MoveOn moves on Walla Walla

via Martha:

Dear Friends,

We just got word that Moveon.org and other liberal groups will be protesting in front of the Congresswoman's Walla Walla office (29 South Palouse Street) Monday at 12:00 noon.

We will be meeting at 11:45am at 29 South Palouse Street to hold a rally supporting Cathy and her efforts to stop the wasteful spending in DC. As Cathy said earlier in the week, President Obama and others in DC have pushed the country to an economic crisis and we must stand together, united, to bring fiscal sanity back to the U.S. government. Please join us Monday at 11:45 and bring your Cathy signs!

It is important that we counter this liberal agenda of more spending and higher taxes. Now more than ever, we must show our strong support for Cathy. I hope to see you tomorrow at 11:45.

Please call Christian Bell at 509-301-4847 or email him at cmbell10@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Kristina Sabestinas Campaign Manager Cathy for Congress

 Be there!

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has quite a future ahead of him.

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) points out -- rightly -- that the Democrats are not willing to negotiate on the budget. In the process, Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA, and he was in Vietnam, by the way) is schooled on how to be a gracious speaker.

Enjoy.

City of Walla Walla doesn't want to follow their own rules

Fair use rules prevent me from copying the entire Union-Bulletin article (linked here [registration required], published on 28 July 2011), but here's the essential part:

Change to rezone rules moves ahead

The City Council signed off on drafting of an ordinance that would give the city greater latitude to change zoning of its lands.

A proposed amendment that would grant planners greater authority to rezone city property narrowly passed City Council on Wednesday night.

Council members Dominick Elia, Shane Laib, Jerry Cummins and Conrado Cavazos voted in favor of having legal staff draft the ordinance that would allow the city to rezone its own property as it sees fit, even if that rezone is not what was stipulated in the city's comprehensive plan.

Fred Mitchell, Jim Barrow and Mayor Barbara Clark voted against drafting the ordinance, arguing it would do away with a key part of the public hearing process and give the city more rights than the average property owner.

"The part that concerns me is that this would allow any city land use designation to be applied. That is a concern ... because in that instance the city is acting as any other landowner in the city," Clark said.

Simply put, city employees would have more input to land use than a land owner.  Even  City Attorney Tim Donaldson agreed: "You could take and sell off a park for commercial development without much public input." 

The vote was only to draft the ordinance, and it is opposed by quite a few people, for a number of reasons (see the Union Bulletin's editorial, "City government should follow same zoning rules as citizens").

And it's certainly another attack on property rights, and definitely denies the public due process in rezoning changes.  That the current zoning process inconveniences public employees is immaterial; the City of Walla Walla does not need this degree of flexibility.  If the process is broken, fix the process.  As the WWUB put it, "City government should have to follow the same zoning laws as the citizens it serves."

If you live inside the city limits of Walla Walla, I recommend contacting the City Council about this.  There will public input on the ordinance.

Republicans did this

I picked this up through the "Ace of Spades" blog.  It's not relevant to the current budget battle and fiscal responsibility, but is relevant to limited government.  A House Committee approved a bill (H.R. 1981, "Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Act of 2011") that would require Internet Service Providers (ISP) to maintain a huge database of Internet transactions just in case police want to see it.  No warrant needed.   Most of the approving votes came from Republicans.

AofS said this about the bill:

"On Thursday legislation was approved that would force internet service providers to save information on customer usage for twelve months on the chance law enforcement might want to look at it sometime. The bill was mislabeled the "Protecting Children from Internet Pornographers Act of 2011" in a nauseating attempt to cut off debate on its merits.

It eliminates the warrant requirement.

ISPs would be required to store customer names, bank account numbers, IP addresses, credit card numbers and home addresses. In other words, a gigantic database will be created for any snooping purpose. And, let's be clear, since there is no warrant requirement, law enforcement will end-up simply grabbing all of the information available, whether or not there is an ongoing investigation, and storing it permanently.

Republicans did this.

