California High School Conservative

New Blog Online

2007-12-31T18:34:00.000-08:00

My new blog, Young Insider is now online. Please update your bookmarks. This site will continue to recieve postings for the time being as most blogrolls point here; however, most of the time I will merely post an except and link to the new blog for the full story.

Post-Partisan Perata?

2007-03-13T19:18:00.001-07:00

So much for post-partisanship as far as Don Perata is concerned. He can't even listen to dissenting opinions in his own party without retaliation.

So is this how he expects to convince voters to approve term limits "reform" to give him another term?

Union Goes Weekly

2007-03-08T21:24:00.001-08:00

As reported by CBS 13 The Sacramento Union will be changing its circlulation to weekly beginning next month. This will allow the paper, to which I am a proud contributor, to provide more news, features, and conservative opinion to the Sacramento region.

My role in the new venture is not certain at this point, however I am looking forward to being a part of the Union's continued expansion and development.

In Defense of Robbie Waters

2007-02-28T23:11:00.001-08:00

Full Disclosure: Councilman Waters appointed me to my post on the Sacramento Youth Commission.

City Council member Robbie Waters (pictured here with District Director Pat Clark, another youth commissioner, and myself) has been accused in recent days of illegally spending campaign funds to embellish his business, Pocket Custom Framing. Waters claims he is running a district office inside the store.

Read more

Republican Convention Review

2007-02-10T19:22:00.000-08:00

I have spent the bulk of the past two days at the California Republican Party Convention here in Sacramento. While I’ll save most of my observations for a commentary in the Union, here are a few observations:

1. Governor Schwarzenegger was met with a tepid response from the delegates. While he did get a few periods of loud applause, especially when talking about transferring prisoners to out of state without their consent (did the victims consent to having a crime committed against them?), there were long sections of the speech when talking about the recent infrastructure bonds and the health care plan where the only sound that could be heard was the clanking of forks and knives. This clearly was not a “post partisan” crowd; one of the biggest applauses came when the Governor mentioned that as a result of a recent special election, Republicans now control every seat on the Orange Country Board of Supervisors.

Read more observations.

Bee Double Standard on Parade

2007-02-04T12:18:00.000-08:00

The hypocrisy of the Bee shines through again in this editorial about Joe Biden’s recent gaffe:

In response to a question from a reporter, Biden called the Illinois Democrat and fellow presidential candidate "the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy."

Although Biden's remarks show his unfortunate tendency to open his mouth without engaging his brain, they surely were not intended to offend. But, this being presidential politics and the subject being race, of course they did.

Read more Bee hypocrisy here

John Edward's New Home

2007-01-31T20:08:00.000-08:00

The Great Protector of the Enviornment

New Sac Union Available Online and On Racks

2007-01-25T22:09:00.000-08:00

You can find the newest edition of the Sac Union online here. My piece appears on page 9.

2008 Primary Move-Up a Political Game

2007-01-21T23:34:00.000-08:00

It seems likely that California will become one of the first primaries in the nation next year. Governor Schwarzenegger and the legislature appear to be close to striking a deal to move the presidential primary election from June to February, putting it just a few weeks after the first caucuses and primaries.

Read more at the new Young Insider blog.

Meet Your New Mommy

2007-01-19T22:07:00.000-08:00

Say it with me: "Ma-ma"

Get to know your new guardian over here

Tancredo in the Race

2007-01-16T21:32:00.000-08:00

Tom Tancredo announced his presidential bid today. This, of course, will go no where. Tancredo is our Kusinich. But it could serve as a starting point for Sen. Wayne Allard's soon to be open US Senate seat.

Read more at the new Young Insider blog.

Angelides on Arnold: "More taxes than ever popped in my head"

2007-01-14T17:01:00.000-08:00

Phil Angelides on the governor's health care proposal:

"The governor ended up dreaming up more taxes than ever popped in my head," Angelides said. "It's unfortunate the governor used that in campaign season to attack me on what he has now admitted is a good idea."

I think Phil says it all...

State of the State

2007-01-09T22:16:00.000-08:00

Just like our coverage of yesterday’s health care announcement, here are the good and bad pieces of the Governor’s State of the State address.

Read more at the new Young Insider blog.

Healthcare and Welfare

2007-01-08T21:29:00.000-08:00

Governor Schwarzenegger released his health care plan today. Here are my first impressions:

Read more at the new Young Insider blog.

Governor needs to Address Tough Issues

2007-01-06T23:22:00.000-08:00

Dan Walters, the usually moderate and realistic Sacramento Bee columnist, has a great piece today about the need for the Governor to tackle tough issues raised by both sides of the aisle. Here is an excerpt:

Read more at the new Young Insider blog.

Released Excepts of Governor's Inaugural Address

2007-01-05T01:13:00.000-08:00

This was just unembargoed a few minutes ago by the Governor's Inaugural Committee:

Today, the Governor's 2007 Inaugural Committee released the following excerpts (as prepared) from Governor Schwarzenegger's Second Inaugural Address embargoed for use until 12:01 a.m. on January 5, 2007.

Read excerpts of the speech at the new Young Insider blog.

The Crystal Ball

2007-01-02T15:02:00.000-08:00

Here are my predictions, in no particular order for the 2007/2008 political cycle, proffered on the premise that I will not be held to them or laughed at if they turn out to be very wrong. :)

1. Iraq will decide the course of this cycle. The American people need to view the situation in the region much more favorably than they do now. If Iraq is the same two years from now as it is today, 2008 will be another bad year for Republicans. If Iraq appears as if it getting better, Republicans will do better. So it is very important for his party’s electoral chances that the President begin to effectively communicate to Americans about our successes in the War on Terror and the steps we are taking to secure the peace.

Read more at the new Young Insider blog.

2006-09-29T22:32:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed that this blog has not been updated very much lately.

The reason for this is that I have been busy with many other things; ie. School, The Sacramento Union and other things.

So I am taking this time to announce that I am officially putting this blog on an indefinate hiatus. I simply have too many other things going on. Also, readership to this blog has been steadily declining. I can sense that the enthusiasm of both my readers and myself has declined.

But I do feel that this has been a great experience. One of my main goals was to become more involved in political affairs. That has certainly been accomplished to a degree I never could have imagined 19 months ago.

So with that, I will thank all my loyal readers and supporters and remind you that you can still read my work every two weeks in the Union. This blog page will stay up so the archives can be accessed and it can be re-instated if I ever decide to bring the blog back.

Once again, thank you.

Pro-Lifer Attacked

2006-09-16T23:42:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting video. A woman holding a pro-life sign is tackled and cursed at by a passerby.

This is not to claim that there are not instances of pro-life violence. But it does go to show that it goes both ways. We should not pass laws protecting abortionists and volunteers without also protecting the pro-life activists.

(WARNING: Video Contains Graphic Language)

Send Huffington to Kurdistan!

2006-09-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

As reported by Free Republic, last night Arianna Huffington scoffed at ads by the Kurdistan Development Coorperation thanking the American people for liberating them from the rule of Saddam Hussein. Huffington claimed that the Kurdish society has not changed because of the Iraq war and that the Kurds are being used as PR tools.

Well, today Bayan Rhaman, KDC Chairwoman, responded:

"I was saddened to see the comments made by Arianna Huffington on the 'O'Reilly Factor" television show. One of the reasons we started our public relations efforts here in the United States, was to tell the story of Iraqi Kurdistan that has until now not been told."

"Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilian Kurds were killed by Saddam Hussein. Over 5,000 in one chemical weapons attack against the Kurdish city of Halabja. Even after the United States and Great Britain provided air protection with the "No Fly Zone," Saddam's tanks still stood pointed at our cities and our people.

"But now the people of Iraqi Kurdistan are free. We've implemented a flourishing democracy. We are rebuilding our nation from the devastation brought about by Saddam Hussein. And now we've passed free market economic reforms to encourage American companies to come and help rebuild Iraqi Kurdistan into a vibrant bastion of freedom and success in the Middle East.

"I invite Ms. Huffington to come to Kurdistan, as our guest, so that she may learn the truth and join our efforts to help tell the story of The Other Iraq."

I agree. Let’s send Mrs. Huffington – and all her other left wing friends – to Kurdistan! Private Plane will be provided.

(Note: The KDC is a Russo Marsh and Rogers client, but this post was not approved by them.)

Daniel Maher

2006-09-11T23:59:00.000-07:00

Today bloggers from around the world are paying tribute to a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks as part of the 2996 Project. This blog is honoring Daniel L. Maher.

Mr. Maher was a Vice President at Marsh & McLennan companies working at WTC Tower One. Here is additional rememberance information from the company web site:

Daniel Maher had a full life, relatives said. But it was never about him. Triple bypass surgery three years ago was a rude awakening for him, said Maher’s wife, Kathy. But the thought of not being around for his family was all the motivation he needed to pay more attention to his health, she said. He started eating better - giving up his anything-chocolate desserts - for one. Her husband also launched into an exercise routine while waging a drawn-out battle to quit smoking.

"He was determined to be around for his family," Kathy Maher said.

A vice president / systems analyst for Marsh & McLennan, Maher treated the people he managed like family, his wife said. A 25-year veteran with Marsh, he was the kind of manager who willingly gave up raises so those under him wouldn’t miss out on one.

"It was never about power with him," she said. Maher, 50, transferred from Marsh’s Sixth Avenue location in 1999 to offices on the 98th floor of Tower One at the World Trade Center. He was at work on Sept. 11. Maher was born in Flushing to Jeanne, who still lives there, and Raymond Maher. The third of four children - including Raymond, who lives in Vietnam, James of Manhattan and Jeanne Brandofino of Bellmore - he spent every minute he could sharing and taking part in the lives of his own two. Kathy, his wife of 25 years, said her husband was into just about everything their sons, Daniel Jr., 24, and Joseph, 21, were. He trotted them all over the place, including across the country, for their hockey and football games. When they took up hunting, he hunted, too, joining them on deer-hunting trips in the backwoods on the outskirts of their hometown of Hamilton, N.J. And when the boys took up golf, her husband joined in, too, she said. He was awful.

