Thursday, October 29, 2009
Boing! Boing! or Boeing
The South Carolina Policy Council has taken an interesting and I believe correct view on this "great " coup of bringing Boeing to Charleston. Not only do we suffer from a dysfunctional U.S. Congress we have a hapless collection of politicians in South Carolina. To read the SC Policy Council article go here
U.S. Policy on Honduras
There is so much going on in our world it is difficult to say what is the most important. I have been appalled at what our policy has been towards the legal disposal of a would be Dictator in Honduras. Go here to read more on this subject from the Center for Security Policy.
UPDATE- It looks like Zelaya may be returned to power. Presumably he would not be able to amend the constitution in order to continue his rule. We shall see! Go here for the story.
UPDATE NO. 2- Still working on it but hopefully it will turn out right . Go here
UPDATE- It looks like Zelaya may be returned to power. Presumably he would not be able to amend the constitution in order to continue his rule. We shall see! Go here for the story.
UPDATE NO. 2- Still working on it but hopefully it will turn out right . Go here
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tea Party II in Augusta on November 10
Yesterday I had the privilege to be on Fox News Channel where I was asked to respond to attacks on the tea party movement that have been made by Janene Garofolo. Friends - I was blunt in my response and I encourage you to see and hear what I said - HERE.
You can find where our upcoming rally stops will be at our website: http://www.TeaPartyExpress.org
Friday, October 23, 2009
City Council Update from Dick Dewar
CROSLAND PARK UPDATE - Renovation work in Crosland Park is set to begin Monday, October 26, 2009. Joe Walker of Joseph M. Walker Construction is completing his certification in asbestos abatement. He is utilizing two workers who are participating in the Workplace Investment Act Program. Once asbestos has been abated in the initial homes which are part of this neighborhood revitalization project, we will hold a house christening at a time and location to be announced, more than likely in mid-November.
LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX (LOST). Preliminary meetings have commenced to develop a preliminary list of city capital improvement projects to include on the next ballot for LOST funding. As we have done for the two previous lists, a joint meeting with Aiken County and City of North Augusta officials will be held in order to avoid any duplication of projects. A separate LOST III board will be selected to review the entire list before it is put on the ballot in November, 2010.
2010 FEDERAL CENSUS: We are also making preparations to work with other local government officials to support the 2010 official federal census. As part of these preparations a public relations campaign will be promoted. Once information as to how to best support the decennial census information is shared in more detail, we will continue to provide more updates to you. Census figures are used in a multitude of ways, including the number of representatives we have in the U.S. Congress and State legislature. Also, how much funding we receive is based on our population figures.
CITY/SPCA DOG PARK - Over the last 12 months the City and the SPCA have been working on the development of their dog park at the future SPCA location on Willow Run Road. This area has been annexed into the city, and there were several items that needed to be dealt with before this park could start. The last few items are currently being completed, and we have tentatively set a date of Saturday, December 12, 2009, at 10 A.M. for the opening of the dog park. We would like Council to place this on their calendar since you have all been involved with this from the very beginning. The SPCA has nearly completed it capital campaign for the new structure, and will be asking the City for its contributions toward this new building. Currently we use approximately 40% of their space which would amount to approximately $1.68 million towards the new construction. We have had several meetings with the SPCA over the past year and due to in-kind support they will be asking City Council to only contribute $1 million towards this new building. This will be one of the items that will be on the suggested One Cents Sales proposal that Council will be receiving later this winter.
SANDWICH BOARD SIGNS - At the last Aiken Downtown Development Association meeting the Board recommended changes to the temporary sidewalk signs. They are currently not allowed in the downtown area, but the City has been working with the merchants and not enforcing this ordinance based on previous discussions with City Council. The ADDA Design Committee has developed several changes to the current ordinance and these are being sent to our Planning Commission for review and then be sent back to City Council for final review and approval. This should be back to City Council some time early next year.
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS – I am please to announce that I have appointed Al Snell to the Parks Commission and reappointed Marsha Rodgers to the Environmental Committee and Charles Herbst to the Design Review Board. My new appointment to the Aiken Housing Authority is Frances Farley. I am very grateful when such outstanding citizens volunteer to serve their community.
RESOLUTION FOR APPROVAL OF PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AT 2340 WHISKEY ROAD - .Several years ago the City and County of Aiken formed a committee of nine citizens who developed alternate routes for a new road from Powderhouse to Whiskey. After two years they decided that the best location was the extension of East Gate Drive with the new road extending in a northeasterly direction until it meets Powderhouse Road. Additionally, a north-south road parallel to Whiskey would also be built behind the Bonnieview Subdivision extending from Corporate Parkway to this new roadway. In order to begin the planning and development of this future road, the City of Aiken needs to first obtain the property opposite East Gate Drive. This property is currently owned by Shirley Dyer, and she has agreed to sell it for $850,000. She previously had a contractual agreement to purchase the property for $850,000 in 2007 and another agreement in 2001 for $810,000. We feel this is a fair and appropriate price for the purchase of this property and recommend the approval of the attached resolution so we can obtain the property before the end of the year. Within this agreement it states that the City of Aiken will continue leasing the property to the present veterinary business until February 15, 2012. We will purchase the property using funds from the One Cents Sales Tax. During the next couple of years the City of Aiken will begin obtaining permits and approvals from the South Carolina Department of Transportation and DHEC for the proposed roadway. The road currently under construction at Pawnee and Neilson took over two years to design and obtain these permits. If we are to begin construction within the next couple of years, we feel this purchase is absolutely necessary for the proposed alignment of this new roadway. For City Council consideration, this is approval of the purchase of property at 2340 Whiksey Road for the Powderhouse Road extension from Shirley K. Dyer for $850,000.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX PROPERTY AT 103 THOMAS STREET - The owners of a .39 acre lot at 103 Thomas Street are requesting annexation in to the City of Aiken under the RS-10 zone. The present location is occupied by a single family home and is contiguous to the City of Aiken to the east and to the west. The applicant is interested in receiving sanitary sewer and other city services. This is part of the overall plan that City Council established approximately 10 years ago towards annexing Virginia Acres through the means of establishing sanitary sewer in this area. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve this annexation.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX PROPERTY AT 138 LYNWOOD DRIVE - The owners of a .45 acre lot at 138 Lynwood Drive are requesting annexation for their single family home under the RS-15 zone. The parcel is contiguous to the City of Aiken to the north and west. The applicant is interested in receiving city services. This is the second property on Lynwood Drive that has annexed in the past month, and we will be surveying the other properties in this area to determine if there are others who desire annexation in this area. The Planning Commission unanimously approved this annexation.
