Protect Our College Loans

http://www.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Katrina//petition.jsp?petition_KEY=192

"Congress is expected to vote on Wednesday to cut College Loans by $12.7 billion. Students from the Katrina disaster zone will feel these cuts harder than others. The financial burdens post-Katrina are monumental and these cuts only make recovery more difficult. The MS and LA Congressional Delegation has the swing votes to turn these cuts around. The same legislators that took so long to deliver basic services post-Katrina have an opportunity to demonstrate basic leadership on behalf of their already hurting constituents."

Please sign the petition located at the link above.

My Thoughts: The Alito Supreme Court Confirmation

1. Would the appointment of alito push forward an already Republican controlled government? Why? The appointment of Alito will make a reasonably balanced court more conservative, but not excessively so due to the recent appointment of a more moderate Cheif Justice Roberts to replace the very conservatice former Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

2. What do you think a confirmation of Alito will mean for the U.S. Supreme court and even the justice system in general? My opinion is that Chief Justice Roberts will now replace Justice O’Connor as the pivotal swing vote. Slightly more conservative but younger and with youth comes new experiences. That youth has improved our Constitution progressively over the last 200 years and my hope is that improvements will continue.

3. What sorts of concerns does Alito's nomination raise for you, as a Democrat? That he would vote to ban abortion, that he would continue to uphold the ban on gay marriage, that he would rubber stamp the President’s spying on innocent Americans without warrant, and most of all, we never really know how a Justice will vote until they lay their gavel down for the first time under a lifetime appointment.

4. Do you think there are any better candidates? If so, who and why. Do you think that Bush should've nominated a less conservative, more middle ground judge? Why? Alito’s qualified as a judge based on work experience but I’m sure the Justices that upheld slavery and segregation were too. The important thing is Ideology, and well, that Depends on what one believes is right and wrong and where those beliefs enter their legal perspective. As I stated in the previous question, you never know for sure until the Justice takes off their robe and lays their gavel down a couple of times.

5. How do you think this probable appointment will affect students today, if at all? The Supreme Court interprets the Supreme Law of the Land. What we as Americans can and cannot do. They have only been amended 27 times in over 200 years. They have the power to govern the governing from the President down to the City Council. And they can only be removed by death or criminal impeachment. That’s true power.

6. Do you think this nomination and confirmation process has been fair? No, it has not. It has been governed by partisanship on both sides and that is unfair to the American people. When the Senate investigates, they better do their job to the fullest extent possible because over 280 million lives now and more in the future depend on it.

7. Do you think Alito will be confirmed? Why? Yes, for three reasons. One, the numbers in the Republican led Judiciary Committee and Senate seem to point in his favor. Two, Alito appears committed to continue through with no major political bombshell having appeared to derail him. And third and probably most important, Alito is more conservative than O’Connor but Chief Justice Roberts appears to be more moderate than Rehnquist and Alito making the now younger court only slightly more conservative.

8. What are your hopes for our future if Alito is confirmed? My hope is the same for any Supreme Court Judge. That our Constitution continue to grow as it has in the last 200 years to better respect our independence as individuals, our privacy to lead our own lives and businesses, and equality for all. We, as Americans, still have a ways to go, especially on the issues of equality (i.e. gay marriage).

Starkville Smoke Free Air Act

There will be an update on the proposed Starkville Smoke Free Air Act that would ban smoking in places of employement, bars, restaurants, public venues, museums, shopping malls, sports arenas, hotel and motel lobbies, service lines, private clubs hosting functions to which the general public is invited, professional offices, common areas in apartment buildings, condominiums, trailer parks, etc. , laundromats (makes sense), taxis, buses, and banks. The act would also ban smoking outside within 20 feet of the enclosed area.

The update will include:

Advantages and Disadvantages stated by the public at the townhall meeting last night at the Greensboro Center.

A reasonable estimation on how the Board of Alderman will vote on the act, once reasonable amendments are made.

My Stance on the Act:

Up until last night, I had no leaning one way or the other on the issue. I could see the advantages and disadvantages on each side and could see supporting either side. That said, after listening to the advantages and disadvantages named by those in attendance and culminating my thoughts on the issue, I stood up and went to the front:

To speak out AGAINST the ban. Despite reasonable and understandable health concerns, it is the right of private businesses to decide whether they want to allow smoking or not in the free enterprise system that we have in the United States. Yes, some will say we already regulate these businesses in the terms of building codes, OSHA, and food safety standards so why not in terms of smoking. Simply put, the business does not sell smoking to its consumers. They do sell food, beverages, alcohol, and a place to eat, drink, and be entertained in a building that is supposed to not collapse on consumers while there. Also, someone can see smoking and choose not to visit that establishment. Customers do not see salmonella or other microscopic bacteria in there food, they do not see rat feces in the kitchen, they do not see busted pipes, and they do not see there food prepared with utensils that haven't been cleaned in a week. The average customer is not trained to detect faulty electrical wiring, assess reasonable fire safety measures upon entry, or check the stability of a ceiling in a building with rotten wood or leaky ceiling. Most customers however can see and/or smell whether people are smoking tobacco products or not at an estbalishment.

