Cactus Thorns

In a free society, the education of our children and grandchildren is one of the most important functions we have delegated to government. The educational status of our youth is the truest bellwether of government's accomplishment or failure.

The discussion of this measure is of such importance that the usual cheap shots and insults made famous in our comments section will be dispensed with on this topic and will be deleted as soon as posted. We do not plan to make an endorsement either way until the last week of this campaign and only after we have heard from all sides of the issue.

We've decided to take a different approach to how we are going to handle Measure O. We are going to invite the spokespersons of Measure O to present essays in support and then follow with those opposed. They will be allowed to present their side. Each side will be allowed to respond to each in essay form to be posted here. We have requested that the Friends of MUSD to prepare an essay to be posted as soon as it is made available to Vote29.com. We have as yet found a group in opposition and will entertain any representative in opposition who will contact us. Email Here

Mr. and Mrs. America, Turn Them In

And we’ll start with San Francisco. On the November 8 ballot for residents of the city and county of San Francisco is a replay of that city’s perennial attempts to ban handguns. This time it’s Proposition H, and a quick read of the text shows how out of touch these people really are.

The actual text of the ballot measure incredibly contains Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s famous moment of honesty on 60 Minutes: “Mr. and Mrs. America, turn them [all] in.” On that day, Senator Feinstein was referring to so-called assault weapons, but I’m sure she’s proud of how her city is carrying on the same campaign to ban handguns that she championed when she was mayor.

Numerous Old Media outlets are grudgingly acknowledging how armed residents of Gulf Coast communities have fended off looters and worse. Even so, San Francisco wants to make its people utterly vulnerable if, say, the Big One hits the Bay area.

End of gun ban has little effect in Delaware, No increase reported in crimes using previously banned arms

The predictions were dire. The expiration of the 10-year-old federal assault-weapons ban would flood the streets with AK-47s and other weapons of war. With the one-year anniversary of the expiration of the ban passing quietly last week, the reality has proved much less grim. The assault-weapons ban went out with a whimper, not a bang. Although precise figures are not available, police in Delaware have not reported an increase in crimes committed with previously banned weapons. More

On to Measure O

This Q&A was provided by the Friends of MUSD, We will post more as we go. This measure will be on the next ballot in November.

Q Why is the Morongo Unified School District proposing a general obligation bond measure?
A The Morongo Unified School District is proposing a $48 million bond measure to repair and renovate each school in the District, improve student safety and relieve classroom overcrowding.
The Morongo Unified School District bond measure will also allow us to make repairs and modernization upgrades at all of our schools. Many of the District's schools and campuses are more than 40 years old. Approval of the bond measure would authorize the School District to make repairs to older classrooms, restroom facilities, replace or upgrade plumbing and electrical systems to make them current to modern standards and requirements.
The bond measure, if approved, will also allow the School District to renovate classrooms, science and computer labs and technology centers to provide our students with the 21st century technology they need to succeed in college or in their careers.

Mr Roberts Goes to Washington

It is official John Roberts is the new Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. God save America and this honorable Court.

Best of the Desert Trail | Who do you call next?

Three years ago in June I purchased a home on Lupine Avenue. One of the first things I noticed was the fact that when you drive south on Lupine to Two Mile, anyone in a passenger car has no visibility to the east as a wooden fence extends many feet into the right of way at this corner.
Three years ago I wrote the city manager about this, received a replay from him that he would take care of this.
It appears the poor man is overloaded with work.
Two years ago I wrote the city council about this matter, received a letter from a councilman who promised to correct this problem as soon as possible.
Last year a man from code enforcement called to say this would be taken care of soon.
My question is, who should I contact this year to have someone else lie to me?

Dan Munro
Twentynine Palms

Dear Dan, It's the little things like that fence and the Pole that we keep bringing up that show the metal of the man. Try telling Swigart that the guy with the fence signed the recall petition, or you found him reading Cactus Thorns on his laptop, that will get some action!

Politicians, put YOUR money where YOUR mouth is!

