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California Election 2006 Watch: Phil Angelides – “I Saw Al Franken NAKED”
Sacramento Bee: Democrats’ delight: Candidates get airtime as Franken brings radio show to Sacramento
Democratic gubernatorial contender Phil Angelides turned to Harvard classmate Al Franken – author, liberal satirist and foil to conservatives – to burnish his progressive political credentials.
But as he sat down Wednesday for “The Al Franken Show” – which broadcast live from Sacramento’s Crest Theatre for the Air America radio network – Angelides pitched one extra detail.
“This is where I reveal to the world where I saw Al Franken naked,” Angelides announced.
California State Treasurer and Governor candidate Angelides better do better than this if he wants to beat California State Controller Steve Westly in June.
Other Quotes (Laughs??):
“Let me ask you this,” Franken said. “Does your opponent in the Democratic primary have a name?”
“Yes,” Angelides responded, still refusing to serve it up. “He also has a checkbook. He’s written $22 million in checks. He has a checkbook as big as Schwarzenegger’s ego.”
Good luck Phil…….
Technorati Tags: PhilAngelides, SteveWestly, AlFranken
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Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran – “Enrichment Matter NOT Reversible”
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R) greets China’s deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo (L) and British Foreign Minister Jack Straw after a news conference following talks with foreign ministers from the United Nations Security Council permanent members plus Germany in Berlin March 30, 2006. Germany and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council urged Iran on Thursday to halt uranium enrichment and return to the negotiating table to resolve a showdown over its nuclear programme.
ASSociated Press: Iran Defiantly Rejects New U.N. Demands
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Iran on Thursday the “international community is united” in the dispute over its nuclear program, but a Tehran envoy defiantly rejected a U.N. call to reimpose a freeze on uranium enrichment.
Rice spoke after a meeting in Berlin among diplomats from the five veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany over ways to press Iran to stop enriching uranium, which can be used for weapons. Iran says its program is peaceful.
The meeting follows agreement Wednesday by the 15-member Security Council to ask the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, to report back in 30 days on Iran’s compliance with demands to stop enriching uranium.
But, Iran will not comply……
The Quotes:
In Vienna, Iran’s chief representative to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, told The Associated Press that “it is impossible to go back to suspension.”
“This enrichment matter is not reversible,” Soltanieh said.
So, what a surprise!
NOT…..
The nuclear ball continues in President George Bush’s court.
Stay tuned…….
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Permanent Members Agree on a Statement
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran – Military Strikes Would NOT Stop Uranium enrichment
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Gearing Up for Uranium Enrichment
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Stalled But Diplomats Express Urgency
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – The West Should Apologize to Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Big 6 Meeting Yields Nothing
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Wants IAEA Supervision and Inspections
Condoleezza Rice Watch: Iran is the “Central Bank of Terrorismâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – “Iran’s Nuclear Fuel Program IRREVERSIBLEâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Divided Over Response to Iran Nuclear FLAP
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia – “Iran Still Considering Uranium Enrichment DEALâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia Rebukes Iran Over Withdrawl from Uranium Enrichment Negotiations
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Builds a Secret Underground Command Center
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens “OIL†Weapon
Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel – “America Needs to Get Its Act Together.â€
The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.
Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, China, SergeiLavrov, UnitedNations, UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil, ZhouWenzhong, NicholasBurns, EuropeanUnion, MahmoudAhmadinejad, ManouchehrMottaki, JacquesChirac, Chirac, France, Iran, Nuclearweapons, nuclear, AbdulQadeerKhan, AliLarijani, CondoleezzaRice, JohnBolton, RezaVaidi, GholamHosseinMohseniEjehei, SergeiKiriyenko
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France CPE Riot Watch:Fate of CPE Up to Constitutional Council
A woman dressed as Marianne, symbol of the French Republic, holds a French flag during a protest against the first job contract law, known as CPE, Tuesday, March 28, 2006 in Bordeaux, southwestern France. Tens of thousands of protesters poured onto France’s streets and striking workers hobbled transport services Tuesday, increasing pressure on embattled Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to withdraw a contested new jobs contract for youths.