"He got worse the harder he tried, but it didn’t matter to him as long as it meant he could spend time with the boys." Brandofino recalled her brother’s playful side. Maher captained a 50-foot house boat during a family vacation in Arizona. One of the highlights of the trip was when he took their mother tubing on Lake Powell, Brandofino recalled chuckling.

"He was whipping her around the lake at full throttle." More than 17 years her senior, her brother always let her tag along, Brandofino said, even on dates. The one outing together that has stayed with her, however, was the first time he let her ride with him to the car wash. Just as the lathered-up car was being hosed down, he rolled the windows down on her. Her brother’s antics aside, Brandofino said, he was her protector, the go-to guy in the family.

Additional remembrances to Mr. Maher can be found below:

http://www.9-11heroes.us/v/Daniel_L_Maher.php

http://www.legacy.com/Sept11.asp?Page=TributeStory&PersonId=104871

http://terroristattack.com/messages.php?id=1767

And a reminder that you can honor the lives of Daniel Maher and so many others this evening at the Western Quadrant of the California State Capitol from 7:30 to 10:00PM.

"America Remembers" on Monday in Sacramento

2006-09-09T00:13:00.000-07:00

The Move America Forward 9/11 Remembrance event is fast approaching. The event takes place Monday evening from 7:30-10PM in the western quadrant of the California State Capitol. Members of the public are encouraged to arrive as early as 5:30 to claim seats, as this promises to draw a large crowd.

The event will feature entertainment and speakers who will inspire the nation to continue its fight against the forces of evil that struck us five years ago. At dusk, a candlelight vigil will be held on the Capitol lawn to remember the victims of the attack.

So join Melanie Morgan, Deborah Johns, John Ubaldi, 101.9 The Wolf and yours truly for what promises to be the largest remembrance event on the West Coast. See you there!

No on Measure R

2006-09-08T23:50:00.000-07:00

The No on the Sacramento Arena Tax campaign has launched its website.

Glad to hear there will be some opposition to this. It is a very bad plan. First of all, it violates the principle that if an entity invests in something, they ought to be entitled to receive a return of the same percentage. Yet in this case, all profit would go directly into the pockets of the Maloof family. That should be reason enough to vote No.

But to make things even worse, this new arena would most likely only beinifit the wealthy and upper middle classes. Yet who is going to be most affected by the sales tax hike? The least fortunate. They are going to have to pay more for their basic needs to fund the entertainment of well off. That does not seem fair, does it?

And add to all this the recent comments by the Maloofs that the arena may not even be built downtown, and all and all you have a rotten deal.

Non-Story of the Year

2006-09-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

The LA Times has released an embarrasing audiotape of Governor Schwarzenegger engaged in a private conversation with his staff. He is heard on the tape debating the ethnicity of Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, and then that regardless, she is hot.

This has got to be one of the biggest non-stories of the year. I mean, how many people joke about their preferences in the opposite sex? Almost everyone.

If he was serious or this was intended to be public, it might concern me. But it wasn’t, so the Governor should be allowed to have some fun.

The real message here is how desperate the left is. They know Angelides is so far behind, they have to start throwing hail maries like this in September.

20 Worst Bills

2006-09-07T21:02:00.000-07:00

The Flash Report has released its annual report of the 20 worst bills sent the the Governor's desk.

These are the pieces of legislation that are most likely to cost jobs, taxpayer dollars, or erode parental rights. Go check the list out, and even consider contacting the Governor to ask him to veto the items he has not yet taken action on.

Thank You Arnold

2006-09-05T22:38:00.000-07:00

This blog has been frequently critical of Governor Schwarzenegger for his liberal moves. But when he does something right, we also want to acknowledge that.

So today a great big THANK YOU goes out to the Governor for his promised veto of SB 840, which would establish single payer health care in California; a potential disaster for both patients and taxpayers.

So once again, Thanks Governor!

Conservative Schooler Joins the Union

2006-09-04T22:51:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that I am beginning a new activity in my life. As of this past Friday, I am now a columnist and general reporter for the Sacramento Union.

My column, California Talkers, will focus on talk radio. In each issue, I will report on what talk radio host have been saying and how their listeners have been reacting. This will enable those who do not have time to listen to a whole lot of talk radio to catch up on what California’s most prominent and influential hosts have been discussing.

I will also be occasionally penning other pieces for the Union about news items and events.

It is a privilege to be invited to write for the newspaper where Mark Twain’s reports once appeared, and the oldest newspaper west of the Mississippi River. I will work hard to inform readers and live up to the high standard that the Union has developed during its long history.

The Sacramento Union was in continuous circulation until 1994, when it shut down due to low circulation. However, it has since been revived into a biweekly publication that is available for free at newsstands throughout Northern California and by subscription.

Unfortunatly, individual articles from the paper are not yet published online. However, you can download the entire paper, including my work, from this page. A new issue is printed every other Friday.

Once again, it is an honor and I hope you will pick up the Union and gain some balance in your news consumption.

Call to Arnold Supporters

2006-09-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

Matthew Cunningham of the Flash Report has penned a piece today about his reluctance to support the Governor for re-election this year.

I am sharing his feelings. With every business-hurting deal he makes, I am more likely to support Art Oliver for Governor. The only thing keeping me from doing that right now is that Phil Angelides would be much worse than Arnold, so I don't want to throw my support away.

Now I know that staff of the Governor's campaign read this blog regularly. I have no doubt that you are working very hard to solidify a conservative base. So I ask this question: Since last November, what has Governor Schwarzenegger done to advance a conservative agenda? Not to stop the liberal agenda, but to promote a conservative one.

If you leave a comment or e-mail me (through my profile page) I will publish your answer unedited and without my commentary. This is an excellent opportunity to explain to conservative voters why they ought to vote FOR your candidate and not simply against the other guy.

Hogue To Jump Stations but Stay in Sacramento

2006-08-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

Craig DeLuz reports that Eric Hogue, currently of KTKZ, will be moving to KFIA 710 after KTKZ goes all syndicated next week. His show will air from 5-7PM, and also will be carried on KFAX 1100 in the Bay Area. Joe Pursch, who currently occupies that time slot on KFIA, will produce specials for the station.

So it would appear that everyone is happy: Salem, Hogue, Pursch, and listeners. Everyone except the liberals :)

Yes on 1C "Cybersquatting"

2006-08-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

Last week the Yes on Prop. 87 campaign had to turn over domains such as www.noon87.com back to the opponents' campaign after it was realized that the practice of buying your opponent’s natural domain names, called “cybersquatting”, is illegal. Evidently though, the people supporting Proposition 1C, a $2.8 Billion bond for housing, did not get the message.

Earlier today this blogger discovered that www.noonprop1c.com and www.noon1C.com lead directly to the Yes on 1C homepage. This is exactly the same tactic that the Yes on 87 people were using.

In addition to being illegal, this practice is unprofessional and unethical. You might want to contact the Yes on 1C campaign and tell them to play fair.

It's the Bill that Never Ends...

2006-08-29T23:00:00.000-07:00

The State Assembly approved a measure to give driver's licences to illegal immigration, despite public opposition and numerous vetos from the Governor in past years. This bill was produced through the gut-and-amend process after a similar bill was killed earlier this year by Democrats fearing a voter backlash this fall.

Arnold Has Majority Support

2006-08-29T00:58:00.000-07:00

New Poll numbers are out in the California Governor’s Race. A new Survey USA poll shows the Governor ahead 52% to 38%. This comes on the heels of a Field poll and PPIC poll done earlier this month that show Arnold ahead by 8% and 13%, respectively.

I won’t say it is over yet. There is always a chance that Phil Angelides could find a wedge issue and put a serious dent into those numbers, but it is unlikely. Arnold has mastered the art of triangulation, leaving Phil with very little to run on.

The fat lady is not singing, but she is warming up backstage.

MAF To Release New Ad

2006-08-29T00:29:00.000-07:00

Move America Forward is planning to release in the coming weeks yet another ad supporting the War On Terror.

I have been involved in some of the planning meetings for this ad. Although I can’t reveal what exactly it will be, the spot will reveal the stupidity of one side of an issue relating to the War on Terror. It will be something that conservatives (and many moderates) will be able to rally behind.

But in addition to being one of the best MAF ads ever produced, it will also be one of the most expensive. Go here to donate. You will be proud to have helped make it happen when the video comes out.

(Full Disclosure: I am an intern for Russo Marsh & Rogers, which consults for MAF)

Harris Jumps the Shark

2006-08-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Katherine Harris, the famous former Florida Secretary of State, is now running for the US Senate. Her campaign can be called nothing short of embarrassing, with ethics violations and frequent missteps. But I think she may have finally “jumped the shark” with these comments:

Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Fla.) said this week that God did not intend for the United States to be a "nation of secular laws" and that the separation of church and state is a "lie we have been told" to keep religious people out of politics.

"If you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin," Harris told interviewers from the Florida Baptist Witness, the weekly journal of the Florida Baptist State Convention. She cited abortion and same-sex marriage as examples of that sin.

Now, if she said that we should only elect candidates who oppose abortion and same sex marriage and understand that America was founded upon Judeo-Christian values, then I might agree. But that is not what she said.

What she said is that you are sinning if you don’t elect conservative Christians. What if a conservative Jew is running against a liberal Evangelical? By Harris’s standard you would have to vote for the liberal, because at least he is Christian. That is just stupid.

Unfortunately, Katherine Harris continues to be the frontrunner in the Republican primary to be held next week. Hopefully all the “anti-Harris” GOPers can rally around one candidate and hope for an upset. Otherwise, liberal Ben Nelson can look forward to an easy re-election battle in the moderate state of Florida.

America Remembers

2006-08-24T23:56:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars now. Move America Forward is holding a 9/11 remembrance event on the west steps of the California State Capitol, and it promises to be the largest on the West Coast.

The event will be held Monday evening September 11 from 7:30 to 10PM, although attendees are encouraged to arrive as early as 5:30 to secure a spot and socialize with fellow patriots before the official program begins. The lineup includes speakers, entertainment, and a candlelight vigil.

