Video of the forum is available at the Herald and Review website. Watch it here.
I listened to the radio broadcast last night and watched the video this morning.
I think that the personal attacks and accusations from the ChangeDecatur team were meant to be distractions..
One of Mr. Daniels' quotes, overused six times by my count, was ironic. "It sounds good, but is it true?" Why didn't anyone on the other side turn that back around? Were they taking the high road and staying out of the mud?
I don't think that many minds got changed either way, and the mostly softball questions allowed too much changing and reframing of the subject at hand, which is, "Do we want to convert to a commission form of government with no guarantee of further change?"
Both sides allowed that question to get less attention than they should have. With respect, some of the Chamber's time had to be used in deflection of personal attacks, and it seemed obvious that ChangeDecatur would rather reframe the question.
previous posts:
Change Decatur?
Know what change you are really voting for.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Illinois Family and Personal Protection Act
the following post is from the 95th session,
the conceal carry law has several versions in the 96th session, 2009-10 as noted in this update.
There is new legislation in the Illinois General Assembly that would allow Illinois citizens to carry concealed firearms.
It is named "The Family and Personal Protection Act" and is a bill that would establish statewide standards for issuing concealed carry permits. At this time, Illinois is one of only 2 states that do not allow concealed carry for its own law abiding citizens.
A big question is whether Mike Madigan would ever let it come close to a vote after it makes it through the sausage machine. One way you can help is to contact your local representative and ask that he or she co-sponsor or otherwise support the bill.
The bill was referred to the Rules Committee on January 18. I wonder how long it will languish in a committee weighted by two Cook County Democrats? The members of the Rules Committee are listed at the end of this post.
New Illinois Firearm Legislation
Schock proposes concealed-carry bill
Schock says overall interest in concealed-carry laws is increasing among his central Illinois constituency, as well as statewide.
Full Text of HB4544
(The Family and Personal Protection Act)
Bill Status of HB4544
Synopsis As Introduced: HB4544
Creates the Family and Personal Protection Act.
Establishes statewide uniform standards for the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms in this State. Vests in the county sheriff
the authority to issue concealed firearms permits to qualified applicants.
Requires an applicant to complete a training course in handgun use, safety, and marksmanship. Also requires instruction in the law relating to firearm use. Requires an applicant to be at least 21 years of age. Prohibits an applicant who has been convicted of a felony or has a history of mental illness, addiction, or habitual alcohol use from obtaining a permit. Creates the Citizen Safety and Self-Defense Trust Fund in each county, to be administered by the sheriff. Provides that the moneys in the Fund shall be used to administer the Act. Establishes restrictions on carrying concealed firearms. Establishes standards for the training course and for certifying instructors. Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Family and Personal Protection Act supersedes an ordinance of a unit of local government inconsistent with that Act. Prohibits a home rule unit from regulating the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Exempts from an unlawful use of weapons and aggravated unlawful use of weapons violation persons who carry or possess firearms in accordance with the Family and Personal Protection Act. Effective immediately.
Rules Committee members:
Chairperson Representative: Barbara Flynn Currie (D) Cook County 25th District
Republican Spokesperson: Representative William B. Black (R) Vermilion County 104th District
Member - Representative Gary Hannig (D) Montgomery County 98th District
Member - Representative Brent Hassert (R) Will County 85th District
Member - Representative Arthur L. Turner (D) Cook County 9th District
the conceal carry law has several versions in the 96th session, 2009-10 as noted in this update.
There is new legislation in the Illinois General Assembly that would allow Illinois citizens to carry concealed firearms.
It is named "The Family and Personal Protection Act" and is a bill that would establish statewide standards for issuing concealed carry permits. At this time, Illinois is one of only 2 states that do not allow concealed carry for its own law abiding citizens.
A big question is whether Mike Madigan would ever let it come close to a vote after it makes it through the sausage machine. One way you can help is to contact your local representative and ask that he or she co-sponsor or otherwise support the bill.
The bill was referred to the Rules Committee on January 18. I wonder how long it will languish in a committee weighted by two Cook County Democrats? The members of the Rules Committee are listed at the end of this post.
