One thing that Bob Kerns is concentrating on, the thing that former chair, Ken Davis, never really ever got off the ground, is the effort to bring Republicans who switched to vote in the primary back to the proverbial "fold".
Bob's proposed effort, "Welcome Home", was announced at a press conference on the courthouse steps at noon yesterday.
Riley Yates, of the Morning Call, reports:
Officials say party locally has done well for residents.
By Riley Yates
Of The Morning Call
July 23, 2008
Come back to the fold, Montgomery County Republicans are pleading with former GOP voters.
Socked by voter discontent and no longer the majority party among residents, county Republicans on Tuesday held a news conference to unveil a registration effort aimed at winning back those who switched to the Democratic Party before April's presidential primary.
The message: Forget about national politics and remember that the suburbs have long been GOP territory and a good place to live.
''The quality of life in our county is so high because of Republican government,'' said Robert Kerns, chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Committee. ''I hope voters will recognize that and, whatever their national politics may be, register Republican here in Montgomery County.''
Democrats enjoy a more than 15,000-registration edge in the county, a sea change from the days when Republicans held an advantage of 2-1 or more. Of 566,113 voters, 252,468 are registered Democrats, compared with 237,376 Republicans, according to the Voter Services Department.
Kerns announced the ''Welcome Back'' effort from the steps of the county courthouse. The county GOP has seven paid workers to approach voters who went Democratic from the GOP in the hopes of persuading them to return.
One example: The party's Web site prominently features a button for voters to request a change of registration form. (Click link below to read the rest of the article)
Montgomery County Democrats called the shift toward them a ''historic figure'' given that Democrats were outnumbered by 30,700 registrations before the 2007 general election.
Democrats said there's no evidence voters are going back to Republicans now that Pennsylvania's hard-fought Democratic contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is past.
Since the primary, Democratic rolls have continued to increase faster than the GOP's, according to county Voters Services.
Democrats have had 3,160 new registrations and 2,860 voters who switched parties in favor of them. Republicans have had 1,284 new registrations and 866 switches toward them, the department said.
''By and large, Republican voters did not switch to play havoc with the Democratic primary as Rush Limbaugh would have you think,'' Montgomery County Democratic Chairman Marcel Groen said. ''Neither did they switch on a lark to vote in a more exciting primary.
''They switched because the Democratic Party is offering better candidates and because the Democratic Party is on the right side of the issues that Americans -- Republican and Democratic -- care about.''
It will be difficult for the GOP to regain a majority of registrations any time soon in Montgomery, said Christopher Borick, a political scientist at Allentown's Muhlenberg College. It is discontent over national politics in recent years, and not the excitement of the primary, that led most voters to switch, he said.
''When people actually take the time to register for something, it shows they feel strongly enough to want to mark themselves as that,'' Borick said. ''It probably didn't come as a light decision for them.''
County Commissioner Bruce Castor, a Republican, said ''we'll have to see'' how many return to the GOP. To recapture a majority of registrations, ''it is going to be a long road to go, but I think it's possible,'' he said.
He noted that Forbes Magazine this year named Montgomery County one of America's 20 best places to raise a family.
''That's because of Republican government and the Republicans made that the way it is,'' Castor said. ''And when people learn that, maybe they're realize that we are more than the party of the president; we're the party they support.''
riley.yates@mcall.com
215-529-2607
Copyright © 2008, The Morning Call
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Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Montco GOP Has Campaign to Try to Regain Voter Majority
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
I Took A Survey...
...to see what condiment I was. The results:
| You Are Hot Sauce |
 You are the life of any party, because you're so good at bringing people out of their shell. You have a knack for helping people happily embrace their true selves. You are ambitious, driven, and fearless. You love taking risks. Your taste in food is 100% adventurous. You're up for sampling any exotic cuisine or someone's kitchen experiments. You live for trying new things, and you get sick of eating the same food (even if it's very delicious). |
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More Patronage!!!!!
Matthews is doing a political favor for his secretary. In the past, it may have been accepted behavior, but the new climate of Jimbo giving away the courthouse to the dems, this has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. We need home rule and we need it quickly.
B.
Castor Objects to New Fleet Chief
By: MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff
07/21/2008
COURTHOUSE - Montgomery County government has a new fleet chief despite objections by county Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. to the appointment.
The commissioners and controller voted 2-1, with one abstention, to tap Thomas Schneider, the husband of Montgomery County Commissioner Chairman James R. Matthews' administrative assistant, for the post of fleet manager.
Matthews abstained from voting while Castor cast the lone "no" vote. The position became vacant upon 13-year veteran Richard Flood taking advantage of the county's early retirement incentive program.
Schneider, who has been employed as a county deputy sheriff since 1999 and was earning $38,209 a year, will receive a salary boost to $46,267.
Castor explained that, while he knows and likes Schneider, he did not receive notice of the proposed hiring until one day before the vote and did not receive supportive materials that would justify the appointment.
"The thing that is troubling me here is that we are often concerned with allegations that we are engaged in cronyism and patronage," said Castor. "I am inclined to want to be supportive of this action but I don't want to be accused of engaging in cronyism or patronage. I want more information to satisfy me that this is the right move to make."
The fleet manager oversees the county's 300-plus vehicles and equipment such as landscape equipment, dump trucks, snow plows, backhoes and the like to ensure that they are in good working order.
The fleet manager also must maintain an annual budget that provides for renewals of vehicle registrations, tags, titles and shop materials and preparing specifications for the purchase of new vehicles and equipment.
Listed requirements for the job include a high school diploma or equivalent, licenses such as a state inspection license, technical automotive expertise and experience in fleet acquisition and management.
A high school graduate, Schneider said he had a comparable post while serving as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force where he had responsibility for eight planes during the Vietnam War.
After leaving the service, he created his own paperhanging and painting business. He also worked in private security and was a Lower Moreland constable from 1995 until 2004.
County Chief Operating Officer Robert W. Graf said Schneider was one of three county employees who made inquiries about the job, which was only advertised internally.
Only Schneider followed through, filing an application for the post, said Graf. In addition, on his own time and at his own expense, Schneider went to classes and obtained state inspection certification, according to Graf.
Because he prefers more applicants, Graf said that the qualifications were rewritten to allow a successful applicant six months to earn state inspection certification. Another person subsequently filed an application.
County purchasing Director F. Thomas Snyder, who now oversees fleet management, interviewed both candidates and recommended Schneider.
The Schneider situation is an example of one of the major concerns he has about the salary board, said Castor. The board simply receives a list from human resources the day before a meeting with names and recommended actions. Unless he personally knows the individual, there are no accompanying materials to give him a "comfort level" in signing off on the proposed actions, said Castor.
"I, in my eight years here, never felt compelled, with the competent and skilled leaders we have in our departments, to make inquiries and do not so now," said Matthews. "I am not going to be a part of micro-managing 3,400 employees. I will not be a part of compromising the confidence we have in our department heads."
Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III noted that Castor did not ask any questions about the proposed Schneider appointment at the commissioners' work session. Like any other member of the salary board, he could have asked for information and would have been provided the materials from human resources.
