The EPA doesn’t just want to regulate your ditch water. They’re coming for your T-Bones and Pork Shoulders as well.

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snppIf you’re a reader of more than a few months, you might remember I’m an aficionado of backyard grilling.  Pictured at the left is my Brinkman Smoke ‘N Pit Professional, a.k.a., the SNPP as it’s known in the grilling community. It was my first father’s day present, and has been used regularly ever since.

With the offset box, it’s great for smoking meat, but I tend to use it more for grilling, preferring my electric smoker simply for convenience, because if you’re smoking a pork shoulder all day in a charcoal/wood grill, you just have to fuss with it too much.

Regardless, I repaint, refurbish and do regular maintenance on my grill, because you can’t get them with as heavy gauge of steel as this anymore unless you have someone make you one out of a tank. I’m probably due to have some welding work done on the legs, with the only problem being how tremendously heavy it is to move – definitely a 2 man job.

Ok, admittedly, I’m going on a bit. As you can see, I’m like a number of average Joe’s in the nation who actively enjoy their grilling, and it’s a center of many family meals when weather allows.  So, it’s tremendously disconcerting to see that the Environmental Protection Agency is overstepping the bounds of common sense, once again, as they begin initial steps to start pursuing “pollution” from backyard barbecues:

The Environmental Protection Agency has its eyes on pollution from backyard barbecues.

The agency announced that it is funding a University of California project to limit emissions resulting in grease drippings with a special tray to catch them and a “catalytic” filtration system.

The $15,000 project has the “potential for global application,” said the school.

and…

The school is proposing two fixes to reduce emissions from barbecues. First, they want to cut back on grease flare-ups. The idea: “A slotted and corrugated tray is inserted immediately prior to meat flipping, and removed immediately after. This short contact time prevents the tray from over-heating and volatilizing the collected grease. This collected grease will then drip off into a collection tray and can be used at the pit master’s discretion.”

But, total capture isn’t “practical,” so a filter and fan are proposed for installation. “The secondary air filtration system is composed of a single pipe duct system which contains a specialized metal filter, a metal fan blade, a drive shaft, and an accompanying power system with either a motorized or manual method. This system can be powered by either an exterior electric motor with a chain-driven drive shaft, directly spinning the fan blade, or a hand-powered crank,” said the project write-up.

Read it all here.

Our representatives in Washington are already having to fight the EPA to keep them from regulating water in rural ditches as being a navigable body of water.   Now we have to also ask them to keep the EPA away from our lawn mowers and backyard grills?

This type of bureaucratic overreach is why average everyday citizens of the United States are rejecting the policies of Democrats, and soft-headed liberals in general. They aren’t happy unless they’re meddling in people’s everyday lives.

And now they’re moving to install filters and fans in backyard barbecues?  God help us all.

Noem Introduces Legislation Offering More Flexibility for Local School Meal Programs

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Noem Introduces Legislation Offering More Flexibility for Local School Meal Programs

kristi noem headshot May 21 2014WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem today introduced legislation that aims to reduce federal mandates on school meal standards, including the more stringent whole grain requirements that went into effect in July 2014 and the Target 2 sodium requirements set to be implemented in the coming years.

“As a parent, I want nothing more than for my kids to grow up happy and healthy,” said Rep. Noem.  “Unfortunately, current school meal requirements push all kids – and all schools – into a one-size-fits-all model.  The declining number of kids in the school lunch program shows that it’s not working.  Our kids deserve better.  They deserve a school meal program that is rooted in science-based nutrition plans – a program that includes food that they’re actually going to eat.  My bill gives schools the flexibility to accomplish that.”

Rep. Noem introduced her initial Reducing Federal Mandates on School Lunch Act in December 2013.  The latest version of the bill includes new provisions to address concerns with the Target 2 sodium levels and whole grain requirements.

“Everyone in this debate shares a common goal.  We want our kids to be served healthy and nutritious foods through the school lunch program,” said Neil Putnam, a member of the Mitchell School Board and the Western Region Director for the National School Board Association.  “The  issue comes when federal mandates sometimes divert scarce financial resources from a school’s instructional program.  I am grateful to Rep. Noem for introducing legislation that maintains the goal of healthy meals, but does it in a way that gives school districts, like Mitchell, the flexibility and affordability to make decisions on the local level that are best for our students’ overall success.”

The Reducing Federal Mandates on School Lunch Act, which has been endorsed by the National School Board Association and the School Superintendents Association, would:

  • Allow schools to maintain the previous whole grain requirements.  Without this change, 100 percent of the grains that schools would be required to serve students would be whole-grain rich, pushing items like tortillas and pasta largely off the menu.  Rep. Noem’s bill would restore the requirement back to 50 percent, meaning at least half of the grains served would be required to be whole-grain rich.
  • Maintain Target 1 sodium requirements.  Absent a change, schools would have a difficult time serving healthy foods that include milk, cheese, meat and other foods with naturally occurring sodium.
  • Give administrators flexibility on some of the rules that have increased costs for school districts, including the school breakfast program, a la carte options, and school lunch price increases.
  • Make the USDA’s easing of the meat and grain requirements permanent through law, rather than regulations.  This would give certainty to schools that they’ll be allowed more flexibility in serving meats and grains while still staying within calorie maximums.