New Illinois Firearm Legislation
Schock proposes concealed-carry bill
Schock says overall interest in concealed-carry laws is increasing among his central Illinois constituency, as well as statewide.
Full Text of HB4544
(The Family and Personal Protection Act)
Bill Status of HB4544
Synopsis As Introduced: HB4544
Creates the Family and Personal Protection Act.
Establishes statewide uniform standards for the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms in this State. Vests in the county sheriff
the authority to issue concealed firearms permits to qualified applicants.
Requires an applicant to complete a training course in handgun use, safety, and marksmanship. Also requires instruction in the law relating to firearm use. Requires an applicant to be at least 21 years of age. Prohibits an applicant who has been convicted of a felony or has a history of mental illness, addiction, or habitual alcohol use from obtaining a permit. Creates the Citizen Safety and Self-Defense Trust Fund in each county, to be administered by the sheriff. Provides that the moneys in the Fund shall be used to administer the Act. Establishes restrictions on carrying concealed firearms. Establishes standards for the training course and for certifying instructors. Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Family and Personal Protection Act supersedes an ordinance of a unit of local government inconsistent with that Act. Prohibits a home rule unit from regulating the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Exempts from an unlawful use of weapons and aggravated unlawful use of weapons violation persons who carry or possess firearms in accordance with the Family and Personal Protection Act. Effective immediately.
Rules Committee members:
Chairperson Representative: Barbara Flynn Currie (D) Cook County 25th District
Republican Spokesperson: Representative William B. Black (R) Vermilion County 104th District
Member - Representative Gary Hannig (D) Montgomery County 98th District
Member - Representative Brent Hassert (R) Will County 85th District
Member - Representative Arthur L. Turner (D) Cook County 9th District
Friday, January 25, 2008
Hillary - Tony who?
Drudge Report
uncovers photo of Rezko and the Clintons.
Tony who?
Don't pictures like this usually get taken with supporters of, or donors to a campaign?
When debating Obama this week, one of her accusations against him was, "I was fighting against those ideas when you were practicing law and representing your contributor, Rezko, in his slum landlord business in inner city Chicago.'
After Matt Drudge released this photo, Mrs. Clinton said, "I don't remember meeting Rezko."
Hillary claims ignorance.
Imagine that.
uncovers photo of Rezko and the Clintons.Tony who?
Don't pictures like this usually get taken with supporters of, or donors to a campaign?
When debating Obama this week, one of her accusations against him was, "I was fighting against those ideas when you were practicing law and representing your contributor, Rezko, in his slum landlord business in inner city Chicago.'
After Matt Drudge released this photo, Mrs. Clinton said, "I don't remember meeting Rezko."
Hillary claims ignorance.
Imagine that.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Bill Clinton launches Racial Rockets
An Ominous 2008: Journalists and Voters To Regret Their Decisions
Tony Blankley
"There is little uglier in democratic politics than playing one aggrieved minority off against another. But Bill Clinton, the Mephistophelean conductor of the political body symphonique, has summoned demographic counterpoint melodies. While we all pray that the devil's baton ends on a sour note for the conductor, the discordant symphony it raises may well blare loudly for a season or two...
...But more importantly than noting the media's complicity in carrying a Democratic Party message (what's new with that?), Hillary Clinton must not be permitted to get off the hook she placed herself on when she played the race card. It is one of the low points of presidential politics in modern times. It is genuinely shocking. Honest commentators should make a big and continuing deal about it."
Of course, Mrs. Clinton denied she was sacrificing the South Carolina primary to Obama, where overwhelming black support has launched him to a 19-point lead over Clinton, according to a new Zogby poll.
Bill is hoping Hillary will LOSE South Carolina by enticing minorities to vote as a bloc for Obama. He presumes that this could set up a white backlash that would favor his wife's candidacy in the following primaries. By willingly losing in S.C. while claiming to have tried hard to convince black voters to vote for his wife, he attempts to make it seem like minorities are rejecting the white candidate for racial reasons. A strategic defeat in S.C. to win a dirty racial war on America would probably serve him, um, I mean Hillary, well.
