Tea Party vs. Flea Party

Mainstream media reporters have tried comparing the “Occupy Wall Street” protest with the Tea Party. According to Tea Partiers, the two groups are opposite.

Ann Counter’s Oct. 12 op-ed piece nailed it when she said the “OWS protesters really are: wingless, bloodsucking and parasitic. This is the flea party, not the tea party.”

Coulter describes the flea party as “a mixture of adolescents looking for a cause, public sector union members, drug dealers, criminals, teenage runaways, people who have been at every protest since the Berkeley Free Speech Movement, Andrea Dworkin look-alikes, people 95 percent of whose hair is concentrated in their ponytails and other average Democrats -- they can't even explain what they're protesting.” http://nation.foxnews.com/wall-street-protests/2011/10/12/coulter-op-ed-wingless-bloodsucking-and-parasitic-meet-flea-party#ixzz1avNoSD4W

Patriot Post on Oct. 14 gave a similar assessment of the OWS protest: “Sounds like ‘Astroturf’ and not grassroots to us. Unfortunately, the stench of Zucotti Park that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg deems ‘not good for tourism’ is very real indeed. Maybe New York Times columnist Paul Krugman was right when he wrote, ‘[T]here has in fact been nothing so far to match the behavior of Tea Party crowds in the summer of 2009.’ No, Tea Party members don't violate or vandalize private property, expose themselves indecently, or get arrested for disorderly conduct -- and they clean up after themselves when they're finished, partly because they actually leave and go home.”
( http://patriotpost.us/edition/2011/10/14/digest/ )

Politicking Around the Campfire
Letter to the Editor

Welcome to the first “campout” with Mayor Dave on Sat. 10/22 to Sun 10/23. Join Dave Leckness, Frank Ury, Trish Kelly and possibly some city employees for a one-night campout (this should be enough for most of us).

Listen to the gang of three – Dave, Frank and Trish – around the campfire (built in one of the new pots they moved from the middle of Marguerite Parkway), regale us with stories of city spending overruns (city hall, library, Norm Murray Center, other assorted rec centers, parade floats, etc.).

The list could go on for hours. However, we campers need our sleep, so we can ask Frank Ury to explain in his usual “talk down to us” style why adding more apartments and low-income housing to be built by HIS developer friends on selected locations (golf courses, shopping centers) will bring only good traffic to M.V.

If Frank has not yet induced drowsiness in the taxpayers, we will call on Trish Kelly to recite her “words of the months.” This should put us all including Trish out like a light.

The next AM after cleaning up in OUR Oso Creek, we hike to the Norm Murray Center where our golf carts await. We then motor up the trail with Dave in the “MAYOR” cart in the lead.

And as we motor off, we say goodbye until next year's campout when Dave will put it ON lake Mission Viejo with party boats. Thanks to Dave, Frank and Trish, the city will then have its own Navy. After all it's only $$$$$$.

Dale Sandore
Mission Viejo

Congressional Roundup
From the Office of Congressman Gary G. Miller

Oct. 14, 2011

This Week in Congress:

Free Trade Agreements: On Wednesday, the House approved the three long-pending, job-creating free trade agreements with South Korea (by a vote of 278-151), Panama (by a vote of 300-129), and Colombia (by a vote of 262-167). These agreements will increase exports, lower the U.S. trade deficit and help the economy grow. The non-partisan, independent U.S. International Trade Commission estimates that implementation of the three pending trade agreements will increase U.S. exports by at least $13 billion and add at least $10 billion to U.S. Gross Domestic Product per year. Passing all three pending trade agreements would directly benefit small and medium-sized businesses through expanded market access overseas leading to job creation here at home.

Other Trade Programs: Also on Wednesday, the House approved the Senate amendment to H.R. 2832 by a vote of 307-122, which extends the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). Despite changes in the legislation designed to streamline the TAA program, Congressman Miller opposed H.R. 2832 due to serious concerns about continuing the program, which has been cited as duplicative of other efforts to help unemployed workers. He continues to believe that opening up overseas markets to U.S. products and services will help our economy, spur job creation, and benefit American workers and consumers.