As a result of concerns raised by Castor, the commissioners said the list of recommended salary board actions will be provided one day prior to their work session and all files and applications will be available at that time.
Margaret Gibbons can be reached at mgibbons@timesherald.com or 610-272-2501 ext. 216.
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Rep. Harper Uses Forum to Deny She Has Lost Touch
Kate Harper has not lost touch with her constituents...I've never seen a rep more in touch with the pulse of her base than Harper. She goes so far as to take unpopular positions, party-wise(she doesn't always vote how I'd like to see her vote on gun issues) because she feels they are important to the people in her district. This shows me that she does,in fact, listen to her constituents and that her base does influence her voting record in the House, as it should. She's a stand-up lady with a set. Why wouldn't the people of the 61st re-elect Kate Harper? Read on:
By: TERRI ALDERFER, For The Herald 07/22/2008
WHITPAIN - Representative Kate Harper, R-61st Dist., defended her connection with her constituents against accusations by Democratic candidate Frank Custer that she has lost touch with them and environmental issues at a candidates' night event at Normandy Farms Estates.
Residents of the ACTS retirement life community in Blue Bell gathered to pose critical questions to the candidates for Pennsylvania's 61st Legislative District seat, Harper, the incumbent Republican, and Custer.
Both candidates are fighting for a seat in Harrisburg in the upcoming Nov. 4 election and began the evening pitching their individual qualifications, followed by a question and answer period open to all residents of the community.
While most residents were familiar with Harper, the incumbent of seven years, Custer took the opportunity to explain why he thinks he could "do a better job in Harrisburg." Referring to Harper, Custer said that when politicians are in office too long, "they get in a bubble and they start to lose touch." Specifically, he said that Harper had lost touch with environmental issues in the 61st District.
Harper denied the accusation, stating that her "primary areas of concern are the environment and transportation." Harper said that in addition to her focus on the environment, she has been working to obtain sound barriers along the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and working with individual land owners whose properties are being affected by the turnpike widening, the widening of Route 202, and the Route 309 project.
(continued)
"I've worked on all of them," she said.
An issue of concern amongst several residents was the lack of a Cost of Living Adjustment for members of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System.
Al Momorella, a retired Pennsylvania school employee, asked Harper to give him an honest and up-to-date assessment relative to the COLA for retired educators.
Harper said she has supported a COLA for teachers who are long retired "because they were working in times when salaries were not so good and their pensions are consequently smaller."
However, she explained that in 2011 there is going to be a crisis in the pension fund as the state increases its cohort of citizens over 65.
"The pension funds across the board are feeling the stress of the baby boomers coming into the system and not having enough people to earn the money," she said.
Harper concluded that if a potential bill were limited to those teachers long retired, the government might be able to afford a COLA this year, however, any bill that covers people who retired after 2003 would be "too expensive for the fund to bear."
In the face of rising oil prices, one resident expressed skepticism about a "real energy plan" noted in Custer's handouts that reduces dependence on foreign oil.
"As far as I'm concerned, this is the most critical problem we have today," said resident John Vogel, a retired mechanical engineer. Vogel asked each of the candidates how they would support a "real energy plan."
Custer responded by highlighting the inaction of the federal government on the issue.
"Gasoline was getting expensive back in 2001 and everyone could see the gathering clouds and nothing has been done," he said.
Although government at the state level may not be able to influence where Americans get their oil, they can act as "test tubes" and encourage the development of alternative fuel sources, such as wind and hydrogen, by giving tax incentives to people to develop these sources of energy, Custer said.
Highlighting that conservation has to be a part of any energy strategy, Harper said as a result of the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard, an act passed in November 2004 all power suppliers are required to buy a certain increasing percentage of renewable energy each year.
One resident said he does not drive much anymore, not because of the high gas prices, but because he is "afraid to drive over Pennsylvania bridges." He asked the candidates where the money is going to come from to fix these infrastructures.
Harper suggested tolling the roads on Interstate 80 in order to fund the necessary work on that interstate, relieving the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation of "about $100 million a year to take care of it." This, she said, would free up other funds for fixing infrastructures such as bridges.
Both candidates stated they were against Gov. Ed Rendell's proposal to lease the turnpike for the purpose of raising money for state transportation projects.
Vogel said he attended the event to get the views of both candidates, but he supports Kate Harper.
"She has worked hard to get us parks and recreations, she listens to environmental concerns ... I think Kate has her finger on the pulse of the public," he said. Read Full Text/Comments
Monday, July 21, 2008
Doctor's Visit and Testosterone
I went to the doctor on Friday and he pretty much told me that I needed a nuclear CAT scan, he thinks I may have torn cartilage where my rib meets the sternum. If that is, indeed, the case, I may have to seek out someone who has seen/treated that type of injury before and begin treatment with him or her.
So, that was that. I will be setting up the CAT scan today. I'll keep you posted.
Anyway, let's get to the testosterone part. I spent this past weekend in Somerset County with the boy scouts, doing guy stuff. What kind of "guy" stuff?
Well, we started the day on Saturday with a big honking breakfast of eggs, bacon and home fries. After the clean-up, we drove some of the boys and their Venture leader to the Ohio-Pyle state park to pursue a whitewater rafting adventure. Myself and two other leaders took the remaining boys fishing on th Youghigheney(?) River. We spent the next five hours drifting downstream catching numerous smallmouth bass. Great experience if you use ultra light tackle, like I do.
Back to the cabin for dinner and some skeet shooting until dark.
The next morning, after a huge breakfast of blueberry pancakes, sausage, scrapple, leftover steak and potatoes, we sauntered out to the range for some pistol and rifle shooting. Testosterone was flying along with the clay pidgeons.
We let the boys plink with a .22 pistol, a 9 mm pistol, 3 different .357 magnums, a .40 S&W semi-auto, a .45 cal. flintlock pistol, my son's Henry rifle in .17 HMR, and a 7.62 x .39 Chinese SKS.
I'd say that if we shot a couple thousand rounds, that would be conservative.
The boys had as great time, they learned about safe gun handling, they all tried skeet shooting, and nobody got hurt.
I have to add that I was especially proud of my boy, Jesse. He broke a clay the first time he ever shot skeet, and made the tin cans dance all morning with the .22 and the .17.
I guess he has a little bit of his dear ol' dad in him, afterall.
It was a good weekend.
Heve a great day.
B.
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Thursday, July 17, 2008
MCRC Premiere Event
MCRC is having a first of it's kind event next Thursday, July 24th. The event, "Diversi-Tea" is a bringing together of people of various social/religious/ethnic backgrounds to discuss their role in the Republican Party in Montgomery County. Below is a letter form Sharon Valentine-Thomas, Vice Chair of MCRC:
GOP Reaches out with Diversity Initiative in Montgomery County
It is time for the GOP to regain your confidence at the polls and in county government. It is time to move beyond the things that have been non-productive and negative about the past and blaze a new trail. In spite of the challenges, we are in an ever-increasing matrix of complexities simply called- life. We are all diverse in many ways. It is high time to capitalize on strengths and minimize differences.
