Shawn M. Griffiths

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Texas Senate Passes Drone Restriction Bill, on the site The Neutral Zone 8 hours, 23 minutes ago

Texas is one of several states nationwide currently considering legislation that would either restrict or ban the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — more commonly known as drones. On Friday, the Texas […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Hundreds Rally in Support of California Immigration Bills, on the site California 3 days, 8 hours ago

Last week, Assembly Bill 4, also known as the “Trust Act,” passed the California State Assembly in a mostly party-line vote. The bill, authored by Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) was rejected by all Republican […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, AB 4 Makes It Harder to Deport Undocumented Immigrants, on the site California 6 days, 12 hours ago

The California State Assembly approved a bill on Thursday that would implement tougher restrictions on crimes local law enforcement officials can report to immigration agencies when the suspect in question is […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Bipartisan Levee Bill Passes Senate, Environmentalists Upset over Language, on the site IVN 1 week ago

Senator Barbara Boxer’s levee bill, titled the “Water Resources Development Act,” passed the Senate on Wednesday with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill would authorize the Natomas Levee Improvement […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Environmental Activists Reject Language in Bipartisan Levee Bill, on the site The Neutral Zone 1 week, 1 day ago

Senator Barbara Boxer’s levee bill, titled the “Water Resources Development Act,” passed the Senate on Wednesday with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill would authorize the Natomas Levee Improvement […]

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, Bill Expands Transgender Anti-Discrimination Laws to Include Sports, on the site IVN 1 week, 1 day ago

I am an advocate of protecting rights for people in the LGBT community, but I am on the fence with this bill. The reason is because there are other people to consider. Many girls may not feel comfortable having a […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Governor Brown Files Notice to Appeal Prison Reduction to High Court, on the site California 1 week, 2 days ago

While Governor Brown and his administration have mostly complied with a federal court order to reduce California’s prison population, efforts continue to fight the mandate when room for resistance […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Republican Lawmaker Adds Gun Amendments to Barbara Boxer’s Levee Bill, on the site The Neutral Zone 1 week, 6 days ago

The Water Resources Development Act, authored by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), would fund efforts to improve flood control, navigation, and storm recovery projects like the Natomas Levee Improvement […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, State Senate Passes Bill Increasing Penalty for ‘Swatting’, on the site California 2 weeks ago

‘Swatting’ is a term used for making a hoax 9-1-1 call in an attempt to get the dispatcher to call in an emergency service response based on a false report. It is called ‘swatting’ because the ultimate goal is […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Federal Sequestration to Affect Firefighting Efforts in California, on the site The Neutral Zone 2 weeks, 1 day ago

According to an article from Bloomberg, the impact federal sequestration has on California may result in bigger problems for the state than many previously realized. California is currently in the middle of a […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Federal Sequestration to Affect Firefigting Efforts in California, on the site California 2 weeks, 1 day ago

According to an article from Bloomberg, the impact federal sequestration has on California may result in bigger problems for the state than many previously realized. California is currently in the middle of a […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Brown Challenges Order to Move Thousands of Medically At-Risk Inmates, on the site California 2 weeks, 2 days ago

Further disputes over prison reduction efforts in California have been raised over the potential health risks tied to an airborne fungus. In a recent court filing, Governor Jerry Brown’s administration […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Cities Can Ban Marijuana Dispensaries, CA Supreme Court Rules, on the site California 2 weeks, 3 days ago

The California Supreme Court ruled on Monday that local governments can ban medical marijuana shops within their legal jurisdiction. The justices unanimously agreed that the voter-approved law legalizing […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, California Senate Passes Bill to Protect Minors Online, on the site IVN 2 weeks, 6 days ago

Despite opposition from major Internet companies like Facebook and Google, the California Senate passed a bill on Thursday that would require social networking sites to remove identifying information from a […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Bill to Protect Minors Online Passes Senate, Moves on to Assembly, on the site California 3 weeks ago

Despite opposition from major Internet companies like Facebook and Google, the California Senate passed a bill on Thursday that would require social networking sites to remove identifying information from a […]

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, GPS-Tampering Bill Amended to Work with Prison Realignment Plan, on the site California 3 weeks, 1 day ago

I think it deals with all parolees who have GPS trackers, but reports focus specifically of sex offenders

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, National Resources Secretary Dismisses Deputy’s Comments on Delta Plan, on the site California 3 weeks, 1 day ago

Last week, Deputy National Resources Secretary Jerry Meral was quoted as saying the Bay Delta Conservation Plan has “never been about saving the Delta,” and that the Delta “cannot be saved.” The remarks […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, National Resources Secretary Dismisses Delta Comments from Deputy, on the site Clean Money, Clean Energy 3 weeks, 1 day ago

Last week, Deputy National Resources Secretary Jerry Meral was quoted as saying the Bay Delta Conservation Plan has “never been about saving the Delta,” and that the Delta “cannot be saved.” The remarks […]

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, Twitter’s Solution to Hacking: Two-Step Authentication, on the site IVN 3 weeks, 1 day ago

It will be interesting to see if more sites are pressured to adopt a similar authentication process. It sounds like a similar security system banks use for accessing online accounts.

