Just Can't Make This Up

In a previous post I commented about Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry being charged with several felonies (here).  As it turns out he was convicted and has decided, rightfully so, to resign.

https://rollcall.com/2022/03/26/fortenberry-resigns-following-conviction-on-charges-tied-to-illegal-contribution/

Now comes the latest Nebraska moron politician.   State Senator Bruce Bostelman, who just happens to be from the district I reside in, rattled off a debunked rumor alleging that schools are placing litter boxes in school bathrooms to accommodate children who identify as cats.  He made the claim on the senate floor during a debate on a bill intended to help school children who have behavioral problems. 

 

Seriously folks, you just can't make this shit up (pun intended).

Power On The Farm

One of the downsides here on the farm is relying on rural public power.  It is not uncommon to be without power 4 or 5 times a year over periods of hours to days. After twelve years of that I decided to invest in a PTO generator that runs off the diesel tractor.  A welcome surprise was that the PTO generator cost the same as a common RV generator.    

Just like clockwork we've been without power all morning. I don't know why since all we've had in our area is light snow and rain.  Possibly some power lines became overburdened with ice.  At any rate, it didn't take long to set up the generator and since our house runs primarily on propane we have all the comforts needed.  

It's Time For Him Go.

The trial for Nebraska Republican congressman Jeff Fortenberry began today in California over accusations by federal prosecutors that he lied about illegal campaign contributions from a Nigerian billionaire.

Fortenberry has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he intentionally misled FBI agents and prosecutors who were investigating a $30,000 donation from a Nigerian billionaire of Lebanese descent, Gilbert Chagoury, during a 2016 fundraiser in Los Angeles.

Prosecutors allege Fortenberry lied about what he knew on two occasions — an interview at his Lincoln home and a follow-up meeting in Washington — and didn’t properly disclose the contribution in his campaign filings.

Fortenberry’s lawyers have also tried, and failed, to move the trial to Nebraska, where he would likely have gotten a friendlier, Republican-leaning jury.

Fortenberry has been in Congress for 17 years, always a shoo-in for the mostly right-leaning Nebraska.  Seventeen years seems like enough time to be sucking off the taxpayers and I have little sympathy for him in this case.

When he was first arrested he did the "television whining" that he was set up.  Next he tried unsuccessfully to have his trial moved from California, where the crime was committed, to Nebraska.  Clearly because he felt the predominantly Republican State of Nebraska would feel sorry for him, which the judge saw right through and denied the change of venue.

All that is expected, but what really chaps me is his recent defense that he was confused because of his age during FBI questioning, according to court documents.  He even tired to have a memory expert testify in his defense, which once again the judge saw right through and denied the attempt.

Fortenberry will be 62 in December.  I'm 71, and although not sharp as a tack, I could certainly comprehend if being interviewed by the FBI.  And isn't that defense saying because of his "age" he is incompetent to understand complex Congressional legislation?  

Either way, it's time for him to go.

Gouging

Almost immediately after Putin invaded Ukraine the price of gas at the pumps starting climbing.  Last week President Biden cautioned big oil companies not take advantage of the war in Ukraine.

"American oil and gas companies should not exploit this moment to hike their prices to raise profits," Biden said.

This drew a response from American Petroleum Institute CEO Mike Sommers who insisted that US oil companies would not seek to capitalize on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  "Our companies would never take advantage of this kind of situation," according to Sommers.  Sommers argued that US oil companies want to do what's best for consumers around the world.  "My member companies are patriots," he said.  "This is not a time to target one particular industry that has a proven record."

What a load of bull crap!

How can prices at the pump go up immediately?  What about all the gasoline/diesel in storage tanks?  Why wouldn't prices go up after the existing supply is used up?

I have a hard time accepting that big oil companies are "patriots", according to Sommers.  President Biden was right on the mark when he cautioned them about taking advantage of the war in Ukraine to hike their already stunning profits.

For example, the largest oil and gas companies made a combined $174 billion in profits in the first nine months of 2021 as gasoline prices climbed in the US.

In the third quarter of 2021, 24 top oil and gas companies made more than $74 billion in net income. From January to September, the net income of the group, which includes Exxon, Chevron, Shell and BP, was $174 billion. Exxon alone reported a fourth-quarter profit of $8.87 billion, its largest in seven years.

The analysis of major oil companies’ financials shows that 11 of the group gave payouts to shareholders worth more than $36.5 billion collectively, while a dozen bought back $8 billion worth of stock.

Exxon, Chevron, Shell and BP were among group of 24 who resisted calls to increase production but doled out shareholder dividends.

Here's a suggestion big oil, if you truly want to be patriots, how about taking some of the hit like the rest of us in America by keeping gas prices lower.  Oh wait.  That isn't going to happen since that would cut into your meager profits, eh?!