Prop 8: CA Supremes Say Constitution is...Constitutional

In a sign that there is some sanity left in this world, the California Supreme Court ruled 6-1 today that the state Constitution is constitutional. Meaning, the constitutional amendment called Proposition 8, defining marriage in California as the union of a man and a woman, was properly adopted.

The legal challenge Prop 8 was a stretch to begin with, as proven by the fact that the same court that previously struck down the legislative version of Prop 8 (called Prop 22) upheld the constitutional amendment version.

The legal challenge did serve, however, to smoke out where Jerry Brown stands on the issue, as he failed in his duty as Attorney General to defend the will of the people in this matter. That's fine -- Prop 8 is upheld and Brown has been exposed for the out of touch liberal he is, thumbing his nose again at the will of Californians to maintain marriage as the union of one man and one woman. That's a win-win.

Special Election Results Send National Anti-Tax Message

Californians today sent a strong message across America against higher taxes and government that lives beyond its means.

Now, a new battle is joined.

Republicans can and must actively demonstrate our support for solving California's budget crisis through spending cuts that bring the size of government in line with reality, not through more tax increases that only hurt families and further compromise our state's competitiveness.

Republicans must stand together in support of applying our principles of lower taxes and limited government. This not only benefits individual taxpayers and families, but allows businesses - small and large - to grow and create more jobs, which in turn fuels a strong economy.

Take advantage of this opportunity to let our Republican elected officials know you support them in their drive to reduce government spending and spare the taxpayers even more tax hikes. Now is also the time to focus on our mission of sending more Republican reinforcements to Sacramento, Washington, and local government.

If you have local elections in your part of the state this year, help your county committee with its victory program. If there are no elections in your region until next year, help your county party in registering new Republicans, building its precinct program, and recruiting quality candidates.

Finally, Republican unity is key to victory.

This means we need everyone pulling together. It means we need Republican candidates supporting one another in a unified ticket next year. It means the party supporting the entire ticket, from Governor and Senator down to local government offices.

And it means concentrating our fire on our liberal opponents in Washington and Sacramento while we stand united in offering a better vision for the future than where the Democrats are determined to take our state and nation.

Does Loretta Sanchez Take the Gitmo Issue Seriously?

From the NRCC:

Sanchez Voted to Block Amendment Critical to Ensuring Americans' National Security

Washington - Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) voted today to block an amendment that would put critical safeguards into place to protect American families from terrorists currently detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (House Roll Call 261).

"President Obama used a Jan. 22 executive order to give the military a year to shut down the prison facility. But nearly four months later the White House, the Defense Department and the Justice Department have not announced what they plan to do with the several hundred detainees still at the facility." (Molly K. Hooper and Reid Wilson, "Boehner to call for GOP unity on Gitmo detainees," The Hill 05/13/09)

As Congress takes up an important war spending bill, the issue about what to do with terrorists detained at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility is a critical component of the debate. Democrats in Congress and the President have promised to close Gitmo, but have outright failed to deliver a comprehensive plan for what to do with these detainees and have failed to install certain safeguards to protect Americans from these terrorists.

"Loretta Sanchez failed to protect her constituents today when she blocked a proposal that would hold the President and Congress accountable for their reckless idea of closing Gitmo with no real plan in place on what to do with the terrorists detained there," said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. "Sanchez has exposed her unwillingness to take national security seriously at the expense of the safety of American families."

Today, Loretta Sanchez voted to block a critical amendment that would have prohibited taxpayer funds from being used to transfer or release Gitmo detainees into the United States. Additionally, this amendment would have required the President to certify in writing that anyone who would be transferred or released does not pose a security risk to the United States. Also, it would require that the President must receive consent from the Governor and State legislature of the State in which the President plans to transfer or release a detainee.

The amendment that Loretta Sanchez voted to block would have also required that the President submit to Congress a detailed cost analysis for closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay and related costs to transferring, detaining, prosecuting, or releasing a detainee in the United States by August 22, 2009.

Why doesn't Loretta Sanchez want to hold the President and the Congress accountable for their vague idea of closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility with no real plan in place?

Easier Promised Than Done

Obama To Restart Bush-ear Military Trial System

USA Today, writes that the Obama administration looks to “restart the Bush-era military trial system for suspected terrorists as it struggles to determine the fate of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay and fulfill a pledge to close the prison by January.”

With no plan, no details, and left only with his campaign promises, Obama is beginning to understand the difference between catchy campaign rhetoric and reality.

“Paul F. Rothstein, a Georgetown University legal ethics professor, said the dilemma highlights differences between campaign rhetoric and the realities of the courtroom. "Once you become president and see the whole panoply of issued that you face, some of the things that seemed easy to promise or talk about during the campaign sometimes appear more difficult," Rothstein said Saturday.

More than 100 days removed from when Obama took the oath of office, human rights activists, liberal bloggers, and civil liberty groups are now realizing that Obama’s promise of change began and ended with the campaign.

