Don’t fret, according to U.S. News and World Report, as oil climbs toward $100/barrel.

“Today’s economy is better able to absorb the rise in the relative price of energy, because it is more flexible, it is still relatively strong, and we use energy far more efficiently than we once did so that oil is not as important as it once was. In addition, contrary to popular opinion, oil may be a “tax” initially, for consumers and net oil consuming countries, but eventually oil revenues get spent—recycled—if not in the spending stream, into financial markets.”

“High oil prices, as unhappy as they make us, are doing God’s work, by curbing our appetite for carbon fuel, pointing us to greater energy security and limiting the impact of human activity on the environment. The decline in gasoline demand in response to rising energy costs is proof that markets work and that market mechanisms are our best energy policy.”

Source: U.S. News and World Report, ‘Capital Commerce’.

Last week, House Speaker Jim Amann used his office to endorse a cleaning product which claims to be effective against the spread of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) the virulent bacteria strain making headlines recently.

The product, Gold Shield, is manufactured by NBS Technology of New York, and distributed by Viking Corp. of New Jersey. MRSA has been reported in schools in Westport, Weston, Newtown and elsewhere.

Amann gathered reporters to hail the product as product that could save lives. He brought along a representative of the Connecticut Hospital Association, who used to work for the House Democrats, and a doctor from, your guessed it, the city of Milford, to offer testimonials. Dr. Martin Galvin, of Milford, is listed as the sole tesitmonial on the Viking wesbite. He is listed as Director, Healthcare Division
Absolute Environment in Milford, which doesn’t have a listed telephone number.

We protested this ridiculous use of state resources and time to single out a product, and the state Ethics Commission immediately gave the Speaker a pass, saying it didn’t fall under the conflict umbrella. Why? Because it was unclear whether Amann or his family, personally benefited from it’s promotion.

But, it did help a friend of Amann’s, former Republican State Legislator and Naugatuck Mayor Tim Barth, who until recently owned a bagel store in Glastonbury. Seems Barth has also become an expert on infectious diseases and was hired by Viking after a friend told a friend who told Barth of this amazing product. Barth then told Amann and, well, the rest is classic Jim Amann.

Couple of points here. Why was the Connecticut Hosptial Association brought in to give the appearance that they endorsed the product? Well, maybe because the lobbyist from CHA didn’t want to offend the Speaker of the House, who controls all heath care legislation that comes before the lower chamber. Maybe he was brought in under some general request to talk about stopping MRSA. We don’t know and we don’t know if CHA is using Gold Shield to mop its member’s floors.

But this is another example of how Speaker Amann has used his office to help those who have helped him. When Tim Barth was Mayor Tim Barth, he hired Amann to be his chief of staff.

Put us down for a gallon.

I'm here at Bacon Academy watching the debate between candidates for Colchester First Selectman Diana Norton Giles, the Republican, and Linda Riley Hodge, the Democrat.

Giles is much smoother and softer spoken. The Norton stock is strong in Colchester, as Diana's parents were both active in local politics for years, as was her brother Andrew Norton, a former state representative from Colchester.

On the issues, the two actually agree on quite a bit. The Democrat Hodge is recasting herself as a fiscal stalwart, as the town took four tries to pass a budget this year. She proclaims her qualities in a machine gun staccato that is quite abrasive.

The two agree on the need for a Big Box store, a senior center, regionalization, and the need for property tax reform.

Hodge keeps shouting that the town needs leadership. This seems to be quite a theme - demanding new, strong leadership.

An interesting question from the intrepid moderator Ray Hackett on the Cheshire slayings - Diana Giles says that we need more police, but warns that even double the number of police probably wouldn't have prevented the Cheshire killers. Hodge thinks that a neighborhood watch program would be good.

Diana Giles: Favorite quality of the opponent - she is a Red Sox fan.

Linda Hodge: Giles is a committed public servant.

Linda Hodge is screaming her closing statement at us. She is ready to lead.

Diana coolly rolls off her priorities and makes her case for leadership. She throws out a shout to the underticket. "Together we can work together".

The municipal elections are just over one week away. Republicans - remember to get out and vote for your candidates!

From the Derby blog, Connecticut’s Smallest City, a blog noted for its brevity of posts and abundance of comments.

East Hartford is a town that has, if nothing else, interesting elections. Read about it at the East Hartford Town Blog.

The Berlin Blog, though rarely particularly friendly to Republicans, is nonetheless a well maintained and informative blog.

Bridgeport, City of Never-Ending Chaos and Dismay, may not have the new voting machines because Chris Caruso sued them.

Colchester candidates Diana Giles and Linda Hodge will debate tonight at 7pm.

New London citizens can meet the candidates tonight at New London High, 7pm.

Former Congresswoman Nancy Johnson is endorsing Rudy Giuliani for the Republican Presidential nomination.