Also, some restaurants in Starkville are already smoke free but they do so by choice in our free market, not because it should be required of them. For example, Bulldog Deli, Peppers, the Union, the Perry Cafeteria, and City Bagel are all smoke free. Nonsmokers can choose to eat there if they prefer a smoke free environment. Now, some say that there is not a Veranda or Applebee's or Chili for them to visit that is smoke free. There is not a Dark Horse or Remington's or Rick's for them to visit that is smoke free. The simple answer to that is: Tough. There job is to cater to there market, not individuals. The simple solution to that is eat elsewhere like the City Bagel or the Bulldog Deli or stay at home and cook out there or get to together with friends and family for a pot luck for the social atmosphere.

Finally, these business owners put there money and livelihoods and families into their businesses. Its there choice as private businesses to choose whether they want to be smoke free or not. If they say and believe there businesses will struggle from a smoke free ban, then thats there right. Just as it is Mr. Fant's right to own a smoke free Bulldog Deli and Peppers. It is his money. It is his family he supports. To those who want a smoke free Veranda or Applebee's or a smoke free bar and dance club, build it. Invest in it. If you claim people want a smoke free restuarant or bar or hotel lobby or theatre, build it and they will come. If you all smoke free people truly believe Starkville's economy will be better off with smoke free restaurants and hotels and bars and theatres, then find your smoke free niche in the market, put your money where your rhetoric is, and build it. On this issue, let our city's businesses make there own decisions. There the ones that truly have to live with what some "haphazard alderperson" decides what is "right" and is "politically popular."

Worldwide, motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among those ages 5 to 29 and the third leading cause of death among those ages 30 to 44 (UN Tackles Roadway Safety). The burden hits financially also as the U. S. lost over $240 Billion worth of economic productivity in 2002 (UN Tackles Roadway Safety). I still drive my car. It's my choice. You still drive or ride in cars. It's your choice.

Let people's lungs, pocketbooks, and brains make there own decision about where to frequent as customers.

Starkville Municipal Court Report at Recent Board Meeting

On Tuesday night, Judge Eshee (leader of the Municipal Court in Starkville, MS) presented the Board of Alderman with annual munipal court report. Below are notable statistics, information, and Judge Eshee's recommendations to the Board for the upcoming year.

Notable Statistics from 2004 to 2005

• The number of DUI's increased from 206 to 292 (Judge Eshee contributes the increase largely due to an increase in action shown by the state's ABC officers)
• The number of misdemeanors increased by 50% from 1,028 in 2004 to 1,572 in 2005
• The number of felonies, on the other hand, decreased by 12 from 248 to 236.
• The number of new court cases increased dramatically from 8,072 in '04 to the record breaking 11,531 recorded last year.
• The court expects the number of court cases to remain in the 11,000 or 12,000 range (the increase was not a spike they say)
• The court contributes part of the increase in misdemeanors and the decrease in felonies to the increased presence and work of the Starkville Police Department led by Chief Lindley and the Oktibbeha County Sherriff's Department led by Dolph Bryant.

Conditions of the Court (located in City Hall, not the county court house)

• The court room and halls of the mucipal court are routinely overcrowded.
• There is no prosecuter's office at the court house.
• There is no witness room at the court house to hold witnesses in.
• There is no defense room at the court house so there is no privacy for defense counsel to discuss issues with their clients on sight.
• The Municipal Court Judge and the Court Administrator must share an office which makes for cramped working conditions.

News

• Municipal Prosecuter Roy Carpenter will be returning from Iraq (or has) and will resume his role as city prosecuter.
• Current City Attorney Rodney Favor was commended on his performance for filling in as prosecuter in Capenter's absence.

Court Recommendations to the Board (these were taken under advisement by the Board)

1. Add one additional court term per week, preferably Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 (the court already meets on Monday and Thursday) due to the increased case load and a larger group of people having to attend court.
2. Employ a delinquent fines collection clerk to enable the court to better collect fines that have not been paid. The clerk would issue a contempt warrant for the person who has not paid their fine with the judge who could then fine the person up to $1,000 and/or 6 months in jail for refusal to pay their fine.

