War critics silent

Silence. That’s all you hear. Silence.
You would have thought by now that they would have the maturity to admit it. But no, they still remain silent. Hoping, I suppose, that no one would notice. Well, I have.
I just thought that I would remind the people of North Dakota of the fact that not too long ago some people in our state would have us believe we were losing in Iraq. And that we should cut our losses and “redeploy.” Well, where are those people now? Hiding in the corners right where they should be, that’s where.
Newspapers all over the country are trumpeting the news that our brave American servicemen and servicewomen are winning the war in Iraq. Al-Qaeda has abandoned Baghdad, former residents there are returning home and businesses once attacked by the insurgents are reopening. They feel safe again.
One would think that those who opposed the troop surge in the first place would breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate with us at this great victory. But no, silence.
I have to wonder where are the congratulatory remarks to our military commanders from those who opposed the surge in the first place? Where are the press releases from ranking government officials stating that while they were honest in their opposition to the surge at first, they now are happy that it in fact did work? Where are they?
No. We are not really surprised at their silence. But we will remember. We will remember those who honestly disagreed with a policy decision yet failed to rejoice in the victory. Let there be no doubt.
- Jeff Langley

North Dakota on the right track

In a recent letter (Nov. 15), Brad Mills condemned the progress that our state is making, once again reiterating that Mills and other Democrats would rather see North Dakota in the despondency of the late 1980s than admit that North Dakota is on the right track. It seems they would rather replace the partisan barriers that hinder this state’s continued growth than work together to move this state forward.
He and many other critics ignore the fact that this state is indeed making great headway. We are coming out of those stagnant years of the 1980s as evidenced by North Dakota’s economic growth. In fact, under Gov. John Hoeven’s leadership, the state’s economy has grown
50 percent, or nearly $1 billion a year, since 2000. Incomes and wages in the state continue to increase faster than the national average, and a record $120 million tax relief package will help North Dakotans to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks. This past session, a cap was also placed on tuition increases to help slow that trend.
As the state progresses, our smaller communities are also seeing the positive effects as both the traditional and renewable energy industries develop in our rural areas. In addition, renewable energy ventures are offering North Dakota’s farmers more value-added agriculture opportunities than ever before.
As long as a majority of North Dakotans don’t contract the negative, partisan attitude that the Democrats are continuously trying to spread, this state’s future holds numerous possibilities for an even more prosperous future, much of which is thanks to the groundwork laid by Gov. Hoeven’s administration.
- Jim Strege, from The Forum

No recess for the Senate

This past week Americans watched the U.S. senate in action, or to be more accurate, the U.S. Senate "inaction". There on national TV news was our very own Senator Byron Dorgan, D-North Dakota presiding over the U.S. Senate as he called the session to order. That was easy enough since there were no other Senators present in the chamber and there was no business to conduct; hence, Dorgan declared the senate adjourned for the day. The whole thing took all of five minutes. This same procedure was replicated several days in a row over the Thanksgiving Holiday week with the express purpose to keep the senate in-session so President Bush could not make any appointments to federal offices--all of this the brain-child of Senate leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada.
This whole thing looks so childish, and coming from a legislative body of 100 grown-ups. Then, again, maybe this week of "sham sessions" produced some of the senate's finest work of the entire year. Another reason to be thankful.
- Hal Neff

North Dakota Short of Energy?

