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May 11, 2008
The USS Stockdale Commissioned
BATH, Maine - The Navy's newest guided missile destroyer was christened Saturday with the name of a fighter pilot who spent 7 1/2 years in captivity in North Vietnam, received the Medal of Honor and served as presidential candidate Ross Perot's running mate.The Stockdale is the 56th destroyer of the Arleigh Burke class and have its home port in San Diego. The Bath Works are scheduled to build four additional Burke vessels before starting on the new DDG-1000 Zumwalt class.Four Medal of Honor recipients and seven former prisoners of war attended the ceremony at Bath Iron Works that marked a milestone in construction of the 9,200-ton ship named for Vice Adm. James Stockdale.
Photo from NavSource Online: Destroyer Photo Archive, Bill Gonyo.
Posted by Carter Wood at 8:46 PM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
April 9, 2008
If By Restoration, You Mean Shut Everything Down
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is now holding a full committee hearing on S. 1870, the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007. The bill represents a frightening expansion of federal control over wet spots around the country, making regulators and bureaucrats the decision-makers over what happens to businesses and farms ...and tens of thousands of projects critical to a functioning economy.
The NAM's vice president for regulatory affairs, Rosario Palmieri, puts it succinctly: "It will stop the development of all critically needed transportation and energy infrastructure.
David P. Brand, sanitary engineer, Madison County, Ohio, explains in his testimony for the National Association of Counties how the measure is so radical:
NACo has strong concerns with the CWR because we fear that it would drastically expand federal clean water act jursdiction. Additionally, we believe it would create significant bureaucratic obstacles and lead to increased costs to counties without enhancing environmental protections of waterways and wetlands.Seriously: Federal government control over all waters.Rather than cleaning up our nation's waters, we are concerned that CWR moves far beyond this universally agreed on principle. The bill is essentially a one-size fits all approach, changing every area within the Clean Water Act. Removing the word "navigable" from the definition of the act will have expensive, far-reaching and unintended consequences for local as well as state governments.
Also eye-opening is the testimony of Randall P. Smith of Smith 6-S Livestock in Montana.
Posted by Carter Wood at 11:39 AM | 1 comment; click here to read it or submit your own! | Send to a Friend
March 3, 2008
A License to Smear Companies
Down below in the extended entry we've put the text of Section 7 of S. 2663, the CPSC Reform Act. The section would give carte blanche to anybody, no matter the motivation, to post anonymous claims about a company's products on a government-sponsored website. From subsection 9:
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the CPSC Reform Act, the Commission shall establish and maintain a publicly available searchable database accessible on the Commission's web site. The database shall include any reports of injuries, illness, death, or risk of such injury, illness, or death related to the use of consumer products received by the Commission from--Injury, illness or death, or risk thereof -- that's an invitation to any sort of outlandish claim.`(i) consumers;
`(ii) local, State, or Federal government agencies;
`(iii) health care professionals, including physicians, hospitals, and coroners;
`(iv) child service providers;
`(v) public safety entities, including police and fire fighters; and
`(vi) other non-governmental sources, other than information provided to the Commission by retailers, manufacturers, or private labelers pursuant to a voluntary or required submission under section 15 or other mandatory or voluntary program.
And it's certainly not the "transparency" that activists like to throw around as an unalloyed public good:
(G) DISCLOSURE- The Commission may not disclose the names or addresses of consumers pursuant to its authority under this subsection."Got that? Anonymous charges about anything, naming a company as producer of a dangerous or adulterated product. You can picture unsubstantiated complaints piling up one after another, generating a feeding frenzy that does serious harm to a company's reputation (and the reputations of associated individuals). With no benefit to the public health.
One word for the provision: Irresponsible.
SEC. 7. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.
Section 6 (15 U.S.C. 2055) is amended--
(1) by inserting `A manufacturer or private labeler shall submit any such mark within 15 calendar days after the date on which it receives the Commission's offer.' after `paragraph (2).' in subsection (a)(3);
(2) by striking `30 days' in subsection (b)(1) and inserting `15 days';
(3) by striking `finds that the public' in subsection (b)(1) and inserting `publishes a finding that the public';
(4) by striking `notice and publishes such a finding in the Federal Register),' in subsection (b)(1) and inserting `notice),';
(5) by striking `10 days' in subsection (b)(2) and inserting `5 days';
(6) by striking `finds that the public' in subsection (b)(2) and inserting `publishes a finding that the public';
(7) by striking `notice and publishes such a finding in the Federal Register.' in subsection (b)(2) and inserting `notice.';
(8) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking `(3)' and inserting `(3)(A)'; and
(B) by adding at the end thereof the following:
`(B) If the Commission determines that the public health and safety requires expedited consideration of an action brought under subparagraph (A), the Commission may file a request with the District Court for such expedited consideration. If the Commission files such a request, the District Court shall--
`(i) assign the matter for hearing at the earliest possible date;
`(ii) give precedence to the matter, to the greatest extent practicable, over all other matters pending on the docket of the court at the time;
`(iii) expedite consideration of the matter to the greatest extent practicable; and
`(iv) grant or deny the requested injunction within 30 days after the date on which the Commission's request was filed with the court.';
(9) by striking `section 19 (related to prohibited acts);' in subsection (b)(4) and inserting `any consumer product safety rule or provision of this Act or similar rule or provision of any other Act enforced by the Commission;';
(10) by striking `or' after the semicolon in subsection (b)(5)(B);
(11) by striking `disclosure.' in subsection (b)(5)(C) and inserting `disclosure; or';
(12) by inserting in subsection (b)(5) after subparagraph (C) the following:
`(D) the Commission publishes a finding that the public health and safety requires public disclosure with a lesser period of notice than is required under paragraph (1).';
(13) in the matter following subparagraph (D) of subsection (b)(5) (as added by paragraph (12) of this section), by striking `section 19(a),' and inserting `any consumer product safety rule or provision under this Act or similar rule or provision of any other Act enforced by the Commission,'; and
(14) by adding at the end of subsection (b) the following:
`(9) PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATABASE OF REPORTED DEATHS, INJURIES, ILLNESS, AND RISK OF SUCH INCIDENTS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the CPSC Reform Act, the Commission shall establish and maintain a publicly available searchable database accessible on the Commission's web site. The database shall include any reports of injuries, illness, death, or risk of such injury, illness, or death related to the use of consumer products received by the Commission from--
`(i) consumers;
`(ii) local, State, or Federal government agencies;
`(iii) health care professionals, including physicians, hospitals, and coroners;
`(iv) child service providers;
`(v) public safety entities, including police and fire fighters; and
`(vi) other non-governmental sources, other than information provided to the Commission by retailers, manufacturers, or private labelers pursuant to a voluntary or required submission under section 15 or other mandatory or voluntary program.
`(B) ADDITIONAL CONTENTS- In addition to the reports described in subparagraph (A), the Commission may include in the database any additional information it determines to be in the public interest.
`(C) ORGANIZATION OF DATABASE- The Commission shall categorize the information available on the database by date, product, manufacturer, the model of the product, and any other category the Commission determines to be in the public interest.
`(D) TIMING- The Commission shall make such reports available on the Commission website no later than 15 days after the date on which they are received.
`(E) REMOVAL OF INACCURATE OR INCORRECT INFORMATION- If the Commission determines, after investigation, that information made available on the database is incorrect the Commission shall promptly remove it from the database.
