BELLEFONTE NUCLEAR PLANT, THE CONTINUING SAGA OF ZOMBIE NUCLEAR REACTORS - Rockville, Maryland and Scottsboro, Alabama - August 14, 2018 - Meeting Between the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Nuclear Development, LLC Regarding the Bellefonte Nuclear Facility - Who Will Buy The Power? Answer At The End Of This Article - Update on Nuclear Loan Guarantees, August 23, 2018 - UPDATE January 6, 2019; UPDATE - August 18, 2020, Latest Info from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission - UPDATE and Review - May 6, 2021

Bellefonte, from an unrealistic delusional dream, 4 nuclear reactors, to the Zombie Nuclear Reactors.

Photo in TVA, Environmental Assessment documents for Bellefonte Units 3 and 4. Fair Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary. Photo Crop and research provided by G. Morgan

ALL THINGS RELATED TO BELLEFONTE NUCLEAR POWER FACILITY ON THIS BLOG, LINK:

https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Bellefonte%20Nuclear%20Power%20Plant 

 Bellefonte a nuclear zombie!

The Nuclear Zombie by Edwin Vasquez published in The Nation in an article by Christian Parenti on aging nuclear plants https://www.thenation.com/article/zombie-nuke-plants/

Fair Use for non-profit news reporting and commentary.

UPDATES AND REVIEW

MAY 6, 2021 - REVIEW AND UPDATE OF DOCUMENTS AND STATUS OF THE BELLEFONTE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, UNITS 1 AND 2

Documents indicating violations of law, regulation and policy -  

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

 DOCKET NOS. 50-438 and 50-439

Expert Testimony and Declarations (link) 

https://cleanenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/BLN12DeclarationGundersen050609.pdf

Quote Regarding the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Cannibalization: "Dr. Bob Doggart, a former senior engineering specialist at TVA who now serves as the managing lead assessor for the British Institute of Nondestructive Testing LLC said. “To allow outsiders to come in and remove key equipment for virtually nothing was unbelievably foolish.” Chattanooga Times Free Press on March 29, 2009"

Quote (pg14): ". . . licensure and operation of TVA’s Bellefonte Units 1 and 2 pose a grave risk to public health and safety without an entirely new construction permitting process, Quality Assurance Program, and environmental data analysis. . . "

CURRENT NRC STAUS AND DOCUMENTATION ON THE LICENSE TRASFER

Link: https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/bellefonte-constr-permits.html

AUGUST 18, 2020 - CURRENT NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION INFORMATION ON BELLEFONTE

Latest Documents link Nuclear Development, LLC (ND) to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)       June 16, 2020  (note pages 120-126 of document; pages 211-222 pdf related to Quality Assurance): 

https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2016/ML20168B022.pdf

CURRENT NRC STAUS AND DOCUMENTATION ON THE LICENSE TRASFER, TVA to ND, LLC

Link: https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/bellefonte-constr-permits.html

My comments to the NRC:   

 https://www.facebook.com/cleanenergyorg/posts/bellefonte-nuclear-2020later-this-year-the-nuclear-regulatory-commission-will-de/10156747819936961/

December 4, 2019

Activists Denounce Bellefonte Plant as Regulators Consider License Transfer

https://energycentral.com/news/activists-denounce-zombie-bellefonte-nuclear-plant-regulators-consider-license-transfer-new

January 6, 2019

Update on Bellefonte - Court denies request for expedited hearing. https://www.waaytv.com/content/news/Judge-powers-down-request-for-Bellefonte-hearing-503951551.html

December 18, 2018

Federal Court in Huntsville receives update.

 https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2018/dec/18/court-get-update-sale-bellefonte-nuclear-plant/485159/

December 1, 2018 

TVA scraps sale of Bellefonte to Haney

https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2018/nov/30/tva-scraps-bellefonte-sale/484107/?utm_campaign=magnet&utm_source=article_page&utm_medium=related_articles

December 1, 2018

No approval from NRC

https://www.dailymemphian.com/article/1600/TVA-says-Bellefonte-purchase-misses-closing-date

December 1, 2018

Nuclear Development LLC claims TVA illegally blocking deal, TVA says not true.

