Dear Readers: I am heading to Detroit on a Northwest flight tomorrow. What, me worry? Honestly, I am probably more concerned with the ice levels on I-94.

In terms of the major news of this week, as it relates to Detroit, I find it interesting that after the 9-11/anthrax combo-package in 2001, there were no further completely enacted terror events on U.S. soil under President Bush. Under President Obama, we have had two — the Fort Hood massacre and Northwest Flight 253. And Obama hasn’t completed his first term. Frankly, I think the description “flaccid” should replace the term “dithering” as the adjective du jour for Obama.

Yes, Obama, I do know a smattering of French.

Therefore, as I leave for Detroit tomorrow, I HOPE I will be around to agitate for CHANGE in 2010 with you.

I say that we should make Jasper Schuringa, the Dutch tourist who jumped on terror suspect Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, an honorary American citizen like we did Winston Churchill.

I will be back the first week of January, to opine at regularly scheduled intervals. I hope nothing big happens while I am gone — the last time I left town, the House of Representatives passed Cap-and-Trade.

Until I return, here is cute video you may enjoy.

On a final note, the Anchoress has a wonderful round-up: Obama and Doing vs Being – UPDATEDMoney quote: I suspect that what Obama wanted was to be the King, not the President. (Read the entire post, it is brilliant).

Dear Readers: I probably love Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day. As a girl, I enjoyed the family Christmas carol session, when my beloved brother would read “The Night Before Christmas”. I loved wrapping presents, and helping my mom bake cookies. I also loved the excitement of anticipating the gift-opening the following morning.

To that end, I want to wish all my friends a very happy Christmas eve. I have a special Christmas gift for you to open: My friend and the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition President, Sarah Bond, on the Fox Business Network panel for “America’s Nightly Scoreboard”. The topic was the so-called healthcare reform monstrosity that just passed through the US senate.

I think Sarah was AWESOME! She was poised, professional, and gave Fox pundit Monica Crowley the perfect segue into salient points about how the average citizen will respond to Grinch Reid’s Nightmare Legislation Before Christmas. Such a society-changing bill should have been simple, direct, and garnered bipartisan support — instead of being chock-full of bribes TO the party in power.

As a additional bonus, here is something from Sarah in her role as “Lipstick Underground”.

I also wanted to throw out a little love, and season greeting, to some fellow agitators who I missed mentioning in my Festivus round-up:

* Captain Freedom and the Sargent in the American Freedom Network
(MUT Note: There is a wonderful Christmas Letter posted on their weblog).

* Tom and Mary Rose, who have helped me post my appearances on the Fox Business Network.

* The Fox Business Network, especially David Asman, who have given us a national soapbox.

* Dawn Wildman, the CEO of the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition and my inspiration for activism.

* Mark Meckler, and the rest of Tea Party Patriots, for the experience, wisdom, and energy boosts.

* The Anchoress, for being my blog-mother and spiritual inspiration. (Check out her podcast for the Nativity Story as written in the Gospel of Luke).

* All the gentlemen of killcarb.org, who I will be teaming up with often next year.

* Michelle Malkin, for her mentions of our band of agitators and for bringing attention to all of California’s woes. I would also like to express my continuing gratitude for Capt. Ed and Allahpundit of Hot Air, as well as their many guest pundits.

* I really want to thank Instapundit again — and highlight his link to a great Christmas homage to ENGINEERS!

* Sarah Palin. Her ability to cause apoplexy in leftists on a global scale is the gift that will keep giving in 2010.

Last, but not least, I would like to thank my readers and fellow citizen activists. What a ride this year has been. I am looking forward to continuing the journey next year with you all.

Dear Readers: I am reminded that today, Dec. 23rd, is Festivus. So I wanted to take this opportunity to interject a little humor into an otherwise challenging season, and hope everyone enjoys the aluminum pole (which you can actually buy HERE), the feats of strength, and the airing of the grievances (and I have a few this year). I also hope there is a Festivus Miracle or two.

