Cactus Thorns

In 36 days of fighting on Iwo Jima there were 25,851 US casualties (1 in 3 were killed or wounded). Of these, 6,825 American boys were killed. According to an Associated Press count, at least 3,154 members of the US military have died since the Iraq war began in March 2003.

FBI: Criminals ignore gun laws, dah....

BELLEVUE, WA – For more than two months, a damning report on a five-year study by the Federal Bureau of Investigation about how cop-killing criminals ignore gun laws and where they get their guns has languished in the shadows, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms revealed today.

“The public has a right to know the contents of this report, which was revealed to the International Association of Chiefs of Police last year,” said CCRKBA Executive Director Joe Waldron. “According to the Force Science News, research focused on 40 incidents involving assaults or deadly attacks on police officers, in which all but one of the guns involved had been obtained illegally, and none were obtained from gun shows.”

The study is called “Violent Encounters: A Study of Felonious Assaults on Our Nation’s Law Enforcement Officers.” Waldron called it a “smoking gun” in terms of revelations about the sources of crime guns. Anti-gun politicians and police chiefs do not want the public to know as they campaign against the so-called “gun show loophole,” he said.

The newsletter quotes Ed Davis, who told the IACP that none of these criminals who attacked police officers was “hindered by any law – federal, sate or local – that has ever been established to prevent gun ownership. They just laughed at gun laws.” The Force Science News is published by the Force Science Research Center, a non-profit institution based at Minnesota State University in Mankato. The newsletter also stated, “In contrast to media myth, none of the firearms in the study was obtained from gun shows.”

“This is a devastating revelation,” Waldron said, “and while Mr. Davis should be applauded for telling the IACP that criminals ignore gun laws, we’re wondering why the IACP has been quiet about this, and why the mainstream press never reported this, and probably never will.

“Force Science News calls the gun show loophole a ‘media myth’,” Waldron said, “and that’s what gun rights activists have been saying for years. It’s time for the IACP leadership to acknowledge that gun laws don’t stop criminals, that they only restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens, and that gun shows are not the ‘arms bazaars for criminals’ as they have been portrayed.”

Could county be overreaching on ORV Regulations?

Community Service Area roads or Small tract rights of way (patent easements) are Not Part of the County Maintained Road System. The home owner must realize that they, and no other, will be responsible for, and pay any costs associated with, road maintenance problem.

According to State Law, California Street & Highway Code, Section 2150, neither road fund revenues nor County General Funds may be expended on roads that have not been accepted into the County Maintained Road System by the Board of Supervisors (with the concurrence of the state).

Sam Johnson, former POW: “Now it’s time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home"

“You know, I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 25 missions in the Vietnam War before being shot down.

“I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years, attending the prestigious National War College, and commanding two air bases, among other things.

“I mention these stories because I view the debate on the floor not just as a U.S. Congressman elected to serve the good people of the Third District in Texas, but also through the lens of a life-long fighter pilot, student of war, a combat warrior, a leader of men, and a Prisoner of War.

“Ironically, this week marks the anniversary that I started a new life – and my freedom from prison in Hanoi.

“I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. I flew out of Hanoi on February 12, 1973 with other long-held Prisoners of War – weighing just 140 pounds. And tomorrow – 34 years ago, I had my homecoming to Texas – a truly unspeakable blessing of freedom.

“While in solitary confinement, my captors kept me in leg stocks, like the pilgrims… for 72 days….

“As you can imagine, they had to carry me out of the stocks because I couldn’t walk. The following day, they put me in leg irons… for 2 ½ years. That’s when you have a tight metal cuff around each ankle – with a foot-long bar connecting the legs.

“I still have little feeling in my right arm and my right hand… and my body has never been the same since my nearly 2,500 days of captivity.

“Instead, I try to see the silver lining. I say that because in some way … I’m living a dream…a hope I had for the future.

“From April 16, 1966 to February 12, 1973 – I prayed that I would return home to the loving embrace of my wife, Shirley, and my three kids, Bob, Gini, and Beverly…

“And my fellow POWs and I clung to the hope of when – not if – we returned home.

“We would spend hours tapping on the adjoining cement walls about what we would do when we got home to America.

“We pledged to quit griping about the way the government was running the war in Vietnam and do something about it… We decided that we would run for office and try to make America a better place for all.

“So – little did I know back in my rat-infested 3 x 8 dark and filthy cell that 34 years after my departure from Hell on Earth… I would spend the anniversary of my release pleading for a House panel to back my measure to support and fully fund the troops in harm’s way….and that just days later I would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives surrounded by distinguished veterans urging Congress to support our troops to the hilt.

“We POWs were still in Vietnam when Washington cut the funding for Vietnam. I know what it does to morale and mission success. Words can not fully describe the horrendous damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground.

