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My Dear Activist Friends in Philadelphia, I have spent as much time on the city budget and the impact of the federal budget on Philadelphia as anyone here--and for more than 25 years. In 1980, I led a town meeting in South Philadelphia on the Reagan Budget cuts that was later blasted in a column by Pat Buchanan as 'fomenting class warfare.' I helped Mayor Wilson Goode coordinate the town meetings on the City budget that propelled him to run for Mayor. As a Councilman, I reported regularly on what the Reagan cutbacks were doing to us as a city....

Local city council invocations ...

As yet another exhibit in the ongoing argument against government education, I offer this video which was sent to me by one of my students. Two points. First, this partially explains why California is bankrupt. Second, you want to turn over your healthcare to the government that produced this girl’s worldview? It’s no wonder Obama won…

Brilliant Woman Solves All of California's Problems It's nice to see that Miss Teen South Carolina is trying to make a difference now that she's all grown up.

It's not easy having to choose between religion and education. Some would even say it's not fair. But for those people whose religious holidays aren't recognized by the public school system, that's the choice they have to make. Yesterday, the City Council's Education Committee advocated to eliminate that dilemma -- at least for Muslim families. The committee passed a resolution that would call upon the city Department of Education to incorporate two major Muslim holidays into the school calendar. The committee has also been pushing for the introduction of a state law that would require schools to close on those...

If you don’t understand the uproar in Friendswood about the city’s plan to issue $11 million in debt without voter approval, just ask yourself a couple of questions: What if city leaders are completely right about the legal question? Is it still a good idea to borrow money without asking voters for their approval? Is a good idea to obligate them when they have clearly indicated they want a say about any debt they’d be responsible for? City officials have asked a judge in Travis County for a ruling that says the city can issue certificates of obligation to finance...

FRIENDSWOOD — The city has asked a Travis County judge to say it is legal for Friendswood to issue $11 million in debt without voter approval. The city had planned to issue $11 million in certificates of obligation to fund roads, parks, an animal shelter and a records building, but some residents said the city charter prohibited the city from issuing certificates of obligation. While bonds require voter approval, certificates of obligation do not. The city charter was amended by voters in 1997 to prohibit the city from issuing debt without voter approval that it could not finance from its...

Not only does the City Council rake in nearly $180,000 a year, but they use taxpayer money for eight free cars per council member, and each of them employs a huge personal staff of 19 to 25 people. That's about 320 employees, costing Angelenos millions of dollars to support. Compare that figure to the White House Office Staff of 480. Yesterday, as City Hall squabbled over its groaning $530 million budget deficit, the City Council came under attack in the Daily News from Antonio Villaraigosa's spokesman Matt Szabo, who accused the 15 council members, even at a time like this,...

OC Family Grateful Editor: Saturday, April 25, 2009 was a beautiful day, and it was made even more wonderful by the outpouring of affection expressed toward Captain Robert S. Craig at his Beach Memorial Service. The Craig children and family appreciate all that was done to honor our “Pop,” a man so many in Ocean City have known and loved for so many years. The Beach Memorial was truly memorable and more special than we could have possibly imagined. We have many people to thank for their efforts in making it happen. We learned very quickly that organizing such an...

(At right) Flanked by friends and family members, a wreath is carried down the beach to be released into the ocean in memory of Craig, "founding father" of the Beach Patrol. Carrying the wreath is the current head of the organization, Capt. Butch Arbin, who is flanked by Craig's son, Robert Craig, and grandson, Christopher Craig. (Above) Sean Williams pushes a surf board, carrying the wreath and the ashes of Capt. Craig, toward a Coast Guard boat, which released the wreath farther from the shore.

Via JWF, a tough call here for the forces of tolerance. On the one hand, he’s a Democrat and a minority and therefore presumptively possessed of Absolute Moral Authority. Attack him at your peril. On the other hand, he’s a tax cheat and an ex-crackhead. No need to impeach his credibility; there’s none left to impeach. Really, about the only thing that can be said in his favor is that, warts and all, he’s still more appealing than Perez Hilton. This much is certain: Hate like this demands the release of another Carrie Prejean topless photo. D.C. Council member Marion...

