http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/twainwp.htm#BATTLE
Mine eyes have seen the orgy of the launching of the Sword; He is searching out the hoardings where the stranger's wealth is stored; He hath loosed his fateful lightnings, and with woe and death has scored; His lust is marching on.
I have seen him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps; They have builded him an altar in the Eastern dews and damps; I have read his doomful mission by the dim and flaring lamps -- His night is marching on.
I have read his bandit gospel writ in burnished rows of steel: "As ye deal with my pretensions, so with you my wrath shall deal; Let the faithless son of Freedom crush the patriot with his heel; Lo, Greed is marching on!"
We have legalized the strumpet and are guarding her retreat;* Greed is seeking out commercial souls before his judgement seat; O, be swift, ye clods, to answer him! be jubilant my feet! Our god is marching on!
In a sordid slime harmonious Greed was born in yonder ditch, With a longing in his bosom -- and for others' goods an itch. As Christ died to make men holy, let men die to make us rich -- Our god is marching on.
* NOTE: In Manila the Government has placed a certain industry under the protection of our flag. (M.T.)
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Thomas Edison Quote
If the United States can issue a dollar bond, it can issue a dollar bill. The element that makes the bond good makes the bill good also.
The difference between the bond and bill is the bond allows money brokers to collect twice the amount of the bond and an additional 3 -4 percent.
It is absurd to say that we can produce 30 million in bonds and not 30 million in bills. Both are promises to pay, but one fattens the usurers and the other helps the people.
The difference between the bond and bill is the bond allows money brokers to collect twice the amount of the bond and an additional 3 -4 percent.
It is absurd to say that we can produce 30 million in bonds and not 30 million in bills. Both are promises to pay, but one fattens the usurers and the other helps the people.
A Gap Between Katrina and Relief
It has been clear that the Gulf States have been devastated by hurricane Katrina. It should also be clear that the response of our government agencies has left much to be desired and that is being polite.
I am reporting from operation TLC in Pascagoula, MS where 100 homes in 100 days project, being managed by Chris of Elite Homes, out of Ocean Springs MS, will make the Federal, State and local government agencies look completely incompetent. That is if the contractor has high moral standards and can actually find the additional 60 homes to meet the advertised 100.
There is a huge push by above-mentioned agencies to kill this program and having been here for just about a week now, i will be the eyes and ears on the ground for our district.
I have very little time to blog, chat and email, but i will be doing a live interview on Headonradio Monday, March 26 2007. http://www.whiterosesociety.org/Kincaid.html
There is so much to report on from the good work going on within these organizations, to the criminal contracting by civilians. The bank robbers who wear suits in our legislative bodies have shirked their responsibility to this region. It will take every spare moment i have to be concise while informative about the scope of all that is and has been underway in this devastated region.
Bye for now,
stetty
I am reporting from operation TLC in Pascagoula, MS where 100 homes in 100 days project, being managed by Chris of Elite Homes, out of Ocean Springs MS, will make the Federal, State and local government agencies look completely incompetent. That is if the contractor has high moral standards and can actually find the additional 60 homes to meet the advertised 100.
There is a huge push by above-mentioned agencies to kill this program and having been here for just about a week now, i will be the eyes and ears on the ground for our district.
I have very little time to blog, chat and email, but i will be doing a live interview on Headonradio Monday, March 26 2007. http://www.whiterosesociety.org/Kincaid.html
There is so much to report on from the good work going on within these organizations, to the criminal contracting by civilians. The bank robbers who wear suits in our legislative bodies have shirked their responsibility to this region. It will take every spare moment i have to be concise while informative about the scope of all that is and has been underway in this devastated region.
Bye for now,
stetty
An Open Letter To Congressman Elton Gallegly 2002
An Open Letter to
Congressman
Elton Gallegly:
October 2002
Special Copy For the California Democratic Convention in San Diego, April 27-29, 2007
In Memory of Those who have lost Their Children, Brothers and Sisters, Husbands and Wives
And Those having Their lives adversely affected by the War On Terror around the world.
To the Families, Victims and Survivors in the Gulf States from Katrina the Storm
And those victims, friends and Families of Virginia Tech
http://www.whiterosesociety.org/ATR.html
Sunday, February 19th, 2006
T C T E M S
S E N S
mkstetty_love@hotmail.com
Document crafted and sourced in house by:
The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler
April 27th 2007
Thank you for your return communication expressing your views on Iraq. This week marks the 40-year anniversary of the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis. This was a situation that was resolved without the use of force, despite the suggestion of others to strike. Today our situation has some similar elements.
Our top military advisors, Joint Chiefs of Staff, are advising that this will be a disaster. It is the civilian advisors, and passionate yet uninformed citizens who are driving for this war. No one in Europe wants this war. Tony Blair will now be faced with a fireman’s strike and that should take precedence on his agenda. Scott Ritter, former U.N. weapons inspector and one of the few westerners to set foot inside the alleged AlQuada training facilities notes that there is no clear and present danger. He goes on and notes that these facilities were used to train Republican Guard troops, not AlQuada.
Mr. Gallegly, there is no connection between AlQuada and Saddam. Mr. Ritter is bird dogging a way of escape diplomatically. New resolutions, if you don't know why they must be new then you should study Mr. Ritter's comments as of late. Saddam Hussein's military cannot project in formidable fashion, and Saddam's ability to manufacture or reconstitute these forms of weapons has been rendered inadequate to warrant an escalation of the military with intentions of pre-emptive strike according to Mr. Ritter.
21 hours, over 10,500 man hours spent for a rubber stamp from Congress. The Congress obviously has not consulted history, or the best of this nations military tradition and policies of Strategic Defense. They will not be found in the hearts and minds of the weak. It is time to stand up sir and represent the best of the land of the free and the home of the brave. Do not support a drive by some civilians who know not what they do. NO WAR. OUR ECONOMY IS A WRECK. THIS PAST WEEK WAS A HOAX TO BUY TIME UNTIL THE ELECTIONS. YOU KNOW IT AND I KNOW IT.
