tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83239124528410784432024-03-13T08:32:50.916-07:00The Savvy CitizenRamona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-47751164372933958942017-06-02T04:00:00.000-07:002017-06-02T04:00:10.796-07:00How Washington undermines its own efforts to fight child exploitation Washington State recently enacted a law to help people rebuild their lives after they escape slavery, which once again placed it at the head of the class, when compared with other states. This record dates back to 2003, when Washington State led the nation in passing anti-trafficking laws. It is among a few states that receive a high rating from a national anti-trafficking Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-91070418449434897422017-05-31T05:30:00.000-07:002017-05-31T05:30:09.506-07:00"I Am Jane Doe": A documentary Slavery is alive and well, and it's here.
Moms of daughters will be especially grieved to watch the Netflix documentary "I Am Jane Doe." It chronicles the stories of young girls who wound up in the sex trade, advertised and promoted online... and the moms who found them listed for sale.
Human trafficking is everywhere, and its not just a big-city issue. Washington State is known as Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-7303399488156340722017-05-02T23:12:00.000-07:002017-05-30T20:04:25.162-07:00The more we learn about abortion...For years I voted for pro-choice causes and people because I believed it was the compassionate thing to do. But if you keep your eyes and your mind open, and look at the facts, it becomes harder to ignore the stark fact that a child dies whenever an abortion is performed. You can call it a fetus, an embryo, tissue, contents of the uterus, or a mass of cells; you can say the pregnancy Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-737363819643568132013-05-16T06:00:00.000-07:002013-05-16T06:00:01.188-07:00"Give up the Bad Boyfriend"-- abortion supporters need to wise upAnother abortionist has been "outed." Former staffers of a Texas clinic are sharing shocking tales of a doctor who allegedly killed many babies after they survived abortions. Texas' lieutenant governor is calling for an investigation; you can read about it by clicking here.
I wonder how many of these gruesome stories need to break before pro-choice folks wise up? What more Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-3199730146239403492013-05-13T05:00:00.000-07:002013-05-13T05:00:05.713-07:00Evidence increases: We need to regulate abortion clinics more carefullyPro-abortion folks have long promoted the notion that the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 paved the way for "safe" and "legal" abortions. But fast forward 40 years, and though abortion is widely available, the unwillingness of lawmakers and pro-abortion activists to concede the need for regulation has put women in danger of the very things they once said they wanted to avoid. In Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-38508531445226108122013-04-16T05:30:00.000-07:002013-04-16T05:30:00.913-07:00Are women & babies safe in Washington?The Dr. Kermit Gosnell abortion clinic trial has me absolutely infuriated with the media, and worried about women's safety--not to mention the lives of babies--here in Washington State. The media spotlight is finally pointing in the direction of Pennsylvania, thanks to pressure from pro-life groups and the embarrassed outrage of some liberals who also noticed the problem.
But it all causesRamona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-43369661728299902652012-07-14T12:10:00.000-07:002012-07-14T13:01:33.844-07:00National teacher union heads make more than $360,000 a year, 3 times more than highest paid WA school administrator
Apparently it pays to be a union leader, even if it doesn't necessarily pay to be a union member.
Check out this Fox News article about national teacher union heads raking in the money while average teachers scratch out a living. The article says the national average teacher salary is $44,000 a year, while union leaders earn shockingly high average salaries:
American Federation of Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-79439680241584878472012-06-05T23:42:00.001-07:002012-06-05T23:46:48.283-07:00My war on the war on womenBe a slut! That's the new strategy of some Democratic activists, who aim to make the offensive term cute and trendy. I can hardly wait for the t-shirt.
From ABC News' website: 'Sluts' Unite Against Republicans, Rush Limbaugh
Watch out Republicans, here come the sluts.