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE CORNERS DEED OF DEDICATION - The Corners Subdivision was completed in 1989 with the intent that these roads would be maintained by the homeowners association. The homeowners association however has also been maintaining the water, the sewer and stormwater since that time. They have approached the City and are asking us to assume ownership and maintenance of these systems. The Engineering Department has reviewed these systems and recommend their dedication. Our Staff Attorney, Ben Moore, has developed a quitclaim deed resolution which will allow us to continue to maintain the utility systems for the benefit of the homeowners in this area. We feel it is important to have the rights and ability to service these lines and are recommending the approval of this quitclaim deed.
WINTHROP POLO FIELD PROJECT - The City has been contacted by the Executive Director of the Aiken Land Conservancy (ALC) concerning a potential partnership between ALC and the City of Aiken concerning the Winthrop Polo Field. This field is owned by the ALC, and due to lack of funding they would like to partner with the City to clean up the area along Sumter Street. They would clear out the hedgerow along the field and replace it with a wooden fence and shrubs. This will eventually help screen the area, reduce the maintenance costs, and beautify the field for the adjoining residents and those using the facility. They are willing to pay for the clearing of the property and managing the entire project. They are asking the City to pay for hauling off the debris, the cost of the fence, and the plant material along the fence line. Altogether they are asking the City for approximately $12,000 consisting of $5,000 for the fence, $4,000 plant material and $3,000 for debris removal. They in turn would provide over $6,000 of in-kind help to remove the existing trees and undergrowth in this area. Eric Radford will be at tonight's meeting to answer any questions Council may have concerning this, and Bob Gore would provide the equipment and labor to remove the trees and shrubbery. The City has worked in a cooperative manner such as this in the past on projects which are of mutual benefit to both parties. If Council decides to move forward with this project, we would use funds from the Accommodations Tax dollars since this property is used by the entire community and the fencing and shrubbery will add additional value to this property. There is no current designation for these funds in the Accommodations Tax budget and $100,000 was set aside this year for new projects.
PROCLAMATION SUPPORTING UPCOMING CENSUS IN APRIL, 2010 - The Census Bureau has asked us to approve a proclamation concerning their upcoming census in April, 2010. The Census Committee consisting of various citizens within our community and other governmental leaders feel it is important to approve this proclamation showing the cooperation amongst all the bodies to get an accurate count of the residents within our community.
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REFUND WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM BOND. - Over the last several months the City has been reviewing revenue bond debt for utilities. Currently the City is paying approximately $1 million a year to retire two water and sewer revenue bonds: one which was issued in 1997 and will be paid off in 2015 and the other a water and sewer revolving fund loan from the state. The state loan will be paid off in 2011, and the revenue currently used to pay off this loan would help pay off the 1997revenue debt. The state loan is at 2.24% annual interest, and we will continue paying this debt off as scheduled. However, the other debt which has its next debt payment on December 1, 2009, is at an interest rate of between 3 and 5.1%. Given the fact that there are only five more years remaining on the debt and the small amount remaining to be paid, we have discussed obtaining a short term bond with banks in our area. Based on information from our bond attorney, we can save over $200,000 over the remaining life of this debt by refinancing the 1997 bond.
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – Elliott Davis, LLC has completed our audit for fiscal year 2008-2009. Within the audit, the 2008-2009 line items show the changes with respect to the proposed actual revenue and expenditures. In essence the audit is a reconciliation of what was approved by City Council in June, 2008, and what was actually spent during the past fiscal year. The audit report will show that there were no deficiencies found in our financial records.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Please feel free to use the link http://www/cityofaikensc.gov/financialtransparency to access our financial reports.
AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEETING:
http://www.cityofaikensc.gov/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=1125&cntnt01returnid=277.
LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX (LOST). Preliminary meetings have commenced to develop a preliminary list of city capital improvement projects to include on the next ballot for LOST funding. As we have done for the two previous lists, a joint meeting with Aiken County and City of North Augusta officials will be held in order to avoid any duplication of projects. A separate LOST III board will be selected to review the entire list before it is put on the ballot in November, 2010.
2010 FEDERAL CENSUS: We are also making preparations to work with other local government officials to support the 2010 official federal census. As part of these preparations a public relations campaign will be promoted. Once information as to how to best support the decennial census information is shared in more detail, we will continue to provide more updates to you. Census figures are used in a multitude of ways, including the number of representatives we have in the U.S. Congress and State legislature. Also, how much funding we receive is based on our population figures.
CITY/SPCA DOG PARK - Over the last 12 months the City and the SPCA have been working on the development of their dog park at the future SPCA location on Willow Run Road. This area has been annexed into the city, and there were several items that needed to be dealt with before this park could start. The last few items are currently being completed, and we have tentatively set a date of Saturday, December 12, 2009, at 10 A.M. for the opening of the dog park. We would like Council to place this on their calendar since you have all been involved with this from the very beginning. The SPCA has nearly completed it capital campaign for the new structure, and will be asking the City for its contributions toward this new building. Currently we use approximately 40% of their space which would amount to approximately $1.68 million towards the new construction. We have had several meetings with the SPCA over the past year and due to in-kind support they will be asking City Council to only contribute $1 million towards this new building. This will be one of the items that will be on the suggested One Cents Sales proposal that Council will be receiving later this winter.
SANDWICH BOARD SIGNS - At the last Aiken Downtown Development Association meeting the Board recommended changes to the temporary sidewalk signs. They are currently not allowed in the downtown area, but the City has been working with the merchants and not enforcing this ordinance based on previous discussions with City Council. The ADDA Design Committee has developed several changes to the current ordinance and these are being sent to our Planning Commission for review and then be sent back to City Council for final review and approval. This should be back to City Council some time early next year.
