Sneakeasy's Joint

Terrorism in Great Britain Again

First it was 2 car bombs in the heart of London the other day:

Anti-terrorism police have launched a huge manhunt for the people who planted two car bombs in central London.

Then, this morning, there was an incident in Scotland at a major airport:

A car on fire has been driven at the main terminal building at Glasgow Airport, police have confirmed.

4 people were captured, in the aftermath of this latest incident, by alert witnesses on the scene.

In light of the President's ill-advised Amnesty Plan for Illegal Aliens going down in flames, it behooves our leaders to FINALLY ENFORCE existing laws on our books, SECURE our borders with Mexico, and Canada, and listen to the concerns of the LEGAL residents of this great nation.

Wake the Hell Up, America!

Save the Easter Bunny!!

FROM THE WEBSITE:

EasterBunnyDude is a resident of Walnut Creek, Calif., who discovered a few weeks ago that the city has banned all things Easter.

No Easter Bunny. No Easter Egg Hunt. But we do have a Spring Bunny and a Spring Egg Hunt.

Kind of like Whoville, without those whacky dwarfs.

We live in the shadow of Mt. Diablo, named after the devil himself, which may explain a few things.

In the Easter Bunny vernacular, I was hopping mad.

Just learned of this on Hannity amd Colmes, and have watched the video. ;-D

Amazing!

It would be extremely funny, if it wasn't so wrong, and distrubing, and a fine example of Political Correctness Hopping Amuck.

Read this post for more backround, and check out the Blog from time to time, to kept abreast of the situation.

Count me as a Friend of the Easter Bunny! ;-D

Gangs Strike Fear Along Canals in Venice Ca.

Be afraid.... very afraid.

"If you live in a high-crime area and don't put bars on your windows and you've had break-ins before, you're asking for it,"  ( Quote from Law Enforcement Official. )

"Venice Canals, a community of 400 homes, is the kind of place where nearby shopkeepers greet customers and their dogs by name and often have a bowl of water or dog biscuits on hand. One resident turned part of his property into a dog park." ( Reporter description of neighborhood. )

Several years ago I discovered this little enclave on a visit to Venice Beach, and spent an enjoyable afternoon wandering along its by-ways....

Now I am wondering just how safe it is to do so.

New Online Resource for California Blogs

Readers will notice 2 new links in the California Section of the Sidebar.

During the summer I got word of a new website joining the many others out there that are Feed Aggregators.

I've never gone out of my way to search such sites out, though I was always pleased to find my BikeBlog on various ones over the past 2 years.

I was more than pleased to join the ranks of this one, and it's latest additions encouraged me to add the links.

BlogNetNews describes itself this way:

You've seen aggregators before. BlogNetNews jumps a generation ahead. We're not interested in reprinting your posts and we don't have an ideological ax to grind. We are going to use your feeds and the feeds of top bloggers from your online community to create new content and information that will organize this slice of the Internet making it work better for bloggers and their readers.

That caught my attention right away.

So what do they want to share, and how?

1.  The day's top news based solely on what news stories California bloggers are linking to -- no matter what mainstream news source they're in.

2. A micro search engine that will only search the California blogosphere.

3. A quick guide to the hottest blog comment sections in California.

4. A quick index of the day's most active California blogs.

5. A guide to the blog posts most link to by other California bloggers.

An impressive agenda.

So why do they think this will fly?

Our theory is simple: We think our tools will help new blog readers find the best content fast. A good experience means they'll come back for more. We also think a quick grasp of what's going on in the blogosphere will help bloggers get more out of the time they spend blogging.

Cool! ;-D

SEJ is over 4 years old, and unlike many of my fellows in CA. is not well known, even in its own backyard, currently averaging only 44 visitors a day.

Little guys like me have much of interest to share when folks take the time to explore our archives, and our links, and a resource like this one will help introduce new readers to us, and hopefully provide feedback on our efforts.

Check out BlogNewsNet - California, and its  Sacramento, SoCal, LA, SanFran, NoCal, Orange, Liberal, and Conservative sections for all you can handle in outstanding, informative, thought provoking, and entertaining Blogging.

Oh, and one more thing....

10 other states have their own places on the site, as do blogs about Cycling, Parenting, Motorsports, NCAA Football, Economics, Auto Industry, Energy Biz, and the Environment!

I am very impressed by what this whole site has to offer. ;-D

Ohioan Seeks Advice on Move to California

Anyone care to scare the BEJAYSUS out of the poor, unsuspecting, Woman? ;-D

Seriously, I think it's cool she wants to move out here, and here is her Comment left on an old OC related post, and promoted to where it might do her some good:

 

Hi, I have been interested in moving out to California from Columbus, OH.

I have decided on Orange County, Santa Ana.

I am a paralegal here in Columbus and was wondering in someone's opinion would this be a good transition or is the cost of living way outrageous like the rumor has it.

I also have another friend who is relocated to San Francisco for a job opportunites.

So which one??

If anyone can give a little insight I would greatly appreciate it.

Belinda McCord

belindamccord @ yahoo.com

Well, I'm partial to SoCal, having lived in the east of Los Angeles County all my life before moving to the OC over 3 years ago.

Depending on your politics you might feel more comfy in San Francisco, though if you are a Moderate Dem, then Republican OC might still be a fit. ;-D

Culturally, and entertainment-wise, both regions have much to offer.

Recreationally both have much to offer, though, for cyclists the north has more to offer.

Housing costs in both regions are through the roof,  but it all depends on your income, I suppose.