Side Note:

The Sierra Club, led by Juliet Tang (i believe thats correct), returned to speak to the Board during Citizen Comments, about the spraying of pesticides in Starkville, MS, and encouraged members of the Board to attend there next meeting.

The Board finally approved interest bearing accounts for city funds, not including Starkville Electric Department funds, in a 5 to 2 vote choosing to use Bank First for the next 2 years. Davis and Self both opposed citing lack of clarity in how the use of the interest would be appropriated and measured.

Memphis

• Went to Memphis last night after work.
• Saw the Memphis Grizzlies come from down double digits in the first half to win by double digits versus the Sacramento Kings.
• Lawrence Roberts, former MSU standout, played briefly at the end. Like less than a minute but I still got to see him play.
• The Rendezvous had amazing dry ribs and excellent service. The best ribs in the world. The Veranda is second in ribs b/c they make theirs differently (more like a marinated steak rib than barbecued smoked ribs.
• Pat O'Briens had 2 for 1 Hurricanes so I had 2. Of course, my two came with twice as much rum as Mickey's two so they was strong (not by my design).
• I got blackberry hot tea at the basketball game. The cute lady said it would be hot. I drink coffee habitually so I was like, yeah, I'm used to hot tea...............
• What she should have said was that it was boiling b/c my mouth is still burning from that BOILING tea. So hot I had to spit it out. Ouch. She still was cute though.
• Then we came home and went to sleep.
• Thats all folks.

The Mississippi Grocery Tax

Released by Sam Hall, Communications Director, Mississippi Democratic Party

Republicans today led an effort to prevent Democrats in the House frommaking it easier on families to purchase groceries.

The House Ways and Means Committee passed a Senate bill that would repealthe grocery tax over two years. The bill was left just as it was passed inthe Senate, setting up a vote on the House floor. Democrats in the Housevoted to suspend the rules and allow an immediate vote on this importantpiece of legislation.

However, nearly every Republican voted against suspending the rules.Democrats needed 66 votes to suspend the rules and vote on the bill. Thefinal vote was 64 to 54.

This selfish and short-sighted political move by the Republicans will notkill the bill. It will most likely come up for a regular vote tomorrow.

Mississippi is one of only 17 states that taxes groceries. Of those 17states, Mississippi has the highest grocery tax. It is unconscionable that Republicans would vote to continue taxingMississippi families on groceries.

It is time to call your representativeand tell them you want the costly grocery tax repealed!

Call (601) 359-3770 and leave a message for your representative to vote todo away with the grocery tax!

This tax cut would cut the 7% tax on groceries by 2.5% starting this July, another 1% next july down to 3.5% and eliminating the grocery tax by 2014 by cutting .5% each year after that. This is a tax cut we can all support. Feeding Mississippi families from low income to high income.

To compensate for the tax cut on groceries, the tax on cigarettes would be raised from 18 cents per pack to $1 per pack. Now, while some say this will prevent smoking (I have my doubts), it will at least go to cover the cost of cutting the grocery tax in a state that is already strapped financially.

On another note, I would vote to raise taxes in Mississippi to build up our state's infrastructure while cutting costs in areas where the state has an overdone administrative system (number of counties, number of separate school districts, number of universities) and move the Transportation commissioner to an appointed position under MDOT.

Top 5 in the U.S. Senate

Rankings of my favorite and least favorite US Senators from each political party

My 5 Most Hated Republican Senators

1. Rick Santorum (Pennsylvania)
2. Saxby Chamliss (Georgia)
3. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (Texas)
4. Bill Frist (Tennessee)
5. Elizabeth Dole (North Carolina)

My 5 Favorite Republican Senators

1. Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania)
2. Chuck Hagel (Nebraska)
3. John McCain (Arizona)
4. Trent Lott (Mississippi)
5. Sam Brownback (Kansas)

My 5 Favorite Democrat Senators

1. John Rockefeller (West Virginia)
2. Bill Nelson (Florida)
3. Barbara Boxer (California)
4. Evan Byah (Indiana)
5. Ted Kennedy (Massachusetts) (sticks to his principles)

My 5 Least Favorite Democratic Senators

1. Joseph Lieberman (Connecticut)
2. John Kerry (Massachusetts)
3. Hillary Clinton (New York)
4. Diane Feinstein (California)
5. Joseph Lieberman (he's just that bad)

# 1 favorite overall = James Jeffords of Vermont (he's an independent)