Yesterday, USA Today ran an editorial on the Obama administration’s handling of terrorism, writing: “Officials’ handling of Christmas Day attack looks like amateur hour.” Graciously given the space to respond to this charge, Obama administration Deputy National Security Adviser for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan replied: “Politically motivated criticism and unfounded fear-mongering only serve the goals of al-Qaeda.”

Got that? The Obama administration considers... http://blog.heritage.org/2010/02/10/morning-bell-is-usa-today-serving-th...

A North Korean general who is a confidant of the country's leader, Kim Jong-il, has been identified by U.S. and foreign intelligence agencies as a key figure in the covert production and distribution of high-quality counterfeit $100 bills called supernotes, according to documents and interviews with intelligence officials... http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/02/n-korea-general-tied-to-...

City of Fillmore

FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:30 P.M.
FILLMORE CITY HALL
CENTRAL PARK PLAZA
250 CENTRAL AVENUE
FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA 93015-1907

AGENDA
ITEM
REFERENCE
1.
CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Oral
2.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Oral
3.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Oral
4.
CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR CONTINUED »

Enlarge Photo

Click this link to watch the video: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/291936-1

Senator George Runner
Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties.

The California Supreme Court made the right choice on Monday when it sided with voters and victims by upholding Jessica's Law 2,000-feet living restriction for sex offenders who were paroled after the date the law was passed.

I am pleased with the ruling. The court has upheld the will of the voters and the rights of victims who, let's not forget, have suffered from the hands of society's worst criminals.

The court's ruling is consistent with the intent behind Jessica's Law, which is to provide better safety for children by preventing paroled sex offenders from living near schools.

According to the Declaration of Independence, our leaders have the right to rule only with 'the consent of the governed' and the California Supreme Court proved that today.

It’s a good day for Californians and for Democracy.

Following weeks of strong bipartisan criticism of their handling of terror trials and detainees, Attorney General Eric Holder released a letter yesterday defending the Obama administration’s criminal justice system approach to prosecuting the war against al-Qaeda. Defending his administration’s handling of the Flight 253 terrorist, Holder wrote: “I made the decision to charge Mr. Abdulmutallab with federal crimes, and to seek his detention in connection with those charges, wtih the knowledge of, and with no objection from, all other relevant departments of the government.”

First, this statement directly contradicts the sworn... http://blog.heritage.org/2010/02/04/morning-bell-when-did-the-american-p...

May we never forget the horror, especially as modern Hitlers appear on the world scene, such as presently in Iran. May God always bless and protect the Jewish people.

THE AUSCHWITZ ALBUM
This Album memorializes the arrival of Hungarian Jews to Auschwitz in May of 1944. It is the only one of its kind, and http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/feb2010/jim23.htm

Last Friday, President Barack Obama accepted an invitation from House Republicans to speak and answer questions at the Republican House Issues Conference. During the Q&A period, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) pressed the President: The spending bills that you’ve signed into law, the domestic discretionary spending has been increased by 84 percent. You now want to freeze spending at this elevated level beginning next year. … So my question is, why not start freezing spending now?”

President Obama replied: “The fact of the matter is,... http://blog.heritage.org/2010/02/02/morning-bell-a-budget-for-a-european...

Congressman Elton Gallegly
Serving the 24th Congressional District encompasses most of Ventura County and inland Santa Barbara County.

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA) issued the following statement on President Obama’s State of the Union address.

“Roughly 3 million Americans have lost their jobs since President Obama signed the stimulus bill nearly a year ago. Tonight, the president listed a few success stories he says resulted from bill.

“However, across America, there are far more stories like this from one of my constituents:

“’Due to the slowing economy, my company was forced to close the plant where I worked near my home in Thousand Oaks. I was fortunate to be offered a transfer to another plant in Victorville. It’s difficult to find another job, so I am currently working at a location two hours from my home.

“’Instead of focusing like a laser-beam on the economy in the form of lower taxes for businesses, Congress has made the business climate very uncertain by proposing grand new government programs and new taxes to pay for them. I believe companies (especially small businesses) have put off hiring because of this uncertain climate.’”

