Seattle GOPer has questions for CNN's next Dem debate
Seattle GOPer has questions for CNN's next Dem debate Steve Beren, November 29, 2007 (please feel free to forward widely, as appropriate) In CNN's broadcast of this week's Republican debate, CNN allowed several Democratic Party liberal activists - supporters of Clinton, Obama, and Edwards - to participate in the debate's Q&A while posing as "undecided" voters. Therefore, as a Seattle Republican Party activist (I ran for Congress in 2006 against far left incumbent Jim McDermott), I offer the following questions... [read more]

Math Education
If you have a child in a Washington state public school, you will want to see this video posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1qee-bTZI In the video, Washington meteorologist MJ McDermott explores how math is being taught in the schools throughout our country that are using the Everyday Math and TERC curricula. Fan or critic of the methods, this video is worthwhile for enlightening parents on how to help their children master these new techniques (or discard them altogether). For Michelle Malkin's... [read more]

Can we tame the P-I?
I sent an e-mail to the Hearst Corporation today, complaining of the P-I Management and Editorial staff. Somehow we have to throttle them back on their leftist propaganda. HearstNewspapers@hearst.com Anybody care to join me?... [read more]

END the Mass. Income Tax moves forward
The State Initiative to END the Mass. income tax is moving closer to the ballot with 100k signatures submitted. Start saving now to send funds for the ballot campaign, in 2008. I sent them $50 a few weeks ago. Read the details. Be sure to read the Boston Globe link (as "source") - if you think initiatives are hard in WA, read about the hoops that have to jumped through to get an Initiative in Mass.... [read more]

Sound Politics Thanksgiving Wish
Just wanted to take time out today to wish all at Sound Politics (Especially all those who keep this site up and running) a happy Thanksgiving.... [read more]

Local high school students used by a socialist group
Mix the rebellious passion of youth with an exuse to skip school and what do you get? High school students marching in an anti-war protest, that's what. The sad thing is most, if not all were duped into the march by a socialist group (Socialist Alternative) who opposes the "global capitalist system." Their clandestine approach was to call the rally "Youth against war and racism." I mean, what self-respecting high school student wouldn't support that? If those students were smart enough to... [read more]

GOP Debate Song, Sweeping YouTube
GOP Debate Song I've put up two versions of a relatively untitled song I wrote and recorded last weekend. The first is the original live version, and the second puts other video images to the same music. The first video is now up on the front page of YouTube as the top "featured video." Enjoy!... [read more]

We are no longer living in the 1960s!
Excerpted from http://www.steveberen.com/809306.html WE ARE NO LONGER LIVING IN THE 1960s! The danger posed by the power of the far left and liberal elite is real, especially because it aims to broadly influence all of our youth, who represent the future of our nation and our world. However, we are no longer living in the 1960s. The old tactics just don't work. With the internet and cable TV and talk radio, it is very realistic and very possible to challenge... [read more]

The true motives of today's antiwar movement
Excerpted from http://www.steveberen.com/809306.html TRUE MOTIVES OF THE ANTIWAR MOVEMENT Today's antiwar movement shares some important characteristics with the Vietnam era antiwar movement, but there are also some important differences. Among the similarities: (1) Despite starting out small in numbers, both movements grew to the point where they could - potentially - interfere with the military effort of the United States. They were successful in the Vietnam era - we cannot allow this to happen again. (2) Communist, anarchist, and other... [read more]

Learning from the 1960s Antiwar Movement
Excerpted from http://www.steveberen.com/809306.html LEARNING FROM THE 1960S ANTIWAR MOVEMENT In the summer of 1968, at the age of 16, I graduated high school and was weeks away from my freshman year at CCNY. Afraid that the Vietnam war would escalate into a World War, I had started attending radical meetings and demonstrations against the war in Vietnam. I attended a particular antiwar demonstration in downtown New York City in August 1968. This demonstration, billed as a "send off" for demonstrators... [read more]

Leftist Protesters Oppose Troops, Reject Patriotism
http://www.steveberen.com These far left protesters, of course, are not really "anti-war." Rather, they objectively and implicitly support victory by the Islamic fascist enemy. Also, liberal and Democratic Party protestations to the contrary ("of course we support our troops - we just oppose their mission"), these so-called "anti-war" activists don't "support the troops." Disruption of our troops' mission directly endangers their lives, and (if successful) would literally aid our enemies. From my own 1960s and 1970s experience as a leftist antiwar... [read more]