`(F) MANUFACTURER COMMENTS- A manufacturer, private labeler, or retailer shall be given an opportunity to comment on any information involving a product manufactured by that manufacturer, or distributed by that private labeler or retailer, as the case may be. Any such comments may be included in the database alongside the information involving such product if requested by the manufacturer, private labeler, or retailer.
`(G) DISCLOSURE- The Commission may not disclose the names or addresses of consumers pursuant to its authority under this subsection.
`(H) APPLICATION WITH OTHER PROVISIONS- Subsection (a) and the preceding paragraphs of this subsection do not apply to the public disclosure of information received by the Commission under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.'.
Posted by Carter Wood at 7:26 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
January 24, 2008
A Manufacturer for Ag Secretary
Former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer has his confirmation hearing today before the Senate Agriculture Committee for Secretary of Agriculture. This AgWeek/Forum/Herald story hits the high points, leaving readers the clear sense that the political world in North Dakota is a close-knit affair, where everyone knows everyone. (And yours truly gets quoted.)
Space constraints meant the omission, however, of other background that should please manufacturers. Before getting into public service, Governor Schafer had a long career in manufacturing, working in numerous capacities in the Gold Seal Company. The household products manufacturer, founded in 1942, made such familiar products as Snowy Bleach and Mr. Bubble. The Bismarck-based firm was sold to Airwick Industries in 1986, when Schafer was company president.
And as noted in the story, Schafer supports the expansion of U.S. exports, an increasingly important base for manufacturing growth in the country.
So best of luck, Ed. Sure, this is a big deal for North Dakotans, but it's also a pretty big deal for manufacturers, too.
Posted by Carter Wood at 7:24 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
December 2, 2007
Snack Food Bans? Why Stop There?
From The New York Times:
Federal lawmakers are considering the broadest effort ever to limit what children eat: a national ban on selling candy, sugary soda and salty, fatty food in school snack bars, vending machines and cafeteria lines.Incredible. Have the principles of federalism and limited government disappeared all together, that this sort of thing could even be proposed seriously?
Posted by Carter Wood at 9:17 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
December 1, 2007
Well, We Should Hope So
From Sunday's New York Times, "Business Lobby Presses Agenda Before ’08 Vote."
The thesis of this political/business round-up story by Robert Pear -- a very good, conscientious reporter -- is that business groups like the National Association of Manufacturers are stepping up lobbying activities out of concern the next Administration could be less supportive of pro-growth (our term) policies.
Seems like we're always busy around here, and the pace is bound to pick up as Congress nears the end of the year and rushes to pass major legislation. But, sure, the political uncertainty of an election year increases the motivation for getting reasonable laws and regulations on the books.
Possible follow-up story: Big labor wants union backers to win election.
Posted by Carter Wood at 8:32 PM | 1 comment; click here to read it or submit your own! | Send to a Friend
November 29, 2007
Limiting the Public's Voice
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Just a reminder as we comment on lobbying.
The National Association of Manufacturers, the American Society of Association Executives, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to the secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House asking for guidance on the new "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007," P.L. 110-81, or HLOGA for short.
The law, and specifically Section 207, casts a wide net. The section would require associations to disclose the identity of members contributing more than $5,000 per quarter toward lobbying activities and that “actively participate in the planning, supervision, or control of such lobbying activities.”
The issue gets into some pretty technical legal areas. Key point: Requirements are so vague that they discourage people and groups from associating with one another (and consequently, from petitioning the government). As the letter states, "[Section 207] would force associations and chambers of commerce to overdisclose — thus eroding the confidentiality of association membership that is intrinsic to the constitutional nght of free association."
There's nothing like a vague law to encourage politically motivated investigations and prosecutions, conducted not to enforce the statutes or to benefit the public but simply to weaken a group or individual you disagree with. Clarity and consistency are the prerequisites for the real rule of law. The law fails to meet those requirements.
You can read the joint letter here.
CQ Politics covers the story: Business Groups Seek Clarification of New Lobbying Law
The Hill: Trade groups question new lobbying law
Posted by Carter Wood at 8:51 AM | 1 comment; click here to read it or submit your own! | Send to a Friend
October 31, 2007
Next Ag Secretary Has Manufacturing Background
We should also note that President Bush's nominee to be the next Secretary of Agriculture, former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer, has broad experience in the world of manufacturing and telecommunications.
Before his life in elective politics, Ed -- "call me Ed" is a byword -- held a variety of positions small and large at the Gold Seal Company, the household products manufacturer. Here's his bio from a recent consulting venture:
Ed Schafer has extensive, top-level leadership experience in both government and business sectors. In addition to his two terms as governor of North Dakota, he developed a successful business career that included leading the Gold Seal Company, an international market leader in consumer cleaning products. His tenure at Gold Seal included moving the company from an entrepreneurial heritage to a professionally managed company. He also founded several North Dakota-based businesses. Most recently, Ed was co-founder of Extend America, a telecommunications company focused on connecting rural areas of the Midwest to the world. His strengths include priority-based budgeting, team building, product development, start-up and expansions, crisis management, consensus building, and international marketing. Schafer has a business administration degree from the University of North Dakota and a master’s degree from the University of Denver.Gold Seal was founded by Harold Schafer, Ed's father, and grew from a small, one-man operation selling Glass Wax to a multi-million-dollar, international operation.
UPDATE (3 p.m.) Positive reactions from the people who know him, even his political critics, back in Nodak.
UPDATE (4 p.m.) White House fact sheet here.
Posted by Carter Wood at 1:20 PM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
October 30, 2007
Equal Opportunity to Succeed, and Fail
E. Stanley O’Neal rose from Alabama cotton picker to a master of Wall Street when he became Merrill Lynch chairman and chief executive in 2002.
However, O’Neal retired Tuesday after the brokerage company wrote down $8.4 billion in assets due to overexposure to the disastrous subprime mortgage market, asset-backed bonds and bad loans, according to news reports. The company posted a third quarter loss of $2.43 billion, its biggest quarterly loss in its 93-year history.
Despite the bad financial news there is still a good lesson to be learned about race from O’Neal’s rise and fall, Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson writes today. African American executives can succeed and fail, just like their white counterparts, if given the opportunity to compete as equals, he argued.
What’s really significant is that there is a Stan O’Neal. And a Dick Parsons, the African-American CEO of Time Warner, rumored to be on his way out, too, after a long and profitable run. And a Ken Chenault, the African-American CEO of American Express, who is staying put, far as I know. And a Bob Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, widely acknowledged as the first African-American billionaire.And don’t feel too sorry for O’Neal, according to a report in the Financial Times. He was paid $48 million last year and could walk away from Merrill Lynch with $100 million in deferred compensation and retirement benefits.They attained Master of the Universe status by being smarter and tougher than their peers – and now a much bigger cohort of black corporate executives is coming up behind them. It just goes to show what happens when you open a door.
Posted by Greg Wright at 3:46 PM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
Hard Rock Mining Bill: Making Life More Expensive
NAM members on our Key Vote Committee have given close study to H.R. 2262, the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007, which is expected to come to the House floor in the next day or so. (Key Votes are used in determining a Member of Congress' support for manufacturing issues at the end of a session.) The conclusion: The legislation makes supply of raw materials more expensive not only through higher taxes but by also by limiting supply through the imposition of major new restrictions on accessing public lands.