Here is a wonderful Populist article written by Deanna Spingola (Yes, Kathy a woman), it extolls many of the things we have tried in our sometimes failing way to express. Her grasp of the American Experiment gives us all a true grasp of the real potential of our Constitutional Republic. This one is worth reading every word.

Left uncontaminated by despotism, constitutional law embodies a set of principles designed to guarantee the liberty and rights of every individual. These privileges are not government gifts but are the blessings of God and existed prior to the establishment of governments. Our government was established to ensure their protection and continuation. "The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom. For in all the states of created beings, capable of laws, where there is no law there is no freedom." The road to tyranny is constructed by unscrupulous politicians and judges who relentlessly fail to acknowledge the source of our liberties. By design, they have mandated a public absence of God for the rest of us — their employers. Conceivably the regime's regulation of public behavior will ultimately also affect the regulation of our private beliefs.

Essentially, government officials are employees of the people. Elected officials are hired by the voters to represent their best interests and the constitution is our contract. Our federal representatives swear an oath to uphold Constitutional law and should be held accountable. They are subject to replacement if they fail to abide by the conditions under which they were hired.

All individuals are entitled to defend themselves, their liberty and their property with force, if necessary. In addition, citizens, otherwise occupied, have the collective prerogative to hire others who will defend their liberties, their lives and their properties. The citizens authorize appropriate compensation to these employees through reasonable taxation. (Read More)

Does the Posse need to ride again?

Why is it that you can spilt a 5 acre parcel into two 2-1/2 acres plots right off the main drag to the park with a plot plan drawn on a piece of 8x10 scratch paper, no improvements no infrastructure by some, but you can't split 10 acres into four 2-1/2 acre parcels, with $12+ grand worth of required survey work in the friggin' boonies without the full Monty of Infrastructure Improvements?

Could it be that that old bugaboo of grease is back or maybe the old boys club are making a comeback?

Government is Sent a Message By Voters

HDMC Measure N proponents are in a Trauma this morning after getting spanked by Voters. They were unable to carry a simple majority. This is a message to other Government agencies that the Voter is smarter, better read, and better informed. We salute the Citizens of the Morongo Basin.

Measure N

Voters turn down Measure N

Yes - 4136

No - 4974

New Orleans' Police Superintendant Resigns

NEW ORLEANS - Police Superintendent Eddie Compass resigned Tuesday after four turbulent weeks in which the police force was wracked by desertions and disorganization in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath.

As the city slipped into anarchy during the first few days after Katrina, the 1,700-member police department itself suffered a crisis. Many officers deserted their posts, and some were accused of joining in the looting that broke out. More

And theres more.... The Orleans Parish Levee Board took money for levees and built a casino, convention center and Mardi Gras fountain. Could that be one of the reasons the levees were not strong enough to withstand hurricane force? Just could be one of the factors.

MEASURE N - HI-DESERT MEMORIAL HCD

Yes ............. 4136

No .............. 4974

Law strips convicted public officials of some pension

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday signed into law Stockton Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian's "Baxter Dunn" bill, which strips public officials convicted of felonies connected with their office from receiving the taxpayer-funded portion of their pensions. More

Rita plans highlight Katrina failures

WASHINGTON -- The speed with which the federal government marshaled significant military and other resources to evacuate, rescue and care for victims of Hurricane Rita raises new questions about why Washington was so slow to respond to Hurricane Katrina less than four weeks earlier.

http://www.freep.com/news/nw/rita26e_20050926.htm

Security Advisory: Code Red

Why worry about Abdul or Mohammed? Sources tell us that some local Tweak ripped MCAGCC of some very very hot items. They tell us this is no joke. Missing for at least 24 hours the USMC and the Navy are hot and heavy on finding the merchandise and the culprit.

You need a program to tell who the bad guys are.

I had a neighbor stop by a few minutes ago to tell me about how for the last few days his gas tank has been siphoned and to watch for the late night tweakers on the prowl. He was pretty upset it had cost him a couple of hundred dollars. He was upset enough to call the Sheriff and boy that just compounded his problems.

