Commentary by, Peter Ripley
The following press release was issued last Friday, on the 29th of January from Sen. Cantwell's office a joint statement along with Sen. Patty Murray. Apparently both of our Congressional Senators took the opportunity to destroy our economy to the Northwest, by introducing this bill to ban all drilling off the coast. In essence making America dependent to foreign oil! Loosing thousands of jobs in the process. They claim that fishing, trade, tourism, shipbuilding, and so forth is the way to go. This came at the cusp of President Biden's to canceling the Keystone pipeline forcing 11,000 employees to loose their jobs, last week.
Question: If Cantwell, and Murray say that fishing is a money maker, and job maker, why hadn't anyone got rich from it?
Besides thanks to the environmentalist, ending fishing for Salmon is cut because they labeled the salmon as an endanger species, putting the fishing business in danger because charter boats took anglers to fish for salmon. Now they can only fish for halibut, or cod.
Same thing, could be said about the spotted owl, when environmentalist declared the a endangered spices, ending logging in essence, here locally. Logging was a big income making business, here in Port Angeles. Now our big income draw is Tourism which is seasonal, but when did we have a big surge of tourism last? Tourism been on hold since the Covid-19 outbreak over a year ago!
Where's the prosperity Sen. Cantwell, and Sen. Murray for those of us in rural communities like Port Angeles?
Nevertheless, here is the press release delivered on Friday last week:
Cantwell, Murray Introduce Bill to Permanently Ban Drilling Off West Coast
Press release issued 1/29/21
West Coast Ocean Protection Act would make permanent Biden’s temporary moratorium on federal oil and gas drilling leases
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced the West Coast Ocean Protection Act to permanently ban offshore drilling in federal waters off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California.
The bill introduction comes after President Biden issued an executive order halting new federal oil and gas drilling leases. The senators’ bill would make the moratorium permanent in federal waters off the West Coast. This would prevent future administrations from opening up West Coast waters to drilling, which the Trump administration attempted to do.
“Washington’s $30 billion dollar maritime economy supports over 146,000 jobs from fisheries, trade, tourism and recreation—but it could all be devastated in an instant by an oil spill,” Senator Cantwell said. “We must permanently ban offshore drilling on the West Coast to protect our coastal communities, economies, and ecosystems against the risk of an oil spill.”
“The Pacific Ocean provides vital natural resources for Washington state, and off-shore drilling puts everything from local jobs and ecosystems at risk,” Senator Murray said. “We need this permanent ban to safeguard our coastal environment and our state’s economy, including fisheries, outdoor recreation, and so much more.”
Washington’s maritime sector contributes more than $21.4 billion in gross business income, and directly employs nearly 69,500 people. Including indirect and induced impacts, the state’s maritime economy is worth $30 billion in economic activity, and supports more than 146,000 jobs in the fishing, seafood processing, shipbuilding, trade, and other maritime sectors. The state’s maritime economy also provides jobs with substantially better pay than the average for all industries. The average pay for a job in Washington is $52,000, while maritime workers are paid an average of $70,800 — totaling over $4.7 billion in wages. Tourism on the coast adds thousands of jobs for anglers, charter boats, guides, restaurants, hotels and more. Oil spills and activities related to exploration pose a grave threat to these jobs, which rely on clean water and healthy oceans.
Senators Cantwell and Murray have led the fight to ban oil drilling on the West Coast, introducing similar legislation in multiple previous congresses.
Editorial note: What's next ban fracking? Something that Candidate Joe Biden, running for President wasn't in favor of banning fracking, instead slowly move away from it! During his debate with President Trump. If Biden bans fracking there goes more energy workers jobs!
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(2)
THIS WEEKS TOP STORIES
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today applauded President Biden approving Governor Jay Inslee’s request for a statewide federal emergency disaster declaration in response to last year’s devastating wildfires. In doing so, the Biden Administration approved Public Assistance for Douglas, Franklin, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Whitman, and Yakima Counties and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and made all areas in the State of Washington eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Individual Assistance to people and households in Malden who were affected by the wildfires remains under review. The move by the Biden Administration, just two weeks into President Biden’s term, comes after the Trump Administration refused to grant this aid to Washington state communities for months over political disagreements, leaving people and communities to wonder about their futures.
“I’m so glad that President Biden listened to the pleas of the communities and Tribes who have been devastated by wildfires, and moved quickly to grant a disaster declaration and relief after the previous administration’s delays,” Senator Murray said. “I appreciate everyone in Malden and other affected communities who have shared their stories with me to take to the White House and advocate for aid—your words and efforts have been critical to getting this done. Ensuring you get all the resources you need, including individual assistance, remains a top priority for me, and I will continue working with the Biden-Harris Administration to see this through till you’ve recovered.”
“No one should play politics with disaster relief,” Senator Cantwell said. “Now it is time to help Malden rebuild with this disaster declaration, which makes FEMA resources available to communities to help rebuild things like roads, bridges, and power lines.”
Senators Murray and Cantwell wrote to Vice President Biden on January 22 urging him to quickly approve Governor Inslee’s request for a disaster declaration, and since President Biden assumed office two weeks ago Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, and their staffs have worked closely with the Biden Administration to get relief to Washington state communities in need. These efforts followed months of political delays by the Trump Administration on aid, despite multiple bipartisan overtures from Senators Murray and Cantwell and Washington state’s entire congressional delegation. On December 8, Senator Murray led Washington state’s full congressional delegation in a letter to President Trump and FEMA Administrator Gaynor urging approval of Governor Inslee’s September request for a federal emergency disaster declaration to address wildfire destruction in Whitman County that destroyed the community of Malden and other areas in Eastern Washington. This followed letters, led by Senator Murray, from the entire Washington state congressional delegation first on September 17 and then again on October 13 in support of Governor Inslee’s multiple requests for a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Washington and supplemental federal assistance.