Tony Blankley
"There is little uglier in democratic politics than playing one aggrieved minority off against another. But Bill Clinton, the Mephistophelean conductor of the political body symphonique, has summoned demographic counterpoint melodies. While we all pray that the devil's baton ends on a sour note for the conductor, the discordant symphony it raises may well blare loudly for a season or two...
...But more importantly than noting the media's complicity in carrying a Democratic Party message (what's new with that?), Hillary Clinton must not be permitted to get off the hook she placed herself on when she played the race card. It is one of the low points of presidential politics in modern times. It is genuinely shocking. Honest commentators should make a big and continuing deal about it."
Of course, Mrs. Clinton denied she was sacrificing the South Carolina primary to Obama, where overwhelming black support has launched him to a 19-point lead over Clinton, according to a new Zogby poll.
Bill is hoping Hillary will LOSE South Carolina by enticing minorities to vote as a bloc for Obama. He presumes that this could set up a white backlash that would favor his wife's candidacy in the following primaries. By willingly losing in S.C. while claiming to have tried hard to convince black voters to vote for his wife, he attempts to make it seem like minorities are rejecting the white candidate for racial reasons. A strategic defeat in S.C. to win a dirty racial war on America would probably serve him, um, I mean Hillary, well.
USA Today
"Hillary Rodham Clinton downplayed recent acrimony between her campaign and that of Barack Obama as her husband, former President Bill Clinton, suggested she may lose Saturday's Democratic presidential primary because many black voters will side with Obama."
"Hillary Rodham Clinton downplayed recent acrimony between her campaign and that of Barack Obama as her husband, former President Bill Clinton, suggested she may lose Saturday's Democratic presidential primary because many black voters will side with Obama."
Monday, January 21, 2008
Obama confronts Bill Clinton about truth twisting
Senator Obama:
“If you have something that just directly contradicts the facts and it’s coming from a former president, I think that’s a problem, because people presume that a former president is going to have more credibility. And I think there are certain responsibilities that are carried with that.”
“...You know, he continues to make statements that aren’t supported by the facts, whether it’s about my record of opposition to the war in Iraq, or our approach to organizing in Las Vegas. You know, this has become a habit. And one of the things that I think we’re going to have to do is to directly confront Bill Clinton when he’s not making statements that are factually accurate.”
That's Obama's polite method of PC political speak that can be loosely translated to, "What did you expect? Bill Clinton is lying again. Back off, Bill."
“If you have something that just directly contradicts the facts and it’s coming from a former president, I think that’s a problem, because people presume that a former president is going to have more credibility. And I think there are certain responsibilities that are carried with that.”
“...You know, he continues to make statements that aren’t supported by the facts, whether it’s about my record of opposition to the war in Iraq, or our approach to organizing in Las Vegas. You know, this has become a habit. And one of the things that I think we’re going to have to do is to directly confront Bill Clinton when he’s not making statements that are factually accurate.”
That's Obama's polite method of PC political speak that can be loosely translated to, "What did you expect? Bill Clinton is lying again. Back off, Bill."
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Illegal Immigrant Flow Reversing in Tucson
Sonoran officials slam sanctions law in Tucson visit
"...A delegation of nine state legislators from Sonora was in Tucson on Tuesday to say Arizona's new employer sanctions law will have a devastating effect on the Mexican state. At a news conference, the legislators said Sonora - Arizona's southern neighbor, made up of mostly small towns - cannot handle the demand for housing, jobs and schools it will face as illegal Mexican workers here return to their hometowns without jobs or money...
...The law, which took effect Jan.1, punishes employers who knowingly hire individuals who don't have valid legal documents to work in the United States. Penalties include suspension or loss of a business license..."
Mexican state whines about influx of Mexican workers
Well, it seems that Mexico has now had a taste of what the U.S. has been dealing with for years. It's way past time for Mexico to begin to deal with the internal problems that have created their number one export, Mexican citizens.