(Washington, DC) -- DC Council member Marion Barry was among those who spoke at a rally Tuesday at Freedom Plaza in protest of proposed legislation that would recognize out-of-state same sex marriages in the District. The demonstration was organized by the High Impact Leadership Coalition, a loosely-based group made up of Christians and clergy members. Barry told a group of dozens of protesters that he is against gay marriage. The Council is due to take up the legislation May 5th. If approved, it would have to go before Congress for its approval. For that reason, some feel the DC issue...

News Release: April 8, 2009 Memorial Service planned to honor Captain Robert S. Craig Ocean City, MD – A memorial service for Captain Robert (Bob) S. Craig will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, April 25 on the beach at North Division Street. Captain Craig passed away on Saturday, March 28 at the age of 90. Captain Craig joined the Ocean City Beach Patrol in 1935 and served as its captain from 1946 until retiring in 1987. Captain Craig is credited with building the Ocean City Beach Patrol into the professional organization it is known as today. When Captain Craig turned...

(April 3, 2009) The man who not only epitomized the Ocean City Beach Patrol, but also built it into a serious and professional organization, passed away Saturday. When Capt. Robert (Bob) S. Craig turned 90 last July, a competition, dinner and slide show honored him for his 52 years as a town employee and member of the Beach Patrol. Thousands knew Craig from his years guiding the Beach Patrol and taking it from a small, relatively unskilled group of young men to a large group of highly skilled young men and women. Capt. Butch Arbin, the current head of the...

“A marriage elsewhere is a marriage in the District,” said Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham, who joins Councilman David Catania as the two openly gay council members. “This is a very important step forward.”

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City lost a treasured icon this week when Captain Robert S. Craig, who shepherded the Beach Patrol through decades of change and inspired his young charges for half a century passed away at the age of 90. Captain Craig, as he was known for decades not only by the thousands of lifeguards who worked with him and for him but also by the countless millions of local residents and visitors to the resort area, passed away last Saturday at the Coastal Hospice in Salisbury at the age of 90. A former schoolteacher and coach, Captain Craig...

Nolan Finley has a very brave piece in the Detroit News today on the rampant racism on the Detroit City Council. He calls out black nationalism in the corrupted city government and ponders what would happen if roles were reversed. Attorney General Eric Holder, we won’t hold our breath waiting for your comment.

Unbelievable. Houston taxpayers could start footing the bill to help first-time homebuyers pay off debts and improve their credit scores, under a proposal before City Council this week.The “Credit Score Enhancement Program” will give up to $3,000 in grants to individuals who are trying to qualify for mortgages through the city’s homebuyers assistance program. City officials say some applicants fall short of eligibility by only 10 or 20 points on their credit scores, and paying off some debt balances can quickly improve their numbers. Want to know how dumb this is? The Chron.com article doesn’t mention the sponsor of this...

http://www.examiner.com/x-2782-DC-Gu...-carry-permits SNIP DC City Council enables residents’ easy access to mail order handgun carry permits! In my last column I highlighted the draconian nature of the DC City Council’s changes to the District’s gun control laws quietly passed in December, 2008 amidst all the Presidential inaugural hubbub. But here’s the silver lining – the Council’s repeal of the Police Chief’s discretionary authority to issue gun carry permits makes district residents eligible to obtain mail order handgun carry permits from Pennsylvania. Here’s why: . . .

Veterans In Politics Talk Show Introduces Stavros Anthony and Cedric Kerns LIVE on www.AllTalkRadio.net February 14: Stavros Anthony Nevada State Board of Regent District 12, Captain for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Candidate for Las Vegas City Council Ward 4: Cedric A. Kerns Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge Department 5: "Veterans In Politics" is a weekly radio show produced by the Veterans In Politics International and hosted by Steve Sanson and Co-Hosted by J. "Sage" Bocook. The "Veterans In Politics" show is live every Saturday 2:05 PM Pacific Time you can call in and speak to the guest...