China is aggressively building up military forces capable of striking U.S. forces in the western Pacific and elsewhere as part of what the Pentagon calls an array of high-tech "anti-access" missiles, submarines and warplanes in its latest annual report.

The report to Congress on China's military power, released Monday, also warned that China's military is extending its global military reach beyond a weapons buildup to wage regional war with Taiwan and the United States. The report also questioned U.S.-China military exchanges, noting that Beijing is using the visits and meetings for political influence operations and intelligence gathering.

"China is fielding an array of... http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/16/china-targets-us-troops-...

Written by Marisol

Sharia, that is. And a disastrous precedent exists in the language of the U.S.-backed, post-Taliban constitution:

"No law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of the sacred religion of Islam" (Chapter 1, Article 3).
Thus, where there is any doubt or conflict in the Afghan government, Islamic law wins by constitutional fiat. What could possibly go wrong? Exactly what is reported in the story below: the demand for all the things we've been assured countless times don't really happen in Sharia law, like stonings, floggings, and amputation, as well as execution for apostasy from Islam. But these Misunderstanders of Islam are digging in and demanding them.

"Afghan clerics seek return to strict Islamic law," by Syed Salahuddin for Reuters, August 12:

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan's largest gathering of clerics, who met to discuss reconciliation with the Taliban, has called for the revival of strict Islamic law as the country seeks ways to win militants away from a growing insurgency.

About 350 of the Islamic clerics, or ulema, met for three days this week, the meeting ending with a declaration calling on President Hamid Karzai to enact sharia, or Islamic law, including punishments such as stonings, lashing, amputation and execution.

"The lack of implementation of sharia hodud (punishment) has cast a negative impact on the peace process," said a 10-point resolution issued after the meeting.

"We the ulema and preachers of Afghanistan ... earnestly ask the government not to spare any efforts in the implementation of sharia hodud."

The resolution, seen by Reuters, was sent to Karzai's government.

The ulema have a long-standing and deep influence in traditionally conservative Afghanistan and have often stepped in to back uprisings or been used to bolster past governments. [...]

In other words, we're looking at constitutionally-backed Sharia blackmail.

Written By DOROTHY RABINOWITZ

The deepening notes of disenchantment with Barack Obama now issuing from commentators across the political spectrum were predictable. So, too, were the charges from some of the president's earliest enthusiasts about his failure to reflect a powerful sense of urgency about the oil spill.

There should have been nothing puzzling about his response to anyone who has paid even modest critical attention to Mr. Obama's pronouncements. For it was clear from the first that this president—single-minded, ever-visible, confident in his program for a reformed America saved from darkness by his arrival—was wanting in certain qualities citizens have until now taken for granted in their presidents. Namely, a tone and presence that said: This is the Americans' leader, a man of them, for them, the nation's voice and champion. Mr. Obama wasn't lacking in concern about the oil spill. What he lacked was that voice—and for good reason.

Those qualities to be expected in a president... http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870330260457529423163131872...

Senator George Runner
Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties.

In an effort to finally solve the state budget deficit (side note: The governor offered a budget proposal in May with which the Republicans mostly agree), Legislative Democrats proposed a few ideas this week that included spending reductions, a starry-eyed notion that the federal government will pony up $4 billion, and a complicated tax proposal that doesn’t amount to anything more than fuzzy math.

The Governor says the plan is "dead on arrival," while Republicans call the scheme a "smoke and mirrors" attempt to hide the fact that California families will pay additional taxes.

Specifically, their plan would reduce sales taxes and juggle the income tax rates, raising all but the top and bottom tax brackets by a full one percent. What’s the predictable end result? Low- and middle-income Californians will pay $8 billion in additional income taxes.

The rationale is that higher state income taxes and vehicle license fees can be deducted on federal returns; however, a majority of Californians won’t receive refunds because 60 percent of tax filers don’t itemize deductions.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Michael Cohen, deputy legislative analyst with the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office, said "...it was clear that some households would fare better and some worse, but his office is still reviewing the proposal."