Prohibit Federal Funding of Abortion: On Thursday, the House approved H.R. 358, the Protect Life Act, by a vote of 251-172. The bill would amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to prevent federal funding of abortion or abortion coverage. It would also ensure that nothing in PPACA can be construed to require coverage of, or access to, abortion and to ensure that nothing in PPACA allows anyone implementing PPACA to require “coverage of, access to, or training in abortion services.” After passage of the PPACA, the President signed an Executive Order to address certain concerns about abortion funding. However, it should be noted that a sitting president can change his mind and rescind it, a future president can have a different opinion, or opponents of the Executive Order can prevail in court by arguing that elements of the Order do not have a sufficient legislative foundation to survive. The Protect Life Act would provide greater certainty and permanence that the Executive Order does not.

EPA Regulatory Relief: Also on Thursday, the House approved H.R. 2250, the EPA Regulatory Relief Act by a vote of 275-142. The bill would provide a legislative stay of four interrelated Environmental Protection Agency rules – referred to as the “Boiler MACT rules,” that govern emissions of mercury and other hazardous air pollutants from approximately 200,000 boilers and incinerators nationwide. EPA officials have estimated that the capital cost of implementing these rules will be $9.5 billion, but a recent study prepared by HIS Global Insight puts the figure at $20 billion. The costs of these stringent rules will impose significant new regulatory costs on employers and small businesses that could lead to job losses and factory closures. The bill would alleviate the excessive regulatory burden placed on employers by the EPA’s Boiler MACT rules by replacing them with technically and economically achievable rules that do not destroy jobs.

Coal Ash: On Friday, the House passed H.R. 2273, the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2011 by a vote of 267-144. The bill would preclude the EPA from regulating fly ash waste, bottom ash waste, slag waste, and flue gas emission control waste generation primarily from the combustion of coal or other fossil fuels under Subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. The EPA has proposed rules to regulate coal combustion residuals as hazardous waste, placing uncertainty on the coal ash recycling industry when these materials do not even meet EPA’s own standards for toxicity. This overregulation would destroy thousands of jobs in the byproducts industry and could drive up energy costs for consumers.

Next Week:

District Work Period: As of this writing, the House of Representatives has adjourned for a scheduled one-week district work period. The House is scheduled to be back in session and voting on Monday, October 24.

Town Hall Meeting: Congressman Miller will be hosting a Town Hall meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18. The meeting will take place at the Diamond Bar Center, 1600 Grand Avenue, Diamond Bar, CA 91765.

Talking Points on the Importance of Free Trade Agreements

• As the vast majority of the world’s purchasing power, economic growth, and consumers are outside of the United States, trade supports more than 38 million American jobs – including over 193,000 in California’s 42nd Congressional District.
• Free trade also generates nearly a half trillion dollars worth of exports every year for U.S. service providers.
• California is home to over 1,700 exporting companies, responsible for $47.8 billion in exports to our country’s trading partners under free trade agreements.
• Trade arrangements will strengthen our economy at home and promote economic development and democratic governance among our trading partners.
• Opening markets and encouraging free and fair trade will help keep and create jobs here at home while ensuring that American goods and services reach as many corners of the globe as possible.
• International trade agreements will build our economy’s strengths while sending an important signal to the world that America is serious about expanding free trade and expanding opportunities for American workers and businesses.
• By eliminating burdensome tariffs that augment the price of U.S. goods, we are making our products available to wider audiences abroad, thus fortifying industries here at home.
• The free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Columbia will offer countless opportunities for American workers, farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers by leveling the playing field for exports of U.S. goods and products into some of the world’s largest and growing markets.
• The independent, non-partisan International Trade Commission (ITC) has estimated that implementing these agreements will increase U.S. exports by more than $10 billion.
• At a time when our economy is continuing to struggle and unemployment remains stubbornly high, implementation of these important trade agreements will help to spur economic growth by creating new, open markets for American goods and services, spurring productivity and job creation.