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS – I am please to announce that I have appointed Al Snell to the Parks Commission and reappointed Marsha Rodgers to the Environmental Committee and Charles Herbst to the Design Review Board. My new appointment to the Aiken Housing Authority is Frances Farley. I am very grateful when such outstanding citizens volunteer to serve their community.
RESOLUTION FOR APPROVAL OF PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AT 2340 WHISKEY ROAD - .Several years ago the City and County of Aiken formed a committee of nine citizens who developed alternate routes for a new road from Powderhouse to Whiskey. After two years they decided that the best location was the extension of East Gate Drive with the new road extending in a northeasterly direction until it meets Powderhouse Road. Additionally, a north-south road parallel to Whiskey would also be built behind the Bonnieview Subdivision extending from Corporate Parkway to this new roadway. In order to begin the planning and development of this future road, the City of Aiken needs to first obtain the property opposite East Gate Drive. This property is currently owned by Shirley Dyer, and she has agreed to sell it for $850,000. She previously had a contractual agreement to purchase the property for $850,000 in 2007 and another agreement in 2001 for $810,000. We feel this is a fair and appropriate price for the purchase of this property and recommend the approval of the attached resolution so we can obtain the property before the end of the year. Within this agreement it states that the City of Aiken will continue leasing the property to the present veterinary business until February 15, 2012. We will purchase the property using funds from the One Cents Sales Tax. During the next couple of years the City of Aiken will begin obtaining permits and approvals from the South Carolina Department of Transportation and DHEC for the proposed roadway. The road currently under construction at Pawnee and Neilson took over two years to design and obtain these permits. If we are to begin construction within the next couple of years, we feel this purchase is absolutely necessary for the proposed alignment of this new roadway. For City Council consideration, this is approval of the purchase of property at 2340 Whiksey Road for the Powderhouse Road extension from Shirley K. Dyer for $850,000.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX PROPERTY AT 103 THOMAS STREET - The owners of a .39 acre lot at 103 Thomas Street are requesting annexation in to the City of Aiken under the RS-10 zone. The present location is occupied by a single family home and is contiguous to the City of Aiken to the east and to the west. The applicant is interested in receiving sanitary sewer and other city services. This is part of the overall plan that City Council established approximately 10 years ago towards annexing Virginia Acres through the means of establishing sanitary sewer in this area. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve this annexation.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX PROPERTY AT 138 LYNWOOD DRIVE - The owners of a .45 acre lot at 138 Lynwood Drive are requesting annexation for their single family home under the RS-15 zone. The parcel is contiguous to the City of Aiken to the north and west. The applicant is interested in receiving city services. This is the second property on Lynwood Drive that has annexed in the past month, and we will be surveying the other properties in this area to determine if there are others who desire annexation in this area. The Planning Commission unanimously approved this annexation.
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE CORNERS DEED OF DEDICATION - The Corners Subdivision was completed in 1989 with the intent that these roads would be maintained by the homeowners association. The homeowners association however has also been maintaining the water, the sewer and stormwater since that time. They have approached the City and are asking us to assume ownership and maintenance of these systems. The Engineering Department has reviewed these systems and recommend their dedication. Our Staff Attorney, Ben Moore, has developed a quitclaim deed resolution which will allow us to continue to maintain the utility systems for the benefit of the homeowners in this area. We feel it is important to have the rights and ability to service these lines and are recommending the approval of this quitclaim deed.
WINTHROP POLO FIELD PROJECT - The City has been contacted by the Executive Director of the Aiken Land Conservancy (ALC) concerning a potential partnership between ALC and the City of Aiken concerning the Winthrop Polo Field. This field is owned by the ALC, and due to lack of funding they would like to partner with the City to clean up the area along Sumter Street. They would clear out the hedgerow along the field and replace it with a wooden fence and shrubs. This will eventually help screen the area, reduce the maintenance costs, and beautify the field for the adjoining residents and those using the facility. They are willing to pay for the clearing of the property and managing the entire project. They are asking the City to pay for hauling off the debris, the cost of the fence, and the plant material along the fence line. Altogether they are asking the City for approximately $12,000 consisting of $5,000 for the fence, $4,000 plant material and $3,000 for debris removal. They in turn would provide over $6,000 of in-kind help to remove the existing trees and undergrowth in this area. Eric Radford will be at tonight's meeting to answer any questions Council may have concerning this, and Bob Gore would provide the equipment and labor to remove the trees and shrubbery. The City has worked in a cooperative manner such as this in the past on projects which are of mutual benefit to both parties. If Council decides to move forward with this project, we would use funds from the Accommodations Tax dollars since this property is used by the entire community and the fencing and shrubbery will add additional value to this property. There is no current designation for these funds in the Accommodations Tax budget and $100,000 was set aside this year for new projects.
PROCLAMATION SUPPORTING UPCOMING CENSUS IN APRIL, 2010 - The Census Bureau has asked us to approve a proclamation concerning their upcoming census in April, 2010. The Census Committee consisting of various citizens within our community and other governmental leaders feel it is important to approve this proclamation showing the cooperation amongst all the bodies to get an accurate count of the residents within our community.
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REFUND WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM BOND. - Over the last several months the City has been reviewing revenue bond debt for utilities. Currently the City is paying approximately $1 million a year to retire two water and sewer revenue bonds: one which was issued in 1997 and will be paid off in 2015 and the other a water and sewer revolving fund loan from the state. The state loan will be paid off in 2011, and the revenue currently used to pay off this loan would help pay off the 1997revenue debt. The state loan is at 2.24% annual interest, and we will continue paying this debt off as scheduled. However, the other debt which has its next debt payment on December 1, 2009, is at an interest rate of between 3 and 5.1%. Given the fact that there are only five more years remaining on the debt and the small amount remaining to be paid, we have discussed obtaining a short term bond with banks in our area. Based on information from our bond attorney, we can save over $200,000 over the remaining life of this debt by refinancing the 1997 bond.
