Thank you so much for your support and please forward this request to anyone you think wants to send the message to Washington to “stop playing political games in Washington and get to work!”

All American Clothing is a company dedicated to providing the highest quality clothing for the discriminating worker and casual wearer, ME. Up until recently they carried my preferred brand of work pants the Carhartt work dungarees.  You can still purchase them of the discount rack for 50% off.  Which is where I found UnionLine carpenter jeans which I will be using to replace my Carhartt jeans as they will eventually wear out.  Carhartt has decided to discontinue their Made in USA line for their imported lines.  Though they are not closing the North American Plants they are taking away the ability from the distributors to only order Made in USA Carhartt.  In turn they will be alienating retailers like All American Clothing and in turn taking my business else wear.

If you ask me send a message to Carhartt by not buying from them until they bring back the Made in USA line.

ATTENTION Coupon Shoppers:

For all union Brothers and Sisters you a 10% discount during checkout by using coupon code UNIONPLUS.

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If you haven’t heard Larry Langford, Birmingham, Ala., Mayor, Convicted on 60 counts of Bribery and Corruption.  These charges alone can earn him 805 years in federal Prison not including the money he will have to return to the people of Jefferson County. Now that Langford is convicted felon he can not serve as Mayor of Birmingham City…

What happens to the Mayor’s office?

The president of the City Council takes over until a special election can be convened and certified.  Which has to be conducted within a certain period of time (perhaps 90 days) where the new mayor is chosen.

What does this mean for Birmingham?

Birmingham City Council President Carole Smitherman became Mayor after the first guilty conviction was announced today in Tuscaloosa, AL and Valerie Abbot Councilor Pro Tempore stepped up into the Council President position.  The problem with that a new city council will be sworn in the later part of November following an early October vote unseating a few current members and filling a couple vacant seats.

After the oath of office for the new and old members under the current Charter of the City of Birmingham’s Council President must be elected.  There is no guarantee that Mayor Carole Smitherman will be re-elected council president and in turn the newly elected council President would take the office of mayor until it can be filled by the special election. It is possible that the City of Birmingham have a 3 mayors in the span of only about 2 and a half months.

Analysis

Chaos in the making.  At this pivotal point in time a strong leader is needed not the in fighting and bickering of city officials.  Carole Smittherman has been much of the root of the in fighting and has a dwindling popularity rating with the city of Birmingham as she could have been unseated by an opponent in early October herself.  The likely hood of her winning the council president seat again is unlikely.  Interim governments or leaders are at best controlled chaos to add unpopular political figures in the mix is likely yo make matters worse.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Birmingham mayor convicted of taking bribes (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
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• Birmingham mayor convicted of taking bribes (sfgate.com)

According to Sutton herself in an article from Facing South the health insurer delayed treatment.

Read the Facing South article for more information about her treatment and history as a labor activist.

China may appeal the Tariff to the World Trade Organization according to the Wall Street Journal and according to the New York Times China denounced the new 3 year declining tariffs within hours of its announcement.  Appeals and denouncing the tariffs are probably on the horizon as it is in China’s best interest since the USA is likely the largest importer of Chinese exports.

Tariff’s will begin September 26th at 35% for one year with 30% the second year and 25% the third in the form of an Ad Valorem tax in addition to the duties and taxes in place prior to the announcement. The Ad Valorem tax, often called VAT, will only cover tires for cars, light trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles.

The timing of Obama’s announcement is particularly suspicious as the meeting of the top 20 economic countries, known as the Group of 20,  is in 2 weeks.  This will come off to many, and me, as a political move to pay back union members for their support and financing his election and will be used as a trading card in the Pittsburgh meeting.  The opposition argument will be protectionism, like Daniel Ikenson of the Cato Institute, or international obligations. This bold and perhaps controversial move by the Obama Administration will be put on the chopping block for other political gain in the international politics marketplace.  My early prediction is that Obama’s stand for Tire Workers is short lived or best case scenario will be scaled back.