https://www.apnews.com/090974514c11447086b90991bdbc25bd

November 30, 2018

TVA pulls out of deal.

https://www.waaytv.com/content/news/Tennessee-Valley-Authority-pulled-out-of-deal-to-sell-Bellefonte-Nuclear-Plant-in-Jackson-Co-501666961.html

November 30, 2018

Nuclear Development LLC can't meet deadline requirements

https://whnt.com/2018/11/30/breaking-tva-says-buyer-for-bellefonte-nuclear-plant-cant-meet-contract-deadline-sale-appears-off

November 12, 2018

Sale of Bellefonte extended.

https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2018/11/12/tva-extends-deadline-for-nuclear-development-to.html

October 19, 2018

Bellefonte Nuclear Deal Collapsing

https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2018/10/plans_to_finish_bellefonte_nuc.html

Here we are again, a newly formed private corporation states it will purchase the 44 year old Bellefonte Nuclear Plant by early November of this year for $111 million dollars, $22 million dollars has been tendered to the TVA as earnest money toward the pending purchase.  Preston Swafford, previously with TVA, currently the Chief Nuclear Officer with SNC Lavalin, primary nuclear engineering contractor for Nuclear Development LLC, briefs politicians, special invitees and the press on July 30, 2018 in a meeting sponsored by The Jackson County Economic Development Authority. Photo by G. Morgan

UPDATE: August 23, 2018 No Documented Loan Guarantee

No mention of DOE nuclear loan guarantees for Bellefonte in this June 2018 report, 60 days ago.

https://cleanenergyfinanceforum.com/2018/06/12/loan-guarantee-program-fuels-innovative-energy-technology 

FROM CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE REGARDING FUNDING FOR ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, FY 2019 FUNDING AND REPORT, Dated July 17, 2018, 30 days ago. Take note folks, there is no discussion of the Bellefonte project for 2019 appropriations from Department of Energy, DOE, regarding nuclear loan guarantees. https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R45258.pdf

Bellefonte does not meet the requirements of the DOE Title XVII Nuclear Loan Guarantee Program as the Bellefonte Project DOES NOT, quote - 

• "Employ new or significantly improved technologies as compared to commercial technologies in services in the United States at the time the guarantee is issued."  https://www.energy.gov/lpo/title-xvii/title-xvii-project-eligibility

TROUBLE AT BELLEFONTE, POLITICS AND UNSCROUPOLUS FINANCIAL DEALINGS

Congressman Mo Brooks comments on unscrupulous financial activity regarding the Bellefonte Nuclear Construction license transfer - http://www.waff.com/story/38802403/wall-street-journal-connects-bellefonte-project-to-former-trump-attorney

  

9 August, 2018, Wall Street Journal - Prosecutors in the Trump Investigation have called on Franklin Haney to answer questions about the money involvement regarding Trump/Cohen and others in the Bellefonte deal. WSJ article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-top-trump-donors-dealings-with-michael-cohen-trigger-scrutiny-1533850870

The political issues involving campaign contributions by the owners of Nuclear Development, LLC, and the structural integrity of the Bellefonte facility were brought forth to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC, during the public’s comment and question period.

The NRC gave no assurances or definitive commitments that they could protect the public, which is their mission, from unscrupulous political pressure. Statements that the NRC is an independent agency regarding their political appointed commissioners are not assurances in the current political climate.

The NRC did confirm there are known serious problems with the structural integrity of the former cannibalized nuclear plant. Note: Arnie Gunderson's, Fairewinds Report, video in the right column of this blog regarding the problems of Bellefonte's structural integrity and age related issues.

VIDEOS of Today's NRC Proceedings

Introduction and Tour - Part 1

VIDEO Recording of the meeting, Part 2 (Suggest you turn the sound all the way up, then adjust down if needed.).


ALL THINGS NUCLEAR RELATED TO THE BELLEFONTE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT SAGA  IN THIS BLOG. 10 YEARS OF HISTORY. MANY LINKS, MANY IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS - https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Bellefonte%20Nuclear%20Plant

Bellefonte Nuclear Brief Video from the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant - July 30, 2018

\

An Associated Press News Report Video regarding this activity from July 30, 2016.  Fair use of video for non-profit news reporting and commentary, video available on You Tube public access.


