From Eric Dondero:

Columnist Karl Dickey of Broward County reports that SB672 to ban red light cameras passed through a Senate Committee yesterday with a vote of 4 to 2. Though, there is an important caveat; not all Republican legislators support the measure.

From the Naples News:

A bill that would effectively ban all red-light running cameras in Florida – reversing a law passed just last year – cleared its first hurdle Tuesday afternoon.

Senate Bill 672, which is sponsored by Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah [photo], squeaked through the Transportation Committee on a 4 to 2 vote. However, its chances of actually becoming law are far from assured.

At least two of the Republicans on the committee who voted for the bill said they are supportive of the cameras, and only voted to move the bill along because they thought it deserved further hearing.

Vicki Kirkland, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Florida Chair, said this morning:

"We are proud of the hundreds of our members who contacted their state legislators and members of the transportation committee to move this legislation forward. There is a growing wave of opposition to the cameras by citizens for both safety and constitutional reasons and it is inspiring to know we are having a positive impact."

Dickey adds:

The Libertarian Party of Florida does not condone drivers to run red lights at intersections and encourages local governments to make intersections safer by extending the yellow light by one second and increasing the time from red to green for cross traffic.

The Libertarian Party is urging Florida libertarians to contact their legislators. More info LPF.org

From Eric Dondero:

Amazing poll numbers just coming out from liberal-leaning CNN. Seems Donald Trump may be on to something. 51% of Americans now say that they are unsure whether or not Obama was indeed born in the United States.

CNN/Opinion Research Birther Survey (pdf):

Do you think Barack Obama was definitely born in the United States, probably born in the United States, probably born in another country, or definitely born in another country?

•Definitely born in U.S. 46%
•Probably born in the U.S. 26%
•Probably born in another country 15%
•Definitely born in another country 10%

"Birtherism"; fringe no more?

Editor's comment - Of course, many of us were "Birthers," before being a Birther was cool.

I believe in personal freedom, responsibility and accountability. People should be able to say, write, worship, eat, drink and smoke whatever they want as long as they do not harm others and are prepared to accept the full consequences. The government should have no role in dictating personal lives or in compensating persons who willingly [...]

Dear Friends of Liberty, The Libertarian Party of Indiana’s State Convention is coming to La Porte, Indiana on April 30, 2011.The LPIN has a week-end full of events planned at the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center.More than 2000 libertarians have been invited to attend. With the desire for a maximum of freedomand a minimum [...]

It’s often said that WWII was the reason the Great Depression ended. Larry Summers recently proposed that the Japan tragedy would be beneficial to the world economy. (The truth is that oil dropped because they will be using less and many are predicting that the world’s 3rd largest economy will never recover. After any great tragedy that destroys personal [...]

Out of 91 votes: No, the unintended consequences of intervention could be disastrous. – 77%  (73 Votes) I am not sure. It depends on how long we’ll be there. – 11% (10 votes) Yes, we need to help the rebels. – 8% – (8 Votes) Other  – 4% – (4 Votes) I don’t understand what [...]

From IndyLP.org The Libertarian Party of Marion County is pleased to announce plans for the 2011 annual convention.  The convention will be held on Saturday, May 14th at 1pm in the Wilke room of the Indianapolis Athenaeum, located at 401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis. Nominations will be accepted for the 2011 election which includes mayoral [...]

Written 3-25-11 I was in Fort Wayne last night to discuss redistricting with interested citizens. The turnout at IPFW was good and the discussion lively. There was some print & TV media coverage, and I was quoted in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: Commission member Mike Kole, a Libertarian, said that incumbency trumped partisan politics [...]

Bachmann in 2nd; Trump, Christie tied for 5th

From Eric Dondero:

Racefor2012.com reports that Mitt Romney was the run-away favorite at the recent annual fundraising dinner of the Colorado Republican Party. Over 400, attended. New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez was the keynote speaker.

The Colorado Republicans had a fund-raising dinner last week on the eve of their annual leadership meeting. The delegates present were given a blank piece of paper and asked to write down whom they thought was the strongest Republican for President.

Here are the vote tallies for the top ten vote-getters:

1 Romney 76
2 Bachmann 38
3 Pawlenty 34
4 Daniels 27
5 Christie 26
6 Trump 26
7 Palin 20
8 Gingrich 19
9 Cain 14
10 Huckabee 12

Note - Romney won the Colorado GOP Primary in 2008.

REPUBLICAN BABE ALERT!

From Eric Dondero:

Hanna Skandera (yes, that's her real name), has been nominated by New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez to head the Public Education Dept.

She is originally from Florida. She is also a former Fellow at the libertarian Hoover Institution at Stanford, California. Hoover.org

Skandera is known for taking a hard as nails approach to education.

From KOAT TV Abq.:

"We want more resources, but are resources the fundamental change agent? No, good teachers and good principals are, " Skandera said.

And on teacher performance:

"If a teacher is not bringing that growth and progress, we need to acknowledge it and say enough is enough," Skandera said.

She has been accused of being a free market reformer "ideologue."

