Sick of the Fruit Bats? Do Something. Counterprotest.

From Michelle Malkin's blog.

Vancouver Education Association Versus Some Needy Children

A Vancouver, Washington teacher finds herself embroiled in a legal battle with her own union over her choice of which charity to send her union dues. Under Washington law and under the union's own rules, a teacher can object to her union dues being used in the political way in which NEA affiliates usually use their dues: to fund democrat causes. These rules allow a person to use a portion of their dues to fund a charitable organization of their choice.
This teacher, who will be on the show tonight, wanted to use her money to help Shared Hope International, an organization that literally saves girls and young women from the sex slavery trade internationally. I've personally seen how SHI works, having in the past been a volunteer there. The teacher is being aided by the Evergreen Freedom Foundation in Washington state.


The union's own policy states "The goal is to respect the objector's choice of charities, so long as the designated recipient is lawful and charitable." But the union doesn't like SHI. In meetings/hearings with the teacher--who has been fighting for the right to give her money to SHI for more than a year and a half and must travel to Olympia to attend these hearings--they've never articulated the problem they have with the charity. Until now.
On the phone with my producer on Tuesday, the executive director of the VEA told Eric that Shared Hope quote "COOKS ITS BOOKS" and that "Christians feed off Christians."
While Shared Hope is composed of some Christian people and loves these girls and young women in a Christ-like manner, SHI is not per se a Christian organization. Still the anti Christian sentiment is evident in the VEA's response to our queries.

Another reason for the VEA's stone walling could be because the head of Shared Hope is none other than former Washington state legislator and former Washington State Congresswoman, Linda Smith. It's in her role as a former Washington legislator that could be at play here. It seems Ms. Smith co sponsored the law back in the day that gives the teacher the right to stop the union's check jack and give the money to her favorite charity instead.
On the issue of "cooking the books" the VEA had no proof to offer in the hearing and, in fact, seems to have made a huge error. Not only in the whole slandering the charity thing but with the facts behind the allegation in the first place. Unless the VEA is moonlighting as a charity rating agency and has a new set of criteria it uses to determine if a charity is "cooking the books" they're just flat wrong.
Here's the listing from the noted charity rating organization "Charity Navigator." For those of you at VEA three out of four stars means it's a good charity.

Search Results

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• Keywords: shared-hope-international

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	Shared Hope International Vancouver, WA One life at a time, we can make a difference International : International Peace, Security, and Affairs + Add to My Charities

Results 1 - 1 of 1

I think the VEA has some 'splainin' to do.

Will HE be "Schumachered"? Letter Sent to Mayor Potter From a Big Shot in Oregon

I haven't used his name here because we know what happens to people who don't toe the line here. They get "Schumachered."

To Whom It May Concern (which seems to be no one in Portland City Government):

I am a sixth generation Oregonian and a life long Portland resident. It is with great concern that I have observed the social and economic fabric deteriorate in Portland over time. For the first time in MY life, I steadfastly refuse to shop in downtown Portland. Between panhandlers, protesters, traffic congestion and the lack of parking, the situation has become untenable. I was once one of the staunchest supporters of the City (and proud of it), but due to mismanagement by City Government, I have seen the socioeconomic climate decline appreciably. In fact, it is now so undesirable to venture downtown that I am seriously considering selling my house in Multnomah County and moving elsewhere. I can assure you that I am not alone in this regard as this has become a frequent topic of conversation among fellow native Oregonians. Unfortunately, this only means Portland will continue to sufferas the overall business climate continues in its seemingly endless downward spiral.

Sincerely,

Did You Go To Salem Today to Testify on the Bill to Call for No Troop Surge in Iraq?

No? Why not? Do you mean to tell me that the press release sent out at 3:54pm on Friday afternoon didn't give you enough time to get off work on Monday?

