Blog For Buckey

Two state of the union messages

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Buckey) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:15:00 +0000

Listening to President Bush's State of the Union message last night, I actually heard two very different -- and contradictory -- messages.

President Bush said we need to make the tax cuts permanent. But he also said we need to fully fund the war. The president said that our country is "engaged in the defining ideological struggle of the 21st century." Yet he has not called upon citizens -- other than men and women in the military -- to sacrifice for this war. Instead, the president has in the past urged Americans to do "more shopping."President Bush said that we need to defend our "vital interests" in the Persian Gulf, but he failed to mention the words "oil" or"petroleum."

These contradictions are the opposite of leadership. It's a sad state of affairs when our president can't directly say what we all know is true: our economy depends critically on petroleum, and access to petroleum is a vital national security interest of the United States. According to the Iraq Study Group report, Iraq has the world's second largest known oil reserves. The bottom line is that currently we depend on oil to run our economy, and, if we don't take action, we will need to import ever-increasing amounts.

I've put forward a plan for ending our dependence on oil -- and funding a New Energy Economy. The National Security Levy on oil (see http://www.buckey08.com/) would be a fee on every barrel of oil consumed in the US -- combined with a price floor guaranteeing that oil would not sink below a certain price. The National Security Levy would be phased in slowly so that consumers wouldn't face a sudden price shock. Part of the revenues from the levy would be rebated to working families to help compensate for increased energy costs. The rest would help finance an Apollo-style program for energy to make the US a world leader in alternative energy development and production.

We need to get away from the contradictions of the Bush era -- and acknowledge that securing our future will have a price. Getting off of petroleum will be hard and will take money. But imagine if we spent the billions of dollars we would have spent overseas on oil here in the US. In the long term, getting off of petroleum is the wisest investment we can make. This plan provides the resources to get going. We can either pay some now and do this on our own terms or pay a tremendous amount later and do it on someone else's terms.

Our national security requires that we act now.

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability"

noreply@blogger.com (Gavin Brown) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:53:00 +0000

I'd like to share with everyone an email sent out by Dr. Buckey to our supporters today. -Gavin

Dear Friends,
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is also a call to action for all of us to continue Dr. King’s fight for civil rights and equal opportunity for all.

As Dr. King once said, “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” As we remember Dr. King, we must commit ourselves to continuing his struggle for justice in our society.

We must commit ourselves to working for equal opportunity. While some individuals in America have unprecedented liberty, an increasing number are facing poor schools, poor health and limited opportunity. Over the last seven years of the Bush administration, our tax system has been skewed toward the rich, while working families have seen the costs of education and health care rise much faster than wages. To make sure that America remains a land of opportunity, we must work toward a fairer tax structure, universal health care, solid public education, and a better system of grants and loans so that students can afford to get the advanced education they need to succeed.

We must commit ourselves to civil rights. Part of the American dream has been the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. For many, this comes from a lifelong committed relationship. Gays and lesbians are an important part of our community – they are our brothers and sisters, our co-workers, friends, and neighbors. Gay and lesbian couples should have the same legally recognized rights and responsibilities of civil marriage that heterosexual couples currently have.

Obviously, we have a lot of work to do. But as Dr. King said in his famous speech the day before he died, “Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.”

Dr. King’s life shows that if we work together, we can make change a reality – and I look forward to working with you in the months ahead.

Sincerely,
Jay

Broadband Access and Net Neutrality

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ward) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:00:00 +0000

Technology is defined unambiguously as “the adaptation of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.” Certainly thought, and by extension technology, are the primary defining characteristics of humanity. Biologically speaking we are rather unremarkable. We lack the natural defenses and adaptations that grant so many other species a competitive edge, and our rate of reproduction is so many orders of magnitude slower than that of, say, a bacterium, that we are wholly unable to adapt. However, biology has had little to do with our success as a species on earth. It is instead our technology that has granted us such powers and abilities beyond what nature has supplied, and its evolution is exponential.

As an example, consider communications. From the emergence of Homo erectus and on through the emergence of Homo sapiens, the speed of long-distance communication was essentially that of a walking man – roughly 5mph. About two million years later, after the agricultural revolution, the breadth of communication was greatly increased with the advent of sailing ships. Likewise, the speed of communication was increased by a factor of about six with the domestication of the horse. Then, about six thousand years later, the speed of communication was rapidly increased to that of the locomotive, then that of electricity, and finally that of light – an increase by a factor of close to 25 million.

Of course in this case our story of exponential growth comes to an abrupt end, as we cannot exceed the speed of light. Still, the trend is quite clear. Communication has evolved from precarious, many-day or many-week voyages on foot to signal relays via satellites suspended in geosynchronous orbit above the earth. Now, however, our struggle is not upward growth but outward growth.

The most mind-boggling, prodigious scientific innovation ever witnessed does us little good if we fail to address the practicality inherent to the definition of “technology.” Certainly the question of broadband availability and access is hard to quantify. According to a June, 2007 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the U.S. ranks fifteenth in broadband subscribers per 100 people, with 22.1 subscribers for every 100 citizens. This doesn't look good next to the number one Denmark, with 34.3 subscribers per 100 citizens, or the former number one South Korea, with 29.9 subscribers. Here in New Hampshire, as in other states with a highly rural demographic, the discrepancy is even more apparent.

