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The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Centennial Celebration Announces February Events
From the press release:To honor the life and legacy of President Ronald Reagan, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation is sponsoring a week of events and programming to celebrate a leader who inspired freedom and changed the world. The week includes the first in a four-part series of Academic Symposia with major Universities across the United States on the “Lessons and Legacy” of President Reagan, a Concert for America, the official birthday celebration for President Reagan, and the grand opening of the Reagan Museum renovation.
“It was important to all of us at the Reagan Foundation to create a monumental series of events befitting of a man who brought so much to America and the world,” said John Heubusch, executive director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. “The centennial celebration is about more than just one day and one man. It’s a year-long historic occasion for people to remember an extraordinary man who restored pride in America and spread freedom throughout the world.”
The week-long series of events begin February 1 and 2, 2011 with the first of four academic conferences –at the University of Southern California and Reagan Library which will focus on key aspects of the Reagan Presidency. Additional symposia will occur throughout 2011 with the University of Virginia (Feb 10-11), University of Notre Dame (March 3), and the US Naval Academy (October 19). Keynote speakers at these include Tom Brokaw, Peggy Noonan, Brian Mulroney, Ed Meese, Mitch Daniels, and more.
On February 5, the Reagan Foundation will sponsor A Concert for America – A Tribute to Ronald Reagan. The concert is comprised of live music and in-person and video tributes from world leaders and prominent individuals whose lives were impacted by the legacy of President Reagan. The evening’s lineup includes The Beach Boys, Lonestar, Lee Greenwood, Fred Thompson, Jerry West, and video tributes from George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
The president’s 61st anniversary of his 39th birthday on February 6, 2011 will be celebrated with an F-18 flyover from jets off the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, musical performances by Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, and the official wreath laying on behalf of the president of the United States with Mrs. Ronald Reagan.
The week will conclude with the official opening of the newly renovated Reagan Museum which integrates hundreds of artifacts with dozens of interactive displays. These new galleries capture the character and legacy of Ronald Reagan – his policy, his patriotic spirit, and his inspired leadership.
“As President Reagan would have wanted it, no taxpayer dollars are being spent on any centennial activities,” John Heubusch continued. “All events and initiatives will be funded by private donations collected through the Reagan Foundation.”
President Reagan’s centennial year is rounded out with statue unveilings and celebrations in his honor around the world, from Washington DC at the Reagan Airport, to Grovesnor Square in London, and across central and Eastern Europe from Prague to Budapest where President Reagan’s vision of freedom left an indelible mark on the world.
I will be over at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley which is a short drive for me as much time as I possibly can the weekend of the February 4th through the 7th. I will take my Bloggie and try to video and interview as many political folks as I can.
I, especially like Air Force One and will take video and photos of the new Reagan Library displays that will open for the public on Monday, the 7th. Newt Gingrich will be signing books that day and I will get some video of that event as well.
President Ronald Reagan’s Air Force One in 2007. Photo by Flap
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The Amazon Tax Returns to California
The California Budget and proposed internet tax collections/projections
It’s BACKKKKKK – the Amazon Tax.Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner is making another run at forcing major online retailers, including Amazon, to collect sales tax on California purchases.
Skinner, a Berkeley Democrat, said the bill could generate between $250 million and $500 million for the state. Proponents are hoping that a new governor and some major corporate firepower, including Amazon rival Barnes & Noble, will help the legislation succeed where it failed before.
Former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was adamant in his opposition the past two years, arguing that the bill would cost the jobs of “affiliates” in California who earn income by generating sales for Amazon and other companies. He vetoed previous legislation and blocked online tax proposals during budget talks.
Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, has not yet stated a position on the bill. It is not part of his plan to bridge a $25.4 billion deficit.
Democrats say they can pass the bill with a majority vote because it changes the collection mechanism for a tax Californians are already supposed to pay.
Amazon and other online retailers for years have defended their no-tax policy by relying on a 1992 Supreme Court decision, Quill Corp. v. North Dakota, which determined that an out-of-state retailer without a substantial presence in a state does not have to collect sales taxes. Skinner’s bill seeks to force online retailers to collect tax so long as they maintain a presence in California through their affiliates.
Skinner contends that online businesses take away jobs from brick-and-mortar retailers in California. She says online purchases also deprive the state and local governments of tax revenues.
Among the most misguided of proposals coming out of the Democrat caucus is Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner’s Amazon tax legislation, reintroduced just yesterday, that would illegally require out-of-state businesses to collect California’s highest-in-the-nation sales tax. Make no mistake, this new tax, commonly referred to as the “Amazon tax,” is a guaranteed job killer that wouldn’t even make a dent in California’s budget deficit.
Perennial attempts to pass this job-killing tax on e-commerce have been rightfully rejected in California and elsewhere. Aside from failing to address the real problem – overspending – and adding to the state’s 12% unemployment rate, an unconstitutional Amazon tax wouldn’t do squat to close the state deficit, estimated at $26.4 billion over the next 18 months.
And, then, there are the California affiliates who sell amazon products – like me. Amazon will likely pull the ads right off my blog like they threaten to do in Illinois.