I wanted to share the news that two of my favorite conservative pundits, the Anchoress and Tammy Bruce, have been nominated as Grande Conservative Diva. I have been blessed by their assistance this year, in helping promote the activities of our citizens action group — the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition. I hope you have a chance to vote.

I can only aspire to be such a diva. However, all is not lost. This year, Pelosi designated me a Handmaiden of Big Oil. I will certainly spend my 2010 fighting eco-tyranny and repealing California’s version of Cap-and-Trade (AB-32). Maybe next year I can be deemed a high priestess of Big Oil!

One of our other favorite pundits, Professor Athena, passes on her good wishes to fellow citizen activists. She and I had a rare disagreement yesterday — she thought that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s agreement for an early vote on healthcare reform was sensible. I, on the other hand, thought he weakly caved in. I have come to conclude she is right. This, from Hot Air’s Ed Morrissey — McConnell’s takeaways for an earlier Christmas Eve vote.

Basically, McConnell conducted a tactical retreat on one symbolic front that won’t affect the trajectory of the bill at all, while advancing on a couple of symbolic and substantive fronts later. That deal may or may not be worth it — frankly, it seems like a big win to me, but your mileage may vary — but it wasn’t just an agreement to get a few more hours of vacation for both sides.

I wanted to update everyone about another of our favorite conservative divas, Lipstick Underground. In a scheduling change, Sarah Bond will be appearing tonight on the Fox Business Network — and that is awesome. She has a golden voice and is so beautiful; I am sure that the Fox networks will be clamoring for more as we work diligently in 2010 to roll-back some of this big government inanity. I hope to be able to upload the video once it is available.

I would like to conclude by wishing the following Temple of Mut capitalist heroes an exceptionally miraculous Festivus and a great holiday season.

W.C. Varones
Beers with Demo
Voting Female Speaks
HillBuzz
Fire Andrea Mitchell
Kimberly Dvorak
Charles Caesar and his Cleopatra
Fight for California

and last, but not least, the incredible INSTAPUNDIT!

UPDATE: It looks like there is a media story uncovering a blatant Obama deception — OUR FIRST FESTIVUS MIRACLE!

Dear Readers: Galaxies of electrons have been devoted to describing the US Senate’s treacherous ram-rod of health care reform though the system, ever since the 1 AM cloture vote this past Sunday morning. I cannot contribute anything new to the discussion, except to outline how this vote is likely to impact the merry band of agitators who comprise the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition and Tea Party Patriots.

As you can tell by the post title, we are not planning to roll over and go quietly home. Yesterday, I had a heart-to-heart talk with Sarah Bond, President of the Southern California Tax Revolt. We both agreed that we knew that the battle for sensible spending and against big-government-powergrabs was to be a long one.

“We will spend the next several days enjoying the Christmas season, and reflecting on our blessings,” she said. “Then, on December 26th, we are going to come back refreshed and engaged.”

Sarah noted that in addition to wrapping presents, many citizens were spending the holiday READING THE BILL. When our Senators and Congressmen come back to their respective home states and districts, they are going to find a very “warm” welcome from informed and engaged Americans.

In fact, let’s recall the tender reception that Senator Specter was given at an August townhall. It is shocking how little the Democrat representatives understood about their constituents’ lack of enthusiasm for healthcare reform — and the August approval numbers were glowing compared to the opinion data now coming back from more recent polls.

I have been kindly invited to join David Asman on Fox Business Network’s America’s Nightly Scoreboard for Christmas Eve (7 pm ET, 4 pm PT). My guess is that he will want to discuss the state of the Tea Party movement. I hope I am able to convey the sense of commitment and passion that everyone I know in all the various Tea Party groups have. To give everyone a sense of the short-and-long range plans, here is our abbreviated “To Do” List:

* There is talk about organizing another March on Washington DC for the State of the Dis-Union Speech (January 20th).

