Obamessiah's Good Friend and Colleague...

Unrepentant terrorist, William Ayers. Friend of Barack Hussein Obama, terrorist apologist.



I'm thinking here that anybody who'd be friends with a man that would trounce the flag like this doesn't deserve to be president. But, then again, Barry will probably denounce his friendship with Ayers, as soon as it is politically expedient to do so.

HT to 3 Voices blog for the photograph.


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Sightings:VII

Sadly, there was no sighting of King James the Turd at the MCRC family picnic. Today's entry is an official "non-Sighting".

Overheard by your humble blogger at the MCRC shindig was something to the effect of this: (and I paraphrase)

Montco R: Hey, Jim...are you going to the MCRC picnic?

King James: I don't think so, I wasn't invited.

He wasn't invited? Heck, it was open to all Montco Republica...er...oh, right...ok...I guess he probably wasn't invited.

Oh, well. They weren't serving crow anyway.


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A Note To A Friend:

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

(I hope you had this kind of birthday)

From: The Crew at Writemarsh.



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Prediction, Schmediction.

Far be it for me to point our the pratfalls and foibles of others (heh), but...

Tony Phyrillas posted, on the pick of Joe Biden by the Obamessiah,"The excitement...is underwhelming" yesterday and pointed out different blogs takes on the "news" of this unholy alliance.

One such link he made was to Page13News:

"Page 13 News brags that he predicted the Obama/Biden ticket 10 days ago."

Izzat so? Mr. Ed said 10 days ago that Biden was the presumptive choice for dVEEP?

Male bovine excrement. Read the Matthew's sycophants post from August 13th, in it's entirety:

Obama's Veep Choice Is...

According to page13news sources, Barack Obama has made his choice for Vice President.

I have been trying to confirm the information which started to leak yesterday. And until "official" news sources pick this up, I suppose some will classify this as just another rumor started by bloggers.

The name being whispered in my ear by people close to the individual, is none other than Joe Biden from Delaware.

Not exactly earth shattering as Biden's name has been bounced around a lot lately. But my sources state that, among other signs, the secret service has stepped up its detail around the Deleware Senator.

Despite once saying he didn't want the job, but would find it hard to say no, Biden will lend his name to the Hope and Change ticket.

He admits in this post that the name of Biden was "being leaked" and "whispered in his ear", and was "trying to confirm" this "whispered" rumor. Now, don't think I'm nitpicking, but I thought a "prediction" was something that you thought of on your own, with careful thought and research, an educated hypothesis, so to speak.

But, a "name whispered in my ear"? Feh!

This is the same guy that insists there is no "Matthews Effect".

My prediction? Writemarsh will expose Page 13's erroneous post, bragging of a prediction, as fallacious. (whoa, a prediction based on fact and careful research...and it just came true!)

Mr. Ed, this was not a prediction, but rather a "repeat-tion"!

Oh-h-h-h-h-h-h, Wi-i-i-i-i-l-b-u-u-u-u-u-r!


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A Rite of Passage

My father hunts, and so did my grandfather. I started hunting when I was 12 years old and have been hunting now for 32 years.

Before I could hold a hunting license, I had to take the PA Game Commission's Hunter Safety Course.

From what I remember, it was 2 nights and you took a pretty logical test at the end of the second night. I do remember that I passed with a score in the high 90's.

Well, my younger son, Jesse, turned 12 in January of this year. Jesse wants to hunt and we took day one of the Hunter Safety Course (HSC) yesterday at the Lower Pottsgrove Sportsman's Club, just outside of Pottstown, PA.

Whoa, man, I don't remember the course being like this!

I was greatly impressed by what the HSC has become over the last 32 years. They didn't just "touch" on anything, they delved into it fully head-on and made sure that the students (boys, girls, young women, young men and old men, like me) knew every part of every style of sporting arm, knew how to engage and disengage the safety, load and unload the firearms and, most importantly, handle them with safety and confidence. All of this without firing a shot.

The instructors were knowledgeable, intuitive, and very good with children. I give them a boatload of credit, as some of them have been teaching the course for over 35 years. They fielded even the most uninformed question with patience and professionalism. Anecdotal analogies rounded out the instruction, making the course more personal.

