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Jobless Stats Reveal Disparities As economy Starts To Recover March 09, 2012 While the Labor Department reports a surge in private-sector hiring and the nation's unemployment rate holding steady at 8.3 percent, a closer look at the numbers paints a less flattering picture of the country's post-recession growth. The latest report for February shows lingering economic disparities among different segments of the population. And, as has been the case for decades, the unemployment rate used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not tell the whole story. Counting only those Americans who are actively looking for work, the jobless rate...

(WARNING: The video on LGF goes to Soros Funded Think Progress. I didn't know why LGF linked to them at first, but I can't find the video anywhere else.)HUNTER: This is it folks. This is it. There is nothing after 2012. [...] I don’t care if it’s a more moderate/former liberal like Ronald Reagan, who would never be elected today in my opinion. If it’s someone like him or a hardcore conservative, you gotta elect the most winnable person this time. I know it sounds bad, but Congress makes the law. You’ve got a conservative Congress. You’re one third there....

A House panel approved a defense bill early Thursday that would delay President Obama's new policy allowing gays to serve openly in the military and limit the commander in chief's authority on slashing the nation's nuclear arsenal. By a vote of 60-1, the House Armed Services Committee approved the broad, $553 billion defense blueprint that would provide a 1.6 percent increase in military pay, fund an array of aircraft, ships and submarines, slightly increase health care fees for working-age retirees and meet the Pentagon's request for an additional $118 billion to fight wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The committee, on...

Any decision involving the commitment of American military personnel and combat resources is never easy. It requires as much personal reflection as it does strategic evaluation, all with the understanding of what is at stake and what is at risk. With Libya, it is improbable to think that the decision to create and enforce a no-fly zone was treated any differently. The president and his administration were confronted with a tough choice. Either avoid the fight altogether and watch a humanitarian crisis unfold, or stand with the international community to protect others and assist rebel elements that are outnumbered and...

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) says he agrees with how President Obama has used the nation’s military to handle the crisis in Libya. In a phone interview with The Hill newspaper, Hunter defended Obama against critics on the right and the left who have questioned his decision to use force against Libyan strongman Moammer Qaddafi. “I agree with the president. I agree with what he’s done so far on his use of force. I agree on his timing. I agree on the fact that he went in with a coalition,” Hunter said. A former Marine captain who did combat tours in...

U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) Tuesday introduced bipartisan legislation, the Unlawful Border Entry Prevention Act, to allow for additional infrastructure to be built along the Southwest border. The bill provides the Secretary of Homeland Security with full discretionary authority to build as much as 350 miles of additional infrastructure on the border. The legislation is co-sponsored by congressmen Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.), Vista’s Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.), Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and Ted Poe (R-Texas). It follows a report by the Government Accountability Office, stating that only 44 percent of the Southwest border is under operation...

A bill introduced in Congress today could lead to an additional 350 miles of fencing along the southwest border and would require the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress when apprehension activity climbs 40 percent year over year, if it is approved. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, authored the bill, titled “Unlawful Border Entry Prevention Act,” in response to a Government Accountability Report that found 44 percent of the southwest border is under “operational control” and 15 percent is totally secure. The legislation is co-sponsored by Republicans Brian Bilbray, Solana Beach, Ed Royce, Fullerton, and Ted Poe, Texas, and...

March 7, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) recently introduced legislation aimed at curtailing what he views as frivolous lawsuits against small businesses that are allegedly in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The bill, entitled the ADA Notification Act, would provide businesses accused of an ADA violation with a 90-day grace period to make necessary modifications. “It’s bad enough that small businesses are facing enormous challenges due to the current economic downturn,” Rep. Hunter said in a press release. “What they don’t need to contend with are any other unnecessary obstacles that...

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., says the Egyptian turmoil and the threat of rising tensions in the Mideast make it the wrong time for Congress to consider slashing the defense budget, despite calls from some of his GOP colleagues that cuts are needed to contain the soaring national debt. “I disagree with those in my own party who think that we have to cut duncan,hunter,defense,budgetdefense now for appearances’ sake, so that we seem like we are serious about taking on the national debt and the deficit,” Hunter – a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – said in an...

When the conversation about achieving budget savings within the Pentagon started gaining momentum about a year ago, there was no disagreement on the value of identifying efficiencies and redirecting dollars to modernization and development - where funding is needed most. The annual defense budget is by no means exempt from the spending debate, but Congress and the administration must exercise a certain degree of caution when agreeing to any cuts without first considering their implication. The renewed focus on finding budget savings and efficiencies is necessary and long overdue. For defense, the budget is not sacrosanct. It can be cut...

The repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy may hit a road block in Congress next week. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-California, is drafting a bill that would change how - and possibly if - the repeal is implemented. The repeal law passed in December requires the president, defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to certify that the military is ready for the change. Hunter's bill would require the four service chiefs to also sign off on the policy change. At a December hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Army, Marine Corps and...

A member of the House Armed Services Committee plans to introduce legislation next week designed to put the brakes on repeal of the military’s ban on openly gay troops. The measure by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) would add the four military service chiefs to the list of those who must sign off on repealing the policy before it can be officially scrapped. Hunter, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, is concerned that the bill passed in December repealing the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy “excluded the service chiefs from the certification process,” said one congressional aide. The repeal bill, signed...

Three San Diego-area U.S. congressmen have re-entered the Mount Soledad cross fray with a bill that would allow religious symbols to be a part of military monuments. On Wednesday Rep. Duncan Hunter of Alpine introduced the War Memorial Protection Act in response to the federal Ninth Circuit Court’s Jan. 4 ruling, declaring the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial unconstitutional. Joining Hunter as co-sponsors are Congressmen Brian Bilbray of Solana Beach and Darrell Issa of Vista. A cross was first erected atop Mt. Soledad in 1913. It wasn’t until the cross was rebuilt after a 1952 storm that it became a war...

LA JOLLA — Two San Diego County congressmen wrote a letter Thursday urging the Obama administration to “vigorously defend” the Mount Soledad war memorial in La Jolla in the wake of a court ruling that said the giant cross there is unconstitutional. The letter was signed by Republican Reps. Brian Bilbray of Solana Beach and Duncan Hunter of R-Alpine. It was sent to Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. On Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the latest ruling in the 20-year battle over the presence of the Latin...

Washington DC – Immediately following a Department of Defense briefing for members of the House Armed Services Committee on the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” report released today, Congressman Duncan Hunter, a Marine combat veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, reiterated his opposition to overturning current policy. “If anything, the survey results make a compelling case for keeping current policy in place and avoiding any type of distraction for our nation’s military and its combat mission,” said Congressman Hunter. “When breaking down the specifics, more respondents answered unfavorably or remain uncertain about a policy change than those who favor...

In a shift in tactics, the U.S. military in Afghanistan plans to rely more on old-fashioned surveillance, as compared with new-age technology, to stop the biggest killer of American service members in the field. Rep. Duncan Hunter, a Marine Corps veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, said he was informed by the Pentagon in recent weeks that the command is building up a special task force to defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Task Force ODIN (Observe, Detect, Identify, Neutralize) is designed to constantly watch troop and convoy routes to catch the enemy planting IEDs, which account for more than 50 percent...

A call to end automatic citizenship for the children of illegal immigrant parents is gaining momentum among leading Republicans in Congress, who recently called for hearings on the subject. Some North County congressional representatives, who are among the most vocal against illegal immigration, have pushed for the public debate, but the issue seldom received much attention from the party's leadership. Then last month, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he wanted to have hearings, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he would like to propose a constitutional amendment to prevent illegal immigrants' children from being declared citizens. With a...

August 12, 2010 (El Cajon) – In the 52nd Congressional District, Democratic candidate Ray Lutz is dishing up a new campaign tactic: a hunger strike. He hopes to convince Rep. Duncan D. Hunter to participate in a series of debates before absentee voting by mail begins. “Until Hunter steps up to the plate, I’ll be stepping away from the dinner plate,” Lutz said in a press release. He added, “Starting this Thursday, August 12, I will refuse to eat until he agrees to debate. I hope my sacrifice will make him realize the community expects him to take their issues...

Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today highlighted a report by the bipartisan Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) Independent Panel, which calls for increasing the Navy to a 346-ship fleet and expanding America’s focus to prepare for threats in the Western Pacific. “The message from the independent QDR panel about the strength and size of our naval fleet must be taken seriously,” said Congressman Hunter." He added, “There are some in Congress and the Administration who believe that cutting defense spending is a good idea amid ongoing engagements and the resurgence of conventional...

