Energy, Florida, Pensacola

G.E. to Build Largest U.S. Solar Panel Factory, In NW Florida?

Dateline San Francisco –  In a move that could shake up the American solar industry, General Electric plans to announce on Thursday that it will build the nation’s largest photovoltaic panel factory, with the goal of becoming a major player in the market.

The plant, whose location has not been determined, will employ 400 workers and create 600 related jobs, according to G.E. The factory would annually produce solar panels that would generate 400 megawatts of energy, the company said, and would begin manufacturing thin-film photovoltaic panels made of a material called cadmium telluride in 2013

With one big G.E. investment in wind energy already in Pensacola, seems like a solar panel factory here too would be a good move. G.E. said it was not applying for a loan guarantee but was exploring applying for state and federal manufacturing tax credits.

Here’s a new project for City, County, and state officials. Go after that business and the jobs that go with it.

Link: G.E. to Build Largest U.S. Solar Panel Factory

Uncategorized

Georgia Company Rescues TastyKake

Good news for the Tasty Baking Company and TastyKake lovers all over this land. Three months ago the company was facing bankruptcy. Late on their mortgage payment and $133 million in debt. The state of Pennsylvania loaned them about $40 million in one way or the other just to keep them going until a buyer could be found.

They found one. Flowers Foods, Thomasville, Georgia, bought the company for $4 a share. More than double what it was worth yesterday, and more than three dollars lower than the $7.73 per share high in the trailing 12 months. Too bad you didn’t buy any shares at the end of last month when it was at the low of $1.58. But at $4 now, it’s still a good buy now that they gain the distribution system of Flowers.

It looks like a good purchase. Flowers gains a popular and quality snack food line, and has the distribution system in the South that Tasty Baking Co. lacked. And Flowers picks up a northeast distribution system that they lacked.

Hopefully soon, I’ll be able to get my TastyKakes from the local Flowers distributor instead of having them shipped to me from Philadelphia. A three-week ordeal.

As a TastyKake lover myself, here’s hoping it all works out. Under the right management, it seems like a sure thing.

Link:  Tastykake sale: Plants stay open; buyer to repay PA

Economy, Politics

Budget Battle, It’s All Political

You have to laugh at Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) when he says that Republicans’ spending cuts are “political.” As if Democrats’ spending, bailouts, and takeovers are not.

Once we get past the part that the government spending is, was and always will be politically motivated, it makes the hard choices much easier. It is the administration’s plan to use the current spending level as the baseline from which their spending is based. A baseline inflated by stimulus spending. So from that standpoint, the budget battle is not only about money, it is routed in ideology. A big government limiting freedom and liberty vs a limited government that protects freedom and liberty.

It is the Republican’s idea to recognize that all that stimulus spending was temporary, and to revert back to spending levels of the 2006-2008 range. A place that, compared to 2011 standards, represents real and fiscally responsible spending levels and, coupled with entitlement program reforms, puts the country on the path to reducing and eventually paying off the debt. Leaving future generations of Americans a country they can be free in and proud of.

Link: Deficit Commission And Debt Ceiling Sleight Of Hand

 

Economy, Politics

aSide Order

While the economy is paramount in everyone’s mind, it’s time to get back to the basics for some guidance.  And Karl Denninger from The Market Ticker will show you exactly what that means in this video.

 

A look at life before (or without) video games.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_KCTv08vro&feature=player_embedded

A guy walked into the local welfare office to pick up his check. He marched straight up to the counter and said, “Hi. You know…., I just HATE drawing welfare. I’d really rather have a job.”

The social worker behind the counter said, “Your timing is excellent. We just got a job opening from a very wealthy old man who wants a Chauffeur and body guard for his beautiful daughter. You’ll have to drive around in his 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL, and he will supply all of your clothes. Because of the long hours, meals will be provided. You’ll also be expected to escort the daughter on her overseas holiday trips. This is rather awkward to say but you will also have as part of your job assignment to satisfy her sexual urges as the daughter is in her mid-20’s and has a rather strong sex drive.”

The guy, just plain wide-eyed, said, “You’re bullshittin’ me!”

The social worker said, “Yeah, well … You started it.”

And in the “you gotta be kidding” department, try this from Philadelphia. Man shot 16 times and survives.

Liberals don’t love big government because they think it’s efficient, compassionate, fair or even remotely useful. They support big government because they are guaranteed the support of nearly everyone who works for the government.

H/T Ann Coulter

China, Religion

Undocumented Christians Rounded Up In Beijing

We know of the danger and threats to a country that undocumented aliens can cause. But did you know that in communist China undocumented Christian churches are too!

