On The Spot

The Cap-n-Trade Eight; GOP Turncoats were Exactly the Number Needed to Make Your Taxes Higher!

2009-07-05T10:00:00.008-04:00

U.S. Congress: Responsibility. Accountability and Experience Wanted!

While 44 Democrats were smart enough to know that the Pelosi-pushed, Waxman-Markey Bill, aka American Clean Energy and Security Act, aka Cap-n-Trade, aka ACES, aka Safe Climate Act, aka H.R. 2454, was a raw deal for taxpayers and will likely result in the failures of energy companies (like regional electric and gas) across the nation, apparently these eight Republicans In Name Only (RHINO's) didn't get the message that our party is the one of *LESS* Government and *MORE* free-market.

This bill passed in the US Congress last Friday by a vote of 219 to 212.

This bill is supposedly aimed at reducing the "ficticious" greenhouse gases and "ficticious" global warming effect that the Democrats (most of them anyway) cling to as the 21st Century's elusive boogeyman now that George Bush is gone from office.

Even Greenpeace opposes this bill! Naturally, they want it MORE restrictive, but for "good" reasons that reduce the big industry's influence on the government for example.

This bill is nothing more than a power grab and further loss of your rights and control over your government as we hand it over to special interests groups.

The costs have to measure up to the benefits. This bill is ambiguous and ridiculously expensive to implement! The estimated total effect of this single bill is projected as high as $3,000 PER FAMILY PER YEAR.

Vehicles that are over 25 years old are exempt from emmisions standards for example. So a truck older than 1984 can belch anything into the air I guess. Most neighborhood UPS trucks are from the 1960's by the way! SUV's have to get a whopping 18 MPG- many already do- "Where's the Beef?"

The reality is that the REST of the world will not censure anything and they are growing at a 5:1 pace compared to the USA in both population and industrial polluters (pollution= bad for the environment, air quality, toxins in water and other things that Republicans ARE in fact fighting to fix.)

And even IF the whole world did these energy production mandates, it is estimated that the net effect at the END of the 21st Century would be ... two-tenths of one degree Celsius!

The cost to your family in the first year in electric bills alone? The EPA says up to $140 and we know where their loyalties lay.

You know what else outpaced us 5:1? The number of Democrats breaking from their caucus to vote against this bill! Had the eight listed below simply done the right thing, we wouldn't have this ADDITIONAL liberal headache looming in our children's future.

Hate the Cap-n-Trade bill? Blame a Republican this time.... Vote them out in November 2010 so that these turncoat Republicans can go the way of the Dodo bird just as fast as your family's savings accounts dwindled when Obama's out-of-control spending plans launched our children into $35,000 EACH in debt to pay companies like AIG, Chrysler, GM and the rest of the crooks in corporate America who propped up this novice into office for their personal gain.

Source: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll477.xml

The RHINO Cap-n-Trade Eight:

Bono Mack (CA) 202-225-5330
Castle (DE) 202-225-4165
Kirk (IL) 202-225-4835
Lance (NJ) 202-225-5361
Lobiondo (NJ) 202-225-6572
Chris Smith (NJ) 202-225-3765
McHugh (NY) 202-225-4611
Reichart (WA) 202-225-7761

The ONLY thing you can do now to stop this is to CALL YOUR SENATOR and DEMAND that they oppose the bill! Democrats control the US Senate- maybe some will caucus with the GOP again and save this from happening! YOU can make the difference! Call your Senator's office NOW!

Akaka, Daniel K. - (D - HI)
141 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6361
Web Form: akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Alexander, Lamar - (R - TN)
455 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4944
Web Form: alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact....

Barrasso, John - (R - WY)
307 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6441
Web Form: barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs...

Baucus, Max - (D - MT)
511 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2651
Web Form: baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailForm.cfm?subj=issue

Bayh, Evan - (D - IN)
131 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5623
Web Form: bayh.senate.gov/contact/email/

Begich, Mark - (D - AK)
144 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3004
Web Form: begich.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Bennet, Michael F. - (D - CO)
702 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5852
Web Form: bennet.senate.gov/contact/

Bennett, Robert F. - (R - UT)
431 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5444
Web Form: bennett.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email

Bingaman, Jeff - (D - NM)
703 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5521
Web Form: bingaman.senate.gov/contact/

Bond, Christopher S. - (R - MO)
274 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5721
Web Form: bond.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.Con...

Boxer, Barbara - (D - CA)
112 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3553
Web Form: boxer.senate.gov/contact/email/policy.cfm

Brown, Sherrod - (D - OH)
713 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2315
Web Form: brown.senate.gov/contact/

Brownback, Sam - (R - KS)
303 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6521
Web Form: brownback.senate.gov/public/contact/emailsam.cfm

Bunning, Jim - (R - KY)
316 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4343
Web Form: bunning.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Co...

Burr, Richard - (R - NC)
217 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3154
Web Form: burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Conta...

Burris, Roland W. - (D - IL)
387 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2854
Web Form: burris.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Byrd, Robert C. - (D - WV)
311 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3954
Web Form: byrd.senate.gov/contacts/

Cantwell, Maria - (D - WA)
511 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3441
Web Form: cantwell.senate.gov/contact/

Cardin, Benjamin L. - (D - MD)
509 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4524
Web Form: cardin.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Carper, Thomas R. - (D - DE)
513 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2441
Web Form: carper.senate.gov/contact/

Casey, Robert P., Jr. - (D - PA)
393 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6324
Web Form: casey.senate.gov/contact/

Chambliss, Saxby - (R - GA)
416 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3521
Web Form: chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactU...

Coburn, Tom - (R - OK)
172 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5754
Web Form: coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSena...

Cochran, Thad - (R - MS)
113 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5054
Web Form: cochran.senate.gov/email.html

Collins, Susan M. - (R - ME)
413 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2523
Web Form: collins.senate.gov/public/continue.cfm?FuseAction=Contact...

Conrad, Kent - (D - ND)
530 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2043
Web Form: conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm

Corker, Bob - (R - TN)
185 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3344
Web Form: corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInfo...

Cornyn, John - (R - TX)
517 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2934
Web Form: cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

Crapo, Mike - (R - ID)
239 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6142
Web Form: crapo.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

DeMint, Jim - (R - SC)
340 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6121
Web Form: demint.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Dodd, Christopher J. - (D - CT)
448 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2823
Web Form: dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3130

Dorgan, Byron L. - (D - ND)
322 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2551
Web Form: dorgan.senate.gov/contact/contact_form.cfm

Durbin, Richard J. - (D - IL)
309 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2152
Web Form: durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Ensign, John - (R - NV)
119 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6244
Web Form: ensign.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

Enzi, Michael B. - (R - WY)
379A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3424
Web Form: enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInform...

Feingold, Russell D. - (D - WI)
506 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5323
Web Form: feingold.senate.gov/contact_opinion.html

Feinstein, Dianne - (D - CA)
331 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3841
Web Form: feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactU...

Gillibrand, Kirsten E. - (D - NY)
478 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4451
Web Form: gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/

Graham, Lindsey - (R - SC)
290 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5972
Web Form: lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Em...

Grassley, Chuck - (R - IA)
135 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3744
Web Form: grassley.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Gregg, Judd - (R - NH)
201 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3324
Web Form: gregg.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Cont...