Let’s not forget the California Legislature raised taxes last year to the tune of $12 billion. It didn’t work, as the 2009-10 revenues have been on a downward spiral. Thus, raising taxes is a proven failure.

Supporting small business owners (the biggest job creators in California) is the confirmed method of stimulating the economy. But nowhere in this recent plan is there a course of action to help our beleaguered work force.

Senator George Runner
Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties.

We're a month into the new fiscal year, and California still lacks a budget. The difference among proposed solutions is as big as ever. The debate is about whether to burden taxpayers with more taxes, fees, and debt to pay for more government spending or to cut spending to match our income.

The difference is also about priorities. Republicans believe the priorities should be private-sector job creation, avoiding new taxes, and living within our means. However, Democrats are bent on protecting government jobs, increasing taxes, and expanding government.

The different priorities were made clear when Governor Schwarzenegger presented an updated budget plan in May. His blueprint would close California's $19 billion deficit without raising taxes on our state's struggling families and small businesses. Republicans in both the Senate and Assembly quickly signed on to this responsible, affordable budget solution. This is a serious spending plan that prioritizes funding and makes difficult, but necessary, decisions.

Democrats responded with proposals to scrap the governor's blueprint and write a new budget that adds more spending and more taxes. They believe in big government, very big government. While they claim that their opposition to any serious spending cuts is about saving jobs for Californians, it's truly about protecting state employee jobs at taxpayers' expense.

Legislative Democrats can't even CONTINUED »

By Penny Starr, Senior Staff Writer, CNS News

(CNSNews.com) – Pinal County (Ariz.) Sheriff Paul Babeu is hopping mad at the federal government.

Babeu told CNSNews.com that rather than help law enforcement in Arizona stop the hundreds of thousands of people who come into the United States illegally, the federal government is targeting the state and its law enforcement personnel.

“What’s very troubling is the fact that at a time when we in law enforcement and our state need help from the federal government, instead of sending help they put up billboard-size signs warning our citizens to stay out of the desert in my county because of dangerous drug and human smuggling and weapons and bandits and all these other things and then, behind that, they drag us into court with the ACLU,” Babeu said.

The sheriff was referring to the... http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/70324

PHOENIX - He's been at the center of the discussions and controversies surrounding illegal immigration enforcement in Arizona for quite a while.

On the day parts of Arizona's immigration law, SB 1070, went into effect, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is in the news for another reason: there's a price on his head - allegedly offered by a Mexican drug cartel.

The audio message in Spanish is... http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/immigration/mexican-drug-cartel-she...

Written By ERNEST S. CHRISTIAN AND GARY A ROBBINS

The Internet is a large-scale version of the "Committees of Correspondence" that led to the first American Revolution — and with Washington's failings now so obvious and awful, it may lead to another.

People are asking, "Is the government doing us more harm than good? Should we change what it does and the way it does it?"

Pruning the power of government begins... http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/542171/201007301830/Wil...

Washington, DC
Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released its 2009 list of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians." The list, in alphabetical order, includes:

1.Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT): This marks two years in a row for Senator Dodd, who made the 2008 "Ten Most Corrupt" list for his corrupt... http://www.judicialwatch.org/news/2009/dec/judicial-watch-announces-list...

Senator George Runner
Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties.

We're a month into the new fiscal year, and California still lacks a budget. The difference among proposed solutions is as big as ever. The debate is about whether to burden taxpayers with more taxes, fees, and debt to pay for more government spending or to cut spending to match our income.

The difference is also about priorities. Republicans believe the priorities should be private-sector job creation, avoiding new taxes, and living within our means. However, Democrats are bent on protecting government jobs, increasing taxes, and expanding government.

The different priorities were made clear when Governor Schwarzenegger presented an updated budget plan in May. His blueprint would close California's $19 billion deficit without raising taxes on our state's struggling families and small businesses. Republicans in both the Senate and Assembly quickly signed on to this responsible, affordable budget solution. This is a serious spending plan that prioritizes funding and makes difficult, but necessary, decisions.

