Kevin's Korner

Obama Calls For Israel to Return to 1967 Borders

2011-05-20T12:43:00.000-05:00

Why stop at 1967AD? I say let Israel go back to their 968BC borders:

Whatchu Talkin' About?

2011-02-19T16:13:00.000-05:00

Critics rip Gov. Deval Patrick’s PAC mentality

Deval Patrick’s new jet-hopping role in President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign sets him up for renewed attacks on a wayfaring governor too busy racking up frequent flier miles on overseas junkets, his own book tour and now stumping for the White House to keep his pledge to fix the state economy.

"Whatchu talkin' about?!"

White House in a Tizzy.

2011-02-11T19:16:00.000-05:00

The White House still wants to know who leaked Obama’s State of the Union address

Obama's senior political adviser David Plouffe and other White House aides are "quietly trying to ferret out who leaked" the speech.
...
The leak prompted grumbling from the president himself, who was caught on mic griping about it to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as he made his way to the podium.

"I don't need to deliver it now," Obama said of his speech. "Everybody saw it."

Aaaaawww

Contradictions

2011-01-24T09:43:00.000-05:00

"Romney" and "Tea Party" in the same sentence is an oxymoron, unless there's a "not" in there somewhere.

Food "Safety" Bill Passed by Lame Duck Perfidy

2010-12-20T11:05:00.000-05:00

Arrgghhh."In Sunday-evening surprise, Senate passes food safety legislation":

The Senate unexpectedly approved food safety legislation by voice vote Sunday evening, rescuing a bill that floated in limbo for weeks because of a clerical error.

Attempts like this are to be expected by lame duck legislators, a concept that in this day and age can and needs to be done away with. The House and Senate should be permanently closed before election day and the new House and Senate then seated within a week or two of the election.

Herein lies the perfidy:

Democrats first attempted to attach the food safety bill to the two-and-a-half-month spending measure but Republicans balked because they wanted to keep that measure clean, according to Senate aides.

Republicans, however, later agreed to pass it by voice vote

Why bother separating the two bills if you're going to approve both of them? I've yet to find an explanation for this separation. It make no sense to me, unless they are anticipating a second vote whereby they can vote against one or the other bill, yet my understanding is that the food bill goes to the President if (when) the House passes it.

By this the current Senate Republicans have promulgated further intrusion of government regulation into private affairs thus showing themselves to be no different than Democrats in this regard. A pox on their house.

Food "Safety" Bill Likely DOA

2010-12-01T15:22:00.000-05:00

From Hot Air and Roll Call:

By pre-empting the House’s tax-writing authority, Senate Democrats appear to have touched off a power struggle with members of their own party in the House. The Senate passed the bill Tuesday, sending it to the House, but House Democrats are expected to use a procedure known as “blue slipping” to block the bill, according to House and Senate GOP aides
...
Now what? The House will either block the bill entirely or pass its own version of it. The latter option will mean that Reid will have to hold a vote to reopen debate on the bill, and will need unanimous consent to limit that debate...Reid can forget about unanimous consent.

A bad bill likely dead? Good!
As a result of Democrat infighting? Better!
May lock up a lame duck Democrat Congress for the rest of the session? Best!

Christian Song for Hannukkah

2010-12-01T14:57:00.000-05:00

Inside Voice

2010-11-24T08:49:00.000-05:00

Two items heard on the radio this morning:

Menino hospitalized with elbow infection: Inside voice says "Easy solution, cut it off."
Lynnfield man shot girlfriend, sister, himself over baby's name: Inside voice says "Why Lord can people not get the order right for suicide-murders; do self first, then others.

Too Funny to Pass Up

2010-11-15T15:29:00.000-05:00

'Cause you know I'm just a thoroughly un-PC kinda guy (from Curmudgeonly & Skeptical):

Tiger Woods, Oops!

2010-10-05T11:25:00.000-05:00

This looks like a golf shot I'd make:

Preach It Brother!

2010-09-29T16:11:00.000-05:00

Another home run, a three-run dinger no less, from Orson Scott Card; Obama Spits on the Constitution. Here's the Cliff Notes version:

What do you do if you're President and you want to nominate an extreme leftist to be in charge of American banking and consumer lending?

...

Here's what you do, if you're Barack Obama. You appoint her to a much lower-level position, an advisory one that doesn't require Senate confirmation. But then you instruct the Secretary of the Treasury not to interfere with any of her decisions and make sure they're carried out.

...

If the Republican Party had any spunk, they would respond to this outrage by introducing a resolution of impeachment in the House of Representatives.

...

This is what dictatorship looks like, boys and girls. And Obama has been doing it all along. What do you think his "czars" are?

...
Read and heed.

Reasons to Recall Winchendon Selectman Ed Bond

2010-09-25T14:46:00.001-05:00

The following emails document some of the reasons to recall selectman Ed Bond

Conflict of interest
From: James M. Kreidler, Jr. [mailto:manager@town.winchendon.ma.us]
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 12:55 PM
To: bhunt@mackprototype.com; Ed Bond; Jim Kreidler; Keith R. Barrows; Linda Daigle; Mark S. Shea
Subject: Selectman Bond re: Conflict of Interest Opinion

Dear All,

As is my obligation, I have now on several occasions discussed with Selectman Bond the conflict of interest presented by his “participation” in DPW matters. I have done this either at or after each of your last three meetings. I had this conversation with Selectman Bond when I asked for a brief recess (the first time) at your meeting at which the water and sewer rates were set. Then, just last week, I spoke with Selectman Bond once again with Chairman Barrows present, regarding my belief that he is unable to “participate” in matters relating to the DPW (the second time). As a result of this discussion and after his insistence that he can participate just not vote on DPW matters, I sought a legal opinion. Again last night, on a DPW issue relating to the transfer station fees, after Selectman Bond participated by offering a “second” to the motion, I once again sought a recess and once more ( a third time) advised Selectman Bond of the conflict with his participation. Selectman Bond then abstained from further participation in that matter. I felt as though the message had been received and that Selectman Bond understood his limitations under the law. Curiously, however, later in the very same meeting when the matter of the sewer bill abatement for the Fire Department was before you, yet another example of a DPW issue, Selectman Bond participated and voted.

I am doing my best to convey the serious nature of Selectman Bond’s participation in matters that he is precluded from participating in under the Conflict of Interest statute (G.L. 268a).

I am attaching the legal opinion from Counsel (I have put hard copies in your folders) regarding Conflict of Interest issues relating to Selectman Bond concurrently serving as employee Bond.

James M. Kreidler, Jr.
Town Manager
109 Front Street
Winchendon, MA 01475
978.297.0085
Conflict of interest
From: James M. Kreidler, Jr. [mailto:manager@town.winchendon.ma.us]
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2010 2:52 PM
To: 'Jackson Blair'
Cc: 'bhunt@mackprototype.com'; 'Ed Bond'; Linda Daigle (assistant@town.winchendon.ma.us); 'Robert "Zeb" Zbikowski'
Subject: RE: FW: BoS Policy Revision Comments

Jack,

I can agree that it seems archaic.

The thinking is that someone’s mere presence at the table, or even in the room according to the SJC, is participation enough to constitute a violation. While this may seem like a bit of overkill there are some personalities that can and do impact actions just by being there. This rule is meant to cut against those things from occurring.

Jim
James M. Kreidler, Jr.
Town Manager
109 Front Street
Winchendon, MA 01475
978.297.0085
P Consider the environment. Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.
Abuse of selectman position for personal vendetta and gain. Unethical conflict of interest
From: James M. Kreidler, Jr. [mailto:manager@town.winchendon.ma.us]
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 3:02 PM
To: bhunt@mackprototype.com; Ed Bond; Jim Kreidler; Barrows, Keith; Linda Daigle; Mark S. Shea
Subject: Discussion with Selectman Bond

Dear All,

I am sending this email documenting the conversation that took place between Selectman Ed Bond and me, with Selectman Keith Barrows as a witness. I am sending it along for two purposes---first, to memorialize our conversation and second to keep all members equally informed.

At the conclusion of Monday evening’s meeting I asked Selectman Bond if he would stay for a bit so I could speak to him about some issues. I also asked one other member to stay along as a witness. Selectman Bond stayed as did Chairman Barrows.

I discussed several issues and they were:

1. Selectmen’s Policies- I advised Ed that he had not yet returned the signed acknowledgment receipt from the Board’s policy document that Linda gave him the day after he was elected. Ed stated that he had done so already and I advised that he had not. He committed to do so right away. As of this writing, in spite of being in the office each morning, he has still not done so.

2. Requests for Research and Information- I next spoke to Ed about his attempt, on May 7, 2009 or two days after his election to the Board, to get my administrative assistant Linda Daigle to produce and analyze the past 5 years of water department budgets---comparing the expense of a unionized workforce versus a private contract operator. I recounted that Linda said to him that he would have to get that information from me and that he refused to do so. I informed Ed of the fact that I was aware that he next (immediately) went to the town accountant’s office and directed the Accountant to create and analyze the very same information. Given the fact that Charlotte had been informed during her hiring that no one member of the Board can direct her to engage in a substantive research and analysis project without a vote of the full Board, Charlotte, appropriately, put Ed off. I then recounted that Ed approached Charlotte again, this time on May 28, 2009, looking for the completed information. [Note: this is a full 17 days after the public Selectmen’s meeting during which I advised Ed that it is an ethics violation for him to participate in matters relating to the water department] I next reminded Ed that his participation in this particular matter was a violation of the Ethics laws that he is held to by statute and by Board policy. Ed disagreed. He said he is only barred from actual voting and that he can talk about the issue all he wants. I told Ed it is my job to advise you and I am telling you that you are wrong. I told him that “participation” under the ethics law includes voting, talking, informal lobbying, and researching. He disagreed. I suggested that he seek an opinion from the ethics commission and he said that he would.

3. Telegram Reporter and Citizen Gail Stanton- I next asked Ed what he is doing with Gail Stanton. He became somewhat defensive and said he was just asking some questions. I shared that I was aware that Ed was working with Gail’s ex-husband and had been repeatedly peppering him with personal questions about gail---questions about their marriage, their divorce, her maiden name, etc. Ed then offered that he was sick of being slandered in the newspaper. I stated that Gail had tried to get his comments on three separate occasions but that he had refused to speak to her. He said that he will continue to not speak to the press. He said he is sick of his name being in the paper. The conversation then pretty quickly devolved into a “discussion” about whether or not Ed is a thief and a liar. Moments later Ed abruptly left the room.