“I agree.

“There are a number of proposals President Obama suggested tonight that CONTINUED »

Government-run health care bill would cost Californians $220 billion annually

Today the state Senate failed to listen to California’s citizens and passed SB 810 (Leno, D-San Francisco) with a vote of 22-14. SB 810 creates a new and massive, government-run healthcare program at a cost of $220 billion annually, which is almost three times the current state budget.

“It is shocking to see how out of touch the California Legislature is,” said state Senator Tony Strickland. “At a time when California is facing a 12.4% unemployment rate, a $20 billion deficit, and more cuts are being proposed to education, transportation, and public safety it is unimaginable the legislature would create a new program of this magnitude.”

“SB 810 passed the Senate appropriations committee less than 48 hours after the voters of Massachusetts, one of the most liberal states in the union, elected Republican Scott Brown in response to their strong opposition to the federal healthcare proposal. This bill is even worse than the federal proposal. It removes consumer choice – it makes private health insurance coverage and plans illegal.”

“California has some of the most skilled nurses and doctors, cutting edge research and technology, allowing you to decide how best to handle your family’s healthcare needs; however, if the Democrats have their way, a newly formed government bureaucracy will be making those decisions for you.”

“If you want the compassion of the IRS and the efficiency of the DMV, then this bill is for you.”

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

Senate Bill 810, which I discussed last week in my newsletter, has unfortunately passed the Senate today on a 22-14 party-line vote.

The measure would create a single-payer, government-controlled health care plan for Californians. The same government that has mismanaged your money now wants to control your health care.

Does anybody believe a state that bleeds red year-after-year could possibly control the costs of health care?

As I said on the Senate floor today: This plan is to the Left and radical of ObamaCare. It’s this type of big-government idea that caused an earthquake of an election in Massachusetts in recent weeks. Yet, my liberal colleagues in Sacramento don’t seem to care about the needs or concerns of the people or the state of our economy.

The San Diego Union-Tribune calls the plan “appalling on one level and bizarre on another.”

The editorial goes on to say: “It is appalling because it amounts to an in-your-face display of contempt for public sentiment.”

And the Oakland Tribune wrote: “The bill would add a huge public cost and create considerable uncertainty at a time when both the state government and the private sector are struggling for survival.”

SB 810 will now be heard in the Assembly, where I hope the Democrats are in tune with the wishes of the people and in touch with the realities of our economy.

Senator George Runner
Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. George Runner (R- Antelope Valley) today responded to the California Supreme Court’s ruling today that upholds Jessica’s Law 2,000-feet living restriction for sex offenders who were paroled after the date the law was passed:

“I am pleased with the ruling. The court has upheld the will of the voters and the rights of victims who, let’s not forget, have suffered from the hands of society’s worst criminals.

“The court’s ruling is consistent with the intent behind Jessica’s Law, which is to provide better safety for children by keeping paroled sex offenders from living near schools.

“According to the Declaration of Independence, our leaders have the right to rule only with ‘the consent of the governed’ and the California Supreme Court proved that today.

“It’s a good day for Californians and for Democracy.”

It reads like a dream order for a wild frat party: Maker's Mark whiskey, Courvoisier cognac, Johnny Walker Red scotch, Grey Goose vodka, E&J brandy, Bailey's Irish Crème, Bacardi Light rum, Jim Beam whiskey, Beefeater gin, Dewars scotch, Bombay Sapphire gin, Jack Daniels whiskey … and Corona beer.

But that single receipt makes up just part of the more than $101,000 taxpayers paid for... http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=123472

These are the images they DON'T SHOW!

http://www.resistnet.com/forum/topics/the-world-is-concerned-about

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama told Americans the bipartisan deficit commission he will appoint won't just be "one of those Washington gimmicks." Left unspoken in that assurance was the fact that the commission won't have any teeth.