Jess and I take the second portion of the course on Monday, and I will take my son to the county courthouse on Tuesday to get his hunting license. Hopefully, we'll be hunting within a week or two and he'll catch the bug that I caught over 30 years ago.

Jesse will then get to experience something that I never was able to...I never got to hunt with my grandfather and my father, as my Pop-pop quit hunting long before I ever picked up a rifle or shotgun.

Jesse's Pappy (my dad) still has a few good years left before he stops going afield in the autumn, carrying on a tradition we have built for over 30 years, so Jesse will get to hunt with his dad and grandad...three generations in the field at the same time, as it was when my older son, Ryan (who no longer hunts) did some time ago.

I so envy him!



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Courtesy of Blonde Sagacity

Actually, I just found this on her site:

Your Personality is Very Rare (ESTP)

Your personality type is dominant, driven, poised, and self-aware. Only about 5% of all people have your personality, including 3% of all women and 6% of all men You are Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

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I'm Thinking...

...that the French should cut out the middle-man. Why make the crayfish suffer indignity?

Click on the link to jump to "Light-Seeking-Light" to see what I'm talking about:

A New Use For Pigeon Poo

HT to D. B. Light!


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Montco Commissioners at Odds With Union Tactics

...except Joe Hoeffel. Hoeffel never met a union he didn't like. It looks like Matthews is leaning pro-labor, as well, he just hasn't been told by Hoeffel that he should lean that way yet. Give it time...

Read the article:

Commissioners distance themselves from anti-union letter

By: GARY WECKSELBLATT (Fri, Aug/22/2008)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY - Montgomery County commissioners distanced themselves Thursday from a letter prepared by their labor lawyer and sent to county workers that labeled as “despicable” a union's campaign of calling county employees at home and showing up at their houses.

The letter, made available to the media Thursday, was mailed to the homes of some employees after several complained about what they saw as intimidating tactics used by recruiters for the Service Employees International Union, Commissioners Chairman James Matthews said.

“Union representatives have recently been appearing unannounced at the homes of some county employees,” the letter said. “Some employees have also received telephone calls at home, even to unlisted employee telephone numbers. ... I have confirmed that the county did not provide any personal employee information to union officials. ... we think such actions are despicable.” (read on after the jump)

It says the county “strongly opposes” the unionization effort and urges employees to do the same.

All three commissioners said Thursday they were unaware of the mailing, sent out a few weeks ago. Matthews said it was drafted by attorney Alfred D'Angelo, the county's counsel on labor matters, and turned over to Carolyn Carluccio, the county's acting human resources director.

Matthews said Carluccio and D'Angelo held a meeting with department supervisors who had been asking for advice in how to deal with the recruitment. It was there they were given the letter and told they could change the parts of it they did not like. Carluccio and D'Angelo were on vacation Thursday and could not be reached for comment.

Matthews said the letter was inappropriate and he did not care for the word “despicable.” But after describing himself as “a friend of the trades” and saying the county did not want to appear to be endorsing unfair labor practices, Matthews noted that employees have described their “revulsion” with the union tactics.

“I know many were intimidated,” he said. “Your home is your castle. You show up there in the dark hours unannounced, that is intimidation. Once I'm home, get out of my face.”

Commissioner Joe Hoeffel said he found the mailing “objectionable.”

“Employees have a right under the law to organize,” he said. “They should feel free to make a decision based on their own free will.”

Currently, only county probation officers and domestic relations officers are members of a union, belonging to AFSCME.

Matthews said he is “totally against unionizing in county government” because employees here are treated well. “I don't think it's wise to give up one percent of your pay check. If someone wants to waste their money that's up to them. ... I do not like the intimidation going on out there right now.”
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RE: The Music In Me (And My Kids)

My post, The Music In Me (and My Kids) has spawned this idea for a post:

What (and where) was your very first, favorite, and worst concert?

To start things off, my very first concert was KISS, at the Spectrum, in 1978, which was the tour to promote their solo albums (which sucked, except for Ace Frehley's, which had several really good songs on it). For the record, Kiss Rocks Live! Judas Priest opened for them, and were quite good for a relatively unknown band.