However, there are a few problems with such international broadband statistics, primarily in that they tend to make broadband “penetration” sound like an arms race between nations acting as entities. Such numbers often fail to take into account the economic and demographic factors motivating broadband adoption in the first place. In a recent paper published by The Phoenix Center, authors George S. Ford, Thomas M. Koutsky and Lawrence J. Spiwak propose a “Broadband Performance Index” designed to take such considerations into account. A particularly telling thought experiment contained within the paper is that of the “Broadband Nirvana,” in which every single household and business within the OECD countries is a broadband subscriber. Ostensibly, each country is thereby on equal footing in the information technology arena. However, due to current demographic differences such as average family and business size, the U.S. would have 38 broadband subscriptions per 100 people, while Sweden would have 54.1 and South Korea would have 25.4.

Such numbers tell us a few things. First, Korea has already attained Broadband Nirvana, but more importantly, they tell us that raw numbers without backing credentials are of little value. According to the Phoenix Center Report's Broadband Performance Index, “the broadband subscription rate in the United States is commensurate with its demographic and economic endowments, no better but no worse.”

We may be tempted to rest on our haunches upon hearing such reassuring words of information competency, but I argue this would be a mistake. JFK didn't usher the U.S. into the Space Race with a promise of mediocrity. Such arguments to excel may sound overly nationalistic, like a new Manifest Destiny, but the Internet has the ability to cross national boundaries like no other media ever devised. Innovations within any one nation now have the opportunity to spread like never before.

Time and time again the Internet has proven itself as an adaptive, resilient organism, composed of users who quickly react to efforts at manipulation and commercialization. It is also one of the most inherently democratic constructs in human history. While we have watched a war effort ostensibly engineered to bring democracy to a far corner of the globe falter and then ultimately collapse, information technology has continued its evolution towards increasingly uniting people across the globe.

Here in the U.S., we need to guarantee net neutrality to keep communication open for all citizens and to ensure an even playing field for innovation. Up until now, the history of computing and the Internet has largely been written by startups – the Googles and Apples of the world. It would be a great hindrance to subsequent growth if we were to favor pre-established companies that could effectively act as highest broadband bidders. However, the broadband market is still a very young one, and so we should not be overly anxious to force regulations before we are fully aware of their effects on the market dynamics at work. Net neutrality legislature has been a highly controversial issue, but should continue to be considered should Internet carriers begin to exhibit high levels of favoritism and/or discrimination.

In many ways, grassroots campaign efforts such as Jay's benefit from a level playing field, and so it should come as no surprise that Jay strongly supports net neutrality, both for us here in New Hampshire and for citizens across the country. Jay also supports efforts to step up the development of affordable, ubiquitous broadband access, because the Internet does little good if it remains out of reach for those who could most stand to benefit from it.

All in all, while we should be glad of any reports of competency in the broadband arena, we should also stay committed to continuous information era innovation. All of this is new territory, and as such any attempts at industry regulation will require caution. Net neutrality is not a direct issue as of yet, but is something that should nonetheless be monitored and regulated by the FCC for the time being. No matter what regulations should or should not be adopted, the intended end result is the greatest broadband availability and quality of service for both individual consumers and businesses of all types and sizes. As such, we must take a pragmatic approach to broadband market regulation, with the emphasis being on results and technological innovation.

Taking Back Our Future and Our Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Buckey) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:56:00 +0000

If we needed confirmation that we have lost control of our energy future, we got it yesterday. President Bush was in Saudia Arabia trying to convince King Abdullah to help out our economy by increasing oil production. According the report I read, the response was "lukewarm." Clearly, we need to take back control of our future by ending our dependence on foreign oil. Today, I presented a plan to do just that-- and it appears below. I would be interested in your comments.

As you all know, our country is facing tremendous challenges.

Today, men and women from New Hampshire are risking their lives for us in Iraq. They are fighting to protect America’s interests in the Mideast, and to protect our access to foreign oil.

Today, our nation’s economy is being hard hit by oil prices, which have more than doubled since 2003, but our fight for energy independence is woefully under-funded.

Today, we are all living in a world where the polar ice caps are melting.

We need leadership in Washington that will address these challenges. I am running for the Senate because I believe we must protect America by going on the offensive and taking positive action to protect our nation’s security -- and our future.

I writing today because I am proposing that one of our first actions be to start a National Security Levy on oil. The National Security Levy will be phased in slowly and will include a price floor to keep oil prices stable.

First and foremost, the National Security Levy is designed to make America stronger and the economy less vulnerable to disruptions in foreign energy supplies.

Right now, every time we fill up our cars, we’re sending money to foreign countries -- where roughly 60 percent of the more than 20 million barrels of oil we use everyday is produced. It’s like they’re taxing us, for their benefit.

Some of those countries, like Canada, are close allies, but others aren’t. And whenever we put a gallon of gas in our cars, we’re using our hard-earned dollars to help fund foreign oil producers in the Mideast, in Russia, and elsewhere.

Moreover, OPEC and other oil-producing countries have been able to lower and raise oil prices like puppeteers pulling the strings. Alternative energy companies have often failed when oil prices were low; American consumers – especially lower-income citizens – have been stretched almost to the breaking point when prices spike.

It’s time to put a stop to this.

The National Security Levy will move us toward energy independence and secure the future of our country for our children.

Here’s how it will work: the National Security Levy will be a fee on all oil consumption in the United States – combined with a price floor that guarantees oil will not sink below a certain price.

The National Security Levy will be phased in slowly so that consumers will not face a sudden price shock.

The National Security Levy will be variable and it will depend upon the world price of oil.

If the world price of oil falls, the National Security Levy will be increased, so that the price in the US remains above a certain established floor. This means that alternative energy producers won’t be wiped out by temporary declines in world oil prices, as happened in the 1980s; they’ll know that the price of oil in the US would not be allowed to fall below the floor price.