Obama confronted some tough realities in his State of the Union speech Wednesday night, chief among them that Americans are continuing to lose their health insurance as Congress struggles to pass an overhaul.

Yet some of his ideas for moving ahead skirted the complex political circumstances standing in his way.

A look at some of Obama's claims and how they compare with the facts:

OBAMA: "Starting in 2011, we are prepared to freeze... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100128/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_fact_check

Financial aid to Africa is an on going topic but not one that has been in the news lately. However, we should know what kind of aid is best for Africa. Dambisa Moyo, an economist from Africa, wrote a book in 2009 expressing her experience with the different kinds of aid and the benefits or problems they present. She has discussed on various TV programs the ideas contained in her book, Dead Aid. If you have not seen one of these interviews, I hope you will be interested in what she has to say.

Watch the video here... http://fora.tv/2009/06/05/Uncommon_Knowledge_Dambisa_Moyo

Tonight in his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama is expected to propose a “freeze” on government spending. Obama’s spending “freeze” will only last three years, will not start until 2011, will only apply to a $447 billion slice of the federal government’s $3.5 trillion budget, and will not apply to any of the unspent $862 billion stimulus plan, his health care plan or the House of Representatives’ additional $156 billion stimulus plan. Despite all the loopholes, time limits and procrastination, the President should still be commended for beginning to acknowledge reality. And as a new report issued yesterday by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) shows, the reality is this: the U.S. government has an insatiable spending problem.

The CBO’s summary of the report is bad enough: “Under current law... http://blog.heritage.org/2010/01/27/morning-bell-president-obama-is-righ...

Sacramento, CA – California State Senator Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) reacts to the Senate Appropriations passage of SB 810 (Leno, D-San Francisco) and released the following statement.

“The Democrats in Sacramento aren’t listening. The people don’t want a government run healthcare system. The lack of support for the federal proposal and the election results in Massachusetts, less than 48 hours ago, should indicate the public’s desire to have government stay out of their healthcare decisions.”

“SB 810 is far more intrusive than the federal program. And, it comes at a time when California is facing a $20 billion deficit and cuts are being made to education, healthcare, and public safety. The Legislature should not even contemplate implementing a program that will ration healthcare and cost over $200 billion annually – more than double the California State Budget.”

“This is the plan for you, if you want the compassion of the IRS and the efficiency of the DMV.”

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

Senator George Runner
Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties.

The Liberal Democrats who control California’s Legislature just don’t get it.

Today, on a party-line 6-3 vote, a universal healthcare plan was passed in the Senate Appropriations Committee – never mind the fact that the plan would cost California taxpayers $100 billion in the first six months and $222 billion-a-year thereafter (more than double the annual state budget).

The universal healthcare plan (Senate Bill 810) promises medical access to all. But in reality, the bill will only create a shortage of doctors, nurses and other health providers who might choose to work in other states or a different field altogether for fear of working in the labyrinth of government bureaucracy, or when they realize the financial compensation provided by the private market vanishes.

A shortage of medical professionals will have a contrary effect on SB 810’s goal of creating access for all. Instead California would become the new poster child for sick people suffering through inappropriately long waits for routine care while also limiting provider choices for patients.

It’s also important to note that SB 810 does not specify a means of generating revenue to pay for the new health system, but instead it hopes to establish a commission that would identify a premium structure. In other words, this bill would make government more bloated than ever while bankrupting the state.

It’s amazing to me that just days after Massachusetts voters (whose government operates a universal health care system) rejected a candidate who supported Obama-care, California liberal Democrats have the temerity to ram a similar proposal down the throats of every Californian.

Are my colleagues on the other side of the aisle ignoring the voice of the people who are hungry for more jobs and less government intrusion? Do the liberals fail to understand that Californians are losing jobs by the thousands every month and struggling to care for their families?

The last thing people want is more government bureaucracy. This message has been made clear not only in Massachusetts, but in New Jersey and Virginia. I have a feeling California voters are going to send the same strong message to liberals in November.

I will keep you posted on any further SB 810 developments.