My biased opinion is we have to take care of ourselves first.  As a friend of several tire workers I have seen the impact of globalization of tire manufacturing.  With plants closing, hours cut, and jobs lost the illegal flood of Chinese made tires has impacted domestic tire workers and most importantly my family and friends. If the tariff does stand it sets a precedent for other Ad Valorem tariffs to come.  I hope it will be a Tariff on Steel Products particularly Tubular as it is cleaner than steel pipe made in China.

As you may know that I have joined back up in the construction trades.  I am a union electrician and spend lots of time out in the sun and in holes full of filth.   So comfort, durability, and moisture transport is a must.  When you are climbing around machines in the basement of a power plant you want to make it as comfortable as possible.  And your base layer is what makes you the most comfortable.  For my base layer I like WICKERS.COM

This may be a bit personal…  I wear their boxer briefs.  They are comfortable offer a nice elastic waist band and keep me dry and smell free!  I have been wearing them exclusively for the past few months in all types of conditions and can say they get my nod for best boxer brief.  They are more comfortable and stand up to the abuse of hard work.  The bad thing about them is they are a bit pricey.  If you shop in their store on Wednesday they will have promotional products up to 40% off. CLICK HERE for great American base layer undergarments.

Stories like these do nothing but advance the terrorist agenda…  But acts of inhumanity shouldn’t go untold or unpunished.

Terrorists kidnap, torture boy to bully Iraqi policeman

FALLUJA, Iraq (CNN) — Like many young boys, Khidir loves playing with toy cars and wants to be a policeman like his father when he grows up. But it was his father’s very job that caused the tiny child to suffer the unimaginable.

Khidir, now 8, was kidnapped and held hostage for two years by operatives with al Qaeda in Iraq.
Khidir was just 6 years old when he was savagely ripped away from his family, kidnapped by al Qaeda operatives in Iraq.

“They beat me with a shovel, they pulled my teeth out with pliers, they would go like this and pull it,” said Khidir, now 8, demonstrating with his hands. “And they would make me work on the farm gathering carrots.”

What followed was even more horrific, an ordeal that would last for two years in captivity. Khidir and his father spoke to CNN recently, more than half a year after his rescue by Iraqi police.

“This is where they hammered a nail into my leg and then they pulled it out,” he says, lifting up his pant leg to show a tiny wound.

He says his captors also pulled out each of his tiny fingernails, broke both his arms, and beat him repeatedly on the side of the head with a shovel. He still suffers chronic headaches. He remembers them laughing as they inflicted the pain.

“I would think about my mommy and daddy,” he replies, when asked how he managed to get through the agony. [...] Read the full story

This is the second such major rail catastrophe in recent history. The first was the crash in California that resulted in text messaging being banned from commuter rail. Hopefully history has not repeated itself with the situation in Washington, DC. The train crash hits home for me as I could have been one of the passengers on these trains or even my friends. I have not heard reports on who all was involved so I still may know someone. Please keep the victims and families of Washington DC in your thoughts.

Read the full Report from CNN.com

Six killed in Washington-area Metro train collision

WASHINGTON (CNN) — A rush-hour collision Monday between two Metro trains north of downtown Washington, D.C., killed at least six people and injured scores, Mayor Adrian Fenty said.

One train was stationary when the crash happened, according to Metro General Manager John Catoe.

He called it the deadliest crash in the history of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, known as Metro. One of the dead was the female operator of one of the trains, Metro officials said.

“The scene is as horrific as you can imagine,” Fenty said in a news conference. “One car was almost squeezed completely together.”

Seventy-six people were treated for injuries, including two with life-threatening injuries, said Chief Dennis Rubin of Washington’s Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. Two of the injured were emergency responders, Rubin said. See location of crash »

The crash happened just before 5 p.m. on an above-ground track on the Red Line in the District of Columbia near the border with Takoma Park, Maryland.

