By Christine M. Flowers
Philadelphia Daily News
ONE person's Great American Success Story is another's irrelevant footnote. All depends on who's telling the tale.
Example: Child of Latino immigrants overcomes adversity, works hard, makes it to the Ivy League, then the law review and rises to the highest echelons of the legal profession.
Child-turned-accomplished adult gets tapped for a prestigious federal judgeship. And Democrats wage a bitter battle against the nomination, up to and including the rarely used filibuster.
Nomination rejected. Justice denied.
Sonia Sotomayor obviously wasn't that ill-fated Hispanic, even though her own personal narrative is almost identical to that of Miguel Estrada, George W. Bush's pick for the D.C. court of appeals.
Click here to read more
In Memory of Iranian Neda Agha Soltani & fallen brethren
Killed by her Government on June 20, 2009, protesting for liberty and fair elections. The struggle continues.
CA Democrat Controlled Legislature--It's time to get serious about the budget!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Jack Dean on a Big Victory for Taxpayers v Stealth Gov Employee Pensions, Dan Tripp on Beating Obama's Health Care Bill, Sat, July 18, 2009
New Time and New Channel on CRN Digital Talk Radio!
Join me on the air, Saturday at 10 AM PT on CRN, Channel 1
http://crntalk.com/ Channel 1 (On the Internet)
Call in number: 1-800-336-2225
Join me on the air, Saturday at 10 AM PT on CRN, Channel 1http://crntalk.com/ Channel 1 (On the Internet)
Call in number: 1-800-336-2225
This Saturday on the program:
Jack Dean, Publisher of Pension Tsunami and Board Member of California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility CFFR, talks with us about the importance of CFFR’s recent court victory and more. He'll talk about the Contra Costa Times story: “Contra Costa judge’s pension ruling is a huge victory for the public.”
Dan Tripp, National Political Director with Americans for Limited Government travels the country setting up state-based, non-profit activist networks and is heavily involved in the state ballot initiative process. His most recent victory was passage of Colorado Amendment 54, The Clean Government Act, which passed 51 to 49 percent in November 2008.
Today, Dan is organizing against Obamacare. His team has strategically organized in roughly 85 of the marginally Democratic congressional districts in order to put pressure on them to vote against Obamacare. Who are the "blue dogs" and why are they key to defeating Obamacare? What's happening in the senate with Baucus, and Conrad? Can he and his team prevail? What can you do?
Join us for hot talk radio, Saturday at 10AM PT on CRN, Channel 1
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
Jack Dean, Publisher of Pension Tsunami and Board Member of California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility CFFR, talks with us about the importance of CFFR’s recent court victory and more. He'll talk about the Contra Costa Times story: “Contra Costa judge’s pension ruling is a huge victory for the public.”
Dan Tripp, National Political Director with Americans for Limited Government travels the country setting up state-based, non-profit activist networks and is heavily involved in the state ballot initiative process. His most recent victory was passage of Colorado Amendment 54, The Clean Government Act, which passed 51 to 49 percent in November 2008.
Today, Dan is organizing against Obamacare. His team has strategically organized in roughly 85 of the marginally Democratic congressional districts in order to put pressure on them to vote against Obamacare. Who are the "blue dogs" and why are they key to defeating Obamacare? What's happening in the senate with Baucus, and Conrad? Can he and his team prevail? What can you do?
Join us for hot talk radio, Saturday at 10AM PT on CRN, Channel 1
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
California Screaming: The Golden State's political class comes unglued in the face of a citizens' revolt.
This piece has made the rounds, but just in case you missed it, I loved it and I hope everyone gets a chance to read it. It demarcates the boundaries and the limits for the bluest of blue tax payers. Wow, what a thrill to see there is a limit.
But there’s another interpretation of California’s rebellion, one with far sunnier implications for those of us who prefer our governments constrained. Faced with a political class that ignored bureaucratic inefficiency, that demanded higher taxes, that filled the newspapers with scare stories about people who will literally die as a result of budget cuts, the citizens of one of the bluest states in the nation collectively said we just don’t believe you anymore. If even California’s famous fruits and nuts can call the statists’ bluff, there may be hope for the rest of the country.
Click here to read the article
But there’s another interpretation of California’s rebellion, one with far sunnier implications for those of us who prefer our governments constrained. Faced with a political class that ignored bureaucratic inefficiency, that demanded higher taxes, that filled the newspapers with scare stories about people who will literally die as a result of budget cuts, the citizens of one of the bluest states in the nation collectively said we just don’t believe you anymore. If even California’s famous fruits and nuts can call the statists’ bluff, there may be hope for the rest of the country.
Click here to read the article
Editorial: Contra Costa judge's pension ruling is a huge victory for the public - ContraCostaTimes.com
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Comedian Paul Rodriguez on Water & Life in CA--The Coalition of farmers and farm workers v the Extremist Environmentalists, Sat, July 11, 2009
New Time and New Channel on CRN Digital Talk Radio!
Join me on the air, Saturday at 10 AM PT on CRN, Channel 1
http://crntalk.com/ Channel 1 (On the Internet)
Call in number: 1-800-336-2225
Ty Greeves, President of the San Jose Chapter of CA Republican Assembly joins me to talk about the Republican Party and Immigration.
Join us for hot talk radio, Saturday at 10AM PT on CRN, Channel 1.
To listen to or download a Podcast of Paul Rodriguez speaking to the 2009 Annual California Republican Assembly Convention click here, (You need iTunes to access the itunes podcasts library), go to podcast 15. It's 33:17 minutes long, funny, inspiring, heart warming and free.
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
Join me on the air, Saturday at 10 AM PT on CRN, Channel 1http://crntalk.com/ Channel 1 (On the Internet)
Call in number: 1-800-336-2225
Latin King of Comedy Paul Rodriguez joins me this Saturday, to talk about the battle for water--life for the people of the Central Valley.
The photo on the right is from a "Thank You" concert on May 9th at the Firebaugh H.S. Football Stadium, for the families who participated in the march from Mendota to the San Luis Resevoir in the March for Water. He didn't turn away anyone who came up to him and asked for a photo with him. He sponsored the concert, food and refreshments.
The photo on the right is from a "Thank You" concert on May 9th at the Firebaugh H.S. Football Stadium, for the families who participated in the march from Mendota to the San Luis Resevoir in the March for Water. He didn't turn away anyone who came up to him and asked for a photo with him. He sponsored the concert, food and refreshments.
On Wednesday, July 8th, Ken Mettler, President of the CA Republican Assembly, an organization that bills itself as Fiscal & Social Conservatives, “The Conscience of the Republican Party,” distributed a press release quoting Mettler:
Sacramento Fiddles while Farms Dry Up
Agriculture, one of the largest industries in the state, needs immediate action from the State Government, so that farmers do not go out of business. However, the state legislature, is fiddling in Sacramento with radical environmentalism, tax increases, illegal alien coddling, and preserving unionized government jobs.
“The legislature is at a historic cross road” stated Ken Mettler, President of the California Republican Assembly (CRA). He continued “It can continue to drive the State into fiscal collapse while one of its most important industries perishes or it can pass real meaningful cuts in the state budget and prioritize the needs of the farmers in the Central Valley.”
“However,” warned Mettler “the State is in no position to issue bonds to finance the infrastructure improvements. Its bonds are now at or near junk status and past bond debt is simply too high to tolerate any more such programs.”
What the State needs to do is old fashioned responsible budgeting of funds to begin and finish improvements to the water delivery system. “The best system for any government infrastructure program is a pay as you go method.” stated Mettler. “In this recession the State is able to command a better price for its construction dollar. “
Further Metter stated, “The Governor needs to declare a state of emergency so the State can suspend the normal rules for pubic construction projects similar to what happened after the Northridge Earthquake in getting the highway bridges built in record time and under budget.”
To save the Central Valley farmers, the State needs to act now.
