http://elmonteblog.com Federal, State, and Local Politics Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:28:26 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en No California Budget Everybody else needs to borrow in order to bail out the state while they argue over the budget.    Chiang, for example, won't pay senior citizens, the blind and disabled their Supplemental Security Income checks, but the federal government has offered to temporarily cover the state's share. Many ... http://elmonteblog.com/2009/02/03/still-no-deal-in-california-budget/ 100-0 VictoryMaybe they should have a mercy rule to avoid this.    http://elmonteblog.com/2009/01/26/is-this-running-up-the-score/ How to combat senioritisI suggest to find something in your senior project or your drive to succeed in college to focus on so this does not affect you dramatically.    http://elmonteblog.com/2009/01/25/how-to-combat-senioritis/ Who is going to win?  Steelers or Cardinals.  Steelers are favored by 6.5 points in Las Vegas, but who is going to stop Fitzgerald.   Or will less people watch this year, because of who is in the Superbowl?   30 seconds for $3 million for the ads.  What?  Superbowl Ads  http://elmonteblog.com/2009/01/18/super-bowl-remains-a-big-bash-but-ads-toned-dow/ Obama's inauguration makes history for race relations"Outgoing President George W. Bush was quick to make the point in his farewell address, saying that Obama's story -- his black father was from Kenya, his white mother from Kansas -- represents "the enduring promise of our land." I am glad to see the ... http://elmonteblog.com/2009/01/18/obamas-inauguration-makes-history-for-race-relations/ Inauguration celebration cost I look at issues like this and wonder why we don't reduce costs where we can, particularly during economic slumps (this is bad as I have seen it in my lifetime, 3 of my neighbors have moved out recently).  George Bush $ 42.3 Million (2005)Bill Clinton $33 Million ... http://elmonteblog.com/2009/01/18/inauguration-celebrations-ramp-up-a-lot-of-people-are-asking-how-much-will-this-shindig-cost/ Hate Crime Legislation Do you agree with the christian attorney's interpretation of the hate crime legislation and the 14th Amendment?  Why or why not?  Please remember to show evidence you read the article in your response.   http://elmonteblog.com/2009/01/11/14th-amendment-no-need-for-hate-crimes-legislation/ How about this?   Is it a violation of privacy to be pat down prior to attending a football game?   The California Constitution guarantees that Californians have a right to be free from unjustified intrusions on privacy. At the center of this protected realm is a sphere of personal autonomy ... http://elmonteblog.com/2009/01/11/california-supreme-court-hears-aclu-privacy-violation-arguments-in-49ers-pat-down-lawsuit/ Continuing the discussion of the 5th and 14th Amendment, what do you think of this case?  Please remember to include evidence that you read the article.  Reverse discrimination claim  http://elmonteblog.com/2009/01/11/us-supreme-court-takes-up-reverse-discrimination-case/ 4th Amendment and Schools The question that comes to mind when I read this article is what is considered a reasonable or unreasonable search.  The Supreme Court case that is considered the cornerstone to answering this question is New Jersey v. TLO.  Do you agree with the decision?  Why or why ... http://elmonteblog.com/2009/01/04/sides-split-when-it-comes-to-school-privacy/