He's a law abiding fellow that like most folks in the great Western expanses is self-reliant an self-sufficient. A friendly guy, who invited the deputy into his home to offer him hospitality. That was his mistake.

Over in the corner of his living room, against the wall, leaned his SKS varmint rifle. The good fellow with the badge at that moment had the choice to keep to the business at hand or empty his brain from his Oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and jump for the opportunity to disarm a fellow citizen. He made the jump. (While a neo-national socialist California law was on the deputy's side, 218 years of Constitutional history says Bull S**t.) It's hard to decide what was the greater indignity, the theft of the gas or loss of trust in law enforcement. The bad guys got the gas, the Deputy got the rifle, and my neighbor who was not the bad guy, got the shaft.

The lesson to be learned here is never invite a scorpion to ride upon your back to cross a stream.

Cow Chip Bingo

Yes Kurt, your right Pioneer Days are not what they used to be. That's not the fault of the citizens. The whys are really easy to point out but would be a cheap shot to those who honestly are attempting good works for the community. But... then what the heck...

The celebration of our Pioneer western past has be overshadowed in the last few years by yuppie inspired historical revisionism. Our mining heritage is lost to the wine tasting and the cheese eating crowd. It's a sissified hodgepodge of predictable vignettes right out of Hollywood fiction. Our proud history of horse thieves, high-graders and claim jumpers seems to be lost to the need of some to create a New England Village Faire. Well you ain't in Rhode Island anymore Dorothy.

You say every year, you're overwhelmed by the majority of people who do not lift a finger, do not participate, do not do anything but complain about how much better it used to be. Its tough to get all wound up about an event that has been so micromanaged, and clique-ified as to be made so politically correct that it is not even recognized as Pioneer Days.

You wrote, "This year Pioneer Days has a new venue. Gone are the dusty, windy byways of Miller Fairgrounds, replaced by the cool green lawns of Luckie Park. With the new location will come new events. Among other things, a pet parade, battle of the bands and cow chip bingo are in the works."

Well it ain't going to be better at Luckie Park, lost forever will be the rough and tumble of the 'County fair' atmosphere of a dusty field magically transformed into a full blown carnival. You just don't get the same excitement from a city park with city rules controlling the activities of the city folks. That's not Pioneer Days.

Pet Parade? Come on.... what sit-com did you pick that one up from? Gillmore Girls? Gather the pets so Animal Control can take a head count? Brilliant!

A Battle of the Bands? That should give the Code Enforcement Officer a reason to cite each one for noise pollution.

As for those brightly lit rides and concessions, why they are a complete violation of the "Night Sky Ordinance."

And finally, as for Cow Chip Bingo, we can play that every Tuesday Night down at City Hall.

Desert Trail | Stores?

In the Desert Trail Letters Section, Mary Casey Wants to know why we haven't developed a business District.

On a recent trip we drove through many small towns, population only 3,500 or 5,000, and every one had a store - Wal-Mart, Kmart, something! Here we are at 30,000 and no store. We have lived here for 35 years and have been told repeatedly that the reason we have no store is it could not compete with the PX,...More

Major Victory For Firearms Owners And Freedom In Louisiana

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana this afternoon issued a temporary restraining order on behalf of the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and National Rifle Association (NRA), bringing an end to firearm seizures from citizens living in and around New Orleans.

District Judge Jay Zainey issued the restraining order against all parties named in a lawsuit filed Thursday by SAF and NRA. Defendants in the lawsuit include New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and Police Chief Edwin Compass III.

“This is a great victory, not just for the NRA and SAF, but primarily for law-abiding gun owners everywhere,” said SAF founder Alan M. Gottlieb. “We are proud to have joined forces with the NRA to put an end to what has amounted to a warrantless gun grab by authorities in New Orleans and surrounding jurisdictions.

“Over the past three weeks,” he continued, “residents who had lost virtually everything in the devastation following Hurricane Katrina had also essentially been stripped of something even more precious, their civil rights, and their right of self-defense, because of these gun seizures.