See you there!

Rudy Watch

2006-08-22T23:20:00.000-07:00

Make no mistake about it. I think that former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani did a great job leading his city in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. He is clearly a great American.

However, I would not like to see him become the Republican nominee for President, for the simple reason that he is too liberal on social issues.

An interesting new blog called Catholic Rudy Watch is keeping tabs on his far left record on such issues. It is written from the Catholic perspective, but regardless of your religious beliefs, it will be shocking to any social conservative. He not only supports abortion in the early stages, but also opposes a ban on partial birth abortion. That is more extreme than the position of many Democrats.

I can overlook a moderate record on social issues if a candidate is solid elsewhere. But this just goes too far. Rudy is a good guy, but would not be a good president.

Angelidies: Immigration Should Not be Issue

2006-08-21T23:25:00.000-07:00

This weekend Republicans gathered for their fall convention in Los Angeles. In his speech to delegates, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke about his support for National Guard troops on the border and his opposition to driver’s licenses for illegal immigration. Across the street at another hotel Democratic candidate Phil Angelidies gave a rebuttal:

“I was saddened today that the governor decided to inject the explosive issue of immigration into this race. I believe that a governor ought to unite the people of California, ought to calm the waters. What the governor did today is that he deliberately decided to fan the flames of bigotry,”

Come on Phil. Of course immigration should be an issue. Regardless of whether the Governor mentioned it in his speech or not, it is a problem Californians are deeply worried about. According to a recent Field Poll 86% of voters are at least somewhat concerned about the topic. So regardless of whether Angelidies likes it or not, citizens will press their prospective representatives on it.

This quote just shows how out of touch Phil is with California.

Court: Excess Cash in Car Can Be Taken By Police

2006-08-21T00:54:00.000-07:00

Here is one court case that every American should be concerned about.

The Eighth Circuit court of Appeals has ruled that driving with large sums of cash is evidence of drug trafficking, and the money can be confiscated by authorities whether or not other evidence supports the illegal sale of drugs.

Now, the plaintiffs in the case clearly were very stupid. They were driving around with $125,000 in cash in the vehicle. They were stopped by police who confiscated the money after a police dog smelled drugs. However, there was no evidence that the drug scent was not merely left over from a previous owner. When you have that much cash, the chances are high that at least one bill was involved in a drug deal in the past. Nevertheless, the bills were confiscated even though the men were not charged.

They sued, and in this ruling the Appeals court reversed a lower court decision ruling the confiscation illegal.

Although this was clearly an unusual situation, in my mind this opens the door to a whole lot of police and local government corruption. The decision said that excess cash can be considered evidence of a crime. But what is an excess? Could $100 be considered unusual? Even $20?

As you can see, there are really no limits on what this decision could legalize. Hopefully this case will be appealed to the Supreme Court as there are some great civil liberties violations that could take place if this is allowed to stand. But until that happens, Americans would be wise to keep their hands on their wallets.

Don't Segregate Public Schools

2006-08-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

A public elementary school in Modesto has started segregating its fourth grade classes by gender. The goal is to reduce distractions.

Now I know that I am going against most of my conservative allies in saying this, but I think this is a bad idea. While the goal if eliminating distractions is a noble idea, this is not the way to do it.

The first is that boys and girls are going to have to work together in the workplace, so they should at school as well. The purpose of school is to prepare students for the workforce, and they aren’t going to be separated there, distractions or not. So the kids need to get used to it.

I am also concerned about the equality between the classes. Let’s face it, boys generally behave worse than girls. This would hamper the opportunity for the boys to get an equal education. Even if the curriculum is exactly the same, they will undoubtedly have to go at a slower pace because of the increased interruptions. Teachers like to teach in classrooms with less discipline problems, so it is also likely that the best ones will ask to teach the girls, creating another inequality.

Now I know that some of you will ask about private schools - aren't they already doing this, with much success? That is true. But the difference is that most private school students, both boys and girls, want to learn and aren't going to disrupt class as much. But in public school you have the troublemakers who have to be there, and the majority are boys.

While this may seem like a good idea on it’s face, I see many problems with segregating public school classrooms.

Liberal Judge Ignores Article II of Constitution

2006-08-18T00:33:00.001-07:00

Today a federal judge ruled the NSA’s so-called “Warentless Wiretapping” program is unconstitutional. The judge said that the law violated the right of persons to speak freely without fear of their privacy being violated.

What a horrible ruling. It did not take into account at all the fact that the President retains special powers under Article II of the US Constitution. Nor did it take into account the 2002 US FISA Appeals Court Case of In re: Sealed Case If someone is communicating with a person suspected of trying to do harm to the United States, they have forfeited their right to keep their communications private.

But thankfully, the ultimate decision will not sit with this ultra-liberal judge. The case has been appealed, and the NSA program can continue safeguarding Americans in the meantime. Thank goodness for the appeals process.

Truth Time for Nunez

2006-08-18T00:14:00.000-07:00

A proposed California constitutional amendment to place redistricting in the hands of an independent citizen’s commission passed the State Senate yesterday. The bill does only that; it does not tie into term limits like others did.

The ball is now in Fabian Nunez’s court. This is where we find out if the Speaker is serious about reforming California’s political system. Throughout the year, he has supported a plan to tie redistricting to term limits reform.

Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa reported today that the measure cannot be passed in time to make this year’s ballot. However, it could easily be voted on by the end of the month to place it before the voters in the 2008 Primary election.

If Nunez allows this bill to recieve a vote without making amendments to tie it to term limits, we can assume he is genuinely concerned about the objectivity of California’s redistricting process. However, if he does not, we will know that all of this talk was merely an attempt to extend his speaker ship by allowing him to sit in the Assembly beyond 2008.

Eric Hogue Show Canceled

2006-08-15T20:58:00.000-07:00

Craig DeLuz is reporting that Salem is canceling the Eric Hogue show effective September 1.

This is a great loss for not only myself, but the Sacramento community. Without Hogue, there may not be a Republican governor at the capitol right now. And Eric has championed many other efforts to help the community.

Craig has all the contact info for Salem, and I would urge you all to use it. Tell them that canceling Eric Hogue will result in a great loss of listenership and advertisements.

Eric is perhaps the last real conservative ÂactivistÂ talk show host left in town. All the others talk about issues, but are reluctant to get involved in them. Eric was not. It will be sad to see him go.

Bush Signs Bill to Save Cross

2006-08-14T23:30:00.000-07:00

President Bush signed a bill today that would transfer the land that the Mt. Soledad cross in San Diego sits on to the federal government. The cross, which is part of a Korean War memorial, has been under attack for years by atheists who deem it a violation of separation of church and state for the cross to be on city land.

What this transfer does is force the issue to be decided in the federal courts independent of the California constitution. The federal constitution has been widely interpreted to contain fewer restrictions on church and state than the state constitution.

This should just about end the controversy. If this cross is unconstitutional, then it would have to be deemed that all crosses and religious symbols on federal land are in violation. That means the displays in Arlington and Gettysburg, among other places, would have to go as well.

But the “annoyed atheists” (as Roger Hedgecock calls them) will no doubt sue to put the issue in front of a judge once more. So the community of sAn Diego and Korean War veterans are not totally out of the woods yet.

But with the Supreme Court containing more strict interpreters of the constitution, it would appear this issue may be headed for a successful conclusion.

Separate Redistricting and Term Limits

2006-08-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

Legislative leaders are considering a proposal that would put a legislative reform package on the November ballot. Part of the plan would leave redistricting to an independent committee and the other would modify the term limits law to allow a member to serve a total of 12 years in either house, instead of 6 in the Assembly and 8 in the Senate.

I am in full support of redistricting reform and undecided on term limits. But this proposal is an affront to the people of California and the democratic principals it was founded upon.

Voters should not be asked to decide two mostly unrelated issues as part of the same ballot question (or have to approve one proposition for the other to go into effect). They should be able to reform redistricting without changing term limits, or vise versa. It shouldn’t be both or neither.

This is crafted in a way that it is a win-win for the legislature. If voters approve the package, members will have to deal with independent redistricting but that will be more than balanced by the ability for most members to sit tight in their seats and not worry about having to find a new office so soon. And the chief architect of the plan, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, gets to keep his post for a while.

If the voters reject the package, then political leaders can use that as an excuse to not discuss the issue for years to come.

Either way, the legislature wins, and democracy loses.

Both of these reforms are worthy of public discussion and debate. But they should be considered like the independent issues they are.

More McClintock News

2006-08-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

More fallout today from the Mel Gibson letter in support of Tom McClintock. Today state Democratic chairman Art Torres responded:

"...This letter has already been mass mailed four times. The people have been solicited, the money has been collected and now McClintock is trying to take the cheap way out by expressing disillusionment ... If McClintock wants his rejection of Gibson's support to be more than an empty gesture, he needs to return the money raised by the letter."

Come on, Art.

The McClintock campaign may not even know how much money was generated as a direct result of the mailing. I don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing it just went into the same pot with all the other funds from other sources.

But even if they could determine it, the money is not tainted. There is probably a very small portion of the money that is a direct result of Gibson’s participation. Most people that gave money as a result of the mailing did it because they liked McClintock and his ideas for California, not because Mel told them to.

My guess is that McClintock would have to give back all of his campaign funds to satisfy Torres. But hey, he’s just a partisan hack. What do you expect.

In more McClintock news, new poll numbers are out from the Public Opinion strategists. I could not find a link, but here are the numbers:

Likely voters: McClintock 38%, Garamendi 34%
Voters who voted in all of the last four elections: McClintock 46%, Garamendi 35%

These numbers are almost the direct opposite of the Field poll numbers from last week, so this just shows that it is way too early to count someone out. November is a long way away.

Garamendi Used Child Molester to Raise Cash

2006-08-09T23:41:00.000-07:00

The McClintock for Lieutenant Governor campaign caught some flack this week for once using a letter from Director Mel Gibson to solicit funds. Gibson, of course, has been crucified (no pub intended) for making anti-Semitic remarks after being arrested for drunken driving last month. McClintock has since pulled the letter and today firmly denounced Gibson’s actions.

