Blog @ MoreWhat.com

November 29th, 2006
Posted by Iowa GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley

on blog.thehill.com
If the office of Citizenship and Immigration Services can’t keep
track of the files it has a hold of now, it seems to me that it would
be nearly impossible for them to implement a guest worker
program in which millions of new applications would flood the
agency. The GAO’s report exposed mishandlings within the
agency which resulted in 30,000 citizenship applications processed
without an A-file last year. Not only is national security at risk, but
it also creates unwarranted delays for the thousands of honest, hard
working immigrants who are waiting to become citizens.

I can’t believe I’m agreeing with Sen. Chuck Grassley. But in this
case Sen. Grassley has it right. So what do you say, Senator, how
about we pass that pesky ol’ HR 4437 and some additional security
for the borders? That includes the ports, intelligence, the leaks, the
holes so big Al-Qaida can stroll through, etc. Let’s clean it up and
stop employers from hiring illegals and fattening campaign funding
for H1b visas. Stop outsourcing American jobs, importing foreign
workers and basically abandoning life long citizens. We have no
problem with immigration except when it causes undue burden on
current citizens. So let’s try to get it right this time. If as some have
suggested, Congress will let HR 4437 fall by the wayside and not
enact strong, enforced immigration reform, this Congress will find
the same outcome as the last in the next election. Count on it.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

November 29th, 2006
Posted by S.C. GOP Rep. Joe Wilson

at blog.thehill.com

While naysayers have been predicting economic gloom and doom,
the market has continued to forge ahead. Today’s news that the
economy grew at a faster-than-expected rate in the third quarter
proves the staying power of the economy’s health.

While Republicans have worked tirelessly to employ pro-growth
initiatives, it remains to be seen how the economy will respond to
Democratic measures. I urge Democrat leaders to continue
responsible economic policies. Extend the tax cuts. Eliminate the
death tax. I stand ready to work with you for the good of the
American worker.

Hey Joe, have yuo looked at an unemployment chart lately? Since
2001 when President Bush began his first term to the present the
picture below tells a story.

The unemployment picture is still not back down where it was
when Clinton was in office. The DOW was at 11,000 six years
ago. Consumers are debt ridden as well as the government in no
small part because of the George W. Bush and a Republican held
majority. Some believe we are currently in a recession. Growth
above a forecast standing alone is nothing to celebrate. You lost
the damn majority in the midterms, now get over it. See if you
can possibly fix your f— ups and stop playing politics. Moron!!

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

There are already indications that the Democratic majority in
Congress will be no better than any of the previous impotent
legislatures residing in Washington. With terrorism, border
security, immigration, health care, social security, oversight,
ethics, campaign and general political corruption the current
partial list of significant issues to address, Pelosi and the other
Democrats do not seem prepared to offer solutions.

After their 100 hour agenda, Dems will attack tax cuts for the
wealthy and the Bush fast track for trade agreements. One tired
old argument designed to appeal to the most liberal among us
and an empty gesture for damage already done. On top of this
the Dems will proclaim all new spending must be paid for. Nice
idea but impossible. All spending to date has this country so far
in the red that no other spending can be paid for.



With Steny Hoyer being characterized by lobbyists as someone
you can talk to and Pelosi meeting with labor unions, reasonable
expectations of any changes in politics as usual in Washington
appear dead. Other rumors that Republicans will give President
Bush nothing throughout the lame duck session only serves to
confirm the likelihood of pure politics and no solutions.



After a gap in legislative matters due to “district work periods”,
a record breaking lack of workdays and the midterm elections.
the House has passed six resolutions and rejected one since Sept
30th, all in November after the midterms. The rejected item was
related to trade with Viet Nam. The following is what they passed
since September between November 13th and 15th:


HR 3085 to amend the National Trail System Act
S 819 Pactola Resevoir Reallocation Authorization Act
HR6314 Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance
HR 864 Program to Prevent Underage Drinking
HR5585 Financial Netting Improvements Act
HR 1078 Congratulate winners of the Baseball World Series


The Senate pass/fail ratio is nearly the inverse of the House. They
passed two and rejected five. The Senate passed appropriations
for the military and an act to provide nuclear technology to India.
The following is what the Senate rejected most recently in their
short work year:


Sen Amdt 5174 to limit the President’s waiver authority
Sen Amdt 5178 in support of UN Resolution 1172
Sen Amdt 5181 to ensure IAEA eqp not used for espionage
Sen Amdt 5183 to dissuade India from nuclear weapons
Sen Amdt 5187 to limit Presdent’s waiver authority on India deal
all the above related to S 3709, modifying the Atomic Energy Act
of 1954 to allow the nuke deal with India.