Hagan, Kay R. - (D - NC)
521 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6342
Web Form: hagan.senate.gov/?p=contact

Harkin, Tom - (D - IA)
731 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3254
Web Form: harkin.senate.gov/c/index.cfm

Hatch, Orrin G. - (R - UT)
104 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5251
Web Form: hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Cont...

Hutchison, Kay Bailey - (R - TX)
284 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5922
Web Form: hutchison.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Inhofe, James M. - (R - OK)
453 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4721
Web Form: inhofe.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

Inouye, Daniel K. - (D - HI)
722 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3934
Web Form: inouye.senate.gov/abtform.html

Isakson, Johnny - (R - GA)
120 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3643
Web Form: isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Johanns, Mike - (R - NE)
Class II
404 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4224
Web Form: johanns.senate.gov/public/?p=ContactSenatorJohanns

Johnson, Tim - (D - SD)
136 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5842
Web Form: johnson.senate.gov/contact/

Kaufman, Edward E. - (D - DE)
383 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5042
Web Form: kaufman.senate.gov/services/contact/

Kennedy, Edward M. - (D - MA)
317 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4543
Web Form: kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm

Kerry, John F. - (D - MA)
218 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2742
Web Form: kerry.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Klobuchar, Amy - (D - MN)
302 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3244
Web Form: klobuchar.senate.gov/emailamy.cfm

Kohl, Herb - (D - WI)
330 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5653
Web Form: kohl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Kyl, Jon - (R - AZ)
730 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4521
Web Form: kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Landrieu, Mary L. - (D - LA)
328 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5824
Web Form: landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Lautenberg, Frank R. - (D - NJ)
324 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3224
Web Form: lautenberg.senate.gov/contact/index1.cfm

Leahy, Patrick J. - (D - VT)
433 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4242
Web Form: leahy.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Levin, Carl - (D - MI)
269 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6221
Web Form: levin.senate.gov/contact/

Lieberman, Joseph I. - (ID - CT)
706 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4041
Web Form: lieberman.senate.gov/contact/

Lincoln, Blanche L. - (D - AR)
355 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4843
Web Form: lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Lugar, Richard G. - (R - IN)
306 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4814
Web Form: lugar.senate.gov/contact/

Martinez, Mel - (R - FL)
356 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3041
Web Form: martinez.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorMartinez

McCain, John - (R - AZ)
241 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2235
Web Form: mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

McCaskill, Claire - (D - MO)
717 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6154
Web Form: mccaskill.senate.gov/contact/

McConnell, Mitch - (R - KY)
361A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2541
Web Form: mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm

Menendez, Robert - (D - NJ)
528 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4744
Web Form: menendez.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Merkley, Jeff - (D - OR)
107 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3753
Web Form: merkley.senate.gov/contact/

Mikulski, Barbara A. - (D - MD)
503 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4654
Web Form: mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm

Murkowski, Lisa - (R - AK)
709 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6665
Web Form: murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactM...

Murray, Patty - (D - WA)
173 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2621
Web Form: murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm

Nelson, Ben - (D - NE)
720 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6551
Web Form: bennelson.senate.gov/contact-me.cfm

Nelson, Bill - (D - FL)
716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5274
Web Form: billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Pryor, Mark L. - (D - AR)
255 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2353
Web Form: pryor.senate.gov/contact/

Reed, Jack - (D - RI)
728 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4642
Web Form: reed.senate.gov/contact/contact-share.cfm

Reid, Harry - (D - NV)
522 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3542
Web Form: reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Risch, James E. - (R - ID)
483 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2752
Web Form: risch.senate.gov/webform.cfm

Roberts, Pat - (R - KS)
109 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4774
Web Form: roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInf...

Rockefeller, John D., IV - (D - WV)
531 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6472
Web Form: rockefeller.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Sanders, Bernard - (I - VT)
332 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5141
Web Form: sanders.senate.gov/comments/

Schumer, Charles E. - (D - NY)
313 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6542
Web Form: schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contact.cfm

Sessions, Jeff - (R - AL)
335 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4124
Web Form: sessions.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Constitue...

Shaheen, Jeanne - (D - NH)
520 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2841
Web Form: shaheen.senate.gov/contact/

Shelby, Richard C. - (R - AL)
304 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5744
Web Form: shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSena...

Snowe, Olympia J. - (R - ME)
154 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5344
Web Form: snowe.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenat...

Specter, Arlen - (D - PA)
711 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4254
Web Form: specter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Co...

Stabenow, Debbie - (D - MI)
133 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4822
Web Form: stabenow.senate.gov/email.cfm

Tester, Jon - (D - MT)
724 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2644
Web Form: tester.senate.gov/Contact/index.cfm

Thune, John - (R - SD)
493 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2321
Web Form: thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email

Udall, Mark - (D - CO)
317 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5941
Web Form: www.markudall.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Udall, Tom - (D - NM)
110 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6621
Web Form: tomudall.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Vitter, David - (R - LA)
516 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4623
Web Form: vitter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

Voinovich, George V. - (R - OH)
524 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3353
Web Form: voinovich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact....

Warner, Mark R. - (D - VA)
459A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2023
Web Form: warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Contact

Webb, Jim - (D - VA)
248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4024
Web Form: webb.senate.gov/contact/

Whitehouse, Sheldon - (D - RI)
502 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2921
Web Form: whitehouse.senate.gov/contact/

Wicker, Roger F. - (R - MS)
555 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6253
Web Form: wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.EMa...

Wyden, Ron - (D - OR)
223 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5244
Web Form: wyden.senate.gov/contact/

Federal GOP Fights to the End to Defend US Jobs and USA's Future from 'An Inconvenient Myth'

2009-06-26T23:41:00.006-04:00

By Associated Press Writers H. Josef Hebert And Dina Cappiello

WASHINGTON – In a triumph for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed sweeping legislation Friday that calls for the nation's first limits on pollution linked to global warming and aims to usher in a new era of cleaner, yet more costly energy.

The vote was 219-212, capping months of negotiations and days of intense bargaining among Democrats. Republicans were overwhelmingly against the measure, arguing it would destroy jobs in the midst of a recession while burdening consumers with a new tax in the form of higher energy costs.

At the White House, Obama said the bill would create jobs, and added that with its vote, the House had put America on a path toward leading the way toward "creating a 21st century global economy."

The House's action fulfilled Speaker Nancy Pelosi's vow to clear major energy legislation before July 4. It also sent the measure to a highly uncertain fate in the Senate, where Majority Leader Harry Reid said he was "hopeful that the Senate will be able to debate and pass bipartisan and comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation this fall."

Obama lobbied recalcitrant Democrats by phone from the White House as the House debate unfolded across several hours, and Al Gore posted a statement on his Web site saying the measure represents "an essential first step towards solving the climate crisis." The former vice president won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work drawing attention to the destructive potential of global warming.

On the House floor, Democrats hailed the legislation as historic, while Republicans said it would damage the economy without solving the nation's energy woes.

It is "the most important energy and environmental legislation in the history of our country," said Rep. Ed Markey of Massachusetts. "It sets a new course for our country, one that steers us away from foreign oil and towards a path of clean American energy."

But Rep. John Boehner, the House Republican leader, used an extraordinary one-hour speech shortly before the final vote to warn of unintended consequences in what he said was a "defining bill." He called it a "bureaucratic nightmare" that would cost jobs, depress real estate prices and put the government into parts of the economy where it now has no role.

The legislation would require the U.S. to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020 and by about 80 percent by mid-century. That was slightly more aggressive than Obama originally wanted, 14 percent by 2020 and the same 80 percent by mid-century.

