During the argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in the pending Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission case on whether the documentary film "Hillary: the Movie," (a movie critical of Hillary Clinton’s record and policy positions) should be banned under the Federal Election Campaign Act in election season, a question was asked of one of the government lawyers, namely, whether such a ban would also apply to books that contain references to candidates. The government lawyer said "Yes, books can be banned" under the law in question.

Campaign finance reform advocates likeFred Wertheimer also agree, "books can be banned." But Supreme Court Justice Alito was not so keen on that idea when he heard it in the Citizens United case, and now the Supreme Court is holding a rare second oral argument in the case later this month on the specific subject of book burning, or, eh, I mean film and book banning, couched under the question of whether a corporation’s contributions to a communication that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate can be banned. This goes to… Read More

A couple of weeks ago, I read an article of interest in the Business section of the Los Angeles Times, which caught my eye because of its title: Telecom Companies Reject Stimulus Money.

The headline piqued my interest because, after all, isn’t in en vogue these days to take big handouts from Uncle Sam for your big business? Didn’t Congress pass, at the President’s request, a massive “stimulus” bill to move money into the economy by investing it into, among other things, infrastructure growth?

We’re seen banks take billions, as well as the auto industry – just to point out two obvious recipients of President Obama’s largesse.

**There is more – click the link**

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Conservative talk show host Rick Amato will use California not as a backdrop, but apparently as a long drop to the ground tomorrow when Washington Times Radio broadcasts from a Zeppelin while in flight. Let’s hope it’s not the Hindenburg or of the Led Zep variety.

Amato predicts the experience will be surreal and says "it will be the first time a radio show has been broadcast while in flight."

The theme of the show is "As California Goes…So Goes America: What Does the Golden State Tell Us About the Nations Future?"

If our great state is an accurate forecaster of our nation’s path, that may be scarier than a free fall.

Amato’s guests include Hollywood Actor Robert Davi, California Republican National Committeeman Shawn Steel, and State Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is also invited. Rick will have to clarify whether the guests will be aboard or calling in safely from the the Capitol while he smiles down on them.

The show will air live and early, 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. Pacific… Read More

A couple of weeks ago, I read an article of interest in the Business section of the Los Angeles Times, which caught my eye because of its title: Telecom Companies Reject Stimulus Money.

The headline piqued my interest because, after all, isn’t in en vogue these days to take big handouts from Uncle Sam for your big business? Didn’t Congress pass, at the President’s request, a massive “stimulus” bill to move money into the economy by investing it into, among other things, infrastructure growth?

We’re seen banks take billions, as well as the auto industry – just to point out two obvious recipients of President Obama’s largesse.

So why would big telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon (all huge players nationally, but especially here in California) be rejecting what is, in essence, free money?

As the article says, “The Obama administration made it a national priority to spread high-speed Internet access to every American home and it offered stimulus… Read More

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Jaycee Dugard’s tormentor, Phil Garrido, is a perfect example of the type of monster Jessica’s Law is supposed to keep off the streets for as long as possible.

If Jessica’s Law had been in place in Nevada all those years ago, Garrido would have served his full sentence and, after serving his prison sentence, might have spent time in a mental health care facility when you factor in these California Jessica’s Law provisions:

* California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation can now evaluate incarcerated sex offenders who fit the profile of a sexually violent predator after only one felony sex offense has been committed. Prior to Jessica’s Law, the agency had to wait for a sex offender to claim a second victim. What this means is the SVP could be committed to a state mental hospital for further evaluation and treatment – after serving prison time.

* District attorneys now have the ability to file new petitions every two years to demonstrate that the offender still poses a danger to society.

* Sexually violent predators are now required to serve their full parole in the event they are released from a mental facility.… Read More

The California Taxpayers’ Association recently reported the Commission on the 21st Century Economy is proposing an 18 cent tax increase on gasoline and diesel fuel to “encourage energy conservation.”

This is bad news for California families and small businesses that already pay some of the highest taxes in the nation.

The new tax would be in addition to the existing state gas tax of 18 cents per gallon, the federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, and the sales tax that is assessed after gas taxes are added to the price. California consumers also ultimately pay the costs of the state’s high taxes and regulatory costs on businesses that produce and sell gasoline, said Cal Taxpayers.… Read More

Most politicos don’t usually socialize with terror apologists. Generally, theyare cautious to a fault. Which is whya politicalevent today in Sacramento raisesserious questions of what were they thinking. The extremist group CAIR (Committee for American-Islamic Relations)recently issued a press releaseannouncing its6th Annual Ramadan Iftar inside the Capitol Rotunda (see the release with a full list of legislative co-hosts attached to the bottom of this post).… Read More