Agriculture, one of the largest industries in the state, needs immediate action from the State Government, so that farmers do not go out of business. However, the state legislature, is fiddling in Sacramento with radical environmentalism, tax increases, illegal alien coddling, and preserving unionized government jobs.
“The legislature is at a historic cross road” stated Ken Mettler, President of the California Republican Assembly (CRA). He continued “It can continue to drive the State into fiscal collapse while one of its most important industries perishes or it can pass real meaningful cuts in the state budget and prioritize the needs of the farmers in the Central Valley.”
“However,” warned Mettler “the State is in no position to issue bonds to finance the infrastructure improvements. Its bonds are now at or near junk status and past bond debt is simply too high to tolerate any more such programs.”
What the State needs to do is old fashioned responsible budgeting of funds to begin and finish improvements to the water delivery system. “The best system for any government infrastructure program is a pay as you go method.” stated Mettler. “In this recession the State is able to command a better price for its construction dollar. “
Further Metter stated, “The Governor needs to declare a state of emergency so the State can suspend the normal rules for pubic construction projects similar to what happened after the Northridge Earthquake in getting the highway bridges built in record time and under budget.”
To save the Central Valley farmers, the State needs to act now.
Comedian Paul Rodriguez is Chair of the CA Latino Water Coalition. He joins us to tell the story, from his own personal perspective, of the farmers and farm workers of the Central Valley. What would it take to prevail? What does he see is possible? How has this battle over water changed him?
Ty Greeves, President of the San Jose Chapter of CA Republican Assembly joins me to talk about the Republican Party and Immigration.
Join us for hot talk radio, Saturday at 10AM PT on CRN, Channel 1.
To listen to or download a Podcast of Paul Rodriguez speaking to the 2009 Annual California Republican Assembly Convention click here, (You need iTunes to access the itunes podcasts library), go to podcast 15. It's 33:17 minutes long, funny, inspiring, heart warming and free.
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
"Traditionally Democratic farmworkers uniting with traditionally Republican farmers to embarrass a Democratic Party that caters to environmentalists"
I came across this story back in April and this is a re-post of the original post. I wanted to meet Paul Rodriguez ever since I read this story. His story resonated so much with me. I am looking forward to visting with him this Saturday at 10am on my CRN radio program. I hope you will join us:
Comedian takes Valley water crisis seriously
Monday, Apr. 06, 2009
By Bill McEwen / The Fresno Bee
Paul Rodriguez had done a radio interview and was outside the studio riffing on next week's march protesting the loss of water for San Joaquin Valley agriculture.
"We want everyone in blue -- no Mexican flags," said the comedian/farmer. "From the air, we'll look like a river. "Our goal is to open the pumps [in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta], and if we get arrested, that's even better."
Rodriguez understands the power of humor, symbolism and media attention. He is using them to publicize California's broken water-delivery system and staggering job losses in farm communities.
His hope is that America, finally, will pay attention to the grim conditions in towns like Mendota and Firebaugh.
It's a story made for the national media: traditionally Democratic farmworkers uniting with traditionally Republican farmers to embarrass a Democratic Party that caters to environmentalists at the expense of blue-collar jobs. Suddenly farmers are marching with farmworkers -- and Rodriguez's hero, Cesar Chavez, must be rolling over in his grave. The story is no longer available via the link, but is available for purchase from the Fresno Bee.
Click here to read the story.
Comedian takes Valley water crisis seriously
Monday, Apr. 06, 2009
By Bill McEwen / The Fresno Bee
Paul Rodriguez had done a radio interview and was outside the studio riffing on next week's march protesting the loss of water for San Joaquin Valley agriculture.
"We want everyone in blue -- no Mexican flags," said the comedian/farmer. "From the air, we'll look like a river. "Our goal is to open the pumps [in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta], and if we get arrested, that's even better."
Rodriguez understands the power of humor, symbolism and media attention. He is using them to publicize California's broken water-delivery system and staggering job losses in farm communities.
His hope is that America, finally, will pay attention to the grim conditions in towns like Mendota and Firebaugh.
It's a story made for the national media: traditionally Democratic farmworkers uniting with traditionally Republican farmers to embarrass a Democratic Party that caters to environmentalists at the expense of blue-collar jobs. Suddenly farmers are marching with farmworkers -- and Rodriguez's hero, Cesar Chavez, must be rolling over in his grave. The story is no longer available via the link, but is available for purchase from the Fresno Bee.
Click here to read the story.
Let Them In: The Case for Open Borders--Six common arguments against Immigration and why they are wrong. Get beyond the anger; see the possibility!
A five minute interview with Jason Riley, author of Let Them In: The case for Open Borders--Six common arguments against immigration and why they are wrong, with Nick Gillespie of Reason and also, a longer almost 26 minute version of the same interview.
A 33 minute video of a presentation by Jason Riley on his book, Let Them In: The Case for Open Borders.
A 33 minute video of a presentation by Jason Riley on his book, Let Them In: The Case for Open Borders.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Independence Day with Steve Poizner on Liberty, Anti-terror Policy & Iran, and Manny Klausner on Sotomayor and Equality, Sat. July 4, 2009
Join me on the air, Saturday at 11 AM PST
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday, This Saturday on the program:
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner on Monday ordered all insurance companies doing business in the state to report investments that might benefit Iran, investments he said harm national security as well as the state's insurance buyers. A bold move, smart and effective, a model for other states to follow. Steve will talk about his plan. We'll also ask him what he would do in this current situation with CA's State budget crisis, and what about the water crisis in the Central Valley?
Manny Klausner, Trustee of Reason Foundation and co-author of CA Prop 209, which banned race based hiring and admissions by State of CA government agencies, joins me to talk about Supreme Court Justice nominee, Sonia Sotomayor and the Supreme Court's ruling on Monday, against the City of New Haven's discrimination case.
The Supreme Court ruled that a group of white and Hispanic firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions because of their race after the city decided not to certify the results of a civil service exam in order to avoid a charge of discrimination from a different group of firefighters.
The city of New Haven said it decided to throw out the test to avoid a lawsuit from black firefighters because it might have been vulnerable to claims that the exam had a "disparate impact" on minorities in violation of the Civil Rights Act.
The court's 5-4 vote decision reverses a ruling that nominee Sonia Sotomayor supported as a court of appeals judge.
What's more striking is that the court was unanimous (9-0), in rejecting the Sotomayor panel's specific holding...that New Haven's decision to spurn the test results must be upheld based solely on the fact that highly disproportionate numbers of blacks had done badly on the exam and might file a "disparate-impact" lawsuit -- regardless of whether the exam was valid or the lawsuit could succeed.
Should Republicans force a vigorous debate over Sotomayor's appointment hearings? Or should they avoid any conflict? Join us for hot talk radio, Saturday at 11 PT on CRN.
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday, This Saturday on the program:
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner on Monday ordered all insurance companies doing business in the state to report investments that might benefit Iran, investments he said harm national security as well as the state's insurance buyers. A bold move, smart and effective, a model for other states to follow. Steve will talk about his plan. We'll also ask him what he would do in this current situation with CA's State budget crisis, and what about the water crisis in the Central Valley?
Manny Klausner, Trustee of Reason Foundation and co-author of CA Prop 209, which banned race based hiring and admissions by State of CA government agencies, joins me to talk about Supreme Court Justice nominee, Sonia Sotomayor and the Supreme Court's ruling on Monday, against the City of New Haven's discrimination case.
The Supreme Court ruled that a group of white and Hispanic firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions because of their race after the city decided not to certify the results of a civil service exam in order to avoid a charge of discrimination from a different group of firefighters.
The city of New Haven said it decided to throw out the test to avoid a lawsuit from black firefighters because it might have been vulnerable to claims that the exam had a "disparate impact" on minorities in violation of the Civil Rights Act.