Keith, if any of this deviates from your recollection of the discussion please advise.

Jim
James M. Kreidler, Jr.
Town Manager
109 Front Street
Winchendon, MA 01475
978.297.0085

These emails were obtained from the town of Winchendon by public records request.

Reasons to Recall Winchendon Selectman Burton Gould

2010-09-25T14:41:00.000-05:00

The following emails document many of the reasons why Burton Gould should be recalled:

Undue influence on day-to-day town operations contrary to law and charter
From: James M. Kreidler, Jr. [mailto:manager@town.winchendon.ma.us]
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 4:48 PM
To: jacksonblair@gmail.com; bhunt@mackprototype.com; Ed Bond; Jim Kreidler; Linda Daigle; Robert "Zeb" Zbikowski
Subject: Selectman Gould Memo dated July 4/Received July 7

Dear All

Chairman Gould writes the following regarding the firefighter/paramedic appointment that I made on July 1, 2010. He “has two problems”:

1. “I prefer a local person.” I can make no lawful requirement that such a consideration be primary. I do, however, when all else is EQUAL, give the nod to any local candidate. Further, even if this were to be your appointment such a criteria would not be allowed. I draw your attention to your voted policy:

400-10: BOARD RULES AND ETHICS:
E. In all appointments, judge all candidates only on merit, experience, and qualifications .

2. “I have been made aware of problem with this applicant…” Please rest assured that the Chief is a fine manager and I fancy myself somewhat as much as well. This candidate was vetted, thoroughly, prior to appointment. The issue referenced by the Chairman and that “other members of the BOS are also aware of” was known to the Chief and I prior to appointment, was previously addressed by the Chief to my satisfaction and was deemed inconsequential. I would be happy to speak in more detail to it, to the extent that the law allows, if requested.

Jim
James M. Kreidler, Jr.
Town Manager
109 Front Street
Winchendon, MA 01475
978.297.0085

P Consider the environment. Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

Disregard of agreed-to board policies for personal vendetta
From: James M. Kreidler, Jr. [mailto:manager@town.winchendon.ma.us]
Sent: Monday, June 28, 2010 8:21 PM
To: jacksonblair@gmail.com; bhunt@mackprototype.com; Ed Bond; Jim Kreidler; Linda Daigle; Robert "Zeb" Zbikowski
Subject: Selectman Blair

Dear Jack,

As you observed earlier, your written request to have the matter of seeking a Board vote to solicit opinions of town counsel on questions surrounding the 5 year contract between us and the evaluation tool did in fact make the written agenda. Further, the agenda was approved by vote of the Board at the meeting.

When that item came up, however, the Chairman passed over it. I asked to speak and was recognized. I stated that I felt an obligation to have the matter addressed as you had directly sought, in writing and through me, to have it acted upon tonight. The Chair would hear none of it. I cited one of the Board’s new policies, specifically 400-20, in which it is stated that any member of the Board or the Town Manager (for that matter) has the right to have a matter placed upon the agenda. Again, no luck with the Chair. He stated that the matter required a full Board. I interjected that you were the maker of the request and you were fine having the Board address it in your absence. You were the only member absent. Once again, no dice.

No one else challenged the Chairs position and the matter was passed over.

I just wanted you to know that I took your request to me seriously and made my best effort at meeting your objective.

Jim
James M. Kreidler, Jr.
Town Manager
109 Front Street
Winchendon, MA 01475
978.297.0085

P Consider the environment. Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

Disregard of agreed-to board policies for personal vendetta
From: James M. Kreidler, Jr. [mailto:manager@town.winchendon.ma.us]
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 3:08 PM
To: jacksonblair@gmail.com; bhunt@mackprototype.com; Ed Bond; Jim Kreidler; Linda Daigle; Robert "Zeb" Zbikowski
Subject: BoS Meeting for Monday, June 28, 2010

Dear Board,

I am respectfully seeking guidance.

I am advised today that the Chairman has called for a meeting of the Board for Monday night.

There are a number of outstanding issues that require the Board’s attention. They include, but are not to be limited to:

1. My now one month old request for an executive session re: my complaint against Chairman Gould (see email from me to you dated May 20, 2010 @ 12:06 pm)

2. Your recently voted policies as they relate to the voter approved Charter (see our Town Counsel’s letter dated May 25, 2010)

3. The Headmaster Kerney Letter/Selectman Blair’s public records request (see email dated June 10, 2010 at 2:10 pm)

4. The matter of the Robinson Broadhurst grants/letters re: the Fire Department (see email dated 6/5/2010 @ 3:44 pm)

5. Ongoing Open Meeting Law Concerns of mine, and finally

6. A solar project update of some import

I have been further advised by the Chair, albeit indirectly through Mrs. Daigle, that these items are not welcome on the agenda this Monday and that “the Manager doesn’t need to be there Monday either.”

These matters require your attention and my understanding from communications either at the last meeting or in subsequent emails, or both, was that we would be addressing at least items 1-4 “at the next Board meeting.”

Thoughts anyone?

Jim
James M. Kreidler, Jr.
Town Manager
109 Front Street
Winchendon, MA 01475
978.297.0085

P Consider the environment. Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

Illegal BOS executive session meeting. Illegal BOS policies costing town money
From: James M. Kreidler, Jr. [mailto:manager@town.winchendon.ma.us]
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 4:34 PM
To: jacksonblair@gmail.com; bhunt@mackprototype.com; Ed Bond; Jim Kreidler; Linda Daigle; Robert "Zeb" Zbikowski
Subject: FW:

Dear Jack,

Please accept this as my respectful reply.

As I did for Bob’s most recent email, I am replying to your email by copying yours and supplying my comments in bold text.

As per your suggestion I will forward my recent communication with Bob, which he copied only to you, with the full Board.

After receiving Bob's email I suggested to him, and I suggest to you, that these exchanges be shared with our colleagues on the BOS as they have received all the "chatter" between you and I on this subject.

As you wish. I would caution, however, that the District Attorney and now the Attorney General view serial communication via email, by a quorum of a public body, as an open meeting law issue.

I would add Jim that we are not so naive as to accept your position that we ask you to betray the trust or violate the law.

I do not suggest you to be naïve at all. And for the record, it is not “my position” that you and other members of the Board have asked me to break the law. It is fact that Mr. Gould has done so as follows:

Mr. Gould convened an illegal executive session and demanded that I participate. When I declined and advised him and you all of the illegal nature of the undertaking he yelled, repeatedly, at me to “Shut up.” He further declared that “[I] will answer [his] questions.” Even going so far to say that I would be insubordinate for failing to do so.

And at a minimum it lends itself to the appearance of you having done so as follows:

You, in your email of June 14, 2010 @ 7:07 pm, after having been advised of the cost of the production of the voluminous public records request that you personally made, similarly declared that “the answers to [your] questions will be provided to [you] without charge.” You even went as far as to state that I would have to deal with “attorneys” if I did not provide you the documents without charge.

Different people have different interpretations of what the law means. You are entitled to yours as I am to mine. I think you too often use that canard in defense of positions you take.

This troubles me. According to Webster’s canard means- “false or unfounded report or story; especially : a fabricated report b : a groundless rumor or belief.” Do you really believe that the two instances cited directly above represent canards?

It makes a great soundbite but I don't think should a challenge ever be mounted legally that you are likely to prevail. Perhaps we shall see as time goes on.

None of this is intended to be soundbite material. I am saddened to have my sincere efforts at upholding my legal duties as such. Having said that, however, my hope would be to be able to perform my legally required functions without having to be sued, particularly by another agent of the town, but I stand convicted in the righteousness of my positions based upon my education, training and some twenty years of experience directly on point.

In the meantime, it would be nice if you would take our suggestions and concerns, as the duly elected body and your evaluator and supervisor, and spend less time trying to find ways to distract our sincere efforts.

This confuses me. Please cite an instance where I have neglected to respond to your sincere efforts and/or concerns. Candidly and respectfully, regardless of your duly elected position(s) as my supervisor and evaluator, while I will always respond, I will not do so in any way that is out of square with the law.

As for individual meetings with you, I think it should be evident especially since you rely so heavily on what your legal responsibilities are, that we like to have things in written form.

I will work with what I am given.

As a matter of information, could you tell me what the legal opinion of the Selectmen's Policies cost the town?

Certainly. In the most recent billing from our town counsel there is a total of 7.6 hours dedicated to the matter for a total of $654.00.

As for my request for information, the one you wanted to charge me for, I think we shall be able to summon a majority of votes to get that information in written form for our evaluation. Please ask that Chairman Gould put that request on the agenda for the next BOS meeting.

Not to be a stickler, but, there is a distinction between “the one that [I] wanted to charge you for” and “that the law requires you to pay for.” In an effort at best serving your wishes, in what form should such “request” be provided to the agenda? Does your original request via email cover it?

Hope you are having a decent June.

Thank you. In fact, I am. My step-son graduated high school and will be off to Lasell College this fall, my daughter “graduated” from pre-school and is off to full day K in the fall and my eldest step-daughter just gave birth to my first grandson yesterday. So, all things considered, my June has been a blessing.

James M. Kreidler, Jr.
Town Manager
109 Front Street
Winchendon, MA 01475
978.297.0085

P Consider the environment. Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

Verbal assault by Burton Gould called "school yard behavior" by BOS member
From: Jackson Blair [mailto:jacksonblair@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2010 5:07 PM
To: James M. Kreidler, Jr.
Subject: question

Jim:

I just read the Gardner News article about the Fire Chief and Burt. Nothing good will come of that kind of school yard behavior. We need to work these things out amongst ourselves. I know Bob feels the same way and I think you do too, based on our conversations.

What is the best way forward in this?

You mentioned hearing that Bob had gone to Boston about you and your job. I told you I thought that unlikely. I have since talked with Bob and the only thing he can think of that might have caused someone to say that to you was that he did visit with the ethics people to get a read on Ed Bond's situation.

Also, some time ago he he asked me to accompany him in September for a briefing on the charter and charter revision. We do plan to go to Boston for that briefing.

I hope this puts your mind at ease.

In the meantime, good luck with tomorrow's Town Meeting. It seems to me that it should be uneventful and productive. At least I hope that is the case.

Jack

Convenes illegal BOS meetings contrary to open meeting law
On Tue, May 25, 2010 at 5:01 PM, James M. Kreidler, Jr.. wrote:

Dear Board,

The Town Clerk advises that the soonest the special ballot election can be held is 35 days after the date on which you vote to call the special election.