In the final analysis, we choose to operate from ‘sides’ of the political landscape. These sides must sell their vantage points to the voting public. The voting public becomes more diverse with each passing day. At this time Chairman Robert Kerns is increasing outreach to diverse groups to create a healthy and productive dialog with the Montgomery County GOP and the voting public. These diverse groups include leaders from many cultural backgrounds and walks of faith.
From my vantage as the Vice-Chair of the county, I must share with you my thoughts on the diversity campaign launching forth on July 24th of this year. Diversity is greater than the acknowledgement and inclusion of ethnicities and cultures in processes of business, education and government. Although this is a large portion of the reality and the perception, several other nuances exist. Diversity initiatives must lead to cohesion of forces with measurable outcomes. Corporations find the best of every ‘people group’ to fulfill their objectives. The GOP will carry this same progressive mindset. Traditionally, our party has fared well when engaging in strategies that are inclusive.
Please inform us of your willingness to attend a ‘Community Leadership Breakfast and Diversi-tea .’ This event is slated for July 24 at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel in Plymouth meeting at 8:30am. Please forward requests for formal invitation (or confirm by e-mail) to: btressler@montcogop.com .
If you would like to contact me at any time e-mail me at svthomas1@gmail.com . We are looking forward to having a healthy and productive dialogue.
Respectfully submitted;
Sharon Valentine-Thomas
Vice-Chair
Montgomery County GOP
A Milestone
Thank you all!
While I wasn't looking, you've hit my blog 10,000 times and then some.
Some might think "10,000 isn't alot", but I never in a million years...er, I mean less than 6 months dreamed that I would hit 10,000 so quickly.
Anyway, I know this is a repeat performance, but I love how Larry Graham thumps that bass...Again, I thank you for lettin' me be myself...again!
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Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A Sighting II
Odd. Wonder if he broke out into hives among all those Republicans?
Wonder if it's just a coincidence that fellow longtime Castor-hater Bob Asher scheduled the kickoff while Castor and DA Risa Ferman were out of town at the PA District Attorneys' Assoc. conference (Castor is immediate past president) in Erie.
Asher's clumsy efforts to continue to put the Republican label on Matthews would be amusing, if they weren't so sad...
Here's the story from the Bulletin:
07/16/2008
McCain Campaign Launches Montgomery County Office
By: William Mulgrew , The Bulletin
Blue Bell - Former Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift joined local Republican leaders yesterday to celebrate the opening of the "McCain/Victory 2008" campaign office off Township Line Road.
It is the second regional office to open in Pennsylvania after the Harrisburg headquarters began two weeks ago.
The Hillary Clinton/ Barack Obama clash in the Primary Election left a benefit for Democrats: Most of the campaign offices and staff have already been on the ground. Republicans, however, remain optimistic that Sen. John McCain will catch up. The campaign tapped John Seaton, who led Iowa for the Bush/Cheney campaign in 2004, as Mr. McCain's regional director for Ohio-Pennsylvania.
"Being from Massachusetts, it's great to be in a state that will go from blue to red this year," Ms. Swift said.
Ms. Swift noted that not only Pennsylvania, but also New Hampshire and Maine are in play, two states that went for Democrat Sen. John Kerry in 2004. New Hampshire, specifically, voted out its two Republican congressmen in 2006.
"Montgomery County will be the keystone county in the Keystone State," said Bob Asher. As chairman of Pennsylvania for McCain, Mr. Asher heads the statewide fundraising effort.
County Republican Chairman Bob Kerns said that Mr. McCain is no George W. Bush.
"The Democrats are going to try, but are never going to be able to get that to stick," Mr. Kerns said. "He doesn't necessarily carry the party line ... But that's him. He's not bashful about saying that. What you see is what you get."
It's a battle to retain a county that's increasingly favorable to Democrats. While the Republicans held onto the county commissioners' race in 2007, 55.6 percent of Montgomery voters supported Democratic candidate John Kerry in 2004, and 61.9 percent supported Bob Casey over Rick Santorum in 2006.The McCain campaign has a branch office in Delaware County, shared with Craig Williams, Republican candidate for the 7th congressional district.
Sen. John McCain is scheduled to appear for a town hall meeting in Wilkes-Barre, July 23, followed by a fundraiser.
Local Candidates Show Support
Campaigning in the 17th senatorial district, Republican Lance Rogers said he's made traction with former Hillary Clinton supporters. The Lower Merion Township commissioner is campaigning full-time.
"I think that Sen. McCain is the right choice for America and the future. I know that John McCain has been very supportive of cleaning up and reforming government," Mr. Rogers said.
"He's experienced. He's a war hero," State Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-12) said. The senator said he was moved that, as a P.O.W. during the Vietnam War, McCain refused to be released unless his fellow prisoners were released with him.
Also in attendance: Marina Katz, candidate for the 13th congressional district, Tom Ellis, candidate for State Treasurer, State Rep. Kate Harper (R-61), State Sen. Rob Wonderling (R-24) and Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews.
William Mulgrew can be reached at news@thebulletin.us.
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More on Barry-O, Advocate of Infanticide
Barack Obama and the Comfort Room
Posted: June 18, 2008
1:00 am Eastern
© 2008
In March 2002, then Illinois state Sen. Barack Obama and I engaged in an interesting exchange during my testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which he was a member.
I was speaking in favor of the Illinois Born Alive Infant Protection Act for the second time, which had failed the year before.
The previous year, I had told Obama and the committee of my experience holding a live aborted baby until he died in my capacity as a labor and delivery nurse at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Ill.
Four months ago, Christ Hospital unveiled its "Comfort Room." So now I can no longer say that live aborted babies are left in our Soiled Utility Room to die. We now have this prettily wallpapered room complete with a First Foto machine, baptismal gowns, a footprinter and baby bracelets, so that we can offer keepsakes to parents of their aborted babies. There is even a nice wooden rocker in the room to rock live aborted babies to death.
I did not mention the Comfort Room when I testified again in 2002. But Barack Obama remembered.
 Part of Christ Hospital Comfort Room |
to read the rest of this incredible article.
Of over 4,000 pieces of legislation introduced in the Illinois General Assembly in 2001, Obama apparently recalled my description of Christ Hospital's Comfort Room. He stated, according to the State Net transcript:
Ms. Stanek, your initial testimony last year showed your dismay at the lack of regard for human life. I agreed with you last year, and we suggested that there be a Comfort Room or something of that nature be done. The hospital acknowledged that and changes were made and you are still unimpressed. It sounds to me like you are really not interested in how these fetuses are treated, but rather not providing absolutely any medical care or life to them.
Obama had actually not agreed with me the year before. He had agreed with ACLU attorney Colleen Connell that "living is not the same as viability" when he voted against Born Alive in committee and went on to be the sole senator speaking against it on the Senate floor.
And "we" suggested the Comfort Room? I was the one who told him about the Comfort Room four months after the fact, also providing photo evidence.
What was going on? Obama hadn't been coached had he, perhaps by fellow Trinity United Church of Christ member Dr. Jane Fisler-Hoffman, who also happened to sit on the board of Christ Hospital's parent company, Advocate Health Care?
 |
Or by Rev. Dr. Ozzie Smith Jr., another Advocate board member and former associate pastor at TUCC under Rev. Jeremiah Wright?