Women’s rights activists are banding together to “Rock the Slut Vote” in an online effort to register women Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-83632235631920568232012-06-05T06:45:00.001-07:002012-06-05T06:56:45.445-07:00State Republican Convention Goes for Romney – Divide With Paul Forces is in Full Evidence
Another overview (fairly detailed) of the Washington GOP Convention, posted by the Washington State Wire. Interesting that Republicans had full-plus participation, but the Democrats had trouble filling their seats.
State Republican Convention Goes for Romney – Divide With Paul Forces is in Full EvidenceRamona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-74418126613785940402012-06-03T22:07:00.001-07:002012-06-03T22:07:32.743-07:00'Kind of like a family': Republicans finish state convention in Tacoma - Tacoma News Tribune - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington news, weather and sportsFollow-up to yesterday's blog. The Convention is behind us, so now we move forward to replace the occupant of the White House.
'Kind of like a family': Republicans finish state convention in Tacoma - Tacoma News Tribune - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington news, weather and sportsRamona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-84083998719432299722012-06-02T15:38:00.001-07:002012-06-02T15:38:51.267-07:00Washington Republicans find common ground(Trying out Blogger on my iPhone! Typing on tiny keyboard may cure me of wordiness.) (Or just give me tired fingers.)
Ron Paul and Mitt Romney supporters at the WA Republican State Convention were United in dissatisfaction with Obama's failed presidency this weekend.
There were spirited shouting and vocal demonstrations on day one, showing the passion for each side's candidate. I wondered ifRamona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-46705142963236034642011-12-28T01:17:00.000-08:002011-12-28T01:20:16.675-08:00Is Newt the best we have? Really?Granted, my track record after the last election is less than exciting. In fact, I almost hesitate to post this, lest it guarantee Newt Gingrich's installment as our only alternative to Obama in November 2012.
But I am so tired of people claiming Newt is our best hope for the coming election. This is a man whose mere name will rile up independents and even former Dems (like myself) Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-76007419212863875272011-09-11T16:05:00.001-07:002011-09-11T16:05:25.006-07:00Whatcom County Executive race: Ericksen is the Real ChoiceI'd like to think I'm not a one-issue voter, yet some things just raise red flags for me.
Maybe some of my more liberal-leaning friends won't think this is a bad thing, but my conservative, pro-life friends should take note of this development in the Whatcom County Executive's race.
Read more in this copy of a letter to the editor I've just submitted:
Up until last weekRamona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-74333232473793671872011-08-25T17:13:00.000-07:002011-08-25T17:13:32.127-07:00More about Rick PerryThanks to the folks who posted these links on my Facebook wall today, because they started the information gathering process for me:
From the CATO Institute: Rick Perry’s Spending Record
From Bill O'Reilly: Daily Briefing: Rick Perry holds the record on executions. Details: http://bit.ly/qM76tB
From LifeNews.com: Perry signs the pro-life pledge opposing Roe, tax-funded abortions, Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-28457880206759165362011-08-25T17:06:00.000-07:002011-08-25T17:06:21.970-07:00Local Republican straw poll picks Perry for PresidentFrom the Whatcom Republicans Facebook page August 24, 2011:
A main attraction at the Northwest Washington Fair this year was our Presidential Straw Poll. The official results of our straw poll are as follows: Rick Perry-220, Michelle Bachman-80, Sarah Palin-66, Mitt Romney-50, Ron Paul-49, Herman Cain-28, Newt Gingrich-18, Chris Christie-16, Paul Ryan-12, Rick Santorum-9, Marco Rubio-8, Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-54498463416671307312011-07-21T06:00:00.000-07:002011-07-21T06:00:14.873-07:00Why some Dems now support GOP womenHere's an interesting twist in the talk about the presidential election:
From Clinton to Palin to Bachmann: Why Some Dems Now Support GOP Women (from CNN, posted July 19, 2011).
Definitely food for thought.