The court's 5-4 vote decision reverses a ruling that nominee Sonia Sotomayor supported as a court of appeals judge.
What's more striking is that the court was unanimous (9-0), in rejecting the Sotomayor panel's specific holding...that New Haven's decision to spurn the test results must be upheld based solely on the fact that highly disproportionate numbers of blacks had done badly on the exam and might file a "disparate-impact" lawsuit -- regardless of whether the exam was valid or the lawsuit could succeed.
Should Republicans force a vigorous debate over Sotomayor's appointment hearings? Or should they avoid any conflict? Join us for hot talk radio, Saturday at 11 PT on CRN.
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Be Inspired, enthralled, and entertained. Join me & my guest, Jack Dean, Saturday at 11 AM to Noon on CRN Digital Talk Radio
This Saturday, Jack Dean of Pension Tsunami Blog joins me. He's great entertainment, witty, sharp, and dangerously knowledgeable. We'll talk about the major stories that broke this week, and which got eclipsed in the media by the three huge celebrity deaths and the media frenzy that ensued.
Despite the fiscal trajectory we're on, taxpayers are paying attention, are fed-up, and a ground swell, at the grassroots level, is pushing back and causing measurable results. Jack will make you wince, laugh, and hopefully inspire you to join a viable and exciting movement.
On June 24th, Pension Tsunami reported A good day today for California's pension reform movement. Keith Richman and the work of the California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility CFFR were profiled in the Wall Street Journal, Marcia Fritz appeared on not just one but two Fox TV shows, and the Los Angeles Times carried an article about Ventura County considering a ballot initiative that would require voter approval to increase pensions or benefits (similar to Orange County's successful Measure J). This was very exciting news!!! Tune in. You gotta hear it as only Jack can tell it.
Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson, celebrity icons whose stars once burned bright in past decades--their passing gave many pause and escape, as we waxed nostalgic over where we were during those days when they were at the top of their game, and we were younger.
But Iran's people fight with their lives, nuclear proliferation is at stake, and they need the world to bear witness to their noble and courageous stand for freedom and regime change.
WSJ reports on three states which are the leaders of progressive politics and policies and which sit on the brink of bankruptcy. Their example shows the nation what is sure to follow the Obama administration's current path for national political economic policy.
A full court press is in motion now, to nationalize health care and to pass the Cap and Trade bill, sold as an urgent necessity to "save the planet." DownsizeDC.org says it clearly: "The politicians seem to be unifying around "cap and trade" as a way to cut CO2 emissions. If they take this step it may be the largest increase in the size, scope, and intrusiveness of government since the creation of Medicare. Worse still, it may not even achieve its purpose. Please tell Congress to oppose "cap and trade."
Despite the fiscal trajectory we're on, taxpayers are paying attention, are fed-up, and a ground swell, at the grassroots level, is pushing back and causing measurable results. Jack will make you wince, laugh, and hopefully inspire you to join a viable and exciting movement.
On June 24th, Pension Tsunami reported A good day today for California's pension reform movement. Keith Richman and the work of the California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility CFFR were profiled in the Wall Street Journal, Marcia Fritz appeared on not just one but two Fox TV shows, and the Los Angeles Times carried an article about Ventura County considering a ballot initiative that would require voter approval to increase pensions or benefits (similar to Orange County's successful Measure J). This was very exciting news!!! Tune in. You gotta hear it as only Jack can tell it.
Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson, celebrity icons whose stars once burned bright in past decades--their passing gave many pause and escape, as we waxed nostalgic over where we were during those days when they were at the top of their game, and we were younger.
But Iran's people fight with their lives, nuclear proliferation is at stake, and they need the world to bear witness to their noble and courageous stand for freedom and regime change.
WSJ reports on three states which are the leaders of progressive politics and policies and which sit on the brink of bankruptcy. Their example shows the nation what is sure to follow the Obama administration's current path for national political economic policy.
A full court press is in motion now, to nationalize health care and to pass the Cap and Trade bill, sold as an urgent necessity to "save the planet." DownsizeDC.org says it clearly: "The politicians seem to be unifying around "cap and trade" as a way to cut CO2 emissions. If they take this step it may be the largest increase in the size, scope, and intrusiveness of government since the creation of Medicare. Worse still, it may not even achieve its purpose. Please tell Congress to oppose "cap and trade."
If Spain's reported tale is true, green jobs put us in red
Thursday, June 25, 2009
By George F. Will
The Spanish professor is puzzled. Why, Gabriel Calzada wonders, is the U.S. president recommending that America emulate the Spanish model for creating "green jobs" in "alternative energy" even though Spain's unemployment rate is 18.1 percent - more than double the European Union average - partly because of spending on such jobs?
Calzada, 36, an economics professor at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, has produced a report that, if true, is inconvenient for the Obama administration's green agenda, and for some budget assumptions that are dependent upon it.
Click here to read the rest of the article
By George F. Will
The Spanish professor is puzzled. Why, Gabriel Calzada wonders, is the U.S. president recommending that America emulate the Spanish model for creating "green jobs" in "alternative energy" even though Spain's unemployment rate is 18.1 percent - more than double the European Union average - partly because of spending on such jobs?
Calzada, 36, an economics professor at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, has produced a report that, if true, is inconvenient for the Obama administration's green agenda, and for some budget assumptions that are dependent upon it.
Click here to read the rest of the article
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Dodge facts, skip details, govern Chicago-style | Washington Examiner
"I consider Michael Barone to be one of the most astute political analysts in the U.S. Here are his Three Rules of Obama." Manny Klausner
Dodge facts, skip details, govern Chicago-style Washington Examiner
By: Michael Barone
Senior Political Analyst
Shared via AddThis
Dodge facts, skip details, govern Chicago-style Washington Examiner
By: Michael Barone
Senior Political Analyst
Shared via AddThis
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Nobility of the Human Spirit & the Power of Freedom, and Your Health Care and the Power to Choose: Sat. June 20, 2009
Join me on the air, Saturday at 11 AM PST
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday, Thor Halvorssen, human rights advocate, film producer and pro-democracy advocate, he founded the Human Rights Foundation in the spring of 2005. The New York Times described Halvorssen in an August 2007 profile as a maverick "who champions the underdog and the powerless." He'll talk with us about the recent Oslo Freedom Forum, and we'll ask him about Iran and his home country, Venezuela.
Greg Scandlen, Founder and Director of Consumers for Health Care Choices on Obama's Health Care plan and you. What's the plan? What will it cost? What would it mean for quality and availability? Would we have a choice? Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 PDT
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday, Thor Halvorssen, human rights advocate, film producer and pro-democracy advocate, he founded the Human Rights Foundation in the spring of 2005. The New York Times described Halvorssen in an August 2007 profile as a maverick "who champions the underdog and the powerless." He'll talk with us about the recent Oslo Freedom Forum, and we'll ask him about Iran and his home country, Venezuela.
Greg Scandlen, Founder and Director of Consumers for Health Care Choices on Obama's Health Care plan and you. What's the plan? What will it cost? What would it mean for quality and availability? Would we have a choice? Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 PDT
Budget Bully: Union Official Threatens Lawmakers | Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Think twice about fooling with the California constitution: Some powerful players want to overhaul the California constitution.
What could go wrong with that?
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Steven Greenhut
Sr. editorial writer and columnist with The Orange County Register
sgreenhut@ocregister.com
Below is an excerpt of this excellent article:
(To read the full article, click here)
"A California constitutional convention would involve about 400 delegates, including people selected at random (like for jury duty) and perhaps including dozens of elected officials. They would propose ideas, hash them out in committees and create a document that revised the state's enormously long, two-volume constitution. Those changes would then go to the state's voters for approval or rejection.
It sounds like fun, at least for reporters and civics teachers, but this is a nightmare waiting to happen. Other states have done this. Hawaii, for instance, in 1978 created a new constitution that sensibly required term limits and balanced budgets, but it also created an Office of Hawaiian Affairs that has pushed much of the noxious race-based legislation that has plagued that island state for three decades.
