“Every designer takes a little from other inspirations, a little from what they like here and there. You envy something like this when you see everything done and ........
3 Pics
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Thursday, February 28, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Abhi Bachchan and FM Jeans
Abhishek Bachchan is now endorsing Flying Machine Jeans. Promotional shots for the product are all sprayed up with Junior B ’style’. In this Black & White Catalog, he has given .....
9 Pics
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Bong beauty Bipasha
This bong beauty is getting popular by the day in bollywood. Besides her killer dusky looks she is least ....
11 Pics
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Largest Arch Bridge
World’s Largest Arch Bridge in Dubai
Amazing! Dubai is going for an $817-million project on building the world’s largest arch bride, at 617-feet tall and 1-mile in length. The construction will start in .....
4 Pics
Friday, February 15, 2008
The Perils Of Ammunition Serialization
If they can't take your guns, they'll take your ammo. Ammunition serialization in Washington?
Leave it to the Left to probe the Constitution for vulnerabilities. Both the United States Constitution and the Washington state constitution quite clearly respect that individuals have the right to keep and bear arms. Individual gun ownership is a real bone in the throat for many on the left, and they chafe at impediments to the imposition of power known as constitutions. So, leftist Democrats in the Washington State Legislature have decided to go after ammunition.
The late U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan once introduced a Second Amendment work-around by proposing what he called, “arsenal” regulation. His law would have allowed citizens to own a few guns without any great inconvenience, but would have made ammunition difficult to acquire or own. That idea failed, but it certainly inspired a fresh line of thinking in gun controllers. People may have the right to keep and bear arms, but the Constitution does not explicitly permit ammunition ownership. Outlawing ammunition would have been a bit like allowing us to own cars but making gasoline inaccessible.
A recent fad among gun controllers is to propose sensible sounding “ammunition serialization” laws. State Representatives Al O’Brien , Brendan Williams , Dennis Flannigan , and Jamie Pedersen, all Democrats, introduced a bill requiring that all handgun ammunition manufactured or sold within the state of Washington be marked with a serial number. The publicly pronounced, touchy-feely goal of ammunition serialization is to imprint every handgun bullet with a unique serial number that could be matched to the purchaser of that ammunition and that information would be stored in a state maintained database. In theory, bullet serialization would permit law enforcement to match bullets used in violent crime to the original purchaser.
That certainly sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? Who could be against that?
Well that’s not the true intention of the law. Requiring ammunition manufacturers to print every bullet with a unique serial number would force ammunition makers to purchase tens of millions of dollars worth of new equipment. Serialization would force manufacturers to produce ammunition in lots of 20, 50 or 100, instead of millions. Ultimately, this would force the price of ammunition so high that very few would be able to afford it. They may as well just mandate that every bullet be made of a precious metal.
Oops! I hope that the Brady Center for gun control doesn’t read this column. I don’t want to give them any new ideas.
The United States Constitution does not confer the right to keep and bear arms upon Americans. It recognizes that the right exists and forbids government from infringing upon that right. For all the debate about what that dangling participle, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state,” means, the author of that amendment, James Madison made it quite clear in subsequent writings that he intended to protect the rights of the individual. By his definition, a militia as every able bodied man.
The Washington State Constitution is even more clear: “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to
organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”
Gun controllers believe that they can subvert this right by restricting ammunition purchases. But I’m reminded of a law meant to limit abortions a couple of decades ago. If my memory serves me well, the state of Ohio enacted a law that would have required women who were seeking to abort their pregnancies to first view a sonogram of the doomed child. The courts found that this represented too great an imposition upon the exercise of a constitutional right.
I’ve read the constitution and the word abortion appears nowhere in the document. The Supreme Court declared that they could discern this right in the "penumbras, formed by emanations" from the Constitution. So one might predict that a right enumerated in clear text would be more worthy of defense than an ethereal right floating around in an emanation. On the other hand, while the courts have upheld the right of free speech for pornographers, they’ve shown less interest in protecting political speech.
As such, we should not rely upon the courts. This bill needs to be aborted early in its gestation.
Leave it to the Left to probe the Constitution for vulnerabilities. Both the United States Constitution and the Washington state constitution quite clearly respect that individuals have the right to keep and bear arms. Individual gun ownership is a real bone in the throat for many on the left, and they chafe at impediments to the imposition of power known as constitutions. So, leftist Democrats in the Washington State Legislature have decided to go after ammunition.
The late U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan once introduced a Second Amendment work-around by proposing what he called, “arsenal” regulation. His law would have allowed citizens to own a few guns without any great inconvenience, but would have made ammunition difficult to acquire or own. That idea failed, but it certainly inspired a fresh line of thinking in gun controllers. People may have the right to keep and bear arms, but the Constitution does not explicitly permit ammunition ownership. Outlawing ammunition would have been a bit like allowing us to own cars but making gasoline inaccessible.
A recent fad among gun controllers is to propose sensible sounding “ammunition serialization” laws. State Representatives Al O’Brien , Brendan Williams , Dennis Flannigan , and Jamie Pedersen, all Democrats, introduced a bill requiring that all handgun ammunition manufactured or sold within the state of Washington be marked with a serial number. The publicly pronounced, touchy-feely goal of ammunition serialization is to imprint every handgun bullet with a unique serial number that could be matched to the purchaser of that ammunition and that information would be stored in a state maintained database. In theory, bullet serialization would permit law enforcement to match bullets used in violent crime to the original purchaser.
That certainly sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? Who could be against that?
Well that’s not the true intention of the law. Requiring ammunition manufacturers to print every bullet with a unique serial number would force ammunition makers to purchase tens of millions of dollars worth of new equipment. Serialization would force manufacturers to produce ammunition in lots of 20, 50 or 100, instead of millions. Ultimately, this would force the price of ammunition so high that very few would be able to afford it. They may as well just mandate that every bullet be made of a precious metal.
Oops! I hope that the Brady Center for gun control doesn’t read this column. I don’t want to give them any new ideas.
The United States Constitution does not confer the right to keep and bear arms upon Americans. It recognizes that the right exists and forbids government from infringing upon that right. For all the debate about what that dangling participle, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state,” means, the author of that amendment, James Madison made it quite clear in subsequent writings that he intended to protect the rights of the individual. By his definition, a militia as every able bodied man.
The Washington State Constitution is even more clear: “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to
organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”
Gun controllers believe that they can subvert this right by restricting ammunition purchases. But I’m reminded of a law meant to limit abortions a couple of decades ago. If my memory serves me well, the state of Ohio enacted a law that would have required women who were seeking to abort their pregnancies to first view a sonogram of the doomed child. The courts found that this represented too great an imposition upon the exercise of a constitutional right.
I’ve read the constitution and the word abortion appears nowhere in the document. The Supreme Court declared that they could discern this right in the "penumbras, formed by emanations" from the Constitution. So one might predict that a right enumerated in clear text would be more worthy of defense than an ethereal right floating around in an emanation. On the other hand, while the courts have upheld the right of free speech for pornographers, they’ve shown less interest in protecting political speech.
As such, we should not rely upon the courts. This bill needs to be aborted early in its gestation.
Pooja Chitgopikar
Pooja Chitgopikar Femina Miss India Earth 2007 Hot Photoshoot.She is the one of the Hottest Model of India and Miss Earth too. She.....
7 Pics
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Can We Afford "Smart Growth?"
A new UW study of Seattle housing prices says "No":
Pullman suffers from the same sort of problem as Seattle does to a lesser extent: artificially high home prices created by regulations created by snobby eltitists. For example, the PARDners say they want affordable housing while at the same time pressing for even more restrictive land use regulations. And let's not forget Cheryl Morgan and the League of Women Voters who also work to do everything they can to make development more difficult in Pullman.
Between 1989 and 2006, the median inflation-adjusted price of a Seattle house rose from $221,000 to $447,800. Fully $200,000 of that increase was the result of land-use regulations, says Theo Eicher — twice the financial impact that regulation has had on other major U.S. cities.What land-use regulations you say?
A key regulation is the state's Growth Management Act, enacted in 1990 in response to widespread public concern that sprawl could destroy the area's unique character. To preserve it, the act promoted restrictions on where housing can be built. The result is artificial density that has driven up home prices by limiting supply, Eicher says.And who is it that pushes for these onerous regulations?
According to the Wharton study, cities such as Seattle that have high median incomes, high home prices and a large percentage of college-educated workers tend to have the most land-use regulations.Ah, now I see. The same old unholy alliance of left-wing no-growthers and selfish NIMBYists.
Sjoblom says that makes sense: "People with higher incomes want the kind of amenities that regulation provides," he says. "If you're a homeowner and growth controls are imposed and housing prices shoot up, you're grandfathered because you own the place. In theory people will say it's [rising prices] a bad thing, but in practice it's not hurting them."
[...]
In the final analysis, Eicher believes Seattle's regulatory climate exists because its residents want it. "My sense is land-use restrictions are imposed to generate socially desirable outcomes," he says. "We all love parks and green spaces. But we must also be informed about the costs. It's very easy to vote for a park if you think the cost is free."