Reigning in the EPA

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created with a central mission to protect the environment and the public health. However, far too often, the agency’s regulations impose costly, unnecessary burdens on our nation’s job creators.
• Over the past two and a half years, President Obama’s EPA has waged a nonstop assault on U.S. jobs and competitiveness.
• While the federal government has the responsibility to protect our nation’s resources and public safety, it must do so in a way that does not impose regulatory burdens that hamper our free enterprise system and job creation.
• During this session, House Republicans have passed legislation to reign in the EPA and alleviate the strain placed on individuals, businesses, and our economy by the agency’s excessive regulations.
• Earlier this year, the House passed legislation to stop the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. These regulations pose a tremendous threat to our economic recovery by increasing energy costs for consumers and companies, hindering economic growth and job creation.
• The TRAIN Act, passed by the House in September, would require a federal interagency committee to examine the effect of major rules issued or proposed by the EPA on the U.S.’s economic competitiveness, energy prices, and employment.
• The House has also passed legislation requiring the EPA to re-propose regulations regarding industrial boilers and cement manufacturers that would cost billions of dollars to implement and places thousands of jobs at risk. The bill would require the EPA to give industries at least 5 years to comply with the new rules, which must be technically and economically achievable.
• As our economy continues to struggle, the last thing the EPA should do is enact regulations that will have a minimal impact on the environment, increase the cost of doing business, send energy costs for American consumers soaring, and deprive job creators of resources they could use to expand their companies and hire new workers.

Non-government Events

Following is a sampling of events and activities that are not funded by taxpayers or promoted by the Nanny State. Please support private enterprise.

Pumpkin City, Laguna Hills Mall parking lot off Carlota, through Oct. 31. Thousands of pumpkins to choose from, pony rides, petting zoo and other activities, open from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily, 24203 Avenida De La Carlota, Laguna Hills, (949) 586-1103, http://www.pumpkincity.com

“Lake Eeeerie,” Lake Mission Viejo, Fri.-Sat., Oct. 21-22, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Halloween activities, limited to Lake Mission Viejo members and their guests. (949) 770-1313, http://www.lakemissionviejo.org

35th Annual Home Remodeling & Decorating Show, Sat.-Sun., Oct. 22-23, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sat. and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sun. Home improvement products and services, plus a cooking show. O.C. Fair and Event Center, Building 10, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, (818) 557-2950, http://www.thehomeshow.com/index.stm

Reef-A-Palooza, Sat.-Sun., Oct. 22-23, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Sat. and 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday; Southern California Marine Aquarium Society show for sellers, buyers, traders, exhibitors and hobbyists, O.C. Fair and Event Center, The Hangar, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, (949) 723-6660, http://www.ocmarketplace.com and http://www.ReefAPalooza2011.org

Jazz Monsters three-day event with eight performances, Soka BluePort Jazz Festival, Soka Performing Arts Center, Oct. 28 – Oct. 30, 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Soka University, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4000, http://www.info@soka.edu

Create your own miniature indoor garden, Sat., Oct. 29, 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., no charge for instruction with the purchase of materials, Cottage Home and Garden, 31720 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano, call to reserve space, (949) 493-3920, http://www.cottage-home-and-garden.com

Walk to End Alzheimer’s, participate by walking, donating and/or volunteering. Anaheim on Oct. 29, Huntington Beach on Nov. 5, Buena Park on Nov. 12 and Tustin on April 21. (800) 272-3900, http://www.alz.org/walk/findawalk_results.asp?FormSent=1&SearchType=zip&ZipSearch=92691&MaxDistance=30&memo ry=&SearchByZip.x=23&SearchByZip.y=14

First Saturday Art Walk, Santa Ana Artist Village, Sat., Nov. 5, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., venues open: Grand Central Arts Center, OC Center of Contemporary Art, Santora Arts Building (28 galleries, restaurants and shops), ample (free) parking is located across the street at the Santa Ana Train Depot on the southeast corner of Santa Ana Boulevard and Santiago Street. Visit the Website for additional information, including a map: http://www.aplaceforart.org/artwalk

Planting, crafts and activities classes for families at Living Green Gardens and Design; help with planting and gardening, visit the Website or call for information, Living Green Gardens and Design, 25290 Jeronimo Road (between Los Alisos and El Toro Road), Lake Forest, (949) 768-4733, http://www.yelp.com/biz/living-green-gardens-and-design-lake-forest

Roger’s Gardens, “The Artisans of Christmas,” Christmas 2011, now open and ongoing. Other activities include a Pumpkin Carving Seminar on Oct. 15 and Oct. 23, Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Juan Hills Road, Corona del Mar, (949) 640-5800, http://www.rogersgardens.com

Movies, Edwards Kaleidoscope Stadium 10 in Mission Viejo, 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy, (949) 582-4020, get show times, watch movie trailers, see what's coming soon at
http://www.moviefone.com/theater/edwards-kaleidoscope-stadium-10/32/showtimes

Farmers Market, San Juan Capistrano, Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Historic Town Center Park, (949) 493-4700.