So, let’s see what will the Amazon Law do:
1. Raise no real revenue for the State of California – ask Rhode Island, North Carolina and Colorado about their ZERO tax revenue
2. Kill amazon affiliate jobs in California and take some $$$ from ol’ Flap
3. Involve California in a costly lawsuit regarding the constitutionality of charging online taxes to a company that does not have a physical presence in a state
As ATR has repeatedly explained to state legislators, Amazon taxes hurt small ad businesses and do nothing to fill state coffers. Rather, it has been demonstrated time and again that retailers will simply terminate contracts with advertisers in states that stupidly enact an Amazon tax to avoid creating a “nexus” and, therefore, being forced to collect this unconstitutional tax.
In 2009, 25,000 individuals and small businesses in California earned $1.6 billion from online advertising, paying $124 million in state income tax (plus employment tax, business tax, property tax, sales tax, etc). That is a revenue stream that will dry up if Skinner’s legislation passes.
It gets worse. Not only is the tax harmful to employers, the state of California could face a burdensome and costly lawsuit if Skinner’s legislation were to pass.
Thanks Barnes and Noble for trying to screw your competitors. I understand business is business but using California State Law to screw me, just cost you a customer. Here are some of the other miscreants who are helping the Berkeley Democrat pass this piece of excrement.
- Gene De Felice, Vice President and General Counsel, Barnes and Noble
- Bill Dombrowski, President & CEO, California Retailers Association
- Felicia Strati, Owner, Felicia Strati Boutique
- Susan Tiesing, Owner, Tres Chic Boutique
- Alzada Knickerbocker, Owner, Avid Reader, Davis, CA
- Dennis Smith, Secretary-Treasurer, California Federation of Teachers
- Chuck Shaw, Northern California State Director, International Council of Shopping
- Centers and representing the California Business Properties Association
- Lenny Goldberg representing Northern California Independent Booksellers Association
- Teachers, public safety officers, and community leaders
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ObamaCare: House Votes to Repeal Obama Health Care Law
In a bipartisan vote, the GOP controlled House voted to repeal the Obama Health Care Reform Law.House Republicans passed a bill to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care plan Wednesday, taking their first major step toward rolling back the massive overhaul that has dominated the American political landscape for almost two years.
The vote was 245 to 189, and unanimous GOP support gave the vote the same partisan feel of the March vote to pass the law, underscoring once again the hardened political lines of the health care debate. Only three Democrats backed the repeal, a smaller number than Republicans had once predicted.
But, hey, there are three more Democrats who voted for repeal than there were Republicans who voted for the law. There were NO Republicans who voted for the adoption of ObamaCare.
Next, the bill will head to the U.S. Senate, where Democrat Senate Majority Leader Nevada Senator Harry Reid has vowed to not take up the bill. Even if the bill is considered and approved in the U.S. Senate, it is an absolute certainty that President Obama will veto the measure.
The American people voted to replace the majority Congressional Democrats last November because in part because of ObamaCare. The Democratic Party and President Obama OWN it.
ObamaCare will likely NEVER progress any further and WILL be repealed when the GOP regains the White House in either 2012 or 2016.
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UT-Sen GOP Poll Watch: Huntsman 48% Chaffetz 23% Hatch 21%
Looks like Utah voters who threw out GOP senator Bob Bennett last November are in the mood to do the same to Utah GOP Senator Orrin Hatch.A new Utah Policy poll shows Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, could be fighting off Republicans and Democrats in 2012.
University of Utah political scientist Tim Chambless says Hatch will fight an uphill battle because of age, health and distrust of incumbents.
“There is a possibility that Senator Hatch, the incumbent, would be challenged from within his own party and would be vulnerable to the same fate as Senator Bob Bennett,” Chambless said.
When Hatch is put up against possible Republican challengers he falls behind both former governor John Huntsman, Jr. and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah:
* 48 percent support Huntsman, who hasn’t said what his plans are for the 2012 election
* 23 percent support Chaffetz, who has hinted he might run
* 21 percent support Hatch, who says he’s definitely running again
* 7 percent said they favor someone else
* 1 percent said they don’t knowOrrin Hatch who sometimes leans to the left, better shore up his right flank and do some fence mending with the Tea Party folks in Utah or he will be OUT in 2012.
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President 2012 Poll Watch: Mike Huckabee Leads Texas GOP Race
Without Texas Governor Rick Perry as a candidate:
- Mike Huckabee – 25%
- Sarah Palin – 21%
- Newt Gingrich – 17%
- Mitt Romney – 10%
- Ron Paul – 9%
- Tim Pawleny – 5%
- Mitch Daniels – 3%
As far as favorability, Huckabee leads there as well.
- Mike Huckabee – 71/15
- Sarah Palin – 69/24
- Newt Gingrich – 60/22
- Mitt Romney – 52/27
Of course, by the time of the Texas primary election, all of these candidates will no longer in the race and there is no guarantee that Mike Huckabee will run if Sarah Palin throws her hat in the ring.
The biggest loser in this poll is Mitt Romney without a doubt.