Pullman suffers from the same sort of problem as Seattle does to a lesser extent: artificially high home prices created by regulations created by snobby eltitists. For example, the PARDners say they want affordable housing while at the same time pressing for even more restrictive land use regulations. And let's not forget Cheryl Morgan and the League of Women Voters who also work to do everything they can to make development more difficult in Pullman.
"Legislator weary of west-side ideas; Mark Schoesler says Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative is latest example of the problem"
It concerns me that Seattle senators say they know what's best for eastern Washington.- State Senator Mark Schoesler
AMEN, Mark! A man that eloquent has to be reelected.
Senator Schoesler is our voice of reason in Olympia. I'm so glad my daughter is paging for him this week and gets to see that common sense in action.
From today's Lewiston Tribune:
OLYMPIA - Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, often has to hear west-side legislators preach about what eastern Washingtonians need. This session is no different.
A bill to promote the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative in eastern Washington passed through the Senate Wednesday, though it received almost no support from eastern senators, Schoesler said.
"It concerns me that Seattle senators say they know what's best for eastern Washington," Schoesler said.
The bill would mandate that the Department of Fish and Wildlife work with other ecology groups on Yellowstone to Yukon conservation projects. Though the department would work inside or near Washington's borders, Yellowstone to Yukon project areas span 1,990 miles from Peel River in the northern Yukon to Riverton, Wyo.
Bill sponsor Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, said the legislation would also dub Spokane the nation's capital for the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.
Despite their distance from Spokane, Jacobsen was approached by Seattle residents passionate about Yellowstone to Yukon preservation projects. Schoesler, on the other hand, said no east side groups have an interest in the organization.
"Not a single person from my district has approached me about this," Schoesler said. "I'm in regular contact with sportsmen and landowners and this isn't even within their radius of interest."
Schoesler, along with other bill opponents expressed concern the bill would encourage Yellowstone to Yukon workers to tear down roads in eastern Washington in the name of wildlife preservation.
Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Director Sean Britt stressed such action was only taken after ecology workers researched the area and made agreements with the community.
"We wouldn't be against decommissioning a road, but our practice uses working science," Britt said. "We're not about creating one big park or taking out the human species. We're more interested to work and promote coexistence with humans and other species." ["Human species?" Like the animals are equal to us. Unbelievable. - tf]
Britt said Yukon to Yellowstone once helped a fishing outfitter in Island Park, who complained of bears invading his trash cans. The outfitter was supplied with grant money to purchase bear-proof waste bins, so he and his furry neighbors could coexist. The solution harmed neither the bear nor the outfitter.
Terry Gray, president of the Palouse Audubon Society said though he didn't know of the Yukon to Yellowstone program, any conservation projects would greatly help the Palouse, which suffers from clear-cutting and overdevelopment. [The Palouse suffers from "clear-cutting and overdevelopment?" He's joking, right? - tf]
As a part of the conservation area, the Palouse and its dwindling numbers of birds, from the evening grosbeak and grasshopper sparrow, could benefit from the bill. [Hmmmmm. There is no "dwindling number of birds" at the Port of Whitman County Industrial Park where I work. There are Swainson's Hawks, Black-billed Magpies, Red-winged Blackbirds, Ring-necked Pheasants, and California Quail in great abundance - tf]
"City still trying to solve parking problem"
At last Saturday's GOP caucus, one of our elected officials told me that his wife had found a news story published back in the Fifties in the Pullman Herald. It was about downtown parking. He said it could have been written today. It was a problem then and it's a problem now. There is no easy solution. Geography has dictated that downtown will never be able to have a lot of retail or a lot of housing.
From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
Round-table discussion brings stakeholders together to share ideas, potential solutions
The Pullman Planning Commission mixed things up Wednesday, opting for a round-table discussion to fuel solutions to the city's downtown parking issue.
Stakeholders in the downtown area - including business owners, residents and developers - led the conversation, which was designed to create more open dialogue than has been possible at the commission's testimony-based public meetings in the past.
"I think we've all found out we're on the same team and want something good for Pullman," Commission Chairman Stephen Garl said. "Where it all shakes out, I can't say."
The City Council set a March deadline for the commission to recommend formal solutions to the parking issue. The council voiced a desire for more definitive ideas after it was presented in December with broad short-term suggestions such as better identification of public parking areas, the possibility of a downtown residential parking permit program, and increased enforcement to discourage long-term parking.
The downtown area - bordered roughly by State Street to the west, Spring Street to the east, Whitman Street to the north and McKenzie Street to the south - is in the city's central business zone.
Parking currently is not mandated with downtown development, even if it includes living space - an issue some have said creates competition for spots between downtown retail customers and residents.
Wednesday's meeting yielded solutions ranging from increased parking enforcement by police to asking the public for money to create a long-term parking structure. The group also discussed how to better utilize a Washington State University parking lot near Reaney Park, decreasing the central business zone and extending two-hour parking limits to three hours.
City Planner Pete Dickinson said the committee may have rehashed some of the same ideas, but the meeting garnered more of a consensus and a desire to remedy the parking issue with a long-term plan before it escalates.
"It shows that all are in understanding," he said. "It was good to get them all in the same room."
Dickinson said the commission is free to suggest any solutions it sees fit, but he urged members to address one issue in particular. In past meetings, the commission has debated altering city code to mandate new residential development in the district provide off-street parking.
Such a move would ensure that residents living in the downtown area have some off-street parking for their vehicles.
The City Council also has discussed the issue at length, and Dickinson said the commission should formally give its opinion regarding a possible code change.
"That's something ... I will insist upon. That's been the elephant in the room," Dickinson said. "It'll be a yes or no, but it'll have to be explained."
The commission is expected to revisit the issue Feb. 27. Garl said commission members and the public are encouraged to take the next several weeks to let the issues digest, and then bring solutions to the table. The group will then reconvene and begin to discuss feasible solutions.
"The solution will be a multi-set of suggestions to be considered," he said. "There is no silver bullet."
"Obama, Huckabee top county caucus tallies"
From today's Whitman County Gazette:
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee emerged as Whitman County’s picks for their respective parties’ presidential candidates during Saturday afternoon’s caucuses.
The hotly contested race for the Democratic nominee pumped up caucus attendance from the local party, especially at the campus caucus, according to party chair Carolyn Cress, chair of the county Democratic party.
“The turn-out was amazing, even with a Wazzu basketball game people came out in droves,” said Cress.
Cress estimated almost 1,000 Democrats caucused for their candidates throughout the county.
Nearly 200 Whitman County Republicans caucused Saturday, with the bulk of the delegates backing Huckabee.
“We had great support from all the camps,” said Susan Fagan, chair of the county Republicans.
“Everyone I talked to said they had more people than ever show up.”
Roughly 60 people showed up at the six-precinct Democratic caucus at the Public Service building in Colfax. Obama took 10 delegates to the April 19 county convention, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton logged three and one delegate tabbed uncommitted.
Upstairs in the same building, Clinton took two delegates and Obama added one more from the Wilcox and LaCrosse precincts.
Countywide, Obama garnered 142 delegates to the county convention, Clinton took 40 and four remained undecided. Obama took 67.5 percent of the state’s delegates while Clinton posted 31.2 percent.
The county convention will select delegates to the 5th Congressional District Convention May 17 where delegates will be selected to the June 15 state convention in Spokane.
At the six-precinct Colfax Republican caucus in Sterling Savings Bank, Huckabee took five delegates, Texas Rep. Ron Paul took three, Arizona Sen. John McCain took two and two were uncommitted.
Huckabee’s 29 delegates from the county total gave him an edge over McCain’s 20, Paul’s 19, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s 10 and 8 undecided.
Despite Huckabee’s strong showing in Whitman County, McCain topped statewide results.
With 96 percent of precincts reporting, McCain took 25.6 percent of the state’s delegates; Huckabee had 23.3 percent, Paul 21.4 percent and Romney, who has suspended his campaign, 15.3 percent.
Republicans will send delegates to the county convention in Colfax March 8, where the party will select delegates for the May 30-31 state convention in Spokane.
KUGR Interview
Does anyone here listen to WSU student-run radio station KUGR? Yesterday two young college girls interviewed me as part of their "man on the street" opinion piece. Strangely, they didn't have any equipment to make an audio recording. They barely took notes.
The synopsis of the question they put to me was, "How do you feel about the WSU golf course that will use up all of the water in our aquifer?"
I figured this was my opportunity to help them in their quest of a higher education. I proceeded to show them the size of the aquifers and the actual water usage of each entity. I then gave them my opinion that the reasons behind the fear mongering over water is the belief that golf is considered a wealthy white male's sport. If the golf course was a park or ball field, there would be no objections. The motivations of the anti-golf course people are simply an extention of their objections to corporate America in general. I also expressed my opinion that young college students were being used by their liberal professors to spread falsehoods and fear in the community and I feel that it is irresponsible to promote the idea that the Palouse is on the verge of running out of water. I asked them, who in the world would want to move to and invest in an area that will have no water in the very near future?