U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels are rising at about 1 percent a year and are predicted to continue increasing without mandatory limits.

Under the bill, the government would limit heat-trapping pollution from factories, refineries and power plants and issue allowances for polluters. Most of the allowances would be given away, but about 15 percent would be auctioned by bid and the proceeds used to defray higher energy costs for lower-income individuals and families.

"Some would like to do more. Some would like to do less," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said in advance of the final vote. "But we have reached a compromise ... and it is a compromise that can pass this House, pass that Senate, be signed by the president and become law and make progress."

That seemed unlikely, judging from Reid's cautiously worded statement. "The bill is not perfect," it said, but rather "a good product" for the Senate to begin working on.

And there was plenty to work on in a House-passed measure that pointed toward higher electricity bills for the middle class, particularly in the Midwest and South, as well as steps to ease the way for construction of new nuclear reactors, the first to be built since the accident at Three Mile Island in 1979.

The bill's controversy was on display in the House, where only eight Republicans joined 211 Democrats in favor, while 44 Democrats joined 168 Republicans in opposition. And within an hour of the vote, both party campaign committees had begun attacking lawmakers for their votes.

One of the biggest compromises involved the near total elimination of an administration plan to sell pollution permits and raise more than $600 billion over a decade — money to finance continuation of a middle class tax cut. About 85 percent of the permits are to be given away rather than sold, a concession to energy companies and their allies in the House — and even that is uncertain to survive in the Senate.

The final bill also contained concessions to satisfy farm-state lawmakers, ethanol producers, hydroelectric advocates, the nuclear industry and others, some of them so late that they were not made public until 3 a.m. on Friday.

Supporters and opponents agreed the bill's result would be higher energy costs but disagreed vigorously on the impact on consumers. Democrats pointed to two reports — one from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and the other from the Environmental Protection Agency — that suggested average increases would be limited after tax credits and rebates were taken into account. The CBO estimated the bill would cost an average household $175 a year, the EPA $80 to $110 a year.

Republicans questioned the validity of the CBO study and noted that even that analysis showed actual energy production costs increasing $770 per household. Industry groups have cited other studies showing much higher costs to the economy and to individuals.

The White House and congressional Democrats argued the bill would create millions of "green jobs" as the nation shifts to greater reliance on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar and development of more fuel-efficient vehicles — and away from use of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal.

It will "make our nation the world leader on clean energy jobs and technology," declared Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., who negotiated deals with dozens of lawmakers in recent weeks to broaden the bill's support.

Pelosi, D-Calif., took an intense personal interest in the measure, sitting through hours of meetings with members of the rank and file and nurturing fragile compromises.

At its heart, the bill was a trade-off, less than the White House initially sought though it was more than Republicans said was acceptable. Some of the dealmaking had a distinct political feel. Rep. Alan Grayson, a first-term Democrat, won a pledge of support that $50 million from the proceeds of pollution permit sales in the bill would go to a proposed new hurricane research facility in his district in Orlando, Fla.

In the run-up to the vote, Democrats left little to chance.

Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., confirmed by the Senate on Thursday to an administration post, put off her resignation from Congress until after the final vote on the climate change bill. And Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., who has been undergoing treatment at an undisclosed facility, returned to the Capitol to support the legislation. He has said he struggles with depression, alcoholism and addiction, but has not specified the cause for his most recent absence.

___

On the Net:

American Clean Energy and Security Act: http://tinyurl.com/ph52vs

Now Virginia's Governor Tim Kaine Has Gone Missing!

2009-06-26T01:08:00.006-04:00

RPV HQ: RICHMOND - The Washington Post has uncovered previously undisclosed accounts of Governor Tim Kaine's travel as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, clearly outlining an itinerary that appears to contain political trips occurring almost exclusively during the normal work week. Seven of the nine excursions revealed by the Post took place on weekdays, amounting to nearly 78-percent of his travel.

The known trips are as follows, including one scheduled for Monday of next week:

• May 2 - Durham, NC - Saturday
• May 8 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Friday
• May 20 - Dallas, TX - Wednesday
• May 30 - Miami, FL - Saturday
• June 11 - Chicago, IL - Thursday
• June 18 - Cincinnati, OH -- Thursday
• June 19 - Kansas City, MO - Friday
• June 24 - Philadelphia, PA - Wednesday
• June 29 - New York, NY - Monday

This new information flies in the face of repeated statements by Kaine and his staff that his political activities would be confined to time that would not otherwise be devoted to serving the taxpayers of Virginia.

"Kaine said he will do the DNC job on personal time, evenings and weekends," reported the Associated Press on January 6, 2009 ("Kaine Says He'll Limit Time Spent As Party Leader"). "‘I think it will be an electronic gig anyway, using e-mail and phone and others," Kaine added.

"Even the governor is allowed to have a little fun on the weekends," said Kaine spokeswoman Lynda Tran (Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 20, 2009).

"I think the taxpayers should know when the governor is or is not on duty," said Pat Mullins, Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia. "Clearly, Tim Kaine is out of the office rather frequently. We'd like to know when that is and where he's going. By looking at the nine junkets that we now know about, it seems obvious that he's moving about the country an awful lot. How many dozens of times has he been away since January? I think the taxpayers have a right to know that."

On Friday, June 19, 2009, Mullins submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the governor's office, seeking information pertaining to the daily schedule of the governor dating back to January 2009, when he became chairman of the DNC. It further requested records pertaining to expenses related to the use of the State Police Executive Protection Unit assigned to guard the governor's safety.

Kaine also has denied the Post access to a complete listing of his political travel, despite statements that he would be open about his activities.

"I just think the easiest way to handle it is for folks to ask, and I'll answer it," Kaine said to the media on Tuesday ("Kaine on Travel," Washington Post, Virginia Politics Blog, June 23, 2009).

However, the Washington Post reports that it has repeatedly sought such information, only to be denied each time: "But repeated attempts to review Kaine's schedule -- in Richmond, around the state or across the country -- before and after he became DNC chairman in late January have been unsuccessful. The Washington Post has requested Kaine's calendar through the governor's office, the DNC and his political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward. The requests have been denied or gone unanswered." ("Va. Governor Is Really Going Places," Washington Post, June 25, 2009)

The Post also reported that Kaine at first said he did not believe he could devote adequate attention to his duties as Governor of Virginia if he were distracted by the demands of chairing his national political party: "‘I don't view that, frankly, as consistent with being governor, so I'm going to be governor,' Kaine said in November. ‘I would view it as taking my eye too much off the ball about things that need to happen here.'"

Under Virginia's FOIA law, the governor's office has five working days to respond to the Republican request or can obtain an additional seven days if extra time is needed to compile the requested information. The office can comply completely with the request, issue a partial collection of documents while explaining what legal exemptions allow them to omit others, or deny the request completely while explaining which legal exemptions allow them to refuse the request.

Also on Friday last week, the Republican Party of Virginia unveiled an Internet video spotlighting Kaine's travel schedule and his reluctance to disclose to Virginia citizens where he is at any given moment.

Obama is God Says MSNBC... Above the Earth, Above America- Woah!

2009-06-09T13:02:00.002-04:00

New Media is Here to Stay! More Great Photos from the 2009 Virginia Republican Convention

2009-05-30T23:35:00.003-04:00

See more here: http://rappahannockred.wordpress.com/2009/05/30/more-great-pictures-from-the-2009-virginia-republican-convention-new-media-is-the-future/

GOP Convention is Completed- Winning Ticket for November Emerges! [Photos Here]

2009-05-30T18:35:00.008-04:00

We may never know the final tally of the votes at the Virginia Republican Convention at the Richmond Coliseum on May 30, 2009—but we sure know who won by a massive margin!