From: Rep Rosenbaum [mailto:Rosenbaum.Rep@state.or.us]
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 3:54 PM
To: Capitol_Media@dianerosenbaum.com
Subject: House Committee to Hold Iraq Hearings

House Committee on Elections, Ethics and Rules

Rep. Diane Rosenbaum, Chair

February 23, 2007

Contact: Diane Rosenbaum (503) 986-1442

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

Monday Hearing to Focus on Iraq War

House Committee Invites Public to Attend, Testify

SALEM-The House Committee on Elections, Ethics, and Rules will convene Monday morning for discussion of a resolution condemning President Bush's policy of escalation in Iraq and urging Congress to bring troops home. Rep. Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), the Committee Chair, has joined Rep. Chip Shields (D-Portland) and Rep. Paul Holvey (D-Eugene) as Chief Sponsors of the Oregon Homeward Bound Act of 2007.

"Because of the war in Iraq, we are losing neighbors and loved ones, we are breaking up families, and we are spending away our financial stability," according to Representative Rosenbaum. "This war is hurting families and communities all across Oregon . On Monday, this committee plans to give those Oregonians a voice."

The Committee plans to hear testimony from members of the public. Those invited include, but are not limited to, families who have lost loved ones in the war, community service providers who have felt the fiscal impact of the war, and area clergy whose faith communities are affected.

The hearing will be held in Hearing Room E, but overflow seating will be made available if the room exceeds capacity.

WHO: House Committee on Elections, Ethics and Rules; Rep. Diane Rosenbaum, Chair

WHAT: Hearing on Iraq War Resolution

WHEN: Monday, February 26, 2007

WHERE: Oregon State Capitol, Hearing Room E

# # #

Former ACLU Leader Arrested on Kiddie Porn Charges: Wonders What He Did Wrong

There ARE sickos everywhere, in every walk of life. Let's just stipulate that now. The ironic themes about this ACLU official defending the use of NO filters in libraries, that in libraries there were only responsible adults using the computers and not vulnerable kids using the libraries begs further comment. Now we find out that he's not a responsible adult and it's okay to rape innocent prepubescent girls. See story here.

Feb. 23, 2007— Federal agents arrested Charles Rust-Tierney, the former president of the Virginia chapter of the ACLU, Friday in Arlington for allegedly possessing child pornography.

Rust-Tierney admitted to investigators that he had downloaded videos and images from child pornography websites onto CD-ROMs, according to the complaint.

The videos described in the complaint depict graphic forcible intercourse with prepubescent females. One if the girls is described in court documents as being "seen and heard crying", another is described as being "bound by rope."

Rust Tierney coaches various youth sports teams in and around Arlington, Virginia, according to court documents.

In the past, Rust-Tierney had argued against restricting Internet access in public libraries in Virginia, writing, "Recognizing that individuals will continue to behave responsibly and appropriately while in the library, the default should be maximum, unrestricted access to the valuable resources of the Internet."

(While this story is sickening and shows premeditation, it's still not as bad as the recent story of a US soldier raping a 14 year old girl and killing her family. He's going to prison for 100 years. Wonder what this twinkle toes at the ACLU will get for kiddie porn?)

Who's In This? WHERE ARE YOU?

Just Benign Protesters in Front of Schumacher Fur and Outerwear 9th and SW Morrison

No big deal. Just your usual benign protesters who have now managed to put the Schumachers out of a legal business. With little to no help from the City except the one time (above) when they wrestled with the law breaking protesters. See previous posts here and here and here and here.


ALF=ANIMAL LIBERATON FRONT
READ ABOUT THEM HERE . And don't forget federal prosecutors shut down an Oregon cell last year.

Listen, Watch, Discuss: A World Without America

Wednesday Open Thread: Headline in WaPo: Hollywood Gives Obama Both Cash and Credibility

I understand the cash reference, but...credibility? Read all about it here.
Excerpt here:

Movie stars Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston and Denzel Washington wrote checks, and scores of producers and agents paid $4,600 per couple -- the maximum allowed -- to jam a hotel ballroom for a two-hour, closed-door cocktail reception hosted by entertainment moguls Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen.

Ok, still confused here. Where's the credibility part of the story?

Schumachers Say No Mas! ECO TERRORISTS 1, LEGAL BUSINESS 0

They're soon outta Portland. They're soon out of business.No commercial real estate developer wants them because of the protesters. The City of Portland won't help them because commissioners side with the protesters and so a legitimate, legal business that's been in the City of Portland is forced out.Here's the cop charged with watching protesters for wrong doing. He's receiving a hug from one of the protesters.