THE QUESTION, WHO WILL BUY THE POWER IF NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT COMPLETES THE CONSTRUCTION, TVA? MO BROOKS PROVIDES DETAILS. RATE PAYERS SCAMMED ONCE AGAIN SO THAT PRIVATE CORPORATE CONCERNS REAP PROFITS FROM RATEPAYERS. SIMILAR TO TVA VARIABLE INTEREST DEBT, V.I.E, DEBT TRANSACTIONS. BUILD THE PLANT, SELL IT, THEN BUY THE POWER OR THE PLANT BACK.
Trouble in North Alabama, his name is Franklin Haney -  "Franklin Haney - Bible salesman turned billionaire . . . He buys politicians like the latest iPhones, and it doesn't matter their make or model. He slathered money on Barack Obama and Donald Trump ($1million), funded Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley's inaugural and the dark money group that paid his (Bentley's) sweetheart."  https://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2018/08/you_got_trouble_alabama_and_it.html

SHH, WE HAVE SECRETS - CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS VIDEO

Town Hall Meeting Scottsboro, Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks Discusses Debt and Deficit Spending, Citizen Q&A, Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Discussion - UPDATE 2-21-18 Health Care Debate, Ms. Carter vs Mr. Brooks

Congressman Brooks asks where is the TV Stations, and ask who I worked for, I told him "Myself." I asked him his thoughts on cyber security, Mr. Brooks is on the Cybersecurity Caucus. The Congressman commented that President Trump has not implemented sanctions on Russia as a result of their meddling in U.S. elections. Special Counsel Mueller's investigation is ongoing with the recent indictments of Russians last week. (photo by G. Morgan)

Concerned Citizen asks questions about Federal Law Enforcement Pay when the employee is Retired Military. Mr. Brooks would not agree to look into retirement pay problems with this category of Federal Employees. (photo by G. Morgan)

Mr. Brooks has discussion with local citizen regarding health care, he displays rudeness toward citizen and tells her to sit down, she refuses, saying "I will not sit down, I have more to say." Mr. Brooks appears to be intimidated by women of the opposing political party, this has been witnessed at other Town Hall Meetings. Citizen comments may be seen in the 2 part citizen Q&A videos listed below.(Photo by G. Morgan)

VIDEOS

Opening - Mr. Brooks Opening, Debt and Deficit Spending

CITIZEN COMMENTS, Q and A SESSION, 2 PARTS






HEALTH CARE DEBATE
Scottsboro, Alabama February 20, 2018 Town Hall Health Care Debate - Scottsboro Citizen Jenny Carter (D) vs Congressman Mo Brooks (R. Al.) 5th Congressional District.

VIDEO EXCERPT OF THE DEBATE - Ms. CARTER vs Mr. BROOKS



Congressman Brooks is not only wrong, he should learn the old military saying, "Respect is earned, it is not automatic." Mr. Brooks did not tell the truth and issued forth personal attacks, to include "gaslighting." He called the speaker a liar, when in fact it was him which was ill informed and deceitful. Fact check of the stories: 1) al.com, the article contains the Jake Tapper CNN interview with Mr. Brooks - http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/05/rep_mo_brooks_people_who_live.html  2) CNBC article of current Congressional medical benefits -  https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/25/heres-how-much-members-of-congress-pay-for-their-health-insurance.html

Political elected officials are the stewards of OUR GOVERNMENT, not our dictators.

My thoughts, Jenni Carter wins the debate, post your thoughts or any comments in the comments section.

BELLEFONTE

Rick Roden, CEO Chamber of Commerce follow up after his comments at the end of Citizen Comments in the Part 2 Video.

It is important to remember that Bellefonte is still owned by the TVA. Mr. Franklin Haney has an option to purchase Bellefonte from the TVA and has placed earnest money of approximately $22 million dollars indicating his intent to purchase. His purchase option is open until November of this year; Mr. Haney had the high bid for the sale of $111 million. Ratepayers of the TVA area have over $5 billion dollars invested into the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant.