Both trains were on the same track, and one of them was stationary when the crash happened, said John Catoe, Metro general manager.Video Watch woman say she, fellow passengers “went flying” »

Video footage of the scene showed two cars of one train lying atop the cars of the other train. Emergency personnel carried injured passengers, some on stretchers, from the wreckage. Video Watch injured passengers limp from the scene »

“Metro officials do not know the cause of the collision and are not likely to know the cause for several days as the investigation unfolds,” a Metro statement said.

Fire department personnel cut through the trains to help people from the wreckage, officials said at a press briefing. Some three hours after the accident, fire department sources said rescue operations had ceased, with ongoing work focusing on recovery. Photo See pictures of crash site »

A survivor, Jodie Wickett, described feeling a bump on the track, and then being flung forward when the train suddenly halted a few seconds later. She said she hit her head, but managed to get out and go to where the collision occurred a few cars up, where one subway car lay atop another.

“There was debris, and people pinned under in-between the two cars,” Wickett said. “We were just trying to get them out and help them as much as possible, pulling back the metal.”

People were badly injured, she said. “Ones that could speak were calling back as we called out to them.”

One car was “about 75 percent compressed,” and recovery workers aren’t sure if any more bodies are inside, Fenty told CNN’s “Larry King Live” on Monday night.

“We just haven’t been able to cut through it to see if there’s bodies in there,” Fenty said.

A certified nursing assistant who was on one of the trains told CNN affiliate WUSA she was trying to help those in severe condition after the crash, including a lady who appeared to be in her 20s.

“She is very, very torn in her legs — the muscles and everything are torn, ripped through. She had metal pieces in her face,” said the nursing assistant, who said her name was Jeanie.

Other witnesses described seeing more blood than they had seen before.

Tom Baker, who was in the train that hit the stationary train, told WUSA that after the collision, he looked toward the front of the car, and when the smoke cleared, “all you could see was sky.”

Jasmine Gars, who also was on the moving train, told CNN’s “Larry King Live” that the collision “was like nothing I’ve ever felt before.”

“It was like we hit a concrete wall,” Gars said. “Almost immediately I fell off my seat. Another person — I don’t know who — flew off their seat. And the lights went off and smoke started filling the train car.”

Four people were taken to Providence Hospital in Washington, including two with back injuries, one with a hip injury and one complaining of dizziness from hitting her head, hospital officials said.

Washington Hospital Center reported seven patients from the crash with injuries ranging from serious to minor, while Howard University Hospital reported three and Suburban Hospital in Maryland reported two.

Groups of people wearing green plastic ribbons to show they had been checked by paramedics left the scene about 90 minutes after the crash. Some were crying, and a woman with her arm in a sling who gave her name as Tijuana described the crash as “an earthquake.”

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, NTSB spokeswoman Bridget Serchak said.

At least two FBI officials were at the scene, and the FBI confirmed it was assisting as part of the National Capital Response Squad.

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Amy Kudwa of the Department of Homeland Security said “at this early stage,” there was no indication of anything other than an accidental collision.

It was the second Metro crash to involve fatalities in the 33-year history of the transit authority. In January 1982, a derailment killed three people. The only other collision between Metro trains occurred in 2004.

“We are extremely saddened that there are fatalities as a result of this accident, which has touched our Metro family,” Catoe said in a statement.

“Our safety officials are investigating, and will continue to investigate until we determine why this happened and what must be done to ensure it never happens again.”

The post you are reading now is post # 101.  For the 100 published post there are another 100 that never did get published.  Since February of 2007 when I began tracking visitors I have had 12,400 different visitors.  737 of those visitors came to read about Free Starbucks Coffee on election day.

The top 10 Things or Keywords people came to my site looking for where:

1. Chris Estes
2. Free on Election Day
3. Free Starbucks on Election Day
4. GM Youtube
5. free Starbucks election day
6. fire tony franklin
7. tony franklin fired
8. estes.com
9. christopher estes
10. ken persel

My top 10 post where (by Traffic content):

1. Metrolink Bans Text Messages – with 2,587 page views
2. Free Starbucks Coffee on Election Day – with 1,548 page views
3. Friendships or Contacts? – Social Media – with 908 page views
4. Fire Tony Franklin – Auburn Offensive Coordinator – with 613 page views
5. Sarah Palin’s Email Cracked – with 613 page views

*Note:  I had some other mildly successful posting that did not get listed here.

