The first dollars, not the last, to be spent on safety

A terrible fraud is being perpetuated on the citizens of Doña Ana County. This week we are hearing that the 911 dispatch center is critical to saving lives and it needs to be modernized, so citizens are just going to have to increase taxes or there will be dire consequences.

Most citizens reacted, “We must increase taxes because without the dispatch center the police cannot function.” I would like to know why the dollars to protect my life are the last dollars raised by my government rather than the first dollars. Before any other money is spent whatsoever, the cost of protecting citizens should be in place. Read more

The first dollars, not the last, to be spent on safety

Thursday's Body Count in Murder City: 5

News New Mexico miscounted. The murder total in Juarez was 22 on Wednesday, not 16. Our apologies to anyone keeping score at home. Yesterday there was tragedy in Ruidoso when a plane crash killed five people and critically injured two others. Comparatively it was a relatively quiet day in Murder City. There were "only" five murders across the river. We are waiting for a press release from Mexico's President Felipe Calderon hailing Thursday's relative lack of murders in Juarez as an early sign of how effective his government is at taking care of the side of the border where he does have full jurisdiction. Unfortunately there is a rumor that no statement will be forthcoming on the murder count dropping to five because Calderon is busy with his advisers composing his next denouncement of Arizona.

Thursday's Body Count in Murder City: 5

Phil and Tiger Flounder at U.S. Open

Shaun Micheel, Paul Casey, and Brendon De Jong might be tied for the lead, but the two most recognizable golfers on the planet were the the center of attention in the first round of the U.S. Open Golf Tournament. Both high profile players turned in disappointing performances. Tiger Woods was three over par and Phil Mickleson was four over. Round two continues today at Pebble Beach.  Read first round summary here: 

Phil and Tiger Flounder at U.S. Open

Lakers Repeat as NBA Champs

The Los Angeles Lakers overcame a 13 point lead by the Boston Celtics on their home floor and won back-to-back NBA titles last night. Read the game story here:

Lakers Repeat as NBA Champs

Campaign Reform - Washington Style

Congress in its own unique approach to reform is looking into legislation that would counter the Supreme Court's ruling that essentially leveled the playing field in the cesspool of money corruption in Washington D.C.  Miffed that "special interests" can now pour unlimited amounts of money into the policymaking process Congress is proceeding. How is that going?  Read here:

Campaign Reform - Washington Style

A Trip to the Theater

Texas Congressman Joe Barton did not have a very good day yesterday. Everyone else on Capitol Hill was performing their political theater at the Tony Award winning level.  But Barton stumbled over his lines and pretty much made a fool of himself.  Read about it here:

A Trip to the Theater

Greenspan: There Are "Limits" to All This Borrowing

Former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan explained the obvious in an op-ed opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal.  Apparently Greenspan has seen enough borrowing and spending in Washington to find it necessary to say the markets will not allow this forever. Bloomberg.com offers their take. Read here:

Greenspan: There Are "Limits" to All This Borrowing