Saturday, 27 August 2011 14:40 Written by The Washington Times
Whether it’s the economy or gun control, liberals rarely consider the consequences of their misguided schemes. President Obama wants more “investment” spending to help the economy even though his nearly $1 trillion in supposed stimulus did nothing to reduce unemployment. Keynesian economics didn’t work under Franklin D. Roosevelt or Jimmy Carter, either, but the left refuses to learn the lesson. Now we know that gun-grabber complaints about concealed-carry in bars and restaurants are nonsense too.
Earlier this month, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reviewed Virginia State Police records and found the number of firearms-related crimes committed in establishments that serve alcohol dropped 5 percent a year after concealed-carry permit holders could legally pack heat while out on the town. There were 145 gun crimes reported in taverns and eateries a year after the law took effect, compared with 153 before. The Times-Dispatch could only identify a single permit holder who had misbehaved, though gun charges later were dropped against that person.
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Gun owners tend to be law-abiding members of their communities. Allowing concealed-carry at the local watering hole did nothing to change that. The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police worked overtime to defeat restaurant carry, urging Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell to veto the bill in March of last year. “Allowing guns in bars is a recipe for disaster,” Virginia Beach Police Chief Jake Jacocks Jr. wrote. “We can fully expect that at some point in the future, a disagreement that today would likely end up in a verbal confrontation, or a bar fight, will inevitably end with gunfire if you sign this legislation into law.” The shootouts never happened.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Rogers Urges Federal Disaster Declaration
WASHINGTON, DC - Today U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) joined U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and U.S. Senator Rand Paul in signing a letter to President Obama urging him to approve Governor Steve Beshear's request for a major disaster declaration as a result of the severe storms, flooding, strong winds and tornadoes beginning on June 19, 2011 and continuing in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
"The deadly storms and high waters that ripped through our region have left families devastated and communities searching for ways to keep up with the staggering debris removal and repair costs," said Rogers. "It is vital that this request be approved in order for our rural communities to recover and rebuild. My thoughts and prayers remain with the families whose homes and businesses were devastated by flood waters, but I’m proud of the many first responders and even neighbors who worked diligently to rescue flood victims across southern and eastern Kentucky, including three trapped coal miners in Bell County. Their bravery reflects the steeled nature of our people and I applaud all of those who dedicated hours on the ground to ensure their safe return to their families. Every business and individual who donated cleaning supplies, heavy equipment, volunteer hours, food and the like to enhance the recovery process is to be commended for your selfless acts of kindness in a time of great despair."
The federal disaster declaration specifically requests the following:
Individual Assistance for Bell, Breathitt, Knox, Lee, and Perry Counties; Public Assistance for Bell, Breathitt, Knox, Lee, Magoffin, and Perry Counties; Hazard Mitigation for the entire Commonwealth. The Governor further requested Public Assistance (Categories C-G) at 100 percent Federal funding.
The letter to President Obama reads:
The Honorable Barack Obama
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500-0005
Dear President Obama:
We are writing to bring to your attention a letter from Governor Steve Beshear requesting a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We respectfully urge you to give this request the timely and serious consideration that it deserves.
On June 19, 2011, devastating storms and flooding again swept through the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As a result, seven (7) counties in Southeastern Kentucky suffered extensive damage from the severe storms and flash flooding. The Governor has already issued a disaster declaration for these counties under state law and is now requesting federal assistance.
As the Governor conveyed in his letter, the Commonwealth has surpassed the $5.2 million expenditure threshold required for consideration of federal disaster assistance in accordance with provisions of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
Timely and serious consideration of the Governor’s disaster declaration request on your part would aid Kentucky communities so severely affected by this most recent disaster.
Thank you in advance for your prompt action on this matter. Should you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our offices.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To view photos of the flooded region documented by Rogers' field representatives, visit http://www.halrogers.house.gov/photos and click on the album labeled 'Regional Photos'.
Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information visit www.halrogers.house.gov.