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, GPS-Tampering Bill Passes Public Safety Committee, Amended for Realignment Plan, on the site IVN 3 weeks, 2 days ago

The state Senate Public Safety Committee passed SB 57 on Tuesday which, if signed into law, will send convicted sex offenders back to prison for repeatedly removing their GPS tracking devices. The bill, […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, GPS-Tampering Bill Amended to Work with Prison Realignment Efforts, on the site California 3 weeks, 2 days ago

The state Senate Public Safety Committee passed SB 57 on Tuesday which, if signed into law, will send convicted sex offenders back to prison for repeatedly removing their GPS tracking devices. The bill, […]

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, Gallup: Americans Wanted Expansion of Gun Background Checks, on the site The Neutral Zone 3 weeks, 3 days ago

91 percent said they would vote for the proposal back in January, The number dropped a little, but it is still high. There is a distinction made between those who supported the Senate bill and those who would vote […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Gallup: Americans Wanted Expansion of Gun Background Checks, on the site The Neutral Zone 3 weeks, 3 days ago

Earlier this year, the American public was polled on the president’s proposals for new gun legislation. People were given a list of initiatives and asked if they would vote for the measures or not. When asked […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Congressional Democrats Demand Resignation of High-Ranking CA Official, on the site Clean Money, Clean Energy 3 weeks, 6 days ago

Five congressional Democrats have called for the resignation of Jerry Meral, the deputy director of California’s National Resources Agency, for comments he allegedly made about the Sacramento-San Joaquin River […]

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, Ten Facts About George Bush You Did Not Know, on the site IVN 4 weeks ago

I was already aware of many of these, but I think the Christmas wreath theft is kind of funny. The crazy things people do in college.

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, Important Historical Facts About Presidential Libraries, on the site The Neutral Zone 4 weeks ago

Yeah, and apparently Nixon was so special he got two presidential centers lol. I should have looked more into that for an explanation.

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, Important Historical Facts About Presidential Libraries, on the site The Neutral Zone 4 weeks ago

There might be plenty of libraries and museums (the traditional kind) nationwide that are named after each president, but only presidents from FDR on have presidential libraries under the Presidential Library system.

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Important Historical Facts About Presidential Libraries, on the site The Neutral Zone 4 weeks ago

On Thursday, all five living presidents, major U.S. political figures, world leaders, and spectators gathered to celebrate the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, TX. While his […]

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, Why Silicon Valley Tech Giants Oppose CA Internet Privacy Bill, on the site IVN 4 weeks, 1 day ago

It will be interesting to see what kind of influence these tech giants will have on the state Legislature, but lawmakers have to deal with mounting pressure from voters to deal with privacy concerns.

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, California Gun Law Shows Nonpartisan Open Primary Effect, on the site IVN 4 weeks, 1 day ago

It’s just how expanding background checks amounts to nazi-esque gun confiscation… it doesn’t, but that doesn’t stop people from saying it.

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Governor Brown Warns Report on Revenue Gains May Be Misleading, on the site The Neutral Zone 4 weeks, 1 day ago

On Tuesday, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), reported that California will end the month of April $4 billion ahead of initial estimates. However, Governor Jerry Brown was quick to caution […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Boy Scout Leader in LA Proposes Acceptance of Gay Scouts and Adults, on the site IVN Editors' Blog 1 month ago

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is going to learn the hard way that it is nearly impossible to please everyone all the time. Last week, the BSA announced it will consider a proposal to lift its ban on gay […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Defining Terrorism: Fueling Fear, Victimizing Society, on the site Opinion 1 month ago

By the definition that terror is or inspires a state of intense fear, a bombing in a public place is an act of terror. That much is hard to argue with. What happened in Boston last week were acts of terror.
So […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Senate Expected to Pass Internet Sales Tax Bill, on the site The Neutral Zone 1 month ago

The United States Senate is expected to approve a bill that, if signed into law, will give states the authority to tax online sales. A procedural vote for the “Marketplace Fairness Act” is scheduled for Monday […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, CA Lawmakers Approve Funds to Take Guns from Disqualified Owners, on the site California 1 month ago