From our Key Vote letter, which is going to the House of Representatives this afternoon:
The U.S. mining industry currently provides about 50 percent of the metals American manufacturers need to operate, including iron ore, copper, gold, phosphate, zinc, silver and molybdenum. The U.S. has become increasingly dependent upon foreign sources of minerals for products that are strategically important to both our national and economic security.Also worth mentioning is the trade deficit, which would certainly be affected by increased reliance on raw materials from overseas. It's hard to see how a House member who rails against trade deficits could support H.R. 2262.Rather than encouraging environmentally safe mineral development, H.R. 2262 would impose new taxes on the mining industry, including an eight percent royalty on new mining and a retroactive four percent royalty on existing mining operations. The bill would also establish new prohibitions on future mining on certain public lands and set highly prescriptive environmental standards that sometimes conflict with existing state and federal regulations.
Not only would the bill seriously impact the U.S. mining industry, it would increase the cost of raw materials for U.S. manufacturers, make our products less competitive in global markets and adversely affect thousands of high-paying manufacturing jobs. Moreover, we remain concerned that this sets an unwise precedent in targeting specific industries with new and burdensome tax increases.
This legislation has failed to gain the national attention it deserves as an economy-stifling measure. Let's change that.
Posted by Carter Wood at 2:15 PM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
October 17, 2007
Hillary Clinton's Agenda for Working Families
Senator Hillary Clinton released her "Agenda for Working Families" yesterday, a plank in her presidential platform. Key paragraph from the news release:
Hillary’s plan would set an ambitious goal for all states to implement a paid family leave program by the year 2016, and offer $1 billion per year in grants to encourage innovative paid family leave programs at the state level. Hillary would also extend the Family Medical Leave Act to cover 13 million additional workers across the country, and guarantee every American worker seven days of paid sick leave to help them deal with a health crisis faced by themselves or their children.And the bullet points:
Hillary’s work-family agenda will:At first blush, this seems quite... European.
Expand paid leave across the country through a new State Family Leave Innovation Fund;
Extend the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to cover 13 million additional American workers and guarantee workers at least 7 paid sick days per year;
Promote model workplaces with grants to support new workplace flexibility programs and a federal telecommuting initiative;
Ensure better access to affordable, high quality child care; and
Prevent parents from being discriminated against because of pregnancy or their caregiving responsibilities.
Posted by Carter Wood at 10:21 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
October 16, 2007
More Cars, But Not Necessarily More Pollution
Pithy, well-reasoned (i.e., cites evidence) and timely editorial in today's Washington Examiner, "More cars don't always mean more pollution."
Washington metropolitan region is expected to meet the federal ozone standard by the fall of 2009 — a few months earlier than required and just six years after the Environmental Protection Agency found the D.C. area in “severe non-attainment” for ozone under the 1990 Clean Air Act.We draw the conclusion that current EPA ozone standards are working as intended, and imposing stricter standards would, at best, achieve nominal improvements at the costs of billions of dollars -- money that could be spent in more economically productive ways.At the time, the non-attainment designation prompted the usual hand-wringing, with especially dire warnings about massive public health problems from ozone, a major ingredient in smog. The federal government threatened to withhold highway funding for any non-attainment area that did not make sufficient progress in cleaning up its air.
The rationale behind the threat was that urban areas that couldn’t meet clean air standards shouldn’t be building more roads to accommodate even more exhaust-spewing vehicles. But it gave the wrong impression that vehicles were the main problem. The creation of ozone is complicated by the way certain chemicals react to various topographical and weather conditions, and the fact that many of the pollutants were being blown here from the Midwest.
NAM President John Engler's commentary on the proposed ozone rules is here. The EPA's ozone page is here.
Posted by Carter Wood at 10:46 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
October 15, 2007
Schwarzenegger Vetoes Some, Signs Some
This weekend marked the deadline for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign or veto more than 400 bills that had arrived at his desk from the legislature. We'll link to a report from the California Manufacturers and Technology Association once they analyze the rush of action, but for now, this "Capitol Notes" column from John Meyers at KQED hits the highpoints. Some good, some bad, and some where we really won't know how bad they are for many, many years.
Notable bills that the governor signed this weekend: AB 1108, which bans chemicals known as phthalates from toys for kids three and under... AB 221, which bans the state's pension funds from investing in companies with active business in Iran... AB 821, which bans the use of lead ammunition from areas inhabited by the California condor... AB 1471, which requires a new micro ID to be stamped inside semiautomatic handguns... SB 976, a bill to create a new Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority... and AB 118, a bill to create a new fund for alternative fuels and vehicles with a temporary hike in annual fees on autos and boats.Congratulations to the Governor for vetoing that last bill, which would have deprived farmworkers of their right to determine their association via secret ballot. Cesar Chavez fought long and hard for the secret ballot, but organized labor now finds it inconvenient.Notable bills vetoed in the final hours: SB 609, which would have barred defendants being convicted based on uncorroborated testimony of an in-custody informant... SB 210, which would have codified the governor's call for a low-carbon fuel standard into law... SB 70, which would have established legal standards and definitions for biodiesel fuel... AB 1294, which would have allowed any city or county to conduct elections using what's called "ranked voting"... AB 1521, which would have required bottled water to identify where the water came from... SB 180, which would have allowed farmworkers to join unions without a secret ballot election (as well as vetoing an alternative version, SB 650)...
Posted by Carter Wood at 10:48 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
October 4, 2007
Theft is Theft
From BusinessWeek:
The chief executive of NBC Universal on Wednesday said piracy of copyright movies, music and other goods is "getting worse, not better" as he urged the Justice Department to step up enforcement.The NAM has joined the Chamber in founding the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy."We need ... to move intellectual property enforcement up the agenda of the federal government," Jeff Zucker said in remarks to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which held its annual summit on counterfeiting and piracy this week.
Posted by Carter Wood at 9:45 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
September 19, 2007
Sarbanes-Oxley, Creating Good Jobs -- In London
Rudy Guiliani has been in London for campaign (high-level meetings with political leaders) and fundraising purposes. Don't really recall candidates going abroad to raise money, especially since taking contributions for foreigners is against the law. Interesting explanation ....
But it's not all summitry. A key reason for Giuliani's visit is to extract money from the wealthy and growing American population that can be found in London. Huge numbers of American businessmen and firms operate in London - the numbers have allegedly been swollen by people escaping the regulatory insensitivity of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Some London politicians have suggested that a statue of Senator Sarbanes and Representative Oxley be erected in the booming Docklands area of Britain's capital city as a cheeky thank you for the business that (disputedly) has migrated across the Atlantic as a consequence of their lawmaking.Hat tip: Patrick Ruffini.
Posted by Carter Wood at 10:06 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
Do It and Be Done With It: "Talk Like a Pirate Day"
How "International Talk Like a Pirate Day" got to be so big, we don't know. After the success of "Pirates of the Caribbean" we thought it might be changed to "Talk Like Keith Richards Day."
Still, given the rise of the regulatory state, we think this talk of piracy lingo is outdated. Should really be, "Talk Like a Privateer Day": "Where's me letter of marque? Arrrr."
Posted by Carter Wood at 9:52 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
September 11, 2007
Make U.S. Manufacturing More Competitive
As the NAM noted when the Department of Labor issued its August job numbers -- which highlighted the loss of 46,000 manufacturing jobs -- the federal government deserves much of the blame for failing to enact policies that make the United States more competitive.
