WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress designs our immigration policy to benefit the American people. When immigrants receive visas or citizenship that they are not entitled to, Americans are worse off - whether it is workers, taxpayers or simply citizens. If there are credible allegations that this is occurring, we have a duty to determine the truth.

Such allegations were made by a January 2012, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General report. The report was entitled, “The Effects of USCIS Adjudication Procedures and Policies on Fraud Detection by Immigration Services Officers.”

The Inspector General found that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services adjudicators are not receiving adequate training to uncover fraud in immigration benefit applications. The IG found that USCIS performance measures favor quantity over quality – this encourages the “rubber stamping” of applications. The IG found that adjudicators feel inappropriately pressured by supervisors and USCIS leadership to approve petitions that don’t meet the standards for approval. USCIS leadership seems to favor “get to yes” instead of “get it right.”

Is it important that adjudicators make their decisions in a timely manner? Yes. But it is also important that they have adequate time and support to ensure that individuals who receive immigration benefits, such as a temporary visa, permanent residency or citizenship, are in fact eligible for those benefits.

Immigration benefit denial rates obtained from USCIS show a rise in denials in several categories between 2008 and 2010. Some will argue that this shows that there is no improper pressure on adjudicators. However, this rise in denials may simply be the result of adjudicators following the law. And the increased pressure by USCIS leadership to approve applications may be an attempt to reverse this recent trend.

I know that many in the business community are concerned that their petitions for alien workers are being denied and that they are being required to answer excessive requests for additional evidence, known as RFEs.

But why did denial and RFE rates go up? It very well could be because of statutory changes that were implemented and major decisions that were issued.

For instance, the changes made by the L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2004, to prevent contracting-out of alien workers, were not implemented at the agency-wide level until 2008. As one would expect, there was a corresponding rise in USCIS denial rates in Fiscal Year 2008.

And the January 2010 “Neufeld Memo” on H-1B visas issued by the USCIS Associate Director for Service Center Operations, provided new guidance on what should be considered an employer-employee relationship between the petitioning company and the beneficiary. After that, as the Government Accountability Office noted, companies’ petitions were no longer being approved at previous rates.

And the “GST” decision was issued by the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office in July 2008. It provided a new framework for adjudicators when determining whether or not a petition meets certain L-1B visa requirements.

Both those who support and oppose this AAO ruling can agree that it has had the natural result of increasing subsequent denial rates in the L-1 category.

But whatever may be the cause for denial rates in a particular visa category for a particular year, USCIS’s own data shows that the overall denial rate for nonimmigrant worker visas has fallen over 30 percent since President Obama took office in 2009, and that the approval rate for all kinds of immigrant benefits is at an all-time high of 91 percent.

There is never a legitimate reason to pressure adjudicators to deny petitions where the beneficiary is eligible for the benefit.

And there is never a legitimate reason to pressure adjudicators to approve petitions that do not meet the statutory requirements.

But according to the Inspector General, some USCIS adjudicators do feel such pressure. That is why we are here today.

We will receive testimony from the DHS Inspector General who will explain his January 2012 report findings.

We will receive testimony from the President of the National Citizenship and Immigration Services Council, which represents USCIS adjudicators. He will discuss how performance standards that emphasize quantity over quality, imperil the integrity of the adjudications process.

And we will hear from USCIS Director Ali Mayorkas who will help us determine whether or not there is a “get to yes” mentality at USCIS.

Written By DONNA CASSATA and ROBERT BURNS
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congressional Republicans on Wednesday vowed to block the Obama administration from sharply cutting the U.S. nuclear force, calling potential reductions of as much as 80 percent in the number of deployed weapons "reckless lunacy."

Pointing to the growing number of trouble spots, from Iran to Syria to Egypt, members of the House Armed Services Committee said any significant cuts would undermine the U.S. ability to deter aggression. The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that the administration is weighing several options for new reductions from the current treaty limit of 1,550 deployed strategic warheads.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the committee that no decision has been made and maintaining the current level is one of the options. But that did little to assuage GOP lawmakers.

"I just want... http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_NUCLEAR_WEAPONS?SITE=AP&SECTIO...

Written by Jonathon M. Seidl

On the heels of the fracas that resulted from the Susan G. Komen Foundation pulling Planned Parenthood funding, and then reinstating it, comes a new report that might make the breast cancer research giant a little uncomfortable.

The American Life League has released a graphic new video report that it says shows how Planned Parenthood “exposes children to sexual material in order to seed a generation of sex addicts, who will become future customers for the abortion giant.”

“If you aren’t convinced by now that there are some truly sick pups behind Planned Parenthood, this video from the American Life League should erase any lingering doubts,” the Right Scoop says. “In the name of ‘education,’ Planned Parenthood exposes children as young as 10 years old to pornographic illustrations of masturbation, nudity, sexual activity, and much much more.”

“Any parent that... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/hooking-kids-on-sex-graphic-new-vid-repo...

Written By Bob Unruh, WorldNetDaily

A brief filed today with the U.S. Supreme Court argues that Arizona’s contested state law allowing law-enforcement officers to ask about the legal status of people they encounter is justified because of the virtual “invasion” of the state by outsiders.

“As provided in the Constitution, the power to repel against invasions was … granted to both the federal and the state governments,” stated the brief filed by Larry Klayman of Freedom Watch.

“This action is consistent with the notion that the federal and state governments are both sovereign bodies within the United States,” the brief explained. “Furthermore, the state of Arizona, with its general police power, a power the Founding Fathers intentionally did not give to the federal government, surely has the power to protect the health, safety and welfare of those residing within its borders.”

At issue before http://www.wnd.com/2012/02/supremes-told-arizona-law-repels-invasion/

Sacramento, CA – Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Moorpark) sent a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown, asking the Governor to authorize the creation of an unpaid, volunteer task force aimed at ensuring California’s military bases remain intact.

“With Port Hueneme and Point Mugu in Ventura County employing thousands of people in my district, it’s of the utmost importance to me that these bases are kept open should the U.S. Department of Defense go forward with a new round of base closures,” Sen. Strickland said. “Similar task forces have been authorized by Governors in the past, so I’m hopeful Gov. Brown and I can work together on this issue to ensure our military bases continue to provide both safety and an economic benefit to the people of California.”

A copy of Sen. Strickland’s letter to Gov. Brown can be found below.

Sen. Strickland is available to the media for an interview or comments.

---------------------------------------------------

February 14, 2012

Governor Jerry Brown
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Governor Brown:

U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta recently announced his plan to request a round of military base closures through the Federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC).

With Port Hueneme and Point Mugu located in Ventura County, I plan to fight to keep these bases open. Ventura County military bases provide a great economic impact to our local economy, including providing roughly 19,000 much-needed jobs – both military and civilian alike – to people in my district.

In fact, military bases across the state economically benefit the people of California by providing resources to the aerospace industry and by supporting local small businesses. Additionally, these bases ensure our continued safety through their strong military presence.

California’s military bases are an invaluable part of our local community. Therefore, I plan to introduce a Senate Joint Resolution encouraging our California Congressional delegation to keep these bases open. Further, I respectfully request that you authorize the formation of an unpaid, volunteer task force for the strategic purpose of preserving California’s military bases.

Similar task forces were authorized in 1993 and 2004, including the California Council on Base Support and Retention, which was created by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2004 and co-chaired by Leon Panetta. The California Military Base Reuse Task Force was created by Governor Wilson in 1993. These task forces have since expired.

I hope you will help to preserve the bases in my district, as well as bases throughout California, so they can continue to function as positive economic and military resources to the people of California.

If you have any questions, please call my Capitol Office at (916) 651-4019.

Sincerely,

TONY STRICKLAND
State Senator, 19th District

Tony Strickland represents California Senate District 19, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.

Laura Gorell, wife of State Assemblyman Jeff Gorell - joined by members of the Committee to Re-Elect Assemblyman Jeff Gorell - announced today that her husband will be seeking re-election to the 44th Assembly District. Gorell, who is also a Lt. Commander and intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve, is currently serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan after being recalled last March.

"Jeff is very excited to be coming home in March to resume representing his constituents in the State Assembly," said Laura Gorell. "Jeff's family, friends and supporters are all very proud of his role as a citizen-soldier who is dedicated to serving our country both overseas and at home."

"We have begun collecting 1,500 in-lieu petition signatures to qualify Jeff for the June election ballot," continue Laura Gorell. "I encourage any voter in the 44th Assembly District who would like to help Jeff to please visit our campaign Facebook page, or our website at www.JeffGorell.org, to obtain a petition signature form."

Community leaders from across Ventura County praised Assemblyman Gorell and joined in supporting his candidacy for re-election.

"I am proud to support Jeff Gorell. His actions and sacrifices overseas speak volumes about the high level of integrity Jeff brings to the State Assembly," declared United States Representative Elton Gallegly.

"Assemblyman Jeff Gorell is a common sense leader who is truly dedicated to addressing the concerns of our entire community," stated Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten. "Now more than ever, we need his problem-solving abilities at the State Capitol."

"The people of Ventura County can count on Assemblyman Gorell to fight for our jobs, our schools and our neighborhoods," said former Mayor of Port Hueneme Tony Volante.

"Taxpayers applaud Jeff Gorell's work as a public policy innovator. He is truly committed to fixing California's broken state government and restoring fiscal responsibility in Sacramento," said Ventura County Auditor Christine Cohen.

"Even during Assemblyman Gorell's military service, his office has continued to provide outstanding service in working with our local communities," noted Port Hueneme Mayor Silvia Munoz-Schnopp.

Other local community leaders supporting Assemblyman Gorell's re-election include:

State Senator Tony Strickland

Ventura County Treasurer Steve Hintz

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich

Former Ventura County District Attorney Mike Bradbury

Retired U.S. Representative Robert Lagomarsino

Moorpark Mayor Janice Parvin

About Assemblyman Jeff Gorell:
Jeff Gorell was elected to the State Assembly in 2010 with 58% of the vote-one of the highest vote totals of any non-incumbent Republican candidate in California. During his first three months in office, Jeff quickly earned a reputation as an innovative and effective legislator who was able to win bi-partisan support for his legislative proposals. He has already had two bills signed into law by the Governor.

Jeff has a strong background in public service and public policy, including his work as an advisor to Governor Pete Wilson from 1993 to 1996, and as a statewide business advocate with the powerful California Manufacturers and Technology Association from 1996 to 1999. He also served Ventura County as deputy district attorney for more than 6 years from 1999 to 2006, working as a trial prosecutor in the major narcotics and violent felony units. Gorell is also a former small business owner and an adjunct professor of public policy at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.

Gorell is a Lt. Commander and naval intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve. He is on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan and is currently serving as an intelligence officer embedded with Marines in Helmand Province. He will return home and demobilize in March and return to his duties as Assemblyman.

Jeff Gorell, his wife Laura, daughter Ashley and son Jack live in Camarillo.

City of Fillmore

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 6:30 P.M.
FILLMORE CITY HALL CENTRAL PARK PLAZA 250 CENTRAL AVENUE FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA 93015-1907

AGENDA

1. Call to Order: 6:30 P.M.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call: Councilmember Steve Conaway, Councilmember A. Eduardo Gonzalez, Councilmember Brian Sipes, Mayor Pro Tem Jamey Brooks and Mayor Gayle Washburn.

4. Approval of Agenda

5. Presentations and Announcements

A. Recognition of Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Hackworth
B. Proclamation Recognizing Senior Center Volunteer Allan Hair
C. Recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: Fillmore Two Rivers Park Clean-Up Sponsors and Volunteers
D. Recognition of Public Works Crew for Water Service Repair
E. Presentation by Anna F. Sanchez about Edison Smart-Meter Deployment in March 2012

6. Public Comments

7. City Council Consent Calendar

Recommendation for Items A. through D. is to Approve (Item E is informational only).
A. Warrant List for FEBRUARY 14, 2012.
B. Minutes of JANUARY 10, 2012, Regular Meeting.
C. Minutes of JANUARY 24, 2012, Joint Regular Meeting.
D. Receive and file the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Public Safety Maintenance of Effort Certification Form.
E. Status report on Tobacco Awareness Program for Retailers

8. Department Reports

City Council

8A. Appointments of Councilmembers to City Council Committees and Outside Agencies

Recommendation: That the Mayor make appointments, with the consent of the City Council, to committees, commissions, boards and council liaison positions.

8B. Appointment to the Planning Commission

Recommendation: Mayor, upon recommendation from the Interview Selection Committee, appoints one person to a four year term on the Planning Commission.

8C. Request by City Council to receive information about permit streamlining consider and provide possible direction to staff about signage ordinance review and Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for the Central Business District Permitted Uses.

Recommendations: 1) Receive and file the information about improvements to internal procedures in permit streamlining.
2) Provide direction to City Staff as to whether a Zoning Ordinance Amendment should be pursued and funded in order to allow larger signs on businesses.
3) Provide direction to City Staff as to whether a Zoning Ordinance Amendment should begin for the one-third retail requirement and other potential changes and to meet with the Downtown Merchants Association for input and report back to the City Council by March 27, 2012.

8D. Discussion and Possible Direction to Staff Concerning the Fillmore Unified School District Track/Gate Project.

Recommendation: Receive input and possible direction from Council

City Clerk

8E. Selection of Southern California Association of Government (SCAG) Delegate and Alternate.

Recommendation: 1) Select a delegate and alternate for the SCAG General Assembly meeting on April 4-5, 2012, in Los Angeles.

9. Committee, Commission, and Board Reports

10. City Council Member Reports, Recommendations, and Comments

A. City Councilmember Member Travel Requests/Brief Reports

B. Any Councilmember Member May Propose Items for Placement on Future Agenda

C. Council Referrals/Brief Comments

11. City Manager

A. Follow-Up on Requests from the Public/City Council

B. Announcements and Upcoming Issues

12. Closed Session

A. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (subdivision (a) of Section 54956.9): El Dorado Estates v. City of Fillmore, Case No. 56-2009-00358555-CU-WM-VTA, Ventura Superior Court.

13. Adjournment: City Council adjourns to a City Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 250 Central Avenue.

Written By Larry Klayman

There is always a tendency for an older generation to wax nostalgic about the past. While I am not old, in my opinion at least, what I have observed in recent years about our nation’s youth and their use of smart phones in particular, which facilitate their constant access to social media like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and other means of constant “social contact” with their “friends,” would-be acquaintances and past, present and future boyfriends, girlfriends and spouses is frightening. While the elder generations have run the country into the ground with poor politics, governance, economics and morals, I see little hope that the younger generations will someday pull us out of this nosedive to our own self-destruction. In fact, things are certain to get much worse, hastening the “fall of Rome,” much less individual lives, in short order. This is true for a number of reasons.

First, the use of smart phones has become an addiction not too much different from excessive drug and alcohol usage. Indeed, there are several published studies and articles that confirm this, some even suggesting that the same portions of the human brain are affected with this similar addiction – which manifests itself as obsessive neurotic behavior. As a result, our nation’s youth are constantly and obsessively texting, emailing, sending, receiving and replying to messages on social media sites – also frequently posting or sending suggestive pictures of themselves to entice or lure new boyfriends and girlfriends, or just to flirt and tease – communicating all day long on almost a minute-by-minute basis.

As a result of the distraction caused by this obsessive behavior, our nation’s youth are growing up largely unable to concentrate on the tasks before them. In short, they have developed the attention span of a gnat, which has negatively affected their performance at school, work and otherwise. And, it is not only performance that is affected, but their relationships with teachers, work supervisors and the like who see our nation’s youth, up close and personal, simply goofing off when they need get serious and concentrate on the task at hand. [See "Cellphone addiction," Forbes.com, "Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says," University of Florida News, and "Smartphone addiction of the rise, says new study," Mother Nature News.]

Second, the use of the written text message, email or Facebook message on smart phones has significantly reduced the need to communicate orally. Ironically, smart phones, which are in essence intended to be just that – phones – are rarely used by our nation’s youth for verbal communication. As a result, oral language skills, the ability to express oneself in actual speech, have suffered greatly. This helps explain the younger generation’s use of the word “like” nearly before every noun, adjective or adverb. Our youth have become the “like” generation (as we were the “um” generation but to a much lesser extent). Couple this with the widespread use of profanity in their daily speech, such as “F you” and “you’re a d–k” – which is the language of the myriad of today’s low-class television reality shows such as “The Kardashians” – and you have a generation that if they communicate verbally at all, it is frequently personally vulgar and highly offensive. This is “like” very bad for society as a whole, much less relationships!

Third, smart phones and their easy access to social media are destroying personal relationships on an epidemic basis. I have been told by many friends that their spouses, girlfriends and boyfriends have become so hooked to the devices that they are kept on night stands. Morning or night, their paramours become wedded to the devices – texting, emailing and sending Facebook messages just before bed, during the night and during the early morning right in front of their partners, or by not too inconspicuously taking the smart phones to the bathroom or “behind closed doors” to send messages in secret. This behavior, and the clandestine use of smart phones during the day, creates the impression with the “significant other,” sometimes for good reason, that their companion is either having an affair with someone else, or is in the process of using social media to try to start one. In effect, the inability and/or lack of desire to spend uninterrupted time with the “one you’re with,” your partner, is causing a tidal wave of break-ups – furthering personal insecurities, instability in relationships and other societal problems. In effect, its like having a third person(s) always in the room with you – and one that may not have your “best interests” at heart.

Fourth, the use of smart phones is so addictive that many younger people (and the older generation is, while less so, guilty as well), use the devices while driving their cars. The result, particularly with regard to text messaging, is far more auto accidents and accidental deaths of pedestrians in particular – as the user is distracted, preoccupied and not aware of what is in or crossing the road in front of him. The situation is so bad – given the car wrecks, injuries and deaths that have resulted – that many states have passed legislation banning the use of handheld smart phones while driving. But his had hardly deterred our nation’s youth, who think without rational basis that a tragedy will never befall them, as they are often too young and haven’t lived long enough to appreciate the consequences of killing a young child on a bike, for instance.

In conclusion, you probably thought that Larry Klayman was finally writing a column devoid of politics. But sorry to disappoint! As you may know, President Barack Hussein Obama has openly admitted that he too is addicted to his Blackberry and had one made that is secure from wiretapping or interception by adversaries foreign or domestic. While this may help explain the president’s poor performance in office – apparently he is distracted and unable to concentrate, like the nation’s youth – at least his smart phone insures his privacy. Not so for the rest of us; the government and other entities can easily and do tap into your communications.

So the next time you pick up your smart phone, think not only how it is destroying our younger generation, and many persons who are part of the older ones, but also how your privacy is no longer protected from government and other sources of intrusion. As a result of its prolific use by terrorist organizations and groups, the FBI and the intelligence agencies now regularly and scrupulously monitor postings and messages on Facebook, for example, not to mention foreign hackers and intruders.

Perhaps, with this awareness, our nation’s youth will be scared into communicating the old-fashioned way – verbally – and “like” improve the chances that our culture, and personal relationships, will again “like” advance, not continue to “like” degenerate.

Larry Klayman is a former Justice Department prosecutor and the founder of Judicial Watch and Freedom Watch. His latest book is "Whores: Why and How I Came to Fight the Establishment."

Washington, D.C.- Freedom Watch, and its founder, Larry Klayman, announce the filing of their amicus brief in support of the state of Arizona in the case of Arizona v. United States, which will decide on the constitutionality of Arizona's controversial SB1070 legislation (the Act).

Arizona's passage of the Act sought to enforce federal immigration laws by enabling state officers, inter alia, to verify the immigration status of those suspected of being in the country illegally. The Obama Justice Department, which has miserably failed in securing the borders of Arizona and other states, has brought suit to strike down Arizona's law because they claim it is the sole authority of the federal government.

Freedom Watch has filed its brief supporting Arizona. While the U.S. Constitution granted the federal government the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization, the federal government has used this clause to take over all immigration enforcement powers. Yet as drug cartels and potential terrorists sneak their way across the border, the federal government has done little to secure us from this threat.

Arizona was left with no choice but to take charge and had the constitutional authority to do so. The Constitution left the power to legislate for the health and safety of residents with the states, not with the federal government. Article I, Section 10 even allows the states to engage in war if they are invaded or faced with imminent danger. Indeed, as Freedom Watch set forth in its brief, states such as New York are claiming the capability to shoot down airplanes in order to defend against terrorist threats. Yet the Obama Justice Department has chosen not to file suit against New York, and its warlike capabilities to shoot down planes, but rather with this simple attempt by Arizona to enforce the federal government's own laws.

Freedom Watch’s brief also supports Latinos who have immigrated to the United States legally and salutes their patriotism and contribution to the American way of life. It points out how Freedom Watch will take legal action if necessary to further non-discriminatory enforcement of Arizona’s new law. Thus far, there has been no credible showing of any widespread discrimination despite false claims by the Obama Justice Department.

Freedom Watch's brief pulled no punches and called out the Obama Justice Department’s attack on Arizona’s law, for nothing more than a politically motivated lawsuit. This is also underscored by another complaint President Obama previously filed at the United Nation’s Human Rights Commission against Arizona, arguably an illegal and traitorous act by an American president against his own country. Sitting on the UN Human Rights Commission are none other than our “friends” Fidel Castro’s Cuba, Communist China, and Saudi Arabia (which secretly helps finance terrorism). The Obama Justice Department is also pursuing criminal and civil rights investigations against Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County – who has led the charge for the new law – apparently for political and public relations purposes.

“President Obama, much like he did with Obamacare, is trying to ram its non-existent immigration enforcement policies down the throats of the American people and will stop at nothing to further illegal immigration to pander to elements of the electorate. This lack of enforcement is intended to benefit him and his Democratic Party during the period leading up to the 2012 elections,” stated Klayman.

The Court will be hearing Oral Arguments on the case in April of 2012.

For more information or an interview, call 310 595 0800 or email leklayman@yahoo.com. The brief can be found at www.freedomwatchusa.org. The docket number in the Supreme Court is 11-182 and a review of the file can be obtained through the court’s website.

Written By Joshua Rhett Miller

A Virginia school district is considering banning cross-dressing by students, out of what one board member called concerns for the safety of "several" male students who wear dresses and wigs to school.

The Suffolk Board of Education plans to take up the issue at a meeting Thursday night, amid criticism that such a ban would violate students' First Amendment rights. The proposal explicitly bans clothing "not in keeping with a student's gender," distracts others from the educational process or poses health concerns. Board members will not vote on the proposal, which would take effect next year if approved.

Bradshaw said the... http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/02/09/virginia-school-district-considers-...

Written By Larry Klayman

As it stands today, it's now as clear as the noses on our faces! The likelihood is that Barack Hussein Obama will win the next presidential election, unless a miracle happens. There are a number of reasons for this.

First, Obama and his leftist comrades, both in and outside of the Democratic National Committee, have amassed a huge fundraising war chest of over a billion dollars. This money will be spent during the upcoming presidential campaign and dwarfs by far the monies that can be raised by any Republican candidate, given that they have already spent handsomely during the primary campaign. Unfortunately, as the old adage goes, "Money talks and nobody walks."

Second, credible rumors abound that Hillary Clinton will replace Joe Biden as Obama's vice-presidential running mate. This makes perfect sense. No only is Ms. Hillary ruthless to the core and would do any bidding to put herself in the No. 2 seat, but so too would her equally felonious hubby, Bill. In this way, he could back door his way into the White House for a second run at the interns, among other "affairs of state."

The sad reality is that most liberals — particularly the Jewish ones — continue to lament that Ms. Hillary is not the president, having lost faith in "Hussein," given his latent "black Muslim-like" anti-Semitism and hostility toward them and the state of Israel. While Ms. Hillary is a true criminal — remember Filegate, Travelgate and over 30 other scandals during the Clinton administration — the disgusting reality is that she would, given the so-called "rehabilitation" of the Clintons by even the Republican "leadership," be a formidable vice-presidential pick. Peoples' memories are short, regrettably.

In the case of the Republican leadership, it's not their memories that are retarded; they are afraid of her. Over 80 material witnesses died — including Hillary's last, and I mean last, boyfriend, deceased Clinton Deputy White House Counsel Vince Foster (to be blunt, it now appears that Ms. Hillary prefers only women; see my book "Whores") — during her last reign of terror, and she and hubby Bill have enough dirt on Republican leaders to make them "friends forever."

Third, there are signs, however feeble, that the economy is "improving." We are at such a low point that any upward tick will be used by Obama and the Dems to pound their chests that Hussein's economic "plan" is finally working.

Fourth, while not likely to be Iran — which has likely bribed Hussein and Ms. Hillary to avoid military action to remove the regime in Tehran — the administration will try to create a "wag the dog" scenario, similar to what the Clintons did in the runup to the elections in 1996. A good little international crisis will serve them well in helping to convince voters that "now" is not a good time for change. In effect, Hussein will convert his "schtick" from the "change" candidate of 2008 to the "we cannot afford change" candidate in 2012.

Last but hardly least, however, Obama's and Ms. Hillary's greatest strength is the current Republican presidential candidates themselves. Never before in modern history have we witnessed a bigger bunch of compromised misfits if not halfwits. Whether its personal or financial scandal, or whatever, we all can agree that the crop of candidates for the highest office in the land do not measure up — however evil their Democratic opponents are.

In just the last few days, the alleged sordid details of Newt Gingrich's personal past, with a happily compliant ex-wife, Marianne, have been used by the leftist media, along with Mitt Romney's financial dealings and clumsy and overly defensive prevarication about releasing and publicly disclosing his tax returns, to promote Obama. While its hard to take hook, line and sinker anything said by a jilted and estranged ex-wife — indeed, Marianne Gingrich's ABC interview is revolting in its cheapness and hatefulness — and while there is likely nothing wrong with Mitt's financial dealings ( in fact they undoubtedly will prove that he actually knows something about business and the economy) — this will be used by Hussein, the Dems and the establishment media (with the exception of Fox News) to damage Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney. And, the third alternative choice, Rick Santorum, simply does not conduct himself with enough gravitas to have voters seriously consider voting for him as president. The reality is that Santorum is also pure establishment — as his past "big government" voting record in Congress and his "miraculous" enrichment as a lobbyist after he was defeated as Pennsylvania senator underscore.

But worse than all of this, is that the Republican candidates, however compromised, are busy destroying themselves, with their attacks on each other. Each time one of them opens his mouth he helps produce another Obama/Clinton campaign commercial that will be effectively used by Dems during the lead-up to 2012 elections. And, as important, the media-hyped sleaze on any one of the Republican presidential candidates creates such a bad odor that it causes all of them to smell. I think we all can agree that Newt Gingrich's "odor" — coming on the heels of the Herman Cain fiasco — is likely to rub off on even Romney or Santorum, and I am not just talking about the gas this grossly overstuffed blowhard must emit periodically.

So we come back to square one again. "We the People" must do everything within our lawful powers to remove Obama and his comrades from office; be that enmeshing them in an impeachable or peaceful civil disobedience that makes even Ghandi proud. Yes, we are in a revolutionary state, and as it stands today, the ballot box is not likely to remove the most disloyal, anti-American, pro-Muslim, anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, socialistic and destructive president in our country's brief history. And, if Hussein is not bad enough, think of the likelihood that he will be joined by the criminal Ms. Hillary and backstage by another felon, her lovely hubby Bill, in "ruling" — and ultimately in destroying — our beloved country for another four years! God save the republic!

Larry Klayman is a former Justice Department prosecutor and the founder of Judicial Watch and Freedom Watch. His latest book is "Whores: Why and How I Came to Fight the Establishment."

Dear Jeff Gorell Supporters,

Jeff Gorell for Assembly 2012 is hosting a final precinct walk this Saturday to gather signatures for Jeff's candidacy filing. Jeff will be completing his deployment and returning home in just a few short weeks.

Please show your support for Jeff's re-election and join us!

Sincerely,
Laura Gorell

Date: Saturday, February 11th, 2012
Time: 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Meeting Location:
Gorell for Assembly 2012 Headquarters
2219 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Suite 209
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Contact:
Amanda Broggie
(805) 651-9618
amanda@jeffgorell.org
info@jeffgorell.org

Lunch will be served.

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 984, joint-authored by Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Moorpark), Sen. President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), and Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has been introduced.

SB 984 would require a lead agency to simultaneously and electronically prepare a record of proceedings and certification of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Additionally, SB 984 would require these records be available online, to provide immediate access to anyone interested in the administrative record and environmental studies. This bill would speed up the record-keeping process that usually takes months to compile after an EIR has been completed.

“I’m proud to be a joint-author on this bipartisan piece of legislation that will help streamline economic development projects,” Sen. Strickland said. “All too often, new projects get caught up in the lengthy CEQA process and sometimes never see the light of day. These projects have a potential to create jobs for hardworking Californians, so during these tough economic times, we should be doing all we can to help them succeed.”

“We have the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation and companies continue to flee California because of our regulatory policies,” Sen. Strickland added. “Right now, our number one priority should be job creation. The Legislature worked together in a bipartisan manner last year, passing a similar bill which will bring jobs to Southern California through the Farmers Field project, so I’m confident we can work together on SB 984 this year.”

SB 984 now heads to the Senate Rules Committee for assignment.

Sen. Strickland is available to the media for an interview or comments.

Tony Strickland is Vice Chairman of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and represents California Senate District 19, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.

Written by Rowan Scarborough

America’s aging tactical Air Force — the jets that protect ground troops and strike hard-to-reach targets — is shrinking just as the Pentagon is cutting even more planes to achieve nearly a half-trillion dollars in spending cuts.

The trend has set off alarms among retired fighter pilots, some of whom wrote to Congress last month warning that U.S. “TacAir” is in trouble.

They fear the political pressure to drive down the deficit will mean there will never be enough money to replace 1970s jets with advanced aircraft to operate against rising militaries such as China‘s, which last year unveiled its own stealth fighter, the J-20.

“With the exception of our airlift fleet, we have a geriatric Air Force,” said retired Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, a former F-15 Eagle pilot and Operation Desert Storm war planner. “We’re flying fighters that are 30 years old. What people seem to miss is, a fighter is not like an airliner, where you take off from Point A and go to Point B. Our pilots put six to nine [gravitational forces] on these things every day.”

Gen. Deptula, who... http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/feb/5/fleets-fade-away-with-pen...

Written by Jonathon M. Seidl

Did you know that “bin Laden” is the vice president of the United States, or that the Civil War led to America’s independence? How about that Canada’s a state?

Well, that’s what some local students at (what appears to be) a Washington state high school think. In a video that’s probably a few hours from going viral, a young man decided to question classmates for a video called “Lunch Scholars.” It is anything but scholarly. HuffPo explains:

Austin, an intrepid young student-reporter, embarks on the noble mission of answering the question, “How much basic knowledge do American high school students really have?” The answer, however, may not be exactly what you want to hear.

“Do you know the vice president of the United States?” Austin asks.

“I don‘t know who it it’s, it’s, it’s somebody….Bin Ladin,” one student responds.

The video continues in similar fashion, asking everything from, “In what war did America gain independence?” (which no one answered correctly without a hint) to “What countries border America?”

By the way, one student says there are 51 states. Maybe he is friends with the girl who thinks Canada is one of them.

HuffPo may have... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/this-video-of-teens-failing-miserably-at...

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 984, joint-authored by Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Moorpark), Sen. President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), and Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has been introduced.

SB 984 would require a lead agency to simultaneously and electronically prepare a record of proceedings and certification of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Additionally, SB 984 would require these records be available online, to provide immediate access to anyone interested in the administrative record and environmental studies. This bill would speed up the record-keeping process that usually takes months to compile after an EIR has been completed.

“I’m proud to be a joint-author on this bipartisan piece of legislation that will help streamline economic development projects,” Sen. Strickland said. “All too often, new projects get caught up in the lengthy CEQA process and sometimes never see the light of day. These projects have a potential to create jobs for hardworking Californians, so during these tough economic times, we should be doing all we can to help them succeed.”

“We have the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation and companies continue to flee California because of our regulatory policies,” Sen. Strickland added. “Right now, our number one priority should be job creation. The Legislature worked together in a bipartisan manner last year, passing a similar bill which will bring jobs to Southern California through the Farmers Field project, so I’m confident we can work together on SB 984 this year.”

SB 984 now heads to the Senate Rules Committee for assignment.

Sen. Strickland is available to the media for an interview or comments.

Tony Strickland is Vice Chairman of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and represents California Senate District 19, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.

CAMARILLO, CA - The California Young Republican Federation unanimously voted to endorse State Senator Tony Strickland for California’s newly drawn 26th Congressional District. The group joins California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro and the Ventura County Republican Party in endorsing Strickland.

“I’m honored to have earned the unanimous endorsement of the California Young Republican Federation,” said Strickland. “The support of grassroots activists and community leaders has been humbling thus far, and I’m looking forward to working with them to turn our country in a new direction.”

State Senator Tony Strickland was elected to the California State Senate representing parts of Ventura, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties in 2008. He previously served the area as a member of the State Assembly from 1998 to 2004. He is marred to his wife of 13 years, Audra. Together they have two small children: Ruby Ruth and Anthony Paul.

Written By Valerie Richardson

California’s first-of-its-kind “gay history” law went into effect Jan. 1, but so far, state educators don’t appear to be on the same page.

Given the state’s budget crunch, the state Department of Education has released no companion curriculum or textbook revisions to comply with the FAIR Education Act, which requires schools to include the contributions of “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans” in instruction programs and curricula at all grade levels.

The law, which evolved from Senate Bill 48, also outlaws instruction materials “reflecting adversely” on those individuals. The act also adds “persons with disabilities” to the list.

But the Legislature... http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/30/gay-history-law-on-calif...

Carrying on (allegedly) with "different men from the neighborhood": haram. Murdering with an axe the person so accused: halal.

It is no accident or coincidence that Muslims commit 91 percent of honor killings worldwide. A manual of Islamic law certified as a reliable guide to Sunni orthodoxy by Al-Azhar University, the most respected authority in Sunni Islam, says that "retaliation is obligatory against anyone who kills a human being purely intentionally and without right." However, "not subject to retaliation" is "a father or mother (or their fathers or mothers) for killing their offspring, or offspring's offspring." ('Umdat al-Salik o1.1-2). In other words, someone who kills his child incurs no legal penalty under Islamic law.

Syria in 2009 scrapped a law limiting the length of sentences for honor killings, but "the new law says a man can still benefit from extenuating circumstances in crimes of passion or honour 'provided he serves a prison term of no less than two years in the case of killing.'" And in 2003 the Jordanian Parliament voted down on Islamic grounds a provision designed to stiffen penalties for honor killings. Al-Jazeera reported that "Islamists and conservatives said the laws violated religious traditions and would destroy families and values."

Nonetheless, the media... http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/01/pakistan-muslim-murders-sister-with-ax...