Or by Wright himself, who sat on the board of Christ Hospital's parent company from 1986-89?
Or by Christ Hospital CEO Carole Schneider, a UCC member?
Or by fellow state Rep. Renee Kosel, a Christ Hospital board member who opposed Born Alive on the House side?
I'd like Sen. Obama to tell us whether he received counsel from any of the aforementioned to oppose Born Alive.
Obama may have thought it impressive to wrap the baby one was killing in a blanket surrounded by silk flowers rather than leave him naked on a steel sink sideboard, but he was right – I was nonplussed. I responded:
What the hospital did was try to make things look better. What it really is, is that the baby is still dead.
I didn't know it then, but I was describing future presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign: attempting to repackage liberal extremism to look comforting.
In this case, however, Obama was pleased with a neonatal Soylent Green killing room, taking American liberal extremism to a new place.
Read Full Text/CommentsCan You Believe This?
I found this while looking for the obvious...And I thought it was strictly used to bury liberals and progressives.
Elephant crap. You can actually do a lot with elephant crap. You wouldn’t think so, would you, I mean what does anyone ever do with crap except use it for fertiliser? Not much really, so, when an elephant takes a crap one might assume that that is the end of it- he eats, he digests, he craps, the crap would logically be left there in the jungle or shoveled into a massive pile of other elephant crap. Well, Wanchai Aswawibulkij of the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang has discovered a new use for elephant excrement – he makes paper. The finished product looks much like mulberry paper, and is 100% environmentally friendly.
The first step is to collect the dung and ‘wash’ it with lake water. Hours of hosing down piles of elephant dung leaves for a lot of waste water which is collected and used to make what they call bio-gas. This gas is pressurised in big tanks and used for cooking in and around the conservation centre. The next step is to boil the mucky dark brown excreta in barrel vats for 3-5 hours. The bubbling boiling steaming muck is scooped out of the vats and dumped in a concrete tub where it is washed again. Moving inside under the roof of the open factory, the next step is to add a mild chlorine-free bleaching agent to remove most of the brown colour. The dung is then squeezed to remove excess water and bleaching agent in a process much like old fashioned wine barrel stomping. The dung looks less like dung at this point and more like golden flax pulp. It is now entirely bacteria free; “so clean you could eat it if you want, but we don’t suggest it,” Cummings adds wryly.
The pulp is then mixed with water and put into a cutting machine that grinds the longer fibers into pulp and colour is added if desired. There is a kaleidoscope of tints added to produce a wide spectrum of colours. The pulp is then squeezed into 300 gramme balls, each of which makes one sheet of paper. The bright green balls the worker was handling look exactly like playdough, and it was a challenge to avoid grabbing one and playing with it. These balls are then mixed with water and carefully poured onto screens in a tub of water and lifted out to dry. Each sheet is peeled off the screen, sanded to soften the rough parts and run through a roller press to make it smooth enough for writing.
Variations in roughness of the finished product can help one speculate as to the age of the elephant whose dung it is. If the sheet is smooth and ‘well digested’ it is most likely from a younger animal, whereas aging elephants with older digestive systems and dulling teeth produce a more textured sheet. Watermelon seeds remain stuck in the surface of the paper, immortally preserved in some piece of crafty artwork after being eaten, digested, shoveled, soaked, boiled, bleached, chopped, dyed, sanded and rolled.
Low income communities are employed to make books and boxes with the paper, picture frames and letter sets. The entire process for making the paper from the end of the elephant to the finishing touches takes about 15 hours. One elephant can produce 115 sheets of paper a day. They will soon have the artistic talents of the elephant painters painting on dung paper - “if we are careful, we could have an elephant painting on his own dung!” Cummings exclaimed.
The elephant dung paper creates income for elephants, their communities and caretakers, the project employing upwards of 150 people from start to finish. Aswawibulkiji said he went through a long process of trial and error figuring out the process while bringing truckloads of dung back to his home. Much to his wife’s chagrin, he used her kitchen blender to experiment with his dung project (we are happy to announce that he has since got her a new one). His friends called him crazy but he didn’t care. Now his dung paper factory exports to the USA, Germany, Singapore, Australia, soon to Japan and Holland. For more information visit the factory’s’ website at www.elephantdungpaper.com, or go to The Peak (Night Bazaar) where there is a shop selling the factory’s’ products.
By Sophie Rousmaniere
I think I'm going to purchase some of this guys paper and write letters to as many dem pols as I have the paper to...just the thought of what they are holding in their hands...hehehe!
B.
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Kerns Gets Tough on Bonusgate
It's been too long...4 years is long enough to go without a chairman with a set of coglione ottone. Click on the link below to see the Times Herald story by Margaret Gibbons.
GOP Wants Bonusgate Money Repaid
By: MARGARET GIBBONS , Times Herald Staff
COURTHOUSE - The head of the Montgomery County Republican Committee Monday called on state Rep. Rick Taylor, D-151st Dist., to reimburse state coffers for all illegal "bonus" money state workers received for working on his 2006 campaign.
Specifically, said county GOP Chairman Robert J. Kerns, Taylor should pay back the part of the $15,185 bonus in state money that state legislative aide Rachel Manzo received for work she did on Taylor's campaign, including serving as the campaign manager in the couple of weeks leading up to the November 2006 election.
Manzo, the executive director of the state House Democratic Policy Committee, was among the dozen Democrats arrested last week on political corruption charges involving the payment of "bonuses" to state employees for their work on Democratic campaigns.
In addition, said Kerns, another state House employee, Beth Marietta, testified before a grand jury that she worked on Taylor's campaign and was paid by the state House, not by Taylor or the House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC).
Kerns demanded that Taylor reimburse the state for funds Marietta received, either in bonus money or salary, while she worked on Taylor's campaign.
Kerns also called on Taylor to release a list of all his campaign workers so their names can be compared with investigation information released last week by state Attorney Tom Corbett to determine whether any of those workers collected state salaries or bonuses while working in Taylor's behalf.
"He (Taylor) has an obligation to remedy this by providing full disclosure and reimbursing taxpayers for every dime of public money and resources that were expended on his political campaign," Kerns said in a press release.
"This is not an issue of shades of gray," said Kerns. "This is an issue of right and wrong. Rick Taylor needs to right his wrongs."
Taylor campaign manager Danny Friedman late Monday afternoon issued a response statement claiming that the "Republican attack machine is now on the move" and calling Kerns' demands "partisan attacks, silly gimmicks."
"Last week, (the Taylor) campaign released a statement which expressed Representative Taylor's outrage at the actions which led to these indictments," Friedman said in his response. "If convicted, these rogue operatives should be punished to the fullest extent of the law including payment of full restitution by those convicted to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania."
Taylor, who defeated GOP incumbent Eugene McGill in 2006 to win election to his first two-year term in the state House, last week explained that, in the fall of 2006, he decided to change campaign managers. He contacted the House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC), which was paying for his campaign manager, to alert it to the situation and to request a replacement.