Today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's business page features a column by Dmitri Shiry, partner with Deloitte Tax LLP, Pittsburgh, that makes the case for the specific kinds of policies that we need.
When it comes to the handicap U.S. manufacturers face in competing globally, the villain that usually grabs most of the public's attention is cheap labor abroad.Right you are. And here's a summary of the cost report.But in the past several years a more silent character has crept into the picture. Structural costs -- nonwage factors outside the direct control of management -- are surfacing as arguably the most insidious competitive barrier facing domestic companies.
Structural costs in the form of corporate tax rates, employee benefits, torts, natural gas and pollution abatement add 31.7 percent to the production costs of American companies relative to that of our nine major trading countries, according to a 2006 study by the National Association of Manufacturers and underwritten in part by Deloitte & Touche USA. Three years ago, this cost disadvantage was 22.4 percent.
The necessary course of action?
Want to address the loss of manufacturing jobs? Start with the above list.
Posted by Carter Wood at 9:29 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
Family and Medical Leave Act: Make It Better
NAM President John Engler has an op-ed in today's Forbes online -- The Death of Common Sense -- that looks at the abuses that harm the Family and Medical Leave Act's (FMLA) generally positive recognition of family priorities and emergencies. He draws on the input that manufacturers and other employers gave to the Department of Labor when it collected comments on the FMLA, a project that ended -- so far -- with a report published in July. (Read the report here.)
While the FMLA is accepted and appreciatied by employers and employees alike, it is subject to abuse that can make it difficult for businesses to run their operations. The most serious problems concern "intermittent leave," which some people claim whenever they want a day off.
The Family and Medical Leave Act has become the single largest source of uncontrolled absences and, thus, the single largest source of all the costs those absences create: missed deadlines, late shipments, lost business, temporary help and overworked staff.That's right. And who gets stuck doing that missing person's work?The most serious problems arise in the area of "intermittent leave," under which employees obtain a certification that they suffer an ongoing medical condition. This provision's intent was to accommodate employees with chronic ailments that might occasionally flare up, requiring minimal time off. But intermittent leave invites abuse. Once gaining a medical certification, a worker can leave essentially whenever he or she wants, with little, if any, notice to the boss.
In a recent survey of National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) membership, 65% of the requests received for intermittent leave were made either on the day of the leave, after the leave was taken or without any notice. You can imagine how disruptive this unexpected departure is to the workplace and the administrative nightmares it poses for employers.
The Department of Labor sought the comments to permit the drafting of a new rule (possibly) that would preserve the underlying family-friendly nature of the law while responding to the demands of the marketplace. NAM members weighed in -- thank you! -- and now is the time for Labor to move forward with a proposed rule. Yes, there will be screaming from the usual screaming suspects, but allowing widespread abuses of things like intermittent leave helps neither the employer nor the employee. And it puts a heavy burden on the economy.
P.S. The NAM has an FMLA resource page on the web here. It includes the NAM's comments to the Department during the information-gathering process.
Posted by Carter Wood at 8:38 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
The NAM's Doug Goudie: Man on the Move
Today's The Hill carries a good feature story on Doug Goudie, NAM's director of trade policy, and his peregrinations over the years.
“[For] any good lobbyist, your strength is in how you deal with people, regardless of their party,” he said. “I’ll call any Democrat, I’ll call any Republican, and if they’ll take my call I’m happy to talk to them.”A useful bit of perspective from Doug in a solid report from The Hill's Ian Swanson.When Goudie has that conversation, he said, he doesn’t identify himself as a Republican or a Democrat. “I say I represent the NAM on international trade, I am a pro-trade lobbyist, tell me your concerns, tell me where I can help,” he said. “It’s not a soft sell per se, it’s ‘Let’s establish a good connection and talk.’”
Goudie said Engler lives on the bedrock principle that trade is good. He argues that trade shouldn’t be seen as a partisan issue, and he describes his job as working to make support for trade less of an issue than a belief, regardless of party.
In the end, being a good lobbyist is about forging solid relationships with staffers and members, Goudie said. His advice is to tell the truth all the time, since that’s how to establish trust in any relationship. “If they trust you, you’ll be able to talk to them,” he said.
And come to think of it, looking out our hotel window in Seattle back in '99, yes, that WAS Doug Goudie getting roughed up by anarchists. Thought he looked familiar.
Posted by Carter Wood at 8:17 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
September 5, 2007
License This, License That
The Reason Foundation has released an analysis of state licensing of professions, or more accurately put, jobs. California leads the nation with 171 different jobs that require a license or credential, followed by Connecticut (155), Maine (134) and New Hampshire. (What is it about the New England states?) The least restrictive is Missouri, with 41 career licenses. From the Foundation's news release:
"Most of these licensing requirements are completely arbitrary," said Adam B. Summers, a policy analyst at Reason Foundation and author of the report. "You see that clearly when examining neighboring states. California has 177 job categories licensed. But if you take one step across the state line into Arizona just 72 careers are licensed. In North Carolina you need a license to do 107 jobs. Next door in South Carolina, only 60 jobs require certification."For the full report in .pdf format, click here.Proponents claim these licensing requirements are needed to protect the public from unscrupulous, incompetent, or dangerous practitioners. However, numerous studies show these laws actually reduce consumer protection and public safety, according to the Reason Foundation report.
"These laws are created under the guise of 'helping' consumers," Summers said. "In reality, the laws are helping existing businesses keep out competition, restricting consumer choice, destroying entrepreneurship, and driving up prices."
Posted by Carter Wood at 8:45 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
August 13, 2007
Buying Votes with Other People's Money and Time
Members of Congress hope to win political points by expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act, a route that's guaranteed to reduce workplace productivity. From the Kansas City Star:
Before leaving for its August recess, the Senate passed a plan that would allow the relatives of injured soldiers to take up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave to care for them. If approved by the full Congress, it would mark the first expansion of the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act since it took effect in August 1993.Etc. Etc. The Department of Labor recently reviewed the Family and Medical Leave Act and found that in its major applications -- leave for a birth, adoption or in the case of serious illness -- it seems to be accomplishing its goals. (DOL's summary here.) But in far too many cases, the law is throwing operations out of whack because of intermittent illness claims associated with supposedly chronic conditions.And that’s just for starters: Another Senate bill would give up to eight weeks of paid leave to workers needing time off for the birth or adoption of a child. More narrowly crafted bills pending in the House and Senate would allow eight weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers.
And yet another Senate bill would require that employers with 15 or more employees provide workers at least seven paid sick days to address their medical needs or the needs of their families.
The NAM submitted comments last February with this conclusion:
Manufacturers, far more than most other employers, must have the ability to make and rely on schedules, plans and deadlines. Perhaps the most crucial element of all is a predictable workforce. But the plain fact is that the FMLA, as currently interpreted and enforced, has destroyed that predictability. We are certain that there will be comments praising the compassion, lauding the positive impact on families and approving the freedom from work pressures that the FMLA provides. The NAM and its members, who provide and have provided more generous benefits than those mandated by law, do not take issue with any of those beneficent results. However, no system of benefits can survive if its cost outweighs its value. We are approaching that point with the FMLA. NAM members, indeed, all employers, and our nation’s economy cannot blindly continue to support this flawed, misused and too easily abused system.Expanding the law will only serve to expand its flaws, misuse and abuse. Better Congress fix the existing problems than create new ones by being generous with other peoples' money.
