Single Page Text Only 12/24/11

ACT for America Meets Jan. 9

The Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT for America will hold a general meeting on Mon., Jan. 9. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Jesse Petrilla, a Rancho Santa Margarita City Council member. Petrilla will speak on “The Leftist-Jihadist Alliance: two grave threats to America and how we can stop them.”

Following is the announcement from Chapter Leader Bruce Mayall.

The Obama administration won't admit we're at war with Islamic extremist overseas and stealth jihadists at home. Their refusal to name the threat and insistence on removing any reference to Islam when referring to the "war on terror" is a dangerous denial of reality. It would be comedic if the stakes weren't so high. Are leftist politicians willfully ignorant or active supporters of America's gravest enemies, the Islamofascists?

To answer that burning question, Jesse Petrilla has traveled widely throughout Europe and the Middle East. He has interviewed counter-jihadists and political leaders on the front lines of the Eurabian battlefield. Sadly, it's only a matter of time before Europe falls under the sword of Shariah. America can still be saved from the worldwide jihad against humanity. But we must act quickly to prevent our elected officials from aiding and abetting our sworn enemies.

What you will learn:

  • Warnings to America about leftists and the Islamist threat from conservative European leaders.
  • The ideologies and warped thinking that drive leftist politicians and their radical Islamists friends.
  • The failed appeasement policies that have paved the way for stealth jihadists in America.
  • Why the Obama administration is collaborating with Islamists who are committed to overthrowing our Constitution and subjugating us to Shariah, Islamic law.
  • What we must to do to stop the assault on our rights, freedoms and values—before it's too late.

Jesse Petrilla was elected to the City Council of Rancho Santa Margarita in November 2010. He also serves in the Army National Guard as a tank platoon leader. He has traveled to 21 countries including Jordan, Egypt, Bosnia, Kosovo, Israel and France on fact-finding missions. He has learned firsthand about the threats we face from radical Islamic militancy and the failed socialist policies that are destroying Europe. Jesse is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton with a degree in computer science and a minor in military science. He has been married to his wife Vesna since 2009.

Jesse will speak for about 60 minutes. Then we'll have about 20 minutes for questions and answers. A $5 donation is appreciated to help cover our costs.

The meeting location is the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Sycamore B Room, Mission Viejo.

Congressional Roundup
Gary G. Miller, Congressman, California’s 42nd Congressional District

December 22, 2011

This Week in Congress:

Senate Amendment to H.R. 3660: Last week, the House passed H.R. 3660 to extend for one year the current payroll tax rates, which are scheduled to rise January 1, 2012. The House-passed measure also extends the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program to provide assistance to those who truly need it, while instituting important reforms to reduce costs and focus the program on getting people back to work. In addition, it delays for two years a scheduled 27 percent reduction in reimbursement payments to Medicare physicians, giving Congress and the Administration more than ample time to fix a permanent solution to the broken Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate formula. To ensure that the extensions do not increase the federal deficit or require more borrowing from the Social Security trust fund, the bill passed by the House freezes pay for Members of Congress and federal workers, reforms the UI program, reduces subsidies, and eliminates waste, fraud, and abuse in several Washington programs. The measure also provides new incentives for job creation by extending 100 percent expensing, removing burdensome Environmental Protection Agency regulations, and requires action on the bipartisan Keystone XL energy project.

This past weekend, the U.S. Senate amended H.R. 3630 to provide for a temporary extension of current payroll tax rates and unemployment insurance. Specifically, the Senate amendment extends these programs through February 29, 2012. It also includes a two-month delay of the scheduled reduction in Medicare reimbursements to physicians. These short-term measures will do little to give American workers and job creators the certainty they need in this economic environment.

That is why on Tuesday, the House approved, by a vote of 229-193, a motion that would affirm that the House disagrees to the Senate amendments to H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, and formally requests a conference with the Senate to work out the differences between the two chambers and prevent a tax increase on millions of Americans. Once adopted, the House’s message and the underlying legislation would be transmitted back to the Senate. A formal conference cannot commence until the Senate appoints conferees.

Instructing Conferees: Also on Tuesday, the House approved, by a vote of 226-185, House Resolution 501, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding any final measure to extend the payroll tax holiday, extend federally funded unemployment insurance benefits, or prevent decreases in reimbursement for physicians who provide care to Medicare beneficiaries. Specifically, the resolution would express the sense of the House that any final measure should:

  • Extend the payroll tax holiday through December 31, 2012;
  • Extend and reform unemployment insurance benefits to help those who truly need it, while reducing costs and getting people back to work;
  • Eliminate for two years the 27 percent cut in reimbursement for physicians who provide care to Medicare beneficiaries;
  • Reduce spending from areas throughout the federal government in order to protect the Social Security Trust Fund;
  • Provide immediate job creation through
    • Final approval of the Keystone XL pipeline;
    • Expensing for capital assets placed in service in 2012; and
    • Redrafting of EPA’s onerous regulation of boilers.