"...A delegation of nine state legislators from Sonora was in Tucson on Tuesday to say Arizona's new employer sanctions law will have a devastating effect on the Mexican state. At a news conference, the legislators said Sonora - Arizona's southern neighbor, made up of mostly small towns - cannot handle the demand for housing, jobs and schools it will face as illegal Mexican workers here return to their hometowns without jobs or money...
...The law, which took effect Jan.1, punishes employers who knowingly hire individuals who don't have valid legal documents to work in the United States. Penalties include suspension or loss of a business license..."
Mexican state whines about influx of Mexican workers
Well, it seems that Mexico has now had a taste of what the U.S. has been dealing with for years. It's way past time for Mexico to begin to deal with the internal problems that have created their number one export, Mexican citizens.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Blagojevich quotes Stones
Blagojevich quotes the Rolling Stones today:
"The Rolling Stones made famous a simple lesson that all of us are taught early on: You can't always get what you want. And as the song goes on to say, if you try sometimes, you get what you need. But sometimes to get what you need, you need to compromise."
No satisfaction in sight today in Springfield
Eric Zorn - Chicago Tribune
Free rides? Why stop with seniors?
Southtown Star
"The Rolling Stones made famous a simple lesson that all of us are taught early on: You can't always get what you want. And as the song goes on to say, if you try sometimes, you get what you need. But sometimes to get what you need, you need to compromise."
No satisfaction in sight today in Springfield
Eric Zorn - Chicago Tribune
Free rides? Why stop with seniors?
Southtown Star
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Know what "Change" you are really voting for
I noted here, in an earlier post, that I agreed with the Herald and Review editorial supporting a Yes vote to retain the current form of City government. The Mayor, who is also the editor of The Decatur Tribune, also makes a very good case for rejecting a "bad change."
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE VOTING FOR IN CITY GOVERNMENT CHANGE QUESTION
01/16/08
Paul Osborne, Editor (Decatur Tribune)
Osborne Online
"... I believe that most of the people who support the ChangeDecatur effort are honestly motivated. They want to eliminate the city manager’s position, give the mayor more power and elect up to 20 aldermen from wards throughout the city. That’s certainly their right -- and I certainly don’t have a problem with citizens voicing or voting their beliefs, whether I agree with them or not.
What is difficult to understand is how anyone with those beliefs could now be supportive of going to a commission form of government which has a track record of little or no representation for minorities, a bloated, bureaucracy with a history of patronage and corruption, and very little citizen or neighborhood input and less members (5 including the mayor) elected at large than we presently have (7 including the mayor).
All the reasons voiced for wanting the mayor/aldermanic form of government are the very same reasons that a commission form should be rejected."
Well said, Mayor. I agree.
Vote Yes for a United Decatur
ChangeDecatur
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE VOTING FOR IN CITY GOVERNMENT CHANGE QUESTION
01/16/08
Paul Osborne, Editor (Decatur Tribune)
Osborne Online
"... I believe that most of the people who support the ChangeDecatur effort are honestly motivated. They want to eliminate the city manager’s position, give the mayor more power and elect up to 20 aldermen from wards throughout the city. That’s certainly their right -- and I certainly don’t have a problem with citizens voicing or voting their beliefs, whether I agree with them or not.
What is difficult to understand is how anyone with those beliefs could now be supportive of going to a commission form of government which has a track record of little or no representation for minorities, a bloated, bureaucracy with a history of patronage and corruption, and very little citizen or neighborhood input and less members (5 including the mayor) elected at large than we presently have (7 including the mayor).
All the reasons voiced for wanting the mayor/aldermanic form of government are the very same reasons that a commission form should be rejected."
Well said, Mayor. I agree.
Vote Yes for a United Decatur
ChangeDecatur
Saturday, January 12, 2008
General Assembly Manure, Blagojevich's Pony
The Illinois General Assembly and Rod Blagojevich's nine month staredown ends, Blago Blinks.
Chicago Public Radio
story
audio
BLAGOJEVICH: The General Assembly sent me a pile of horse manure to solve the CTA, and I see a pony in that by giving every senior citizen a free ride on buses and subway trains.
