6/8/2007
Mann legislation would lower Pa. compulsory school age from 8 to 6
HARRISBURG, June 7 - State Rep. Jennifer Mann, D-Lehigh, has
re-introduced legislation (H.B. 1143) that would lower Pennsylvania's
compulsory school age from 8 to 6.
Under current law, parents are not held responsible for ensuring
children under 8 attend school, Mann said. The new legislation would
require children to attend school as soon as they turn 6.
"This legislation would give all of our children the opportunity to
thrive," Mann said. "Many studies have shown that school attendance at a
young age advances the social and academic development of kids."
The legislation would apply to public school districts as well as
private and parochial schools in the state.
The bill would go into effect July 1. It is currently being considered
by the House Education Committee.
www.politicspa.com
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Center for Competitive Democracy Will File Amicus Brief in Pennsylvania Ballot Access Appeal
Access Appeal
June 8th, 2007
The Pennsylvania constitutional ballot access case Rogers v Corbett will soon be presented to the U.S. Supreme Court. This is the case that challenges Pennsylvania law that says that even if a party meets the state’s definition of “party” (by having polled 2% of the vote in the last election), it can’t be on the ballot automatically unless it has registration of 15% of the state total.
The Center for Competitive Democracy plans to file an amicus curiae brief, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Rogers v Corbett. The Center for Competitive Democracy is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2005. Its mission is to strengthen American democracy by increasing electoral competition. The Center’s amicus brief will probably be filed not only on its own behalf, but on behalf of some individual Pennsylvania voters who cast write-in votes in November 2006 for the nominees of the various parties that were kept off the ballot, and then discovered that Pennsylvania elections officials had not counted those write-ins. Thus, Pennsylvania’s system of excluding all statewide minor party candidates in 2006 not only injured those parties and their candidates, but it also deprived some voters of their right to vote. Pennsylvania law requires that all write-ins be counted and canvassed, but the law is routinely ignored in many counties.
www.ballot-access.org
June 8th, 2007
The Pennsylvania constitutional ballot access case Rogers v Corbett will soon be presented to the U.S. Supreme Court. This is the case that challenges Pennsylvania law that says that even if a party meets the state’s definition of “party” (by having polled 2% of the vote in the last election), it can’t be on the ballot automatically unless it has registration of 15% of the state total.
The Center for Competitive Democracy plans to file an amicus curiae brief, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Rogers v Corbett. The Center for Competitive Democracy is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2005. Its mission is to strengthen American democracy by increasing electoral competition. The Center’s amicus brief will probably be filed not only on its own behalf, but on behalf of some individual Pennsylvania voters who cast write-in votes in November 2006 for the nominees of the various parties that were kept off the ballot, and then discovered that Pennsylvania elections officials had not counted those write-ins. Thus, Pennsylvania’s system of excluding all statewide minor party candidates in 2006 not only injured those parties and their candidates, but it also deprived some voters of their right to vote. Pennsylvania law requires that all write-ins be counted and canvassed, but the law is routinely ignored in many counties.
www.ballot-access.org
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Pa. House committee supports study of state constitution
By MARK SCOLFORO
The Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. - A bill to finance a yearlong study of the Pennsylvania Constitution was passed out of a legislative committee Wednesday, potentially a step toward the state's first constitutional convention in four decades.
"We have to ask ourselves some real questions related to the future of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," the bill's sponsor, Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia, told the State Government Committee. "It's high time we had a discussion about where we want to go."
Evans' bill would establish an unpaid 15-member commission, chosen by the governor and legislative leaders, to study the constitution "in light of the contemporary conditions and anticipated problems and needs" of state residents. It would have a $475,000 budget and a year to issue a written report to the governor and Legislature.
Similar commissions were created in 1919, 1935, 1957 and 1963, Evans noted. The commission could recommend specific constitutional amendments or whether to hold a constitutional convention, which most recently was done in 1967-68.
"There's nothing wrong with a little self-reflecting," he said.
The committee approved Evans' bill on an 18-10 vote, with two Republicans joining all Democrats in favor.
Rep. Glenn R. Grell, R-Cumberland, voted against it.
