• Arnold Schwarzenegger,  Bear Flag League,  California,  Politics,  Proposition 74,  Proposition 75,  Proposition 76,  Proposition 77,  Special Election 2005

    California Special Election Watch: Latest Public Policy Institute of California Poll

    The ASSociated Press has Poll: Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Measures Lag.

    Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “year of reform” initiatives are proving a tough sell to California voters despite a multimillion dollar advertising blitz, according to a poll released Thursday. None of his measures on the Nov. 8 ballot has majority support, and two are opposed by wide margins.

    Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,079 likely voters over seven days ending Oct. 23. There was a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

    Governor Schwarzenegger’s Job Approval Rating:

    Approve 38%

    Disapprove 57%

    Proposition 74 extends the probationary period for new teachers from 2 years to 5 years, and makes it easier to dismiss teachers with unsatisfactory performance evaluations.

    Approve 46%

    Disapprove 48%

    But within the margin of error.

    Proposition 75 prohibits public employee unions from using union dues for political purposes without the written consent of union members.

    Approve 46%

    Disapprove 46%

    Again, within the margin of error.

    Proposition 76 limits growth in state spending so that it does not exceed recent growth in state revenues.

    Approve 30%

    Disapprove 62%

    Proposition 77 changes the way California draws boundaries for Congressional and legislative districts. District boundaries would be drawn by a panel of retired judges and approved by voters in a statewide election.

    Approve 36%

    Disapprove 50%

    While the poll numbers are not very encouraging for the governor, pollster Mark Baldassare cautioned that the results don’t mean the election is over.

    “All these measures are close,” he said. “There’s a considerable amount of time . . . and there will be new messages and counter-messages. I don’t feel like this election is necessarily settled.”

    This poll although not favorble to the Governor is not disastrous either.

    Indeed, Proposition 74 and 75 may be winning since the results are within the margin of error.

    And Schwarzenegger has forced the California Teachers Association to spend $52.9 million fighting these measures – not a small chunk of change.

    Stay tuned the Field Organization and Los Angeles Times will soon release their polls.

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    Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page

  • Culture,  Liberal Morons,  Media,  Media Bias,  Morons,  Politics

    Duquesne University Politically Correct FLAP: The Facebook Censorship

    The Facebook

    The ASSociated Press and the Pittsburgh Channel has Expulsion For Gay Comments?

    Duquesne Student Resists Punishment

    A Duquesne University sophomore will risk being kicked out of school rather than write an essay as punishment for expressing his view that homosexuality is “subhuman.”

    Ryan Miner, 19, of Hagerstown, Md., was sanctioned by Duquesne after posting his view in The Facebook, an online directory that is not related to the university.

    The political speech cops are out at Duquesne.

    Who are the MORONS who are monitoring this kid’s Facebook?

    Miner opposed an effort by other students to form a Gay-Straight Alliance group, an issue that is still being debated by the university.

    “I believe as a student that my First Amendment rights in the Constitution were subverted and attacked,” said Miner.

    You betcha……

    After Miner’s comments appeared online, some students complained to the school.

    After a hearing, the Office of Judicial Affairs found Miner guilty of violating the University Code, which prohibits harassment or discrimination based on sexual orientation, among other groups.

    A 10-page paper was assigned as punishment. Miner said he refuses to write it and will file an appeal.

    What a waste of time.

    This is Facebook.

    And the University Code violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

    A reminder:

    First Amendment of the Bill of Rights: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

    The ACLU has a good section on free speech and university codes of speech and conduct here.

    Don’t write that paper!

  • Iraq War,  Liberal Morons,  Politics

    Cindy Sheehan Watch: Arrested in White House Protest

    Cindy Sheehan is arrested after refusing to leave a closed sidewalk along Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, DC. A day after the 2000th US military death in Iraq was announced, Sheehan joined activists in a ‘die in’ and lay in front of the White House protesting the War in Iraq.

    AFP has Mother of slain US soldier arrested in Iraq war protest.

    US police arrested Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a US soldier killed in Iraq who has become a prominent war opponent, along with two dozen people for demonstrating without authoritization in front of the White House.

    Sheehan and the other protestors staged a “die-in” in front of the the White House, lying on the ground to symbolize US soldiers killed in Iraq.

    Several dozen sympathizers applauded as Sheehan and others were taken away, while counter-protestors booed the group.

    “Cindy Sheehan has been arrested with about 25 other people because she was demonstrating without a permit in front of the White House,” said lieutenant Phil Beck of the US Park Police.