Well, that makes it all better then, doesn't it, Governor? Delivering a band-aid to Chicago area senior citizens using RTA and then charging them for an operation?
Chicago Tribune
Free rides could raise fares
Cost estimate doubles for senior benefit
Chicago Public Radio
story
audio
BLAGOJEVICH: The General Assembly sent me a pile of horse manure to solve the CTA, and I see a pony in that by giving every senior citizen a free ride on buses and subway trains.
Well, that makes it all better then, doesn't it, Governor? Delivering a band-aid to Chicago area senior citizens using RTA and then charging them for an operation?
Chicago Tribune
Free rides could raise fares
Cost estimate doubles for senior benefit
Calling 911 Doesn't Always Work
Armed Citizens: Calling 911 Doesn't Always Work.
Hammond, Indiana - The following is a recording of a 911 emergency call about a serial stalker breaking into the Indiana woman's home.
This newspaper article has more information about this case.
No charges in shooting of accused stalker
I found this at Laurel Zimmer's Politics, Guns & Beer blog
Remember, when seconds count, the police are only minutes away.
Hammond, Indiana - The following is a recording of a 911 emergency call about a serial stalker breaking into the Indiana woman's home.
This newspaper article has more information about this case.
No charges in shooting of accused stalker
I found this at Laurel Zimmer's Politics, Guns & Beer blog
Remember, when seconds count, the police are only minutes away.
Friday, January 11, 2008
The National Anthem
Last night's GOP South Carolina debate began with a wonderful performance of the National Anthem. This has to be the most respectful performance and also the best arrangement I've heard of this national classic in many years. Bravo!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
San Francisco Gun Ban Ruled Null and Void
Liberal slapdown by court!
NRA Wins Big in California State Court of Appeals
Fairfax, VA
The California State Court of Appeals announced today their decision to overturn one of the most restrictive gun bans in the country, following a legal battle by attorneys for the National Rifle Association (NRA) and a previous court order against the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. "Today's decision by the California State Court of Appeals is a big win for the law-abiding citizens and NRA Members of San Francisco," declared Chris W. Cox, NRA's chief lobbyist. In 2005, NRA sought an injunction against the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to prevent them from enacting one of the nation's most restrictive gun bans. NRA won the injunction, but the City's mayor and Board of Supervisors ignored the court order and approved a set of penalties, including a $1,000 fine and a jail term of between 90 days and six months, for city residents who own firearms for lawful purposes in their own homes. "We promised our California NRA members in 2005 that we would fight any gun ban instituted by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and we haven't given up that fight," continued Cox. "Today we see our second win for the Second Amendment against the San Francisco gun ban. We beat them once in court and the City's attorney appealed based on his personal disagreement with the court's first decision to overturn the ban. Now we've beaten them again. The California State Court of Appeals has upheld the state preemption law." Today's decision came in the form of a 3-0 opinion in favor of the lower court ruling overturning the gun ban. "This decision is a thoughtful and well-reasoned legal opinion," concluded Cox. "I'd like to thank our approximately 4 million members, including the hundreds of thousands of members in California, for their continued commitment to protecting our cherished freedoms."
-nra-
NRA Wins Big in California State Court of Appeals
Fairfax, VA
The California State Court of Appeals announced today their decision to overturn one of the most restrictive gun bans in the country, following a legal battle by attorneys for the National Rifle Association (NRA) and a previous court order against the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. "Today's decision by the California State Court of Appeals is a big win for the law-abiding citizens and NRA Members of San Francisco," declared Chris W. Cox, NRA's chief lobbyist. In 2005, NRA sought an injunction against the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to prevent them from enacting one of the nation's most restrictive gun bans. NRA won the injunction, but the City's mayor and Board of Supervisors ignored the court order and approved a set of penalties, including a $1,000 fine and a jail term of between 90 days and six months, for city residents who own firearms for lawful purposes in their own homes. "We promised our California NRA members in 2005 that we would fight any gun ban instituted by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and we haven't given up that fight," continued Cox. "Today we see our second win for the Second Amendment against the San Francisco gun ban. We beat them once in court and the City's attorney appealed based on his personal disagreement with the court's first decision to overturn the ban. Now we've beaten them again. The California State Court of Appeals has upheld the state preemption law." Today's decision came in the form of a 3-0 opinion in favor of the lower court ruling overturning the gun ban. "This decision is a thoughtful and well-reasoned legal opinion," concluded Cox. "I'd like to thank our approximately 4 million members, including the hundreds of thousands of members in California, for their continued commitment to protecting our cherished freedoms."