US Government confiscates (steals) legal exchange commodity (barter)
This is one of the most frightening stories I have yet to read about our encroaching, authoritarian US Government. If this doesn't raise the hairs on the back of your neck, nothing will - you're a fully functioning guv'ment sheep ... FBI Raids Liberty Dollar No significant details of the criminal offense are found in the posted documents, other than vague "money laundering", "mail fraud" or "wire fraud". No details of the complainant. See the front page of Liberty Dollar... [read more]

Evergreen Leadership Conference Sessions on TVW, Presentations Available for Download
Materials from Evergreen Leadership Conference II: Issues, Insights, and Influence are available online now for your use. The PowerPoint presentations used by presenters have been consolidated into a single file for download, which is available in both PowerPoint format and Adobe PDF format. The PowerPoint file is available at http://www.evergreenconference.org/ELC2%20Presentation%20Slides.ppt (13.3 megabytes), and the PDF file is available at http://www.evergreenconference.org/ELC2%20Presentation%20Slides.pdf (7 megabytes). The files are large due to the number of graphic images used by the presenters. We thank the... [read more]

My Constitutional Amendment Idea
I want an amendment to the Constitution that would require a supermajority to change the Constitution. Just a thought.... [read more]

Seattle School Board- Take Heed!
From the NYT... A New Effort to Remove Bad Teachers By ELISSA GOOTMAN Published: November 15, 2007 The Bloomberg administration is beginning a drive to remove unsatisfactory teachers, hiring new teams of lawyers and consultants who will help principals build cases against tenured teachers who they believe are not up to the job. It is also urging principals to get rid of sub-par novices before they earn tenure. At the center of the effort is a new Teacher Performance Unit... [read more]

Olympia Port Protests
I've been checking out YOUTUBE.com and viewing some of the protest videos. Back when I was young and liberal I might have been there. But, even in my youth I was smart enough to know that if I broke the law I'd be arrested or in this case - pepper sprayed. But, how can I possibly have a problem with these protests... I mean even they say they "support the troops." And I suppose they're doing it "for the kids"... [read more]

Baghdad Jim & Reichert--Pork Buddies?
According to :http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/ 11/14/07 The Washington Post shines some light on the efforts by porkbusters to shine their own light on earmarks in appropriations bills. Elizabeth Williamson focuses on earmarks in the recently-signed defense appropriation, and reports on the new websites that help vet the pork and its beneficiaries: Who put a million dollars for an "Extended Cold Weather Clothing System" into the 2008 defense spending bill President Bush signed yesterday? The item is one of thousands that can be... [read more]

Those EVIL Right-Wing Christians
An interesting story out of the LA Times this morning about Megachurches and tax exempt status. Republican Charles Grassley of Iowa, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, is requesting the six mega churches hand over tax records because of oppulent spending. Among them, Creflo A. Dollar's World Changers Church which preaches "prosperity gospel". Dollar has a multimillion dollar mansion, Rolls-Royce and a Gulfstream III Jet. Grassley rightly says "Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. Do... [read more]

Christine Gregoire and the Apple Cup
If you were at the last Apple Cup in Husky Stadium, you'll remember how the stadium erupted in boos as her face was shown on the Jumbotron. Now that our property taxes are going to go out of control, can you imagine the response she'll get this year? My sincere hope is that Dino Rossi is there... can you imagine the cheers he'll get? Read more at http://www.oneinchgroup.com... [read more]

I like Mike (and the Fair Tax, too)
Ok, so I'm not one to enjoy admitting I'm wrong or switching my endorsements, but honestly, I had never checked out Mike Huckabee, and friends and family kept urging me to give him a chance. I was all for Fred Thompson, but he really hasn't been the shining star I'd hoped for. He was, what I thought, the best of the "bunch", if you will, and a decent candidate who might actually win the primary and beat out Hillary or... [read more]

Saluting all Veterans
Being a veteran means a lot to me, even though I regard my personal military service as being so mundane as to almost be unworthy of inclusion with so many brave and wonderful men and women who served, and often died in their country's service.  Yes I am a veteran, even a disabled one.  But my disability, the product of too much lifting and loud engine noises in a maintenance shop, pales compared to that of the veterans who went to war, and... [read more]