If, however, the price of world oil spikes dramatically, then the National Security Levy would be suspended during the spike.

As this National Security Levy takes effect, it will generate revenue. I propose that this money be used in two ways.

· Part should be given as a rebate to working families to compensate for the increased energy costs.
· The rest should be used to help finance an Apollo Program for Energy that will move the United States rapidly into the lead in alternative energy technology and stimulate the economy.

The National Security Levy will allow us to make essential investments in energy technology. We’ll be able to invest larger amounts when the U.S. economy is benefiting from low oil prices; and smaller amounts when oil prices are high. With this vitally important funding, we’ll be able to develop the technology we need to get off of foreign oil – and on to renewable alternatives.

We know we need to end our addiction to oil. It’s a national security issue, an economic issue, and an environmental issue.

It’s a national security issue because -- for more than twenty years-- our policy has been that access to Persian Gulf oil is a vital national security interest of the United States and must be defended. This is the biggest subsidy we provide for oil and gas use, and this cost is not just in dollars. We can’t truly disengage from the Persian Gulf until we change this policy. We should be saying that: moving to renewable alternatives is a vital security interest of the United States.

It’s an economic issue because in the future do we want to be importing solar power systems and wind machines and other technology from overseas or making them here? The solar cell was invented here in the United States, but now Japan and Germany lead in using this technology. We can’t continue this trend of outsourcing technological development. We have a great tradition of Yankee ingenuity here – let’s use it.

Lastly, it’s an environmental issue because we are experimenting with the Earth’s climate and --- as research about our shrinking icecaps tells us -- the outcome of this experiment could be tragic. We need to change what we are doing.

But you might ask, if a National Security Levy on oil is such a great idea, why isn’t it already in place? Well, the basic idea isn’t new, but according to conventional wisdom a serious proposal like this is politically unacceptable.

I believe that for too long the politicians in Washington have underestimated the will and determination of the American people. I believe that Americans are ready to change, ready to make a commitment to our future, and ready to work to make that future a reality.

And I believe that what is truly unacceptable is to have American servicemen and women risking their lives overseas -- in part to protect our access to oil -- and yet not do everything we can here in New Hampshire and across the country to end our dependence on foreign oil. We need to take positive action to protect our nation’s security and our future.

Over the coming months, I will travel throughout the state asking NH citizens to join me in making the National Security Levy a priority for America--because today we have a clear choice to make. We can either devote ever-increasing resources to defending our access to oil overseas as our dependency on foreign sources increases -- and deal with the effects of global warming as we burn this oil.

Or we can use our technical and scientific skills to make the transition to renewable alternatives – and fund this vital transition with a new National Security Levy.

Rather than sending billions of dollars overseas to buy energy, we could buy that energy here in the United States in our new Energy Economy.

But we can’t go slowly. Every delay just increases our vulnerability and the price we will have to pay in the future.

It is time for us to move on: the days of easy oil are over, but the days of American leadership in alternative energy are just beginning.

Mr. Potter is Back

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Buckey) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 06:04:00 +0000

During the holidays, no doubt many of us had the chance to see “It’s a Wonderful Life.” In the movie, Jimmy Stewart’s character, George Bailey, runs a small bank, and has to contend with the hard-hearted Mr. Potter, who owns just about everything else in the small town of Bedford Falls. Fortunately, with the help of the community, George Bailey wins. By the end of the movie it’s clear that America wins, too, since the Mr. Potters of the world aren’t allowed to run the show.

But now Mr. Potter is back, with a vengeance.

Five days before Christmas, the employees at Customized Structures in Claremont were informed that the plant was closing the next day. No severance pay was offered (although that was changed once New Hampshire Governor John Lynch intervened).

It turns out that the Customized Structures is owned by a private equity firm called Watermill Ventures. Watermill buys distressed companies, fixes them, and then sells them to make a profit for their investors. The upside of this kind of arrangement is obvious. A company in trouble can get a new lease on life and the investors can make money. The employees are expected to do their part to make it all work out. But it’s the downside that doesn’t get enough attention. If things go wrong, who loses big? Watermill? The investors? Or the employees and the town of Claremont?

This same dynamic is working on a global scale. Capital can move easily around the world. Multinational companies have the flexibility and resources to transfer operations to whatever locations seem most profitable. But towns and families can’t turn on a dime. When companies close or move out overnight, community members are often left to deal with lost jobs, lost pensions, lost health care, and lost opportunities. Workers face the risks a global economy creates; multinational corporations have the strength and flexibility to minimize their risks while reaping greater profits.

The ethic in “It's a Wonderful Life” was one of shared risk and shared opportunities. George Bailey took a chance making his loans, and his depositors took a chance on his ability to run the bank. But if they both worked hard and succeeded, they would both profit.

By contrast, Mr. Potter tried to minimize his personal risk. He wanted to control the all the businesses in Bedford Falls, make all the decisions, and reap all the profits. Mr. Potter didn’t like George Bailey because George refused to go along with his plans.

We have a lot of potential Mr. Potters on the world stage right now. Most of our media enterprises are owned by a handful of large companies (Disney, Viacom, TimeWarner, News Corp, Bertelsmann AG, and General Electric together own more than 90% of the media holdings in the United States). A few major players (ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco, ConocoPhillips, BP and Shell) dominate the US petroleum industry. By itself, Wal-Mart is a major force in the retail market. This means that these major corporations have tremendous power and can, if they want, make life difficult for individuals or groups who disagree with their plans.

