Monday, April 30, 2007

NYYRC ANNUAL TRIP TO Washington, D.C.

NYYRC Members embarked on the Nation's Capitol April 26th - 27th, meeting and greeting with top Republicans on the Hill.


Check out YRs visiting with Congressman Peter King:



YRs on a Tour of the Capitol:



YRs Meeting with the Americans for Tax Reform:



We thank those that took the time, out of their busy schedules, to meet and brief us:
Congressman King
Congresswoman Foxx
Senator Dole
Senator Vitter
Senator Stevens
Congressman Fossella and for the fantastic tour of the Capitol!

Thanks to ALL YRs who participated. Can't wait til' NEXT YEAR!

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Small Caps Suffering from Sarbox

The Wall Street Journal today has an opinion piece from Robert Grady, a venture capitalist, on the economic toll of Sarbanes-Oxley. Grady makes the argument that the greatest casualty of Sarbox is small-cap start-up companies:

"Both sides are missing a key point: It is not only the share of U.S. IPOs that has been dropping precipitously, but, particularly in the small cap, emerging growth sector, it is also the absolute number that has fallen off the cliff. Consider the following: Throughout the 1990s (not just during the bubble at the end of the decade), there were an average of 157 technology IPOs per year in the U. S. For the last six years, the average has been 27 per year. In total, across all industry sectors, venture-backed IPOs have dropped from an average of 178 per year during the 1990s to 50 per year in the last six years. This has serious long-term implications."

Grady gives examples of companies, such Cisco, E*Trade and Intel, that were relatively small IPOs yet now bring in billions in revenue and employ hundreds of thousands of people and goes on to say that in today’s regulatory environment, a company with a market cap of $50 to $100 million is more likely to be acquired than go public, thus depriving the economy of it’s full potential.

He addresses the onerous and costly Section 404 – which can cost small cap companies $2 - $3 million/year (which at time of passage was expected to cost $93,000 per company), and notes that Chris Cox is working to address this issue.

Though the barriers to entry for small-cap IPOs are not quite as dire as Grady makes it seem, he makes some really important points on how Sarbox and the regulatory climate are stifling innovative emerging growth companies in the US and could potentially have serious implications if nothing is done to relax the regulatory environment.

It seems to me that momentum to relax Section 404 is increasing. Hopefully, this will happen sooner rather than later so that our companies can grow and remain competitive on the global market.

Another development that could benefit US companies – the SEC is considering letting US public companies use international accounting standards, which would make it easier and more cost efficient for companies doing business internationally.

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Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Eliot and SANJAYA??

Ah... to lighten the mood...
Governor Spitzer is a big fan of Sanjaya, huh? Wonder if he voted for him? Imagine the People Magazine folks faces?

Check out the link:

http://gawker.com/news/white-house-correspondents-dinner/eliot-spitzer-day-one-with-sanjaya-everything-changed-254529.php

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Giuliani Speaks Up on War on Terror

Giuliani gave some stern warnings of the dangers that this country faces if a Democrat is elected President during a speech in New Hampshire:
“This war ends when they stop coming here to kill us!” Giuliani said in his speech. “Never, ever again will this country ever be on defense waiting for [terrorists] to attack us if I have anything to say about it. And make no mistake, the Democrats want to put us back on defense!”

The Democrats have certainly proven this with their latest plan to vote on a withdrawal later this year and declaring that the war is lost. I suppose they figure they have a no lose situation - if they did succeed in getting an early pullout and emboldened terrorists who just saw victory over a superpower come onto our soil to attack us, they'll just argue that the terrorists only hate us because of Bush and the Republican party, so if the American public elects them instead of Republicans the problem will eventually go away.

Check out more on the speech at Politico.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Bloomberg's Green Plan

Mayor Bloomberg announced his vision for a greener city yesterday, Earth Day.

I, personally, really like some of his proposals, particularly the congestion tax. With 1 million new residents expected by 2030, it is time to start thinking of ways to improve the air quality of the city. Whether or not you are a believer in global warming, anyone who has blown their nose after an afternoon walking around the city (for those who haven’t, the tissue ends up black), can appreciate the idea of better air quality.