“SAF and NRA had no alternative but to take action,” Gottlieb added. “If these gun confiscations had been allowed to continue without challenge, it would have set a dangerous precedent that would have encouraged authorities in other jurisdictions to believe they also could suspend the civil rights of citizens in the event of some other emergency.

“What must happen now, and quickly,” said Gottlieb, “is for authorities in the New Orleans area to explain how they will return all of those firearms to their rightful owners, and do it promptly. What this ruling affirms is that even in the face of great natural disasters, governments cannot arbitrarily deprive citizens of their rights. Thanks to some great teamwork between SAF and the NRA, this sort of thing will hopefully never happen again.”

VV Daily Press | Getting special treatment on eminent domain

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled this summer that governments could seize homes and other property to facilitate private development projects, it touched off a political firestorm throughout the nation — including California — and fueled demands for new barriers to misuse of governmental "eminent domain" powers.

California's version of the debate centered on the aggressive use of eminent domain — or the threat to use it — by city redevelopment agencies to assemble land for hotels, auto malls, big box retailers and other projects.

Although California law says that redevelopment powers can be invoked only to combat "blight," local officials have been quite creative in their application of the term. And when the Supreme Court declared that "there is no basis for exempting economic development from our traditionally broad understanding of public purposes," it seemingly validated those aggressive redevelopment efforts. More

Eminent domain takes a big hit in court

A Maricopa County Arizona Superior Court judge has ruled against Tempe's use of eminent domain to condemn private property in the McClintock/Rio Salado Redevelopment Area, saying city officials had not met the proof of proving a public use. The court said profit, not public improvement, was the motivating force for this development. The property would be used for private commercial use, and no needed public services would be provided by the end use of the property. (More)

New London Plaintiff Tells Story

Washington — Michael Cristofaro vividly remembers telling his father that New London needed his property to build a sea wall that would protect the city's residents. Confused, but with little resistance, his parents, who emigrated from Italy, left their first and only home in the United States to protect their community.

The wall was never built. Instead, an office park replaced Cristofaro's childhood home.

Cristofaro is one of the plaintiffs whose appeal of an eminent domain taking by the city of New London was rejected in June by the U.S. Supreme Court. He told his parents' story and his own recent experience in the Fort Trumbull eminent domain case Thursday afternoon to members of the House Judiciary Committee's Constitution Subcommittee.

The subcommittee is holding hearings to examine the Supreme Court's decision in the case, Kelo v. New London. (More from The Day)

California’s emerging renewables rebate program

Tired of the Rat Race? Sick of the power going out? Renewable energy is a natural choice. Harnessing the earth's own inexhaustible energy - whether from the sun, wind, fuel cells or other renewable sources - can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and provide clean, affordable electricity.

The California Energy Commission is offering cash rebates on eligible renewable energy electric-generating systems through its Emerging Renewables Program.

The Emerging Renewables Program provides rebates to consumers who install qualifying renewable energy systems. Your financial incentive may vary according to the system size, technology and installation method. Affordable housing projects may qualify for an extra 25 percent rebate above the standard rebate, not to exceed 75 percent of the system cost based on meeting additional eligibility criteria. Please see the Program Guidebook for detailed information and application forms. (Read More)

Last Nights Light Show

Last night's light show over Southern California skies was provided by the United States Air Force at Vandenburg AFB. Kind of like turning swords in to plowshares, the Air Force is using old Minuteman Rockets saving millions of dollars as a trade off. We saw a great light show and they sent something up into space using rockets once pointed at Moscow.