Focus on the immediate clear and present danger of the financial meltdown in progress, and use recovery methods that have worked in the past. You would do well to study and understand how we came out of the depression in the 1930's sir. All due respect, would you consider the Pre-Amble of our Constitution as a guide for this moment in history?
Good day; Michael Stettler Correction sent hours after initial communiqué.
……. The obvious correction necessary is the 40-year anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, rather than the 20-year.
Secondly, i mentioned the Joint Chiefs of staff, however i believe there are many flag officers outside of that body which disagree with the logistical capabilities of the military to go through the cities, buildings and housing areas searching for Saddam without a major death toll of our forces from ambush and sniper fire.
We will have to level Baghdad and other areas killing massive amounts of civilians. There are other ways to solve this sir. Your vote to support this war danger and a lack of understanding the real threats and clear and present danger to your constituents leaves much to be desired. The economy is going to crush people as They see Their third quarter pension reports. They are taking a beating.
In support of urgency generation and re-regulation of utilities, financial markets, transportation, health care and the protection of the general welfare.
Document crafted and sourced in house by: T C T E M S The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler
The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler makes S E N S Simple Economic National Solutions
Policy Statement of Michael Kurt Stettler
Partisan Nomination, Primary Election, February 4th 2008
For the Office of: United States Representative in Congress
The 24th Congressional District California Is Not For Sale!
Objective: To provide, announce, disclose, inform, educate and generally make known, the positions and policies, on issues and events. These are deemed essential for healthy survival of the 24th Congressional District's ability to perform its Civic responsibilities and Constitutional duties to its constituency and municipalities in the immediate future and for posterity.
Upon filing declaration of candidacy with Elections Office in the County of Ventura, State of California, January 27, 2006, until the last ballot is counted in the Primary Election Tuesday February 4th 2008, let this be known.
Major Campaign Priorities:
1) An end to the ever-increasing, inter-generational influence of Corporate Personhood over the affairs of our people and territories. Through Re-regulating vital and essential functions of our National Infrastructure, this can be done.
2) A revival of the American System of Political Economy set forth in Papers on Manufacturing, Banking and Credit by our first Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton, revived by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the Depression.
3) A return to the Hill Burton Health Care System by initiating legislation akin to, 'The Hospital Survey and Construction Act,' enacted Aug. 13, 1946, its principal bipartisan co-sponsors being, Senators Lister Hill (D-Alabama) and Harold Burton (R-Ohio), ending an era of the HMO system.
Positions on Issues: Alberto Gonzales must resign ******** Impeachment is on the table.
1) Get out of Iraq and Stay out of Iran 2) Secure Pensions and Boarders 3) Keep Hospitals Open 4) Fortify and re-prioritize our commitment to Education; 5) Initiate legislation that will stop the use of Depleted Uranium Munitions by all forces of the United States Military. 6) Initiate legislation that will remove Judicial Immunity and hold our Judicial Branch of government accountable. 7) Support the call for 'A New Bretton Woods Conference' securing confidence of the world in United States Sovereignty. 8) Raise the tax base by creating millions of jobs with newly generated credit by powers derived from major campaign priority #2 for desperately needed infrastructure projects. Applying these principles in the region affected by Katrina, in the spirit of Constitutional obligation and Historic tradition of our General Welfare, we will revitalize our nation. By coupling this new credit, with a nation building orientation, we can produce Health Care, Water, Sanitation, Energy and High Speed Magnetically Levitated Rail Systems for the 21st century here at home, curbing the flow and trend of outsourcing. 9) Continue allowing oversight inquiries regarding all things political, while encouraging the active participation of all citizens in the political process. 10) Support a woman’s right to choice, while advising against the practice of abortion and providing ways of escape.
There are many more issues that face the nation and our district. Embodied in, or Represented by these Three Major Campaign Priorities are many more potentialities and years of work regarding implementation. Let's start today securing tomorrow’s future for those who are sure to follow.
Nominate Michael Stettler for: U.S. Representative in Congress
Document crafted and sourced in house by: T C T E M S The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler
The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler makes S E N S Simple Economic National Solutions
When State Senator Jim Battin (R) of La Quinta California initiated legislation back in March of last year 2006, there were four democratic candidates in the 24th Congressional District that had pulled papers for U.S. Representative in Congress and one republican challenger.
The "Voter Protection" bill SB 1258 extends a five-day period to any potential candidates who might decide to run for an unanticipated open seat. Of the four democratic candidates, only one qualified and went on to win the partisan nomination without contest or real debate. The incumbent won his re-election nomination by a 20% margin.
A five-day extension period has been enjoyed by candidates for state office, but existing election code did not afford this to federal candidates. After incumbent Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-CA-24) announced that he would not seek re-election and attempted to withdraw, Tony Strickland attempted to run for U.S. Representative. Much to the dismay of Mr. Strickland, other election codes limited this attempt. Mr. Strickland had previously declared candidacy for Controller in CA, however, CA election code does not allow candidates a run for two offices at one time.
The 24th Congressional District California is a district ripe for change. With Governor Schwarzenegger signing this bill into law, the 2008 election cycle will endear potential federal candidates a descent respect for what remains of our electoral process.
The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler T C T E M S makes S E N S Simple Economic National Solutions
With the past six years of the current administration behind us,
We The People of the United States deserve better.
Partisan Politics has overshadowed any glimpse of real representation in our legislative bodies at all levels. People do not feel more secure in their papers and homes. The electronic era of record keeping has compromised our elections, bank accounts and personal information from Social Security to Veterans Affairs. The republican “Contract With America” from 13 years ago has left much to be desired.
