Comments for Hidden Agenda? at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 23 out of 20 comments http://www.theind.com Thu, 23 May 2013 00:17:44 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-26773 Wow. What is with all the paranoia here? Teabaggers really are idiots. - Ethan Bruce Tue, 29 May 2012 16:57:37 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-26006 Question for everyone: (just getting back into town, regrettably this is late to the conversation) During a brown-out type event where electric grid operators are forced to cut power to entire electrical districts because of unusually high-demand that cannot be supplied, drop in production by a plant, or interruption of a supply line, would we rather shut off power indiscriminately to all, or cut it temporarily where volunteer reducers are offered? This is also an opportunity I should point out in our high heat, high-solar gain climate, to take advantage of state and federal incentives, and build your own power redundancy for these times, and storm-time events, and install solar-water heating and solar-photovoltaic electric systems on your rooftop surfaces (or standalone if space permits.) Prices have dropped significantly over the years, meaning that ever more production is available for the same costs which are reimbursable under the tax credit caps. This way, you'll have more democratic control of power production in our community and ability to ride out the highs and lows by banking power in batteries or selling it back to the grid. - Jason Faulk Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:31:55 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25962 I don't get the nonsense that some denyers are posting here. LUS director, Mr. Huval, was the person who definitively stated to The Advocate reporter that smart meters would allow LUS to shut off any/all appliances in your home or business, remotely. Do you have information that he is incorrect ? If so, please share it. Otherwise, why waste everyone's time here making snide remarks suggesting it ain't so? Theywill be able to shut off your AC any time the want. In fact, the title of the Advocate article was "LUS wants control of your air conditioners." Sounds pretty plain to me that some of you folks are in for a very big surprise, or you're working for LUS and don't want the facts to be known to the general public. - richard thornton Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:36:44 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25937 Hi Joe, What evidence or proof can I provide which would sway you to consider that Smart Meters are bad news? If you feel that there is no proof that could open your mind to the possibility that Smart Meters are a threat, then I guess we are at an impasse. If there is some kind of proof, then I am willing to invest the time to do the research to provide it. Thanks! - Connie Zimmermann Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:57:19 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25936 Chano Leal Chano: defined When one does not know what is currently going on, the word 'chano' is presented Leal: defined Someone who is extremely annoying you couldn't have picked a better moniker for yourself. As usual, while entertaining at times, the above define you. Too bad McDonalds already has Ronald, and all the rodeo clown jobs are full. Please, try to at least make a little sense when you make a comment. Your bitterness towards Joey and LCG should be direct towards them at the Parish Council meetings. Your constant bitterness towards me has really gotten old and stale. - Joe LeBlanc Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:54:52 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25934 Joe Leblanc, the paid mouthpiece for Joey and the LUS, hah he must be a godson of one or the other or closely related maybe an inbred sibling by aother father, eh ? Take your head out of the sand . Now there is available beaucoup intellegence about the undercover atrocities against the American people, beginning with the HOLOCAUST, against the Jews by the German Reich, and the Vatican with the popes blessing, the transporting of slaves from Africa and the West Indies by Jewish owned ships contracted by southern gentlemen planters and this was only fought by big brother, from the north because they were cut off from the slave trade due to contractual agreements, The comtrails overhead which are apparently working quite well on you Monsewer Leblanc, I have found that you are listed on the internet under two listings A. Mushroom and B. Ostrich. Humph ! - chano leal Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:28:44 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25933 Pasted: How can a electric meter cause so much panic?" Hi Joe, My feeling is, "How can it not?" A meter which will transmit info about your energy consumption which anyone can intercept to know when you are home, when you are not. A wouldbe burglar only has to stake out your house for about 2 days to know when your home or not. Big deal if LUS knows when i'm home or not. A meter which can be shut down on an individual basis at the whim of various players. If you don't pay your bill, yeah, they can shut it down. Again, big deal. A meter which is being investigated because it is causing health problems for individuals sensitive to electromagnetic fields. I don't know anyone that has that much time on their hands to stand next to a meter OUTSIDE your home for that long to POSSIBLY, and i mean a big stretch, POSSIBLY harm you. You probably get more signals from that cell phone attached you your(and i don't mean you personally) hand while driving, while eating, while exercising, while standing in line, while putting gas in your car, etc. And... it is putting the meter-readers out of full-time work at a very bad time in our economy. I would think LUS find some other job for them. And I'd bet that those meters are built in China! So is the majority of items you use for everday life. Not ragging on you Connie, but the excuses given are pretty far out there. - Joe LeBlanc Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:28:58 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25931 "written by Joe LeBlanc , February 21, 2012 - 07:02 am How can a electric meter cause so much panic?" Hi Joe, My feeling is, "How can it not?" A meter which will transmit info about your energy consumption which anyone can intercept to know when you are home, when you are not. A meter which can be shut down on an individual basis at the whim of various players. A meter which is being investigated because it is causing health problems for individuals sensitive to electromagnetic fields. And... it is