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ObamaCare: American Physicians Fear Obama’s Healthcare Reform
Thomson Reuters National Physicians SurveyUnited States physicians are not too happy or optimistic regarding ObamaCare.Nearly two-thirds of U.S. doctors surveyed fear healthcare reform could worsen care for patients, by flooding their offices and hurting income, according to a Thomson Reuters survey released Tuesday.
The survey of more than 2,900 doctors found many predict the legislation will force them to work harder for less money.
“When asked about the quality of healthcare in the U.S. over the next five years, 65 percent of the doctors believed it would deteriorate with only 18 percent predicting it would improve,” Thomson Reuters, parent company of Reuters, said in a statement.
The U.S. House of Representatives began debate Tuesday on efforts to repeal President Barack Obama’s overhaul of the U.S. healthcare industry.
Repeal of the bill is likely to fail in the Senate.
A five page executive summary of the survey is here (pdf).
Of course, American physicians see the problems associated with ObamaCare since they will be on the front lines.
ObamaCare is a loser for the physicans and a loser for the quality of American health care – the doctors know. ObamaCare is a socialistic, redistributionist scheme that will bankrupt America unless there is medical care rationing.
The House and Senate should vote for repeal.
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Danish Muhammad Cartoonist Kurt Westergaard’s Atacker, Mohamed Geele Goes on Trial
Danish Muhammad Cartoonist Kurt Westergaard
Kurt Westergaard’s, the Danish Cartoonist made famous by his depiction of the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb on his head, attacker, Mohamed Geele, went to trial today.A 29-year-old Somali man charged with trying to kill the cartoonist behind the most controversial Danish Prophet Mohammed caricature went on trial Wednesday in the central town of Aarhus.
The man, named in court as Mohamed Geele, could face life in prison if convicted of the charges of attempted terrorism, attempted murder, attacking a police officer and illegal arms possession.
The hearing was transferred to a larger court due to the number of journalists covering the case.
On January 1 last year, the suspect broke into the home of cartoonist Kurt Westergaard — who had drawn the Prophet Mohammed with a bomb-shaped turban — wielding an axe and saying he wanted to kill him.
Westergaard, now 75, rushed into a bathroom that had been fortified and transformed into a panic room to “seek safety and call the police.”
Police shot the man twice and wounded him before placing him under arrest.
Since his arrest the Somali has denied any wrongdoing, but according to Danish intelligence police, he is believed to be close to the Shebab Islamist movement, which has declared allegiance to Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network and controls most of southern and central Somalia.
The trial is set to last nine days and the verdict is expected in the first week of February.
Mohamed Geele has denied the charges of attempted murder and terrorism.
Kurt Westergaard is expected to testify tomorrow under heavy security.
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President 2012 Poll Watch: Sarah Palin’s Unfavorable Rating at 56 Per Cent – An All Time High
I think it is becoming apparent that Sarah Palin’s roll in the 2012 Presidential race will NOT be as a candidate.
A new national poll indicates that 56 percent of all Americans have an unfavorable view of Sarah Palin, an all-time high for the former Alaska governor. That 56 percent unfavorable figure is up seven points from just before the midterm elections, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Wednesday morning.
Thirty-eight percent of people questioned in the poll say they have a favorable view of the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, down two points from October.
The poll was conducted following a difficult two week stretch for Palin, who is considering a run for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. Palin was in the spotlight following the Jan. 8 shootings at a “Congress on Your Corner” event at a Tucson, Arizona supermarket, which left six people dead and 13 wounded. Authorities believe Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was seriously wounded as the target of the mass shootings. A 22-year-old suspect, Jared Lee Loughner, is in custody.
Following the shootings critics suggested Palin’s at-times charged political rhetoric and use of a graphic featuring crosshairs may have contributed to the shooter’s motivations. The graphic was part of a website that Palin put up last year, during the divisive debate over health care reform, to highlight 20 congressional districts won by Sen. John McCain in the 2008 presidential election, where Democratic representatives were voting in favor of the legislation.
According to the survey, Palin’s unfavorable rating is up 10 points among women, compared to just three points among men, and among independent voters, her unfavorable rating has grown a whopping 14 points.
Should these poll findings be sustained by subsequent polls, other conservative candidates will be emboldened to enter the race – specifically either Mike Pence or Mitch Daniels of Indiana.
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney arre already committed to run, but both are flawed candidates. So, is Mike Huckabee who has always had trouble raising money and has “fair tax”, plus Arkansas criminal pardon problems. Newt Gingrich may run, but is fatally flawed with personal foibles in his marriages/divorces.
The donors will be looking for another candidate who is not Mitt Romney.
Mitch Daniels, if he has the fire in his belly for the Presidency, could be such that candidate. Daniels would be a formidable candidate against President Obama.
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Day By Day January 19, 2011 – Questions
Chris, President Obama continues to enjoy a press “honeymoon” of sorts. There will be NO tricky or difficult questions for “The One.”However, I DO think the GOP Presidential nominee in 2012 will take the gloves off, having been emboldened with the House GOP majority and every likelihood of an imminent Senate takeover. Certainly, a different environment with having to defend an incumbent, unpopular President George W. Bush.
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