Democrats responded with proposals to scrap the governor's blueprint and write a new budget that adds more spending and more taxes. They believe in big government, very big government. While they claim that their opposition to any serious spending cuts is about saving jobs for Californians, it's truly about protecting state employee jobs at taxpayers' expense.

Legislative Democrats can't even agree among themselves. Their proposals call for a combination of new taxes and more borrowing to fuel more government spending only with different details.

Just 18 months ago, Californians were saddled with $12.5 billion in new taxes, the largest tax increase in history. And, once again, the majority party's battle cry is, Raise More Taxes! This year alone, Democrats have proposed $36 billion in new taxes and fees.

Their tax-and-spend plan will come at the cost of the private-sector jobs that drive our economy, the jobs where most Californians make their living.

It takes 25 private-sector jobs to support one government job, according to the Economic Development Department. The number of government jobs should mirror what's happening with private-sector jobs. But, that's not what's happening. Over the last five years, California has lost 1.3 million private sector jobs. At the same time, state government has grown by more than 38,000 positions.

Whether their solution is more taxes or more debt, the Democrats' plans will pull more taxpayer money out of the private-sector economy to pay for more government. Government is effectively choking the life out of our private sector that generates the revenues we need to fix our economy.

We need a balanced state budget, without new taxes or more borrowing, and we need it right now!

1. Americans spend $36,000,000 at Wal-Mart Every hour of every day.

2. This works out to $20,928 profit every minute!

3. Wal-Mart will sell more from January 1 to St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) than Target sells all year.

4. Wal-Mart is bigger than Home Depot + Kroger + Target +Sears + Costco + K-Mart combined.

5. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people, is the world's largest private employer, and most speak English.

6. Wal-Mart is the largest company in the history of the world.

7. Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger and Safeway combined, and keep in mind they did this in only fifteen years.

8. During this same period, 31 big supermarket chains sought bankruptcy.

9. Wal-Mart now sells CONTINUED »

Senator George Runner
Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties.

I am happy to report my bill (Senate Bill 944) that would make February 6 Ronald Reagan Day was signed this week by Governor Schwarzenegger.

The special day for Reagan will not create a state holiday or cost taxpayers money.

Instead, Reagan Day will be what is called “a day of special significance” just like other days we have including one to celebrate John Muir, California teachers and the California Poppy.

The goal is to celebrate the life of President Reagan throughout California's schools each February 6 beginning next year on his 100th birthday.

When enacted, SB 944 would formally encourage the celebration of the life and legacy of President Reagan throughout California's schools.

It's important for California school children to study a meaningful and well-known political leader like Reagan, whose earlier accomplishments are a model of personal responsibility and an inspiration to young, developing minds.

Those achievements include CONTINUED »

The following individuals have received papers to become candidates for Fillmore City Council in the November Election:

Brian Sipes on 07/12/10,
Bernardo David Lugo on 07/12/10,
Adrian Andrew Grimaldo on 07/19/10.

Congressman Elton Gallegly
Serving the 24th Congressional District encompasses most of Ventura County and inland Santa Barbara County.

WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed Rep. Elton Gallegly’s animal crush video bill by a bipartisan vote of 416-3.

Crush videos graphically depict the abuse and killing of animals. In 1999, President Clinton signed into law a Gallegly bill to outlaw the videos and for 10 years the industry disappeared.

“Everyone agrees that these disgusting videos must be stopped. My first bill passed the House in 1999 by a bipartisan vote of 372-42 and by unanimous consent in the Senate and was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton,” Gallegly told his colleagues today during House debate on the bill. “The Supreme Court ruled in April of this year that the 1999 law was too broad, but indicated it may consider a law that is more narrowly drafted.”
The bill passed by the House today is designed to address the court’s concerns.

“Based on the testimony of constitutional experts at the May 26th Crime Subcommittee hearing, I worked with members on both sides of the aisle to craft legislation that is narrowly focused on prohibiting crush videos,” Gallegly said.