The number one page that brought visitors directly to my blog was the Metrolink Bans Text Messages post being referred to by StumbledUpon.

The top three countries my blog post were referred from where:

1. USA
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom

The top 5 Cities my blog was viewed from was:

1. New York
2. Washington DC
3. Arlington
4. Chicago
5. Birmingham

Off all of my visitors:

81% use a Windows Based Computer and 2 visitors used the Nintendo Wii to view my site.  (who would have guessed any hits from the Wii?)  53% look at my site with Mozilla Firefox. 5,413 visitors used cable internet while only 225 used dial up.  People still have dial up?

It is always interesting to see the statistics about who comes to read my rantings.  I wonder if people really enjoy my post.  I have had 100 comments on all of my post combined.  Though I would like my post to be thought provoking they seldom spark back and forth banter.

Regardless of the reaction I love to write the  blog post.  Stay tuned I hope to have another hundred.

What do you think of First Lady Obama’s sporty new shoes?

Michelle Obama was caught sporting her new pair of casual tennis shoes with a hefty price tag of $540.  I have never heard of the French Fashion company Lanvin – but can tell you $540 for a pair of dog walking shoes is expensive.

My New Balance 574′s usually do the trick for comfort and reliability.  But if you really want a pair of shoes like First Lady Michelle Obama you can for a nice price tag.

Check out the NY Daily News article below or live on their site, here.

First Lady Michelle Obama steps out in Lanvin sneakers and they’re only $540!

BY Amy Diluna
DAILY NEWS FASHION EDITOR

Friday, May 1st 2009, 3:22 PM
They’re in poor taste. That’s way too much to spend on sneakers, especially in a recession.

Michelle Obama has taken casual to a haute new level.

While volunteering Wednesday at a D.C. food bank, the First Lady sported her usual J.Crew cardigan, a pair of utilitarian capri pants and, on her feet, a sneaky splurge: trainers that go for $540.

That’s right: These sneakers – suede, with grosgrain ribbon laces and metallic pink toe caps – are made by French design house Lanvin, one of fashion’s hottest labels. They come in denim and satin versions, and have been a brisk seller all spring.

They’re out of stock at posh Meatpacking District boutique Jeffrey, and Barneys New York boasts a limited selection of the sneaks, which are a cult favorite among fashionistas.

It’s likely Michelle got hers through Ikram, the Chicago retailer that often outfits her.

“They’re shoes,” the First Lady’s reps sniffed when curious reporters inquired about the fancy footwear.

Michelle has stepped out in Lanvin before while getting down to business. A week ago, she shoveled dirt at a tree planting while wearing the line’s chiffon tank.

Dresses and strappy pumps cost upward of $1,500, while tops go for $400 to $1,000.

Other celebrity fans of Lanvin’s costly kicks include Ellen DeGeneres and Kanye West, who has blogged about his faves.

As the family’s primary dog walker, Michelle clearly requires comfortable footwear.

“I got up at 5:15 in the morning to walk my puppy,” she joked Thursday. “That’s how my day starts. Even though the kids are supposed to do a lot of the work, I’m still up at 5:15 a.m. taking my dog out.”

She’ll be trodding on New York’s sidewalks Tuesday for the first time as First Lady. Michelle will meet with staff at the U.S. mission to the United Nations. Later, she headlines Time magazine’s “100 most influential people” gala.

adiluna@nydailynews.com

With Kenneth R. Bazinet

This post isn’t about history or so much about social awareness of my fellow American’s as it is an introduction to a series of post I am writing about American Made goods I have bought and used over the past few months.