As reported in the news Senator Dorgan, D-ND chaired a hearing November 20 at Bismarck of the Senate Sub-committee on Energy and Water Development; purpose of the hearing was to delve into the recent shortages of gas and diesel motor fuels, and the resultant high prices, in North Dakota since late summer. Written and oral testimony was received by the senator from six representatives of the industry who spoke for retailers, distributors, refiners, and pipelines plus the Deputy Administrator of the Energy Administration. Questions by the senator were directed at all of the panel asking to how the severe shortage of gasoline and diesel fuel developed and why it seemed to affect North Dakota more than any other area.
The testimony revealed that a combination of events came together--a rain/flood in Kansas, a refinery down for planned upgrades, and essential maintenance of others created a shortage of product in the central area. Capacity is coming on line and the situation is easing, but supplies of gasoline are still tight and diesel is very tight. Winter grade diesel is very low and home heating oil is also very low; mild weather so far this fall has kept the shortage from becoming severe.
Here is an interesting twist; North Dakota now produces about 125,000 barrels of crude per day; just under half of that is refined in-state to fuel products; the remainder of the crude and much of the refined product is piped out of the state (amount not specified at the meeting). During this shortage period from late summer to present, the pipeline terminals at Fargo and Grand Forks have been out of product or severely limited. As a result tanker trucks must go to Alexandria, Mn. or further, to wait in line sometimes for 12 hours, to get product and haul it back into ND. This gasoline and diesel product may be the same product produced at Mandan, now being hauled back.
Near the conclusion of the one hour and 45 minute meeting the question was asked of the panel, “What do you see as the solution to this problem?” The answer takes two forms which are nearly the same in the end: the short term solution is more refining capacity by adding to existing refineries; the long term solution is building new refineries. So, building refineries is the solution. Does that surprise any one? How long have we known that? A dozen years, or more?
Senator Dorgan said that Congress is now at work on a new energy bill--how reassuring. This will be the umpteenth energy bill out of congress since Nixon was president; all of them intended to free us from the dependence on foreign oil. The dependence has increased every year since and the price continues to go up. We are importing gasoline and diesel fuel from Mexico and Canada because we can’t refine our own crude. There has not been a new refinery built in the U.S. for over 25 years. So, Senator Dorgan, how will the “new” energy bill fix that? Hal Neff

Adam Hamm for Insurance Commissioner!

Election year will soon be upon us and the candidates are preparing their announcements. One very important post whose occupant will be determined by the voters next November is that of ND Insurance Commissioner. It appears as though one of the candidates looking for the support of his party is Representative Jasper Schneider. I'll tip my hand and come right out with the fact that I intend to support our incumbent Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm, but before my endorsement I'll share a few reasons why.

Jasper Schneider has a well documented record of hopping merrily from project to project without ever really seeing any of them through to their logical conclusions. Schneider has spent two years as an Attorney, and apparently lost interest in that venture. He's spent one year as a State Legislator, elected by the people of his home district, and quickly decided that gig wasn't for him either. Now he's decided he wants to become Insurance Commissioner, which raises some legitimate questions. Jasper is 28 years old and has shown a pattern indicating an inability to commit to one job. Is it reasonable to expect ND voters to take a chance on a candidate whom, based on past precedent, will not stick with the job he is elected to? Is it the responsibility of voters to help him weed through jobs, worse, elected positions, like so many sock drawers, until he finds the one he likes?

In some of Schneider's first comments regarding the Insurance Commissioner position, he said that the post would give him a platform from which to help handle the state's troubled Workforce Safety and Insurance Agency. Given the fact that the Insurance Department has no regulatory involvement with WSI, this begs the question(s)--does he even know what statutory authority the Insurance Commissioner has, AND that any change in this role involving WSI would require legislative action (a role he apparently can't wait to desert)?

For my money, Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm deserves our votes next November. He has a proven record of commitment and dedication as a successful Attorney for nearly a decade including the difficult prosecution and conviction of Kyle Bell for the murder of 11 year old Jeanna North. The people of North Dakota should expect, and in fact deserve an Insurance Commissioner who brings a depth of experience to the job instead of a year or two of this or that.

Posted by: J. Trandem

Duncan wraps up a busy Republican week in ND

RNC Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan had a very busy day in Fargo Friday as he hosted a Rountable Discusssion, College Republican Meeting and a Cass County Grassroots Meeting. Between each event his time was filled with media interviews.

Chairman Duncan explained the role of the RNC as one that focuses on nominating a Republican Presidential nominee, promotes the Party Platform and of course, does a little fundraising. He, of course, did not comment on the current Republican Presidential hopefuls, since he needs to remain neutral.