The HDCC sent Manzo to work on his behalf as campaign manager during the last several weeks preceding the election, according to Taylor. He said he believed that the HDCC was paying her.
Taylor in last week's statement said at no time was he aware that Manzo was being paid or rewarded with public money. In addition, he said at the time, he was unaware of any other state employee who volunteered for his campaign being paid with public dollars.
Horsham Republican Todd Stephens, a county prosecutor, this year is challenging Taylor who is seeking re-election to a second term.
The 151st District includes Ambler and parts of Lower Gwynedd, Montgomery Township, Upper Dublin, Abington and Horsham.
Margaret Gibbons can be reached at mgibbons@timesherald.com or 610-272-2501 ext. 216.
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Tuesday, July 15, 2008
A New Feature On Writemarsh!
We have one sighting to begin with:
King James III and Joe Hoeffel dining together at Matthews' summer home: North Hills Country Club last week.
Matthews got in trouble in his first stint on the throne when he, Tom Ellis and County Chief Operating Officer Bob Graf used to meet there regularly to plot policy out of the view of minority commissioner Ruth Damsker.
Looks like they're at it again.
Wonder if Matthews is golfing with any Republicans these days or if it's just Democrats.
FORE!
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Dems Are Starting to See the "Forest for the Trees"
It used to be that we followed our party leaders blindly. It's just what we did, never believing in a million years that our party would become what it has due to ineffective leadership. In the past few years, as the Republican party eroded under Ken Davis, we, for the most part, stopped following and sought refuge from the proverbial "storm".
That refuge was ( and is) Bob Kerns.
Chairman Kerns has been on the offense lately, pointing out discrepancies between what Cmmsr. Hoeffel promised during his campaign and what has happened since taking office, just 6 months and a week ago. Kerns addressed the cronyism in this press release, which I had posted on June 9th of this year:
DEMOCRATS BRINGING PHILADELPHIA STYLE PAY-TO-PLAY POLITICS TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY
The absolutely rampant cronyism going on in our county is becoming so transparent, that even democrats are appalled by Controller Diane Morgan and her solicitor, Sean Kilkenny's behavior. The hiring of democrat has-beens and row office candidate losers is an egregious example of this "behavior".
In a country where our gasoline and home heating fuel costs are skyrocketing, the price of food increasing because of the false hope of ethanol creating corn shortages, people are beginning to tighten their belts. And yet, Montco government seems to keep getting bigger and bigger.
On top of what is going on nationally, citizens do not need a tax increase on top of their already soaring utility and food bills. Once again, even prominent democrats are feeling the pinch.
One such democrat, former mayor of Norristown, Bill DeAngelis has gotten so fed up that he felt compelled to write a letter to the editor of the Times Herald to point out the fact that Kerns hit the nail on it's head with his press release.
If more dems spoke out instead of following blindly, like sheep, then maybe, just maybe there would be a bit of common ground in a bi-partisan government, where give and take is the norm, not take, take, take and screw you, buddy (And let's face it. Not one bit of this despicable behavior by the Democrats would be possible without the vote and support of "Republican" Jim Matthews).
Have a great day.
B.
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Sunday, July 13, 2008
Banned-Drew Carey Rants About The Nanny State and the Erosion of our Rights
I first caught this video on Tony Phyrillas Blog. I thought it worth posting, permanently, on my blog as well. Watch the video and then read the passage underneath.
Whether you love it, hate it, or have never thought about it, chances are some politician wants to ban it. "Welcome to the Nanny State Nation," says reason.tv host Drew Carey. "Where the government minds your own business."
Saggy pants, fire places, plastic bags, light bulbs, poker—it's all been banned somewhere. Same with owning swine or fowl, feeding pigeons, owning pit bulls, and chomping on trans fats, a naughty little substance that makes food taste better.
Of course, smoking's been banned in all sorts of places—indoors, outdoors, near doors, beaches, casinos, even private homes. America's smoking ban craze began in California. So many bans start there.
"But is New York City the new California?" asks Carey? Smoking, trans fat, aluminum baseball bats, straddling a bike, wearing in-line skates or drinking coffee on a subway—the Big Apple bans them all.
Even if we don't particularly like something we should be wary of banning it because every ban is backed up by the force of law. Plus, would you want to live in a nation that bans everything that offends someone?
Carey wonders when so many of us turned into "ban-happy busybodies," and compliments the British on their more civilized approach to bans.
And here is the rest of it. Read Full Text/Comments
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Directly from "Blonde Sagacity" blog
Obama Quote from Oct. 2007:
"Shortly after 9-11, particularly because as we're talking about the Iraq war, [flag pins] became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security.
"I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest," he said in the interview. "Instead, I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testament to my patriotism." ~Barack Hussein Obama
Does this guy have one belief that he sticks to regardless of public opinion?
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Light Seeking Light: Tony Snow is Gone!
Light Seeking Light: Tony Snow is Gone!
Hat Tip to D.B. Light for posting the above entry earlier today on his blog.
Tony Snow will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to his family at this troubling time.
B.
And here is the rest of it. Read Full Text/Comments
Friday, July 11, 2008
I'm a Bit Off
I spent the morning at Mercy Suburban Hospital. I came home from work with a lump on my sternum and the feeling I'd broken my ribs. I saw stars (literally) when I sneezed.
After 2 hours of waiting to see a doctor, I was put into a room and told to don a gown. Thankfully, I was able to keep my jeans on, I shudder to think of the stir I'd cause if my bare a$$ was sticking way out of the back of the hospital gown.
Anyway, they took 2 x-rays and found no broken bones. I have to follow up with my family doc next week.
It's the same old song, let's see if it gets any better, if not, blah blah blah. It's a small wonder why I procrastinate going to the doctor when I'm a bit off.
I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, I'll have to grin and bear it...and, try like hell not to sneeze.
Glommed another one from Tony Phyrillas:
Truth in advertising, Barack Obama style
If it sounds too good to be true ...I'm sure you've seen those new Barack Obama commercials where the ultra-liberal Democratic Party presidential candidate tries to paint himself as everyman ... a Henry Fonda or a Tom Hanks type.
From a post by Michael Ashbury at ChronWatch:
In the current "Obama for President" promotion, Barack Obama stresses that he is the product of Midwestern roots, that he was raised with little money, that he worked his way through college, and that he returned to Chicago to fight for the poor while passing legislation which reduced welfare by 80 percent.The problem with the commercial? Most of it isn't true.
Ashbury notes about Obama:
His maternal grandparents may have come from the Midwest, but Obama was born in Hawaii. The first 10 years of his life were spent in Muslim Indonesia. The balance of his youth was spent in Hawaii, not the Midwest.You have to wonder about somebody who tries so hard to be somebody he's not. What is it about Obama's background that he's so ashamed of? Why is he trying to hide so much of his past?
He fails to mention that his father was a Harvard graduate, nor that his maternal grandmother was a successful executive of a major bank in Hawaii and his maternal grandfather was a successful businessman.
Obama also fails to mention that his successful grandparents sent him to one of the most prestigious private preparatory schools in Hawaii, which 30 years ago cost more than $15,000 a year.