It takes a little effort, but you CAN find excellent Studio, 1 bedrooms, and in-betweens ( My own current abode ) apartments starting at $750, and staying just under $1000/1100 a month, even with Pet fees fer yer small pooch, or big pussy ( cat ). ;-D

I am in a fine complex that has an income restriction ( If you make more than the top income a yr. yer screwed! ) that I will never have to worry my pretty little head about, here in Santana. ;-D

For anyone interested in the OC I have plenty of useful links in the Left sidebar, to get you started in your search for information.

If there are any readers with some thoughts to add, fire away in the comments, or in an e-mail to Belinda.

9th Circuit Trying to Re-Write 1st Amendment

Okaaayyy....... This is just plain stupid, and irresponsible, and should be overturned at the earliest opportunity.

If Religious Expression can be banned from a public library, does this open the door to someone sueing to ban religious themed books from the shelves, too?

Any tampering with 1st Amendment Rights should be of serious concern to all Americans:

The decision came from a case involving the Faith Center Church Evangelistic Ministries, a Christian group which won a court order allowing them to hold a “prayer, praise and worship” service in meeting rooms open to other groups at a Contra Costa County library branch. A federal judge said it had a First Amendment right of religion to use the public’s facilities.

But a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that ruling in a 2-1 decision.

“Prohibiting Faith Center’s religious worship services from the Antioch meeting room is a permissible exclusion of a category of speech,” Judge Richard Paez ruled.

The Alliance Defense Fund, which is defending the church group, called the decision “astounding.” The group, he said, would consider appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court or asking the appeals court to reconsider.

“Religious people … whether they’re Jewish, Muslim or Christian or any other faith under the sun, this is not what the First Amendment was intended to do, to authorize censorship of speech in public,” said Gary McCaleb, an ADF attorney.

Read the full story at Stop the ACLU.

Nat Rev Diarist Replies to Standards Barnes on Immigration

Twice.

Fred Barnes has written an interesting piece in The Weekly Standard that makes the case that  maybe the best thing to do now is for the GOP to go along with the Prez on Immigration in order to say to voters "Look at THIS domestic accomplishment!" by the 109th Congress in time for the upcoming Election Season.

PRESIDENT BUSH AND REPUBLICANS are staring political disaster in the face on immigration. The problem isn't that they might enact a bill allowing illegal immigrants living in America to earn their way to citizenship, inviting foreign workers to come here, and beefing up security on the 2,000-mile border with Mexico. No, it would be a disaster for Republicans if they didn't pass such a bill.

Rarely has the American public been so involved in a national issue as they are today in immigration reform. Everybody has an opinion. Everybody agrees there's a crisis when, as is the case today, hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants are streaming across our southern border and millions more are already living in this country. The public expects action from the people who run Washington--that's Bush and Republicans. But action is not what they will get if the enforcement-only House refuses to compromise. What they will get in that case is an impasse. And that means the crisis endures.

The ol' Beltway Boy is just getting warmed up.

President Bush Speechifies on Illegal Immigration

President Bush went before the nation to make his case for Immigration Reform.

He made several points:

1. The United States must secure its borders. This is a basic responsibility of a sovereign nation. It is also an urgent requirement of our national security. Our objective is straightforward: The border should be open to trade and lawful immigration, and shut to illegal immigrants, as well as criminals, drug dealers, and terrorists....

We do not yet have full control of the border, and I am determined to change that. Tonight I'm calling on Congress to provide funding for dramatic improvements in manpower and technology at the border. By the end of 2008, we'll increase the number of Border Patrol officers by an additional 6,000. When these new agents are deployed, we'll have more than doubled the size of the Border Patrol during my presidency.

At the same time, we're launching the most technologically advanced border security initiative in American history. We will construct high-tech fences in urban corridors, and build new patrol roads and barriers in rural areas. We'll employ motion sensors, infrared cameras, and unmanned aerial vehicles to prevent illegal crossings. America has the best technology in the world, and we will ensure that the Border Patrol has the technology they need to do their job and secure our border.

Ok, you have my attention now, but why not 12,000?

The Tech Innitiative is going to cost money, and some nimrods in Congress, and among Immigrant Rights Groups are going to balk.

The hidden agenda of protest manipulators and organizers

The agenda of International ANSWER, and ANSWER LA, and their ilk is clear to anyone with eyes to see, and read.

Glenn Reynolds, the INSTAPUNDIT, said it best:

People are talking about backlash, and how these rallies are counterproductive.

That's probably right, but I think that's what the A.N.S.W.E.R. folks are hoping for.

Right now you have lots of immigrants who want to be part of America.

The A.N.S.W.E.R. people have been stoking these demonstrations not because they want to help illegal immigrants, but because they hope to provoke a backlash that will make them angry at America instead.

They don't have short-term ameliorative political goals -- they want shock troops for the revolution.

Thank you! ;-D

Technorati Tags: Backlash, A.N.S.W.E.R., Answerla, Illegal, Immigrants, demonstrations, America, Revolution

Split among Pro Illegal Immigrant Activists

Well, it's about time!

I KNOW I wasn't the only one writing about the Socialist involvement in the recent "Peace" Rallies, and the initial massive Pro Illegal Immigration Marches all across America, but it sure felt like it.

Many organizations active in the recent protests are suddenly doing all they can to distance themselves from International Answer, and their local affiliates across the country, such as in Los Angeles.