Write your City Commissioner:
Tom POTTER-503-823-4120
mayorpotter@ci.portland.or.us
Dan SALTZMAN- 503 823-4151
dsaltzman@ci.portland.or.us
Erik STEN- 503-823-3589
erik@ci.portland.or.us
Randy Leonard 503 823 4682
Sam Adams 503 823 3008

I suggest you mention the following:
Dear_____,
I call on you to do everything in your power to keep the Schumachers in town and keep the protesters away.
There have been illegal, obscene, uncivil acts in front of the Schumacher Fur and Outwear Store at SW 9th and Morrison for nearly a year and a half, it's time for this intolerant, divisive behavior by the protesters to stop.
Sincerely,
_______

Children: Human Props to Extort More Money for Teachers. Johnny and Mary You Get an "A" Today!

Why are they sending emails on school time, to school employees and activists, to go to a fundraising event for a POLITICAL GROUP?

From: key-communicators-list-bounces@mailman.pps.k12.or.us
[mailto:key-communicators-list-bounces@mailman.pps.k12.or.us] On Behalf
Of PPS ppscomms
Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 6:01 PM
To: allpps@pps.k12.or.us; key-communicators-list@pps.k12.or.us;
media-list@pps.k12.or.us; pta-lsac-list@pps.k12.or.us
Subject: [Key-communicators-list] Monday Rally for schools attracts
1,000+ from Portland, 6 School Board members
From: key-communicators-list-bounces@mailman.pps.k12.or.us
[mailto:key-communicators-list-bounces@mailman.pps.k12.or.us] On Behalf
Of PPS ppscomms
Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 6:01 PM
To: allpps@pps.k12.or.us; key-communicators-list@pps.k12.or.us;
media-list@pps.k12.or.us; pta-lsac-list@pps.k12.or.us
Subject: [Key-communicators-list] Monday Rally for schools attracts
1,000+ from Portland, 6 School Board members

MEDIA ADVISORY

More than 1,000 Portland parents and students and six members of the
Portland School Board will join thousands more to rally at the State
Capitol Monday on behalf of all Oregon schools.

The noontime Presidents Day Rally, organized by Stand for Children, will
call for a $6.3 billion state budget for K-12 education. The proposed
2007-08 Portland schools budget, based on that level of state funding,
allows Portland schools to start adding music, PE and the arts back into
the standard curriculum, adds 24 counselors at large elementary and K-8
schools and continues and expands programs to help high school students
succeed.

On Monday, parents, students and community members will board buses
across the city, with 14 buses leaving from PPS schools and six from
Portland State University.

Portland School Board Co-Chairs Dan Ryan and Bobbie Regan and Board
Directors Doug Morgan, Trudy Sargent, Dilafruz Williams and David Wynde
are participating in the Salem rally. (Ryan and Regan also will be in
Salem Sunday to participate in the Oregon School Boards Association's
legislative conference.)

The rally is co-sponsored or endorsed by a roster of 12 business,
community and education organizations.

For general information on the rally or to participate, go to
www.stand.org/or/2007rally/ or call 503.235-2305.

For more information about the Portland Public Schools budget, go to
www.pps.k12.or.us.

# # #

At Portland Public Schools, this is our goal: By the end of elementary,
middle, and high school, every student by name will meet or exceed
academic standards and will be fully prepared to make productive life
decisions. For more information on Portland Public Schools, call (503)
916-3304, e-mail us at pubinfo@pps.k12.or.us, or visit
www.pps.k12.or.us. Portland Public Schools is an equal opportunity
educator and employer.

Because money is always the answer to delivering better education. That's why kids are bused from all over the state along with teachers, staffers, et. al. to go to Salem on President's Day.
1) try this schtick on MLK Day and see what happens. Apparently President's Day, due to its having been demeaned (who's birthday is it again?), is merely a day off for the public employee union members to rustle up some chillins and take them to Salem for a photo op
2) if they can waste money for use of staff time, computers, mailings, etc to help organize themselves before the event, then why do we need more money for schools again?
**For the record the PPS Spokeswoman says she sent this from her home computer and says it's not illegal even though the group they were working with also works as a political action committee and a charity.