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Thune to FCC: Can’t Apply Old Rules of Telecom to New World of Internet

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Thune to FCC: Can’t Apply Old Rules of Telecom to New World of Internet

“… the Internet is not the telephone network, and you cannot apply the old rules of telecom to the new world of the Internet. Three weeks ago, three regulators turned their backs on that consensus, and I believe the Internet and its users will ultimately suffer for it.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today at a hearing entitled, “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission” questioned the five members of the FCC about its controversial Open Internet Order.

Video of the questions for the commissioners is here and remarks as prepared for delivery are below.

“Welcome to today’s oversight hearing on the Federal Communications Commission. Every day, every single American relies on some part of our nation’s vast communications system – the Internet, the telephone, television, GPS, or the radio. An efficient, effective communications system is the bedrock of our nation’s economy and it is the tie that binds together our 21st century society.

“The FCC sits right in the middle of America’s digital world. And this is even more true following the FCC’s recent decision to turn our nation’s broadband Internet infrastructure into a public utility. As is apparent from that action last month, the FCC is also a potentially threatening and unpredictable agency as it struggles to operate under legal authority designed nearly 100 years ago and not seriously updated in decades.

“To be clear, today’s hearing is not a response to the Title II order, but clearly no discussion about the FCC can ignore one of the most significant and most controversial decisions in the agency’s history. My views on this subject are well known. I believe there should be clear rules for the digital road with clear authority for the FCC to enforce them. I have put forward a draft bill with my House colleagues to begin the legislative discussion about how best to put such rules into statute. Like most first drafts, our draft bill is not perfect. I invite members of this committee and stakeholders from across the political spectrum to offer us ideas on how we can improve it, so that the final draft can win bipartisan support and provide everyone in the Internet world with the certainty that they need.

“The FCC’s recent action accomplished the exact opposite. Rather than exercising regulatory humility, the three majority commissioners chose to take the most radical, polarizing, and partisan path possible. Instead of working with me and my colleagues in the House and Senate on a bipartisan basis, to find a consensus, the three of you chose an option that I believe will only increase political, regulatory, and legal uncertainty, which will ultimately hurt average Internet users. Simply put, your actions jeopardize the open Internet that we are all seeking to protect.

“The tech and telecom industries agree on few regulatory matters, but there was one idea that unified them for nearly two decades – the Internet is not the telephone network, and you cannot apply the old rules of telecom to the new world of the Internet. Three weeks ago, three regulators turned their backs on that consensus, and I believe the Internet and its users will ultimately suffer for it.

“The debate over the open Internet illustrates the importance of the FCC, which makes it all the more amazing that Congress has not reauthorized the FCC since then-Representative Markey’s bill was passed a quarter century ago. Indeed, the FCC is the oldest expired authorization within this committee’s expansive jurisdiction – a situation that I intend to rectify this Congress.

“Today’s hearing marks the beginning of the Commerce Committee’s efforts to write and pass legislation to reauthorize the FCC. I know that contentious matters like Title II divide the membership of this committee, but FCC reauthorization is an area where I believe Republicans and Democrats can and should work together. Wanting the FCC to be an effective, efficient, and accountable regulator shouldn’t be a partisan goal. I know members on both sides of the aisle have common-sense ideas to make the agency more responsive to the needs of consumers, Congress, and regulated companies alike, and I look forward to hearing their suggestions and views. And I look forward to hearing the commissioners’ thoughts today about ways Congress can help their agency improve.

“Writing a new FCC reauthorization bill should not be a one-off effort. It is my hope that the committee will get back to regularly authorizing the commission as part of its normal course of business. In order to do that effectively, the committee must be diligent in its oversight. As such, the commission should expect to come before this committee again.

“How the commission works is just as important as what the commission does. In addition to discussing important communications policy matters, I hope members will use today’s hearing to explore the Commission’s operations, processes, and budget. For example, the FCC has requested $530 million dollars for Fiscal Year 2016. This funding level would be the highest in the Commission’s history. That alone raises eyebrows, particularly when American households continue to do more with less in this stagnant economy, but the FCC also wants to fund this increase in part by raiding the Universal Service Fund.

“Paying for record high budgets by siphoning money from USF is a dangerous precedent. While members of this committee may have varying views on the USF’s efficiency, scope, and growth, one thing I think we can all agree on is that its limited funds should not be used as a reserve fund to pay for the FCC’s core statutory functions.  That’s what the Commission’s regulatory fees are for.  USF funds should pay for USF services, and I don’t believe the FCC should jeopardize the stability and integrity of the Universal Service Fund in order to paper over its record high budget request.