Therefore, if you meet next on the 8th of June, which would be your regularly scheduled meeting, the soonest date for the election would be 35 days later on Tuesday July 13th.

Please let us know in the office what your wishes are in this regard.

Also, in the short time that this Board has been convened I have expressed some concern to you regarding the open meeting law and the Board’s adherence to it on at least two occasions---the day after election when Burt, Ed, Jack and Bob scheduled to meet together in the town hall office of the Board and discussed Board business and again in the last executive session when an item that did not have any legal privilege was introduced and discussed over my objection.

I now have concerns regarding what has been described as a “social” visit of the same four Board members at the Winchendon School at which time town business was also discussed.

I strongly suggest that you call a meeting, or at a minimum that you meet with me in sub-quorum groups, to go over the open meeting law and its applicability to each of these situations. Part of my job is to advise the Board on these types of matters and I must stress that there is more to this law than my appear at first blush and I truly believe that my twenty years of experience would serve to benefit you.

I trust that you take no offense to me attempting to perform my duties under the law.

Jim
James M. Kreidler, Jr.
Town Manager
109 Front Street
Winchendon, MA 01475
978.297.0085
P Consider the environment. Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

Convenes illegal BOS meetings contrary to open meeting law
On May 6, 2010, at 2:22 PM, "James M. Kreidler, Jr." wrote:

Dear Board,

I have just been presented with a hand drawn, black flaired, seating plan depicting where I am going to be directed to or allowed to sit during Board meetings.

Of course it unfortunately goes without saying that this was not communicated to me directly but rather through Mrs. Daigle from Selectman Gould.

This seating plan shows me being moved across the room directly opposite where I have sat for the past seven or so years.

When queried about the plan Mr. Gould stated that “the Board had decided that this is how it’s going to be” and that I was being moved either in whole or in part because “Zbikowski doesn’t want to sit next to me.”

Now, I don’t mind where I sit as I am certain that I can and will be equally effective in my support of the Board from either side of the table, but this issue presents another potential problem entirely.

I am advised that on Tuesday morning at 10:00 am a super majority quorum of four members of the Board met together in the Town Manager’s/Board of Selectmen office. One member, who is also a town employee who is regularly scheduled to have been working during this time, knew in advance of this meeting such that he requested the time off from his supervisor in order to be in attendance. Any suggestion of this having been a “chance” meeting could be clearly cut against by such a fact.

I am advised that at this meeting of the Board that town business items were discussed. Items of discussion included, but were not limited to, how agenda packets are going to be handled from this point onward, when the bi-weekly agenda will close, how and by whom matters will now be allowed to be placed on the agenda, policies and procedures of the Board as they exist and as they are going to be changed/deleted and planned actions for the upcoming May 10, 2010 Selectmen meeting relating to the Town meeting warrant.

Whether one or none of you wish to speak with me or care for me either personally or as your town manager is irrelevant against the obligations that you each have to uphold the requirements of the open meeting law. More to point, as per section 4-2 intro and (g) of the Winchendon Home Rule Charter, I have an obligation to see that all General laws are ‘FAITHFULLY CARRIED OUT, PERFORMED, EXECUTED AND ENFORCED.”

I am further advised that just today a quorum of three members were in the office again.

These two meetings, when detailed by the nature of the matters discussed and when added to by the stated “board’s decision” vis-à-vis the seating plan, strongly lend themselves to what appear to be violations of the Open Meeting law.

I wish to assure you all that I mean no disrespect in sending this email. Quite to the contrary I would suggest that it demonstrates a respect for the Board, for my duty to advise it and to uphold the laws.

While I am not certain of all that lies ahead of us as we work together for the benefit of all of the residents of town, one thing I can assure you of is that I will continue to take my obligations under the charter very seriously, as well I should. I would hope that you would agree.

Jim
James M. Kreidler, Jr.
Town Manager
109 Front Street
Winchendon, MA 01475
978.297.0085
P Consider the environment. Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

These emails were obtained from the town of Winchendon by public records request

Recall Burt and Ed!

2010-09-15T14:55:00.001-05:00

United Winchendon
I rarely blog on local issues, but now is one of those times. Burton Gould and Ed Bond need to be recalled from the Winchendon BOS for the good of the town. Winchendon should have nothing to do with board members who conduct illegal meetings, violate conflict of interest and open meeting laws, steal town property, ignore the expressed direction of the voters, and assault town employees and residents.

I urge all residents to sign the recall petitions NOW and vote them out if they then refuse to resign. Please contact me if you wish to sign the petitions: I have legal copies.

Never, Ever Forget

2010-09-11T10:46:00.000-05:00

Deval with a Short Bus

2010-09-07T14:52:00.001-05:00

Sing with me now (to the tune of Devil with a Blue Dress):

Deval with a blue bus, blue bus, blue bus

Deval with a blue bus on

Deval with a blue bus, blue bus, blue bus

Deval with a blue bus on

Fee, fee, fi, fi, fo-fo, fum

Look at Patrick now, here he comes

Wearin' his white walls and shades to match

He's got patent leather shoes and an alligator hat

Wearin' his studs and his diamond rings

He's got bracelets on his fingers, now, and everything

{Refrain}

Wearin' his drapes, ten thousand dollas worth

Got to be the finest politician alive

He walks real cool, catches everybody's eye

They got to be nervous, they can't say Hi

Not too smart, and he's way too smooth

He's a real humdinger and no one likes 'em like that

{Refrain}

Good golly, Devalie

You sure like to ball

Good golly, Devalie

You sure like to ball

It's late in the evenin'

Don't you hear the voters call

From the early, early mornin' 'til the early, early nights

See Mr Cadillac rockin' at the House of Blue Lights

Good golly, Devalie

You sure like to ball

While you're rocking and you're rolling

Can't you hear the voters call

Israel-Iran-Obama

2010-08-19T10:54:00.000-05:00

Orson Scott Card speaks truth:

If history has taught us anything, it is that when fanatics announce their intention to kill Jews as soon as they get the means to do it, and then get the means, they kill Jews.

...

Now the American people have to make it laser-clear to Obama that we will not tolerate from him anything less than full support of Israel in its acts of self-defense against Iran.

Go, read and heed.

Shoe Speaks Truth

2010-08-11T04:56:00.000-05:00

Shoe is not normally a very edgy political cartoon. The one this morning is:

Crashproof Motorcycle

2010-08-07T09:57:00.000-05:00

From Curmudgeonly & Skeptical:

Compare and Contrast

2010-08-03T10:03:00.000-05:00

Discuss

Saddle Up Cowboys

2010-07-20T08:01:00.000-05:00

My Conservative Identity:

You are an Anti-government Gunslinger, also known as a libertarian conservative or Tea Partier. You believe in smaller government, states’ rights, gun rights, and that, as Reagan once said, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’"

Take the quiz at
About.com Political Humor

Hard Core Marines

2010-07-18T17:23:00.000-05:00

Strange Coincidences

2010-07-16T14:58:00.000-05:00

Earthquake in Maryland: D.C. area rocked

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 3.6 magnitude earthquake centered in Montgomery County at 5:04 a.m. Friday. The epicenter was in Gaithersburg near I-270 and Route 124 (39.145 degrees N, 77.222 degrees W), USGS reported in a preliminary finding. Its depth was 3.1 miles.

Was this the metaphorical shaking of the dog as a flea leaves it's back?

Obama Family Heads to Maine for Two Day Vacation

The Obama family leaves Friday at 9:45 am and arrive in Bar Harbor at 11:45 am

Hmmm. It's only off by less than 5 hours.

NAACP Relevance

2010-07-15T08:25:00.000-05:00

From Day by Day:

The Anatomy of a Murder

2010-07-14T08:54:00.000-05:00

From the comments to the following report 3 Officers Involved in Shooting at Summerlin Costco:

My wife and I were 7 or 8 feet away from the shooting as were the police. We were to the suspects immediate right. We heard and saw the 3 police officers shouting to the man in question to 'get on your knees' several times. At that point the man appeared somewhat stunned by the commotion and shouting of the police. His Right arm went up in a defenseless position and it appeared his left arm appeared to be going up but there was NO gun in his hand. He was taserd and shot at the same time. At no time did the man in question ever raise his voice, shout an obscenity or become confrontational with the police. We saw the disabled man stooping to his right facing us with what appeared to be a bullet wound in his upper chest with blood coming from the wound and immediately his eyes became glossy as he began to convulse. At this point he was no threat to anyone, both hands were in full view of us and there was no gun. As he was down, the police continued to shout 'put the gun down' several times...but there was no gun in his hand as we had full vantage point view. The injured man was having agonal respirations, he was down when the second volly of bullets rang out...

Hero Worship, Sort-of

2010-07-13T18:40:00.000-05:00

Feathers and Tar

2010-07-03T08:43:00.000-05:00

Dad Life

2010-06-28T11:12:00.000-05:00

Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Farewell Dana Key

2010-06-08T05:12:00.000-05:00

I was saddened to read this morning that Dana Key had gone to be with the Lord. He and Eddie DeGarmo as Degarmo and Key had some of the really good Christian rock-n-roll music of my youth. "Livin' on the Edge of Dying" from the album "Straight On" is one song that pops to mind. Later on their sound became more pop-oriented at times but their lyrics and message never were watered down. Though sad, I echo my cousin's sentiment: God's heavenly praise and jam band just kicked it up a notch.

Hot off the Presses

2010-05-25T19:06:00.000-05:00

From Curmudgeonly & Skepical:

Hope-N-Change Cartoon

2010-05-14T15:31:00.000-05:00

From a friend:

"Stupid Party" At It Again

2010-03-30T16:17:00.001-05:00

RNC fires ‘bondage-gate’ staffer as critics circle Michael Steele

IMNSHO the Republican Party has been handed the November elections on a silver platter by Obama and Pelosi forcing their so-called "health care reform" down the electorate's throat. It's theirs to lose. Sadly, stuff like this is exactly what could lose it for us. The national level party needs to clean up their act, buy a clue, plug into the conservative grassroots and get moving for this election season.

Step one should be to replace Mr. Steele, who seems to keep trying to out-Obama Obama when comes to cluefulness and integrity. We need a party chair with a wide appeal including the party base, who understands what is happening outside the Beltway, and can connect to and motivate the people on the ground.

Sarah Palin has some of these qualities, but she's not connected well enough to the national party to effectively direct the party apparatus. I think she's better as an outside agent for change who could then work with a inside reformer and strategist.