Gang of 7

The seven Republicans who voted yesterday to advance the measure were Sens. Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Susan Collins of Maine, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Gordon H. Smith of Oregon, Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and John W. Warner of Virginia. Sen. Bernard Sanders [a socialist], Vermont independent, also voted with the Democrats.

"The Urge to Save Humanity is Almost Always a False Front for the Urge to Rule it" HL Mencken

He's just a lowly Congressman from Georgia, but John Linder has it right. Writing an op ed in the Washington Times (found here) he takes on the "settled science" of the Global Warming alarmists. After making a point of how eugenics was “settled science” by a bunch of certified smart guys at all the top universities he makes a few salient points which I've shared below. And as long as you're reading HERE'S another piece on global warming alarmism. Thanks to Bruce for the link.

One must ask, "How in the world did university researchers come to conclusions that defended this outrageous affront to society?" ...It is very easy to believe that the settled science regarding climate change is just as suspicious, and indeed may be another example of pseudo-science capturing the imagination of politicians, actors and the media elite who have a desperate need to embrace some "science" which may force us to change the way we live our lives. ...We see pictures of huge blocks of ice crashing into the sea from the Antarctic Peninsula, which comprises about 2 percent of the continent. The fact that the remaining 98 percent of Antarctica is growing by 26.8 gigatons of ice per year is ignored.

We are told today that human activity is causing a dramatic increase in carbon dioxide levels that is responsible for "global warming." While a congressional delegation was visiting the Antarctic expedition in January of 2003 we were shown the results of the Vostok ice-sheet cores where temperatures and CO2 levels were measured as far as 400,000 years ago. At that time, the level of CO2 was 280 parts per million parts of atmosphere (ppm), about what it was 20 years ago. The levels of CO2 and temperature rode up and down in consonance over 400,00 years. "Who," I asked, "was burning the fossil fuels 400,000 years ago?" I was treated as though I was rude.

When it comes to methane, another greenhouse gas, termites are responsible for 11 percent of the world's production from natural sources. Seventy-six percent comes from wetlands, which provide habitat conducive to bacteria, which produce 145 million metric tons of methane per year during the decomposition of organic material. It is curious that the very alarmists on climate change are alarmists on saving and increasing wetlands.

When Freon was invented it was considered a miracle gas. It replaced, in refrigeration units, a combination of toxic gases that, if released, actually killed people. But the settled science concluded that human activity was a threat to the planet. We outlawed the production of CFCs and thousands of people across the world died from eating rancid food due to the loss of refrigeration.

The world's production of CFCs peaked at 1.1 million tons per year. If 100 percent of that was released it would have added 750,000 tons of chlorine into the atmosphere. That is insignificant compared to the 300 million tons the oceans yield annually by the evaporation of seawater alone. But that couldn't be controlled so the alarmists went after us.

Today, if there is a settled science, it is adduced by climatologists who have been observing and studying the world for decades. Many are retired and not seeking government grants for research and thus not inclined to reach outcomes that are politically popular. Most have been through more than one alarmist cycle of doom. The predictions by scientists in Time magazine's "Another Ice Age?" in 1974 and Newsweek's "The Cooling World" in 1975 come to mind. The latter article stated that scientists "are almost unanimous in the view that the trend will reduce agricultural productivity for the rest of the century. If the climactic change is as profound as some of the pessimists fear, the resulting famines could be catastrophic."

But wise old heads believe that we are going through normal cycles of heating and cooling that we have seen over hundreds of millions of years as the earth heats and cools when the activity of the sun changes. The earth is heated by the sun. The sun is impacted by magnetic forces creating outbursts called sunspots, which increase the heat it imparts. During the coldest period in the Little Ice Age, which ended near the end of the 19th century, sunspots almost completely disappeared for 70 years. The earth cooled. Sunspot activity has been declining for a number of years and is expected decline by 40 percent over the next decade. The world is about to enter a cooling period. Be prepared to change your lifestyle.

Climatologist Tim Ball Interview on the Victoria Taft Show 5-8pm AM 860 KPAM, The Talk Station

Should Tim Hardaway be put in Jail for his Homophobia?