California “Deal Or No Deal” ... No Deal

“Ugly Betty,” “24,” And “Deal or No Deal” - Taping Elsewhere

Another California show is moving out of state. The syndicated show “Deal or No Deal” seems to have gotten a better deal from Connecticut, but not the 250 Californians with high paying jobs that will be laid off.

Add another 250 people to the 2 million unemployed workers in California.

The ABC show “Ugly Betty” transferred production from California to New York and with it went 150 high paying jobs. The Fox drama show “24” is also looking to beginning taping some scenes in New York.

It is apparent that California is becoming less competitive. While every business and industry is trying to save money, California’s higher taxes and increased regulation is driving away business from our already fragile business community.

Read Entire Story

AIG Payouts Grow From $120 Million To $454

After being widely criticized for doling out an estimated $120 million in bonuses to its executives, it was revealed on Tuesday that AIG actually paid out almost 4x that number.

In a POLITICO story, it was reported that AIG, in response to a congressional inquiry, issued a new report of executive compensation paid out. The new figure totaled $454 million.

AIG received $170 billion in bailout funds.

After Senator Chris Dodd's admission last month that it was the Obama administration that asked for executive compensation protections, it's now clear that the administration was complicit in an executive payout scheme that is nearly four times higher than what the public originally thought.

President Obama and his Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, have been negligent with the taxpayer's money in an egregious manner. Rather than talk out of the other side of his mouth, as when the AIG bonuses first became public, President Obama needs to take responsibility for this outrageousness, apologize, and explain to the American people how he could let this happen.

Link to POLITICO article:

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=12524703-18FE-70B2-A82B646B2C24F8AC

Remembering Jack Kemp

We're all saddened by the passing of Jack Kemp, who in his distinguished career in the Republican Party served as a Congressman, cabinet member, candidate for President and Vice President, and a tireless champion for bringing the benefits of free market economics to everyone.

Our party, and our nation, are stronger because of his leadership. Jack Kemp had a special ability to communicate how individual liberty, free markets and low taxes can benefit everyone, from every background. His dedication to improving the lives of others will be one of many reasons his legacy will live on.

Jerry Brown's Crime Fighting Model – The Results Speak For Themselves

California’s top law enforcement officer once implemented 11 separate anti-crime initiatives while Mayor of Oakland.

The results? Brown isn’t safe in his own city – so much for his crime fighting template.

Jerry Brown Wanted To Use Oakland As "Template" For Fighting Crime Statewide

Jerry Brown: "I Think We Can Set Up What We Do In Oakland As A Template To Help Other Police Departments." "Brown calls up statistics on the murders, rapes, robberies, and other major crimes that are carried out in the city. 'I think we can set up what we do in Oakland as a template to help other police departments,' he says. 'I don't think there has ever been an attorney general who will have a focus on crime at the micro level as I have.' As of late August, Oakland had 95 homicides, one more than all of last year. In 2004, the city's murder rate was 20.6 per 100,000 people, compared with 5.5 nationwide." (Roger Simon, "Jerry Brown, Eliot Ness Fan, Aims To Be California Crime-Buster," Bloomberg, 9/28/06)

Jerry Brown's "Tough, Hands-On" Approach Included More Than 11 Plans, But Crime And Murder Continue To Climb

Jerry Brown Declares That His "Tough, Hands-On, Creative" Approach to Fighting Crime Will Be A Huge Asset. "Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown said his 'tough, hand-on creative' approach to fighting his city's vexing crime problem is a huge asset as he runs for California attorney general." (Jim Herron Zamora, "Democratic Candidates Make Their Pitches," San Francisco Chronicle, 4/25/06)

With Less Than 8 Years In Office, Jerry Brown Has Offered No Fewer Than 11 Crime-Busting Attacks, But Crime And Homicide Rates Continue To Climb. "When it comes to anti-crime plans, Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown has Tried just about every trick in the book, offering no fewer than 11 crime-busting attacks since taking office in 1999:

• Just two weeks after being sworn into office, Brown broke ground by calling for a Rudy Giuliani-style monitoring of crime to keep the cops on their toes.

• Three months later, in March 1999, Brown announced Project Exile, which called for criminals with guns to be prosecuted under stiffer federal laws.

• In August 1999, Brown -- standing in front of pictures of homicide victims -- called for the tracking down of repeat offenders wanted on outstanding warrants.

• In February 2003, Brown backed a plan by City Councilman Larry Reid to beef up the city's anti-loitering law to curb open drug dealing.

• In September 2003, Brown called for the closing-down of drug houses. So far, authorities have gone after 60 such establishments.

• In November 2004, Brown finally won voter approval for more money to hire cops and offer more social programs to give youths an alternative to crime.

• In January 2005, he called for a citywide curfew for parolees and people on probation, which is still in effect.

• In July 2005, Brown held a job fair for ex-convicts.

• In March 2006, faced with a new crime crisis, Brown ordered the redeployment of 115 officers to a new crime-suppression unit.

• In June, it was the High Five program, under which at least 30 police officers were pulled from other duties to fight crime in East Oakland.

• And just this past Thursday, he announced a program to focus on the city's toughest 100 criminals." (Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross, "Brown's Returned Fired On Oakland Crime," San Francisco Chronicle, 8/6/06)