One of our employees told me after the interview that when the two KUGR "reporters" left our store that he overheard them complaining that I "just didn't understand" what they wanted me to say. So what I would like to know is does anyone listen to KUGR and if you do, can you please let me know if they actually use any of my opinion in any of their "reports?"
The synopsis of the question they put to me was, "How do you feel about the WSU golf course that will use up all of the water in our aquifer?"
I figured this was my opportunity to help them in their quest of a higher education. I proceeded to show them the size of the aquifers and the actual water usage of each entity. I then gave them my opinion that the reasons behind the fear mongering over water is the belief that golf is considered a wealthy white male's sport. If the golf course was a park or ball field, there would be no objections. The motivations of the anti-golf course people are simply an extention of their objections to corporate America in general. I also expressed my opinion that young college students were being used by their liberal professors to spread falsehoods and fear in the community and I feel that it is irresponsible to promote the idea that the Palouse is on the verge of running out of water. I asked them, who in the world would want to move to and invest in an area that will have no water in the very near future?
One of our employees told me after the interview that when the two KUGR "reporters" left our store that he overheard them complaining that I "just didn't understand" what they wanted me to say. So what I would like to know is does anyone listen to KUGR and if you do, can you please let me know if they actually use any of my opinion in any of their "reports?"
"We called them 'chicken'"
As you know, outspoken liberal Lewiston Tribune columnist and apparent Pullman/Whitman County hater Jim Fisher, has been bashing the Hawkins development and the Whitman County Commissioners. The latest subject of his ire, in a column last Sunday, was the WSU golf course. Fisher implied there should be some sort of linkage between the golf course and the Hawkins development:
Next for Palouse water talks: WSU golf courseI could rebut Fisher's arguments, but Idaho Rep. Bob Nonini (R- Coeur d'Alene), another target of Fisher's temper tantrums, did it best in a "Turnabout" column from Tuesday's Tribune:
Now that a reconfigured Moscow City Council has demonstrated its willingness to cooperate with other Palouse governments on water use, it is in a position to seek reciprocity on one of the least defensible projects to threaten the region's underground water sources.
That project is the new 18-hole golf course that Washington State University is building, and watering, before the water reclamation system intended to keep it green is even begun. The school projects it will pour 60 million gallons of water on the course each year, and until the system that is years off goes on line, each of those gallons will come from the aquifers whose sustainability is in question.
The school's rush to complete the course without a wastewater irrigation system like the one the University of Idaho uses has raised objections from more than local water watchdogs. It even became an issue in the election that seated new Moscow City Councilors Wayne Krauss, Dan Carscallen and Walter Steed.
All three ran in opposition to the former council's reluctance to approve substantial increases in water consumption.
During the contested election, Krauss told people attending a candidate forum he objected to "the idea for us to try to save water here in Moscow so it can be used downstream." And a newspaper advertisement for the three candidates said, "In Pullman they're developing a new golf course. In Moscow we've raised water rates to cut consumption."
The promise to help end such a disparity no doubt helped elect the three challengers. And the other day, all three helped reverse Moscow Mayor Nancy Chaney's objection to providing water to a new shopping mall on the Washington side of the state line along the Pullman-Moscow traffic corridor.
None of the three has claimed the Palouse sits on an infinite supply of water, however. And their willingness to negotiate a water agreement with Whitman County for the mall for which county commissioners have obligated taxpayers to the tune of $9.1 million in bonds gives them the right, and the credibility, to seek discussion of other water issues in the region.
The first of those issues should be WSU's rush to waste water.
Turnabout: Cheap shots, no warning
As some of my colleagues tell me, if the editorial writers at the Lewiston Tribune are criticizing you then you must be doing something right.
Well, I must be doing something right. In the last couple of weeks, I've been branded as being anti-education, and more recently the Tribune editors lend the impression that I'm leading a one-man crusade to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The criticism doesn't bother me. Anyone who serves in this body, or in any other elected office, is subject to criticism. What is troubling is the methods employed by the editorial writers.
I don't know Jim Fisher or Tom Henderson, and they don't know me. All I know about them is when I pick up the Tribune and occasionally read editorials taking me to task. Again, I don't mind the criticism. I'm only disputing the antiquated method.
Mr. Fisher and Mr. Henderson are living examples of why newspapers are dying, and why newspapers are losing credibility. They read what somebody else writes, dish up a few cheap shots and present them as "cutting-edge" editorials. The tactics might have worked during the 1960s or 1970s, when Bill Hall was writing editorials. But the method strikes me as outdated by today's standards.
During Bill Hall's day, when the only practical way to contact someone was by telephone, contacting an individual was not always possible. But in 2008, when e-mails are used at least as much as telephones, there's no excuse for not making that effort.
It's my understanding that some of the nation's leading newspapers, including the Washington Post, have a policy to make every effort to contact an individual before criticizing him in print - if for no other reason than to give that person a heads-up. A conversation with a source may or may not change the direction of an editorial, but giving a fair warning shows that a newspaper has professional standards and a degree of class.
I'm sure that nothing I said will make a difference, so Mr. Fisher and Mr. Henderson can criticize me all they want. That's OK. I was born and raised in Wallace and put up with a lot worse than that in the school yards.
But in Wallace, we had a name for people who said or did something without first confronting you.
We called them "chicken."
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Need a Better Accountant
Looks like I may need a better accountant. One who can help me qualify for the full rebate in taxes. It seems funny that those of us who pay lots in taxes are not going to get as much as people who pay less in taxes...
Sounds like a redistrution of wealth.
Merry Christmas.
Sounds like a redistrution of wealth.
Merry Christmas.
Bills take different approaches to issue of guns on campus: WA edition
Lawmakers have different views on the subject...
Two state lawmakers have offered dramatically different bills dealing with guns on college campuses and the measures touched off spirited debate Thursday at a Senate committee hearing in Olympia.
Read about it here:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/277760.html
and here:
http://tinyurl.com/yophv7
Then check out these WA State House and State Bills regarding these issues:
UPDATED
WA State Bill # Subject Sponsor Status
HB 2268 Weapons at schools Lantz (D-26) DEAD
REPLACED BY HB 3131
HB 3131 Weapons on school grounds Lantz (D-26) H. Rules
OPPOSE
SB 5791 School gun safety program Sheldon (D-35) DEAD
SB 6304 Firearm possession on campus Kohl-Welles (D-36) DEAD
SB 6686 CPLs for military members Roach (R-31) DEAD
SB 6841 Bans firearms on coll. campuses Murray (D-43) DEAD
SB 6860 Firearm possession on campus Roach (R-31) DEAD
More than 50 citizens in attendance supported SB 6860 and opposed SB 6841, of whom more than a dozen testified. In favor of banning guns on campus were only four individuals by one count. Only three testified in support of the ban.
SB 6861 Expands CPL reciprocity Roach (R-31) DEAD
SB 6864 CPL military reciprocity Roach (R-31) DEAD
Key to abbreviations: S. = Senate, H. = House, Jud = Judiciary, Ag/NR =
Agriculture & Natural Resources, Educ = Education, HiEd = Higher
Education, K-12 = Education, Lab/Comm = Labor, Commerce, Research &
Development, (X) = X-files (supposedly dead for this session)
There are many more of these bills, some but not all of the current .GOV employees are working hand over fist to erode your rights in WA State...
Link to a list of these bills:
http://www.washingtonarmscollectors.org/goal06.asp
Contact your legislator and politely tell them your thoughts on these issues:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
ONE NEW GUN BILL INTRODUCED
HB 3359, by Rep Al O’Brien (D-1).
HB 3329 requires encoding – serial numbering – all handgun ammunition sold in the state of Washington.
BOTH the projectile (bullet) AND cartridge case marked with an identifiable serial number. It also includes pistol bullets for reloading. Retailers are required to report the sale of ammunition with the serial numbers involved and the identifying information taken from government-issued ID, to the state Department of Licensing. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2010.
As written, the bill would have a major impact on consumer ammunition costs AND on state bureaucracy, requiring significant staff expansion to meet record-keeping requirements.
Every Washington state firearms enthusiest should be subscribed to Joe Waldrons GOAL Post. The GOAL Post will keep you up to speed on issues like these.
Just email jwaldron@halcyon.com and tell him you want to be added to the WA GOAL mailing list.
Two state lawmakers have offered dramatically different bills dealing with guns on college campuses and the measures touched off spirited debate Thursday at a Senate committee hearing in Olympia.
Read about it here:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwest/story/277760.html
and here:
http://tinyurl.com/yophv7
Then check out these WA State House and State Bills regarding these issues:
UPDATED
WA State Bill # Subject Sponsor Status
HB 2268 Weapons at schools Lantz (D-26) DEAD
REPLACED BY HB 3131
HB 3131 Weapons on school grounds Lantz (D-26) H. Rules
OPPOSE
SB 5791 School gun safety program Sheldon (D-35) DEAD
SB 6304 Firearm possession on campus Kohl-Welles (D-36) DEAD
SB 6686 CPLs for military members Roach (R-31) DEAD
SB 6841 Bans firearms on coll. campuses Murray (D-43) DEAD
SB 6860 Firearm possession on campus Roach (R-31) DEAD
More than 50 citizens in attendance supported SB 6860 and opposed SB 6841, of whom more than a dozen testified. In favor of banning guns on campus were only four individuals by one count. Only three testified in support of the ban.
