Honest and Complete Voter Rolls?
Wide range of expert opinions aired On February 24th, the Bellingham Central Library was the venue for a gathering of election administration experts, expressing at least as many opinions as experts. From "we don't see widespread problems" to "there are many ineligible people registered to vote," a continuum of assessments from guardedly optimistic to pessimistic was asserted and defended. The presenters included three election administrators: Shirley Forslof (Whatcom County Auditor), Paul Miller (Elections Information Manager for Washington State) and John... [read more]

Global Warming - Who is Greener?
Quick quiz to test your Global Warming IQ. Who is greener? The Oscar winner Al Gore "The Goracle" or George "Big Oil, Haliburton" Bush Did you get the correct answer? Who is really walkin' the walk? Any questions?... [read more]

70 year old vet saves the day!
This is a must read story about a 70 year old vet on a cruise stop in Costa Rica that takes out an assailant that tried, at gunpoint, to rob his fellow passengers. Here is some of the highlights: SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - An American tourist who watched as a U.S. military veteran in his 70s used his bare hands to kill an armed assailant in Costa Rica said she thought the attempted robbery was a joke -- until... [read more]

Without sounding like Democrats (#2)
The following is from my statement on energy policy issued during my congressional campaign against Jim McDermott last year: online source: http://www.berenforcongress.com/energy.html When it comes to energy policy, we need to avoid the mistakes of the past. A half century ago, we assumed oil would forever be plentiful and inexpensive. Our assumption was wrong; our mistake was being stuck in the present and not looking forward. To avoid this happening again, we need to prioritize. First, we need to put... [read more]

Without sounding like Democrats (#1)
The far left approach to environmental and energy issues is wrong, leading to no solutions at all. A free market, conservative approach is best, avoiding dead ends, avoiding liberal paranoia, avoiding liberal anti-business sentiments. We should sound like opponents of the ill-considered approach of the Democrats. One example worthy of some consideration is that offered by Toby Nixon, for example, in the following excerpts from his June 14, 2006 campaign kickoff rally: Online http://www.tobynixon.com/news.htm#a178 Nixon remarks on environmental protection at... [read more]

McCain Too Dangerous for POTUS
Simply put, John McCain does not have the character to be President of The United States. A very critical component of one's character is temperament - on this, he fails if you've followed his life and career even cursorily. Yes, we can call him a "war hero" and we sincerely thank him for his service. But that, by no means, guarantees us a good President who is looking out for the interests of the American People as his top priority.... [read more]

PI reports on huge anti-war protest!
The Seattle PI today ran a 300+ word story under the headline "Anti-war protest held at federal building". The second paragraph begins with the phrase, "Nearly 20 protesters from various Puget Sound-area peace groups gathered at the Jackson Federal Building..." That's right. Fewer than 20 people. Good thing the PI was on it.... [read more]

The merits of the liberation of Iraq
The liberation of Iraq is justified for many reasons: Saddam Hussein's support for terrorism, the need for a preemptive strategy before Saddam Hussein became an imminent threat, and the goal of regime change and democracy in Iraq. In addition, the Saddam Hussein regime failed to comply with numerous UN resolutions, including resolution #687 which was passed on April 3, 1991 and outlined the ceasefire conditions of the first Gulf War. In October 2002, when the Congress authorized military action, there... [read more]

Victory, Defense Spending, and Foreign Policy
from Steve Beren http://www.steveberen.com Excerpt from "The Agenda is Victory," a speech by President Reagan, April 26, 1982: "During the campaign I was asked any number of times: If I were faced with a choice of balancing the budget or restoring our national defenses, what would I do? Every time I said, 'Restore our defenses.' And every time I was applauded. So, let me be very clear. We will press for further cuts in federal spending. We will protect the... [read more]

Your Help Needed- SuperQuick Survey
Hi, Sound-Politics Bloggers: I'm a law student, and I'm conducting a super-quick yes/no survey of WA State residents about their understanding and feelings about how laws are made, for an academic paper I'm working on. You may follow this link to it: http://www.exordia.net/survey1/ Your answer will help me to parse out public perceptions across demographics and interests. Your answer is valued whether you are highly political or not--in fact, especially if you're not. The survey is anonymous. Please answer--pretty please.... [read more]