“Our captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home…tales of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home... and worse.

“The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors.

“Our troops – and their families – want, need and deserve the full support of the country – and the Congress. Moms and dads watching the news need to know that the Congress will not leave their sons and daughters in harm’s way without support.

“Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq last month, there has been steady progress. He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections.

“There are reports we wounded the number two of Al Qaeda and killed his deputy. Yes, Al Qaeda operates in Iraq. It’s alleged that top radical jihadist Al-Sadr has fled Iraq – maybe to Iran. And Iraq’s closed its borders with Iran and Syria. The President changed course and offered a new plan …we are making progress. We must seize the opportunity to move forward, not stifle future success.

“Debating non-binding resolutions aimed at earning political points only destroys morale, stymies success, and emboldens the enemy.

“The grim reality is that this House measure is the first step to cutting funding of the troops…Just ask John Murtha about his ‘slow-bleed’ plan that hamstrings our troops in harm’s way.

“Now it’s time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home – and those who fought and died in Iraq - so I can keep my promise that when we got home we would quit griping about the war and do something positive about it…and we must not allow this Congress to leave these troops like the Congress left us.

“Today, let my body serve as a brutal reminder that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past… instead learn from them.

“We must not cut funding for our troops. We must stick by them. We must support them all the way…To our troops we must remain…always faithful.

New Policy: A move backwards

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor warned in her dissent in the Kelo eminent domain case: "The beneficiaries (of eminent domain) are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms."

When we allow developers to buy acreage on the cheap with little access to city roads and facilities, then turn around and TAKE others private property to make those new developments viable, we do not make for a better community. Theft is theft no matter who does the stealing. If the developer needs road access or easement let him go to the fair market. If he is unable to make the project viable without the despotism of eminent domain his project should be rejected wholesale.

No Middle Ground on Eminent Domain

Interesting how guys can campaign against the use of eminent domain for private use and profit and when it comes to a vote on the question of eminent domain turn around and screw the people who voted for them.

Desert Trail: TWENTYNINE PALMS — The Twentynine Palms City Council was split Tuesday, Feb. 13 on the question of how to prevent repeat of a recent situation which saw them staring down the possibility of having to invoke imminent domain. More

This is a clear issue where you have it right or wrong, its good or evil and its black or white. You either believe that imminent domain can only be used for public use or you believe you can steal another mans land for the profit of another private individual. There is no middle ground.

Eminent Domain Abuse on African Americans

Arlington, Va. - “Eminent domain has become what the founding fathers sought to prevent: a tool that takes from the poor and the politically weak to give to the rich and politically powerful,” concludes Dr. Mindy Fullilove in her new report released today titled, “Eminent Domain & African Americans: What is the Price of the Commons?” The report is available at http://www.castlecoalition.org/publications/index.html.

Eminent Domain & African Americans is the first in a new series of independently authored reports published by the Institute for Justice, Perspectives on Eminent Domain Abuse, which will examine the different aspects of eminent domain abuse from the vantage point of noted national experts. The release of this inaugural report is particularly timely this month, as millions around the nation learn about African American history.

HAVE YOU RENTED A GOOD VIDEO LATELY?

I waste a lot of money renting videos. I don't waste a lot of time because I sleep through most of them. Sleeping is a wholesome activity. I'm hoping for that special movie that passes my wanna watch again test, but will settle for being mildly entertained without falling asleep. If moviegoers don't pay to see a movie for the second time it will fail at the box office.

If you have trouble falling asleep then rent Al Gores' "An Inconvenient Truth." It took me five tries to make it through this thing. After 20 minutes you will be out cold. There's no doubt that the libs in La La Land will give Al's propaganda piece on global warming an Academy Award. The award should go the person who was able to make Al Gore appear to be somewhat alive. Thirty years ago alarmists like Gore were warning us that the next ice age was coming.

Speaking of awards, how come the costume designer, the make up artist and the hair dresser all receive recognition, but nothing goes to the guys who did the boob jobs? With the sad death of Anna Nicole Smith, America lost a great set of God given cleavage. There is no such thing as excessive media coverage when it comes to Anna.

Stepping up to the plate and the $1.8 Billion Dollar Lottery

With the sudden death of Anna Nicole Smith and the paternity of her newly born daughter in question. I too would like to be given a paternity test so that I might have the remote chance of having control of the $1.8 Billion dollar fortune. I swear I picked her up on the I-40 at the Essex off ramp.

If Howard K. Stern, Larry Birkhead, and now Prince Frederick von Anhalt can get in the game, why the hell can't I? My wife tells me she can live with the shame of my infidelity.

"I swear I'll treat that girl like she was my own daughter," She said as she thumbed through the Neiman Marcus Catalog.