That's the problem. We would get good and bad, just like we have now. Given the political complexion of this state, it's hard to imagine that a majority of delegates would yield anything better than we have now, and chances are we would end up with something much worse – such as a new budget process that makes it easier to raise taxes."
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Steven Greenhut
Sr. editorial writer and columnist with The Orange County Register
sgreenhut@ocregister.com
Below is an excerpt of this excellent article:
(To read the full article, click here)
"A California constitutional convention would involve about 400 delegates, including people selected at random (like for jury duty) and perhaps including dozens of elected officials. They would propose ideas, hash them out in committees and create a document that revised the state's enormously long, two-volume constitution. Those changes would then go to the state's voters for approval or rejection.
It sounds like fun, at least for reporters and civics teachers, but this is a nightmare waiting to happen. Other states have done this. Hawaii, for instance, in 1978 created a new constitution that sensibly required term limits and balanced budgets, but it also created an Office of Hawaiian Affairs that has pushed much of the noxious race-based legislation that has plagued that island state for three decades.
That's the problem. We would get good and bad, just like we have now. Given the political complexion of this state, it's hard to imagine that a majority of delegates would yield anything better than we have now, and chances are we would end up with something much worse – such as a new budget process that makes it easier to raise taxes."
Friday, June 12, 2009
A Charter School Model That Produces Extraordinary Results--Meet one of them. Also, Immigration Policy for Liberty: Sat. June 13, 2009
Join me on the air, Saturday at 11 AM PST
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday, my guest is Karely Ordaz, a recent graduate of American Indian Public High School of Oakland, CA, and a graduate of Oakland Charter Academy, a sister school of American Indian Public Middle School. Karely is 18 years old, an immigrant from Mexico, and is going to Berkeley in the fall. She will share with us her experience, before and after her middle school was transformed into one of the top performing middle schools in CA, and how she transformed from being on a path of rebelion and victimhood to one of leadership and achievement. Her experience demonstrates it's not money that generates excellence.
The poorest, from the most underprivileged backgrounds can achieve greatness, academically, intellectually, physically, as a rule, not the exception! It's a simple and cost effective anecdote to typical public school structure and curriculum in poor inner-city schools in CA.
Ty Greaves, President of the CA Republican Assembly Chapter of San Jose, joins me to talk about a new presentation he put together on the subject of Immigration. Ty's point of view was recently challenged in part by the new book by Jason Riley of the WSJ, called "Let Them In--The Case for Open Borders." Now Ty challenges prevailing beliefs about immigration and where the GOP should stand.
He believes that conventional thinking on immigration by conservatives is inconsistent with Republican Values, is wrong on the facts, and alienates Mexican immigrants who might otherwise join us, thus making it more difficult for the GOP to win and lead. In conventional conservative circles today, this is heresy.
Basic to his argument, Ty assumes that legal immigration is not an issue among Republicans and that Republicans are people of reason and are passionate in their commitment to free people, minds and markets, Judeo-Christian principles, strong families, decentralized government, and equal opportunity. But US Immigration policy is a barrier to our beliefs. Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 PDT.
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday, my guest is Karely Ordaz, a recent graduate of American Indian Public High School of Oakland, CA, and a graduate of Oakland Charter Academy, a sister school of American Indian Public Middle School. Karely is 18 years old, an immigrant from Mexico, and is going to Berkeley in the fall. She will share with us her experience, before and after her middle school was transformed into one of the top performing middle schools in CA, and how she transformed from being on a path of rebelion and victimhood to one of leadership and achievement. Her experience demonstrates it's not money that generates excellence.
The poorest, from the most underprivileged backgrounds can achieve greatness, academically, intellectually, physically, as a rule, not the exception! It's a simple and cost effective anecdote to typical public school structure and curriculum in poor inner-city schools in CA.
Ty Greaves, President of the CA Republican Assembly Chapter of San Jose, joins me to talk about a new presentation he put together on the subject of Immigration. Ty's point of view was recently challenged in part by the new book by Jason Riley of the WSJ, called "Let Them In--The Case for Open Borders." Now Ty challenges prevailing beliefs about immigration and where the GOP should stand.
He believes that conventional thinking on immigration by conservatives is inconsistent with Republican Values, is wrong on the facts, and alienates Mexican immigrants who might otherwise join us, thus making it more difficult for the GOP to win and lead. In conventional conservative circles today, this is heresy.
Basic to his argument, Ty assumes that legal immigration is not an issue among Republicans and that Republicans are people of reason and are passionate in their commitment to free people, minds and markets, Judeo-Christian principles, strong families, decentralized government, and equal opportunity. But US Immigration policy is a barrier to our beliefs. Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 PDT.
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
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Friday, June 5, 2009
A Voice of Immigration Sanity Lost: Adios Amigo, Hermano, Richard Nadler
(in the middle in this photo, flanked my me, and Steven Greenhut) 
From the WSJ's Political Diary, 6-5-2009
One Less Guide Out of the GOP's Wilderness
Richard Nadler, head of the think tank Americas Majority and one of the keenest observers of minority politics in the conservative movement, passed away suddenly at his Overland Park, Kansas home last Saturday. He was only 60 years old.
Nadler had an amazing career. He dropped out of high school, became a successful jazz musician touring with a black ensemble, and eventually dropped his socialist views for conservatism. His major work was motivated by his discovery during the time he spent with both blacks and Hispanics that they held many essentially conservative views, but that Republicans had failed miserably to reach them.
He assembled comprehensive political databases that helped show a key reason John McCain last year underperformed George W. Bush's showing among Hispanics by 13%. He found that many Hispanic voters, the fastest-growing part of the electorate, were alienated by the "enforcement only" approach that many conservatives adopted towards illegal immigration. "They will support border enforcement but not if it means massive deportations and no legal way that the seven million people now working here can stay," he told me.
He noted that the country's 30 million Hispanics are linked to illegal aliens through ties of family, church, culture and a common broadcast media. The Pew Hispanic Center notes that 41% of America's Hispanic citizens fear a deportation action against a friend or family member. "To the extent that Republicans don't come up with a guest-worker program that helps reduce the flow of undocumented workers, they commit themselves to navigate a population minefield -- one whose volatility will inevitably increase with the natural migrations of Latino legal citizens who can and do vote."
Accolades for Nadler are coming in from many quarters. "He was one of the most brilliant men I ever met," says Ramesh Ponnuru of National Review, who cheerfully disagreed with some of Nadler's analysis. "One of the few grown-ups one meets in politics," says Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform. "He knew it was important to both get your political goals correct -- what are you trying to do -- and to know how to get there."
At a time when conservatives seem as much at sea as ever on how to handle immigration issues, Nadler's voice will be missed.
-- John Fund
From the WSJ's Political Diary, 6-5-2009
One Less Guide Out of the GOP's Wilderness
Richard Nadler, head of the think tank Americas Majority and one of the keenest observers of minority politics in the conservative movement, passed away suddenly at his Overland Park, Kansas home last Saturday. He was only 60 years old.
Nadler had an amazing career. He dropped out of high school, became a successful jazz musician touring with a black ensemble, and eventually dropped his socialist views for conservatism. His major work was motivated by his discovery during the time he spent with both blacks and Hispanics that they held many essentially conservative views, but that Republicans had failed miserably to reach them.
He assembled comprehensive political databases that helped show a key reason John McCain last year underperformed George W. Bush's showing among Hispanics by 13%. He found that many Hispanic voters, the fastest-growing part of the electorate, were alienated by the "enforcement only" approach that many conservatives adopted towards illegal immigration. "They will support border enforcement but not if it means massive deportations and no legal way that the seven million people now working here can stay," he told me.