The war in Iraq is a disaster. Our troops remain in harms way and live in tents in the desert at times without air-conditioning. This is a stark contrast to Haliburton employees staying in the five star Kempinski hotel and receiving daily fruit baskets. All this for the bargain basement price of 10,000 dollars a night, according to reports and a statement made on the floor of Congress by (D) Rep. Henry Waxman.
The condition of the Gulf States twenty months after Katrina hit is a disaster. Procurement Spending Is Accelerating Rapidly. Contract Mismanagement Is Widespread and The Costs to the Taxpayer Are Enormous. When is the media going to disconnect from being a stooge for the Partisan Stage and provide real investigative reporting?
Support / Nominate Michael Stettler For U.S. Representative in Congress.
Document crafted and sourced in house by: T C T E M S The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler
The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler makes S E N S Simple Economic National Solutions
Michael Stettler, Veteran - Electrician - Caregiver – Citizen - Candidate _ Registered Democrat.
Paper Ballots, No more Bonds and People Count the Vote! 24th Congressional District CA 2008.A candidate for Congress standing by and for and of “We The People” of these United States.
FEC Committee: T C T E M S FEC ID: H6CA24261
Congressman
Elton Gallegly:
October 2002
Special Copy For the California Democratic Convention in San Diego, April 27-29, 2007
In Memory of Those who have lost Their Children, Brothers and Sisters, Husbands and Wives
And Those having Their lives adversely affected by the War On Terror around the world.
To the Families, Victims and Survivors in the Gulf States from Katrina the Storm
And those victims, friends and Families of Virginia Tech
http://www.whiterosesociety.org/ATR.html
Sunday, February 19th, 2006
T C T E M S
S E N S
mkstetty_love@hotmail.com
Document crafted and sourced in house by:
The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler
April 27th 2007
Thank you for your return communication expressing your views on Iraq. This week marks the 40-year anniversary of the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis. This was a situation that was resolved without the use of force, despite the suggestion of others to strike. Today our situation has some similar elements.
Our top military advisors, Joint Chiefs of Staff, are advising that this will be a disaster. It is the civilian advisors, and passionate yet uninformed citizens who are driving for this war. No one in Europe wants this war. Tony Blair will now be faced with a fireman’s strike and that should take precedence on his agenda. Scott Ritter, former U.N. weapons inspector and one of the few westerners to set foot inside the alleged AlQuada training facilities notes that there is no clear and present danger. He goes on and notes that these facilities were used to train Republican Guard troops, not AlQuada.
Mr. Gallegly, there is no connection between AlQuada and Saddam. Mr. Ritter is bird dogging a way of escape diplomatically. New resolutions, if you don't know why they must be new then you should study Mr. Ritter's comments as of late. Saddam Hussein's military cannot project in formidable fashion, and Saddam's ability to manufacture or reconstitute these forms of weapons has been rendered inadequate to warrant an escalation of the military with intentions of pre-emptive strike according to Mr. Ritter.
21 hours, over 10,500 man hours spent for a rubber stamp from Congress. The Congress obviously has not consulted history, or the best of this nations military tradition and policies of Strategic Defense. They will not be found in the hearts and minds of the weak. It is time to stand up sir and represent the best of the land of the free and the home of the brave. Do not support a drive by some civilians who know not what they do. NO WAR. OUR ECONOMY IS A WRECK. THIS PAST WEEK WAS A HOAX TO BUY TIME UNTIL THE ELECTIONS. YOU KNOW IT AND I KNOW IT.
Focus on the immediate clear and present danger of the financial meltdown in progress, and use recovery methods that have worked in the past. You would do well to study and understand how we came out of the depression in the 1930's sir. All due respect, would you consider the Pre-Amble of our Constitution as a guide for this moment in history?
Good day; Michael Stettler Correction sent hours after initial communiqué.
……. The obvious correction necessary is the 40-year anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, rather than the 20-year.
Secondly, i mentioned the Joint Chiefs of staff, however i believe there are many flag officers outside of that body which disagree with the logistical capabilities of the military to go through the cities, buildings and housing areas searching for Saddam without a major death toll of our forces from ambush and sniper fire.
We will have to level Baghdad and other areas killing massive amounts of civilians. There are other ways to solve this sir. Your vote to support this war danger and a lack of understanding the real threats and clear and present danger to your constituents leaves much to be desired. The economy is going to crush people as They see Their third quarter pension reports. They are taking a beating.
In support of urgency generation and re-regulation of utilities, financial markets, transportation, health care and the protection of the general welfare.
Document crafted and sourced in house by: T C T E M S The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler
The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler makes S E N S Simple Economic National Solutions
Policy Statement of Michael Kurt Stettler
Partisan Nomination, Primary Election, February 4th 2008
For the Office of: United States Representative in Congress
The 24th Congressional District California Is Not For Sale!
Objective: To provide, announce, disclose, inform, educate and generally make known, the positions and policies, on issues and events. These are deemed essential for healthy survival of the 24th Congressional District's ability to perform its Civic responsibilities and Constitutional duties to its constituency and municipalities in the immediate future and for posterity.
Upon filing declaration of candidacy with Elections Office in the County of Ventura, State of California, January 27, 2006, until the last ballot is counted in the Primary Election Tuesday February 4th 2008, let this be known.
Major Campaign Priorities:
1) An end to the ever-increasing, inter-generational influence of Corporate Personhood over the affairs of our people and territories. Through Re-regulating vital and essential functions of our National Infrastructure, this can be done.
2) A revival of the American System of Political Economy set forth in Papers on Manufacturing, Banking and Credit by our first Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton, revived by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the Depression.