Inslee statement on federal aid for wildfire damage in Eastern Washington.
Press release issued 2/4/21
Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today after the Biden administration approved the state's Major Disaster Declaration request for nine counties and two tribes in Eastern Washington that were affected by wildfires in 2020. The request was made in September.
“Our state experienced extensive damage during last year’s wildfire season, particularly in Central and Eastern Washington. While it has been a long wait, I’m pleased to say the Biden administration has approved our Major Disaster Declaration request for nine counties and two tribes in Eastern Washington. This financial assistance will help rebuilding public infrastructure that suffered damage – things like power lines, roadways, fencing around public areas and water and sewage systems.
“While we are still waiting on approval for our application for individual assistance in Whitman County, which would help private residents who lost homes or suffered property damage in the wildfires, today’s approval for FEMA aid by the White House will help get these communities moving more swiftly toward recovery.”
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
More than hornets – WSDA trapping continues legacy of protecting agriculture and the environment--WSDA
https://wastatedeptag.blogspot.com/2021/02/more-than-hornets-wsda-trapping.html
AG FERGUSON WILL DIRECT $13.5 MILLION FROM MCKINSEY LAWSUIT TOWARD TREATMENT, PREVENTION, OTHER EFFORTS TO ADDRESS OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN WASHINGTON STATE--AG Office
Sewage treatment violations lead to order and fine for King County---DOE
Initial regular unemployment claims decreased while continued claims increased during week of January 24-30
https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/initial-unemployment-insurance-claims-for-week-of-january-24-30-2021
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(3) IN OTHER HEADLINES:
WORLD NEWS:
Unity, funding and decisive action needed to end FGM and protect millions of girls, UN says--UN NEWS CENTER
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1083892
Aid agencies renew appeals for aid access to all areas in Ethiopia’s Tigray.
The UN renewed appeals on Friday for humanitarian access to all areas of Ethiopia’s troubled Tigray region to help people displaced fighting, forcing the most desperate to eat leaves to survive.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1083902
‘Voices of resistance, resilience and courage’ – UN News podcast bears witness to lives beyond the Holocaust
Before Vered Kater became a dedicated health worker, traveling to developing countries to administer aid to the needy, she spent her early years in hiding – from the Nazis.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1083872
US should end use of private ‘for profit’ detention centres, urge human rights experts--UN NEWS CENTER
A group of UN independent human rights experts on Thursday welcomed the United States’ decision to stop using privately run federal prisons, and urged the Government to also end the outsourcing of all detention centres, including those holding migrants and asylum seekers.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1083862
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
Fact Sheet: President Biden to Sign Executive Actions Restoring America’s Place in the World--WH
Rebuilding and Enhancing U.S. Refugee Resettlement Programs--US STATE DEPT.
https://www.state.gov/rebuilding-and-enhancing-u-s-refugee-resettlement-programs/
Florida Businesswoman Pleads Guilty to Criminal Health Care and Tax Fraud Charges and Agrees to $20.3 Million Civil False Claims Act Settlement
A Florida businesswoman has agreed to resolve criminal charges and civil claims arising out of false claims to the United States for braces and other durable medical equipment (DME), the Justice Department announced today. --DOJ
Biden Says Defense, State Will Work Together to Rebuild U.S. Foreign Policy--DOD
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
Report to the Secretary of the Treasury from the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association--US TREASURY DEPT.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0018
Beware of "ghost" preparers who don’t sign tax returns.
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers to avoid "ghost" tax return preparers whose refusal to sign returns can cause a frightening array of problems. It is important to file a valid, accurate tax return because the taxpayer is ultimately responsible for it.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/beware-of-ghost-preparers-who-dont-sign-tax-returns
FTC Gives Final Approval to Settlement with Emergency Travel Services Provider Related to Allegations It Failed to Secure Sensitive Data--FTC
USDA Extends General Signup for Conservation Reserve Program
Biden Administration Considers Changes to Bolster Effectiveness of Program and Recommits to Making CRP a Cornerstone of Conservation Programming.
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(4) Focused News Story & local meeting agenda.
AOC's Stolen Riot Valor Reveals Her Heartless Cruelty Toward the Rest of America--PJ MEDIA
'Alexandria Ocasio-Smollett'? Where Was AOC During the Capitol Riot?---PJ MEDIA
Why the Continued Guard Presence in DC?
Despite Dem opportunism and paranoia, it's long past time to thank our National Guardsmen and return them home.--The Patriot Post
Why Is Identity Politics Destroying America?
Tribalism has turned toxic in the age of social media.--America Spectator
IRS Mistakenly Says Over 100,000 Ineligible for Stimulus Checks--NEWSMAX
LOCAL MEETINGS
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission work session for 2/8/21
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1249
Clallam County Commission board meeting for 2/7/21
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7251
City of Sequim Council meeting for 2/8/21
https://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2368
City of Forks council meeting for 2/8/21
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Agenda_20210208.pdf
Clallam PUD agenda for 2/8/21
https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2-8-21-WEB-Packet.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 2/8/21
Port of Port Townsend meeting for 2/10/21
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/20210127-CommMtgPacket.pdf
🙏He became the ultimate sacrifice
BIBLE VERSE: Proverbs 21:21 (New King James Version)
He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
Weekly Bible Study: Pleasures.
Many people believe that pleasure is what life is all about. A famous beer commercial tells its listeners to "Go for the gusto." Solomon tried various different ways to bring pleasure to himself. Though some of the ways could destroy a person's mind, Solomon stated that through it all, he managed to keep his wisdom.
Ref. http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVstudies/Ecclesiastes/06Pleasure.htm
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https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
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http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
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https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen
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