After 10 years of being out of business, crush videos are back on the market, Gallegly noted, adding that it’s important to have a strong, constitutionally sound bill to eliminate the market for crush videos for good.
The Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010 would prevent video depictions of drowning, impaling, burning and crushing of animals.

“Violence is not a First Amendment issue; it is a law enforcement issue,” Gallegly said. “While the torture of defenseless animals is in itself despicable, numerous studies also show cruelty to animals is often the first step leading to violence against people. Ted Bundy and Ted Kaczynski tortured or killed animals before killing people. The FBI, U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice consider animal cruelty to be one of the early warning signs of potential violence by youths. This bill is one step toward ending this cycle of violence.”

Gallegly’s bill now goes to the Senate.

Written By RICH BLAKE

Those already outraged by the president's health care legislation now have a new bone of contention -- a scarcely noticed tack-on provision to the law that puts gold coin buyers and sellers under closer government scrutiny.

The issue is rising to the fore just as gold coin dealers are attracting attention over sales tactics.

Section 9006 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will amend the Internal Revenue Code to expand... http://abcnews.go.com/Business/gold-coin-dealers-decry-tax-law/story?id=...

City of Fillmore

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2010 6:30 P.M.
FILLMORE CITY HALL, CENTRAL PARK PLAZA, 250 CENTRAL AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA 93015-1907

1.
Call to Order: 6:30 P.M.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call: Councilmembers Brooks, Conaway, Hernandez, Washburn and Mayor Walker
4.
Approval of Agenda
5.
Presentations and Announcements – None.
6.
Public Comments
Pursuant to Government Code § 54954.3(a), Only Issues Listed on This Agenda Shall Be Heard During this Special Meeting
7.
Consent CONTINUED »

Without spending a single dime, the Obama administration did more yesterday to create jobs for the U.S. economy than it has throughout its entire existence. With the single stroke of a pen, President Barack Obama signed the Dodd-Frank financial regulation bill that set in motion 243 new formal rule-makings by 11 different federal agencies. Each of the 243 rule-makings will employ hundreds of banking lobbyists as they try to shape what the final actual laws will look like. And when the rules are finally written, thousands of lawyers will bill millions of hours as the richest incumbent financial firms that caused the last crisis figure out how to game the new system. Yesterday, the Washington law firm Jones Day snapped up the Securities and Exchange Commission head enforcement division lawyer, and J.P. Morgan Chase, one of the biggest U.S. banks by assets, assigned more than 100 teams to examine the legislation. University of Massachusetts political science professor Thomas Ferguson tells The Christian Science Monitor:

By delegating so much to the regulators, Congress is inviting everyone interested in the outcome to make more campaign contributions, as they intervene in the regulatory process to influence the regulators. Nothing is settled. It’s a gold mine for members of Congress.

So if the richest big banks, http://blog.heritage.org/2010/07/16/morning-bell-the-lawyers-and-lobbyis...

The Heritage Foundation recently launched a sister organization, Heritage Action for America. Heritage Action is leading a national campaign to repeal Obamacare.

As the CEO of Heritage Action, I’d like to take this opportunity to detail our strategy a bit more and explain how you and your fellow Heritage supporters can help us defeat the left.

Three weeks ago, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) filed a... http://heritageforamerica.org/2010/07/grassroots-coalition-leaders-unite...

Senator George Runner
Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties.

On Monday, I had the pleasure to sit down with one of my local papers, the Antelope Valley Press, to discuss California's state budget (which, as everyone knows is stalled in negotiations because the Democrat leaders are at odds with one another).

My discussion with the AVP Ed Board resulted in this story where my message is simple: It's time for California to seriously reset state spending levels.

We also discussed the wonderfully conservative governance by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has unflinchingly taken on the school and state unions and in so doing brought fiscal sanity to a once broken state. California leaders have much to learn from Christie.

- - - - -

Fraud Screening Roots out Fraud in In-Home Support Services Program

A year ago, Legislative Republicans joined CONTINUED »