Yet the media has so far ignored a much more serious letter sent out by McClintock’s opponent, Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi. As Karen Hanretty reports, Garamendi in 2001 solicited funds with the help of singer Peter Yarrow, convicted in the 1970s of molesting a 14 year old girl.

This conviction was so much that former Democratic Rep. Martin Frost canceled an appearance with Yarrow in 2004, saying this:

Crimes against children are very serious offenses," Frost said in a statement. "I do not believe it is appropriate for Mr. Yarrow to campaign on my behalf." (National Journal's CongressDaily, Oct. 1, 2004)

Yet John Garamendi has failed to account for having a child molester help his campaign. This is clearly much more serious than McClintock’s flap; in this case a little girl was physically harmed and exploited instead of just offensive words during a drunken tirade.

The media needs to put pressure on Garamendi to rescind this letter, and while he is at it, take a position on Jessica’s Law, which would protect children from sex offenders.

Lieberman Loss Shows True Face of Democratic Party

2006-08-08T22:37:00.000-07:00

With the rejection of Joe Lieberman in their Connecticut US Senate Primary, the Democratic party has declared that it is truly the party of cut and run.

Lieberman voted with the Democratic party nearly all of the time. However, he also had the courage to support our president and the troops in Iraq. This recognition that President Bush was not evil caused him to lose the support of his party.

It is truly sad to see that one of America’s great parties has been hijacked by a radical wing that would rather negotiate at the UN than take terrorism head on. This is no longer the party of John Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt, it is the party of Howard Dean and John Kerry.

This election result should create a great contrast for Americans come this November. You can either go with a party that chooses to back down when confronted with the challenge of war and terrorism, or you can go with the party that believes we need to finish our mission in Iraq and confront the threat of terrorism worldwide.

SB 1437 Shows Why Conservatives Need Arnold

2006-08-08T22:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Senator Sheila Kuehl amended SB 1437 to remove portions of the bill requiring homosexual history and tolerance be taught in Social Science classes at every grade level. The legislation now merely prohibits teachers from demeaning gays or lesbians or a school district from sponsoring an activity that does the same. Much better (though still not perfect) from the pro-family position.

This shows exactly why social conservatives need to get out and vote for Governor Schwarzenegger this fall. The sole purpose for the amendments was to try to satisfy him. It was not made because of a change of heart by anyone in the legislature. If Phil Angeledies were the man deciding the fate of this legislation instead of Arnols, you can bet it would have passed in its original form and have easily been signed. Unless Pro-family advocates could raise enough money and signatures to place it on the ballot, homosexuality would be on its way to your elementary school student’s classroom.

But you can bet that this will be reintroduced in the coming years. And when it does, we need a governor that will veto at least the worst Anti-family bills. That candidate is Arnold Schwarzenegger.

McClintock Needs Cash: Will Arnold Help?

2006-08-08T00:19:00.000-07:00

Today Tom McClintock sent his campaign supporters an e-mail explaining that he needs to raise at least $2 million more before the November election in order to win:

We MUST raise over $2 million between now and November to run a winning campaign, and it will take the full financial support of every one of our donors to reach this goal. Your contribution to my campaign, no matter how big or small, will help me get my message out.

But even though McClintock is sure to get support from his large small donor base, it certainly would help to receive some checks for the maximum contribution. And who is best positioned to help him do that? None other than the man at the top of the ticket, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

However, the Governor has not done a very good job of including Tom in his campaign thus far. The California Campaigns Blog reports that he failed to invite or even inform Tom about an expensive fundraiser going on in his Senate district for Arnold’s campaign. Even if Tom did not receive any proceeds, he should have been invited so he could meet these wealthy folks.

Arnold Schwarzenegger needs to realize that he has a great responsibility as the person at the top of the GOP ticket. It is his duty to help the down ticket candidates as well as himself.

It would not be a one way exchange, however. Arnold could benefit from Tom’s high standing with conservatives. A strong McClintock campaign could encourage disaffected Republicans who might otherwise stay home to come out and vote for Tom and then Arnold secondarily.

But any way you look at it, Arnold needs to support his “running mate” in his time of need.

(Note: Although McClintock is a client of Ron Rogers, this post does not necessarily represent the views of the McClintock campaign.)

Prop 85 Opposition Shows Unions Beholden to Left

2006-08-07T22:29:00.000-07:00

The state’s leading unions have changed their position on Prop. 85, requiring Parental notification before a minor’s abortion, from neutral to oppose.

Now, I am not too concerned about this because most people do not vote a certain way because a union tells them too. Especially on an issue like this that has nothing to do with labor.

But I do think this demonstrates how beholden many unions are to the left. There is absolutely no reason they should be taking a position here. Whether Prop. 85 passes or not will have no effect on wages or worker conditions. Not one bit.

The fact that they will be spending the time and union dues of members opposing this shows that the goal of many of these union leaders is no longer to protect the worker, but to advance a liberal agenda under the veil of doing it for the benifit of the working class.

Nanny State Alert

2006-08-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

The California State Legislature returns from its summer recess tomorrow to wrap up the legislative year, and no one is safe. Children, drivers, teens, parents, business owners, activists, workers, teachers, and of course taxpayers are all in danger of having their quality of life drastically reduced.

But there are a couple of bills that strike me as truly the Government sticking its nose into our private affairs: aka, Nanny State Laws.

The first, AB 2108 by Assembly member Evans, would require kids to stay in booster seats until age 8 and prohibit them from riding in the front seat under the age of 13.

Now, I don’t know how often most people interact with eight year olds, but I do. My brother is 9. I can tell you that an eight year old is going to be pretty big for a booster seat, not to mention the emotional trauma of being relegated to that cramped seat when you are in third grade. It would not be fun for the kid, and not that much safer as long as they wear a seat belt.

The second part makes a bit more sense, but still is unnecessary. The obvious intent is to keep children away from air bags in the front seat. But this ignores the fact that air bags can be turned off in many cars.

The bottom line is that parents, not the state, should be the ones to decide when they feel it is safe to change their kids’ seating arrangement in the car.

The next bill mainly impacts adults. SB 1613 by Senator Simitian would ban handheld cell phone use by drivers.

I agree that you should not use a cell phone while speeding down the freeway. But there are some times when it would be valid to use a cell phone on the road. Say, for example, if you are stuck in traffic and want to let your family know you will be late. You would be in little danger of causing an accident because you aren’t moving, but you would still be guilty of a crime.

It also fails to address other forms of distracted driving that are much more imparing. Eating, applying makeup, looking at a map, etc, are all much more dangerous than talking on the phone. Yet they would still be legal.

If we are going to crack down on distracted drivers, we need to crack down on all of them, and provide exceptions for when the actions might be necessary.

All and all, the California state legislature obviously has a problem with citizens running their own lives and families. Let’s hope Governor Schwarzenegger reigns them in.

Prison Plan Circumvents Constitution

2006-08-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow the state legislature will reconvene to consider, among other things, Governor Schwarzenegger’s plan to fix the state’s prison system. Here is an overview of the Governor’s plan from The Fresno Bee:

Two new prisons, at a cost of $1.2 billion, as well as expansion of existing prisons, costing nearly $2 billion.

Transfer of as many as 5,000 illegal immigrant prisoners facing deportation to out-of-state prisons to reduce crowding.

Moving as many as 1,000 inmates into the nearly empty Coalinga State Hospital, which was designed to house sex offenders.

A pair of proposals would transfer inmates closer to home:

About 4,500 female inmates would be moved to smaller, community-based facilities where they would get counseling, drug treatment and other services.

Ten 500-bed "re-entry facilities" would be built near cities to house inmates a few months before release. Here they would get job advice, counseling and other services. The estimated cost is $2 billion.

In total, the plan seeks to create 43,738 prison beds by 2012-13.

Overall, a very sound plan. California clearly needs to do something about prison overpopulation. Without endangering public safety by releasing inmates early, the only practicable solution is to create more space for housing them.

But I do have a few concerns about the proposal.

First of all, why do only female inmates get the counseling and drug treatment? Perhaps I am missing something, but this seems like a gross inequality. Prisoners should be separated by gender for obvious reasons, but they should receive equal treatment and equal opportunities while behind bars. If you are going to provide something for the women, it needs to be provided to the men as well.

My second problem is how it would be funded. The proposal needs legislative approval, but would not have to go before voters despite being funded mainly with bonds. This would seem to be in direct contradiction to Article 16 of the California Constitution, which states as follows:

SECTION 1. The Legislature shall not, in any manner create any debt
or debts, liability or liabilities, which shall, singly or in the
aggregate with any previous debts or liabilities, exceed the sum of
three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000), except in case of war to
repel invasion or suppress insurrection, unless the same shall be
authorized by law for some single object or work to be distinctly
specified therein which law shall provide ways and means, exclusive
of loans, for the payment of the interest of such debt or liability
as it falls due, and also to pay and discharge the principal of such
debt or liability within 50 years of the time of the contracting
thereof, and shall be irrepealable until the principal and interest
thereon shall be paid and discharged, and such law may make provision
for a sinking fund to pay the principal of such debt or liability to
commence at a time after the incurring of such debt or liability of
not more than a period of one-fourth of the time of maturity of such
debt or liability; but no such law shall take effect unless it has
been passed by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each
house of the Legislature and until, at a general election or at a
direct primary, it shall have been submitted to the people and shall
have received a majority of all the votes cast for and against it at
such election.

This is something that could probably be passed fairly easily by the voters once they realize how big of a problem there is. The legislature should put the plan on the November ballot so that it can be passed without circumventing the constitution.

If this last problem is not fixed, no Republican legislator should even consider casting an Aye vote.

Political Opposites Team Up for Hemp

2006-08-05T23:14:00.000-07:00

Here is something you don’t hear about everyday. Assemblymen Chuck DeVore, one of the Legislature’s most conservative members, and Mark Leno, one of the most liberal, actually agree on something. But not only that, they are working together.