Bob McDonnell - Governor
Bill Bolling - Lt. Governor
Ken Cuccinelli - Attorney General
Pat Mullins - RPV Chairman

Though the speeches were a touch long winded and some were as similar as the next, several stood out. One of which was Ken Cuccinelli's. It began with the fanfare of a U2 video release complete with light show and 100 giant waving Gadsden flags in every level of the coliseum.

11,007 delegates checked in to vote and more than 1,000 guests and observers were present to watch some great speeches and take home souvenirs of the memorable day.

I could go on about how great some of the others were as well, but frankly—if you cared to hear about it that much—you would have attended personally and voted yourself. For the interested, but still lazy, the entire program was broadcast on www.rpv.org and via Bearing Drift blog . For the rest of you, I implore you to get off your duffs and come to a county meeting and GET INVOLVED while you still have a country to help out in!

242 Spotsylvanians signed up to be delegates to this convention. 140 actually did. Decisions are made by those who SHOW UP in life—and especially in politics. Thankfully, I witnesses a whole lot of NEW faces this year, so I'm very encouraged by the renewed spirit I'm seeing in our county!

Oh, did I mention Sean Hannity was there and spoke for about 15 minutes? Yeah, he was very cool to hear from. And now the attendees all have a secret; they know the real reason Alan Colmes is no longer on the show with him!

Bravo to Fox News for having higher ratings than ALL CABLE NEWS NETWORKS COMBINED this year! In fact, Fox & Friends is #1 for it's 90th consecutive MONTH!

America is LISTENING finally! WE just need to make sure they VOTE now.

I guess the implementation of government socialism and the real threat of putting Americans in jail for freedoms the country was founded on has been a wake up call for some of us.

Now thoroughly unified and back in the swing of putting forth the truly best candidates of the party, Virginia is looking good for the Republicans this year.

We got our teeth kicked in last year, and rightfully so in many races. We were not sticking to our core values like we should have been and were infighting when we shouldn't have been.

On that note, Ideologs and principled Constitutionalists are certainly welcome to debate and challenge the status quo and should be holding our leaders accountable whenever possible—I know I do. But, on behalf of the vast majority of Virginia Republicans who may not be as smart as wise as you but still consider themselves to be more Republican than Democrat at least: please stop acting as obstructionists in the processes of electing the best candidate (directed at some who supported Stanley, Muldoon and Brownlee).

If the GOP has broken parts (and it does), by all means, HELP FIX THEM. But if your sole goal is to attend local and district meetings to disrupt them, then all I can say is: there are other parties that may work better for you and you owe it to your unwaivering, fundamental, constitutional principles to explore your political options and be happy with your lives. You don't have a right to make other people miserable. You know who you are...

The GOP is a big tent and it's not owned solely by your (very small) group(s). Note that this commentary is not necessarily directed at the candidates themselves, but rather some of their vocal and ill-intentioned supporters. Again, you know who you are. All the candidates who did not win the nomination acted very respectfully and accordingly made it very clear that they would work hard to support the winning team now and through November. That's the RIGHT way to handle yourselves.

Thank God, those days are behind us for the moment at least, and we have taken back freedom's battle cry that rightfully belongs to people who want to EARNESTLY govern and HONESTLY represent all Virginians... and YES WE CAN do it!

CHANGE is coming to Richmond in November! The drowsy giant has woken up—and he's wondering where the hell his country went!

Starting with a sweep in November for Republicans in Virginia, America may yet get back on track no matter how much Obama and his private club of baby killers and tax cheats mess things up for us in the mean time.

If you missed it in person, you missed a great time and an exciting day in Virginia history. Get your head in the game from this point forward and GET INVOLVED in your local GOP and GET ACTIVE in campaigning for November!

It's 3am- North Korea Explodes a Nuclear Bomb- Obama Knows Nothing About It. May God Help the USA from This Void in Leadership

2009-05-25T00:33:00.006-04:00

So much for our fearless leader and his iPod diplomacy with terrorists! It's Memorial Day weekend and North Korea just exploded a NUCLEAR BOMB! [no joke]

Did we know about this? According to the White House spokesman, "We're still trying to confirm this."

Hello? Isn't it a little late? Maybe the Richter scales going crazy in Japan can lend a clue!

Maybe Nancy Pelosi, the #3 person in charge of America, can find someone in the CIA to whisper in her ear, what's going on.

Maybe Obama, can ask his teleprompter what to do.

Biden probably gave them the formula to build the damn thing in the first place!

This happens a couple of days after the former South Korean president commits suicide, and we're supposed to say, "what a coincidence," I guess.

I'll bet the South Koreans are on crap-your-pants alert right now while we're going to WalMart to get extra Doritos for the cookout tomorrow. I wonder if Obama's lapdogs MSNBC and CNN will cover this at all.

Keep in mind according to the WaPo:

"We are aware of the reports of a nuclear test by North Korea," a State Department official said late Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the test was not yet confirmed. "We are consulting with our allies. Once we have established the facts, we will have more to say."

The country is believed to have enough plutonium to make six to eight bombs. Last month it said it would reopen its plutonium factory at Yongbyon to produce more.

Here's the story from AP News just moments ago at 12:30am Monday...

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea announced Monday that it successfully carried out an underground nuclear test, weeks after threatening to restart its rogue atomic program.

The country's official Korean Central News Agency called Monday's test "part of measures to bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defense."

President Lee Myung-bak convened an emergency security session. His spokesman, Lee Dong-kwan, confirmed that a nuclear test may have been carried out in the North.

Seismologists from the U.S., South Korea and Japan reported earthquakes in an northeastern area, where North Korea conducted a nuclear test in 2006.

A 4.7-magnitude earthquake was registered in northeastern North Korea at 9:54 a.m. (0054 GMT), the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake, measured at a depth of 6 miles (10 kilometers) underground, occurred 40 miles (70 kilometers) northwest of the city of Kimchaek, the USGS said.

The Japan Meteorological Agency also said it detected seismic activity Monday morning. "We are checking whether they were due to a nuclear test," agency official Gen Aoki said in Tokyo.

In Seoul, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources reported a 4.5-magnitude quake in Kilju in North Hamgyong Province.

North Korea also carried out a nuclear test in October 2006 in Kilju, a test that drew sanctions from the United Nations and prompted five other nations to push negotiations on a nuclear disablement-for-aid pact with North Korea.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Andy Laine said the U.S. government had no confirmation of a new nuclear test.

"At this point we've seen the reports and we're trying to get more information, but we're not able to confirm at this time," Laine said.

ObamaMan Can!

2009-05-16T15:46:00.005-04:00

h/t to Bob & Tom!

Spotsylvania GM Powertrain Plant to Close Temporarily Amid Sales Lull

2009-05-09T07:46:00.002-04:00

from The Free Lance-Star:

General Motors will temporarily close its GM Powertrain plant in Spotsylvania County from June 1 to July 12.

A national slowdown in the production of GM cars and trucks has trickled down to the Spotsylvania plant, which produces torque converter clutches for automatic transmissions.

Most GM plants in North America will be temporarily closed at some point this year, said John Raut, a GM spokesman in Baltimore.

In April, GM announced that it will produce 190,000 fewer vehicles this year than anticipated.
Assembly plant closings were announced at the time, with information on transmission and Powertrain facilities to follow.