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – Elliott Davis, LLC has completed our audit for fiscal year 2008-2009. Within the audit, the 2008-2009 line items show the changes with respect to the proposed actual revenue and expenditures. In essence the audit is a reconciliation of what was approved by City Council in June, 2008, and what was actually spent during the past fiscal year. The audit report will show that there were no deficiencies found in our financial records.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Please feel free to use the link http://www/cityofaikensc.gov/financialtransparency to access our financial reports.
AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEETING:
http://www.cityofaikensc.gov/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=1125&cntnt01returnid=277.
Senator Jim DeMint needs your help now!
Dear Friend:
We’ve killed a bad immigration bill that would have given amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants.
We’re leading the fight to stop earmarks and to end the Congressional Favor Factory.
We’ve fought bank bailouts, automotive industry takeovers, and a “porkulus package” that’s putting us even more in debt to foreign nations like China.
We’re currently fighting tooth and nail to protect the private market against a borderline socialist health care proposal.
And needless to say…we’ve really stirred up a hornet’s nest. Now those hornets are looking for someone to sting, and they’re flying toward me. President Obama and his liberal allies will stop at nothing to silence their opposition. Just look at their recent attacks on Fox News!
We cannot sit back and let it happen. We must continue our vocal opposition to big government while fighting for the conservative principles our founding fathers proudly stood on to create this great nation.
I’m happy to announce that State Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd is as committed as I am. We’ve teamed up and today we’re ready to formally announce that Victory 2010 is open and ready for business.
Victory 2010 will be the grassroots machine that helps propel our efforts in this next campaign. As in years past, it will run our phone banks, register our voters, organize our door-to-door drives, direct our absentee ballot efforts and get out our conservative message.
In addition to my reelection, we will have a whole slate of candidates to help including Congressman Joe Wilson.
Will you help us now to counter the Democrats? Would you consider being one of the first to donate to Victory 2010 today?
We just opened our Victory 2010 account and we need to rapidly build up our resources. Will you help us take the battle of ideas to voters? Will you help us fund the Victory 2010 effort to recruit, organize, and activate conservatives all across the state?
I need your help to win this campaign of ideas. Please donate to Victory 2010… today.
Sincerely,
Jim DeMint
Paid for by the South Carolina Republican Party, Victory SC 2010
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
 |
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Scary Thoughts on Global Warming
WAKE UP CALL FOR AMERICA-ARE YOU LISTENING?
Please follow the link that appears at the end of the following video and also follow the 10 suggestions made on the website called http://globalclimatescam.com.
Please follow the link that appears at the end of the following video and also follow the 10 suggestions made on the website called http://globalclimatescam.com.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Moral Case for Health Reform?
The following article is posted on the American Thinker blog and I found it very interesting.
As the health care bills currently before Congress move tantalizingly close to passage, those who favor government management of health care markets increasingly assert "the moral case" to advance that cause. These influential opinions attempt to close off debate, as if to say, "All that the Lord has spoken, we will do." Precisely for that reason, citizens must consider if the arguments are moral imperatives in search of a political will, or merely the other way around.Our nation was established upon this shared moral code: individual citizens are endowed with... (Read Full Article)
The Moral Case for Health Care Reform?
By John W. Truslow, IIIAs the health care bills currently before Congress move tantalizingly close to passage, those who favor government management of health care markets increasingly assert "the moral case" to advance that cause. These influential opinions attempt to close off debate, as if to say, "All that the Lord has spoken, we will do." Precisely for that reason, citizens must consider if the arguments are moral imperatives in search of a political will, or merely the other way around.Our nation was established upon this shared moral code: individual citizens are endowed with... (Read Full Article)
Saturday, October 17, 2009
White House Flack Praises Mao and Mother Theresa
When I saw the following video I wondered where the interim White Director of Communications Anita Dunn was speaking. Today the Web has come alive with the information. She was speaking at the Washington National Cathedral to the 2009 high school graduation class of the St. Andrews Episcopal School. Many children of Washington's rich and famous have attended the this well known school. Dunn has long been a flack for the Democrats and is reportedly married to Obama's personal lawyer.
What are they Thinking?
Today's news on Honduras reports that legally deposed President and would be Dictator Zelaya is boycotting peace talks because he can't get his own way. Senator DeMint published his report on the situation a few days go and it is timely to post it here today. How we can be on the side of Zelaya and his buddy Chavez is beyond my comprehension.
What I Heard in Honduras
Our ambassador is the only person I met there who thinks there was a 'coup.' Let's release the State Department legal analysis.