This rare unifying issue? The legalization of hemp growing in California. The lawmakers have co-sponsored a bill to legalize it.

Hemp, they argue, is no more related to marijuana than the seeds on your bagel are to opium. It has been unfairly prosecuted in the drug war.

They also point out that hemp is already being imported from other nations. If something can be brought in, why can’t California growers produce it and keep the profits here at home?

The bill would circumvent federal laws by only allowing the hemp produced to be sold within the State of California. The feds then would not be able to regulate it using interstate commerce laws.

But the bill does face an uncertain future. Most Republicans (with the notable exception of Senator Tom McClintock) believe the bill opens the door to further legalization of much more dangerous crops. DeVore was the only Republican Yes vote in the Assembly.

So chances are Arnold will get out his red pen for this one. He is not about to look soft on drugs in this election year where he wants to be portrayed as fighting crime. But it is a very heartening thing that leaders from totally opposition ideologies can still work together.

Free McClintock Bumper Stickers

2006-08-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

Tom McClintock is giving out free bumper stickers for his Luitenant Governor's campaign. That's right, free. Order yours here.

I think this is a great move by McClintock. His great advantage in this race is grassroots support, and this ensures that those supporters can show their support and raise Tom's name ID without spending a dime.

Initiative Analysis

2006-08-03T23:43:00.000-07:00

This is an analysis of the first field poll numbers for the propositions on this November’s ballot. The poll results for the bonds are here and Props 83, 85-87, and 90 can be found here. All others were not polled.

Overall, I think voters are in a conservative mood when it comes to borrowing. This is evidenced by the failure of the $600 million library bond in June. An aggressive campaign needs to be launched to pass the bonds; otherwise the recent trend is for voters to say No.

Proposition 1A, Requiring gas tax revenues be used for transportation: Although not polled, this one should pass easily. The measure just re-enforces an earlier proposition and protects gas tax funds from raids by legislators to pay for other things.

Proposition 1B, $19.9 billion transportation bond: This proposition has the largest lead of any bond. It will likely also be the focus of ad campaigns, so it should pass. By how much depends on the mood of the electorate.

Proposition 1C, $2.8 billion housing bond: The only proposition currently trailing by a significant margin. Given that the Governor is not campaigning heavily for it, this one will have an uphill climb.

Proposition 1D, $10.4 billion school bond: This one will be close. I think it all hinges on how much the pro-bond campaign focuses on schools and not just roads and levees. If it spends significant time on education, Prop. 1D may squeak by. But otherwise, this could go the way of the library bond.

Proposition 1E, $4.1 billion for flood and disaster protection: Despite flaws, I don’t see this failing. The memories of Katrina are too fresh in people’s minds.

Proposition 83, Residency restrictions and GPS monitoring for sex offenders: Leading 76%-11%, this one is in trouble (not!). I expect it to be a bit closer on Election Day, but would be surprised if it goes below 65%.

Proposition 84, $5.4 billion for water quality and resource protection: Another toss up. Will fiscal conservatism or environmental consciousness prevail in November?

Proposition 85, Parental notification before a minor’s abortion: Too close to call. Right now the polls have it virtually tied, the same as it was last year at this time. In my mind it all comes down to churches. If they ensure that all their attendees get to the polls, this will pass. If they don’t, it doesn’t.

Proposition 86, Raise cigarette taxes to fund Emergency Medical Services: A year ago I would have said this is a slam dunk. But the defeat of Prop. 82 last election convinced me that the voters won’t simply rubber stamp any tax increase if it doesn’t directly raise theirs. I still say, though, that this one narrowly passes.

Proposition 87, Tax Oil Companies for Research: Right now this is leading. But as soon as the well funded opposition starts running ads showing gas lines from the ‘70s, public opinion will shift. This should be defeated somewhere in the 60%-40% range.

Proposition 88, $50 parcel tax for education: No polling yet, but I predict public opinion will sour once voters realize it would hit the poor hardest. This goes down around 65%-35%.

Proposition 89, Public Financing of Campaigns: No polling here either. This could be an interesting race as the Nurses Union is supporting but other unions opposing. Hard to say, but I’ll venture to say this is narrowly defeated.

Proposition 90, Eminent Domain Restrictions: Not polling as well as I thought it would, although still leading. My gut says that this will be narrowly defeated after an effective campaign by local governments and environmentalists. But my brain says people value their property, so I’ll go with that. This passes barely.

Dems Say No to Wage Hike

2006-08-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you know, the Democrats voted against a hike in the minimum wage. All becuase they feel that heirs to estates (often small businesses) should be burdened with taxes as high as 47%.

So much for sticking up for the little guy.

Lieberman In Danger of Losing Nomination

2006-08-03T20:23:00.000-07:00

It hasn’t made a whole lot of press here, but Joe Lieberman is in danger of losing his party’s nomination to the Senate.

If that happens things get very interesting because Lieberman has already filed to run as an independent in November. Of course, that should create a grand opportunity for the GOP to pick up the seat in a three way race. But the Republican candidate is a man who has more dirt on him than your car does after trailing an SUV on a dirt road for 10 miles.

Once again, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in a year where a seat pickup is desperately needed.

Field Poll Analysis

2006-08-02T00:05:00.000-07:00

Today the Field Poll released a survey of about 380 voters on the down ticket ballot races.

The findings were disappointing for Republicans, I won’t deny that. But it should not cause anyone to give up.

First, historically the Field Poll is skewed twords Democrats. George Deukmejian never led a field poll before being elected to the Governorship.

But discounting that, there still is no reason to fret. Remember that with the exception of Treasurer and Controller, the Republican candidate had no primary while the Democrats did. Thus, the Democrats have already been in the minds of many voters, while the Republicans have not. So naturally, the Democratic numbers will be higher for now.

Specific races:

Tom McClintock’s numbers were the most surprising and worrying to me. I would have thought he would have at least been very close given his high name ID. But its important to note that Tom is saving his money until the end while, like I said earlier, Garamendi already spent much of his. McClintock currently has three times the cash on hand.

Attorney General is getting better from the last poll. As more voters hear of Poochigian (and they will, he has a large war chest), this race will get much closer.

In the Secretary of State’s race, the pollster failed to note that Bruce McPherson is the incumbent. This will be noted on the ballot, so if the election were today, he would probably win.

The Treasurer race is over. Bill Lockyer is perhaps the biggest jerk in California politics, but he will also have the easiest time winning a new job. Something about having $10 million compared to your opponent’s $100,000. Sigh…

The Controller’s race is one where neither candidate is well known enough for the poll to be really meaningful. Chiang wins this poll, but lost the one a month ago by about the same margin. So who knows?

Cruz Bustamonte is in real trouble. He only has a four point lead over Steve Poizner, an extremely wealthy businessman who can outspend him like crazy. This may be the easiest down ticket race for Republicans to win.

I would also like to address Dan Walter’s column today saying that Republicans missed a chance to win big by not nominating more moderates.

That thesis is just not supported by the facts. The moderate Republican candidates are doing better just because of the circumstances. McPherson is the incumbent and Poizner benefits from Bustamonte’s high negatives. A conservative in either situation would do just as well, especially considering most voters don’t know much about any Republican down ticket candidates. So they certainly do not know if the candidate is moderate or right-wing.

PETA: Sacrifice Humans, Not Animals

2006-07-31T23:55:00.000-07:00

You can't make this stuff up. PETA is endorsing embryonic stem cell research rather than testing on animals.

Earth to PETA: Aren't humans, and their embryos, members of the animal kingdom?

The World's Gibson Moment

2006-07-31T23:27:00.000-07:00

Richard Cohen has a piece entitled “The World’s Mel Gibson Moment” in which he compares the world’s attitude towards Israel to Mel Gibson’s anti-Semitic remarks after he was arrested for drunk driving.

It may seem like a stretch, but it’s not. After Israeli airstrickes killed four UN observers, Secretary-General Kofi Annan immediately jumped to the conclusion that it was deliberate. And much of the world has been blaming Israel for the strikes yesterday on a civilian apartment complex.

Basically, it’s all the Jew’s fault. Just like Mel said, except not as bluntly.

Correction

2006-07-31T23:06:00.000-07:00

In a previous post I initially misreported the web site address of the Kurdistan Development Corporation. The correct address, as is now reflected in the post, is kurdistancorporation.com.

Sorry for any inconvenience

Public Financing Draws Liberal Opposition

2006-07-31T20:44:00.000-07:00

A boatload of liberal groups and individuals are lining up against Prop. 89, which would tax corporations to provide for public financing of campaigns.

You know an idea is bad when people like Gale Kaufman and the CTA are fighting an increase in government.

Angelidies Character

2006-07-31T20:41:00.000-07:00

Eric Hogue has a piece about Phil Angelidies'character. It focuses on how he beat a 12 year old kid at air hockey and then bragged about it. Basically, acting no more maturely than a 12 year old.

What a self-promoter and snob.

Israel Must Stay Course

2006-07-30T23:36:00.000-07:00

Today many in the world community called for a cease-fire in the Israeli-Lebanon conflict after a Lebanese apartment building with many women and children was destroyed.

But the people of Lebanon have no one to blame except Hezbollah for their suffering. If that group had not threatened the security of the free and sovereign nation of Israel, this conflict would not be happening and those kids would be alive today.

Israel should not bow to pressure to end attacks. History shows that when you give an inch to terrorists, they will use it to get the next ten from you. This is exemplified by Hezbollah’s actions after the withdrawal from Lebanon of Israeli forces in 2000, and Hamas attacks on Israel from the Gaza strip.

I think these words from Israeli UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman sums up the sentiments of the day perfectly:

“When an Israeli attack kills innocent children, we mourn. When Hezbollah kills Israeli children, it is a cause for a celebration.”

Arnold Wants Ban on Forest Roads

2006-07-30T22:18:00.000-07:00

This has got to be dumbest ideas I have seen in a while. Governor Schwarzenegger wants to end road construction in California's forests to preserve them.

