I had a chance to run over to Las Vegas and see Elton John’s fantastic "Red Piano" show night before last at Caesar’s Palace. I recommend it to all, and he is closing it down in just a couple months, so time is short for tickets….!

Sir Elton isn’t exactly a conservative, but I appreciate just about any true art, regardless of my politics, and Elton is loaded with talent. Say what you want about him, he is a true artist. Stunningly talented. And to his credit he didn’t make one political crack during his one hour, 50 minute show. His biggest joke was to say that Celine Dion (for whom the theater he was performing in was built) looked like a Q-Tip.

I happen to believe that true art is a higher calling than politics, but that is the subject of some future post…..

Though the "Rocket Man" gave a terrific show, there was a little political element to my visit that resonated for discussion here. And that was the proverbial discussion with the taxi driver on the trip to the airport about the election.

I have found that taxi drivers usually get… Read More

Earlier this week, San Francisco Federalist Society President David DeGroot penned an Open Letter to Senator Boxer in the Daily Journal urging her to let Jim Rogan’s Judicial Nomination go forward.

FOCUS & FORUM • Jul. 30, 2008 Blocking Judge’s Nomination Puts Boxer’s Reputation at Risk

FORUM COLUMN

By David A. DeGroot This is a direct plea to Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Senator, you have always had guts and have a record of taking controversial stands. I urge you to recognize that same characteristic in Judge James Rogan and allow his nomination to the federal district court in Southern California to proceed to a Senate vote.

To your credit, you and Sen. Dianne Feinstein have had a productive relationship with President Bush on the appointment of district court judges. Since 2001, you and Feinstein have worked with the

It’s the hot topic on political talk shows and it’s discussed ad nauseum in Republican circles: where is the GOP headed? Recent public setbacks, including the loss of Congressional majority, have many Republicans questioning the direction the party should take in order to rebuild.

Monday evening I had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. The topic of the evening was—you guessed it—“The Future of the Republican Party.” Fellow panelists Congressman Devin Nunes (R-21) and Nicholas Romero, California Young Americans for Freedom communications director, and I discussed our opinions on the subject. Many insights were shared, mostly regarding Republicans’ need to articulate conservative principles and then execute once in power. This is the crux of the problem for current Republicans, but when it comes to the party’s future, the focus should be recruiting young people—future voters.

Fox News Channel recently aired a special called “The Y Factor” that reported on the potential impact the Millennial generation could have on the November election. Millennials, age 14-28, are approximately 80… Read More

It’s the hot topic on political talk shows and it’s discussed ad nauseum in Republican circles: where is the GOP headed? Recent public setbacks, including the loss of Congressional majority, have many Republicans questioning the direction the party should take in order to rebuild.

Monday evening I had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. The topic of the evening was—you guessed it—“The Future of the Republican Party.” Fellow panelists Congressman Devin Nunes (R-21) and Nicholas Romero, California Young Americans for Freedom communications director, and I discussed our opinions on the subject. Many insights were shared, mostly regarding Republicans’ need to articulate conservative principles and then execute once in power. This is the crux of the problem for current Republicans, but when it comes to the party’s future, the focus should be recruiting young people—future voters.

Fox News Channel recently aired a special called “The Y Factor” that reported on the potential impact the Millennial generation could have on the November election. Millennials, age 14-28, are approximately 80… Read More

That hissing you hear is more air leaking from anti-241 Toll Road arguments advanced by the Surfrider Foundation, one of the formations of the Environmental Left leading the charge against completing this Orange County tollway.

Transportation Corridor Agencies hired Scripps Institution of Oceanography research engineer Richard Seymour to examine TCA and 241 opponents’ studies on whether and how the proposed route would effect surfing at Trestles. A primary quiver in 241 opponents efforts is their argument that completing the 241 will destroy surfing at Trestles.

Seymour’s report eviscerates the Surfrider studies. You can read the report here.

The Surfrider Foundation, of course, lamely accuses Seymour of being off-base, but it’s obviously the latest in a series of actions that are chipping away at the anti-241 forces various bogus arguments against completing the road.… Read More

Today I want to take a moment and honor one of the world’s most preeminent advocate for free markets and personal liberty, Milton Friedman. Over his lifetime, Friedman helped shape fiscal policy across the world. Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Brian Mulroney all sought his advice.

Milton Friedman did not invent free markets, but he proved that laissez-faire policies must be at the foundation of any free society. Friedman was a statistician, economist, and public servant who advanced the idea of freedom based on minimizing government involvement to achieve economic, social, and political freedom.

Friedman received his Bachelor’s degree in 1932 from Rutgers University, a Master’s Degree from the University of Chicago in 1933, and a PhD from Columbia University in 1946. Friedman is a Nobel Laureate, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the National Medal of Science.

The Nobel Laureate redefined the way we approach government regulation and economic structures, and has done more to diminish Keynesian, big government approach to economic theory more than any other economist. His ideas and writings have not only reshaped… Read More

They kind of go together like babies and puppies.

And yet there is an increasing volume from opponents of the system we have here in California that allows the voters to affirm, elect and re-elect judges. Or to turn them out in favor of another candidate. Opponents of this system suggest that judges should be beyond the political gamesmanship and not have to face the voters.

I think this is a great idea if the alternative was the system in place in El Salvador where attorneys nominate judges.

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

The Los Angeles City Council has decided to ban new fast food Restaurants in South Los Angeles.

Recently, I challenged the Governor to ban fast food restaurants as a way to eliminate distractions for drivers.

Little did I know that Councilwoman Jan Perrywould take the ball and ban new fast food restaurants.

See the people of South Los Angeles when left to their own devices like fast food. Jan Perry knows that if they ban new ones, then suddenly the residents of South Los Angeles will sit down and take the time to eat Alfalfa sprouts with alight vinaigrette.

Jan, it may not be targeting fat people instead of cell phones, butyou got more guts than the Governor.… Read More