During his meeting with the College Republicans, Duncan talked more about his history and how he got into politics. He has been fortunate enough to work on 5 Presidential campaigns, dating back to Richard M. Nixon. He encouraged the students to stay involved, volunteer and look at some of the opportunities the RNC has to offer.

We were very fortunate to have Chairman Duncan visit our great state at a time that the Republican Party is gearing up for the next election cycle. Thank you, Chairman Duncan!

RNC Chairman in Fargo today

RNC Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan is in Fargo today meeting with major donors, state legislative leaders, media representatives and others to hear what is on the mind of North Dakota Republicans.

It has been an exctiting day so far, with many people voicing their opinions and sharing ideas. A summary will be posted later.

Candidates' similarities differ

Apparently Democratic Representative Jasper Schneider is willing to go against his party’s bandwagon and quit in the middle of his first term to run for State Insurance Commissioner. Apparently it is ok for a Democrat to only serve a quarter of his freshman term as an elected official, while the Democratic Party continues to rant and complain about Republicans.

The Bismarck Tribune has said that a race between Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm and Schneider would be interesting because of their similar backgrounds – they are both attorneys. That is where it ends.

For almost a decade, Hamm has handled high profile cases and gained a wealth of knowledge and experience as an attorney. Conversely, Schneider has been with his family’s law firm for only 2 years.

Hamm’s substantial experience as an advocate for people speaks for itself and makes him the clear choice.

Don't miss Governor Hoeven's Campaign Kickoff

Gov. Hoeven's Re-election Campaign Kickoff

Tuesday, November 13th, 2007

Fargo at 9:00 a.m.

Echelon Corporation, 1749 38th St. S. – 1-29 Frontage Road

Grand Forks at 12:00 p.m.

UND Center for Innovation, 4200 James Ray Drive

Bismarck at 3:00 p.m.

Bismarck Technical Center, 1200 W. College Drive

Minot at 6:00 p.m.

Holiday Inn, 2200 Burdick Expressway E.

Conrad & Dorgan oppose Mukasey

WASHINGTON - Both of North Dakota's senators voted against the nomination of retired judge Michael Mukasey as attorney general, saying he should be more specific about the government's definition of torture.Mukasey was confirmed late Thursday by a 53-40 vote. Six Democrats and one independent joined Republicans in sealing his confirmation.
North Dakota's two Democratic senators, Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad, joined other members of their party in voting against his confirmation because of his refusal to say whether the waterboarding interrogation technique is torture."That's just not acceptable," Conrad said Friday.Dorgan agreed, saying the debate over torture is a "defining issue in terms of this country's character and moral authority."Waterboarding, used by interrogators to make someone feel as if he or she is going to drown, is banned by domestic law and international treaties. But U.S. law applies to Pentagon personnel and not the CIA. The Bush administration won't say whether it has allowed the agency's employees to use it against terror detainees.
Both North Dakota senators said they also opposed Mukasey because of answers during his Senate confirmation hearing that left open how much power he would allow the president. Senators sought to pin him down on how much legal leeway he would give the president, as authorized in the Constitution, beyond laws that have been approved by Congress.The struggle over the balance of power was a hot topic during the confirmation hearings, underscoring two issues confronting the Justice Department - the extent of presidential authority to eavesdrop on terror suspects, and congressional subpoenas to force administration aides to testify about whether politics influenced the firings of nine U.S. attorneys last year.
"The implication of his answers were that the president has almost unlimited power," said Dorgan.Conrad said that issue raises serious questions in his mind."The courts interpret the law, not the president," he said.Mukasey replaces Alberto Gonzales, who was forced from office over his handling of the Justice Department

Pelosi priorites questionable - this blog is not true.

Apologies are in order...this was not checked out and is not true.

Boy, are we in trouble... This woman is frightening. Take special note of the last paragraph. Is she really this whacked out?

Nancy Pelosi condemned the new record highs of the stock market as "just another example of Bush policies helping the rich get
richer". "First Bush cut taxes for the rich and the economy has
rebounded with new record low unemployment rates, which only means wealthy employers are getting even wealthier at the expense of the underpaid working class".