ASSociated Press: Fate of French Labor Law Up to Council
The fate of a contested French labor law that has inspired massive protests, gravely wounding its champion Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, hung Thursday on a council of experts.
The Constitutional Council, whose 10 members include former statesmen and women, was weighing a demand from the opposition Socialists that the law, which would make it easier for companies to fire young workers, be thrown out as unconstitutional.
Striking down the law could be a face-saver for all sides, allowing protesters to claim victory and defusing the crisis for Villepin, who would likely emerge bloodied but ready to fight another day.
This will be an easy capitulation for Prime Minister Villepin. But, elimination of the CPE, while popular in the polls, will not solve the youth unemployment problem which is as high as 50 per cent in French immigrant communities.
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin addresses deputies at the National Assembly during a session of questions to the government, Tuesday, March 28, 2006 in Paris. Tens of thousands of protesters poured onto France’s streets and striking workers hobbled transport services Tuesday, increasing pressure on embattled Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to withdraw a contested new jobs contract for youths.
A poll by the Ipsos agency for LCI television said 62 percent of the French aligned themselves with the movement against Villepin’s law, and that 47 percent want it repealed entirely. Another 45 percent want it to be modified. The poll Wednesday of 804 people aged 18 and over gave no margin of error.
But, the French socialists want power and elections loom. Will these issues really subside if the Constitutional Council overrules Villepin on the CPE?
Doubtful…….
French CGT union leader Bernard Thibault, centre, and France’s UNEF student union President Bruno Julliard march during a protest against the first job contract, knwon as CPE, Tuesday, March 28, 2006 in Paris.
Students and labor unions say the contract will erode France’s time-honored workplace protections. Villepin says it is needed to cut France’s 22 percent youth unemployment rate, which soars up to 50 percent in low-income neighborhoods that were the focus of rioting last year.
Unions and student groups are calling for a new round of strikes and protests next Tuesday to step up pressure on the government. The largest civil servants union on Thursday joined the strike call.
And the French are complaining about foreign press coverage of their CPE protests/riots.
Unbelievable
Government ministers fear the crisis is hurting France’s image abroad. Trade minister Christine Lagarde, who embarks on an eight-day visit to the United States next week, complained of “excessive” foreign media coverage of the demonstrations, which have repeatedly ended in violent clashes between youths and riot police.
Protests continued Thursday. Police used tear gas to dislodge some 300-400 students who blocked tracks and traffic at a railway station in Marseille, France’s second-biggest city.
More trouble ahead for France.
Stay tuned…….
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France CPE Riot Watch: A Million People March to Protest CPE First Job Contract
France CPE Riot Watch: French Police Subdue Riots
France CPE Riot Watch: First Job Contract Protests Grip French Cities
France Riot Watch: Students Riot in Paris over New Youth Employment Contract
Technorati Tags:France, FranceRiots, CPE, DominiquedeVillepin, FirstEmploymentContract
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Hugh Hewitt Watch: Painting the Map Red: The Fight to Create a Permanent Republican Majority – The Photoshop
Hugh and Generalissimo are having some fun with the release of Hugh’s latest book:
Painting the Map Red: The Fight to Create a Permanent Republican Majority
Some of Flap’s favorites below:Catch more of these photoshop renderings over at Radioblogger.
Technorati Tags: HughHewitt
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Day By Day by Chris Muir
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Hugh Hewitt Watch: Painting the Map Red: The Fight to Create a Permanent Republican Majority
Hugh Hewitt has a new book hitting the charts.
Painting the Map Red: The Fight to Create a Permanent Republican Majority
On Flap’s birthday book list.
Buy it!
Flap knows you will be glad you did!
Technorati Tags: HughHewitt
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Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Permanent Members Agree on a Statement
***Update***
British Ambassador to the United Nations Emyr Jones Parry (R) talks with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton after the reading of a statement on Iran at the U.N. headquarters in New York March 29, 2006. The five U.N. Security Council permanent members agreed on Wednesday on a statement that would call on Iran to suspend parts of its nuclear program that could be used to build weapons.
