There is a reason the GOP demands harsh voting conditions.

Non-voting America are more liberal than most politicians. The non-voters make life harder than it has to be for their lack of personal expression of their political views.

...It so happens (click here) that the gap between voters and non-voters breaks down strongly along class lines. In the 2012 election, 80.2 percent of those making more than $150,000 voted, while only 46.9 percent of those making less than $10,000 voted. This “class bias,” is so strong that in the three elections  (2008, 2010 and 2012) I examined, there was only one instance of a poorer income bracket turning out at a higher rate than the bracket above them. (In the 2012 election, those making less than $10,000 were slightly more likely to vote than those making between $10,000 and $14,999.) On average, each bracket turned out to vote at a rate 3.7 percentage points higher than the bracket below it....

Heartfelt acknowledgement of Senator Boxer's retirement.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (click here) addressed the retirement announcement by colleague Sen. Barbara Boxer, calling Boxer “small in size but a giant in her contribution to the country.” Boxer announced her decision on Thursday to not run for re-election in 2016.

She won't be far away though. She is going to be a support to the elections of 2016. "Barbara Boxer PAC for Change" (click here)

She will be missed. I am grateful for her dedication.

There are some outrageous expressions to justify the murderers.

This is ridiculous. Murder is illegal. The murders in France are no different. There is absolutely no reason for causing the deaths of anyone, yet alone those that bring quality to the lives it touches. These deaths have nothing to do with arrogance, it is about defending the lives of civilized people.

The sincere protections for the people that rattle the status quo is vital to a healthy country. The real task is to find a way to protect Charlie Hedbo. Is there a balance between freedom of speech and its' extremes so everyone knows the unlimited reach of freedom? Without these very talented men and women we don't grow as a culture and society. They are important. We need to find a way to protect their lives without oppressing their rights. Is that possible in an open society?

Questioning the ability of a country to protect all their citizens is not giving permission for murderers to carry out their own agenda of hate.

France is the example of where life is most precious in their culture. These deaths are profoundly felt. They have insulted the values of France. It is the willing expression of grief of the French people that has to impress the world as to what the depth of peace can be felt by a nation. They are hurt. They are missing their own very deeply. France is a magnificent example of freedom and endearment of citizens to each other. There is just no question as to the loss this country feels for those violently murdered by oppressors.

Derek Fox said the editor of Charlie Hedbo had the price of his assumption of cultural superiority and arrogance. Photo / Supplied

January 8, 2015
By Isaac Davison

Former broadcaster (click here) and Maori Party candidate Derek Fox has been criticised after blaming the victims of the Paris terror attack.
Fox said on Facebook said the editor of French satirical magazine Charlie Hedbo had "paid the price" for his "bigotry" and "arrogance".
Three gunmen shouting "Allahu akbar!" killed eight journalists and a visitor at the magazine's Paris office and two police officers as they fled the scene.
Fox wrote that Charlie Hedbo editor Stephane Charbonnier was a "bully" who had abused free speech and was now responsible for the deaths of his colleagues.
"The editor of the French magazine has paid the price for his assumption of cultural superiority and arrogance, he was the bully believing he could insult other peoples culture and with impunity and he believed he would be protected in his racism and bigotry by the French state....

Cyclones rarely make landfall in New Zealand. That is not the anticipated outcome this year.

Most cyclones (click here) in the southern hemisphere that effect New Zealand are primarily offshore with diminished but strong winds reaching land. This is a new event anticipated by New Zealand.

January 8, 2015
By Vaimoana Tapaleao

...There is a high chance a tropical (click here) cyclone could hit the country sometime over the next few months, a report released by the national climate centre said today.
Niwa's climate outlook for January, February and March shows sea temperatures are expected to be warmer than usual in the Tasman Sea to the west and south of the country - but near normal to the east of the North Island.
It also points to a high probability that there may be some tropical weather systems heading down under soon.
"New Zealand has a slightly elevated chance of having an ex-tropical system coming within 550km of the country during the 2014-15 Tropical Cyclone season."
The outlook for tropical cyclones shows that the risk for New Zealand will be highest around February through to April....

France has a very long history of domestic peace. This is a rare event and the Eiffel Tower went dark in honoring those lost in this mass murder.

...Some onlookers (click here) held pens in the air in tribute to the eight fallen journalists. Some held bouquets of flowers. And others silently wept as they stood in the late-morning rain. French President François Hollande declared Thursday a national day of mourning, the fifth time in the last 50 years that the day has been set aside. Flags in France and at many embassies around the world are flying at half mast as the country copes with its first terrorist attack since 1995....