From a column by Emanuele Corso in NMPolitics.net, "The problem with Skandera" March 17:

Hanna Skandera is a foot soldier in an ideological war taking place right now against working people – teachers and other unionized workers. This is the national agenda of the organizations she is and has been affiliated with. The children of New Mexico ought not be used as pawns in a national political strategy.

She is currently serving as Sec. Designate, but not yet ratified by the NM Legislature.

From Eric Dondero:

The Colorado Republican Party held a big fundraiser dinner on March 25. The keynote speaker was New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, making her first out-of-state appearance since she became Governor.

The Colorado Statesman reports:

The nation’s first Latina governor told Colorado Republicans to stick to their guns but not to be too tied to traditional labels in the next election at a fundraising dinner on March 25 in Lone Tree.

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez said serious talk about issues, not the usual partisan rhetoric, is what Republicans need in her speech...

Quoted from her speech centered on how to win Hispanic votes:

“What you do is you talk to them about the issues that are important to them, as they are to most American families, and you ask them to consider the candidate, not the party. And that’s how they start to vote and cross party lines, for the best candidate.”

And then this nugget of info:

The New Mexico governor — a rising GOP star mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate in the 2012 elections — was only one of the draws for the fourth-annual fundraiser.

Editor's note - This website was an early and enthusiastic supporter of Susana Martinez for Governor.

From Eric Dondero:

A look at salaries plus benefits of public school teachers in Wisconsin.

Some of those all over the media complaining about having to take on a second job to make ends meet, are making well over $45,000 to 60,000 a year plus another $20,000 or so in benefits.

From Eric Dondero:

An "Art" Show opened at the R&R Gallery in Los Angeles on January 28.

The Exhibit shows out of the mainstream depictions of Jesus Christ.

From the description on therandr website:

The R&R Gallery is celebrating it's very first trip around the sun with a salute to The Man. That's right, we're pulling out the big guns...it's The JESUS SHOW. Whether you're a believer or an unrepentant sinner, come out and give props to the O.G. Badass. We may not be turning water into wine, but we'll be trying our damndest, with original works by some of the finest of God's children. Holy Shit.

Editor's comment - As offensive as this is, as libertarians, we of course, fully support their right to create such works. But it does leave one to wonder what the outcry would be like if Obama was similarly depicted as Muhammed.

photo h/t Hoft

Libertarian Party expresses support for Bill

From Eric Dondero:

Alaska State Rep. Bob Lynn is calling for "equal treatement for Military Warriors." From his personal blog:

I introduced HB210 today, a bill that would enable all active duty warriors in our U.S. Armed Forces to be treated as adults, regardless of age. House Bill 210 proposes permitting active duty service members under age 21 to consume alcoholic beverages and use tobacco products in Alaska.

More from the NY Daily News "Alaska State Rep. Bob Lynn proposes bill to lower drinking age for U.S. troops in his state":

Republican Rep. Bob Lynn, of Anchorage, has introduced a bill that would allow military members under 21 to drink and smoke legally, reigniting an old controversy about equal treatment for those in the armed forces.

"It's outrageous that a member of our military can be subjected to the horrors of war, but can't legally have a beer or smoke a cigarette," Lynn wrote on his blog, noting he does not advocate drinking or smoking as a "general practice."

"Any soldier who braves military combat and risks their life for our country should be treated like an adult - in every sense of the word," the Vietnam Vet added.

Lynn of south Anchorage, is a retired USAF Major, and has received numerous service honors, including: Seventeen awards and decorations, including Bronze Star and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He serves as the Chair of the Military and Veterans Committee in the House.

Reached for a comment, Scott Kohlhaas, Libertarian Party of Alaska State Chair, expressed strong support for the measure, "we support it, absolutely."

Stop Islamization of... Alaska

From Eric Dondero:

Ayn Rand Individualist Pamela Geller, a friend of this website, will be testifying this week in Juneau, in favor of the legislation to ban Sharia Law. She was invited to speak before the House Judiciary Committee by two State Reps.

Representatives Carl Gatto of Palmer, and Bob Lynn of south Anchorage, are the two co-sponsors in the House of a bill to ban Sharia Law in Alaska.

From Atlas Shrugs:

HB 88 aims at preventing "a court or other enforcement authority" from enforcing foreign law in Alaska. The bill will preempt violations of an individual's constitutional rights resulting from the application of foreign law.

But at least some Muslim special interest groups are not happy about the decision to invite Geller to speak.

From the AP (via CTPost):

The Council on American-Islamic Relations is calling for a speaker invited to testify to Alaska House Judiciary Committee to be pulled from Wednesday's lineup.

Council spokesman Ibrahim Hooper says Pamela Geller, head of advocacy group Stop Islamization of America, should not be allowed to testify on House Bill 88 because of what he calls her anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Stop Islamization of America SIOAonline.com

From Eric Dondero:

Apparently, liberal Morning Host Matt Lauer favors the rose pedals approach to dealing with Al Qaeda.