I plan to do a post about each of the products.  I have no time-line for completion or number of post.  As a disclaimer I have not been paid or even requested to do reviews of these products. So far I plan to do a review of:

• Work Boots
• T-shirts
• Jeans
• Socks
• Tools

You know the basic guy stuff.  My inspiration comes from a fellow blogger Stephanie at On My Mind.  Stephanie runs a website,dedicated to goods “Still Made in the USA.”  Stephanie’s Why Care page states it well the reasons I care and what my intention of the post to come are about:

According to consumer polls, most Americans don’t know or care where products are made, and if asked will say only that they would buy American-made products if the cost were the same or nearly the same as the imported versions.

With our single-minded pursuit of low prices, we have attained unprecedented levels of material possessions, but what have we given up? The answers are all around us if we would but look. The more I read and listen, the more reasons I find to pay attention to where things are made.

The purpose of StillMadeinUSA.com [in my case the corresponding post] is not to stridently criticize, but to gently persuade. The decision to be an informed consumer must come from within. Below I suggest some reasons why consumers should care about looking for products that are made in the U.S.

Stay tuned for more info and post to come. Don’t forget you can sign up to recive post via e-mail.

I am all for fair trade and globalization…  But the dumping of cheaper goods unfairly is dangerous to all involved, especially my family.  There are lots of problems in the US Steel Market all the way down to raw ores and scrap metal – I am not defending that.  But, what the Chinese have done over the past few years is detrimental to the global economy.  Not only in a monetary standpoint – also environmentally (see my Earth Day post “American-made steel is cleaner than steel made in China.”

I found an interesting article on United Press International titled “China dismayed over U.S. probe of steel”

Privacy Policy of Chris-Estes.com

Your privacy is critically important to me. As Chris Estes I have a few fundamental principles:

• I don’t ask you for personal information unless I truly need it. (I can’t stand services that ask you for things like your gender or income level for no apparent reason.)
• I don’t share your personal information with anyone except to comply with the law, develop products, or protect our rights.
• I don’t store personal information on my servers unless required for the on-going operation of one of my services.

You can read the rest on the privacy policy page if you are gluten for punishment.

Since today is Earth Day I thought I would share in something that is near and dear to my heart, Steel.  As a product of the American Middle Class and third generation of Steel Mill Workers in Birmingham lets just say the post below is a hot topic for me. China’s Pollution Problem

Growing up in a state that has weak environmental laws that barely expand the basic laws the Federal Environmental Agency demands has always been issue for my community.  We have come a long way and still have further to go.  But one country is not doing its share of keeping the environment clean.  

American Steel is Cleaner than Chinese Steel

TreeHugger’s John Chamber’s has reported on AAM’s recent study of China’s steel industry.  Chambers notes that steel production in China creates 5 times more sulfer dioxide, 18 times more particulate matter and 3 times more nitrogen oxides per ton of steel than that of production in the United States.

Moreover, carbon emissions for each ton made in China are twice that of their American counterparts. The American steel industry has worked hard to cut their environmental footprint. The reduction of greenhouse gases means industry has surpassed Kyoto target by 240%. Plus, the Chinese companies can expect smaller fines for non-compliance of environmental standards for the iron-based resource from their centralized governments. The maximum fine in China is $14,000.00 compared to $450,000.00 in the United States.

Read the report.

Steel isn’t the only thing China is polluting with. You might want to Check out what the Brits are saying about pollution in China too.  Somewhere else too look is the Australian’s chatter on the topic.

A 2007 New York Times Article puts the pollution in Bejing in Perspective:

As China Roars, Pollution Reaches Deadly Extremes

 

Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

 

No country in history has emerged as a major industrial power without creating a legacy of environmental damage that can take decades and big dollops of public wealth to undo.

But just as the speed and scale of China’s rise as an economic power have no clear parallel in history, so its pollution problem has shattered all precedents. Environmental degradation is now so severe, with such stark domestic and international repercussions, that pollution poses not only a major long-term burden on the Chinese public but also an acute political challenge to the ruling Communist Party. And it is not clear that China can rein in its own economic juggernaut.

Public health is reeling. Pollution has made cancer China’s leading cause of death, the Ministry of Health says. Ambient air pollution alone is blamed for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Nearly 500 million people lack access to safe drinking water.

