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Bobby Jindal to Speak at Iowa Firearms Coalition Summer Rally
NEA Tone Deafness
Branstad Moves to Prevent Murderers’ Release After SCOTUS Decision

Bobby Jindal to Speak at Iowa Firearms Coalition Summer Rally

Posted: 16 Jul 2012 01:29 PM PDT

Clive, Iowa – Iowa Firearms Coalition is pleased to announce Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal as the keynote speaker at their 3^rd Annual IFC/NRA Second Amendment Rally at Brownells Big Springs Shooting Complex just outside of Searsboro, Iowa on August 25^th, 2012.

Governor Jindal endorsed legislation in Louisiana for a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. That bill passed the Louisiana House and Senate this year and Louisiana voters will now decide in November whether to amend the state Constitution to limit the ability of the Legislature and other arms of government to restrict the right to possess and personal weapons.

Iowa Firearms Coalition and the NRA both backed similar legislation in Iowa during this year's legislative session. HJR2009, a bill to establish in Iowa's Constitution a similar protection for the right to keep and bear arms, passed the Iowa House in February, but was stalled in the Senate. Iowa is currently one of only six states that do not have explicit protection in their Constitutions for the right of individuals to keep and bear arms.

The annual IFC/NRA Second Amendment Rally is a day-long, family friendly celebration of Iowans' Second Amendment rights. Activities include training on firearms and firearms safety, introduction to various shooting sports and demonstrations and displays by firearms and equipment vendors. In addition, the rally provides a forum where Iowa legislators can meet firearms owners and discuss important issues and legislative initiatives, such as the right to keep and bears arms amendment, the "Stand Your Ground" bill, defense of traditional ammunition and sound suppressors.

Learn more about the event at http://iowafc.org/2arally/.

NEA Tone Deafness

Posted: 16 Jul 2012 10:00 AM PDT

Vice President Biden speaks at NEA Convention

The National Education Association (NEA) is bleeding membership, they predict an overall loss of 308,000 members and a lost of $65 million in dues by the end of their 2013-2014 fiscal year. Yet it would seem that its membership doesn't quite understand why they are losing membership as evidenced by a former executive director who spoke with EdWeek:

"The public-sector unions are in panic mode; all the attacks have made politics a high priority," said John I. Wilson, a former executive director, who writes an opinion blog for edweek.org. "In a way, they're focusing where they need to be, but at the same time, they need to be readying for how they are going to utilize friendlier politicians, and quite frankly, make new friends to move an education agenda that is of service to the country.

"If you don't couple politics hand and hand with professional issues," Mr. Wilson concluded, "then your members lose."

Attack? Because we have to reign in state and federal spending? Because public school teachers' pensions have become untenable? Because most public school teachers have benefits that are far better than what you see in the private sector?

Can I suggest something that may see pretty radical to most of the NEA leadership. It is their coupling of politics with professional issues that is likely the cause of its membership decline. When their national convention has turned into nothing but a re-election rally for President Barack Obama, when their state affiliates react like what we saw in Wisconsin to needed changes to get state spending out of control they seem unreasonable to most bystanders.

The fact is the NEA has been out-of-touch and irrelevant to many teachers who don't agree with its left-ward march. My two-cents anyway, but unless that changes they'll probably continue to bleed out.

Branstad Moves to Prevent Murderers’ Release After SCOTUS Decision

Posted: 16 Jul 2012 07:24 AM PDT

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry Branstad today took action to prevent the release of dangerous murders in light of the recent Miller v. Alabama United States Supreme Court decision, where they ruled that states cannot mandate life sentences without the possibility of parole for murderers who committed their crimes before the age of eighteen.

The court's ruling means that up to 38 dangerous juvenile murderers in Iowa will seek resentencing and more lenient sentences.

"During this process, the victims are all too often forgotten by our justice system, and are forced to re-live the pain of the tragedies," said Branstad. "These victims have had their loved ones violently taken away from them. I take this action today to protect these victims, their loved ones' memories, and to protect the safety of all Iowans."

In compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Gov. Branstad will commute the life without parole sentences today to life with the possibility parole only after 60 years for the 38 people who were convicted of First Degree Murder while a juvenile.

This action means that they will not have the possibility of parole until they have served 60 years.

"Justice is a balance and these commutations ensure that justice is balanced with punishment for those vicious crimes and taking into account public safety," said Branstad. "First degree murder is an intentional and premeditated crime and those who are found guilty are dangerous and should be kept off the streets and out of our communities."

"Today Governor Branstad and I want to ensure that justice is served, Iowans are protected, and victims are heard," said Reynolds. "The governor's action today gives the opportunity for parole in compliance with the recent Supreme Court decision; however, the action also protects victims from having to be re-victimized each year by worrying about whether the Parole Board will release the murderer who killed their loved one."

Horoscop

marți, 17 iulie 2012

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