"I think this proposal is too wide-ranging," Grell said. He said the House's standing committees regularly handle constitutional issues and that the Joint State Government Commission, which includes leaders from both the House and Senate, is already in place and "very capable" of a top-to-bottom constitutional study.
"I just am not hearing from my members or people in my district that we need to open the constitution," said Rep. Matthew E. Baker, R-Tioga, who also voted against the bill.
Calls for a constitutional convention have arisen in the reform atmosphere of the past couple years, but the state constitution is silent about exactly how that is done.
All four held since 1790 were initiated by the Legislature. Between 1921 and 1963 voters rejected calling constitutional conventions five times.
Duquesne Law School professor Bruce Ledewitz, an expert on the state constitution, said there is not currently a consensus about what a convention should address.
"I just don't think you should take general popular dissatisfaction with government , which we have now , and hold a constitutional convention to quote 'do something about it,'" he said.
Senate State Government Committee chairman Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, R-Dauphin, has drafted a bill calling for a constitutional convention but has not introduced it.
"He knows how hard it is to get amendments to the constitution through the process, and (a convention) would probably be the easiest way to get an amendment through," said committee director Kirsten Kenyon.
Short of a convention, changing the constitution requires the Legislature to pass an amendment in two consecutive two-year sessions and then it must be approved by voters.
A constitutional convention's final product is voted on by the public as a package. "As a practical matter, once the convention's called, once the changes are made, ratification is almost a certainty," Ledewitz said.
Evans' bill was sent to the Appropriations Committee, and he said he anticipates the House will vote on it soon.
www.phillyburbs.com
www.grassrootspa.com
The Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. - A bill to finance a yearlong study of the Pennsylvania Constitution was passed out of a legislative committee Wednesday, potentially a step toward the state's first constitutional convention in four decades.
"We have to ask ourselves some real questions related to the future of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," the bill's sponsor, Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia, told the State Government Committee. "It's high time we had a discussion about where we want to go."
Evans' bill would establish an unpaid 15-member commission, chosen by the governor and legislative leaders, to study the constitution "in light of the contemporary conditions and anticipated problems and needs" of state residents. It would have a $475,000 budget and a year to issue a written report to the governor and Legislature.
Similar commissions were created in 1919, 1935, 1957 and 1963, Evans noted. The commission could recommend specific constitutional amendments or whether to hold a constitutional convention, which most recently was done in 1967-68.
"There's nothing wrong with a little self-reflecting," he said.
The committee approved Evans' bill on an 18-10 vote, with two Republicans joining all Democrats in favor.
Rep. Glenn R. Grell, R-Cumberland, voted against it.
"I think this proposal is too wide-ranging," Grell said. He said the House's standing committees regularly handle constitutional issues and that the Joint State Government Commission, which includes leaders from both the House and Senate, is already in place and "very capable" of a top-to-bottom constitutional study.
"I just am not hearing from my members or people in my district that we need to open the constitution," said Rep. Matthew E. Baker, R-Tioga, who also voted against the bill.
Calls for a constitutional convention have arisen in the reform atmosphere of the past couple years, but the state constitution is silent about exactly how that is done.
All four held since 1790 were initiated by the Legislature. Between 1921 and 1963 voters rejected calling constitutional conventions five times.
Duquesne Law School professor Bruce Ledewitz, an expert on the state constitution, said there is not currently a consensus about what a convention should address.
"I just don't think you should take general popular dissatisfaction with government , which we have now , and hold a constitutional convention to quote 'do something about it,'" he said.
Senate State Government Committee chairman Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, R-Dauphin, has drafted a bill calling for a constitutional convention but has not introduced it.
"He knows how hard it is to get amendments to the constitution through the process, and (a convention) would probably be the easiest way to get an amendment through," said committee director Kirsten Kenyon.
Short of a convention, changing the constitution requires the Legislature to pass an amendment in two consecutive two-year sessions and then it must be approved by voters.
A constitutional convention's final product is voted on by the public as a package. "As a practical matter, once the convention's called, once the changes are made, ratification is almost a certainty," Ledewitz said.
