Tom Harman’s misguided attempt to promote "Community Service" was unanimously passed by committee. (Wyland, Maldonado voted yes with the Democrats) The bill has changed since Harman wanted to conscript California’s youth into so-called "community service". As a side note why call it service? Service sounds like they want to do it. At least change it to community work.

Conservatives on several grounds opposed the original bill. See here. This bill is still bad and will do nothing to help kidsmeet state standardsin math or reading. But, what legislator cares about that?

Now the bill only forces local school districts to offer elective classes in community service. See how much Republicans support local control?

The legislative analysis says that such activities should be non-partisan and “non-sectarian”.

There was some discussion of that in committee but no real resolution. Can a student counsel a homosexual student about changing their life? Can someone volunteer at a church homeless shelter? Church Youth Group? What… Read More

Hunter’s Son May Not Scare Off Others By David M. Drucker Roll Call Staff April 19, 2007 Duncan D. Hunter (R) has his father’s name, and the status of being an Iraq War combat veteran, which leads many political observers to believe that he is Rep. Duncan Hunter’s (R) heir apparent in California’s 52nd district * except that he might not be. … Read More

Will Secretary of State Debra Bowen weigh in on the Trung Nguyen appeal?

On May 2, 2007, the Court of Appeals in Orange County will decide whether to take up the writ filed by ersatz Orange County Supervisor Trung Nguyen. The issue at hand — do the paper ballots created by electronic voting machines have to be recounted as part of an overall recount?

In the 2006 election, then State Senator Debra Bowen ran on the issue of electronic voting. She sponsored a bill, Senate Bill 370, which among other things, mandated that paper ballots created by electronic voting machines “shall” be counted “for any full recount”.

A recent Orange County election for Supervisor was decided by seven votes on election day. The candidate who lost, then-Garden Grove Councilwoman Janet Nguyen, requested a recount, as I certainly would have done. As part of her recount strategy, Janet Nguyen had the paper ballots recounted manually looking for errors. Then, mid-recount, seeing that she had picked up enough votes to probably be in the lead, her campaign made a tactical decision to switch counting methods and requested that the remaining ballots — the… Read More

Will Secretary of State Debra Bowen weigh in on the Trung Nguyen appeal?

On May 2, 2007, the Court of Appeals in Orange County will decide whether to take up the writ filed by ersatz Orange County Supervisor Trung Nguyen. The issue at hand — do the paper ballots created by electronic voting machines have to be recounted as part of an overall recount?

In the 2006 election, then State Senator Debra Bowen ran on the issue of electronic voting. She sponsored a bill, Senate Bill 370, which among other things, mandated that paper ballots created by electronic voting machines “shall” be counted “for any full recount”.

A recent Orange County election for Supervisor was decided by seven votes on election day. The candidate who lost, then-Garden Grove Councilwoman Janet Nguyen, requested a recount, as I certainly would have done. As part of her recount strategy, Janet Nguyen had the paper ballots recounted manually looking for errors. Then, mid-recount, seeing that she had picked up enough votes to probably be in the lead, her campaign made a tactical decision to switch counting methods and requested that the remaining ballots — the… Read More

The California Parks and Recreation Department is a kind of Sierra Club with governmental powers. It works closely with the Environmental Left — for example, in their hyperactive opposition to allowing any asphalt to touch one square inch of a state park (like San Onofre State Park, for instance)…

..except when it comes to a road they think is OK for reasons that fail to dissuade them from opposing, say, the completion of the 241 tollroad.

Read this post "Yeah, But This Is OUR Road" on Red County/OC Blog.… Read More

Instead of a commentary today, I would like to direct you to our featured interview with California State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. Today marks his 100th day in office, and I had an opportunity to chat with him about his first few months on the job. I hope that you enjoy reading it!

I will add as an aside that it is hard to convey Poizner’s enthusiasm in print, but I will tell you that his excitement about his job, and the progress that he is making, really comes across when you speak with him. California is very fortunate to have someone of his ability in this very important role!… Read More

Instead of a commentary today, I would like to direct you to our featured interview with California State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. Today marks his 100th day in office, and I had an opportunity to chat with him about his first few months on the job. I hope that you enjoy reading it!

I will add as an aside that it is hard to convey Poizner’s enthusiasm in print, but I will tell you that his excitement about his job, and the progress that he is making, really comes across when you speak with him. California is very fortunate to have someone of his ability in this very important role!

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

It’s time for some prayer power, folks. I just read over on Bob Salladay’s Political Mucle Blog at the LA Times website that Roll Call is reporting that California Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald of Los Angeles, Chairman of the House Adminstration Committee, has taken a leave of absence to deal with an undisclosed form of cancer.

This is terrible news, and hopefully all FR readers will keep her in their thoughts and prayers.

Most FR readers probably wouldn’t know this, but back in the late 90’s, I was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer, and it resulted in my having to have two surgeries and some not-so-fun chemotherapy treatments. I’m doing AOK now, nearly nine years later.

But I can tell you that it was well wishes from so many in the political scene (yes, even Democrats prayed for… Read More