Haney states he believes he can finish the 55% completed Unit 1 and the 35% completed Unit 2 for $13 billion dollars. It has also been reported that he will probably apply and be granted a DOE Nuclear Grant of approximately $6 billion dollars.

It is estimated by private sources the plant will cost $15 billion dollars to complete. Every year that passes completion costs increase. Units 1 & 2 were both cannabilized when the construction license was surrendered in 2006. It will take approximately 5 to 7 years to complete Unit 1 and over 7 years to complete Unit 2. If the sale of the nuclear plant is finalized the nuclear construction license will need to be transferred resulting in public hearings related to the license transfer.

Congressman Brooks commented to a reporter on Bellefonte. Mr. Brook's support staff did not want me to video the ongoing interview. I asked of Mr. Brooks before he left, "What did he think about President Trump's plan to sell Transmission assets. He stated other Presidents had suggested the sale of TVA. I reminded Mr. Brooks that other Presidents suggested the sale of the entire TVA, not just the transmission assets. When asked if he would support such a sale he said, "Yes, if it lowered our debt." He also commented that he did not think there was legislative support in Congress to sell the TVA. Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee commented this past week about President Trump's suggestion of selling TVA transmission assets as "looney."

Segment of Interview about Bellefonte

There would be a problem with the sale of power outside of the TVA due to the TVA Act. There is also 'wheeling charges,' transmission of another corporation's generated power across TVA transmission assets. It appears the rate payers of the TVA area are being neglected as to financial benefit in this scheming of how to benefit Haney's Nuclear Development LLC in the deal. 

Meanwhile it appears many organizations have not learned that the promises made and broken over the last 40 years plus do not give citizens and businesses any confidence that what the Chamber of Commerce and politicians are saying is more than idle banter. There is no definitive date of completion of the TVA Bellefonte Nuclear Facility purchase much less a discussion on license transfer and construction startup.

Republican Party Headquarters Opening in Scottsboro, Alabama

 In downtown Sottsboro, Market Street on the Square, there exists a rare sight. The Republican and Democrat Party Headquarters are separated by 20 feet, one store front. Yesterday I attended the Republican Party office opening. This was a chance chance to meet and listen to the Republican candidates for county political office. Also attending were U.S. Congressman Mo Brooks and State Senator Shad McGill.

Jackson County Republican Party Headquarters

Jackson County Democrat Party Headquarters

Ribbon Cutting of the Jackson County Republican Party Headquarters in Scottsboro, Alabama.

Pictured from left to right: Tim Guffey, candidate for Commission District 1; James Michael Sisk, candidate for Commission District 4 ; Chris Woods, candidate for Chairman of the Jackson County Commission; State Senator Shad McGill (in back); Ms. Ellen O'Connor, Republican Party Women's Committee Chairperson; U.S. Congressman Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) Alabama 5th Congressional District; Jason Venable, candidate Commission District 2 ; Ricky Dooley, candidate for Probate Judge; Phillip Thompson, candidate Commission District 3; Joseph Vaughn, candidate for Jackson County Superintendent of Education.

Daily Sentinel article: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_8bc43fc2-e7ab-11e1-8b8f-001a4bcf887a.html

VIDEOS

REPUBLICAN PARTY, MEET THE CANDIDATES 

U.S. Congressman Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) Alabama 5th Congressional District Speaks.

Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Mo Brooks at Scottsboro

Mayor Potter introduces Congressman Mo Brooks at last nights Scottsboro Town Hall meeting.

Congressman Brooks presentation was redundant. This was the 3rd Town Hall meeting I have attended. His presentation was a repeat of others with very slight differences. Brooks provided no disclosures as to his current actions on "Capitol Hill" as our 5th Congressional District Representative, or in any committee he is a member.

There were 3 highly questionable statements made by Congressman Brooks at last nights Town Hall Meeting in Scottsboro. (quotes)

1) "Regulation is the epitome of socialism."

 2) "The other side [Democrats] want to make the creation of business evil." 

