Friday, Governor Schwarzenegger flew up to the North State to spend some time recognizing area firefighters for their work (click here for photos). There have been several outbreaks in forested areas [good thing they aren’t all "roadless" so our fire crews can get at the fires…oops, did I say that?] The challenge [so far] was the Junction Fire in Trinity County, just west of Weaverville which is west of Redding about 50 miles. Thedifficulty here was to keep the fire from sweeping through Weaverville as had happened to over 20 structuresand homes during a big firein 2001. This blaze came from farther west and had a wind pushing it towards town, just a couple miles away, even shutting down Hwy 299. The quick work of the CDF units in the area and others drawn in from other north state CDF units, combined with the local departments, volunteers from Weaverville, Junction City, Douglas City, Salyer, Lewiston andseveral… Read More

The Ventura Republican Party has a long history of divisive internal fighting between its component factions. These divisions have undermined the core missions of the VCRP – registering voters, recruiting, training, and deploying precinct captains, recruiting candidates, and raising money. The opportunity of uniting the two major factions usually only occurs every few years. One of those rare alignments, when the Ventura civil war could at long last end and allow the party organization to play a meaningful role in local politics, is upon us.

In 2000 Jackie Rodgers was elected Chairman of the Ventura County Republican Party. By any standard, and from any perspective, Rodgers proved incapable of understanding or implementing basic programs which are the heart of a county organization. However, she was very effective at alienating both Republican officials and her own committee members. In 2002, facing a nearly united committee, Rodgers resigned in advance of being sacked.

Suddenly the stars were in alignment. The factions were at least loosely aligned in wanting reform and an effective organization. Long-time activist Leslie Cornejo was elected Chairman.… Read More

For those paying close attention to the race for California Governor, there has been a lot of criticism heaped on the candidacy of Treasurer Phil Angelides for failing to have any consistency message or theme throughout his campaign. Actually, all along, one of the reasons why the Schwarzenegger campaign has been so successful in defining Angelides’ campaign is because they have, in fact, discover the single consistent theme of the Governor’s Democrat opponent: Phil Angelides cannot help but support tax increases. Not some of them – ALL of them. So it really isn’t that surprising or newsworthy that yesterday, the Democrat nominee for Governor endorsed Proposition 89, which imposes yet another tax on Californians — this time he is embracing a corporate tax increase (of course, FR readers understand that a tax on companies simply means that the products and/or services provided by that company will increase costs to we, the consumers). Of course, every one of Phil’s calls for a tax increase comes with support for yet another program to increase the size and scope of California government. In this case,… Read More

For those paying close attention to the race for California Governor, there has been a lot of criticism heaped on the candidacy of Treasurer Phil Angelides for failing to have any consistency message or theme throughout his campaign. Actually, all along, one of the reasons why the Schwarzenegger campaign has been so successful in defining Angelides’ campaign is because they have, in fact, discover the single consistent theme of the Governor’s Democrat opponent: Phil Angelides cannot help but support tax increases. Not some of them – ALL of them. So it really isn’t that surprising or newsworthy that yesterday, the Democrat nominee for Governor endorsed Proposition 89, which imposes yet another tax on Californians — this time he is embracing a corporate tax increase (of course, FR readers understand that a tax on companies simply means that the products and/or services provided by that company will increase costs to we, the consumers). Of course, every one of Phil’s calls for a tax increase comes with support for yet another program to increase the size and scope of California government. In this case,… Read More

Now that I see Don Perata is in the mix, re-stating the media’s oft-reported but incorrect contention that there were "several" strident opponents of illegal immigration "angrily confronting" the governor at his La Mesa Town Hall stop last week (in the SDUT this morning, for one),I thought I should weigh in.

As I have noted before, here, I was there. Although there were a relatively few folks (like two, as I remember) who "angrily" questioned the Gov on some serious issues — after he clearly indicated that any line of questioning was acceptable — this was not a hostile crowd, not by a longshot.

Further, my guess is that although many in the crowd did not agree completely or at all with Arnold’s position on illegal immigration, they listened to his answers completely and politely,applauding throughout. The media have now created a fact about the hostility ofthe crowd… Read More

Yesterday, I alerted FR readers to Attorney General’s Bill Lockyer’s joining a suit against Wal-Mart in Rosemead, because it posed a public health risk. See here.

Now a self proclaimed citizens group is suing Pico Rivera over the Wal-Mart there. (Ironically, this is the Wal-Mart Rosemead citzens go to.)

Why?

Not public Health, but because people like to shop Wal-Mart compared to other businesses in the area and might want to go there instead. Really. See the article here.… Read More

ED ROYCE NEEDED AT THE HELM OF THE HOUSE INT’L RELATIONS COMMITTEE At the end of this session of the House of Representatives, conservative Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois will hit his ‘term limit’ as Chairman of the House International Relations Committee. Hyde has done an outstanding job, and whichever Member of Congress takes over his gavel will have big shoes to fill. More so now that at almost any time in history, the world is a complex and dangerous place. Now, more than ever, this important House panel needs to have solid leadership. We are all very fortunate that our own Californian, Ed Royce, has put his hat into the ring for the Chairmanship. Royce’s run for the seat makes a lot of sense for a lot of reasons, and I am pleased to introduce a column from Royce’s California colleague, FR friend Duncan Hunter, in which Hunter makes the case for why Ed Royce should be Chairman on this important committee. I had an opportunity to sit down with Royce recently and we spent quite a bit of our conversation talking about international… Read More

ED ROYCE NEEDED AT THE HELM OF THE HOUSE INT’L RELATIONS COMMITTEE At the end of this session of the House of Representatives, conservative Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois will hit his ‘term limit’ as Chairman of the House International Relations Committee. Hyde has done an outstanding job, and whichever Member of Congress takes over his gavel will have big shoes to fill. More so now that at almost any time in history, the world is a complex and dangerous place. Now, more than ever, this important House panel needs to have solid leadership. We are all very fortunate that our own Californian, Ed Royce, has put his hat into the ring for the Chairmanship. Royce’s run for the seat makes a lot of sense for a lot of reasons, and I am pleased to introduce a column from Royce’s California colleague, FR friend Duncan Hunter, in which Hunter makes the case for why Ed Royce should be Chairman on this important committee. I had an opportunity to sit down with Royce recently and we spent quite a bit of our conversation talking about international… Read More