He noted that the country's 30 million Hispanics are linked to illegal aliens through ties of family, church, culture and a common broadcast media. The Pew Hispanic Center notes that 41% of America's Hispanic citizens fear a deportation action against a friend or family member. "To the extent that Republicans don't come up with a guest-worker program that helps reduce the flow of undocumented workers, they commit themselves to navigate a population minefield -- one whose volatility will inevitably increase with the natural migrations of Latino legal citizens who can and do vote."
Accolades for Nadler are coming in from many quarters. "He was one of the most brilliant men I ever met," says Ramesh Ponnuru of National Review, who cheerfully disagreed with some of Nadler's analysis. "One of the few grown-ups one meets in politics," says Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform. "He knew it was important to both get your political goals correct -- what are you trying to do -- and to know how to get there."
At a time when conservatives seem as much at sea as ever on how to handle immigration issues, Nadler's voice will be missed.
-- John Fund
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Do Budget Cuts to CA Public Schools Spell Disaster? It's Not the Money! What About Iran's Nukes? DeNukeIran.com's Idea, Saturday, June 6, 2009
Join me on the air, Saturday at 11 AM PST
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday,
My guest, Ben Chavis, and the schools he has founded, including American Indian School of Oakland, CA, demonstrate it's not money that generates excellence. The poorest, from the most underpriveleged backgrounds achieve greatness, academically, intellectually, physically, as a rule, not the exception! It's simple and cost effective, perfect answer to budget cuts, and the kids love it!
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday,
My guest, Ben Chavis, and the schools he has founded, including American Indian School of Oakland, CA, demonstrate it's not money that generates excellence. The poorest, from the most underpriveleged backgrounds achieve greatness, academically, intellectually, physically, as a rule, not the exception! It's simple and cost effective, perfect answer to budget cuts, and the kids love it!
Among the thousands of public schools in California, only four middle schools and three high schools score higher. None of them serves mostly underprivileged children.
At American Indian, the largest ethnic group is Asian, followed by Latinos and African Americans. Some of the schools' critics contend that high-scoring Asian Americans are driving the test scores, but blacks and Latinos do roughly as well -- in fact, better on some tests.
That makes American Indian a rarity in American education, defying the axiom that poor black and Latino children will lag behind others in school. Mitchell Landsberg, L.A. Times May 31, 2009
98% of American Indian School's students are below poverty level. The top four schools that beat American Indian are in Fremont, Cupertino, and Lodi. Their percentage of students in poverty are 3%, 3%, 22% and 2%. How is this possible?
Ben Chavis wants to empower families all over CA to bring forth the same paradigm for success to their communities. He'll tell us how he does it, and how you, too, can make it happen.
Michael Fenenbock and Daphne Weisbart, creative, accomplished, politically savvy, producers and founders of Max Films, talk with us about their internet campaign to DeNuke Iran.
Ramin Akhbari, Iranian-American who migrated from Iran, as a student, during the 1978-1979 timeframe of the Iranian Revolution, and now a resident of Silicon Valley, joins us in our talk about Iran. Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 AM, PT
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Great Leaders boldly declare the future to which people, inspired, commit: Saturday, May 30, 2009
Join me on the air, Saturday at 11 AM PST
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday,
Bold visionary committed leaders cut their teeth in the heat of battle. The fire sharpens their focus and forges their intention. Reagan is the first example that comes to mind. Poizner's clear, authentic and principled vision for California's future inspires and will unify and pull voters toward it.
Teresa Hernandez is such a leader. Deep convictions, clear principles and bold vision are behind her extraordinary accomplishments. Latinos will join the Republican Party and CA will be Red if her vision is the future. Join me for a conversation with Teresa. Visionary and strategic, she's a leader on a mission. Dynamic and substantive, she sees Hispanics embracing the Repubican party because they choose opportunity, prosperity, and freedom.
Shawn Steel, National Republican Committee Man for the CA Republican Party, former CA Republican Party Chairman. We'll discuss his op-ed GOP should push Sacramento toward pay-as-you-go plan. published Friday, May 22, 2009, in the Orange County Register and The Flashreport : Shawn says "We can win the budget battle... Just say no....Here's how..." Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 AM, PT
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday,
Bold visionary committed leaders cut their teeth in the heat of battle. The fire sharpens their focus and forges their intention. Reagan is the first example that comes to mind. Poizner's clear, authentic and principled vision for California's future inspires and will unify and pull voters toward it.
Teresa Hernandez is such a leader. Deep convictions, clear principles and bold vision are behind her extraordinary accomplishments. Latinos will join the Republican Party and CA will be Red if her vision is the future. Join me for a conversation with Teresa. Visionary and strategic, she's a leader on a mission. Dynamic and substantive, she sees Hispanics embracing the Repubican party because they choose opportunity, prosperity, and freedom.
Shawn Steel, National Republican Committee Man for the CA Republican Party, former CA Republican Party Chairman. We'll discuss his op-ed GOP should push Sacramento toward pay-as-you-go plan. published Friday, May 22, 2009, in the Orange County Register and The Flashreport : Shawn says "We can win the budget battle... Just say no....Here's how..." Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 AM, PT
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
About Sonia Sotomayor: I love hot salsa, Latin music, foreign films, and cultures, but I like my law interpreted straight up, plain, fair and equal
Once upon a time, I agreed with Judiciary Chairman Pat Leahy when... ...Once upon a time,..., Mr. Leahy held the concept of objectivity and colorblind justice on the bench as a key criterion for the Supreme Court. In a press conference after meeting with nominee (and now Chief Justice) John Roberts in August 2005, Mr. Leahy insisted: "Before I'll vote for anybody as judge, I have basically one touchstone. I ask myself, if I was a litigant before that court, no matter what my color, no matter what my station in life, no matter what the issue, can I look at this judge and think, 'If I make the right argument, a strong enough argument, I can be heard'? Or do I look at this judge and say, 'The decision's made before I even get there.'"
"If it's the latter," he continued, "I will not vote for the person, no matter who it is." To read more click here---- Collin Levy WSJ Political Diary May 29, 2009 Copyright Material
I whole heartedly agree here with Manual Miranda:
"The fact that Sonia Sotomayor is a Latina should not give Republican senators any pause. There is no larger demographic group in America today that could better understand what it means to have courts and judges who favor one side over another without an argument being made, than do Hispanics. It is among the reasons why we came here. This nomination offers a great opportunity to explain to Hispanic Americans why the Constitution must be defended against a judge who would rewrite it according to personal biases and politics." Manuel Miranda, Chairman, Third Branch Conference To read more click here
Two wrongs don't make a right--no matter how you spin them. I disagreed with the Supreme Court's ruling in June of 2003, upholding race based affirmative action, but I supported affirmative action still. Now, I am less inclined to support any affirmative action that is government mandated. Charity, liberty and market forces in a truly free market economy are the best anecdotes for the most amount of people to have the greatest opportunity to climb out of poverty and to brings others up alongside with them.
The following is an essay I penned, published June 29, 2003 in The Washington Post:
"...with the Michigan decisions, "We, the People" has been subordinated to "We, the Group." The Supreme Court has asserted that there are true differences among us, and that some of us have different inherent abilities determined by our ethnicity or race. That's ridiculous.
Until now, our Constitution was blind to such distinctions. The ruling marks a sad day in the history of a country whose basic tenet is equality under the law. It has defiled the concept of affirmative action, which at its noblest was intended to assist those of meager financial means and limited opportunities by giving them a chance to move up the social and economic ladder. "Diversity" of races and ethnicities was not the intention of affirmative action; it is simply an incidental outcome of belonging to a country populated by immigrants. What we shared were our common experiences of becoming and being Americans."