3) "The Obama administration is transferring heavy weapons to Mexican Drug lords." This comment was made in regards to the "Fast and Furious" program's selling, purchase,  and tracking of firearms which reach Mexico's narco traffickers. Brooks went on to say, "This program began during the Bush administration but tracking chips were placed in weapons by the Bush administration and agents would confiscate weapons."

Our nation has enough problems without the false rhetoric from our political leaders. The riff between the Democrat and Republican Party grows wider and deeper. There are no efforts by political  leadership from either political party to focus on problem resolution for the benefit of our nation.

 Congressman Brooks was provided a letter with information and references concerning 3 specific issues with questions listed below.

Issue 1: LIBOR BANK FRAUD AND THE MANIPULATION OF THE DERIVATIVES MARKET.
Currently there are over 1000 trillion dollars of derivative financial market instruments which are outstanding that have been traded and sold by U.S. and world banks today. The total world economic worth today is between 70 and 80 trillion dollars. The derivative financial market trading and the manipulation of the interest rates of the derivatives were enabled in the U. S. by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000, Pub.L. 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763A (as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001).

What are you going to do Congressman Brooks to reverse the 2000 Commodity Futures Modernization Act’s further destruction of the United States economy?

ISSUE 2: NATIONAL SECURITY VIOLATION, “LEAK” OF TOP SECRET NATIONAL SECURITY DOCUMENTS. THIS VIOLATION STANDS TO COST THE LIVES OF MILITARY AND CIA OPERATIVES IN THE SOUTHWEST ASIA MILITARY THEATER OF OPERATIONS.

Reference a Reuters News article release link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/01/us-usa-syria-obama-order-idUSBRE8701OK20120801 There are 4 distinct security compromises apparent in the Reuters article: 1) Obama signed the top secret intelligence authorization; 2) Mission disclosure- “Obama's order, approved earlier this year and known as an intelligence "finding," broadly permits the CIA and other U.S. agencies to provide support that could help the rebels oust Assad.” 3) “United States was collaborating with a secret command center operated by Turkey and its allies. This "nerve center" is in Adana, a city in southern Turkey about 60 miles from the Syrian border, which is also home to Incirlik, a U.S. air base where U.S. military and intelligence agencies maintain a substantial presence.” 4) “Free Syrian Army had obtained nearly two dozen surface-to-air missiles...shoulder-fired missiles, also known as MANPADs, had been delivered to the rebels via Turkey.”

This obvious violation of National Security is atrocious, what are you going to do Congressman Brooks to stop the disclosure of Top Secret National Security information which could result in the loss of U.S. Military or Civilian Assets on the ground in the Southwest Asia Military Theater of Operations?

ISSUE 3: NATIONAL SECURITY VIOLATIONS, LACK OF CIVILIAN CONTRACTOR SECURITY ACCOUNTABILITY AT NUCLEAR INSTALATIONS AND FACILITIES.

There are serious issues within our government today concerning holding accountable the leadership within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) regarding nuclear security. The lack of regulatory enforcement has allowed serious short comings related to security surrounding nuclear facilities. The failures involve civilian security contractors and regulatory managers.

(A)    Y-12 Facility, Reuters News Service, August 3, 2012- Officials said the facility was shut down on Wednesday at least until next week after three senior citizen activists, one being a Nun and 82 years old, cut through perimeter fences to reach the outer wall of a building where highly enriched uranium, a key nuclear bomb component, is stored. http://news.yahoo.com/u-nuclear-bomb-facility-shut-security-breach-115609328.html 

The activists painted slogans and threw what they said was human blood on the wall of the facility, one of numerous buildings in the facility known by the code name Y-12 that it was given during World War Two, officials said.

While moving between the perimeter fences, the activists triggered sensors that alerted security personnel. But officials conceded the intruders were still able to reach the building's walls before security personnel got to them.

Civilian contractors- WSI Oak Ridge, the contractor responsible for protecting the facility at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is owned by the international security firm G4S.

If the senior citizens had been a trained terrorist group the Southeast U.S today would be a much different place. Retraining is not sufficient; this reflects a serious breach of security, not to mention a breach of WSI’s contract to provide security.