Farmers Market, Laguna Hills, Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Laguna Hills Mall, (714) 573-0374.

Political and Government Events Calendar

Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Engineering and Operations on Mon., Oct. 17, 9:00 a.m., Finance and I.T. on Wed., Oct. 19, 9:00 a.m., Board of Directors on Thurs., Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m., and Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Fri., Oct. 21, 9:00 a.m., 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://www.mnwd.com/board-of-directors/agenda.aspx

Orange County Board of Supervisors, Tues., Oct. 18, 9:30 a.m., and Tues., Oct. 25, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. http://www.ocgov.com/ocgov/Government/Board%20of%20Supervisors

Capo Valley Republican Women Federated luncheon, Wed., Oct. 19, guest arrival at 11:30 a.m., lunch served at 12:30 p.m., program includes “Fashions for Change” by Carved Horse clothing store in SJC as a fundraiser for Advocacy Programs, Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club, San Juan Capistrano, RSVP to (949) 240-6799 or esue39@cox.net

The Great California Shake Out earthquake preparedness drill, “Drop, Cover and Hold On,” Thurs., Oct. 20, 10:20 a.m., organized by California Earthquake Authority, 801 K Street, Suite 1000, Sacramento, (877) 797-4300, http://www.ShakeOut.org

Oktoberfest Celebration, fundraiser for Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, Thurs., Oct. 20, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Oompah Band, draft Hofbrauhaus beer, traditional German faire, Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach, (714) 655-9420, www.rohrabacher.com/oktoberfest

Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Oct. 20, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., guest speaker is Prof. Karen Lugo, Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, who will speak on the Jihad against free speech. Norman Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Jacaranda Room-B, Mission Viejo, (949) -360-1717.

Meet Karl Rove, Thurs., Oct. 20, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 464-1161, http://events.nixonfoundation.org

Taste of Capo, Capistrano Valley High School, Fri., Oct. 21, 6:00 p.m., $15 presale and $20 at the door. More than 20 booths, good-sized samples of food from each restaurant, 26301 Via Escolar, Mission Viejo, (949) 364-6100.

Concert, Indian flute music by Scott August, Sun., Oct. 23, 2:00 p.m., Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Free concerts are held Sundays, except when otherwise noted, and are open to the public. Doors open at 1:15 p.m., and concerts begin at 2:00 p.m., 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://events.nixonfoundation.org/concerts/

South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees, Mon., Oct. 24. Meeting times unless otherwise posted: open session convenes at 5 p.m.., followed by adjournment to closed session, open session reconvenes at 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m., adjournment by 9:00 p.m. Ronald Reagan Board of Trustees Room, Room 145, Health Sciences/District Offices Building, Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 582-4999, http://www.socccd.edu

Saddleback Valley Unified School District board meeting is scheduled for Tues., Oct. 25, 6:15 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees, regular meeting Wed., Oct. 26, 7:00 p.m., 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano, agenda and supporting documentation are published on the website 72 hours prior to a meeting, (949) 234-9200, http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com

Republican Club of Laguna Woods luncheon, Fri., Oct. 28, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., featured speaker will be Assemblyman Don Wagner, Clubhouse 5 on Punta Alta in Laguna Woods. For reservations call Barbara Pearson, (949) 770-8377.

Santa Margarita Water District meeting schedule has not been updated for October (as of this writing, 10-15-11). SMWD, 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com/about-us/meeting-agendas.html

El Toro Water District Community Advisory Group Meeting, Thurs., Nov. 3, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch served at 11:30; meeting starts at noon, 24251 Los Alisos Blvd., Lake Forest, (949) 837-0660, http://www.etwd.com

Save the date, ACT for America, Mon., Nov. 14, Norman Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, doors open at 7:00 p.m.