The idea of congestion pricing is likely to be controversial and unpopular, but I believe it is worth the inconvenience if the end result is a cleaner, more livable city.

I also love the plan for more bike paths!

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Hey Obama, isn't it apparent, that a father is a parent?

The other day, Obama responded to a question about if he will take us out of Iraq, his answer started out as:

"I can only imagine how you feel, as a father and as a parent,"

Now, I don't mean to nitpick but imagine the reactions of John Stewart & Bill Maher if Bush said this. In typical fashion, they would probably show the audience a clip of that and stare into the crowd with big eyes as if to say "Can you believe he said something so stupid?", then the crowd would laugh like they believed that since Bush said something, somehow that made John Stewart & Bill Maher funny.

Friday, April 20, 2007

NYYRC ELECTS 2007 EXECUTIVE BOARD

New York, NY –The New York Young Republican Club, Inc. (NYYRC) elected its 2007 executive board at the April general meeting last night at the Union League Club. The oldest continually running Young Republican Club in the Country elected Lynn Krogh as President, Kendal Elliott as Vice President, Michael Salomon as Secretary, Sharlene Santercole as Chairman of the Board of Advisors and re-elected Nicholas Vertucci as Treasurer. The new officers will assume their duties immediately.

“This is an important year for the New York Young Republican Club,” said President-elect Lynn Krogh. “With New York holding an early primary, we have an unprecedented opportunity to play a large role in the pivotal 2008 Presidential election. Presidential candidates will be setting up shop right here in New York and our members will have the ability to work for the candidate they support, not in New Hampshire or Iowa, but in our own back yard. I look forward to serving as NYYRC President as we continue to work to make a difference on the ground for candidates locally, statewide and nationally.”

Krogh became involved with the Rensselaer County Young Republicans at the age of 19 in and quickly rose to the positions of Secretary and then Vice Chair. In 2001, she was appointed to the position of Capital Region Vice-Chair for the New York State Young Republicans, helping to grow county chapters in New York’s Capital Region. Krogh worked on the 2002 re-election campaign of Governor George E. Pataki and following the election, she joined the Governor’s New York City Press Staff. During that time, Lynn became a member of the NYYRC and since joining, she has served as Membership Chair, Secretary, and most recently, Vice President. She is also the Executive Director for the New York State Young Republicans and the Communications Director for the Young Republican National Federation.

Kendal Elliott, the new NYYRC Vice President, previously served as Campaign Chair, acting as a liaison between the NYYRC and Republican campaigns for public office within New York City and the surrounding areas. Elliott has managed political campaigns on both the national and local levels and consults local candidates.

Nicholas Vertucci was re-elected to the office of Treasurer, a position he has held since April 2005. Prior to his election, he served as Chairman of the Finance Committee where he represented the Club in discussing the overhaul of Social Security on CNN and on issues involving Wal-Mart's attempts to come to Queens and school vouchers in the New York Sun. Nick is an avid blogger on the NYYRC’s Blog, The NYYR Record.

Prior to being elected Chairman to the Board of Advisors, Sharlene Santercole served as the New York Young Republican Club, Inc. Membership Co-Chair for retaining members. Santercole joined the NYYRC in October 2003 and has volunteered for the NYC Host Committee and was assigned a COA Volunteer in Site Operations during the Republican National Convention. She also worked on NYYRC member Anton Srdanovic's 2004 congressional campaign as a Volunteer Coordinator. Santercole is the National Committeewoman for the New York State Young Republicans and also serves on the Campaign Oversight Committee for the Young Republican National Federation.

The New York Young Republican Club, Inc., is a not-for-profit political organization that exists to bring Republicans aged 18-40 together to discuss the Republican Party platform and aid the Republican Party in the education of the public about the Republican agenda and the promotion of Republican candidates for office. To find out more about the New York Young Republican Club, Inc. please visit the Website at http://www.nyyrc.com.