putting the meter-readers out of full-time work at a very bad time in our economy. And I'd bet that those meters are built in China! What are the positive features of these meters? Why would we want them? I've read so much about this now, that I can only scratch the tip of the iceberg, without writing a book. I can understand the appeal of saving money by reducing the staff of meter-readers, and also of the data that would be great to have for planning. But the rest of it... the not so nice things... and the association with Agenda 21... it doesn't smell good to me. I don't find that people are panicking. I find that people are researching and learning and considering, and deciding that this is a bad move. If I was 30 years younger, and not the ripe old 52 years old that I am now, I would probably dismiss these fears as well. I'd stick with the mantra of "they wouldn't use those meters inappropriately," or "the government would never do anything to hurt us," that I was taught in the Progressive Public Schools I attended in New Orleans. The EPA is the all-powerful Oz. But at this age... I've learned to pull back the curtain. - Connie Zimmermann Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:05:21 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25930 We also have a space station on the dark side of the moon, WWII didn't happen and 911 was staged by the US government. How can a electric meter cause so much panic? - Joe LeBlanc Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:02:26 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25929 Lets everyone be smart and switch to gas, lets have enough residences make this smart move and the electric ( LUS ) City owned power company will be offering two for one. Lus cannot make a profit so how is this cutback on power usuage going to change a dam thing. When LUS cuts off your respirator and your dialysis machine, you'll wake up, oh maybe not. - chano leal Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:35:56 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25927 "written by Joe LeBlanc , February 16, 2012 - 02:53 pm Do you REALLY think a smart meter can turn off just the air conditioner in your home?" Hi Joe, I know it sounds outrageous and all "1984-ish", but do a search on "Smart Appliances." Then check out this site: http://www.energy.iowa.gov/SmartGrid/SmartGrid.html and look at the 4th section. I know I sound quite dramatic, but fear it. Your way of life that you've worked hard for and planned for, is in danger. Your children and grandchildren are really in for problems, if you and I don't muster up the courage and fight this stuff. I've spent a lot of time now, researching and reading about and speaking to and writing to people who have had first hand experience. Do you remember that movie, "The Blob." That's kind of like what the EPA is doing to our Liberty... devouring it. - Connie Zimmermann Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:35:14 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25926 If they turn your power off or cut your electric feed then go to the powers that be and turn off their lights, and i mean turn off their lights since you will not need any written permission to do so against those cutting your power, this is america and the law says " one does not have to abide by any law detrinmental to your way of life or which infringes on your constitutional liberties. - chano leal Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:51:06 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25921 I have now attended several conferences covering the topics of Agenda 21, ICLEI (aka Local Governments for Sustainability), Smart Growth & Smart Meters. I've also attended meetings with presentations about Comprehensive Zoning and "Master Plans." Richard, I believe you are spot-on with your observation that it is extremely concerning that almost NONE of the dangers of these actions are covered in articles or stories in local media. The only fact-filled information I routinely see with links to references and warnings, are in the Comment sections of articles which extol the virtues of creating Sustainable Communities. I have personally witnessed "planners" who answer "I've never heard of ICLEI or Agenda 21". How is it that I know about ICLEI, and they don't? The American Planning Association (of which all of these folks are members) is practically an arm of ICLEI now. Google 'ICLEI' 'APA' and see the results. Walter, I appreciate that you wrote this article. This issue is just about Smart Meters, which is important, but there are also huge Property Rights battles waging right now as well. "Land Use" "Rezoning" "Protection" "Wetlands" "Habitats", etc. The EPA is setting up an insidious "cap and trade" type scenario, where people would have to buy "credits" in order to use their land as they want to. I attended a meeting where citizens from St. Tammany Parish updated us on the successful fight against it in their parish. It appears that once people understand what this is really about, they reject it soundly. The State of Florida just repealed legislation they had previously put through which was forcing their counties to participate in "smart growth." Very wise move. "Density" "Transit" "Transit Oriented Development" are the pretty words used for changing the landscape or our cities. Please keep investigating and exposing. One of the primary rationals behind a free press as guaranteed by the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights, is to investigate and expose. You can expose good and you can expose bad. Without reporting the truth, what good is the press, other than an agent of indoctrination. My observation is that the typical route for the infiltration of Agenda 21, is that the parish hires a "building a sustainable community" consultant who comes in an gives presentations and shows pretty pictures of communities in Europe where everyone is walking and cycling and they all live on tree lined streets with few cars. People live above retail spaces. People move from one "city center/town center" to another via "high speed rail" or "light rail." Everything that the citizen would need would be located within walking or cycling distance, thus removing the need for a personal automobile. The suburban land around the city is reclaimed over time to be placed back to it's natural state. (that last part is what they don't mention at the council meetings, but if you read Agenda 21, you'll realize it.) Thanks for this article and this opportunity to comment. - Connie Zimmermann Sat, 18 Feb 2012 09:13:10 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25902 Do you REALLY think a smart meter can turn off just the air conditioner in