The Buzz

Friends of Chuck DeVore were disappointed to receive his email last week announcing he is dropping out as a candidate for OC supervisor and moving to Texas. His departure leaves Todd Spitzer without an opponent in the election to replace Supv. Bill Campbell, who terms out of office in 2012. DeVore indicated in his message that a new candidate will emerge for the Third District seat on the OC Board of Supervisors. Mission Viejo is in the Fifth District.

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Why is anyone referring to Dave Leckness’ campout on Oso Trail as a City Hall activity? Camping out has nothing to do with city government or any rational interpretation of its function. Staying overnight in a city park is illegal in Mission Viejo, and the law should apply to everyone.

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City employee Keith Rattay’s contract is on the council agenda again for Oct. 17. Here’s the issue. City staff members shouldn’t have contracts unless they report directly to the council, and City Manager Dennis Wilberg should explain why Rattay needs an exception. The supposed excuse is to give Rattay cover because he’s the object of public criticism. However, Rattay brought on the criticism by such acts as being caught in lies.

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Here’s an assessment of Rattay’s problems following his lies about Easelgate, “The most charitable explanation for these facts is that Keith Rattay has a disability which prevents him from understanding the value of a dollar or he is a compulsive liar.” http://www.missionviejoca.org/News/2008_Q3/2008_07_26/article3/article3.html

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Residents who attended the Oct. 10 Planning Commission meeting reported on the removal of Commissioner Bob Bruchmann as chairman. An attendee said, “Bruchmann first got into it with others and waged an attack against council members. When he saw he was going to be demoted by his fellow commissioners, he walked off the dais, left the building and didn’t come back. He displayed his childish behavior when he didn’t get his way. The reaction of residents to his departure ranges from relief to joy that the commission might permanently be rid of this belligerent bully.”

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City Hall is arranging to bring a farmers market to town. This isn’t the first attempt, and the three principles of real estate (location, location, location) elude city administrators. Years ago, a farmers market set up in the retail center at Marguerite Parkway and Vista del Lago. The canopies and booths were well hidden from traffic on Marguerite as well as Vista del Lago, and the endeavor failed. City Hall will now place the farmers market in the parking lot near the library – well hidden and possibly the oddest place in town for a marketplace. Friends of the Library complained about Santa’s Workshop interfering with library operation, and the problem repeats (despite the library opening at 1 p.m. on Fridays, the same time the farmers market shuts down). While residents would like a farmers market in Mission Viejo, City Hall has a poor record of arranging much of anything except spending Other People’s Money.

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Aliso Viejo Republican Women Federated will host Warren Duffy as guest speaker for its next meeting. Duffy hosted a talk show on KKLA, “Duffy & Company – Live from L.A.” – for a decade. Duffy was at the first Earth Day in 1970 and has since observed a 40-year hijacking by global activists and alarmists in the environmental movement. Duffy, a longtime respected radio broadcaster, is known for getting to the heart of the matter. AVRWF will meet at 6:30 p.m., Thurs., Oct. 27, at the Aliso Viejo Conference Center. RSVP to Cathy Miller, (949) 859-2818 or Janine Heft, (949) 735-0718.

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Atlas PAC presents “Halloween Karaoke” on Sat., Oct. 22, 7:00 p.m., with host Matthew Harper. Attendees are invited to come dressed in their most magnificent costumes, sing their favorite tunes and win awards for best costumes and musical performances. Dinner and beverages are included in the ticket price of $25 for members and $30 for non-members. No charge for those under 18 years of age. The event is the home of Rick Roshan, 27 Half Moon Bay Drive, Newport Beach. RSVP to rsvp@atlaspac.org or call (714) 425-1064.

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“LONG LIVE AMERICA is the San Diego and Orange County Tea Party show on KCEO AM 1000 from 8-10 PM PST. Listen live at www.longliveamerica.com or tune to AM 1000 in SD and OC. Call in at (760) 931-1604 to be part of the show. Call us with any Tea Party updates. God Bless.” Robert Homesley, www.longliveamerica.com