Blue Ridge Data

This Place Augusta Series - Town and Country 1/31, 7pm

2012-01-30T22:48:00.004-05:00

This Place Augusta Series
January 31, 2012
7:00PM
Augusta County Government Center

“Town and Country Augusta” gives the farmer’s
perspective on the rural lifestyle. Farms and forest
drive the economy and add to quality of life. What are
the changes and the challenges for those who work
the land? (Speaker Steve Saufley, Virginia Farm Bureau
Board Member)

FREE. Refreshments provided. All welcome.

Hosted by the Augusta Community Partnership and co-sponsored by the Augusta County Farm Bureau. Organized by Valley Conservation Council. Funding assistance from the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge and the USDA Forest Service – Urban and Community Forestry Program.

For more information call 540.886.3541 or email sara@valleyconservation.org.

more series info here

Made In The USA: Saving The American Brand (NPR)

2012-01-29T08:19:00.001-05:00

"We have to decide: Are we going to fight for jobs or are we going to let others take our jobs?" she says. "We cannot bring a knife to a gun fight, and that's what we have done."

http://www.npr.org/2012/01/28/146033135/made-in-the-usa-saving-the-american-brand?sc=17&f=1001

Made In The USA: Saving The American Brand by NPR Staff

Source: National Public Radio

Total Product Cost - Back to the USA

2012-01-28T01:50:00.001-05:00

@BlueRidgeData

Lower productivity, rising wages in China send jobs to US MT @SocMfgEng RT @knightglobal: emerging renaissance in US #mfg ow.ly/8Iu3j
...

The conventional wisdom is changing. Economic pressures and operational inefficiencies in China are persuading major businesses to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States.

No one thinks it will return to post-WWII levels, but all the indicators are trending in favor of the US.

And finally ... Politicians are seeing that this is strongly supported by the 99%, even though the 1% apologists remain in denial.

Good news for the good folks working in our factories.

Voters Focus on US Manufacturing

2012-01-27T22:23:00.001-05:00

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new nationwide poll shows that most voters want this year's presidential candidates to take stronger positions on both manufacturing and infrastructure issues.

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/27/4219580/new-nationwide-poll-shows-voters.html#storylink=cpy

The nonpartisan Clarus Poll found that 70% of the national electorate would be more inclined to vote for a presidential candidate with a strong position on America's manufacturing industries and jobs while a solid 65% also said they'd be more inclined to vote for a candidate with a strong position on rebuilding the nation's infrastructure.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/27/4219580/new-nationwide-poll-shows-voters.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy

Among all voters, only Barack Obama is rated more positively than negatively (albeit narrowly) on the infrastructure issue (+1). All of the other candidates have negative ratings higher than their positive ratings on this issue: Romney -9, Gingrich -19, Santorum -12, and Paul -17.

"Creating manufacturing jobs and rebuilding infrastructure are both very important issues for voters," said Dr. Ron Faucheux, president of Clarus Research Group. "Based on these poll results, presidential candidates would be wise to focus much more attention on them."

President's Blueprint for Manufacturing

2012-01-27T06:26:00.001-05:00

Everything You Need to Know About the President's Blueprint for Manufacturing | The White House
http://m.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/01/25/everything-you-need-know-about-presidents-blueprint-manufacturing
Read & smile, if you love Made in the USA!

Old Party Debate(FL) - No clue on Manufacturing

2012-01-27T06:11:00.001-05:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Red team not so much RT @KeepitMadeinUSA Last question of #CNNDebate, @RickSantorum takes on @BarackObama's #manufacturing proposals.

...

The dull tools in the Red shed have no clue on the exponentially increasing support for US Manufacturing. Their love for off shoring and out sourcing, encouraged by Reagan, Romney-Bain and Wall Street, et. al. - blinds them to the electoral heat they will feel in the general election.

President Obama owns this battle space.

America Built to Last - Manufacturing Leads the Way

2012-01-26T20:03:00.001-05:00

RT @ScottPaulAAM: A new vision for America: Restoring a country that makes things wapo.st/yUJhu4 // #manufacturing

Read it online: http://twitter.com/KeepitMadeinUSA/status/162586638218821634

Colbert SuperPac - Mittens The Ripper

2012-01-15T23:09:00.003-05:00

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

Huntsman's Punt - Dying Elephant

2012-01-15T22:19:00.000-05:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Huntsman's punt, evidence there isn't a rational mind left in the rotting elephant carcass of Not So Grand Old Party. #Gopfail #Obama2012

Summer of 2012 will be a hoot!

Newt Don't Care - Wall St Collateral Damage

2012-01-15T22:16:00.001-05:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Middle class rage at tipping point. Newt SuperPac does suicide bombing of Romney & Wall St. #newtdontcare #Obama2012

When Mitt Romney Came To Town

Pucker factor increasing for the 1%.

Tim Kaine Visits Staunton, Jan 7th

2012-01-05T23:35:00.001-05:00

Augusta Democrats (@AugustaVADems)

Tim Kaine meet & greet in Staunton, Sat. Jan 7th 3:30pm at Mill St. Grill.

www.augustademocrats.org

Spec Ops Drone War - Flattens AQ

2012-01-02T20:27:00.000-05:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Successful Drone War eliminating AQ thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/… #CIA #USAF #JSOC @usairforce #nowheretohide

POLL: ‘Progressive’ Is The Most Positively Viewed Political Label in America

2012-01-02T18:32:00.000-05:00

POLL: ‘Progressive’ Is The Most Positively Viewed Political Label in America

Local Leaders Incapable: New Manufacturing in SAW?

2011-12-29T07:34:00.001-05:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Are local leaders tech capable of leading New #Manufacturing Dev? "@AugFreePress: Chris Graham: Time to move forward bit.ly/uzUjyU"

***

Chris Graham at AFP raises good points. But we think the real problem is an electorate that is incapable and unwilling to support government changes to revitalize local industrial development. Strong anti-government sentiment, and low tech skills will not lead to high tech growth.

Our own view is that we have been sending our best and brightest kids onto better opportunities beyond Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro for the past 30 years. What's left ain't much. Our current crop of good old boy leaders, lack any semblance of technical education and experience needed to do the heavy mental lifting required to visualize, plan and manage revitalization of our manufacturing sector.

We get what we pay for (or elect). Expect more WalMart and McDonald's minimum wage jobs for the forseeable future.

Commerce Sec Bryson Lays Out Vision for US Manufacturing

2011-12-17T08:07:00.001-05:00

Department of Commerce Secretary, John Bryson spells on multifaceted effort to press forward with national programs to revitalize American Manufacturing:
http://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2011/12/16/commerce-secretary-john-bryson-lays-out-vision-department-commerce

Manufacturing in USA, Again!

2011-12-16T06:07:00.000-05:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Excellent article on US #Mfg resurgence potential RT @reuters: Manufacturing can thrive but struggles for respect t.co/rsqfcCxc

******

Key point of this solid, in-depth article is the need to focus on our Engineering education gap.