“Given the significant interest in hearing from the commission today, I do not expect this hearing will be a short one. In order to more quickly get to members’ questions, I have asked that all the witnesses limit their oral statements to three minutes apiece. Their longer written statements will be submitted for the record.

“I look forward to hearing from our witnesses in what I hope will be a productive afternoon.”

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Rumor Confirmed: Weiland forming liberal attack group with Johnson staffer. What would Harry Reid say? (Updated)

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I’m hearing reliable rumors out of Sioux Falls this afternoon that the Democrat’s loss leader, 3-time candidate Rick Weiland, is supposedly teaming up with former Tim Johnson Chief of Staff Drey Samuelson to form a new liberal attack dog group.

Word is that Weiland is pushing the story this afternoon with reporters about his new liberal group.

I suspect he’s forming this group in an attempt to remain nominally relevant. The outlook on it is somewhat doubtful, given his complete implosion at the end of his ill-fated US Senate campaign where he went on the attack against the DSCC.

No word on what Democratic US Senate Leader Harry Reid thinks about this latest Weiland effort.  Although, I suspect it would go along these lines:

“Desperation is an ugly thing, and it’s sad to see Rick Weiland ending his ill-advised campaign and brief political career by attacking fellow Democrats,” said Adam Jentleson, a spokesman for Reid.

Read it here.

Update – Yep. Scooped them again.

After I pointed out that Weiland was shopping the story, a rushed press release was dropped about his takeitback.org website. And once you look past his barfy platitudes, it looks like he’s setting up an organization to channel money to candidates through:

take_it_please

So, just like when he was campaigning, he’s once again demanding that people send him money to ‘take it back’ from special interest groups….

Just like the one he’s forming.

Rounds Calls for an End to Sequestration

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Rounds Calls for an End to Sequestration

 

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee,  today at a hearing made the following remarks reinforcing his desire to end sequestration and increase spending for defense:

 

“I would like to briefly address an overarching theme that has dominated this committee’s dialog over many weeks.  That theme is, of course, the critical importance of properly funding our armed forces. We have heard over and over from leaders from throughout the Defense Department about the devastating impacts that would accompany sequestration.  But I believe sequestration is part of a larger threat to our defense establishment and our national security.  At a time of great fiscal pressures we can expect to see continued pressure for defense spending that is below a level of acceptable risk.  In short, we can expect to see as never before advocacy of a national security strategy that is budget and not strategy driven.  This committee is positioned to keep that from happening.  So I would like to take this opportunity to state my strong support and great appreciation for the ongoing efforts of Chairman McCain and Ranking Member Reed to not only avoid sequestration but to truly provide the funding levels needed to keep our nation safe.”

 

Full video of his remarks is available here: 

 

 

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DNC Party Chair coming to SD to help Dems. Who have no one for her to help.

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This is a good one, and it’s been kept fairly quiet in the press.

Her donors hate her. The White House might not like her so much. She throws verbal-blunder bombs all over the place.  She says stuff so off the wall even CNN calls her out.

Yet, South Dakota Democrats led by Ann Tornberg are happily bringing in one of the most partisan people in the country, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida to be their dinner speaker.  (As in one dinner, because that’s all they generally have.)

wasserman_dolt

It’s right there on their web site. But with no information. No “Read more here.”  It’s like they’re specifically downplaying her appearance.

So, on April 18th, the National Democrat Chairwoman is going to be in South Dakota to boost the SDDP.

If only Democrats had candidates for Wasserman Schultz to help.

And I missed this little news gem.. Is there anyone home at Democrat HQ?

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I missed this gem in the Associated Press version of the article about incoming Thune Campaign Manager Josh Shields. Former Teacher’s Union Boss Ann Tornberg is Democratic Party chair, and in charge of everything that they do.

And even she had to admit that against John Thune, ‘Dem’s got nothing’:

South Dakota Democratic Party Chairwoman Ann Tornberg says she’s not currently aware of any candidates that are interested in running against Thune. He ran unopposed for a second term in 2010.

Read it here.

But wait a minute? Why is Tornberg commenting?  Wasn’t there supposed to be someone else manning the shop by this time?

The South Dakota Democratic Party is looking for a new executive director.

And…

The Democrats are accepting applications for the position, which they hope to fill no later than Jan. 31.

Read that here.   And they also mentioned on their own web site:

The South Dakota Democratic Party plans to fill the Executive Director position before the end of January. Interested applicants can learn more about the position here: http://www.sddp.org/we-are-hiring/

Read that here.

But, two months later, they still have nothing. Much like I’d anticipate they’re going to have against Senator Thune next fall.  Nothing.

Daugaard still contemplating Minimum Wage Act

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According to an article on news center one’s website, the bill causing the governor to take the most pause is the measure to take those under 18 out of the equation for the minimum wage:

Daugaard says he will continue looking over it until he comes to a decision. “There’s about 28 bills that I still need to read through and make sure that I’m comfortable with the way the bill ended up. The youth minimum wage is one of them.

Read it here.