SB 6861 Expands CPL reciprocity Roach (R-31) DEAD
SB 6864 CPL military reciprocity Roach (R-31) DEAD
Key to abbreviations: S. = Senate, H. = House, Jud = Judiciary, Ag/NR =
Agriculture & Natural Resources, Educ = Education, HiEd = Higher
Education, K-12 = Education, Lab/Comm = Labor, Commerce, Research &
Development, (X) = X-files (supposedly dead for this session)
There are many more of these bills, some but not all of the current .GOV employees are working hand over fist to erode your rights in WA State...
Link to a list of these bills:
http://www.washingtonarmscollectors.org/goal06.asp
Contact your legislator and politely tell them your thoughts on these issues:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
ONE NEW GUN BILL INTRODUCED
HB 3359, by Rep Al O’Brien (D-1).
HB 3329 requires encoding – serial numbering – all handgun ammunition sold in the state of Washington.
BOTH the projectile (bullet) AND cartridge case marked with an identifiable serial number. It also includes pistol bullets for reloading. Retailers are required to report the sale of ammunition with the serial numbers involved and the identifying information taken from government-issued ID, to the state Department of Licensing. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2010.
As written, the bill would have a major impact on consumer ammunition costs AND on state bureaucracy, requiring significant staff expansion to meet record-keeping requirements.
Every Washington state firearms enthusiest should be subscribed to Joe Waldrons GOAL Post. The GOAL Post will keep you up to speed on issues like these.
Just email jwaldron@halcyon.com and tell him you want to be added to the WA GOAL mailing list.
Idaho: Important Preemption Bill to be Considered Soon!
Information regarding Idaho Senate Bill #1381
"AN ACT RELATING TO UNIFORMITY OF FIREARMS REGULATION"
http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/S1381.html
Heads up to Moscow's legal firearms owners and U of I students
Courtesy NRA-ILA, for Idaho State
Any day, the Senate State Affairs Committee will consider Senate Bill 1381, legislation that will vastly improve Idaho’s preemption statutes.
Under current preemption statutes, uniform firearm regulations only exist within the realm of ownership, possession, and transportation. SB1381 will codify into law that no county, city, or local government body can regulate the sale, acquisition, transfer, carry, and storage of firearms, adding them to the existing points of preemption. The bill will also make clear that ammunition and firearm components are only to be regulated by the State of Idaho, not by local entities.
Uniform laws regulating firearms and ammunition are necessary to protect the constitutional rights of Idaho’s law-abiding gun owners and to prevent anti-gun municipalities from passing their own laws, which may conflict with state law. Please contact the members of the Senate State Affairs Committee today by phone at (208) 332-1000 or toll-free at (800) 626-0471 and respectfully urge them to support SB1381.
State Senator Curt McKenzie (R-12), Chairman
State Senator Michael Jorgenson (R-3), Vice Chairman
State Senator Denton Darrington (R-27)
State Senator Bart M. Davis (R-33)
State Senator Robert L. Geddes (R-31
State Senator Kate Kelly (D-18)
State Senator Brad Little (R-11)
State Senator Joe Stegner (R-7)
State Senator Clint Stennett (D-25)
"AN ACT RELATING TO UNIFORMITY OF FIREARMS REGULATION"
http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/S1381.html
Heads up to Moscow's legal firearms owners and U of I students
Courtesy NRA-ILA, for Idaho State
Any day, the Senate State Affairs Committee will consider Senate Bill 1381, legislation that will vastly improve Idaho’s preemption statutes.
Under current preemption statutes, uniform firearm regulations only exist within the realm of ownership, possession, and transportation. SB1381 will codify into law that no county, city, or local government body can regulate the sale, acquisition, transfer, carry, and storage of firearms, adding them to the existing points of preemption. The bill will also make clear that ammunition and firearm components are only to be regulated by the State of Idaho, not by local entities.
Uniform laws regulating firearms and ammunition are necessary to protect the constitutional rights of Idaho’s law-abiding gun owners and to prevent anti-gun municipalities from passing their own laws, which may conflict with state law. Please contact the members of the Senate State Affairs Committee today by phone at (208) 332-1000 or toll-free at (800) 626-0471 and respectfully urge them to support SB1381.
State Senator Curt McKenzie (R-12), Chairman
State Senator Michael Jorgenson (R-3), Vice Chairman
State Senator Denton Darrington (R-27)
State Senator Bart M. Davis (R-33)
State Senator Robert L. Geddes (R-31
State Senator Kate Kelly (D-18)
State Senator Brad Little (R-11)
State Senator Joe Stegner (R-7)
State Senator Clint Stennett (D-25)
Huskies to Move Football Program in Effort to Protect Students?
Back in October, the University of Washington moved sex offenders off campus, citing in part,
"As you would suspect, many students are away from home for the first time, their parents didn't expect that they would be living in such close proximity to sex offenders," said Eric Godfrey, the university's vice provost for student life.So that got me to wondering, are they planning to move their football program off-campus as well?
"We do not think it is the appropriate place for sex offenders. We have conveyed that concern, and our understanding that sex offenders have a right to safe housing. Our thinking is preventative," Godfrey said.
If You Can't Beat 'Em, Invade 'Em
A post from the Vision 2020 message board:
Remember, hemp is for wearing, not smoking.
My buddy Jeff Harkins, as always, has a great response:
Hello, Visionaires:Didn't the idea of "we don't like what they are doing in that state so let's impose our will upon them" become passe' around 1861-1865? How would this be beneficial to Whitman County? Or the state of Washington for that matter? The state stands to collect approximately 3 times as much sales tax from the Hawkins development as the county, somewhere in the neighborhood of $6 million a year.
Please excuse what may seem extraordinary naïveté in asking this. Why could not the City of Moscow, in cooperation with State of Idaho, purchase the Hawkins site from the State of Washington, and therewith adjust the boundary line between the two states? Yes, the closing paperwork for such a transaction would be somewhat more extensive in that it would involve two states, and I presume federal, approval, but aside from the extra levels of paperwork, and the subconscious idea that "you just can't buy part of another state", I don't understand why, with effort and cooperation, this advanced real estate transaction could not be done to the benefit of all parties involved.
(As an aside, I understand that Latah County was created by an act of Congress, so there is some precedent for them revisiting the boundary.)
Remember, hemp is for wearing, not smoking.
My buddy Jeff Harkins, as always, has a great response:
Interesting idea, but the economics favor a purchase of Moscow by Washington. Maybe you could spearhead that project. Pullman has industry, a PAC10 University, an airport, a new four lane highway and a desire to expand their opportunities for prosperity.Heh.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Perception Becomes Reality
The Perception:
The Reality:
From last Saturday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
With the denial of a rezone that would have brought a Wal-Mart Supercenter to Moscow and the institution of the Large Retail Establishment Ordinance — aka the big-box ordinance — in February, some people say there is a perception Moscow isn’t welcome to new business, or is too selective on what it allows.- "Chilly climate for commerce?", Moscow-Pullman Daily News, December 19, 2006
Some are concerned that Moscow will lose its status as “retail base of the Palouse” to Whitman County, while others say they are just trying to protect the Moscow they know and love.
The Reality:
From last Saturday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
Home Depot puts brakes on Moscow store
The Home Depot won't be locating in Moscow anytime soon.
The national home-improvement and garden retail outlet had been working toward an agreement to build a store behind the Palouse Mall in Moscow, but corporate officials have decided to take a step back, said Gerard Billington, real estate officer for the University of Idaho.
"We had been working with Home Depot vigorously and we thought we had an agreement, but they declined," Billington said. "They didn't think the deal worked out for them.
"They were crunching numbers, looking at site numbers, site prep costs, land costs, development costs and potential revenue from sales in smaller markets."
The University of Idaho owns the 600-acre piece of land where Home Depot was looking to build, and any deal between the UI and Home Depot would have been a ground lease.
Billington said as far as he knows, the fact that Lowe's - a national home improvement store planning to locate in a proposed retail development in Whitman County - could be coming to the area had nothing to do with Home Depot's hesitation.
"I'm sure Lowe's would impact a future Home Depot and Home Depot would impact a future Lowe's, but I don't know that it was a decision point," he said.
UI officials have had a couple conversations with Home Depot since last fall in an attempt to work out an agreement, but no commitment has been made.
"They wanted to take another look at the agreement," Billington said.
He said he hasn't heard anything from Home Depot since the UI's last conversation with company officials in December.
"Home Depot continues to review and monitor the market and trade area for a site that will work for us and serve the community well," Home Depot spokeswoman Kathryn Gallagher said. "To date, an economical solution has not been found. However, we are constantly turning over new ideas, leads and solutions."
"Hawkins decision was best for all"
I've never met Art Schultheis, but I'd like to. He has quite the way with words.