    “They laid down on the sidewalk without a permit, they were advised three times to leave the area, they chose not to leave therefore they were arrested,” Beck said.

    “Most of them will probably be released tonight,” he said. They face a 75 dollar fine.

    And the MARTYR will return again and again.

    She REALLY needs some counseling.

    Michelle Malkin has CINDY SHEEHAN ARRESTED…AND COMING BACK FOR MORE.

  • Politics,  Supreme Court

    SCOTUS Watch: A NEW Short List

    Now that Harriet Miers has withdrawn her nomination to the United States Supreme Court Flap handicaps a new short list for a new nomination.

    Judge Priscilla Owen on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and former Justice of the Texas Supreme Court.

    Judge Janice Rogers Brown on the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

    Judge Michael W. McConnell on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

    Judge Edith Hollan Jones, who practiced law in Texas and now sits on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

    Samuel Alito, a 3rd U.S. Circuit judge from Philadelphia.

    J. Michael Luttig of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, considered one of the most conservative judges on the federal bench.

    J. Harvie Wilkinson III, also on the 4th Circuit, who is considered more moderate than Judge Luttig but could be opposed by liberals over his opposition of affirmative action.

    Emilio Garza of the 5th Circuit, who would give Mr. Bush the chance to name the first Hispanic justice, but whose conservative views on abortion could prompt liberal outcry.

    Some additonal considerations:

    Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General of the United States.

    Edith Brown Clement, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

    The President has an outstanding pool of candidates to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

    Flap handicaps Priscilla Owen as the next Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

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  • Harriet Miers,  Politics,  Supreme Court

    Harriet Miers Watch: The Withdrawl

    President Bush’s embattled nominee for the Supreme Court announced on Thursday she was withdrawing her name from consideration.

    Reuters has Miers withdraws nomination.

    President George W. Bush’s nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, White House counsel Harriet Miers, abruptly withdrew from consideration on Thursday after mounting criticism from the right and the left about her credentials for the lifetime job.

    Bush said in a statement he reluctantly accepted the withdrawal of his long-time ally and would move in a timely manner to fill the vacancy left open by the retirement of Supreme Court Justice
    Sandra Day O’Connor.

    Harriet Miers’ letter of withdrawl is here.

    Flap applauds Harriet Miers and wishes her well and continued service of the United States.

    She did the RIGHT thing!

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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger,  Bear Flag League,  California,  Politics,  Proposition 76,  Special Election 2005

    California Special Election Watch: Democrat Leaders are “Spending Addicts”

    California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks at a town hall-style meeting promoting his special election campaign, in the backyard of Jon and Lauri Irvine’s residence in Arcadia, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005.

    The ASSociated Press has Schwarzenegger Vows to Rein in Spending.

    Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger warned Wednesday that legislators could push California into a nightmarish era of higher taxes and runaway spending unless voters endorse his proposal to place tighter controls on the state budget.

    In a staged poolside appearance at a private home, the Republican governor told an invitation-only audience that Proposition 76 would give him the tools to fend off a Legislature eager to dig deeper into taxpayers’ pockets.

    He also suggested that without greater budget discipline, the state might be unable to meet the mounting demands for everything from electric power to health care to highways.

    “They have come to me with ideas like raising the property tax, raising the income tax, raising the taxes on the rich, raising the sales tax, and the tax on gasoline,” the governor said, referring to the Legislature’s Democratic leadership, which opposes the initiative.

    Schwarzenegger said Democratic leaders “always want more because they are spending addicts — they cannot help themselves.”

    Schwarzenegger is reintroducing and reinforcing the tax and spend themes of his first “recall” election. Proposition 76 limits growth in state spending so that it does not exceed recent growth in state revenues.

    The latest poll shows it winning:

    54% Yes
    41% No
    5% Undecided

    But, the classless union bosses had their goons out in force to protest – even at this private home:

    Protesting firefighters refuse to shake hands with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after he spoke at a town hall meeting promoting his special election campaign at a private residence in Arcadia, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005. The firefighters were protesting Schwarzenneger’s proposals to change state government.

    This reminds Flap of those idiota and RUDE union leader firefighters from L.A. and Ventura County who a few weeks ago MOANED about being “ordered” to be present with the Governor when Schwarzenegger came to thank them for their service here in the Conejo Valley.

    Stay tuned as the town halls continue and the Governor meets up with Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante for a quasi debate on Friday.

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    Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page