He stresses how he worked his way through college, though there is no evidence of that. I am sure his successful grandparents gave a lending hand.
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Thursday, July 10, 2008
Whudathunkit?
Up until this morning, I was voting for McCain...now, I'm not so sure. Check out this video news story:
John Durante for President?
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An Unconscienable Request By Marcel Groen...
Marcel Groen, head of the Montco dems, has made an horrendous request of D.A. Risa Ferman, calling for the firing of Asst. D.A. Todd Stephens.
Why?
Because Stephens volunteers his time to a federally funded program which teaches children to be internet-safe from predators. Groen cites the Hatch act in asking for Stephens to either bow out of his bid for State Representative (151st district), resign from the D.A.'s office, or be fired by Ferman.
Any person active in politics knows that the Hatch act only provides for employees who's salary is paid by the federal government to abstain from partisan political activity. Since Stephens does not draw a salary from this program, he is (as far as I can recollect) exempt from Hatch.
Catch Tony Phyrillas thoughts about Marcel Groen here.
Here's an article by Margaret Gibbons, Times Herald reporter, on the subject:
Ferman Rejects Request
By: MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff 07/10/2008
COURTHOUSE - Montgomery County Democratic Chairman Marcel L. Groen Wednesday called for the ouster of county Assistant District Attorney Todd Stephens, claiming his continued employment in that office could jeopardize federal funds received by the district attorney's office.
At issue is Stephens's campaign for the state House seat in the 151st District that includes Ambler and parts of Lower Gwynedd, Montgomery Township, Upper Dublin, Abington and Horsham. Stephens, a Horsham Republican, is seeking to topple freshman Democratic incumbent state Rep. Rick Taylor of Ambler.
Groen, in a press release, said the county Democratic Committee has asked the federal Office of Special Counsel in Washington to issue an advisory opinion on whether Stephens's candidacy violates the Hatch Act.
That act, according to Groen, prohibits federal employees and employees in programs that receive federal funding from participating in partisan political activities including running for office.
Stephens, who heads the district attorney's sex crimes prosecution unit, works closely with the regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is funded, in part, with federal grant funds, said Groen.
In his relationship with that task force, Stephens makes public presentations that are funded by those grant funds, according to Groen. (Ed. Note-Todd Stephens is not employed by this task force, he just "works closely" (read "volunteers") with the task force. Since he is not an employee, he is free to seek elected office and is exempt from the "Hatch" act.)
"It seems there are three choices here," said Groen. "Either Mr. Stephens ends his partisan campaign, resigns from the district attorney's office or is terminated by Ms. Ferman (District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman). One of these should be done immediately before this critical program supported by federal funds is threatened."
That is not going to happen, said Ferman when asked if she intended to fire Stephens. (Ed. note: Groen is an a$$hole)
"This is why the public thinks politicians are such idiots," Ferman responded. "Todd Stephens is a dedicated public servant devoted to the cause of protecting kids against Internet predators."
"In addition to being a tough-as-nails prosecutor, he spends countless hours educating parents, children and educators on how to protect kids against Internet predators," said Ferman. "And this is the kind of dedication these knuckleheads want us to stop? Give me a break."
Ferman also said she disagrees with some of the "so-called" facts raised by Groen. For example, she said, the regional Internet Task Force that is administered by the Delaware County District Attorney's Office receives federal funds but the county's own Internet unit does not.
Stephens said he has no intention of resigning.
Not only did he put his own presentation together on Internet predators and use his own time to go before interested groups to make those presentations, he solicited funding on his own for materials he provides during those presentations, according to Stephens.
"I can't believe Mr. Groen, for his own political purposes, wants me to stop helping children be safe from Internet predators," said Stephens.
B.
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Wednesday, July 9, 2008
From Tony Phyrillas Blog:
A great post from Tony that is worth cross-posting here:
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Fiscal watchdog has no teeth
Since Democrat Joe Hoeffel worked out a power-sharing agreement with GOP-turncoat Jim Matthews, Montgomery County government has been the scene of one scandal after another.Cronyism, patronage, mismanagement and wasteful spending are the bywords at the Montgomery County Courthouse under the Hoeffel-Matthews regime.
Reporter Margaret Gibbons has been covering county government for decades and she doesn't like what she sees, especially in the "look-the-other-way" attitude of Montgomery County Controller Diane B. Morgan, a newly-elected Democrat.
The county controller is supposed to be looking out for the taxpayers, making sure county resources aren't being wasted. Gibbons thinks Morgan has been too deferential to Commissioner Hoeffel.
From Gibbon's latest column:
When is an early retirement not an early retirement? Apparently if you work in the Montgomery County solicitor's office.
The county commissioners earlier this year said goodbye to assistant solicitor Bruce Eckel and then brought him back as a part-time solicitor for $50,000. Then, two weeks ago, they said goodbye to assistant solicitor Larry Folmar and brought him back as a part-time solicitor who will receive $20,000 for the rest of the year.
The commissioners claim that both have certain areas of expertise and, after all, they are no longer paying them benefits and the much bigger salaries they were drawing when they worked full-time.
I guess I'm just a little confused.
Wasn't the fact that the pair was retiring and their replacements needed time to be brought up to snuff the reason that new full-time assistant solicitors were brought on board at the beginning of the year. Maybe these new solicitors are just slow learners or, maybe, they were just patronage hirings.
Where is new county Controller Diane Morgan when citizens need her?
Morgan, a Democrat, was quick to jump on prior Republican row officers for emptying their technology funds before their Democratic replacements took office. She also was quick to criticize Republican county Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr., the county's district attorney, for his machinations to secure additional vacation time payment for this year.
However, she has been strangely silent about bringing back these retired-but-not-retired solicitors and, as a member of the salary board, she even voted for them.
Could it be that she worships at the feet of Democratic Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III, who secured one of those new solicitor positions for his bud?
Partisanship, ain't it grand?
Read Gibbons' full column in today's edition of The Mercury.
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Commissioner Castor Lays Out His Plan
Commissioner says he wants to change what he calls current officials' lack of achievements
By: MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff
COURTHOUSE - Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. may have been relegated to "minority" status on the three-member board of county commissioners but he has major plans for the county's future.
Unhappy with what he believes is the lack of accomplishments by the current administration during their first six months in office, Castor on Tuesday detailed his nine priorities for the remaining 3 1/2 years of his term.
He shared these details at a press conference held on the steps of the county courthouse where he was flanked by numerous current and former Republican elected officials including two prior commissioner chairmen, Thomas J. Ellis and Michael D. Marino, and county GOP Chairman Robert J. Kerns.
Missing were his two fellow commissioners, Democrat Joseph M. Hoeffel III and Commissioner Chairman James R. Matthews, a Republican and Castor's running mate in last year's election.
While Castor was the top votegetter in that election, an unprecedented power-sharing agreement between Matthews and Hoeffel has made Castor the odd man out in the current administration. (Ed. note: How did I know she'd sneak that line into the article-wink-wink)
"I am disappointed to say that I don't believe that we can point to any accomplishments whatsoever of any significant nature during those first six months," said Castor. "I am hoping we can change that." (Click on link to read the rest of the article and to see King James' and Prince Kartoffelkopf's response to Bruce's plan)
The headlines that have dogged the current administration include allegations of cronyism, patronage and politics, he said.