* Tea Party members include several constitutional lawyers, who are planning court challenges to healthcare reform’s insurance mandate provisionsif need be.

* Californian’s will attempt to “Unplug the Political Machine” : Before we can fix our schools, get spending back under control, and reform how Sacramento operates, FIRST we have to level the political playing field. It’s time to unplug the Public Employee Unions from automatic payroll deductions that fund political activity. They need to fundraise the way everyone else does. It’s time to put tax payers on an equal footing of influence with lawmakers again. State Tea Party patriots are working toward getting the first Tea Party Proposition on the ballot — and we have had a lot of help from people in other states. For example, the 1000th official member of the “Citizen Power Campaign” group was from Pennsylvania.

* Repealing California’s Cap-and-Trade legislation (AB-32): Despite the fact that Man-made Global Warming Data is fraudulent, the power-hunger politicos still want to enforce draconian environmental measures. California is already reeling from over-regulation, so its citizen activists are also poised to have a proposition repealing this legislative monstrosity. As an additional bonus, we will be trying to get water to our Central Valley farmers, too!

I think the list demonstrates that we have many citizens, who have a wide array of talents, interests, and concerns. Over the course of the past year, we have learned to team up with others to convey information, offer assistance, and lend support to push-back on nanny-state government policies at all levels. We have had many successes, including voting down California tax extensions in May’s special election and getting more conservative leadership in key national spots this November. The fact that we have delayed the rush to healthcare reform until ELECTION YEAR 2010 — AND KILLED FEDERAL CAP&TRADE, I think underscores how successful America’s citizens are when they choose to fight back.

In a related vein, and because I love Celtic music and history, I direct everyone to the wittiest group of writers on the blogosphere: Hillbuzz. Today’s post highlights their action-items for victory: Question of the Day: What can you do to drive the Liberals from Congress like snakes from Ireland?Their recipe for success:

* READING
* STUDYING
* NETWORKING
* TECHNICAL SKILLS
* LEADERSHIP

This all ties into something I stated when the Tea Party movements first started in February: We all need to be citizen journalists.

Sarah said it best: “We will enjoy the next few days, counting our blessings and focusing on the family. After the presents are put away, and the last turkey sandwich is eaten, the politicians will discover the citizen activists are still very active”.

In this spirit of the title of this post, and the season, I would like to turn to my patroness — The Anchoress. She is devoting much of her writings to reflection this week: Wrapping our heads around the world at Christmas.

So praise the Lord:

And pass the Tea Party ammunition:

Praise the Lord we’re on a mighty mission!
All aboard, we’re not a – goin’ fishin;
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition and we’ll all stay free!

P.S. Part of the inspiration for today’s post came from Tammy Bruce, who suggested the disheartened watch the movie Private Ryan for inspiration and calm their nerves with some of her Tammy-Army-Member’s holiday concoctions (available via membership podcasts).

Dear Readers: The Young Princess found some news, which I am now going to share with you — a little ancient Egypt to cleanse the palate after much focus on global warming and healthcare reform.

It seems underwater archeologists have brought up a pylon from the Temple of Isis, which was next to Cleopatra’s palace. More information is here: Egyptian Archaeologists Salvage Monument from Cleopatra’s Underwater City.

A snippet from the article is below:

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt — Archaeologists on Thursday hoisted a 9-ton temple pylon from the waters of the Mediterranean that was part of the palace complex of the fabled Cleopatra before it became submerged for centuries in the harbor of Alexandria.

The pylon, which once stood at the entrance to a temple of Isis, is to be the centerpiece of an ambitious underwater museum planned by Egypt to showcase the sunken city, believed to have been toppled into the sea by earthquakes in the 4th century.

Divers and underwater archaeologists used a giant crane and ropes to lift the 9-ton, 7.4-foot-tall pylon, covered with muck and seaweed, out of the murky waters. It was deposited ashore as Egypt’s top archaeologist, Zahi Hawass, and other officials watched.