In 1957, the USSR kicked our butt in the first leg of the Space Race with the launch of the Sputnik satellite. The alarm was so great, that it galvanized our government to act, resulting in a huge effort to educate more scientists and engineers. This national effort resulted in the US leading in technology for many decades.

When the Reagan Administration empowered the off-shoring of American Manufacturing, we began to see the decline of science and engineering and the rise of Wall Street MBA wizards, making money with other peoples money - but not truly "making" anything of tangible value.

Fast forward to the Bush II years, and the historic collapse of the financial gold rush of the last 20 years, we now see the folly of these "get rich by speculation" schemes.

The way forward to a stronger US economy, with a brighter future for the middle class, is a sustained focus on revitalization of our manufacturing sector.

We have said it before ... Moms and Dads, please help your daughters and sons become engineers and scientists! They will build a better future for us all.

Support US Manufacturing and it will support you, America.

Atlantic Research Group Leaving Staunton

2011-12-13T05:26:00.000-05:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

skill gap in local workforce leads to loss of biz "@NewsLeaderNOW: Biotech firm ARG leaving Staunton dlvr.it/10DfZJ" lessons learned?

***

SAW Economic Development folks need to press local school boards and partner with area colleges to continue to encourage a stronger supply of scientists and engineers. Biotech is a high potential business sector, and we need to press on for progress in fostering a workforce that is attractive to this sector.

Educators at BRCC and JMU get this concept. Not so sure local government leaders are up-to-speed on this issue.

Hopefully there will be some lessons learned with the loss of this biotech company.

When Data Is Not Normal - Danger Lurks

2011-12-07T21:20:00.001-05:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Diasters Loom in "Normality" Trap: RT Beware The Long Tail - Science News sciencenews.org/view/feature/i… via @sciencenewsorg

Biz school stats course give short shrift to probability distributions that are not Normal. MBA quant jocks are not even thinking about this issue most of the time.

When low probability tails are in question, but catastrophic consequences are on the line, look deeper young grasshoppers, that dangerous process may kill you or ... lead to a major financial collapse.

Data is your friend, treat it with respect or it will kick your ass.

You've been warned.

Rebuild, Retool American Manufacturing

2011-12-07T06:55:00.000-05:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Stand up for real job$ - Rebuild Retool US #Mfg RT "@blog44 WH.gov: What a Fair Shot at Success Means goo.gl/fb/wgnGg"

A National Manufacturing Policy favoring American workers, not WalMart is way overdue.

We are all suffering (whether you know it or not) from the huge effing sell-off of our great industrial base by Reagan Admin starting in the '80's and tacitly supported by all Presidents till now.

President Obama is framing this epic battle correctly. Unless you'all want your kids to be WalMart greeters and midnight clerks at 7-11, it's time to take a stand to protect the greatest engine of economic prosperity for middle class Americans- US Manufacturing!

Occupy Manufacturing!

Ode to Tukey - Boxplot Love

2011-12-06T06:57:00.002-05:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

statistical eye candy. gotta love us data geeks."@flowingdata: 40 years of boxplots datafl.ws/1j2"

WARNING: This link should not be viewed by the statistically challenged.

Continuing Progress from GOP Disaster

2011-12-05T07:44:00.000-05:00

http://m.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/12/02/employment-situation-november

President Obama getting the JOBS done. Digging out of the effing hole that the fool Dubua Bush put us in.

Thank God for progress, protect us from GOP folly!

Augusta County Dems Reorganize - Dec. 5th

2011-11-29T22:42:00.003-05:00

Augusta Democrats (@AugustaVADems)

RT Augusta County Democratic Committee Reorganization Meeting - Dec 5th 7pm - ACGC Verona augustademocrats.org

Toyota Plant Opens in Mississippi, VA Fail

2011-11-20T22:27:00.000-05:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Augusta County VA missed opportunity! @IndustryWeek: Toyota Opens New Plant Miss. to employ ~2,000
industryweek.com/ReadArticle.as… BOS lesson learned?

UC Davis Students Resist Police Violence

2011-11-20T10:32:00.001-05:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

You won't see this on network news: UC Davis students resist cops after pepper-spraying t.co/p5Nv7rtq #occupydavis #occupyhburg #ows

Ex-COIN Psyops On Fracking Ground in PA

2011-11-14T23:43:00.002-05:00

Concerned environmentalists better learn to bring their A game.

This ain't patty cake, kids.

The Big Frack Gas boys are deploying some serious COIN Psyops heat to suppress opposition to hydraulic fracking in the Marcellus Shale region on Pennsylvania.

Drillers using counterinsurgency experts

Marcellus Shale gas drilling spokesmen at an industry conference in Houston said their companies are employing former military counterinsurgency officers and recommended using military-style psychological operations strategies, or psyops, to deal with media inquiries and citizen opposition to drilling in Pennsylvania communities.

Matt Pitzarella, a Range Resources spokesman speaking to other oil and gas industry spokespeople at the conference last week, said the company hires former military psyops specialists who use those skills in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Pitzarella's statements and related comments made by a spokesman for Anadarko Petroleum were recorded by a member of an environmental group who provided them to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"We have several former psyops folks that work for us at Range because they're very comfortable in dealing with localized issues and local governments," Mr. Pitzarella said during the last half of a 23-minute presentation in a conference session. The session was titled "Designing a Media Relations Strategy to Overcome Concerns Surrounding Hydraulic Fracturing."

Sounds like the Green team better team up with some military veterans who are sympathetic to their cause. BRD has seen significant demographic polling data that may suggest that there is some strong environmental awareness from the young troopers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Big Frack Gas boys like, Chesapeake Energy, may be surprised by the heat some young vets can bring back their way. It isn't always about , show me the money.

Folks in PA still remember the the environmental damage done by stripping mining and acid mine drainage.

This new battle has only just begun.

Trailer

Robert Reich: Occupy Impact

2011-11-01T06:47:00.001-04:00

Robert Reich (@RBReich)

How OWS is changing public debate in America. robertreich.org/post/121684640…

A good summary of an obvious process change with the American public. More class warfare ahead.

30 years to get here, it will take awhile to dig our way out of Reaganomics.

Have been "trickled down" to lately?

The 99% is recognizing the bum deal offered by the GOP and Wall Street.

Laura Kleiner Halloween Party Tonight

2011-10-30T11:14:00.001-04:00

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=270615019649413

Time to scare Little Dickie Bell!

Go Laura!

Occupy Wall Street: We Are the 99%

2011-10-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t89SoPB1sZ0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Augusta County BOS Clown Slapfight!

2011-10-28T07:51:00.003-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Smack! Silly clown slapfight continues. Public will lose for sure. Augusta BOS fail ahead. Got popcorn? @NewsLeaderNOW bit.ly/tsDXof

........

What a silly bunch of folks we have running for Board of Supervisors. Expecting four more years of knucklehead behavior from these guys.

Some of these characters will say anything and do anything to get elected. Sad.

Rational thinking and action not likely. Public Service, you have got to be kidding.

Wake me up again in 2015.