And this backpedaling involves more than just providing American Flags to everyone attending a march, and even giving them out to people waving flags of other countries, and encouraging them to wave THEM instead. ;-D

Captain Ed, of Captain Quarters, has the latest info, and related links, on how the proposed May Day Boycott ( Let's all walk off the job, and don't go shopping! THAT will show them! ) is losing momentum.

From a Wash. Post piece he found:

A panel of immigration activists said yesterday that it will not encourage workers and families to walk off the job and keep their children from school as part of a May 1 boycott, but will hold voter-recruitment and petition drives instead.

The announcement by activists from the District, Chicago and Los Angeles at a news conference in Washington underlined the split among the mostly Latino activist groups that led huge demonstrations in more than 140 cities in recent weeks, and shows that the grass-roots movement is operating at cross purposes toward the same end -- immigration reform and legal status for illegal immigrants.

Hee, hee. ;-D

Turn about is Fair Play on Immigration Issue

I recently received an e-mail that makes its point clearly, and unmistakeably:

Enter Mexico illegally. Never mind immigration quotas, visas, international law, or any of that nonsense.

Once there, demand that the local government provide free medical care for you and your entire family.

Demand bilingual nurses and doctors.

Demand free bilingual government forms, bulletins, etc.

Keep your American identity strong. Fly Old Glory from your rooftop, or proudly display it in your front window, or on your car bumper ( Or on the handle bar of your Bicycle, like me - KIRIL ).

Speak only English at home and in public and insist that your children do likewise.

Demand classes on American culture in the Mexican school system.

Demand a Mexican driver license. This will afford other legal rights and will go far to legitimize your unauthorized, illegal presence in Mexico.

Drive around with no liability insurance.

Insist that Mexican law enforcement teach English to all its officers.

Good luck!

I've been doing a lot of reading in the past month, and I don't think the protests are putting the Illegals in the best light. Most letters to editors are showing that most folks, even many legal Hispanic immigrants, are really put off even without knowing who is really organizing these protests.

The black community is also showing anger that Mexicans are claiming THEIR civil rights platform when there is no similarity.

As a friend put it the other day:

The only thing you can say for sure about any large group of immigrants, legal or illegal, is that there will be another wave right behind them.

I wonder how Mexicans are gonna react when Indonesian or Chinese illegals begin to work cheaper?

Good point.

So, pack yer bags everyone!

Let's Roll!

A counter rush to the border would sure freak out Vicente and friends. ;-D

Hee, hee. ;-D

Technorati Tags: Immigration, Illegally, Illegal, Illegals, Rights, Hispanic, Mexico, Mexican, Mexicans, Quotas, Government, Law, American, English, Culture, Protests, Immigrants, Legal

Immigration Compromise Foiled

THE IMMIGRATION COMPROMISE  was ripped in several places the other day, as reported by Instapundit.

The above is just a sampling of the discussion.

The upshot is that after much debate in Congress it appears possible that efforts at passing legislation could be doomed for this year!

Lily-livered Morons! ( That's a bi-partisan epithet )

AP ( 4/7 )= Senate vote sidetracks immigration legislation: Failure of compromise bill may doom efforts to pass legislation this year.

NY TIMES ( 4/7 ) = Effort to pass Immigrastion Bill Collapses in Senate.

AP ( 4/8 ) = Immigration Bill Falls Victim to Politics.

MICKEY KAUS has more on the breakdown.

So what does Senate High Poobah Bill Frist have to say about all this?

Check out his Blog over at VOLPAC: Democrat Obstruction Weakens Our Borders.

Boths sides have much to answer for in this ongoing ( Since at least 1986 fer cryin' outloud! ) debate.

What's that old line ( that I just made up )?

Let those in Congress without sin cast the first aspersion. ;-D

If our nation had made a concerted effort to actually enforce laws long on the books this mess would at the very least, not be what it is today.

Technorati Tags: Immigration, Debate, Congress, Legislation, Senate

Apologist Tripe Taken to Task

Ya gotta love the Lefty folks over at NPR ( It takes patience to hang around for the really good, informative, and entertaining, stuff, but it's there. I know because I used to listen to their output early in my former Liberal days in the 70's, 80's, and early 90's ).

All Things Considered, however, this bit of baloney, about Illegal Immigrants, really takes the proverbial cake.

A guest poster over at the Blog DeskMerc transcribed this so-called "Apology", ripped it, and those who would agree with its sentiments, to shreds, and then wrote a message to

"Americans who do that all-important job that actually helps this country, for which they do volunteer to expose themselves to chemicals, gunfire and other unpleasantness which few Americans want to do?"

Read: Developing the American Serf Class.

Technorati Tags: Illegal, Immigrants, Americans

You have got to be kidding

Happy 20th Anniversay 1986 Amnesty!

You may soon have a sibling!

Thanks to the United States Senate today:

As outlined, the measure would provide for enhanced border security, regulate the future flow of immigrants into the United States and offer legalized status to the millions of men, women and children in the country unlawfully.

While final details were not available, in general, the compromise would require illegal immigrants who have been in the United States between two years and five years to return to their home country briefly, then re-enter as temporary workers. They could then begin a process of seeking citizenship.

Illegal immigrants here longer than five years would not be required to return home; those in the country less than two years would be required to leave without assurances of returning, and take their place in line with others seeking entry papers.

Several questions:

Will the Senate actually be able to agree on even THIS? Like everyone else I saw the Press Conference bragging about, and trying to explain, this tentative agreement, before I went to work, but we shall see what happens.