From yesterday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
From yesterday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
First of all I would like to congratulate the new City Council in Moscow for accepting the mediated settlement with the Hawkins Companies. Finally, sound minds understood that the Hawkins development was going to move forward, whether the city of Moscow continued to fight it or not. I think the council made the only decision it could, stop spending money on lawsuits and attorneys, and help the process along. I think it realized that getting something out of the deal (water and sewer revenue) is a lot better than nothing.Amen, Art.
I was unable to attend the Moscow council meeting, due to another meeting, but I was able to watch it live on the Internet when I got home. When I tuned into the meeting they were in the middle of a public hearing on a new subdivision development that is being proposed within the city limits of Moscow. For 1 1/2 hours, I listened to testimony regarding the new development. Arguments were presented regarding building heights, view sheds of existing homes, increased traffic, and safety concerns for children and pedestrians. Not once while I was watching during the public hearing was it brought up about what effect the new homes would have on the aquifer the city of Moscow draws from.
Once the discussion of the Hawkins water rights settlement began, environmentalists came out of the woodwork to complain about what these new businesses would do to their precious aquifer. I find it ironic that only businesses that will provide jobs and might make a profit will cause irreversible damage to the water table.
If you want to stop economic growth in the city of Moscow, that is your decision. Just keep your attitudes and lawsuits out of Whitman County and the state of Washington.
Art Schultheis, Colton
"Newest City Council member ready to get rolling; Wright says her community involvement over the years will come in handy"
I like Pat's attitude. I think she'll fit right in on the council.
From yesterday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
From yesterday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
Pat Wright moved to Pullman site unseen.
She moved to town from California in 1975 when her husband, Ray, accepted a job at the Washington State University Department of Animal Sciences. The couple arrived on the Palouse in the sleepy days of late summer - just after harvest and shortly before the university opened for fall classes.
"I just wasn't prepared," said Wright, 60. "We'd go in a restaurant and we were the only ones there."
Wright said Pullman was supposed to be a temporary home for the couple, but community involvement and the birth of their two children kept them in town.
"It was only going to be a few years ... but here we still are," she said. "We just made the conscious decision to stay."
Her time and commitment to Pullman paid off Tuesday, when Wright was appointed to the Pullman City Council Ward 3 position. Her list of community service and business accomplishments was impressive to the council, which chose her to join the bench from a list of candidates that included Terence Day and Dave Gibney.
The Ward 3 seat came open when it was determined that Devon Felsted, elected to the seat in November, would have to step down due to a conflict of interest. David Stiller, who was voted into the position in 2003, did not seek re-election.
Since her arrival in Pullman, Wright has worked at General Telephone and Electronics handling student accounts and most recently was the manager of The Bookie - a position she retired from last year. She now works as a campus relations consultant for Barnes and Noble, which allows her more time for community involvement on the Pullman Chamber of Commerce and Pullman Education Foundation boards. She also is active in the Pullman Civil Service Commission and the Pullman Regional Hospital Auxiliary.
Wright joked that her long résumé is a testament to her inability to say no, but added her roles in local business and service groups have prepared her for the council position.
"Little bits and pieces of the jobs I've done have given me a look at the big picture," she said.
Wright said she applied for the City Council position with an open mind and no agenda, but is a proponent for planned growth and a continued partnership with WSU.
She said the city is playing catch-up for missed business opportunities in the 1970s and 1980s that "ended up going to Moscow."
"Since then, we've tried to equalize that with projects like Bishop Boulevard," she said. "Any time we have a chance to keep that revenue here, I think we should capitalize on that."
Wright said planned growth includes ensuring available amenities to create a livable community.
"We need to make it a community that's livable for everyone," she said. "Livability is shopping. Livability is good schools. Livability is good health care.
"We need to continue to make it a destination rather than a place people come to four for years and then leave."
WSU also benefits from increased livability, Wright said, "because the more amenities, the easier it is to recruit students here."
Wright said a strong partnership between the city and university is essential to the health of the community.
"Can you say Pullman and not think of WSU?" she asked. "As much as we don't like to say it, Pullman is WSU and WSU is Pullman. We have to make sure Pullman and WSU are working together for what they both need."
For now, Wright said she's going to ease into her new position. After all, it will take some time to read up on city policy and current hot topics.
"I want to take my time to learn what the issues are," she said. "Probably the scariest part is going to be the accelerated learning curve to get into it."
In her down time, Wright said she enjoys traveling with Ray, to whom she's been married for 37 years. In previous years, they have visited New York City and Bermuda, among other places, and they are scheduled for an adventure in Tahiti in May.
She's also a fan of football and her two springer spaniels.
"Moscow City still waiting for EPA decision"
If Moscow, which is upstream from Pullman, is not required to implement the Phase II stormwater regulations when Pullman has already been forced to do so, it will prove the whole process is just a sham and a farce.
From yesterday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
From yesterday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
The city of Moscow should hear from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding its Stormwater Phase II status in the next four to six weeks, EPA officials say.
The City Council sent the EPA a letter in August asking not to be subject to Phase II stormwater regulations. It anticipated receiving a reply in the fall.
"They (the EPA) just haven't made their decision yet," Moscow Public Works Director Les MacDonald said.
If Moscow is listed as a regulated small municipal separate storm system under Phase II, it will be required to develop a comprehensive stormwater management program and obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, according to a letter sent by an EPA Region 10 official in June.
The regulations are designed to manage the quality and quantity of runoff from development and to control stormwater discharge. The requirements are intended to reduce downstream pollution and contamination.
The council members who voted to send the August letter said Moscow should be self-guided as it improves stormwater management.
EPA spokesman Jeff Philip said the EPA has delayed its decision because it still is looking at the data.
"It's taking a while to go through the data and really make a solid determination on whether (Moscow) should be included or not," Philip said.
Philip said there is no firm deadline for the decision, "but we want to get it done as soon as possible so they're not waiting and we're not waiting."
Can Idaho compete?
Excerpt:
--Infrastructure needed for gun makers
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/02/11/business/local_state/130601.txt
Story published at magicvalley.com on Monday, February 11, 2008
By Joshua Palmer, Times-News writer
Idaho may have won the hearts of gun manufacturers, but it still needs to win their minds.
During a two-day visit earlier this week to the Shot Show in Las Vegas - the world's largest gun show - state and regional economic development officials met with gun makers to learn more about the industry, and to convince them that Idaho is a good place to do business.
What they learned was that Idaho may be gun friendly, but that it takes more than good will to create a manufacturing base.
Idaho in recent months has launched on an economic development strategy that plays on the state's pro-firearms legal and tax structure.
Why the new emphasis on attracting gun makers? The $2 billion-a-year industry has grown steadily since 1986.
"This is a stable industry that would benefit our larger communities like Twin (Falls) and Burley," said Jan Rogers, director of the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization. "But what really makes it appealing is that some of these smaller companies would fit well in our rural communities."
So how about that, I bet that ruffles some feathers next door.
Mattwi
--Infrastructure needed for gun makers
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/02/11/business/local_state/130601.txt
Story published at magicvalley.com on Monday, February 11, 2008
By Joshua Palmer, Times-News writer
Idaho may have won the hearts of gun manufacturers, but it still needs to win their minds.
During a two-day visit earlier this week to the Shot Show in Las Vegas - the world's largest gun show - state and regional economic development officials met with gun makers to learn more about the industry, and to convince them that Idaho is a good place to do business.
What they learned was that Idaho may be gun friendly, but that it takes more than good will to create a manufacturing base.
Idaho in recent months has launched on an economic development strategy that plays on the state's pro-firearms legal and tax structure.
Why the new emphasis on attracting gun makers? The $2 billion-a-year industry has grown steadily since 1986.
"This is a stable industry that would benefit our larger communities like Twin (Falls) and Burley," said Jan Rogers, director of the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization. "But what really makes it appealing is that some of these smaller companies would fit well in our rural communities."
So how about that, I bet that ruffles some feathers next door.
Mattwi
And The Stench Grows Even Worse
Apparently three other Washington counties sent attendee preferences versus delegates elected to state party headquarters in addition to Snohomish: Benton, Grant, and Jefferson.
The party has announced new numbers, incorporating some corrections.
With 96% of precincts reporting:
Eric Earling at Sound Politics writes:
And it doesn't help that former state Republican chair and McCain supporter Chris Vance is running his big mouth in the Seattle Times, disparaging the Huckabee campaign in an attempt at spin control for Esser:
The party has announced new numbers, incorporating some corrections.
With 96% of precincts reporting:
Huckabee 23.3 %But really, who can believe those numbers now?
McCain 25.6 %
Paul 21.4 %
Romney 15.3 %
Other 1.1 %
Uncommitted 13.3%
Eric Earling at Sound Politics writes:
Needless to say, this is not a good situation at all. I have had conversations with enough relevant individuals at the county and state level to determine there was clearly a communication breakdown at some point between the county and state parties. Who is ultimately responsible for that lack of alignment is for others to determine and rectify.The responsibility in any situation such as this lies at the top. I think pressure for Luke Esser to step aside is going to grow. With what figures to be a hotly contested gubernatorial race this fall, Dino Rossi does not need a vote count scandal hanging over the party, not after what happened in 2004. Clearly the WSRP leadership was not prepared to handle this presidential caucus at all. There must be accountability for this mess. Esser's open letter trying to put lipstick on the pig is too little, too late.