China Unfair Trade Charge in Solar Industry

2011-10-21T05:52:00.000-04:00

IndustryWeek (@IndustryWeek)

U.S. Solar Firm Launches Trade Action Against China
'China has a plan for our market: To gut it, and own it,' industryweek.com/ReadArticle.as…

Poll data: Americans want action on China Cheaters

2011-10-18T20:05:00.001-04:00

AAM (@KeepitMadeinUSA)

"New data shows voters favor US #manufacturing and want action on #China's cheating: Manufacturing ow.ly/71e9J "

Groundswell noted.

Tipping point is being reached for sustained counter-measures for endemic IP theft and misbehavior by Chinese businesses. "Foul" is called.

R's and D's agree on this one. Who knows what the Tea Party dill weeds think? Doubt they understand what Intellectual Property means. D'Oh!

Occupy Wall Street In Staunton VA

2011-10-11T05:27:00.002-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Occupy Wall Street gets local RT @NewsLeaderNOW: Protest, Staunton style: http://t.co/xO4Lx2At

A feisty little band of local folks in Staunton, Virginia, the very heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Just Say No to greed and abuse by the GOPers and their fat cat pals.

Class warfare? Maybe. Seems the little people are going on the offense for once in a very long while. The great American middle class is pushing back.

This is as grass roots as it gets.

Fuse has been lit. Trouble ahead for the Red Team. This movement is not going away anytime soon.

Major Tom Clark Comes Home

2011-10-07T22:04:00.000-04:00

A recent comment on a BRD Memorial Day 2008 post,
Tom Clark - MIA Laos - Never Forget tipped off BRD to a developing story on the return of the remains of Maj. Tom Clark, USAF.

Maj. Tom Clark, USAF - call sign: Sunvalley34

On February 8, 1969 Captain Clark was flying an F-100D Super Sabre, of 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 37th Tactical Fight Wing, in a flight of four mission over Laos. The flight controlled by an F-4 Forward Air Controller, engaged a 23mm Anti-Aircraft Artillery battery. Captain Clark's aircraft was hit by rounds from the artillery battery, burst into flames, and crashed. No parachute was observed. Aircraft in the area conducted visual and electronic searches, with negative results. Subsequent to the incident, the U.S. Air Force determined Captain Clark to be Killed in Action (KIA), Body not Recovered (BNR). The Air Force posthumously promoted Tom to the rank of Major.

On February 12, 1991, a joint U.S./Lao People's Democratic Republic team investigated the crash of Thomas E. Clark's F-100. In late 1991, a Thai citizen turned over to U.S. Officials in Thailand human remains as well as military identification tag and a partial military identification tag bearing Major Clark's name. The remains were identified as other than Captain Clark's. In February of 1992 a team worked to excavate the suspected crash site of Thomas E. Clark in the Savannakhet Province with no apparent results. In October of 2005 a joint team re-investigated the crash site excavated in 1992. Another bone fragment was found but later identified as not part of a human. In October of 2009 another joint team re-excavated portions of the crash site and recovered human remains. After extensive examination, including isotope testing, the human remains were identified as the remains of Thomas E. Clark.

The Clark family was notified in June 2011 that the remains of Thomas E. Clark would be returned to the family.

[...]

Major Thomas Clark will be coming home to Emporium, escorted by Patriot Guard Riders and Police, on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 approx. 4:00 PM. The procession will pause at his former home at 229 West 4th Street before continuing East on 4th Street to the Barnett Funeral Home. The public may welcome him home by standing along 4th Street awaiting his arrival after 42 years.

Full story from local Emporium PA area blogger,
Solomon's words for the wise here

Sunvalley 34 has returned to home base. Bravo Zulu to the recovery team.

Hawkman Obama

2011-10-04T05:22:00.000-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Just saying ... RT @FP_Magazine: What does Obama have to do to get credit for his tough security stance? http://t.co/Bfum1wvk

An interesting article in Foreign Policy.

Rightwing noise machine working hard to obscure strong National Security efforts of Obama Admin.

Said it before... President Obama is Stronger, Faster and Smarter than any of the light weights the GOPers have to offer.

We don't need another GW Bush dumb ass as Commander-in-Chief.

Kleiner Smarter, Stronger and Faster than Bell

2011-10-02T17:59:00.001-04:00

@BlueRidgeData: 20-HD-VA @LauraKleiner Smarter, Stronger and Faster than Lil Old Boy Dickie Bell RT http://t.co/mDO0H9le via @NewsLeaderNow #ringdickiesbell

Laura Kleiner makes a focused case for helping small businesses with tax incentives, normally these incentives go to the Big Corporate Sweethearts.

She gets the need to better support our local farmers.

Teachers need to know she will be on watch, standing firm on protecting public schools from the "hidden agenda" Tea Party Taliban in Virginia. The neo-Know Nothings want to end science and evidenced based education because it doesn't support their terrorist agenda. Dickie Bell is an observed puppet of the Valley Tea Party Taliban. They own his little tail hide. He knows better, but is too scared to bite the hand up his sock puppet back.

Voters have a real choice here.

China to get spanked for bad behavior on IP

2011-09-24T01:42:00.002-04:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Thursday that China is holding to its decades-old strategy to steal American intellectual property, in a pointed statement reflecting U.S. officials' growing impatience with Beijing.

"They China have made possible systematic stealing of intellectual property of American companies and have not been very aggressive to put in place the basic protections for property rights that every serious economy needs over time," Geithner told a forum in Washington.
"We're seeing China continue to be very, very aggressive in a strategy they started several decades ago, which goes like this: you want to sell to our country, we want you to come produce here ... if you want to come produce here, you need to transfer your technology to us," Geithner said.

FULL STORY

Pretty clear we are turning a corner on a decades long antipathy by the US Government, to long term intellectual property infringement by China. No more.

Line in sand is drawn. With an election year looming, this will stay on the front burner with the D's and R's for the foreseeable future.

No love in the heartland, for the damage done to our national manufacturing base by past politicians and global corporation doing the destructive off-shoring.

Even the frickin Tea Party Dummies seem to get this issue.

This is more good news for Made in the USA.
.

Trouble for China: trade enforcement action?

2011-09-19T22:12:00.001-04:00

Breaking: US to announce new China trade enforcement action
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSS1E78I20P20110919
........

Ruh Roh! Get tough stance on China trade misbehaviors gaining traction.

Made in America team is smilin'

More to come tomorrow.

New Advanced Manufacturing Center @BRCC

2011-09-14T21:14:00.001-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Augusta Co. & Valley get new Advanced #Manufacturing Ctr at #BRCC, will attract new co's., more skilled jobs! @NBC29 http://t.co/ZZ75IOok

........

Good news for manufacturing folks in Augusta County and the central Shenandoah Valley region, a new $8 million education center will be located at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave.

Collaboration between local, state, and federal governments can do great things. If ... we just try. (Can you hear me, you effing Tea Party Crackpots?)

Rebuilding the US industrial base will pay great benefits to our local economic well being in the years ahead. It starts with a well trained workforce! BRCC is a Can Do school, they will deliver.