With all the rhetoric suggesting terrorism, national security, border
security, immigration and foreign policy as primary issues, passing
legislation to supply India with nuclear power technology confirms
the President and Congress have lost their collective minds. Of all
the issues they could take action on, this is totally absurd. Outrage
expressed by countries not friendly to the United States is difficult to
defend against when the Federal government acts irresponsibly.



The Democratic majority offers little hope thus far. If minimum wage,
prescription drug prices, Big Oil tax breaks and student loan interest
are the 100 hour agenda of the Dems, we’re all screwed. The Dems
have an opportunity and they will blow it. The Republicans had an
opportunity and they blew it. And a term-limited President without
a default nominee for 2008 (the VP won’t run) leaves the American
public with a federal government that doesn’t give a damn.


If the American public does not bring to bear the only weapon we
have in response to this, nothing will change. Most of you will opt
to ignore it or merely dismiss public outcry as ineffective. Public
displeasure expressed in sufficient quantities and directed to elected
representatives is effective. Even if you do not get involved with an
organized effort to lobby your representative, your individual contact
to express a complaint or applaud a favorable action does matter. A
contact with your elected representatives gets translated into public
opinion. Enough public opinion is translated into votes and does get
the attention of politicians. How do you think the NEA or other well
known organizations get what they want? It’s not only contributions
to campaigns, it is votes represented by expressed public opinion.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Restoring congressional oversight

Washington Times, DC -
A Democrat-controlled 110th Congress must enact new legislation
to challenge executive privilege if it hopes to exercise meaningful
oversight of the White House …

GAO details oversight areas for 110th Congress

GCN.com, DC -
… needs to be constructive,” Walker said in the letter to House and
Senate leadership detailing “Suggested Areas for Oversight for the
110th Congress.”. …

Walker Sends To-Do List to New Congress

WebCPA, NY -
… imbalance bell, Comptroller General David Walker, the head of
the Government Accountability Office, has committed a to-do list
to paper for the 110th Congress. …

In order to help your Senator or Congressman to fulfill obligations
for oversight and eliminating corruption, you might want to start a
personal mail campaign now. It appears the GAO is not wasting
any time getting their point across.

Some argue that email is not as effective as postal mail or snail mail,
but based on Congressional reaction and some reports near the end
of the 109th Congress, it works just fine. For example, immigration
was or is an issue that flooded Congressional email accounts with a
near non-stop hotline of public opinion.

Again, we urge you to familiarize yourself with new representatives
and begin an email campaign of your own to remind Congress that
we are all watching. Make your reps pay attention. Send them a lot
of email expressing your views. They can’t ignore it forever.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

K Street happy with Hoyer victory

By Jim Snyder
A party held in honor of a new House majority leader is bound to
draw a crowd, and space was tight last week on the 10th floor of
101 Constitution Ave., where supporters of Steny Hoyer (D-Md.)
gathered to celebrate his victory over John Murtha (D-Pa.).

That’s just wonderful. It is widely accepted that lobbyists grease
both sides of the aisle. And a politician is a politician. One could
make the case that it doesn’t matter. But the devil’s in the details.
When someone is at a party to celebrate the selection of a majority
leader for the 110th Congress and they hear lobbyists saying their
ok with Steny Hoyer as the new gatekeeper for legislation, more of
the same for the next Congress is likely. All the puffed up talk on
the culture of corruption will also be confirmed early as not going
away.
Stanford Harris
MoreWhat.com

‘Old Bulls’ taking over House

The most powerful committees will soon be run by veteran
Democrats, perhaps mindful of fickle voters
BY MAURA REYNOLDS
LOS ANGELES TIMES

WASHINGTON — When Rep. John D. Dingell was new to Congress,
Buddy Holly ruled the charts, Rosa Parks refused to budge from her
seat on a segregated bus and Dwight D. Eisenhower occupied the
White House.

And on Capitol Hill, congressional committee chairmen ruled like feudal
lords over federal policy, pursuing pet causes and waging vendettas.

Not that age should matter all that much. Long resumes and history
within Congress may on its own be more important but the fact does
remain that these politicians will wield much more power beginning
with the 110th Congress. You have to ask yourself if that is a good
thing.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Problems plague Xbox Live video
Microsoft cites high demand for movie, TV downloads
By TODD BISHOP
P-I REPORTER

Early users of Microsoft Corp.’s new Xbox Live online TV and
movie service have been reporting widespread technical problems,
including unusually long download times, undelivered content and
repeat charges.

Microsoft acknowledged the difficulties Friday, promised refunds
to people experiencing trouble and said it was on track to resolving
the situation.

