The National Party Should Take A Cue From CA GOP

USA Today( 23 Feb 2009 page 3a) has a small blurb about how the California Republican Party has voted to reprimand six GOP Lawmakers (three Senators and three Assembly).  Theses six broke ranks and choose to vote for a budget which includes tax increases and borrow more money as a way to plug the $42 billion deficit the state is facing.

According to the blurb:

“The measure, which would deny party campaign money to the six, was approved Sunday by delegates at the party’s convention in Sacramento.  Supporters, including state party Vice Chairman Jon Fleischman, says it sends a message to politicians that there will be consequences for breaking their no-tax pledge.”

Now if only the National Party would do the same to the three Senators who felt obliged to vote for the porkulous bill.

New Link: Stimulus Watch

I have added this new link to my page (hattip - Iamsaved )

The link shows where and how the Stimulus money is being spent.  Here is just a taste of what some of our tax dollars will be spent for:

Description	City	State	Jobs	Cost	Program Type	Vote Ratio
Doorbells	Laurel	MS	2	$99,600	Housing	-4834
Forks of the Road Heritage Trail. This project would greatly enhance one of the primary gateways to our city by creating an African American/Ethnic Heritage Trail along a stretch of St. Catherine Street between the Forks of the Road Slave Market Site	Natchez	MS	65	$600,000,000	CDBG	-3677
New Energy Efficiency Industrial Zones 100 Acres	Cidra	PR	1628	$17,500,000,000	Energy	-3160
Construct 25 houses for first time buyers including land acqusition	Friars Point	MS	25	$1,000,000	Housing	-1650
Raul Alvarez Disc Golf Course: This project will develop a 36-hole disc golf course that will be environmentally and financially sustainable.	Austin	TX	4	$886,000	Water	-1544
Sunset View Park – dog park construction	Chula Vista	CA	7	$500,000	CDBG	-1472
Construction of Convention Center Hotel	Dallas	TX	3800	$386,000,000	CDBG	-1223
Solar LA Program	Los Angeles	CA	31243	$2,160,000,000	Energy	-1023
Initiative to Reduce Prostitution-Off the Streets Program. This initiative would connect individuals involved in prostitution with resources to leave a life of prostitution. Beginning with emergency shelter and continuing with an array of educational	Dayton	OH	0	$1,500,000	Public Safety	-1020
Las Vegas Performing Arts Center – Construct a new Performing Arts Center within the City’s Union Park Development.	Las Vegas	NV	1875	$375,000,000	CDBG	-1015
Solar water Heaters for rural area families	Cidra	PR	14	$500,000,000	Energy	-983
Establishment of Two (2) Dog Parks	Lewiston	ME	2	$50,000	CDBG	-870

BREAKING NEWS: Iran Has Enough Enriched Uranium To Make A Nuclear Bomb!!!

It was just announced on Foxnews that Iran has enough enriched uranium to make a nuclear bomb.  This does not mean that Iran has a bomb, but it shows just how close they are to attaining one.  No word as of yet of a reaction form the Obama administration.

Not to mention Hillary Clinton is claiming no one really knows if North Korea really ever had a highly enriched uranium program….

Live Blogging Obama’s Speech to US Mayors

Obama is about to give a speech to the US Mayors (the ones who’s hands are out wanting our tax money).  Updates to follow.

UPDATE:  Obama starts out by comparing his community organizing days to being a mayor.  Obama mentions his executive order he signed last night for the office of urban affairs (basically it sounds like an new office to make sure that sities follow what Obama wants not what the city may want).

Update:   Obama claims that the spendulous bill will create/save 3 million jobs, gives “progressive” tax breaks and claims that it rewards hard working Americans (ha ha ha).

Update:  Obama talks about more mass transit, broadband for everyone, more money for education (how is this going to truly stimulate the economy).

Basically it sounds like Obama is talking more about government intrusion in our lives.  I think the comment that marks this the most is Obama stating that America will no longer move forward despite the government; instead they will move forward with a helping hand from government.  Talk about scarry.

Trading Floor Revolt Video

This video clip from CNBC is awesome.  This is a must see clip!

And The Hypocrisy Grows Larger

I just saw this on Foxnews.com.  Appearantly the Postmaster General received a huge raise and a bonus last year even though the postal service is faltering.

Postmaster General John Potter’s base salary climbed to $265,000 last year from $186,000 in 2007 and he received a performance bonus of $135,000, all approved by Congress.