After all, such a cross-over was do-able for some of the African-American community (think Colin Powell, and possibly Condaleezza Rice, in the 2008 election of Barack Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-89040512753731376722011-07-19T22:10:00.000-07:002011-07-19T22:10:22.087-07:00The real story: Obama's fiscal recordFrom the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Budget:
A Brief History of President Obama’s Fiscal Record Setting the Record Straight
July 15, 2011
Despite newfound concern with the debt Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-71425158847540133102011-07-12T07:00:00.000-07:002011-07-12T07:00:10.163-07:00An abortion tax: Does it make sense?A tax on abortions? Why not? In a time when we are strapped for revenue, why not levy a tax on a procedure that is infinitely more harmful than soda pop, candy bars, gasoline, or cigarettes? It's something to think about.
Read more at the TaxProf Blog.
Alan Guttmacher institute (Planned Parenthood's research arm) reports this about Washington State's abortion numbers:
In 2008Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-10685595345219006142011-06-15T23:35:00.000-07:002011-06-16T00:14:51.726-07:00How Safe Is This Elective Surgery?You'd think it would make sense to keep a public record of abortion deaths and complications; but according to this article, such reporting is done on a voluntary basis only:
How Safe Is This Elective Surgery?By Clarke Forsythe; Donna HarrisonJune 14, 2011 4:07 P.M. In Kansas earlier this year, legislators trying to look into the deaths of five women got quite a shock: They were told inRamona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-72637277993213386672011-06-11T06:00:00.000-07:002011-06-11T06:00:01.079-07:00The race is on: Check out who is running for officeHere's who wants your vote in Whatcom County this year:Whatcom County candidates
If more than one person is seeking an office, they'll have a primary election August 16 to determine the top two; the general election is November 8.
Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-14839405702166169042011-06-10T10:08:00.000-07:002011-06-10T10:08:37.100-07:00Have you ever used the "except in the case of rape" argument? Then read this!Back in the day, when I was a liberal-feminist type, I remember thinking that I was open-minded and compassionate when I would claim "pro-choice" as my label.
I was quick to say that I would of course never choose abortion for myself, but it needed to be safe and legal, especially for cases of rape or incest.
I was so wrong, on so many levels.
Instead of going into this issue myself,Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-85245218095708425902011-06-07T13:33:00.000-07:002011-06-07T13:35:48.219-07:00State Legislature benefits Planned Parenthood... againSome of you may have seen a letter to the editor of The Bellingham Herald blasting State Rep. Jason Overstreet for speaking out against increasing funds for poor women's health services. As usual with that particular letter writer, the facts were missing or obscured. Instead of being "shocked" by Overstreet's speech before the Legislature, we ought to be thanking him.
Sadly, the billRamona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-71127195491802620612011-06-02T12:35:00.000-07:002011-06-02T12:35:58.372-07:00Rep. Buys gets kudos for not missing votes!Good reporting from the Bellingham Herald: Rep. Buys Doesn't Miss a Single Vote
Not only does it give much-deserved recognition to Rep. Vincent Buys, it also shows specifically what others missed; you can follow up for yourself to see if any of them matter to you.Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-89766695178335666712011-06-02T12:06:00.000-07:002011-06-02T12:09:51.331-07:00Obama Admin's Big Fat Carbon FootprintOnce again, we see that President Obama and his administration only give lip-service to the idea of energy savings and reducing our carbon footprints.
Fox News reported May 31, 2011: "A new report from a watchdog group shows that the number of limousines owned by the federal government rose by 73 percent during the first two years of President Obama's administration. The State Department was Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8323912452841078443.post-37661604864513376262011-05-31T08:00:00.000-07:002011-05-31T08:00:01.938-07:00Sites for Candidate ResearchHere are some places to go for some general information on 2012 Presidential Candidates. I'm researching a few more and will post them as I find them (or as you recommend them):
OpenSecrets.org has a list of candidates, and promises to eventually tell you about finances, spending and background.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC), which tracks campaign financing (includes a Ramona Reeves Stumpfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02855474148645001664noreply@blogger.com0