Talking Points on the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act

  • During the worst economy since the Great Depression, the House passed a bipartisan jobs bill last week that did not raise taxes on small businesses and created a better environment for job growth by speeding up the approval process for the Keystone XL project and rolling back job destroying regulations.
  • Today, the debate is over whether or not Congress will provide workers and small businesses twelve months of tax certainty, or two months of more uncertainty.
  • In the almost three years since the President was elected, unemployment has been at, near, or above nine percent.
  • In order to help Americans who are struggling through the worst jobs climate since the Great Depression, almost every single Member of Congress has declared that we need to extend the payroll tax holiday for a full year, without increasing the deficit.
  • The most serious threat to job creation in the U.S. remains the overwhelming uncertainty hanging over the heads of job creators who simply cannot plan in 60-day intervals.
  • Extending the tax holiday for only two months would cripple businesses with more of the same uncertainty they face now and American workers would be forced to live on uncertain incomes for an unknown length of time.
  • The House already voted to extend the payroll tax holiday for a full year and extends and reforms the unemployment insurance system, but the Democrat Senate and President Obama oppose this bipartisan bill.
  • Small businesses and job creators across the country have spoken loud and clear that a two month extension of the payroll tax holiday is unworkable.
  • House Republicans are ready to work as long as it takes. They stand ready to find common ground to solve this crisis and when a conference report is complete, the House will return to vote on a final product.
  • The Senate must not shun their responsibility to the American people.
  • The time to debate for a solution for the American people is now. The time to create certainty and create jobs is now.

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 and non-profit groups.

Kaleidoscope’s Iceless Ice Skating Rink’s holiday hours, Dec. 26-30, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Dec. 31 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The schedule can be found at http://gokaleidoscope.com/f/events.html, 27741 Crown Valley Parkway, Mission Viejo, http://gokaleidoscope.com

Moore’s sewing events: Sew Fun Club, Mon., Dec. 26, 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Sew Fun Club, Tues., Dec. 27, 9:00 a.m., 25390 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 580-2520, http://www.moores-sew.com

“Full Moon Drum Circle,” Thurs., Dec. 29, 7:00 p.m., say goodbye to 2011, bring drums if you have them and firewood, Aliso Beach. Event is free; parking $1 per hour. Aliso & Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, http://ranchosantamargarita.patch.com/events/full-moon-drum-circle

“New Year’s Eve Broadway Time,” fundraiser with dinner provided by Vito’s Italian Ristorante, Sat., Dec. 31, Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, (949) 489-8082, http://caminorealplayhouse.org

“The Science of Gingerbread,” through Jan. 1, kitchen science, decorating demos and award-winning gingerbread houses, Discovery Science Center, 2500 North Main Street, Santa Ana, (714) 542-2823, http://www.discoverycube.org

“Replace Your Lawn with Native Plants Workshop 1, “Kill the Grass,” Sat., Jan. 7, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Tree of Life Nursery, 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 728-0685, http://www.californianativeplants.com

“Top Dog/Under Dog,” Pulitzer Prize-winning comic drama, Jan. 8-Jan. 29, South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 708-5555, http://www.scr.org

Classes: “Create a Succulent Wreath,” (reservations required) Sat., Jan. 14, 10:00 a.m., and “Plant a Bird Cage” on Sun., Jan 15, 11:00 a.m., 31720 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano, (949) 493-3920, http://cottage-home-and-garden.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

Political and Government Events Calendar

Santa Margarita Water District Board of Directors will meet on Wed., Dec. 28, 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com/about-us/meeting-agendas.html

Great Park Family New Year’s Eve Party, Sat., Dec. 31, 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Balloon Park (use the Trabuco entrance). No admission charge; parking is $10. Enjoy crafts activities for children, live music, dancing, refreshments, carousel rides and a display of military vehicles and vintage cars, http://www.ocgp.org/2011/11/make-new-year%E2%80%99s-eve-a-great-night/

The 2011 Holiday Festival of Trains at the Nixon Library, through Jan. 2, 2012, Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 464-1161, http://events.nixonfoundation.org

“Music of the Magi” concert at the Nixon Library, Sun., Jan. 8. Doors open at 1:15 p.m., and concerts begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Concerts are free and open to the public. Schedule is subject to change. Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 464-1161, http://events.nixonfoundation.org

Nixon Library: Celebrate the President’s 99th Birthday, including a formal wreath-laying ceremony, Jan. 9, 11:30 a.m., and the Annual Nixon Legacy Program with a live broadcast of the Hugh Hewitt Show from the East Room at 2:45 p.m., Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 464-1161,
http://events.nixonfoundation.org/2011/12/08/celebrate-the-presidents-99th-birthday/

ACT for America, Mon., Jan. 9, guest speaker will be Jesse Petrilla, and his topic will be “The Leftist-Jihadist Alliance: two grave threats to America and how we can stop them.” Petrilla is a member of the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council. The meeting will be held at the Norman Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees, regular meeting Mon., Jan. 9, 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

Orange County Board of Supervisors, Tues., Jan. 10, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. The following meeting is on Jan. 24. http://www.ocgov.com/ocgov/Government/Board%20of%20Supervisors

Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Investments on Jan. 11, 9:00 a.m., Engineering and Operations on Jan. 16, 9:00 a.m., Finance and I.T. on Jan. 18, 9:00 a.m., Board of Directors on Jan. 19, 5:30 p.m., 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://www.mnwd.com/board-of-directors/agenda.aspx

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, Tues., Jan. 17, 6:15 p.m. (moved to the third Tuesday due to winter recess). The board workshop on board policies will begin at 4:30 p.m., and it is open to the public. The district office will be closed from Dec. 19 through Jan. 2 for winter recess, 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us

Saddleback Republican Assembly does not meet in December. SRA’s next meeting will be Jan. 19, 2012. For information call (949) 360-1717.