"The deadly storms and high waters that ripped through our region have left families devastated and communities searching for ways to keep up with the staggering debris removal and repair costs," said Rogers. "It is vital that this request be approved in order for our rural communities to recover and rebuild. My thoughts and prayers remain with the families whose homes and businesses were devastated by flood waters, but I’m proud of the many first responders and even neighbors who worked diligently to rescue flood victims across southern and eastern Kentucky, including three trapped coal miners in Bell County. Their bravery reflects the steeled nature of our people and I applaud all of those who dedicated hours on the ground to ensure their safe return to their families. Every business and individual who donated cleaning supplies, heavy equipment, volunteer hours, food and the like to enhance the recovery process is to be commended for your selfless acts of kindness in a time of great despair."
The federal disaster declaration specifically requests the following:
Individual Assistance for Bell, Breathitt, Knox, Lee, and Perry Counties; Public Assistance for Bell, Breathitt, Knox, Lee, Magoffin, and Perry Counties; Hazard Mitigation for the entire Commonwealth. The Governor further requested Public Assistance (Categories C-G) at 100 percent Federal funding.
The letter to President Obama reads:
The Honorable Barack Obama
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500-0005
Dear President Obama:
We are writing to bring to your attention a letter from Governor Steve Beshear requesting a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We respectfully urge you to give this request the timely and serious consideration that it deserves.
On June 19, 2011, devastating storms and flooding again swept through the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As a result, seven (7) counties in Southeastern Kentucky suffered extensive damage from the severe storms and flash flooding. The Governor has already issued a disaster declaration for these counties under state law and is now requesting federal assistance.
As the Governor conveyed in his letter, the Commonwealth has surpassed the $5.2 million expenditure threshold required for consideration of federal disaster assistance in accordance with provisions of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
Timely and serious consideration of the Governor’s disaster declaration request on your part would aid Kentucky communities so severely affected by this most recent disaster.
Thank you in advance for your prompt action on this matter. Should you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our offices.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To view photos of the flooded region documented by Rogers' field representatives, visit http://www.halrogers.house.gov/photos and click on the album labeled 'Regional Photos'.
Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information visit www.halrogers.house.gov.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
House Passes Bill to Rein in EPA Regulatory Overreach
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) announced today that the House of Representatives has passed H.R. 2018, the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011. H.R. 2018 aims to rein in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) one-size-fits-all regulatory overreach into federally-approved state water quality programs under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The bill reasserts the authority of each State to make decisions relating to the individual State’s water quality standards and brings needed regulatory certainty by restricting EPA’s ability to second-guess, micromanage, or delay a State’s permit decisions.
“Time and again, we’ve seen the bureaucrats at EPA overrun longstanding practices, overstep state authorities, and overreach without congressional authority, putting good-paying jobs in the Commonwealth in jeopardy. Whether a coal miner in Harlan County or a farmer in Pulaski County, there is near universal support for stopping EPA. This bill turns the tables and tells EPA to back off,” stated Rogers, an original co-sponsor to H.R. 2018. “I’m pleased to see the House put another shot across the bow of EPA, but our job in stopping this bureaucracy and Administrator Lisa Jackson has just begun.”
Congress intended the states and EPA to implement the Clean Water Act as a federal-state partnership where the states and EPA act as co-regulators, also called a federal-state cooperative system of regulation. The CWA established a system where states can receive EPA approval to implement water quality programs, and under the CWA, 47 states, including Kentucky, have been so authorized to issue and enforce permits. The Kentucky Department for Natural Resources has been upholding strong standards for water quality in the Commonwealth for years, and yet, on May 11, 2011, Kentucky Secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet, Len Peters, testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to express growing dismay at EPA’s take-over of state water programs.
H.R. 2018 restores the cooperative balance between the States and the federal government to ensure Kentucky’s natural resources and economic development are preserved. The bill passed with bi-partisan support and now will go to the Senate for consideration.
