Friday, September 10, 2010

Told You So

It's probably too early to be saying I told you so, but I'll do it anyway. It doesn't look like the Evergreen mill is going to reopen, according to today's Times- Standard. I actually predicted (hoping I'd be proven wrong) that the mill would never reopen, if only because of the air and water quality control boards, never mind the the state's overall anti- business climate.

I'm sure some will say the permanent closure had nothing to do with the air and water folks because they already got a water discharge permit. That was a surprise, but they'd still have to deal with the Air Resources Board, as well as a number of other agencies. I suspect the reason they couldn't raise money to open the mill is because investors know California is not the place to invest money they want to see a return on.

And, nope, none of Obama's stimulus money was to be had for the mill. All that money is being used for government projects like paving roads. Their reasoning being that, if we just have nicely paved roads, businesses should spring up all over the place. What's wrong with that line of thinking?

10 Comments:

At 11:31 AM, Blogger samoasoftball said...

Wish you were wrong. Still got that extra lawn mower? I may need it.

 
At 1:10 PM, Anonymous Eric Kirk said...

Did they apply for a stimulus grant?

 
At 2:22 PM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

I heard they made some attempt at it. I think something was said over at Heraldo's about an application costing $50k, or some such, and they couldn't get the money, or they filed too late. Don't remember the exact details. Maybe somebody else does?

 
At 4:07 PM, Anonymous Chris Crawford said...

No matter how worthwhile the cause, getting financing in today's fiscal climate is tough. This is a sad development.

 
At 5:54 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric there was all the TARP money that was supposed to free up credit.

Tiger woods just secured $54,000,000 dollar loan backed by this federal money. He gets to write off much of the interest, and with how low the interest is, that means over the life of the loan, the government is subsidizing his $54,000,000 bachelor pad.

You're out to lunch if you see nothing wrong with this picture, and how the WORKERS (Work being an under-appreciated word in Humboldt County) at the pulp mill have been fucked over.

 
At 6:16 PM, Anonymous Eric Kirk said...

You're preaching the choir re TARP anonymous. If you recall, that was Bush's baby, with Obama, McCain and nearly everyone else voting for it, and then it turned out that there was no mechanism to track the funds and apparently no strings attached to it.

It was however the Republicans who blocked the effort to provide court remedies for banks refusing to refinance or modify loans. Blame Democrats for wimping out in perpetual fear of the filibuster, but as long as banks are allowed to make their money in investment speculation with no specific mandates for loans, they're going to do it. Apparently the Republicans are shocked that the banks didn't loosen up credit out of the goodness of their hearts, but then that might also have improved the re-election chances of the scary Muslim black guy.

But I was responding to an implication that the mill had been turned down for stimulus funds. The stimulus and TARP are two different animals. Just so you know.

 
At 6:53 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks Eric, I would be lost without you. I am not bringing up Obama vs. Bush Vs. Mccain. All three have let the American worker down. Both party's have let the American worker down. I believe the entire system is broken, but that's besides the point.

As far as stimulus, there was supposed to be money available for green energy and manufacturing. This proposal should have qualified for something out of that pot. Ultimatly it is going to be up to Congressman Thompson and his staff to look at their district, see the need and use their supposed expertise to help make things happen. He did not. So you will see me call out Mike Thompson, a Congressman who goes virtually unquestioned by either major party. Where was Mike in helping secure redundent broadband? MORE IMPORTANTLY WHERE HAS MIKE BEEN ON TAX BREAKS TO THE WEALTHY???? Check his record. If you go by his record, he probably has no problem with the federal government subsidizing Tiger Woods $54,000,000 dream mansion.

 
At 7:14 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mike Thompson only caters to the wine country people as that is where he gets a lot of votes. And we follow like sheep up here. To heck with anything green that he would talk about but not help. I am not voting for him any more. Unfortunately he does not have a strong person running against him this election. Maybe next time.

 
At 10:38 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/sep/9/green-jobs-no-longer-golden-in-stimulus/

 
At 7:26 PM, Anonymous Mr. Nice said...

Obama needs to fire up that copy of SimCity from 92 and see how spending all your money on roads works out.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home