...[READ MORE]

Obama Promises to Reduce Federal Spending by Less Than One Penny?

2009-04-29T15:16:00.003-04:00

It would be even less if this guy had a bigger table! This is really a neat perspective!

Turncoat Arlen Spector? Good Riddance!

2009-04-28T15:58:00.001-04:00

DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON – Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania switched parties Tuesday with a suddenness that stunned the Senate, a moderate's defection that left Democrats one seat shy of a 60-vote filibuster-resistant majority with many of President Barack Obama's key legislative priorities on the horizon.

Specter, 79 and seeking a sixth term in 2010, conceded bluntly that his chances of winning a Pennsylvania Republican primary next year were bleak in a party grown increasingly conservative. But he cast his decision as one of principle, rather than fueled by political ambition as spurned GOP leaders alleged.

"I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy and more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party," he said at a news conference. He added, "I am not prepared to have my 29 years' record in the United States Senate decided by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate."

Not long after Specter met privately with Republican senators to explain his decision, the party's leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell, said the switch posed a "threat to the country." The issue, he said, "really relates to ... whether or not in the United States of America our people want the majority party to have whatever it wants, without restraint, without a check or balance."

As a result of last fall's elections, Democrats control the White House and have a large majority in the House. Specter's switch leaves them with 59 Senate seats. Democrat Al Franken is ahead in a marathon recount in Minnesota. If he ultimately defeats Republican Norm Coleman, he would become the party's 60th vote — the number needed to overcome a filibuster.

Specter, who has a lifelong record of independence, told reporters, "I will not be an automatic 60th vote." As evidence, he pointed out he opposes legislation to make it easier for workers to form unions, a bill that is organized labor's top priority this year.

Susan Stimpson to Kick Off Falmouth Supervisor Campaign in Stafford, VA - May 2 at 3:00PM

2009-04-27T18:33:00.003-04:00

Come support a fellow Republican running for Stafford Supervisor- at the Republican Headquarters for 2009's Victory in VA!

Take Route 1 north, cross the Falmouth Bridge, and it's on the right just after the car dealership (former Mercedes) and Butler Road.

From I-95 north, take exit 133-A (east on Route 17) to intersection of Route 1. HQ is on your left as you pass through the intersection and Route 17 becomes Butler Road.

Radical IL Representative Proposes Gun-Confiscating HR 45: Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009

2009-04-20T07:43:00.001-04:00

This is some of the scariest Draconian legislation we have yet seen come out of liberal IL. It should come as no surprise that this guy and Barack Obama are cut from the same political cloth.

And you haven't heard of this bill? What? The media hasn't mentioned it?

... so much for Obama's transparency promise. Even the most radical Democrats should agree that this totally stinks of anti-Constitutional rights trampling.

This is just the highlights, the meat of the bill is far more invasive. But don't take my word for it- LOOK IT UP YOURSELF (HERE I did it for you) and GET INVOLVED IN YOUR GOVERNMENT before these hidden agenda radical extremists take all your rights away and toss YOU in jail!

1/6/2009--Introduced.

Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009 - Amends the Brady handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm unless that person has been issued a firearm license under this Act or a state system certified under this Act and such license has not been invalidated or revoked. Prescribes license application, issuance, and renewal requirements.

Prohibits transferring or receiving a qualifying firearm unless the recipient presents a valid firearms license, the license is verified, and the dealer records a tracking authorization number. Prescribes firearms transfer reporting and record keeping requirements. Directs the Attorney General to establish and maintain a federal record of sale system.

Prohibits:
(1) transferring a firearm to any person other than a licensee, unless the transfer is processed through a licensed dealer in accordance with national instant criminal background check system requirements, with exceptions;
(2) a licensed manufacturer or dealer from failing to comply with reporting and record keeping requirements of this Act;
(3) failing to report the loss or theft of the firearm to the Attorney General within 72 hours;
(4) failing to report to the Attorney General an address change within 60 days; or
(5) keeping a loaded firearm, or an unloaded firearm and ammunition for the firearm, knowingly or recklessly disregarding the risk that a child is capable of gaining access, if a child uses the firearm and causes death or serious bodily injury.

Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of firearms provisions covered by this Act.
Directs the Attorney General to:
(1) establish and maintain a firearm injury information clearinghouse;
(2) conduct continuing studies and investigations of firearm-related deaths and injuries; and
(3) collect and maintain current production and sales figures of each licensed manufacturer.
Authorizes the Attorney General to certify state firearm licensing or record of sale systems.

Richmond Area Tea Parties a Huge Success

2009-04-20T01:05:00.001-04:00

from the Richmond Times Dispatch:

It rained on the Richmond Tax Day Tea Party, but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of several thousand chanting, sign-waving Virginians.

They crowded into the Kanawha Plaza tonight to vent their anger at what they consider a big-spending government that they fear is taking away their freedoms.

The signs told the story:

"The Real Pirates are in Congress."

"Stop Toxic Spending!"

"Tea Party Today. Tar and Feathers Tomorrow!"

"Unrepentant Capitalist!"

"Obamanomics. Trickle Up Poverty."

"Obama Wants Your Dollars. Do You Want His Change?"

"Who Will Bail Out the Bailout?"

Across the nation today, tens of thousands of protesters staged hundreds of "tea parties," from Boston to Salt Lake City, from Kentucky to Alaska to rail against the nation's mounting debt and spending they think is out of control.

Protesters even threw what appeared to be a box of tea bags toward the White House, causing a brief lockdown at the compound.

At the Richmond tea party, some wore tea bags as earrings.

A series of speakers, many from radio station WRVA, railed against the government and the growing federal debt. But the loudspeakers weren't strong enough to carry the speeches to the rear of the crowd. Many shouted their disapproval with the sound system.

A Patrick Henry impersonator drew the biggest applause with a recitation of his famous "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech, made just a few blocks away in 1775.
...READ MORE

April 15 Tax Tea Party: Richmond, VA- Spotsylvania County Republicans Will Be There!

2009-03-31T08:50:00.006-04:00

Anyone going from the Fredericksburg Area- meet at 3:00PM on April 15th at Southpointe Walmart Parking lot (off I-95, Exit 126-b south on Route 1, first right into Southpointe II), south end of the lot- across from Longhorn Steakhouse.

To show unity on April 15th we are asking everyone, whether you're going to the tea party or not, to place either a sticker or printed copy of the Gadsden flag (DON'T TREAD ON ME with snake) on the rear window of their car.

Here's an example (feel free to use it or find another similar):

Candidate Obama vs. President Obama

2009-03-30T00:24:00.002-04:00

Let's also not forget the "bring our troops home right away" speeches... now Commander-In-Chief Obama is sending thousands of our men & women to Afghanistan... again.

That may be the right decision and it may not be- but it's 180 degrees from what he campaigned on.

Dept. Homeland Security's "Fusion Centers" Say YOU Are A Terrorist If...

2009-03-26T07:51:00.001-04:00

Fox News:
If you're an anti-abortion activist, or if you display political paraphernalia supporting a third-party candidate or a certain Republican member of Congress, if you possess subversive literature, you very well might be a member of a domestic paramilitary group.

That's according to "The Modern Militia Movement," a report by the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC), a government collective that identifies the warning signs of potential domestic terrorists for law enforcement communities.