U.S. Air Force's Orbital/Suborbital Program (OSP) developed the low-cost, four-stage Space Launch Vehicle (SLV) Minotaur rocket using a combination of U.S. government-supplied Minuteman II motors and proven Orbital space launch technologies. (more)

NRA FILES SUIT TO STOP FIREARM SEIZURES IN NEW ORLEANS

(Fairfax, VA) - Today, the National Rifle Association (NRA) filed a motion in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana seeking a temporary restraining order to block authorities from confiscating law-abiding citizens’ firearms in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“New Orleans is the first city in the United States to forcibly disarm peaceable law-abiding citizens and it must be the last. Victims are dealing with a complete breakdown of government. At a time when 911 is non-operational and law enforcement cannot respond immediately to calls for help, people have only the Second Amendment to protect themselves, their loved ones and their property,” said NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. (More)

SAF ASK FEDERAL COURT TO HALT NEW ORLEANS GUN SEIZURES

BATON ROUGE, LA (Sept. 22) – The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and National Rifle Association (NRA) joined with individual gun owners in Louisiana Thursday morning, filing a motion in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana seeking a temporary restraining order to stop authorities in and around the City of New Orleans from seizing firearms from private citizens in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Arbitrary gun seizures, without warrant or probable cause, have been reported during the past three weeks since the Crescent City was devastated by the hurricane. In cases reported to SAF, police refused to give citizens receipts for their seized firearms. Earlier, SAF insisted that police account for all seized firearms, disclose their whereabouts, and explain how they will be returned to their rightful owners. Authorities have not responded. MORE

Ah, the signs of Fall

Well it's a sure sign that summer is over. Like the Swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano the Turkey Vultures have returned to the Morongo Basin.

The Turkey Vulture also called TURKEY BUZZARD (Cathartes aura), long-winged, long-tailed vulture (family Cathartidae, the New World vultures) that has dark plumage, a whitish beak, white legs, and a bare red head (black in immature birds) that is covered with whitish bumps. Its wingspread is about 1.8 m (6 feet), and its length is about 75 cm (30 inches). The turkey vulture has an elaborate olfactory canal and uses its keen sense of smell in finding food. The bird subsists predominantly on carrion. The species occurs throughout the Americas except northern Canada; northerly and southernmost populations are migratory. The one to three eggs, which are white with brown spots, are laid in a crude nest; the sexes share incubation. Hatching takes place in five or six weeks.

DHS Recall Group Launches Recall Website

This week the recall movement in Desert Hot Springs has turned up the heat with the launching of a new Recall Web Site. DHSrecall.com promises to keep the voters in DHS informed and motivated. If any town needed a good political enema DHS has to be on top the short list.

Gulf Set for the One Two Punch

Hurricane Rita's rapid intensification cycle that began Tuesday afternoon continues. Top winds are up to 175 mph, now a category 5 hurricane. Rita's pressure has dramatically dropped to 897 millibars! Even as a large and extremely intense category 5 hurricane, further strengthening is possible as the atmosphere remains favorable for development over the next 24 hours. More

Senate Petitioned in Eminent Domain Case

WASHINGTON -- The Connecticut woman whose case led to the Supreme Court decision allowing local governments to take homes for private development asked senators on Tuesday to end the federal government's involvement in such seizures.

"I sincerely hope that Congress will do what judges and local legislators so far have refused to do for me and for thousands of people like me across the nation: protect our homes," Susette Kelo told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The panel is considering one of several congressional proposals that would bar federal money from construction projects that benefit from the Supreme Court ruling.

State and national lawmakers around the nation are moving quickly to blunt the effects of the Supreme Court's Kelo v. City of New London, Conn., decision. In that 5-4 ruling, the justices said municipalities have broad power to bulldoze people's homes in favor of private development to generate tax revenue. (More Washington Post)

Lightning kills the Chipmunk

The chipmunk that runs the local power was hit by lightning 3:00 AM Tuesday morning causing a wide spread power outage. It was found DOA at the bottom of its cage. Edison said the squirrel cage was severely damaged and they were forced to do extensive repairs on the rodent habitat. Due to the shortage of chipmunks Edison did a redesign on the system to accommodate a hamster. Power was restored around 11:00 PM local time to most areas.