Earth to Governor: If you don't have roads, how are you going to enjoy the preservation of the forest if you don't want to hike for miles? I can see limiting road construction, but banning it all toghether? Come on...

Prop. 88 Hurts Poor

2006-07-30T22:13:00.000-07:00

The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin has a piece on Proposition 88, which would impose a $50 parcel tax on every property owner in the State of California, regardless of the value or size of their holdings.

What ever happened to the Democratic rallying cry of, “End tax Breaks for the Wealthy!” Seems to me this is a huge break for them – the owner of a $10 million mansion pays the same as the owner of a small cottage.

Pro-Life Banner Ad Does More Harm than Good

2006-07-30T21:56:00.000-07:00

As most readers know, I am very pro-life. And I support efforts to educate the public about the harms of abortion. But I think this goes a bit too far.

An anti-abortion group called The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform is planning to fly a giant banner from a plane over various Ohio cities in the coming weeks. The poster features pictures of a 10-week old unborn child next to a picture of genocide from the Middle East.

When considering whether a location is appropriate for a display of graphic photos, I have a simple test: Is it in a location where there are few if any young children? They are too young to have an abortion or influence public policy, so they should not be exposed to such graphic and disturbing images until they are older.

In this case, plenty of kids will be able to see it. This will only serve to anger their parents, who will further distance themselves from the pro-life position.

And the chances of someone changing their mind after seeing a banner zip across the sky with no personal contact are very slim. The most effective way of changing someone’s mind is to talk to them.

So if it is at High School or College campus, abortion clinic, etc, go for it. But not in a public place with small kids.

Although I have no doubt the intentions of this group are good, they are doing more harm than good.

Quote of the Week

2006-07-29T18:54:00.000-07:00

I really have not formed an opinion on the issue of evolution. For whatever reason the issue really doesn't interest me that much. But this line from Katelyn Sills had me laughing on the floor:

It would seem to me that studying the DNA would be superior to saying that some aquatic animal’s fin looks like a mammalian leg if you squint really hard.

LOL! Great one, Katelyn. Read the whole post here.

Angelidies endorses Keep Kids Smart Act

2006-07-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

This is hot of the presses from the Phil Angelidies campaign:

#################FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE#################

SACRAMENTO- After making strong remarks against a proposed initiative requiring parental notification before a minor receives an abortion, Democratic candidate for governor Phil Angelidies today endorsed the Keep Kids Smart Act.

“This measure will ensure the intelligence and safety of our children,” Mr. Angelidies said at a press conference. He was joined by AFL-CIO Executive Board member Dolorus Huerta.

The Keep Our Kids Smart Act would prohibit public school teachers from sending home report cards or phoning parents without the consent of the student.

“Students are terrified that they will be punished if parents discover bad grades,” Angelidies said, “If this measure does not pass, kids will drop out of school or not seek assistance from teachers for fear their parents might be notified.”

The candidate also addressed the opposition to the Keep Kids Smart Act:

“There is now an effort by anti-kid extremists to prevent us from going into a brighter day. They won’t stop.”

For more information on Phil’s campaign, please call (800) TAX-MANN

#############################################################
(parody!)

KFBK Ratings Tank

2006-07-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

The first ratings book since KFBK hired liberal talker Bruce Maiman has been released. Not good if you are a fan of that station.

KFBK is now less than one ratings point away from being dethroned as Sacramento’s longtime ratings leader by country station KNCI. Here is what an anonymous commenter on Mark Williams guestbook who claims to have seen the full ratings has to say:

Still No. 1 but by less than a single ratings point and as close to being kocked out of first place as they have come since the Summer of 2000 (when Mark arrived KFBK was #2 in the market but went to #1 in his first ratings period). Exact numbers in a couple of days but worst hit: Bruce Maiman and the insipid KFBK morning happy talk with Fox reporters. KFBK mornings took a dive. Bruce has ZERO audience, not even enough people to measure!

I think there may be a bit of exaggeration with that last part, but it would not be hard to believe that Mr. Maiman is driving this downturn. KFBK deeply offended its conservative base, and many of them have simply stopped listening or gone elsewhere for talk.

Unless they reverse course, Clear Channel should expect even worse to come for the station where Rush first succeeded.

Censure Ramsey Clark

2006-07-29T15:43:00.000-07:00

Former United States Attorney General Ramsey Clark is at it again. This time he is calling for the United States to stop funding the "Israeli War Machine." This is the same guy who is serving as one of Saddam Hussein's lead lawyers.

This is one person Congress needs to censure. He has gone way over the line in supporting terrorists and Anti-American efforts.

Dangerous Sex Offender Released Near Mall

2006-07-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

Convicted child molester Timothy Boggs has found a new home at a residence hotel in Downtown Sacramento, directly across the street from the Russo, Marsh & Roger’s office where I am completing my internship.

Now, I am not concerned for my own safety because I don’t hang around the hotel and it appears Bogg’s stay will be very brief. But it does anger me that the judicial system would allow a man with such a criminal past to live there. The area is very close to downtown mall, and I see many pre-teen age kids hanging around the area. Any one of them could be his next victim.

People like him have very high reoffence rates. He has no business being released at all, especially into such a populated area.

This is why we need Jessica’s law. Then he at least will have to move away from where vulnerable kids linger.

McClintock on the Ballot Initiatives

2006-07-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

Tom McClintock posted his recommendations for this November's ballot initiatives.

Pretty much what you would expect from Tom. One thing I did find interesting is that he was willing to post his opposition to most of Arnold's bonds on his website. It is nice to know that just becasue he is running as a virtual "ticket" with the Governor, he has not totally caved in to him.

County Executive Pulls Pro-Life Funds

2006-07-29T01:34:00.000-07:00

A county executive in New York has pulled funding for a pro-life group after it claimed Planned Parenthood is promoting beastuality.

So when is this same executive going to pull Planned Parenthood's funds after it called Senior government officials terrorists?

Kurdish Region Ripe For Investiment (Updated)

2006-07-29T01:29:00.000-07:00

This morning while in Washington I had an opportunity to sit down with Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the chairman of the Kurdish Development Corporation.

The KRC is an organization that seeks to promote investment and capital projects in the Kurdish region, which is composed of northern Iraq as well as parts of Syria, Iran, and Turkey. The Kurds have their own democratic government and parliament separate from the above nations. The “host” nations only provide some national security and financial needs; everything else is done by the government of Kurdistan.

Although within Iraq, the region has experienced little to no violence since the US invasion. Only 200 US troops are currently stationed there.

I asked Bayan if the Kurdish people are pursuing an independent state.

“Nearly every young person and many others would like independence,” she said, “But the political leadership recognizes that separation would be suicide. They wish to be autonomous within the existing states.”

As mentioned earlier, one of the main goals of the KDC is promoting investment in Kurdistan. Mrs. Rahman told me that many people have told her that the present-day Kurdish region is much like Dubai 30 years ago. That nation has since grown into one of the biggest investment centers in the world.

I wondered how further escalations of violence in the Middle East would affect Kurdistan and the businesses that invest there. She explained, “The Middle East has a turbulent history. Sometimes it is hard for others to understand that Kurdistan has grown up in violence.”

I could not finish the interview without asking about the Turkish situation. Turkey has in recent weeks been complaining of attacks by the Kurdish Workers Party. Bayan first reiterated that the vast majority of Kurds are peaceful and that most of the violence is being conducted from within Turkey. But she also said that the Turks need to sit down and engage in diplomacy to help defuse its sometimes testy relationship with Kurdistan.

All and all, a very interesting and enlightening interview. It is truly amazing to see how much the Kurds have been able to accomplish in the face of oppression from the former Iraqi regime. For more information on Kurdistan, you can visit their website at www.kurdistancorporation.com.

(Note: The KDC is a client of Russo, Marsh & Rogers, where I am an intern)

Real Cost of New Arena

2006-07-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

Daniel Weintraub has a piece today about the deal for a new Kings arena.

Dan points out the real extent of the financial commitment from the Maloofs. They pledge to pay 30%. Yet this is in the form of a 30year loan, meaning that with inflation the percentage will be more like 13%. The rest will be paid with a sales tax from the public.

I don’t care how much a sports team means, public funds should not be used to build facilities unless part of the revenue is shared with the public. That clearly won’t happen here. The taxpayers will subsidize billionaires. And this new development just makes it worse.

California Laws Costing Business

2006-07-23T19:06:00.000-07:00

This is for all of you who claim that California has a great climate for encouraging business.

My family and I are on a vacation to the Mid-Atlantic region (which is why the blog posts have temporarily slowed). Anyway, we pulled into a chain resturaunt in Maryland that was recommended to us by a family friend. The chain has locations in 42 states, NOT including California.

We asked the waitress why there was no expansion into California. After all, it is the biggest state in the union by population. The answer? A very bad business climate. It would simply cost too much to locate in California after considering the high taxes and other oppressive regulations.

So when Republicans claim that anti-business laws are costing jobs and discouraging business, they are not lying. I discovered that today. Sometimes you have to go away and ask others to see how bad of shape you are in.

Planned Parenthood Refers to Dobson, Others as "Terrorists"

2006-07-18T21:11:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Harriet Miers is a terrorist? How about former presidential advisor Karen Hughes?

If not, you have not been keeping up with Planned Parenthood’s latest literature. Their names are among others included in links under the “Terrorists and Extremist Organizations” tab of this page of PP’s website.

Other “terrorists” include:

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito

Chief Justice John Roberts

United Nations Ambassador John Bolton

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt

Former Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman

Focus on the Family Director Dr. James Dobson

Look, it is one thing to criticize the above individuals for their comments and position on abortion and related issues. But it is yet another to call them terrorists.

You might want to contact Planned Parenthood and let them know how you feel about this taxpayer funded organization calling pro-life leaders terrorists.

Pregnancy Centers Mislead girls, says congressman

2006-07-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

California Congressman Henry Waxman had his staff call crisis pregnancy centers that do not promote abortion as an alternative to pose as a 17 year old pregnant girl and ask questions about the risks of aboriton. Waxman reported that 87% of the centers provided “misleading” information.