Read the former NBA player's comments here. If nutty Rep Sheila Jackson Lee's thought crimes legislation succeeds he could. Jackson Lee's anti Hate Crimes bill has some secondary effects that perhaps even the deep thinking Jackson Lee doesn't appreciate. As the Reverend Ted Pike of the National Prayer Network says it could reach clear into the pulpit:

"There's plenty wrong with that!" he said. First, the Constitution does not grant federal government the "police state privilege" of being your local law enforcement. "Unless the government finds evidence of slavery in the states, jury tampering, voter fraud, or crimes involving interstate commerce (where jurisdiction is unclear), the Constitution's message to the federal government is blunt and emphatic: 'Butt out of local law enforcement!'"

However, Pike said the authors of the new legislation have been clever, inserting in the proposal assertions that because five states do not have hate laws, the federal government has "no choice" but to "enhance federal enforcement of hate crimes." That includes new ranks of federal agents to address the "serious national problem" that exists.

Worse yet, there are some key phrases that open doors wide that many people don't want opened. For example, Pike said, the bill is to "prevent and respond to alleged violations," meaning "the government does not even have to wait until a hate crime has been committed but may act pre-emptively to 'prevent' crime."

Jackson-Lee's proposal states that "the incidence of violence motivated by the actual or perceived … sexual orientation … of the victim poses a serious national problem," and that "disrupts" communities. Since "existing federal law is inadequate" and "such violence affects interstate commerce" and "violence motivated by bias that is a relic of slavery can constitute badges and incidents of slavery," the thought police plan is needed."

And as for Hardaway he's been "banished" from the NBA PR gig he had and "banished" from All Star activities. Isn't it better for the marketplace of ideas to determine that Hardaway is an idiot than for this piece of legislation be responsible for his jailing?

Further in a World Net Daily news site, (a conservative site) there were several examples of how laws like this around the world have resulted in jailing people for 'thought crimes.'
Such as:
Two Christians in Australia have been indicted for criticizing Islam, and another for criticizing Zionism. A filmmaker has been threatened with arrest for using the word "homosexual" rather than "gay." Now a German priest faces jail time for publicly criticizing abortionists, and in Holland, "fornicators" and "adulterers" are protected classes and cannot be criticized.

Peter LaBarbera, of Americans for Truth, noted that in Canada and France both, legislators have been fined for publicly criticizing homosexuality. Three years ago, a Swedish hate crimes law was used to put Pastor Ake Green, who preached that homosexuality is a sin, in jail for a month.

...And recently, a British couple told how they were denied the chance to adopt because it was determined that their Christian faith might 'prejudice' them against a homosexual child put in their care," LaBarbera added."

This is what political correctness gets you. The better part of valor is to let intelligent men and women do the smart thing for themselves. If they choose to say something stupid the marketplace of ideas will determine if there's any worth in what they have to say.

WE ARE BACK ON LINE AT NEW DOMAIN NAME OPEN THREAD THURSDAY

Ranier's naked man. I was on O'Reilly Factor last night about it. No hate mail, please.
City of Portland "Visioning" (Carnac) "We envision going broke to enact our "leaders'" "visioning.

Channeling Galileo: Oregon State Climatologist Feels Heat from Politicos for His Views on Global Warming

*UPDATE*TONIGHT ON THE SHOW THE CANADIAN SCIENTIST WHO CALLS THE HUMAN CAUSED GLOBAL WARMING SCARE THE "GREATEST DECEPTION IN THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE* DR. TIMOTHY BALL'S WEBSITE HERE.

Believe it or not, Global Warming is not due to human contribution of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). This in fact is the greatest deception in the history of science. We are wasting time, energy and trillions of dollars while creating unnecessary fear and consternation over an issue with no scientific justification.