She went on to say "Despite the billions of dollars being spent in Iraq our economy is still strong and government tax revenues are at all time highs. What this really means is that business is exploiting the war effort and working Americans, just to put money in their own pockets".

When questioned about recent stock market highs she responded "Only the rich benefit from these record highs. Working Americans, welfare recipients, the unemployed and minorities are not sharing in these obscene record highs". There is no question these windfall profits and income created by the Bush administration need to be taxed at 100% rate and those dollars redistributed to the poor and working class". Profits from the stock market do not reward the hard work of our working class who, by their hard work, are responsible for generating these corporate profits that create stock market profits for the rich. We in congress will need to address this issue to either tax these profits or to control the stock market to prevent this unearned income t o flow to the rich."

When asked about the fact that over 80% of all Americans have investments in mutual funds, retirement funds, 401Ks, and the stock market she replied "That may be true, but probably only 5% account for 90% of all these investment dollars. That's just more "trickle down" economics claiming that if a corporation is successful that everyone from the CEO to the floor sweeper benefit from higher wages and job security which is ridiculous". "How much of this 'trickle down' ever gets to the unemployed and minorities in our county? None, and that's the tragedy of these stock market highs."

"We democrats are going to address this issue after the election when we take control of the congress. We will return to the 60% to 80% tax rates on the rich and we will be able to take at least 30% of all current lower income tax payers off the rolls and increase government income substantially." We need to work toward the goal of equalizing income in our country and at the same time limiting the amount the rich can invest."

When asked how these new tax dollars would be spent, she
replied : "We need to raise the standard of living of our poor, unemployed
and minorities. For example, we have an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in our country who need our help along with millions of unemployed minorities. Stock market windfall profits taxes could go a long ways to guarantee these people the standard of living they would like to have as 'Americans'."

It's time to get rid of the children in Congress

Jeff Miller, Rugby

In most homes with small children, there is always an additional resident. Whenever something is broken or spilled and a parent asks who is responsible, the answer is always “not me.” As the children grow and mature, Mr. Not Me usually moves away. It has always been a mystery as to where every Mr. Not Me goes to.
We now know the answer. Every Mr. Not Me ends up in Washington. No matter what happens in D.C., the culprit is always Mr. Not Me. Whether it is Congress or the administration, Mr. Not Me is the bad guy who stops Washington from working. Listen to any career congressman trying to explain why nothing ever gets done and he or she will always say the magic words, “It’s not me!!”
Mr. Not Me seems to flourish in settings where cronyism, corruption, careerism and complacency are the norm. No place is more awash with those four “Cs” than Congress. They have more excuses for failure than a 6-year-old caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Of course, in case of Congress, it is the taxpayers’ cookie jar that is being raided.
Since it is not very likely that our elected officials in Congress are going to mature and grow up, as our children did, the only way to get rid of Mr. Not Me is to get rid of the children in Congress. In other words, they all need to be voted out. These career cookie-jar raiders will continue to fail the American people until they are given a permanent time out.

Franken needs a better list

Somehow it came to our mailbox addressed to me here at Bismarck. Al Franken is looking for money to support his run for the Democrat nomination as Senate candidate in Minnesota. I’d say this mailing missed the mark. Franken has this to say, “the Republican slime machine has ramped up its attacks on me”. I say that’s a switch--he is the slime-source and fountain of crude and demeaning jokes about our country’s leaders for years. Franken states in his mailer, “I’ll never sell out my principles to the highest bidder”. As the saying goes, “you can’t sell what you don’t have”.
Hal Neff

Week of November 12th an exciting one for Republicans in North Dakota

Governor Hoeven will kick off his 2008 re-election campaign in 4 locations across the state on Tuesday, November 13th. He will begin in Fargo at 9:00 am and finish up in Minot at 6:00 pm.
The complete schedule will be posted on the NDGOP website later this weekend.

Mayor Rudy Giuliani will arrive in Fargo on Wednesday for a fundraiser. There is a very nice luncheon planned at Seasons at Rose Creek.