Posted by Carter Wood at 10:01 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
August 7, 2007
Activity on the Infrastructure Front
Lots of talk about infrastructure, understandably, after the bridge collapse in Minnesota left so many dead. But it's not as if the topic has been ignored, really.
The 2005 Highway Bill created the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, because Congress determined “it is in the national interest to preserve and enhance the surface transportation system to meet the needs of the United States for the 21st century.” It's a 12-member commission (members) that first met on May 24, 2006.
The same legislation, enacted in August 2005, created a National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission, which met for the first time in April this year.
Also, the Senate last Thursday passed S. 775, a bill to establish a National Commission on the Infrastructure of the United States. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) introduced the bill in March, with original cosponsors Norm Coleman (R-MN), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and George Voinovich (R-OH).
Future activities? Next month, as soon as Congress gets back, a hearing by the House Transportation Committee.
Full Committee - Structurally Deficient Bridges in the United StatesAnyway, just some background information. More useful than finger-pointing.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
11:00AM
2167 Rayburn HOB
Posted by Carter Wood at 3:17 PM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
August 6, 2007
Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services
Congratulations to William G. "Woody" Sutton, who was confirmed unanimously Friday to be the new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services. The post is an important one for manufacturers, providing both a liaison and an advocate in the Executive Branch responsive to manufacturing issues. Sutton comes to the Administration job after five years as president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute; he's a retired Navy rear admiral with a background in engineering and architecture. (The NAM issued a laudatory news release upon his nomination, as did Commerce Secretary Gutierrez.)
We're glad Sutton will be on board in time for the National Summit on American Competitiveness on September 18.
Posted by Carter Wood at 12:42 PM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
August 3, 2007
More on the House Blow-Up
CQ Politics has just posted a good blow-by-blow account of the uproar over the held/closed/changed vote last night on the House floor.
AP has more here.
UPDATE (2:45 p.m.) Boy, what a disaster today. The House voting computers have broken down, and now there are disputes over a tally on a motion by Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM) to adjourn. ....OK, now they're recessing to fix the machines....Wilson's motion was withdrawn.
UPDATE (3:15 p.m.): From CQ:
Energy legislation remained in limbo Friday, stalled by tight vote counts, partisan squabbling and fresh veto threats from the White House. Floor consideration was likely to be delayed until Saturday at best.Democrats at midday were considering making changes to the energy tax package (HR 2776) to placate oil-state Democrats upset about treatment of the oil and gas industry.
Posted by Carter Wood at 12:49 PM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
May 18, 2007
Farewell to the King
You may recall a few months that that I announced my retirement.
As the Blogger-in-Chief noted at the time, "years of repeated physical and verbal abuse" finally took its tale.
So, I was enjoying life outside of politics, happily in rehab and the taking pleasure in the perks of my charter membership of the NAFBA (National Association of Former Blogger's Apprentices) when I learned that the Blogger-in-Chief is leaving.
In my mind, this, and if a certain individual announced his decision to run for President, are the only two things that would get me to blog again.
So, yes, turns out the rumors are true. The BIC is indeed off to try something new at a firm helping manage online strategy. We know he'll do great there. After all, it WAS his idea to start Shopfloor.
Here's a quick personal (and oh-so-true) story that one day I will live to regret:
Not too long ago, I found e-mail dated June 25, 2004 from the BIC that I had foolishly saved. The subject line was "blog" and the BIC asked, "should we start one?" I responded that blogs were "a terrible idea whose time had run its course and they had hit their peak."
So, yes, it was Pat's idea...and he had a great vision to start something truly transformational for the NAM and the association community, if nothing else, to make me eat my words. I joined along in for the ride and together we made a difference. So it is with a lot of sadness that I come out of retirement to say farewell to a real King in online media.
We're told that this new gig will keep him active in the blogging world and even allow him to finally get paid to despense all the advice he's been giving out for free these last few years.
More importantly, we hope he'll earn a little more money so that he will finally retire the polyester as an acceptable office attire.
Posted by Bill Canis at 7:23 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
December 11, 2006
Is He STILL in America?
Now, yes, of course the temptation is to mock Alec Baldwin when he expounds on non-acting-related issues, subjects such as the environment or war or politics. After all, this is the fellow who promised to leave the country if George Bush were elected president. Apparently. According to some reports.
At any rate, the actor abides opining, most recently at Rutgers, where he led a one-sided discussion on the Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant. The owners of the southern New Jersey plant, Chicago-based Exelon, are seeking a 20-year renewal of the plant's operating license. Baldwin's against it.
"The people who are in favor of the license renewal are looking to line their pockets," said Baldwin, who has a leading role in the NBC primetime comedy "30 Rock." "We don't stand to make any money. Our goal is purely public health and safety."What is that logical error? Poisoning the well? Ad hominem? Ah, well.
The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) sought to have a voice in this quaint "teach-in," but were blocked from participating. But Eric McErlain of NEI's excellent blog, Nuclear Notes, still weighed in with context and facts in anticipation of the event. Points such as New Jersey relies on nuclear power for 52 percent of its electricity. (NEI state fact sheet.)
Like me, Baldwin is a native of Long Island. And as folks in the nuclear energy industry know, it was back in the 1980s that activists there that helped scuttle a perfectly good nuclear power plant -- Shoreham -- that was just about ready to accept fuel.New Jersey's manufacturers, representing 10 percent of the state GDP and employing some 316,000 people, depend on that nuclear power.What was the result? How about some of the highest electricity rates in the nation, ones that squeeze the pocket books of working class families. I guess Baldwin is trying to bring that same sort of sensibility to New Jersey.
Despite the paucity of facts in Baldwin's opposition to clean and safe nuclear energy, it's wrong to make fun of him. After all, unlike most actors, he has first-hand experience with nuclear power, safely shepherding a defecting Soviet nuclear sub into American control back in 1984. That's an insight few of us can bring to the debate.
Posted by Carter Wood at 7:11 AM | 1 comment; click here to read it or submit your own! | Send to a Friend
December 8, 2006
More Than Progress: A High Note for the House!
From the NAM news release upon House passage Friday of H.R. 6406 and H.R. 6111, legislation that enacts key manufacturing priorities in energy, trade, health care and R&D.
"This legislation breaks new ground in providing relief to American's consumers and industry," NAM President John Engler said. "There is no question that our nation's leadership depends upon manufacturing, and these bills will go far toward keeping factories running and jobs in America. It's imperative the Senate follow suit and get a bill to the President's desk."Reuters highlights the trade provisions which passed the House later in the evening in this story, here.In particular, Engler commended action allowing access to domestic energy supplies in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). "Exploring the OCS is an important step toward a more abundant, flexible and affordable energy supply that is critical to a strong U.S. economy," Engler said.
Turning to trade, Engler also praised inclusion of a number of key trade initiatives, including the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB), the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) , the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA) and Permanent Normal Trade Relations for Vietnam. "These are all crucial trade programs to U.S. manufacturers and our trade partners in the developing world," he said.
And as a final note this evening, outgoing Ways & Means Chairman Bill Thomas, (R-CA), issued a news release upon passage of the trade provisions. The text is in the extended entry.
WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 6406, a bill addressing a number of trade issues, by a 212-184 vote.The legislation continues ongoing U.S. humanitarian efforts by creating economic opportunity for developing countries through trade. It also extends permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Vietnam. Finally, the bill includes 500 thoroughly vetted tariff reductions on products that are not produced in the U.S. These tariff reductions help lower costs for U.S. manufacturers, retailers and consumers.
