Hillbilly Report

China Steel Or Should I Say Steal?

In the never ending quest to do things on the cheap we go to the Chinese. Well it seems it's not paying off for the folks that contracted out the repair of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and decided to go with China-based steel fabricator Zenhau Port Machine Co. (ZPMC) to supply the steel.

Economy In Crisis
The Chinese-based company won the right to fabricate steel products for the $6.3 billion project by offering a lower bidding than the single American company competing for the right to furnish steel for the project.  However, with the delay, the price tag could eclipse the American company's original bid.

This sort of stuff seems to be what the U.S. Chamber of Commerce wants. Cheap inferior products made in a country with little or no environmental regulations and cheap labor, real cheap labor! I suggest that Corporate America and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce would like to have a similar environment here and I further suggest these folks could care less about the American worker or the American consumer.

Chinese imports have killed our pets, poisoned our children, killed the sick, killed folks riding on their tires, made people sick in their homes and the list goes on.

So what do we do? We let Senator Mitch McConnell use his influence with Barack Obama to appoint a U.S. Chamber of Commerce friendly, right wing neocon, Anne Northup to the Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect us. Really!

Does anyone really believe that Senator Mitch McConnell and Anne Northup have our interest in mind? I don't think so.

Anne Northup will be getting paid $153,200 until Oct. 26, 2011 to protect us. Now don't that give you a warm and fuzzy feeling?

Obama Appoints A Right Wing Neo Con To The Consumer Product Safety Commission

Many of us worked our rear ends of to get rid of Right Wing Neocon Congress Woman Anne Northup and replace her with John Yarmuth, a progressive Democrat. Now the Obama administration is rewarding our efforts by appointing her to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It seems the Obama administration would rather listen to Senator Mitch McConnell than the folks that got Anne Northup kicked out of office.

The Courier Journal
Northup will pull up a chair Wednesday in Room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building and tell the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee about her hopes for her new job as a member of the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission, should she be confirmed.
It was McConnell who wrote to the Obama administration, recommending Northup for the post. The agency is governed by three Democrats and two Republicans, there was a Republican opening to be picked by the Senate GOP leader, and McConnell saw his chance — and Northup's.
We were unable at week's end to determine whether the Senate committee intends to vote on Northup before Congress leaves Washington for its summer recess Friday. But panel spokeswoman Jena Longo pointed out that the money for Northup's post kicks in on Aug. 14 — a week after lawmakers head for the hills.

Liz Hitchcock of U.S. PIRG seemed to be pleased about this even though she wasn't familiar with Anne Northup. Really Liz!

The Courier Journal
Liz Hitchcock, public health advocate for the consumer group U.S. PIRG, said she was not familiar with Northup but was pleased that the administration will soon have a full and expanded commission.
Hitchcock worked on the bipartisan legislation enacted by Congress last year that enlarged the commission to five members, from three, and gave it new powers.
“We are optimistic that the new commission will take that responsibility and really use it to its fullest to protect American consumers,” she said.

Liz Hitchcock your credibility and the credibility of U.S. PIRG no longer exist as far as I'm concerned!
For those that think Anne Northup is good for this job, take the time to look at her record.
Contact the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and let them know how you feel.

What About This Harry Berry?

James Pence Videos

It appears that Harry Berry Hardin County Judge Executive, Treasurer of the Anne Northup campaign for Governor has some splaining to do.
Ok Harry tell us what you said about your Democratic opponent Rik Hawkins and campaign finance violations. Come on Harry fess up, because if you don't I'm going to remind you during the election.

Courier Journal.Com
According to a preliminary audit by the registry's staff, the Northup campaign accepted two corporate contributions totaling $500. One $250 contribution was returned on the same day the campaign had deposited it in its account. The other $250 contribution was returned after a state auditor determined it was a corporate contribution in May 2008.

The audit also found the campaign of Northup and state Rep. Jeff Hoover, her running mate, accepted eight contributions from individuals exceeding the statutory $1,000 limit.

Another allegation is that the Northup campaign accepted a $1,000 contribution from the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians political action committee and a $1,000 contribution from the Kentucky Society of Interventional Pain Physicians Inc. PAC.

The registry staff found the two groups -- which share a bank and an address and whose checks were signed by the same person -- to be the same organization. The campaign returned the contribution in May 2007 to the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.
The audit also found the campaign didn't have complete biographical information for 47 contributors.