The very best concert I ever attended has to be Metallica, 1992, when they toured to promote the "boxed set" tribute to Cliff Burton. The Spectrum was set up with a mosh pit in the center of the stage, and I was so close to the band I was able to 'high-five" Jason Newstead and Lars Ulrich when the took their bows at the end of the concert. My "pit pass" adorns my guitar case to this day.

As for the worst...

Hands down, it's the Cars "Candy-O" tour in 1979...Local Baltimore rockers, The Greg Kihn, band opened and was hands down better than the headliner (he performed "the Break-up Song" before it was released nationally in 1981). The Cars sucked live and their light show sucked even harder. (What do you want for a conceert that only cost $9.95?).

Send me your First, Fav, and Worst concert experiences and I'll compile them into a post at a later date. I'll respect your anonymity, if desired.

Have a great Friday¡

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A Random Thought

Wanting to take the moral high ground, the democrats have pretty much told John Edwards thanks, but no thanks...we'd rather not have an adulterer speak at the convention.

Is it just me or isn't it strange that they picked Bill Clinton to speak in his stead?

HT to my brother from another mother for this one!







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Winning at Any Cost-How the Dems Cheat

A few years ago, a friend and former Whitemarsh committeeman gave me a book, "If it's Not Close, They Can't Cheat" by Hugh Hewitt. I've just recently come across it and am in the process of reading it, again. The book is a "how to" for budding (and veteran) activists who really want to win elections both on the national and local level. The publisher synopsizes the book:

This is a book about winning elections in an age when security has trumped almost every other issue and the technology of political effectiveness is evolving with lightning quickness. Hewitt offers real-world tactics for individuals who (1) care about the future of the United States and (2) want to work effectively to help elect candidates who will lead the country?on a national or local level?in the right direction.

In this book, Hugh Hewitt does more than rehash conservative grievances, preach to the choir, or even preach to the choir plus the undecideds. He aims to change the behavior of the choir, one reader at a time. Hewitt includes material targeted to people of faith when appropriate and appeals to all readers who consider themselves conservative or center-right.

The recklessness of our leaders on security and many other crucial issues has never been clearer, and acting in response to that recklessness has never been so urgent. The silly response is anger. The smart response is winning elections.

It's a good read, and has inspired me to follow several local elections more closely. I will report a few times a week on how the race(s) are going, and will delve deep into the local papers and blogs, to see how and why some of the dems are trying to pull a fast one to win elections in our area.

I'll compare the campaign with some of the tactics Hewitt speaks of in his book, to see just where we are slipping up by letting them get away with underhanded and downright dirty campaigning.

I'm going to go out on a limb, and start Monday with a local State Representative race, introduce you to the dems cavalcade of misinformation, and analyze the campaign to show you why they have to cheat to have a chance this year.

Stay tuned!

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HT To Tony Phyrillas

I glommed this from tonyphyrillas.blogspot.com, as I thought a lot of you would be able to reference it when arguing/discussing with democrats why you continue to vote Republican:

Democrats Sorry Record on Social Security

I like this Letter to the Editor originally published in The Mercury. The writer does a good job or recounting the record of Democrats on Social Security.

Democratic Party has a sorry record on Social Security, taxes

Here are some thoughts to ponder. Did you know that Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security program? He promised that participation would be completely voluntary and participants would only have to pay 1 percent of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes.

The money put into Social Security would be deductibles for tax purposes each year. The money would not be put into general operation funds, but into an independent "trust fund" that could be used by no other government program, and Social Security payments would never be taxed as income. Many of us have been paying into the fund for years and now find we are being taxed on 85 percent of this money that we paid to the government to be "put away."

Do you know which political party took Social Security out of the "trust fund" and put it into a general fund, so Congress could spend it? Lyndon Johnson and a Democratic controlled House and Senate.

Do you know which political party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security withholding? The Democratic Party.

Do you know which political party started taxing Social Security payments? The Democratic Party (Al Gore as president of the Senate while being vice president cast the "tie breaking" vote).

Which political party decided to start giving payments to immigrants? Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.

The Democrats tell us the Republicans want to take your Social Security away, when they are the ones who violated the original contract.

Congress gives themselves 100 percent retirement for only serving one term.