The upside for Microsoft is these problems are not related to late
or postponed releases or security flaws or lack of features. The
downside is Microsoft has found an entirely new area in which to
fail. Ah, but the loyal fans will continue to return to the power of
the dark side.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

injured in SoCal Black Friday mall stampede

San Jose Mercury News, USA -
AP. TORRANCE, Calif. - An elderly woman and nine other
bargain hunters were injured in a rush for gift certificates dropped
from the ceiling of a local mall. …

Another good example of why commercializing traditional
holidays is an obsene practice. Legislating social values does
not currently apply to this form of marketing.
If the Black Friday phenomenon was developed to assist retail
businesses in reaching or exceeding a break even point for the
year, it also serves as a case in point. The point is this would not
be necessary if the products offered and the fixed price resembled
a reasonable value.
However, the consuming public has a share of the blame. When
Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft frenzy the mindless gaming crowd
to camp overnight to insure a purchase, it only convinces business
to continue the insanity. If none of you would show up for these
sucker rituals, you would live to see acceptable quality for prices
that make sense. But that would require intelligence.

Try a dash of Thanksgiving on other days

Deseret News, UT -
… Over the years, I developed a saying of my own: “When I design
my worlds, I’m going to make Thanksgiving a quarterly holiday
and celebrate it four times a year …

One last reminder on the subject of holidays and how we behave.
The author of the article above makes a good point. During the
holidays we often hear the lament of better days gone by. This only
serves as a convincing argument that we need a reminder.
Take the time to consider holidays, traditions and all they represent,
it will improve our daily lives. The importance of holidays should rise
above the distractions offered. Enjoy the distractions but focus on the
holiday message and carry that feeling with you. It is more important
now than ever. As a country we have lost much of our past due to the
way our lives have changed. Holidays are one event that can reconnect
us to who we are and how we should live.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

U.S. far off the track on immigration reform

Palm Beach Post Editorial
Sunday, November 19, 2006

Border control has become so politicized in Washington that Americans
could be forgiven for believing that only the United States has waves of
illegal immigrants coming from the south. In fact, so does Mexico.

Last year, Mexican authorities deported 232,157 illegal migrants, and
most of them were Central Americans who had crossed the country’s
loosely guarded borders with Guatemala and Belize. Nearly all of them
intended to make it to the United States, and many eventually do.
According to U.S. immigration officials, the number of illegal Central
American migrants in this country has increased 56 percent to 1.4
million over the past six years.

If will take another crisis, catastrophe or 9/11 event to convince bleeding
hearts that the threat of unrestrained immigration and the come one, come
all mentality has real consequences. The kind of consequences that can
destroy nations. What motivates people to continue believing a utopia can
instantly exist just because we want it clearly derives from fantasy. Not
only does this attitude erode the safety within our borders but the quality
of life suffers from economic and social ills. Unrealistic expectations of
what a society’s critical infrastructure can withstand and not breakdown
is the fundamental problem The same people who criticize the idea of
immigration and border control are outraged by the conduct of a war due
to the human and financial cost. They do not realize the losses from their
acceptance of uncontrolled immigration are equally destructive.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Republican Declared Winner in Fla. House Race

Challenger Seeks New Election, Citing Machine Malfunction;
4 Other Congressional Contests Unresolved

Associated Press
Tuesday, November 21, 2006; Page A05

TALLAHASSEE, Nov. 20 — Florida officials certified Republican
Vern Buchanan on Monday as the winner of the House seat being
vacated by Rep. Katherine Harris (R). The loser immediately sued
for a new election, arguing that touch-screen voting machines had
malfunctioned.

Just when you thought it was safe to go out and vote again, Dems
are crying foul in another election result. Imagine that. And the
location is the state of Florida. A little more humor finds it to be a
seat vacated by Katherine Harris.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 /U.S. Newswire/ –
Following is the daily “Profile America” feature for Nov. 23
from the U.S. Census Bureau:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23: THANKSGIVING

Profile America - Thursday, November 23rd. Today is Thanksgiving
Day, one of the most traditional of American holidays. Across the
nation, family and friends are gathering to give thanks for their
blessings, perhaps watch a football game, and share a special meal.
That meal is usually turkey with dressing, sweet potatoes, cranberries
and an assortment of freshly baked pies. The holiday became national
in scope in 1863, and the fourth Thursday of the month has been the
official day since 1941. The celebration goes back to 1621, when
pilgrims from Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts sat down with
American Indians to share a meal after the harvest. Today in the U.S.,
the food for a population of some 300-million people is provided by
just over 3-million farmers. You can find these and more facts about
America from the U.S. Census Bureau on the Web
at http://www.census.gov

A solemn thought for an often overlooked sentiment is that of giving
thanks. Taking a moment away from the numbing attention to daily
matters. Though there may be plenty of reason to lament. It is best
we linger for a time to place our thoughts in perspective. That which
is our condition may be less than satisfying but for having it we are
that much closer to the goal. Give thanks this day and take with you
the memory of it. Carry it with you for review again when your
spirit wanes if gloom is advancing. Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
C. Harris and Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Bad Week For The Secret Service

