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Thursday, September 13, 2007
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Ireland announces changes with staff
BEN BEAKES
SARAH CARDEN BAILEY
Secretary of State Betty Ireland on Wednesday named two key staff changes in her office, with her Chief of Staff departing to accept a position in the private sector, and a new Deputy Secretary of State coming on board.“Ben Beakes has been my Chief of Staff since the day I assumed office, and his contributions have been enormous,” said Secretary Ireland. “I thank him for his dedication and his friendship, and wish him all the best in the future.”Beakes’ last day will be September 30; he has accepted a position with Petroleum Products, Inc. in its Fleet Fueling Division. During his tenure as Chief of Staff, he worked diligently to implement the mandates of the Help America Vote Act, as well as initiating the Digital Signatures program. He is a member of the 2007 class of Leadership West Virginia, and he and his wife, Sarah, recently announced the birth of their first child.“It’s been a privilege to serve the citizens of West Virginia in my role as Secretary Ireland’s Chief of Staff,” Beakes said. “Working in the Secretary of State’s Office has certainly been rewarding, and I’ll miss it. But I am also looking forward to my new career with Petroleum Products, Inc.”Pat Graney, President of Petroleum Products, Inc. is excited to have Beakes on board. “Ben is an energetic individual and committed to West Virginia,” said Graney. “We are happy he has joined our team to further our commitment of great service to our customers.”Sarah Carden Bailey is joining the office as Deputy Secretary of State/Director of Communications. She recently served as Assistant General Counsel and Vice President for Acordia Mid-Atlantic in Charleston. She previously served as a litigation associate with Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love LLP, and was a law clerk for the late U.S. District Judge Charles Haden II. She is a 1997 graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law.Doyle's exit from track has issues attached
I listened with interest Sunday morning to Decision Makers on CBS 59. Bray Carey interviewed WV 3rd District Congressman from the Coal to Liquid (CTL) conference held at the Glade Springs Resort.Mr. Rahall made statements that are in stark contrast to previous positions or statements, leaving the question of where he actually stands on these issues. The question also arises about the reason for contrasting positions. Is Mr. Rahall simply telling the group he happens to be addressing at the time what they want to hear?On Decision Makers Mr. Rahall stated that he supports all forms of energy that will lesson our dependence on foreign oil. (A credible position that I support.) Looking back at recent history we find the following.The Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007 HR 2377 proposed by Mr. Rahall includes the following:*Repeal of several drilling and oil shale provisions of the Energy policy Act of 2005 designed to expedite production on federal land.*Elongate the permit process for drilling
*Eliminate drilling for resources off the coasts of Virginia and Alaska.
*Virtually eliminate wind farms due to the possibility of Birds and bats flying into the turbines. Investors Hub on 7/13 referred to this bill as the “guaranteeing America’s increased reliance on foreign sources Act of 2007”.Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne is quoted in the Virginian Pilot as saying that drilling of the coast of Virginia “could meet natural gas needs for a decade”.June 7, 2006 HR 5254 Mr. Rahall voted NO on scheduling permitting for new oil refineries. (Our refining capacity is well behind production capabilities.)Oct 7, 2005 HR 3893 Mr. Rahall voted NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries.June 15, 2004 Hr. 4503 Mr. Rahall voted NO on the National Energy Policy that would establish a national policy for energy conservation, research, and development.2003 Mr. Rahall voted NO on implementing a national energy policy.August 1, 2001 Mr. Rahall voted NO on raising CAFÉ standards and incentives for alternative fuels.Also, during the short interview on Decision Makers, Mr. Rahall mentioned the danger of depending on obtaining our energy needs from “countries we may one day have to bomb”. This comment seems odd based upon Mr. Rahall’s friendship and alliance with countries in the Middle East that harbor terrorists and his apparent disdain for our allies in the area. This is evidenced by the following:
October 8,2004, Mr. Rahall voted NO on adopting the recommendations of the 9/11 commission, but stated the reason for visiting Syria in April of this year, against the desire of the President, as implementing Iraq study groups recommendation for diplomatic contact with Syria.July 20, 2006 HR res 921 on a vote of 410-8 Mr. Rahall voted NO on a resolution denouncing terrorism and supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.2003 Mr. Rahall violated a State Department policy by taking a trip to Syria.April 2006, Mr. Rahall, along with Speaker Pelosi, traveled to Syria against the wishes of President Bush and the State Department wishes.2003 An Arab American Rahall donor was charged by Federal officials with illegally accepting money from Libya to persuade the United States to lift the travel ban to that country.September 14, 2002, Mr. Rahall visited Iraq and criticized the President before the Iraqi Parliament.January 1998, at a U.S. Congressional delegation briefing in Damascus, Syria, Mr. RahallSaid,” Our {Arab} lobby in the United States is growing in its influence and its participation in political campaigns across the spectrum. Our trip {was} sponsored by the Arab American Institute –one of those most effective lobbying groups of the Arab groups in Washington—and a relatively new group , the National Arab American Businessmen’ s Association. {Through} these groups…we are increasing our influence, and we are increasing our participation.”
1993 Mr. Rahall was the lone House member to vote against a resolution calling for an end to an Arab boycott of Israel.2001 Mr. Rahall was one of 11 members of congress voting against a resolution insisting that the Palestinian Authority take steps to end a terrorist campaign.Finally, Mr. Rahall’s sister has been a paid lobbyist for the Middle East nation of Qatar.Qatar is considered an ally and has large reserves of oil and gas. However Qatar also has a poor record with regard to political freedom and has had to counter allegations by U.S. counter terrorism officials about Al Qaeda ties prior to September 11.
Clearly, Mr. Rahall presents both sides of the same arguments on energy policy and the countries that he feels comfortable with as potential partners in the supply of energy and which countries are allies. My question is simply what and who do you support Mr. Rahall? Guest column by Marty Gearheart: Based on
his actions, what and who does Rahall support?
Marty Gearheart is the Republican candidate for the 3rd Congressional District in West Virginia
Having Fun
With Mojo
Those legislative slowpokes!
Hey kids! Mojo here! I had a great time this week in the Eastern Panhandle! It sure was nice to get out of Charleston for a while! But one thing I learned is that our House and Senate members are really slow! Before we left for Martinsburg, I had an agreement with a lot of them from around Charleston to meet up and leave at the same time! So we did, and we all took off on our way to the Panhandle! I got there in a hurry! But geesh! I must have waited at least four hours for the rest of them to show up! Turns out, they were all driving! What a bummer that must be! 
Some state lawmakers are suggesting that since Del. John Doyle was asked to leave a legislative tour at Charles Town Racetrack, the nature of the event was changed from a governmental tour to a reportable lobbying event.As long as all legislators were invited to tour the facility as part of their interim meetings in the Eastern Panhandle, typical reporting of expenditures for the visit by the track would not be required. But a track official's insistence that Doyle leave the premises turned it into an event for only specifically invited legislators, say some, meaning the track should file reports with the state on who was invited and how much money was spent.In today's Charleston Gazette, Doyle says track Vice President John Finamore told him, "I’m not ordering you to leave, but I want you to get out of here." Doyle left the premises. Track officials deny ordering Doyle to leave.