On a related front, the House Appropriations Committee Tuesday passed the FY12 Interior-EPA Appropriations Bill and included a number of provisions aimed at slowing or stopping EPA regulatory actions. This bill sends a strong message that the EPA’s “legislation by regulation” and commandeering of congressional authority is opposed by a strong bi-partisan contingent of lawmakers – the legislation caps EPA personnel and takes explicit action to address EPA’s wrong-headed greenhouse gas regulations, its de facto moratorium on mining permits in Appalachia, its attack on the cement and utility industries through unsolicited revisions to the Clean Air Act, and its obstruction of oil and gas permitting in the Outer Continental Shelf.
“The actions taken in this funding bill related to the EPA are for good purposes – to rein in excessive spending and stop job-killing regulations,” Rogers said. “While the original mission of EPA was to maintain the health of our citizens and prevent future environmental degradation, this agency has become the poster child for this Administration’s widespread regulatory overreach and is as a result putting mining, manufacturing, and farming families out of business at a time when some Kentucky counties have 18 percent unemployment. Americans across the country pinpoint harsh regulatory burdens as a major factor in slow job growth and discouraging job creation. We’ve got to put people back to work, not more dubious regulations on the books.”
For a complete list of accepted amendments to the legislation, visit the Appropriations Committee website at www.appropriations.house.gov. This legislation awaits further consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information visit www.halrogers.house.gov.
“Time and again, we’ve seen the bureaucrats at EPA overrun longstanding practices, overstep state authorities, and overreach without congressional authority, putting good-paying jobs in the Commonwealth in jeopardy. Whether a coal miner in Harlan County or a farmer in Pulaski County, there is near universal support for stopping EPA. This bill turns the tables and tells EPA to back off,” stated Rogers, an original co-sponsor to H.R. 2018. “I’m pleased to see the House put another shot across the bow of EPA, but our job in stopping this bureaucracy and Administrator Lisa Jackson has just begun.”
Congress intended the states and EPA to implement the Clean Water Act as a federal-state partnership where the states and EPA act as co-regulators, also called a federal-state cooperative system of regulation. The CWA established a system where states can receive EPA approval to implement water quality programs, and under the CWA, 47 states, including Kentucky, have been so authorized to issue and enforce permits. The Kentucky Department for Natural Resources has been upholding strong standards for water quality in the Commonwealth for years, and yet, on May 11, 2011, Kentucky Secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet, Len Peters, testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to express growing dismay at EPA’s take-over of state water programs.
H.R. 2018 restores the cooperative balance between the States and the federal government to ensure Kentucky’s natural resources and economic development are preserved. The bill passed with bi-partisan support and now will go to the Senate for consideration.
On a related front, the House Appropriations Committee Tuesday passed the FY12 Interior-EPA Appropriations Bill and included a number of provisions aimed at slowing or stopping EPA regulatory actions. This bill sends a strong message that the EPA’s “legislation by regulation” and commandeering of congressional authority is opposed by a strong bi-partisan contingent of lawmakers – the legislation caps EPA personnel and takes explicit action to address EPA’s wrong-headed greenhouse gas regulations, its de facto moratorium on mining permits in Appalachia, its attack on the cement and utility industries through unsolicited revisions to the Clean Air Act, and its obstruction of oil and gas permitting in the Outer Continental Shelf.
“The actions taken in this funding bill related to the EPA are for good purposes – to rein in excessive spending and stop job-killing regulations,” Rogers said. “While the original mission of EPA was to maintain the health of our citizens and prevent future environmental degradation, this agency has become the poster child for this Administration’s widespread regulatory overreach and is as a result putting mining, manufacturing, and farming families out of business at a time when some Kentucky counties have 18 percent unemployment. Americans across the country pinpoint harsh regulatory burdens as a major factor in slow job growth and discouraging job creation. We’ve got to put people back to work, not more dubious regulations on the books.”
For a complete list of accepted amendments to the legislation, visit the Appropriations Committee website at www.appropriations.house.gov. This legislation awaits further consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information visit www.halrogers.house.gov.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tea Party – Alive and Doing Well
Tea Party of Kentucky Candidate Forum was a refreshing experience. About 150 people attended this event at Evangel Conference Center in Louisville on June 18th. The candidates and the patriots showed great enthusiasm for the up and coming election on November 8, 2011, clarifying that the Tea Party is not dead and insignificant, but alive and doing well.