Cleveland Leader, OH
Despite being protected by the Secret Service Barbara Bush,
daughter of the President, managed to have her purse snatched
in Argentina. …

Despite her father being in the whitehouse, we’ve all been robbed.
Cut the Secret Service some slack. The crap they have to put up
with. If she’s alive they’re doing their job. Thanks to the Secret
Service on this Thanksgiving week. Mission accomplished. Say
“hi” to the turkey for us.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Some Muslims Call Airport Detention Bias

By JOSHUA FREED
The Associated Press
Wednesday, November 22, 2006; 6:02 AM
MINNEAPOLIS — The police report listed the incident as
“Security-Other,” but some saw the detention of six imams
at the airport here as a case of “Flying while Muslim” _ the
idea that Muslims come in for extra scrutiny when they fly.

Has the Muslim community stopped to think for a minute that there
are many Muslims openly threatening the destruction of America or
that all infidels must die? Are they aware of all the rhetoric espoused
by “jihadists” and other similar groups and individuals? Have those
of the Muslim faith attempted to reign in or otherwise suggest that the
members of their faith who are involved in less than peaceful actions
abandon violent campaigns?

When you share common characteristics with people who have a clear
tendency to “blow up” or have things “blow up” when they are present,
don’t be so surprised or act so indignant when others are a little edgy if
you match some typical appearance.

Try changing those who claim to be like you or share your appearance.
If there was no one who looked like you trying to destroy anything they
can, you would find the problem you describe would disappear.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Government Defends 1998 Anti-Porn Law
Salon.com
… Salon.com, Nerve.com and other plaintiffs backed by the
American Civil Liberties Union are suing over the 1998
Child Online Protection Act. …

It is obvious, by example below, Congress has found no topic for which they cannot consider legislation. As a case in point, the Child Online Protection Act may be well-intentinoed but is at the very least impractical and at the worst serves to proclaim parents and children as idiots.

Unless you plan to devise a method whereby you can monitor and execute protection for minor children 24/7, it is a frivolous pursuit to attempt 100% intervention between children and harmful material.

Suppose a child and one or both parents are responsible enough to have a family generated policy on dealing with objectionable material, in this case, on the internet. It is difficult to believe that this policy would exist absent of general guidelines for all situations in which a child of these parents will need to decide how to respond intelligently to potentially harmful outcomes.

If the parenting is up to the task, then the child will be protected as well as any parenting can provide. To legislate impractical measures in an attempt to compensate for lack of good parenting or as an additional protection at the expense of the general public is absurd.

If anything, the Congress should pass legislation to prevent them from generating the scandals and pathetic performances they are capable of providing. Either effort will fail miserably, so why waste valuable time, money and resources on such nonsense?
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

TITLE I–PROTECTION FROM MATERIAL THAT IS
HARMFUL TO MINORS

SEC. 101. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.

The Congress finds that–

(1) while custody, care, and nurture of the child resides
first with the parent, the widespread availability of the Internet
presents opportunities for minors to access materials through the
World Wide Web in a manner that can frustrate parental
supervision or control;

(2) the protection of the physical and psychological well-
being of minors by shielding them from materials that are harmful
to them is a compelling governmental interest;

(3) to date, while the industry has developed innovative
ways to help parents and educators restrict material that is harmful
to minors through parental control protections and self-regulation,
such efforts have not provided a national solution to the problem of
minors accessing harmful material on the World Wide Web;

(4) a prohibition on the distribution of material harmful to
minors, combined with legitimate defenses, is currently the most
effective and least restrictive means by which to satisfy the
compelling government interest; and

(5) notwithstanding the existence of protections that limit the
distribution over the World Wide Web of material that is harmful to
minors, parents, educators, and industry must continue efforts to find
ways to protect children from being exposed to harmful material
found on the Internet.

Most Americans favor guest-worker program: poll

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Most Americans believe illegal immigrants
should be allowed to become guest workers and eventually U.S.
citizens, but Congress should do more to close the border to stop
more illegals entering the country, according to a new poll published
on Tuesday.

November 21, 2006 - Let Illegal Immigrants Become Citizens,
U.S. Voters Tell Quinnipiac University National Poll; But Do
More To Tighten The Borders, Voters Say
By a 69 - 27 percent margin, American voters say illegal immigrants
should be allowed into a guest worker program with the ability to
work toward citizenship over a period of several years, according to
a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

A poll taken one week after the midterm elections surveying 1,623
registered voters nationwide with a 2.4% margin of error. And they
expect everyone to believe this is valid. Plus a headline that focuses
the attention on “most Americans favor guest worker program” is a
real load to be expected to swallow.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com