And it doesn't help that former state Republican chair and McCain supporter Chris Vance is running his big mouth in the Seattle Times, disparaging the Huckabee campaign in an attempt at spin control for Esser:
The Huckabee campaign either doesn't understand that, which I doubt, or they're just trying to use this to build up sympathy for poor Mike Huckabee who's being persecuted by the Republican establishment in Washington state.OBVIOUSLY, Huckabee has a legitmate beef, given all these reporting errors. Way to mobilize the base, Chris. The caucus delegates comprise the heart of the party, and 74% of them didn't vote for your guy. What a great way to ensure defeat in the fall statewide elections and plunge the Washington State Republican Party even further into mediocrity.
Monday, February 11, 2008
"Impassioned politics: Whitman County caucuses see highest turnout rates in years"
If you read this excerpt from the story below, you'll quickly see the problem that myself and other Republicans have with the Paululans:
The only thing that Obama and Paul have in common is their stated intent to immediately withdraw the troops from Iraq. I can't see Mr. Prewett as being much of a Libertarian if he buys into Obama's nanny statist, big government policies. A sheep in wolf's clothing.
From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
Devin Prewett, 24, came to the caucus to give his full support to Paul. He even turned his Subaru Outback into a moving Paul billboard.Keep in mind that Mr. Prewett and all other participants at the caucus were required to sign in and attest that they were Republicans. Maybe this Paululan disloyalty explains why thousands of primary ballots are being disqualified because voters refuse to sign a ballot oath identifying themselves as a Democrat or a Republican.
Prewett said the lack of media coverage for Paul doomed the candidate's push for presidency.
"I really think if Ron Paul had the media coverage his message would get out and he would be a more popular candidate," he said.
If Paul doesn't receive the nomination, Prewett said his next choice would not be a Republican.
"If (Paul) doesn't get on the ballot the next best choice is Obama and I would be willing to jump to the Democrats," he said.
The only thing that Obama and Paul have in common is their stated intent to immediately withdraw the troops from Iraq. I can't see Mr. Prewett as being much of a Libertarian if he buys into Obama's nanny statist, big government policies. A sheep in wolf's clothing.
From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
Whitman County residents turned out in droves to the county's presidential caucuses Saturday.
Pullman resident and Republican Precinct Committee Officer Nancy Gregory said the nearly 100 people at the Pullman caucus was the most she had seen in years.
"Every (election) I come to the caucus meetings, and there are about three or four times more people here today," Gregory said Saturday.
The turnout and passion this year reminded Gregory of former President Ronald Reagan's initial push for the White House, she said.
"This is how we elected Ronald Reagan," Gregory said. "We got all the Reagan supporters out at the caucuses and all the delegates, or most of them, were Reagan supporters."
While the turnout was high - estimated by Republican Party Chairwoman Susan Fagan to be 170 people countywide - in comparison to past caucuses for the Republicans, there was no runaway winner.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee led all candidates with 29 delegates, followed by Sen. John McCain and Rep. Ron Paul, each with 20 delegates. Mitt Romney finished with 10 delegates, despite having suspended his campaign last week. A total of eight delegates were uncommitted.
The results from the county's tight three-way race was similar to those from the rest of the state. Overall, McCain finished with just over 25 percent of the statewide vote, followed by Huckabee with 23.8 percent and Paul with just under 21 percent. Romney received 16.7 percent of the state's delegates.
Fagan said she had only heard positive results from the county's 12 Republican caucuses.
"Everybody said they had more people than ever and the discussions were really good," Fagan said. "Everyone is focused on the elections ... "
Democrats also enjoyed a strong turnout, with about 1,000 people taking part in Whitman County caucuses, said Carolyn Kress, party chairwoman.
"We probably tripled what we did four years ago," Kress said. "We were needless to say pleased. It was very successful, we just couldn't ask for more."
The results in the county mirrored those statewide, with Sen. Barack Obama receiving a majority of the delegates. Obama tallied 142 delegates from the county, compared to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's 40. Statewide, Obama received 67.5 percent of the delegates, while Clinton showed with 31.2 percent.
While the high turnout in the Democratic caucus was partly attributed to the tight race between Clinton and Obama, much of the increased turnout at the Republican caucus can be chalked up to younger generation's renewed interest in politics.
The unusual amount of young participants did not go unnoticed by 76-year-old Pullman resident Miriam Rehwaldt.
"There are so many young people; more young people than anyone," she said.
Many of the younger voters came out to support Paul.
Alex Marcelo, 20, described his vote for Paul as a "principle vote," acknowledging that Paul likely will not win the Republican nomination. However, Paul has given him a renewed faith in the Republican Party.
"Because of the Bush administration, I had written off the Republican Party for a long time," Marcelo said.
"Fundamentally, what attracts me to Ron Paul is he believes in the Constitution. Ron Paul reminds us the Constitution is there to limit the government, not the people."
Marcelo was elected as one of two delegates from Precinct 218 in Pullman to head to the county convention in Colfax on March 8.
Marcelo has pledged his vote for Paul. He said if Paul does not receive the nomination he would not be able to support the party's current front-runner.
"I honestly can't support (McCain)," Marcelo said, adding that Huckabee would be his second choice.
Devin Prewett, 24, came to the caucus to give his full support to Paul. He even turned his Subaru Outback into a moving Paul billboard.
Prewett said the lack of media coverage for Paul doomed the candidate's push for presidency.
"I really think if Ron Paul had the media coverage his message would get out and he would be a more popular candidate," he said.
If Paul doesn't receive the nomination, Prewett said his next choice would not be a Republican.
"If (Paul) doesn't get on the ballot the next best choice is Obama and I would be willing to jump to the Democrats," he said.
Switching parties is definitely not an option for Rehwaldt, a longtime Republican.
"I will go for anybody who will beat Hillary or Obama," she said. "I am a Republican, so I will back whoever."
Barack Obama Headquarters, Houston, Texas
This is certainly comforting, isn't it? Video and story here.
UPDATE - tf : Apparently the moonbat in question (with her back to the camera) is one Maria Isabel, who apparently (used) to have a blog on the Barack Obama campaign website.
She is seen here with the infamous flag in an earlier TV story from February 3. Lone Star Times has much more, including the "Drum Circle for Obama" Ms. Isabel organized.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Gulags
Picture of Obama's Houston campaign headquarters office from video taken by FOX 26 in Houston.
HT: Captain's Quarters
The Stench Is Rising
NorthWest Cable News is reporting:
And it does matter. In politics, perception is everything. Since last Saturday's primaries, Huck is up 21 points in Virginia.
Throughout the vote reporting process, State Party Chairman Luke Esser has said the party is reporting the presidential preferences of the delegates who were elected at the caucuses. But today we learned that Snohomish County, the third-largest county in the state, reported the preferences of all caucus attendees instead of the elected delegates.That's great. It doesn't help that both the WSRP chairman and communications director are both avowed McCain supporters. It may be time to clean house after this massive loss of face. Luke Esser's position is quickly becoming untenable.
One Snohomish County caucus chairman told KING 5 that the delegate preferences are "dramatically different" than the attendee counts.
And it does matter. In politics, perception is everything. Since last Saturday's primaries, Huck is up 21 points in Virginia.
Evil corporate American only takes and never gives.
Corporate welfare is certainly a bad thing but Exxon Mobil at least returned far more to US coffers than you or I. Exxon paid $30 Billion in taxes for 2007 that is more than the total paid by the lower 50% of all tax payers. Exxon also distributed $35 billion to stock holders (and I got my tiny share of that!).
While all US oil companies received about 10 billion per year in direct subsidies they committed to new investments of $91.4 billion. Hopefully congress got something for that 10 billion.
Do you think corporations are treated fairly by the media? I think not. A Google news search reveals an article count:
2,280 for exxon profit
368 for exxon tax
Type rest of the post here
While all US oil companies received about 10 billion per year in direct subsidies they committed to new investments of $91.4 billion. Hopefully congress got something for that 10 billion.
Do you think corporations are treated fairly by the media? I think not. A Google news search reveals an article count:
2,280 for exxon profit
368 for exxon tax
Type rest of the post here
Just When You Thought It Couldn't Get Any Worse
Supposedly, a few conservatives dissatisfied with what's left of the Republican presidential field are encouraging Bob Barr to run as a third party candidate.
Personally, I think he'd have less of an impact than Patrick Buchanan, in part because that clip of him in Borat would be running non-stop on YouTube.
Personally, I think he'd have less of an impact than Patrick Buchanan, in part because that clip of him in Borat would be running non-stop on YouTube.
The Pooled Pullman GOP Caucus: My View
My apologies. I had intended to get this out earlier, but the Huckabee-WSRP PR fiasco took over.
Here are my observations from Saturday's pooled Pullman GOP caucus, in no particular order:
Turnout
Did the WSU basketball game, the commanding delegate lead by McCain, and Thompson and Romney dropping out of the race affect the turnout? Probably.