By JIM DEMINT
In the last three months, much has been made of a supposed military "coup" that whisked former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya from power and the supposed chaos it has created.After visiting Tegucigalpa last week and meeting with a cross section of leaders from Honduras's government, business community, and civil society, I can report there is no chaos there. There is, however, chaos to spare in the Obama administration's policy toward our poor and loyal allies in Honduras.That policy was set in a snap decision the day Mr. Zelaya was removed from office, without a full assessment of either the facts or reliable legal analysis of the constitutional provisions at issue. Three months later, it remains in force, despite mounting evidence of its moral and legal incoherence.Associated PressHonduras's ousted President Manuel ZelayaWhile in Honduras, I spoke to dozens of Hondurans, from nonpartisan members of civil society to former Zelaya political allies, from Supreme Court judges to presidential candidates and even personal friends of Mr. Zelaya. Each relayed stories of a man changed and corrupted by power. The evidence of Mr. Zelaya's abuses of presidential power—and his illegal attempts to rewrite the Honduran Constitution, a la Hugo Chávez—is not only overwhelming but uncontroverted.The presidential election is on schedule for Nov. 29. Under Honduras's one-term-limit, Mr. Zelaya could not have sought re-election anyway. Current President Roberto Micheletti—who was installed after Mr. Zelaya's removal, per the Honduran Constitution—is not on the ballot either. The presidential candidates were nominated in primary elections almost a year ago, and all of them—including Mr. Zelaya's former vice president—expect the elections to be free, fair and transparent, as has every Honduran election for a generation.In a day packed with meetings, we met only one person in Honduras who opposed Mr. Zelaya's ouster, who wishes his return, and who mystifyingly rejects the legitimacy of the November elections: U.S. Ambassador Hugo Llorens.When I asked Ambassador Llorens why the U.S. government insists on labeling what appears to the entire country to be the constitutional removal of Mr. Zelaya a "coup," he urged me to read the legal opinion drafted by the State Department's top lawyer, Harold Koh. As it happens, I have asked to see Mr. Koh's report before and since my trip, but all requests to publicly disclose it have been denied.On the other hand, the only thorough examination of the facts to date—conducted by a senior analyst at the Law Library of Congress—confirms the legality and constitutionality of Mr. Zelaya's ouster. (It's on the Internet here .)Unlike the Obama administration's snap decision after June 28, the Law Library report is grounded in the facts of the case and the intricacies of Honduran constitutional law. So persuasive is the report that after its release, the New Republic's James Kirchick concluded in an Oct. 3 article that President Obama's hastily decided Honduras policy is now "a mistake in search of a rationale."The Hondurans I met agree. All everyone seemed to want was a chance to make their case, or at least an independent review of the facts.So far, the Obama administration has ignored these requests and instead has repeatedly doubled down. It's revoked the U.S. travel visas of President Micheletti, his government and private citizens, and refuses to talk to the government in Tegucigalpa. It's frozen desperately needed financial assistance to one of the poorest and friendliest U.S. allies in the region. It won't release the legal basis for its insistence on Mr. Zelaya's restoration to power. Nor has it explained why it's setting aside America's longstanding policy of supporting free elections to settle these kinds of disputes.But these elections are the only way out—a fact even the Obama administration must see. The Honduran constitution prohibits Zelaya's return to power. The election date is set by law for Nov. 29. The elections will be monitored by international observers and overseen by an apolitical body, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, whose impartiality and independence has been roundly praised, even by Ambassador Llorens.America's Founding Fathers—like the framers of Honduras's own constitution—believed strong institutions were necessary to defend freedom and democracy from the ambitions of would-be tyrants and dictators. Faced by Mr. Zelaya's attempted usurpations, the institutions of Honduran democracy performed as designed, and as our own Founding Fathers would have hoped.Hondurans are therefore left scratching their heads. They know why Hugo Chávez, Daniel Ortega and the Castro brothers oppose free elections and the removal of would-be dictators, but they can't understand why the Obama administration does.Mr. DeMint, a Republican senator from South Carolina, is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Future Prospects for Economic Liberty
The following is the lead-in to an article that appears in the latest edition of Imprimis a publication of Hillsdale College. I recommend Imprimis to everyone and a free subscription is available or it can be read online.Go here
Future Prospects for Economic Liberty
WALTER WILLIAMS is the John M. Olin distinguished professor of economics at George Mason University. He holds a B.A. from California State University at Los Angeles and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in economics from UCLA. He has received numerous fellowships and awards, including a Hoover Institution National Fellowship and the Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation George Washington Medal of Honor. A nationally syndicated columnist, his articles and essays have appeared in publications such as Economic Inquiry, American Economic Review, National Review, Reader's Digest, Policy Review and Newsweek. Dr. Williams has authored six books, including The State Against Blacks (later made into a PBS documentary entitled Good Intentions) and Liberty Versus the Tyranny of Socialism.The following is adapted from a lecture delivered on August 2, 2009, during a Hillsdale College cruise from Venice to Athens aboard the Crystal Serenity.One of the justifications for the massive growth of government in the 20th and now the 21st centuries, far beyond the narrow limits envisioned by the founders of our nation, is the need to promote what the government defines as fair and just. But this begs the prior and more fundamental question: What is the legitimate role of government in a free society? To understand how America's Founders answered this question, we have only to look at the rule book they gave us-the Constitution. Most of what they understood as legitimate powers of the federal government are enumerated in Article 1, Section 8. Congress is authorized there to do 21 things, and as much as three-quarters of what Congress taxes us and spends our money for today is nowhere to be found on that list. To cite just a few examples, there is no constitutional authority for Congress to subsidize farms, bail out banks, or manage car companies. In this sense, I think we can safely say that America has departed from the constitutional principle of limited government that made us great and prosperous.more
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Racism: New low in political debate
Today's Aiken Standard carried anther excellent column by Jack DeVine and if you have not read it it is worth your time.Just follow the link below:
Racism: New low in political debate
10/14/2009 12:30 AM
By JACK DeVINE
Columnist
Frankly, I've little desire to write about racism, a nasty third-rail topic. But the recent barrage of assertions that criticism of President Obama is fundamentally racist begs for response. So here goes-- more.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Deja Vu
It seems to me I heard this song before! If you want some other thoughts that seem as though they were written yesterday I recommend ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ayn Rand.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
City Council Update from Dick Dewar
SPECIAL NOTE – This is a copy of a Press Release from the Municipal Association of South Carolina.
“City of Aiken Councilmember Graduates from Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government Councilmember Dick Dewar from the City of Aiken graduated from the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government on February 18. Graduates received their diplomas during the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Hometown, SC Legislative Action Day in Columbia. Established in 1986, the Institute is a program of the Municipal Association of South Carolina that gives municipal officials a strong foundation in the operation of local government. Participants learn about the role of elected officials and administrative staff and the relationships municipal officials have with other local governments, the state and federal government. The Institute includes two daylong sessions and three evening satellite broadcasts. “For more than 20 years, the Association has encouraged local elected officials to participate in the Institute, whether they are newly elected or have served for a while,” said Miriam Hair, executive director of the Municipal Association. “This Institute gives elected leaders with diverse personal and professional backgrounds an understanding and overview of the details of running a local government.” Highlights of topics covered during the sessions include the Freedom of Information Act, team building, budgeting, planning and zoning, human resources and economic development. The Municipal Association plans and presents the Institute in cooperation with the University of South Carolina’s Institute of Public Service and Policy Research and Clemson University’s Strom Thurmond Institute. The Institute draws its faculty from recognized local government leaders in South Carolina and other states, state officials, faculty and staff of the state’s colleges and universities, and other guest lecturers.”