ASSociated Press: U.N. Demands That Iran Suspend EnrichmentThe U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a statement Wednesday demanding that Iran suspend uranium enrichment, the first time the powerful body has directly urged Tehran to clear up suspicions that it is seeking nuclear weapons.
The statement, which is not legally binding, will ask the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the
International Atomic Energy Agency, to report back in 30 days on Iran’s compliance with demands to stop enriching uranium, a process that can lead to a nuclear weapon.The document was adopted by consensus and without a vote after a flurry of negotiations between the five veto-wielding members of the 15-nation council, which has the power to impose sanctions. In the end, Britain, France and the United States made several concessions to China and Russia, Iran’s allies, who wanted as mild a statement as possible.
Stay tuned for Iran’s response……..
British Ambassador to the United Nations Emyr Jones Parry talks to reporters after leaving a meeting of the five permanent members of the Security Council at the U.N. headquarters in New York March 29, 2006.
Reuters: UN Council powers agree on Iran deal
The five U.N. Security Council permanent members agreed on Wednesday on a statement that would call on Iran to suspend parts of its nuclear program that could be used to build weapons, Britain announced.
The new text, which makes concessions to Russia and China, is being referred to the full council for formal approval only hours before foreign ministers of the five powers and Germany meet in Berlin on Thursday to map out strategy on Iran.
The five veto-holding nations — the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China — have been negotiating for three weeks to complete the draft statement on how to rein in Iran’s suspect programs.
“Our colleagues in the P-5 (permanent five) have reached an agreement on a text,” Britain’s U.N. ambassador, Emyr Jones Parry, announced to reporters.
And who in the United States REALLY cares?
If Iran poses a threat to the United States and its allies, including Israel America does NOT need approval from Russia and China.
Stay tuned……
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Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran – Military Strikes Would NOT Stop Uranium enrichment
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Gearing Up for Uranium Enrichment
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Stalled But Diplomats Express Urgency
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – The West Should Apologize to Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Big 6 Meeting Yields Nothing
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Wants IAEA Supervision and Inspections
Condoleezza Rice Watch: Iran is the “Central Bank of Terrorismâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – “Iran’s Nuclear Fuel Program IRREVERSIBLEâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Divided Over Response to Iran Nuclear FLAP
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia – “Iran Still Considering Uranium Enrichment DEALâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia Rebukes Iran Over Withdrawl from Uranium Enrichment Negotiations
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Builds a Secret Underground Command Center
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens “OIL†Weapon
Iran Nuclear Watch: Israel – “America Needs to Get Its Act Together.â€
The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.
Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, China, SergeiLavrov, UnitedNations, UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil, ZhouWenzhong, NicholasBurns, EuropeanUnion, MahmoudAhmadinejad, ManouchehrMottaki, JacquesChirac, Chirac, France, Iran, Nuclearweapons, nuclear, AbdulQadeerKhan, AliLarijani, CondoleezzaRice, JohnBolton, RezaVaidi, GholamHosseinMohseniEjehei, SergeiKiriyenko
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Arnold Schwarzenegger, California, California Republican Party, Election 2006, Liberal Morons, Politics
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Rob Reiner Resigns – FINALLY
Actor-director Rob Reiner is seen in this January 12, 2006 file photo. Reiner, accused of abusing his role as head of a California commission by spending state funds to promote a campaign to fund preschool, resigned from the job on Wednesday.
Reuters: Director Rob Reiner resigns from Calif. commission
Actor-director Rob Reiner, accused of abusing his role as head of a California commission by spending state funds to promote a campaign to fund preschool, resigned from the job on Wednesday.
Reiner has headed the First 5 California Children and Families Commission, a state entity that provides services to young children, for seven years.
Legislators from both political parties said Reiner, an outspoken Democrat, improperly spent $23 million of commission funds to highlight preschool when he was promoting a referendum for the June 2006 ballot that would guarantee preschool for 4-year-olds.
