Congratulations, We did it!!!!

No No No No No and one Yes!!!! Yippieeee

http://vote.sos.ca.gov/

CA Car Tax Doubles Today, Happy Voting Today Too!

Today is the day that Californians vote on a referendum on tax increases recently passed in February by the CA legislature. But don’t forget why we are voting on that referendum. The near doubling of car registration fee “the Car Tax” lawmakers passed as part of an attempt to balance the state budget takes effect today. The vehicle license on a car or truck valued at $25,000 will rise by $125, from $162.50 to $287.50. For now, the fee increase is scheduled to expire June 30, 2011.

However, if Proposition 1A on today’s ballot passes, the higher amount will stay on the books two additional years through June 30, 2013. Polls suggest Prop. 1A and its companion state-budget-fix measures on today’s ballot are in trouble. Yea!!!! So here is your blog reminder to go out and vote NO on E all of the above.

Isn’t it interesting that the registration fee increase is taking effect on Election Day? The timing is impeccable, an unintended mistake that was made during the marathon, late-night sessions in which the Legislature crafted a budget compromise. Excellent Timing! Arnold, where are you and why are you in Washington DC on Election Day? Don’t Ask!

Star Trek Movie (2009) Review

The day after opening day, due to too much food and fun at the folks house the day of the blockbuster, was Star Trek day with the fossa, my mom and me. Armed with expensive movie food and drinks, we sat in the middle of the cinema, got good seats, and finished snacks during the show. I was so restless and excited. I was a little nervous that the movie would disappoint and I am glad that it didn’t. I agree that they should follow the canon to some extent. "Why deviate," the Star Trek story is a great one. But introducing time travel to new Trekkies can make your head spin.

Over all I give it a A-. It was a good film and one I will probably see again. The story and time travel stuff seemed confusing, but it didn't matter. The characters rang true and the overall impression was very good. They portrayed the characters, as I would have envisioned them when they were young. Ok, but I have questions: About Spock and Uhura, What was that all about? Two Spokes – one old, one young, what was the old one doing back in the past again? Did Vulcan really blow up? Did they really have to save earth again storyline? If the Romulans went back in time, did everything happen as the story unfolded? Did Kirk’s dad really die as shown in the beginning or are we back to a different timeline now? How do you get to be captain (or chief engineer) after ten minutes of highjacking or stowing away on the ship? Isn’t Starfleet military based with a chain of command? Isn’t there a pecking order? Help, my nose is bleeding! Other than these small issues, I liked it.

In the end the characters are what carry this film and they do so triumphantly over the goal line. I was really worried that it would have turned out like the last Star Trek movie. I was disappointed. I really wanted to be able to sit down next week and watch the next episode of Star Trek with these guys instead of two to three years form now. The movie grabs your attention from the start and continues to hold it till the end. We shall see what is next for our young Star Fleet heroes.

Angels and Demons this week anyone?

The 5000-Year Leap: A Miracle That Changed the World – Book Review

For many years in the United States there has been a gradual drift away from the Founding Fathers' original success formula, most notably the Constitution of the United States. This book has been a good review, with the history and development of the making of America and the discovery of the 28 Principles of Freedom our Founding Fathers confided in the young country. They have stated that these must be understood and perpetuated by every person who desires peace, prosperity, and freedom. The thesis behind this book is that the beliefs during the past 200 years have brought about more progress than was made in the previous 5000 years.

In showing how our system was designed, the author, Dr. Skousen goes through 28 principles that the Founders developed from their study of sources such as Cicero, Locke, Alexis de Tocqueville, Adam Smith, among others. Skousen has done what most people don't have the time or inclination to do: Study the original source materials and bring it all together.

From the introduction until the last page, I was hooked. I have been telling everyone I know about this book considering the economic times we are in. Sometimes I wonder if those spam e-mails on politics or the economy go on deaf ears. Maybe this book is a great place to start in convincing my pals, but this book must not be where we stop. The book explores the fundamental principles that our nation was founded on, and how those principles led to more advancement for America. I thought it was wonderful, clear and concise. It clarifies what this great nation was founded on and reinforces that our Constitution is really worth protecting. It is not a “living” document. I believe this book is fundamental, should be taught in high school, and given to elected officials for reference material. The book lays out basic true principles believed in by the founding fathers on which we should base our decisions in government.