Meantime, KGW is reporting that the Governor has said he WILL replace George Taylor. George Taylor is the Oregon State Climatologist who believes that global warming is occuring. He's a scientist at Oregon State University. He is not a nut.
He's not a global warming "denier." He just believes that the current global warming predictions are unnecessarily dire, based on flawed modeling, and that global warming is not entirely man made.In short, he's the most reasonable guy around.
And he's in trouble.
As he pointed out on my show (weeknights 5-8pm AM 860 KPAM), Taylor is feeling the political heat from those in state government who have bought in--hook, line, budget, political agenda, and sinker--to the global warming alarmists. He thinks his job could be at stake.
Guess it should come as no surprise that state officials don't think much of his global warming thoughts considering the state's foremost expert on global warming wasn't even named to the Governor's Advisory Committee on Global Warming. See the list of members here.(I see here that a relative of the Governor's old Chief of staff made the cut, yep, and I see here that Rex Burkholder made it--good to see that underrepresented group, Metro, is given a voice; Bill Bradbury is there--yeppa. Oh, guess what, no SCIENTISTS are on the list except an Oregon State University professor who co chairs the group.)
*SAVE George Taylor's JOB!! CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR AND TELL THEM TO TELL THE GOVERNOR AND HIS CRONIES TO LAY OFF! HERE. AND HERE.
Here's where you contact your state representatives on all issues. HERE. AND HERE.
Taylor wouldn't name names but let's cast about for the prime suspects in this Galileo style witchhunt.
Bill Bradbury comes to mind. The Oregon Secretary of State who, it is believed will--any day now--quit his job to allow the Guv to name a crony (who would then run as an incumbent), is working a second gig as one of Al Gore's hand picked and personally tutored "Inconvenient Truth" squad members.
Governor Kulongoski comes to mind. His legacy depends on looking "big' on something.
Who am I missing?
Any of Kulongoski's new right and left--mostly left--hand men from the unions holding sway on the issue?

The lefties have started the ball rolling against Taylor here and here and here
Willamette Week did so here in 2005.
Here is his cv.
TAYLOR'S NOT ALONE. HERE'S THE RECENT DRUDGE STORY BY THE CANADIAN CLIMATOLOGIST WHO SAYS GLOBAL WARMING ALARMISTS ARE SELLING A BAD MESSAGE.

UPDATE: JUDGE DECLARES MISTRIAL A Man Who Wants to Literally Choose His Own Battles: Ehren Watada

Here's why:

The court-martial of 1st Lt. Ehren Watada ended in a mistrial Wednesday.

The case's judge, Lt. Col. John Head, declared the trial over after a day of wrangling over a stipulation of facts that Watada had signed before the trial and that would have been part of the instructions to the jury. The judge decided that Watada never intended when he signed the stipulation to mean that he had a duty to go to Iraq with his unit.

Again the issue was Watada's views on the Iraq war -- opinions that kept him from going with his unit to the conflict and that the judge didn't want brought up at the court-martial.

Here's the story.

Here we go. Now the MSM will characterize the hatas outside Fort Lewis as simply "anti war protesters" instead of the convergence of: Bush Haters, America Haters, Military Haters, Anti War folks--have I missed anyone? Oh yes, the PROFESSIONAL PROTESTER CLASS.
Here's the LA Times' take.

And what of support for the troops? Here's a piece that finally MSM did of our brave troops on lefties' non support of the troops. See it here.
I think I support THIS guy (below) more than I support "Choose His Own Battles" Watada. Let's see, who's the REAL man, here?

OPEN THREAD SUNDAY

Iraq, Al Franken, bike lanes, guerilla marketing...

City Club Appearance Today 11:30a Governor Hotel

The actual program starts at 12:15pm.
The City Club of Portland holds these so called "Rants" every now and again. Today's will be with The Oregonian's Jack Ohman, a member of the the alternative press community and me.
Here are the deets.

APOLOGIES

I would like to sincerely apologize to anyone who saw, shall we say, an unsavory image on my blog recently. I did not post that picture and, of course, anyone who reads the blog regularly or listens to my show on KPAM from 5-8pm knows this.

I would also like to apologize to the person whose image I used on my website. At the time I posted it I was unaware that to use the image (in this case of a political figure) in the way that I did would also use the person's bandwidth. When made aware of this I immediately ceased doing it, but, clearly more needs to be done on my part in previous postings and I will do that.

Further, I would like the person whose image was used and who then replaced it with the obviously unsuitable other image to email or call me and I can apologize to him personally. He knows where I work and he must know my email since it's readily available.