“I think this reflects the overall panic mood of the government leadership over what’s happening in the Middle East and north Africa,” said Bob Fu of the China Aid Association, a Texas-based group critical of China’s controls on religion, which has monitored the Shouwang Church dispute.

Is it really anything new? China has suppressed religion all along. And Tiananmen Square proved that they don’t like public displays of anything that is contrary to, or not approved by, the government.

Link:  Chinese police break up planned service by evicted church

Pensacola, Politics

Town Hall Metting Tomorrow With Mayor Hayward

“It’s Your City, Come Join the Discussion!” That’s the message from Mayor Ashton Hayward who will be hosting a town hall-style meeting Monday, April 11, 2011 from 6pm-7:30pm at the Gull Point Recreation Center on the corner of Spanish Trail and Creighton roads.

Mayor Hayward and the unelected and infamous “Pensacola City Staff will be on hand to take your questions, address your concerns, and listen to your comments and feedback.”

Judiciary, Politics, Supreme Court

Election Result Changes In Wisconsin

Through what is believed to be ‘human error,’ the incumbent Wisconsin Supreme Court justice David Prosser beat out challenger Joanne Kloppenburg by over 7,000 votes instead of Kloppenburg by 204 as was initially reported.

The problem was that the votes in Brookfield, Wisconsin were not counted. And Brookfield had a 55 percent voter turnout that went 3 to 1 for Prosser.

Link: Waukesha County Clerk Failed To Send In City’s 14,000 Votes

Pensacola

Health Department Closes Bayou Texar, Again

The Health Department has again closed Bayou Texar because of unsafe levels of fecal bacteria. Only now, they’re not even using the F word. Apparently it has become trivial enough to just call it ‘bacteria.’

The alert was issued after weekly sampling revealed the level of bacteria has exceeded the level established by state guidelines.

Additionally, a health alert remains in effect for Bayou Chico at Lakewood Park.

The Heath Department advises against any water-related activities in these locations.

I’d say that having shitty water ranks right up there with tar balls wouldn’t you? Especially since the Health Department closes Bayou Texar several times a year. For decades now. Yet, for whatever reason, the political class in Pensacola doesn’t seem to mind. And the environmental groups like the Emerald Coastkeepers and the Riverkeepers don’t care either.

Let’s be sure to put that in the ads to lure vacationers down here. “Visit Pensacola, You’ll like our shit!”

The department will continue to monitor the water quality in these areas weekly. For more information, call the Escambia County Health Department at 595-6786.

OK, so we know the Health Department is doing its job by telling us when we should not go in the water. But what are the politicians for?

Link: Health alert for Bayou Texar

Judiciary, Politics

Slim Lead By Challenger In Wisconsin Supreme Court Election

Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg holds a 204-vote lead over Justice David Prosser, according the unofficial Associated Press tally. 204 votes is well within cheating range. A recount is expected.

Kloppenburg is running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to unseat Justice David Prosser. Her platform is to repeal Gov. Scott Walker’s reform bill. That’s the one that Democrat Senators fled the state to halt its passage.

So we have a candidate for the Supreme Court who has decided a case that has not been presented before her. That’s blind justice, social/union-justice style.

Unofficial Wis. results show challenger leads by 204 votes in court race –.

Economy, Politics

Shut It Down, If That’s What It Takes

At this point in our deficit and national debt, shutting down the government, for as much as it will actually be shut down, would be an improvement. It means they would be unable to spend more than had last been allocated under an approved budget, which was in 2010.

Since the media seems to have forgotten why Washington is haggling over CR’s (continuing resolutions), let me remind you. And no, it’s not Bush’s fault. It is Obama’s fault. And to top it off, I just heard him say today that it is irresponsible to not have a budget. What? Yes, he said that.

“At a time when you’re struggling to pay your bills and meet your responsibilities, the least we can do is meet our responsibilities to produce a budget.

“That’s not too much to ask for. That’s what the American people expect of us. That’s what they deserve. You want everybody to act like adults, quit playing games, realize it is not just my way or the highway.”

How’s that for a cup of arrogance and a pound of audacity?

Here’s where it began. Well, actually it began in a Democratic caucus somewhere in the bowels of the Capitol, but it ended in this: House Democrats Deem Faux $1.1 Trillion Budget as Passed

Adding a little perspective to the dollars and the demagoguery: Obama’s Budget Up Close

And now for the real reason that we are where we are today. The Obama administration made the political calculation NOT to have a budget in public view prior to the mid-term elections. From where I sit, Harry Reid and the rest of them have absolutely no standing whatsoever to demagogue the party that has a plan to fix the financial mess and the 2012 budget because they voted present on both. No Federal Budget for 2011.

Link: Obama calls crunch budget talks

Belly up to the counter. Politics are on the menu and Ross is on the grill.