John Edwards's great hair

From this week's Patriot Post:

John Edwards has great hair. Of course, you would have great hair, too, if you paid $400 for a trim in Beverly Hills, as Demo presidential candidate Edwards has in recent weeks. Unfortunately, Edwards’ personal spending on haircuts is just the latest misstep by the man who is trying to appeal to America’s populist vote. Two weeks ago, his wife Elizabeth derided their neighbor for his “slummy” property. Now, don’t get us wrong—we live in a capitalist society that allows us to spend the fruits of our labor as we see fit, and if a man wants to blow $400 on a haircut, well, best wishes to him. Likewise if he can afford a 28,000-square-foot mansion. Edwards, though, will have a tough time convincing voters that he has even a clue about the less affluent of those “two Americas” he keeps talking about, but at least he’ll look good trying.

NYYRC WASHINGTON, DC Trip UPDATE!

UPDATE TO THE NYYRC Washington, DC Trip

Annually, the members of the NYYRC head to Washington DC and we'd love for you to join us for meetings and social events that we have planned thus far.

Thursday April 26 & Friday April 27th are the key days we have planned. Please email us TODAY if you’re interested, there are still spots available: VP@nyyrc.com

Schedule: (Subject to Change)

Thursday 4/26:
11AM: Meet with Rep. Peter King (NY-3), Location: 339 Cannon,
(Discuss NYS issues, Homeland Security)
11:45AM: Meet with Rep. Virginia Virginia Foxx (NC-5), Location: 430 Cannon,
(Gov't oversight, foreign affairs subcommittee)
12:30PM: Lunch, Location TBD
1:45PM: Meet with Senator David Vitter (LA - Class III), 516 Hart, Discuss Gulf rebuilding,
(Foreign Affairs - East Asia,Pacific)
2:45PM: Meet with George Lowe - Chief of Staff for Senator Ted Stevens (AK - Class II), 522 Hart, (Discuss Appropriations, Gov't Oversight, Homeland Security)
3:30PM: Meet with Rep. Vito Fossella (NY - )
5:00PM: Meet with Senator Elizabeth Dole (NC - Class II), 555 Dirksen,
(Photo op and discuss armed services, banking)
7:00PM: Cocktails, Location: Capitol Hill Club
8:00PM: Dinner, Location TBD, Invited: Dennis Cariello Former NYYRC President & Rob Arnakis and Bill Mierling from the Leadership Institute

Friday 4/27:
9AM: Breakfast, Location TBD
11AM: Meeting with the Americans for Tax Reform - 1920 L Street NW, Suite,
(Discuss briefing of tax issues, ATR's campaign for lower taxes)
2PM: Tour of the Capitol, Meet at Rep. Fossella’s Office

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Giuliani Supports Public Funding of Abortion

I'd just like to stir up some conversation about Giuliani's statement last week that he supports public funding for abortion. To me it seems he is in an early stage of establishing a pattern of making more liberal statements on his policies then trying to justify them by continually repeating his personal views. In the case last week when said he still supported funding for limited case abortions he followed the comment with,

"I'm in the same position now that I was 12 years ago when I ran for mayor -- which is, personally opposed to abortion, don't like it, hate it, would advise that woman to have an adoption rather than abortion, hope to find the money for it," he said. "But it is your choice, an individual right. You get to make that choice, and I don't think society should be putting you in jail."

Where are his comments about reforming abstinence programs, funding adoption programs, and other alternative methods to counter our more irrisponsible citizens? If he tries to continually validate his more liberal policies with just giving his personal views without including more Republican alternatives as well, he's going to lose support.

Friday, April 13, 2007

The Real Crime

The rape charges against the Duke boys (not from the Dukes of Hazzard) have been dropped, however for many this hasn’t exonerated them. Malik Shabazz, head of the New Black Panther party, whose group has no more than 20 members and has been denounced by members of the original Black Panthers, appeared on the O’Reilly Factor last night. Why Fox News loves to spotlight marginal black nationalists groups, seems odd to me but Mr. Shabazz’s comments did reveal why many including some members of the Duke faculty rushed to judgment against the Duke players.

Michelle Malkin, who was filling in for Bill O’Reilly, asked Shabazz if he would apologize to the Duke Lacrosse players for accusing them of rape. Not surprisingly he didn’t apologize. Why? He stated he didn’t accuse them of rape; rather they were just guilty. Well, if not for rape, what could they possibly be guilty of? Mr. Shabazz didn’t elaborate but here two guesses:

Guilty of being rich, privileged, white men. These guys are unfortunately the embodiment of everything liberalism abhors. According to liberals white guys coordinate right-wing conspiracies, which of course are responsible for all the evils throughout the world, including global warming. These guys are the youthful versions of Dick Cheney and George Bush. The cherry on top is that these guys play lacrosse and you can’t get any whiter than lacrosse.