There's a point where right meets left.....This has very little to do with what America is all about. It has everything to do with how these people view themselves. Liberals and conservative like these are drunk on power. They're so enamored of their own brilliance and so certain of their abilities, they feel they can fashion new law on an ad hoc basis whenever it suits them. "

It's important to remember that the Big Government problem is not limited to the Democrats.  And to hold all of Congress accountable.  There's a list of the Republican Representatives who voted for this bill at the end of the link......and a much shorter list of those who voted AGAINST it.  And several Democrats are against the bill as well.  Right does indeed meet left here.

President Obama's Leadership Failure

"Death Panels" in the United Kingdom

Obamacare has been off the radar for a while, given the budget battle.

But it appears that the "Death Panels" -- named by Sarah Palin and hooted down by lefties everywhere -- are here. Or, rather, in the United Kingdom, thanks to their "National Health System", on which Obamacare was partially modeled.

Which means we'll see our own death panels in a few years, unless Obamacare is repealed.

Representative Ryan destroys Reid's "budget" bill

Brilliantly.  The video is on Breitbart TV.

Washington Conservative Coalition Rally

And Major Statewide Political Announcement!

Saturday, August 6, 2011, 

The Historic Gazebo at Pioneer Park
940 E. Alder St.

Walla Walla, Washington
2:30-5:30pm

Music and free ice cream at 2:30 pm; Rally begins at 3:00pm.

CALLING ALL CONSERVATIVES! Come celebrate with like-minded citizens the principles that have made America great! What is ahead for the Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana in 2012?  Can we unite with other voters to elect principled candidates who share our constitutional values and have the courage to fight for them?

Come one and all—Stand for "Principles before Party!”

Featured speakers include: Bob Pederson -- Rally Right Idaho... Steve Pidgeon -- Legal Analyst..... and several local candidates for office. Other speakers to be announced soon!

Keynote Speaker: Shahram Hadian – Christian pastor and former muslim- who has been traveling around the Nation speaking on the Threat of Islamic Shari’ah Law in America, will be speaking on the need for “Courageous Leadership” in our State and Nation. Hadian, who is the founder of the TIL (Truth In Love) Project LLC., believes that our Nation is in crisis, and that political correctness has handcuffed our ability to address the critical issues that we face as Americans.

Hadian is a former candidate for WA State Representative whose unique background includes experience as a police officer, teacher, pastor and small business owner. He is a proud U.S. citizen. Hadian will also be making a major campaign announcement for statewide office in Washington State! You will not want to miss this momentous announcement!

Hosted by the Washington Conservative Coalition: “Our purpose is to unite, support, and train Americans who believe in rebuilding the strength of the Republican Party by returning to an unwavering faith in the Conservative values so wisely established under God by the Founding Fathers and so eloquently espoused in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.”

Please bring your own blankets, lawn chairs, and an American flag if you have one.  We look forward to having you join us!

RSVP’s are encouraged by not required. You can email your RSVP or any questions to WACONCO@gmail.com


Join Us on Facebook!

This event is paid for and hosted by the Washington Conservative Coalition.

The Washington Conservative Coalition

Courtesy of Martha:

The Washington Conservative Coalition is associated with Rally Right of Idaho (www.rallyright.org) and we concur with the Rally Right Mission and Creed below. The Washington Conservative Coalition has added a 13th principle at the end of the Conservative Creed.

OUR MISSION: The purpose of the Washington Conservative Coalition is to unite, support, and train Americans who believe in rebuilding the strength of the Republican Party by returning to an unwavering faith in the Conservative values so wisely established under God by the Founding Fathers and so eloquently espoused in our Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

CONSERVATIVE CREED ™

We believe in...