So when is Waxman’s staff going to phone abortion clinics to determine their truthfulness?

Bill Could Restrict Pro-Life Websites

2006-07-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

I received the following e-mail from Wynette Sills about AB 2251, which could limit the activities of pro-life websites. This was a letter she sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

Dear Senate Appropriations Committee Members,

I am writing in opposition to AB 2251, the Reproductive Health Services Providers Confidentiality of Personal Information, as it is currently written. I am a volunteer who spends most mornings at Sacramento area abortion clinics, offering to help women with anything they need so that they may be better able to choose life for their unborn child. I wear a gardener’s apron with brochures from local charitable organizations that want to give women find a place to live, provide maternity and baby clothes/supplies, provide free pregnancy tests, and help women financially. My heart and pocket book are open to assist women so that abortion is not their only “choice” when faced with an unplanned pregnancy.

I am very concerned by the false impression given by the author of AB 2251, which describes the pro-life ministry as “militant”, “intimidating”, and “harassing”, to the extent that this bill if implemented will unfairly restrict the First Amendment rights of free speech of peaceful, law-abiding citizens. It is unfair to overly protect one group of individuals, at the expense of sacrificing the rights of another innocent group of individuals, yet AB 2251 does exactly that. All citizens of this state should be given both the same freedoms and protections under the law, instead of showing favoritism to a select group. As a person who greatly respects the sanctity of ALL human life, I join you in seeking to protect everyone from violence, but this bill is one-sided and selective in its intent and is therefore not only unnecessary, but is grossly unfair.

Very often, the abortion clinic employees and volunteer escorts photograph and videotape my presence there. They know my name and home address. I have had threats made to the safety of my family and our family business. Why are my rights being violated, while the abortion industry receives your protection and allegiance? Why am I not afforded the same pro-active protection? This bill is terribly unfair. In a recent Sacramento area Federal Court case, a local abortion clinic filed a suit against members of the pro-life community, seeking to inflict harm including exorbitant fines and legal fees, even imprisonment. However, the abortion industry witnesses perjured themselves by lying under oath and the only thing that saved the pro-life community from prosecution based on these false allegations was a videotape showing the judge exactly what happened on the day in question. The abortion industry will stop at nothing to damage the pro-life community, yet, this bill as written may further restrict our opportunity to take such “images” to protect ourselves.

I understand a similar bill AB 1595, authored by the same individual, was intended to protect public officials. Wouldn’t it be absurd for the language of that bill to protect all Democrat politicians, but deliberately exclude the protection of the opposing Republican party? Yet, this is exactly the intent of AB 2251 as currently written, to protect the abortion industry and not offer any protection to the pro-life community. Each Senatorial District has both abortion industry and pro-life constituents and I’m here to simply ask for equal protection and equal rights for ALL of your constituents.

Many Californians agree. In fact to quote one well-known law-maker, “...we need to avoid stigmatizing the law-abiding pro-life movement. Government must target crimes, not beliefs, speech, or lawful actions.” This was written by Senator Deborah Ortiz in her letter to colleagues regarding the Senate Office of Research report entitled “Crimes Against Reproductive Rights in California”. See http://www.sen.ca.gov/sor/reports/REPORTS_BY_SUBJ/
PUBLIC_SAFETY_JUDICIARY/REPROCRIMES.HTM for more information.

Therefore, as Senators elected to represent and protect ALL citizens of California, please carefully consider your position on AB 2251 by either opposing it entirely, or at least providing the same protections and freedoms to all citizens of California instead of favoring the few who participate in the killing of unborn children, while restricting the rights of peaceful, prayerful, and law-abiding pro-life citizens.

Mrs. Sills doesn’t go into this, but another problem with this legislation is that it would prevent whistle blowing. For example, if a clinic escort were aggressively preventing a woman from talking to the sidewalk counselors, that instance could not be documented (and it does happen, I’ve seen pictures. Of course, under this law, those pictures would probably be illegal). Yet if a sidewalk counselor forcefully tried to prevent a woman from entering the clinic that could be posted everywhere.

Basically, there would be no way for pro-lifers to defend themselves or tell the truth, that some escorts aren’t really there to help the woman.

So you can tell this is a very dangerous piece of legislation. Contact the Senate Appropriations Committee, which will hear the bill in a few weeks when it returns from its recess, here and tell them to vote “No!”

You may also want to contact Senate Pro Tem through his website. He has the ability to effect the death of the bill by not allowing it to reach the floor of the house. While you are at it, e-mail the Governor and ask him to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

Eye on Eggs

2006-07-16T22:22:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought the world could not get any stranger, your breakfast will now stare back at you.

Flood Bond Flaws

2006-07-16T22:12:00.000-07:00

Just when I was getting ready to support the flood control bond on this November’s ballot, the Associated Press did an in-depth report on it. The results were not too encouraging. Among the findings:

The eight-page measure provides scant direction for how $3 billion would be spent on levee repairs in the Central Valley, an area stretching roughly 500 miles from Redding to Bakersfield.

It leaves decisions for prioritizing and financing projects largely up to the governor and lawmakers during the politically charged annual budget process. The process carries the potential for lawmakers to allocate some of the money for pet projects in their districts instead of the levee repairs that scientists deem most effective.

A five-year levee evaluation, which could determine where development should be curbed and what cities might face higher flood insurance, would be vulnerable to influence by special interests.

Taxpayer money could be used to benefit developers and homeowners. The bond allows the state to pay off developers and homeowners where it deems the cost of maintaining levees would be too high, but it provides no details for how the state will determine the value of that land.

Great. Money for flood control projects will now be dolled out in exchange for political favors.

In the end, I will probably end up still endorsing this one bond for the mere reason that I can look out my window and see a levee. But it is very depressing that the legislature cannot attempt to deal with one of the most important issues in the state while ensuring the solution will not lead to pay-for-play and other political gamesmanship.

Blogger News

2006-07-16T17:14:00.000-07:00

A couple of new developments, one good and one bad, about the local blogosphere.

First, the bad news. Aaron Park of the Roseville Conservative Blog has signed off for good. Aaron told me last night that he felt he could no longer put in the time and effort nessesary to do the blog justice.

His voice will surely be missed. Aaron could always be counted on to tell it forcefully and as it is. No "squishing" with him.

But in better news, my ACYU co founder and very good personal friend Katelyn Sills of Stand Up and Speak Out has launched her new site, complete with a new, very appropriate logo (pictured above). Please give the site a visit, as I know she has been working tirelessly to perfect it for months.

Parents Keeping Teen Drivers Responsible

2006-07-16T00:24:00.000-07:00

The Bee had a feature story this morning about parents keeping tabs on their teenage kid's driving habits.

This is the type of thing that we need to help curb teen driver accidents, not silly legislation forcing kids to put a sticker on the back of their car (as was proposed by one Senator). Although some of the suggested measures are a little extreme in my opinion (ie: No driving after dark, and limiting what roads your kid can drive on) I agree with the basic premise of having a contract and would strongly urge all parents and kids to consider the ideas in the article.

A very good read.

Godspeed to Israel

2006-07-16T00:15:00.000-07:00

I have not been blogging about it much because I don't have much to add that has not already been said, but by far the most important story in the world is the new Israel - Lebanon war. The Israelis finally have had enough of this terror and are fighting back.

Some nations say Israel is overreacting. I strongly disagree. In fact, they are probably underreacting. As I heard an Israeli official comment on FOX News today, this would be like if a group with strong ties to Canado began firing rockets at Chicago. We would demand that the Canadian government clean house of those people, just as Israel is doing with Lebanon.

God Bless Israel!

Arnold Should Act Like Terminator

2006-07-15T13:28:00.000-07:00

I am playing catch-up this weekend on stories about two things – a state program and some political shenanigans – that Governor Schwarzenegger needs to wake up and put a halt to.

The first is the restoration of $6 Million in the state budget for the Institute for Labor and Employment at the University of California. The supposed purpose of the organization is to support efforts to educate the public about the history of unions and such. But it has in reality become a publicly funded shrill for big labor, producing biased studies and organizing workers against businesses.

But the big problem with this “Institute” is not that, but its excursions into partisan politics. In 2003, this organization organized efforts against the recall of Gray Davis, including a seminar at a hotel here in Sacramento. Across the street from the hotel, recall supporters gathered to protest this misuse of public funds. Those supporters were then violently assaulted by some of the ILE members (see picture and video at the link).

This is one program that needs to be totally defunded. Tax dollars should not support partisan anti-business activists. Along with the illegal alien healthcare, this should have been a deal-breaker for the Republicans and governor during budget negotiations.

The next thing the Governor needs to use his power to put an end to is the defunding of the State Board of Education in retaliation for their adoption of a program requiring non-English speaking students to learn the language in a classroom setting with regular students, instead of segregated by themselves.

Arnold should have seen that as a Declaration of War by the legislature. He should have immediately moved to cut funds for the legislature until the funding for the board was restored. Instead, the legislature is holding the board hostage with no consequences, while the children of California suffer.

In short, Arnold has been running scared this year after last-year’s special election. He has basically not doing anything overly controversial, trying to get along with everyone.

Of course, I support his re-election, but that doesn’t mean I’m particularly happy with him. Arnold needs to wake up and face his liberal Democratic foes (and yes, they should be his foes) with courage instead of failing to confront them at all.

The Terminator would not be proud.

(Disclosure Note: Russo Marsh & Rogers, who I am an intern for, consulted for the group that orgaized the counter-protest to the Union rally)

More Hypocrisy from Planned Parenthood

2006-07-13T23:56:00.000-07:00

I know that I have been writing a lot about Planned Parenthood and other abortion supporters lately. But I wanted to bring to your attention yet another stunning and hidden admission from the nation’s largest abortion provider.

Today Planned Parenthood came out with a report on “Reproductive Rights” in the state of Okalahoma. Most of it is the usual speel against pro-life laws, until you get to the second to last bullet.

Oklahoma recently passed Bill 1742, which, among other things, increases funding for so-called "abortion-alternative" programs and offers women ultrasound so they can see the fetus prior to abortion.