Democrats placing power above Victory, power above our soldiers, and power above the security of the American people
What has happened to the Democrat Party? What has happened to the people that would support their efforts to defeat America for the sake of their own demands for power? God help this nation.... [read more]

Congressmen should live up to standards before they criticize them
Lately the Democrats have been bringing up the fact that more moral waivers have been allowed in recent years to get more recruits. This is true, but the moral waiver has been around for decades. I had jr. enlisted soldiers, that I trained and lead, that received moral waivers and I can tell you that they were just as good as soldiers without the moral waiver. In some cases they were even better, because they understood that there are consequences... [read more]

Sheehan Labels Viet Nam Veterans "Rightist Haters of America"
Hearing of the proposed March 17, 2007 March on the Pentagon, slated to assemble at the Constitution Gardens, which contains the Viet Nam Memorial, concerned Viet Nam Veterans have banded together, organizing a call to other veterans to protect our Memorial, calling themselves 'Gathering of Eagles' to protect Vietnam Veterans Wall. Ms. Sheehan, better known as Momma Moonbat, has gotten wind of this and in true fashion, has posted a reply of her own, Rightest America Haters. In her fashion... [read more]

Cuban gov't. publication cites McDermott
The following is excerpted from the 2/13/07 issue of the online English language version of the Cuban Communist Party newspaper; the full text of the article is available online at http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2007/febrero/mar13/07viajes-i.html Excerpts: "Last January 18, Representative Jim McDermott said in the House that 'It is only 90 miles away from our shores, but we are using the same sort of wrong-headed thinking regarding Cuba that we are using in international affairs around the world with equally dismal results. 'Today the... [read more]

The Road to the Nanny State (with stadia)
How soon until America reaches this threshold? 1 in 3 homes dependent on state benefits (Google News search) [ Feb 15: Google News link updated, should produce results now ] ... and UK Telegraph Oh, I know, let's be corporate welfare stooges for tax subsidized sports stadia - that's paving the road to ...... [read more]

Geno's Sign Discriminatory
Now, if this isn't the height of insanity, I don't know what is. Big Daddy government's PC storm-troopers are on the march, pummeling American Citizens into submission for simply requesting that people order from them in their country's native tongue - English! How, exactly, is anyone "discriminated" against in these cases? Foreigners have a "Civil Right" to be accommodated by anyone they target by speaking to them in Swahili?? -Or any other foreign language? How, exactly, is anyone, who doesn't... [read more]

Barack Obama says Soldier deaths = "Wasted" lives
In a campaign stop Sen Barack Obama made the following statement: We ended up launching a war that should have never been authorized and should have never been waged and to which we have now spent $400 billion and has seen over 3,000 lives of the bravest young Americans wasted. I wonder how the families of these fallen heroes feel about the Senator's comments? Somehow I do not think this is the type of statement that is going to sit... [read more]

Bank of America catering to illegal aliens
I saw this post on michellemalkin.com and had to bring this to everyone's attention. It turns out that Bank of America has quietly begun offering credit cards to customers without Social Security numbers -- typically illegal immigrants. This is in direct violation of Federal Immigration Laws and BofA needs to be held accountable for their practices. I have already emailed BofA and I urge you all to do the same. I told them that if these practices do not cease... [read more]

Emanating Scary Gases
Has anyone else noticed the following strange coincidence: The three scariest Greenhouse Gases we incessantly hear about are Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, and Methane. And, what are the top three gases given off by us Human Beings? -Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, and Methane. So, is it pure coincidence that Global Warming alarmists and totalitarian wannabe's are the same cultists who want to reduce the threat to the planet by reducing human populations - as evidenced by their obsessions with legalized... [read more]

Tunnel Options anybody?
Several weeks ago I attended the Women of Washington meeting in downtown Seattle where Bellevue Square owner Kemper Freeman spoke about regional transportation. Mr. Freeman spent a million of his own dollars to commission a transportation study. The audience was largely from Seattle so the Alaskan Way Viaduct project quickly became a subject of discussion. I don't remember the exact number but Mr. Freeman's study estimated that about half of the people who use the viaduct would use Interstate 5... [read more]