• God: That the United States of America was founded on principles endowed by our Creator
• Freedom:  As the cornerstone of our Republic, which we must defend with our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor
• The Constitution: Which must be implemented and interpreted as it was intended by the Founding Fathers
• States Rights: As protection against tyranny of a Federal Government
• Justice: Evenly administered under the Constitution and Bill of Rights, free of judicial activism
• Individual Rights: In particular: Freedom of speech, religion, the right to bear arms, and the pursuit of happiness [WCC note: including property rights]
• Right to Life: Because life is sacred
• Marriage: The union of one man and one woman
• Personal Responsibility: Through self-government and accepting our own successes and failures
• National Security: By securing our borders, and by maintaining U.S. sovereignty
• Military Defense: Protect our sovereignty by maintaining a strong military
• Fiscal Responsibility: By the government adhering to low taxation, maintaining a balanced budget and opposing pork barrel spending
• Standing with Israel [WCC additional principle]: Israel is a sovereign Nation and our greatest ally in the Middle East

 For more information, please email Washington Conservative Coalition at waconco@gmail.com

Who's up for a trip to Middle Earth?

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) certainly needs one.  He denigrates the "TEA Party Hobbits", without realizing that the hobbits were one of the "good guys" in the "Lord of the Rings" novels. 

I take it as a compliment, myself.  As Mr. Robbins says:

Anyone with a literary bent would never use the term “Hobbit” as an insult. The Hobbits are the most admirable characters in J.R.R. Tolkien’s opus The Lord of the Rings. Mr. Tolkien was a traditionalist with a romantic attachment to particular English ideals and myths that also have strong resonance in this country. The Hobbits were an archetype of the doughty English yeomanry, a free people living productive and pleasant lives, hard working, honest and happy. They stand in contrast not only to the evil denizens of Mordor but also to the city folk of Gondor. The Hobbits lived more simply, free of the complexities, anxieties and dangers that beset their urban human counterparts. And the same type of people who inspired Tolkien to invent the Shire are those who came to America in the 18th century to forge a pastoral utopia on the Midwestern frontier.

Thank you, Senator McCain.  Even if you don't understand it.

A great visualization of the national debt!

Pass it on, please.

Harry Reid desires for a "Hugo Chavez" style of government

From Powerline:

One of the little-known features of Harry Reid’s “compromise” proposal–no detailed version of which exists–is that it would “deem” budgets to have been enacted for fiscal years 2012 and 2013. In that event, our government would go a full four years without a lawful, statutory budget being in place.

This is in direct violation of Federal law. As one acquaintance of mine put it, "They [the Democrats] have absolutely no shame in their drive to institute an Hugo Chavez style government."

Read the whole thing, and pass it on.

Snatching Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory?

A valid analysis? I'm not certain that I agree with this, but it's worth reading.

What bills will Obama pay if there isn't a budget deal?

Tune in Friday.....after the markets close.

Which will NOT reassure the markets.

Does Obama want the markets to crash?

Want to improve your golf game?

Sign up with the Environmental Protection Agency.

80 Members of Congress....

......who have improved their financial standing while much of the country is hurting.

The list is here.

UPDATE:

A friend of mine points out the flaws in this video:

Lies, damn, lies, and statistics.

This video is made to mislead.

One clue: heavy reliance on percentages. This is shocking when the denominator is low, which is usually the case.

2nd clue: percentages are avoided where convenient. Video switches to real numbers to say that 223 of 535 members had their net worth increase. In percentages, 41.7% of them had their value increase. Said differently, “as home prices and 401k values for America where on the slide, 58.3% of Congress saw their net worth decline as well.”

3rd clue: Doing “analysis” on only the “successful” sub group. By leaving out 58% of the group, they try to make it seem like EVERYONE is making off like a bandit.

Lastly, look at the list and notice Louis B Gohmert, Jr from Texas. His net worth declined from -110k in ’04 to -250k in ’08. He got poorer and they put him on this list.

If these guys at the website have a good point, they failed to make it.

 Thanks, 'brain!

WH Press Corps finally does its job.....

.....and hammers White House Press Secretary Jay Carney about Obama's budget "plan". 

Allahpundit at Hot Air offers great commentary on this, so go there for more information.

President Obama In The Bully Pulpit

For the fifth time in three weeks, Barack Obama seized the bully pulpit in the debt-ceiling debate, this time using a prime-time speech instead of a press conference to do so.  And for the fifth time in three weeks, Obama literally did nothing with it except to utter the same platitudes and clichés as he did on the previous four occasions.  Obama offered no solutions, no specifics for a solution, and spent 15 minutes avoiding both.