Letters, cookies, chocolate and other goodies are staples of care packages sent to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. For some, so is a carton of smokes or a few cans of chewing tobacco. But a recently adopted postal regulation limits the mailing of tobacco products to 10 ounces or less, a restriction that has made it difficult for family members to send the items to their loved ones in combat zones. So Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, has introduced a bill that would provide an exemption to the regulation. A carton of cigarettes weighs more than 20 ounces and a...

As the Department of Justice goes to court today to block the implementation of Arizona’s immigration law, Congressman Hunter has introduced legislation to deny DOJ any funding to continue challenging the Arizona law until action is taken against sanctuary cities. The legislation – the Sanctuary City Prevention Act – follows a recent report that DOJ is unwilling to force sanctuary cities into compliance with immigration law, despite filing a lawsuit against Arizona on the basis that the state law interferes with federal enforcement duties. “It’s ironic that the basis of the Obama Administration’s lawsuit against Arizona is that immigration enforcement...

Frustrated at the Justice Department's lawsuit against Arizona's new immigration law, a Republican congressman introduced a bill demanding that the attorney general also take action against so-called "sanctuary cities," which discourage immigration enforcement. Rep. Duncan Hunter's bill is the latest step as lawmakers seek to inject themselves into the debate and force their colleagues to take a stand on the contentious Arizona law. One of those moves failed Wednesday when Republicans tried, but failed, to have the Senate vote on blocking the government's lawsuit against Arizona. Mr. Hunter's bill, for which he started soliciting co-sponsors Wednesday, would stop the Justice...

Frustrated at the Justice Department's lawsuit against Arizona's new immigration law, a Republican congressman introduced a bill demanding that the attorney general also take action against so-called "sanctuary cities," which discourage immigration enforcement. Rep. Duncan Hunter's bill is the latest step as lawmakers seek to inject themselves into the debate and force their colleagues to take a stand on the contentious Arizona law. One of those moves failed Wednesday when Republicans tried, but failed, to have the Senate vote on blocking the government's lawsuit against Arizona. Mr. Hunter's bill, for which he started soliciting co-sponsors Wednesday, would stop the Justice...

Washington DC – Congressman Hunter has signed two separate amicus briefs supporting Arizona’s immigration law. One brief, written by the Washington Legal Foundation, opposes a lawsuit initiated by the American Civil Liberties Union. The other brief, supported by the House Immigration Reform Caucus, opposes the Obama Administration’s lawsuit to block the implementation of the Arizona immigration law. “Arizona is moving closer to implementing its new immigration law, but trying to stand in its way are the ACLU and the Obama Administration, which assert that states have no legal recourse to protecting citizens from the dangers of illegal immigration,” said Congressman...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jul 16 - 18 Members of Congress have signed an amicus brief opposing a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to block enforcement of Arizona’s new immigration law. The brief, written by the Washington Legal Foundation, urges the U.S. District Court for Arizona to reject an effort by the ACLU to prevent the implementation of SB 1070, the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act. The Arizona Legislature passed SB 1070 in April. The bill gives local law enforcement the ability to question suspected illegal immigrants. It also requires immigrants to carry registration...

The U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan assumed another dimension last week when Gen. Stanley McChrystal was replaced by Gen. David Petraeus — a logical choice given Petraeus’s skillful leadership during the Iraq surge. With this change in command, there is now an opportunity for Congress and the Obama administration to renew its commitment to mission success. Gen. Petraeus has shown that he knows how to win. Of course, Afghanistan is not Iraq, presenting different and unique challenges in certain areas. But there are some important lessons learned during combat in Iraq that, if incorporated in Afghanistan, will help save lives...

Washington DC – Following remarks on immigration reform by President Obama, Congressman Hunter reiterated the call that responsible reform starts with stronger border security and enforcement. “Once again, President Obama missed a valuable opportunity to assure the American people that his Administration will do what it takes to secure America’s borders and enforce the rule of law," said Congressman Hunter. "At one point during the remarks, he called blanket amnesty a bad idea, saying it ‘could lead to a surge in more illegal immigration,’ but then proceeded to call for a ‘pathway to legal status.’ This still means amnesty for...

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), a former combat veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, on Saturday strongly condemned the statements about the war in Afghanistan made by the Republican National Chairman Michael Steele. Hunter stopped short of calling for Steele’s resignation, but said that the “Republican party needs more than a fundraising figurehead,” Hunter said in a statement. Steele is under intense fire for saying that the war in Afghanistan is a war of president Barack Obama’s choosing and that U.S. combat mission there is “unwinnable.” Steele has since been trying to backtrack on his statements. "Michael Steele's...