DHS News | Candidate "B"

David Lane wore out his welcome in Clearlake, say sources. David Lane, one of two finalists in the Desert Hot Springs City Manager search, finally wore out his welcome in Clearlake, California where he served as that city's top city administrator, according to sources of Desert Hot Springs News and Reviews. "They ran him out for some kind of undisclosed reason," said our source who spoke on condition that his name not be revealed. "David's primary talent was to get the council to approve big increases in his contract year after year, and to add golden parachutes at every chance, making firing him an expensive option.
http://www.gogov.com/deserthotsprings2.htm

Last week to vote on Measure N

thedesertsun.com | They'd rather switch than fight

Local politics are rarely more fascinating than during a contentious election season. The political posturing - all for a seat on a City Council - knows no bounds. Some people are willing to move from one community to another, all with the hope of securing a spot on the dais of city government; others will abruptly separate themselves from a lifelong association with a political party. Democrats will scurry to become Republicans; longtime Republicans will suddenly switch their party registration to "Decline to State." The switches are usually done with the hope no one will know, but public records eventually tell the story. More

Wildcats ring the Bell

Congratulations go to the Twentynine Palms High School Wildcats for winning the BELL.
The host Wildcats of Twentynine Palms High School converted brilliant defensive play by Kyle Candelaria, who intercepted a pass for a TD and recovered two fumbles and the offensive prowess of Ron Hampton into victory here Friday night, 28-16.

With the victory, Twentynine Palms reclaimed the Bell it lost in 2003 in this, the 38th annual Battle of the Kiwanis Bell game. The Wildcats lead in Bell victories, 20-18. More

In Response: Park Policy Pulled

Did you read that article in the Desert Trail By Sara Munro, "Park Policy Pulled"? It was written as if it were a crime to want commercial and economic opportunities to be derived from our proximity to Joshua Tree National Park. A good many worthy community leaders have placed their eggs in the basket of Park tourism.

The facts are that the present policies of the park have done little to substantially increase direct park related commercial opportunities. In park tourist, commercial venues and infrastructure are nonexistent. If the Park is to be developed into anything more than for a couple of hardy niche groups, other activities besides rock climbing and primitive camping must be explored.

Let me go out on the limb here and say that the Mojave Desert has an abundance of protected areas that are forever closed to public access, lands closed to the public and commercial use during the Clinton Administration.

This national park should be where people are allowed to experience the ecosystem. Right now all you can do is enter some very limited areas, and allowed to participate in a very limited list of activities. Our communities should be allowed to profit from our proximity to the Park and not be shackled by the Clinton Era definition of "impairment."

Munro writes, "Under Hoffman's policies, Joshua Tree National Park would be vulnerable to a variety of impacts from activities such as low-level airplane flights, off-road vehicles that would have access to all dirt and paved roads, special events and a host of other forms of high-impact use." So what's wrong with any of those activities if they are well regulated? One thing for sure it would give employment opportunities to local citizens and surely improve the small business climate in Twentynine Palms.

A good neighbor policy goes both ways. The communities and counties that encompass and boarder the park have given the park system autonomy and sovereignty over our public lands and to date have received proportionally very little in return.

Critics of a new policy of "irreversible impact", including the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, an association of retired NPS employees, and the National Parks Conservation Association have little in the hunt in the promise of economic return for the loss of local stewardship of public lands.

Lance Cpl. Shane C. Swanberg, 24

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Shane C. Swanberg, 24, of Kirkland, Wash., died Sept. 15 from an explosion resulting from indirect fire at Forward Operating Base, Camp Ramadi, Iraq. Swanberg was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Media with questions about this Marine can call the Twentynine Palms Public Affairs Office at (760) 830-5472.

Desert Trail: Just say no to Measure N

By now, most of you will have received a ballot for Measure N, the hospital parcel tax, in your mailboxes.

Do not throw it away! That's the most important message we can give you.

Because of the way the votes will be counted, every vote in this special election is vital. You see, the tax will pass if two-thirds of all the ballots that are returned are marked in favor of Measure N.