Evans' bill was sent to the Appropriations Committee, and he said he anticipates the House will vote on it soon.
www.phillyburbs.com
www.grassrootspa.com
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
'We Need Alan Keyes for President' Website Launched
Aims to inspire grassroots support for moral conservative leader
Contact: Stephen Stone, President, RenewAmerica, 801-373-5788, editor@renewamerica.us
PHILADELPHIA, June 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- An organization calling itself "We Need Alan Keyes for President" has launched a website to press the former Reagan administration diplomat to enter the field of Republican presidential contenders.
According to a statement at the website -- AlanKeyes.com -- the organization's purpose is to "determine and rally support for a presidential candidacy by Dr. Keyes."
The statement adds, "We Need Alan Keyes for President, Inc., is a political action committee . . . not managed by Alan Keyes."
The effort is spearheaded by several individuals at RenewAmerica, a grassroots organization affiliated with Keyes.
Stephen Stone, president of RenewAmerica, said, "At this point, Alan has not indicated that he will run. In fact, he has said that he would run only if enough people at the grassroots come forward to say they want him to run. Our job is to give them a chance to do so."
Added RenewAmerica's legal counsel Steven Voigt, chief of staff to the draft Keyes movement: "Alan believes that the American people, themselves, are the key to restoring the values that are essential to the future of our nation. He has therefore stressed that it's ultimately up to grassroots Americans to decide who they want in the arena. If enough moral conservatives want him, he's indicated he will run."
Stone commented, "We receive e-mails almost daily at RenewAmerica encouraging Alan to run. The writers are moral conservatives disaffected with the current candidates. These messages share a common belief that none of those running truly represents the moral conservative base of the Republican Party."
Stone cited an e-mail from a Florida Young Republican he said was typical of the messages RenewAmerica receives:
"It's time that a true conservative stepped to the plate to combat the left. No one in the field of candidates, Republican or Democrat, has more experience in the realm of foreign policy than Mr. Keyes. No one is more qualified to lead this nation in the war on terror than Mr. Keyes. No one is more qualified to lead this country in protecting the right to life than Mr. Keyes. I'm confident that he is the best candidate for the job. I really hope to see him run."
Stone noted, "We plan to show that there are literally millions of grassroots Americans who feel the same way."
"The bottom line," continued Stone, "is that a lot of people are waiting for a moral conservative leader to stand forth and represent them, and to date, no one appears to be doing so. This is not to question the integrity or credentials of several fine individuals -- mainly among the so-called 'second tier' GOP hopefuls. But moral conservatives appear to see no outstanding leader among the current candidates who energizes and inspires them."
Keyes served as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations under President Ronald Reagan. Previous to that, he served as Reagan's ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. He spent 11 years in the U.S. State Department, before being drafted to run for the U.S. Senate from Maryland in 1988. At a fundraising event for Keyes, President Reagan said the diplomat "reflects the values and bedrock principles of this great nation." Keyes also won the Maryland GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate from Maryland in 1992, defeating a primary field of 13 candidates.
Ambassador Keyes ran for president in 1996 and 2000, on a pro-life, pro-family, tax-reform plank. In 2004, he responded to a call from pro-life conservatives in the Illinois Republican Party to challenge Barack Obama for an open Senate seat, replacing Jack Ryan, who dropped out three months before the election.
In recent years, Stone said, "Keyes has stood fast in support of moral conservatives who were battling to defend traditional marriage in Massachusetts, save Terri Schiavo from judicial murder in Florida, restore protection for the unborn in South Dakota, and stop the abuse of federal judicial power against Chief Justice Roy Moore of Alabama."
"Keyes has also made countless appearances before moral conservative groups, championing the work of crisis pregnancy centers, encouraging the role in politics of Christian believers, and calling for the establishment of secure U.S. borders," added Voigt. "He has ceaselessly advanced the need to give top priority to restoring America's moral principles -- by observing the Constitution's protection for the life of our posterity in the womb, and by restoring respect for the procreational family, based on the union, by marriage, of one man and one woman."
Keyes also writes columns that appear at WorldNetDaily.com and RenewAmerica.us.
Contact: Stephen Stone, President, RenewAmerica, 801-373-5788, editor@renewamerica.us
PHILADELPHIA, June 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- An organization calling itself "We Need Alan Keyes for President" has launched a website to press the former Reagan administration diplomat to enter the field of Republican presidential contenders.