I am torn between the Ferrari and the Lamborghini. I wonder do they make an F-250 dually 4x4 in 24 Karat Gold Trim?

As a general rule, men do not wish to claim paternity of a child outside of marriage. This is not true in the case of Anna Nicole Smith's baby. Since her death Thursday, 146 men have come forward claiming to be the father of her child. As the baby is heir to a large fortune, the biological parent would obviously control the money and raise the child. The list grows every hour. More

UPDATE 2: The paternity lottery surrounding the late Anna Nicole Smiths daughter and heir to her ill gotten fortune was in full swing today.

Throughout the day more and more potential 'fathers' have lodged their cases that they are the impregnator of Ms Smith.

A spokesperson for Ms Smiths estate issued a statement to the Spoof earlier today.
"We have been contacted by over 3000 potential males who claim paternity in respect of baby Dannielynn. As a result we have been in touch with the producers of American Idol in order to facilitate open DNA testing which will include an audition in front of the panel. We hope that this will establish exactly who 'slipped Ms Smith a live one', so to speak ." MORE

Mary Polasky- Anderson, 51

REDLANDS - As a teen, Mary Anderson would get behind the wheel of her old Rambler and challenge boys in her neighborhood to a race through the desert.

The former Redlands resident always ended up beating them, much to their chagrin.

From her years as a teen in Twentynine Palms to when she was a dispatcher for the Redlands Police Department and even when she battled a prolonged illness, the Mariposa resident was a feisty and independent woman who got things done, those who knew her recalled.

"She made things work more effectively in dispatch," said her husband, Warren Anderson, "and she thought of becoming an advocate for people with disabilities because she was frustrated with the way people in wheelchairs get treated," .

San Bernardino Mayor tied to illegal firearm purchases

We found out that San Bernardino's Mayor Morris has aided and abetted New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg's illegal straw purchases by joining into what now appears to be a potential RICO conspiracy with 150 other Mayors around the country to illegally buy firearms. We wonder what went through this guy's mind?

Mayor Patrick J. Morris states in his Bio that he grew up in Needles, California. "He is a graduate of the University of Redlands, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and Stanford University School of Law.

Morris was appointed to the Superior Court Bench in 1976. From 1978 to 1981, he served as San Bernardino County's first full-time Family Law Supervising Judge and organized the court's Family Law Department. His colleagues elected him to an unprecedented three terms as Superior Court Presiding Judge from 1981 to 1984. During these years the Superior Court eliminated its civil case backlog. In 1981, Mayor Morris was named Inland Southern California's Trial Judge of the Year for his outstanding contributions to the administration of justice."

Facing "potential legal liabilities" Morris is either a blathering idiot or has failed to understand the law let alone uphold the Constitution of the United States. Or maybe he feels he is above the law and knows better than the rest of us. I question now his whole judicial career. How many defendants went to prison on the judgment of a guy who joins in such a criminal enterprise as is Mayor Bloomberg's "Mayors Against Illegal Guns ."

Morris' lack of judgment in his joining a conspiracy should be brought to the California Bar Association, the San Bernardino City Council and ultimately to the voters of his city. Shame on those politicians who think they are above the law.

Bloomberg B-Slapped By BATF

BELLEVUE, WA – A letter to the office of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg from the U.S. Department of Justice scolding the mayor’s infamous 2006 gun sting operation and advising that Bloomberg’s administration could face "potential legal liabilities" over such stings was called a “significant victory” against the Big Apple mayor’s anti-gun antics by the Second Amendment Foundation.

Earlier this week, SAF was advised by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that the agency is investigating Bloomberg’s multi-state sting operation “in order to determine if violations of Federal firearms laws have occurred.”

"This new development," said SAF founder Alan M. Gottlieb, "adds insult to injury for Bloomberg. We were adamant early on that this vigilante attack on gun dealers by Bloomberg and his posse of private investigators went way beyond his legal authority. Now it appears the Justice Department believes likewise." (more)

A single study does not make it fact.

Using the Al Gore method of debate, Kelly O takes one questionable study published in 1995 as the proof that "Lime Green or death theory" as is Gore's "Global Warming theory" an incontestable fact. MORE

One study by an an "optometrist / volunteer firefighter" and self described "retired fire commissioner," does not make for a fact written in stone. Why if this"Lime Green" theory was absolutely incontestable, OSHA would have mandated fire trucks to be painted green decades ago. Why the man's first study was way back in 1969. If it were such an important study, why haven't others in the field towed the line on this brilliant finding?

Hi-Desert Star: C.S.A. roads should be exempt

Ken from Wonder Valley agrees with the editorial by Mike Hawkins in Fridays Hi-Desert Star.

