Index-Dec 2023 by Day 31 7 6 4 Benton County Republicans, cont. on Corvallis, Oregon city council meeting and approach 2 Benton County Republicans Warning about Radical Group To Ask Corvallis City Council To Sign a Resolution To Stand With Palestinians-Corvallis, Oregon is near the Central Oregon Coast -------------------- Dec 31 Happy New Year’s Eve Dec 7 Deseret News via MSN 2023/12/06 Texas bill allowing officers to arrest migrants crossing the border illegally, including in churches and schools, awaits gov’s signature. Eva Terry https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/texas-bill-allowing-officers-to-arrest-migrants-crossing-the-border- illegally-including-in-churches-and-schools-awaits-gov-s-signature/ar-AA1l75al Dec 6 Note: Bensman also discusses this problem in his book Overrun Dallas Morning News via Texas View- OAOA dot com 2023/12/06 Texas DPS needs to rein in high-speed chases through border towns THE POINT: New study showing rise in deaths and injuries should prompt policy review. https://www.oaoa.com/opinion/texas-view/texas-view-texas-dps-needs-to-rein-in-high-speed-chases- through-border-towns/ Excerpt: We don’t support the end goal of Human Rights Watch, which is to see Operation Lone Star abolished. Texas has a border crisis and the governor and law enforcement have been left to deal with the failure of the federal government to secure the border and pass meaningful immigration reform. [However, the writer(s) are encoura review of high speed chases through border towns involving law enforcement and criminals] Dec 5 The Texas Tribune via MSN 2023/12/04 Appeals court halts ruling that Border Patrol can legally cut Texas’ border concertina wire. Uriel Garcia https://www.msn.com/en-us /news/us/appeals-court-halts-ruling-that-border-patrol-can-legally-cut-texas-border-concertina-wire/ar- AA1l07f1 The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday temporarily halted a lower court order that gave Border Patrol agents legal cover to continue cutting concertina wire that Texas has installed on the banks of the Rio Grande. Dec 4 Benton County Republicans, cont. on Corvallis, Oregon city council meeting and approach City Council Meeting Tonight (Dec 4)! I have just received feedback from the City Recorder. They limit the public comments to 10 comments, and those slots have been filled. From the Recorder: "There is limited availability for drop-in community comment and it is first come, first served. To take advantage of this method, you can sign-up on sheet in the back of the meeting room or raise your hand on the virtual meeting platform." The deadline to register for oral testimony and to submit written comments or materials is 12:00 pm the day of the meeting so please do this now for tonight's meeting. Written materials for a specific meeting date must be submitted via email City.recorder@corvallisoregon.gov or via the public input form at www.corvallisoregon.gov/publicinput. Register with the City Recorder at the above email address or via telephone at 541-766-6729 X 5075 to orally testify via computer, telephone, or in-person. Each speaker is limited to three minutes unless otherwise granted by the Mayor. Agenda for tonight's meeting You may make your own statement or you may simply say, "I concur with the Resolution drafted by the Concerned Citizens for Israel group." RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CORVALLIS, AFFIRMING SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY WITH THE ISRAELI PEOPLE WHEREAS, the City of Corvallis stands in solidarity with the Israeli people who are currently facing a campaign against them of ethnic cleansing and attempted religious domination. Hamas demands that the Islam religion rule in the Middle East and wants complete liberation of Palestine, "from the river to the sea", (referring to the end of Jewish sovereignty in the region). They reject any prospect of peace, or coexistence with the state of Israel. (1,2) WHEREAS, ethnic cleansing refers to systematic elimination of an ethnic group or groups from a region or society, as by deportation, forced emigration, or genocide. WHEREAS, Israel has endured targeted bombing from the Palestinian region, causing them to build an iron dome and to form an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) for protection. WHEREAS, on October 7, 2023, Israel was attacked viciously by Hamas, who murdered at least 1200 innocent civilians, raped, beheaded babies, burned people alive, and abducted 240 hostages of all ages. (3) Hamas posted evidence of their brutality on Facebook. WHEREAS, Israel demands the return of the remaining 130 hostages still in Gaza. (3) WHEREAS, Israel dropped leaflets on parts of southern Gaza warning civilians to evacuate in an effort to prevent innocent bloodshed before they extract hostages and target the terrorists. (4) WHEREAS, IDF uncovered 800 Hamas tunnels that they had spent years and billions of dollars perfecting its underground tunnel network, with many routes leading into Israeli territory. (5) WHEREAS, the Al Shifa Hospital, the largest and most advanced medical facility in Gaza, has become a battleground as the IDF found