-nra-
Fred on the second ammendment
Second Amendment
"I strongly support the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which protects an individual’s right to keep and bear arms. Gun control is touted as a major crime-control measure. But some of the places with the strictest gun-control laws also have high violent-crime rates. Disarming law-abiding citizens does not prevent crime. The answer to violent crime is smart, effective, and aggressive law enforcement. The real effect of these gun-control measures is to place onerous restrictions on law-abiding citizens who use firearms for such legal activities as self-defense, sport-shooting, hunting, and collecting. I am committed to:
Strictly enforcing existing laws and severely punishing violent criminals. Protecting the rights individual Americans enjoy under the Second Amendment."
Thompson on gun control
(interview with Mike Wallace)
WALLACE: So this federal court — appeals court ruling this last week, I guess Friday, in the case of D.C. — you'd be perfectly happy to have people have handguns in their homes?
THOMPSON: Yes. Absolutely. The court basically said the Constitution means what it says, and I agree with that.
Contrast that with Romney's varying positions on the 2nd ammendment.
Romney and Gun Control
Romney supported gun control in previous runs
Lethal Weapon: Could Romney's Gun Position Kill His Campaign?
"I strongly support the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which protects an individual’s right to keep and bear arms. Gun control is touted as a major crime-control measure. But some of the places with the strictest gun-control laws also have high violent-crime rates. Disarming law-abiding citizens does not prevent crime. The answer to violent crime is smart, effective, and aggressive law enforcement. The real effect of these gun-control measures is to place onerous restrictions on law-abiding citizens who use firearms for such legal activities as self-defense, sport-shooting, hunting, and collecting. I am committed to:
Strictly enforcing existing laws and severely punishing violent criminals. Protecting the rights individual Americans enjoy under the Second Amendment."
Thompson on gun control
(interview with Mike Wallace)
WALLACE: So this federal court — appeals court ruling this last week, I guess Friday, in the case of D.C. — you'd be perfectly happy to have people have handguns in their homes?
THOMPSON: Yes. Absolutely. The court basically said the Constitution means what it says, and I agree with that.
Contrast that with Romney's varying positions on the 2nd ammendment.
Romney and Gun Control
Romney supported gun control in previous runs
Lethal Weapon: Could Romney's Gun Position Kill His Campaign?
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Change Decatur?
I've been quietly pondering this issue for a while and I'm now fairly certain that voting to retain the current form of government is Decatur's best choice. The last line of the Herald and Review op-ed column in Sunday's paper pretty well sums up my present position. "Voters should understand that a "no" vote Feb. 5 is not a vote for a strong mayor/alderman system. It's a vote for an antiquated city commissioner form of government that will put city government into a state of chaos for years."
Up to three years of wasted opportunity to advance Decatur's biggest issues is the likely result of voting for a multi-step change from our Council/Manager form of government to a commissioner system, then to also change it again to a strong mayor system.
We can do more to advance Decatur, and our representation with the current Council/Manager form. If you are unhappy with local government in Decatur, it probably isn't the system that needs tweaked to suit you, it is more likely that the people who were elected need to be replaced to suit you. We have the opportunity to change half of the council members every 2 years with the present form of representation. We don't need professional politicians, we need professional management. If the Change Decatur folks dislike our manager so much, they should persuade the council members to do something about it, not throw out the baby with the bath water and revert to a form of government we abandoned 50 years ago.
If you would like to comment about this, feel free to do so. I would like to hear from both sides on the issue. If you think Change Decatur's goal is worthy, or best for Decatur, tell me why.