3) A return to the Hill Burton Health Care System by initiating legislation akin to, 'The Hospital Survey and Construction Act,' enacted Aug. 13, 1946, its principal bipartisan co-sponsors being, Senators Lister Hill (D-Alabama) and Harold Burton (R-Ohio), ending an era of the HMO system.
Positions on Issues: Alberto Gonzales must resign ******** Impeachment is on the table.
1) Get out of Iraq and Stay out of Iran 2) Secure Pensions and Boarders 3) Keep Hospitals Open 4) Fortify and re-prioritize our commitment to Education; 5) Initiate legislation that will stop the use of Depleted Uranium Munitions by all forces of the United States Military. 6) Initiate legislation that will remove Judicial Immunity and hold our Judicial Branch of government accountable. 7) Support the call for 'A New Bretton Woods Conference' securing confidence of the world in United States Sovereignty. 8) Raise the tax base by creating millions of jobs with newly generated credit by powers derived from major campaign priority #2 for desperately needed infrastructure projects. Applying these principles in the region affected by Katrina, in the spirit of Constitutional obligation and Historic tradition of our General Welfare, we will revitalize our nation. By coupling this new credit, with a nation building orientation, we can produce Health Care, Water, Sanitation, Energy and High Speed Magnetically Levitated Rail Systems for the 21st century here at home, curbing the flow and trend of outsourcing. 9) Continue allowing oversight inquiries regarding all things political, while encouraging the active participation of all citizens in the political process. 10) Support a woman’s right to choice, while advising against the practice of abortion and providing ways of escape.
There are many more issues that face the nation and our district. Embodied in, or Represented by these Three Major Campaign Priorities are many more potentialities and years of work regarding implementation. Let's start today securing tomorrow’s future for those who are sure to follow.
Nominate Michael Stettler for: U.S. Representative in Congress
Document crafted and sourced in house by: T C T E M S The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler
The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler makes S E N S Simple Economic National Solutions
When State Senator Jim Battin (R) of La Quinta California initiated legislation back in March of last year 2006, there were four democratic candidates in the 24th Congressional District that had pulled papers for U.S. Representative in Congress and one republican challenger.
The "Voter Protection" bill SB 1258 extends a five-day period to any potential candidates who might decide to run for an unanticipated open seat. Of the four democratic candidates, only one qualified and went on to win the partisan nomination without contest or real debate. The incumbent won his re-election nomination by a 20% margin.
A five-day extension period has been enjoyed by candidates for state office, but existing election code did not afford this to federal candidates. After incumbent Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-CA-24) announced that he would not seek re-election and attempted to withdraw, Tony Strickland attempted to run for U.S. Representative. Much to the dismay of Mr. Strickland, other election codes limited this attempt. Mr. Strickland had previously declared candidacy for Controller in CA, however, CA election code does not allow candidates a run for two offices at one time.
The 24th Congressional District California is a district ripe for change. With Governor Schwarzenegger signing this bill into law, the 2008 election cycle will endear potential federal candidates a descent respect for what remains of our electoral process.
The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler T C T E M S makes S E N S Simple Economic National Solutions
With the past six years of the current administration behind us,
We The People of the United States deserve better.
Partisan Politics has overshadowed any glimpse of real representation in our legislative bodies at all levels. People do not feel more secure in their papers and homes. The electronic era of record keeping has compromised our elections, bank accounts and personal information from Social Security to Veterans Affairs. The republican “Contract With America” from 13 years ago has left much to be desired.
The war in Iraq is a disaster. Our troops remain in harms way and live in tents in the desert at times without air-conditioning. This is a stark contrast to Haliburton employees staying in the five star Kempinski hotel and receiving daily fruit baskets. All this for the bargain basement price of 10,000 dollars a night, according to reports and a statement made on the floor of Congress by (D) Rep. Henry Waxman.
The condition of the Gulf States twenty months after Katrina hit is a disaster. Procurement Spending Is Accelerating Rapidly. Contract Mismanagement Is Widespread and The Costs to the Taxpayer Are Enormous. When is the media going to disconnect from being a stooge for the Partisan Stage and provide real investigative reporting?
Support / Nominate Michael Stettler For U.S. Representative in Congress.
Document crafted and sourced in house by: T C T E M S The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler
The Committee To Elect Michael Stettler makes S E N S Simple Economic National Solutions
Michael Stettler, Veteran - Electrician - Caregiver – Citizen - Candidate _ Registered Democrat.
Paper Ballots, No more Bonds and People Count the Vote! 24th Congressional District CA 2008.A candidate for Congress standing by and for and of “We The People” of these United States.
FEC Committee: T C T E M S FEC ID: H6CA24261
Long time Congressman doesn't plan to lose his final go-round
Longtime congressman doesn't plan to lose his final
go-round. By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com
www.simivalleyacorn.com/news/2006/0929/community/018.html
Longtime U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Thousand Oaks) said he is confident local voters will reelect him to represent California's 24th District in Washington, D.C. because he keeps his promises.
The conservative congressman has represented most of Ventura County and parts of Santa Barbara County for almost 20 years. While his stands on major issues may not please everyone, he said it seems the majority approve, and he credits his prior success at the polls to his consistent voting record. Voters know what they'll get if they elect him again, he said.
Gallegly is an avid proponent of national security; he supports the war against terrorism and doesn't endorse amnesty for undocumented workers.
He defends the president's position on the war in Iraq. "Sometimes, when you are in office you have to make tough decisions," he said. "But there is no question that the nation is safer now that Saddam is gone. He killed a quarter-million of his own people, using weapons of mass destruction on his own people," Gallegly said.
Illegal immigration has a negative impact on national security, he said, and although laws were passed a long time ago to curb illegal immigration, the executive branch hasn't enforced those laws, according to Gallegly. He said the country needs to be protected from the influx of illegal immigrants; they aren't all Mexican nationals seeking a better life.
