This morning there was a conference call with media to announce the kick-off of a new GOP group with the acronym KRAFT. I was pleased as the Publisher of this website to be invited to the virtual press event.

I will be taking time later to share with you my thoughts and observations about the content of the call. But for now, I will throw this out — several times during the call I pushed the requisate buttons to get in the queue to ask questions. Questions were taken from the LA Times, the Chron, the SacBee and others, but not from me (in these kinds of calls, the host can see the callers in the queue and select the ones they want to let onto the line). Somehow they never got to me. Understandable (and coincedental) if the number of reporters with questions exceed available time. But the MSM reporters kept getting “re-selected” for follow-ups as I kept pushing my buttons over and over.

My questions weren’t tough ones to answer – perhaps not as tough as the one I have now… Why invite me to participate and then exclude my ability to do so in a meaningful way? It doesn’t give me warm fuzzies about a group… Read More

[Publisher’s Note: FR State Capitol Correspondent Jim Battin serves as a colleague in the State Senate with Dave Cogdill, the new Senate Republican Leader. In our continuing effort to help FR readers around the state (and nation) gain some insights into Cogdill as he begins his new challenge, we asked Battin if he would draw on some personal thoughts and observations… Which he has done in aces! I found this interesting and I hope you do, too! – Flash] First and foremost, Dave Cogdill is my friend.He also happens to be the new Senate Republican Leader.He’s a man that I enjoy spending time with and discussing the trials that face California.We frequently do that while smoking cigars.It’s not really so secret, but the Hyatt Hotel across the street from the Capitol Building has a great patio and fire pit where we frequently retreat to the patio to discuss the day’s legislative activities, or to unwind from a busy committee … Read More

Pope Benedict XVI answered some press questions on the flight from Rome to America, and veteran Catholic journalist John Allen posted transcriptions here.

The question dealt with the objectives of his trip, the clergy sex abuse scandal, immigration, the United Nations and the role of religion in public life.

Given the discussions generated in the local blogosphere over the display of "In God We Trust" in local city council’s and school board chambers, I thought the Pope’s answer to the latter topic be particularly insightful:

Lombardi: Thank you, Your Holiness. Now we’ll have a question that refers to American society, the place of religious values in American society, from our colleague Andrea Tornielli, the Vatican writer of the newspaper Il Giornale.

Tornielli: Holy Father, in receiving the new ambassador of the United States of America,

Once upon a time, when now-Congressman Kevin McCarthy was a Young Republican activist, we used to cross swords on some issues. One, in particular, was the Life issue. I was a passionate advocate for the party’s strong stand for the unborn and Kevin… Well, we didn’t agree. Then again, those schooled by moderates like former Congressman Bill Thomas and his moderate minion tended to…do as ordered.

Well, years have gone by now, and to Kevin’s credit, as he has found his own way, he’s moved to the right. Many acknowledge that while he still has some of Thomas’ pragmatic brinksmanship, he’s definately staked out a more principled stand on many issues (for example McCarthys’s been reasonably good on the issue of earmarks, where Thomas was a porker of some skill).

Anyways, I’ve been told that McCarthy will be announced as Chairman of the Platform Committee for this Summer’s RNC Convention… Congratulations! An honor for the Congressman, and for California. All of these years later, it will be Kevin’s job to make sure that the GOP stands tall for the Right to Life of the innocent… Read More

[Publisher’s Note: FR State Capitol Correspondent Jim Battin serves as a colleague in the State Senate with Dave Cogdill, the new Senate Republican Leader. In our continuing effort to help FR readers around the state (and nation) gain some insights into Cogdill as he begins his new challenge, we asked Battin if he would draw on some personal thoughts and observations… Which he has done in aces! I found this interesting and I hope you do, too! – Flash]

First and foremost, Dave Cogdill is my friend.He also happens to be the new Senate Republican Leader.He’s a man that I enjoy spending time with and discussing the trials that face California.We frequently do that while smoking cigars.It’s not really so secret, but the Hyatt Hotel across the street from the Capitol Building has a great patio and fire pit where we frequently retreat to the patio to discuss the day’s legislative activities, or to unwind from a busy committee schedule.… Read More

We here at the international headquarters of the FlashReport just participated in the Great 2008 Income Tax Cashectomy. Very painful. This annual yucky process serves as a reminder is that government is too big, and the tax burden on Americans too high.

Oh, to commemorate Tax Day, the internet is down here. So sorry for the light day on blogging.… Read More

Every April 15th as people hustle trying to get their taxes turned in I am reminded why I dislike income tax and would prefer a national sales tax. It would be less costly to administer, it would allow more people to participate in the funding of our government, and it would reward the saving of money.

Today is the end of a strong annual run for the tax preparation industry. Billions of dollars are wasted every year in the preparation of tax documents, spending on tax attorneys, and funding the IRS. Large portions of this would be eliminated under a national sales tax.

Today, millions of people that are in our country illegally only pay sales tax. The don’t pay income taxes. Some people that are here legally also don’t participate. That cost us all money. These people would be less likely to miss the honor of funding our government with a national sales tax.

Finally, tax policy influences behavior. Even liberals believe that sometimes. Why are we punishing those people that are earning money? We are sending the wrong message. We should encourage work and productivity by not taxing it. We should make people pay taxes when they… Read More

Today Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman will voluntary step aside from his leadership post as his duly-elected successor, Senator Dave Cogdill, becomes the new leader of Senate Republicans. We reached out to Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, and asked if he would pen something for FR readers on this special occasion… – Flash

Today, my friend and colleague, Senator Dave Cogdill, officially becomes the new Republican Leader of the California State Senate. I look forward to working with Senator Cogdill to promote common-sense Republican solutions to build a stronger California.

While there will be a new Senate Republican Leader sitting along side me during the upcoming Big 5 negotiations, the priorities of Republicans remain unchanged.

Assembly… Read More