"A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have." Thomas Jefferson

Contrary to what you might think, I am registered as an Independent. Facts are facts.

NANCY L. BELL
Pottstown


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The Music In Me (and My Kids)

We Shaws are an eclectic bunch when it comes to music.

On any given day, there might be dance club music (the wife), Hannah Montana, High School Musical, etc. ( the princess), Nine Inch Nails, Korn, Linkin Park (the prince), or, any host of music from Elvis to Marilyn Manson (your humble blogger) on our car stereo.

I've personally been to more concerts than I can remember, I've seen bands that pretty much run the gamut, from KISS to Jethro Tull, from Linda Ronstadt (in my youth) to The Clash, from Billy Ray Cyrus to Slipknot.

What's the point to this story? My 12 year old son, "the prince" is going to see his very first concert on August 29th. He and I have a date with Nine Inch Nails at the Wachovia Center. When I tell people what we are going to see, I get puzzled looks and comments like "are you kidding me?"

Some ask why I would allow my son to listen to such hard music? First of all, he's a burgeoning musician. To deny him access to all forms of music would be stifling and, for lack of a better term, snobbish of me.

You see, I look at music much differently than most people. I view music as an art form, and as with art, is subject to the taste of the individual listening to it. To not allow my son exposure to certain types of music would probably drive him to seek out even more shocking forms of expression, like turning "Goth" or shaving a mohawk in his head (the latter would not shock me in the least!).

I really believe that I have good kids. With that perspective, I also feel that you teach children to be responsible by example. If and when the prince or princess give me a reason to restrict what they listen to, then dad will (and does) get tough.

But to deny them the experience of an art form that pretty much defined my youth (and carried over into my adult life) would be an egregious error on my part.

And, besides, I am a huge fan of Nine Inch Nails...to deny myself the pleasure of seeing them in concert would be just shameful. To be able to share this experience with my son will surely plant a seed in him that I hope he sows throughout his life...by keeping an open mind and bestowing the gift of music on his children.

Maybe some day he, I and my grandchildren will have floor seats for a reunion tour of Marilyn Manson...and I'll be the cool grandpa with the awesome grandkids, hanging with some middle-aged guy (that my son will become) that used to be me...and all will continue to be good in the world.

B.


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Sightings: VI

King James the Turd was sighted this week in Conshohocken, at a news conference pertaining to the fire (and subsequent lawsuits filed) at the Millenium buildings last week.

Why is this news? Although Mr. "the Turd" should have been there, one only has to look at the picture to see who he was there with...His Turdness was rubbing elbows with, and only with, democrats.

Read the story here, but scroll down to see the photo...Sandy Caterbone, Prince Joe, Connie "Hess" Williams, Mike Gerbage and his henchpersons (behind him)...like I said, only d's.

Publish Post

*****UPDATE*****

Apparently, (probably due to the poor quality of the photo) I missed Daylin Leach (AKA Dutch LaRue), just behind Caterbone.


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Another One Under the Bus

Fellow 'cooler poster, D. B. Light (Light Seeking Light), has found another instance of Obama saying "thanks, but no thanks" to what he perceives as another anchor around his neck...The "No-Bama-ssiah" has invited General Wesley Clark to miss the Democratic National Convention...Adding Clark to the list, here's just a partial...(I've lost count):

• Grandma Dunham
• Rev. Jeremiah Wright
• Fr. Michael Pleger
• ^NEW!Michael Klonsky
• Muslim supporters
• babies that survive abortion attempts
• 8,000 Members of Trinity Church of Christ
• Samatha Power
• Obama advisor/Hamas friend Rob Malley
• Tony Rezko
  

Hanging on to the bumper:

• Marilyn Katz (former SDS radical, Obama campaign PR professional)
• Carl Davidson (former SDS radical, Fidel Castro Fan, webmaster of Progressives for Obama)
• Michelle Obama
• half-brother Abongo Obama, a militant Muslim
• "Uncle Frank" Frank Marshall Davis, role model/mentor and member of the Communist Party USA, poet who authored "Smash-on, victory-eating Red Army"
• Bill Ayers, domestic terrorist and long-time friend
• Bernadine Dorhn, Ayer's wife, fellow domestic terrorist. and Manson Family admirer. (list courtesy of Confederate Yankee)
  

Read D.B.'s take on it here:

Light Seeking Light: Obama to Gen. Clark, "get lost"!