The comments in the above-linked article reflect the zeitgeist.

Evidence of AAGW – Ancient Anthropogenic Global Warming. Wonder how many polar bears died when this city was engulfed by the ocean between 300-and 400 AD? Following the methods of AGW “scientist” we can deduce the decline in polar bear population from dung absorbtion rates shown in tree rings.

Speaking of Global Warming, here is a shock-photo a friend sent showing some Copenhagen conference attendees:

Apparently, global leaders were so impressed with President Obama’s stance in Copenhagen that they walked out of the conference.Hot Air’s Ed Morrissey reports that China snubbed POTUS completely:

Well, at least the Chinese agreed with Obama. The time for talk was over for them yesterday.

France’s Nicolas Sarkozy blamed China for the apparent collapse of the Copenhagen conference, but that’s only because no one was listening to them in the first place. China made clear that it was prepared to discuss carbon intensity, the issue of efficiency in production to reduce carbon emissions from manufacturing and energy production, but not arbitrary reductions in carbon emissions that would stifle economic growth. China actually has the correct approach, not just for China but for an entire world struggling through an economic crisis.

Beers with Demo has more on Copenhagen, including the very anti-Capitalism message that is a hit with conference attendees. Voting Female Speaks also has a great round-up of Copenhagen news: Obama Sells BS at Nopenhagen Climategate Denying Summit; A Global Snow Job…

Dear Readers: Dawn Wildman, the president of the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition, sends this message in regards to the healthcare reform measures now in the U.S. Senate.

YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!! You received the alert below and took action. You have completely overwhelmed the Senate switchboard. I have received emails stating that calls to some of the Senators below were being re-directed to Sen. Reid’s office and other Senators in the Democratic leadership. I have had reports that the voice mail boxes are full. Some of you have stated that you received messages stating the calls could not go through. Some have received a message asking you to put in the mailbox number or phone number. (If you receive this message, simply put in the phone number with area code that you just dialed) The phone numbers we sent out were taken directly from the Senators web sites.

Keep up the great work! You are making a difference in this battle! I have included the phone numbers of the Senators district offices below. Please call them as well… Let’s go get ‘em !!!

We are at a critical point in our fight against government run healthcare.

We need to have the same urgency and intensity level that we displayed at the Congressional Town Hall Meetings during the August recess. We must not diminish our fight to defeat the Senate healthcare bill. Many “Blue Dog” Democrats and some GOP Senators have stated that they don’t see the same intensity level opposing the Senate Healthcare bill that we displayed opposing the House version. They are beginning to believe that we do not strongly oppose the Senate Healthcare bill. We need to let them know that is not true.

President Obama and the Senate Democratic leadership are pulling out all the stops to pass this Senate Healthcare bill. They are putting enormous pressure on the “Blue Dog” Democrat Senators to pass the bill.

We urgently need you to make phones today and tomorrow to the Senators listed below. Please call their District Office and their D.C. office. Also, please continue to contact your Senator. Forward this to your email lists and ask them to make phone calls.

The latest Rasmussen Poll showed that 60% oppose this healthcare bill.

Please make phones calls to the Senators listed below.

Targeted Senators

Sen. Ben Nelson, Nebraska
DC Office Number: 202-224-6551, DC Fax Number: 202-228-0012

Washington, D.C.
720 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: 1-202-224-6551
Fax: 1-202-228-0012

Omaha
7602 Pacific St.
Suite 205
Omaha, NE 68114
Tel: (402) 391-3411
Fax: (402) 391-4725

Lincoln
440 North 8th Street
Suite 120
Lincoln, NE 68508
Tel: (402) 441-4600
Fax: (402) 476-8753

Sen. Jim Webb, Virginia
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-4024, DC Fax Number: 202-228-6363