According to a statement at the website -- AlanKeyes.com -- the organization's purpose is to "determine and rally support for a presidential candidacy by Dr. Keyes."
The statement adds, "We Need Alan Keyes for President, Inc., is a political action committee . . . not managed by Alan Keyes."
The effort is spearheaded by several individuals at RenewAmerica, a grassroots organization affiliated with Keyes.
Stephen Stone, president of RenewAmerica, said, "At this point, Alan has not indicated that he will run. In fact, he has said that he would run only if enough people at the grassroots come forward to say they want him to run. Our job is to give them a chance to do so."
Added RenewAmerica's legal counsel Steven Voigt, chief of staff to the draft Keyes movement: "Alan believes that the American people, themselves, are the key to restoring the values that are essential to the future of our nation. He has therefore stressed that it's ultimately up to grassroots Americans to decide who they want in the arena. If enough moral conservatives want him, he's indicated he will run."
Stone commented, "We receive e-mails almost daily at RenewAmerica encouraging Alan to run. The writers are moral conservatives disaffected with the current candidates. These messages share a common belief that none of those running truly represents the moral conservative base of the Republican Party."
Stone cited an e-mail from a Florida Young Republican he said was typical of the messages RenewAmerica receives:
"It's time that a true conservative stepped to the plate to combat the left. No one in the field of candidates, Republican or Democrat, has more experience in the realm of foreign policy than Mr. Keyes. No one is more qualified to lead this nation in the war on terror than Mr. Keyes. No one is more qualified to lead this country in protecting the right to life than Mr. Keyes. I'm confident that he is the best candidate for the job. I really hope to see him run."
Stone noted, "We plan to show that there are literally millions of grassroots Americans who feel the same way."
"The bottom line," continued Stone, "is that a lot of people are waiting for a moral conservative leader to stand forth and represent them, and to date, no one appears to be doing so. This is not to question the integrity or credentials of several fine individuals -- mainly among the so-called 'second tier' GOP hopefuls. But moral conservatives appear to see no outstanding leader among the current candidates who energizes and inspires them."
Keyes served as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations under President Ronald Reagan. Previous to that, he served as Reagan's ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. He spent 11 years in the U.S. State Department, before being drafted to run for the U.S. Senate from Maryland in 1988. At a fundraising event for Keyes, President Reagan said the diplomat "reflects the values and bedrock principles of this great nation." Keyes also won the Maryland GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate from Maryland in 1992, defeating a primary field of 13 candidates.
Ambassador Keyes ran for president in 1996 and 2000, on a pro-life, pro-family, tax-reform plank. In 2004, he responded to a call from pro-life conservatives in the Illinois Republican Party to challenge Barack Obama for an open Senate seat, replacing Jack Ryan, who dropped out three months before the election.
In recent years, Stone said, "Keyes has stood fast in support of moral conservatives who were battling to defend traditional marriage in Massachusetts, save Terri Schiavo from judicial murder in Florida, restore protection for the unborn in South Dakota, and stop the abuse of federal judicial power against Chief Justice Roy Moore of Alabama."
"Keyes has also made countless appearances before moral conservative groups, championing the work of crisis pregnancy centers, encouraging the role in politics of Christian believers, and calling for the establishment of secure U.S. borders," added Voigt. "He has ceaselessly advanced the need to give top priority to restoring America's moral principles -- by observing the Constitution's protection for the life of our posterity in the womb, and by restoring respect for the procreational family, based on the union, by marriage, of one man and one woman."
Keyes also writes columns that appear at WorldNetDaily.com and RenewAmerica.us.
Hundreds show support for Hazleton mayor, Illegal Immigration Relief Act and immigration reform
STEVE MOCARSKY smocarsky@timesleader.com
HAZLETON – Hundreds of people packed Church Street in front of City Hall on Sunday afternoon at a rally to support Mayor Lou Barletta, the city’s illegal immigration ordinance and national immigration reform.
A man who called himself an illegal immigrant chants ‘America, America’ towards the crowd during a rally held in support of Hazleton’s Illegal Immigration Ordinance rally on Sunday at City Hall. (Pete G. Wilcox/The Times Leader)
Organized by members of the Voice of the People movement, the 2 p.m. rally included speeches from a dozen local and nationally recognized supporters of immigration reform, as well as musical entertainment by the political rock band Poker Face.