Moms and Dads ... let's get those kids back into STEM and Manufacturing Technology. We can do this!

This is a solid down payment on investing in a better future for the young folks of our area.

New engineers, process technicians, maintenance mechanics, skilled machinists and supply chain specialists ... Hell Yeah!

Better days ahead in manufacturing!

Lil Dickie Bell 20-HD - No Show for 9-11 Service

2011-09-11T23:02:00.003-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Developing story: Lil Delegate Dickie Bell (R)-20HD was a surprise NO SHOW @ 9-11 memorial service in Augusta Co., challenger Laura Lee Kleiner (D)-20HD steps in to lead service.

Why is Bell, MIA, in 20thHD? Seems like a pattern.

First person field reports indicate Bell has a problem delivering on commitments for scheduled public events. Engaging with the public is not for him, apparently.

Has upstart candidate, Kleiner, got him running scared? Some R 's and I's are under-whelmed with Mr. Bell.

Ms. Kleiner is running a local issues campaign, focused on needs of small business and farmers. Bell continues to suck up to Richmond lobbyists and secret special interest groups.

We all are looking forward to a public debate. That will be fun. Dickie does not like the spotlight of public scrutiny.

The House of Delegates race in the 20th district is starting to get very interesting.

Tipping Point - Stronger Afgan Resistance to Taliban

2011-09-02T06:52:00.001-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Hearts, minds, and revenge: local resistance to the Afghan insurgency - The Long War Journal http://t.co/FuhIVGc

ISAF success is notable. Myths and common wisdom about past wars in Afghanistan, are not holding true. The Afgan people have reached the tipping point where the enemy is the Taliban, not ISAF. The US mil team and Obama Admin are finally getting us on the road home. Hoo ah!

Goodlatte Says To Hell with Farm Safety Rules

2011-09-01T06:47:00.007-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Not Farmer Goodlatte (R) 6thCD-VA and R's on Ag Comm still sucking on Big Ag teat$ http://t.co/iFCsi2x #gopfail #foodsafety #waterquality

Repubs are representing Big Ag & Chem, not small farmers. Unless you are dumping manure in the stream, poorly managing disease in your livestock, killing your farm help or mis-applying dangerous chemicals on your fields ... State and Fed safety regs are No Problem.

We small family farmers know that it is the Mega Corporate farms, that gobble up the little guys. Fat cat Ag corporations are wetting their pants over sensible farm safety rules - worried about profits instead people. Talk about job killers -- how about Repubs out-sourcing food production to China? Lack of strong import controls is killing small farms. The Koch Tea fueled Repubs continue to obfuscate and undercut the FDA, which under Obama's rational science based leadership, is playing catch-up from 8 years of criminal neglect by the Bush II Admin (remember that dillweed?). They are struggling with food and drug quality problems from an immense variety of sketchy import sources. Yeah... deregulation worked well for the 80+ folks killed by the Chinese Heparin Failure.

Rep Bob is all hat, no cattle. He hasn't worked an honest day in his life. What a crock, that he is speaking for farmers. Simply bullshit!

Willful Ignorance Rules GOP - The War Ahead - Science vs Stupid

2011-08-29T23:15:00.005-04:00

From the always dangerously rational Paul Krugman at NYT:

Data says ...

"According to Public Policy Polling, only 21 percent of Republican voters in Iowa believe in global warming (and only 35 percent believe in evolution). Within the G.O.P., willful ignorance has become a litmus test for candidates ..."

Full article here

Stupid is as stupid does.

There is scant evidence that proudly stupid Americans, in the right third of the political bell curve, will soon be motivated to change their ways. They simply are not capable of understanding predictive science, until it kills them, figuratively and literally. Oops. Good ol Charles Darwin called it, On the Origin of Species.

The culling process will take years -- decades. Denial of economic and environmental realities will eventually lead to a gradual winnowing of this sad, stagnant gene pool. Big Money interest will find it increasingly difficult to find enough scared, old, middle-class white folks; to support their well-funded agenda (see Astro Turf Tea Party). Big Money interest did it to themselves, they broke the Great Bargain with the American middle-class. Instead of sustaining Henry Ford's or Thomas Edison's vision of progress and common good for all Americans.

"One's own employees ought to be one's own best customers," Mr. Ford said years later. "Paying high wages," he concluded, "is behind the prosperity of this country."

The latest generation of MBA enabled, satanic, Wall Street wizards had other things in mind. They off-shored and out-sourced to maximize profit, but with little foresight, they destroyed the American middle-class consumer in the process. Oh My, Did We Do That?

The massive societal changes being unleashed by a new generation of young Arabs or the unbridled youthful fury in the very proper streets of London, are ample evidence of the tectonic re-balancing process that will come back to America. The middle third and left third of the Americans bell curve will increasingly fight back. They are no longer afraid or apathetic. There will be no compromising with the Tea Party Jihadists. A Cold Civil War, like the rage of the 60's, will likely ensue.

The youth of America went to the barricades in the 60's. Old Baby Boomers and their Millennials compatriots, are beginning to realize the great unraveling of American Economic Justice and Environmental Stewardship is being driven by an extremely theocratic (by nature, anti-science) gang of Tea Party Jihadists, that are simply out to destroy the United States of America.

They will be stopped. God and Intelligence are on our side. Satan and Stupid are on theirs.

We tried to teach 'em, we tried to warn 'em .... and in the end, Engineers and Scientists (along with other rational thinkers), will have to deal with the systemic ecological damage and man-made process failures, due to inadequate adaptive responses, caused by intentional political sabotage and theocratic terrorism from Republicans and their ilk.

An old Fram oil filter TV ad sums it quite succinctly, " Pay Me Know or Pay Me Later!"

There is always a price to be paid for evil deeds. Times up GOP. Your bill is due.

Laura Kleiner 20thHD - Focus On Biz Dev & Farmers

2011-08-24T06:48:00.007-04:00

@BlueRidgeData

Laura Kleiner running in 20th HD "@NewsLeaderNOW: Candidate supports agriculture, wants to rally young electorate: http://t.co/eW8mhAc"

<> Fiscal Conservative

<> Improve & Innovate Government Services - more for less

<> Reduce Ineffective Regulations

<> Support Business Growth

<> Support Farmers

<> Support Education

<> Support Gun Ownership Rights

<> Support Natural Resource Conservation

Smart, Strong and Ready to Go!

Laura Kleiner for Delegate

Goodlatte Already Running Scared -- 6thCD

2011-08-23T06:37:00.000-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Bob G is running scared @NewsVirginian: Goodlatte discusses national debt in Wboro: http://t.co/igwmtAn @andyschmookler is calling you out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SUjdb_qg5w&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Schmookler Fires Bow Shot in 6th CD-VA

2011-08-21T09:38:00.000-04:00

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SUjdb_qg5w&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Schmookler lays out his case for confronting the dark "destructive force" that GOP become. Cowardly incumbent Republican Bob Goodlatte, remains in denial for the havoc they have wrought on the body politic.

Expect some very uncomfortable moments ahead for shy Bob.