After no small amount of confusion over new County Ordinance No. 3973 our local sheriff has proclaimed that vehicles registered for off-highway use may not use our County Service Area (C.S.A.) roads.

C.S.A. roads are not the responsibility of the county transportation department. They receive no funds from gas tax revenues. MORE

CPUC Plans to split 760 again!

The California Public Utilities Commission will be holding public meetings on February 5, 6, 21, and 22, 2007 to inform the public and to hear concerns about the 760 area code change alternatives.

If you need help understanding this area code change and other terms, please see the Additional Information available. Hopefully, these materials will help in making a more informed decision. You can also contact your service provider for information. For questions unanswered by your service provider and the reference materials, please contact the Public Advisor's Office at (866) 340-6147.

Thursday, February 22, 2007
7:00 p.m. Public Participation Meeting
El Centro City Council Chambers
1275 Main Street
El Centro, CA 92243

It is the Commission's policy to schedule hearings in locations that are accessible to everyone. If specialized accommodations are needed, such as sign language, please contact the Commission's Public Advisor's Office five business days beforehand toll free at 866-849-8390 or toll free TTY at 866-836-7825.

For more information on the public hearings, please read our media advisory.

Federal Reserve Finding: Eminent Domain for Private Development May Do More Harm Than Good

Arlington, Va.—When the government uses eminent domain to take private property for private development projects, it “usually results in zero-sum gain and may actually hinder the area’s development.” That is the finding of an important new report released this month by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

In “The Taking of Prosperity,” authors Thomas Garrett and Paul Rothstein write, “[T]he taking of private property from one person and giving it to another for economic development . . . is unlikely to create a net benefit to society. It is more likely to create economic inefficiencies and to reduce economic growth.”

Demonstrating an understanding of markets that seems well beyond that of local government officials who abuse eminent domain for private gain, the report states, “When governments interfere in the private market, whether it be a market for apples, cars or property, the likely result is greater economic inefficiency and less economic growth. The reason is that even the most well-intentioned policymaker cannot comprehend or replicate the complex interactions of buyers and sellers that occur in free markets.” MORE

Lies, damned lies, and Deanne Stillman

We all missed this little ditty. The folks over at the "Sun Runner" and the "Twentynine Palms Inn." rolled the larger than life Deanne Stillman back into town for a reading of her newest attempt to find redemption, with her new book, "Joshua Tree: Desolation Tango."

While our local press rightly avoided comment on the event, the LA Times wrote a substantial article on her mid-night incursion. More

Where is the common sense?

I figured I had better acquaint myself with the Red vs. Screaming Yellow fire truck fiasco before I made a comment. Got in last night from out of town, picked up the local paper, made a few calls and tried to get up to speed on the story.

So let me get this right. The company that built our new fire truck painted it red instead of the usual Linda Blair Green/Yellow that has been the standard of the Twentynine Palms Fire Department. Instead of taking a $20K rebate on the price and keep the red truck, the Water Board decides that it can't live with the discount and the color Red clashes with the drapes?

It was not too many years ago that the community chipped in to buy a "Jaws of Life." How much life saving equipment and apparatus could have been purchased for the new engine if the Department had that $20,000 to spend? That $20,000 is taxpayer money. A $20,000 savings is a savings to the taxpayer. The Board has an ethical duty to be fruggle with that money.

I've always been a strong supporter of the Water Board. But in this case where esthetics trumps ethics, the community is the victim.

Groundbreaking set for County Museum hall of wonders

A groundbreaking ceremony for the San Bernardino County Museum’s new Hall of Geological Wonders is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 8. Following light refreshments at 9:30 a.m., the program will start at 10 a.m.

The San Bernardino County Museum Association is hosting the event, to which public is invited. The Hall of Geological Wonders will add 12,000 square feet of new exhibit space to the museum, with state-of-the-art exhibits focused on the region’s geological and paleontological history. Rocks and minerals, fossils, “deep time,” and the great San Andreas Fault will be explored through immersive displays that make the area’s complex geological history meaningful and exciting to today’s residents and visitors.

“We will be pleased to welcome dignitaries representing federal, state, and county government and from major corporations,” said Museum Director Robert McKernan. “And we are equally pleased to invite the public to join us in the ground-breaking ceremony, because the hall was conceived and designed for our visitors, whether residents of inland Southern California, school and group tours, or visitors to our area.

The Hall of Geological Wonders is the first step in realizing a major new vision for the museum and for the audience we serve.” The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. Parking is free and visitors coming for the groundbreaking ceremony will be admitted free. To assist the museum in planning for seating and refreshments, an RSVP is requested by telephoning (909) 307-2669 ext. 227 or by e-mailing museum@sbcounty.gov. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.

If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

Maintaining Perspective