Moving!

I moved my blog over to Townhall.com's blog group here.

Thanks for visiting, and thanks for your continued patronage over at Townhall.

Mr Write

I told ya! Rosie's out.

I told ya! As soon as they found an excuse, the executives of The View fired Rosie. She's gone...for good.

Here's a story about this: Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead

Border Security article

Earlier today, I came across an excellent article by Wayne Simmons regarding our porous borders.

Some great ideas from this article:

1. The tasking of satellites dedicated to scanning our southern and northern borders.

2. Serious fence and wall barriers along the borders with listening posts throughout the less densely traveled regions of our borders.

3. The development of the United States Border Intelligence Agency. This agency would be a fully budgeted, independent intelligence gathering agency tasked to develop intelligence for the protection of our borders as well as run independent or joint task force operations against our enemies trying to penetrate our borders. They would conduct covert espionage activities worldwide, seeking out, penetrating and thwarting the plans of the black-market intelligence operators who hire themselves out to terrorists, drug smugglers and all others seeking to enter the US illegally.

4. The creation and deployment of Rapid Deployment Response Teams (RDRTs) a new, highly skilled, highly trained paramilitary unit culled from our current Special Forces Units, capable of responding to any part of our borders within 15 minutes, fully armed and whose commander reports only to the chain of command of the newly formed United States Border Intelligence Agency.

Secure the borders BEFORE letting any more illegals in and BEFORE granting any kind of amnesty or worker status to the ones already here.

Blog Briefs XI

My wife surprised me on my birthday with a weekend away from it all, but now that we're back, WHOA! What happened to Congress and the president over the last couple of days?!

1) First of all, the Democrats (you know, the ones who were promising the "most honest, ethical, and open Congress" in history), are changing House rules to basically block out the minority party in ANY decision making. Nancy Pelosi (who in this article promised "integrity, civility, and fiscal responsibility") is going the opposite way with these changes, and the go-along Republicans are doing what they do best...go along to get along, rather than actually represent their constituents.

2.) Meanwhile, on the Senate side, Senators from both parties (in a "bi-partisan" arrangement apparently so good that any opposition to it is unworthy of any consideration at all) made a deal with the president regarding "immigration reform", which is really amnesty without any REAL enforcement of our laws or any REAL effort at securing our borders.

The entire bunch needs to be replaced! NOW!

Classic Symbolism Over Substance

Queen Christine, governor/ruler of Washington state, signed a new bill into law yesterday that required individuals to prove residency before they could apply for a driver license, learner's permit or picture ID.

This is CLASSIC symbolism over substance. Sure, it tightens up our laws as far as getting a license a teeny-tiny bit, but it really doesn't deal with the real problem...illegal aliens getting licenses to help establish themselves in this country.

It only takes 30 days...that's right...just 30 days...to establish residency in this state. So, most illegals in this state are ALREADY ELIGIBLE to get a driver's license. They just need to provide a utility bill or some other proof that establishes that residency, and they get their license!

Once again, the lawmakers in this state prove they are a joke.

UPDATE: And in another story, Her Majesty also signed into law an oppressive, pro-union measure that would allow unions to spend nonmembers fees that the unions take by force and spend it on political causes NOT APPROVED by said nonmembers (which in every case the money goes to liberal groups and individuals, by the way). Once again, the leftist government in this state is pandering to their special interest groups at the expense of simple common sense.

Look at these ridiculous quotes from proponents:

This...

Rep. Joe McDermott, D-Seattle, and other sponsors insisted the bill wasn't related to the litigation and simply clarifies accounting rules.

...and this...

"This change in law provides clarity and should prevent future questions over interpretations of the proper use of agency shop fees," Gregoire said.

...and this...

Debra Carnes of the WEA hailed the new law.

"We think it's a good piece of legislation because it provides clarification that we haven't been able to get before now," she said. "We believe that now our members can move forward together to collectively speak out on issues that affect the profession."

"Clarification" What nonsense! This is pure tyranny against those who oppose the leftist agenda in this state.

I can't wait until the next election...

UPDATE: I just notice the Olympian's article title: Gregoire OKs union dues measure

Heck, even the TITLE is slanted!

Blog Briefs X

1) Tony Blair is stepping down as Prime Minister in June. Though he was a liberal in many ways, he saw things clearly with the war against terrorism, and was one of the United States best allies. Coincidentally, a conservative was elected in France, so even if we lose an ally in Great Britain, we have gained one in France.

2.) From the Weird File, a dead fawn was found in Tacoma, Washington wearing baby clothes. Tom Sayre, an authority with The Humane Society in Tacoma and Pierce County said "the newborn deer was placed in a basket and was wearing an infant sleeper and a bib that read 'You think I'm cute? You should see my aunt.'" Authorities speculated the fawn was stillborn, but I tend to think some kids found the fawn, played with it, then abandoned it when it died.

3.) Well, my support for Giuliani has been waning gradually over the last few weeks, and now I won't support him for President unless Hillary is nominated for the Democrat ticket. Why? He just reaffirmed his support for Roe v. Wade, and not only does this alienate him from the majority of conservatives, but no one who supports such an illogical and ridiculous decision can really be relied on to stick to other conservative principles. (By the way, the article I referred to above by Dick Morris does NOT make sense to me...rather untypical of the guy.)

