Friday, April 25, 2008

Rush Limbaugh inciting a riot?


Now we see that Rush Limbaugh is backing Hillary Clinton in order to establish chaoss. A posting on the Huffington Post by Lonnee Hamilton speaks volumes.


Here is an excerpt;

[Limbaugh] said the riots would ensure a Democrat is not elected as president, and his listeners have a responsibility to make sure the riots happen. "Riots in Denver, at the Democrat Convention, would see to it that we don't elect Democrats," Limbaugh said during Wednesday's radio broadcast. He then went on to say that's the best thing that could happen to the country. Limbaugh cited Al Sharpton, saying the Barack Obama supporter threatened to superdelegates that "there's going to be trouble" if the presidency is taken from Obama."

But neither Sharpton, nor any Democrat, has advocated violence.
Limbaugh later backpedaled from his statements when callers to his show complained. "I'm not inspiring or inciting," he said, "I am dreaming of riots in Denver."
He also then tried to foist his idea of rioting at the convention onto Democrats. "There won't be riots at our [Republican] convention," he said. "We [Republicans] don't riot. We don't burn our cars. We don't burn down our houses. We don't kill our children. We don't do half the things the American left does."

Can someone of his stature say these things and get away with them? Is this free speach or just the rantings of someone under the influence of Oxycontin? Should we be writing the FCC to complaine about this abuse of the radio air waves?

Rev. Jeremiah Wright

A lot has been said in the media about Barack Obama's pastor the Reverend Jeremiah Wright and his firey sermons. Not nearly as much attention has been paid to John McCaine's pastor Hagee. You may have heard that Hagee is anti Catholic.
Calling Pastor John Hagee a "bigot," the conservative Catholic League is calling for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to denounce/renounce/reject his endorsement.
Here is some information about Jeremiah Wright that I didn't know. I didn't write this and am not sure who the author is, so feel free to correct anything you might find that isn't true.

Subject: Black History Fact and Palast on Bush in N.O. Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:59:17 -Subject: A Little Known Black History Fact. In 1961, a young African-American man, after hearing President John F. Kennedy's challenge to, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," gave up his student deferment, left college in Virginia and voluntarily joined the Marines. In 1963, this man, having completed his two years of service in the Marines, volunteered again to become a Navy corpsman. (They provide medical assistance to the Marines as well as to Navy personnel.) The man did so well in corpsman school that he was the valedictorian and became a cardiopulmonary technician. Not surprisingly, he was assigned to the Navy's premier medical facility, Bethesda Naval Hospital, as a member of the commander in chief's medical team, and helped care for President Lyndon B. Johnson after his 1966 surgery. For his service on the team, which he left in 1967, the White House awarded him three letters of commendation. What is even more remarkable is that this man entered the Marines and Navy not many years after the two branches began to become integrated. While this young man was serving six years on active duty, Vice President Dick Cheney, who was born the same year as the Marine/sailor, received five deferments, four for being an undergraduate and graduate student and one for being a prospective father. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, both five years younger than the African-American youth, used their student deferments to stay in college until 1968. Both then avoided going on active duty through family connections. Who is the real patriot? The young man who interrupted his studies to serve his country for six years or our three political leaders who beat the system? Are the patriots the people who actually sacrifice something or those who merely talk about their love of the country? After leaving the service of his country, the young African-American finished his final year of college, entered the seminary, was ordained as a minister, and eventually became pastor of a large church in one of America's biggest cities. This man is Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the retiring pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ. He Earned the right to speak, just in case you may think that being an American is not enough! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah_Wright
Why is it that if you are a Republican, you don't have to worry about your patriotism being called into question, but if you are of another political party you are held to a different standard?


Thursday, April 24, 2008

Global Warming Science Not In?

On April 23rd 2008, former Florida governor Jeb Bush said that he is skeptical humans are causing global warming, stating he is "light green" on the environment. According to the AP, Bush said that global warming activists "are acting out of something like religious zeal." " I don't think our policies should be based on emotion; they should be based on sound science," said Bush. This is from ThinkProgress.org-http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/24/jeb-bush-is-a-climate-change-skeptic-im-light-green/
The A.P. says hundreds of Environmental Protection Agency scientists say they have been pressured by superiors to skew their findings. Francesca Grifo, director of the Union of Concerned Scientists' Scientific Integrity Program, said the survey they did revealed an agency in crisis and under siege from political pressures especially among scientists involved in risk assessment and crafting regulations. Source-http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/24/8496/
Yes Jeb, I agree our policies should be based on sound science. Why don't you get your brother in the White House to stop interfering in the work of scientists. It's no wonder so many people are confused.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