With a new commander in Afghanistan, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) sees a new opportunity for tackling the growing problem of improvised explosive device attacks there. Hunter, a former Marine, lays blame on Gen. Stanley McChrystal for altering the brand of counterinsurgency fought in Iraq in ways that have allowed the number of IED attacks to flourish in Afghanistan. Casualties there peaked last month; at least 100 coalition forces died, according to news reports. And IEDs remain the No. 1 threat to U.S. troops. For quite some time, Hunter has been trying to make sure the military replicates the success of...

Washington (CNN) - Rep. Duncan Hunter, Jr., a veteran of the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, told CNN Thursday he's not surprised there may be some tension between the military and the Obama administration. "If you look at this administration, if you look at then-Senator Biden, then-Senator Obama, then-Senator Clinton, with the way that they went after Petraeus three years ago and said that that Iraq surge was not going to work, I think that the military commanders right now, the ones that have three and four stars, have a little bit of a - a burr under their saddle...

There is no shortage of threats facing America today or emerging on the horizon. In Afghanistan, our military is engaging a dangerous enemy while global terrorism, fueled by a radical ideology, will take more than firepower to defeat. All the while, Iran continues its march toward acquiring nuclear weapons, North Korea continually provokes its neighbors, and China is arming itself faster than any other country in the world. Each of these threats is unique and presents its own set of challenges, which is why America's armed forces must be prepared on all fronts. This requires that we consistently strengthen our...

IN 52: Duncan D. Hunter__________26,872_________ 89.6% Terri R. Linnell___________3,137_________ 10.4% ****************************

USA Today: Headline and link allowed only http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2010-06-01-editorial01_ST1_N.htm

The state of California needs to realign its priorities. For too long, the culture of California politics has perpetuated the growth of government through expansive new programs and benefits, creating chronic budget problems that only seem to be worsening. After weeks of impasse last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state legislators finally came to an agreement that temporarily resolved the state’s oversized budget gap. Now California faces the same problem it did a year ago, this time with a budget deficit of $19.1 billion. This shortfall did not occur overnight. An overly generous entitlement system and plenty of other costly...

Washington DC – Medal of Honor recipient and East County San Diego resident John Finn died today at the age of 100. Finn received the Medal of Honor for actions during Pearl Harbor and was recognized as the oldest living recipient of our nation’s highest military honor. “This is a sad day for our nation and the San Diego community,” said Congressman Hunter. “John was humble, never considering himself much of a hero but, to everyone else, he was part of a special class of American heroes who will forever be remembered for their service and sacrifice. His story will...

Rep. Gary Miller is among 26 members of Congress who have signed a letter taking issue with a top federal official who said Immigration and Customs Enforcement might not process undocumented immigrants picked up in Arizona. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary John Morton made the comments last week in a meeting with the Chicago Tribune's editorial board, the Tribune reported. The Tribune did not directly quote Morton on the matter, but did quote the ICE boss as saying, "I don't think the Arizona law, or laws like it, are the solution." That statement spurred Miller, R-Brea, and 25 other members of...

The commandant of the Marine Corps has asked Congress to put off its planned vote this week on lifting the policy that forbids gays from serving openly in the military. In a letter to Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, Gen. James Conway said lawmakers should wait until a Defense Department study on removing the ban is complete. McCain is the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee and has expressed reluctance to changing the Clinton-era "don't ask, don't tell" policy. An "organized and systematic approach" to studying the issue is the best way forward, Conway wrote. "Further, the value...

Back when he was a student at San Diego State, Congressman Duncan Hunter, R-Lakeside, often shot trap and skeet at the San Diego Shotgun Sports Association on what now is the Marine Corps Air Station. “It was a great, central place for us and all San Diegans to shoot, a place for veterans and wounded warriors to go shoot, too,” Hunter said yesterday. But in October 2008, the range was closed by the Marine Corps due to environmental concerns. The Marines said too much lead was leaving the range and damaging nearby environmentally sensitive areas. “This range has been there...

SHOW UP FOR ARIZONA'S IMMIGRATION LAW With Congressman Duncan Hunter & Sam Crump for Congress (Co-Sponsor of SB-1070) Arizonans support this law & 61% of America Supports this Law, so why is the media only covering the Left-Wing, Pro Amnesty Legislation? We need to make some noise. Please join us to support Arizona (and have a little fun in the process) Friday, May 21st 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek 6811 East Cave Creek Road Live Bull Riding and Dancing Music by “Tumbleweed Junction” $50 per person includes barbeque buffet dinner R.S.V.P to Sarah Raybon...