"Due to the current economical and political situation, a lush environment for militia activity has been created," the Feb. 20 report reads. "Unemployment rates are high, as well as costs of living expenses. Additionally, President Elect Barrack [sic] Obama is seen as tight on gun control and many extremists fear that he will enact firearms confiscations."

MIAC is one of 58 so-called "fusion centers" nationwide that were created by the Department of Homeland Security, in part, to collect local intelligence that authorities can use to combat terrorism and related criminal activities.

More than $254 million from fiscal years 2004-2007 went to state and local governments to support the fusion centers, according to the DHS Web site.

During a press conference last week in Kansas City, Mo., DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano called fusion centers the "centerpiece of state, local, federal intelligence-sharing" in the future.

"Let us not forget the reason we are here, the reason we have the Department of Homeland Security and the reason we now have fusion centers, which is a relatively new concept, is because we did not have the capacity as a country to connect the dots on isolated bits of intelligence prior to 9/11," Napolitano said, according to a DHS transcript.

Hap Connors' Attempt to Raise Taxes Fails; Republicans Fight for the Tax Payers

2009-03-25T09:40:00.010-04:00

from the Free Lance-Star:
A majority of Spotsylvania County supervisors expressed concerns last night about raising the personal property tax rate by the amount recommended in the proposed budget.

But they voted to advertise the rate at the recommended level, though they can pass a rate later that is lower.

Interim County Administrator Doug Barnes recommended supervisors increase the personal property tax rate on cars, trailers, boats, motorcycles and RVs from $5 to $6.33 based on 50 percent of the assessed value of the property. He said property values have declined 21 percent. Business vehicles pay 100 percent of the rate.

If this proposal is approved, a majority of county residents will see an increase in their bill, some as much as $90 or more. But 30 percent will see a decrease in the bill.

"The British Are Coming"; A Future Step to Take Every Gun is Looming, Systematic Steps are in Play in the USA

2009-03-17T11:44:00.009-04:00

The time is coming ... in an Obama America of the future ... when the stock market hits rock bottom and money is truly scarce (or worse- worthless), when jobless rates hit 15 ... 20 percent ... when crime rises ... when leaders are so far corrupt that they have fleeced nearly all our common resources.

... When the use of a gun to defend yourself becomes sensationalized in our liberal media as a crime; consider this story (unverified and being circulated around the Internet. Regardless of whether it happened or not, the message is valid):

You're sound asleep when you hear a thump outside your bedroom door.

Half-awake, and nearly paralyzed with fear, you hear muffled whispers.

At least two people have broken into your house and are moving your way.

With your heart pumping, you reach down beside your bed and pick up your shotgun. You rack a shell into the chamber, then inch toward the doorand open it.

In the darkness, you make out two shadows. One holds something that looks like a crowbar. When the intruder brandishes it as if to strike, you raise the shotgun and fire. The blast knocks both thugs to the floor. One writhes and screams while the second man crawls to the front door and lurches outside. As you pick up the telephone to call police, you know you're in trouble.

In your country, most guns were outlawed years before, and the few that are privately owned are so stringently regulated as to make them useless. Yours was never registered.

Police arrive and inform you that the second burglar has died. They arrest you for First Degree Murder and Illegal Possession of a Firearm. When you talk to your attorney, he tells you not to worry: authorities will probably plea the case down to manslaughter.

"What kind of sentence will I get?" you ask.

"Only ten-to-twelve years," he replies, as if that's nothing. "Behave yourself, and you'll be out in seven."

The next day, the shooting is the lead story in the local newspaper. Somehow, you're portrayed as an eccentric vigilante while the two men you shot are represented as choir boys. Their friends and relatives can't find an unkind word to say about them. Buried deep down in the article, authorities acknowledge that both "victims" have been arrested numerous times.

But the next day's headline says it all: "Lovable Rogue Son Didn't Deserve to Die." The thieves have been transformed from career criminals into Robin Hood-type pranksters.

As the days wear on, the story takes wings. The national media picks it up, then the international media. The surviving burglar has become a folk hero. Your attorney says the thief is preparing to sue you, and he'll probably win.

The media publishes reports that your home has been burglarized several times in the past and that you've been critical of local police for their lack of effort in apprehending the suspects. After the last break-in, you told your neighbor that you would be prepared next time.

The District Attorney uses this to allege that you were lying in wait for the burglars. A few months later, you go to trial. The charges haven't been reduced, as your lawyer had so confidently predicted. When you take the stand, your anger at the injustice of it all works against you. Prosecutors paint a picture of you as a mean, vengeful man.

It doesn't take long for the jury to convict you of all charges. The judge sentences you to life in prison.

----This case happened. On August 22, 1999, Tony Martin of Emneth, Norfolk, England, killed one burglar and wounded a second.

In April, 2000, he was convicted and is now serving a life term.

How did it become a crime to defend one's own life in the once great British Empire?

It started with the Pistols Act of 1903. This seemingly reasonable law forbade selling pistols to minors or felons and established that handgun sales were to be made only to those who had a license.

The Firearms Actof 1920 expanded licensing to include not only handguns but all firearms except shotguns.

Later laws passed in 1953 and 1967 outlawed the carrying of any weapon by private citizens and mandated the registration of all shotguns.

Momentum for total handgun confiscation began in earnest after the Hungerford mass shooting in 1987. Michael Ryan, a mentally disturbed Manwith a Kalashnikov rifle, walked down the streets shooting everyone he saw. When the smoke cleared, 17 people were dead. The British public, already de-sensitized by eighty years of "guncontrol", demanded even tougher restrictions. (The seizure of all privately owned handguns was the objective even though Ryan used arifle.)

Nine years later, at Dunblane, Scotland, Thomas Hamilton used a semi-automatic weapon to murder 16 children and a teacher at a public school. For many years, the media had portrayed all gun owners as mentally unstable, or worse, criminals.

Now the press had a real kook with which to beat up law-abiding gunowners. Day after day, week after week, the media gave up all pretense of objectivity and demanded a total ban on all handguns.

The Dunblane Inquiry, a few months later, sealed the fate of the few sidearm still owned by private citizens. During the years in which the British government incrementally took Away most gun rights, the notion that a citizen had the right to armed self-defense came to be seen as vigilantism.

Authorities refused to grant gun licenses to people who were threatened, claiming that self-defense was no longer considered a reason to own a gun. Citizens who shot burglars or robbers or rapists were charged while the real criminals were released. Indeed, after the Martin shooting, a police spokesman was quoted as saying, "We cannot have people take the law into their own hands."

All of Martin's neighbors had been robbed numerous times, and several elderly people were severely injured in beatings by young thugs who had no fear of the consequences. Martin himself, a collector of antiques, had seen most of his collection trashed or stolen by burglars.

When the Dunblane Inquiry ended, citizens who owned handguns were given three months to turn them over to local authorities. Being good British subjects, most people obeyed the law.

The few who didn't were visited by police and threatened with ten-year prison sentences if they didn't comply. Police later bragged that they'd taken nearly 200,000 handguns from private citizens.

How did the authorities know who had handguns? The guns had been registered and licensed kinda like cars.

Sound familiar? WAKE UP AMERICA , THIS IS WHY OUR FOUNDING FATHERS PUT THE SECOND AMENDMENT IN OUR CONSTITUTION!

"... it does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.."
--Samuel Adams

RPV Chairman Frederick Pledges to Fight the Many Calls for His Resignation

2009-03-07T16:41:00.006-05:00

Despite calls for his resignation that began practically the week after he was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia last year, Jeff Frederick has managed to stay out of reach of the old guard's grasp.