The counterweight to this power is our democracy. Our democratic, representative government is the only organization with the power and resources to challenge powerful global economic interests. Whether through anti-trust laws, environmental regulations, or trade policy, the government can level the playing field for those without the resources of a Mr. Potter. America didn’t become great by nurturing old established corporations, but by encouraging the new vibrant ones. It should be the place where George Bailey can make things happen. It should be the place where employees could be given a shot at buying a company that might otherwise close. That’s why the power of money and special interests in our political system is so important. If Mr. Potter owns the town and runs the government too, then George Bailey doesn’t have a chance.

So when I hear that someone is promising to get the government off of our backs, I wonder, are they working to get the government off of my back or Mr. Potter’s?

Happy New Year & Congratulations!

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Liot Hill) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:27:00 +0000

Ringing in the New Year is always a special time. For many couples in New Hampshire, this year was extra special due to the law that went into effect on January 1 legalizing civil unions.

It is great to live in a state that recognizes the importance of civil rights for all people. Thank you, Governor Lynch and the New Hampshire legislature, for leading on this issue. There is still a lot of work to be done, but this important step in the right direction is cause for celebration.

And most importantly, congratulations to everyone who "tied the knot!"

Jedi Knights of Climate Change - A Letter to the Editor

noreply@blogger.com (Gavin Brown) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:02:00 +0000

To the Editor:
Discussing global warming with my 9-year-old son Daniel, we made analogies to Star Wars. "All living creatures on our planet are at risk," I said, "but there are lots of Jedi knights working to save them." My son's matter-of-fact response hit hard: "In Star Wars, there's a happy ending. With global warming, we don't know how the story ends."
...
Any compromises to greedy, shortsighted interests, and we're toast. The race to save the world is on.
...
In this time of climate crisis, who are Jedi candidates? Among candidates for the U.S. Senate, Jay Buckey is a climate Jedi.
...

(excerpted from the Valley News, Dec 14 2008)

Best Swag of the Season

noreply@blogger.com (Gavin Brown) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:55:00 +0000

While the presidential campaigns flood your mailbox with glossy literature destined for a quick trip to the recycling bin (albeit with the possibility of immortality through Mike Hoefer's posts), the Buckey Campaign is rolling out a holiday gift that you might want to keep around for more than a day. Introducing . . . The Jay Buckey For Senate Memorial Squeeze Toy And Stress Reliever Space Shuttle Collectible, aka the Space Shuttles.

We're giving one away to anyone who donates $5 or more online before the end of December, which of course includes donations made through everyone's favorite ActBlue page, ActBlueHampshire.

Outside of the political world, we've had the promotion covered by Nasa Watch and Collectspace.

So the questions are, what other cool promo items are out there? Can any compete with the squishy space shuttles? And with this new gimmick, can anything possibly stand between Jay Buckey and the US Senate?

Volunteer Profile - Abigail Davidson

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Liot Hill) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:14:00 +0000

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

All of us here at Buckey08 are committed to change – and we'd like to thank the volunteers who give their time, skills, and tremendous enthusiasm to the campaign every day.

One of our amazing volunteers is Abigail Davidson (Dartmouth '05, Thayer '07). As an undergraduate, Abby did research with NASA and flew with three other students on the C-9 (also known as the 'vomit comet'). Abby also served as a team captain for the hybrid car program at Thayer. This fall, she has been putting in long hours at the campaign office while also looking for a full-time job in her field, engineering management.

We talked to Abby about her goals for change:

What are your long-term career goals?

“One day I hope to own my own business, and maybe teach, too. I've been interested in aerospace for a long time. My goal is, as Prof. Lee Lynd says, is to 'use technical solutions to solve human problems.'”

Why did you decide to volunteer at buckey08?

“I knew Dr. Buckey from my NASA study. I really liked working with him, and when I heard he was running for the US Senate, I thought he'd make a really good Senator. Here's an engineer, doctor/scientist running for the Senate– he's the kind of person we need to make changes in this country. Volunteering here gives me a really good chance to be productive while looking for a job opportunity that I really want."

What kind of work have you been doing?

"I've been doing a lot of policy research in energy, which I'm interested in, especially from the hybrid car program, I've also been organizing volunteer activities, canvassing, helping with fund raising, and doing visibility at events and rallies."

Which areas do you enjoy most?

"My favorite part is the variability. Every day I'm doing something different: going somewhere, cranking out a spread sheet, researching facts. I'm learning a lot and I've seen a lot of the state. It's also a really fun office – everyone on the campaign is smart and receptive to ideas and really interested in hearing what I as a volunteer have to say. You feel like you're part of something very important."

We have volunteer opportunities available during weekdays, nights, and weekends. If you want to work for change, call us at 603-448-2230 or e-mail volunteer@buckey08.com.

Jay's Step It Up Speech 11/3

noreply@blogger.com (Gavin Brown) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:55:00 +0000

Thank you for inviting me.

And thank all of you for being here. Because what we are doing here, today matters.

Every day, in Washington, the oil and gas industry is making their voice heard. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Oil and gas PACs spent more than 8 million dollars during the 2006 election cycle. Eight million dollars on trying to influence elections. And once the election is over the lobbying begins. Oil and gas lobbyists spent more than 73 million dollars in 2006. That’s about $136,000 dollars for every representative and senator. For that kind of money each senator and representative could have a well paid, full-time oil and gas lobbyist devoted just to them.

