jimsweb.net

Politics has no place in Gang Legislation

jim® — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:05:29 GMT

Gang Legislation is about protecting our residents from criminal street gangs, it has nothing to with “racial profiling” as the ACLU would have you believe.

Almost as quickly as the Senate Democrats in Washington State removed the 2/3rd’s requirement for increasing taxes, they once again have gutted, strike that…killed legislation that would help cities and counties combat criminal street gangs.

Yakima-area lawmakers tried to get tough on gangs at the Legislature this year, but they were turned back at the last minute by powerful Democrats who worried the proposal amounted to racial profiling and would penalize innocent property owners.

Rep. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima, said Monday that a measure that would have given citizens and law enforcement another means to fight criminal gang activity “was systematically dismantled in the Senate” last week, becoming “a victim of politics.” …

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/03/09/politics-killed-anti-gang-bill-yakima-lawmaker-says

I ask you, when will our legislators in Olympia, namely the Senate Democrats realize that we do indeed have a gang problem in this state?! Back in 2007 the City of Sunnyside adopted the first ever gang legislation in the state. It had many of the provisions Rep. Johnson’s bill had, and gave our police the tools they desperately needed in order to address the gang problems in our city. I say ‘had’ because almost immediately the State Legislature took notice of Sunnyside’s actions, and before the year was out, legislation had passed through both houses creating a new Criminal Gang Activity Law. The problem is that in order to get it passed Republicans allowed the Democrats to gut it! – It had none of the nuisance language that ours had, it also didn’t allow the police to create ‘special event areas’ – it was basically a law that for the first time in Washington’s history identified what a Criminal Street Gang was and basically nothing more. They also ‘preempted’ any current lower level legislation, which meant the City of Sunnyside had to change it’s law to meet the State’s standard.

Now jump ahead to 2010, Rep. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima and Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches introduce legislation that would put back some of the teeth that the original bill had in 2007. It passed the House by a vote of 90-6, it passed the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee (with the removal of the nuisance procedures and gang injunctions) – However, even with those items removed, it still might have been a decent law for the books; however, I’ll bet you can guess what Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown (D-Spokane) and her cronies did? That’s right, they killed it. They allowed it to die in the Senate Rules Committee, and when calls were put to their offices, they didn’t even have the common courtesy to return them. According to the Yakima Herald, calls to Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown’s (D-Spokane) office were not returned.

Winston Churchill said, “A politician thinks about the next election - the statesman thinks about the next generation.” – If you ask me, these ladies and gentlemen in Olympia need to start acting like statesmen instead of politicians!

Hopefully, this year, we can send a strong message to Olympia by giving a few of them their walking papers!

Entrepreneurs Can Change the World

jim® — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:29:00 GMT

(Please visit the site to view this media)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6MhAwQ64c0

Remember the Alamo!

jim® — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:40:39 GMT

Several months after the Texian Revolution had driven all Mexican troops out of Texas, General Antonio López de Santa Anna returned with 2,400 men on this day in 1836 to destroy the insurgent outpost at San Antonio de Bexar. Between 200 and 260 men defended The Alamo, a three-acre compound built as a mission. One of the commanders, James Bowie, had actually been sent to Bexar to remove the cannons and destroy the "fort". Bowie ignored his orders and decided to mount a defense.

In honor of those brave men and the sacrifice they made to defend The Alamo, today’s quotes are on Defense:

“A faithful friend is a strong defense, and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure. Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity.” - Bible, Ecclesiasticus 6:14-15

“Let thy chief fort and place of defense be a mind free from passions. A stronger place and better fortified than this, hath no man.” - Marcus Aurelius, 121 - 180

“Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack. One defends when his strength is inadequate; he attacks when it is abundant.” - Sun Tzu, c. 544 - c. 496 BC

“There is no defense against adverse fortune which is so effectual as an habitual sense of humor.” - Thomas W. Higginson

“We have entered an age in which education is not just a luxury permitting some men an advantage over others. It has become a necessity without which a person is defenseless in this complex, industrialized society.” - Lyndon Baines Johnson, 1908 - 1973

“There are four boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order.” - Ed Howdershelt

Remembering the Father of our Country

jim® — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:54:20 GMT

George Washington was born in Virginia's Westmoreland County on this day in 1732. When his father died in 1743, George moved to Mount Vernon to live with his half brother, later inheriting that estate. He learned surveying, worked in the frontier areas of Virginia until the French and Indian War. His abilities in leading troops earned him the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at the tender age of 22. He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses, then at both the First and Second Constitutional Conventions, the latter of which elected him unanimously as Commander of the Continental Forces in 1775. He went back to Mount Vernon after the war, but was disappointed by the results of the early government and led the Virginia delegation to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia. When the new constitution was ratified, Washington was unanimously elected as the first President. By all accounts, Washington was brilliant and capable, of good character, and would have much rather spent more years as a Virginia gentleman farmer had the British Colonial government been more reasonable.