It also found the campaign accepted illegal contributions from people associated with road contractor Elmo Greer & Sons. A company employee pleaded guilty to violating state campaign finance laws by making illegal contributions through others to the campaigns of Northup, Henry and former Gov. Ernie Fletcher. The company paid a fine.
Click here to read the entire article.

Opinion: There's Trouble Right Here In River City. Youtube Video.

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
January 29, 2008
www.ditchmitchky.com
www.bluegrassroots.org
I don't know Chris Thieneman from Adam, but I feel for the guy because he's encountering the wrath of Anne Northup and Senator Mitch McConnell. I realize, Chris Thienaman is a Republican, but he is standing up to power and I respect that.
It's just more proof that Senator Mitch McConnell is the boss here in Kentucky and if you get in his way, you're gonna pay. If you're Heather Ryan, a Democrat, asking Senator Mitch McConnell a question he's uncomfortable with, or a dedicated Republican not doing what Senator Mitch McConnell wants, the results are the same, you're gonna pay.
Heather Ryan is a Democrat and Chris Thieneman is a Republican, and I have this to say to both of them, you're gonna find out who your real friends are.
When it comes to politics Chris Thieneman and I may not agree on anything, but I believe we can agree on this, we don't always go along to get along and we know what goes around comes around.
This is a free country and those that want to kiss Senator Mitch McConnell's ass are free to do so and those that want to kick his ass are just as free.
I don't know about you, but I'm not in a ass kissing mood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The video below is audio from the Tony Cruise Show Yesterday, January 28, 2008 and don't be surprised if Senator Mitch McConnell pressures WHAS 840 to have the video removed from Youtube. If you click on the video and it says this video is no longer available, then you'll know that Senator Mitch McConnell doesn't want you to see it, but don't get discouraged, if that occurs, just send me an email requesting the video and I'll send it to you.
The Hillbilly

The Kentucky Gubernatorial Race Is Not A Slam Dunk For Steve Beshear!

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
http://www.hillbillyreport.com/
June 9, 2007
I Just Wanna Say
By Jim Anderson Stivers
A few weeks ago I posted this race between Fletcher and Beshear is not a slam dunk.
If the issues concerning Ernie Fletcher were going to get legs it sure did not happen in the primary.
Ann Northup listened to Senator Mitch McConnell and he used her as a sacrifice for his future run for re-election. If that were not so, then why did Howdy Doody show up for the photo op with his pal Ern?
IMO McConnell knows he is in trouble in his next run for Senator. He will need the help of Fletcher, should Fletcher be elected.
While the polling, at this time, show Steve Beshear to be the front runner, IMO, those numbers will not hold up once the campaign gets to full throttle. It is going to be nasty.
To underestimate the candidacy of a sitting Governor is a big mistake. I bear witness to this by the large checks old Ern delivered during the primary.
It will be very interesting to see how "other D's" support Beshear and if Greg Stumbo and Bruce Lunsford actually hit the campaign trail. Bruce Lunsford has to be very empty right now knowing his money could not buy LOVE.  Well, it can in some instances, but not in this last political race for the D nomination for Governor.
No questions Steve Beshear should feel good about the margin so early on, but . . . do not underestimate the power of a sitting Governor who has the money and the power to gain support that Beshear could only receive if he were the sitting Governor.
Again, unless something changes, and we won't know for a few more weeks, this race is not, is not, is not, A SLAM DUNK.

Anne Northup Speaking About Governor Ernie Fletcher. “Every Year There’s A New Scandal.” Youtube Video.

This Is Just Too Much Fun. The Republicans Are Having A Unity Rally And No One’s Attending.

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
May 26, 2007
For my Republican friends, watch the video below and see what a real unity rally looks like.

From Pol Watchers
The two Republicans defeated by Gov. Ernie Fletcher in the GOP primary for governor will not stand beside him during a unity rally scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at party headquarters in Frankfort. Instead of attending, former congresswoman Anne Northup will send a "positive letter," said Ted Jackson, a senior advisor to her campaign. "For us to be there might be a bit of a distraction," Jackson said. "This is their day." Jackson said Northup will not play a role in Fletcher's campaign. "She's not going to take an active role in politics for the foreseeable future," he said. Instead of attending the rally, Jackson said he will be "going fishing" on Saturday. Northup's running mate, state Rep. Jeff Hoover of Russell Springs, has also sent a letter in support of Fletcher. Congressman Ron Lewis and Senator Mitch McConnell will be at the event.