I'm not sure who a good replacement would be, but someone like a Thaddeus McCotter would fir the bill. I would not want to lose his voice in the House, but he has a vision, knows what needs to be done, and is energetic and engaging.

The Tea Party movement is good for energizing the conservative grassroots, but I don't see them becoming a real political party. The Tea Party energy needs to find a coherent outlet into the political arena. If the Republican Party does not get it's act together and provide such an outlet then conservatives will continue to be fractured between the themselves, Libertarians, Constitutionalists and others. The result will be more of Obama, Pelosi, and Reid. Shape up, or ship out.

Obamopoly

2010-03-25T14:51:00.001-05:00

Received from a friend:

The object of the game is to destroy American capitalism....
by having the government take over everything!

Health Care Reform - The Real Bill

2010-03-22T16:35:00.000-05:00

The Real Arithmetic of Health Care Reform

The answer, unfortunately, is that the budget office is required to take written legislation at face value and not second-guess the plausibility of what it is handed. So fantasy in, fantasy out.

The bottom line is that the CBO "estimate" that the deficit will be reduced by $138 billion is wrong. In reality this "reform" adds $562 billion to the deficit in the first 10 years. Read the article for the full explanation, then weep, then get mad.

TTBO

Health Care "Reform" Accountability

2010-03-22T12:04:00.002-05:00

People should be informed about who really voted how in yesterday's abomination. By my review of the tallies for the seven votes taken yesterday on health care reform yesterday (available here) only 10 Democrats consistently voted against this government health care system take-over and eventually bankrupting. There were: Altmire, Barrow, Boren, Bright, Childers, Holden, McIntyre, Melancon, Ross, and Shuler. There were others that voted for some parts, or abstained for parts, or voted against the Republican attempt to table the bill, but these 10 were the only Democrats with any convictions and intelligence in this matter. If any other Democrat congresscritter claims to have been against this health care take-over they are lying. Be forewarned.

Even worse were the two Republicans, Marchant and Rogers (AL), who waffled on this issue. They abstained on the very first vote to change the rules so this could even take place. Only when they saw that it was going to pass without them did they start voting against it. These two traitors need to be voted out with the rest of the weasels as soon as possible.

The Neophyte

2010-03-18T14:28:00.000-05:00

I just watched the first 2 minutes of President Obama's recent Fox News interview; frankly that's all I could stand of it. Interesting though was his statement from 1:23 to 1:45. In that stretch he invalidated his own party's attempt at obfuscation via the "Slaughter rule" by saying a vote for or against the bill, regardless of the procedural means by which it happens, is a vote for or against his health care reform.

This was a rookie move in at least two ways, First, he is so fixated on getting this particular bill passed that he has become completely oblivious to the fact that the vast majority of Americans do not want this health care reform bill. He is driving his presidency onto the rocks for this and hopefully he'll be a one-term President as a result.

Secondly, he is taking Democrat control of the House, and probably the Senate too, down with him. By declaring this vote a vote for or against his health care plan he has taken away a "get out of jail free" card from the Democrat reps who are up for re-election who support his bill. Those that vote for it, regardless of the procedural maneuvers by which it comes to a vote, can no longer insulate themselves from the voters' anger by claiming they didn't really vote for the bill. All their opponents have to do is trot out that clip and hoist them on the petards of their own President.

The dude is a clueless neophyte.

Obamafeld

2010-03-17T09:28:00.000-05:00

Another funny video:

Obama At The Bat

2010-03-09T13:24:00.000-05:00

Excellent work this is:

"Most Ethical Administration"?

2010-02-23T11:39:00.000-05:00

White House Accused of Federal Crime in Specter, Bennet Races

For the second time in five months, the Obama White House is being accused -- by Democrats -- of offering high ranking government jobs in return for political favors. What no one is reporting is that this is a violation of federal law that can lead to prison time, a fine or both, according to Title 18, Chapter 11, Section 211 of the United States Code.
The jobs in question? Secretary of the Navy and a position within the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The favor requested in return? Withdrawal from Senate challenges to two sitting United States Senators, both Democrats supported by President Obama. The Senators are Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania and Michael Bennet in Colorado.

Here's my shocked face:

Regarding Events in Austin

2010-02-19T11:10:00.000-05:00

This is one of the better "reviews" I've seen yet of Mr. Stack's little "manifesto":

Actually, if you read the manifesto, you see that he is not upset at big government itself but that big government never helps him.

He whines and whines about how the government, big business, his accountant, etc in short anyone but him have screwed him over and refused to help. He whines and whines and whines that government helps out everyone BUT him and his grievance isn't that the government is invasive but that it is not invasive in his favor.

He seemed perfectly happy to feed at the public trough when the military was pumping money into aerospace in southern California and he was pissed off that when the Cold War finished and his gravy train ended that the government didn't charge in a make everything better.

He bitches that he came to Austin and couldn't compete against the business that already existed. Bitching that others outcompete you and that the government should make sure you get a fair shot in business is not a libertarian point of view.

This guy never even had a thought about personal responsibility and self-reliance.

He's not a libertarian/classical-liberal. He's a greedy little piglet who is angry that the bigger piglets pushed him off the teat he felt his by divine right.

by Shannon Love @ reason.com

Of course real conservatives are already catching the blame for this even though he is not one.

Four becomes Five

2010-02-17T11:16:00.000-05:00

Two in one day. Found via the World Magazine Blog:
Atlanta Progressive News fires reporter for trying to be objective

"At a very fundamental, core level, Springston did not share our vision for a news publication with a progressive perspective. He held on to the notion that there was an objective reality that could be reported objectively, despite the fact that that was not our editorial policy at Atlanta Progressive News."

More evidence that the fourth estate has become the fifth column.

Speaking the Truth to Power

2010-02-17T11:05:00.000-05:00

From "New England Republican":

The Sharon Statement

2010-02-15T08:38:00.000-05:00

I had not heard of The Sharon Statement before I saw a post about it on The World Magazine Blog. It's almost 50 years old, but there is much to commend it to the conservative movement of today. Here it is in it's entirety. If you claim to be a conservative, young or old, please read, and heed:

IN THIS TIME of moral and political crises, it is the responsibility of the youth of America to affirm certain eternal truths.

WE, as young conservatives believe:

THAT foremost among the transcendent values is the individual's use of his God-given free will, whence derives his right to be free from the restrictions of arbitrary force;

THAT liberty is indivisible, and that political freedom cannot long exist without economic freedom;

THAT the purpose of government is to protect those freedoms through the preservation of internal order, the provision of national defense, and the administration of justice;

THAT when government ventures beyond these rightful functions, it accumulates power, which tends to diminish order and liberty;

THAT the Constitution of the United States is the best arrangement yet devised for empowering government to fulfill its proper role, while restraining it from the concentration and abuse of power;

THAT the genius of the Constitution - the division of powers - is summed up in the clause that reserves primacy to the several states, or to the people in those spheres not specifically delegated to the Federal government;

THAT the market economy, allocating resources by the free play of supply and demand, is the single economic system compatible with the requirements of personal freedom and constitutional government, and that it is at the same time the most productive supplier of human needs;

THAT when government interferes with the work of the market economy, it tends to reduce the moral and physical strength of the nation, that when it takes from one to bestow on another, it diminishes the incentive of the first, the integrity of the second, and the moral autonomy of both;

THAT we will be free only so long as the national sovereignty of the United States is secure; that history shows periods of freedom are rare, and can exist only when free citizens concertedly defend their rights against all enemies…

THAT the forces of international Communism are, at present, the greatest single threat to these liberties;

THAT the United States should stress victory over, rather than coexistence with this menace; and

THAT American foreign policy must be judged by this criterion: does it serve the just interests of the United States?

Reviews of 'Going Rogue'

2010-01-12T16:21:00.004-05:00

From Orson Scott Card, one of my favorite fiction authors:

So ever since her book came out, we have seen it reviewed as if it had been scrawled on toilet paper by a child. Many have reviewed the book as if its author were well-known for her stupidity, though in fact nothing is clearer than her vivid intelligence -- she is far smarter than any of the people I have heard call her stupid. For one thing, they are so stupid they call someone stupid without actually checking to see if she really is. That's stupidity.

He then points to this review from the New York Post as accurately capturing his view of the book. I found very good:

The message is clear. America can’t be stopped. I can’t be stopped. I’ve stumbled and fallen, but I always get up and run again. Her political opponents, especially those who dismissed Ronald Reagan before he was elected, should take note. Wherever you are, you better watch out. Sarah Palin is coming to town.

I've read her book myself. I came away admiring her far more than I had before, and I was an unabashed supporter before. I agree with Orson: She is not stupid, she is not naive, and anyone who calls her such needs to look in the mirror.

Trace Adkins and the West Point Glee Club

2010-01-06T14:48:00.002-05:00

Just found this. It will bring tears to your eyes:

Heard on the Radio in My Head

2009-12-24T07:52:00.003-05:00

Heard on the radio this morning (sorta):
"Teresa Heinz is undergoing breast cancer treatment, including 4 recent surgical procedures, at Tufts Equine Medical Center. Her husband, Senator John Kerry, is stabled nearby and is providing emotional and moral support."

How the Mighty Have Fallen

2009-12-17T11:05:00.004-05:00

Heard on the radio today that the count of Tiger mistresses is up to 14.

Also heard that Obama's approval rating has dropped below 50%.

Here's my comment to both of them:

In Honor of Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T18:34:00.002-05:00

One of the greatest moments in comedic television:

Happy Thanksgiving - WKRP Turkey Drop - kewego
Happy Thanksgiving from Sharkhost.com!
This is a blast from the past, WKRP in Cincinnati Famous Turkey Drop.
Sharkhost does not own any copyright to this material.

Video from sharkhost

The Bow-er, Part 3

2009-11-25T19:17:00.004-05:00

Obama bows to yet another foreign leader. This time it's the Chinese premier. Check out this video from his visit.
Note his bow to the premier at the conclusion of Wen Jiabao's remarks. Here's a still capture in case you missed it:

Now rewind the video and check out how he greets other Chinese officials who are shorter than him with a simple nod. That puts the lie to apologist claims that he was merely leaning over to greet a shorter individual. Clearly he's showing significant deference to the Chinese premier.

And it appears to have happened more that once during his visit. Note that the background and surroundings are completely different from the video above.

Throw the incompetent quisling out before he disgraces himself and and this country to every nation around the world.