So with these oil and gas lobbyists working every day and spending money to make their voices heard, is it any wonder that the percentage of energy we get from renewables is the same now as it was 20 years ago?

I’m running for the Senate here in New Hampshire so we can work for the change that all of us here know is necessary. We have to fight for change and a new vision for America. Now.

I’m not a career politician or a Washington insider, like our current Senator, John Sununu. And unlike John Sununu, I’m not accepting campaign contributions from PAC’s. What I can offer is a variety of experience. I’m a doctor and a scientist. I spent 8 years in the Air Force Reserve, and I’m an astronaut.

In 1998 I flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia. Our mission orbited the Earth 256 times and traveled 6.3 million miles. When I saw the Earth from space, I was amazed by how beautiful it was -- how thin the layer of atmosphere is that surrounds our planet.

I realized how vital it is to protect our environment. And that’s why I’m committed to helping our country end our dependence on oil and develop safe, renewable energy alternatives. Today, we know that our climate is changing and global warming is a threat to us – and to future generations.

But despite this threat, too many of our leaders are influenced by the oil and gas industry’s lobbyists and PACs. They don’t want to step it up, they want to slow it down. But if you want to be first in the New Energy Economy, and we need to be first, you can’t go slow.

Back when John Kennedy announced the Apollo program to the Moon he said, “We choose to go to the Moon and do the other things in this decade, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

Well, getting off of petroleum is going to be hard. But we can do it. Back when John Kennedy made that announcement the U.S. had a total of 15 minutes of manned spaceflight experience. Eight years later, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon. Our country has shown how we can change – and change fast.

Look at the 1920’s. In that decade, the number of American homes with electrical power doubled.

Look at the growth of computers and cell phones in the 1990’s. How many of us had a personal cell phone a decade ago? How many have one today?

We can make changes. And we have to get off of petroleum and other fossil fuels quickly.

You already know that it’s an environmental issue and that making this change would be a tremendous boost to our economy.

But it’s also an issue of our national security and our freedom.

It’s an issue of our national security because for more than 20 years, our policy has been that access to Persian Gulf oil is a vital national security interest of the United States and must be defended.

In fact, last month the U.S. Senate passed a resolution about Iran. In that resolution they talked about how events in Iraq and Iran were very important because they could affect quote “the health of the global economy.” Unquote.

“The health of the global economy?” What are they trying to say? Well, they were talking about oil, of course. Our economy and the whole world’s economy depends on it, and that has a profound influence on our foreign policy and national security.

But what does petroleum have to do with freedom?

Well, I have to admit, I used to think that petroleum was a passport to freedom. Back in high school I couldn’t wait to get my drivers license. Driving my old Chevy II and listening to the 8 track, I felt free.

But as time goes on, I realized that this freedom is an illusion. We aren’t really free to take whatever action we want. Instead we are dependent. We don’t want the situation in the Persian Gulf to get out of control because it could ruin our economy. And every day that we increase our petroleum consumption, the deeper that dependency becomes.

So now, every time I fill up my gas tank, I know that gas I’m pumping comes at a high price. The price of conflict in the Persian Gulf. The price of a warming planet and the severe consequences that might have. The price of lost freedom.

In order for us to have true freedom we need energy options. We need leadership in Washington to address our petroleum problem and launch a New Energy Economy based on four key elements:

1.Renewable transportation fuel. Whether its ethanol from cellulose, biodiesel from plants, or electricity from solar cells, we need options for transportation. Brazil is already powering a fifth of their cars with ethanol only; and 70% of new cars there can run on ethanol or gas. Their oil imports are down to almost zero. If they can do it, why can’t we?

2.Distributed power. What could offer more freedom than generating your own power at home with solar? Germany and Japan have become leaders in this field, why can’t we?

3.Efficiency. When I was a kid and left the door open, my father would say “hey are you trying to heat the whole outdoors?” Well, we need to stop doing that as a nation, by having good insulation, better windows and efficient heating and air conditioning. This can make a tremendous impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

4.Real democracy. If we let the oil and gas industries control the debate they will want to make changes on their terms and on their schedule. Remember, as the voters, we are in charge. If we want energy options, we need to make that abundantly clear through the ballot box.

That’s why I’d like as ask for your support for our campaign and for you to join us in signing the Declaration of Independence from Oil we’re passing out today.

There’s a future out there for us. It’s a future where America leads in technology and innovation. It’s a future where we depend on safe, renewable energy. And it’s a future where voters, not special interests are guiding the country.

But it’s up to us to fight for this future. It will take hard work. But together, we can do it. And we must take the first step now. And then step it up.

Thank you.

Back Safe from Space

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Liot Hill) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:54:00 +0000

Here at Buckey HQ, we have a special affection for astronauts. We are so happy about the safe landing of the shuttle.

MSNBC reports: Discovery and its crew made a smooth landing on Wednesday to conclude a 15-day space station build-and-repair mission that was among the most challenging — and heroic — in shuttle history... During docked operations at the international space station, Discovery's seven shuttle astronauts teamed up with the station's three residents to save a mangled solar wing. It was one of the most difficult and dangerous repairs ever attempted in orbit, but the future of the space station was riding on it, and Scott Parazynski pulled it off in a single spacewalk.

It's particularly exciting since this mission marks a significant achievement for women in space. Pamela Melroy is the second female commander to land a shuttle, following in astronaut Eileen Collins' footsteps.

The courage and leadership shown by the men and women in our space program is inspiring. Thank you to our space heroes.