VA Gov McD Spins P Ban - Good for Farmers?

2011-08-21T07:59:00.001-04:00

The News Leader (@NewsLeaderNOW)

McDonnell hopes fertilizer phosphorus ban will aid farmers: http://t.co/BM0HlK4

Less worried about doing the right thing, than keeping his right-wing anti-environment and anti-science rep, Gov Bobby McD, spins story on phosphorus (P) ban in lawn fertilizer. Shifting focus away from statistically significant Ag impact, only lessens sense of responsibility for farmers to do their part to reduce excess fertilizer run off in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. What a guy. Always leading from the rear.

Verizon Workers Return to Work While Talks Continue

2011-08-20T23:11:00.002-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Verizon strike to end but talks to continue http://t.co/ydvhnjS

Local Union Mans Picket Line @ Verizon

2011-08-20T07:16:00.000-04:00

https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/NewsLeaderNOW/status/104871810683777024

Verizon Union Picket Line: US11 South Staunton, VA

Laura Kleiner Wins Democratic Nod - 20th HD

2011-08-17T22:45:00.012-04:00

Tonight, in Staunton City Council Chambers, Laura Lee Kleiner was resoundingly nominated to represent area Democrats, in the upcoming House of Delegates race, against incumbent Dickie Bell (R). Ms. Kleiner and a diverse group of speakers addressed the packed meeting room, each making a strong case for her nomination, before a crowd of energized 20th HD District Democrats from Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County, Highland County and newly added precincts from Nelson County.

Laura, a Blacksburg native and recent Mary Baldwin College graduate, has planted her roots in Staunton. She has already chalked up numerous practical campaign experiences, at the local, state and national levels. This young woman is battle-tested in the Red Zone. Expect to see a well-managed GOTV effort.

Kleiner will deliver an aggressive challenge to Dickie Bell's poor record of support for local interests versus favoring elite special interests in Richmond and Washington D.C. Recognition that Virginia has become a battle-ground state, is likely to attract strong grass-roots support for state legislative candidates like Kleiner, who offers a refreshing alternative to bought & paid for politicians.

Game On Mr. Bell, a few yard signs are not enough to overcome your weak voting record and lack of support for the daily struggles of common folks of Augusta, Nelson and Highland counties. We know the fat cats in Richmond love you, but the citizens of your district, not so much. You have some explaining to do.

We are Fired Up and Ready to Go!

Laura Lee Kleiner

Help Laura fight to protect and support our local communities, schools, businesses, and farms; not the "special elite" interests in Richmond and Washington D.C.

DONATE via Pay Pal or ActBlue

CONTACT HER CAMPAIGN TO OFFER YOUR SUPPORT.
(540) 357-1211
info@LauraKleinerForDelegate.com

Post updated 8/19/11

Virginia to reduce yard fertilizer run-off impact

2011-08-17T06:45:00.000-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

The Middle River will be pleased, FOMR concurs "@NewsLeaderNOW: Virginia to bar phosphorous in most yard fertilizers http://t.co/yxQAB3u"

Friends of the Middle River (FOMR) is a group of Augusta County citizens taking action to improve water quality in the Middle River watershed in the Shenandoah River system.

Local Protests Close Flooded Chemical Plant in China

2011-08-15T22:06:00.000-04:00

from Financial Times via AmericanManufacturing.org

"Protests in northeast Chinese have forced a chemical plant to close immediately. Officials are pledging to relocate it because of fears that it was prone to toxic leaks. The Fujia Chemical Plant, which produces the toxic chemical paraxylene, or PX, came close to being inundated with sea water during a tropical storm last week. Hours after the protest began, government officials issued a statement, saying it had ordered the factory closed."

Oops, they did it again... Chinese engineering fail.

More at Reuters

"Authorities in northeastern China on Sunday ordered a petrochemical plant to be shut down immediately after thousands of people demonstrated, demanding the relocation of the factory at the center of a toxic spill scare, state media said."

Made in America, Leads the Way, Really!

2011-08-10T06:03:00.000-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

MSM meme on demise of American Manufacturing incorrect as usual.

'Made In China' Accounts For Less Than 3 Percent Of American Personal Consumption Expenditures

Made in America still accounts for lion's share of products bought in America. Usual suspects Shoes and Clothing, are the big Chinese sourced items for US consumers.

From @ThinkProgress: http://t.co/cdsZFYJ (for data dogs, nice pie chart)

BBC: Chinese begin farming after food-safety scares

2011-08-04T04:53:00.001-04:00

From the BBC

** Wealthy Chinese begin farming after food-safety scares **

Beijing's middle classes are turning to farming after a rash of food-safety scandals - from glow-in-the-dark meat to exploding melons - hit China, reports the BBC's Martin Patience.
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14387817 >

China & India Drug Quality Fails - FDA Ramps Up Inspections

2011-08-02T22:24:00.000-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

More focus on China, India supply chain quality fails "@US_FDA :US, EU, AUS report progress on drug inspection collab.: http://t.co/rSrAFBK"

Said it before, ask your Pharmacist for country of manufacture. Watch your generics.

Buyer Beware.

Republican Tea Party Terrorists ... Word!

2011-08-02T06:27:00.001-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Republican #Teapartyterrorists! Sorry GOP you earned it. Now man up and admit it. @VP @BarackObama @vademocrats http://t.co/OVCBJK9

Twitter War - Game On Repubs

2011-07-30T07:31:00.003-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

36k less dubious followers on 9.3 MILLION STRONG Obama 2012 tweeter list, + fun pounding R Reps to #compromise more please sir @BarackObama

36,000 is statistically insignificant. Likely GOP stalkers. R controlled media attempts reverse spin counter attack. Some gullible, lazy, media hacks buy it.

Ah... gotta love the power of the Intertubes!

Obama knows tech.

Be Brave Bob, Compromise!

2011-07-29T18:10:00.001-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

@RepGoodlatte Be Brave Bob #compromise, Represent all citizens of 6th, not just few elite tax dodger$. We all pay our fair share here.

TV Ads Target Repubs Protecting Fat Cats

2011-07-29T06:57:00.001-04:00

TV Ads Up, smack down of Cantor on debt crisis, Corporate Tea Party Whores targeted http://t.co/b6GBGvn

Payback for Low Job Security - Top Employees Not Loyal

2011-07-27T07:01:00.001-04:00

Consequences, co's elim'd job security, now highly skilled talent say "see ya, we are outta here" http://t.co/7fphLsy New Reality in #mfg

Noblesse oblige

2011-07-24T14:26:00.000-04:00

@BlueRidgeData

Noblesse oblige "@thinkprogress: Mayor Bloomberg: "I pay my taxes and I get pretty good value for my taxes." http://t.co/vB8GyV2"

Nobelesse oblige? Ask Mr. Google. Look it up right-wingsters. Clearly you ain't got any. GOP cowards and tea party traitors, blindly doing the bidding of their wealthy masters - tax cheaters all.