Makes My Day

2009-11-25T09:45:00.001-05:00

Humor: Obama, Biden and Finances

2009-11-22T12:15:00.002-05:00

From Curmudgeonly & Sceptical:

To Bow or not to Bow (again)

2009-11-16T13:49:00.004-05:00

For those who have not seen it here's the picture of The One bowing subserviently to the Emperor of Japan:
Check out the video of his meeting here. Observe not only the bow but his continued ducking of the head while conversing with the emperor and his wife. His whole body language is that of subservience. Once could be a mistake, but this is not the first time; there clearly is a pattern here. Disgusting to see from our head of state.

This quote from the article caught my eye: "an unnamed, senior Obama administration official told the Politico.com news site that the president had simply been observing protocol." [emphasis added] What protocol? Other heads of state do not observe such protocol. Previous Presidents have not observed such protocol and have been rightly criticized if they even come close. Whoever is advising the President on protocol needs to be replaced. Maybe they think it funny to have him bow subserviently to other foreign leaders but such behavior reflects negatively on our country.

President Obama needs to remember that he is the President of the United States, not some country bumpkin or inner-city gang-banger touring the world for the first time. "Thou need not bow" has been the rule from day one of this country reflecting the core principle upon which this country founded that is we are republic not a monarchy, a nation of equals equal among the nations, bowing to no one and having no one bow unto us.

Ft. Hood Shooting Rampage Reviewed

2009-11-14T15:18:00.004-05:00

It's been over a week since I returned from Ft. Hood. That's right I was at Ft. Hood a week ago Thursday when Nidal Hasan decided to go on a shooting rampage against his fellow soldiers. It's taken me this long to process things and decide to write them up.

A group of us were finishing up a meeting when all the cell phones of the local folks started ringing. That was the first indication that something was happening. Shortly thereafter we got word that there had been a shooting on base and that the base was in lock-down. We spent the next five plus hours locked in the building not really knowing what was happening.

Information was in short supply most of that afternoon. Indications were that there were multiple shooters, that one was dead, that one or two were in custody, and that one or two were still at large. Multiple shooting locations were mentioned. Early on it was even said that there was a possible sniper. All the while the tally of dead and wounded went up, and those of us locked in continued in tension and uncertainty.

We tried to get some work done to wrap up from our meetings that week. It was not very productive due to the nervousness of not knowing what was happening. The cell phone networks were overloaded. Text messaging worked and some of us could hit the Web from our phones, but we did not have a computer network connection, TV or radio for information. And frankly there was not much information out there to be had. I did get a message or two off to my wife letting her know that I was OK, but it was early evening before any cell phone calls would start going though and I was able to talk to her.

By early evening we had learned the name of the thought-to-be-primary shooter. It was quite a shock that it was of their own. We also had final tallies of the dead and wounded, that too was a shock.

At 7:15pm local time lock-down was lifted. Next was the trial of getting off-base with many thousands of other people trying to do the same thing at the same time. It took us over 2 hours. After that was a quick stop for something to eat and a 90 minute drive Austin. All-in-all a very long, tiring day.

Looking back it was fortunate that we were as far from the shooting location as we were, about two and half miles. And as far as I know none of the people killed or wounded were connected to the people that were were meeting with. Still it was not a fun experience and actually there was quite e bit of nervousness and tension from not knowing what was happening.

Regarding the shooter IMNSHO he is the worst of mass murderers. He needs to be tried, convicted, sentenced to death and have his sentence carried out in a prompt manner. I also think the Army, and the probably the rest of the military, needs to re-examine their attitudes and practices related to Muslim service members. I'm not saying that they should receive extra scrutiny, but quite clearly signs were missed because of hyper-concerns about appearances of religious persecution. If someone is not performing, or showing signs of agitation and concern, that needs to be dealt with directly and not skirted because of the person's religion.

Furthermore, people should be allowed to carry guns for personal protection on military bases. There were hundreds of trained people in close proximity who could have made short work of Nidal Hasan and potentially saved the health and lives of some of their fellow soldiers if they were allowed to carry on base. Sadly this is yet another example demonstrating that victim disarmament zones do not work.

Graphical "Comment"

2009-10-31T15:09:00.003-05:00

The original photo caption contest is found here

My Take on the Balloon Boy Escapade

2009-10-16T07:55:00.006-05:00

I think the balloon was launched deliberately, most likely by the parents, but possibly by one or two of the other brothers. Maybe they thought to get a bit of news notice just from the balloon flying around; but, I do not think they manufactured the missing child report as part of the balloon launch; seems to have been very genuine. that means their other son was either mistaken, or pulling his own childish prank, in saying Falcon was in the balloon, but my strong sense is that they truly though their son was missing and in the balloon and that was not part of the plan in any way.

What baffles me a bit then is why don't they just admit they launched to balloon deliberately but that the rest of it was a true mistake. I suspect they'd get hit with some fines for interfering with airport traffic but I have to think that fallout would be less damaging than being charged for the whole "rescue effort" because nobody believes anything they say.

UPDATE: Just saw the ABC interview with the family. Here's what appeared to happen based on the interview and home video they showed:

The family was preparing the balloon for a tethered test flight. Parents then go inside for some period of time.

While parents are inside brother observes Falcon crawl under the balloon, go out of sight, and then sees the door to the cargo box close or has been closed. He assumes Falcon went into the balloon; a reasonable assumption give that Falcon had gone into the cargo box before.

Meanwhile Falcon had crawled under the balloon, closed the door and went into the garage out of sight of his brothers. He climbs up into the garage attic via some route neither his brothers or parents knew about and hides in a box. What 6 year old does not have a hiding place that few, if anyone, knows about.

Parents return and release the balloon from a holding frame for a test flight. As seen on home video the tethers either break or were not tied securely and the balloon flies free. Father is angry that balloon got away.

The brother then tells parents he saw Falcon go into the balloon. Parents call 911, officials chase balloon, balloon lands, no one inside. Meanwhile Falcon continues to hid in garage attic.

Eventually police search garage attic and find Falcon. He comes out, sees all the people and cameras, and given he's been exposed to TV shows assumes the balloon was launched as part of some kind of TV show. Again, not unreasonable logic for a 6 year old given his past experiences.

If the event went down something like that, what culpability is there? None that I can reasonably see. You can claim the ropes should have been tied better, the parents should have checked the cargo box, or should have known where all their children are every split-second of the day, but frankly that's all Monday-morning quarterbacking and nanny-state mentality.

Accidents do happen at no fault to anyone. Ropes break, or come untied. People are out of sight for a moment or two. Reasonable, but ultimately false, assumptions are made.

Moral of the story? I don't think there is one, unless to observe that somewhere, someone will second-guess anything; sometimes it's even me.

UPDATE II: I stand corrected. The mother has apparently confessed it was all a stunt. Assuming that's true, then charge 'em up and call DSS.

O'Humor

2009-10-14T14:07:00.002-05:00

From MArooned:

Numbers Don't Lie

2009-10-12T07:35:00.003-05:00

On September 12th there was a conservative march in Washington D.C. Numbers estimates for that march were all over the map with the MSM generally using "tens of thousands", which appears to translate to around 70 thousand in this case, and some supporters using "2 million". Charlie Martin over at Pajamas Media took a critical look at the estimates and came up with a ballpark figure of 850 thousand. What I found amazing was the lack of media coverage for that march given it's size and the fact that it occurred the day after September 11th. In fact what little coverage there was seemed to be more about the wide variance in crowd estimates than any of the subjects of the demonstration.

Fast forward to this weekend. There was a gay rights march this weekend that the MSM is saying was attended by "tens of thousands"; note the use of the same phrase as above. It's gotten wide coverage in the MSM yet if one looks at the estimates by the Daily Kos, not exactly an unbiased source, one will see that 20-30 thousand is what they estimate. So in this case "tens of thousands" equals 20-30 thousand.

So, given two marches, one of which was most likely at least an order of magnitude larger than the other, with the relative MSM coverage of those two marches being the inverse of their size, why would anyone assume the MSM is unbiased in it's news coverage?

Nobel Prize Commitee Jumps the Shark, Again

2009-10-09T18:34:00.002-05:00

Zinged!

2009-09-24T08:27:00.003-05:00

More Racist Projection

2009-09-16T04:41:00.003-05:00

Wilson's son says Congressman is not racist

Responding to an audience question at a town hall at his presidential center in Atlanta, Carter said Tuesday that Wilson's outburst was also rooted in fears of a black president.

"I think it's based on racism," Carter said. "There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

"There is not a racist bone in my dad's body," said Alan Wilson, an Iraq veteran who is running for state attorney general in South Carolina. "He doesn't even laugh at distasteful jokes. I won't comment on former President Carter, because I don't know President Carter. But I know my dad, and it's just not in him."

Jimmy Carter is full of manure. When will Obamanauts get it through their head that we disagree with what he is doing because of what he is doing, not because of his skin color. IMNSHO it's pure projection on the part of the old peanut farmer.

Obama Administration Dissimulation

2009-09-07T09:46:00.003-05:00

From the UK (found via New England Republican): "No.10 turns on Obama and Clinton for criticising decision to release Lockerbie bomber"

President Obama and the US Secretary of State fuelled a fierce American backlash against Britain, claiming Abdelbaset Al Megrahi should have been forced to serve out his jail sentence in Scotland – but a senior Whitehall aide said their reaction was ‘disingenuous’.

British officials claim Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton were kept informed at all stages of discussions concerning Megrahi’s return.

The officials say the Americans spoke out because they were taken aback by the row over Megrahi’s release, not because they did not know it was about to happen.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1211495/No-10-turns-Obama-Clinton-criticising-decision-release-Lockerbie-bomber.html#ixzz0QQrofhPi

Such hypocrisy. I wish I could say I was surprised.

More Strange News

2009-09-05T08:37:00.002-05:00

Pa. man fires cannon, hits neighbor's house

A Pennsylvania history buff who recreates firearms from old wars accidentally fired a 2-pound cannonball through the wall of his neighbor's home

The moral of the story is that the four rules of gun safety apply even when your firearm is a 2.0 caliber cannon.

Putting Teddy Kennedy to Rest

2009-09-01T07:02:00.004-05:00

I've been putting off posting anything here about the late Senator Kennedy mostly because I have little good to say about the man and I'm tired of hearing about him. Well, Jay G. over at MArooned has just posted pretty much everything I would say about Teddy Kennedy in "I Blog Not to Praise Caesar but to Bury Him." I urge you to go and read it. The only thing I would add would be to emphasize that virtually everything about Mr. Kennedy's personal conduct ran contrary to what I believe to be good and moral behavior.
Is sileo, finis.