4.) Kudos to the KATU News staff who discovered the criminal background of David Aaron Chatman after a mere 10 minutes of research. Officials from the Oregon Department of Education, Beaverton High School, Southridge High School in Beaverton, and West Coast Extreme, "a professional cheerleading instruction business" all failed to find the several criminal runins that Chatman had with cops over the last several years. So I gotta ask...what are these people doing all day?!

Ignoring The Electorate

Like I said, Queen Christine (Gregoire), guv of Washington, is ruling this state like she won in a landslide rather than the narrowest of margins (which I think is bogus...Dino Rossi actually won, but then, my opinion doesn't really matter).

Friday, she approved a measure allowing cities AND counties to impose up to $20 in car fees to pay for more government. This is in complete disregard of the public's continued opposition to such fees. This is also without voter approval, another disgusting aspect of this new law.

That's $40, not $20, as BOTH the city you live in AND the county can (and will) charge this fee.

Quoting Her Majesty: "It's not Olympia imposing taxes, it's allowing local governments to do what they want to do for local roads...It's not me imposing taxes. I've always had an attitude that Olympia ought to allow local governments more authority."

This is nonsense! She and her cronies in the Legislature are imposing this tax indirectly, and she knows it! She continues to disappoint.

Blog Briefs IX

1.) Today, I finished my first week at the clinic. Awesome job! I hope to work there for years to come.

2.) I found an interesting website called OnTheIssues.org. It's got nearly everyone's voting record on it...some of it is a bit dated, but most of it is quite up to date. Great analysis of the presidential candidates!

3.) What's your opinion of the 1st Republican Presidential debate? My opinion is that Giuliani said absolutely nothing...he's in the lead so he's basically playing it safe...Mitt Romney said some pretty good things, but I still don't trust him...John McCain was pretty strong, but he's too moderate for my tastes...Duncan Hunter was very strong, too, and gave the best answers...and everyone else was pretty much irrelevant. It's WAAAAAYYYY early, so nothing was really gained by anyone. Only, Giuliani didn't lose any ground with this debate.

Blog Briefs VIII

1.) Today I started a new job at a clinic in the Wenatchee area. Great job and great benefits. It won't stop me from continuing to post here on Mr Write, though. And for all of you that have read my blog, thanks for visiting!!!

2.) Great news for KVI talk radio hosts Kirby Wilbur and John Carlson. The (liberal) Washington State Supreme Court actually overturned an activist judge's ruling that Kirby's and John's talk radio shows violated campaign finance laws. Free speech triumphs again!
a. More on this here...
b. ...and here...
c. ...and here...

3.) Tony Snow is back at work. Congratulations, Tony! Keep up the good work!

Republican Candidates

Here are the activities of the main Republican Candidates over the last 48 hours:

1.) Rudy Giuliani - 2004: "I'm in favor of . . . civil unions." Rudy Giuliani today (according to officials from the Giuliani campaign): "In this specific case the law states same sex civil unions are the equivalent of marriage and recognizes same sex unions from outside states. This goes too far and Mayor Giuliani does not support it." The guy keeps contradicting himself to get the nomination. I really like the guy to some extent, but this kind of backtracking shows he just wants to get elected, not serve the American people. I mean, I am glad his current position is against civil unions, but saying so now won't erase the past.

2.) John McCain (Quoting from a story from Newsmax): "I'm aware of the patience of the American people. I read the polls. I'm not embarrassed to say that. I understand the frustration and sorrow that American people feel about this war. It's a great tragedy...If we leave Iraq, there will be chaos, there will be genocide, and they will follow us home," the Arizona senator said, calling the war against al-Qaida "a struggle between good and evil." Controversial as McCain is, he is very consistent on his stance re: the Iraq war. Good job, John!

3.) Mitt Romney is the first to agree to participate in the Salem Radio/Townhall.com debate. Should be a good forum for the candidates. Between Romney and Giuliani, I'm rooting for Romney, in spite of some of his contradictory stances. Unless a candidate we haven't foreseen steps forward, the Republicans are going to nominate someone who has got some baggage. However, I might point out that all the Democrat candidates have problems, too. Only, the MSM won't cover those problems like they ought to.

Blog Briefs VII

1.) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid declared the war is lost. This statement comes when our troops are in harm's way, but also winning! Perhaps he meant "any justification for pulling out at this time" is lost?

2.) Senator Hillary "Southern Twang" (Rodham?) Clinton invoked the memory of Harriet Tubman in a speech yesterday, likening the challenges Ms. Tubman encountered with the challenges of get this...Hillary's faulty microphone!!! She doesn't deserve the Democrat nomination or the presidency!

3.) Rosie O'Donnell is leaving the View! Frankly the executives of the show fired her (in a nice way), though they and Rosie claim that they couldn't agree on contract terms. Ms. O'Donnell has become a major liability to the View, and has to go. I say, good riddance...ya shoulda done it months ago, Babs and company! Apparently, they say she's still going to appear on the show now and then, but I say it will be fewer than anyone realizes. Either that, or the View will continue to lose credibility.