If you oppose the tax, it especially is imperative that you mark your ballot and mail it. Your instinct might be to think that by throwing the ballot away, you are expressing your opposition to the tax - but in fact, by not voting, you're actually supporting Measure N. More

DHS vice mayor to resign from job with Mayer Luce

Mary Stephens made a tough choice Tuesday — and it was the right one.

The Desert Hot Springs vice mayor plans to resign from Mayer Luce Development, which is building thousands of homes in her city. Stephens' employment with the company became an issue for some Desert Hot Springs residents and her opponents have raised it as an issue in her campaign this fall for mayor. More

The Pledge of Allegiance

Back in the olden days when many of us baby boomers were in elementary school the Pledge of Allegiance went like this:

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

"Under God" was added in the late Fifties. It took years before all schools used the additional term. I still fall back to it's orginal language time to time and have to catch myself to add the "under God" clause. Until this is run through the courts again, I have a simple solution to the present ban on the use of the pledge. Return to the original reading.

Here is a fun read, The Pledge of Allegiance A Short History or The Story of the Pledge of Allegiance

What if it were here?

We've recently seen what indecisiveness and inaction can lead to in an emergency or natural disaster. It's the small things that combined together that can lead to complete anarchy. It's the seemingly insignificant failures to follow through day by day, year by year, that by their shear number cause a complete collapse of effective government response.

Can we trust that if there was a calamity of such a dire nature, that we can depend on our local government? If the recent rains are a bellwether, we doubt it. Some two months after, streets are still in disrepair. We saw by example what priorities the present administration had. Important thoroughfares were allowed to remain closed and flooded as private roads were graded.

Can we trust that local government can follow through on agreements to protect the public safety? The infamous Down Guy pole in front of the Theater Building is still in the public right-a-way. A deal was struck with Edison, money was allocated long before the rains. Six months have past with nothing done. We all know what excuses are like and expect the one that they might offer will stink.

A sign of effective administrative leadership is getting the little things done. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. One day we can be assured someone will take that pole down, we hope it will be the government not an unsuspecting driver.

The rains are by example a minor hardship in comparison to New Orleans. But, they proved an "every man for himself" mentality in local government. Swigart as the captain, thought of himself before his passengers and crew. He abandoned his responsibility of leadership and used the lifeboat for himself.

Like the sunshine soldier of old, Swigart in good times has appeared a most competent fellow. But upon a closer inspection of the record, he has proven to turn tail at the slightest adversity. If the summer rains reflect his leadership abilities in a time of disaster we are in deep deep trouble. If his follow through is by the example his failure to clear a public right-a-way, we are in deep deep trouble.

It's plain to see if you are going to look to this local government to assume a leadership role in a terrorist attack or natural disaster your going to at least be greatly disappointed. You can expect a total collapse and complete anarchy. My friends you will be on your own. The lack of both noble and competent leadership will negate the most brilliant of Emergency Management Plans.

Who you goin'a believe, 'HDMC' or your lying eyes?

In a letter to the Hi-Desert Star (Measure N is a small price to pay) Lillian Thacher writes, "People should not be misled by those who may have personal, real or imagined grievances with the hospital." Like the Wizard of OZ she tells us not to pay attention to the man behind the curtain. Its sort of like the old country song, "Who you goin'a believe 'HDMC' or your lying eyes?" The campaign slogans fail to jive with the plain language of the ballot. The informed voter can discern truth from hyperbole.

Ms. Thacher seems to blame the people's common sense as a reason to fault the voter's concern, not the deceit of the promoters of Measure N. She says it's only 8 cents a day. We say 8 cents a day spent on a bad idea is Millions of Dollars wasted during the life of this measure.

Yes, the Morongo Basin deserves good medical care, Yes we deserve a competent and effective trauma center, but we don't need smoke blown up our tail pipes.

VOTE NO ON MEASURE N

The Perfect Day

The group of friends had planned pouring the slab for months. It was cool, sunny and perfect weather. Yesterday was a perfect day. Laying a slab is a community event akin to raising a barn. You show up with a shovel, a trowel, and the will to give it all for a couple of hours.