Here Are a Few With A Clue

2009-08-27T07:07:00.002-05:00

There a some real Republican politicians still around. Watch and learn:

Both courtesy of Curmudgeonly & Skeptical.

More Health Care "Reform"

2009-08-24T13:39:00.004-05:00

According to this article, the Republicans have had 3 alternatives on the table starting in May of this year:

In May, Republicans in the House and the Senate formed a bicameral coalition to produce the130-page “Patients Choice Act of 2009.”

In June, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) introduced the “Health Care Freedom Plan,” a 41-page proposal.

And in July, the Republican Study Committee, under the leadership of Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), unveiled the “Empowering Patients First Act,” a 130-page plan.

To quote the article:

Some of the provisions included in one or more of the bills include: investing in preventive medicine, an overhaul of Medicaid, reduction of abuse and fraud in the Medicare program, supplemental health insurance for low-income families, tax credits for health insurance, and a ban on federal funds being used for abortions.

Are they better than the President's plan? Republicans generally think so, others obviously do not. Disagreeing about which one is better is part of the political discussion, and one that I hope could be had honestly. However, claiming that no Republican alternatives have been offered is a false argument and is IMNSHO a clear indication of the unwillingness of the Democrat leadership to have an honest debate or discussion on this subject.

And if that's not enough proof we have "Obama opposed healthcare reform before he was for it":

Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) has been one of Obama's staunchest critics on this issue. He says the president opposed meaningful Republican legislation while he still a member of the Senate.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina)"I want Americans to be clear that I have introduced major healthcare reform every year I've been in the Senate. Barack Obama did not introduce any that I'm aware of. He voted against Republican reforms that would have made it less expensive and more accessible for individuals to have their own insurance if they didn't get it at work," DeMint points out. "He's done everything he can to maintain the status quo so that he could call for government intervention -- and we need to expose that to the American people."

Tell me it ain't so; that our current President would engage in disingenuous partisan politics to further his own personal agenda.

MSNBC Propaganda

2009-08-20T10:29:00.003-05:00

For those of you who might have missed it several people openly and legally carried guns at a recent speech by Mr. Obama in Phoenix. It is worth noting:

Phoenix police said the gun-toters at Monday's event, including the man carrying an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle slung over his shoulder, didn't need permits. No crimes were committed, and no one was arrested.

Now we have the mainstream media in the form of MSNBC attempting to conflate those peaceful, legal activities into a threatening racist issue:

Observe the hysterical allegations and fear-mongering that appears to be the purpose of said report.

It's all false propaganda. Here is a video and still shot of the same person at the same event. The still shot even comes from MSNBCs own web site.

Observe that MSNBC had to frame and chop the video of the man with the rifle to obscure his skin color, otherwise it invalidates their entire premise. Disgusting. I wish I could say I'm surprised at their bias, and their lying, but I'm not.

Parade of the Obliviots

2009-08-19T07:07:00.003-05:00

Describes this mornings commute; from the soccer moms in their Ford Explorers (yes there was more than one), to the dude in the work van who was more concerned with drinking his large cup of Dunkin' coffee than driving, to the Latina princess using her cell phone like a PA mike, and the guy napping as he drove in his generic Chevy sedan it seemed nobody was paying attention to what lane they were in, what lanes were open, their speed, or where anyone else was on the road. Days like today make telecommuting so very attractive.

And while I'm in rant mode, what is with people using their cell phones like old-fashioned radios by holding it front of their mouth to talk, then holding it to their ear to listen, then their mouth, then their ear ... ...? It strikes me as rather strange, inefficient, technically unsavvy behavior.

Health Care "Reform" Tom-Foolery

2009-08-18T12:42:00.004-05:00

First we have:

White House appears ready to drop 'public option' (Aug 16 2009, 7:36 pm ET)

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that government alternative to private health insurance is "not the essential element" of the administration's health care overhaul. The White House would be open to co-ops, she said, a sign that Democrats want a compromise so they can declare a victory.

then within hours we have:

Administration Official: "Sebelius Misspoke." (Aug 16 2009, 9:11 pm)

A second official, Linda Douglass, director of health reform communications for the administration, said that President Obama believed that a public option was the best way to reduce costs and promote competition among insurance companies, that he had not backed away from that belief, and that he still wanted to see a public option in the final bill.

Sebelius's trial balloon got shot down by her own boss within hours. How's that for a vote of confidence? If one reads the bill I'm sure they will find that a public option is integral to this bill and thus cannot be removed from it.

Speaking of reading the bill, here's someone who has: "What HR 3200, 'America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009,' Says". I'll summarize his points, but please go read the full analysis to understand the full impact danger of this bill:

Will the plan ration health care? Yes
Will the plan punish Americans who try to opt out? Yes
What constitutes “acceptable” coverage? "the bill makes health plans in which individuals pay for routine services, but carry insurance only for catastrophic events, (such as Health Savings Accounts) illegal."
Will the plan destroy private health insurance? Yes
Does the plan TAX successful Americans more than others? Yes
Does the plan allow the government to set fees for services? Yes
Will the plan increase the power of government officials to scrutinize our private affairs? Yes. [Think what this means for HIPA protections]
Does the plan automatically enroll Americans in the government plan? Yes
Does the plan exempt federal officials from court review? Yes

Keep up the pressure on your public officials to reject this evil bill. If not, then run away; run away fast.

Green Car Goonery

2009-08-01T11:26:00.003-05:00

There's been much discussion and debate on the In-Tar-Webs about the Cash-for-Clunkers debacle, it's actual and theoretical efficacy as an economic stimulus program, and whether it should be refunded. All of that has totally missed the point.

Cash-For-Clunkers is NOT an economic stimulus program; it is an amateurish social engineering program designed to advance the Green environmental agenda by paying people to destroy their current cars and buy "greener" ones. For example, a true economic stimulus program would inject the used vehicles back into the market to encourage further economic activity not require that they be destroyed. It merely masquerades as an stimulus program to take advantage of the current economic crisis in true Alinsky fashion.

And for the more cautious among us, here's a video from Glenn Beck about some more insidious potential problems with this program.

It is worth pointing out that just because the government could do some of the things discussed in the video does not mean that they actually are.

No more of my tax dollars to this program. Let it die.

Economic Planning

2009-07-24T08:23:00.000-05:00

The same could be said for health care reform too.

News of the Strange

2009-07-18T09:39:00.001-05:00

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile crashes into Wis. home

One southern Wisconsin homeowner is probably not in love with the Oscar Mayer wiener. The famed hot dog's Wienermobile crashed Friday into the deck and garage of a home in Mount Pleasant, about 35 miles south of Milwaukee.

Do you think the homeowners will take compensation in the form of a free lifetime supply of Oscar Mayer hot dogs?

Car Work is a Pain

2009-07-12T17:28:00.003-05:00

4 hours to replace brake pads on the family van. The front brakes were not so bad. The back brakes took twice as long because the bolts holding the calipers were a pain to get to.

Mea Culpa

2009-07-10T17:07:00.002-05:00

Sorry I have not been posting recently. Work has been quite busy and really cutting into home time too. This has left little time to blog anything. Patience is a virtue so this time of craziness will pass.

News You Won't Hear From the LameStream Media

2009-06-10T18:16:00.005-05:00

Another ethics complaint against Gov. Palin dismissed

The governor's office said the dismissal by a representative of the Alaska Personnel Board is the 14th ethics complaint against Palin or her staff to be resolved with no finding that the Executive Branch Ethics Act was violated.

Not just another, the 14th, and so far the score is 14-0 for Sarah Palin. Of course it's cost her over $500K to defend against such fraudulent charges.

Ironically, if that's not unethical attempted abuse of the ethics enforcement system for persecutory reasons then I don't know what is. The amount of fear and hatred she engenders from liberal left and country-club center continues to both amaze me, and to encourage me that she represents the way the country should be going.

On a related note: Palin helps NY town celebrate Alaska purchase

More than 20,000 people turned out to see the former Republican vice presidential candidate lead a parade through downtown Auburn and sign a proclamation on the steps of City Hall honoring Seward as "the one person most responsible for Alaska."

I heard a report on the radio from someone who happened to be in Auburn at the same time as this event for other reasons. The caller was amazed at the number of people that came from as far away as Ohio, Michigan and Rhode Island just to see and hear Sarah Palin.

Sarah Palin obviously continues to have a populist appeal to that cannot be denied. I pray the Republican Party wakes up to reality that conservative, not liberal, is where we need to go as a party and a country, and fully supports Mrs. Palin with that message.

Kick the traitors out: Sarah Palin for 2012!

Who's Your Daddy

2009-06-04T08:25:00.003-05:00

U.S. blocking Israeli access to U.S. fighter-jets

The Obama administration has imposed obstacles on Israeli efforts to procure U.S.-origin fighter-jets.

Administration sources said the White House has drafted measures that could prevent Israel and other non-NATO allies from procuring U.S. fighter-jets, including the F-35. They said the administration would require that Israel obtain special permission from the Defense Department and State Department to acquire the Joint Strike Fighter.

The administration has also been resisting Israeli requests for technical data on the new F-15SE fighter-jet.

and

Administration blocks helicopters for Israel due to civilian casualties in Gaza

The Obama administration has blocked Israel's request for advanced U.S.-origin attack helicopters.

Government sources said the administration has held up Israel's request for the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter.

Yet

Obama Approves Longbow For Egypt

The administration of President Barack Obama has notified Congress that
Egypt would receive the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter in an $820
million deal. Congress, notified on the eve of Obama's visit to Cairo and
the Middle East, has 30 days to block the Egyptian request for the Longbow.

Note that these are the same helicopters being denied to Israel.

Barry, your bias is showing.

Sotomayor Exposed Continued

2009-06-02T09:35:00.003-05:00

One of her overturned cases continues to build the picture of liberal judicial activist willing to interpret laws strictly or loosely to fit her agenda.

From "Sotomayor's Record Could Give Environmentalists Hope, Business Leaders Pause":

Sotomayor ruled that, according to the relevant statute, the EPA must consider the best technology available -- and cannot factor into the equation the billions it would cost businesses to comply.

"The statutory language requires that the ... selection ... be driven by technology, not cost," read the opinion from the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

A ruling straight out of the radical environmental playbook based on the most narrow, torturous reading of the law.