Pay me now or pay me later- Process FMEA

2011-07-13T11:13:00.001-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Invest time in Process FMEA, 80% of production problems are determined in Design to Mfg Engrg handoff"@JillJusko:://ow.ly/5CVW0 #Mfg #DFM

Public rational, GOP presidential candidates, Not

2011-06-29T23:05:00.000-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Public rational, GOP candidates not RT"@climateprogress: Poll: Public Understanding of #Climate Science Rebounds ... http://t.co/of0ZbHm"

Huffington Post: Companies Moving Jobs To U.S. From China To Avoid Inflation

2011-06-28T23:23:00.001-04:00

		Companies Moving Jobs To U.S. From China To Avoid Inflation
	MILWAUKEE (Scott Malone) - On a recent morning at Master Lock's 90-year-old factory in Milwaukee, a cluster of machinery was whirring, every 2 seconds...

Imported surgical tools risky business

2011-06-27T23:49:00.001-04:00

"66%, Two-thirds of the world's surgical instruments are made in the city of Sialkot in northern Pakistan and 70% of the UK's registered manufacturers are based in the city."

From the BBC:

** Imported surgical tools 'a risk' **

The only UK hospital carrying out strict tests on surgical instruments imported from Pakistan finds many are substandard.
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13894880 >

US patients and docs ... beware.

Trouble with China - Reasons for Rebuilding US Manufacturing

2011-06-26T10:57:00.002-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)

Another reason to rebuild stronger US #Manufacturing sector "@defense_news: US vs #China ... Rising Sea Tensions http://t.co/SWfTSDO"#usnavy

Pres. Obama - Focus on Advanced Manufacturing

2011-06-25T14:51:00.001-04:00

President's Weekly Address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLKuNd4RmTU&sns=em

Sewage Disposal Plan Smells Like Trouble

2011-06-21T06:45:00.002-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)
6/21/11 6:40 AM
May see push back from public on plan"@NewsVirginian: Company seeks 4,100 acres of Augusta land for biosolids disposal:://bit.ly/ierF3t"

Zip Zap - Taking Orders - '12 Chevy Volt

2011-06-13T16:47:00.001-04:00

IndustryWeek (@IndustryWeek)
6/13/11 3:39 PM
GM Taking Orders for 2012 Chevy Volt
Suggested retail price: $39,995
http://t.co/ramSXxc

Manufacturing Resurgence Continues

2011-06-13T16:44:00.001-04:00

IndustryWeek (@IndustryWeek)
6/13/11 3:41 PM
Machine Tool Consumption Slows, But Continues to Dwarf 2010
April down 21% from March, but still up 105% over 2010. http://t.co/tEvo3X1

Retooling Workforce Skills for Manufacturing

2011-06-09T01:02:00.001-04:00

IndustryWeek (@IndustryWeek)
6/8/11 10:44 PM
Obama Touts National Manufacturing Certification Program
Backs skills program developed by the Manufacturing Institute http://bit.ly/moOVpB

Andy Schmookler: Call to Battle

2011-06-07T06:08:00.001-04:00

Andy Smookler had 'em fired up last night.

Democrats from greater Augusta county heard and enthusiastically responded to a call to battle against the dark force that the Republican Party has become.

http://bit.ly/iOavWb

From Riley's iPod Touch

Tea Party to Challenge Goodlatte

2011-06-05T10:20:00.002-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)
6/5/11 10:15 AM
Ruh roh ... Tea Party challenge to Goodlatte in 6th CD http://t.co/Plyl97d

Republicans Can't Do Stats on Job Data

2011-06-04T10:01:00.001-04:00

BlueRidgeData
(@BlueRidgeData)
6/4/11 9:40 AM
R's can't grasp time series data variation, regression fit of job data shows strong + beta-sub-1 slope coeff. Prez O knows stats, Repubs not

-----

May jobs data falls below trend line mean and the math challenged Red Team chortles.

Stats Note: A fundamental of time series analysis... One Data Point Does Not Define A Trend. D'oh!

If any journalists out there need a little schooling on time series regression, let us @BlueRidgeData know, we can help.

From Riley's iPod Touch

Augusta Farmers irate over 4H cuts

2011-06-03T13:53:00.012-04:00

see today's story at News Leader
"Changes coming at Augusta Cooperative Extension"

Folks in the know, agree with us here at BRD, that many county family farmers are not happy with Augusta County Administrator Patrick Coffield's decision to make drastic cuts in the county 4H staff that supports national-award-winning youth programs in Virginia's 2nd largest Ag production county. A full generation of 4H kids and their parents, are mighty aggravated at the loss of well-regarded, 17 year veteran County Ag Extension agent, Jennifer Mercer. Appears to be an ill-advised decision. Natural consequences will occur as a result.

There will likely be a backlash at the ballot box. It is a rare issue that crosses all political lines, All flavors of Republicans, Independents, Tea Partiers, Greens and Democrats are upset. The Board of Supervisors appear to have rubber-stamped the county executive's decision with apparent disregard for public sentiment. Expect to see this added to boiling pot of issues in upcoming Board of Supervisor races.

It appears that the "staff" reporters at the News Leader missed the back story. Maybe news-hound Bob Stuart at the News Virginian will follow-up to find the story-behind-the-story. We'll see if our local newsies can practice digging a little deeper.

Background - from Minutes of April 20, 2011, Augusta Co BOS budget hearing, public comments on 4H program cuts:

There were several people who spoke concerning the dismissal of an Extension Agent position. They were disappointed in the removal of the Extension Agent who had been involved with encouragement and planning of such groups as “4 The Love of Horses”, “WHEP Nationals Team”, “Honor Club”, “County Council”, FFA Market Animal Show”, “Willing Workers Club”, and “Health and Fitness 4-H Club”. They commended Ms. Mercer on her “tireless and endless” work for 12-14 hours a day. “It takes someone with an education and personal skills to lead our youth to help them realize they can reach the goals that they set for themselves. We have that with the Augusta County Extension Agent that we have now. Jennifer Mercer is top of the line.” Ms. Crummett stated that it “takes a leader to produce a leader. The youth you see here tonight are our future leaders.” Art Salatin read an excerpt of a letter written by Josh Salatin who was unable to be here tonight expressing disappointment of Ms. Mercer’s dismissal. Ms. Persinger said that Ms. Mercer had helped her children to “know and understand their role as stewards of the environment, particularly in the realm of wildlife.” She also stated, “A good leader will let programs run themselves; however, an exceptional leader will encourage our youth to not only step out of the batting box and up to the plate, but she will encourage them to eye the fence and go for the home-run every single time! That is the type of leader Jennifer Mercer has been for the Augusta County 4-H youth.” Ms. Short felt that the public should have been allowed to give their input before a decision was made regarding Ms. Mercer’s dismissal. Ms. Murray asked that the 4-H Agent and Secretary position be restored to the budget. “The Agent and Secretary are always busy helping the leaders and the kids.” Nate Salatin commented “by cutting this program, you’re cutting long-term investment. You’re cutting long-term investment in the youth of Augusta County.” Ms. Fisher expressed concerns of funding being cut for 21 extension programs.

