We really try to avoid talking about the pros and cons of government spending because it is an issue that will never be resolved, but this issue affects lots of people here in Sacramento.  Whether you agree or disagree with it, Congress has approved a “cash for clunkers” program, bill H. R. 2346, Thursday to provide government incentives of $3,500 to $4,500 to motorists who trade in their gas guzzlers for more fuel efficient vehicles after Senate Democrats narrowly defeated a Republican effort to kill the plan. 

Cash for Clunkers

In the Sacramento area numerous dealerships have closed in the last couple of years Continue Reading »

Laura Ling, who grew up in Carmichael and graduated from Del Campo High School, was one of the journalists along with her colleague Euna Lee arrested in North Korea in March for illegally crossing the border.  The two have been convicted and sentenced to 12 years in labor prison. 

 The Obama administration said it would pursue “all possible channels” to win the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, reporters for former Vice President Al Gore’s San Francisco-based Current TV media venture.

Washington’s former U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson called the sentencing part of “a high-stakes poker game” being played by North Korea. He said on NBC’s Today show that he thinks negotiations for their “humanitarian release” can begin now that the legal process has been completed.  Richardson has been involved previously in this type of negotiation.

We are all hoping the negotiations will be successful and Laura Ling will soon be able to visit her Sacramento family and friends.

Courtesy of YouTube this is a report from CNN about the prison sentence for Laura Ling and Euna Lee:

President Obama had an internet town hall meeting today.  I tuned in and was impressed to see the newest version of the FDR fireside Chats.  There were almost 100,000 questions submitted and over three and a half million votes from all over the country to decide what Americans want to talk with their president about.  In case you missed it but are interested you can go to whitehouse.gov to read their blog entry about the town hall meeting which even has a full transcript if you want detail.

One of the questions that hit home for us here in California was about legalizing marijuana to create revenue.  Last month Democratic State Assemblyman, Tom Ammiano, introduced a bill that would legalize pot and allow the State of California to regulate and tax its sale.  His thought was that it would bring billions of dollars to our cash strapped state.  President Obama didn’t agree with that theory.

Courtesy of YouTube here is his response to the question about legalizing marijuana:

Tonight, February 26, 2009, from 7:00PM to 8:00PM at Samuel Pannell Meadowview community Center, 2450 Meadowview Road, Sacramento, CA, Mayor Kevin Johnson will Join Sacramento Councilmember Bonnie Pannell for a community Town Hall meeting.  This meeting is for District 8 residents to come and share their concerns with their council and the mayor.  This is the second in a series of town hall meetings that will be held in each council district throughout the year.

Early this morning after several all night sessions and 106 painful days the Democrats finally got that last Republican vote to pass a budget.  The only thing that everybody seems to agree on is that nobody really likes all of this budget, because there were a lot of compromises along the rocky road to the final vote.

The governor is going to have a press conference this morning at 11:00AM to talk about the budget, so check local channels to watch.

Budget Finally Passed

If you have questions to ask the Mayor now’s your chance.  Today from 4:00PM to 8:00PM in the Evelyn Moore Community Center, 1402 Dickson Street, Sacramento, CA 95822, Mayor Kevin Johnson will have his first public open-office hours.  If you want to know more about his strong mayor proposal or issues in your neighborhood come and ask questions and hear what he has to say.

Mayor Kevin Johnson

California Budget Held Hostage

This cartoon by Rex Babin posted in the Sacramento Bee really proves a picture is worth a thousand words.  For the whole story about the state budget issue click on this link to the article in the Sacramento Bee.

Sometimes parades are fun and sometimes it’s just your daddy’s job.

Malia and Sasha Obama Watch the Inaugural Parade

Does Arnold have a halo?

Maybe the Sacramento Bee photographer wanted us to view Arnold in a favorable light and took this photo of ”The Governator”  with the chandelier behind him, or is that really a halo??

The Inauguration of Barack Obama, the first black president of the United States……well that too, but what I was really talking about was that this is the largest temporary restroom event (port-a-potties) in the history of the united states.  There will be 5000 port-a-potties from 10 vendors…..Don’s Johns, Mr. John, Johnny Blue, Johnny on the Spot, they’ll all be there.  Park Services says the appropriate number is one for every 300 people, at this ratio there will be enough for about 1.5 million people.  If more people than that show up let’s hope they all follow their mom’s advice and “go before you leave home”.  The Presidential Inaugural Committee, a privately funded organization, is picking up the tab for all this.  Here’s hoping they can answer nature’s call, if not Don’s Johns says they will have trucks standing by to handle the overflow.  Almost makes me glad that golden ticket didn’t come in the mail; I can hit the pause button and I don’t even have to stand in line.

Port-a-potties near the Capitol in Washington