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Sightings: V

Each year the Sate Police have a Clambake on the second Wednesday in August. This year, His Majesty was in attendance almost literally "Velcro-ed" to the shoulder of State Attorney General Tom Corbett. King James never left the AG's side the entire time each was there. They even left at the same time.

Somebody needs to clue-in Corbett about "The Matthews Effect." Just the hint of support from Matthews has sunk the candidacy of anyone seeking office since January. Corbett needs a little better class of friends when he comes to Montgomery County.

Previous sightings? Click here.

More on the "Matthews Effect? Click here.


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What is Wrong With This Story?

No offense to those who may obsess over their lawns, but, this is beyond outrageous...Lawn Police?

LANSDALE — Last month, Lynda Albright called the police after seeing a woman casing her backyard.

Albright said the woman, who was taking pictures of her property in the 800 block of West Third Street but wouldn't identify herself, eventually drove away in a car with a municipal license plate.

Within days, Albright received a notice from the borough saying the large tree trunk laying in her yard had to be removed within two weeks or a fine would be issued.

Albright said the tree, which was cut down for firewood, had been chopped up three days before.

Albright and Donna Nguyen, who also lives on West Third, said borough officials are targeting residents unfairly with accusations of improper lawn care.

Improper lawn care?

It seems that in Lansdale, you can be cited for "improper grass and weeds". Who thinks these things up? And, even more egregious, why does any borough or township think they can waste your tax dollars to make this an issue?

I can understand if there's an issue of "Sandford and Son" in the yard across the street, it's an eyesore and can possible become breeding ground for vermin, but to have some uncut vegetation? Does the township/borough fine itself for high grass on their open space areas?

I find it surreal that in our society, we need to make and enforce laws that have little or no impact on our lifestyle or health. At the discretion of some zealot, grandma or grandpa or sweet Aunt Laura can be fined for an exuberant rosebush? Feh!

Read the entire Reporter article here.


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DA Creates Corruption Unit

Margaret Gibbons writes, in today's Times Herald:

COURTHOUSE - Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman Monday announced the creation of a new investigation unit designed, with the help of the public, to ferret out public corruption.

Generally, the unit will probe complaints from the public regarding elected officials or people in positions of trust who may have violated the public trust for their own financial benefit or simply for power, according to Ferman.
The unit will investigate theft-based crimes, abuse of authority and ethics violations, she said.

While the office has always investigated public corruption, a specific unit has not been assigned to the task.

Citing the public outrage stemming from the results of public corruption investigations in Washington, Harrisburg and Philadelphia, Ferman said, "The public has lost confidence in many of their elected leaders and in government as a whole. We want to do what we can to help restore that confidence in government at the local and the county level." (read the rest of the article here)

I'm wondering which of the "d" row officers will be the first to spill the beans on the others come forward in return for immunity from prosecution. I'm also wondering which of the commissioners feels like there's a target pinned to his back now. My bet is both King James and Prince Joe.

The immediate future is beginning to look very interesting!


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I'm Much Too Young To Feel This Damned Old

I was talking to my father this afternoon. He called to ask me about the fire in Conshy (which, at the time, I knew nothing about) and the conversation (after a few back and forth phone calls) turned to the fact that Dad retired this week.

He hadn't planned it, he just decided that this week was his last week, and that he was finally done working. For the record, Dad turned 69 on August 2nd.

It's bittersweet for him, as he worked for the same company 47 out of the last 49 years. He left in 1970 for a year and a half, went back, and spent from '72 to '98 there. I was lucky enough to work with him from 2000 until 2003, with me leaving for economic reasons (which is kind of why Dad left in '70).

With Dad's retirement, I am starting to feel my age. I turned 44 in February, leaving only 23 years until I can retire. Given that my oldest just tuned 21, I don't feel that those 23 years will take too long to pass.

Funny thing is, I never thought my dad would ever retire, that they'd find him cold and stiff, standing at the delivery end of his press, with a press-sheet in his hands.

