Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Latino Celebration Not Welcome in Scranton's South Side
The Scranton Times is reporting that Scranton’s Fourth Annual Latino Heritage Parade is no longer welcome in the city’s South Side.
Both Democrat Councilwoman Judy Gatelli and Democrat Mayor Chris Doherty stated that they would not allow the parade in South Scranton again. Instead, the celebration is being directed to Scranton’s downtown.
Both Democrat Councilwoman Judy Gatelli and Democrat Mayor Chris Doherty stated that they would not allow the parade in South Scranton again. Instead, the celebration is being directed to Scranton’s downtown.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Who Exactly Wants to Raise Your Taxes?
The Commonwealth Foundation circulated a pledge to all of the House and Senate members in the Pennsylvania legislature asking them to pledge to “balance the budget, protect public safety and human services, and educate our children WITHOUT raising taxes.”
The link to the signers can be found here.
All of the signers were Republicans. Unfortunately, many NEPA legislators failed to sign the pledge.
The link to the signers can be found here.
All of the signers were Republicans. Unfortunately, many NEPA legislators failed to sign the pledge.
Another Luzerne County Investigation
According to the Citizen’s Voice, the Feds are launching an investigation into Democrat Luzerne County Sheriff Michael A. Savokinas’s department. At issue, two incidents where drugs were found in vehicles used by deputies and the lack of formal reports filed with the Luzerne County District Attorney’s office.
The Feds got involved at the request of Democrat Luzerne County District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll, citing a potential conflict of interest.
Democrat Commissioner Maryann Petrilla said in the story that Savokinas’s statement that he filed a report with the District Attorney’s office was untrue. Musto Carroll claims that Savokinas never turned over a written report or any evidence to the District Attorney’s office. Savokinas stated that instead, he kept both the evidence and the report filed in the Sheriff’s office. Savokinas said that there were no suspects in the case and that the vehicles involved were used to transport prisoners.
It certainly is possible that one of the prisoners ditched the drugs fearing that they could be found on them. It was not clear in the story if there is an official policy, written or otherwise, as to how to handle an incident such as this. If there isn’t one, Sheriff Savokinas should make sure that there is one in the near future to avoid potential problems like this.
The County is not alleging that anything was done correctly or incorrectly, just that an investigation needs to be completed. With all of the trouble under the dome, it is not surprising that they don’t want to take any chances.
The Feds got involved at the request of Democrat Luzerne County District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll, citing a potential conflict of interest.
Democrat Commissioner Maryann Petrilla said in the story that Savokinas’s statement that he filed a report with the District Attorney’s office was untrue. Musto Carroll claims that Savokinas never turned over a written report or any evidence to the District Attorney’s office. Savokinas stated that instead, he kept both the evidence and the report filed in the Sheriff’s office. Savokinas said that there were no suspects in the case and that the vehicles involved were used to transport prisoners.
It certainly is possible that one of the prisoners ditched the drugs fearing that they could be found on them. It was not clear in the story if there is an official policy, written or otherwise, as to how to handle an incident such as this. If there isn’t one, Sheriff Savokinas should make sure that there is one in the near future to avoid potential problems like this.
The County is not alleging that anything was done correctly or incorrectly, just that an investigation needs to be completed. With all of the trouble under the dome, it is not surprising that they don’t want to take any chances.
Obama Administration Called Out on Media Control
Helen Thomas and CBS’s Chip Reid hammered White House spokesman Robert Gibbs for attempts by the White House to control the message and the media. Canned questions and phony town hall meetings were the subject of the day. Gibbs was in full spin mode and refused to answer criticism directly.
Must see video below:
Also see the ABC-sponsored infomercial on healthcare.
Must see video below:
Also see the ABC-sponsored infomercial on healthcare.
Barack's Backflip on Warrantless Wiretaps
In yet another reversal on a campaign promise, President Obama has changed direction on private communication networks. In May, the Obama Administration had promised to not allow the National Security Agency to screen private-sector networks, as the Bush Administration had allowed.
According to the Washington Post, the Obama Administration has reversed its direction on this issue, continuing the Bush-era “warrantless wiretapping.” AT&T will be the first system to be used.
AT&T was sued over its role in assisting the Bush Administration for this program during their tenure.