On Thursday, the California Legislature approved the allocation of $24 million to speedup the process of rounding up guns from owners who have been convicted of criminal activity or because of mental illness. […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Public Perception on Income Tax Rates Highlights Partisan Division, on the site The Neutral Zone 1 month, 1 week ago

Tax Day is not a day celebrated by many. In fact, it is a day many Americans dread. Very few people can honestly say they like to pay taxes, but according to Gallup, close to half of American taxpayers now […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly Haven’t Lost Their Love for Guns, on the site The Neutral Zone 1 month, 2 weeks ago

In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, former Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords and husband Mark Kelly discussed their positions on gun policy, including an expansion on background checks, which is […]

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, In CBN Interview Rand Paul Talks Marriage, Federalism, on the site ICON 1 month, 2 weeks ago

I wouldn’t sat Rand Paul really put himself out on a limb in this interview. He went on a Christian network and argued in favor of the Christian perspective on what the traditional definition of marriage means. […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Court Ruling on OTC Emergency Contraception a Thorn in Many Sides, on the site IVN Editors' Blog 1 month, 2 weeks ago

David Dea / Shutterstock.com[/caption]

A federal court ruled on Friday that the Obama administration had failed to provide sufficient justification for putting an age restriction on over the counter (OTC) […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Obama Acts to Show Solidarity with Employees Affected by Sequestration, on the site The Neutral Zone 1 month, 2 weeks ago

In order to show solidarity with federal employees who will be impacted the most by sequestration, a White House official announced President Obama’s plan to give back five percent — roughly $20,000 — of his […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, If Guns Don’t Kill People, They Don’t Save Lives Either, on the site IVN Editors' Blog 1 month, 3 weeks ago

On Tuesday, an op-ed piece was published on National Review Online with the headline, “News We Never Hear About: Guns Save Lives.” Immediately, the first thing that comes to mind is that this is an argument […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Mayors Against Illegal Guns Urge Action on Background Checks, on the site The Neutral Zone 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Mayors Against Illegal Guns released TV ads in states nationwide earlier this week demanding senators take action on common sense gun reform. The ads will air in thirteen states during the congressional recess and […]

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, Technology and Social Welfare Groups, on the site Independent View 1 month, 3 weeks ago

I think this is very interesting, on IVN we have covered extensively how the tech industry is one of the biggest supporters of comprehensive immigration reform because of a current limited market in professionals […]

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, State Lawmakers Say Texas Budget Bill Will Increase School Funding, on the site IVN 1 month, 4 weeks ago

Yeah, I don’t know if that has been mentioned with public education, but it’s an opportunity for Texas Republicans to say they raised funding for public education after the state comptroller “found” a few billion […]

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, Blank Ballots More Likely in Races with Same-Party Candidates, on the site Opinion 2 months ago

I am curious to know what the NOTA vote was in these elections in 2008 and 2010. The counter-argument is not that these races are in one state, but questioning if these voters left their ballot blank solely […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, A Majority of Americans Continue to Believe Iraq War Was a Mistake, on the site IVN Editors' Blog 2 months ago

This week marks the tenth anniversary of the war in Iraq and many people look back on the eight year military conflict with regret. According to Gallup, fifty-three percent of Americans believe the U.S. and […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Change in Political Leadership Begins with the People, on the site Opinion 2 months, 1 week ago

Scott Cornell / Shutterstock.com[/caption]

Why is it difficult to lead in the 21st century? America is growing; there are many more potential leaders in our communities, but none that truly stand out as those […]

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Gay Marriage and Marijuana Legislation Divides States, on the site Infographics 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Arguably the two biggest reform movements in the country, same-sex marriage legalization and Cannabis legalization, are so because they have something in common. Right now, an overwhelming majority of states ban […]

Shawn M. Griffiths commented on the post, Americans Believe Drone Strikes on Citizens Unconstitutional, Poll Finds, on the site IVN 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Yes, a drone… any aerial drone… is a UAV.

Shawn M. Griffiths wrote a new post, Americans Believe Drone Strikes on Citizens Unconstitutional, Poll Finds, on the site IVN 2 months, 2 weeks ago

The latest Reason-Rupe national survey asked respondents nationwide to weigh in on issues that have made headlines over the last couple of months, from health care to immigration to minimum wage. The highlight […]

Unfiltered News. For You. By You.

Empowering Voters, Public Officials, Civic Leaders, and Journalists to Speak for Yourself.

Interested in writing an article?

About the Network

It's help from people like you who can keep this going.