Buckey Steps It Up

noreply@blogger.com (Abigail_Davidson) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:07:00 +0000

Saturday, November 3rd
Jay made it to 4 Step It Up events in NH last weekend. We started out in Nashua where he spoke despite the inclement weather to a crowd of approximately 50 people about his plans for action on climate change. He then spoke in Manchester, Concord, and finished up the day on the green in Lebanon.

Overall it was a great day. Jay delivered his ideas on what are the central issues to his campaign: climate change and our dependence on oil. Jay's speech was very well-received and sparked the interest of new supporters; 41 people signed our "Declaration of Independence from Oil". Below are photos from the Step It Up events in Lebanon and Concord. Enjoy!

Portsmouth Herald Covers Buckey Speech

noreply@blogger.com (Gavin Brown) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:42:00 +0000

Buckey said he would focus on decreasing America's dependence on petroleum and increasing research on renewable energy technologies. He said it's an issue that's vital to both national security and the economy.

"If we don't take action, we are going to lose control of America's future," Buckey said. "Ten years from now, do we want to be importing solar-powered systems and other technologies from elsewhere or do we want to be building them here?"

Seacoastonline.com

Envelopes and Pizza

noreply@blogger.com (Gavin Brown) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:45:00 +0000

(a special message from our wonderful volunteer coordinater, Abigail)

This Thursday, October 25th, from 5 pm - 9 pm, we will be having an envelope stuffing party at our campaign headquarters (address at the bottom). If you are available, we would love for you to stop by for as long or short a time as you can. Friends and family members are welcome as well.

If you cannot make it on Thursday but are interested in volunteering, please don't hesitate to contact us by phone or email. We have volunteer opportunities that range from attending one-time events, to policy research, to delivering yard signs to supporters.

We hope to see you soon!

Abigail Davidson

***************************
Pizza and Envelopes
Thursday, October 25th, 5 pm- 9 pm
Campaign Headquarters, 2 Whipple Place, Lebanon, NH (next to Lebanon Pharmacy, by the Citizens' Bank drive-thru)
***************************

The 5th anniversary and the way forward

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Buckey) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:49:00 +0000

Today, five years after the Senate passed the Iraq War Resolution, men and women in our military are still fighting and dying in Iraq. If we want to move forward, we must face difficult strategic questions, not just discuss dates and numbers of brigades. If you're talking about Iraq and you're not talking about energy, then you're not really talking about Iraq.
I didn't support the Iraq War Resolution in 2002, but now that we are involved in the war, there's no easy way out. Our military and diplomatic options in the Persian Gulf are severely hindered by our dependence on oil.

The debate about how to end the war should be about more than troop numbers or timetables for withdrawal. Successfully drawing down our troops in Iraq must be accompanied by drawing down our oil consumption and committing ourselves to developing technology for safe, renewable energy sources.

The global economy, the environment, and our national security all depend on America rising to the challenge of creating a new energy economy. As an astronaut, I know what this nation can do when we commit ourselves to a program. If we had an Apollo Program for energy, we could regain control over our future, stimulate our economy, and inspire the world.

Our Sputnik

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Buckey) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:52:00 +0000

50 years ago the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, and in the process launched an American commitment to science education. The accomplishments and advances made by the generation of scientists and engineers who grew up and were educated in the years after Sputnik remind us just how productive that investment in education was.

Today, we don't have one clear signal like Sputnik that our commitment to science, technology and innovation needs to be renewed. Instead we have a gradual, but clear, loss of technological leadership. The United States is now a net importer of high technology products and the number of American students pursuing advanced degrees in science is declining.

We have to create our own Sputnik moment for the 21st century. Our national security, our economy and the environment could be transformed for the better if the United States took on the challenge of replacing petroleum with renewable alternatives. This goal would be hard to achieve, but it would inspire our students, boost our economy and drive innovation. We need more students with the science and math skills to take on this challenge, and we can educate them, just as we did in the days after Sputnik.

50 year ago we made a commitment to making American science the best in the world. We need to renew that commitment so we can confront the serious problems we face now.

The Matthew Shepard Act

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Buckey) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:42:00 +0000

For those who are concerned that the change in leadership in Congress hasn't brought change, the passage of the Matthew Shepard act should be a reason for hope. This act honors the memory of Matthew Shepard and provides the protection that was lacking for him, but will now be present for those who need it in the future.

The NH Senate Primary meets the Presidential Primary

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Liot Hill) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:06:00 +0000

Like the presidential campaigns, the Buckey campaign is scurrying around preparing for this evening's presidential debate... Yesterday, we put up some more yard signs and large banners in Hanover to add to our visibility. We'll be holding Buckey signs along with presidential campaign supporters on the Dartmouth Green this afternoon, and Jay will be out shaking hands and meeting people.

Just before the debate, Jay will be addressing the Dartmouth students and community residents gathering in Leede Arena on campus for a huge debate-watching party. We are all very excited about that!

The media has descended on the village of Hanover. There are satellite trucks on the Green and a fleet of RVs behind the Hopkins Center. People with cameras are walking up and down Main Street and around campus. It feels a little like the center of the world! The mood in town is festive.

Debates are a great part of the primary process. Not only are they fun, generating excitement among supporters, they really can be a way to explore differences between candidates and draw attention to the important challenges we face and the best ways to address them. I am really looking forward to the debates that will undoubtedly be a part of our own Senate primary.

For now, I'll enjoy the presidential primary debate in town and hopefully come a little closer to making a decision about which candidate to support...

Campaign Season is Back

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Liot Hill) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:16:00 +0000

The air was cool today, and the sky was blue. Leaves are falling. It's beginning to feel like... campaign season.