Now wait a second, why would allowing women to see their child before abortion be a bad thing? After all, abortion groups such as Planned Parenthood claim they want women to be fully informed before making their choice, so wouldn’t this be a good thing?

Yet another piece of hypocrisy from perhaps the worst organization currently using your tax dollars.

Parent's Rights Under Attack Once Again

2006-07-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

This story really irks me. A social services agency is asking for a court order to force a 16 year old cancer patient to undergo chemotherapy for a second time. But after going through it once, he doesn't want to do it again, and his family agrees.

It would be a much different story if this were a little kid and the family was reckless in avoiding necessary and uncontroversial treatment. But that is not the case here, as there are definite reasons why the patient would not want to experience that very excruciating process.

This is the ultimate example of one of the biggest battles in this culture war: Who owns kids, their parents or the state?

Where's the Draft?

2006-07-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

Remember during the course of the 2004 election the fuss made by liberals that if Bush were re-elected the militray draft would be re-instated within days? Yours truely, a mere 14 year old and Freeper at the time, was even interviewed by The Washington Post for a front page article on the subject.

Well, we are still waiting. To help us keep track of the time, I have installed the official "Bunk Voter" draft counter in the sidebar. All all of you consipracy theorists can now ponder what is taking so long.

A Clear Reminder

2006-07-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

Note to New York Times Editor Bill Keller: This could be the scene in the New York subway underneath your plush offices if you do not stop leaking national security secrets.

It is this that you are risking here in America by your irresponsible stories - nothing less, and perhaps much more.

PP Hopes for Abortion to End Overpopulation

2006-07-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

As if you needed further evidence that one of Planned Parenthood goals is to end the alleged "World Population Crisis" by abortion, may I present to you this press release. While not explicitly saying so, it chastises President Bush for not supporting "reproductive rights" around the world as a step to end the "overpopulation."

Of course, this whole overpopulation thing is a myth. If every person in the world moved to Texas, they could each have a fairly nice 1120 square foot residence - not huge, but satisfactory. And then, every square inch of dry land outside of Texas could be used to sustain that population.

So the real proplem is not overpopulation, but stupid socialist policies that some nations employ. Less people won't help a bit.

Pro-Life Group Buys Abortion Clinic

2006-07-09T23:23:00.000-07:00

I found this very interesting video on the internet. It is about how a pro-life group in Kansas managed to shut down a local abortion clinic through a very interesting method. What they did was to buy the building where the clinc was housed and then evict them. The building now houses the offices of the pro-life group and a memorial to the unborn children.

The video is a press conference with one of the organizers of the feat. The audio is a bit poor, but the really shocking thing is the video between about 1:00 and 2:00 of extremely poor conditions that were found inside the abandoned clinic. Clearly not sanitary.

All and all, a very good and uplifting story. Too bad their isn’t enough money to do this at every clinic.

Russo Internship

2006-07-09T16:49:00.000-07:00

I have begun a summer unpaid internship at the political consulting firm Russo,
Marsh, and Rogers. This is a great opportunity that should help me get some inside political
experience and frankly do something this summer besides sitting at home.

Now, I know that some of my loyal readers have concerns about Russo Marsh & Rogers, and particularlyone of their main clients, Move America Forward. Here are two posts from my good friend Eric Hogue that outline most of the issues raised. I am not going to address them at least in this post because they have already been discussed in-depth on this blog. But I do respect those concerns and considered them, although eventually decided they did not hold weight. However, you should continue to feel free to comment on MAF whenever I discuss it, including this post.

The main reason that I bring this up is so that you will be aware of my built-in biases when issues that RMR is working on arise. I will also try to alert you when an issue that we are working on comes up.

Once again, thank you for reading this blog.

Angeledies Directs Middle Finger at Voters

2006-07-08T19:09:00.000-07:00

Democratic candidate for governor Phil Angeledies has endorced a bill to legalize same sex marriage in California.

This issue is really simple. In 2000, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 22, to limit marriage to one man and one woman. Regardless of what you think of that initiative, you have to respect that as the law and will of the voters.

But some Democrats in the legislature have tried to pass gay marriage anyway. And now Phil Angeledies, the man who as governor would be supposed to listen to the people's opinions, has endorced their efforts to circumvent the law.

In essence, Phil Angeledies has just said "FU!" to the citizens of California. Why should be allow someone who doesn't respect the law to be governor?

Pro-Troop Ad Hits CNN

2006-07-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

Move America Forward is preparing to take its latest pro-troop ad beyond the comforts of the mostly conservative Fox News audience. From a MAF e-mail:

Now, we enter the 2nd stage in our media campaign. We are about to go on CNN and CNN Headline News with our ads. We will be reaching an entirely different audience. We have to make a big impression here, too, because the mainstream media reporters watch CNN and will be reporting on how BIG or small our ad campaign is. Please contribute to our "America Says Thank You" TV ad fund here: http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org/Contribution.

I have to say, this ad is very impressive. It clearly portrays how our troops in Iraq have succeeded in capturing some of the most dangerous people in the world and helping the citizens of that nation.

It will be very interesting to see what kind of reaction this recieves on the more liberal CNN networks.

NARAL Misleads Own Members

2006-07-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

NARAL has sent out an e-mail to its supporters (and disguised pro-life spies, which is how I got a hold of it. He he..) asking them to give $60 to the organization in honor of President Bush's 60th Birthday for the stated purpose:

If everyone makes a $60 Bush Birthday Bash gift today, we'll be well on our way to putting Senate leadership back into pro-choice hands this November.

Then they list the following races they intend to win to accomplish this "goal:"

Help defeat anti-choice Senators Conrad Burns, Mike DeWine, and John Kyl.

Help re-elect pro-choice incumbent Senators Maria Cantwell, Debbie Stabenow, and Robert Menendez;

Elect pro-choice candidate Rep. Bernie Sanders to the open seat in Vermont and support pro-choice candidates in Maryland and Minnesota.

Here is the problem: Even if NARAL wins each and every one of the above races, it will not be enough for the Democrats to win the Senate, which is pretty much what it will take to get a pro-choice leadership. Here is why:

Right now, Republicans have 55 Senate seats. If they win the first three, that number will be down to 52. Now, assume that Bob Casey beats Rick Santorm in Pennsylvania, and it's 51 (this race is probably not included because Casey is pro-life even though a Democrat. But it matters for control of the Senate.)

Winning the last two groups of races will do nothing, as they are already held by Democrats.

So the best NARAL can do is 49 seats, 2 short of what they need in order to take control of the leadership. I'd say they are misleading their members for financial gain.

Townhall is Here

2006-07-05T23:15:00.000-07:00

Salem Communications has released its new opinion clearinghouse, www.townhall.org. It features blogs from Salem talk hosts, podcasts, opinion editorials, and blogs set up by listeners.

This blog is one of those blogs that is now featured at Townhall. I have decided to "simulcast" this blog here just to be a part of what I think is a great new idea. It's a great way to bring two pieces of the "new media," talk radio and the blogosphere, together.

More Sheehan

2006-07-05T22:51:00.000-07:00

Cindy Sheehan is at it again in her latest column about her protest and fast at The White House:

Standing apart from our hundreds of supporters were about a dozen Freepers who were holding various signs (which is as much there right, as it is ours) with very "clever" messages on them. A few of the signs had the very pithy "Freedom Isn't Free." Well, I'm sorry, but the very definition of freedom is that it is free. Freedom is a birthright of every American and we have the Bill of Rights to prove it. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say anywhere that our young people have to fight insane wars for greedy swine to earn anyone any kind of freedoms. If freedom wasn't free it would be called "expensivedom."

My gosh, this woman is an idiot. Yes, humans have certain unalienable rights, but that doesn't mean they don't have to be defended from time to time.

She should ask a World War II veteran about this concept. But she probably considers that an "insane war for greedy swine" as well.

Planned Parenthood Official: Abortion Decline "dismaying"

2006-07-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

Isn't it lovely when people like Planned Parenthood are honest about their beliefs?:

At 25,209, the total of abortions performed in Michigan last year was the lowest since detailed record-keeping began. The abortion rate -- abortions per 1,000 women -- also dropped last year, from 22.0 in 1987 to 11.9 for women ages 15-44.

Diane Killian, spokesperson for the Michigan chapter of Planned Parenthood said she found the trend "dismaying." "Restrictions have created a climate of fear and intimidation," said Killian. "Forcing a teenage girl to obtain parental consent is barbaric. Making doctors comply with 'informed consent' exposes these young women to gruesome details that may scar them for life. The resulting decline in the exercise of a woman's freedom can only be seen as, at best, dismaying."

Killian says she is not optimistic about reversing the trend. "The radical right has got this country by the short hairs," said Killian. "A day may come when there are no more legal abortions. It's frightening."

No commentary nessesary.

Do Term Limits Work?

2006-07-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s former communications director and solid conservative Rob Stutzman has penned an article in the LA Times about term limits. Stutzman said he used to be very supportive, but has since changed his mind after spending some time on the inside of politics.

This has always been a very tough subject for me. One the one hand, I see Rob’s arguments. Term limits have lead to legislators who are often very inexperienced and lack thorough knowledge of the Budget process and California politics. It also does lead to beholdenment to special interests as officeholders always need to look for the next position to run for.

And besides, it violates the spirit of Democracy that the people should be allowed to elect any representative they wish for as long as they are doing a good job. If a legislator is corrupt, the voters will “term limit” them.

But I also can understand the Pro-limits contentions. I have had personal experience with politicians becoming unresponsive to their constituents. A few years ago, a regional water agency proposed building a massive water intake facility just feet behind the back fences of our neighborhood. Our county supervisor since 1978 was on the board of said water agency. So did she use her position to mitigate the concerns of her constituents? No. She advocated the destruction of our property values, and even had the audacity to tell us that we “Needed to make sacrifices for the good of the region.”

The plans were eventually modified to resolve many of our concerns, but not with her help. She ignored the pleas of the people who elected her, entrenched in her position.

So I am really unsure about term limits. What are your thoughts?