Up to three years of wasted opportunity to advance Decatur's biggest issues is the likely result of voting for a multi-step change from our Council/Manager form of government to a commissioner system, then to also change it again to a strong mayor system.
We can do more to advance Decatur, and our representation with the current Council/Manager form. If you are unhappy with local government in Decatur, it probably isn't the system that needs tweaked to suit you, it is more likely that the people who were elected need to be replaced to suit you. We have the opportunity to change half of the council members every 2 years with the present form of representation. We don't need professional politicians, we need professional management. If the Change Decatur folks dislike our manager so much, they should persuade the council members to do something about it, not throw out the baby with the bath water and revert to a form of government we abandoned 50 years ago.
If you would like to comment about this, feel free to do so. I would like to hear from both sides on the issue. If you think Change Decatur's goal is worthy, or best for Decatur, tell me why.
Fred gets 2nd in Wyoming
"Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson won three delegates and California's Duncan Hunter won one, results on the Wyoming Republican Party website showed." (more of the story)
Romney won Wyoming, by the way. The other GOP candidates all but ignored Wyoming.
In the ABC New Hampshire debate, Fred defines the illegal immigration issue for Guliani.
Romney won Wyoming, by the way. The other GOP candidates all but ignored Wyoming.
In the ABC New Hampshire debate, Fred defines the illegal immigration issue for Guliani.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Who is conservative?
Ronald Reagan was a conservative.
Rush Limbaugh is certainly considered a conservative.
Fred Thompson and Duncan Hunter are conservatives.
Mike Huckabee is not a conservative in my view.
Rush Limbaugh is certainly considered a conservative.
Fred Thompson and Duncan Hunter are conservatives.
Mike Huckabee is not a conservative in my view.
Low tax and small gov. What's wrong with that? Nothing from a conservative point of view, I think. It sounds ideal to me.
I wonder why Huckabee's campaign would have a problem with that?
Huckabee's aides are wary of New Hampshire. “It’s all no tax, no government there,” said Bob Wickers, a top strategist. “It’s not ideal.”
Huckabee and small government, summed up in one sentence
Huckabee's aides are wary of New Hampshire. “It’s all no tax, no government there,” said Bob Wickers, a top strategist. “It’s not ideal.”
Huckabee and small government, summed up in one sentence
Chinese Space Race
China's military has long harbored ambitions of dominating space, as last year's satellite-targeting exercise showed. Now comes news that Chinese engineers may be much further along than previously thought in achieving one of their major goals: building a military space plane....
...At a minimum, Washington should delay the planned 2010 retirement of the Space Shuttle until a new space plane can replace it, as a way to retain a deterring potential military capability. China's unwillingness to comment on its military space plans, coupled with the Shenlong space plane, confirms its larger aversion to military transparency. The U.S. and its allies have little choice but to develop the capabilities to defend their interests and assets in space.
I agree with the author, Mr. Richard Fisher, Jr. about this. The American shuttle fleet should not be retired before a replacement is in place. Some may claim that the shuttles are relics, but for now, NASA's shuttle program is the best method we have to put astronauts and heavy cargo into near earth orbit.
Read...
"...And Races Into Space," from Wall Street Journal Asia
and more...
"Shenlong Space Plane Advances China’s Military Space Potential"
2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test
Space attack will force US to rethink tactics with spy in the sky satellites
...At a minimum, Washington should delay the planned 2010 retirement of the Space Shuttle until a new space plane can replace it, as a way to retain a deterring potential military capability. China's unwillingness to comment on its military space plans, coupled with the Shenlong space plane, confirms its larger aversion to military transparency. The U.S. and its allies have little choice but to develop the capabilities to defend their interests and assets in space.
I agree with the author, Mr. Richard Fisher, Jr. about this. The American shuttle fleet should not be retired before a replacement is in place. Some may claim that the shuttles are relics, but for now, NASA's shuttle program is the best method we have to put astronauts and heavy cargo into near earth orbit.
Read...
"...And Races Into Space," from Wall Street Journal Asia
and more...
"Shenlong Space Plane Advances China’s Military Space Potential"
2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test
Space attack will force US to rethink tactics with spy in the sky satellites
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