Mr. Washington has been quoted so much in history, that it was difficult to find five quotes for this blog post; however, I think I have some that I haven’t used before, my favorite is the last one.

“Occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it.”

“It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones.”

“Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a Freeman, contending for liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.”

“It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.”

“My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty ... it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein.”

“The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.”

All from George Washington, 1732 – 1799

Remembering Alexander Haig…a warrior and a statesman

jim® — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:59:06 GMT

Alexander Haig died yesterday morning at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore. Raised at Philadelphia, he spent two years at Notre Dame before transferring to West Point(1947). He served on Douglas MacArthur's staff in Korea, participated in and was decorated for valor in four campaigns, worked at the Pentagon, then returned to action in Vietnam, earning a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross. He was assistant to Henry Kissinger, then National Security Advisor to Richard Nixon (1969 - 1972) and White House Chief of Staff (1973 - 1974). In this capacity he handled the removal from office of both Vice President Agnew and President Nixon. He was Supreme Commander of NATO (1974 - 1979), then served as president and CEO of United Technologies, the first civilian job he held since high school. Reagan picked him to serve as Secretary of State (1981 - 1982), and he more recently hosted two television programs on business topics. He was well-known for "Haigspeak" dating to his time as Secretary of State,although he could also speak plainly at times.

Below are some of his more memorable quotes:

“That's not a lie, it's a terminological inexactitude. Also, a tactical misrepresentation.”

“The warning message we sent the Russians was a calculated ambiguity that would be clearly understood.”

“Let them march all they want, as long as they continue to pay their taxes.”

“Practice rather than preach. Make of your life an affirmation, defined by your ideals, not the negation of others. Dare to the level of your capability then go beyond to a higher level.”

“More often than not, Americans and Westerners overestimated the power and capability of the Soviet Union.”

“We didn't lose Vietnam. We quit Vietnam.”

All from Alexander Haig, 1924 - 2010

Agriculture

jim® — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:38:37 GMT

It was on this day in 1889 that Grover Cleveland signed the law making the Department of Agriculture a Cabinet-level entity. Agriculture had always been important, of course, but as government became more important the farmers wanted a voice at the most important discussions. I don't think anybody has been happier as a result, and a lot of people have had things to say about it.

As someone who has been spending my share of time playing the Farmville and Farm Town games on Facebook, I can tell you, this farming stuff is definitely not easy

Below are some quotes on agriculture and farming, my favorite is without a doubt, Milton Friedman’s.

“Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1890 - 1969

“Little ol' boy in the Panhandle told me the other day you can still make a small fortune in agriculture. Problem is, you got to start with a large one.” - Jim Hightower

“The crime bill passed by the Senate would reinstate the Federal death penalty for certain violent crimes: assassinating the President; hijacking an airliner; and murdering a government poultry inspector.” - Knight Ridder News Service dispatch

“Farm policy, although it's complex, can be explained. What it can't be is believed. No cheating spouse, no teen with a wrecked family car, no mayor of Washington, DC, videotaped in flagrante delicto has ever come up with anything as farfetched as U.S. farm policy.” - P. J. O'Rourke

“The greatest advances of civilization, whether in architecture or painting, in science and literature, in industry or agriculture, have never come from centralized government.” - Milton Friedman, 1912 - 2006

“The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn't still be a farmer.” - Will Rogers, 1879 - 1935

Office of the DNI responds to Politico.com

jim® — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:13:41 GMT

February 3, 2010
Statement by the Director of Communications
Arthur House

The article published by Politico today regarding testimony of the Director of National Intelligence before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is inaccurate and irresponsible. The DNI did not criticize the Administration in any way – the assertion that he did is simply wrong.

The DNI stated that the combination of reality and politics regarding the December 25 attempted terrorist attack is surprising and that the Intelligence Community is trying to bring intelligence and law enforcement to bear on those who threaten our country. To suggest that his statement is a “blast” at the White House distorts words clearly spoken and seeks to create a conflict where none exits.

# # #

This is a perfect example of what is wrong with this administration. Why does it think it needs to even respond to a blog article? When a government agency weighs in on something like this, it just gives credence to the article itself. Believe me, I have seen how this works first hand.

As I was recently reminded, the better part of valor is discretion, why Mr. House felt that he needed to “respond” to an article on Politico.com is beyond me. Instead of worrying about the public’s perception of their agency, especially when it comes to the blogosphere, this administration, needs to focus on their jobs, which in this case is protecting our country from bad guys.