America's credit rating downgraded soon?

From Hot Air:

Barack Obama has spent the last several weeks warning that a failure to raise the debt ceiling by the “drop-dead date” of August 2nd would cause a ruinous downgrade of Treasury bonds and an economic disaster for the US.  However, the downgrade may come sooner than that, because the debt ceiling is actually a secondary condition to the ratings agencies.  The problem, as they see it, is not that America can’t pay its debts next month, but that America has grown its debt to such a degree that we can’t pay them in the long run without serious restructuring of the federal government — and this administration refuses to consider it.

President Obozo: We must halt this "3-ring circus".

"No, c'mon, guys. Seriously. I mean it."

Gratefully borrowed from Paco Enterprises.

"A Fling with the Welfare State"

"From the best of intentions to bankruptcy and recriminations"

How true, how true.  As sample of this great article:

Ever since Franklin D. Roosevelt linked “freedom from want” to “freedom of speech” and “freedom of worship,” the left has been talking of everything that it thinks would be nice to have in terms of an utter and absolute right: a right to a job and a right to an income, a right to retire in comfort in Florida, a right to the most advanced health care without paying much for it, and a right to have your children taken care of while you work all day at your job. The problem is that these are all goods and services, though of varying importance, and goods and rights are not the same things. People tend to concur upon rights (except for the speech rights of those who oppose them), and they do not depend upon others to supply and pay for their rights. With goods, there is always a political argument: about the value of the good, who is to get it and who is to pay. And all this comes down to the question of “fairness,” about which there is no end of disputation and grief.

 As they say, Read The Whole Thing.

Trying to Move On MoveOn.Org

By Marion DS Dreyfus, who starts out with:

In the spirit of ecumenism, and convinced that there is too much one-sidedness in the political discussion now riving the country, I attended my first (and probably only) meeting of MoveOn.org, the radical progressive organization that, backed by the billions of Richie Rich radical mover and shaker George Soros, has spearheaded so much dissension since the advent of Bush 43, and now continues to fulminate against those on the right who stand against the dubious programs of President Barack Obama. 

This is good insight of the anti-thesis of the TEA Party. As they say, Read The Whole Thing.

Saul Alinksy in Hell

A modern parable from Paco Enterprises concerning Saul Alinksy, the Devil, and the Tea Party. 

Enjoy!

"Sanctimonious" is one of the nicer words from Krauthammer

Krauthammer nails Obama.  Perfectly.

Watch the whole video.  Repeatedly.

"Cut, Cap, and Balance" amendment passes House, Senate "Gang of Six" Miraculously Materializes with counterplan

The "CCB" amendment passed today, 234-190, although it's supposed to be dead once it hits the Senate.

The "Gang of Six" offers a nebulous counter-plan, described by the Washington Examiner as "another Washington punt".

I say that Republicans call Obama's bluff, and make him own the debt-deficit debacle.

What say you?  Write our Congressional delegation, and let them know!  I did.

Action items from the July meeting.

My apologies for not posting this sooner, but here is a re-cap of the action items from the 11 July meeting:

1. Write letter to the editor regarding the debt ceiling
2. Contact our representatives to NOT raise the debt ceiling (click on links below for their "Contact Pages")

• Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (you have to enter your zip code to proceed).
• Senator Patty Murray
• Senator Maria Cantwell

1. Contact our representatives about HR 2409, Debt Ceiling Reduction Act, introduced by Congressman John Broun of Georgia
2. Attend one of the following meetings: County Commissioner, Port Authority, City Council and School Board (schedule, minus the School Board, attached)

Marxism in America

By Lt. Gen. (Ret.) W.G. "Jerry" Boykin

In this video entitled "Marxism in America", General Jerry Boykin discusses his background and training in understanding Marxist insurgencies and how current government actions parallel Marxist tactics.

Doing What They Were Elected to Do

Or at least trying to.