"In my judgment, the people have lost confidence in their county commissioners," said Castor. "I think we need to restore the confidence of the people in Montgomery County in their elected executives."
"Everyone of these proposals I am outlining today either are for the betterment of individuals living in Montgomery County or provide a more open, transparent, less partisan government," he said. "I think it is now time we get back to the business of governing."
The nine priorities set by Castor and some of his proposals to accomplish those priorities include:
*_ POLITICAL REFORM: Reconvening the campaign finance reform task force and holding hearings on recommendations it released last year. Reinstituting an ethics policy that was rescinded in 2000 and extending a policy prohibiting senior staff members from partisan politics.
*_ INCREASED TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT: Expanding the broadcast of commissioner meetings beyond the one-hour edited version by running one hour one week and another hour the second week and making the full unedited video available on the county's Web site.
*_ GOVERNMENT REFORM: Put a referendum on next year's May ballot to determine whether citizens are interested in creating a home rule study commission that would evaluate whether the county would be better served by an alternative to the three-member board of commissioners.
*_ KEEPING TAXES LOW: Appoint a fiscal fitness team that includes government, business and financial advisors to identify inefficiencies in county policies, programs and the budget.
*_ PUBLIC SAFETY: Restore county funding for the CLEAN Team, an elite force of law enforcement officers focussing on quality of life crimes in Norristown. Install a panic button system in all county offices in Norristown and other off-site offices that deal with the public.
*_ EDUCATION: Establish a storefront office presence in Norristown for the Montgomery County Community College where citizens can learn about the community college and even attend some classes. Create a tuition credit purchase program for the community college. Establish a Center for Civic Engagement at the college that would train and link volunteers with non-profit organizations. Create an intern program with the college providing credit for those interns working in county government to develop a "farm team" for county government.
*_ IMPROVED GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Institute a 311 program, comparable to the 911 program, to give citizens just one number to call for government services. Open county offices that serve the general public at least one evening a week and two Saturdays a month.
*_ COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: Create a nine-member board that would use an objective process to review all requests for county funds from nonprofit organizations and then would pass their recommendations onto the commissioners. This would eliminate a process now in place where whichever organization captures the ears of the commissioners gets some funding, Castor said.
*_ TRAFFIC ABATEMENT: Ask voters in a referendum if they want to engage in a $150-million borrowing to help alleviate traffic congestion. In the meantime, create a Web site where citizens can call in or e-mail the county to report poorly timed traffic signals, poor sight lines and other traffic problems that can be addressed without spending much money.
Commissioners Matthews and Hoeffel respond to Castor's plan
By: MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff
07/09/2008
COURTHOUSE - Montgomery County Commissioners Joseph M. Hoeffel III and James R. Matthews Tuesday said they welcomed the prospect of fellow Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. "finally" becoming engaged in county government.
However, the pair took exception to Castor's claim of a lack of significant accomplishments during the three's first six months in office.
"That just shows how uninvolved Bruce has been," said Hoeffel, noting that Castor does not have much to say to his fellow two commissioners and is the only commissioner with blinds on the interior windows of his office.
Matthews, who is the chairman of the commissioners, said the administration set three priorities at the outset of the administration.
Those three priorities include the development of a county commerce and economic development policy, the creation of a transportation funding program and the continued "greening" of the county through programs such as its open-space grant program and greenhouse gas reduction program.
"As a businessman, I have learned that you have to remain focussed on a handful of priorities or nothing is accomplished," said Matthews.
Hoeffel said the administration has made "great strides" in putting together an economic development policy.
The county has created a commerce and economic development cabinet of county officials, created a citizens' task force and has hired a consultant.
Matthews said that the county currently has put its planning commission to work to develop a transportation funding program that will address traffic congestion issues in the county.
"These are big things that are under way and they take time," said Hoeffel.
Matthews said that many of the proposals raised by Castor at his press conference Tuesday have been discussed by the commissioners and will continue to be discussed.
For example, Matthews said, he has spent the last month reviewing recommendations of a former home rule commission that studied county government in 1976.
"I happen to believe that you don't mess with something that works," said Matthews, noting that taxes have decreased since 2003 while the size of county government has decreased since 1999.
Matthews also said he was a strong proponent of the 311 system, but that it might be "a clumsy vehicle" to achieve what the county wants achieved since he has learned that more than 50 percent of the callers likely wanted services provided by the county's more than 100 school districts and municipalities.
"Mr. Castor's priorities are just an affirmation of what we are doing," said Matthews. Still, "a lot of the issues raised by Bruce have merit and should and will be discussed," said Hoeffel.
He noted the commissioners now are in the process to streamline their bi-weekly meetings to allow for more discussion of policy issues.
As for allegations of cronyism and patronage leveled at Hoeffel and Matthews by Castor and county Republican Chairman Robert J. Kerns during Castor's press conference, Hoeffel claimed "that coming from those two guys, those complaints are just the height of hypocrisy."
"After both of them engaged in those activities for a number of years, now they are coming off so pure," said Hoeffel.
"I knew both of these two before they were virgins." (Ed. note: That shows a lot of class, Prince Joe.)
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Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sheeeeee's Baaaaaa-aack!
I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself!
Welcome back, Wendy. You should call Bob Kerns. He's looking for volunteers.
B.
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Monday, July 7, 2008
Another Instance Where Obama Doesn't Practice What he Preaches
From "The Loft":
The Loft - http://www.gopusa.com/theloft
Obama: Equal Pay for Women... Just Not on My Dime
Posted By Bobby Eberle On July 1, 2008 at 6:00 am
Sen. Barack Obama talks a good game. There's talk about hope and change, and hope and change, and even more hope and change. What exactly is he hoping to change? No one really knows, but one thing is clear: the more we get to know him, the more we realize that his actions are quite different than his "hope and change" rhetoric.
As an example, take his recent speech about pay discrimination between men and women. Obama told the audience in Albuquerque, NM that he supports "a Senate bill to make it easier to sue an employer for pay discrimination." Yet, upon a review of Obama's payroll, we learn that women are paid less than men. Keep talking Sen. Obama.
As reported by CNSNews.com, "While Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has vowed to make pay equity for women a top priority if elected president, an analysis of his Senate staff shows that women are outnumbered and out-paid by men. That is in contrast to Republican presidential candidate John McCain's Senate office, where women, for the most part, out-rank and are paid more than men."
In his speech, Obama spoke about how his single mom worked to raise her family. He spoke of hardships of his grandmother, and also his wife. He set the stage beautifully by noting the successes of these women... then what did he do? He blasted Sen. John McCain, saying, "But when you look at our records and our plans on issues that matter to working women, the choice could not be clearer. ... It starts with equal pay."
It starts with equal pay? Did he seriously say that with a straight face? As CNSNews.com notes in their analysis, "On average, women working in Obama's Senate office were paid at least $6,000 below the average man working for the Illinois senator." CNSNews.com also points out that "of the five people in Obama's Senate office who were paid $100,000 or more on an annual basis, only one -- Obama's administrative manager -- was a woman."