Anyway, I'm glad he took retirement and now has plenty of time to enjoy the rest of his life. He can fish, hunt, shoot, have a beer and not worry about work ever again.

Here's to you Dad! We'll hoist a beer this weekend and toast your working years past and your relaxing years yet to come. Enjoy your well earned retirement (and try not to get on Mom's nerves too much!).

And just think-you may finally get the ink stains off your hands for good...

B.


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Another Happy Birthday

To my nephew (my very first nephew, I must add) Evan.

It's hard to believe that 22 years ago, I got the phone call and told his dad he had a son.

Happy birthday, bro. Keep working hard at what you need to be doing.

Love ya!

Uncle Bill.


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It's Hard...

...(no pun intended) not to think of the classic KISS song "Plaster Caster" ("Love Gun", 1977) when you read this story (from August 6th's Times Herald):

NORRISTOWN - Just weeks after making an unusual request to allow a Lansdale man accused of child rape to create a mold of his penis for use as a trial exhibit, a defense lawyer has asked to be released from the case.

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Montco Forsees Increased Borrowing

Tighten your belts, Montco taxpayers...it won't be long before we see our first tax increase under the new, democratic administration!

Read the article by Bradley Vasoli, Bulletin Columnist:

08/11/2008

Norristown - A report on Montgomery County's general fund shows a fiscal outlook at the midpoint of the year slightly weaker than at the same point last year, although the county's solvency remains relatively sound.

County revenues in the first half of 2008 minus expenditures during that period amount to $60,767,000. The figure for last year's midpoint was $81,843,000.

The changed fiscal picture owes partly to lower real-estate tax receipts and to a $10 million increase in spending for the first half of the year.

Maintaining a hefty fund balance has long helped Montgomery County maintain an AAA bond rating from its financial management company Moody's Investor Service. All three county commissioners agreed they would not support a tax increase at this point to shore up the balance.

"All of us agree: All we have to do is not have one," Commissioner Bruce Castor, R, said.

Commissioners' Chairman Jim Matthews, R, said a likely response would be to increase long-term borrowing, which he said makes sense in a time like now when interests rates are low and the Federal Reserve seems more intent on maintaining economic growth than preventing heightened inflation.

"[Borrowing] is a long-accepted method of dealing with long-term costs," Mr. Matthews said.

Mr. Castor said after the meeting he is reluctant to look toward borrowing because of the future financial burden to which increased debt service would lead. (click on link to read the entire article)

He said he feared much of the money the county spent in the last six months hasn't been appropriated wisely. He criticized particularly what he views as excessive salaries paid to several friends of Democratic Commissioner Joseph Hoeffel who are also former candidates for local and state offices.

He cited Jeff Albert and Jim Maza, hired in January respectively as first assistant deputy solicitor and deputy county operating officer. Both make slightly over $90,000.

"I get the sense that there's no [fiscal] restraint at all from the commissioners," Mr. Castor said.

Republicans also took some criticism from Mr. Hoeffel for their stewardship of the county's finances before January. (Since that time, a bipartisan power-sharing arrangement between Mr. Hoeffel and Mr. Matthews has been in effect.) Mr. Hoeffel criticized Republican former Commissioners Chairman Tom Ellis for supporting an interest-rate swap that did not realize the savings for the county Mr. Ellis anticipated.

Mr. Ellis, a state treasurer candidate who attended the commissioners meeting to discuss campaign finance reform proposals, responded that he, Mr. Matthews and Democratic Commissioner Ruth Damsker agreed last year that opting for a variable interest rate was the best decision based on the economic outlook at the time.

He also credited himself with helping the county save $29 million during his three years as a commissioner.

Mr. Hoeffel disputed neither point.

"I understand that the market went south," he said. "I simply want an honest accounting."

He went on to give Mr. Ellis some praise for his economic record.

"There were millions of dollars of savings as a result of your work," Mr. Hoeffel said.
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Unionizing Montco Government?

The Bulletin
08/07/2008

It seems that Democratic Montco Commissioner Joe Hoeffel has plans to organize Montgomery County employees, and is doing so with the support of Commissioner Chairman Republican Jim Matthews. This should come as no surprise, since Mr. Hoeffel was successful in his effort to unionize county employees when he was commissioner in the late 1990s.