My favorite chapter was the 27th Principle: The Burden of Debt is as Destructive to Freedom as Subjugation by Conquest. This needs to be read by everyone in America today, including the President and Congress, with the rollout of the present administrations $3.6 trillion fiscal 2010 budget. I particularly appreciated the discussion of the 7th Principle also: The Proper Role of Government is to Protect Equal Rights, Not Provide Equal Things; and the 15th Principle: The Highest Level of Prosperity Occurs when there is a Free-Market Economy and a Minimum of Government Regulations. This is relevant as to the taking over of our automotive and banking industry, and don’t forget the plan to take over the healthcare and energy industries by the government as well. In our modern mindset of "Let Uncle Sam fix it and finance it" we seem to have forgotten that if Uncle Sam is to have such deep pockets, we must either line them ourselves or mortgage our future to other countries by borrowing. Do we really need to borrow $300 Billion per year from China? The book explains why borrowing beyond our means is bad.

Finally, the author discussed the changes from the time of the founding of Jamestown in 1607 to the early 1980s when the book was originally written. The founder's success formula would solve nearly every problem we have in American today if followed. Another question is, should the Government take from the rich and give to the poor? This would seem like a pretty good program if you were the one getting the money. I want to send this book to every elected official, every citizen for that matter, in the country. This book discusses what it takes for a people to stay free, tyranny versus anarchy. We have strayed so far from where the Founding Fathers started, that I didn’t recognize the framework the Founders laid for us until now.

Enjoy!

2009 American River Parkway Half Marathon

2009 American River Parkway Half Marathon, May 2nd
Sacramento, CA

What else are you going to do on a rainy, drizzly Saturday morning? You might as well get those running shoes on, grab a running pal, and find a nice race course that has a scenic view, after race sandwiches, cookies and ice cream, and a cool medal. This was the third annual running of Sacramento's American River Parkway Half Marathon & Walk, which drew nearly 2,500 runners, walkers and wheelchairs for a 13.1-mile stint along the river. The American River is very pretty this time of year, which cuts through the eastern and southern portions of the city. The first part of the course was a downward slope along the American River Parkway, a 30-mile-long park that winds along the river. From the starting line at William Pond Park off of Arden Way, runners proceeded in a southwesterly direction on the trails along the river, following the bend in the river along tree-shaded trails toward the Campus Commons Golf Course, and then headed back (slightly uphill) toward the finish line along the course they've just run along the lower trail.


The course took us along the 4,000 acres that wind along river, the same river where gold was discovered in California in 1848. The park is enjoying something of a rebirth as it is increasingly being protected for wildlife and recreational amenities. My running pal Steve and I left around 5:00 in the morning for Sacramento. We arrived, pick up our number, waiting in line at the porta, and we were off, like a flying heard of water buffalos. It was a cool drizzly day, but perfect for running the 13-mile course. My calves were a little sore the first two miles, but after I got going, I eased into a running routine. Steve was faster than I was so I was just enjoyed the view as I went mile to mile. The last two miles sapped my energy, and I completed the event just in the nick of time. It was sandwich time and my energy was gone. I ran to the strawberries and the cookies. I had enough energy for that. I got a 2:07, which is great for not training. We concluded the race activities and we were home before dinner. A very successful race indeed!


Some thoughts of the day:

Race Director: This event is an eco friendly race and we want to make sure that you take into consideration of the environment.

Me: Isn’t running the most eco friendly thing that you can do? I did like the corn-made water bottles that supposedly decompose in a month. Don’t keep these in your shelf. I was going to get a picture of the corn-man, but the camera was hidden somewhere.

Runner: How did your training go for this race?

Me: I am training for the race as we speak. Ok, I didn’t put in a lot of miles prior to this race, so I am training during the race.

Commentator: Did everyone behave out there?

Me: Sure, run by me really fast, we finish at the same spot don’t we? Ok everyone was very conservative and was having a good time. I didn’t see anyone barging or being inconsiderate. Everyone had a good time splashing in the puddles and in the rain.

Commentator: What did you like about the race?

Me: I liked the little bands, drums, bagpipes, the classical music people, and bell ringers. I always like the bell ringers.

Me: I also liked the little Golden Gate Bridge and watching the river as I ran by. The race people did a good job in my opinion.
Should I do the Four Bridges Half? What next?

Garden Time?

Sean, When can I help you with the broccoli?

I fixed the waterfall, and look at the new bamboo

I fixed the waterfall, and look at the new bamboo