How are they going to enforce this?

How are they going to determine who is in what category, especially if there is contradictory, or no documentation?

How are they going to confirm what country a person is suppoesed to go back to?

How are they going to stop the Fake Papers Industry from developing, as it surely will?

I don't think the people affected will willingly go back to their own countires, and besides what will we do if their country won't take them, even supposedly briefly?

Let's face it: Seperating families won't be easy, and will give the rest of the world, that has issues with America already, something else to carp about.

Since we can't send 12 million people back where they belong, and though it is seriously unfair to reward illegals with Citizenship, or a place at the head of the line, over those becoming legal the right, and honest way, I'm resigned to the fact that we may be stuck, yet again, with some sort of Amnesty Program.

My concern is that this is not the right one.

Will whatever enhancement of enforcement of Border Security, and regulation of future immigration this bill, or the compromise between it, and the House Bill, be enough to drastically reduce illegal immigration, or will it continue at current, or close to current levels, leading to a revisiting of this issue a decade from now?

The Illegal Immigration Debate in Congress

For the last couple of weeks the United States House, and Senate, have been debating what to do about the Illegal Immigration problem in our country.

Our biggest problem is one caused by illegals crossing over from Mexico, and even other Latin American Countries.

People more knowledgeable, and eloquent, than I have pointed out over the last few years that Mexico is a country with a history of Independence going back to the early 19th century.

It is a country that has an abundance of natural resources, and is a top oil producing nation.

It's people, given the opportunities, would build a prosperous nation.

One problem:

This country, and its neighbors to the south, have spent all this time ruled by corruption, crime, war, and economic mismanagement.

Is it any wonder that millions of people living there would want to go elsewhere?

So what happens when Americans say ENOUGH?

When Americans ask WHY DON'T YOU STRIVE TO IMPROVE THE COUNTRY YOU LEFT INSTEAD OF ABANDONING IT, IF YOU IDENTIFY WITH IT SO MUCH?

People with agendas other than the best interest of poor, uneducated, Mexicans lead the agitation we see in our streets, and the efforts that affect our laws, and how Democrats vote so as to keep a stranglehold on their fastest growing minority constituency.

Latino kids, seeing their parents in the streets, decide to emulate them, based on what little they know of, and may understand of, the issues involved, if they understand anything other than it's a great opportunity to ditch class for a day, and with no understanding of the organizations egging on their elders behind the scenes do what is an admittedly unusually good job of organizing themselves, and marching, thanks to MySpace, e-mail, and use of Cell Phones.

No-one doubts their sincerity, but they would accomplish much more now, and in the future, by staying in school, writing their Congressperson, and encouraging the illegals among their families to do the right thing.

SEJ Immigration Post becomes Craigslist Entry

The other day I wrote a post exposing the Left Leaning Group proudly taking credit for organizing the recent protests, especially in Los Angeles, against legislation aimed at the problem of Illegal Immigration.

Checking my stats this morning I came across something rather unexpected.

Last evening someone created a post titled WHO ORGANIZED THE RACE PROTESTS? , and posted my piece, complete with link to the source!

How cool is THAT? ;-D

Technorati Tags: Craigslist, Illegal, Immigration, Race, Protests, Answer, Legislation

Will Mexico Claim California by Eminent Domain Someday?

Fellow Bear Flagger Craig, of The Home of Uncommon Sense, has a piece that makes a nice companion to my report of early this morning:

Mexico claims California by eminent domain...Look for this headline by 2050!

I know that I was not the only one bothered by the plethora of Mexican flags
at the supposed ?Pro-Immigrant? rallies over the weekend.

I mean, if their goal is to come to America and share in the American Dream, one would think that they would be waving the red, white and blue of the American flag.

But is that really their goal?

I am all for immigration. Legal immigration.

My wife and her family are immigrants from the Fiji Islands.

But they went through all the hassle and paperwork it took for them to come to the United States and become legal residents and eventually citizens. They recognize that their being able to come here and live as citizens is a privilege, not a right.

But many of those who marched in the streets this weekend were declaring
something all together different.

In their chant of "Estamos Aqui" , which is Spanish for "We're Here!" they are claiming what we used to call ?Squatter?s Rights? .

In other words, this is their land simply because they are here.

Read the rest here.

Technorati Tags: California, Mexican, Immigrant, Immigrants, Citizens, America, American, Eminent, Domain

The ANSWER Nightline Ignored about who organized Hispanic Protests

Tonite Nightline opened with what it claimed was a look at the suprising collection of organizers behind the weekend protest in Los Angeles that brought an estimated 500,000 people, legal, and illegal into the streets of downtown.

While I found the brief story of how Hispanic Radio and TV worked together since December to reach this historic event interesting, I found the eager fawning of the reportage to be typical of the Mainstream Media's Liberal Agenda.

Unintentionally, though, ABC let an important message reach an American Public sick and tired of Illegal Immigration:

There was a fleeting image of a protester carrying a large sign with THIS website on it in big letters: ANSWER.ORG

( The group itself proudly says that another poster was distributed that said "Amnistia! Full Rights for All Immigrants", and had ANSWER.ORG, on it as well, and other posters listed ANSWERLA.ORG. )

When I saw THAT my W.A.C.K.I.E. Sensor started twitching uncontrollably just like it did when I reported on the so called "Peace" Rally I recently attended here in the OC.

When you visit the website of A.N.S.W.E.R. ( Act Now to Stop War and End Racism ) you will quickly discover that Nightline was far less than truthful with its viewers in reporting the story of who was actually behind the Los Angeles event.