Local entertainer Tony Angelo got the crowd psyched up for the event, singing patriotic songs such as Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American” starting at 1:30 p.m., as many in the crowd waved flags and held homemade signs against illegal immigration.
Master of ceremonies John Clark, of Americans for Immigration Control, introduced the first speaker – Joey Vento, owner of Geno’s Steaks in Philadelphia.
Vento made national headlines a few days before Barletta first proposed Hazleton’s Illegal Immigration Relief Act in June 2006 when he posted a sign at his restaurant that read: “This is America. When ordering, please speak English.”
Vento contrasted illegal immigrants with “our (immigrant) grandparents … who were proud to assimilate and (learn English). … They never demanded anything. They earned it.”
He criticized government officials who support The Comprehensive Immigration Act of 2007 – a bill that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants who pay $5,000 fines and apply for citizenship, saying they’re “selling their kids and their kids’ kids down the tubes.”
“You are supposed to be our protectors, yet you let our borders go unprotected,” he said.
Ezola Foster, a conservative African-American who was Pat Buchanan’s running mate in the 2000 presidential election, said she wanted to dispel some “myths” about illegal immigrants, including notions that “guest workers would only be here temporarily” and that “illegal immigrants contribute greatly to the economy.”
“I don’t care what they do in Congress. It’s not over yet, and it won’t be over until we win this battle,” Foster said.
Radio talk show host Gary Sutton, from WSBA 910-AM in York, shared some figures on illegal immigration he retrieved from immigrationcounters.com.
Sutton said there are 20.8 million illegal immigrants in the country, that $22.2 billion has been wired to Mexico City since January 2006, that $397 billion was spent on Social Security services for illegal immigrants since 1996 and that 9.8 million skilled jobs have been taken by illegal immigrants.
When Sutton asked, “Is that the America you want?” after providing each figure, the crowd shouted back, “No.”
Hagen Smith, chairman of the Constitution Party of Pennsylvania, said some public officials “bring illegals here so they gain more power.”
“I recommend you get out to the two major parties and start showing these public officials that we are boss and we will put them out of office and we will enforce the Constitution on them when they are in office,” Smith said.
William Gheen, president of the Americans for Legal Immigration Political Action Committee, said he was honored to be in “historic Hazleton.”
“The country is with you. Thank you, Hazleton. … You started the landslide that now involves over 200 cities and towns across the country,” Gheen said, referring to municipalities that passed or are considering laws similar to Hazleton’s.
The city was the first in the nation to enact a local law that would fine landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, suspend licenses of businesses that employ them, and require anyone who rents a home in the city to show proof of citizenship. A federal court is reviewing the constitutionality of the law.
Carmen Morales, a member of You Don’t Speak For Me – a Latino organization that opposes illegal immigration -- said the country is in chaos.
“We believe this is not any more about poor immigrants searching for the American dream. … This is an invasion,” she said.
“I am insulted when I see thousands upon thousands of illegal immigrants demanding recognition from the U.S. government when they enter the U.S. illegally. They didn’t recognize our immigration laws in the first place,” Morales said.
Not surprisingly, the next speaker – Mayor Barletta – received the most enthusiastic applause. He began his speech by berating the Senate’s immigration reform bill, calling it bad legislation that encourages illegal immigrants to return to their countries of origin, apply for a new visa and complete a background check before returning.
“In far too many cases, that means our local and national security will rely on the honesty of criminals and terrorists. This is unacceptable. … This bill grants amnesty first and worries about border security later. It trades our national security for cheap labor wanted by big business,” he said.
Barletta said President Bush suggested that anyone opposed to the bill is racist and doesn’t want to do “what’s right for America.”
“With all due respect, Mr. President, you’re wrong. I’ve said it many times over the past year: Illegal does not have a race. Illegal is illegal,” Barletta said.
The only disruption during the two-hour rally occurred during the speech of Peter Gaudiel, representing 9/11 Families for a Secure America, when a woman began yelling at two men whom someone said opposed the city’s illegal immigration act. Police quickly quelled the situation.
