Ken Lay is Alive!!!!

[WilliamPitt]

Ken Lay's Alive!
by Greg Palast
http://www.opednews.com

Don't check the casket. I know he's back. When I saw those lights flickering out at La Guardia Airport yesterday and heard the eerie shrieks and moans in the dark, broiling subway tunnels, I just knew it: Ken Lay's alive! We can see his spirit in every flickering lightbulb from Kansas to Queens as we head into America's annual Blackout season.

It wasn't always so. For decades, America had nearly the best, most reliable electricity system on the planet and, though we grumbled, electricity bills were among the planet's lowest. It was all thanks to Franklin Roosevelt and the Public Utility Holding Company Act which allowed for tough regulation of the power monopolies. They were told what they could charge, the maximum profit they could take and -- what I think about when the lights dim -- exactly how much they had to invest to keep the juice flowing.

But then, in 1992, a Texas oil man, George H.W. Bush, ordered to evacuate the White House by two-thirds of the US electorate, gave his Houston crony, Ken Lay, a billion-dollar good-bye kiss: Bush's signature authorizing deregulation of electricity.

But Lay's operation didn't pick up the really big bucks until after December 21, 1994, when the Enron chief wrote to the incoming governor of Texas, George W. Bush, asking the Governor-elect to grant him a special wish for Christmas:

"The Public Utility Commission appointment is an extremely critical one. We believe Pat Wood is best qualified…. Linda joins me in wishing you and Laura and the whole family a joyous holiday. - Sincerely, Ken."

And Georgie-Boy granted Kenny-Boy's wish, appointing Wood and thereby giving Texans an electricity regulator who stumped for Ken Lay's right to earn unlimited profits without any obligation to keep the lights on. Thus, by 1995, electricity deregulation had a foothold in the Lone Star state that would spread nationwide like Dutch Elm Disease.



More: http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_palast_2c__060719_ken_lay_s_alive_21.htm

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EDIT: COPYRIGHT. PLEASE POST ONLY 4 OR 5
PARAGRAPHS FROM THE COPYRIGHTED NEWS SOURCE
PER DU RULES.

[Kurovski]

1. A good laugh, and good info.

I love Palast's style. K&R.

A little swipe at Sen. Clinton for her part in defending the "blood-suckers", too.

[DanCa]

2. Hi Will

I hear Kenny Boy is hanging out at the local pharmacy with Elvis.

[Wonk]

3. The other thread got moved. Any bets if this thread gets 4 stars?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1677912

I keeed, I keeed :-)

[Kurovski]

4. Wha? Why'd they do that, I wonder?

Based on the title? :shrug:

[MrBenchley]

5. Ah, the honesty of the far left.....

The only source for the Hilary slur I can find is a bunch of horseshit from Counterpunch...which is as reliable as Newsmax.

The facts, of course, are just the opposite. But then Palast never did let facts get in the way of a good yarn.....

http://www.ipsecinfo.org/legislation_4-06.htm

[Kurovski]

7. What does a safety study have to do with charging unfair prices?

Are you saying that Entergy DOESN'T base charges for nuclear power based on the price of oil?

Is Clinton working to regulate the runaway pricing by Entergy?

Where's the slur?

Thank you.

[MrBenchley]

8. In other words, the charge against Clinton was crap

[Kurovski]

9. So than she IS bringing legislation to end Entergy's price abuses?

Is that what you mean to say?

Because the charge by Palast seems to be that Sen. Clinton is still defending her old client Entergy.

How does a safety study translate into Clinton being an antagonist to Entergy?

[Bhaisahab]

6. K&R. get your ass to the Greatest page n/t

[wakeme2008]

10. This should be moved to the Lounge like the other one

:grr:

A WillPittie thread should be treated the same as helderheid's

helderheid had 20+ votes when it was Lounged.

[Canuckistanian]

12. New Rule

Mods must completely read OPs along with their included links before banishing a post to either 9/11 or the Lounge.

This isn't the first time an important post has almost been lost.

[Swamp Rat]

11. helderheid posted this yesterday in GD but it got moved to the Lounge

Why?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5391964

:kick:

[PurgedVoter]

13. K&R

When blackouts happen, it is time to remind people of the good old days, back when compassionate people with a vision had a chance to power. Used to be the brightest and most talented were hired to advise leaders, not the most cunning, ruthless and connected.

[helderheid]

14. I posted this yesterday and it was shuffled to the lounge

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5391964

[wakeme2008]

17. And it had 20+ votes....

:grr:

:hi: helderheid

[Armstead]

15. He hits the nail on the head. Deregulation is a Bipartisan Shell Game

The sooner the Democrats get off that train, the better off we'll all be.

[Kurovski]

16. Kick

:kick: