One thing that's hard to forgive in this world is when you are deprived of a good, old friend by his crazy mate. I remember a close college chum (let's call him Karl) with whom I'd spent long late nights at pubs for four long years, and stayed in close touch by phone for many years thereafter. We saw each other through many a psychic meltdown, and I assumed we'd be friends for life. Then he met "Cassandra," a deeply needy narcissist who played the victim card whenever Karl tried to stand up to her. For instance, when she tried to con him into contracting a purely celibate marriage ("It would be so much more... spiritual!"), he unsurprisingly objected. So she "revealed" to him the fact that she'd been... the victim of Satanic ritual sex abuse, at the hands of her father's motorcycle gang. (Don't you hate when women say that?) His objections melted like a marshmallow chick in a microwave. I bet something else did, too.

Cassandra monopolized... http://www.jihadwatch.org/2011/02/why-did-glenn-beck-shoot-santa-claus.h...

The next 9/11-style terrorist attack may originate from the unlikeliest of places: socialist Venezuela. This is because that country’s Marxist president, Hugo Chavez, who has been busy creating his own version of the Warsaw Pact, is dropping hints that his nation’s territory might be used as the launch pad for an Islamist assault on the continental United States.

Some have difficulty taking the famously flamboyant Chavez seriously. He is, after all, the erratic fellow who blamed the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti on the U.S. He poses for photos with a parrot on his shoulder. He rants — and sometimes sings – on Sundays on his TV show about whatever pops into his head, whether it’s about his bouts with diarrhea or his unhappiness with his cabinet ministers.

But despite his eccentricities, it’s important to... http://frontpagemag.com/2011/02/16/the-next-911/

Radical Islamists openly declare that world domination is their goal.

Caliphate- The establishment of a global community dominated by Islam and goverened by Sharia Law.

"History will make a new turn Allah willing in the opposite direction against the United States and the world's Jewish government. Due to the blessings of jihad, America's countdown has begun. It will soon declare defeat to be followed by the creation of caliphate."
Ayman al-Zawahiri

The Muslim Brotherhood "Project for North America" is a detailed document discovered in switzerland in 2001. This document became known within the intelligence community as "The Project." It is plan conceived and written by the Muslim Brotherhood, which the world's oldest and most sophisticated Islamic terrorist group created in Egypt in 1928. "The Project" details strategies and tactics by which Islamists can gradually infiltrate nations and ultimately dominate the world with Islamic political and religious ideology.
The War on Terror is a conflict that will not end. America and the West cannot effectively defend itself until the American people understand the nature and ideology of the enemy. Radical islam's grievance is our democratic system, where the rule of law comes from the voices of its citizens and not the voice of one prophet.
They cannot be appeased by apologies for who and what we are. The absolute revolutionary terrorist is a non-negotiable adversary. Compliance and negotiation are viewed as weakness and further encourages them

Last month the Muslim Students of America sponsored a meeting of over 700 students on the campus of UCLA, advocating the overthrow of the U.S. government, that ended with this pledge:
"I pledge Allah is my lord, Quran is my guide, jihad is my spirit, righteousness is my character, and paradise is my goal. I command what is rifgt and forbid what is wrong. I will fight against oppression and will die to establish Islam."
As unrest has sparked in Tunisia, Algeria, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, and Jordan, the Radical Islamists are seizing the opportunity to ingrain their goal of caliphate deeper and deeper.

VENTURA, CALIF.—The Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County (WIB) is seeking nominations for its 2011 Annual WIB Awards. The selected winners will have shown exemplary commitment to advancing workforce development in Ventura County. The nomination deadline is March 25. Winners will be announced at the WIB Annual Meeting, June 23, at United Food and Commercial Workers (816 Camarillo Springs Road, Camarillo).

"Job creation is critical for a healthy economy," says Steve Kinney, president, Economic Development Corporation of Oxnard and WIB chair. "We are fortunate in Ventura County to have individuals and companies helping to attract and create jobs, train workers to support the changing needs of employers and solve workforce challenges. We want to recognize and congratulate these individuals and companies. They are the 'doers' in our county that are making a difference and are playing an important role in improving our job market and business climate."

An individual, employer, organization or partnership may be nominated or self-nominated in one or more categories:

WIB Youth Opportunity Award - for efforts made to provide employment opportunities for youth to gain work experience so they can become valuable contributors in our county's future workforce.

WIB Collaborative Action Award – for a partnership that helps meet employer needs and/or improve the relevance and capacity of education and workforce training in Ventura County.

WIB Champion for Growth Award - an active supporter of workforce development in Ventura County through job creation and retention, or by attracting new businesses or industries to our community.

WIB Leadership Award - for efforts that embody the spirit and purpose of workforce development in Ventura County; a role model who takes on and solves workforce challenges.

WIB Award recipients in 2010 were Pat Carman, general manager, Dollar Tree store in Simi Valley, Carol Frash, human resource specialist, Naval Base Ventura County, Kay Faulconer Boger, retired dean, Ventura College, John Bibby, president/CEO, St. John's Pleasant Valley, Diany Klein, vice president, human resources, Community Memorial Health System, Michelle Reynolds, recruitment administrator, Ventura County Health Care Agency and Sandra Werner, director of human resources, Simi Valley Hospital.

A nomination form is available on the WIB website: www.wib.ventura.org

CAMARILLO, Calif.— Fillmore councilmember Patti Walker was installed as chair of the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County’s board of directors at the organization’s 14th Annual Meeting on Jan. 20. Jim Scanlon, CEO of Scanlon, Guerra, Burke Insurance Brokers in Woodland Hills, was installed as vice chair.

“As business leaders and involved community volunteers, both Patti and Jim understand the rewards and challenges small businesses face, and how organizations like EDC-VC are vital to small business success in our community,” said Bruce Stenslie, president/CEO of EDC-VC.

A 16-year Fillmore resident, Walker has been a member of the Fillmore City Council since 2006, and also served on the council from 2000-2004. Walker has been self-employed for 23 years as a paralegal specializing in insurance subrogation and civil litigation. She is president of the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau and Fillmore Friends of the Library. Walker is also actively involved in the Soroptimist International Fillmore Club.

Scanlon is the chairman and chief executive officer of Scanlon, Guerra, Burke Insurance Brokers, a family business he has grown to more than $100 million in sales. Scanlon serves as chairman of the Young Insurance Professionals of San Fernando Valley, director of the Insurance Brokers Association of San Fernando Valley and is on the board of regents for Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula.

EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center, loan programs, the Manufacturing Outreach Program, Global Entrepreneur Training in Trade (G.E.T. Trade) program, or other services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 21 or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.

This is not a happy ending but the beginning of something potentially very dark. The end of the Mubarak regime is the biggest shift in the region in 60 years, since Nasser overthrew King Farouk‘s dissolute monarchy and diminished London’s influence in Cairo. We are witnessing the unraveling of the American Middle East – that’s to say, of the regimes supported by Washington in the waning of British and French imperial power after the Second World War. The American Middle East was an unlovely place, and perhaps the most obviously repellent illustration of the limitations of “He may be an SOB but he’s our SOB” thinking. It’s “our” SOBs who are in trouble: After the fall of Mubarak, what remains to hold up the Hashemites in Amman? Jordan‘s Muslim Brotherhood is more radical than Egypt’s, the regime is less ruthless, King Abullah’s Arabic is worse than his English, and pretty westernized Queen Rania, who seems so cute when CNN interviewers are fawning all over her, is openly despised outside the palace gates.

Iran is nuclearizing,... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/mark-steyn-witness-the-unraveling-of-the...

Written By Scott Stewart

For several years now, STRATFOR has been closely watching developments in Mexico that relate to what we consider the three wars being waged there. Those three wars are the war between the various drug cartels, the war between the government and the cartels, and the war being waged against citizens and businesses by criminals.

In addition to... http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20110209-mexicos-gun-supply-and-90-percen...

City of Fillmore

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2011 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: Councilmembers Brooks, Conaway, Sipes, Walker and Mayor Washburn
4.
Approval of Agenda
5.
Presentations and Announcements
6.
Public Comments
7.
Consent Calendar
Recommendation for Items A. through D. is to Approve.
A.
Warrant List for February 8, 2011.
B.
Minutes of January 18, 2011 Special Meeting.
C.
Minutes of January 25, 2011 Regular Meeting.
D.
Consideration and Adoption of CONTINUED »

Camarillo, CA – Assembly Member Jeff Gorell has joined up with the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters Local 150 to help Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County recover from a despicable crime that has shocked the local community.

On Monday night thieves ransacked Habitat for Humanity’s “Habitat ReStore” in Oxnard, stealing thousands of dollars of merchandise and causing substantial property damage as they smashed their way into the charity’s ReStore, a discount home improvement center that supports their home-building mission.

The carpenters of Local 150 have volunteered to provide labor to repair the damages that resulted from the break-in, and have offered a donation of tools and equipment to get the charity back up and running. Assemblyman Gorell is making a monetary contribution and calling upon others in the community to help however they can.

“As a former prosecutor for Ventura County, it sickens me to read the news that one of our fantastic local charitable organizations has been the target of such a crime,” stated Gorell. “I’m donating $750 to Habitat for Humanity and join with my friends at the carpenters union to rally to their support. We are calling upon the community to provide whatever resources they can to get Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County back on their feet.”

Gorell will be making a donation from his political committee, and asks that anyone who wishes to help please contact Elizabeth Mayer with Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County at elizabethm@habitatventura.org. People can also easily donate online at: http://www.habitatventura.org

Habitat for Humanity International is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat and its homeowner families have built or rehabilitated more than 400,000 houses worldwide. In Ventura County, Habitat has rehabilitated more than 500 homes and built 52 new homes. A nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing ministry, Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build together in partnership.

The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters represents over 65,000 union carpenters in five states, including the members of Local 150 based out of Camarillo.

For additional information, please call Jeff's district office at (805) 230-9167.

WHO: Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Simi Valley), Asm. Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo), constituents and small business owners.

WHAT: This Joint Legislative Small Business Regulatory Relief Workshop is open to the
public and provides an opportunity for local small business owners to discuss
with their state legislators the cost of doing business in California. All
constituents are encouraged to attend this event and bring ideas and comments
that Sen. Strickland and Asm. Gorell can take with them back to Sacramento.

WHEN: Thursday, February 10, 2011 ~ 6:00 PM

WHERE: Camarillo Community Center
Community Room 5
1605 Burnley Street
Camarillo, CA 93010

Vice President of Intelligence Fred Burton examines the tactics and implications of the Feb. 2 killing of a high-ranking Nuevo Laredo official.

At STRATFOR we’ve noticed a recent uptick in cartel violence in Nuevo Laredo. Yesterday on February 2, at around midnight, the director for citizen security, Manuel Farfan Carriola, was assassinated on his route from the office to home. Also killed were four bodyguards and numerous police officers were also shot and wounded.

Unfortunately for those of... http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/20110203-dispatch-assassination-public-...

Board of Equalization Member Senator George Runner is reminding Californians that there's more to celebrate this weekend than just the Super Bowl. This Sunday, February 6, is also the first annual Ronald Reagan Day since Runner's legislation was signed into law last year.

"A new generation of Americans is growing up without the memory of one of our nation's greatest leaders," said Senator Runner. "In light of recent events in Egypt, it's particularly timely that those of us who remember Reagan use this opportunity to share his legacy as a champion for liberty."

Last year Senator Runner authored legislation (Senate Bill 944) making February 6 a special day of significance to commemorate the former California Governor and United States President.

Runner said the special day for Reagan, which begins this year on his 100th birthday, will not create a state holiday, nor will it cost taxpayers money.

"Instead, Reagan Day will be what is called 'a day of special significance' just like other days we have including one to celebrate John Muir, California teachers and the California Poppy," Runner added.

To reach young people, Runner has set up a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ReaganDay. He is encouraging all who are on Facebook—both young and old—to visit the page and share a favorite memory, quote, photo or video of the former California Governor and U.S. President.

Those on Twitter are invited to tweet their memories using the hash tag #ReaganDay.

Runner posted his favorite memory, a video of President Reagan's June 12, 1987 Berlin address, and noted that "Ronald Reagan was a huge historic figure in extending freedoms and liberties around the world."

As a constitutional officer, Runner serves as one of the highest-ranking Republican elected officials in California. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

Welcome to the Global Issues and Terorism Blog site.
My name is Mark Trimble, I am a retired Law Enforcement Operations/Special Operations Commander. I have spent over a decade researching and studying Radical Islam and Terrorism. I work as an Independant Security Contractor during which time I have traveled to the Middle East to train with and be briefed by Israeli Military Intelligence,Israeli Intelligence, Shin Bet, Israel Defense Forces, and high level members of the Israeli goverment. I have spent time in terrorist controlled areas of Gaza and the West Bank. I have also trained with members of the United States Army Special Operations Forces who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The premise of this Blog is to report terrorist activity in the U.S. and Internationally, and to evaluate the threat that activity represents worldwide.
Thank you for taking the time to review the Blog site. I welcome your comments and questions which can be addressed to globalissues@fillmoregazette.com

The Egyptian Revolution and the Muslim Brotherhood

The posture of the protests in Egypt has quickly changed over the past week. The protest movement started out as a legitimate positive pro freedom movement. This movement has been co-opted by the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) and turned violent.
The MB was founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna. Its expressed stated purpose was to 1) Implement Sharia Law worldwide, 2) Establish the Global Islamic State (caliphate). Former MB Supreme Guide Muhammed Akef stated in 2004, his "complete faith that Islam will invade Europe and America." In 2001, the MB publication in London, called Risalat al-Ikhwan stated as its cover slogan: "Our Mission:World Domination." The MB has been one of the most anti-Western, jihadist supporting organizations in the Middle East for decades. They believe and have taught that Islam is the only answer, and violent jihad is the way. Osama bin Laden was recruited into the MB by a Syrian school teacher, and his deputy, Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri was also a a part of the Brotherhood until they joined forces to build the terrorist group al-Qaeda, an even more violent and radical Islamist group.

A person who has been been pushed to the forefront to take over leadership in Egypt is Mohamed ElBaradei. He is a Nobel laureate, who was born to a middle class family in Cairo in 1942. He was largely educated in the West. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Cairo; and he went on to earn an advanced degree in Switzerland and later a Ph.D. in International Law from New York University.
From 1997 to 2009 he was the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is the United Nations nuclear watchdog. During that time the Iranians repeatedly lied to ElBaradei's face about the the development of their nuclear enrichment program. He either allowed the Iranians to lie to him or he did not know the differance. During those 12 years Iran dramatically accelerated their enrichment program in direct violation of U.N. resolutions and international law. Irans stated purpose for development of the nuclear bomb is to destroy Israel and the United States.
ElBaradei never indicated any concern as Iran built three secret nuclear facilities during those years. He seemed to never know or express care over Iran's nuclear ambitions until intelligence agencies called his attention to them.
ElBaradei in an interview with CNN on January 30th, 2011 flatly denied that the Muslim Brotherhood is a fundamentalist Islamic organization, claiming that this was "a myth that was sold by Mubarak (current Egyptian president) regime." He went on to deny that if the Brotherhood gained control of the Egyptian government they wouldn't create a radical Islamic regime that would be similar to what happened in Iran in 1979. In an interview with the German publication, Der Spiegel, ElBraradei said: "We should stop demonizing the Muslim Brotherhood," adding that "they have not committed any acts of violence in five decades. They too want change. If we want democracy and freedom, we have to include them instead of marginalizing them."
Egypt receieves the second most U.S. aid of any country in the Middle East, and their military possesses U.S. weapons.
If ElBaradei is placed in leadership in Egypt, with his history of either being inept or intentionally looking the other way has Iran developed its nuclear enrichment program, this could further destabilize an already fragile Middle Eastern region. He has been an apologist for Iran saying, "building trust" and more "negotiations" will actually stop Iran from getting the bomb and using it for their publically stated intent to destroy the U.S. and Israel.

Ventura County, CA – The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District is seeking a registered professional engineer interested in serving on the APCD’s Hearing Board. Candidates for the engineer member position must be licensed in the state of California, and must be residents of Ventura County.

The Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial body that acts upon petitions submitted by operators of air pollution emission sources, APCD staff and the public. It conducts public hearings and makes various decisions
regarding air pollution sources in Ventura County. Typical decisions made by the Hearing Board include whether temporary relief from APCD Rules should be issued; whether the APCD's denial, suspension or conditional granting of a Permit was warranted, and; determining whether a Permit to Operate should be revoked.

The Hearing Board meets Monday evenings, as needed, at 5:30 PM. Meetings last from one to two hours and typically occur one to two times per month. Hearing Board members are paid $75 per meeting. The Air Pollution Control District’s Governing Board makes appointments to the Hearing Board. New members should be willing to attend two two-day training classes conducted by the California Air Resources Board.

Interested individuals should contact the APCD’s Keith Duval no later than March 3, 2011. Mr. Duval can be reached by phone at 805/645-1410 or by email at keith@vcapcd.org.

Sacramento - Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) issued the following response to Governor Jerry Brown's State of the State address:

I came to Sacramento with the hope of solving problems and making California prosperous again.

I am encouraged that Governor Brown seems genuinely committed to solving the significant challenges our state faces.

California has the second highest unemployment rate in the nation - now at 12.5 percent - and we continue to deal with a budget crisis that this year alone stands at $28 billion.

I applaud the governor for his no-nonsense approach to California's challenges. For example, although mostly symbolic, he's right to take away thousands of non-essential cell phones from state workers.

However, Governor Brown's budget proposal will not restore California's economy. Government must spend your tax dollars efficiently and effectively. That will require real and permanent spending reductions, not more taxes.

Only one-third of the governor's proposed budget includes actual spending reductions. In this budget, there are more than $4.5 billion in so-called cuts that are really nothing more than an accounting shell game - he's simply moving money from one account to another.

The governor is also asking voters to extend the recent tax hikes. Higher taxes didn't solve the problem two years ago. It won't solve it now. Taxpayers already said “NO” to a two-year tax extension in 2009. Why would they now vote to tax themselves for five more years?

And most importantly, this budget does nothing to help the more than two million unemployed Californians get back to work. The only way to put an end to this budget debacle is for government to get out of the way and let the business community create and retain jobs. More people working means more revenue for the state. More revenue for the state means the state can provide needed services.

The governor has proposed a good starting point. My Republican colleagues and l look forward to working with him in the weeks ahead to get California back on the road to recovery.

VIDEO RESPONSE: http://cssrc.us/multimedia.aspx?media=1451

AUDIO RESPONSE: http://cssrc.us/audio/110131_Dutton.mp3

Sacramento, CA – Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Simi Valley) released the following statement on Gov. Jerry Brown’s State of the State address:

“Last year, the state spent $92 billion in general fund dollars. This year, we’re projected to take in about $90 in revenue, and yet the Governor’s budget calls for almost $100 billion in spending. The Democrats in Sacramento just keep coming back for more. They need to maximize the dollars that do come to Sacramento and just deal with it.”

“The Governor and legislative Democrats are throwing around nothing but hyperbole and scare tactics to justify doubling your car tax and raising your sales and income taxes by extending the largest tax increase in California history.”

“There are families across California who wish they could go out to eat more often or buy a new car, but understand during these tough economic times, they have to budget their money and only spend within their means. California government should have to do the same.”

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

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

California Governor Jerry Brown

SACRAMENTO - Warning that California will not create the jobs it needs “unless we get our financial house in order,” Gov. Jerry Brown challenged state legislators today to allow people to vote on his three-part plan to solve the state’s financial crisis.

“My intention is to make California again a leader in job creation, renewable energy and state of the art efficiency, innovation of all kinds and primary and secondary education,” he said in his State of the State address before a joint session of the state legislature.

Brown also said the state must ensure that public employee pensions are fair to both taxpayers and workers, and he called for elimination of unreasonable regulations that hamper investment and job creation.

“Our universities are world renowned and I intend to see that they continue to enjoy the respect of students and scholars throughout the world,” the Governor said. “We also have to restructure our criminal justice system, carefully realign state and local government functions, and streamline state government. All of this can happen if we find the courage and summon the will to tackle our budget deficit head on and deal with it honestly and without purpose of evasion.”

Brown warned that this is not a time for “politics as usual.”

“Voters are clearly telling us that our state and our nation are going in the wrong direction,” he said. “Yet, our two main political parties both in Washington and in California are as far apart as I have ever seen them.”

Brown has proposed $12.5 billion in budget cuts, temporary extension of current taxes and an historical realignment of government – a program that would require a vote of the people in a special election before it could become effective.

“If you are a Democrat who doesn’t want to make budget reductions in programs you fought for and deeply believe in, I understand that,” the Governor said. “If you are a Republican who has taken a stand against taxes, I understand where you are coming from. But things are different this time. In fact, the people are telling us--in their own way--that they sense that something is profoundly wrong. They see that their leaders are divided when they should be decisive and acting with clear purpose.”

Brown said “it would be unconscionable” for legislators to block a special election.

“When democratic ideals and calls for the right to vote are stirring the imagination of young people in Egypt and Tunisia and other parts of the world, we in California can’t say now is the time to block a vote of the people,” he told the legislators. “In the ordinary course of things, matters of state concern are properly handled in Sacramento. But when the elected representatives find themselves bogged down by deep differences which divide them, the only way forward is to go back to the people and seek their guidance. It is time for a legislative check-in with the people of California.”

The Governor said the voters have a right to decide whether taxes should be temporarily extended or whether additional budget cuts should be enacted, including new cuts to public schools, universities, public safety and health programs.

“My plan to rebuild California requires a vote of the people, and frankly I believe it would be irresponsible for us to exclude the people from this process,” he said. “They have a right to vote on this plan. This state belongs to all of us, not just those of us in this chamber. Given the unique nature of the crisis and the serious impact our decisions will have on millions of Californians, the voters deserve to be heard.”

Brown acknowledged that his rescue plan is not universally popular.

“From the time I first proposed what I believe to be a balanced approach to our budget deficit – both cuts and a temporary extension of current taxes – dozens of groups affected by one or another of the proposed cuts have said we should cut somewhere else instead. Still others say we should not extend the current taxes but let them go away. So far, however, these same people have failed to offer even one alternative solution.”

The Governor said that he sees both difficult choices and a bright future.

“When we get our budget in balance, California will be in a strong position to take advantage of its many assets and its strategic location on the Pacific Rim. As the countries of Asia and south of our border continue to thrive and expand their trade, our state will play a leading role, as it always has, and reap unimagined benefits.

“We have the inventors, the dreamers, the entrepreneurs, the venture capitalists and a vast array of physical, intellectual and political assets. We have been called the great exception because for generations Californians have defied the odds and the conventional wisdom and prospered in totally unexpected ways. People keep coming here because of the dream that is still California, and once here, their determination and boundless energy feeds that dream and makes it grow.”

President Obama’s State of the Union address last night did not make one single mention of inflation, when it is the belief of NIA that massive price inflation (especially food inflation) will become America’s top crisis by the end of this calendar year. Obama’s speech also failed to mention the Federal Reserve, the Federal Funds Rate being held near 0% for over two years, and the Fed’s latest round of $600 billion in quantitative easing. Unless Obama addresses our nation’s fiat currency system, nothing else he says has any meaning at all.

After the U.S. lost 8.36 million jobs over a two year period from December of 2007 through December of 2009, our economy has recovered 1.12 million jobs as a result of the Federal Reserve and U.S. government spending $4.6 trillion on bailouts and stimulus programs. That is over $4 million spent for each job created. Instead of bailing out Wall Street and allowing non-productive bankers to receive record bonuses, the U.S. could have sent a check for $550,000 to each middle-class American who lost their job.

When a central bank prints trillions of dollars out of thin air, ... http://inflation.us/blog/2011/01/obama-fails-to-address-inflation-in-sta...

In the Gazette's front page story “GNL storage vs City Restrictions continues”, former Council Member Laurie Hernandez asked the Council to answer the question she asked at the last Council Meeting concerning the $8 an hour raise given to the Assistant City Manager, while other city staff members are being furloughed. About ten minutes later Council Member Brian Sipes responded to Hernandez, stating there is a lot on the Council’s agenda and that “the argument about the $8 was bogus”. So the Gazette would like to ask Councilman Sipes, what was the original hourly salary of the Assistant City Manager, and how long did she receive that hourly rate before it was raised by $8 an hour? When did she receive the raise and how long is she exlpected to fill that position at the new, elevated rate? Or is the question bogus?