Danville
308 Craghead Street
Suite 102A
Danville, VA 24541
Phone: 434-792-0976
Fax: 434-972-0978

Hampton Roads
222 Central Park Ave.
Suite 120
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Phone: 757-518-1674
Fax: 757-518-1679

Northern Virginia
7309 Arlington Boulevard
Suite 316
Falls Church, VA 22042
Loehmann’s Plaza
Phone:703-573-7090
Fax:703-573-7098

Norton
756 Park Avenue, N.W.
Norton, VA 24273
Mail to: 756 Park Avenue, N.W.
P.O. Box 1300
Norton, VA 24273
Phone: 276-679-4925
Fax: 276-679-4929

Richmond
507 East Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-771-2221
Fax: 804-771-8313

Roanoke
3140 Chaparral Drive
Building C, Suite 101
Roanoke, VA 24018
Phone: 540-772-4236
Fax: 540-772-6870

Washington, D.C.
248 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4024
Fax: 202-228-6363

Sen. Mark Warner, Virginia
DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-2023, DC Fax Number: 202-224-6295

459A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-2023
Fax: 202-224-6295

Abingdon
180 West Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
Phone Number: 276-628-8158
Fax Number: 276-628-1036

Norfolk
101 W. Main Street
Suite 4900
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone Number: 757-441-3079
Fax Number: 757-441-6250

Richmond
919 E. Main Street
Suite 630
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone Number: 804-775-2314
Fax Number: 804-775-2319

Vienna
8000 Towers Crescent Drive
Suite 200
Vienna, Virginia 22182
Phone: 703-442-0670
Fax: 703-442-0408

Dawn adds:

PriceWaterhouseCooper released an independent study of the Senate Finance Committee version of the government takeover of health care bill. The study showed that American family’s budgets will be severely impacted by the bill and that health insurance premiums will increase dramatically. You may wish to read the study and use this as supporting documentation when you contact the Senators.

She then provides this timeline:

Cloture Process and Timeline

Approximately 6 days minimum, if all time used

· Day 1: Cloture filed on the managers’ amendment, the Reid substitute amendment, and the bill (Note: there is a lot of mischief that can happen on Day 1 but that is not included in this memo).

· Day 2: Cloture motions ripen

· Day 3: Cloture vote on the managers’ amendment occurs one hour after the Senate convenes; 60 votes are required to invoke cloture on the managers’ amendment. If cloture is invoked, no other Senate business may be conducted during the 30 hours of post-cloture time

· 30 Hours later: The up/down vote on the managers’ amendment occurs. A majority vote is required to agree to the managers’ amendment. Immediately after the up/down vote on the managers’ amendment, the Senate proceeds to the cloture vote on the Reid substitute amendment (as amended by the managers’ amendment). 60 votes are required to invoke cloture on the Reid substitute amendment. If cloture is invoked, no other Senate business may be conducted during the 30 hours of post-cloture time

· 30 Hours later: The up/down vote on the Reid substitute amendment occurs. A majority vote is required to agree to the Reid substitute amendment. Immediately after the up/down vote on the Reid substitute amendment, the Senate proceeds to the cloture vote on the health care reform bill (as amended by the substitute amendment, which has been amended by the managers’ amendment). 60 votes are required to invoke cloture on the health reform bill, as amended. If cloture is invoked, no other Senate business may be conducted during the 30 hours of post-cloture time

· 30 Hours later: The up/down final passage vote on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended, occurs. A majority vote is required to pass the bill, as amended.

Dear Readers: Many of us Californians are actively protesting our state’s version of Cap-and-Trade (AB-32), and are working to see its full repeal in a November 2010 proposition. Added to the rules promulgated by the power-mongering, “snake oil science” promoting California Air Resources Board, our businesses and enterprises have been seriously damaged.