(If I am correct, shouldn't supervisors, bosses, i.e. the commissioners keep out of the affairs d'employees as far as organizing is concerned? The courts have said that a supervisor cannot interfere in the forming/organizing of unions, but, does that encompass interference from both sides of the table?-someone versed in occupational law help me here!)

After several years being represented by AFSCME, however, the county employees voted to scrap the union. Republican Commissioner (then District Attorney) Bruce Castor was opposed to the union as not being in the best interests of the county's employees, and remains opposed.

Mr. Hoeffel's activities put Mr. Matthews in a tight spot since Mr. Matthews previously opposed unionization, but he now depends on Mr. Hoeffel's vote to remain commissioners' chairman.

If Mr. Matthews refuses to support Mr. Hoeffel in any major initiative, he runs the risk that he will lose Mr. Hoeffel's support and thus be unable to remain chairman.

One wonders when Mr. Hoeffel will require something of Mr. Matthews that he is unwilling to provide. Or if there is anything Mr. Matthews will not agree to in order to remain on Mr. Hoeffel's good side now that he has burned his bridges with Mr. Castor.

It looks like the ball is in King James' court right now...does "the Turd" side with the democrat and say effyou to good government or does he do the right thing by the taxpayers of Montgomery County and not support the union.

I guess we'll have to wait and see if James Rex has flip-flopped his position on the unionization of county employees and thus finally gone completely over to the dark side.

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I've been away...

...as a matter of fact, over the past three weeks, I've not been able to sit in front of my computer for very long, which is why my posts have been few and far between.

I've been:

a) on vacation,
b) mourning the sudden ( and shocking) death of a friend and,
c) away at Boy Scout summer camp (life does go on, even in troubling times).

The loss of my friend was doubly felt, as he was supposed to be at camp with us and I was the person relieving him (so he could come home to help a sick relative).

Things should pick up a bit from here on.

I apologize to those who faithfully hit the blog to see what's new and what's still pissing me off.

I've only hit a bump in the road...I'm back on course and will be, as always, your humble blogger once again.

New news: I've been invited to be a contributing blogger on pawatercooler.com. My sincere thanks to Alex C. (editor) for the opportunity to be part of something that I consider "the voice" of the politically active folks of Pennsylvania.

B.


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Illegal Aliens Rounded Up in Montco

An article in the Times Herald really caught my attention today. It seems that there was a sting operation to round up and arrest illegal aliens in Montgomery County on Tuesday. Some of the illegals were collared working in the public areas of Montgomery County courthouse and at One Montgomery Plaza!

So far, so good, eh? That's what ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is all about, rounding up and deporting illegals. And it looks like they're finally doing what they are paid to do...deport undocumented and illegal aliens.

Apparently, "community activists gathered Tuesday in front of St. Patrick's Church on Dekalb Street to protest last weekend's round-up of illegal immigrants by Immigration and Customs Enforcement".

I read on to find:

Eugenio H. Villasantes and Roberto Ortiz as well as other union leaders of Local 32BJ SEIU, the union for building janitorial services, were at St. Patrick's supporting the employees affected by the raid. The union condemned the actions of ICE and the tactics of ABM (the company that employs these undocumented, illegal aliens). Click here to read more.

Condemns the tactics? What is there to condemn? The use of a ruse to catch deadbeat dads, people in violation of parole, etc. has been implemented for years as a tactic for good law enforcement.

In a similar article written by the Times Heralds Margaret Gibbons, Union Vice President Valarie Long states, "Rounding up and deporting hardworking immigrant workers is an inhumane and counterproductive action that does nothing to fix our nation's broken immigration system," [...] "These raids, which are completely out of line with our nation's values and ideals serve only to terrorize workers and create fear in our communities."

I guess it's just not "fair" to trick people who willingly break the laws of our land. Not to mention the loss of dues that these illegals paid to line the pockets of the labor unions who represented them. And, what of "our nations values and ideals" is law enforcement "out of line" with? Oh, yeah...unions offering illegal immigrants a lower wage while still collecting union dues from the hapless workers? Give me a break! These people broke the law. Besides, rounding them up is not counterproductive and inhumane. It's called (once again) "law enforcement"!