El Toro Water District meetings: Engineering, Finance, Insurance Committee on Tues., Jan. 24, 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Jan. 26, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ETWD, 24251 Los Alisos Blvd., Lake Forest, (949) 837-0660, http://www.etwd.com

South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees, January meeting date TBA. 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, https://www.socccd.edu

The Buzz

In his final act as Mayor Hee-Haw, Dave Leckness outdid all his prior lunacy. Just when most residents were preparing to celebrate Christmas or Chanukah, he declared December 16 to be Muslim Heritage Day in Mission Viejo. This one belongs on KFI AM 640 Talk Radio with John Kobylt interviewing Mission Viejo’s No. 1 embarrassment. For details, including Mayor Hee-Haw’s explanation (likely written for him by a city hall employee, as usual), and comments from residents about Muslim Heritage Day, go to
http://missionviejodispatch.com/religion/mayor-declares-december-muslim-heritage-month/#comments . To call KFI and talk to John and Ken, here’s the number: (818) 566-4789.

              ***

Here’s how to distinguish Hee-Haw’s writing from that of a city staffer. The cluebats in City Hall might try to imitate Hee-Haw’s style by adding the pronoun “I” to a few sentences. However, Hee-Haw begins nearly every sentence with “I.” His messages are egotistical, he’s thin-skinned about criticism, and he can’t stay on topic. His ideas are wacky, and he becomes offensive when challenged.

              ***

As of this writing, Gallup Tracking is the most recent national poll on Republican presidential candidates. Current percentages are Gingrich (26), Romney (22), Paul (13), Perry (8), Bachmann (6), Santorum (3) and Huntsman (1) http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/republican_presidential_nomination-1452.html

              ***

A Buzz reader emailed about the paragraph on last week’s blog about adding one’s phone numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry. Call toll-free (888) 382-1222 or do it online: https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx . The phone number and link published last week are correct. The statement about cell phone numbers “going public this month” was incorrect. Cell phone numbers will continue to be protected from telemarketing calls. Thank you to the reader for asking about it.

              ***

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will be in Orange County on Thurs., Dec. 29, for a GOP 400 Club Reception beginning at 5:00 p.m. in Newport Beach. The event will be hosted by Scott Baugh, Chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County. For information, call (714) 453-0090 or visit the Website, http://www.ocgop.org

              ***

The San Jose Mercury News reported the redistricting scandal, saying "California's congressional Democrats ran a secret effort earlier this year to manipulate the work of the independent citizen's panel that drew the state's new political districts, foiling the intent of reformers who sought to remove the redistricting process from the control of party bosses.” California Republican leader Tom Del Becarro responded, “The ProPublica report vindicates my repeated contention that the redistricting process was hijacked. … I am calling for an immediate and thorough investigation, by Congressional and State authorities, to get to the bottom of this obviously corrupted process. Beyond that, the Congressional and State lines as drawn by the Commission should not be used in any way for the upcoming elections.”

http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_19594086?source=rss&cid=dlvr.it

              ***

Robert Homesley of Long Live America Talk Radio reports Immaculate Heart Radio has purchased KCEO AM 1000 and will change the station’s format from talk to religious programming. Dec. 22 was Homesley’s last show on KCEO, and he is looking for another station to resume his work as a Tea Party voice for San Diego and Orange counties. In his email announcing his last show, he wrote: “The Republican Party cannot win without us, the TEA PARTY, and it is up to us to keep both Democrat and Republican big-spending and anti-constitutional tendencies in check.” The show’s guest on Dec. 22 was Michael Reagan. 

              ***

In 2005, the old Fleming regime was bragging about all the money the Capo school district would “save” with the new $50-million administration center. Officials talked about the economy of having everything under one roof. They even described a safer environment because employees wouldn’t have to walk down the street to another administration building. Incredibly, six years later, the district is still occupying the old space on Calle Perfecto in San Juan Capistrano.

              ***

Mission Viejo residents who shopped at both Target stores in December report the store on Alicia near the freeway wasn’t all that busy on many days during the Christmas rush. No one should be surprised if Target decides to keep only the newer store at Jeronimo and Los Alisos.

              ***

From the California Republican Assembly December Newsletter: “California is broke. The state is run by leftist Democrats. Unemployment is very high. Businesses are leaving for other states (Texas, Arizona, Nevada) because of heavy taxation and regulation. Yet, we still love California and hope that someday it will again be a shining and normal state, without the socialist agenda pushed from the left. As our great President Reagan once said, ‘Socialism only works in two places: heaven where they don't need it and hell where they already have it.’"

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