U.S. to Collect DNA if arrested

You don't need to be a criminal, convicted of a crime or anything like that. You just need to be arrested, accidentally or otherwise and you will be swabbed for the U.S. DNA data base. The A.P. story I am referring to does say it pertains to federal law enforcement. That said, many local law enforcement agencies take federal money for a variety of reasons. In Humboldt County, this could be because of C.A.M.P., the campaign against marijuana planting or is it propagation, I'm not sure about the acronym. Also the government plans to collect DNA data from any detained foreigner, whether they have been charged with a crime or not. Thirteen States have similar laws according to the Associated Press. Jesselyn McCurdy of the ACLU says that it will be difficult for anyone in the data base that is found innocent to have the sample removed from the data base.
The rule is proposed and is being published in the Federal Register.
That will be followed by a 30-day comment period according to the A.P.

Many people are arrested that did not not commit a crime. It is not clear how you will get you DNA back if you are found innocent or charges are dropped. The A.P. says you just ask the Justice Department. You know, the people that helped the Bush administration define torture.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Voting for Ron Paul

I voted for Ron Paul for President of the United States of America. I voted in California and I am not a Republican. How did I legally do this?
I will reveal the puzzle in a few weeks.
See if any of you can guess how I did it.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Veterans Health Care

The people that have fought and served our country in a military capacity deserve to be taken care of. Many of them have givin their lives and many that survive have givin their health and bodies in their line of service to our country. They have made the greatest sacrifice and we should honor these people by providing adequate health care and other beneffits.
Local Veteran, Carl Young says that a new bill in the House of Represenitives would go along way toward establishing these beneffits over the long term. He suggests we encourage our Congressman, Mike Thompson to support this bill for our vets. Mike Thompson isn't the only one in California who's not on board. Here is a current list of California congress persons that are not co-sponsors as of 4-7-08.

California Congressional Delegation not co-sponsors of HR 2514
Mike Thompson has now co sponsored this bill as of 5-1-08
Mike Thompson District 1 (707) 226-9898 Napa (530) 662-5272 Yolo
(707).269.9595 Humbolt 707.962.6933 Mendocino
Mike Thompson has now co sponsored this bill as of 5-1-08
Thanks Congressman Thompson!
Wally Herger District 2 530.893.8363 Chico 530.223.5898 Redding893-
Dan Lungren District 3 916.859.9906
John Doolittle District 4 800.232.1336
Doris Matsui District 5 916.498.5600
George Miller District 7 925.602.1880 Concord, 510.262.6500 San Pablo,
707.645.1888 Vallejo
Nancy Pelosi District 8 415.556.4862
Barbara Lee District 9 510.763.0370
Gerald McNerney District 11 925.737.0727 Pleasanton, 209.476.8552 Stockton
Tom Lantos* District 12 * Deceased office vacant
Anna Eshoo District 14 408.245.2339 or 831.335.2020
Zoe Lofgren District 16 408.271.8700
Sam Farr District 17 800.340.FARR Salinas, 831.429.1976 Santa Cruz
Dennis Cardoza District 18 800.356.6424
George Radanovich District 19 559.449.2490 Fresno
209.579.5458 Modesto
Jim Costa District 20 661.869.1620 Bakersfield, 559.495.1620 Modesto
Devin Nunes District 21 559.323.5235 Clovis, 559.733.3881 Visalia
Kevin McCarthy District 22 805.461.1034 Atascadero,
805.549.0390 N.County
661.327.3611 Bakersfield
Elton Gallegly District 24 800.423.0023 Thousand Oaks,
805.686.2525 Solvang
Howard “Buck” McKeon District 25 661.254.2111 Santa Clarita,
661.274.9688 Palmdale
David Dreier District 26 888.906.2626
Henry Waxman District 30 323.651.1040, 818.878.7400, 310.652.3095
Xavier Becerra District 31 213.483.1425
Hilda Solis District 32 626.448.1271 El Monte,
323.307.9904 East L.A.
Lucille Roybal-Allard District 34 213.628.9230
Maxine Waters District 35 323.757.8900 Los Angeles
310.642.4610 Westchester
Jane Harman District 36 310.643.3636 El Segundo
310.549.8282 Wilmington
Laura Richardson District 37 310. 538-1190
Ed Royce District 40 714.992.8081, 562.220.2411
Jerry Lewis District 41 800.233.1700
Gary Miller District 42 714.257.1142 Brea,
949.470.8484 Mission Viejo
Ken Calvert District 44 951.784.4300 Riverside,
949.888.8498 Los Flores
Mary Bono District 45 760.320.1076 Palm Springs,
951.658.2312 Hemet
Dana Rohrabacher District 46 714.960.6483
Loretta Sanchez District 47 714.621.0102
John Campbell District 48 949.756.2244
Darrell Issa District 49 760.599.5000 San Diego
951.693.2447 Temecula
Brian Bilbray District 50 858.350.1150
Duncan Hunter District 52 619.448.5201