GOP Freshmen Come To White House Demanding Obama’s Deficit-Reduction Plan
With President Obama and Congressional leaders mired in behind-the-scenes deficit negotiations, a group of House GOP freshmen came to the White House this morning to publicly express their frustration and demand the president put forth a written plan outlining his proposal to reduce the deficit.
“We are coming down to crunch time. We need your plan… show us and show the American people what your plan is,” Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., told reporters, and a few curious tourists, outside the White House today. “There was no written proposal for $4 trillion, it was all verbal… We need to see from the president, in black and white, what are your cuts, where are your increases in taxes. Let’s put it in writing so there can be no confusion as to where you stand.”
The group of roughly 20 freshmen have sent two letters to the president asking for his written proposal and today accused Obama of all talk and no action. “This president has done nothing but sit around and talk. Press conferences do not result in a plan,” said Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Ark. “We need something that the CBO can score and that we can analyze as a plan.”

…Responding to White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, who yesterday described the legislation as “Duck, Dodge and Dismantle,” the freshmen today said the president’s inaction amounted to “Punt, Pass and Kick.”

(A hat tip to "Coalition of the Swilling", blogging for conservatives since 2004.)

The INTERNET, its memory is long

From the House of Representatives Committee on the Budget:

A Brief History of President Obama’s Fiscal Record.

Thank you, Representative Ryan!

"Fateful Year"

Well, none of that will do in 2012. We The People are the surest guardians of our own liberty, and in this time of clear and present danger, the market for leaders who don’t lead has turned decidedly bearish.

Obama's Priorities

 "Obama generated twice as many campaign contributors as new jobs through second quarter of 2011"

Nothing more need be said.

Obama Wants ‘Largest Deal Possible'

Robert Stacy McCain is a rare combination: a conservative journalist. I commend to you a blog post that he wrote today concerning the debt ceiling negotiatns, with this conclusion:

"After the historic Republican landslide in the 2010 mid-terms, there logically ought to be political momentum for the kind of conservative fiscal policy favored by the Tea Party movement. And yet we see GOP leaders in Washington cowering in fear of pursuing such a policy, while Obama is apparently emboldened, uttering tough-guy one-liners like an action movie hero: “Don’t call my bluff!”

CALL HIS DAMNED BLUFF, BOEHNER!

Enough with this pitiful kabuki-dance pageant. Silly symbolic gestures will not suffice, either as policy or politics. House Republicans should do what Newt Gingrich said: Stop negotiating and start legislating."

It's a short article, but worth the read.

AP FACT CHECK: Obama stretches poll findings on debt

From the Associated Press (as unlikely that might be, it is).  "Stretches" is something that applies only rarely to Obama. But it's clear that he intended to deceive Americans on the true nature of the debt crisis, and what the nation views as acceptable options. A deception that works in Obama's favor.

I'd cut and paste at least part of the article here, but  AP tends to be fussy about "fair use", so please follow the link.

Social Security chief actuary confirms a decision to withhold checks would come from the Treasury

Yesterday, I wrote letters to our US Senators about the current budget-deficit debate. Amongst other points, I said that fund allocations -- after paying the interest on our debt, "...is largely at the discretion of President Obama, so when he claims that retirees will not get their Social Security checks in August, that is his decision."

Today, Stephen Goss, the chief actuary of the Social Security Administration, confirmed that. Follow the link, there's a video of Kansas Republican Representative Tim Huelskamp, getting to the heart of the matter.

Enjoy!

UPDATE:  I sent a follow up message to our Senators, and I'll follow up with a letter to Congresswoman McMorris-Rodgers.  Here's the text that I sent.

Yesterday, I wrote about the need to tone down the rhetoric concerning the budget-deficit ceiling.  Among other things, I said:

"Specifically, if we don't raise the deficit ceiling, the Treasury will not default. We will still have the revenue to pay the interests on our debts, which is the accepted definition of default in the financial world. Secretary Geithner can meet those obligations easily with current revenue."