(B)    Civilian Nuclear Power Plants Security Violations- CNN June 29, 2011. 24 civilian nuclear power plants are tested annually. “Last year's results are roughly analogous to those in recent years. In the three previous years, between two and four plants were breached and targets "destroyed," NRC records show.” That equates to an 8% to 16% failure rate, which is an unacceptable failure rate for security operations at civilian nuclear power reactor facilities.

Acceptance of contractor negligence by the NRC:  http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/force-on-force.html The problem once again appears to be civilian contractors and a failure of the regulator to hold accountable those who fail the security exercises. The NRC official’s comment, “We don't characterize (the results) as good or bad because the plants must adhere to our security regulations, period," said NRC spokeswoman Holly Harrington. "If there are these failures, which from time to time occur, they are fixed and the plants are told they have to meet these requirements." That is an excuse; there are repetitive failures at nuclear plants by the civilian security contractors.

“To improve the program, the NRC worked with the nuclear industry to develop a Composite Adversary Force (CAF) that is trained to standards issued by the Commission. The new adversary force has been used for all FOF exercises conducted after October 2004. NRC expects the CAF to be a significant improvement in ability, consistency, and effectiveness over the previous adversary forces. The CAF will be evaluated at each exercise using rigorous NRC performance standards issued in April 2004.”

“The CAF is managed by a company (Wackenhut) that provides much of the security for U.S. nuclear power plants and is, therefore, well-versed in the security operations of power plants. The NRC recognizes that there may be a perception of a conflict of interest where the management company cannot adequately test either the CAF or the plant security force. NRC established a clear separation of functions between the CAF and plant security force to ensure an independent, reliable, and credible mock adversary force. In addition, no member of the CAF may participate in an exercise at his or her home site.”

Utilizing contractors to conduct security testing which have security contracts at nuclear facilities is an example of the ridiculousness and the intentional skewering of security exercises.  Even so, 8-16% fails annual security tests. Special Forces units of Department of Defense should be conducting the tests. Managing security operations testing in the current fashion at nuclear reactor facilities is the epitome of management failure and corruption

QUESTION CONCERNING THE NUCLEAR FACILITY SECURITY ISSUES- Congressman Brooks, what are you going to do to improve the security systems at our nuclear power plants and high security nuclear facilities in the Tennessee River Valley area?

Congressman Brooks assured me he would conduct an inquiry and reply to the issues brought forward to him.

Update: As of August 1, 2014 Mr. Brooks has said nothing about the questions asked of him 

Town Hall Meeting with U.S. Representative Mo Brooks, or as some may call it, Bash President Obama Republican Rally

 Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter introduces 5th District Congressman Mo Brooks, Republican from Huntsville.

 Congressman Brooks stated he was a Fiscal Conservative and believes our nation will be subservient to China if the debt situation does not change. He stated we are supplying China with the means to destroy us by virtue of our debt payment to them.

 Congressman Brooks assessment of our financial plight was right and wrong. He was right, our debt is the problem, his figures are correct. He was wrong on blaming our financial crisis on the Democrats and President Obama. There are solutions, Brooks did not have them. His solution was to create dissension and division in support of the Republican Party. At the bottom of the page I list the solution to our problems. Our debt problem is related to our growing energy crisis and problems. Washington politicians, Brooks included, have no meaningful solutions.

Congressman Brooks ranted on for most of the meeting about how our economy was crashing and if the Democrats continued on with their programs such as health care and socialism we would surely be subservient to the Chinese. The crowd of about 50, including 5 staffers, applauded loudly in sync with Brooks as he continued on with periodic episodes of Obama bashing mixed with economic doom and gloom.

 Brooks blamed most of our problems concerning the Southwest Asian Wars on the current administration. He failed to mention any Republican responsibility related to the current war,  instead he took the road of 'blame the Democrats and Obama.'

The Congressman did not realize or failed to mention it was the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 of the 106th Congress, a Republican Congress ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/106th_United_States_Congress ), which allowed the Mortgage crisis and economic downturn which began about 2006, culminating in a financial meltdown in 2008 under President Bush, it was President Bush who began the TARP program bailouts.