"Many come from other countries, using the border as a cover to do great harm," he said. "Illegal immigration will continue to be a front-burner issue with me." But until government agencies eliminate the rewards, people will continue to come, Gallegly said. "You can't hire them but they are allowed to live in public housing and they have access to health care and in-state tuition fees to go to college," he said. Gallegly serves on four House committees.
He was selected by House Speaker Dennis Hastert to serve on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
He was also appointed to the International Relations Committee and to chair the newly configured Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats.
"When you consider how important intelligence is in this world today, tracking down terrorist enemies, this committee has great significance," Gallegly said. "No one likes war or wants to see us at war, but it's a lot better dealing with that issue there than on our own soil," Gallegly said.
"The fact that we're trying to pro- mote democracy around the world makes the world a safer place," he said. While he spends much time in Washington, the former mayor of Simi Valley said he hasn't forgot- ten who he represents, and he has a personal stake in preserving the local quality of life.
He's lived in the region for 40 years and flies back home every week to spend time with his four grown children and seven grand- children. One more is due in a month, he said..
Gallegly said his Democratic opponent, Jill Martinez, doesn't live in the congressional district. "She might be a nice lady with good intentions, but why is she running for a district where she doesn't even live?" he said.
Martinez, a resident of Oxnard right outside 24th District boundaries was reported to be moving within the district, which doesn't include some coastal areas of Ventura County.
Gallegly challenger trades pulpit for soapbox
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com September 14th, 2006
www.theacorn.com/news/2006/0914/community/020.html
Presbyterian pastor Jill Martinez is confident she'll have the support of local voters in her attempt to unseat U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Thousand Oaks), who's represented the 24th Congressional District in Washington since 1986.
The district encompasses most of Ventura County, including Oak Park and North Ranch, and has about 660,000 residents.
The Rev. Martinez, 56, was ordained in 1984 but set aside her ministry on Jan. 1 this year to run for political office. "I don't want any confusion between the understanding of the separation of church and state," she said.
Martinez' top priorities include ending the war in Iraq, funding quality education and achieving universal access to affordable healthcare and housing.
Gallegly, who initially announced he would retire due to concerns about his health, decided to run for an 11th term only because he was pressured by White House and Republican leaders, Martinez said. "But he really doesn't want the job. "He's not engaged anywhere with anyone," she said.
The Republican congressman votes in step with the administration, and people aren't happy with that kind of voting record, she said.
According to the candidate, the American dream needs to be revitalized because democracy no longer lies in the hands of people. Martinez said she'd fight for fiscal, social and foreign policy reforms. The country is currently on the wrong track and its leadership is out of touch with the needs of people, she said.
"We need a nation that provides opportunities for everyone and creates the conditions that allow hard-working people to succeed," said Martinez, who served as deputy director for the Ventura County Area Housing Authority in the mid 1990s and has been involved with affordable-housing organizations ever since.
The region's high real estate prices make homes out of reach for working families, so legislators must work together to provide workforce housing, she said.
Martinez considers herself pro business and intends to help small businesses develop in the region. She also hopes to offer healthcare for everyone. "Affordable healthcare is on everybody's mind," she said. The issue of health coverage affects businesses because offering benefits to employees is so costly.
"We need to develop a plan to work with businesses and with existing healthcare providers so no one suffers the huge burden," she said.
Individual families also need help as many live paycheck to paycheck, Martinez said. A chronic illness could quickly put such a family into bankruptcy, she added.
Through her career in ministry, Martinez has visited many countries and has learned much about how the people of the world feel and the public policies they pursue. She believes the U.S. has become an island.
"We (the U.S.) act as if we can do it all alone rather than developing strong international partnerships," she said. Martinez believes the war in Iraq can only be resolved through solutions supported by the international community that will help Iraqis stabilize the situation in their own country. "The war is mislead and mismanaged and it sent us into financial deficit," she said.
In dealing with immigration concerns, Martinez said, a path should be set to enable the immigrants who are already here to come forward so they can be registered and given the opportunity to become citizens.
Hard-working immigrants who've been here for years have built businesses, own homes and pay taxes. They contribute much to the economy and it would be prohibitively costly to send them back, according to Martinez, who also points out that the immigrants come from every corner of the world, not just Mexico.
To prevent further problems, Martinez said, borders must be secured and laws enforced. This could be done with increased technology and personnel at the borders and ports of entry. But building walls isn't the answer, she said. As part of the solution, Congress needs to pass measures that will create a security system to check vessels before they leave their port of origin, the Democratic candidate said.
Martinez grew up in Pismo Beach. She has one adult daughter, a graduate of UCLA and Hastings Law School, who is working on the campaign with her.
She was a parish associate at First Presbyterian Church in Oxnard and served in many other ministries throughout California. Martinez also helped to develop Hispanic ministries in several areas.
Martinez said she's able to work with both political parties to get problems solved. “Being a minister is going to help me in politics," she said.
Representatives must be reminded they've been elected to serve the people, she said. "Our leaders have lost sight of that."
Martinez also counts on her faith to shore her up and give her the passion, energy and commitment to face challenges.When she's not busy with the campaign, Martinez enjoys swimming, horseback riding, reading and movies, and she still serves as a guest preacher.
The Thousand Oaks Acorn, The Camarillo Acorn; The Moorpark Acorn and Simi Valley Acorn Copyright © 2000 – 2006 J.Bee Publications All Rights Reserved
go-round. By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com
www.simivalleyacorn.com/news/2006/0929/community/018.html
Longtime U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Thousand Oaks) said he is confident local voters will reelect him to represent California's 24th District in Washington, D.C. because he keeps his promises.