Yard signs are coming out. Bumper stickers are on the rise. Over the next few months, we will see candidates around the state and, as the joke suggests, shake hands with each one several times before making up our minds. Indeed, it's true. Many of us have already shaken the hands of presidential candidates (even more than once).

Of course, Jay will be out and about this fall, shaking hands with as many people as possible. Our Senate campaign will be about talking to people and earning votes one at a time (although more at the same time are even better!).

Sitting in this afternoon's meeting of the NHDP State Committee - of which I am a member - and looking at the campaign staff from the presidential campaigns, I was reminded of the 2004 presidential primary, my own political awakening.

I read David McCullough's biography of President Harry Truman during that campaign season, and the Governor even signed the book for me later on. When I got home from the meeting, I dug it out of a box of my books that came home from the office I had at Dartmouth, where I coordinated a fellowship for him after the primary had ended.

Governor Dean's note says:

Karen,
To a great Democrat!
Thanks for all your help!!
Howard Dean

What a great memory - moving and inspiring for me... Happy campaign season to all!

Buckey Statement on Marchand Leaving Senate Race

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Liot Hill) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 04:30:00 +0000

Lebanon, NH -- In response to news that Portsmouth mayor Steve Marchand will drop out of the Senate race, US Senate candidate Jay Buckey released the following statement:

"It has been a pleasure to get to know and work with Steve on the campaign trail. I have been impressed with his drive and energy. Steve and I have appeared at numerous events together over the course of the summer, and I will miss deliberating the issues with him on the campaign trail over the year to come."

Biographical Information

Jay Buckey, 51, earned a BS in Electrical Engineering and an MD from Cornell University. He flew as a Payload Specialist Astronaut for the Space Shuttle Columbia in April 1998. He also served as a Flight Surgeon in the U.S. Air Force Reserve for eight years. Currently, he’s a professor of medicine at Dartmouth Medical School and an adjunct professor of engineering at Dartmouth’s Thayer School. He and his wife Sarah have three children and live in Hanover, NH. For more information, see buckey08.com.

Words of Wisdom from Martin Luther King, Jr

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Liot Hill) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 04:10:00 +0000

Thanks to Lucy Edwards for posting this to the Democracy for New Hampshire Leaders List!

Through our scientific and technological genius, we have made of this world a neighborhood and yet we have not had the ethical commitment to make of it a brotherhood. But somehow, and in some way, we have got to do this. We must all learn to live together as brothers or we will all perish together as fools. We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. And whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. And you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the way God's universe is made; this is the way it is structured.

John Donne caught it years ago and placed it in graphic terms: "No man is an island entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." And he goes on toward the end to say, "Any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind; therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." We must see this, believe this, and live by it if we are to remain awake through a great revolution.

Martin Luther King, Jr. -- Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution

Senate Candidate Jay Buckey Reaffirms Senate Race Commitment

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Liot Hill) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:13:00 +0000

Lebanon, NH – ”My Senate campaign is focused on the war in Iraq, America’s need for a new energy policy, and the crucial economic issues facing our country,” said US Senate candidate Jay Buckey. “It isn’t contingent on whether others get into the race. I’m committed to the campaign and to winning the Senate seat from John Sununu.”

There has been speculation that former governor Jeanne Shaheen might enter the Senate race. “I look forward to a vigorous discussion of the important issues in a primary, and I’d welcome Jeanne Shaheen into the race if she decides to run.”

Jay Buckey is a physician, scientist, and former astronaut who has also served as a Major in the Air Force Reserve. “We face serious challenges -- getting out of Iraq responsibly, solving our energy problem, dealing with terrorism, providing universal health care, and making global trade work for regular people,” Buckey explained. “We need leaders who will address these challenges head on.”

“A dynamic primary season will provide voters with a clear choice for who would be the best possible Senator for New Hampshire,” said Buckey08 Campaign Manager Karen Liot Hill. “I strongly believe that person is Jay Buckey. But I believe even more strongly that the people of New Hampshire should be the ones to make that decision.”

“New Hampshire has a proud tradition of engaged voters,” added Hill, who is also a Lebanon City Councilor. “We look forward to discussing the issues with voters throughout the state in the upcoming year.”

Biographical Information
Jay Buckey, M.D. is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from New Hampshire. He flew as a payload specialist astronaut on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1998, and he also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve for eight years. He is currently a professor of medicine at Dartmouth Medical School. He and his family live in Hanover, NH.

Press Release on Petraeus Hearings

noreply@blogger.com (Gavin Brown) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 20:39:00 +0000

Senate Candidate Jay Buckey Calls for New Energy Policy In Strategic Approach to Iraq

Lebanon, NH – US Senate Candidate Dr. Jay Buckey responded to the Congressional testimony of General David Petraeus today by calling for a strategic approach to Iraq that takes into account one of the root causes for our involvement in the Persian Gulf: our country’s dependence on foreign oil.

"Tactical discussions about troop deployment and withdrawal ignore the strategic context of US involvement in the Persian Gulf,” said Buckey, a Democratic candidate to represent New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate. He noted that the 1980 Carter Doctrine declared access to Persian Gulf Oil a vital national security interest that would be protected with military force if threatened.

“The long-term solution to US involvement in Iraq lies in our energy policy,” said Buckey. “Ending our dependence on foreign oil and developing a New Energy Economy is a vital national security interest that the Bush administration and its supporters, including John Sununu, are simply ignoring.”