"This legislation will help to create stronger trading partners for the future, while also recognizing our responsibility as having one of the world's strongest economies to help developing countries grow," said Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA). "It's important to note that the Generalized System of Preferences extension applies the same rules to all countries equally. This will help ensure that the benefit is available to those that need it most."
"Today's vote also represents a significant milestone in our efforts to mend the wounds of one of the most divisive conflicts in our nation's history," said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA). "Granting PNTR status to Vietnam will help complete the process of reconciliation and foster a new relationship through mutual economic prosperity."
Posted by Carter Wood at 10:01 PM | 2 comments; click here to read them or submit your own! | Send to a Friend
December 2, 2006
Antarctica: The Conclusion, Part II
As I conclude this last in the series of entries from Antarctica, I thought it would be helpful to make a connection back to manufacturing. No doubt, you are probably wondering why a blog on Antarctica is found on Shopfloor.org, whose topics are manufacturing related. Three quick points:
1. At a superficial level, the boat that I am on, the polar clothing we had to wear to stay warm, and all things needed to make a safe, a successful journey would be impossible without manufacturing. We make it all; it's not as if these things just fall out of the sky.
2. One of the reasons for this trip was to look into the theory of global warming, which has been a big focus on our blog in the last few months. It's interesting to note that not all the scientists on board here buy into this theory. During our concluding Q&A session yesterday, several of the scientific crew said that they'd like to see more evidence in another 50 to 100 years before one can say for sure we are really facing global warming.
3. Finally, a definite connection can be made between the early explorers like Amundsen, Cook, Drake, Scott and Shackleton and today's manufacturers. They share the same risk-taking and entrepreneurial spirit. The spirit of the early explorers exists in today's manufacturers who are at the cutting edge of innovation, R&D, and discovery. Each also live
according to the scouting model of leaving the world better than how they found it.
This trip would not be possible without the heroism of the early explorers who paved the way for expedition ships like ours today. Many explorers gave their lives for the privileges we enjoy today. At Cape Horn, there is a monument of an albatross and underneath the sculpture a poem by Sara Vial:
I am the albatross that waits for you
at the end of the earth
I am the forgotten soul of the dead
who crossed Cape Hope
from all the seas of the world
But they did not die in the furious waves
Today, they fly in my wings to eternity
in the last trough
of the Antarctic wind
Thank for reading these entries over the last week and for joining me on this fantastic journey in my quest to reach all seven continents.
Posted by Bill Canis at 7:00 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
December 1, 2006
Antarctica: The Conclusion, Part 1
For the next two days, we will be travelling the Drake Passage. The waters are slightly rough today owing to the fact that we are travelling north as the winds blow east to west. By sunrise tomorrow, we will be at Cape Horn, having past through the worst of it all.
This morning we heard a lecture about whales. Some of the passengers saw a few of them over the last few days, but I did not. It's still very early in the migratory season for them. In about a month, viewings will be more plentiful.
A few notes about whales:
The rest of the day was rather quiet with passengers going out to the deck to enjoy the scenery for one of the last times. Towards the afternoon, a number of passengers (myself included) started to feel a little queasy which afforded us a good excuse to catch up on some reading or sleeping. There were quite a few empty chairs at dinner as many just kept to their rooms or requested room service as a way of coping with some of the seasickness.
Tomorrow: Final thoughts and the manufacturing nexus....
Posted by Bill Canis at 9:13 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
November 30, 2006
Antarctica: When the Volcano Blows
We visited Deception Island today, which is part of the South Shetland Islands. What a cool name, eh? On the island, there is a place called Whalers Bay, between Fildes Point and Port Foster. It is here where we got to check out a former whaling station. The area had some remains of a few houses and some large tanks for storing food and processed whale oil. Oh, and don't forget the whale bones! While walking around the beach, you can see the mostly-intact skeletal remains of several very large Blue Whales.
Blue Whales are, and have always been, the largest mammal on earth. Just for a quick perspective, their tongue is the size of an elephant. I'm told we are going to have a lecture tomorrow on whales, so I'll be sure to take lots of notes and write more on that subject then.
A few more things on Whalers Bay: Once home to 1,000 people, The Bay was abandoned in 1911 after the price of whale oil dropped. Looking inside the abandoned houses gives the impression of a ghost town that people left in haste. The station remained abandoned until early in World War II when Operation Tabarin (which we spoke about yesterday) found use of the area as 'Base B.' After The War, it became a scientific research station. The area is very historical but here's the best part: the bay is actually a caldera of an active volcano! The volcano last erupted in 1991 and, prior to that, in the 1960s, when it was officially abandoned for all uses and now remains a historic landmark.
We hiked up the cone of the volcano for a great scenic view. When we came down, the expedition crew was digging two fairly sizeable holes on the beach right near where the tide comes in. We were told prior to disembarking to bring our bathing suits because the underground water near the shore is very, very warm and we might have an opportunity to take a dip. This natural hot spring is created by water heated from the magma several
kilometers below the surface. When the holes were dug, we did what any self-respecting traveller would do in the snows of Antarctica: We jumped in!
There's something quite funny about saying that you jumped into a hot tub on a beach in the Antarctic Circle. If that wasn't enough, someone had the bright idea and dared us to run out into the freezing cold ocean and then jump back into the thermal spring. It was another one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
As we boarded our zodiac boat and began to move towards the ship, the engine gave out and we were stuck in the middle of the bay. Thoughts of Gilligan's Island flashed through my head. But, all was well about ten minutes later when a rescue boat came to collect us.
Later this afternoon, we had our postponed lecture by Dr. Lance Morrissey on the geology of Antarctica. He talked about the break-up of the Gondwana supercontinent and how this, along with the creation (through the land separation some 48 million years ago) of the Drake Passage was critical to the Antarctica we know today. The result of this separation was the circumpolar ocean drift which began forming the ice around 30-35 million years ago.
At one time, Antarctica was actually two separate smaller landmasses, but today they are connected by the Transantarctic Mountains. Morrissey also wanted to impart with us the importance of the Beacon Supergroup of fossil records that proved life was once teeming on Antarctica. This place was once even home to dinosaurs!
Following this lecture, we had a short meeting on our final destination, Half Moon Island. It is a crescent shaped (1.25 mile long) island lying in the entrance to Moon By on the east side of Livingston Island in the South Shetlands. We saw some more Chinstrap penguins and basically used the opportunity to go on a nice long hike that took us up a few hundred feet. This was somewhat bittersweet, as it was our last excursion of the entire trip. It was interesting to observe that nobody talked during the hike; instead opting to soak it all in for the last time.
We returned to the ship, waited for dinner followed by a movie and called it a night.
Tomorrow we'll be travelling all day through the Drake Passage, which, as I write this entry, appears to be slightly rougher than last time.
Posted by Bill Canis at 9:00 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
November 29, 2006
Let it Snow! Let it Snow!! Let it Snow!!!
The crew woke us up at 7 a.m. to have us observe an interesting formation on the sea: grease ice. As I may have mentioned in a past entry, in Antarctica, ice freezes at -1.8 degrees Celsius. But when its slightly warmer, ice begins to form on the water in small pieces, the effect of which is that the waves appear to flow like molasses. It looks as though there is a thin layer of oil slick on the ice. Hence. the name, grease ice.