Personally, we believe this program would likely protect civil liberties, as the Bush Administration plan did. In truth, the Bush Administration plan actually required probable cause to monitor private networks, the test phase of the program under the Obama Administration does not appear to have any such restrictions. This is worth noting only in as far as it demonstrates a serious difference in campaign rhetoric versus actual policy.
There is however the risk of abuse in any program such as this. While the government is watching to protect our cyber infrastructure, citizens should monitor the program to protect their civil liberties.
According to the Washington Post, the Obama Administration has reversed its direction on this issue, continuing the Bush-era “warrantless wiretapping.” AT&T will be the first system to be used.
AT&T was sued over its role in assisting the Bush Administration for this program during their tenure.
Personally, we believe this program would likely protect civil liberties, as the Bush Administration plan did. In truth, the Bush Administration plan actually required probable cause to monitor private networks, the test phase of the program under the Obama Administration does not appear to have any such restrictions. This is worth noting only in as far as it demonstrates a serious difference in campaign rhetoric versus actual policy.
There is however the risk of abuse in any program such as this. While the government is watching to protect our cyber infrastructure, citizens should monitor the program to protect their civil liberties.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Deflection
Attempting to deflect blame for mismanaging his home state of California, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is pointing to Pennsylvania and other states that failed to meet their constitutional budget deadlines as proof that this isn’t his failed budget isn’t his fault.
In his defense, the holdout in the budget is very similar to Pennsylvania in that it revolves around taxes. In California, the Republican Governor is refusing to raise taxes more than he already has proposed. The legislature is demanding hiring taxes (how do these people ever get re-elected?) This is causing a budget impasse with those who wish to raise taxes. In Pennsylvania, the Democratic Governor and the Democrat-controlled State House is attempting to raise taxes as much as 16% to at least partially offset Rendell’s spending-heavy budget.
This is one of those dubious distinctions that Pennsylvania really doesn’t need. As usual under Rendell, the budget is always late in clear violation of the law. Worse, these very same legislators will all take a vacation in celebration of Independence Day. Worse yet, these clowns will still be paid their taxpayer-funded salaries while the budget impasse is going on and state employees are fretting over being furloughed while the budget gets worked out.
You can read more of the yahoo story here.
In his defense, the holdout in the budget is very similar to Pennsylvania in that it revolves around taxes. In California, the Republican Governor is refusing to raise taxes more than he already has proposed. The legislature is demanding hiring taxes (how do these people ever get re-elected?) This is causing a budget impasse with those who wish to raise taxes. In Pennsylvania, the Democratic Governor and the Democrat-controlled State House is attempting to raise taxes as much as 16% to at least partially offset Rendell’s spending-heavy budget.
This is one of those dubious distinctions that Pennsylvania really doesn’t need. As usual under Rendell, the budget is always late in clear violation of the law. Worse, these very same legislators will all take a vacation in celebration of Independence Day. Worse yet, these clowns will still be paid their taxpayer-funded salaries while the budget impasse is going on and state employees are fretting over being furloughed while the budget gets worked out.
You can read more of the yahoo story here.
Crap Sandwich Tour Hits Erie
Democratic Vice-President Joe Biden appeared today in the Erie area to sell portions of the Stimulus a.k.a. Crap Sandwich bill today to rural families in PA. Specifically, Biden was to discuss increased internet access for rural communities as one of the uses for stimulus cash.
Seneca High School’s auditorium off of Route 8 in Wattsburg was to be the venue for the speech. According to Trib-Live, the Vice President of the United States failed to attract even 100 people. Apparently, the room was so devoid of attendees that volunteers started pulling chairs to try and make the room look more full…it didn’t work.
Accompanying the Vice President on the Crap Sandwich Carnival were Democrat Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
You can read Trib-Live’s coverage here.
Seneca High School’s auditorium off of Route 8 in Wattsburg was to be the venue for the speech. According to Trib-Live, the Vice President of the United States failed to attract even 100 people. Apparently, the room was so devoid of attendees that volunteers started pulling chairs to try and make the room look more full…it didn’t work.
Accompanying the Vice President on the Crap Sandwich Carnival were Democrat Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
You can read Trib-Live’s coverage here.
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