The conservative congressman has represented most of Ventura County and parts of Santa Barbara County for almost 20 years. While his stands on major issues may not please everyone, he said it seems the majority approve, and he credits his prior success at the polls to his consistent voting record. Voters know what they'll get if they elect him again, he said.
Gallegly is an avid proponent of national security; he supports the war against terrorism and doesn't endorse amnesty for undocumented workers.
He defends the president's position on the war in Iraq. "Sometimes, when you are in office you have to make tough decisions," he said. "But there is no question that the nation is safer now that Saddam is gone. He killed a quarter-million of his own people, using weapons of mass destruction on his own people," Gallegly said.
Illegal immigration has a negative impact on national security, he said, and although laws were passed a long time ago to curb illegal immigration, the executive branch hasn't enforced those laws, according to Gallegly. He said the country needs to be protected from the influx of illegal immigrants; they aren't all Mexican nationals seeking a better life.
"Many come from other countries, using the border as a cover to do great harm," he said. "Illegal immigration will continue to be a front-burner issue with me." But until government agencies eliminate the rewards, people will continue to come, Gallegly said. "You can't hire them but they are allowed to live in public housing and they have access to health care and in-state tuition fees to go to college," he said. Gallegly serves on four House committees.
He was selected by House Speaker Dennis Hastert to serve on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
He was also appointed to the International Relations Committee and to chair the newly configured Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats.
"When you consider how important intelligence is in this world today, tracking down terrorist enemies, this committee has great significance," Gallegly said. "No one likes war or wants to see us at war, but it's a lot better dealing with that issue there than on our own soil," Gallegly said.
"The fact that we're trying to pro- mote democracy around the world makes the world a safer place," he said. While he spends much time in Washington, the former mayor of Simi Valley said he hasn't forgot- ten who he represents, and he has a personal stake in preserving the local quality of life.
He's lived in the region for 40 years and flies back home every week to spend time with his four grown children and seven grand- children. One more is due in a month, he said..
Gallegly said his Democratic opponent, Jill Martinez, doesn't live in the congressional district. "She might be a nice lady with good intentions, but why is she running for a district where she doesn't even live?" he said.
Martinez, a resident of Oxnard right outside 24th District boundaries was reported to be moving within the district, which doesn't include some coastal areas of Ventura County.
Gallegly challenger trades pulpit for soapbox
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com September 14th, 2006
www.theacorn.com/news/2006/0914/community/020.html
Presbyterian pastor Jill Martinez is confident she'll have the support of local voters in her attempt to unseat U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Thousand Oaks), who's represented the 24th Congressional District in Washington since 1986.
The district encompasses most of Ventura County, including Oak Park and North Ranch, and has about 660,000 residents.
The Rev. Martinez, 56, was ordained in 1984 but set aside her ministry on Jan. 1 this year to run for political office. "I don't want any confusion between the understanding of the separation of church and state," she said.
Martinez' top priorities include ending the war in Iraq, funding quality education and achieving universal access to affordable healthcare and housing.
Gallegly, who initially announced he would retire due to concerns about his health, decided to run for an 11th term only because he was pressured by White House and Republican leaders, Martinez said. "But he really doesn't want the job. "He's not engaged anywhere with anyone," she said.
The Republican congressman votes in step with the administration, and people aren't happy with that kind of voting record, she said.
According to the candidate, the American dream needs to be revitalized because democracy no longer lies in the hands of people. Martinez said she'd fight for fiscal, social and foreign policy reforms. The country is currently on the wrong track and its leadership is out of touch with the needs of people, she said.
"We need a nation that provides opportunities for everyone and creates the conditions that allow hard-working people to succeed," said Martinez, who served as deputy director for the Ventura County Area Housing Authority in the mid 1990s and has been involved with affordable-housing organizations ever since.
The region's high real estate prices make homes out of reach for working families, so legislators must work together to provide workforce housing, she said.
Martinez considers herself pro business and intends to help small businesses develop in the region. She also hopes to offer healthcare for everyone. "Affordable healthcare is on everybody's mind," she said. The issue of health coverage affects businesses because offering benefits to employees is so costly.
"We need to develop a plan to work with businesses and with existing healthcare providers so no one suffers the huge burden," she said.
Individual families also need help as many live paycheck to paycheck, Martinez said. A chronic illness could quickly put such a family into bankruptcy, she added.
Through her career in ministry, Martinez has visited many countries and has learned much about how the people of the world feel and the public policies they pursue. She believes the U.S. has become an island.
"We (the U.S.) act as if we can do it all alone rather than developing strong international partnerships," she said. Martinez believes the war in Iraq can only be resolved through solutions supported by the international community that will help Iraqis stabilize the situation in their own country. "The war is mislead and mismanaged and it sent us into financial deficit," she said.
In dealing with immigration concerns, Martinez said, a path should be set to enable the immigrants who are already here to come forward so they can be registered and given the opportunity to become citizens.
Hard-working immigrants who've been here for years have built businesses, own homes and pay taxes. They contribute much to the economy and it would be prohibitively costly to send them back, according to Martinez, who also points out that the immigrants come from every corner of the world, not just Mexico.
To prevent further problems, Martinez said, borders must be secured and laws enforced. This could be done with increased technology and personnel at the borders and ports of entry. But building walls isn't the answer, she said. As part of the solution, Congress needs to pass measures that will create a security system to check vessels before they leave their port of origin, the Democratic candidate said.
Martinez grew up in Pismo Beach. She has one adult daughter, a graduate of UCLA and Hastings Law School, who is working on the campaign with her.
She was a parish associate at First Presbyterian Church in Oxnard and served in many other ministries throughout California. Martinez also helped to develop Hispanic ministries in several areas.
Martinez said she's able to work with both political parties to get problems solved. “Being a minister is going to help me in politics," she said.