Logically though the Supreme Court disagreed:

Writing for the majority, Justice Antonin Scalia noted that forcing compliance under Sotomayor's reasoning would make companies spend nine times the amount necessary to accomplish "nearly the same benefit to the environment that cheaper technologies would achieve."

"The EPA's current practice is a reasonable and hence legitimate exercise of its discretion to weigh benefits against costs ... We conclude that the EPA permissibly relied on cost-benefit analysis," the majority said in its April decision.

In this case, as in the Mahoney v. Cuomo case, she chose to interpret the law as narrowly as she could to further her agenda.

However, in other cases, like Ricci v. DeStefano, Gant v. Wallingford Board of Education, Makesko v. Correctional Services Corporation, Bartlett v. New York State Board of Law Examiners and E.E.O.C. v. J.B. Hunt Transport she has expanded the interpretation and scope of the law to further a liberal perspective. In most of these cases she exercised her "empathy" in making said decisions.

Just say no to identity politics; vote no Sonia.

p.s. This article contains a pretty comprehensive and unbiased summary of her more notable rulings.

Sotomayor Exposed II

2009-05-31T10:27:00.005-05:00

A fifth reason to oppose Ms Sotomayor has surfaced. It has now come to light that even post-Heller as a card-carrying liberal she continues to fight the plain reading of the 2nd Amendment:

In Maloney v. Cuomo, Sotomayor signed an opinion of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that said the Second Amendment does not protect individuals from having their right to keep and bear arms restricted by state governments.

Her logic in this is quite convoluted, reflecting her "considerable" jurisprudential skills. She claims:

that even though the Heller decision held that the right to keep and bear arms was a natural right--and therefore could not be justly denied to a law-abiding citizen by any government, federal, state or local--the Second Circuit was still bound by the 1886 case, because Heller only dealt indirectly with the issue before her court.

Yet the Supreme Court itself in the landmark Heller case said the 1886 Presser case does not apply:

“Presser said nothing about the Second Amendment’s meaning or scope, beyond the fact that it does not prevent the prohibition of private paramilitary organizations,” the court ruled. “This does not refute the individual-rights interpretation of the Amendment.”

Even the 9th Court of Appeals, one of the most liberal in the land, gets this right:

Sotomayor’s ruling ran to the left of even the reliably liberal San Francisco-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which ruled in the April 2009 case Nordyke v. King that the Second Amendment did, in fact, apply to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment, heavily citing the Supreme Court in Heller.

We continue to see how this "wise Latina woman", now nominated to sit on the highest court of the land, clings to her discredited and unconstitutional views, disregards current law, and pushes her liberal, activist agenda from the bench. Send her back to NY, now.

Sotomayor Exposed

2009-05-30T11:15:00.007-05:00

Underneath the tidal wave of gushiness for Her Honor there appear to be some real coral heads upon which her nomination should (but probably will not) flounder.

First is her basic temperament as a judge. Multiple sources indicate that she is a bully on the bench. Here are quotes from two different sources that speak to this:

Lawyers who have argued cases before Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor call her "nasty," "angry" and a "terror on the bench," according to the current Almanac of the Federal Judiciary -- a kind of Zagat's guide to federal judges

and

The most consistent concern was that Sotomayor, although an able lawyer, was "not that smart and kind of a bully on the bench," as one former Second Circuit clerk for another judge put it. "She has an inflated opinion of herself, and is domineering during oral arguments, but her questions aren't penetrating and don't get to the heart of the issue." (During one argument, an elderly judicial colleague is said to have leaned over and said, "Will you please stop talking and let them talk?")

Allegations such as this have derailed previous Supreme Court nominees, but I do not expect that to be the case this time. Too many Republican Senators will play by the unwritten rules rather than "Bork" Her Honor as she should be.

Second is her view of the role of the judiciary in the US system of government. Her comment here about appeals judges being expected to make policy is most telling. Her immediate "denial" or "explanation" is clearly a posterior-covering exercise as evidenced by her comments about it being on tape. IMNSHO she unabashedly considers herself to be an activist judge, out to make law and policy. Not a big surprise, given her hypocritical nominator and his plain statements about his intent to nominate just such judges, but it is something that should be questioned during her nomination hearings, and this time with some tenacity as there is now more evidence of her judicial activism.

Third is the role of her ethic and social background in her behavior as a judge. One has to be deaf, dumb and blind to have not heard about her "wise Latina woman" comment. Ill advised, yes, but I actually do not have a problem with judges using their background and experience to help them to understand the nature and facts of the cases before them; that is part of being human. Where it becomes an issue is when ones race or ethnicity causes one to ignore the clear facts in a case or disregard settled law as the basis for judgment. I've not seen evidence that she has gone this far but the question should be asked and examined.

Frankly, I'm more concerned about her membership in "La Raza". Reportedly La Raza has "promoted driver's licenses for illegal aliens, amnesty programs, and no immigration law enforcement by local and state police" and has supported the more radical secessionist Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan. Ms. Sotomayor's level of involvement in and support for the policies of La Raza should be vigorously examined during her hearing, but I doubt it will be.

Finally is her actual competence as a judge. Clearly she has the requisite education and has punched all the right tickets to be on the Supreme Court, however anyone that has worked in the real world knows that such types of qualifications do not necessarily guarantee actual competence. There is evidence that she actually is not that good a judge. Three of five of her rulings that have gone to the Supreme Court have been reversed and it appears likely a fourth one will be as well. Furthermore her written opinions are reported to be,

"not especially clean or tight, and sometimes miss[ing] the forest for the trees."

In addition:

Some former clerks and prosecutors expressed concerns about her command of technical legal details: In 2001, for example, a conservative colleague, Ralph Winter, included an unusual footnote in a case suggesting that an earlier opinion by Sotomayor might have inadvertently misstated the law in a way that misled litigants.

Clearly there are concerns here that in my opinion should disqualify her. Unfortunately it appears they are being overlooked in the arguments about the more sensational and inconsequential aspects of her nomination.

In the end what I'd like to see is the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee stringently examine Ms. Sotomayor's qualifications, temperament, credentials and competency to be on the US Supreme Court. If they do so in a fair and historically consistent manner I am confident that some or all of them will vote against her. Similarly the members of the full Senate should consider and vote against her nomination when it comes to a full vote. The odds of this happening I think are less than zero.

On the other hand, I do not think a filibuster against her nomination should be attempted at this time. It is likely to fail and there are other more winnable battles in the future for which such large artillery should be saved.

More Financial Blame-Shifting

2009-05-20T15:28:00.003-05:00

Congress Approves Bill Restricting Credit Card Industry

The new restrictions would protect debt-ridden consumers from many of the surprise charges common in the industry, like over-the-limit fees and a charge to pay the bill by phone.

Lack of reading comprehension does not make something a surprise. Read your credit agreement people.

As banks scramble to make up for the lost revenue, cardholders who pay off their balance in full each month could also see annual fees become the norm and lucrative rewards programs canceled.

On the plus side for consumers, card holders who see their interest rate skyrocket because they have been late on a payment would get a chance at their older, lower rate if they pay their bill on time each month for six months.

This is yet another example of law-abiding, responsible citizens bearing the burden of the financially irresponsible.

Scarier Than the Original

2009-05-20T14:36:00.003-05:00

And I thought the original song was kind-of creepy...

Biden's Lips Sinks Ships

2009-05-18T07:59:00.005-05:00

Continued evidence that the ineptitude of the POTUS is only exceeded by that of his VP: Biden Reveals Location of Secret VP Bunker.

If I revealed that kind of information I'd be out of job in a heartbeat and blackballed from the entire industry I've worked in for almost 30 years.

Where Have You Been

2009-05-13T18:26:00.005-05:00

Between work travel, visiting family and cross-country vacations as a child I've been to most of the continental states.

visited 42 states (84%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or Best time to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina
found via Weer'd World Arrr

Double Standard

2009-05-11T09:44:00.002-05:00

What's good for the goose:
Golf Analyst Feherty Sorry for Pelosi Joke in Dallas Magazine

"From my own experience visiting the troops in the Middle East, I can tell you this though," Feherty wrote toward the end of his column.

"Despite how the conflict has been portrayed by our glorious media, if you gave any U.S. soldier a gun with two bullets in it, and he found himself in an elevator with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Osama bin Laden, there's a good chance that Nancy Pelosi would get shot twice, and Harry Reid and bin Laden would be strangled to death."

Feherty, a former Ryder Cup player who grew up in Northern Ireland, has gone to Iraq over Thanksgiving the past two years to visit with U.S. troops, and he created a foundation to help wounded soldiers.

"This passage was a metaphor meant to describe how American troops felt about our 43rd president," Feherty said in a statement. "In retrospect, it was inappropriate and unacceptable, and has clearly insulted Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid, and for that, I apologize. As for our troops, they know I will continue to do as much as I can for them both at home and abroad."

Should be good for the gander:
Obama, Comic Wanda Sykes Headline D.C. Correspondents' Dinner

Former Vice President Dick Cheney couldn't make the dinner, Obama joked, because he was writing his memoir, "How to shoot friends and interrogate people."

and Wanda Sykes: Rush Limbaugh was the '20th hijacker'

“Rush Limbaugh said he hopes this administration fails. So you’re saying, ‘I hope America fails.’ You’re like, ‘I don’t care about people losing their homes, their jobs or our soldiers in Iraq.’ He just wants our country to fail.

To me, that’s treason. He’s not saying anything differently than Osama bin Laden is saying. You know you might want to look into this, sir, because I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker but he was just so strung out on Oxycontin he missed his flight

“Too much?

“You’re laughing inside, I know you’re laughing.

“Rush Limbaugh — I hope the country fails. I hope his kidneys fail, how about that?

“He needs a waterboarding, that’s what he needs.”

Where's the apologies from these 2 comedians; making fun of people being accidentally shot, wishing kidney failure upon others? Oh I forgot, it's a White House function; The media's One won so the rules do not apply, again and again and again.

No Honor Among Thieves

2009-05-06T11:02:00.003-05:00

Party Switch Costs Specter His Seniority on Senate Committees

The Senate last night stripped Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.) of his seniority on committees, a week after the 29-year veteran of the chamber quit the Republican Party to join the Democrats.

Bwahahaha. Welcome to the party of Hopenchange. Couldn't happen to a nicer fella.

The loss of seniority could prove costly to Specter in his campaign to win reelection in 2010, denying him the ability to distinguish himself from a newcomer in his ability to claim key positions.

He who lives by the sword (of politics) dies by the sword (of politics). Put that in your re-election pipe and smoke it.