“When you and I spoke over the weekend, we agreed we cannot let personal political attacks get in the way of doing the very best we can for California’s children,” Reiner said in a letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
As recently as two weeks ago, the director of the film “When Harry Met Sally…” said he would not leave the job.
Reiner’s resignation letter is here.Â
About damn time. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger should have fired his FAT ASS months ago.
Now, they should indict him for spending all of our taxpayers money on his pre-school initiative hype.
Stay tuned…..
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: This is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s MESS Now
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Rob Reiner = “A Friendâ€
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Alliance for a Better California – “We’re BACK!â€
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: The New Majority
Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Public Works Bonds are DEAD and so is Schwarzenegger’s Re-election?
Technorati Tags: ArnoldSchwarzenegger, RobReiner, CaliforniaElection2006, CRP, CaliforniaRepublicanParty
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Cox & Forkum: Mucho Caliente
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California Three Strikes Law Watch: Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten Criticizes Three Strikes Reform Act of 2006
Ventura County Star: 3 strikes law reform bill is criticized
County DA says it would pose a great risk to public
Ventura County’s top prosecutor said he is satisfied with California’s “three strikes” law, and criticized a proposed ballot measure that would limit 25-to-life terms to only serious or violent crimes.County District Attorney Greg Totten said the Three Strikes Reform Act of 2006, which is co-sponsored by Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley, would pose a great risk to the public.
Flap is satisified with the “three strikes” law as well. The more criminals kept away from society the better. Steve Cooley, the Los Angeles County District Attorney seems more concerned with freeing criminals from his overcrowded jails than protecting the public.
The Repeat Criminal Offender/Three Strikes Fair Sentencing Act of 2006 is here.
The Three Strikes Reform Act of 2006 is here.
The current California Three Strikes law is here.
Cooley, who is pushing the measure for the November ballot, believes it would make prison terms more just by reforming state guidelines, which are some of the toughest in the nation. One result could mean that hundreds, perhaps thousands of inmates would be sentenced to shorter terms or set free. In Ventura County, it could mean the release of 21 third-strike defendants, Totten said.
“While I consider Steve Cooley as a friend and have great respect for him, I do not agree with him on this issue,” he said. “I think it’s bad public policy.”
Great, release even more criminals early. This is NOT bad public policy – It is UNACCEPTABLE public policy.
The Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks, a possible successor to Congressman Elton Gallegly in 2008 also opposes changing the three strikes law.
Critics of the existing law point to cases where defendants were put away for stealing a cookie or pizza. Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks, however, said prosecutors and judges have the discretion to consider which crimes they would count as the third strike.
“So much of this has been driven by real quick sound bites of cases that look like an abuse of the system,” Brooks said. “If the public knew everything, they would see that the three strikes law is working. When you look at the kind of violators they are … I think it is frightening. These are some violent offenses of the worst kind. Given the context, you still have a very dangerous person who is still offending.”
And to confuse California voters further there is another measure being circulated for the November ballot.
A competing measure co-written by Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Steven Ipsen aims to toughen the existing law in some cases and make it more lenient in others.
Ipsen’s Repeat Criminal Offender/Three Strikes Fair Sentencing Act of 2006 would give life sentences to sex offenders and murderers after two convictions, not three. However, it would allow sentences of 10 years to life and 15 years to life instead of the mandated 25 years to life if the third conviction wasn’t serious.
This spring supporters of each measure will begin collecting the nearly 400,000 signatures they need to put each measure before voters on the November ballot.
So, when you see the signature gatherers asking you to sign the initiative petitions REFUSE to sign then.
Keep the California “three strikes” law!
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California Three Strikes Law Watch: William Bratton and Lee Baca Support Reform of Three Strikes Law
Technorati Tags: GregTotten, BobBrooks, EltonGallegly, ThreeStrikesLaw, SteveCooley, WilliamBratton, LeeBaca, LosAngelesCountyDistrictAttorney