Leadership: As Palin jousts with Biden on energy independence, the government reports that we lead the world in energy reserves. From oil to gas to coal, we are sitting on prosperity. So why are we importing anything?

One of the interesting sidelights of the NY-23 race was an exchange on energy independence between Vice President Joe Biden and the former governor of energy-rich Alaska, Sarah Palin. Biden, who came in to campaign for Democrat Bill Owens, was reminded of the issue of energy.

"The fact of the matter is that Sarah Palin thinks the answer to energy was 'Drill, baby, drill,'" Biden said at an Owens fundraiser, referring to Palin's own campaign slogan last year. "No, it's a lot more complicated, Sarah, than 'Drill, baby, drill.'"

Actually, it's not, according to a new report produced by the Congressional Research Service, hardly an outpost of the vast right-wing conspiracy or on the payroll of Big Oil. The report says that if all our energy resources are added up and converted to a barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), the U.S. has the largest reserves in the world.

According to the CRS, the U.S. has 1,321 billion barrels of oil (or barrels of oil equivalent for other sources of energy) if you combine its recoverable natural gas, oil and coal reserves. Russia is close behind with 1,248 billion barrels BOE. Other energy-producing nations, including many that export oil to the U.S., lag behind.

Of course, much of our world-leading reserves are off-limits by government edict. We recently commented on the federal government designation of 200,541 squares miles off the coast of Alaska as critical habitat for the abundant polar bear, effectively killing hopes to exploit the vast energy riches of the American Arctic.

Alaska's Chukchi Sea, part of the designated habitat, holds more oil and gas than anyone thought - 1,600 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered gas, or 30% of the world's supply and 83 billion barrels of undiscovered oil, 4% of the estimated global resources.

The CRS report also notes the U.S. has 28% of the world's coal reserves, with Russia again coming in second with 19%.

Biden, of course, is famous for his rope-line remark in the 2008 campaign in response to a question on energy: "We're not supporting 'clean coal,'" he said. "Guess what: China is building two every week - two dirty-coal plants. And it's polluting the United States. It's causing people to die." He went on to say, "No coal plants in America. Build them, if they're going to build them, over there."

Memo to Veep: We are dependent on fossil fuel energy and will be for some time. The folks at Peabody Energy say replacing coal would require 2,400 times more solar generation, 40 times more wind power, 250 new nuclear plants, almost double the U.S. production of natural gas, 500 hydro plants the size of the Hoover Dam or halving electricity consumption.

"Our overwhelming coal, natural gas and oil resources represent tens of trillions of dollars in wealth and millions of American jobs," said Sen. James Inhofe, R.-Okla., who released the CRS data.

In her Facebook response to Biden, Gov. Palin noted Biden "cast one of only five votes against the Alaskan pipeline that has produced more than 15 billion barrels of oil, supplied nearly 20% of the nation's oil, created tens of thousands of jobs (and) added hundreds of billions of dollars to the U.S. economy."

There's more out there not only in the Chukchi Sea, but also locked in Rocky Mountain shale and under the Outer Continental Shelf. Sadly, the report stated that the U.S. has tapped into only 13%, or 21 billion barrels of its oil reserves, with the other 87% still untouched. Drill, Joe, drill.

investors.com

WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats have blocked a GOP attempt to require next year's census forms to ask people whether they are a U.S. citizen.

The proposal by Louisiana Republican Sen. David Vitter was aimed at excluding immigrants from the population totals that are used to figure the number of congressional representatives for each state. Critics said Vitter's plan would discourage immigrants from responding to the census and would be hugely expensive. They also said that it's long been settled law that the apportionment of congressional seats is determined by the number of people living in each state, regardless of whether they are citizens. A separate survey already collects the data.

The plan fell after a 60-39 procedural vote made it ineligible for attachment to a bill funding the census.

...... first-time home buyer tax credit.

Upon concurrence by the President the new law will extend the $8,000 credit for first-time home buyers for sales contracts entered into by April 30, 2010 and closed by June 30. Further, it will expand to include a new $6,500 credit for owners of existing homes who are purchasing a new principal residence. An existing home owner can claim the $6,500 tax credit if they have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight. Additionally, the income eligibility limits to claim the full credit amount for both groups of home buyers have been raised to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples.

The legislation, which also extends unemployment insurance benefits and offers relief to cash-strapped firms by providing broader tax benefits for businesses with net operating losses (NOLs), is expected to be signed into law shortly by President Obama.

For a detailed overview of the provisions contained in this legislation click here.

By ANTONIO GONZALEZ, AP

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A fight over the shoes Michael Jordan's son will wear at the University of Central Florida has cost the school any future sponsorship with adidas.

``The University of Central Florida has chosen not to deliver on their contractual commitment to adidas,'' adidas spokeswoman Andrea Corso wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. ``As a result we have chosen not to continue our relationship with them moving forward.''

Freshman guard Marcus Jordan wore a pair of white Air Jordans during UCF's 84-65 win in an exhibition game against Saint Leo on Wednesday night, the Orlando Sentinel reported on its Web site. Jordan has said he will only wear his father's Nike Air Jordan shoes because they hold special meaning to his family.

UCF is in the final year of a five-year contract with adidas that requires coaches and athletes to use the company's apparel and equipment.

``We are disappointed to learn that adidas has chosen to discontinue its relationship

 

FOXNEWS: 4,043,000 viewers (1,130,000 in A25-54)

MSNBC: 974,000 viewers(308,000 in A25-54)

HEADLINE NEWS: 842,000 viewers(341,000 in A25-54)

CNN: 826,000 viewers (227,000 in A25-54)...

by  Chuck Norris

Let me see whether I have the facts straight.