And this from a Congress who chided failing companies for paying bonuses to their CEO’s.

Dems Use $500k in Taxpayer Money for Annual Retreats

The Hill has this story about The House Democratic Caucus spending more than $500,000 of taxpayer money to help pay for their annual retreats:

The House Democratic Caucus spent more than $500,000 in taxpayer money over the past five years for its annual retreats at resorts in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

On Thursday, Democrats will head to the Kingsmill Resort and Spa in historic Williamsburg, Va., for the three-day planning powwow. The resort boasts multiple championship golf courses, a full-service spa and six restaurants.

Individual lawmakers pay for most of the expenses related to retreat lodging through their campaign committees, but the Democratic Caucus subsidizes some of the costs for what aides consider “official business” — to the tune of nearly $100,000 each year, according to a Democratic aide involved in retreat planning.

 Democratic leadership sources were reluctant to talk about any aspect of the trip, but they defended it as an important planning session for the entire country.

“This retreat is strategic planning for the country,”said Democratic Caucus spokeswoman Emily Barocas. “The president, vice president and three Cabinet secretaries will be meeting with the caucus to plan the direction we are taking the country in.”

So can I write off on my taxes my next vacation and call it necessary for the strategic planning for my families future?  This next part says it all:

The topic is particularly sensitive this year after several Democratic lawmakers slammed American International Group (AIG) executives for spending more than $440,000 at a company retreat in Monarch Beach, Calif., just days after the federal government bailed the company out with $85 billion in taxpayer funds.

Several Democratic lawmakers also excoriated banking and financial companies for flying in corporate jets to Washington to testify before several committees about their need for billions more in bailout money.

And now a list of some of the expenses you and I have had to foot the bill for:

In 2004, for instance, the caucus paid more than $27,000 to Executive Jet Management for a chartered flight for Bill Clinton, who addressed the issues conference. A Democratic aide said costs soared for Clinton’s travel because there was a “horrible blizzard” that caused his plane to become stuck two days longer than expected and the caucus had to spend extra money for de-icing and storing the plane.

In 2005, the caucus cut a $1,100 check to retired Gen. Wesley Clark’s consulting firm for a speaking fee. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s firm received $864 in 2003 for her retreat address.

Besides Obama, Biden and three other Cabinet secretaries, Democrats this year are hosting Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who will talk about stimulating the economy through technology and innovation.

In the past, the caucus has also paid for food and after-hours entertainment. In 2003, for example, the Caucus spent $11,200 on food and $6,900 on entertainment. Costs for renting conference rooms at the resorts also make up a large chunk of the total. In 2004, the caucus spent at least $15,000 on space rental.

Democrats spend the most money, however, on transportation.

Wait a minute, didn’t members of Congress and the media chastise the big 3 automakers for using private jets to get to D.C.?  Well let’s take a look at the Dem’s transportation decisions that you and I paid for:

Since 2005, the caucus has chartered an Amtrak train to ferry members to the Kingsmill resort. It costs roughly $70,000 each year for the Amtrak charter. Democratic aides argue it’s necessary so that members can spend time together and not end up taking separate cars and arriving at staggered times. Traveling by train also helps ensure the safety of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who is second in the line of succession to the presidency and requires constant security detail. In this case, the source said, security helicopters fly above the train.

In 2003 and 2004, the caucus used chartered flights and rented cars and buses to transport members to the Nemacolin resort in Woodlands, Pa. The chartered flight cost more than $10,000 and the buses were $6,500, but the hassles weren’t worth it: One year, a Democratic aide recalls, the buses broke down and closed down an entire highway.

Of course the Republicans had their own retreat.  It was funded partly by lobbyists

Democrats and Republicans have criticized each other for the way each party pays for its annual retreat. Republicans huddled at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va., last week. The Congressional Institute, a nonprofit that pays for activities at least in part through dues from lobbyists, subsidizes the GOP retreat. Republicans also allow members of the institute’s private sector advisory board, many of whom are lobbyists, to travel to the resort each year for a dinner with the members.

Democrats don’t allow lobbyists at the retreat, but Republicans criticize the use of taxpayer dollars for expenses for retreats at resorts, especially during the economic downturn.

I guess the meaning of Obama’s Hope and Change message is for the taxpayer’s to Hope that they have some Change left in their pocket by the time the Democrats’ are done with their fleecing of America.

