2010 Vision… better than 20/20

I’m a little disappointed.  I’ve been somewhat perturbed for a long time that Michael Medved refuses to let even one little ray of credibility shine on the likelihood that our president isn’t legally qualified to be, since he can’t or won’t produce a valid birth certificate, and spent $100,000’s to keep the discussion out of court.  Still stewing over that one after a few months since I learned it.  (Maybe I should watch a good movie to get over it.  Your advice, Michael?)

But yesterday, Bill Bennett (Morning in America) reviewed his morning news gathering process. He didn’t mention Matt Drudge. He didn’t mention Andy Breitbart. He didn’t even mention Fox News… [He did let on that he doesn't drive his own car in to the studio (He rides a limo maybe?).]  But CNN was at the top of the list.  PLEASE!!!!

Then, many standard rags and websites, some not too bad.  Overall, disappointing.  At least Executive Producer Seth Leibsohn checks out the drudgereport every morning.

I enjoy Bill most days, and especially Rick Santorum when he guests.  But please, Bill, add at least one of the “good guys” to YOUR morning in America!

Then, on American Spectator yesterday, The Washington Prowler’s author didn’t even know Dick Morris was and is a Republican!

“Some California conservatives were scratching their heads over an email being sent around by longtime Democrat and Clinton adviser Dick Morris, telling California Republicans not to support Senate candidate Tom Campbell…”

Wikipedia has it right.  This is a serious error, as Dick Morris is in my view one of the most knowledgeable and stretegically talented figures in American politics and the media today. EVERYBODY (not just Conservatives) should listen and learn from Mr. Morris every chance they get!

{UPDATE – I just did some quick research on Tom Campbell. In 2002 (yes, just months after 9/11) he wrote a letter in defense of a clearcut Jihadist and Israel- hater named Al-Arian. Two reasons not to support Campbell: 1) This history alone has caused much complaint (http://jif.me/politico), and 2) What basic lapse of judgment caused him not to perform so obvious a check into Al-Arian’s ties?]

But let’s not infight, Patriots!  All of the above and others will make mistakes.  They are still on our team – the RIGHT team.  So no bus-throwing, no cannibalism – please!?  I’m just a little disappointed…

Responding to one of the first major directives of the Obama Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today jointly established historic new federal rules that set the first-ever national greenhouse gas emissions standards and will significantly increase the fuel economy of all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States. The rules could potentially save the average buyer of a 2016 model year car $3,000 over the life of the vehicle and, nationally, will conserve about 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reduce nearly a billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the lives of the vehicles covered.

WASHINGTON -

This action is one important step in fulfilling the Obama Administration’s commitment to moving towards a clean energy, climate friendly economy.

“These historic new standards set ambitious, but achievable, fuel economy requirements for the automotive industry that will also encourage new and emerging technologies,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We will be helping American motorists save money at the pump, while putting less pollution in the air.”

“This is a significant step towards cleaner air and energy efficiency, and an important example of how our economic and environmental priorities go hand-in-hand,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “By working together with industry and capitalizing on our capacity for innovation, we’ve developed a clean cars program that is a win for automakers and drivers, a win for innovators and entrepreneurs, and a win for our planet.”

DOT and EPA received more than 130,000 public comments on the September 2009 proposed rules, with overwhelming support for the strong national policy. Manufacturers will be able to build a single, light-duty national fleet that satisfies all federal requirements as well as the standards of California and other states. The collaboration of federal agencies also allows for clearer rules for all automakers, instead of three standards (DOT, EPA, and a state standard).

Today’s final rules, issued by DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and EPA, establish increasingly stringent fuel economy standards under NHTSA’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy program and greenhouse gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act for 2012 through 2016 model-year vehicles.

Starting with 2012 model year vehicles, the rules together require automakers to improve fleet-wide fuel economy and reduce fleet-wide greenhouse gas emissions by approximately five percent every year. NHTSA has established fuel economy standards that strengthen each year reaching an estimated 34.1 mpg for the combined industry-wide fleet for model year 2016.

Because credits for air-conditioning improvements can be used to meet the EPA standards, but not the NHTSA standards, the EPA standards require that by the 2016 model-year, manufacturers must achieve a combined average vehicle emission level of 250 grams of carbon dioxide per mile. The EPA standard would be equivalent to 35.5 miles per gallon if all reductions came from fuel economy improvements.

Specifically, the new National Program:

• Reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about 960 million metric tons over the lifetime of the vehicles regulated, equivalent to taking 50 million cars and light trucks off the road in 2030.
• Conserves about 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles regulated.
• Enables the average car buyer of a 2016 model year vehicle to enjoy a net savings of $3,000 over the lifetime of the vehicle, as upfront technology costs are offset by lower fuel cost

“We are delivering on our mission and President Obama’s call for a strong and coordinated national policy for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles, and we will do so in a way that does not compromise safety,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.

“These are the first national standards ever to address climate change,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Gina McCarthy. “Over the coming years, America will witness an amazing leap forward in vehicle technologies, delivering fuel efficiency that will save us money and protect the environment.”

The joint final regulation achieves the goal set by President Obama to develop a National Program to establish federal standards that meet the needs of the states and the nation as a whole to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. President Obama first announced the effort last May with a broad coalition of automakers, the United Auto Workers, States, and the environmental community.

NHTSA and EPA expect automobile manufacturers will meet these standards by more widespread adoption of conventional technologies that are already in commercial use, such as more efficient engines, transmissions, tires, aerodynamics, and materials, as well as improvements in air conditioning systems. Although the standards can be met with conventional technologies, EPA and NHTSA also expect that some manufacturers may choose to pursue more advanced fuel-saving technologies like hybrid vehicles, clean diesel engines, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and electric vehicles.

In conjunction with the United States, Canada is also announcing Light Duty Vehicle GHG-Emissions regulations today. U.S. EPA and NHTSA have worked closely with Environment Canada to ensure a common North American approach.

Climate change is the single greatest long-term global environmental challenge. Cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks are responsible for almost 60 percent of all U.S. transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

More information:

DOT, EPA Set Aggressive National Standards for Fuel Economy and First Ever Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels For Passenger

Cars and Light Trucks