An interesting thing happened on my way toward finishing up a report on the
Senate ENR 2005 Water Conference (more on that later)... I was sent to cover a Senate Approps Hearing for the
Energy and Water Subcommittee, the interesting thing was that it was my first time seeing
Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO). For those who do not know, Senator Allard had a tough race against
polls had placed the two neck-and-neck. To much disappointment or jubiliation depending on the aisle seat, Senator Allard won and subsequently brought his Federal Marriage Amendment and the second term of a two-term pledge back to the U.S. Senate. This pledge expires in 2008, and
Udall is hoping for the seat. In anticipation, the Republican Senate leadership named Allard to a seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Today, I saw for the first time Senator Allard, while he was on the committee. He seemed tired. Aside from the peculiar set of questions he had for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, Senator Allard's red-haired foot soldier didn't seem to have any amazing planted questions. Look past the questions about communication between the Corps and Denver, the Arkansas conduit, and it struck me. It was the same feeling when I heard
Senator Salazar say, the "Western Policy Review Commission amounted to nothing [in solving water crishttp://www.windsofchange.net/ way, Senator Salazar worked on that commission. Sometimes, it's hard to look at the big picture when you have one eye at your state and another on a future election. You don't have extra eyes toward big-picture solutions for the common good when you don't have seniority and when you're fighting to make a name for yourself. Luckily for Senator Allard,
Senator Kit Bond was filling in for
Senator Domenici who was attending the Pope's funeral. Senator Bond had to leave toward the end, and there it was... Senator Allard was the only Senator in the room. Who cares if there were enough people in the audience (including witnesses) to count on two hands? His whttp://www.centristcoalition.coms subcommittee, and... for a second... he recognized it too. He paused and asked a question that many wonder in Colorado, "Can Lake Powell be stoppered? (Thinking "so I can tell people in Colorado that the river will be back on track and not to worry about their crops or their water")." He didn't ask a question to grandstand (probably because he had asked enough), but he asked a question that was from the heart. There it was, the small bit of hope for all of the grief he'd be back to the quick walking and grumbling, for that brief instant, Wayne Allard was a Senator. The Republicans can't expect this man to automatically renege on his pledge, but I think he might. He might just want to give it another go.
Other News I am going to be working for the GAO this summer in their Natural Resources and Environment Division. I guess I'm fairly young for the Student Intern position because most interns are students in their penultimate years of graduate work. I'll be earning GS-7 ($6K) over the summer, and it allows for non-competitive placement in the GAO when I graduate. I will be able to work on environmental issues and my particular interest of water resource issues, but I can also work on nuclear regulatory issues (Russia's constant loose nukes, etc.). I'm excited. In other Colorado news... the ousting of three people from a Bush rally is hilarious. I love the political fallout for the Republicans, especially combined with the feral idiocy of some Republican legislators. I concur with Rep. Paccione, "Geesh! This is what we're talking about!" Now, enough of my bad post... On sadder note, R.I.P Pope John Paul II, Your wonderful character and resolve inspired us all. We http://www.lcr.orgmessenger of peace. Although many have known you as brother, father, and grandfather, I only knew you as grandfather. Thank you for your guidance and may God embrace you as you have embraced us. (Daily Show- This Week in God Theme- Beep,boop,boop,beep,boop,boop..." Websites! Lying makes your brain work harder Politicians and Actors- Those striking similarities What do Chinese people eat for snacks? song (from the trailer). Click "Cells." Post-Secret: Hilarious, sad, and yet strangely human...