When I checked out the websites of ANSWER, and its LA chapter, before, I learned the following:

One of the members of the organizations Steering Committee is the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and the group calls for the end of a litany of the Top Hits on the Far Left Complaint List.

Wandering around the LA site will open your eyes.

There you will learn the names of endorsers for various events being held.

Such organizations as:

Communist Party USA, International Socialist Organization,  U.S. Labor Against War,  Air America Radio, Asians for Jericho/Mumia, Cafe Intifada, Coalition in Solidarity with Cuba.

I don't know about you but that crowd seems just a tad troublesome to me, and I would not want to associate myself with such an organization if I wanted to persuade America, and especially Conservative America, that I should be listened to.

As the saying goes... Just Google. ;-D

So what did I learn tonight?

Glad you asked! ;-D

Los Angeles Times Caught Red Handed on Immigration Cover Story

From the Kaus Files at SLATE:

Put Out More Flags--L.A. Times True to Form: That propagandistic LAT story on Saturday's big demonstration, the one that mentioned the presence of Mexican flags only in the tenth paragraph, has now been amended and updated--to eliminate any reference to Mexican flags at all! The story now also contains the following:

In contrast to demonstrations 12 years ago against Proposition 187, Saturday's rally featured more American flags than those from any other country.

From what I saw, this statement is false. There were about as many Mexican as American flags.

When I bought the paper this morning, and saw the front page picture, I thought I knew what to expect from the Times story on the rally against new Anti-Immigration Laws staged in downtown LA on Saturday.

THIS, however, takes the Burrito ( or is that Taco? ).

Read more here, including links to more coverege, and opinion, here.

A Tip of the Hat to Instanpundit.

Technorati Tags: Mexican, Flags, American, Immigration, Laws

Samuel Gompers is rolling in his grave

Samuel Gompers original idea that unions should be run for the workers, and by the workers, was subverted, at minimun, 45 years ago, and a story I came across today is just the latest disturbing proof that many Labor Union Bosses don't give a damn for the workers they represent, or workers rights.

Recently the Los Angeles Times did a fascinating, and revealing, series on the United Farm Workers that is an eye opener.

And people wonder why, at most, only 2 percent of California’s farm workers are represented by the UFW?

When I read this story as it appeared in the paper, all I could think was that Cesar Chavez's efforts were all for nothing.

Even before THIS story Marc Cooper, of LA Weekly, did a long feature story last summer deploring the state of California’s farm workers and also criticizing the UFW for its ineffectiveness.

Good for them!

Before I became employed as a Directory Assistance Operator almost 2 years ago I had never been a member of a Union, but during my long years as a Democrat I was of the opinion that Unions did a lot of good for the average Worker, and I thought that membership in Unions, nationwide, was humongous.

I enjoyed reading articles on the history of the movement, and even a now forgotten series of 1980's era novels in the once popular Historical Family Saga Genre that followed a family of Union Activists from the 1870's to the 1940's.

Since coming to my senses, and becoming a Conservative, in the time before the rise of Gov. Arnold, my eyes have been opened by a lot of things.

Saying Good Riddance to Tookie

It couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.

This morning the founder of the notorious Crips Gang, Stanley "Tookie" Williams, was executed for 4 murders he has refused to admit to commiting.

The last word on putting his apologists in their place comes from fellow Bear Flagger, Baldilocks, in a masterful Fisking of a commentor to her Blog that will be taught in the Classroom a century from now when the History of Blogging is taught in our Colleges. ;-D

Frankly, Jeremy, unlike you, I acknowledge that you are free to comment all you want from your dorm room or the library at William and Mary--as is your right---about anything and everything. But frankly, sir, I find your academically and experientially unlearned opinion wanting and, conversely, I am free to tell you why I think so.

(As an aside, were I one of the faculty at William and Mary, I’d give you an ‘F’ simply for staining that august institution’s reputation by displaying your poor writing skills; it wouldn’t matter what subject it was. Were I one of your parents, I’d demand a refund for your tuition. However, I’m glad that you are only nineteen because you will have time to improve all of the writing-skill deficiencies displayed above.)

This whole, long, essay was a gloriously fun read from start to finish, and like me you will find your self reacting with frequent "You tell him, Sista!" outbursts along the way.

Leaving aside those who oppose the death penalty for moral/religious reasons, few of you have seemed motivated to move into my South Central LA neighborhood to see what “Tookie” and his Crip co-founder Raymond Lee Washington (who’s burning in Hell right now) have wrought for the last thirty-odd years. And I know that you won’t be choosing to live here anytime soon. That’s understandable; however, don’t tell me that we should coddle these TERRORISTS like “Tookie” and those he created if you don’t have to put up with them. (Okay, you can tell me, but you can expect a barely polite response and that’s if I’m feeling generous.)

And she's just warming up. :-D

Read, enjoy, and think about all that she has to say.

Also read the stories she links to, and the comments.

You will learn a lot from doing so.

To a Young One who is an Apologist for a Terrorist.

The Assimilation of Latinos concerns Latinos

There is an interesting Blog, called Hispanic Trending.

The writer, Juan Guillermo Torneo, posted an informative piece by Katheleen Megan on the issues, and concerns, Hispanics face, and have, in their efforts to assimilate into American Culture.

For many Latinos navigating between the old world and the new, wanting to preserve old traditions yet wanting children to be successful in the new world is complicated...