Many of these congress persons say they support our troops and veterans. If they really supported them, they would get on board with this bill.
Here is some information about the bill.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United > States of America in Congress assembled,> SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.> This Act may be cited as the `Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care > Act'.> SEC. 2. ASSURANCE OF ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR VETERANS HEALTH CARE.> (a) In General- Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by > adding at the end the following new section:> `Sec. 321. Assured funding for veterans health care> `(a) For each fiscal year, the Secretary of the Treasury shall make > available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the amount determined under > subsection (b) with respect to that fiscal year. Each such amount is > available, without fiscal year limitation, for the programs, functions, > and activities of the Veterans Health Administration, as specified in > subsection (c).> `(b)(1) The amount applicable to fiscal year 2008 under this subsection is > the amount equal to 130 percent of the amount obligated by the Department > during fiscal year 2006 for the purposes specified in subsection (c).> `(2) The amount applicable to any fiscal year after fiscal year 2008 under > this subsection is the amount equal to the product of the following:> `(A) The sum of-- > `(i) the number of veterans enrolled in the Department health care system > under section 1705 of this title as of July 1 preceding the beginning of > such fiscal year; and> `(ii) the number of persons eligible for health care under chapter 17 of > this title who are not covered by clause (i) and who were provided > hospital care or medical services under such chapter at any time during > the fiscal year preceding such fiscal year.> `(B) The per capita baseline amount, as increased from time to time > pursuant to paragraph (3)(B).> `(3)(A) For purposes of paragraph (2)(B), the term `per capita baseline > amount' means the amount equal to-- > `(i) the amount specified in paragraph (1), divided by> `(ii) the number of veterans enrolled in the Department health care system > under section 1705 of this title as of September 30, 2006.> `(B) With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide a > percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the per capita > baseline amount equal to the percentage by which-- > `(i) the Consumer Price Index (all Urban Consumers, United States City > Average, Hospital and related services, Seasonally Adjusted), published by > the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor for the 12-month > period ending on the June 30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year > for which the increase is made, exceeds> `(ii) such Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period preceeding the > 12-month period described in clause (i).> `(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the purposes for which > amounts made available pursuant to subsection (a) shall be all programs, > functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration.> `(2) Amounts made available pursuant to subsection (a) are not available > for-- > `(A) construction, acquisition, or alteration of medical facilities as > provided in subchapter I of chapter 81 of this title (other than for such > repairs as were provided for before the the date of the enactment of this > section through the Medical Care appropriation for the Department); or> `(B) grants under subchapter III of chapter 81 of this title.'.> (b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of such > chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:> `321. Assured funding for veterans health care.'.> that provides Assured Funding for the VA.>>

Call these people and ask them if they support our troops and veterans and if they say yes, ask them how they intend to vote on HR 2514, and why.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Military Recruitment at schools

The Army Times is reporting that the Defense Department has announced a new get-tough policy with colleges and universities that interfere with the work of military recruiters and Reserve Officer Training Corps programs.

Under rules that will take effect April 28th 2008, defense officials said they want the exact same access to student directories that is provided to all other prospective employers.

The Army Times says, students can opt out of having their information turned over to the military only if they opt out of having their information provided to all other recruiters, but schools cannot have policies that exclude only the military, defense officialls said in a March 28 notice of the new policy in the Federal Register.

The new policy also no longer lets schools ban military recruiters from working on campuses soley because a school determines that no students have expressed interest in joining the military. If other employers are invited, the military has to have the same access.

Federal funding can be cut off if colleges and universities do not give recruiters and ROTC programs campus access. While student financial assistance is not at resk, ohter federal aid, especially research funding, can disappear if a school does not cooperate.
Here's a link to the Army Times story:
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/03/military_recruiters_schools_033108w/
Locally, Dave Meserve is circulating petitions called the Arcata Youth Protection Act and the Eureka Youth Protection Act. AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE MILITARY RECRUITMENT OF ANY PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN.

Since these would be passed by the voters and not the school boards, this new military policy would seem to be exempt from cities that pass such ordinances by popular vote.

Find out more about Dave Meserve's ordinances here: http://homepage.mac.com/juanwilson/islandbreath/2008Year/17-peace_war/0817-04BanRecruiting.html

How do you feel about recruiting kids under the age of 18?