Dickie's Quickies

According to the NY Times this morning, the U.S. government is preparing to give away - royalty free - oil and natural gas drilling rights. As if an industry that saw record profits last year needs the encouragement.

The federal government is on the verge of one of the biggest giveaways of oil and gas in American history, worth an estimated $7 billion over five years.

New projections, buried in the Interior Department's just-published budget plan, anticipate that the government will let companies pump about $65 billion worth of oil and natural gas from federal territory over the next five years without paying any royalties to the government.

Based on the administration figures, the government will give up more than $7 billion in payments between now and 2011. The companies are expected to get the largess, known as royalty relief, even though the administration assumes that oil prices will remain above $50 a barrel throughout that period.

Hm, and the deficits continue to rise with the burden for paying them off shifted down to future generations and towards the middle class. Class and generational warfare.

UN: Some Guantanamo practices constitute torture and are illegal under international law. Of course, the U.S. President says they aren't torture by his definition and the law doesn't matter anyhow.

Gay marriage is 'good for health' (for gay people, folks). Tell that to Nebraskans who are determined not to let compassion dictate law.

Meditation might be good for learning. Or maybe it's just nap time. *smirk*

Of course, today is Valentine's Day. To honor the day you may recognize the third annual Day of Purity or write diatribes to your local papers about the besmirching of Saint Valentine and the War on Saint Valentine's Day. Or you can fuck your brains out and, barring that option, try a little onanism. Celebrate the Cosmic Slop!