Chairman Frederick is blamed relentlessly by the neo-conservatives for any failure the GOP suffers right down to a local race as of late.

Some of this surely comes with the territory as Mr. Frederick is the face of the Virginia Republican Party. However, some of the criticism is unjustly heaped upon his back for things that were either well beyond his control or set in motion long before he had an opportunity to affect any change on the inevitable.

As recently as last week, yet another rash of calls for his resignation have spread throughout the blogosphere like a truckload of blank green cards left unguarded in Prince William County. (see here, here, and well commented on here.)

The City of Alexandria GOP committee passed a resolution that called for his removal. Portsmouth and other committees are bringing similar resolutions to a vote at their next meeting citing Frederick's apparent refusal to support Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, and his constant undermining activity toward Speaker Bill Howell.

The current action is that 3/4 of the State Central Committee has jointly signed a letter demanding that Mr. Frederick step down within 30 days.

Frederick is now making calls to garner the 20 or so votes he needs to defeat this.

On one hand you have to admire the guy for fighting for his position like a junkyard dog. He will have to answer to the rumored 10+ allegations that he failed miserably in his first few months of office. This won't be pretty even if he can justify his way out of all of them.

On the other, it's an unpaid position! If 3/4 of your fellow colleagues whom you claim you want to represent — want you gone — one would think it's reasonable to slam the door behind you and get on with your life even if you are proven right in the end. Stubbornness has its place, but this may not be the best time or place to show it.

After all, it's an election year. The Democrats are frothing at the mouth with the notion that they can pick up a few more seats in the House of Delegates, including Frederick's now that he's announced he won't seek re-election of that seat again.

Terry McAuliffe will dump tens of millions of dollars into his campaign, and all down-ticket Dems stand to benefit from this fact if he allows them to ride on his advertising coat tails.

We Republicans may be left full from the meal we just enjoyed 'eating our own' inside a party squabble, but we may well be forgetting that we have a job to do as GOP Party members: FIND GREAT CANDIDATES, RUN GREAT CAMPAIGNS AND WIN ELECTIONS.

If Chairman Frederick were to heed the call of his former supporters who've joined now with the majority of VA party leaders who oppose him, and step down as chairman, we could get on with the business of electing Republicans.

I don't blame him if he wants to defend his alleged failures in fundraising, election loses, and embarrassments on national TV during the last presidential election. But his continued denial of any responsibility, and refusal to step aside at least for the appearance of a fresh start, will come at a cost we voters will all bear of (better) party unity and focus on what's more important than who our party chairman is ... like who our governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general are!

If Frederick remains myopically focused on his chairman's seat and fighting the wind rather than on the best interests of the party at large, then Virginia will surely stay blue this November as no one is currently minding the state store and cash register.

Even CNN is watching this problem, and the Democrats are laughing louder each day it goes on.

Stafford County High School Senior Debuts New Regional GOP Blog

2009-02-27T19:41:00.004-05:00

Stafford County is home to Mountain View High School and a bustling Republican committee chaired by senior Colin Brehm.

Colin has wokred his tail off to get students to become active in local politics and understand the process by which we run grassroots campaigns.

This promising young man has reached out to the business community leadership for sponsorships and participation, and hosted guest speakers from national non-profits, as well as regional republican leaders to lend their years of experience in after-school meetings of the Stafford County student Republicans. When does this guy sleep?

Now he's blogging- I think this guy is after my job! Well, true to my beliefs- competition is good and healthy. I'm just glad he's on our side!

Check out http://www.rappgop.blogspot.com/ and bookmark it to see what the GOP youth have their eye on.

Thankfully at Mountain View High- it is indeed the future!

Where are Spotsylvania's Republican Teens?

I know first hand that there are hundreds — perhaps thousands — of strong Republican teachers and students in our county, but they're often suppressed by the strong arm of a liberal teachers union and afraid to launch a club or stand up and be counted.

Guess what folks? That's precisely when it's time to launch a club! How can you teach about the Boston Tea Party, The Revolutionary War or the myriad of other uniquely American accomplishments when you're too afraid to lead by example? ...You can't!

I will personally come to your class/after-school club to speak on this and other grassroots mobilizing issues as requested. Just ask!

Stafford is kicking our butts in this regard. We ouoght not to be jealous of their youth initiative, we need only to be challenged to do better! It starts with YOU.

Deputy John Durbin, Our Spotsylvanian Hero Brought a Man Back to Life!

2009-02-18T23:29:00.002-05:00

From the Free Lance-Star:

Spotsylvania County Deputy John Durbin worked for the rescue squad for 10 years before he took a job at the Sheriff's Office.

But in all the time he spent in the ambulance, he never experienced anything like Monday morning.

In the early hours Monday, he saved a man's life.

Durbin was working night patrol, driving down Courthouse Road toward Fredericksburg when he saw the car behind him flashing its lights about 1 a.m.

He pulled over into the Extreme Power Sports parking lot.

So did the other car.

As he walked up to the passenger window, he heard a woman's voice. "Please help my husband. He's having a heart attack."

Durbin said he immediately pulled the nonresponsive man from the passenger seat.
"I grabbed him by both arms, and he had no pulse and he wasn't breathing," Durbin said of the 59-year-old Maryland man.

Durbin ran to his patrol car for an automated external defibrillator, which is used to
send a shock into someone experiencing heart failure. {MORE...}

Sometimes I focus on financial aspects of our government because that's the state of our lives and most everything revolves around cash lately. We fund people we're supposed to be able to trust with it to give us a service, and all to often, it's squandered or poorly spent on non-core service items.

It's refreshing to come across a story that makes me feel that my tax money is actually being invested back into the community {-cough- saving lives} via righteous core government services, and not just spent {-cough- planning department! ... regulating bureaucracy for the sake of big government- cough- $250,000 school superintendent salary}.

This deputy could have certainly done a lot of things 'other' than what he did, but he chose to adhere to his baseline training values that include actual public service and actual public protection. Hmmm... "Protect and Serve" ... I've heard of that somewhere before.

Thanks to Deputy John Durbin's being in the right place at the right time – and having the proper training already ingrained in him from a decade of other public service – a Maryland man is alive today, and his quick-thinking wife has a breathing husband still.

Thanks also to Sheriff Smith and whomever else from the chain of command (past or present) who saw fit to equip the vehicle with the lifesaving tools our deputies need to perform the highest level of service possible and within reason of expense. Truly, a defibrillator is a wise use of funds (you might ease up on the fancy decals and chrome roof accessories on the next round of cars though!)

This is the type of equipment I want to see my Sheriff arguing for more of during any budget cycle. You can shelve the proposal for department jet skis, auto-chalk cars, helicopters, red light cameras and more radar guns for a while as far as I'm concerned- but send everybody to EMT level 10 classes and I'll lobby right along side of you for more funding!

And thanks to the personnel department for hiring a deputy who brings to the job a proven track record of public service and a skill set that goes above law enforcement requirements! This deputy chooses to focus his life of public service back on the citizens' needs, not merely the law's text and authority.

Some department clerks who process applications may have counted that against him.

A Sheriff's office can, and often does hire 'tough guys' and doesn't balance the force with officers who are there to do more than just catch bank robbers and drug lords like in the movies.

Spotsy has its share of G.I. Joes like any law enforcement department (and we need them), but I now choose to think of the Spotsylvania Sheriffs Deputies as having a more compassionate sense of public service intentions – with a higher level of training– than I previously knew of.