US Needs a Stronger Industrial Policy

2011-05-30T22:13:00.002-04:00

IAN FLETCHER: Why Johnny Can't Innovate: The American Economy's Most Surprising Deficit
To get our economy back on track, we need to stop dreaming that innovation is purely a self-financing private-sector game and start paying for the innovation we need. Either that, or we're not going to get the economy we want.

NDP Covers SVTC Tech Nite @ JMU

2011-05-05T14:14:00.004-04:00

Shenandoah Valley Rising
Shenandoah Valley Technology Council - Tech Nite 11

James Madison University

May 3, 2001 - Harrisonburg

"Anyone with doubts about whether Virginia — especially rural Virginia — has what it takes to create jobs in the new economy should have been there. "

L-R: Tiffany Newbold, Student Coordinator, School of Engineering, JMU;
Dr. Heather Watson Asst. Professor, School of Engineering, JMU;
Mike Signer, Chair, New Dominion Project

"There are eight regional technology councils spread across Virginia. The councils are non profits that were launched with some state help during the Gilmore administration to help forge connections between innovative companies, universities, capital, and policymakers. The mission statement of the organization proudly states that by “helping technology businesses in the area succeed and grow, the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council is an integral component of the region, helping to bring high-paying technology jobs to the Valley.”

Full Story Here @ New Dominion Project

BIN LADEN - DEAD, NOT ALIVE

2011-05-01T23:23:00.004-04:00

From FBI MOST WANTED LIST...

The List is One Person Shorter Tonight.

US SPEC OPS get their man.

USAMA BIN LADEN - DEAD 5/1/11

UPDATE FROM FBI

Mike Signer in Harrisonburg 5/3

2011-05-01T18:04:00.001-04:00

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData)
5/1/11 5:59 PM
Former LG candidate Mike Signer talking Innovation, Reform, Unity 5/3 in Hburg m.facebook.com/#!/event.php?e…

From Riley's iPod Touch

Why Obama Will Get Second Term in Office: Ralph Nader

2011-04-27T06:31:00.000-04:00

Ralphie calls 2012 for Obama. Says Repugs will shoot own foot. Running to the center a proven strategy. Big Biz warming to President Obama ... still smarter, stronger, faster and cooler than the collection of clowns for the Red team.

@ business week http://buswk.co/e8uT3s

From Riley's iPod Touch

Made in Japan - Supply Chain in Crisis Mode

2011-03-20T18:40:00.001-04:00

Long distance supply chain problems in Japan are likely to impact US Manufacturing. US Operation teams are scrambling to find alternate sources. Natural consequence from globalization ... ouch.

From The New York Times:

Stress Test for the Global Supply Chain

Modern global supply chains are like the human body: remarkably resilient, but also vulnerable at some points. The crises in Japan expose some of those weaknesses.

http://nyti.ms/fugkNz

From Riley's iPod Touch

Profits vs Failure Mode Effects Analysis

2011-03-16T06:21:00.001-04:00

When the bottom-line is in mind, the proper trade-off between probability of failure and appropriate counter-measures is often less than optimal.

This dear readers, is why we need regulatory processes when the threat to life and property is very large from process failures. Pure free market forces are not enough.

		ROBERT REICH: Safety on the Cheap
	Profit-making corporations have every incentive to underestimate the probabilities of potential disasters and lowball the likely externalized harms. This is why it's necessary to have such things as government regulators.

Unemployment rate, best decline since 1983

2011-03-06T10:14:00.006-05:00

From Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers

Today’s employment report shows that private sector payrolls increased by 222,000 in February, marking 12 consecutive months of growth that has added 1.5 million jobs at private firms. The unemployment rate fell for the third straight month to 8.9 percent. The 0.9 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate over the past three months is the largest such decline since 1983, and it has been driven primarily by increased employment, rather than falling labor force participation.

[...]

The sectors with the largest payroll employment growth were professional and business services (+47,000), education and health services (+40,000), manufacturing (+33,000), and construction (+33,000).

full story

This is strong evidence of a sustained recovery, probability of a double dip recession is dropping significantly. Of particular note ... MANUFACTURING is fighting it's way back from this record downturn. Great news for the folks that actual make something of value. That's means real wealth creation, not just another Wall Street gimic. The US Industrial Sector is on the mend.

New Dominion Project ... looking for a few good Interns

2011-02-26T14:55:00.005-05:00

The battle continues ... A few good young women and men are needed to help push Virginia forward.

The New Dominion Project needs YOU!

NDP is dedicated to confronting the idea that Virginia is backward-looking and divisive by promoting innovation, reform, and unity by highlighting the individuals, organizations, and ideas taking Virginia forward.

Interns will work on researching stories about Virginia companies and activists, filming and editing footage, writing blog posts, researching promising public policy ideas from Virginia and around the country, and doing political research and analysis.

New Dominion Project - Moving Virginia Forward

2011-02-18T21:09:00.005-05:00

Mike Signer is leading an initiative to recast the image of Virginia, as a place of innovation and progress, not an antediluvian, regressive backwater state.

Innovation happens, and we move on down the road. Our New Dominion continues to redefine it's future. One step back, two steps forward.

Disclosure Note: This author is a member of the NDP Steering Committee.

Alaska oil pipeline at risk, U.S. warns

2011-02-12T06:44:00.008-05:00

Maintenance Excellence continues to be a challenge for BP and friends. You have to wonder how the reliability engineers and maintenance team on the pipeline feel about cost reduction ("profit enhancement") goals from the corporate management team back in their comfy, cozy HQ.

Run-to-failure seemed to be their corporate mantra. Profits appear to trump risk mitigation every time. Process failure with catastrophic consequences always attracts regulatory oversight.

Pipeline Maintenance "Pig"

Advice from maintenance folks in the field, battling entropy everyday ... "Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later"

Installing a pipeline section

It's all about the need for better Reliability Centered Maintenance.

Taking it to the next level - National Wireless Initiative

2011-02-11T19:57:00.001-05:00

"we need to DOMINATE this space"

Winning the Future ... with 4G wireless

Can you hear me now... ?!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXwmuecF_6U&feature=youtube_gdata_player

From Riley's iPod Touch

Manufacturing activity, 18 months of growth

2011-02-05T07:46:00.000-05:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41368520/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/

From Riley's iPod Touch

Obama - Energy Innovation @ Penn State

2011-02-03T02:09:00.001-05:00

"Big Ten Network carries Obama speech, other viewing sites available"

Feb. 3, 2011 - President Obama follows up on our next Sputnick moment. Tours Penn State labs and speaks to students and faculty today. Fight on Nittany Lions! Win the Future!

U.S. manufacturing is No. 1, for now

2011-02-01T21:36:00.001-05:00

US Manufacturing is still strong and kicking, but investments in process automation yield higher productivity and provide only modest job growth opportunities. However, demand is strong for the most skilled workers.

HS Vo-tech and CommCollege programs are dropping emphasis on Manufacturing as demand returns after the Great Recession. (Bad call)

Problems with supply chain to China, keep bring customers back to Made in the USA. (You get what you pay for.)