 2011's 30 year outlook according to Mr. Brooks. When the TVA debt situation was brought forward his tune changed from a devout Fiscal Conservative to a devout Republican Socialist. Telling all how nuclear power and the TVA was going to save us from an era with no power. Sheer pro-nuclear propaganda right out of the nuclear lobby's play book.

 Congressman Brooks stated the Democrats and President Obama's Health Care Plans and other entitlement programs are breaking the United States. The crowd of mostly over 65-80%, continued to applaud loudly, apparently not realizing their Social Security and Medicare would come to a halt if the radical Republicans had their way. As the crowd applauded with fervor to the Obama bashing, I decided to boo the festivities, as there was entirely to much President Obama and Democrat bashing. Although I do not agree with all of our President's policies, he is our President. To base ones political policy and platform on bashing Democrats and President Obama does not produce results, it produces  division of the populace. Brooks' political strategy utilizes the principles of ideological propaganda as a communicative technique.

When asked about Bellefonte the Congressman stated he supported nuclear power. He told the crowd of Republican supporters the shutting down of coal facilities, due to the environmentalists and the EPA, nuclear power must be brought on line. Not true pointed out Ms. Gretel Johnston of Scottsboro, Ms. Johnston told how Energy Efficiency technology could produce the power needed. Brooks replied, "Oh, you mean the efficient energy light bulbs." Ms. Johnston explained some of  the Energy Efficiency measures which would supply over 300,000 jobs in the Southeast, including Jackson County, if a serious plan was implemented.

I informed the Congressman about TVA's tremendous debt to which I was heckled by a Chamber of Commerce staff member and a Goose Pond Colony staff member, obviously they were Republicans not interested in facts and attempted to interrupt my presentation. When the Congressman was asked if he supported TVA socialism and extending TVA's $30 billion dollar debt limit his reply was maybe, maybe not, depends on how it was worded by those asking. Apparently the Congressman is not as Fiscally Conservative as his presentation appears.

TVA's Financials: "TVA- SEC Form 10-Q Quarterly Report May 3, 2011, page 49, debt- $24.125 billion; interest on debt- $25.832 billion; long term total obligations including debt, interest on debt, fuel contracts, leases and power commitments $68.868 billion dollars." Total debt and debt interest- $49.9 billion!  http://investor.shareholder.com/tva/secfiling.cfm?filingID=1376986-11-36

Turn about is fair play, but not in the eyes of the Scottsboro Police who were there to obviously keep in line any comments against Brooks and the Republican extremist ideology. When a Republican supporter decided to bash Ms. Johnston and myself for our presentation, I spoke up in protest. The Police Chief, came over and stated to me, "don't interrupt, wait until you are recognized to speak." However, the Police Chief said nothing to the hecklers from the Chamber of Commerce and Goose Pond Colony who attempted to interrupt my presentation.

The town hall meeting was informative, informing true listeners of how far right wing the Neu Republikans have moved. Real solutions to the debt crisis are not in the Republicans political strategy book. Bash Democrats and our President was the outcome of the meeting.for the explicit purpose of rallying additional Republican support.

Solutions:  Jobs, put Americans to work, stop the political deceit and pandering, it is dividing our nation. Political bickering and name calling does not support solutions but supports the political party, we need solutions not furtherance of individual and party political agendas. A comprehensive Sustainable Energy Plan for the United States is the tool for resolving many of the problems facing our nation. It will bring jobs and secure our energy future from dependance on foreign energy sources which have led us into wars costing thousands of American lives and trillions of dollars.

Town Hall Meeting, Congressman Mo Brooks

There will be a Town Hall Meeting with U.S. Representative Mo Brooks, Republican from Huntsville, Al., at the Jackson county Senior Center (Entrance of the Jackson County Park on the right.), Monday June 27, 2011 from 7PM till 8PM. Google maps link: Google Maps link: Jackson County Park

2302 County Park Rd, Scottsboro, AL

Mr. Brooks commented in the Daily Sentinel, ""The town hall is a question and answer session where District 5 residents can ask questions about legislation and federal issues that are important to them," Brooks said. "The discussion is driven by what folks are interested in talking about, so I hope that a lot of people will come out to this town hall."" Link: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_e580a48a-9c55-11e0-a974-001cc4c03286.html