However, I figure there were at least 100 people at the caucus (see pictures), which is way more than any other county Republican event I have ever attended, and that was just in Pullman. There were many faces I had never seen before. There was also, as I understand, an above-average turnout county-wide.
The Paul-Bearers
Many of the new faces, of course, were supporters of Ron Paul. They were wearing buttons and passing out flyers at the entrance to Franklin. Overall, I can say nothing bad about them. They were young (mostly WSU students), idealistic, passionate, well-organized and, best of all, respectful and polite. There were no disruptions, loud protests, or chanting. Some of the resolutions had a distinctly libertarian slant (see below) and were pretty far away from the normal Whitman County Republcian platform. But, as I discussed with some long-time Whitman County Republican faithfuls, it was nice to have some fresh air and youthful energy.
Now, Ron Paul supporters, your guy didn't win and he's already ruled out a third party run. We have a full slate of state and local races (U.S. Congress, Governor, state senator and two state representatives, and two county commissioners) coming up this fall. All the Republican candidates for those offices share your view of limited government. Will you stand with us to help get them reelected? Prove your detractors wrong that are you just tinfoilers and not real Republicans. Don't step back in the political shadows. Make your voice heard! Local government has far more day-to-day impact than the federal government.
Resolutions
There were a plethora of resolutions from the floor that took an hour and a half to discuss and vote on. Overall, it was pretty fun and not angry or controversial at all.
Jim Logan introduced a resolution about holding a national primary at roughly the same time, so that Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida don't get to choose the party's nominee. After a lot of amendments and discussion, this passed. Folks on the rural and remote Palouse feel pretty disenfranchised, especially after seeing that every farmer in Iowa seemingly gets a candidate's visit.
I introduced a resolution concerning the Department of Ecology's riduculous stormwater licensing requirements for Pullman and how DOE should either grant relief to Eastern Washington cities or provide the funding to meet the mandates. It passed unanimously. I think it was one of the Ron Paul supporters that mentioned we should just abolish DOE. I second that motion!
There was another resolution that evoked quite a bit of discussion concerning electronic voting (apparently a real concern with Ron Paul supporters) that passed. After 2004, Republicans in Washington are naturally going to be distrustful of all kinds of possible voter fraud.
National presidential primary concerns came up again with a resolution that called for the elimination of winner-take-all presidential primaries. It also passed.
The most Paulian and most controversial resolution was one that said the U.S. should only uses its military power when there was a clear and present danger to U.S. soil. There was a lot of debate about the Constitutiopn and how only Congress could declare war, but ultimately this resolution failed.
A very strong resolution concerning stopping benefits and incentives, including public education, to illegal immigrants passed by a handy margin. Senator McCain is going to have a real problem with the base of the party in the immigration issue.
Another very Paulian resolution concerning not participating in trade agreements such as NAFTA and CAFTA passed by a narrow margin. I spoke with one of our elected officials later that many of these young Paul ideologues obviously don't realize that most of the agricultural products grown in Whitman County are sold overseas and that crippling international trade would put most of our local farmers out of business.
Francis Benjamin
Pullman City Councilman Francis Benjamin served as the permanent caucus chair, and as always, proved himself to be the Roberts Ruler of Order par excellence. He kept things on track and on time.
College Republicans
The WSU College Republicans, led by Chris DelBeccaro, were on hand to help out with the logisitics of registration and counting and did a fantastic job. As always, I had fun chatting with them.
Voting
Each of the participants at the precinct caucuses registered their presidential preference. I don't have those results, nor are they particularly relevant, as only the delegates elected to the county convention really matter. And many of those elected Saturday probably won't even go the county convention March 8. All we really know is that about a third of the roughly 20 Whitman County delegates that go the state convention on May 31 should be Mike Huckabee supporters. With only 37 open Washington national delegates, it's unlikely anyone from Whitman County will go as a primary delegate to the national convention, but you never know.
Here are the delegates that were elected and their presidential preferences:
Mike Huckabee - 17
Ron Paul - 10
John McCain - 9
Mitt Romney - 5
Uncommitted - 3
A note on Ron Paul: Paul may very well have received more delegates in Pullman based on his number of supporters. But the number of precinct delegates are chosen based on the number of Republican votes received in the last statewide election. For campus precincts, obviously, that's not a lot. So while 5 students may have showed up for Paul in a particular precinct, only two could be elected as delegates. That is another reason for you Ron Paul supporters to work harder on our state and local races so that you can increase your caucus representation. Plus, PCOs are automatically county delegates.
Devin Rokyta
I had a chance to talk with Daily News reporter Devin Rokyta at Saturday's caucus. He's a very down-to-earth guy. Definitely my favorite Daily News reporter since Michelle Dupler.
IT Geeks
Okay, I have to say this. Based on my profession, the profession of many contributors at this blog, and now the apparent profession of many Ron Paul supporters, there definitely seems to be a scientific connection between being an IT geek and a libertarian/conservative.
National Flogging of WSRP Continues
Huckabee: Washington State vote like the Soviet Union
Talking Points Memo: Esser makes Boss Hogg look like a good government man
CBS News: State GOP hangs up on Huckabee's daughter-in-law; Esser admits he doesn't know which precincts the remaining votes are coming from
Captain's Quarters: Can't Anyone In Washington Handle An Election?
For a state that wants to be more relevant in the presidential primary process, this is a PR disaster.
Talking Points Memo: Esser makes Boss Hogg look like a good government man
CBS News: State GOP hangs up on Huckabee's daughter-in-law; Esser admits he doesn't know which precincts the remaining votes are coming from
Captain's Quarters: Can't Anyone In Washington Handle An Election?
For a state that wants to be more relevant in the presidential primary process, this is a PR disaster.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Washington Republican Caucus Update
With 93.3% of precincts reporting:
The Seattle Times is reporting that the resumption of the count was brought on by pressure from the Huckabee campaign.
I still believe that the McCain lead will hold, as the state party is privy to more data (remaining precincts and county trends) than has been publicly released. But in retrospect, in a race this tight, it was a mistake to call the winner without releasing some of that supporting data. Unfortunate (because of the 2004 gubernatorial fiasco) , but not a big deal. We didn't select national delegates yesterday, just delegates to the county conventions (who theoretically could change their minds.) The national convention delegates won't be elected until the state convention May 31. Based on yesterday's result, McCain and Huckabee will have around 4 or 5 each, with Paul and Romney also getting a few.
If most Washington Republicans don't understand our complicated, lengthy, multi-step delegate selection process, people from around the county certainly don't. Misunderstandings by passionate political activists plus the first presidential primary for WSRP chairman Luke Esser and his staff equaled a not quite ready for prime time performance. But hopefully this incident will motivate the Huckabee base in Washington to come out and vote in the February 19 primary by showing Mike can win here.
Huckabee 23.8 %McCain's lead of 1.6% just looks too close to call still.
McCain 25.4 %
Paul 20.7 %
Romney 16.7 %
Other 1.0 %
Uncommitted 12.3 %
The Seattle Times is reporting that the resumption of the count was brought on by pressure from the Huckabee campaign.
I still believe that the McCain lead will hold, as the state party is privy to more data (remaining precincts and county trends) than has been publicly released. But in retrospect, in a race this tight, it was a mistake to call the winner without releasing some of that supporting data. Unfortunate (because of the 2004 gubernatorial fiasco) , but not a big deal. We didn't select national delegates yesterday, just delegates to the county conventions (who theoretically could change their minds.) The national convention delegates won't be elected until the state convention May 31. Based on yesterday's result, McCain and Huckabee will have around 4 or 5 each, with Paul and Romney also getting a few.
If most Washington Republicans don't understand our complicated, lengthy, multi-step delegate selection process, people from around the county certainly don't. Misunderstandings by passionate political activists plus the first presidential primary for WSRP chairman Luke Esser and his staff equaled a not quite ready for prime time performance. But hopefully this incident will motivate the Huckabee base in Washington to come out and vote in the February 19 primary by showing Mike can win here.
Mike Huckabee Questions Washington State GOP Caucus Count
I thought it was a bit unusual for FOX to call the race with 13% of the vote to be counted and such a small margin separating McCain and Huckabee. Then the Washington State Republican Party officially called it at 11:38 PM.
There is a huge outcry from the Hucakbee campaign over this. David Postman at the Seattle Times has the details here and here. FOX News has more.
I will say two things about this. First, as far as I know, the state party has not suspended counting. The press release last night stated that a full report would be available tomorrow. In caucuses past, the party didn't even have numbers available the day of the caucus. Secondly, all caucus reports were due to the state party HQ by 4:30 PM. I'm assuming they have all the numbers in hand and were able to make the call for McCain but don't want to release final numbers until they were verified.
In any case, I'd like to see the state party release the final numbers ASAP and avoid any further embarassment. The fact that former WSRP state chair, Chris Vance is an outspoken McCain supporter and critic of Huckabee doesn't help matters.
