(Brownsville, Texas) A 40-year-old Border Patrol officer, 12-year veteran Sergio Lopez Hernandez, was arrested this week for alleged involvement with an illegal alien and drug smuggling operation. Federal agents apprehended Hernandez while he was on duty at the Free Trade…
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On August 14, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said of the new law “[t]his landmark law will strengthen our ability to prevent unsafe toys from being sold, remove from the shelves more quickly products that are found to be harmful, and increase fines and penalties for violating product safety laws.”
Unfortunately, the law of unintended consequences is working overtime on the CPSIA. A law intended to protect children from harmful products will do so partly by driving literally tens of thousands of small businesses and craftspeople out of business, and those businesses that survive will be saddled with tens of millions of dollars of unsellable inventory on their shelves and in their warehouses. Just as the U.S. needs an economic stimulus to create jobs, the CPSIA will add tens of thousands of people to the rolls of the unemployed.
The CPSIA is yet another example of a good idea - protecting children from toxic materials - gone horribly wrong. (more…)
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I know a man, a man of a conservative bent, who gets downright irate anytime you use some variation or another of “tax cuts for the rich” in conversation. He can’t be taking it personally, I don’t suppose, since he isn’t rich and, as far as I can tell, he has no prospects for getting that way unless he happens to trip over a winning PowerBall ticket. So I guess you’d say he’s like Joe the Plumber and many millions more Americans who have very little, but want to make damned sure that they look after the interests of those who have everything.
People like this man are the reason I always giggle when I encounter political and economic theories that hinge on things like “rationality” and “informed self-interest.” (more…)
Congratulations to new GOP National Chairman Michael Steele!
Now if only he had been in this position two years ago when the grassroots wanted him to be.
I’m looking forward to the GOP under Michael Steele and believe that he will prove to be our best national chairman since at least Haley Barbour.
Here is a taste of what is to come…
“We’re going to say to friend and foe alike: ‘We want you to be a part of us, we want you to with be with us.’ And for those who wish to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over,” Steele said.
“There is not one inch of ground that we’re going to cede to anybody,” he added.
“This is the dawn of a new party moving in a new direction with strength and conviction.”
That is as it should be. Give the Dems no quarter. Take the fight to them everywhere. And “knock over” anyone who gets in the way.
I do have to laugh at DNC Chairman Gov. Timmy!’s response:
“I look forward to working with Chairman Steele as we set out to put partisanship and the politics of the past aside and get our economy working again,” Kaine said in a statement.
Hey, moron. You are the chairman of a national party committee as is Chairman Steele. Your very JOB is PARTISANSHIP and POLITICS. To pretend otherwise either means you are stupid or you think that the people are stupid. In your case, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assign both traits to you.
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People say the funniest things.
In the latest Lefsetz Letter, Bob Lefsetz, incredulous at how little play the new Antony & the Johnsons disc has gotten in the US, wonders:
Are Europeans just that more sophisticated, or does radio suck just that badly in the U.S?
I can’t speculate on the first part of the question, although I have some suspicions.
Regarding the portion after the comma, I can only guess that this is one of them “rhetorical” questions I’ve been hearing about.
Delegate Scott Lingamfelter submitted and the Virginia House of Delegates passed resolutions to celebrate the lives of Jean and Jim Smith.
H.J.R 808 and H.J.R. 809
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 809
Offered January 27, 2009
Celebrating the life of Jean Claire Smith.
———-Patrons– Lingamfelter, Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Amundson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Bouchard, Bowling, Brink, Bulova, Byron, Caputo, Carrico, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Fralin, Frederick, Gear, Gilbert, Griffith, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Herring, Hogan, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hugo, Hull, Iaquinto, Ingram, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, Kilgore, Knight, Landes, Lewis, Lohr, Loupassi, Marsden, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, Mathieson, May, McClellan, McQuinn, Melvin, Merricks, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Morgan, Morrissey, Nichols, Nixon, Nutter, O’Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Poisson, Pollard, Purkey, Putney, Rust, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Vanderhye, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts and Wright
———-WHEREAS, Jean Claire Smith of Dale City, a respected citizen and outstanding community volunteer, died, along with her beloved son, Jim, on December 19, 2008; and
WHEREAS, a native of New York, Jean Smith was born to Rita and James Maloney; and
WHEREAS, Jean Smith married her one and only love, Richard Smith, and the couple had four wonderful children; and
WHEREAS, devoted to her family and community, Jean Smith was a compassionate, enthusiastic, and loving wife, mother, and friend; and
WHEREAS, an advocate for all children, Jean Smith volunteered with numerous civic and community organizations over the years, including serving as president of the Parent Teacher Association at Enterprise Elementary School and as president of the Choir Boosters at C. D. Hylton High School; and
WHEREAS, mindful of the needs of a growing Prince William County, Jean Smith served on the board of the Prince William County Park Authority from 2004 to 2007; and
WHEREAS, Jean Smith was a faithful member of Holy Family Catholic Church and was active in the church’s many missions in the community; and
WHEREAS, Jean Smith will be fondly remembered for her kind and generous nature and will be greatly missed by her loving husband, Richard; her children, Sarah, Connor, and Liam; and her many friends and admirers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine community supporter and outstanding Virginian, Jean Claire Smith; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Jean Claire Smith as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 808
Offered January 27, 2009
Celebrating the life of James Marshall Smith.