With this in mind, I would like to point out that our dear Governor has decided to attack the lone successful Governor that the USA had until this summer — Sarah Palin. Apparently, Arnold Schwarzenegger decided to deem Palin a “climate change denier”. Actually Arnold, the only things she denies are that: a) man is the most significant cause of climate change, and b) over-regulating businesses and citizens is actual going to counter-act nature.

If Arnold were truly interested in governing (instead of posturing like Mr. Green-Universe) then he might confer with Palin, to determine how she and her Alaskan team approached energy development and distribution. It seems that Alaska, under Governor Palin’s leadership, already gets approximately 24% of its power from renewable resources with a goal of increasing that to 50% by 2025. All done without breaking the financial backs of small businesses, home-owners, and tax-payers.

Palin responds thusly:

Greener Than Thou? Today at 10:36pm

Why is Governor Schwarzenegger pushing for the same sorts of policies in Copenhagen that have helped drive his state into record deficits and unemployment? Perhaps he will recall that I live in our nation’s only Arctic state and that I was among the first governors to create a sub-cabinet to deal specifically with climate change. While I and all Alaskans witness the impacts of changes in weather patterns firsthand, I have repeatedly said that we can’t primarily blame man’s activities for those changes. And while I did look for practical responses to those changes, what I didn’t do was hamstring Alaska’s job creators with burdensome regulations so that I could act “greener than thou” when talking to reporters. – Sarah Palin

In a related story, we may want to pay attention to some real climate-changers: VOLCANOES! Just outside of Manila in the Philippines, a significant volcanic event is causing the evacuation of 20,000 people.

Authorities moved thousands of villagers from harm’s way near the Philippines’ most active volcano Tuesday after it oozed lava and shot plumes of ash, and said they probably would spend a bleak Christmas in an evacuation center.

State volcanologists raised the alert level on the cone-shaped, 8,070-foot (2,460-meter) Mayon volcano overnight to two steps below a major eruption after ash explosions and dark orange lava fragments glowing in the dark trickled down the mountain slope.

Nearly 50,000 people live in a five-mile (eight-kilometer) radius around the mountain, and authorities began moving thousands of them in case it erupts, Albay provincial Gov. Joey Salceda said.

People may recall Philippines’ Mt. Pinatubo dropped global temperatures about 1 degree after a 1991 eruptions (as well as killing 800 people). I guess we can really stop worrying about global warming now.

My son and I are going to watch the “How the Earth was Made” special on Vesuvius by Naples, Italy tonight. Interestingly, its major and devastating eruptions are generally preceded by earthquakes — and such seismic events are now squeezing the lava pocket under Vesuvius, making an eruption more likely. For example, in April of this year, a 6.3-magnitude quake seriously damaged historic sections not far from Naples and killed 150 people. A Pompeii-like eruption today can potentially impact 3 million people immediately.

Talk about climate-changer! I wonder what the carbon-footprint of all that volcanic ash will be?

To put it in perspective, here are links to some real climate-changers in the past:

* Toba Volcano wipes out early man 70,000 years ago. (It must be man’s fault, somehow)
* The Bronze-age eruption of Santorini generates a tsunami that destroys Crete’s civilization, which impacts the culture and history of the entire Mediterranean basin.
* An 1815 eruption of Mt. Tambora in Indonesia creates “a year without a summer” and leads to the publication of some of history’s best horror novels.
* Krakatoa — need I say more?
* Eruptions of the Yellowstone or California’s Long Valley super-volcanoes, which are going to create enormous environmental impacts (I hope Obama gets a czar on this matter, quick).

Hey, Obama — you wanna know what’s really sexy? CAPITALISM. Volanco-free zones. And my husband.

Dear Readers: I have two items to share, which have a lot of entertainment value and are guide-markers as to where we are now in history.

This from a homeless camp outside of Colorado, where our beloved Captain Freedom lives. I am thinking this sign explains these numbers readily: Rasmussen — Obama “passion index” hits new low.