Chinese cities often seem wrapped in a toxic gray shroud. Only 1 percent of the country’s 560 million city dwellers breathe air considered safe by the European Union. read more…

With all the problems China is inflicting on the world, why not buy American Steel?

According the Federal Railroad Administration the “vision is to transform the nation’s transportation system, by rebuilding existing rail infrastructure while launching new high speed passenger rail services in 100-600 mile corridors that connect U.S. communities. Similar to how interstate highways and U.S. aviation system were developed in 20th century: partnership between public sector and private industry, including strong Federal leadership that provided a national vision”.

The proposal was released yesterday (April 17, 2009) and by no means definite. Funds have been allocated to the tune of $8 Billion initially and $1 Billion annually over the next five years. These funds are considered a down payment on what is surely to require many more Billions of dollars from state and local governments. First round Federal Grants are expected to be awarded by the end of Summer 2009.

Obama’s administration is promising a transparent approach in development and outlines what appears to be a three phase plan to implement based on merit and benefits.

• First round of applications will focus on projects that can be completed quickly and yield measurable, near-term job creation and other public benefits.
• Next round to include proposals for comprehensive high-speed programs
  covering entire corridors or sections of corridors.
• Additional funds will be available for planning to help jump-start corridors not yet ready for construction.

Ten Major Corridors have been Identified.

• California Corridor (Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego)
• Pacific Northwest Corridor (Eugene, Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, Vancouver BC)
• South Central Corridor (Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Little Rock)
• Gulf Coast Corridor (Houston, New Orleans, Mobile, Birmingham, Atlanta)
• Chicago Hub Network (Chicago, Milwaukee, Twin Cities, St. Louis, Kansas City, Detroit, Toledo, Cleavland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville)
• Florida Corridor (Orlando, Tampa, Miami)
• Southeast Corridor (Washington, Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Macon, Columbia, Savannah, Jacksonville)
• Keystone Corridor (Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh)
• Empire Corridor (New York City, Albany, Buffalo)
• Northern New England Corridor (Boston, Montreal, Portland, Springfield, New Haven, Albany)

Also, opportunities exist for the Northeast Corridor (Washington, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Newark, New York City, New Haven, Providence, Boston) to compete for funds for improvements to the nation’s only existing high-speed rail service, and for establishment and upgrades to passenger rail services in other parts of the country.

The proposed high speed rail system is intended for immediate economic relief creating new jobs, specifically in the construction and manufacturing sector.  Proposals have also been made that this system will be a green system.  A date for breaking ground on the project was not proposed in the announcement.  Planning and funding application time line goes through February of 2009.  So the immediate impact on Middle-class workers isn’t likely until years to come.

From the Federal Railroad Administration on the Gulf Coast Corridor:

Major Cities: Houston, New Orleans, Mobile, Meridian, Birmingham, Atlanta

Overview: The designated Gulf Coast Corridor would use New Orleans as its hub, with three spokes reaching (1) Houston, (2) Mobile, and (3) Birmingham and Atlanta. At Atlanta, the Gulf Coast Corridor would connect with the Southeast Corridor to Charlotte, Richmond, Washington, and Northeast Corridor points. At present, no corridor-type intercity rail service operates in this corridor, although Louisiana has been working with Amtrak and the Kansas City Southern to initiate a commuter service between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The FRA has made study grants to the Southern High-Speed Rail Commission (SHSRC, formerly known as the Southern Rapid Rail Transit Commission), which comprises appointees of the three member states (Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama).

Status: Current activity includes a Baton Rouge to New Orleans conceptual engineering study and a New Orleans gateway rail improvement project.

For Further Reading on the High Speed Rail system from the Federal Railroad Administration:

• High Speed Rail Strategic Plan to Congress
• High Speed Rail Facts
• High Speed Rail Map
• High Speed Rail System Presidential Press Release

Other News articles:

• President’s plan boosts hopes for Pittsburgh Maglev project – Times Online
• Obama unveils high-speed passenger rail plan – CNN