Blogs

From PointofLaw.com (www.PointofLaw.com), the Manhattan Institute's web magazine covering litigation issues, comes this look at a decision against Chipotle Restaurants in favor of a "professional plaintiff" who regularly sues businesses over ADA matters.  The Ninth Circuit Court's decision reverses a lower court's finding, and adds to that appelate court's notoriously poor reputation.

Antoninetti v. Chipotle

Gallup's "State of the States" report shows top ten GOP & Dem states -- Vermont's #1 Dem; Oregon did not even make the top ten, although it is identified as "solidly Democrat".  We will change that...here's the summary I received from Gallup, along with a link to an interesting poll:

More states are competitive so far in 2010 than was the case in 2009, as fewer Americans nationwide identify with the Democratic Party. Vermont -- along with the District of Columbia -- is the most Democratic state in the U.S. so far this year, while Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho are the most Republican.

Read more at GALLUP.com.

Some people call people who think like me rednecks.

I MIGHT be a redneck? Let me erase any doubt!

I believe that this country has provided the greatest opportunity for achieving a good standard of living, for the most people, of any country in the history of the world. And, if this overreaching, over-obtrusive government would work harder at breaking down barriers to opportunity and growth instead of building barriers, even more Americans could take advantage of the prosperity it would create.

I believe that as a general rule the American people are the most generous and compassionate people on the planet, and that we don't need an overreaching government to coerce us into giving to the agenda-driven causes that a few so called "elites" think are worthy.

Read this sad history lesson from The City Journal - publication arm of The Manhattan Institute.  It chronicles the 1960s beginning of California public union collective bargaining, the union's steady growth in money and power, and the resulting budget debacle in California today.  The feckless "leadership" of California's elected officials is especially infuriating; they simply acquiesced to union threats and demands.  There is an important lesson to learn here about strong, fiscally responsible negotiations with public unions which well serve the public interest.  Let's hope Oregon can learn this lesson.

Dear Mr. Wessel:

The bias displayed in the Business Journal’s June 4, 2010 article on state budget issues begs the question: are you reporters or government apologists?

The author of this article makes a valid point.  We may not all agree but we better stay united.  townhall.com/columnists/AustinHill/2010/06/20/stopping_obamacare_or_gay_marriage

In the June 6th, 2010, Wall Street Journal, Art Laffer wrote about the current "recovery"... that isn't. Bush-era tax cuts are expiring, new taxes are planned, and business activity is being shifted into this year to avoid them. Which means 2011 will not be as pleasant:  profits will tumble next year, preceded most likely by the stock market, and that means lost jobs. Read the article in the WSJ here.

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I just got back from Jeff Merkley's town hall event at Park Rose high school in Portland. I fell as though I need to go take a shower to wash all the filth off that I was surrounded by at this event.

The first bad sign was the protesters standing at the entrance carrying Free Gaza and Israel is a terrorist state signs. After waiting 30 minutes past the start time, I then began to see these same people come into the meeting area.

May 22, 2010

Dear Representative Blumenauer; Senator Wyden:

As I continue to watch the events unfolding over the State of Arizona’s decision to take on the massive illegal alien problem in their own state, I cannot stay silent any longer. 

I applaud their decision and fully support what they need to do.  The United States Congress and the President (current and past) have failed us miserably when it comes to border enforcement and controlling the flow of illegal aliens and terrorists into our nation. 

Tom, Post-Election Notes…