Hamas headquarters hidden underneath. (6) WHEREAS, Israel is the United States' best friend and ally in the Middle East. Financial support therefore is determined by the Federal Government. WHEREAS, since October 7 anti-Semitic incidences in the US has increased 380% according to US-based advocacy groups. (7) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Corvallis takes seriously the historical memory of the Nazi Germany holocaust perpetrated against the Jewish people in WW2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Corvallis vows to combat antisemitism, Islamophobia, ethnic cleansing, and Nazism in all its forms; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Corvallis calls for the support of Israel's endeavor to retrieve her hostages and defend herself as a sovereign nation; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Corvallis supports Israel financially, morally, and ethically in her time of need. References: 1. Wilson Center, (2023, October 20) Doctrine of Hamas, https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/doctrine-hamas 2. From the River to the Sea, (n.d.) In Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_the_river_to_the_sea 3. Sammy Westfall and Helier Cheung, (Updated 2023, December 2) Here are the hostages released by Hamas and those remaining in Gaza, The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/30/hamas- hostages-list-names-tracker-israel-gaza/ 4. Andrew Carey and Christian Edwards, (2023, November 16), Israel Drops Leaflets on Parts of Southern Gaza Suggesting Possible Expansion of Offensive Against Hamas, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/16/middleeast/israel-leaflets-evacuate-south-gaza-hamas-intl/index.html 5. Jerusalem Post Staff, (2023, December 3), IDF Uncovers 800 Hamas Tunnel Shafts Since Start of War, Destroys 500, The Jerusalem Post, https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-776316 6. Olive Enokido-Lineham, Ben van der Merwe, Michelle Inez Simon, (2023) Israel-Hamas War; Secrets of Al Shifa Hospital, Sky News, https://news.sky.com/story/secrets-of-the-tunnels-what-lies-beneath-al-shifa-hospital-13019619 7. Tori Morales Pinales, (2023, October 29), How Reports of Hate Crimes in the US Were Already at Record Highs, in 4 Charts, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/29/us/hate-crimes-antisemitism-anti-muslim-dg/index.html Dec 2 Benton County Republicans Warning about Radical Group To Ask Corvallis City Council To Sign a Resolution To Stand With Palestinians-Corvallis, Oregon is near the Central Oregon Coast Benton County Republicans https://www.bentongop.org On October 7, 2023 Israel was brutally attacked by Hamas who savagely killed 1400 people, beheaded babies, brutally raped women, destroyed property, burned people alive in their homes, and then apprehended over 240 hostages--babies, children--young and old. There was even a report of a baby cooked in an oven as Hamas made the parents watch. The cruelty is so barbaric, that the Israeli people will never be the same. While the Israeli people are still trying to get their loved-ones home, tone-deaf people in our community are choosing not to stand with Israel, but instead celebrate their enemies and forbid Israel from defending herself and to use any means necessary to retrieve their family members. Why is the left and the West calling for a cease-fire when there has never been a possibility for peace between Israel and Palestine? The Wilson Center, a non-partisan think tank, reports of the Doctrine of Hamas: "Hamas is an Arabic acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement. It has called on members of the other two Abrahamic faiths—Judaism and Christianity—to accept Islamic rule in the Middle East. "It is the duty of the followers of other religions to stop disputing the sovereignty of Islam in this region, because the day these followers should take over there will be nothing but carnage, displacement and terror," it decreed. Hamas also rejected any prospect of peace or coexistence with the state of Israel. "Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors. The Palestinian people know better than to consent to having their future, rights and fate toyed with."" [...] Here is a statement from Corvallis Palestine Solidarity who is organizing anti-Israel/pro-Palestine events in Corvallis and is encouraging people to make public comments at the next City Council meeting: "During Israel's attacks on Gaza, we have organized funeral marches through the Corvallis Farmers Market, a mourning tent on the Oregon State University Quad, vigils and protests. We have collaborated with other Palestinian solidarity groups to host speakers and authors on tour through our region, worked in coordination with the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, and partnered with allies in our local faith communities in hosting educational events and film screenings. We support the Palestinian people in their struggle for justice and human rights, and in their resistance to oppression and occupation, including their call for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS). We welcome those who wish