I want to get the count right, and as I have state previously, it would be great to show that Mike can win outside of the South, but we're only probably only talking one or two delegates at most that are at stake here. And delegates elected yesterday are offically unpledged heading into the county convention according to party rules.
There is a huge outcry from the Hucakbee campaign over this. David Postman at the Seattle Times has the details here and here. FOX News has more.
I will say two things about this. First, as far as I know, the state party has not suspended counting. The press release last night stated that a full report would be available tomorrow. In caucuses past, the party didn't even have numbers available the day of the caucus. Secondly, all caucus reports were due to the state party HQ by 4:30 PM. I'm assuming they have all the numbers in hand and were able to make the call for McCain but don't want to release final numbers until they were verified.
In any case, I'd like to see the state party release the final numbers ASAP and avoid any further embarassment. The fact that former WSRP state chair, Chris Vance is an outspoken McCain supporter and critic of Huckabee doesn't help matters.
I want to get the count right, and as I have state previously, it would be great to show that Mike can win outside of the South, but we're only probably only talking one or two delegates at most that are at stake here. And delegates elected yesterday are offically unpledged heading into the county convention according to party rules.
Explanation as to why Mike Huckabee may be doing so well in Washington
Statement by Washington for Huckabee* Chairman Joe Fuiten:
"The strong showing for Mike Huckabee today puts Huckabee on the path to take a significant number of Washington's delegates to the national convention.
"Many are surprised at what Mike Huckabee did tonight. There is a simple explanation. The rank and file of the Republican party appreciate where he stands on the issues. They also appreciate the kind of character that he exhibits. He has not gone negative. He has kept a positive vision.
"I did a straw poll a few days ago to get a sense for where Evangelical type voters are. They voted 53% for Huckabee, and that was before Romney dropped out. The strength of Huckabee in Washington shows me that Evangelicals are back.
"With Huckabee winning in in a mid-western state like Kansas, a southern state like Louisiana, and doing what he did in a western state like Washington, it demonstrates that he is a strong national candidate.
"Here is the poll I did over several days last week. I think it explains the success of Mike Huckabee tonight."
Click here to view Presidential Straw Poll
** Washington for Huckabee is not officially endorsed by Huckabee for President, Inc.
Sonam in Krrish 2
Now that Rakesh is not directing Krrish 2 (Rakesh Mehra has been roped in), he is all set to direct another film, yet untitled. It seems that a couple of days ago, Rakesh paid a visit to Anil Kapoor and asked him if could cast Sonam opposite his son Hrithik. Anil was very thrilled and immediately....
7 Pics
Maria Sharapova & Sony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson announced yesterday that it has signed an exclusive four-year deal agreement with tennis ace Maria Sharapova, making her the cell communication company’s first global brand ...
5 Pics
Saturday, February 9, 2008
FOX News Has Just Called Washington for McCain
Not really a stunning victory for anyone delegate-wise, with an essentially four-way split of 18 of our 40 national convention delegates. Still, it would have been nice to show that Huck can win outside the South. But hopefully this will give him momentum for the primary on February 19 where the other half (20) of the delegates will be decided.
Some thoughts:
Washington is clearly in play for Huckabee. But more attention has to be paid to Washington by the Huckabee campaign. As Rev. Jospeh Fuiten, the leader of the Huckabee grassroots movement in Washington stated to David Postman:
I'm at a bit of a loss to explain the 17% of the vote garnered by Mitt Romney. He only received 6% in Louisiana and 3% in Kansas today. I suspect the Romney supporters were casting a protest vote, but it is unfortunate we will have delegates assigned to a candidate who is out of the race. My grandmother used to have a saying about "cutting your nose off to spite your face."
Some thoughts:
Washington is clearly in play for Huckabee. But more attention has to be paid to Washington by the Huckabee campaign. As Rev. Jospeh Fuiten, the leader of the Huckabee grassroots movement in Washington stated to David Postman:
Fuiten said he will make a pitch to the campaign that Huckabee visit Washington before the Feb. 19 primary. Huckabee’s wife, Janet, visited this week, doing more than 15 media appearances, Fuiten said.Huckabee hasn't been in Washington since November. McCain was in Seattle yesterday and cleaned up in King County. Ron Paul was in Spokane a couple of weeks back and won 46% of the delegates in Spokane County. At this point, Huckabee needs every vote he can get.“I started calling on the morning after he did so well on Super Tuesday and said, ‘Give us some help out here.’ They put no money into Washington. Zero; no staff, no advertising.”
I'm at a bit of a loss to explain the 17% of the vote garnered by Mitt Romney. He only received 6% in Louisiana and 3% in Kansas today. I suspect the Romney supporters were casting a protest vote, but it is unfortunate we will have delegates assigned to a candidate who is out of the race. My grandmother used to have a saying about "cutting your nose off to spite your face."
Washington Republican Caucus Update
With 87.2% of precincts reporting:
John McCain 25.74%
Mike Huckabee 23.94%
Ron Paul 20.77%
Mitt Romney 16.72%
Uncommitted 12.7%
Quote of the Day
My conservatism is rooted in my understanding of the scriptures. And here's why. Ecclesiastes 10:2 says, "The heart of the wise directs him to the right, but the heart of the fool directs him to the left." There you have it.- Mike Huckabee, speech to Conservative Political Action Committee, February 9, 2008
Predictably, the uptight, no sense of humor Seattle liberal literati don't get the humor.
Huckabee Wins Kansas, Louisiana GOP Contests; Washington Too Close to Call
From Fox News:
Mike Huckabee also had a good day Saturday, pulling out a strong win, 60 to 24 percent, over John McCain in the Kansas Republican caucuses earlier in the day and then taking Louisiana in a sqeaker. Huckabee was at 44 percent to 42 percent for McCain in Louisiana. However, Huckabee did not get to the 50 percent threshold needed to gain the delegates up for grabs from the state, and they will remain uncommitted going into the national convention in September.
The Washington Republican caucus results were too close to call late into the evening on Saturday, and party officials said they would resume counting on Sunday. McCain was leading Huckabee in the polling with 26 to 24 percent with 78 percent reporting. Ron Paul was close behind with 21 percent.
Washington Republican Caucus Update
With 83% of precincts reporting:
Huckabee 23.8 %
McCain 25.6 %
Paul 21 %
Romney 16.3 %
Other 1.0 %
Uncommitted 12.2 %
Washington Republican Caucus Update
With 78% of precincts reporting (including King County now):
McCain 25.69%These were the results in King County:
Huckabee 24.03%
Paul 21.37%
Romney 16.22%
Mike Huckabee - 640 (19.25%)
John McCain - 1,057 (31.8%)
Ron Paul - 612 (18.41%)
Mitt Romney - 484 (14.56%)
Uncommitted - 520 (15.64%)
Others - 11 (0.33%)
Washington Republican Caucus Update
37% of Precincts Reporting:
Huckabee 26.90%
McCain 23.25%
Paul 20.60%
Romney 18.33%
Washington Republican Caucus Update
Fox News reports, with 16% of precincts reporting:
McCain 26.66%Sadly, no results yet on State GOP website. C'mon guys.
Huckabee 26.00%
Paul 21.28%
Romney 16.76%
BREAKING NEWS: WHITMAN COUNTY LIKES MIKE!!!!
Final results from today's Whitman County Republican Caucus:
Mike Huckabee - 29 (34%)Here's how it broke down at the pooled caucus in Pullman:
John McCain - 20 (23%)
Ron Paul - 19 (22%)
Mitt Romney - 10 (12%)
Uncommitted - 8 (9%)
Mike Huckabee - 17
Ron Paul - 10
John McCain - 9
Mitt Romney - 5
Uncommitted - 3
Early Washington Trends Looking Good for Huckabee
Based on what I saw today in Pullman, and reports on Sound Politics and Free Republic, it's looking good for Governor Huckabee statewide! And who said he couldn't win outside the South?
Whitman County GOP Caucus Report
There was a good turnout county-wide today for the GOP caucuses, even though there was a Cougar home basketball game at the same time.
I was very happy to see many news faces in the crowd today at Franklin Elementary, including many college students. I hope we can build on that momentum.
As you can imagine, quite a few of the students were Ron Paul supporters. They made an impact on the vote, as well as some of the resolutions that were voted on.
I'll have a more extensive report later.
For now, let's just say that Mike Huckabee has handily won Kansas and based on the vote results I saw, my prediction is that he will carry Pullman and rural Whitman County as well. Let's hope that trend holds for the whole state. Republicans are looking for a REAL conservative, and John McCain is not it.
NOW ON TO VICTORY!!!!!
I was very happy to see many news faces in the crowd today at Franklin Elementary, including many college students. I hope we can build on that momentum.
As you can imagine, quite a few of the students were Ron Paul supporters. They made an impact on the vote, as well as some of the resolutions that were voted on.
I'll have a more extensive report later.
For now, let's just say that Mike Huckabee has handily won Kansas and based on the vote results I saw, my prediction is that he will carry Pullman and rural Whitman County as well. Let's hope that trend holds for the whole state. Republicans are looking for a REAL conservative, and John McCain is not it.
NOW ON TO VICTORY!!!!!
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