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX PROPERTY ON LYNWOOD DRIVE – The owners of property at 134 Lynwood Drive are requesting annexation through their back property line to receive city services. They are interested in our solid waste services and other benefits of being in the city. The .41 acre property is compatible with our RS-15 zoning, and the Planning Commission unanimously recommended annexation of this property.
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE USE OF LANCASTER STREET FOR AIKEN GOLF CLUB PARKING. At the July 7, 2009, Design Review Board meeting, an application was received from the Aiken Golf Club to use a portion of Lancaster Street south of Highland Park Drive for parking. This area has been used for parking over the last several decades, and they would like to create a better defined parking area. The new area will have a crushed gravel base with granite screens on top and a retaining wall will be built to minimize any fill around the existing trees. The Design Review Board unanimously approved the work in the right of way off of Highland Park Drive and Lancaster Street. Larry Morris recently met with consultants for the Aiken Golf Club to receive the necessary details concerning drainage for this newly created area. He states in his memo that the drainage will be spread across the course to maximize infiltration of the additional stormwater runoff. After reviewing these plans it is his recommendation that Council approve this new parking lot design.
APPROVAL OF ACCOMMODATIONS TAX COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS - At the March 23, 2009, meeting City Council approved the recommendations of the Accommodations Tax Committee for this fiscal year. Although there were requests of nearly $500,000 from the 15 applications only $129,100 was available. Council stated that if any further funds became available, we should increase the funding for each of the events. The State Accommodations Tax Program ended for the 2008-2009 fiscal year with $49,725 available from funds that were not previously used. The Accommodations Tax Committee recommends that Council increase funding to all the previously approved events by 25% which amounts to $42,750. The remaining amount would be added to the Contingency Fund for future projects. If the funds are not used for this event, they will be rolled over to be used next year.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REFUND WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM BOND - Over the last several months the City has been reviewing revenue bond debt for utilities. Currently the City is paying approximately $1 million a year to retire two water and sewer revenue bonds: one which was issued in 1997 and will be paid off in 2015 and the other a water and sewer revolving fund loan from the state. The state loan will be paid off in 2011, and the revenue currently used to pay off this loan would help pay off the 1997revenue debt. The state loan is at 2.24% annual interest, and we will continue paying this debt off as scheduled. However, the other debt which has its next debt payment on December 1, 2009, is at an interest rate of between 3 and 5.1%. Given the fact that there are only five more years remaining on the debt and the small amount remaining to be paid, we have discussed obtaining a short term bond with banks in our area. Based on information from our bond attorney, we can save over $200,000 over the remaining life of this debt by refinancing the 1997 bond. At tonight's meeting we are recommending Council's approval of the attached ordinance.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – Elliott Davis, LLC has completed our audit for fiscal year 2008-2009. Within the audit the 2008-2009 line items show the changes with respect to the proposed actual revenue and expenditures. In essence the audit is a reconciliation of what was approved by City Council in June, 2008, and what was actually spent during the past fiscal year. The audit report will show that there were no deficiencies found in our financial records. At tonight's meeting Laurie Smith of Elliott Davis will discuss various aspects of the audit and answer any questions you have concerning it and our Post Retirement Medical Benefits Account known as GASB45.
REQUEST FOR HORSE TROUGH GRANT - The Aiken County Historical Commission has recently placed a horse trough on South Boundary between Newberry and Laurens. This was moved from behind the Courthouse to its present location. They plan to provide fresh water for individuals who wish to water their horses either before or after they ride through Hitchcock Woods. This is a very popular spot for parking horse trailers and off loading horses for the ride through the Woods. The Historical Commission is requesting a grant of $2,500 to defray their costs to install the horse trough and to help pay for the water tap and impact fees associated with the horse trough. They state in the attached letter that several other entities have helped to provide financial support towards this project. The County has provided the man hours to move the horse trough, install it, and to provide the trenching and piping. The Friends of the Museum provided some grant money for the piping and other financial assistance. They are requesting that the City provide a grant of $2,500 to help defray these costs which includes $550 for the meter and tap and $750 for the impact fee.
AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEETING:
http://www.cityofaikensc.gov/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=1120&cntnt01returnid=277.
“City of Aiken Councilmember Graduates from Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government Councilmember Dick Dewar from the City of Aiken graduated from the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government on February 18. Graduates received their diplomas during the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Hometown, SC Legislative Action Day in Columbia. Established in 1986, the Institute is a program of the Municipal Association of South Carolina that gives municipal officials a strong foundation in the operation of local government. Participants learn about the role of elected officials and administrative staff and the relationships municipal officials have with other local governments, the state and federal government. The Institute includes two daylong sessions and three evening satellite broadcasts. “For more than 20 years, the Association has encouraged local elected officials to participate in the Institute, whether they are newly elected or have served for a while,” said Miriam Hair, executive director of the Municipal Association. “This Institute gives elected leaders with diverse personal and professional backgrounds an understanding and overview of the details of running a local government.” Highlights of topics covered during the sessions include the Freedom of Information Act, team building, budgeting, planning and zoning, human resources and economic development. The Municipal Association plans and presents the Institute in cooperation with the University of South Carolina’s Institute of Public Service and Policy Research and Clemson University’s Strom Thurmond Institute. The Institute draws its faculty from recognized local government leaders in South Carolina and other states, state officials, faculty and staff of the state’s colleges and universities, and other guest lecturers.”
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX PROPERTY ON LYNWOOD DRIVE – The owners of property at 134 Lynwood Drive are requesting annexation through their back property line to receive city services. They are interested in our solid waste services and other benefits of being in the city. The .41 acre property is compatible with our RS-15 zoning, and the Planning Commission unanimously recommended annexation of this property.
SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE USE OF LANCASTER STREET FOR AIKEN GOLF CLUB PARKING. At the July 7, 2009, Design Review Board meeting, an application was received from the Aiken Golf Club to use a portion of Lancaster Street south of Highland Park Drive for parking. This area has been used for parking over the last several decades, and they would like to create a better defined parking area. The new area will have a crushed gravel base with granite screens on top and a retaining wall will be built to minimize any fill around the existing trees. The Design Review Board unanimously approved the work in the right of way off of Highland Park Drive and Lancaster Street. Larry Morris recently met with consultants for the Aiken Golf Club to receive the necessary details concerning drainage for this newly created area. He states in his memo that the drainage will be spread across the course to maximize infiltration of the additional stormwater runoff. After reviewing these plans it is his recommendation that Council approve this new parking lot design.
