I don’t disagree with comments made in response to my item on Prop. 77. I am, however, a paid employee of the House of Representatives and so, unfortunately, somewhat restricted in how much bashing I might feel like doing about the current state of the House Republicans. It is not so much how that I might impact myself but it might prove uncomfortable for my boss.

Having said that, I am happy to point out that my boss, Tom Feeney, is one of the good guys in today’s House…it would be hard to lump him in with much of what has transpired in areas of spending, government expansion, etc. He was one of the 25 that voted against the prescription drug bill and Citizens Against Government Waste named him one of this year’s two "Super Heroes" for getting 100% on their scorecard (the other Jeff Flake of Arizona).

And to clarify, I don’t really have any feelings one way or another on Prop. 77 although some came away from my previous post thinking I oppose it. I’m indifferent. The… Read More

Some so-called educators just don’t get it. To them "diversity", as measured by how many of this race are in a class or school is more important than whether or not kids can read.

Take Los Angeles Unified. The Pacific Legal Foundation and Ward Connerlyhave filed a suit alleging that theDistrict isviolating Prop. 209.Read it here. Their defense is we voluntarily offered to does this for a federal court. As if that makes racial discrimination okay.

If only LAUSD spent time and moneyon radically improving their schools instead of implementing radical notions of "diversity" and racial discrimination.… Read More

THOMAS PUSHES LETTER – CAN YOU BLAME DREIER FOR NOT WANTING TO SIGN?

I am a big supporter of Proposition 77 – the measure that calls for a new process of redistricting in California that I believe will lead to more competitive seats in general elections. I do not believe, as some do, that this measure will cause a ‘moderation’ in our GOP nominees. That said, sometimes politics does make strange bedfellows. I will tell you now that I never dreamt that I would be rowing an oar in the same boat as Congressman Bill Thomas.

BIG-GOVERNMENT BILL THOMAS Let me start here: It is very easy to dislike Congressman Thomas on a personal level. As a matter of fact, he almost makes it fun to not like him. In a moment, I will talk about the… Read More

FR Bloggers Adam Probolsky, Mike Spence and Jon Fleischman are here at the "Big A" with Governor Schwarzenegger, cheering on the Angels (who are losing 5-3 in the 8th, but we’ll come back!).

Ok, well, in theory, Governor Schwarzegger is here at the game somewhere. And I’m sure he has plans to stop by our Terrace-level seats. Then again, Congressman Gary Miller supposedly has seats close to ours, and he isn’t around.

Kind of makes you wonder if there is an "in" spot to catch the game, and we aren’t there!

To further promote this "there’s a cool place to be and we aren’t there theory" – we are all guests of San Bernardino County Supervisor Bill Postmus, who is at the game but…well…we haven’t seen him either!

We were also wondering how many union members are here, watching baseball while their paychecks are being raided to stop Arnold’s Reform Agenda.

Well, we’ll keep looking for the "important people," and rooting on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim!

Jon, Adam and Mike at the "Big A"… Read More

I mentioned earlier this week that I spoke in support of Proposition 76 at an Irvine’s Schools forum — well you can read the Irvine World News’ take on the event below (it is an attachment). I was not as eloquent as Tom Campbell is in today’s San Francisco Chronicle — but I took it to the educrats!

Today’s news is packed with a lot of stuff — every Thursday is the publishing day for Capitol Weekly magazine, which is the "Roll Call" of the state capitol. Clearly this is a superior publication as they have asked me to be a regular contributor! Just kidding. Actually, it is a great newspaper — and so every Thursday, the FlashReport News Links include a number of stories/column from the paper. Today’s include a piece from yours’ truly that focuses on a sad phenomenon – that in a house dominated by liberals, even our best conservative legislators are reduced to authoring some poor legislation… FlashReport Weblog Author Bill Whalen pens a defense of controversial Steve Poizner,… Read More

It was recently reported that self-made gazzilionairre Alex Spanos had made a seven figure donation to support Proposition 77, the Redistricting Reform measure on the November Special Election ballot. It was interesting to read today in the Capitol Weekly that Spanos, a prolific donor to GOP candidates and causes, had recently made a $25,000 contribution to Democrat Controller Steve Westly’s campaign for Governor. Odd. Weekly writer Shane Goldmacher reports that the donation "…continues a long tradition of Greek-American Spanos bankrolling candidates running against State Treasurer Phil Angelides, a fellow Greek-American who is running for governor."

Of course, both Spanos and Angelides have so much money that this $25k is probably the equivalent of spitting on the ground in front of your nemesis…

When I was Executive Director of the California Republican Party, I had occassion to… Read More

When I lived in Sacramento and needed a laugh, I sat down and watched Bill Murray’s “Stripes.” Now living in the Bay Area, all I need to do for a good laugh is to watch San Francisco local politics.

Sometimes the board of supervisors is passing loony resolutions, like advocating that the federal government allow a San Francisco group to trademark the name “Dykes on Bikes.” Other times, the craziness comes from the many different (and often freaky) groups in San Francisco, the high church of group politics.

The latest example is the tension in the Polk Gulch neighborhood. Once dominated by drug dealers, prostitutes and the homeless, the neighborhood now is enjoying gentrification.… Read More

No one has taken the time to write anything substantive about Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante lately and that must make him sad.

Don’t get me wrong, there was Yamamura’s mention in the SacBee of Cruz going to Thailand for a quickie (trade mission) and of course yesterday SF Chronicle’s John Wildermuth’s mention of an old FPPC fine the Lt. Gov. had to pay back in 2004.

But my absolute favorable ink Cruz has gotten lately is, his EXCLUSIVE OpEd about who cares what in Tehama County’s own: Red Bluff Daily News!!!

I am not sure, but I think I am breaking news here, Cruz Bustamante may be… Read More