Guilty of being white while hiring black strippers. For many, the idea that white men, especially rich ones, hired black strippers reminds them of the historical power differential between whites and blacks. Tremendous resentment lingers in segments of the black community over the economic and sexual exploitation it has historically endured.

Some people are appalled at Michael Nifong for his unethical prosecution of the case while others are disappointed he didn’t turn out to be as savvy as Jonnie Cochran. Just as for some, the OJ Simpson trial was not about guilt or innocence but about retribution for historical wrongs, the Duke case was not about seeking the truth about an alleged event, rather it was about turning individuals into historical symbols.

NYYRC ANNUAL WASHINGTON DC TRIP

Annually, the members of the NYYRC head to Washington DC and we'd love for you to join us for meetings and social events that we have planned thus far. Thursday April 26 & Friday April 27th are the key days we have planned.
Please email us if you’re interested, there are still spots available: VP@nyyrc.com

Schedule (subject to change):

Thursday 4/26:
11AM: Meet with Rep. Peter King (NY-3), (Discuss NYS issues, Homeland Security)
11:45AM: Meet with Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-5), (Gov't oversight, foreign affairs subcommittee)
12:30PM Lunch, Location TBD
1:45PM Meet with Senator David Vitter (LA - Class III), (Discuss Gulf rebuilding, Foreign Affairs - East Asia, Pacific)
2:45PM Meet with George Lowe - Chief of Staff for Senator Ted Stevens (AK - Class II), (Discuss Appropriations, Gov't Oversight, Homeland Security)
5:00PM Meet with Senator Elizabeth Dole (NC - Class II), (Photo op and discuss armed services, banking)
7:00PM Cocktails, Location: Capitol Hill Club
8:00PM Dinner, Location TBD, Invited: Dennis Cariello Former NYYRC President, Rob Arnakis and Bill Mierling from the Leadership Institute

Friday 4/27:
9AM Breakfast, Location TBD
11AM Meeting with the Americans for Tax Reform - 1920 L Street NW, Suite,
(Discuss briefing of tax issues, ATR's campaign for lower taxes)
1PM Tour, TBD

Next Club Meeting Thursday, April 29

Our next general meeting will be Thursday, April 19, 2007. Featured speaker to be Ed Cox, John McCain’s point man in New York, for his Presidential campaign. Like we mentioned last month, the NYYRC does not make endorsements, but we encourage our members to meet the candidates and their representatives and choose which candidate they wish to support.

We will also be holding the election of our Club officers, President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Chairman of the Board of Advisors. Please join us to vote.

The meeting begins promptly at 7pm at the Union League Club, 38 East 37th, close to Park Avenue. Business attire required. Please turn off your cell phone and check your coat upon entry. OUR MEETINGS ARE ALWAYS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SO BRING A FRIEND!

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Free Speech or Free Markets?

Fox & Friends had two opposing viewpoints on this morning to discuss the Don Imus controversy. The guest taking Don Imus’ side, a radio host from the Midwest (it was before 8 am so I can’t remember his name), argued that Imus’ free speech was being violated.

So, was this an attack on free speech? It would have been if Imus was a private citizen being prosecuted for his remarks, but he said those remarks in his role as an employee of a corporation and as an employee of that corporation, he is accountable if his actions damage the business. If public outcry and boycotts cause executives to reevaluate the value of keeping him on as an employee – that is not a denial of free speech, it is the free markets at work.

The ‘right to free speech’ is the right to speak your mind without government persecution – it is not the right to make offensive, inappropriate remarks without consequences.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Kerry on O'Reilly

Did anyone happen to catch John Kerry and his wife on The O'Reilly Factor last night? It was a civil dialogue and John Kerry made a good point about how the US should (and is) downplay the British hostage crisis and stay on track and concentrate on their nuclear program. Speaking of O'Reilly, I recently read Culture Warrior and it was excellent. A very simple book outlining the very clear realities of the media war. It is a must read.