To read more click here
"If it's the latter," he continued, "I will not vote for the person, no matter who it is." To read more click here---- Collin Levy WSJ Political Diary May 29, 2009 Copyright Material
I whole heartedly agree here with Manual Miranda:
"The fact that Sonia Sotomayor is a Latina should not give Republican senators any pause. There is no larger demographic group in America today that could better understand what it means to have courts and judges who favor one side over another without an argument being made, than do Hispanics. It is among the reasons why we came here. This nomination offers a great opportunity to explain to Hispanic Americans why the Constitution must be defended against a judge who would rewrite it according to personal biases and politics." Manuel Miranda, Chairman, Third Branch Conference To read more click here
Two wrongs don't make a right--no matter how you spin them. I disagreed with the Supreme Court's ruling in June of 2003, upholding race based affirmative action, but I supported affirmative action still. Now, I am less inclined to support any affirmative action that is government mandated. Charity, liberty and market forces in a truly free market economy are the best anecdotes for the most amount of people to have the greatest opportunity to climb out of poverty and to brings others up alongside with them.
The following is an essay I penned, published June 29, 2003 in The Washington Post:
"...with the Michigan decisions, "We, the People" has been subordinated to "We, the Group." The Supreme Court has asserted that there are true differences among us, and that some of us have different inherent abilities determined by our ethnicity or race. That's ridiculous.
Until now, our Constitution was blind to such distinctions. The ruling marks a sad day in the history of a country whose basic tenet is equality under the law. It has defiled the concept of affirmative action, which at its noblest was intended to assist those of meager financial means and limited opportunities by giving them a chance to move up the social and economic ladder. "Diversity" of races and ethnicities was not the intention of affirmative action; it is simply an incidental outcome of belonging to a country populated by immigrants. What we shared were our common experiences of becoming and being Americans."
To read more click here
Friday, May 22, 2009
Three Dynamic Leaders on this Memorial Day Weekend Show, Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 11 AM PT
Join me on the air, Saturday at 11 AM PST
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday,
May 23, Alvaro Vargas Llosa, author of The Che Guevara Myth, Liberty for Latin America, The Madness of Things Peruvian, and Guide to the Perfect Latin American Idiot (with Carlos Alberto Montaner and Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza), on the talks between President Obama and Vicente Fox, immigration, liberty, free enterprise and U.S. politics.
Manny Miranda, Chairman of the Third Branch Conference, on the historical opportunity for a great public debate concerning the significance of choosing our Supreme Court Justices. "A very important teachable moment."
Shawn Steel, National Republican Committee Man for the CA Republican Party, former CA Republican Party Chairman. We'll discuss his op-ed GOP should push Sacramento toward pay-as-you-go plan. published Friday, May 22, 2009, in the Orange County Register and The Flashreport : Shawn says "We can win the budget battle... Just say no....Here's how..." Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 AM, PT
Candidate for Gov in 2010 Steve Poizner
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday,
May 23, Alvaro Vargas Llosa, author of The Che Guevara Myth, Liberty for Latin America, The Madness of Things Peruvian, and Guide to the Perfect Latin American Idiot (with Carlos Alberto Montaner and Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza), on the talks between President Obama and Vicente Fox, immigration, liberty, free enterprise and U.S. politics.
Manny Miranda, Chairman of the Third Branch Conference, on the historical opportunity for a great public debate concerning the significance of choosing our Supreme Court Justices. "A very important teachable moment."
Shawn Steel, National Republican Committee Man for the CA Republican Party, former CA Republican Party Chairman. We'll discuss his op-ed GOP should push Sacramento toward pay-as-you-go plan. published Friday, May 22, 2009, in the Orange County Register and The Flashreport : Shawn says "We can win the budget battle... Just say no....Here's how..." Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 AM, PT
Candidate for Gov in 2010 Steve Poizner
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
One day "Babes" program came to the Los Angeles area this past May 16th and 17th
There is no other infrastructure in the world like the Babes with Bullets (TM) program, where world champion women "handgunners" teach other women about guns. Never shot a gun? Never even held a gun? Scared of guns? Not to worry. Women and guns come together at the Babes with Bullets (TM) events without politics, or negative emotions and we overcome the fear. Bottom line is this one day program, similar to the three day "Babes" camp, is fun and yet powerful. It provides a life changing experience for women!
Prior to this day, I had shot a few guns one day at a range in Monterey, for about a hour. I tried a glock and a revolver, but hadn't gotten any sense for the size of a 22 vs a 9 mm, or a 40 or 44, how to load, unload, and I couldn't tell you how many shots I fired versus how many hit my target, how to hold a particular gun, how to place your fingers, how to stand, how to lean. In that one prior experience, I didn't know if I was hitting the target at all, and that was not an empowering experience. With the Babes, I got immediate and constant feedback and measure of my results, all throughout the day. I had five mystery shots, shots that didn't hit the target at all, and by the end of the day, my shots were consistently in tight group formations. My form was constantly corrected, and fine tuned. The more I learned, the more questions I had, the more I learned. Some of the conversation was about indoor vs outdoor ranges & lipstick (safe outdoors; not recommended indoors),and tools to use to aid in loading bullets into mags without getting callouses or blisters, and without wreaking your manicure, holsters that suit a woman better, that have the gun rest at your hip versus a man's waist. Other topics of conversation included guns and Consitutional law, yoga, posture, breathing, and personal responsibilty for one's safety. We'd have these great talks while we sat at the picnic table and loaded bullets into our magazines for our next rounds of firing.
Lisa Munson gave me some incredible instruction over the unique and customized features of her competition handguns, later in the day, and I had a great point of reference by then, to appreciate the features she specified when she ordered her customized guns.
For the last five years Babes with Bullets (TM) camps have been "SOLD OUT" across the country. They appreciate the continued efforts by many of the L.A. women who have continued to request a camp, however at this time that is not planned until after 2011. To meet their needs they offered a customized 8 hour/one day program, a condensed version of their normal three day camp. It was fun, empowering and very productive. I am signed up for the Babes With Bullets™ three day camp in Arizona in November. To learn more about Babes With Bullets™, and all of their programs, here's a link to their site: Babes With Bullets™
I posted pics of my experience at the one day camp I attended this past Sunday, May 17th on my Facebook page. Our instructor was Lisa Munson, and Debbie Ferns, our director, coach and inspiration. They, and all the assisting staff are all committed to supporting women to become knowledgeable, comfortable, confident and skilled with guns and having fun in the process.
It was a powerful experience. Incredible. I never imagined I could grow and learn so much in one day. Thank you Deb and Lisa and the gang. You're all fantastic! My heart aches for the women in my life, whom I love, for whom I wish they could experience the joy and exhilaration of your course. It is pure love. Hoo-rah!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
My Guest, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Gubernatorial Candidate in 2010, & Bold Opponent of Props 1A to 1F: Saturday, May 16th at 11 AM PT
Join me on the air, Saturday at 11 AM PST
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday,
CA Insurance Commissioner,& Candidate for Gov in 2010 Steve Poizner has opposed Prop 1A from the start. Governor Schwarzenegger and a coalition of state legislators and union officials on the other hand, have campaigned heavily in favor, resorting to scaring voters with the threat of cuts to emergency and basic services if 1A goes down. The propositions look like they will lose. If they do, what happens next?
Already, in the legislature, a Democratic State Senator and the new leader for the Republican Assembly caucus have now both submitted bills calling for a Constitutional Convention. The Democrat wants to do away with the 2/3rds votes required for raising taxes and restrict the use of the citizen's initiative process. the Rep says he wants to "fix" the "structural" problems with CA's budget. Let's talk with Steve Poizner about his experience before, and then in office as Insurance Commissioner and what he sees as the way to reform CA's budget and restore our once thriving economy.
Also, Jim Babka, President of Downsize DC Foundation & DownsizeDC.org,Inc. joins us. Their mission is simple: Big government harms you, hurts your family, damages your industry, and destroys your community -- it even kills people. We must Downsize DC for Human Progress. He'll talk about DC's recent maneuvers on the banks, the auto industry, and healthcare, as well as a strategy to push back.
Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 AM, PT
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program:800-336-2225
This Saturday,
CA Insurance Commissioner,& Candidate for Gov in 2010 Steve Poizner has opposed Prop 1A from the start. Governor Schwarzenegger and a coalition of state legislators and union officials on the other hand, have campaigned heavily in favor, resorting to scaring voters with the threat of cuts to emergency and basic services if 1A goes down. The propositions look like they will lose. If they do, what happens next?
Already, in the legislature, a Democratic State Senator and the new leader for the Republican Assembly caucus have now both submitted bills calling for a Constitutional Convention. The Democrat wants to do away with the 2/3rds votes required for raising taxes and restrict the use of the citizen's initiative process. the Rep says he wants to "fix" the "structural" problems with CA's budget. Let's talk with Steve Poizner about his experience before, and then in office as Insurance Commissioner and what he sees as the way to reform CA's budget and restore our once thriving economy.
Also, Jim Babka, President of Downsize DC Foundation & DownsizeDC.org,Inc. joins us. Their mission is simple: Big government harms you, hurts your family, damages your industry, and destroys your community -- it even kills people. We must Downsize DC for Human Progress. He'll talk about DC's recent maneuvers on the banks, the auto industry, and healthcare, as well as a strategy to push back.
Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 AM, PT
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
May election more of an IQ test: Voters can pass the test by voting no on everything.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Steven Greenhut
Sr. editorial writer and columnist
The Orange County Register
Don't think of the May 19 ballot as a special election so much as an IQ test.
California voters are being asked to approve six budget "reforms" that will supposedly fix the state's massive budget deficit and keep politicians from digging a big hole in the future. The titles and verbiage for each one are rather complex, but it's not any test of intelligence to figure out what the measures really mean. The politicians who drafted them – or at least who hired the lawyers who drafted them – don't really know how they will play out, and I doubt any legislator or the governor has more than a passing knowledge of the details contained within 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E or 1F. How can an average voter be expected to do any better?
click here to read more
Steven Greenhut
Sr. editorial writer and columnist
The Orange County Register
Don't think of the May 19 ballot as a special election so much as an IQ test.
California voters are being asked to approve six budget "reforms" that will supposedly fix the state's massive budget deficit and keep politicians from digging a big hole in the future. The titles and verbiage for each one are rather complex, but it's not any test of intelligence to figure out what the measures really mean. The politicians who drafted them – or at least who hired the lawyers who drafted them – don't really know how they will play out, and I doubt any legislator or the governor has more than a passing knowledge of the details contained within 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E or 1F. How can an average voter be expected to do any better?
click here to read more
Sunday, May 10, 2009
California finance system suffers from unintended consequences
by Dan Walters, SacBee, 5-5-2009
Redevelopment agencies are authorized, under a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1952 and subsequent legislation, to retain the additional property taxes that are generated by their projects, which generally involve repackaging supposedly "blighted" urban land for developers, often with lavish subsidies.
At that time, nearly 60 years ago, local governments and school boards had the power to set property tax rates, so when redevelopment agencies kept property taxes, there was no net impact on other local government agencies.
However, in 1978, voters adopted Proposition 13, which put a hard cap on property taxes, so revenues retained by redevelopment agencies were lost to other governments. And 10 years later, voters adopted Proposition 98, which set minimum support levels for schools and, among other things, required the state to make up any gap between those levels and local property taxes.
The net effect of those three decrees is that redevelopment agencies annually retain some $4 billion in property taxes, about $2 billion of which the state must repay to schools. Counties or other local governments must eat the other $2 billion.
Read the article here
To understand Redevelopment check out Redevelopment--The Unknown Government It's a short easy way to learn about and to unravel the myth of economic development and to see how taxpayer funds are transferred to the well connected, courtesy of willing members among our privelidged political class.
Redevelopment agencies are authorized, under a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1952 and subsequent legislation, to retain the additional property taxes that are generated by their projects, which generally involve repackaging supposedly "blighted" urban land for developers, often with lavish subsidies.
At that time, nearly 60 years ago, local governments and school boards had the power to set property tax rates, so when redevelopment agencies kept property taxes, there was no net impact on other local government agencies.
However, in 1978, voters adopted Proposition 13, which put a hard cap on property taxes, so revenues retained by redevelopment agencies were lost to other governments. And 10 years later, voters adopted Proposition 98, which set minimum support levels for schools and, among other things, required the state to make up any gap between those levels and local property taxes.
The net effect of those three decrees is that redevelopment agencies annually retain some $4 billion in property taxes, about $2 billion of which the state must repay to schools. Counties or other local governments must eat the other $2 billion.
Read the article here
To understand Redevelopment check out Redevelopment--The Unknown Government It's a short easy way to learn about and to unravel the myth of economic development and to see how taxpayer funds are transferred to the well connected, courtesy of willing members among our privelidged political class.
This is a great version of The Who performing Won't Get Fooled Again--
A Special edition of The Classic Final Scene from the Kids are Aliright.
I love it when he screams a mother of a scream, right at 7:50 minutes, right before he sings "Meet the new boss! Same as the old boss!" So spot on!
A Constitutional Convention opens a Pandora's Box and will not serve the people. It's a great Constitution. The Problem is our elected Officials.
Read the story about Blakeslee's first moves as the new Republican Assembly Minority Leader
Read the bill the new Republican Assembly Leader,Sam Blakeslee,introduced his first day as leader here.
Back on December 8, 2008, Steve Harmon wrote in the Oakland Tribune, about Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, as well as Assemblyman Blakeslee, both being proponents of a Constitutional Convention. Harmon reported DeSaulnier's resolution, "SCR 3, is open-ended and vague -- calling for a constitutional convention without specifying what it is he wants to reform -- leaving enough room for all factions to weigh in. A constitutional convention can address the whole constitution or parts of it, depending on the political will of delegates chosen to fix the core laws and principles that guide the state." He argues,"there are a handful of critical areas that need to be addressed to improve government, including the way the state finances public services and how taxes are raised. He also said he would like to reform the initiative process, which he compared to the Winchester House, 'where you're adding rooms, but there are no connecting hallways.'"
Click here to read the story
I hear a lot of Republicans lament how they are treated so unfairly by John and Ken of KFI. How John and Ken only pick on them, when it's the Democrats who should be on the hot seat, for being the "real" problem. John and Ken will often say how the Dems are hopeless. They know the Dems are dominated by the Environmentalists Lobby, the Public Employee Unions, and the Teachers' Union, and the morjority of other Democrats who are hacks who spend with impunity and never feel they've taxed us enough.
John and Ken go after Republicans because Republicans run on "no more taxes," "we pay too much in taxes already," and for fiscal responsibility, and for being pro small business and concerned about jobs and the middle class. It makes John and Ken furious to be betrayed, lied to, their principles abandoned, when Republicans act to protect their own personal seats and to get along with the Democrats! Somebody has to hold the Republican elected officials accountable. Whatever leverage Republicans have left, they should use it with courage, to fight back, to hold the line, and even if they lose their seats in the process, which would not happen for standing up boldly for principle, they would be doing what Republican voters elected them to do, to protect the people of CA, our economy and our way of life, so that we can rally back and thrive again as a State with sound fiscal policy and a vibrant economy.
The question now is why did the Republicans elect this guy, Sam Blakeslee to be the new boss to replace the old boss, Mike Villines, who sold us out to the SEIU, the Teacher's Union, the Enviro lobby and the rest of the tax and spenders? Are so many of the Republicans who claim to stand for limited government so weak and meek? Or are they cyical or duplicitous? I can't believe they are all naive, to replace Mike Villines, with whom the Grassroots is furious over Prop 1A, with someone who wants to take us from the instense heat we're in, straight into the fire, by leading us into a situation where our Constitution can easily be stipped of the laws that protect our most fundamental liberties as Californians. California's Constitution is outstanding. The proplem is our overspeading and lack of dicipline. Do we have any Republicans with integrity, who believe in the principles they claim to defend and stand for, and who are courageous and willing to stand up for us, even if it means no body in their caucus of fellow Republicans will cease to like them anymore? Are there any warriors for freedom with integrity who are willing to stand up for us? If so, please do so. It's urgent.