Nelly Rojas Schwan, chief program officer for the Village for Families and Children, said research has shown that children who maintain strong ties to both cultures are the most successful.

"There is a balance of how much you preserve of the culture and how much you give up in order to integrate," Schwan said. "Families need to find that balance."

Read the full essay: Straddling Cultures -- Latino Families Seek A Balance Between Tradition And Assimilation.

The cultural consequences of Illegal Immigration

I recently joined a Santa Ana oriented E-mail Message List, and found myself mesmerized by a heated debate over Illegal Immigration, including just how many illegals are in this city, and its schools.

One writer wrote an impassioned, intelligent, lengthy, thought provoking, and mezmerizing essay revolving around this simple, yet profound, question:

What are the cultural consequences of this new system of servants for the common man?

If you care ANYTHING about this issue, and about the future of America, you owe it to yourself to read the entire essay, as presented here, and think, long and hard, about what it has to say.

The author signed himself, simply, Skip:

  It is with unhappiness and great reservation that I recall for you
the America of my youth. America in that time was a dysfunctional
wasteland. Without masses of illegal aliens there to do the
necessary work that no American will do, the place simply fell
apart. Lawns went unmown for years at a time. The problem was so
bad that children simply disappearing into their overgrown lawns
became the third leading cause of childhood fatality for a time.

Also, there were no restaurants in those days. Without an illegal
servant caste there to bus the tables, wash the dishes, cook the
food, and take the orders, no restaurants were possible.

Even had a restaurateur managed to find a few Americans so desperate
and unaware of their hallowed elite role in the world economy that
they were willing to work in the food service industry, he would have
had no food to serve. We all know that no American can pick an
apple, or process a chicken, or pack even a single blueberry or
peanut. Without the agricultural underclass, there was no food in
those days.

Without an imported peasant population to care for us, we just sat
listlessly in our dilapidated, un-painted homes hoping that one day
some helpful pliant people would show up and do the jobs that no
American will do.

Scumbag steals life of Lakewood Sheriff Deputy

Lakewood Sheriff Station, in Los Angeles County, has suffered another loss this weekend, and this one was particularly brutal, and senseless.

Regular readers will remember how I shared my Sisters thoughts about the last officer killed in her, and her husbands, station, in the fall of 2002, and a link to the website in his honor where so many people have written tributes, and condolences.

Now this...

He was our friend and co worker...

It just really sucks that all this has happened again at our station.

This guy who killed him did it in cold blood.

He had no idea this guy was there. He was investigating a case from a phone call he recieved that someone had additional info for him.

So he was only doing some follow up work when this guy came out of nowhere and shot him from behind in the back of the head.

He was a really nice guy.

Too many "really nice guys" are killed in the line of duty every year serving, and protecting their fellow citizens, and neighbors, and it would be really nice if the media did more, and more prominent, reporting on the good Police do in their communities instead of highlighting the negative all the time.

Exercisinator puts his muscle where his mouth is

On Friday Ca. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger came to California Adventure, down the road from me, in Anaheim, to announce the revival of the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

The Exercisinator put his muscle where his mouth is to tell every man, woman, and child in the state that exercise is their friend, and that if they get off their asses and sweat a little our state can become the nation's 1st "Fitness State".

His challenge is for interested people to take part in what he billed as "The Governor's Challenge" a program meant to get more people to be physically active for 30 to 60 minutes, at least 3 days a week for 4 weeks.

To help people form a plan of action there is a free website to track progress, recruit others, and earn "rewards" such as something called an Active, Ca. Governor's Patch.

For more, including my review of the website, go here.

Train tragedy in Atwater Village

Early this morning, around 6am, a man put his Jeep Cherokee on a railroad track in the Atwater Village area of LA ( Glendale ), intending to commit suicide by train, taking others with him.

At the last minute he chickened out, jumped out of his SUV, and remained on the scene, watching the crash happen.

The cops found him there, and determined that 26 yr. old Juan Alvarez, of Compton, had apparently been spending the night trying to kill himself ( tried to slash his wrists ).

He's sorry for what he's done, now, the Bastard, but...

Because of him a Metrolink train slammed into his vehicle, then slammed into a parked freight train, and a 2nd Metrolink train going in the opposite direction hit the mess.

10 people are confirmed dead, and at least 200 injured, some critically.

Sorry doesn't cut it!

There are stories of heroic help by passengers to their comrades, and the actions of people from the nearby Costco ( the Triage area ) who used shopping carts to carry the injured away from the scene, and of the help of nearby residents, and employees of other bisinesses.

And of course the Police, Fire, and Paramedic folks did their usual excellent work.

The images on TV, and the witness stories, are compelling, as all the local networks are pulling out all the stops to cover the story.

Riding the Metrolink, while a tad expensive compared to the bus, is cheaper than commuting by car, and IS extremely safe.

I have done it a few times to go on bike trips.

My only complaint is that, unlike airplanes, there are NO SEATBELTS.

The fact that my bike was able to be safely strapped in place, but passengers don't have access to seatbelts is disgraceful.

Seatbelts could have conceivably reduced the number of injuries, and the cost of installing them would be more than made up by this simple fact.

Rally to support enforcing Immigration laws

Regular readers know that in 2003, and early 2004, I wrote a lot on the issue of illegal immigration ( check out my California Issues Archive ).

I really need to return to the issue as things heat up in the debate.