The second sign is a video featuring the comedy team of Palin and Shatner is going viral, but it is too good not to share. If my beloved readers recall, it was an SNL-skit from the excreable Tina Fey upon which many citizens based their opinion of Governor Palin. After nearly a year of being led by the thin-skinned and humorless Obama, Palin’s bright-eyed and natural irreverence seems like a breath of fresh air. I think this video has as much potential to make Palin as SNL’s had to break her. Others agree with me, sensing that this is a turning point.

I am sending you over to The Anchoress for great commentary.The Anchoress once said that early primary wins for Obama have people “permission not to vote for Hillary.” I think this video, combined with the warm reception Palin is getting on her book tour, gives people permission to like her — despite the fact she makes the extreme left apoplectic.

Based on these signs, do I think the elite media and entertainment glitterati will continue shaping the attitudes and tastes of Americans? Do I think we will have to endure of progressive Congress and PC President for much longer? I will let my new comedy hero answer:

UPDATE: This is actually a third sign. The following is a report from a San Diego Union Tribune Reporter, Chris Reed, describing how he has evolved into a man-made global warming skeptic by carefully observing the behavior of California environmental regulators and green journalists: Air board lies fuel global warming doubts. MUT’s Money Quote:

Fifty-one weeks ago, I broke the story that the air board’s lead scientist on its study justifying the new rules on diesel emissions had lied about his academic credentials. I went on to report that air Nichols kept this from board members and that the lying scientist, who defended himself by offering a mail-order Ph.D. from a “university” associated with a fugitive pedophile, hadn’t even been fired.

One columnist (Lois Henry of The Bakersfield Californian) followed up on this incredibly juicy story. But not one single reporter – not until air board member John Telles learned of the cover-up and blasted it last month, making it impossible to ignore.

If you need proof that enviro beat journos are true believers whose work can’t be trusted, there it is. They were accomplices to Nichols’ cover-up. What other inconvenient truths are they covering up? We may never know.

UPDATE: Green fantasies / Governor ignores anti-AB 32 evidence: Despite the facts showing:

* The global-warming fraud that is Climate-gate is well known.
* As a result, California’s touted Cap-and-Trade rule (AB-32) is built on a foundation of snake-oil science.
* AND implementation of AB-32 will decimate California’s economy

Our Governor will not concede he was lied to, and is continuing to peddle this regulatory crap. Next November cannot come soon enough for me! (PS. Government workers have NO incentive to truly solve problems and relinquish their power).

Dear Readers: Many of you have been following our citizen activism that is directed toward protecting California businesses from over-regulation, especially from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). I would like to report that our efforts, especially of those heroes I mention in my posts (e.g., Jeff, Bryan and Jim) have paid off in a small victory.

Board delays diesel rules – Sacramento News – Local and Breaking

The California Air Resources Board gave truckers a break Wednesday on the state’s tough diesel emissions rules, acknowledging that the bad economy has both improved the state’s air quality and made anti-pollution upgrades unaffordable.

After a nearly seven-hour public hearing in Sacramento that featured more than 80 speakers including truckers, health and environmental advocates and even high school students from Oakland, the air board ordered modifications to the rules drawn up for consideration in April.

Those changes could include significant delays in enforcement of the rules, depending on how quickly the economy recovers. The board also could add new exemptions for small trucking fleets in rural areas and additional financial incentives for truckers to install exhaust filters or buy newer rigs.

We need to keep working! There is still much work to be done. For example, The initiative to suspend AB 32 (The California Version of Cap and Trade) is still in progress as we work toward getting a November Ballot initiative. We need 440,000 signatures by June 26th 2010.

In the spirit of “Star Wars”, I will offer this reminder to everyone:

***************************************************************

MUT News and Views:

* Our friend, Charles Caesar, recommends the Big Government’s Congress-Specific page on their website, and a choice article or two: DEMS ALLOW FEDERAL FUNDING TO CORRUPT ACORN; Bob Creamer, Architect of Obamacare, and His Pattern of Corruption.