Dan Satterberg's First Official Act
Business as usual was Dan Satterberg's first official act after Bill Sherman conceded the prosecutor's race. That was to announce no formal perjury charges will be filed against the WSP lab manager for falsifying official documents and signing them under penalty of perjury. The excuse was that (I paraphrase) "no harm was done". As a Libertarian this excuse really bothers me. Juries are given the impression that the type of evidence Ms. Gordon was responsible for is highly accurate. Now... [read more]

Happy Veteran's Day
This terrific tribute to those who serve is worth a visit. http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1... [read more]

Reality Check - the Democrat Congress
All politics, no action. A Failure to Lead... [read more]

BIG news for PRO-LIFE Washington tonite
Court: WA pharmacists may refuse to sell 'morning after pill' " SEATTLE - A federal judge has suspended Washington state's requirement that pharmacists sell "morning-after" birth control pills, a victory for druggists who claim their moral objections to the drug are being bulldozed by the government. " " In an injunction signed Thursday, U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton said pharmacists can refuse to sell the morning-after pill if they refer the customer to another nearby source. Pharmacists' employers also are... [read more]

Reagan on Victory, Defense Spending, and Foreign Policy
Reagan on Victory, Defense Spending, and Foreign Policy posted by Steve Berenhttp://www.steveberen.com http://www.berenforcongress.com/iraq.html 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... [read more]

747 crashes
Initiative 747 has been declared unconstitutional. What were the constitutional grounds? The voters were too stupid to know for what they were voting. I voted for 747 because I wanted property tax increases limited to 1% without a vote. Period. The justices believe that voters didn't vote for the end result, but instead were voting on a reduction in the rate increase from 2% to 1%. 2% was set by I-722, but since I-722 has been declared unconsitutional, the actual... [read more]

Election reflections with some surprises and a small rant
I offer up front that because of the mail in vote delays, many of these races are not actually certified, so there is a possibility that some results may shift. I am not betting on it, but it is possible. I posted my thoughts on Elections in general yesterday, and I still remain somewhat disgruntled.  I was reminded that moving to an adjacent county would offer me my ballot again, and I admit it is tempting, but I do like... [read more]

Help end an American Income Tax
I contributed to this campaign back in 2001-2002, when it got 45.3% of the vote. That's within realistic possibility, hardly a long shot. But they need funding to get signatures in these last 9 days. I just sent them $50. Ending an Income Tax anywhere in America is a victory for all of us. Think of the impact when it happens in Teddy Kennedy's back yard. The American Founders had to risk their lives for their Liberty - all you... [read more]

Playing Roulette with Rudy
posted by ThoughtRogue as a good read! Rudy's "Winnability" Gamble Rudy Giuliani and his supporters are hoping that with Hillary Clinton as the odds- on favorite for the Democratic nomination, Republicans will pay more attention than usual to the question of which of the possible Republican nominees may have the best chance of denying her the White House. They hope Republicans will end up convinced that Rudy would be stronger than the others.Thus, when one encounters a rabid Giuliani supporter... [read more]

When enough is enough!
I felt almost giddy this morning as I reviewed last night's results. It's exceedingly clear that people are sick and tired of taxes. But, the funny thing is I still don't think those in government get it. For example, a Sierra Club spokesperson was on KIRO 710 today, trying to convince listeners that Prop 1 went down because it didn't do enough to address global warming. Huh? I guess he wasn't talking to the same people I was today. It... [read more]

The Seattle Bike Plan - a waste of money
Can Seattle think of a more inane way to waste money? According to the Seattle Times article, they plan to spend a total of 27 million dollars on a Bicycle Master Plan. What a joke. They say the number of bikes entering downtown Seattle increased by one third since the year 2000. So how many cyclists do you think would warrant 7% of a 365 million dollar transportation budget? 10,000 bikes? 15,000 bikes? Maybe, 20,000 bikes? Nooooo... try a total... [read more]

Mike Kreidler, Abuse of Authority?
Is anyone else offended that our elected insurance commissioner has been appearing in commercials promoting R-67? I didn't vote for him, but if I had, I wouldn't have elected him to campaign for or against initiatives. Just a passing thought. I guess I am glad I didn't vote for him, and I surely won't vote for him again, especially considering he has been telling baldfaced lies about R-67, by saying R-67 won't cost law-abiding insurance companies money.... [read more]

