Last week I started taking my bicycle to work. It’s about 7.5 miles as the crow flies, and my shortest (and most difficult) route is about 8.5 miles… the longest (and easiest) route is 13 miles.  Downtown Des Moines is at a slightly lower elevation than the suburb of West Des Moines where I live, so mornings aren’t too bad, just a one tough hill, and afternoons, when taking the longer route, is okay except for one really big hill.

I realize that this is not a big deal… the point is NOT that I’m doing anything that great.

But I am saving about a gallon of gasoline each day I do this. That’s about $3.50 a day.  At least that covers my coffee money.…

Down!  Not alot, but it dropped another $.75 today to $114.45 a barrel.

Meanwhile, the Republican Protest against the Democratic No-Vote Vacation continued into its second full week, with activity at Capital Hill and at town halls throughout the country.  House Republicans want everyone (that means you and me) to contact their Democratic representatives and tell them to demand a vote on the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566) immediately.

Politico reports that Democrats are now demanding that House Minority Leader John Boehner apologize for remarks he made on Friday about Nancy Pelosi… regarding the public’s “hanging” her if she does not address the energy topic.

Boehner’s staff later replied with this message:

“Leader Boehner used a figure of speech to reflect the frustration Americans feel every

…

The Republican Protest of the No-Vote Vacation continues today, with no end in sight.  CSPAN showed the following press conference (video courtesy John Boehner’s office) featuring House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio), Mike Pence (Indiana), and Jon Porter (Nevada).  Excellent, concise, brought a solid message back from their constituents, and continuing the push forward.  Worth the 13 minutes to watch:

The best part of the message was the encouragement to all of us to call our congressmen.  Call (202)224-2121 and ask to be connected to your congressman/woman. Call and speak to Pelosi as well.  Let your them all know you want them back to work in Washington right now to get this energy legislation voted on.  And let them know that if they don’t vote …

The downward pressure on the price of oil continues, although not as strong as the past few trading days.  At the end of the day, it was $117 (down $.22 from yesterday).  Oh, and the Dow was up 40 points.

Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich showed up today at the Capital to show support for the GOP Protest.  During his time in front of the cameras, he said that Republicans may consider shutting down the government by not allowing action on government spending bills required to replace the ones expireing on September 30.  This was done during his tenure as Speaker in 1995 and 1996… and blew up in Newt’s face.  I don’t think this is a particularly healthy maneuver for Republicans to make if they want …

…the price of oil that is.  Down another few dollars to $117.22.  In the last few weeks, the price has dropped $30/bbl, or 20%.  I’m convinced it’s because Republicans and the nation’s PEOPLE are up in arms and pressing the majority party to do the right thing… just pressing the case for domestic drilling, in a dramatic symbolic coup, is of such substance to those watching… everyone watching is anticipating that Pelosi will give in, or have to deal with an all-out party rebellion.  Those Democrats that are up for reelection in November should be getting pretty nervous, and hopefully their constituents are letting them have it while they spend August campaigning.

While Democrats are enjoying themselves or campaigning (or both) at home, Republicans …

I don’t always like some of the things that Steve King says (I think he may have good motives, but perhaps suffers from Bushitis), but I was glad to see he was still in Washington DC along with a number of other House Republicans to continue protesting the No Vote Vacation.  Here are King’s comments today:

“We produce more renewable energy in our district than in any of the 434 other districts. In our land, we know about energy. Not Pe-la-la-losi-land! Here, we know what we’re talking about.”

[Puts up a huge poster of Pelosi] : “This is her dilemma: ‘I am trying to save the planet, I am trying to save the planet!’ She wants the planet restored to some imagined state of

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