One bit of news is the following:

There will be a rally at the Redondo Beach Civic Center on Saturday
January 15, 2005 from 10AM-2PM in support of enforcing our immigration
laws. The rally is being organized by Save our State and
Save our License.

I work on that day, or I'd cover the event.

One  fellow Bear Flagger will cover the event, though, and here's his initial story:

Diggers Realm: Immigration reform rally in Redondo beach January 15th.

Californians Please Vote No on 66!

Fellow Bear-Flagger, Deputy District Attorney Patrick Frey, of the excellent Blog Patterico's Pontifications is worried.

So am I.

I haven't written anything here about the various Propositions we in Ca. are going to be voting on, until now, but this is important.

As Patrick writes me in an e-mail:

I am petrified by what will happen if California passes Proposition 66, an initiative that will release thousands of criminals with serious and violent criminal histories. Polls show that the initiative is likely to pass unless we take drastic action.

Because of his profession he knows what he is talking about, and I am joining him by publicizing my own opposition to this Proposition.

Cedillo Won't Wait for Guv on Ca. Licenses

The issue of Driver's Licenses for illegals had been put on the back burner by the Governor of California, thus thwarting efforts to kill the idea completely.

Now Senator Gil Cedillo has tired of waiting for Arnold Schwarzenegger to come to some decisions on the issue, and begun to try again for passage of his original bill by re-introducing it with or without the support of the Governor.

Baby Got Vote?

Sooner or later, in California at least, parents will not only be responsible for toilet training Jr., but explaining the California Election pamphlet before an election.

If Ca. Democrats get their way, that is:

Wal-Mart Steps Up Ca. Invasion

Wal-Mart has opened the 1st of 40 proposed Supercenters in California, and while consumers flocked to La Quinta in droves, Markets, and anti- capitalist, anti-walmartization of America handwringers were up in arms last week.

Solving California's Budget Woes

.... 1 cadaver at a time. :-)

The UCLA Cadaver story is Bruin much controvery in the news lately.

All this money made by someone illegally selling body parts is getting the college in trouble.

Well, leave it to a Trojan lover to come up with the perfect solution to California's Budget problems. :-)

BoiFromTroy: Cadaver me this...

Super Tuesday in Ca.

The voters of California have spoken.

All approximately 30% of them.

With only a 3rd of eligible voters bothering to cast their votes I don't know what sort of madate that is, but I suppose it's better than no mandate at all.

With Prop 57 & 58 winning, and 55 & 56 losin, a message of support for Governor Arnold's efforts has been sent.

Super Tuesday: Ca. Problems

Well, ain't this just fine and dandy.

Listening to KFI 640am radio, this morning, I am hearing reports of malfunctioning electronic voting machines in Orange County, and San Diego County.

Here in Orange County when some folks put in their PIN the only ballot appearing on the screen is the DEMOCRAT one.

This must be driving Republican voters nuts. :-)

People are being told to go vote at their County Registrar of Voters, but how many even have the time to do so, and how many will just say the hell with it, and go home?

How valid will this election be, then?

How many precincts this is affecting is still unclear, so an invalidated election in the OC is not a possibility yet.

UPDATE:

Now reports are coming in from all over the state of even some machines not even working.

It's gonna be an interesting day. :-)

S. F. Officials Against Political Speech?

Apparently only certain types of Civil Disobedience is OK in the eyes of San Francisco authorities.

This story begins with a letter....

David Codrea wrote a letter to certain San Francisco Officials in which he attempted to redress a grievance against the government:

You see, I also belong to a group that is forced by social prejudices to keep a low profileoften times to hide my choices and practices lest I suffer disapproval and ultimately, life-threatening persecution by the state.

I am a gun owner and I live a gun owner life style.

I don't know if I was born with a tendency to be this way, or if it was an acquired disposition. All I know is, I don't see why I should be forced to change. Truth be known, I like owning guns, and am happy with who I am. I hope I suffer no repercussions by "coming out of the safe," but I just can't hide the truth any longer.

The Valentine's Day Hitchin' Spree

More Gay Weddings Set for San Francisco - EarthLink - U.S. News

""If they're not going to let us get married, we're going to do it anyway," said Dan Farley, shortly after exchanging silver rings with his partner, John McCann.

Despite legal challenges from advocates of traditional marriage, San Francisco's wedding march is expected to continue throughout the long holiday weekend."

Okaaaayyy......

SB 60 Repealed!

Recently California's legislators repealed, and Arnold signed the legislation to do it, the Driver's Licences for Illegals Bill.

I've been doing a happy dance ever since or else I would have said more before now. :-)

Anyway, FESTE wrote an excellent piece on the subject at the time of the repeal that is worth reading.

SB60 Repealed

This week, certain elements in the Latino Community, angered over the repeal, tried to rally the masses to stay home from work, and refrain from shopping in a 1 day show of outrage.

It was a miserable failure in that most Latinos, especially illegals, decided they needed the income generated from their employment, and the merchandise they wanted to shop for, more than they needed to express their displeasure over this issue.

In a show of utter stupidity there were SOME parents who kept their children out of school for the day in support of this protest.

There went 1 day of learning so as to improve oneself down the drain for a segment of our states children than can least afford to miss even 1 HOUR of class.

Interesting Perspective on Illegals

A new, interesting, and intelligent voice has made itself felt this week in the bloggerverse.

For writing an inciteful, penetrating, and deeply heartfelt piece on his feelings about Illegal Immigration, the writer of the weblog Peripheral Mind won the latest New Blog Showcase over at
The Truth Laid Bear.