The week will be capped off with RNC Chairman Mike Duncan stopping off in Fargo Friday for several meetings with area Republicans. Listen for him on Scott Hennen's show, as well.

What an exciting week!

In case you missed it, Grand Forks Herald applauds Centers of Exellence

OUR OPINION : Centers of success
Published Sunday, November 04, 2007

Are they Centers of Excellence or centers of extravagance?
Some lawmakers seemed on the verge of asking that question when the most recent grant requests came up for review.
The legislators were smart to be skeptical. Notably, though, the centers passed the Legislature's test. They should pass North Dakotans' test, too: The centers use a proven method of economic development that has worked in other states and shows every sign of working here.
Earlier this week, state lawmakers approved $10 million in grants to four North Dakota colleges, The Associated Press reported. The money is going to six "Centers of Excellence" projects, including $4 million in two grants for UND. The first UND grant will help study and launch a medical device that could help stroke victims by dissolving blood clots. The second will research an aerial drone.
So, why give taxpayers' money to such projects in the first place?
The answer is this: As experience in other states showed, smart spending by careful governments can leverage private dollars and create good jobs. North Dakota leaders saw that happen elsewhere and decided to try it here.
These "public-private partnerships" have their roots in North Carolina. In 1959, a committee of business, government and academic leaders targeted some acreage near Raleigh and Durham, N.C., for focused development. The result was Research Triangle Park, a project meant "to attract research companies from around the nation to locate in a parcel of land surrounded by the state's research universities," the park's Web site, www.rtp.org, reports.
In 1959, North Carolina was a low-status and low-wage backwater, the Web site notes. Today, "more than 39,000 full-time equivalent employees work in RTP with an estimated 10,000 contract workers. These employees have combined annual salaries of over $2.7 billion. The average salary in the park is $56,000 annually, nearly 45 percent larger than the regional and national average."
Many states followed North Carolina's example. Utah's experience, from North Dakota's perspective, was especially important: In 1986, the Utah Legislature set up a Centers of Excellence Program "for the express purpose of supporting university-based, industry-supported cooperative research and development," the Utah Business and Economic Review recalled in 2006. The project's goal was to "develop technologies with commercial potential" by creating new companies and helping existing firms.
The study in the economic review was titled, "Utah's Centers of Excellence Program: A 20-Year Review." Its conclusion: "(I)t is evident the program has been successful in generating new companies. At least 65 ongoing businesses in Utah trace their roots directly to technologies funded through COE. These companies employ between 1,500 and 1,800 people thereby contributing to the state's economic base."
Furthermore, the "cost per job" of those 1,500 to 1,800 positions comes in at about $27,500, the study reports. "This estimate compares favorably to the $35,000 per . . job limits imposed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the $50,000 limit per new job imposed by the Small Business Administration."
North Dakota modeled its own Centers of Excellence program on Utah's.
Purists object that all companies ought to just rise or fall on their own. But most North Dakotans, like most Americans, long ago recognized that some government programs help rather than hurt.
State-supported universities are a classic example. Every UND student enjoys a "mini-G.I. Bill" of sorts, in that North Dakota pays a share of UND's per-student costs. The story is the same in every other state.
And the results of these and other controlled interventions are clear. "The U.S. has regained its status as the world's most competitive economy thanks to strong innovation and excellent universities, according to a survey released Wednesday by the World Economic Forum," The Associated Press reported this week.
Some government programs don't work. But some do; and by using safeguards such as legislative review, requiring a $2 match in private funding for every $1 in state aid, tracking the number of jobs created and so on, Centers of Excellence seem on their way to becoming a policy success.
Tom Dennis for the Herald

Senator Edward Kennedy lectures Judge Mukasey about water torture

At long last, Senator Edward Kennedy faces the judge to talk about the human fear of drowning and the panic that grips the victim as they go under the water. It’s inhuman and it’s cruel according to the Senator’s ten minute long statement before the judge. It should not be done to anyone. This lecture, coming from Senator Kennedy, was directed at Judge Michael Mukasey, the President’s nominee for Attorney General of the United States. Thanks to the C-SPAN coverage of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings this past week, we got to see this unbelievable spectacle--Senator Kennedy in peak form at his outraged best--lecturing a U.S. District Judge about water torture.
- by Hal Neff