APPROVAL OF ACCOMMODATIONS TAX COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS - At the March 23, 2009, meeting City Council approved the recommendations of the Accommodations Tax Committee for this fiscal year. Although there were requests of nearly $500,000 from the 15 applications only $129,100 was available. Council stated that if any further funds became available, we should increase the funding for each of the events. The State Accommodations Tax Program ended for the 2008-2009 fiscal year with $49,725 available from funds that were not previously used. The Accommodations Tax Committee recommends that Council increase funding to all the previously approved events by 25% which amounts to $42,750. The remaining amount would be added to the Contingency Fund for future projects. If the funds are not used for this event, they will be rolled over to be used next year.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REFUND WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM BOND - Over the last several months the City has been reviewing revenue bond debt for utilities. Currently the City is paying approximately $1 million a year to retire two water and sewer revenue bonds: one which was issued in 1997 and will be paid off in 2015 and the other a water and sewer revolving fund loan from the state. The state loan will be paid off in 2011, and the revenue currently used to pay off this loan would help pay off the 1997revenue debt. The state loan is at 2.24% annual interest, and we will continue paying this debt off as scheduled. However, the other debt which has its next debt payment on December 1, 2009, is at an interest rate of between 3 and 5.1%. Given the fact that there are only five more years remaining on the debt and the small amount remaining to be paid, we have discussed obtaining a short term bond with banks in our area. Based on information from our bond attorney, we can save over $200,000 over the remaining life of this debt by refinancing the 1997 bond. At tonight's meeting we are recommending Council's approval of the attached ordinance.
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – Elliott Davis, LLC has completed our audit for fiscal year 2008-2009. Within the audit the 2008-2009 line items show the changes with respect to the proposed actual revenue and expenditures. In essence the audit is a reconciliation of what was approved by City Council in June, 2008, and what was actually spent during the past fiscal year. The audit report will show that there were no deficiencies found in our financial records. At tonight's meeting Laurie Smith of Elliott Davis will discuss various aspects of the audit and answer any questions you have concerning it and our Post Retirement Medical Benefits Account known as GASB45.
REQUEST FOR HORSE TROUGH GRANT - The Aiken County Historical Commission has recently placed a horse trough on South Boundary between Newberry and Laurens. This was moved from behind the Courthouse to its present location. They plan to provide fresh water for individuals who wish to water their horses either before or after they ride through Hitchcock Woods. This is a very popular spot for parking horse trailers and off loading horses for the ride through the Woods. The Historical Commission is requesting a grant of $2,500 to defray their costs to install the horse trough and to help pay for the water tap and impact fees associated with the horse trough. They state in the attached letter that several other entities have helped to provide financial support towards this project. The County has provided the man hours to move the horse trough, install it, and to provide the trenching and piping. The Friends of the Museum provided some grant money for the piping and other financial assistance. They are requesting that the City provide a grant of $2,500 to help defray these costs which includes $550 for the meter and tap and $750 for the impact fee.
AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEETING:
http://www.cityofaikensc.gov/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=1120&cntnt01returnid=277.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Obama and the General
The following article appears in the WSJ Opinion Journal today. To read the entire article and the many excellent comments go here:
Democrats have found someone worth fighting in Afghanistan. His name is Stan McChrystal.
The other night, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi went after the commander of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan, "with all due respect," for supposedly disrespecting the chain of command. Around the Congressional Democratic Caucus, we're told Members refer to General McChrystal as "General MacArthur," after the commander in Korea sacked by Harry Truman.
White House aides have fanned these flames with recent leaks to the media that "officials are challenging" his assessment asking for more troops. In the last two days, the White House National Security Adviser and the Secretary of Defense have both suggested that the general should keep his mouth shut. President Obama called him in Friday for a talking-to on the tarmac at Copenhagen airport.
Doomsday in Denmark
Just in case you missed it! The following piece from Carl Langley was published in the Aiken Standard today.
Holy Shazam, Batman, did you see what just happened to SuperObama? said Robin, unable to believe his eyes.On the craggy, rock-girded cliffs of the Danish isle, our modern day version of Superman ran headlong into an international version of kryptonite.Barack Obama, our president and our media darling, used up five luxury class jets and more than $1 million dollars in flight costs in his vain effort to sell Chicago to the nations of the world.What a waste of a trip for Oprah and Michelle, the damsels of today's social environment where the image of celebrity is supposed to hold dominion over the dark shadows of life's often grim realities.The liberal media, especially the New York Times, Newsweek, Time and the so-called mainstream television networks, were lathering up their prose and ready to hail the Chief for his work in securing Chicago as the site for the 2016 Olympic games.Alas, a cabal (liberalspeak) of international judges thought otherwise and not only rejected Chicago but tossed out the Windy City in the very first round of the selection process.It's bad enough to be rejected, but in the first round, the very first round, of all things. Talk about rejection, and there it is in spades. And now they still are dancing in the streets in Rio de Janiero, my choice in the first place, while our wallflower is wilting away under a shower of alibis."We really didn't care that much about it," an Obama insider is reported to have said. I would like to administer a polygraph test to that abuser of the facts.While there are a lot of us rejoicing at this turn of events, there is deep gloom and sadness in the meeting rooms of the Chicago mob, where dreams of luxuries dumped in their laps have evaporated in the nightmare of reality.Gone with the wind are the hopes of slumlords to rent out their roach- and rat-infested apartments to foreign visitors and perhaps Olympic athletes; gone with the wind are the hopes of the consultants and public relations types who pumped for Obama and now have seen the fountains of their personal wealth come up dry; gone with the wind are the giddy plans of the liberal media to portray Obama as a savior of America's place on the world stage.The ending of dreamtime comes with the harsh realities of our real world, and those of us who love an America that does not pander to personality cults must get on to better tasks.Today, scarely a breeze of hope remains in the Windy City. The quiet is so pervasive it