* Keep up our fight against Union/Political Power Elites: UNPLUG THE POLITICAL MACHINE! Help us by joining the Citizen’s Power movement to place the first Tea Party Proposition on the ballot.

* The numbers are so bad, even CBS can’t “hide the decline“: Obama down to 50% in CBS poll.

* Palinism.

* FIST-GATE: Gateway Pundit has been detailing the shocking news about “Safe School Czar”, Kevin Jennings. This is something that all concerned parents should be aware of, and protesting via Tea Party Activism. Be forewarned — the content is highly graphic.

* Anatomy of an Apocalypse, Or: Al Gore Flunks Logic (and the Polygraph), from the incomparable Roger Kimball of Pajamas Media.

* Breaking: Obama announces proposals aimed at saving a job, His, from Voting Female Speaks! (MYT Note: Funny!)

* As Charles Caesar did, our beloved Patroness (The Anchoress) also takes a look at our representatives — essential Reading: Congress of Lucy and Charlie Brown.

* Via Ace of Spades: Sure, Why Not: Scientists in Met Office (Overseeing CRU) “Pressured” to Sign Circular Defending AGW “Or Risk Losing Work”

* In the Spirit of the Season, from Afrocity (a great website): Twelve Days of Obama Christmas.

* A look at local real estate by our friend, W.C. Varones.

As a paring holiday gift, here is Loreena McKennitt’s Snow:

Dear Friends: I have a happy problem. My paying business is taking off, so I have less time to opine. I realize I have been blessed with some regular readers. Therefore, during the crazy holiday season with its family, religious, and business obligations, I am hoping to post some “Money Links”, that I think are excellent reads.

To start: A nice version of my favorite carol:

It is likely blogging on this site will be erratic through the rest of the year. I am planning a trip to Michigan to visit family and friends during New Year as well. So, I hope my new-found friends can be patient and stop by for updates. I am hoping to return to regular opining the second week in January.

* Unplugging the Political Machine! TITLE AND SUMMARY ISSUED for CA’S FIRST TEA PARTY PROPOSITION: Amends the California Constitution to make it illegal to deduct from wages or earnings of a public employee any amount that will be used for political activities as defined. Prohibits any membership organization that receives public employee wage deductions from using those funds for any political activities, but does not apply to deductions for charitable organizations, health, life or disability insurance, or other purposes directly benefiting the public employee. Authorizes the Legislature and Fair Political Practices Commission to adopt related laws and regulations. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Probably minor state and local government implementation costs, potentially offset in part by revenues from fines and/or fees.

* California Cap-and-Trade angers citizens. RALLY: STOP AB 32! Defeat California’s job-killing global warming law! This Wednesday (tomorrow) and Thursday, CARB is holding a board meeting in downtown Sacramento to discuss the implementation of AB32. We are hoping to have a handful of professionally dressed patriots there to hand out literature to industry folks who are coming to testify. This will be a great step forward as we attempt to qualify a repeal of AB32 for the November ballot.

* Senator Boxer compares Viagra to abortions (from the incomparable Kimberly Dvorak). Bab’s makes us so proud (big dose of holiday sarcasm)

* Gibbs: Obama’s crappy poll numbers are Gallup’s fault or something (from Allahpundit at Hot Air).

* SHATNER/LIMBAUGH: Where no interview has gone before. It’s surprisingly good, and deep. (via Instapundit)

* Tiger, Barack, and the Law of Transitivity — American Thinker makes some wonderful points about the false image presented by Obama and Woods, and reaches some interesting conclusions about Obama’s future based on Woods’ present.

* MUST READ ASSAULT ON PRIESTHOOD OF GLOBAL WARMING: TORQUEMADA IN EAST ANGLIA (from Hill Buzz)

* W.C. Varones Blog has the damn lies presented in Copenhagen in their opening video.

* Boondoggling our way to energy independence (from beers with demo).