Deputy Durbin has set the bar much higher for the rest of the patrol deputies and I hope his brothers in blue acknowledge his heroic act and encourage even higher standards of perfection in all areas of training so this type of behavior becomes a common occurrence.

The next time I see Deputy Durbin in public, I'm buying this man a coffee and donut! You should too, but at least tell him THANK YOU as I plan to.

Stimulate THIS!

2009-02-09T08:26:00.005-05:00

If you're interested in what your government is going to do with your tax money, this web site is monitoring the Stimulus package's content. You can read the whole thing if you'd like here: http://readthestimulus.org/ . ...all 1586 pages of pork spending and special interest cash hand-outs. Not much in there that will make it to YOUR hands though.

Ever wonder why the arrogant bureaucrats in DC think that we, the taxpayer, need to give all our cash to them to distribute back to us in the form of a 'rebate'? This is true of both RINO Republicans and Democrats unfortunately. Why do we kid ourselves into getting excited when we get an unexpected check in the mail thinking it's 'free money' or 'extra'??

It was OURS to begin with!

Did you know that if every man, woman and child in the USA did not pay a single tax between February and September this year; it would equal today’s proposed government hand-out to corrupt corporations?

Wouldn’t it be better for you to put YOUR cash to work in the economy the way YOU want it? (ie: pay bills, fix up the house, get a new car, invest for college/retirement).

Don’t worry! Big government is going to do all your thinking for you- and give your money to the big companies that need it more than you do.

…it’s your money…. And your local and state governments behavior isn’t much better.

They learn from example!

Are you coming to our next committee meeting to sign up and fight to keep what's literally YOURS?

How much more can you afford to pay from your monthly income before you aren't "too busy" doing something else?

You're Invited! Come Meet Newt Gingrich and Many Virginia Leaders Feb 12 at the Fredericksburg Expo!

2009-02-03T22:35:00.005-05:00

Newt Gingrich is coming to town for a huge reception, speech and dinner-fundraiser to benefit the Spotsylvania GOP committee and Stafford committee and YOU'RE INVITED!

Advance "tickets" for seating and meal are required. Buy them at http://www.spotsygop.com/ by making an online contribution in the amount of your ticket price (noting what it's for on the form) or through the chairman via a check, and a seat to be guaranteed!

Come to our next meeting in person and buy your seats there too!

The date is Feb 12, 2009 at the Fredericksburg Expo Center (in Central Park, next to the Hilton Garden Inn off I-95 exit 130b).

We sure hope you can come to this amazing event! The food and fellowship will be first-rate along with the cause.

This is one of our major fundraisers for 2009 and our upcoming county government elections.
If you can't make it, please consider making a financial contribution in your absence.

Help Support Virginia's SB 801; Because The Abortion Lobbyists Say Not To

2009-02-03T15:24:00.005-05:00

Planned Parenthood (a racist, rape-condoning, embezzling group of the nation’s largest abortion chains) is heavily lobbying in Virginia (using tax money we all gave them for ‘education’) to put a halt to….. yep… LICENSE PLATES being proposed with SB 801. This so-called defender of “choice” in America wants to take away your ability to choose your own license plate!

Don’t like the new custom license plate for any reason? Don’t buy it! It’s that simple.

This DMV custom plate program supports literally HUNDREDS of causes throughout the state through VOLUNTARILY paying more to sport your favorite college, hobby, or cause. Planned Parenthood says in no uncertain terms, that they are unwilling to give you the freedom of choice of your own license plate! Which one you ask?

Specifically, “Choose Life” license plates. They object because they say proceeds from the plate sales would go to crisis pregnancy centers! You know, CPC’s — where a pregnant mom can go for things like advice, diapers, parenting videos, counseling, pamphlets, doctor’s check ups, and if needed, adoption referrals.

CPC’s are almost always funded by churches or private endowments, and the occasional bake sale. They’re staffed nearly always by volunteers.

Planned Parenthood hates these places since they don’t advocate for abortions which make up nearly 1/3 of PP’s income (more than $1 billion in sales per year with $335 million of YOUR MONEY subsidized) and oh yes, occasionally KILL a mother.

The bill is in Virginia’s Transportation Committee right now. It’s SB 801. PP wants you to call your VA senator and tell him/her to say no to the Choose Life plates.

I’m asking you to take the next 2 minutes and tell him/her to vote YES ON SB 801.

Please do this now. Make SURE your Republican Senators uphold the plank in our party platform that supports LIFE, and find at least one Democrat who believes that a license plate “choice” should be made by the consumer and not the government lobbyists with selfish interests at heart.

Transportation Commitee Members:

Sen. Yvonne Miller ( D-5 ) Chair
Sen. Harry Blevins ( R-14 )
Sen. Frank Wagner ( R-7 )
Sen. John Watkins ( R-10 )
Sen. Robert Hurt ( R-19 )
Sen. Ryan McDougle ( R-4 )
Sen. Steve Newman ( R-23 )
Sen. Ralph Smith ( R-22 )
Sen. Creigh Deeds ( D-25 )
Sen. Edd Houck ( D-17 )
Sen. Henry Marsh ( D-16 )
Sen. John Miller ( D-1 )
Sen. Chap Petersen ( D-34 )
Sen. Phil Puckett ( D-38 )
Sen. Patsy Ticer ( D-30 )

And this is all it’s about:

Senate Bill 801
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. Special license plates for supporters of the Choose Life Virginia Fund; fees.

A. On receipt of an application and payment of the fee prescribed by this section, and following the provisions of § 46.2-725 of the Code of Virginia other than those relating to the fee for the plates and its disposition, the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles shall issue special license plates bearing the legend CHOOSE LIFE to supporters of the Choose Life Virginia Fund, prescribed in subsection B.

B. The annual fee for plates issued pursuant to this section shall be $25 in addition to the prescribed fee for state license plates. For each such $25 fee collected pursuant to this section, $25 shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to a special nonreverting fund known as the Choose Life Virginia Fund established within the Department of Accounts except for the reasonable estimated marginal cost for initial issuance of each Choose Life Virginia plate not recoverable from the prescribed annual fee for state license plates and the reasonable estimated marginal cost of disbursement and reporting of Choose Life Virginia Funds plus $1 per plate issued or renewed annually as specified in this section, not to exceed $10 per plate issued or renewed annually. Annually these funds shall be paid equally to the pregnancy center locations in Virginia which are 501(c)(3) entities and affiliated with at least one of the pregnancy center affiliation organizations that has officially committed to the “Our Commitment of Care” standards, as may be delineated on the website of the pregnancy center affiliation organization Heartbeat International http://www.heartbeatinternational.org/. Choose Life Virginia Fund distributed funds are to be used to support the pregnancy center location’s operation and programs in Virginia and may be refused within 60 days by return to the Choose Life Virginia Fund. The Commissioner shall provide along with the annual disbursement to pregnancy center locations a summary report (until such data is available from a publicly viewable database) containing (1) Choose Life Virginia initial plate issuances and renewals received (both counts and dollars,) (2) a count of new initially issued Choose Life personalized plates (3) total costs withheld pursuant to this section listed by reason withheld, (4) a list of the pregnancy center location names which are issued disbursements, and (5) the return address to be used if a pregnancy center location wishes to the refuse to receive Choose Life Virginia funds. All other fees imposed under the provisions of this section shall be paid to, and received by, the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and paid by him into the state
treasury and set aside as a special fund to be used to meet the necessary expenses incurred by the Department of Motor Vehicles.