In May, President Barack Obama removed Gen. David D. McKiernan as the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan and replaced him with Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal -- who, in September, issued a dire report warning that without as many as 40,000 more troops for the fight in Afghanistan, the mission "will likely result in failure."

President Obama responded by saying that he would make no quick decision but take as long as needed to do a broad study first on the issue.

Meanwhile, more U.S. troops died at the hands of our enemies.

Roughly a month after McChrystal's requests, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel continued to blame the Bush administration for the chaos in the war. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs blamed former Vice President Dick Cheney. Vice President Joe Biden blamed the generals for a bad military plan. And presidential adviser David Axelrod blamed Fox News.

Meanwhile, more U.S. troops died at the hands of our enemies.

Two weeks ago, when asked about Obama's indecisiveness about McChrystal's requests, Gibbs rebuffed: "The president will make a decision in the next few weeks. ... I don't know when that decision will be. It could be before the runoff (election in Afghanistan on Nov. 7); it might be after the runoff."

Meanwhile, more U.S. troops died at the hands of our enemies.

Last Friday, the president met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and discussed the Afghanistan-Pakistan situation some more and then said he wants another meeting.

It has been almost two months since Gen. McChrystal first warned the president of the dire situation in Afghanistan, yet our commander in chief continues to delay a response.

Meanwhile, record numbers of U.S. troop casualties mount in Afghanistan.

Is Obama's delay about genuine concern, or could it be simply a politically driven tactic for upcoming U.S. and Afghan elections? So much for Obama's campaign promise that he would "make the fight against al-Qaida and the Taliban the top priority that it should be."

President Obama, stop riding the fence!

While the White House procrastinates in protecting our troops, the least we can do as Americans is find a way to support them. I even read recently about Marine Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani -- who, for more than 20 years, has served his country honorably. He has done three tours in Iraq and also served in Panama and the Gulf War. Despite his commendable service, however, on Dec. 1, Lt. Col. Chessani will face a military board of inquiry to determine whether he is guilty of misconduct and should be demoted because of the "Haditha massacre" -- an event now known never to have occurred. You can read more about his military tribunal and donate to his case at the Thomas More Law Center's Web site (http://www.ThomasMore.org).

Whether it's donating to Lt. Col. Chessani's case, starting a campaign against the delays in Washington or preparing Christmas care packages for our troops, I want to encourage all Americans to find a way this holiday season to support our service members, particularly those in the Middle East.

There's nothing funny about war -- nothing. But if something puts a smile on the faces of our service members, then count me in. That is why I recently set up with the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization Give2TheTroops (http://www.Give2TheTroops.org) a way to bless the troops with copies of my fun and inspirational new book, "The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book," which contains 101 of my favorite Chuck Norris "facts" and related stories (many military). The book was released this week, and proceeds from it go to help http://www.KickStartKids.org. You can see samples, read and purchase "The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book" at Amazon.com for less than $10.

 And should you want to bless our troops with a copy (or copies) of the book, during your online checkout for the book you can arrange to have it shipped directly to Give2TheTroops' national headquarters via the address below. Give2TheTroops will ensure that the books are included in their Christmas care packages, sent overseas and placed into the hands of our service members.

Please ship the books to: Give2TheTroops, 196 West St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067.

As a family member who has experienced the military sacrifice of a loved one (my brother Wieland in Vietnam in 1970) and as a veteran of the Air Force who was based in Korea, I, like many of you, understand the costs of fighting for freedom. So let's join together in extending a simple thank you, a letter or an outstretched hand of gratitude to our service members and their families. Thanking you in advance for your support.

•   President Obama has already hit the links as much as President Bush did in over two years. | AP Close

President Barack Obama has only been in office for just over nine months, but he's already hit the links as much as President Bush did in over two years.

CBS' Mark Knoller - an unofficial documentarian and statistician of all things White House-related - wrote on his Twitter feed that, "Today - Obama ties Pres. Bush in the number of rounds of golf played in office: 24.

Took Bush 2 yrs & 10 months."

This news comes on the heels of today's news that Obama played golf with a woman - chief domestic policy adviser Melody Barnes - for the first time since taking office.

........MEN SHOULD BITE THEIR TONGUE

A husband walks into Victoria's Secret to purchase a sheer negligee for his wife. He is shown several possibilities that range from $250 to $500 in price -- the more sheer, the higher the price. Naturally, he opts for the most sheer item, pays the $500, and takes it home. He presents it to his wife and asks her to go upstairs, put it on, and model it for him. 

Upstairs the wife thinks (she's no dummy ), 'I have an idea. It's so sheer that it might as well be nothing. I won't put it on, but I'll do the modeling naked, return it tomorrow, and keep the $500 refund for myself.' 

She appears naked on the balcony and strikes a pose.  The husband says, 'Good Grief! You'd think for $500, they'd at least iron it!'

    He never heard the shot. 

Funeral on Thursday at Noon. Closed coffin.
 

By Anita Stienstra

 

This rock musical about a Transylvanian transvestite and a naive couple ensnared in his erotically evil web bore the cult classic movie. Some of the same interactive features scintillate this stage production. The Rocky Horror Show-themed costumes are encouraged. Though outside props are prohibited to protect the theater, prop bags will be available for $5. The show contains strong language, sexual content, adult themes and mild violence. Presented by The Hoogland Center for the Arts in association with ADHD Productions, Mac Warren directs.

The Rocky Horror Show
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24, 30-31
9pm (additional 5pm shows on Oct 24 and 31)
Hoogland Center for the Arts
420 S. Sixth Street
523-2787
$16-$15