Dan Smeriglio, the 24-year-old Hazleton resident who founded the Voice of the People movement and organized the rally with a core group of about 30 people, said he was pleased with the turnout and with what the speakers had to say.
HAZLETON – Hundreds of people packed Church Street in front of City Hall on Sunday afternoon at a rally to support Mayor Lou Barletta, the city’s illegal immigration ordinance and national immigration reform.
A man who called himself an illegal immigrant chants ‘America, America’ towards the crowd during a rally held in support of Hazleton’s Illegal Immigration Ordinance rally on Sunday at City Hall. (Pete G. Wilcox/The Times Leader)
Organized by members of the Voice of the People movement, the 2 p.m. rally included speeches from a dozen local and nationally recognized supporters of immigration reform, as well as musical entertainment by the political rock band Poker Face.
Local entertainer Tony Angelo got the crowd psyched up for the event, singing patriotic songs such as Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American” starting at 1:30 p.m., as many in the crowd waved flags and held homemade signs against illegal immigration.
Master of ceremonies John Clark, of Americans for Immigration Control, introduced the first speaker – Joey Vento, owner of Geno’s Steaks in Philadelphia.
Vento made national headlines a few days before Barletta first proposed Hazleton’s Illegal Immigration Relief Act in June 2006 when he posted a sign at his restaurant that read: “This is America. When ordering, please speak English.”
Vento contrasted illegal immigrants with “our (immigrant) grandparents … who were proud to assimilate and (learn English). … They never demanded anything. They earned it.”
He criticized government officials who support The Comprehensive Immigration Act of 2007 – a bill that would legalize millions of illegal immigrants who pay $5,000 fines and apply for citizenship, saying they’re “selling their kids and their kids’ kids down the tubes.”
“You are supposed to be our protectors, yet you let our borders go unprotected,” he said.
Ezola Foster, a conservative African-American who was Pat Buchanan’s running mate in the 2000 presidential election, said she wanted to dispel some “myths” about illegal immigrants, including notions that “guest workers would only be here temporarily” and that “illegal immigrants contribute greatly to the economy.”
“I don’t care what they do in Congress. It’s not over yet, and it won’t be over until we win this battle,” Foster said.
Radio talk show host Gary Sutton, from WSBA 910-AM in York, shared some figures on illegal immigration he retrieved from immigrationcounters.com.
Sutton said there are 20.8 million illegal immigrants in the country, that $22.2 billion has been wired to Mexico City since January 2006, that $397 billion was spent on Social Security services for illegal immigrants since 1996 and that 9.8 million skilled jobs have been taken by illegal immigrants.
When Sutton asked, “Is that the America you want?” after providing each figure, the crowd shouted back, “No.”
Hagen Smith, chairman of the Constitution Party of Pennsylvania, said some public officials “bring illegals here so they gain more power.”
“I recommend you get out to the two major parties and start showing these public officials that we are boss and we will put them out of office and we will enforce the Constitution on them when they are in office,” Smith said.
William Gheen, president of the Americans for Legal Immigration Political Action Committee, said he was honored to be in “historic Hazleton.”
“The country is with you. Thank you, Hazleton. … You started the landslide that now involves over 200 cities and towns across the country,” Gheen said, referring to municipalities that passed or are considering laws similar to Hazleton’s.
The city was the first in the nation to enact a local law that would fine landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, suspend licenses of businesses that employ them, and require anyone who rents a home in the city to show proof of citizenship. A federal court is reviewing the constitutionality of the law.
Carmen Morales, a member of You Don’t Speak For Me – a Latino organization that opposes illegal immigration -- said the country is in chaos.
“We believe this is not any more about poor immigrants searching for the American dream. … This is an invasion,” she said.
“I am insulted when I see thousands upon thousands of illegal immigrants demanding recognition from the U.S. government when they enter the U.S. illegally. They didn’t recognize our immigration laws in the first place,” Morales said.
Not surprisingly, the next speaker – Mayor Barletta – received the most enthusiastic applause. He began his speech by berating the Senate’s immigration reform bill, calling it bad legislation that encourages illegal immigrants to return to their countries of origin, apply for a new visa and complete a background check before returning.