your home? - Joe LeBlanc Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:53:26 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25900 Just had a post-lunch-time discussion with a number of folks who also knew NOTHING about LUS being able to shut off power via the smart meters. In fact, I haven't run into anyone (who doesn't receive the Advocate) who does. That's very disturbing, this far along into the process. Per Mr. Pierce's last comment, if the parish council wants to make the "greater good" argument to the public, I'm prepared to listen. However, they haven't, to date. At this point, the evidence points to a stealth attempt to pass something, then deal with the blowback after it's a done deal. Let's see if any of this gets mentioned at Monday's "information" session regarding the smart meters. It hasn't, so far, and I want to know why. And, if the greater good includes the same types of arguments that enable/justify 47% of Americans paying ZERO in federal income taxes, while drawing multiple public benefits, I'd like some pre-notice, so I can bring my nausea pills. - richard thornton Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:35:19 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25899 Why only "suppose" you would support a binding prohibition against LUS arbitrarily cutting off power to appliances ? If it's truly intended to be voluntary, then no one should have any beef with making it so, legally. If folks want to participate, that's fine. If they don't, they should not be forced to comply. The last time I looked, this isn't North Korea. At the very least, every single LUS customer should be fully informed, in writing, that LUS will have this capability once the smart meters are installed. Then, if people don't think it's a big deal, they can "sign up". Otherwise, stay out of people's business. I'm extremely concerned that this looks like a giant scam. LUS appears to want this power so that they can postpone much-need, costly improvements and expansions to our power system and they don't seem very interested in letting people know what kind of intrusive authority folks about to hand to the parish government, without even knowing it. Further, neither Mr. Durel nor any council member has even MENTIONED this subject, that I've seen, although much other discussion has taken place regarding the smart meter program. Do they not know about this capability, either, or are they afraid of the backlash from citizens who might oppose the program ? Either way, they shouldn't be voting into place a program about which they are not fully informed or about which the public has been kept in the dark. That's no way to run a city. Pass it, then we'll see what's in it. - richard thornton Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:56:55 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25898 Richard, I understand and respect your concern about this facet of smart meters and I suppose I would support some type of legal guarantee that LUS can't shut off anyone's A/C at will. However, although this issue is just coming to my attention (I missed that Dec. 29 article) I suspect what LUS is looking for is customers who meet a certain demographic, namely people/families who aren't home during the hottest part of the day and who would likely never notice that their A/C had been shut off for a few minutes while they were at work/school because the indoor temperature recovered by the time they returned home. Moreover, especially in modern, well-insulated houses, a cut off of air conditioning for a few minutes wouldn't adversely affect the temp anyway. My wife's a teacher and I have school age kids who are all home during the summer, so my family wouldn't be a good candidate. But I'd better there are a lot of people in Lafayette who not only fit the profile but who would be willing to participate for the greater good. - Walter Pierce Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:41:12 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25897 And I find it rather curious that the main article, as well as similar articles written in other local publications, while pooh-poohing conspiracy theories alleging under-the-radar efforts by government to sneak up on folks and take away their rights, somehow either don't know about this breathtaking capability about to be handed to LUS or are choosing not to report on it. I would like to know which it is. Did anyone "link" to the Advocate article and frankly discuss the cut-off ability before today ? If so, I'd like to see those articles and the associated links. - richard thornton Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:39:51 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25896 Actually, Walter, why has NO ONE mentioned this any local press releases, interviews, information sessions, articles, news reports etc., other than the lone Advocate article ? When did they plan to make this little piece of information known to the public ? After the council voted and after the meters are installed ? Plus, as stated, there is absolutely nothing which prevents "willing participants" from being expanded to include everyone, willing or not. Is there any ordinance, statute, council amendment or other legally-binding prohibition which will positively guarantee that LUS will not be able to cut off appliances WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION of the customer and without any "penalty" for refusing to grant such permission ? If there is, I haven't seen it. If not, would you support such an ordinance ? Or should we simply trust that it won't happen, kind of like all the gambling revenues were to be dedicated to education, only someone accidentally "forgot" to introduce any actual legislation to that effect. All I've heard from anyone connected with this smart meter program is how it will "help customers manage their utility usage". Yeah, I suppose if LUS cuts the power to your air conditioner when it's 98 degrees outside that will definitely "manage" power usage. Only, I don't think that's what folks think is about to happen, do you ? - richard thornton Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:22:48 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/9901-hidden-agenda#comment-25895 Actually Richard, that Dec. 29 Advocate story reported that LUS is looking for "willing participants" who will agree to let the utility shut off their A/C compressors for a few minutes at a time during peak usage periods to avoid the rolling blackouts that affect many, many customers. Here's the link: http://theadvocate.com/columnists/insidereport/1623907-123/inside-report.html - Walter Pierce Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:09:00 +0100