I wish to point out that Stephen Goss, the chief actuary of the Social Security Administration, confirmed that during Congressional testimony today.  His testimony, with commentary, can be seen at:

http://hotair.com/archives/2011/07/13/video-social-security-chief-actuary-confirms-a-decision-to-withhold-checks-would-come-from-the-treasury/

I hope that this clarifies my position on this debate.  And I hope that you will communicate this perspective to your peers, and to President Obama.

Thank you for your time.

White House Executive Order on "Rural Council"

From the web site, Canada Free Press:

On June 9, 2011, few people paid attention to the Executive Order establishing the White House Rural Council. It was several days before people started inquiring, prompted by a few articles on Agenda 21, including mine.

This piece of legislation from the Oval Office establishes unchecked federal control into rural America in education, food supply, land use, water use, recreation, property, energy, and the lives of 16% of the U.S. population.

The actual Executive Order is here, and lists the agencies, represented by "...the heads of the following executive branch departments, agencies, and offices":

Department of Treasury;
Department of Defense;
Department of Justice;
Department of Interior;
Department of Commerce;
Department of Labor;
Department of Health and Human Services;
Department of Housing and Urban Development;
Department of Transportation;
Department of Energy;
Department of Education;
Department of Veterans Affairs;
Department of Homeland Security;
Environmental Protection Agency;
Federal Communications Commission;
Office of Management and Budget;
Office of Science and Technology Policy;
Office of National Drug Control Policy;
Council of Economic Advisers;
Domestic Policy Council;
National Economic Council;
Small Business Administration;
Council on Environmental Quality;
White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs;
White House Office of Cabinet Affairs; and such other executive branch departments, agencies, and offices as President or Secretary of Agriculture may, from time to time, designate.

This is likely a "nose in the tent" for more government meddling in affairs that need no government meddling.

"Time only for small ball"?

 An interesting perspective of the current budget/deficit debate.  I don't completely agree with Mr. Morrissey, but his views are worth the read.

Obama takes in $47 million in first fundraising quarter

As per Hot Air, "...the figures fall well below what is needed for the pledged $1 billion pace, and even well below the pace needed to match Obama’s performance in 2008."

So while Obama is raising a "staggering" amount of campaign funds, it isn't the performance that he pledged to get.  Maybe that "Obama fatigue" is the real McCoy, hmmmmm?

A good read, by Ed Morrissey. 

President Obama agrees to appear in ads for GOP

Well, he didn't do so explicitly, of course!  But Obama is certainly an endless source of suitable material for GOP ads:

The Republican National Committee will be airing this ad in several swing states (Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and New Hampshire) in the near future.

Fear mongering is not an effective leadership tool

I just sent this to our US Senators, courtesy of their contact pages:

I would appreciate it if the Democratic Party in general, and the President in particular, toned down the rhetoric of fear and class warfare. It is neither welcome nor necessary.

Specifically, if we don't raise the deficit ceiling, the Treasury will not default. We will still have the revenue to pay the interests on our debts, which is the accepted definition of default in the financial world. Secretary Geithner can meet those obligations easily with current revenue. Kurt Brouwer of Market Watch says it best on his blog:

http://blogs.marketwatch.com/f​undmastery/2011/07/12/the-u-s-​treasury-will-not-default/

What we will have to do is prioritize spending. Some parts of the Federal budget will not be funded. This is largely at the discretion of President Obama, so when he claims that retirees will not get their Social Security checks in August, that is his decision. Not the Republican portion of the US Congress. HIS decision, alone.

So, if you would be kind, please see if you can get President Obama to stop holding the financial security of America hostage, against his bid for re-election in 2012.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Why would I ask US Senators to get the political rhetoric toned down?  Ask President Obama.

The US Treasury Will Not Default

From Kurt Brouwer, of Market Watch:

 Despite all the rhetoric and posturing we see in the media and in Washington D.C., it is safe to say categorically that the U.S. Treasury will not default on its debt after August 2nd, even if the debt ceiling is not raised.  Not only will the Treasury be able to pay interest on U.S. debt obligations, but there is money for other essential programs as well.  However, there will be some serious cutting that has to happen because spending clearly exceeds revenues.

Read The Whole Thing.  It's worth your time.