America’s national debt is “unsustainable” and existing budget challenges “cannot be solved through minor tinkering.” This was the message from Doug Elmendorf, Director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, when commenting recently on our nation’s fiscal outlook. According to Elmendorf, public debt is set to reach $20.3 trillion by 2020 under President Obama’s latest budget proposal to Congress. Based on this projection, which takes into account other deficit spending over the last year, the national debt as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product will rise from 53 percent to 90 percent over the same period. This warning must be taken...

“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined…” – James Madison, Federalist Paper No. 45 Limited government. Separation of powers. Federalism. Even though these terms never appear in the U.S. Constitution, they have defined the proper and intended function of American government since its creation. Each is derived from the principle of enumerated powers -- outlined in the Constitution by the Founding Fathers – to establish a federal government of limited size and scope. As the principal author of the Constitution, James Madison sought to ease fears that the new national government, under...

The strength of America’s military is derived from the professionalism of the men and women filling its ranks and the technological advantage that sets it apart from any other fighting force in the world. Since World War II and the decades of diplomatic and military engagement during the Cold War, America’s industrial base – once called the Arsenal of Democracy – designed and built the resources that helped carry us to victory and contribute to our security today. With combat forces engaged in Afghanistan and new threats on the horizon, namely China, our national security posture rests heavily on our...

Published in the Ramona Sentinel Now that health care legislation has been finalized, the Obama Administration and Congressional leaders have hinted at the possibility of moving forward with illegal immigration reform sometime this year. The prospect is still uncertain but one thing is clear. Any attempt at reform that does not make enforcement a priority will fall short in addressing the real problems with illegal immigration and should be opposed outright. The more responsible approach is straightforward: secure our nation’s borders, starting with the U.S.-Mexico land border, and strengthen the enforcement of existing immigration laws. It is no surprise that...

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, is under fire for saying that the children born to illegal immigrants should be deported. Hunter's comments during a tea party event Saturday in Ramona were posted on a YouTube video that has been viewed about 8,100 times as of early today. The video shows the East County congressman answering an audience member's question about whether he would support the deportation of children born to illegal immigrants. Without hesitation, Hunter said yes, adding that California could not afford to support everyone. The question and answer period came after Hunter spoke in favor...

Updated 9:04 AM PDT, Wed, Apr 28, 2010 Print Email Share Buzz up! TWITTER FACEBOOK NBCWashington Representative Duncan Hunter wants to deport the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants. Hunter, who spoke at a tea party gathering in Ramona Saturday, said he does not believe children born to illegal immigrant parents should get automatic U.S. citizenship. In a video posted Saturday on YouTube, Hunter appears to be taking questions from the crowd when he is asked if he would support the deportation of children born to illegal immigrants. “I would have to,” he said. “It’s a complex issue and it’s… you...

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) warned Saturday that the Democratic health care bill could kill his dad. “As someone who has a 90-year-old father who has prostate cancer, this bill would put him in the grave – literally!” he said. “Because if you’re going to give somebody a pill because you can’t give them the kind of care they need when they are an elderly person – and you’re going to be rationing care – that’s not right.” Luetkemeyer was one of twelve House Republican freshmen at a 35-minute morning press conference intended to warn of dire consequences that will befall...

Watch his body language during the debate on CNN, in which the then-New York congressman ironically touts the values of “honesty and integrity.” At the end, he throws in a total non-sequitur, soliciting Hunter to buy him a beer:

A cell phone application that will help illegal immigrants find water and key landmarks as they cross into the United States is an inappropriate use of taxpayer funds and an irresponsible use of technology, critics say. The Transborder Immigrant Tool (TBT), the brainchild of three faculty members at the University of California-San Diego and a colleague at the University of Michigan, is a software application that can be installed into a GPS-enabled cell phone. In addition to helping immigrants locate water and landmarks, it also could alert them to Border Patrol checkpoints. And to make the trek a little less...

Hunter slams Bob Gates!

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) says repealing the law that bans gays from openly serving in the military will hurt the cohesiveness of the armed forces. Duncan, who served in the Marine Corps in both Afghanistan and Iraq, says most people in the military would be uncomfortable if the "don't ask don't tell" policy were repealed.