Yet Another Unintended Consequence Moment

I saw an article today in USA Today (Lead law throttles youth powersports by William M. Welch print edition 17 Feb 09) about a law passed by Congress this past summer (check this link for background info) that went into effect on the 10th of Feb and the unintended consequences it is having on one industry that was actually thriving even with the state of the economy.

Here is what the story says about the law:

“Passed by Congress after a serious of reports concerning toys made in China with lead, the law bans sale of products aimed at children if they contain more than 600 parts per million of lead…”

According to the article,

 ”…lead is found in steel and other metal alloys in the frame, motor and multiple parts”

So this means that becasue of the lead in the motorcycle parts on off-road bikes and quads the models designed for small children can no longer be sold to them, nor can the repair parts be sold for those models.  What kind of an impact does this have?  Well for starters, the off road youth industry is a,

“$14.5 billion a year industry including sales, service, parts, accessories and payroll.”

So far, the off road industry has seen a 20% dip in sales due to having to pull the smaller models off the floor and those were the models that sold the best.  The article notes that there is an estimated value of $100 million in inventory that can no longer be sold in the US.  Not to mention the fact that now that the smaller models can not be sold the fear is that kids will try riding the adult size models which are heavier and harder for a child to handle and end up getting hurt.  Which in this day of lawsuits you could just see a parent, who bought the adult size model for little Johnny, suing the manufacturer cause Johnny broke his leg when the bike fell on him.

I think Zack Bartell (age 12) sums it up best when he says,

“Are you kidding?  This is silly.  There’s no way I’m going to stick a motorcycle part in my mouth.”

And Pelosi, Reid and Obama want us to trust them to “fix” the economy…….

This is Dam Funny

I received this via email, so I can not say if this is 100% true or not, but it would not surprise me to find out that it is:

This is an actual letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries regarding a pond on his property.   It was sent by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality, State of Pennsylvania .   This guy’s response is hilarious, but read The State’s letter before you get to the response letter.

State of Pennsylvania ‘s letter to Mr. DeVries:  

SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County  

Dear Mr. DeVries:
 
It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property.  You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:    

Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond.  

A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department’s files shows that no permits have been issued.  Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.  

The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations.   We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel.  All restoration work shall be completed  no later than January 31, 2007.  

Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff.  Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action..  

We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.  

Sincerely,

David L. Price
District Representative and Water Management Division.

Here is the actual response sent back by Mr. DeVries:

Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County  

Dear Mr. Price,
 
 
Your certified letter dated 12/17/06 has been handed to me to respond to.  I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget Lane , Trout Run, Pennsylvania .  

A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood “debris” dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond.  While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures building materials “debris.”  

I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.

 

These are the beavers/contractors you are seeking.   As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity.

My first dam question to you is:
(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers, or
(2) do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?    

If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued.  

(Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.)

I have several dam concerns.  My first dam concern is, aren’t the beavers entitled to legal representation?  The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation — so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer.  
The Department’s dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event, causing flooding, is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is required to protect.   In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling them dam names.    

If you want the damed stream “restored” to a dam free-flow condition please contact the beavers — but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being unable to read English.  

In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream.  They have more dam rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond.  If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers’ Dams).  

So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until 1/31/2007? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice by then and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them.

In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real environmental quality, health, problem in the area.  It is the bears!   Bears are actually defecating in our woods.  I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone.  If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your dam step! The bears are not careful where they dump!  

Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.

THANK YOU,  

RYAN DEVRIES
& THE DAM BEAVERS

 

 

The difference between lawyers in India and lawyers in the US….They get it

I saw this article on Foxnews.com.  It talks about the increased security measures and so on, but what really caught my eye was this:

 

Kasab, who was wounded and captured by police in the first hours of the Nov. 26 attack, has been repeatedly interrogated by authorities and reportedly offered key details about the planning of the assault and those responsible for it.

Many lawyers across the city, horrified by the attacks, have said they would not represent Kasab. On Thursday, Dinesh Mota, a lawyer asked by the court to defend Kasab, said he would refuse.

“I will not represent him, it is against all human values,” he said.

Here you have lawyers in India who actually get what terrorism is about, while in the US you have the ACLU and other ambulance chasers rushing to defend the GITMO detainees for reasons as petty as political posturing and fame.