———-Patrons– Lingamfelter, Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Amundson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Bouchard, Bowling, Brink, Bulova, Byron, Caputo, Carrico, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Fralin, Frederick, Gear, Gilbert, Griffith, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Herring, Hogan, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hugo, Hull, Iaquinto, Ingram, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, Kilgore, Knight, Landes, Lewis, Lohr, Loupassi, Marsden, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, Mathieson, May, McClellan, McQuinn, Melvin, Merricks, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Morgan, Morrissey, Nichols, Nixon, Nutter, O’Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Poisson, Pollard, Purkey, Putney, Rust, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Vanderhye, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts and Wright
———-WHEREAS, James (Jim) Marshall Smith of Dale City, a respected citizen and sophomore at James Madison University, died, along with his loving mother, Jean, on December 19, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Jim Smith was born to Jean Claire and Richard H. Smith III and was one of four siblings; and
WHEREAS, an inspirational, passionate, and fun-loving young man to be around, Jim Smith attended C. D. Hylton High School, where he was active in the choral department as a Troubadour, an honored vocal ensemble group, and was a leader on the wrestling team; and
WHEREAS, Jim Smith went on to attend James Madison University, where his love of music led him to become a member of the all-male a cappella group, Exit 245, and to play bass for numerous student productions; and
WHEREAS, a loyal and caring friend, brother, and son, Jim Smith was loved by his many friends; girlfriend, Emily; and family members; and
WHEREAS, Jim Smith will be fondly remembered for his kind and generous nature and will be greatly missed by his father, Richard; his sister, Sarah, and brothers, Connor and Liam; and many friends and admirers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine young man and respected citizen, James Marshall Smith; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of James Marshall Smith as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.
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If you’re Chris Matthews and you’re attempting to regain a reputation for being “fair and balanced” after famously exhibiting excitement about Barack Obama and his presidential campaign, what do you do? How about facilitating a discussion about Obama’s proposed stimulus plan with two lawmakers from the same party, the Republican Party?
That’s precisely what Matthews did during a segment on his January 27 edition of Hardball, inviting only Senator John Ensign (R-Nevada) and Representative Mike Pence, the House Republican Conference Chair, to discuss the plan.
First ballot:
168 ballots. 85 to win –
Mike Duncan - 52
Michael Steele - 46
Katon Dawson - 28
Saul Anuzis - 22
Ken Blackwell - 20
Blackwell is the low man out, so now it goes to Round 2. We’ll see if anyone else drops out. Where will the Blackwell votes go now?
Jim Geraghty from NRO has his analysis here.
Second ballot:
168 ballots. 85 to win –
Mike Duncan - 48
Michael Steele - 48
Katon Dawson - 29
Saul Anuzis - 24
Ken Blackwell - 19
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Remember those bumper stickers from 1996 that Mark Warner used in his senate race against John Warner — “Mark NOT John”? Well, residents of the 52nd Dist. may see some variation of that in the not too distant future.
It seems that efforts to recruit former PWC Chairman Sean Connaughton to run for the 52nd House of Delegates seat being vacated by RPV Chairman / Del. Jeff Frederick have fallen through. Sean had been until recently the U.S. Maritime Administrator in the Bush administration. Having only been out of office for about a week and a half or so, and not having been able to negotiate future employment while still serving as a presidential appointee, Sean is obviously busy tending to his career and family needs.
So, with Sean apparently out of the picture, three names quickly emerged on the GOP side – former Dumfries Town Council Member Rafael Lopez, Devon Gray and Amy Frederick, Jeff’s wife. The latest word is that Devon has decided not to jump in and has offered his support to Lopez. Meanwhile, all signs point to Amy forming an exploratory committee prior to committing to join the race (”Amy NOT Jeff” anyone?) And while a few people had inquired with me whether I had any interest in this race myself, I have explained to them that I didn’t and that the General Assembly’s schedule would not permit for me to continue with my current job which I love and am not willing to give up. Given that, I have offered my full support to Amy in this contest.
On the Dem side, Mike Hodge has already filed and Chris Brown is planning on running. However, rumblings are that the Dem leadership doesn’t really like either of them and are trying to throw them both under the bus in favor of Rev. Dr. Luke Torian, who is the pastor of First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries.
All this should make for an interesting contest on both sides and in the general election.
I hope that Amy decides after considering this race to enter it and do us proud in Richmond. She is intelligent, knows the issues and the needs of the constituents, is accomplished in her own right, and is very politically savvy. I believe that Amy would make an outstanding delegate.
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