Read the bill the new Republican Assembly Leader,Sam Blakeslee,introduced his first day as leader here.
Back on December 8, 2008, Steve Harmon wrote in the Oakland Tribune, about Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, as well as Assemblyman Blakeslee, both being proponents of a Constitutional Convention. Harmon reported DeSaulnier's resolution, "SCR 3, is open-ended and vague -- calling for a constitutional convention without specifying what it is he wants to reform -- leaving enough room for all factions to weigh in. A constitutional convention can address the whole constitution or parts of it, depending on the political will of delegates chosen to fix the core laws and principles that guide the state." He argues,"there are a handful of critical areas that need to be addressed to improve government, including the way the state finances public services and how taxes are raised. He also said he would like to reform the initiative process, which he compared to the Winchester House, 'where you're adding rooms, but there are no connecting hallways.'"
Click here to read the story
I hear a lot of Republicans lament how they are treated so unfairly by John and Ken of KFI. How John and Ken only pick on them, when it's the Democrats who should be on the hot seat, for being the "real" problem. John and Ken will often say how the Dems are hopeless. They know the Dems are dominated by the Environmentalists Lobby, the Public Employee Unions, and the Teachers' Union, and the morjority of other Democrats who are hacks who spend with impunity and never feel they've taxed us enough.
John and Ken go after Republicans because Republicans run on "no more taxes," "we pay too much in taxes already," and for fiscal responsibility, and for being pro small business and concerned about jobs and the middle class. It makes John and Ken furious to be betrayed, lied to, their principles abandoned, when Republicans act to protect their own personal seats and to get along with the Democrats! Somebody has to hold the Republican elected officials accountable. Whatever leverage Republicans have left, they should use it with courage, to fight back, to hold the line, and even if they lose their seats in the process, which would not happen for standing up boldly for principle, they would be doing what Republican voters elected them to do, to protect the people of CA, our economy and our way of life, so that we can rally back and thrive again as a State with sound fiscal policy and a vibrant economy.
The question now is why did the Republicans elect this guy, Sam Blakeslee to be the new boss to replace the old boss, Mike Villines, who sold us out to the SEIU, the Teacher's Union, the Enviro lobby and the rest of the tax and spenders? Are so many of the Republicans who claim to stand for limited government so weak and meek? Or are they cyical or duplicitous? I can't believe they are all naive, to replace Mike Villines, with whom the Grassroots is furious over Prop 1A, with someone who wants to take us from the instense heat we're in, straight into the fire, by leading us into a situation where our Constitution can easily be stipped of the laws that protect our most fundamental liberties as Californians. California's Constitution is outstanding. The proplem is our overspeading and lack of dicipline. Do we have any Republicans with integrity, who believe in the principles they claim to defend and stand for, and who are courageous and willing to stand up for us, even if it means no body in their caucus of fellow Republicans will cease to like them anymore? Are there any warriors for freedom with integrity who are willing to stand up for us? If so, please do so. It's urgent.
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Latin American--myths and realities, politics and policy--My guest is Author-Scholar Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Saturday, May 9th at 11 AM PT
Join me on the air, Saturday at 11 AM PST
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program: 831-633-1460
My guest this Saturday is Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Senior Fellow with The Independent Institute, and author of the Guide to the Perfect Latin American Idiot, which he co-authored with fellow freedom and liberty activists Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza of Peru, and Carlos Alberto Montaner, dissident of Cuba, and the book titled THE CHE GUEVARA MYTH And the Future of Liberty.
He is also the host of a four part National Geographic documentary series titled Consequencias: Latin America Uncovered.
Last month, in Trinidad, Hugo Chavez gave President Obama a copy of a book called "Open Veins of Latin America." Mary Anastasia O'Grady wrote about this in a WSJ op-ed. She noted that the next week, the English version of the book shot to the number two slot on the Amazon.com best seller list.
O'Grady also noted that in Latin America, "Open Veins" is a well-known rant by Uruguayan Marxist Eduardo Galeano, widely regarded in free market circles as the idiot's bible."
It was coined with that moniker in the 1996 best seller, "The Manual of the Perfect Latin American Idiot."
We'll talk with Llosa about the book Chavez gave to Obama; and that gesture's meaning, and significance.
We'll also talk about our modern political lexicon and Latin Americans. Many in the U.S. who struggle for, and are dedicated to freedom and liberty, speak in terms of Left versus Right, of Liberal versus Conservative? Yet many voters who share an innate affinity to the principles of liberty and freedom reject the labels of being Right, or Conservative. Proponents of liberty are a declining influence in U.S. government's political economic policies. Many believe the Hispanic vote is hopelessly to the Left as a voting block. Can this breakdown be reversed? How?
Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 AM, PT
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
CRN Channel 5 (On the Internet)
Call in number for the program: 831-633-1460
My guest this Saturday is Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Senior Fellow with The Independent Institute, and author of the Guide to the Perfect Latin American Idiot, which he co-authored with fellow freedom and liberty activists Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza of Peru, and Carlos Alberto Montaner, dissident of Cuba, and the book titled THE CHE GUEVARA MYTH And the Future of Liberty.
He is also the host of a four part National Geographic documentary series titled Consequencias: Latin America Uncovered.
Last month, in Trinidad, Hugo Chavez gave President Obama a copy of a book called "Open Veins of Latin America." Mary Anastasia O'Grady wrote about this in a WSJ op-ed. She noted that the next week, the English version of the book shot to the number two slot on the Amazon.com best seller list.
O'Grady also noted that in Latin America, "Open Veins" is a well-known rant by Uruguayan Marxist Eduardo Galeano, widely regarded in free market circles as the idiot's bible."
It was coined with that moniker in the 1996 best seller, "The Manual of the Perfect Latin American Idiot."
We'll talk with Llosa about the book Chavez gave to Obama; and that gesture's meaning, and significance.
We'll also talk about our modern political lexicon and Latin Americans. Many in the U.S. who struggle for, and are dedicated to freedom and liberty, speak in terms of Left versus Right, of Liberal versus Conservative? Yet many voters who share an innate affinity to the principles of liberty and freedom reject the labels of being Right, or Conservative. Proponents of liberty are a declining influence in U.S. government's political economic policies. Many believe the Hispanic vote is hopelessly to the Left as a voting block. Can this breakdown be reversed? How?
Join us for hot talk Saturday at 11 AM, PT
CRN Digital Talk Radio is now available in High Definition audio! Listen to CRN on your local cable or satellite provider, local radio affiliate, mobile device or at CRN! To see where CRN is available in your area click here.
To request CRN Digital Talk Radio in your home or for advertising information, email info@CRNi.net.
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U.S. Economy: The Philosopher's Stone
New York's Governor weighs in on filling Hillary's Senate seat.
Joe: US Vet, plumber, and dreams of owning his own business, but he dared to ask a pointed question
More Joe, here with Economist Steve Moore, WSJ on Obamanomics and the small business owner
Small Businesses created over 90 percent of new jobs in our economy over the last couple of years
SNL Bailout Skit (editing out the Sanders' names in text bar, and B.Frank's culpability)
California Propositions 1A to 1F: Analysis and Information
- Propositions are just more false promises by Steve Poizner, May 8, 2009
- Official Voter Information from the Secretary of State, including initiative language, and for and against ballot arguments
- Letter from Steve Poizner to the California Republican Party to Oppose Proposition 1A
- GRAPH: Legislative Analyst's Office says: "Proposition 1A Results in Tax Increases."
- Howard Jarvis Fact Sheet on Props 1A to 1F
- CNN Graph: Where does Your State Rank on Unemployment, State Budget Deficit, Forclosures
- NPR US Unemployment Figures by State: Monthly Tracking
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