(A reference to W.'s approval rating)

Thoughts on George W. Bush's latest State of the Union address?

John Doolittle ( R CA, 4th district) won his last election 49-46 in a very conservative district. One of the major themes in the campaign was corruption because of his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Doolittle was paying his wife to work on his own campaign. In doing so he found a legal way to pocket large donations from special interest groups into his family checking account.

If the story ended there I wouldn't have much to say except I wish he would have been removed from congress.

But it doesn't.

After the election Doolittle announced that he wasn't satisfied with his vote margin. He didn't blame Iraq or the Bush Administration. He didn't even try the "it was a bad year to be a Republican" line. Instead, he fired his wife ! John Doolittle in his own words has announced:

"After winning my election with less than 50 percent of the vote, I recognize that change is needed for me to rebuild the trust and support of my constituents."

I just figured we can all give the guy credit for taking blame, addressing the problem, and not coming up with excuses that ring so hollow like "everyone does it".

Mr. Doolitte, thanks.

HillaryClinton.com

Thoughts?

( Moorpark City Councilmember Keith Millhouse)

This article in The Acorn by Sylvie Belmond puts Keith Millhouse and Peter Foy at opposite ends of the environmental spectrum.

Keith Millhouse believes he should set a good example and that battling climate change will help us as a nation. Keith was quoted as saying " Someone has to take the lead in establishing some environmental leadership."

Peter Foy disagrees with pretty much every peer reviewed climate change study when he says the science isn't proven. He was quoted as saying " "They say global warming is a fact but I'm not sure we have the exact science to allow us to make a conclusive decision". The science that the climate is changing is proven. Even the Bush administration agrees. The only thing left to debate is what part of it is caused by humans. Of course, maybe the article quoted Peter Foy wrong. Maybe he really said climate change is proven, but the causes are not. If so, I expect him to request a correction for the confusion.

Cars can be political choices. We choose between buying American and buying imports ( which are often made in America!). We choose between different MPG ratings which influences our foreign policy. ( BTW, check out this latest American advance in hybrid cars. GO DETROIT!)

I see it as a mark of patriotism to try to wean America off of foreign oil. With that in mind Keith Millhouse, you have earned my respect.

Peter Foy, as a conservative Republican I didn't expect you to believe we should do something about global warming. But don't worry I haven't given up on you coming around. I promise, I won't call you a flip flopper or anything. I have been wrong about a few positions I have taken, and I am willing to admit it. Join up with some popular Republicans like John McCain and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hey, even George W. Bush's administration now admits to some degree of human influenced climate change!

Mary Pallant (who briefly ran for the Democratic nomination for CA-24 for the right to take on Elton Gallegly) is bringing some speakers to Ventura County to talk about national politics. So far the agenda includes Writer Robert Scheer, Joe Wilson, and WMD's Inspector Scott Ritter.

What questions should audience members ask these three speakers? I am most interested to see what Joe Wilson and Scott Ritter talk about.

Click on continue reading for details.

Has anyone been following the story of the American born convert to Islam that in his own private swearing in ceremony to The House of Representatives used a Koran? It triggered such outrage that Virgil Goode ( R-VA) sent out a letter using it as an example of why he thinks we must stop Muslims from coming here and destroying American values.

Maybe the congressman from Virginia will admit he was wrong?

To win the war on terror we need to show the world what democracy and human rights looks like. We also need to show it is not a war between The West and Islam but rather a war against those who use a religion as an excuse for murder. But how are we to do that when Virgil Goode is making us look like bigots in the Islamic or Arabic media?

Thanks to an old president for his assist in proving a point. It is amazing the wisdom of our founding generation.

( picture from stevebennett.org)

I had a good talk with the head of the Ventura County Republican Central Committee , Mike Osbourn about upcoming events and the past election. Mike, thanks for the chat, exchange of ideas, and feedback. I look forward to working with you to inform the community about our government. I agree with you that most people get involved in politics to help better their community.

I asked Mike Osbourn about upcoming elections, and while he couldn't obviously tell me everything he said one of his top goals was to find a candidate to run against Steve Bennett for county supervisor in '08 . For Democrats this will be an important race because Supervisor Bennett has been a rising star mentioned for other offices.

Anyways, if you have ideas for Republican candidates to run against Steve Bennett leave them in the comments section for Mike Osbourn.

I have heard rumors that Elton Gallegly (CA-24) is planning on running again. I don't have confirmation but I figured there could be a couple of reasons that the rumor is spreading.

1. He is running again.
2. It is a feint to make the Democrats despair and not get ready to run a campaign for an open seat.
3. There really isn't much to talk about in local politics right now so it is fun to make things up.

I figured the easiest way to find out is to see if he is raising money. After all, if someone gives money to a politician that is never running again it would seem shady. Giving money to support a candidate makes sense. But giving money to someone that isn't running? That would be an obvious attempt to buy access. In addition, raising money can be hard work. I figure if we see a fund raising event, letter, or interest group money flowing his direction that would be a clear sign of his intentions.

If you see any fund raising, post it.

A few weeks back I reported on a wild rumor about alleged plans ( is that enough hedging language?) to build a Chumash Casino in Simi Valley. This article says that Audra and Tony Strickland have been close to gaming tribes and their statewide interests. What I don't know is what their local view on this issue would be. Has anyone heard either of them speak on the issue? I know I sound like a NIMBY on the issue, but so be it. I don't want to live close to a casino of any type. I know the arguments about Native American independence but at the end of the day it doesn't motivate me to support a Vegas style casino in Simi Valley. Maybe in Thousand Oaks. ( Note to Conejo Valley readers: that was a joke.)

I understand why they gave money to Tony Strickland as he was a statewide candidate. They gave money to both sides in that race. But why $100,000 to Audra Strickland? Her campaign wasn't even close, so the idea that they were trying to help her win doesn't make sense. Were they just trying to reward the couple for their past efforts to support Native American gaming?

If you know anyone that works with the young power couple please run it by them and see what they say.

Make it multiple choice.

1. 100% against it.
2. Would like to see specific proposals.
3. Leaning towards the idea.

Report back.

Here is a documentary from The History Channel about Rocketdyne. Some people think it only impacts The Knolls, but the pollution is thought to be in the groundwater of the floor of our valley.

If you are a part of any Boeing/Rocketdyne activist group, please post any information about upcoming meetings or events. Also, when you leave a message in the box that says URL put a link back to your website.

( This photoshop was created by a reader Brian Mack to focus on Peter Foy's ballot designation as a farmer. I wish Peter Foy luck as he tries to pass his reforms. We will be watching him and helping when we see needed changes get sidetracked. )

Peter Foy has taken office. Here is one article from The Ventura County Star about it.

The article fleshes out his term limits platform to 3 consecutive terms. After that a supervisor must return to private life, although they could run again after a term out of office.

It doesn't mention his package of ethics reforms. We should all help him by suggesting new ideas for ethical reform. What reforms would you like to see?

I will forward his team the suggestions after a few weeks so that everyone has time to think of ideas our community needs.

Ventura County Government Center. This Friday January 5th, 2007 5PM

Click on continue reading for more details.

( The above video is from youtube.)

In this article from The Star Keith Richman is again going after lifetime health care coverage for government employees.

My question for Keith and his supporters: Why can't we start with reducing health care costs for EVERYONE before we start cutting one of the reasons that people sign up for below market paying jobs?