“In far too many cases, that means our local and national security will rely on the honesty of criminals and terrorists. This is unacceptable. … This bill grants amnesty first and worries about border security later. It trades our national security for cheap labor wanted by big business,” he said.
Barletta said President Bush suggested that anyone opposed to the bill is racist and doesn’t want to do “what’s right for America.”
“With all due respect, Mr. President, you’re wrong. I’ve said it many times over the past year: Illegal does not have a race. Illegal is illegal,” Barletta said.
The only disruption during the two-hour rally occurred during the speech of Peter Gaudiel, representing 9/11 Families for a Secure America, when a woman began yelling at two men whom someone said opposed the city’s illegal immigration act. Police quickly quelled the situation.
Dan Smeriglio, the 24-year-old Hazleton resident who founded the Voice of the People movement and organized the rally with a core group of about 30 people, said he was pleased with the turnout and with what the speakers had to say.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Ron Paul on Daily show tonight at 11pm
Daily Show tonight; Debate tomorrow night
Congressman Ron Paul will be a guest on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" tonight at 11:00 pm ET.
The third GOP presidential debate will be held tomorrow night at 7:00 pm ET in New Hampshire. CNN will broadcast the debate with Wolf Blitzer as the moderator.
Posted on June 04, 2007 at 10:45 AM
Congressman Ron Paul will be a guest on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" tonight at 11:00 pm ET.
The third GOP presidential debate will be held tomorrow night at 7:00 pm ET in New Hampshire. CNN will broadcast the debate with Wolf Blitzer as the moderator.
Posted on June 04, 2007 at 10:45 AM
Group asks sheriff to postpone foreclosure sales
This headline caught my attention but after reading the whole article I believe they will be looking for "state" money. That aside we should get down there and protest the unconstitutionality of sheriff sales. While doing so we can present the sheriff with a list of their proper function in a constitutional republic. Here is the rest of the article found on www.post-gazette.com
Monday, June 04, 2007
By Jim McKinnon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The activist group ACORN wants to put shutters on the monthly sheriff's sales of properties in Allegheny County.
ACORN stands for Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.
"I'm passionate about it because there's nothing like seeing people, especially young people, trying to get started and to see their things being set out on the curb," group spokesman Linda Lee of Homewood said at a press conference this morning.
She and four other members of the group spoke with reporters outside the county Courthouse before seeking a meeting with Sheriff William Mullen, who was on vacation today.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Joe Rizzo said his boss is trying to arrange a meeting with ACORN, "to hear their ideas and to listen to their requests."
The Sheriff's Department, which publishes in the Post-Gazette the list of foreclosed properties to be sold monthly, already includes lists of agencies that assist homeowners who face foreclosure sales.
The sheriff also is preparing a booklet with more detailed direction.
ACORN wants more. The group wants the sheriff to declare a six-month moratorium on the foreclosure sales until more help is available.
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is working on a program specifically to assist homeowners who signed bad deals with variable mortgage interest rates. The interest costs, in many instances, eventually explode and leave financially strapped homeowners homeless.
Monday, June 04, 2007
By Jim McKinnon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The activist group ACORN wants to put shutters on the monthly sheriff's sales of properties in Allegheny County.
ACORN stands for Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.
"I'm passionate about it because there's nothing like seeing people, especially young people, trying to get started and to see their things being set out on the curb," group spokesman Linda Lee of Homewood said at a press conference this morning.
She and four other members of the group spoke with reporters outside the county Courthouse before seeking a meeting with Sheriff William Mullen, who was on vacation today.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Joe Rizzo said his boss is trying to arrange a meeting with ACORN, "to hear their ideas and to listen to their requests."
The Sheriff's Department, which publishes in the Post-Gazette the list of foreclosed properties to be sold monthly, already includes lists of agencies that assist homeowners who face foreclosure sales.
The sheriff also is preparing a booklet with more detailed direction.
ACORN wants more. The group wants the sheriff to declare a six-month moratorium on the foreclosure sales until more help is available.
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is working on a program specifically to assist homeowners who signed bad deals with variable mortgage interest rates. The interest costs, in many instances, eventually explode and leave financially strapped homeowners homeless.
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