The strength and truth of Reagan's ideas
A great source of information and inspiration regarding Ronald Reagan is Reagan2020, online at http://reagan2020.us/ On this website you will find biographical information, transcripts of speeches, commentary and analysis, historical documents, and related links. Below is an excerpt from the website's "About" page. The entire text is available at http://reagan2020.us/about.asp "Political commentators today frequently remark that conservatives have been lost since Reagan's departure from the presidency, and Republican presidential candidates in the intervening 12 years have struggled over claims to... [read more]

Elect property rights candidate, Feb 13
From the CAPR email list ... PLEASE help us again this year to elect a Conservation District Supervisor, Matt Livengood, who has our interests at heart. Last year you successfully helped elect Bobbi Lindemulder by a vote of about 500 to 300, so this is a small election and every vote counts. The Conservation District is crucial to farmers and other property owners, often serving as a protection from the abuses of the county DDES. This year a Sims/Phillips candidate... [read more]

Global Warming - young minds full of mush - and propaganda
I was saddened to get my latest Cal Poly Alumni email and read of the Global Warming proponents polluting the minds of young college students at my alma mater. I'm forced to admit that whenever I read of a New York Times reporter doing or writing anything these days, I shutter at what fiction and spin has been included, not unlike my reaction to Seattle Times or PI stories when I'm bored enough to even read one. But to hear... [read more]

Puyallup Criminal Enterprise and the Ineffectiveness of Pierce County Prosecutor
According to a recent King5 Investigation, Detective Stokke from Seattle Police informed Pierce County prosecutors over two years ago of a criminal enterprise operating in/around Puyallup. From King5 Chris Ingalls investigation, we are told that Det Stokke believes up to 100 cars a month with cash profit of up to $2000 and possibly more per car were generated from an odometer roll back scam. If we use a low/high approach then on the low side lets presume 50 cars a... [read more]

Border Patrol Fall Guys
I live up north in Whatcom county. I know that most of you guys live down in the Seattle, but how these Border Patrol guys are being hung out is a disgrace for our nation. I personally know 4 agents and their families and don't want to think about how they would suffer if they were treated like these guys were on the southern border. Worldnet Daily is has latched onto this story and I'm glad they aren't letting it... [read more]

President Reagan on protecting the unborn
Today would have been President Reagan's 96th birthday. And when we consider the political prospects of America and the results of the 2006 elections, we should recall that President Reagan was a "triple threat" - a fiscal conservative, a foreign policy conservative, and a social conservative. Here are five quotes from President Reagan on the subject of protecting the unborn: Debate with John Anderson, 9/21/80 http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/showdebate.php?debateid=9 I think all of us should have a respect for innocent life. With regard... [read more]

Having Chest Pain? Shortness of Breath? Don't Drive!
I wish I had a nickel for every patient who drove himself/herself to the hospital when they experienced chest pain and shortness of breath and wound up having a heart attack. I'd be living on my own private island in French Polynesia right now. Note to all and sundry: if you are having chest pain, nausea, sweating, weakness, palpitations, or shortness of breath- or any combination of one or more of those symptoms- CALL 911. DO NOT DRIVE YOURSELF TO... [read more]

Secular Progressive Twins Separated at Birth?
Take a listen to this audio clip of Wa Po columnist William Arkin as he labels U.S. troops mercenaries and says that they should not expect that there will not be Americans back home who criticize the worthiness of their mission. Uh news-flash Mr. Arkin, most Americans recognize the vacuous and craven bromide of "we support the troops but not the war" for what it is, which is a carefully reworded and updated Vietnam era anti-American slogan. Anyway, does this... [read more]

Local GOP News
The first story featuring an interview with newly elected WSRP Chair Luke Esser is a complete hack job. It's really too bad, because Josh Feit is capable of much better. But hey, I guess that's the type of "journalism" that qualifies The Stranger as the city's only "newspaper". In other GOP news, the event at the College Club with State Senator Joseph Zarelli and State Rep. Gary Alexander on the Governor's unsustainable budget, was a success. Stefan did a great... [read more]

FIVE REAGAN QUOTES (1988)
In discussions about the reasons for the defeat of the GOP in the 2006 elections, there is much said about "returning to conservative Republican values," but there is not always agreement on just what that means. Submitted for your consideration below are five quotes excerpted from President Reagan's final State of the Union speech delivered on January 25, 1988: "THE GLOBAL DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION" As totalitarianism struggles to avoid being overwhelmed by the forces of economic advance and the aspiration for... [read more]