Wake-Up Call on Illegals

Victor Davis Hanson has written a wake-up call to Californians, and America as a whole with regards to the problem of Illegal Immigration.

The book is called Mexifornia: A State of Becoming

Earlier this month he gave a lecture on the subject which has been adapted for posting online.

Helping Victims of Ca. Fires

Offshore winds are bringing in clouds, and some cooling, but the breeze has picked up and caused the fires to really move as well.

NOW, a report has just come of a 3.7 earthquake in the Simi Valley area.

80,000 people are being, and have been, evacuated from the Big Bear Mountain/Devore region where the wind is driving the flames to devour bark beetle infested forests.

The first fireman fatality was reported today in San Diego County, where the largest (in acreage) fire is burning.

KCAL 9 TV, KNX 1070 AM Radio, and KFWB 980 AM Radio have begun, today, efforts to help victims of the California Wildfires.

Nature's Fiery Fury Unleashed!

Southern California has been on fire for a week now, and the stories, and images are heartbreaking, and tragic.

Across Southern California:

13 dead.
780 homes destroyed.
280,000 acres burned.

I grew up in the Inland Empire, and have rode my bike in the 40 mile swath of Mountain, and foothills between Devore, in San Bernardino, and Marshall Canyon/Padua Hills area of La Verne/Claremont.

To sit in your yard, with binoculars aimed at the mountains, was the safest way for those not affected to watch the fires as they occurred over the last 30 years.

The view, to the north, was unobstructed from as far south as the Chino Hills.

We thanked our lucky stars we didn't live there, and hoped for the best for those who did.

My Uncle Paul lives in Fontana, and he went out driving around to observe, first hand, but not too close, the fire, and said that in his 55 years in the Inland Empire he had never seen such fierce flames as these, even in the horrifying 70's.

So many walls of flame, 100 ft. high, it boggled the mind.

And now word comes that several of these fires were set by arsonists, and one, accidentally, by a hunter using a flare.

Crossing the Line For Groceries

The supermarket strike is now into its 2nd week, and folks are choosing sides, as well as places to shop.

The questions that need to be asked are just how much do shoppers know about what is at stake, and how much do the rank and file Union members know, especially about the terms offered by the supermarkets?

All these horror stories about what will happen to benefits, and wages that Union members, and shoppers, are fed by the Union are not entirely accurate.

All this talk about America being overwhelmed by nothing but Wal-mart Superstores, with no affordable alternatives to choose from, are also far from the truth.

I have a Vons, and 2 Ralphs within walking distance of my home, and a Trader Joe's, Mother's Market, and 2 Fruit & Veggies stores as well.

If I had the money to spend on a decent shopping spree, right now, I can pick and choose what I want to buy and who from, based on price, and product.

Because I don't, until the middle of next month, I have crossed and will cross the line at my Von's for what little I need to get me through the next 30 days, and even get some things at the Target where I work.

Why?

Because I believe the strikers should pay into their health care like the rest of us.

( I can't afford to pay into mine, but have in a previous job, and would again )

Because I believe there are other positive elements of the offer on the table, and I believe the Union is not being upfront with its membership, and many in the membership who have ways of learning the truth, are too lazy, or too much the follower to scope things out for themselves.

Why?

Because I mistrust an organization, that if I belonged to it, and had to pay dues, might use the funds for some cause I disagree with, and I might not be able to be reimbursed that portion of my dues without a struggle ( I'm not entirely clear on the law in this regard ).

Big-Box Nation

Part of what is fueling the Grocery Strike, here, is the Grocer's fear of the competition soon to come their way from Wal-mart Superstores, and possibly Target Superstores.

With Wal-mart already leading the pack in the rest of the nation it was only a matter of time before it focused its attention on California.

There is an interesting article in LA WEEKLY on the impending offensive by Wal-mart, what shoppers think, and how some in the state are trying to fight back.

Union or non-union, high wage or low wage, it doesn't matter to most folks.

What matters is shopping where they can get more for their hard earned money.

To many, Unionism is outdated, and membership will never return to the levels of decades past.

A new Wal-mart opens, somewhere, every single day, and nothing short of the end of the world will prevent that.

Even then, I suspect that Sam Walton has ALREADY signed a deal with the ALMIGHTY for all the prime locations during Christ's thousand year reign. :-)

Sam and His Pals

Grocery Workers Plan Strike

To market, to market,

to make a grocery run, quite big.

Dashing past strikers,

jigity, jig!

Ah, yes, the election is over with, weekend football on the telly is here, and folks have the munchies.

What to do, what to do?

Why dash off to your favorite Albertsons, Ralphs, or Vons supermarkets, of course!

Well, beginning this weekend it may become quite an adventure for folks who can't bear the thought of going to Stater Brothers, Trader Joe's, or any of the Latino Supermarket chains until the strike is over.

As reported by the OC Register:

"Grocery strike looms: Stores will be open, but hours may change and shoppers may have to decide on crossing picket lines.

Orange County shoppers may run into pickets and long checkout lines today as more than 70,000 supermarket workers from Mammoth to Mexico could be on strike, union officials said Friday."

Seems the Unions and the Bosses are squabbling over health benefits, and pensions.

The consumer will have to figure out how best to get their groceries until this dispute is settled.

Shortages on the shelves, and shortened business hours loom.

Oh, joy! :-)

Well, I won't be able to go around the corner to the market until Friday, anyway, so maybe this will all blow over by then.

The full story ( free registration ): Grocery Strike Looms