How to Avoid Swine Flu

2009-05-05T07:19:00.002-05:00

Don't do this :)

Zings from Around the Blogsphere!

2009-05-05T06:54:00.001-05:00

Kit Bond discussing November's election

Rush On Jeb Bush, Romney: They "Hate" And "Despise" Palin

Goebbels Redux

Math

2009-05-01T12:28:00.001-05:00

from the Dread Pundit Bluto:

Work

2009-04-30T07:40:00.003-05:00

Found this via the evangelical outpost. It's a bit long, but entertaining and very well worth watching:
Epiphany is another the word that comes to mind through this.

Craigslist Humor

2009-04-23T15:27:00.003-05:00

Found on the Internet today:

The following message was posted on Craigslist, but has been removed. What a great message! Those in states permitted to carry concealed weapons can appreciate this!
To the Guy Who Mugged Me Downtown (Downtown, Savannah )

I was the white guy with the black Burrberry jacket that you demanded I hand over shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings. I hope you somehow come across this message. I'd like to apologize.

I didn't expect you to crap your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket. Truth is, I was wearing the jacket for a reason that evening, and it wasn't that cold outside. You see, my girlfriend had just bought me that Kimber 1911 .45 ACP pistol for Christmas, and we had just picked up a shoulder holster for it that evening. Beautiful pistol, eh? It's a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head, isn't it?

I know it probably wasn't a great deal of fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with that brown sludge flopping about in your pants. I'm sure it was even worse since you also ended up leaving your shoes, cellphone, and wallet with me. I couldn't have you calling up any of your buddies to come help you try to mug us again. I took the liberty of calling your mother, or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, and explaining to her your situation. I also bought myself some gas on your card. I gave your shoes to one of the homeless guys over by Vinnie Van Go Go's, al ong with all of the cash in your wallet, then I threw the wallet itself in a dumpster.

I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell. They'll be on your bill in case you'd like to know which ones. Alltel recently shut down the line, and I've only had the phone for a little over a day now, so I don't know what's going on with that. I hope they haven't permanently cut off your service. I was about to make some threatening phone calls to the DA's office with it. Oh well.

So, about your pants. I know that I was a little rough on you when you did this whole attempted mugging thing, so I'd like to make it up to you. I'm sure you've already washed your pants, so I'd like to help you out. I'd like to reimburse you for the detergent you used on the pants. What brand did you use, and was it liquid or powder? I'd also like to apologize for not killing you and instead making you walk back home humiliated. I'm hoping that you'll reconsider your choice of path in life. Next time you might not be so lucky. If you read this message, email me and we'll do lunch and laundry.

Peace!

This wasn't you who posted it was it brother?

News from the News

2009-04-17T18:55:00.004-05:00

Canada Issues a Wake-Up Call: You May Be a Citizen

Thanks to a new law, Canada will bestow citizenship Friday on what its government believes could be hundreds of thousands of unsuspecting foreigners, most of them Americans.

You may be a hoser and didn't know it, eh.

King family draws fees from DC memorial project

The family of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. has charged the foundation building a monument to the civil rights leader on the National Mall about $800,000 for the use of his words and image — an arrangement one leading scholar says King would have found offensive.

Enterprising capitalism, crass commercialization, fair use, or plain old extortion? You be the judge.

Hopeful cities, towns find limits on stimulus cash

Some town leaders say the federal stimulus package, with its promise of creating jobs, is neglecting to invest in the cornerstones of community life, from new city halls to recreation centers.

And ya'all thought it was going to be free money from the government: Ain't no such thing.

Another Take on The Sermon on the Mount

2009-04-16T15:45:00.001-05:00

entered by yours truly onto http://www.wordle.net/

Obama the Oblivious

2009-04-16T15:16:00.001-05:00

What Do You Expect?

2009-04-15T17:28:00.000-05:00

The Valiant Captain Phillips

2009-04-10T10:58:00.007-05:00

Captain Phillips' brave escape attempt; Pirates recapture US hostage after escape attempt: Too bad the Navy didn't have your back.

Around midnight local time, Phillips jumped off the lifeboat and began swimming, but was recaptured, according to Defense Department officials speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk about unfolding operations.

Sailors on the USS Bainbridge, which is patrolling nearby, were able to see Phillips moving around and talking after his return to the lifeboat, and the Defense Department officials think he is unharmed.

I really wonder about the rules of engagement people are operating under out there. Clearly they are not working to actually rescue him. Where were the Navy Seals that should be shadowing that lifeboat from below? Why were the pirates that left the lifeboat to recapture Captain Phillips not taken out as soon as they showed themselves after he went overboard? And why was the lifeboat not turned into flaming, bullet-ridden flotsam as soon as Captain Phillips was away from it?

I'm guessing that this operation has been completely focused towards a negotiated end from the highest levels of our government and thus those on the water are not and were not prepared to take any immediate forceful actions when presented with the right opportunity. Captain Phillips is a certified hero and deserves far better support from his countrymen than he is getting right now. Sad.

The Gift War (and more)

2009-04-02T07:57:00.008-05:00

Yesterday I posted about one of the better April Fools jokes, one that involved President Obama. I wish today's post was also a joke, sadly it is not: British Queen gets personalized iPod from Obama

During their private meeting, President Obama and first lady gave the queen a personalized iPod with video footage of her 2007 visit to Washington and Virginia.

The One continues to act like a cultural moron, trivializing international relations with some of our closest allies (and some of our enemies).

It appears however that the British now understand this and are responding accordingly:

In return the queen and her husband, Prince Philip, gave the Obamas a signed portrait of themselves.

I predict a gift war with the British that would make Monty Python proud.

UPDATE: The gaucheness continues: Did the First Lady Break Protocol? The short answer is "Yes".

UPDATE II: This is beyond gauche: Obama Bows to Saudi King; and it was a full-blown bow, not just a polite head nod of greeting as would be exchanged among equals. His utter lack of understanding of political and social manners and customs is beyond appalling; it will hurt this country in some way some time in the not too distant future. One wonders whether it comes from his background and upbringing, or is it a profoundly misguided attempt to restore "respect for America from other countries" by showing obsequiousness. Either way it's bad news.

Bubba Be Bad

2009-04-01T18:49:00.002-05:00

From Car and Driver:

In a move sure to spark outrage, the White House announced today that GM and Chrysler must cease participation in NASCAR at the end of the 2009 season if they hope to receive any additional financial aid from the government. Companies around the globe—Honda and Audi, to name two—have drawn down racing operations, and NASCAR itself has already felt the pinch in the form of reduced team spending. A complete withdrawal from America’s premier racing series is expected to save more than $250 million between GM and Chrysler, a substantial amount considering the drastic measures being implemented elsewhere...

Bwahahahaha. What makes this one so good is that it could be true. Really.

Hmm, Hmm, Hmm

2009-03-27T08:16:00.003-05:00

I don't follow MMA but this one is pretty good:

I love the reaction of the ref: Is his name Barry?

Barry, One Smooth Dancer

2009-03-21T16:20:00.004-05:00

Not!
ACORN to Play Role in 2010 Census

The U.S. Census is supposed to be free of politics, but one group with a history of voter fraud, ACORN, is participating in next year's count, raising concerns about the politicization of the decennial survey.

Payin' back the peps.

Obama White House bars press from press award ceremony

The president is to receive the award from the federation of black community newspapers in a White House ceremony this afternoon.

The Obama White House has closed the press award ceremony to the press.

Transparency? Openness? Not even close.

Obama Ashamed Of Old Glory? Hides Flag For Message To Iran

In the main, generic version, an American flag is plainly visible in the background. But below that there are links to other versions, including “.mp4 with Persian subtitles.” Persian is of course the language of Iran, so that is the version designed by the White House to be seen there.

Click on it and you’ll see that—poof!—the American flag has disappeared from the background.

Country, what country?

It's certainly becoming one that I find hard to recognize.

AIG Is Not The Problem

2009-03-21T09:25:00.004-05:00

I originally posted this elsewhere, but I figure it's worth posting here too (with a few minor tweaks).

The AIG tax bill that the House passed is beyond ridiculous. It is outright unconstitutional according to Article 1, Section 9:

No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

A bill of attainder is "a legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial." The bills language is very tightly targeted to just AIG, and retroactive to previously allowed actions. I do not see how this will pass legal muster or either the attainder or the retroactive aspects. I predict someone will take it to court and spank Congress heartily, all at our expense.

I also find the utter hypocrisy of both the Congressional and Executive branches in this matter to be completely disgusting: Sen. Dodd Admits Adding Bonus Provision to Stimulus Package

In a dramatic reversal Wednesday, Sen. Chris Dodd confessed to adding language to a spending cap in the stimulus bill last month that specifically excluded executive bonuses included in contracts signed before the bill's passage.

Dodd, D-Conn., told FOX News that Treasury officials forced him to make the change.

furthermore,

Amid AIG Furor, Dodd Tries to Undo Bonus Protections in the 'Dodd Amendment' Rules

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) on Monday night floated the idea of taxing American International Group bonus recipients so the government could recoup some or all of the $450 million the company is paying to employees in its financial products unit.

The outrage being expressed by Dodd, Geinter and The One is completely bogus and two-faced. Two (or even three or four) wrongs do not make a right. Obviously neither does Congress or the President.

Alabama Tragedy

2009-03-14T09:20:00.002-05:00

I'm sure most have heard about this by now. If not here's a page with links to stories about this tragic event.

Today I came across an article with more info on this tragedy: Town comedian hailed as hero in Alabama killings

On Friday, witnesses and authorities said Maloy, the 10th and final victim of Tuesday's shooting rampage by Michael McLendon, single-handedly tried to end the violence with his beat-up old pickup truck.

With gunshots still echoing through downtown Samson and the killer headed toward a bigger city 12 miles away, Maloy chased McLendon's dark red Mitsubishi out of town, ramming the vehicle at least once.

Maloy slowed down the killer briefly, and he may have given police and state troopers time to catch up to McLendon, said Geneva County Chief Deputy Tony Helms. But it cost him his life.

Stories like this make me wish more people could and would carry.

On a larger front, is it me or have there really been more news reports of people committing crimes with guns in the last few weeks since AG Holder announced his idea for a new weapons ban? I would be quite interested in any studies that have been or are being done that show or disprove any correlation between the reporting of gun-involved crimes and gun control-related announcements. I'm not claiming there are any conspiracies, but I also do not believe much in coincidence.