This morning, our first zodiac excursion was to George's Point, at the northern tip of Ronge Island, off the West Coast of Graham Land.
When we arrived at George's Point it began to snow! Our outing there provided us the opportunity to observe more Chinstrap penguins and their stench was nearly unbearable. As the snow increased, a group of us decided to do what any self-respecting traveller would in the snows of Antarctica: We built a snowman! We also hiked up a small hill for a nice scenic view and then had some fun sledding our way down.
We returned from this excursion and found hot chocolate and brandy waiting for us on the boat and the captain proceeded to sail along through Paradise Harbour. Located behind Lemaire and Byrde Islands, and indenting the west coast of Grahamland between Duthiers and Leniz points, Paradise Harbour was named for the stunning scenery by the early whalers. Proceeding further, we sailed for the first time past a research station and later we were told of another research station, Almirante Brown, that was occupied by the Argentineans. This station was abandoned after a doctor stationed there, realizing he might have to spend a winter in Antarctica, burned it down!
Continuing onward, we made our way to Port Lockroy, one of Antarctica's most historic locations. During the Second World War, the British Government dispatched a secret mission, code-named Operation Tabarin. Several small bases, including "Base A" at Port Lockroy, were established on the Antarctic Peninsula to report on enemy activities and provide weather reports. Port Lockroy is also unique in that you can mail postcards from this location and
have them stamped from Antarctica. Sure it might take six months to get to your destination, but how many of you can say that you've received a post card from Antarctica?
Following this visit, dinner was served and later all of the passengers competed in multiple-choice Antarctic trivia contest with the winner receiving a case of champagne. We lost.
Oh, and in case you are wondering, we do receive U.S. news updates on the boat and were saddened, just as you were, to hear Pamela Lee was filing for divorce.
Tune in tomorrow for an update on our travel adventures including a review of our visit to Deception Island and Half Moon Island.
Posted by Bill Canis at 9:24 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
November 28, 2006
Antarctica: The March of the Humans
Prior entries have been all about visits to the various islands in the Antarctic circle but today was different. Today was the day we would actually set foot on Antarctica for the first time. Its a balmy -1 degrees Celsius outside right now (about 30 Fahrenheit). Our first trip out this morning began at 9 a.m. with a visit to Brown Bluff. Upon landing, the first thing I did was get a picture taken of myself holding up seven fingers, one for each of the continents that I have visited. Our visit to Brown Bluff was another good opportunity to see some Adelie penguins in action and towards the end of the excursion we spotted a leopard seal.
Because a trip to Antarctica is not your typical vacation destination, everyone here has invested heavily in the proper clothing and their own brand of camera and tripod. So, when someone spots something photo-worthy, everybody instantly grabs their camera and begins clicking away. The only way to describe this scene would be if the White House photo press corps at a head of state visit were suddenly transported.
Between three meals, two daily excursions, playing Scrabble and a bit of drinking, it is really shocking how fast the day goes while living on a boat. There is precious little free time.
Our afternoon excursion today took us to Kinnes Cove on the west side of Joinville Island below the Madder Cliffs. Many of us took the opportunity to hike up about 300 meters to the top of the cliffs for an incredible scenic view. Along the way I took a few pictures of the group (about 80 of us) marching single file up the steep cliff. When we got to the top of the cliff, we did what any self-respecting traveller would do in the snows of Antarctica: We laid down on our bellies and proceeded to sled to the bottom. It made that long hike totally worth it!
In the last three years, I've gone to China, Kenya, Australia and today the goal of visiting all seven continents is complete. I've realized a long-held dream. I'm no where near done travelling, though. I still aim to travel outside the country at least once a year and the planning for the following year's trip usually begins a year before. So, here's a sneak preview.
In the November issue of National Geographic, they profiled one of the greatest mountain climbers ever, Reinhold Messner. In 1975, he and a companion, Peter Habeler, were the smallest team ever to summit an 8,000-meter peak, Gasherbrum I. According to Habeler, the two toasted each other at the end of the expedition with the words, "To Everest!"
Tune in tomorrow for more of the Antarctic adventures as we visit Port Lockroy and George's Point on Ponge Island.
Posted by Bill Canis at 7:35 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
November 27, 2006
Antarctica: Cabin 223, Tag No. 51
You know how when you take a vacation, it usually takes a few days before you really feel like you are on vacation? Then, something happens where you finally fall into vacation mode? Well, today that was that day, for several reasons.
Currently, I'm sitting in the back of the boat's on-board movie theater watching -- what else? -- but March of the Penguins awaiting arrival at Brown Bluff, which will be our first official landing on the continent of Antarctica (up until this point it's been the nearby islands).
Today's adventures actually began very early when I suddenly woke up thinking I had missed breakfast only to look outside my window and see huge icebergs float by underneath what appeared to be an early sunset sky. It was actually 2:30 in the morning. At this time of year in Antarctica, there is no permanent nightfall, just a dim, yet colorful sunset. Now that I was awake, I quickly recalled the crew's suggestion that if we were up at that time during the voyage to Paulet Island to head up to the observation deck and watch some amazing iceberg formations float past. To the average person, icebergs might be boring, but when you see one up close, and realize that any ONE of them could have sunk the Titanic, you quickly develop a sense of amazement.
Shortly after 9 AM, we boarded our zodiac boats and headed for Paulet Island to view our first penguin rookery. We didn't have to see them to know they were there: we smelt them from afar. To ensure ensue that all passengers are accounted for, the exit door towards the zodiac boas have a wooden peg with a tag number corresponding to each guest. My cabin room number is 223, and I happen to be tag # 51. The tags serve a useful purpose to keep safe
track of the passengers should they want to leave the boat for any extended period of time.
They also serve as your online "bank account." To buy drinks, souvenirs or anything else, simply provide the crew member with your tag number and settle your account upon conclusion of the trip.
Back on Paulet Island, our scientific guide estimated that there were 100,000 Adelie penguins present.
This afforded us the opportunity to see most of the classic penguin activities. Some were lying on their bellies keeping their eggs warm or standing up to turn them over. Others were collecting small rocks in their beaks to build a nest for the future chick. We heard mating calls, saw a few fights break out and, of course, were fascinated by herd mentality as we watched a group of 100 or more penguins all jump into the water at once. When I came across a group of penguins sitting at the waters' edge, I jokingly said aloud, "OK, guys, on the count of three. One...Two...Three." And, believe it or not, at that very moment, an entire group jumped into the water and quickly disappeared as they swam their average speed of 5 meters per second. I tried a few more times at getting them to push off in unison into the sea but had no such luck.
I find penguins quite fascinating because it is really interesting to see evolution at work as you observe their walking or swimming habits. Penguins have wings and legs. But neither are completely developed to make them fully useful: they can't fly and they waddle at best, falling down many times. So, they are kind of like the animal that nature forgot to finish its evolutionary cycle. No matter, though. As our guide explained: "Penguins have no competition for their land they use or the food they eat. So, they don't need to adapt or make any further biological changes. Every single aspect of their body is adapted to their environment." Sure, they look goofy, but they are perfectly content creatures.
Following our return to the main boat, we had an opportunity hear a talk on "The Little Guys in Tuxedos." When people think of penguins, its very likely the image that comes to mind is that of the emperor penguin, which was featured in March of the Penguins. At three feet tall, they are the largest of all the varieties of penguins but also the fewest in number. During the late spring/early Antarctic summer months (i.e. right now) you are not likely to find very many emperor penguins in large quantities. So, it was with great amazement that following the lecture, we walked out to the bow of the ship and within 20 minutes we spotted a lone emperor penguin. Ordinarily, that would be a highlight of any trip...but today gets better.
