Irony Is An Over-Used / Mis-Used Word

Irony is  over-used and a mis-used word, but I can't think of a better word than to describe this.

About one hour ago someone sent a comment about the story that I posted about all the corporations hoarding cash and "trickle down" was not working. He said that companies were no longer hiring because their customers had no cash. I replied that they were short workers in the Bakken.

A few minutes ago, I opened this article which was sent to me probably about the same time, but I just got to it now. It confirms that companies in North Dakota are looking for every experienced, every skilled person they can find.

I have posted often that unemployment rate in North Dakota is lowest in the nation, and it should remain that way for quite some time.

Slawson Has Another Nice Well in the Van Hook -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

18970, 1,106, Slawson, Pike Federal 1-3-2H, Van Hook, Bakken

Another Industry Shut Down in the US -- Not a Bakken Story

CNBC guest (James "Jim" Tisch, Chairman, Diamond Offshore Drilling; CEO, Loews Corporation) is saying exactly what I've been saying: drilling in the Gulf of Mexico is done. Over. Gone. The moratorium has been lifted, but the administration has implemented a de facto moratorium.



It's Over, Roy Orbison

Diamond has already moved three rigs out of the Gulf; five more rigs are sitting idly. Because it costs $10 million to move them, they will not move them until they get a contract / a job off Europe or off Africa.

How many workers could be employed: 450 workers laid off and then another 500 for direct support, and then thousands more that support them. It's called a multiplier effect, a term that politicians who are not business friendly do not understand.

Tisch says that the administration has effectively shut down one huge industry.



Crying, Roy Orbison 

Any further talk of American energy independence is simply that: talk.

Any further talk about increasing jobs in America is simply that: talk.

Unemployment insurance: up to $310/week.  Deepwater drilling roughneck: $310/day. 

 

Update on Whiting's Proposed Gas Plant Near Belfield

Link here. These local, regional newspapers often break the links soon after posting.

Whiting Oil and Gas Corp. hopes to have a gas plant constructed by late summer near Belfield, a representative said during a Stark County Zoning Board meeting at the Stark County Courthouse in Dickinson Monday evening.

It must be a pleasure for Whiting to work with North Dakotans; can you imagine progress being made at this speed in New York State where they have placed a moratorium on fracking? Just saying.

American Greed (On Both Sides of the Border -- Not a Bakken Story

From the Billings Gazette: I have followed this story from the beginning. This is a completely different slant and says volumes about the way some folks think. Just saying. 

End of "Cap and Trade" Has Effect on North Dakota Farmers -- Not a Bakken Story

Interesting story for those interested in carbon trading. This is just one reason I see this whole scheme a scam. "Cap and trade": paying farmers for planting crops to soak up carbon. I support agricultural subsidies the same way I support social security: as a safety net.  I strongly support both when used as intended.

ND Teacher of the Year -- From Williston -- My Home Town -- Not A Bakken Story

The following is a quick personal note I sent to a former educator and administrator in Williston. Much more could have been written and it certainly could have been better written, but I have to move quickly this morning.

Here is the note:

Dear D------

I was very, very impressed with this article and the teacher:

http://www.willistonherald.com/articles/2010/12/06/news/doc4cfd16480e40c043488745.txt; the link is now broken; a new link here.)

“American education, however, is still lagging far behind in its speed,” she said. In the digital storyboard ‘Pay Attention,’ viewable on TeacherTube, one student is quoted as having to ‘power down’ upon walking into school.”

As you may know, I now substitute at the middle school and high school level and really enjoy it.

I see the same things that Karen Toavs sees.

Her comment that it takes a lot of planning (on the teacher's part) is very, very true.

She did not talk much about discipline in the classroom, the biggest problem for a substitute. She did not talk about the importance of parents being involved. I am glad she did not. Those issues need to be talked about but can be addressed in a different venue, a different time. I think she would look at those two issues as "it is what it is" and the individual teacher in the classroom has to deal with the cards she is dealt. If the children do not have parental involvement, that's the way it is. She seems to have moved beyond that and thinks deeply (and articulates it very well) about what students really need.  You get the feeling she has really put herself in the shoes (into the mind) of an eighth grader.

The Williston public school system deserves a lot of credit for sponsoring a teacher as Ms Toavs.

So, that was my note.

One last comment: I think the average middle school textbook is two inches thick and weighs ten pounds. Our students are issued two textbooks for each class. One they leave at home and that remains in the classroom. The books are simply too heavy to lug around. It is truly incredible. Tablet (iPad) technology is here; it will be interesting to see how many decades go by before school boards are willing to move to tablet technology. (And, no, I do not hold any financial interest in Apple, Inc.)

Here We Go! Oil Futures -- Oil Solidly Above $90

Tuesday, December 7, 2010: before the market open. The price of oil is up another dollar, solidly above $90.