"Domestic Partner" Bill

Newsmax covers the story about Queen Christine signing the "domestic partner" bill into law here.

Now that it's law, here my breakdown on this outrageous bill:

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law Saturday a measure to create domestic partnerships, giving gay and lesbian couples some of the same rights that come with marriage.

Ever since Her Majesty's coronation, she's been governing like the worst of liberals, almost as if she won by a major landslide rather than the questionably close margin that she actually did (actually, Dino Rossi was the winner until they found enough illegal votes for her in King County). I predict a one-term governor, especially if Rossi runs against her again.

The law creates a domestic partnership registry and provides enhanced rights for same-sex couples, including hospital visitation rights, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations and inheritance rights when there is no will.

According to one legislature who voted "yes" on the measure (an openly gay individual): "Today is a beginning, not an end...It offers the hope that one day, all lesbian and gay families will be treated truly equal under the law." Yep, indeed, it is a beginning. Little by little, these liberals in our legislature are going to grant more and more rights to people who have never had them before, just like the proverbial frog in the kettle. They know exactly what they are doing, but don't have the guts to do it all at once.

Unmarried, heterosexual senior couples will also be eligible to register if one partner is at least 62. Lawmakers said that provision, similar to one in California law, was included to help seniors who are at risk of losing pension rights and Social Security benefits if they remarry.

Since when did unmarried people have the right to claim benefits from someone they are not married to?! Naturally, the legislature found a whole new way of costing us, the taxpayers, more money. Typical.

"This is a very proud moment for me as governor, to make sure the rights of all of our citizens are equal," Gregoire said.

I'm sure that she's proud of what she has done, but we're not proud of her.

People in the crowd cried as Gregoire relayed stories of couples who testified before lawmakers this year about how they have been denied hospital access to dying partners, or were not allowed to plan their funerals.

Gimme a break.

The new law will take effect in July. It comes nearly a year after the state Supreme Court upheld Washington's ban on same-sex marriage in a 5-4 decision, ruling that state lawmakers were justified in passing the 1998 Defense of Marriage Act, which restricts marriage to unions between a man and woman.

This law hasn't even been funded yet. The committee who's job it is to find money for this law doesn't have to give a report until next January 1. Once again, leave it to the dems to find ways to spend more of OUR money!

Couples can register in person with the secretary of state's office in Olympia, or by mail.

Ooohh...a state registry, granting oversight to a bunch of bureaucrats. And I guarantee a whole bunch of ugly lawsuits are going to be filed by people who don't deserve the privileges of married people.

I think it's an unfortunate step backward, not knowing where it will lead us culturally," said Joseph Fuiten, a Bothell pastor who is the leader of Positive Christian Agenda, a state group of Christian organizations opposed to gay marriage. "Giving marriage-lite benefits without the benefit of marriage strikes me as not a good idea."

I agree. Thank heavens the legislature is finishing their session for the year today. They have already demonstrated to us how undisciplined and irresponsible they are, and finishing up their "lawmaking" today will save us from future outrages. At least this year anyway.

Blog Briefs VI

1.) Michelle Malkin puts together some links about a radical La Raza school suing a radio host. She says the suit should be "1) laughed out of the courts and 2) condemned as a thuggish attempt to intimidate and silence critics." I agree.

2.) Matt Lewis writes an short (but excellent) blog post on the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the partial-birth abortion ban.

3.) Alec Baldwin once again proves he's a jerk.

4.) Daily Fred Thompson Facts over at IMAO!

Rudy Contradicts Himself

Due to Presidential politics, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani is trying to portray himself as something different than he really is. Most notably, he praised the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the partial-birth abortion ban.

However, in the past he supported the vile practice and said the choice should ultimately be left to the woman, as it "affected her perhaps more than anyone else". No, Rudy...it affects the baby more than anyone else! The woman can go on with her life, while the baby is DEAD!

Such hypocrisy is going to cause a lot of conservatives to look at their support for the guy and quit their support for him in droves, switching to Mitt Romney, John McCain or Fred Thompson (should he decide to run).

I am not supporting Giuliani for the Republican nomination, and this two-faced hypocrisy pretty much makes that decision look more wise than it already was.

Hmmmm....91 mph?!

Here's a follow-up on the New Jersey Governor. It turns out that the SUV that he was traveling in was going 91 mph in a 65 mph zone. Yep...that's right! The guy had his driver SPEED! Now, naturally I'm sympathetic for his injuries (he's on a ventilator and a whole bunch of his body is busted up), but I'm less so for the cause of his injury.

Meanwhile, I haven't heard whether they caught the hit-and-run driver that the GUV SUV hit, but I now believe that driver is not the one at fault. Note the following from the article:

The state trooper-driven sport utility vehicle was in the left lane with its emergency lights flashing when a pickup tried to get out of its way. Instead, it set off a chain reaction that resulted in the crash.

Not even the governor is above the law, and he and his driver ought to be prosecuted for this speeding incident, as much or more as the hit and run driver ought to be.