Representatives must be reminded they've been elected to serve the people, she said. "Our leaders have lost sight of that."
Martinez also counts on her faith to shore her up and give her the passion, energy and commitment to face challenges.When she's not busy with the campaign, Martinez enjoys swimming, horseback riding, reading and movies, and she still serves as a guest preacher.
The Thousand Oaks Acorn, The Camarillo Acorn; The Moorpark Acorn and Simi Valley Acorn Copyright © 2000 – 2006 J.Bee Publications All Rights Reserved
REBIRTH OF THE TRAIL
More from David Dary’s: The Oregon Trail; An American Saga Copyright 2004 First Edition Published by Alfred A. Knopf http://www.aaknopf.com/ small arm of Random House, Inc., New York.
Chapter Seventeen - - - Words copied from:
Page 310-311, & 319-321
History is not a remote Olympian bar of judgment, but a controversial arena in which each generation must make its own estimates of the past. Allan Nevins.
As the twentieth Century Began, Francis Parkman’s book on the Oregon Trail was reprinted by a New York publisher, but few people paid attention. It was a new century, and transportation by the transcontinental railroad and the automobile were over shadowing the past, including the struggles and hardships endured by those who had traveled overland by wagon over the Oregon Trail. Such things had become old-timer history. The romance and adventure of the Old West were still alive in novels like Owen Wister’s The Virginian (1902) and in wild west shows, but the real West was changing. Much of the area had been settled, and new towns and cities dotted the western landscape. The railroads had already brought eastern big business west, and with it came corruption, including boss rule in many areas.
After timber reserves in the Great Lakes region were nearly depleted, loggers targeted the deep forests of Oregon, and as the twentieth century began, it became the nation’s third-ranking lumber-producing state. But then progressives in Oregon overthrew the timber barons’ rule and gained the adoption of a series of reform measures, including the initiative, the referendum, recall, and the direct primary.
The initiative enabled citizens to propose legislation: the referendum allowed them to vote for or against laws already passed by state lawmakers; recall permitted them to oust corrupt officials; and the direct primary (a reform measure first enacted by the Wisconsin legislature in 1903) bypassed party machinery and enabled the voters to choose their party candidates at the polls.
Collectively these reforms became known as the Oregon System and were widely adopted in many other areas of the nation to increase popular control of local and state governments.
* There is always more …. Let’s take a look at what I was going to end with, first …. A quote from something that Ezra Meeker wrote. Meeker, who on January 29th 1906, left his home in Puyallup, Washington to retrace the Oregon Trail with his ”prairie schooner” which incorporated parts from two other wagons that had also traversed the Oregon Trail in 1852. He ultimately wound up in Washington D.C. championing his cause which did in fact generate a bill for appropriations in the amount of $50,000 from a committee in Congress, to mark the Oregon Trail. *
“The difference between a civilized and an untutored people is in the application of experiences. The civilized man builds upon the foundation of the past, with hope and ambition for the future. The savage has neither past nor aspiration for the future. To keep the flame of patriotism alive, we must keep the memory of the past vividly before us. It was with these thoughts in mind that the expedition to mark the Old Oregon Trail
was undertaken.”
Although most Americans living between Oregon and the Atlantic coast were too involved in the problems of the present to pay much attention to the past, especially the old Oregon Trail over which so many emigrants had passed to settle the West, not everyone had forgotten. Ezra Meeker, born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1830, had traveled the road to Oregon in the 1852 with other emigrants. After an unsuccessful mercantile business in the town of Steilacoom, Meeker settled in the Puyallup Valley, where he founded the town of Puyallup in 1877, located a few miles southeast of modern Tacoma.
There he realized the fertile soil could grow abundant crops. He planted hops, used to give the bitter flavor to malt liquors, and by 1885 was wealthy and known as the “Hop King of the World.” His business took him to Europe, where in London he met Queen Victoria. Everything was fine until 1891 when an infestation of hop aphids decimated his crops. He lost a fortune but managed to keep his home in Puyallup. Soon he dabbled in other enterprises and made four trips to the Klondike in search of gold. He found little.
Back in Puyallup, he began writing a romance novel about coming west, in which he expressed his sympathy for the plight of the Indians. He also expressed sympathy for Chinese emigrants who were treated as outcasts in the Pacific Northwest. By 1900 he realized that too many Americans had forgotten the Oregon Trail. Meeker, then sevnty-seven, decided to memorialize the road by retracing the route he had taken in 1852 and marking it.
More from David Dary’s: “The Oregon Trail; An American Saga” Copyright 2004 First Edition Published by Alfred A. Knopf http://www.aaknopf.com/ small arm of Random House, Inc., New York.
Chapter Seventeen - - - Words copied from Page 310-311, & 319-321
Chapter Seventeen - - - Words copied from:
Page 310-311, & 319-321
History is not a remote Olympian bar of judgment, but a controversial arena in which each generation must make its own estimates of the past. Allan Nevins.
As the twentieth Century Began, Francis Parkman’s book on the Oregon Trail was reprinted by a New York publisher, but few people paid attention. It was a new century, and transportation by the transcontinental railroad and the automobile were over shadowing the past, including the struggles and hardships endured by those who had traveled overland by wagon over the Oregon Trail. Such things had become old-timer history. The romance and adventure of the Old West were still alive in novels like Owen Wister’s The Virginian (1902) and in wild west shows, but the real West was changing. Much of the area had been settled, and new towns and cities dotted the western landscape. The railroads had already brought eastern big business west, and with it came corruption, including boss rule in many areas.
After timber reserves in the Great Lakes region were nearly depleted, loggers targeted the deep forests of Oregon, and as the twentieth century began, it became the nation’s third-ranking lumber-producing state. But then progressives in Oregon overthrew the timber barons’ rule and gained the adoption of a series of reform measures, including the initiative, the referendum, recall, and the direct primary.