In contrast, women outnumbered men on McCain's Senate payroll by 30 to 16. The women were paid an average of $3,000 more than the men.
Obama sounds less and less like an advocate of hope and change, and more and more like a typical politician. In his speech Obama said, "We can't afford an economy where folks keep working harder for less. We can't let the women in our workforce get paid even less for doing the same work." Oh really? It appears that Obama, as an employer, has no problems doing exactly what he is speaking against. I guess he means "other" employers. Certainly we shouldn't look at what his own hiring practices really are, right? This is just one other part of his record that he'd prefer be kept out of the spotlight.
Near the end of his speech, Obama said, "I want my daughters to grow up in an America where they have opportunities that are even greater than their mother had, or their grandmothers, or their great grandmothers -- an America where our daughters truly have the same opportunities as our sons."
Note to Obama's daughters.... Don't go to work for your dad.
And here is the rest of it. Read Full Text/CommentsSunday, July 6, 2008
I Passed
Today, I took the advanced motorcycle training course, offered by the state police and PADOT.
The course is grueling, long, and at times very difficult. It is given rain or shine, regardless of how hot it may become. I always wear leather and a helmet (helmet is required, by the way), so I was particularly aromatic by time the training was completed.
But, I passed. I scored 80% of a possible 100%, and have to practice some of the "trickier" aspects of the course, like "U"-turns and serpentine driving.
All in all, I'd thoroughly recommend this course for all experienced riders and would heartily recommend the beginner course for all new enthusiasts. Some insurance companies even discount policies for riders who have passed the course.
Ride Safe.
I hadn't really put into perspective how really hot it was on the asphalt today. This is the first time in my life that it's been hot enough on the pavement to melt rubber.
It's a wonder none of us experienced heat frustration and dumped our bikes.
B.
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Saturday, July 5, 2008
Obamatics
I found this on a Dems for McCain blog. It just about sums up the next 4 years, if this boob wins.
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I Am Your Flag
I attended a service at Roxborough Presbyterian Church yesterday, and this "poem" was read by the minister during the program.
I thought it worth sharing with you, even though a day late.
B.
Traditionalists say I was born of a woman's hand -- fashioned from bits of colored cloth by a seamstress in a small house in Philadelphia, a year after the new country was born.
Historians are less certain of my origin. Yet, no one doubts my existence. I was created out of necessity to serve as the emblem of a people whose experiment in nationhood was as unique as the arrangement of my stars and stripes.
I have proved my adaptability to change. I've accommodated growth. I've stood up to time and troubles. I fluttered in the Fall air with General Washington and his loyal French allies at Yorktown. My fabric was shredded by cannonballs from British frigates in the War of 1812. I was carried in triumph by Andy Jackson at New Orleans. The British could see me clearly in the mists of "dawn's early light," waving from the standards at Fort McHenry.
I've witnessed turmoil and bitterness, even lost some of my glory in mid-century in a war between brothers, but I was restored as a nation's emblem at Appomattox.
I traveled West with the new frontier. I flew from the headlamps of the Iron Horse in Utah. I was with the prospectors at Sutter's Mill, with the cavalry against cattle rustlers, with the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill.
I crossed the Marne with the doughboys anxious to make the world safe for democracy. I was with brave GIs storming the beaches at Normandy. I was raised over a shell-pocked hilltop at Iwo Jima and I stood by the grim-faced negotiators at Panmunjom. I was on that last helicopter from Saigon and with the men and women of Operation Desert Storm.
I have been around in victory and defeat. I've seen pleasure and pain. I was raised over the rubble of the World Trade Center and at the Pentagon. I've been folded smartly by soldiers and handed to weeping widows. I've covered the coffins of those who've served country and community.
I also decorate bandstands and concert halls. I am saluted in parades, in schools and at ball parks.
I am part of political campaigns, high holidays and ice cream socials. I fly from skyscrapers and bungalows. I've been to the moon and the ocean floor.
I am everywhere my people are. I am saluted and, occasionally, scorned. I have been held with pride and I have been ridiculed, because I am everything my people are: proud, angry, happy, sad, vengeful, argumentative, ambitious, indifferent.
I was created to serve a people in struggle and a government in change. There are now more stars in my blue field than there were in the beginning and, if need be, there's room for more.
But, those red and white stripes remain as they've always remained: clearly visible through the struggle -- the symbol of the "land of the free and the home of the brave."
I am your past. I am your future. I am your flag.
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Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy Independence Day!
Today, we celebrate the birth of our great nation, 232 years old, and still going strong.
There has been a tremendous amount of sacrifice, not only by our founding fathers (who risked everything–life, liberty, riches, reputation), but still today, with our tremendous volunteer military.
While we are having our cookouts, sipping beer and soda, and eating our watermelon, stop for a moment and give thanks for those who risk their lives everyday, just so you and I can enjoy the right to do so. Let's spit our seeds in unadulterated freedom today...and, if you see a Soldier, Marine, Airman or Sailor, thank him or her for their service, patriotism and dedication to keeping our county safe from harm.
Happy Independence Day!
B.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Here's a Little Pop Culture for the Morning
I'm sure most of us in the "over 29" crowd will remember most of these "Catch Phrases".
Enjoy:
30 catchphrases in 60 seconds
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Tuesday, July 1, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
From the Lance Rogers Campaign:
STATE REP. DAYLIN LEACH FILES FALSE AFFIDAVIT WITH COURT IN SUPPORT OF DISGRACED CONSTABLE
(Ardmore, PA) - State Representative and candidate for state Senate Daylin Leach apparently doesn't have a problem recommending individuals who have already been found unsuited for a career in law enforcement. The Times Herald reported yesterday that Leach certified in an affidavit filed with the court June 5th that he's known former Montgomery County Constable Steven Sokoloff for at least five years, attesting to his good character. Last fall, Sokoloff was forced to publicly resign his job as Deputy Constable due to unnecessary force and false arrest.
In today's Philadelphia Inquirer, Leach told the reporter when asked about his questionable recommendation, "that he did not know Sokoloff well and was not aware he resigned from his job as a deputy constable." That is in direct contrast to Leach's notarized affidavit certifying he has known Sokoloff for five years.
"I'm not sure what Mr. Leach is thinking. All one needs to do is a simple Google search and Mr. Sokoloff's name pops up everywhere. This recommendation is just another example in the long list of poor decisions Leach has made over the last five years," said Lance Rogers ". I wouldn't want Sokoloff to be a crossing guard, let alone carry a badge and gun as a private investigator. Mr. Leach should withdraw his endorsement of Mr. Sokoloff and tell us who he was lying to - the court or the reporter."
Last October, Steven Sokoloff, then a Deputy Constable awarded a job by his wife, was forced to resign his position after using unnecessary force against an innocent man over a $10 parking ticket. Former District Attorney Bruce Castor launched a criminal investigation at the time into Sokoloff's actions, and CBS-3 and KYW radio both ran stories. Sokoloff resigned his position one week later.
Contact: Troy Berman
610.649.1880
Troy@LanceRogers.com
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