Hoeven good for North Dakota

Val Bruels, Minot

John Hoeven is a very good governor and Mikey Hoeven is a wonderful first lady. I know my opinion is not unique since Hoeven enjoys the highest approval rate in our country and has for some time. But, it needs to be said because there is, already, a daily onslaught of personal attacks against the governor and the first family. The sad thing is that it is one sided. Hoeven has never resorted to the type of mudslinging, name calling and vindictiveness being employed by opponents.The results of his leadership are all around us. North Dakota was the only state not to lose jobs during the recession in the early years of the new century. The governor has set the tempo of our state’s entry into the high tech world of the new economy. This tempo has allowed companies like Cirrus Design, Microsoft and Marvin Windows to continue to expand in North Dakota. It has also created an environment for projects like the Blue Flint, Red Trail and Spiritwood, which are creating more jobs and better paying jobs while creating new markets for our farmers. We are now a world player.He has accomplished all this without engaging in silly partisan games, personal attacks, name calling or dirty tricks. Our governor has proven that real leadership means getting the job done for the citizens of North Dakota.Our state is moving ahead thanks to the leadership and vision of our governor. North Dakotans are proud of what has been accomplished and look forward with confidence to the future. For that, we all owe a very big thank you to Gov. John Hoeven.

Attacks on Governor Hoeven's accomplishments are foolish

Eric Halvorson, Fargo

The silly season has already started. Usually, it doesn’t really begin until the year of the actual election. But some folks must have a whole lot of time on their hands. So far, the favorite target of these silly season songbirds is Gov. John Hoeven, who is busy leading our state.
These silly season songbirds are a diverse group. They include members in good standing on all sides of the political spectrum. There is one distinctive trait that all of these cowboys share. They only look in one direction; backward. They are like the words of the old cowboy song, “They saddle their horses up backwards because they only want to see where they’ve been.”
Fortunately, our governor has his eyes and his administration firmly focused on the future. Under his “can do” leadership, North Dakota is successfully moving into the new economy of the 21st century without sacrificing the timeless features that have made this state a great place to live and raise a family.
Ronald Reagan said that great things can be accomplished if you don’t worry about who gets the credit. Hoeven and the people of North Dakota are accomplishing great things because they aren’t worried about getting credit. hat is why the voters will ignore the rantings and ravings of these silly season songbirds and sign up John and Mikey Hoeven for another term.

North Dakota Leaders comment on Schafer nomination

Governor John Hoeven issued this statement: "Former Gov. Schafer’s appointment is a great opportunity for North Dakota farmers and ranchers, as well as for North Dakota’s rural communities, to have their voices heard in Washington. His knowledge of rural economies, as well as his relationship with our congressional delegation, will be a great asset as he takes on the responsibilities of the nation’s chief agriculture officer. We extend our congratulations to Gov. Schafer. This is a real honor for North Dakota.”

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson says he's happy former Governor Ed Schafer has been nominated as federal agriculture secretary. Johnson says Schafer is predictable and a good administrator. He says it's an honor for North Dakota to have someone nominated for ag secretary.

The leaders of North Dakota's two biggest farm groups say they anticipate former Governor Ed Schafer being a popular federal agriculture secretary. State Farm Bureau President Eric Aasmundstad and Farmers Union President Robert Carlson both say they look forward to working with Schafer.

Senator Kent Conrad released the following statement today regarding the announcement that President Bush has nominated former North Dakota Gov. Edward Schafer to be his next Agriculture secretary. "I just congratulated Governor Schafer and said I welcomed his nomination as a fellow North Dakotan. I hope he will support this Farm Bill, which is good for our state and the nation. I look forward to speaking with him about his views on the Food and Energy Security Act currently under consideration."