The initiative enabled citizens to propose legislation: the referendum allowed them to vote for or against laws already passed by state lawmakers; recall permitted them to oust corrupt officials; and the direct primary (a reform measure first enacted by the Wisconsin legislature in 1903) bypassed party machinery and enabled the voters to choose their party candidates at the polls.
Collectively these reforms became known as the Oregon System and were widely adopted in many other areas of the nation to increase popular control of local and state governments.
* There is always more …. Let’s take a look at what I was going to end with, first …. A quote from something that Ezra Meeker wrote. Meeker, who on January 29th 1906, left his home in Puyallup, Washington to retrace the Oregon Trail with his ”prairie schooner” which incorporated parts from two other wagons that had also traversed the Oregon Trail in 1852. He ultimately wound up in Washington D.C. championing his cause which did in fact generate a bill for appropriations in the amount of $50,000 from a committee in Congress, to mark the Oregon Trail. *
“The difference between a civilized and an untutored people is in the application of experiences. The civilized man builds upon the foundation of the past, with hope and ambition for the future. The savage has neither past nor aspiration for the future. To keep the flame of patriotism alive, we must keep the memory of the past vividly before us. It was with these thoughts in mind that the expedition to mark the Old Oregon Trail
was undertaken.”
Although most Americans living between Oregon and the Atlantic coast were too involved in the problems of the present to pay much attention to the past, especially the old Oregon Trail over which so many emigrants had passed to settle the West, not everyone had forgotten. Ezra Meeker, born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1830, had traveled the road to Oregon in the 1852 with other emigrants. After an unsuccessful mercantile business in the town of Steilacoom, Meeker settled in the Puyallup Valley, where he founded the town of Puyallup in 1877, located a few miles southeast of modern Tacoma.
There he realized the fertile soil could grow abundant crops. He planted hops, used to give the bitter flavor to malt liquors, and by 1885 was wealthy and known as the “Hop King of the World.” His business took him to Europe, where in London he met Queen Victoria. Everything was fine until 1891 when an infestation of hop aphids decimated his crops. He lost a fortune but managed to keep his home in Puyallup. Soon he dabbled in other enterprises and made four trips to the Klondike in search of gold. He found little.
Back in Puyallup, he began writing a romance novel about coming west, in which he expressed his sympathy for the plight of the Indians. He also expressed sympathy for Chinese emigrants who were treated as outcasts in the Pacific Northwest. By 1900 he realized that too many Americans had forgotten the Oregon Trail. Meeker, then sevnty-seven, decided to memorialize the road by retracing the route he had taken in 1852 and marking it.
More from David Dary’s: “The Oregon Trail; An American Saga” Copyright 2004 First Edition Published by Alfred A. Knopf http://www.aaknopf.com/ small arm of Random House, Inc., New York.
Chapter Seventeen - - - Words copied from Page 310-311, & 319-321
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
THE H. O. R. N.
"At 5am the Horn should be blown and every man then arise and pray, attend to their cattle, and have everything done, in order that all may start by seven o'clock. That each extra man should travel on the off side [left] of his team, with his gun loaded over his Shoulder; that each driver shall have his gun so placed that he can lay his hand on it in a moments; that every gun shall have a piece of leather over the nipple, or in the pan of his gun, having their caps and Powder Flasks ready for a moment's warning. The brethren will halt for an hour to have dinner [midday meal] which must be ready cooked. When the Camp comes to halt for the night, the front of every Wagon shall be outward where the fires shall be built; the horses to be secured inside the circle.
At 1/2 past 8 the Horn will be blown when every man must retire to their wagons and pray, and be i n bed by 9'oclock, except the night guard; all fires to be put out at bed time. All the Camp to travel in close order."
More words from: "The Oregon Trail" 'An American Saga' David Dary; Page 170
Now these were the words from the journal of Thomas Bullock, a Mormon, who joined the chruch in 1841. These words are found in Bullock's journal, however, the above routine for travel was established by Bringham Young.
"Will Bagley, who edited Bullock's diary for publication, relates that the Mormons in the party started each day with coffee, and later, as some of the Mormons returned east, Young would distribute a canteen of spirits among the brethren. Neither is a modern LDS practice, but in the introduction to his book, "The Pioneer Camp of the Saints," Bagley wrote: "The 1833 revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89 called the Word of Wisdom, which proscribes hot drinks, tobacco, and alcohol, 'was given as counsel or advice rather than as a binding commandment' and until the early twentieth century observance of this scripture was 'sporadic' among Latter-day-Saints.
More words from: "The Oregon Trail" 'An American Saga' David Dary; Page 170
At 1/2 past 8 the Horn will be blown when every man must retire to their wagons and pray, and be i n bed by 9'oclock, except the night guard; all fires to be put out at bed time. All the Camp to travel in close order."
More words from: "The Oregon Trail" 'An American Saga' David Dary; Page 170
Now these were the words from the journal of Thomas Bullock, a Mormon, who joined the chruch in 1841. These words are found in Bullock's journal, however, the above routine for travel was established by Bringham Young.
"Will Bagley, who edited Bullock's diary for publication, relates that the Mormons in the party started each day with coffee, and later, as some of the Mormons returned east, Young would distribute a canteen of spirits among the brethren. Neither is a modern LDS practice, but in the introduction to his book, "The Pioneer Camp of the Saints," Bagley wrote: "The 1833 revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89 called the Word of Wisdom, which proscribes hot drinks, tobacco, and alcohol, 'was given as counsel or advice rather than as a binding commandment' and until the early twentieth century observance of this scripture was 'sporadic' among Latter-day-Saints.
More words from: "The Oregon Trail" 'An American Saga' David Dary; Page 170
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