Full AP story here:

http://on.msnbc.com/f6WpwG

Visual Statistics: Income vs Health over 200 Years

2010-12-05T12:37:00.001-05:00

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbkSRLYSojo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

From Riley's iPod Touch

American Manufacturing - Fighting Back

2010-11-25T19:35:00.003-05:00

BRD is thankful that the we have a President that gives a damn about American Manufacturing.

While most of my fellow countrymen don't care one whit about American industrial strength, at least for a few more years we'll have a real leader in the White House that has the intellect to grasp the importance of a strong manufacturing sector. That is some comfort.

There are some hopeful trends in the reversal of off-shoring. Surprise, Surprise - Indian and Chinese workers are pushing back on unsafe factories, lousy working conditions and subsistence pay levels. As variable labor costs increase in Asia, the wage advantage over the US is being squeezed by the increasing trans-Pacific transportation costs and time lag burdens; creating a looming profit problem for multi-national firms.

When it comes to making safe pharmaceuticals, medical products or other regulated products - it's not even a close comparison. It's buyer beware for products made in India and China.

Maybe some more folks in the persuadable middle-class will realize that the Republican elites on Wall Street and in Congress are not their friends. The GOP elites have happily followed a path for the last 30 years, that has crushed American Industrial skills and capacity. While Wall Street wizards and CEOs have grossly profited by stock price gamesmanship and bogus financial devices, the American middle-class factory workers have been forgotten and discarded. There has been an awful impact to our national well-being, as we raced to the labor cost bottom, moving major industrial production overseas.

Time to fight back, folks. Stand up for American Industry, again.

0.64 % of 39% of County Voters Reject Right Wingers

2010-11-02T22:30:00.008-04:00

106 Write In's for anyone other than Bob Goodlatte and fringers = .064%

I am optimistic.

We can can build on this toe-hold. [snark]

Obama Knows Manufacturing - Made in America, Again

2010-08-11T20:44:00.013-04:00

President Obama gets it. A strong manufacturing sector is the bedrock of the nation's economy. It is a theme he has focused on from his earliest days of campaigning in 2007. Nearly two years since the election of 2008, the President and an occasionally cooperative Congress are delivering another much needed boost to our beleaguered manufacturing sector.

By signing the Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010, the President continues to deliver on a major campaign promise, re-building American Manufacturing, with a renewed focus on a national industrial policy. After over three decades of bi-partisan neglect under Reagan, BushI, Clinton and BushII; Obama is finally digging in and saying No More! This little Act is focused on the tedious nuts and bolts of trade tariffs. By tipping the tariff scales in our nation's favor; key raw materials, fabricated parts and sub-assemblies that are imported by American Manufacturers will see tariff reductions, thus reducing their cost of goods - supporting better pricing and profits. To offset the tariff reductions, (to meet PAYGO Act compliance) there will be increased tariffs on other raw materials and products that unfairly compete against American products.

Having a President on our side, after 30 plus years, what a delight! For the hard-working folks in Manufacturing, it is some darn good news.

The 183,000 new hires in 2010 in Manufacturing are delighted.

" ... don’t bet against the American worker or lose faith in American industry. This is a nation that has always been proud of what it builds, and it is that spirit that’s going to lead our recovery forward.

We’ve been through tough times before, and it is precisely in those times that we rebuilt, we retooled, we recaptured the ingenuity and resilience that makes this nation so great. That’s how our predecessors built the first American century. That’s how we’ll build the next."

Remarks by the President at the Signing of the Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010. August 11, 2010

Perriello - Supporting American Manufacturing

2010-07-23T21:40:00.007-04:00

Tom Periello (D-6th CD) gets it. American Manufacturing is the bedrock of our economy. Adding real value to real products.

“Today, we scored a victory for American workers by closing tax loopholes for companies that ship our jobs overseas. For too long, both parties have asked taxpayers to subsidize the very outsourcing that has devastated Southern Virginia and so many working families across America,” said Rep. Perriello. “This bold step puts the American worker first and invests in the next generation of advanced manufacturing.” 5/28/10

The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, H.R. 4213

Bob Goodlatte (R-6th CD) ... not so much. Where's Bob when we need him? Manufacturing is not even listed on his Current Issues web page. Too bad for young folks looking for work in manufacturing in the Shenandoah Valley, apparently he has other priorities.

Bobby Mac - a plastic bottleneck for progress

2010-07-15T15:32:00.004-04:00

Va. Gov Takes Big Step Backward, Reverses Ban on Single-Use Water Bottles

T Mac still got game... Go big or go home Virginia

2010-07-14T20:21:00.006-04:00

Terry McAuliffe laid out his case for more aggressive biz development in VA to a gathering of local Democrats last night.

T Mac is pushing to bring new energy tech biz to VA. Possibly a new electric car biz

Since his run for governor, Terry has several new projects in development, focusing his efforts on the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy sources. Specifically, he has made an offer to buy the shuttered International Paper plan in the city of Franklin Virginia for the purpose of creating a renewable biomass facility. Additionally, Terry serves as Chairman of Green Tech Automotive, which manufactures electronic and hybrid vehicles. He also recently joined the board of advisors of IMC, inc. an internationally recognized systems and software development firm based in Northern Virginia. from terrymcauliffe.com

Glad to see someone in the political arena that "gets" the need to ramp up our game in attracting new manufacturing growth.

BRD is not expecting any high tech manufacturing plans from the current admin in Richmond. They're too busy with the r-winger, theocratic, anti-science agenda to be bothered with these "new fangled" inventions.

Fortunately human history has shown that technological progress waits for no one ... press on Terry!

T Mac in the house...

2010-07-13T11:01:00.002-04:00

Terry McAuliffe will address the Staunton Democratic Committee. Terry
will speak about some of the projects he is pursuing to create an
cleaner energy future

Tuesday, July 13, 2010
7:00 PM

City Hall
City Council Chambers
116 W. Beverly Street
Staunton, Virginia 24401

Vets Make Case for Transition to New Energy Systems

2010-06-20T00:18:00.006-04:00

Good polling stats, showing strong public support for action to move away from the fossil fuel road to ruin are included in vid.

BP Spill - LMRP Capping System Video - We'll See...

2010-06-05T12:59:00.004-04:00

from Deepwater Horizon Response website

BP Gulf Oil Spill Modeling - East Coast Likely Impacted

2010-06-04T21:38:00.005-04:00

This animation shows one scenario of how oil released at the location of the Deepwater Horizon disaster on April 20 in the Gulf of Mexico may move in the upper 65 feet of the ocean. This is not a forecast, but rather, it illustrates a likely dispersal pathway of the oil for roughly four months following the spill. It assumes oil spilling continuously from April 20 to June 20. The colors represent a dilution factor ranging from red (most concentrated) to beige (most diluted). The dilution factor does not attempt to estimate the actual barrels of oil at any spot; rather, it depicts how much of the total oil from the source that will be carried elsewhere by ocean currents. For example, areas showing a dilution factor of 0.01 would have one-hundredth the concentration of oil present at the spill site.

from UCAR