to join us." How would you feel about the Corvallis City Council signing a resolution on behalf of all Corvallis residents? Do you believe that local government and city leaders have the right and moral authority to make this decision, and deprive the tax-payer and community member from having their own opinion? Concerned citizens are encouraging solidarity with Israel, our ally and friend in the Middle-East. We are asking people to make a stand now to protect our local Jewish community. Even extreme left-wing CNN is reporting in support of Israel, and are warning about the uptick in anti-Semitism: "US-based advocacy groups are reporting a spike in hate incidents against Jewish and Muslim individuals amid the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas. The Anti-Defamation League said this week that since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, anti-Semitic incidents in the US increased 388%, according to preliminary data. [...] Please make a public statement in support of the people of Israel at the next City Council meeting. Public speaking instructions are on the meeting agenda below. Thank you! Downtown Fire Station, 400 NW Harrison, Corvallis Mon. Dec. 4, 6:00 October Oct 17 Thoughtco.com 15 Facts About the Battle of the Alamo The "line in the sand" may have been a myth https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-the-battle-of-the-alamo-2136256 Oct 12 Hamas Islamist militants entering Israeli Be'eri kibbutz CNN 2023/10/12 In Israel, ‘the place where you want your kids to grow up’ has suddenly turned into the front lineIvana Kottasová and Lauren Izso, butz-beeri-israel-war-intl-cmd/index.html Washington Examiner 2023/10/09 Israel Hamas attack: Death toll of Americans up to nine. Mike Brest https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/foreign/israel-hamas-attack-death-toll-americans Oct 9 Mike Gallagher, Wisconsin-DADDY Act 2023/09/29 Gallagher Introduces DADDY Act to Ban Hunter Biden-Like Influence Peddling Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) today introduced the Deterring Attempts at Dirty Deals by Youngsters (DADDY) Act, a bill that would prohibit the immediate family members of the president, vice president, and cabinet officials from working for certain foreign companies while their family members are in office. The bill comes as recent investigations into President Biden's immediate family reveal that Hunter Biden, along with other members of his immediate family, sold a “brand” to foreign companies promising access to his father, then-Vice President Biden, to the tune of millions of dollars. This kind of behavior reeks of nepotism, undermines public trust, corrupts institutions, and should be illegal. This bill would make this behavior illegal and would make this crime punishable by a fine of up to $250,000, up to five years in jail, or both. "Hunter Biden is the ultimate swamp creature. His shameless degree of influence peddling and profiteering is exactly what’s wrong with Washington and it’s shocking this kind of behavior isn’t illegal already. This bill helps end this kind of corruption and ensures any family member of an executive branch official can’t profit off their family’s position in government," said Rep. Gallagher. Specifically, the DADDY Act would: Prohibit the immediate family members of the President, Vice President, and cabinet officials from working for certain foreign companies while their family members are in office. Apply to a spouse, child, mother, father, sibling, grandchild, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother- in-law, as well as stepchildren, foster children, and adoptive children and siblings. Make this crime punishable by a fine of up to $250,000, up to five years in jail, or both. https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases/gallagher-introduces-daddy-act-ban-hunter-biden-influence- peddling Oct 8 On pushing back against China Lane County GOP (Eugene Metro Area) of Oregon showed this Captive Audience with former White House Deputy Asst for National Security Affairs, Steve Yates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeY-lqcA-zw https://lanecountygop.org/captive-audience-with-former-white-house-deputy-asst-for-national-security-affairs- steve-yates/ Oct 5 North Jersey dot com 2023/10/05 Here's how your delegation voted in the McCarthy ouster Daniel Munoz, NorthJersey.com On Tuesday, Republican Kevin McCarthy was ousted after Democrats and some Republicans joined forces to topple the House Speaker, ending his 269-day reign in a 216-210 vote. The move has no marker in modern history and paralyzes Congress for the time being as a replacement is sought. The rebellion, led by conservative hardliner Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has roiled the House in chaos. The move to oust McCarthy — known as a motion to vacate — had the support of a handful of hard-right lawmakers who have expressed anger at McCarthy for working with Democrats to avert a government shutdown. In New Jersey, the 12 Congressional delegates voted along party lines — all three Republicans supported McCarthy and the nine Democrats wanted him out of the seat.