Mitt Romney on Human Life Amendment
MITT ROMNEY ON HUMAN LIFE AMENDMENT - source http://www.nysrighttolife.org/news/08162007/mitt_romney_backs_human_life_ame.htm Mitt Romney Backs Human Life Amendment, Overturning Abortion Case First Step by Steven Ertelt LifeNews.com Editor August 15, 2007 Washington, DC -- A leading advisor for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has confirmed that the former Massachusetts governor does indeed support a human life amendment to the Constitution. Romney came out last week in favor of the GOP platform, which has one, but some questions remained. Appearing last Monday on "Good... [read more]

Mike Huckabee on Human Life Amendment
MIKE HUCKABEE ON HUMAN LIFE AMENDMENT (from Huckabee campaign website in response to Thompson's comments on Meet The Press) - source http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=666 "Senator Thompson's comments on 'Meet the Press' were disappointing and disheartening for those who were expecting him to be a solid voice for conservatives. The marriage and life amendments are critical issues for those of us who have been on the front lines of these cultural battles. Sen. Thompson's philosophy seems to be more 'cut and run' when... [read more]

Fred Thompson on Human Life Amendment
FRED THOMPSON ON HUMAN LIFE AMENDMENT (interview by Tim Russert on Meet the Press, 11/4/07) - source http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21623208/page/3/ and http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21623208/page/4/ MR. RUSSERT: This is the 2004 Republican Party platform, and here it is: "We say the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution," "we endorse legislation to make it clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children. Our purpose is to have legislative... [read more]

2008 White House is GOP's to Lose
by ThoughtRogue No Compromise contributor Don't let anyone fool you into believing that Hillary Clinton is the odds on favorite to win the Presidency in 2008. To the contrary, the next heir to the Oval Office is the GOP's to lose. The following is my case. Undoubtedly, Mrs. Clinton will win the Democrat nomination for POTUS - in effect, she's already won. How can I be so confident? Because she's got the one thing that no other Democrat running has... [read more]

Pro-Life Stance is Best for America
Pro-Life Stance is Best for America Steve Beren, November 5, 2007 www.berenforcongress.com/abortion.html www.steveberen.com (please feel free to forward this commentary to those who are interested) Last week, in the chilly pre-dawn hours Friday morning, I participated in a prayer vigil organized by the Seattle affiliate of 40 Days For Life. The vigil took place across the street from the Seattle offices of Planned Parenthood, part of a local round-the-clock effort, and part of a national campaign by the national 40... [read more]

Washington State Pro-Lifers Determined to End Abortion
Last night, David Bereit, the national director of 40 Days for Life, addressed the large crowd gathered from all over Washington, including leaders of all 4 Washington locations where 40 Days for Life campaigns are being held and where David visited earlier in the day (Everett, Olympia, Seattle and Tacoma). In today's daily campaign update and devotional, which is received by thousands of 40 Days for Life participants across the nation, David recounts the enthusiasm and determination of Washington State... [read more]

Evergreen Leadership Conference II: One Week from Today! Register Now!
Just One Week from Today! Evergreen Leadership Conference II: Issues, Insights, and Influence Saturday, November 10, 2007 Marriott Courtyard Downtown Tacoma Register Online at www.EvergreenConference.org Come and hear these great speakers! Jason Mercier, Director, Center for Government Reform, Washington Policy Center Senator Joe Zarelli, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Ways & Means "The Inconvenient Truth About the State Budget" Brian Sonntag, Washington State Auditor "Performance Audits Improve Government Accountability" Bob Williams, President, Evergreen Freedom Foundation "Assuring Budget Transparency" Carl Gipson,... [read more]

Presidential Candidate Media Coverage
Not that there was a doubt, but the latest study on coverage of presidential candidates and media bias confirms what most of you already know. Even less surprising was the most egregious offender was newspapers. The most flagrant bias, however, was found in newspapers. In reviewing front-page coverage in 11 newspapers, the study found the tone positive in nearly six times as many stories about Democrats as it was negative. Frank Blethen, call your office.... [read more]

The Buzz is: Is Hillary going to be outed soon or will the vast left wing conspirators protect her?
Remember all of those rumors of Hill's sexual orientation we used to hear about during the Clinton occupation? Well, they maybe coming home to roost if the LA Times actually behaves like the neutral reporters they claim to be! Apparently, the Times is sitting on a story that will prove Hillary's lust for the ladies. Right now the Times is claiming that they find themselves in a moral (?) dilemma. They are wondering how they will look if they were... [read more]