Happy Birthday to Hawkeye Pierce

jim® — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:03:38 GMT

Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo was born at New York City on this day in 1936. (The family uses Alda, a contraction of ALphonso and D'Abruzzo, as their surname for most things, but the birth certificates all use the original name.) He suffered from polio starting at age seven, was bedridden for two years, and at one point could only move his left arm. After graduating from Fordham University in 1956 he started acting with the Compass Players of Chicago.

He also joined the Army Reserve and served six months in Korea, as an Artillery Officer, and regularly was AWOL on weekends to date Arlene Weiss, who he married in 1957. He is best known for the role of Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) in the television show M*A*S*H; he was the only actor to play in every episode, he wrote five of them and directed 32.

Growing up M*A*S*H was a staple in my daily diet. My step-father served in Korea during the war, and he and I would sit in front of the television and he would point out all the discrepancies in the show; but he would laugh right along with me. I honestly believe for him, M*A*S*H was some how strangely cathartic. For me, it was all about spending time with him. He passed away some years ago, but every time I watch an episode of M*A*S*H it’s like I am 12 again, and he is right there with me.

After I joined the Army, I looked hi-and-lo for a place like the 4077th; unfortunately, never found one. As a matter of fact, I never found a MASH period. Not even sure if they exist. I did spend my fair share of time in Battalion Aid Stations (BAS); however, the nurses there were no where near as good looking as the 4077th’s.

Here are a few quotes from Mr. Alda:

”Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once and a while, or the light won't come in.”

“When people are laughing, they're generally not killing one another.”

“It's really clear to me that you can't hang onto something longer than its time. Ideas lose certain freshness, ideas have a shelf life, and sometimes they have to be replaced by other ideas.”

“Listening is being able to be changed by the other person.”

“No man or woman of the humblest sort can really be strong, gentle and good, without the world being better for it, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.”

“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself.”

- All from Alan Alda

Remembering the Iran Hostage Crisis

jim® — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:27:00 GMT

On this day in 1981 just minutes after Ronald Reagan's inauguration as the 40th president of the United States, the 52 U.S. captives held at the U.S. embassy in Teheran, Iran, were released, ending their 444-day struggle in captivity.

The Iran Hostage Crisis as I remember hearing it called on the CBS Evening News, began on November 4, 1979, when militant Iranian students, outraged that the U.S. government had allowed the ousted shah of Iran to travel to New York City for medical treatment, seized the U.S. embassy in Teheran. The Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran's political and religious leader, refused all appeals to release the hostages. However, two weeks after all non-U.S. captives, and all female and minority Americans were released. The remaining 52 captives remained at the mercy of their captors for the next 14 months.

President Jimmy Carter, unable to diplomatically resolve the crisis, decided a military rescue mission was in order, unfortunately on April 24, 1980, the mission he ordered, went disastrously wrong, and eight U.S. military personnel were killed when the aircraft they were riding in crashed in the desert. Three months later, the former shah died of cancer in Egypt, but the crisis continued. In November 1980, Carter lost the presidential election to Republican Ronald Reagan. Soon after, with the assistance of Algerian intermediaries, successful negotiations began between the United States and Iran. On the day of Reagan's inauguration, the United States freed almost $8 billion in frozen Iranian assets, and the hostages were released after 444 days. The next day, Jimmy Carter flew to West Germany to greet the Americans on their way home.

In honor of those 52 amazing individuals, and the eight members of the Special Forces team sent in to get them (because freedom isn’t free) today’s quotes are on freedom.

“He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself.” -Thomas Paine, 1737-1809

“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1890-1969

“I know but one freedom and that is the freedom of the mind.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery, 1900-1944

“Man is free at the moment he wishes to be.” – François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire), 1694-1778

“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1882-1945

Remembering the 18th Amendment (Prohibition)

jim® — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:58:07 GMT

On this day in 1919 the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified and enacted into law. One year later, on January 16th, 1920 it became illegal to produce, distribute or sell alcohol in the United States. The National Prohibition Act or as it was more commonly referred to, the “Volstead Act” passed through Congress and over President Wilson’s veto and established the legal definition of intoxicating liquor; however, did very little to enforce the law. And by 1925 there were approximately 100,000 “Speakeasy” clubs in New York City alone. It is without a doubt the most unpopular law ever enacted in the history of our country, and was plagued with logistical problems from the start, and so on December 5th, 1933, it was repealed under the Twenty-first Amendment.

Today’s quotes are on Prohibition, as many of the time felt the 18th Amendment was a joke, I personally like W. C. Fields’ the best.

“Why don’t they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as well as prohibition did, in five years Americans would be the smartest race of people on Earth.” – Will Rogers, 1879-1935

“Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control man’s appetite by legislation and makes crimes out of things that are not crimes.” – Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865

“For every prohibition you create you also create an underground.” – Jello Biafra

“Prohibition has made nothing but trouble.” – Al Capone, 1899-1947

“Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water.” – W. C. Fields, 1880-1946