From NewBusters:

Discussing the matter of arming the rebels in Libya, the "Today" host allowed that there may well be al Qaeda operatives among the anti-Qadhafi forces, but asked, "would it not be a sign to them [the rebels] or showing them that the United States has compassion and we're willing to use our military might to help all people?"

From Eric Dondero:

Government forces in Yemen have virtually abandoned the southern province of Abyan.

From USA Today "Al Qaeda Declares Southern Yemeni Province An "Islamic Emirate"" March 31

In the southern province of Abyan, the stronghold of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Islamist militants have seized several towns after the Yemen army and its U.S.-trained counterterrorism unit was called back to help defend areas closer to the capital. On jihadist websites, the region is being referred to now as the "Islamic Emirate of Abyan."

As Business Insider reports, the first action taken by the new ruling forces, has been to institute strict Sharia Law, including bans on women going outside.

AQAP, which has established full control over the southern province, made an online statement Wednesday declaring Abyan an Islamic Emirate governed by Shariah.

The statement said women in the province should not go out except under necessary circumstances, "and she who urgently needs to go out, should be with one of her male relatives, and should have ID with her."

by Clifford F. Thies

The Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois are agreed on one thing: they're tired of the Conservative Party governing in theminority. By a vote of 156 to 145, they defeated the government on a'no confidence' vote, a result of which is that the Canadians will be going to the polls either on May 2nd or 9th.

Public opinion polls conducted prior to the no confidence put the Conservatives within reach of an outright majority. The traditional rule of thumb for which is 40 percent. Indeed, with the Canadian economy among the faster growing advanced economies in the world, and with the Canadian deficit as small as it is, it is likely the Conservatives would have soon called a snap election in order to take political advantage of the strong economic situation.

Cooperation by the three opposition parties may signal a willingness on the part of the Liberals to form a coalition government with the New Democrats and possibly also with the Bloc, whereas traditionally the Liberals and Conservatives were inclined to tacitly support the
other rather than see either of the other two parties gain a share of power.

But, if it is now acceptable for the main parties to take on one or more of the smaller ones, it is also possible that if the Conservatives again finish as the largest single party but short of a
majority, that it will offer a deal to the Bloc. The reason I say this, is that the Conservatives may be amenable to further devolution of the Canadian federation as long as it is equitable. Alberta, and not merely Quebec, grouses under the heavy boot of Ontario. Well, maybe I exaggerate.

NANNY-STATE WATCH!

From Eric Dondero:

Hazelwood, Missouri, population 25,000 is a suburb in largely urban St. Louis County. It is located right near Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

The city is almost completely controlled by Democrats. Hazelwood Mayor Matthew Robinson is a diehard Democrat, County Democrat Chairman, and campaign supporter of Democrat candidates statewide including Sen. Claire McCaskill and Robin Carnahan. (Source: St. Louis Beacon)

Now Hazelwood is garnering national media attention for outlawing sales of Girl Scout cookies on front lawns. Seems such activities caused dogs to bark in neighborhoods and disturbed the peace.

From the News-Leader, "Cookie skirmish" March 24:

The battle of the cookies is over in Hazelwood. Carolyn Mills received a letter this month from the city warning her that selling Girl Scout cookies on her driveway violated city code. Mills, though, said she and her two daughters would keep selling until all remaining 2,000 boxes were sold.

The City makes their case:

Hazelwood city spokesman Tim Davidson had said a neighbor complained that the cookie booth caused excessive dog barking and unusually heavy traffic on the street.

Equinsu Ochoa at WorldGoneMad blog writes, "Girl Scout Nazi’s on loose in Hazelwood":

According to the designated town idiot, Tim Davidson, the selling of cookies in front of their house violates some dumbass home occupancy code the town has in place.

Apparently this was prompted by someone, without a life or with a corn cob up their ass... next year, I hope they set up the cookie stand with neon lights, balloons and a jumpy castle. In the mean time, they should have people who have at least some shred of common sense run for office and vote out the Girl Scout Nazis.

Photo depiction; not actual event. GirlScoutCookies.org

Strict Party Line Vote

Governor expected to sign Bill soon after reconciliation

From KERA Radio - Dallas:

On Thursday the Texas House joined the Senate in adopting a republican-backed voter ID bill.

Bills requiring Texans to show an approved photo when they vote failed during the two previous sessions. But republicans now outnumber democrats two-to-one in the House and they easily pushed this bill through with a party line vote of 101-48.

Differences between the House and Senate bills must now be reconciled. Governor Rick Perry urged both chambers to act quickly so he can sign the legislation.

Mark Hutcherson blogs at Waco News Beat:

As Democrats in the Texas Senate tried to find ways to block "Voter ID" from becoming law, it became clear to me that what they were really trying to do was find a way to keep illegal people voting in elections in Texas. There is no valid reason why a person should not be required to show a valid photo ID when they vote. We all show a legal ID every time we cash a check or even when entering a nightclub on Friday night.

Only a fool or someone who hopes to gain the votes of an illegal immigrant would oppose such a simple and good law.