• Pinboard Links

    Flap’s Links for February 24th from 20:05 to 20:13

    These are my links for February 24th from 20:05 to 20:13:

    • Walk-outs illegal for California state legislators – Just in Case You Were Wondering – Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana have more in common than great college football and basketball teams.  Each has recently seen an out-of-state exodus of state lawmakers in order to stall or foil legislation that they don't want to see passed. Or that they don't want to be responsible for.

           Though I would have rather seen the in-state USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl than the out-of-state Wisconsin Badgers, I've wondered if the fleeing of Democrat lawmakers from those various Midwestern states, to duck tough votes, might have any precedent in California for Republican lawmakers that might otherwise want to avoid their responsibilities in Sacramento.

           I did consult with some esteemed co-counsel, and here is what I found out: in California, legislators are prohibited by state law from accepting payments for work related to the performance of their legislative functions.  Gov. Code 8920(b)(4) and Legislative Joint Rule 44.   Accepting payments that conflict with their work during the legislative session is illegal.   Accepting payments for lodging, meals, etc., for an "out-of-state travel" (i.e., a "walkout") to avoid performance of legislative duties (which is “work related to performance of legislative functions”) would be prohibited by law. 

           The only exception is receipt of travel payments for a bona fide out-of-state speech, and that is regulated by the FPPC.  Under a specific statute, receipt of a payment for travel outside the state to avoid legislative duties is not allowed.  Government Code Section 8922

      ++++++

      Looks like Wisconsin and Indiana need some tightening up of their legislative rules.

    • Glenn Beck doesn’t speak for mainstream conservatives? – Each time I write a post critical of Fox News host Glenn Beck, scores of conservatives e-mail and comment here at Right Turn that he's "not as bad" as the left portrays him and that, besides, there are worse figures on the left.

      The "left is worse" argument doesn't fly. Listen, I am never shy about pointing out hypocrisy by the left — as I did in response to an anti-Beck letter organized by Jewish Funds for Justice. But the argument that "the other side is worse" is not an argument that justifies Beck's conduct.

      So what should thoughtful conservatives do? I've said it before, but it is especially relevant here: Police their own side. Rather than reflexively rising to his defense when questioned about Beck, why don't conservatives call him out and explain that he doesn't represent the views of mainstream conservatives? Conservative groups and candidates should be forewarned: If they host, appear with or defend him they should be prepared to have his extremist views affixed to them.

      Fox News has every right to have whomever it wants on the air, but, likewise, conservatives have every right to and, indeed, should disassociate themselves from his brand of rhetoric.

      +++++

      Perhaps not but does William Kristol, Jennifer Rubin and Ron Paul?

      Everyone has a role – good or bad.

    • Glenn Beck: The Most Disturbing Personality on Cable Television – In the past few weeks Glenn Beck has spoken about the coming caliphate that he believes is about to envelope most of the world. He then dilated on the anti-Christ with a man who says he has “new prophetic understanding into the end times.” In 2009, this self-proclaimed prophet wrote a column titled “What Obama and the Anti-Christ Have in Common.” Then, on a recent show, the discussion focused on the coming Islamic anti-Christ. And earlier this week, an irate, bellicose Beck spoke about the “perfect storm” America faces. “I can’t honestly believe we’re finally here,” he said in praising his own prescience. In his version of events, Beck is the solitary Voice of Truth willing to expose the New World Order (complete with references to Van Jones and Code Pink).

      It’s hard to tell how much of what Beck says is sincere and how much is for show. Whatever the case, and even taking into account the entire MSNBC lineup, Glenn Beck has become the most disturbing personality on cable television

      +++++++

      Sorry, but I do not agree.

      Glenn Beck has a role on the RIGHT just as Ron Paul does – and George W. Bush for that matter

  • Glenn Beck,  Sarah Palin

    Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin on 9/11 in Alaska – Oh My!

    Fox News’ Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin

    Oh My, is right.

    Moore, a green-eyed blonde who, like Palin, was once an Alaska beauty queen, albeit a few stripes more self-aware, drives her Subaru through downtown Anchorage, steering with one hand, holding a cigarette and her smartphone in the other. When Devon calls to tell her that Glenn Beck has booked the Dena’ina Center, the largest venue in Anchorage, for a speech on September 11, 2010, she sits bolt upright and yells. Immediately, they start trying to figure out what the news might mean. “Listen, listen, listen: Why in the world do you imagine Glenn Beck would come to Anchorage on 9/11? You think he might have a special guest? With a special announcement? Oh,” she says, her whole face falling as the implications of a Palin campaign kickoff hit her, “Jesus Christ.”

    Probably a joint book/speaking tour announcement or some other media event.

    But, you never know…….

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger,  Chuck DeVore,  Glenn Beck,  Tom Campbell

    CA-Sen: Chuck DeVore Rips Schwarzenegger But Voted For Arnold’s Budget in 2005-2006

    Chuck DeVore on Glenn Beck, Fox News Channel yesterday

    But, Chuck, this is not what you were saying in 2005 when you were supporting the California Governator and voting for his 2005-2006 state budget.

    So, the question is:

    Is Chuck DeVore a fiscal conservative? Well, not in 2005 when DeVore voted for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s disastrous budget. You remember the 2005-2006 budget that my then State Senator Tom McClintock opposed.

    I am sorry to interrupt the chorus of self-congratulations, but I feel compelled to state an obvious fact – that this budget is $6 billion out of balance; that the state’s chronic deficit spending is getting worse, not better; and that the growth of general fund spending is growing and not shrinking.

    Nor can I join applauding the “painstaking negotiations” that have produced this document. The fact is, in May the Governor proposed spending $88 billion (General Fund), the Democrats countered at $89 billion, and they have now compromised at $90 billion. I suppose it is a blessing that the negotiations didn’t go on any longer.

    Let me run through the vital statistics of this spending plan. According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office in June, inflation and population will grow 5 percent and revenue will grow 6 percent. But according to the budget staff analysis, spending will grow by 10 percent. That makes it measurably worse than the plan the Senate rejected on June 15th.

    On June 15th, we rejected a $5 billion operating deficit. This budget spends $90 and takes in only $84 — for a SIX BILLION DOLLAR shortfall – THIS YEAR.

    On June 15th, we rejected a 9 percent increase in state spending. This budget is a 10 percent increase – averaging 7 ½ percent over the last two years. Spending increases under the Davis administration averaged 7 percent.

    Let me repeat: This budget spends $6 billion more than we take in. Last year we spent $2 billion more than we took in. That means that this year’s operating deficit is THREE TIMES bigger than last year’s.

    Now, I’m sorry to throw cold water on the celebration, but that is not progress. That is the opposite of progress.

    And yet, once again, we’re told that the budget is balanced. But the blunt truth is that it is only balanced with borrowed funds carried over from last year.

    And, a budget that the Howard Jarvis TaxPayers Association called overspending:

    “Overall, we’re pleased there’s not been any broad increase in taxes,” said Jon Coupal, executive director of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and a frequent adviser to the governor. “We do wish the administration would cut spending more but we understand given the makeup of the Legislature, that’s a difficult thing to do.”

    So, Tom Campbell is not the only politician in this U.S. Senate race who has problems with fiscal conservative credentials.


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