Agenda 21 For Dummies

Follow-up to county survey

This e-mail was sent late on July 8th, 2011 at 2:16 PM.  I didn't read it until today.  But it came from Connie R. Vinti, Clerk of the Board of Walla Walla County Commissioners, and concerned a survey conducted several weeks ago about implementing a 0.10% sales tax increase.  I assume that everyone who took the survey got a similar message.  It says:

As part of the survey initiated by the Board of County Commissioners earlier this year, you indicated an interest in receiving information about the survey topics (related to budget and the possible imposition of a one-tenth of one percent sales tax to fund mental health or chemical dependency treatment programs and services).  Please note that the county commissioners have placed an item on their agenda for Monday, July 11 to continue discussions among themselves and possibly provide direction to staff regarding the possible implementation of a one-tenth of one percent sales tax.  Although the time allotted for public input on this matter has passed, anyone is welcome to attend this or any other open, public meeting of the Board to hear such discussions or observe.  If you are unable to attend the meeting on Monday, audio from same will be available generally within 48 hours of the meeting for your convenience.

I regret not checking my e-mail over the weekend, although one would expect a better timed response to a keenly debated topic.

However, it appears that the Commissioners are still considering implementing the new tax.  The e-mail states  that further public input is welcome, but implies that such input is no longer relevant, as the decision appears to have been made, or will be soon.

More updates to follow.

Calender of notable events

July 19, 2011:  Candidate debate, sponsored by the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce.  Attend, and see how these candidates feel  our core values.

August 8, 2011:  Walla Walla Tea Party meeting, 6:30 PM, Regional Airport Conference Room.  Topic: United Nations Agenda 21, and how it impacts individuals.

2011 Walla Walla County election schedule:  Vote! Vote! Vote!

Primary - August 16

• August 16 - Primary
• August 31 - County certifies the Primary
• September 6 - State certifies the Primary

General Election - November 8

• October 9 - Overseas and military ballots mailed
• October 10 - Deadline for mail/online registration changes
• October 21 - Ballots mailed
• October 31 - Deadline for in-person registrations
• November 8 - General Election
• November 29 - County certifies the General Election
• December 8 - State certifies the General Election

County Commissioner meeting schedule

.

Vacation Liberty School!

All patriots ages 10-15 are welcome!

Fun, hands on interactive learning!

August 15th to August 19th, 2011, 6 PM to 8:30 PM

Stateline Community Church, 85440 Highway11

Milton-Freewater, OR  97862

This year's theme: Faith, Hope, and Charity

Principle that will be taught:

• With liberty comes responsibility.
• Our rights come from our creator, not men
• Natural rights as the basis of our Constitution.
• Equal rights, not equal results.
• Charity provides needed help during times of adversity, but should not enable dependency.
• Liberty is the balance between tyranny and anarchy.
• The Founder's principles of economic freedom.

Snacks provided.  $5 registration fee.

For registration, contact:

  Brian Calley: 541.938.4451

  Krysta Walker: 541.861.0903

Suggested headline: "Unemployed Also Feeling Impact"

Actual headline: "Job news a blow to Obama".


Nice to know that the media has our back.

Shuttle Closeout Crew Says Goodbye

Just a reminder.....

You can contact Congresswoman Cathy McMorrris-Rodgers directly here.

I expect that complaints, suggestions, and compliments will all be equally welcome.

Comedy gold, from Senator Patty Murray

Our very own Senator Patty Murray goes begging to the Koch Brothers for a donation to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The same Koch Brothers reviled by the Democrats as the worst of the worst sort of capitalists.  Read the whole thing; it'll make your day!  There's nothing like the smell of hypocrisy in the morning.

And as an added bonus.....Senator Murray left them a voice mail as well.  Which they kindly provided. 

Obama all talk, no walk

This is not news to those with their eyes open, but the National Republican Senatorial Committee demonstrates President Present's hypocrisy with his own words and deeds.  Well done, NRSC!

To all Walla Walla TEA Party Members: have a great Fourth of July, and remember:  We celebrate our independence this day.  Let's not lose that freedom through inaction.