screams out like a cat with its tail caught under the rocking chair.Today, our America, where most of us soldier on against socialism, is awash in jobless citizens, failing schools that are not teaching the three Rs but singing mindless tributes to our Dear Leader, and the harsh specter of runaway inflation, high interest rates, money unavailable for automobile and home purchases and a national leadership both unable and unwilling to provide the leadership for our military engaged in mortal combat with an enemy dedicated to destroying us.President Obama has shown us to be just what his detractors said he would be: a clueless, slick talking politician, who was artfully framed as a deep thinker and decisive leader of a nation. He is only as good as the next fabrication cobbled together by a devious public relations staff and political insiders whose only thoughts are of themselves.I think about this as I consider the cocksure attitude people like David Axlerod Rahm Emanuel, Valerie Jarrett and others displayed while sending forth their World Leader to sell Chicago and who got just what was coming to him.Let us who love our country take no comfort in the leadership traits of those who opposed Obama. Republican leaders were just as certain - and totally fearful - of what was going to come down in Denmark. They actually believed Obama was bulletproof on this one.The Republicans have lapsed into reactionaries, unable to look ahead with any degree of certitude to predict and project Obama's failings. Our Dear Leader will lose re-election only if left to his own devices. He is fully capable of doing himself in, and for that I give thanks.Our hope here is that he is proving almost daily he has no idea of what is going on in this nation and in the world at large. He is only as good as his last speech, and that is what he has been doing for the last nine months.A word to the President here: it's difficult to sit down and engage in meaningful strategic and tactical military discussions with generals and admirals when youare busy making speeches that no one, not even you, remember, or choose to remember.The clock is ticking for this country, and it just struck 12 in Denmark for openers. Now we wait and watch the hands creep forward and wonder when total collapse of the world's greatest democracy comes. The hour may be sooner than we think.I am qualified to make these observations because I was born on the eve of the Great Depression, a period in time that today's school children have no knowledge of whatsover. So they will have to learn the hard way.
Carl Langley
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tea Party Express News
The Tea Party Express is coming to Augusta on November 10th. The following update was received today:
With just 19 days until the kickoff of the "Tea Party Express: Countdown to Judgment Day" we need volunteers to help with the organizing and promotion of our tea party rallies across the country.
If you live near one of our rally locations and are able to provide a helping hand, please shoot us an email at: info@TeaPartyExpress.org
If you are unable to volunteer your time, you can still support this effort by making a contribution to our cause. You can contribute online here -
Or, you can mail in a contribution to our headquarters:
Our Country Deserves Better Committee
ATTN: Tea Party Project
770 L Street #1020
Sacramento, CA 95814
More information about the "Tea Party Express: Countdown to Judgment Day" can be found at our website here
If you liked what we did with the first Tea Party Express you're going to love what we have in store for our second effort. It's going to be even bigger and better yet!
So please lend us your support. You can contribute online right now Here
With just 19 days until the kickoff of the "Tea Party Express: Countdown to Judgment Day" we need volunteers to help with the organizing and promotion of our tea party rallies across the country.
If you live near one of our rally locations and are able to provide a helping hand, please shoot us an email at: info@TeaPartyExpress.org
If you are unable to volunteer your time, you can still support this effort by making a contribution to our cause. You can contribute online here -
Or, you can mail in a contribution to our headquarters:
Our Country Deserves Better Committee
ATTN: Tea Party Project
770 L Street #1020
Sacramento, CA 95814
More information about the "Tea Party Express: Countdown to Judgment Day" can be found at our website here
If you liked what we did with the first Tea Party Express you're going to love what we have in store for our second effort. It's going to be even bigger and better yet!
So please lend us your support. You can contribute online right now Here
Monday, October 5, 2009
Healthcare letter to Americans: Is there another way?
August 2009
Healthcare letter to Americans: Is there another way?
I read an article recently that compared the healthcare reform in
In talking to friends and family, many share concerns regardless of their political allegiance. Almost everyone says we need reform in healthcare but question if the current process will deliver what we need. A sense of hopelessness appears as if this “healthcare mess” is so complicated and so big, that the normal American couldn’t begin to understand the detail.
I do not believe this needs to be the case and have written this letter to help more people be confident and passionate about participating in the reform process. To do, this I believe it is important to:
- Share how the current reform has failed to address the key components of timing, participation, goals and motivation; and
- Offer what could be a true strategic reframing of an industry through an outcome-oriented approach that is led by industry reformers including consumers and physicians not just politicians.
What motivates me? I have worked within healthcare my entire professional career from hospitals to clinical laboratories to pharmaceuticals. This exposure even included time beyond our shores when I spent four years working with the UK National Health Service to modernize its laboratories. Living in
Oakleigh Ryan lives with her family in Janesville, WI with her husband Tobin, and two children. She can be reached at oakleigh@healthcareletter.com or by visiting healthcareletter.com.
Friday, October 2, 2009
A Great Patriotic Video
I received the following in an email today. It has been around since May and and has been viewed many times on You tube.
"This video resulted from a Mom in Alabama asking her high school son to help with a commercial for the Tea Party she was involved in organizing.
Boy, does it slam the message home. Very impressive. Here is her note: "I asked Justin if he could help me make a commercial for my group's Tea Party. He sat down at the laptop for about an hour, and then brought this to me and asked, 'is this okay, Mom?'
After I finished watching it, my stomach was in my throat. Everyone that I have sent it to has really enjoyed it, so I wanted my friends to see it. I am so proud!"
A very powerful video...turn up the sound & sit back....!!! "
"This video resulted from a Mom in Alabama asking her high school son to help with a commercial for the Tea Party she was involved in organizing.
Boy, does it slam the message home. Very impressive. Here is her note: "I asked Justin if he could help me make a commercial for my group's Tea Party. He sat down at the laptop for about an hour, and then brought this to me and asked, 'is this okay, Mom?'
After I finished watching it, my stomach was in my throat. Everyone that I have sent it to has really enjoyed it, so I wanted my friends to see it. I am so proud!"
A very powerful video...turn up the sound & sit back....!!! "
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