After sailing further, our ship ran into some pretty serious pack ice and we dropped anchor. The crew decided to exit the boat and test the ice to see if it was safe to walk on. After about 45 minutes of testing, they gave the all-clear sign. I quickly flipped tag #51 to the "out" position and made my way outside. Mind you, this wasn't just any ordinary ice. We were given the opportunity to literally walk on water. We were walking on the Weddell Sea!
We walked around a bit and then someone spotted another emperor penguin! It was about 200 yards away. The combination of our patience and the curiosity of the penguin resulted in him continued to walk/slide toward us. As a general rule of thumb, we learned that if we remain low to the ground (at the penguin's height), stay silent and immobile, the penguin won't feel
threatened and waddle away. So, sure enough, he came closer. And closer. And closer until finally he was less than one yard away from yours truly. I took the opportunity to get some really close up pictures shot in RAW format on my Cannon Reel xTi 10.1 mega pixel camera.
This penguin sighting was yet another bonus from today. We didn't expect to see another one when we got off the ship to walk around on the ice so, consequently, I wasn't prepared for weathering the extended outside temperatures. As I found myself lying on my stomach, staring directly at an emperor penguin three feet away, I thought to myself, "OK, penguin, would you please hurry up and move on...my %$#* are freezing off!"
Following this incredible photo opportunity, we had dinner and are currently watching The March of the Penguins.
By this time tomorrow we will have reached Brown Bluff and officially landed on the Antarctic peninsula. Tune in tomorrow to learn about what else happens on this wild and crazy Antarctic Experience.
Posted by Bill Canis at 7:44 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
November 26, 2006
Antarctica: Land Ho! We're at Elephant Island
Because the waters of the Drake Passage have been unusually calm, we headed
over to Elephant Island, named by the early explorers for the abundance of Elephant seals found here. It was on this island that Ernest Shackleton organized his mission to rescue his men that he left behind after The Endurance got caught in frozen ice less than a century ago.
Because of the historic significance of where we were headed, it was fitting then, that our first lecture this morning was about the motley crew that joined Shackleton.
After all, how many people do you know that would have responded to the following ad placed in a newspaper by Shackleton? "Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, return doubtful."
We arrived in the vicinity of Elephant Island at around 3:30 PM. In order to check out the wildlife, we had to first attend a briefing and understand some of the safety and environmental guidelines. The guidelines were prepared by the IAATO, or International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators. Those Inside-the-Beltway DC-types who are reading this will once again be amazed that, yes, there is an association for just about everything. Among other things we learned:
sailors grip (clutching wrist-to-wrist, both hands).
Our excursion this afternoon on Elephant Island afforded us the luxury to see two of the six or so types of Penguins native to Antarctica: the Chinstrap and the Adelie Penguins (the others include: King, Emperor, Macaroni and Gentu). The word penguin was used for the first time to
describe these animals in 1586 when explorer Thomas Cavendish circumnavigated the globe in his ship, The Desire.
It really is hilarious when you watch these little creatures try to walk in the wild. You can't help but wonder if nature wasn't playing a practical joke when these flightless birds were created. One of the highlights of day was seeing five or six of these things stranded, yet hopping along, a small iceberg in the middle of nowhere.
When we returned from our outing there was another lecture opportunity, this time on seals. For some, the last thing that you'd want on a vacation is to hear someone lecture to you. However, we're really learning a lot from these various discussions. What is especially appealing about them is that the scientists know their audience very well and engage them at all opportunities. The lecturers could easily talk for 3-4 hours on any given subject. But instead, they keep the discussions to 25 minutes, which is a perfect amount of time.
Cocktail hour followed this lecture where a staff member brought to the bar a (small) chunk of ice that he found floating in the water. He was chipping away the ice and offering to put it in the beverages. It is, after all, very clean, pure water!
We concluded the night with a preview of what to expect on our next stop: Paulet Island, followed by dinner and a game of Scrabble with some friends we've made on the ship.
Tomorrow, we'll provide a re-cap of our voyage to Paulet Island.
Posted by Bill Canis at 10:41 AM | Click here to comment | Send to a Friend
November 25, 2006
Antarctica: Life at Sea
Today is our first full day at sea. We are very fortunate in that the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage that plagued explorers nearly a century ago have been quite calm for us. The Drake Passage can be difficult to navigate because of the Antarctic Convergence: a place where the warmer south Pacific waters meet with the colder Antarctic waters.
Its hard to imagine that less than a century ago, in 1916 (the continent was first crossed in 1773), Antarctica was still dangerous place for explorers and their crew, including the notable expedition of Ernest Shackleton. The 1916 trip by Shackleton aboard the Endurance was a risky proposition. In fact, Shackleton's call for explorers to join him read, "Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, return doubtful."
We are fortunate to have catered meals on our ship, but back then, food was difficult to come by. One set of explorers wrote they ate the rats found on the ship. Drake would remark that in one day, in order to survive, his crew killed at least 3,000 penguins. Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlach would also find a food in the form of penguins and remarked about their taste, "If it is possible to imagine a piece of beef, odoriferous cod fish from a canvass-backed duck roasted together in a pot with blood and cod liver for sauce, the illustration would be complete."
But today, heroes like Drake, Shackleton and Cook have paved the way for researchers and expedition ships like ours.
Many have asked: What the heck do you do on a boat headed for Antarctica? Well, actually, there's more to do than you might think. Today, for instance, there were two lectures to attend and two movies shown. One lecture was about the birds of Antarctic seas and many on the boat could be found afterward looking outside for notable birds including the Wandering Albatross which has the wingspan of twice the arm length of a human! Unfortunately, these birds were not very plentiful due to the unusually calm waters.
We also heard a lecture on "Antarctica: The Frozen Continent." A few things they mentioned which I took notes on:
Well, that's about all. Tune in tomorrow where we will will report on our findings from Elephant Island.
Posted by Bill Canis at 12:14 PM | 1 comment; click here to read it or submit your own! | Send to a Friend
November 24, 2006
Antarctica: It's The End of the World (and I Feel Fine)
Greetings from Ushuaia, Argentina! The Blogger-in-Chief has graciously allowed me to veer off topic (yet again) and write a daily travel entry on the blog. Similar to last's years travel report from Australia, where this humble blog was the first to post a blog entry in 2006, we are making yet another historic first. Today begins the first of ten blog entries on our voyage to Antarctica.
We arrived today from the Buenos Aires (EZE) aeropuerto (airport) to Ushuaia. Ushuaia is flanked on one side by the Andes Mountains. A town of about 60,000 people, it looks like something out of the TV show Northern Exposure.
It is here where the Pan-American Highway (Route #3) begins and ends (the other terminus is at Fairbanks, Alaska).
Some people have been known to ride their bikes or motorcycles for six to eight months to travel the Pan-American Highway's entire distance. The highway ends where Tierra del Fuego National Park begins. At that spot, a sign reads, "End of the road. No more roads south." For that reason, and because the city is the southernmost city in the world, it is often known as the "end of the world." In Tierra del Fuego, you can visit Bay Insada Post Office where for $1, you an get your passport stamped that says, "End of the World." I always imagined the end of the world looking different, but alas, here we are.
Ushuaia is also cal