Buckey also addressed the tactical issues: “The Bush administration has violated an important principle of military policy by leaving our military leaders with no good options,” he said. “Also, our military force is being stretched far too thin, leaving us vulnerable to growing threats.”

“All decisions are about trade-offs,” Buckey explained. “The Bush administration has decided that continuing a failed occupation in Iraq takes priority over all other national security interests.“

The Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Buckey) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 01:22:00 +0000

Today is the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attack. We remember our fellow citizens who died that day. And we are inspired by the heroism of the firefighters, police, and rescue workers, many of whom gave their own lives to help others. Each of us has a role in protecting our country against future attacks; each of us needs to become involved in our country's political system and work to protect the constitutional liberties that others have died for.
As we remember the sacrifices of 9/11 today, we should recall the words of President Lincoln:

"We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Labor Day & Operation Old Glory

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Liot Hill) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:13:00 +0000

Labor Day is indeed a day of labor for a US Senate campaign! We started out the morning at the AFL-CIO breakfast in Manchester, where we spoke with several members of local unions and said hello to Governor Lynch and Senator Chris Dodd. We had to leave just before the festivities began due to a prior commitment to Operation Old Glory.

OOG is a wonderful story of four patriotic women who saw a need and came together to address it. Their mission was to ensure that a flag was flying in every single public school classroom in the state - a project that required more than 4,000 flags! Undaunted, they reached out to the American Legion, which partnered with them to purchase and distribute flags around the state. Presidential candidate Governor Mitt Romney spoke, and representatives from the Clinton, Obama, and McCain campaigns sent representatives. Additionally, Melissa Ogle, Senator Sununu's Community Liaison, presented a flag that had been flown above the US Capitol to the four women who worked so hard on this project. The event took place in Representative's Hall in the State House and was a great success. It concluded, quite appropriately, with apple pie and ice cream - thanks to The Pie Guy from Nashua.

After the event in Concord, we marched in the Milford Parade along with Barack Obama, Chris Dodd, Paul and Peggo Hodes and many other political "rock stars." We walked right behind the enthusiastic Obama group, who kept things upbeat with their own marching band (Yankee Doodle, You're A Grand Old Flag, and many more classics) and chants: "Be a part of something great - Obama 08!" Jay shook hands with several hundred people along the parade route. We really had a great time.

Following the parade festivities, Jay addressed the Amherst Democrats at their first annual Labor Day Barbecue at the picturesque Amherst Country Club. The day concluded where it began - in Manchester, with the City Democrats headed up by Chris Pappas, a very effective organizer. A highlight for me was getting to speak French, my native tongue, with Russell from the Stop Sununu campaign and Michel from the Hillary campaign. Have to love Manchester!

Below are Jay's remarks from Operation Old Glory, a reflection on the meaning of the flag to him... The photo is NASA Photo ID AS11-40-5875

I want to thank Caroline, Marisa, Heidi, and Becky for inviting me here today, and for organizing this great effort. These classroom flags will be important to kids throughout New Hampshire.

But I have to confess that, when I was a kid, the flag that had the greatest impact on me wasn’t red, white, and blue… It was black and white. And it was pretty small, too. About this size.

I saw it back in the summer of 1969. As many of you may remember, this was a tough time for Americans. There were tremendous racial tensions throughout the country, mounting casualties in Vietnam, and fierce debates about the war.

On July 20, 1969, my parents, my sister and I were all sitting in front of our Magnavox t.v. We watched as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took the first steps on the moon and planted the American flag in the Sea of Tranquility. Since our t.v. was black and white, the flag’s image was only black and white, too.

But that black and white flag was an inspiring symbol. I realized how lucky I was to be part of a country where people could successfully land a man on the moon.

Even more important, the flag reminded me – and millions of others – that whatever our race… or our religion… whether we were liberals or conservatives, anti-war or pro-war, we were all Americans.

The flag has been an important symbol to me throughout my life. Twenty-nine years after the historic moon landing, I was proud to wear the American flag on my launch/entry suit when our crew flew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia.

To me, the flag symbolized that our spaceflight was a team effort – made possible by our country’s scientific and technological achievements -- and by thousands of Americans working together for a common goal.

When I was in the Air Force reserve, our unit’s flags symbolized our military strength, and the willingness of Americans to defend the freedoms we cherish.

Back when I was an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 45—and I am very pleased to see Troop 45 here today—we all had American flags on our shirts. And there the flag symbolized the love of country that scouting encourages.

But as I was preparing for this event, I wondered – what will the flag symbolize to all the students in New Hampshire classrooms today? When the kids are sitting at their desks, and they look up at that red, white and blue banner – what will they see?

I hope the students will understand that our flag represents America’s love of country, our willingness to defend our freedoms, and our pride in our country’s achievements.

But most of all, I hope they know the power of the ideas that formed this country. The fifty stars and thirteen stripes all sewn together represent the United States.

As the first line of the Constitution says, “We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect Union.”

I hope the students understand that “We the People” includes all Americans – regardless of what we look like, our religious faith, or how much money we have in our wallets.

We are a diverse country, but what the Constitution lays out is how to form unity from our diversity. This doesn’t mean that we’ll agree on everything. But it does mean that we’ll agree to treat each other with respect and follow the Constitution.

Our system of government has been working pretty well for over 200 years. That’s because each generation has shown the next what our flag stands for. And our hope is that these classroom flags will help to educate future generations.

So when kids look up and see the flag, they won’t just see a piece of cloth -- they’ll understand the power behind that flag: The power of the ideas that formed this country… the power of the sacrifice others have made… the power we have when we work together… and the power of liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.