The five middle aged friends included Kern Watson. Kern a hard worker and an experienced concrete man was placed in charge. We did the grunt work and he barked out the orders. Kern was in his prime. We gave it our all, the slab was perfect as five friends could make it.

It was the best slab Kern ever finished. He was happy with the work. We had poured the perfect slab on a perfect day. We all patted one another on the back. A few minutes after we all finish, we sat down to take a small rest. For our dear friend Kern, it was his last job on Earth. He was called to our Lord. We imagine He had important work to be done that could not wait. It was the perfect time. Kern Watson was 54 years old.

No on Measure N

It's now unanimous. Mainstream Media, both print and broadcast all agree. It's No on Measure N.

VV Daily Press: Baker recall effort dies in private

Board members who approved $1.2 million contract are off the hook following secret negotiations
VICTORVILLE — A group seeking to recall Victor Elementary School District board members who approved a controversial $1.2 million contract for Superintendent Ralph Baker have been holding secret negotiations and now say their recall effort is dead.

"It's been made obvious we don't have enough teacher or parent commitment to support it," RAISE member David Hunter-Inman said.

Instead, members of Residents Against Inappropriate Spending in Education, the grassroots group that promised to pursue the recall, has taken it upon themselves to meet with select members of the school board and negotiate the "summit document."

"The summit document includes caveats we've agreed upon ... suggestions the board might implement so this won't happen again," Inman said.

RAISE organized after a public outcry over the board approving Baker's four-year $1.2 million contract in April, which was revised to just under $1 million in June. More

Hi-Desert Star: Spot half-truths in tax marketing

Half-truths often are harder to spot than full-blown whoppers! Here is an example:

Recently, a slick direct mail piece hit mailboxes within the hospital district. It boldly proclaimed,

1) "For many residents of the Morongo Basin, the nearest trauma center is up to 90 minutes away. Everyone agrees, Truth -

2) Treating trauma victims within the first 60 minutes after traumatic injury can mean the difference between life and death. Undisputed fact, Truth -

3) Measure N will save lives by establishing a local trauma center right here in the Morongo Basin." Sounds reasonable too - But wait, is this statement as truthful as it sounds, or do we have a little "Half-Truth/Stinker" on our hands?

Perhaps all that is needed to clarify this question is a look at the front page of the Hi-Desert Star, Aug. 27, "Trauma center in question." Several items jump from the page.

Ms. Virginia Hastings, (ICEMA executive director) is quoted, "At level IV, the hospital (HDMC), will not be able to accept any trauma patients it cannot already accept in its emergency room."

Again, Ms. Hastings, "The use of the term "trauma" in the ballot measure language is "a little misleading."

And the eye-opener, at level IV, a facility is not permitted to receive any trauma patients other than the ones with minor injuries, and those considered "in extremis" (near death). Any hospital with a recognized emergency room, including HDMC, can accept these patients. All other trauma patients, however, must be taken to higher-level trauma centers.

Two things are clear: A pernicious half-truth has damaged HDMC and Brim Inc's credibility.

And regardless the outcome of Measure N, "If we or a neighbor experiences a life-threatening traumatic injury, we're in for a ride down the hill."

Mike Van Camp
Joshua Tree
Link

Strife nags city officials

Desert Hot Springs officials, who recently heralded the city's emergence from bankruptcy, now find themselves dealing with a call for a federal audit, mounting criticism of the former city manager's last contract, and efforts to recall members of the City Council.

With elections approaching in November, what all of this means for Desert Hot Springs' future financial health is uncertain.

On Wednesday, the Desert Hot Springs City Council voted in closed session to ask the U.S. Department of Justice to audit its finances for the past five years.

Gabriel King, who runs a Desert Hot Springs Web blog, said he asked the city to request the audit, which Councilman Hank Hohenstein confirmed Thursday.

King was dismissed with the rest of the city's Planning Commission in 2004. He ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2003.

It's unclear whether the federal government would even have a role in such an audit. More

Measure O | Challenge to Civility