While all of the candidates were invited to speak, sadly only the Republicans found it important enough to show up:
Candidate for:
Governor, Senator David Williams
Secretary of State, Bill Johnson
Auditor of Public Accounts, John T Kemper III
Attorney General, Todd P’Pool was represented by David Ray
Treasurer, K.C. Crosbie
Commissioner of Agriculture, Kentucky Rep. James Comer.
The candidates are united in purpose to take Kentucky forward in business, better schools, ethics, less government intrusion and more accountability to the voters.
From Kentuckians for Freedom:
Scott Reed (Louisville Tea Party), Bobby Alexander (Central Kentucky Tea Party), Jeff Blackstone (Owensboro Tea Party) and Ann and Vic Altherr (Grassroots Tea Party of Boone County) spoke of their efforts and activities in their communities.
Straw Poll Results The audience voted in a straw poll for the candidates that will be in the Kentucky November election. The Republicans won hands down. Here are the results:
Governor David Williams(R)–96% Steve Beshear(D)–0% Neither–4%
Attorney General Todd P’Pool(R)–99% Jack Conway(D)–1%
Secretary of State Bill Johnson(R)–100% Allison Lundergan Grimes(D)–0%
Auditor John T Kemper III(R)–100% Adam Edelen (D)–0%
Treasurer K.C. Crosbie(R)–97% L.J. Todd Hollenbach(D)–3%\
Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer(R)–100% Bob Farmer(D)–0%
While all of the candidates were invited to speak, sadly only the Republicans found it important enough to show up:
Candidate for:
Governor, Senator David Williams
Secretary of State, Bill Johnson
Auditor of Public Accounts, John T Kemper III
Attorney General, Todd P’Pool was represented by David Ray
Treasurer, K.C. Crosbie
Commissioner of Agriculture, Kentucky Rep. James Comer.
The candidates are united in purpose to take Kentucky forward in business, better schools, ethics, less government intrusion and more accountability to the voters.
From Kentuckians for Freedom:
Scott Reed (Louisville Tea Party), Bobby Alexander (Central Kentucky Tea Party), Jeff Blackstone (Owensboro Tea Party) and Ann and Vic Altherr (Grassroots Tea Party of Boone County) spoke of their efforts and activities in their communities.
Straw Poll Results The audience voted in a straw poll for the candidates that will be in the Kentucky November election. The Republicans won hands down. Here are the results:
Governor David Williams(R)–96% Steve Beshear(D)–0% Neither–4%
Attorney General Todd P’Pool(R)–99% Jack Conway(D)–1%
Secretary of State Bill Johnson(R)–100% Allison Lundergan Grimes(D)–0%
Auditor John T Kemper III(R)–100% Adam Edelen (D)–0%
Treasurer K.C. Crosbie(R)–97% L.J. Todd Hollenbach(D)–3%\
Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer(R)–100% Bob Farmer(D)–0%
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Oh My Gosh!!!!!
This is not the actual remark that I made today when Michelle Bachman's stupidity was plastered all over the news!!
You see this shinning example of stupidity, who is actually being considered by some as a choice for President of the United States of America!
This burnt light bulb exclaimed that one of my favorite movie actors was born in Waterloo Iowa!! Of course I am talking of John Wayne.....
Now I am a Republican, and I usually believe in the idea of not speaking ill of other Republicans, but when a candidate actually is stupid enough to forget that one of the biggest serial killers(John Wayne Gacy) of all time lived in her hometown, and not a great actor being born!
Well you have to scream What the fu**!!!!
You see this shinning example of stupidity, who is actually being considered by some as a choice for President of the United States of America!
This burnt light bulb exclaimed that one of my favorite movie actors was born in Waterloo Iowa!! Of course I am talking of John Wayne.....
Now I am a Republican, and I usually believe in the idea of not speaking ill of other Republicans, but when a candidate actually is stupid enough to forget that one of the biggest serial killers(John Wayne Gacy) of all time lived in her hometown, and not a great actor being born!
Well you have to scream What the fu**!!!!
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