The protesters are planning a rally on the courthouse steps on Thursday, at 1:30 p.m., followed by a march to St. Patrick's Church.

If other municipalities catch on and start doing the same thing, maybe our illegal problem will slowly, but surely go away.

One can only dream that the day will come when we can call a customer service line and not hear "press one for English...".

(cross posted on pawatercooler.com)
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More on Castor's Endorsement of Marc Perry for State Senator

Castor Endorses Springfield Candidate for State Senate
By Nick Malinowski
Springfield Sun Staff Writer

With just over three months remaining before November's election, Republican Marc Perry picked up the endorsement of Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce Castor.

Perry is a former Springfield Township Commissioner and is running for the Pennsylvania State Senate District 7 seat currently held by Democrat Vincent Hughes, the incumbent since 1994.

"What I'm trying to do is show we have support not only in Philadelphia but in MontgomeryCounty," Perry said in an interview Monday. "[Castor] is a very important piece of that. He stands for a lot of the principles I stand for as a candidate. He's tough on crime, wants to keep property taxes low and is great on open space."

Castor met Perry at a July 24 Republican Party diversity function in Plymouth Meeting.

"We were both promoting more minority participation in the Republican Party. I enjoyed talking with him," Castor said in an interview Monday.

"I made it my business to learn about him and I think he would be an outstanding state senator," Castor said. "One issue that I thought was advantageous to people of MontgomeryCounty was his recognition that transportation infrastructure dollars are drying up at the state and federal levels. I would like more state money and federal money for road and infrastructure improvements [and] that would be an issue that he will fight for in the Senate."

Perry said his campaign is also focusing on ethics reform, which should play well in MontgomeryCounty.

"Pennsylvania is one of the worst states in the country in terms of transparency of government. It's not a Democrat or Republican issue, but good government is want we want to promote," he said. "Ethics reform is a main cornerstone of my campaign."

Perry listed term limits as one major change he would work toward.

Castor's endorsement comes on the heels of endorsements from U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and Republican Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews.

"Any time you are a challenger facing an incumbent who has been there a long time, you have to seek these endorsements," Perry said.

Perry said he will continue to raise money and knock on doors to meet people throughout the summer and into the fall.

"I think Marc is the kind of candidate that can win if he gets his message out," Castor said. "He certainly impressed me, and that is not an easy thing to do." And here is the rest of it. Read Full Text/Comments

Biker Hurt in Crash

By: DAN SOKIL, For The Times Herald

08/05/2008

LANSDALE - An Ambler man was injured and a Lansdale man detained after both were involved in an accident Monday afternoon.

The Ambler man was riding a Honda motorcycle east on Hancock Street when his bike was struck by a gray Pontiac Grand Am driven by a Lansdale man, who was turning from Jefferson Street onto Hancock Street, police said.

The biker, wearing an orange Flyers hoodie and jeans at the time of the accident, was treated at the scene by Volunteer Medical Service Corps personnel, who stabilized the man's head and neck.

He was alert and talking to the VMSC volunteers before being taken to Central Montgomery Medical Center in Hatfield Township for examination, police said.

Lansdale police directed traffic down Hancock past the accident scene, where the motorcycle lay sideways on the street.

Traffic was directed from shortly after the accident occurred at 12:35 p.m. until around 1:10 p.m., when the motorcycle and the Pontiac were removed from the scene.

The motorcycle suffered significant front-end damage, including the loss of one rear-view mirror.

The driver of the Pontiac was administered a Breathalyzer test on the scene, and was taken into custody by Lansdale police for further questioning.
________________________

Just this afternoon, in the Norriton Square shopping center, I nearly had this happen to me. A woman was backing out and never looked to her right (which is the direction I was coming from).

I yelled "Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot!" to get her attention, and admonished her for not looking both directions before backing out...she returned a gaze that spoke volumes...it said "you have three heads".

Sometimes, I hate people. Okay, sometimes I hate some people!

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Pa. Charges $25 Per Year to Collect Child Support

The article below has got me boiling mad...I paid child support for 15 years, until I won custody of my son and had his mothers parental rights revoked/dissolved.

The mere fact that many women get no child support from deadbeat dads, and many men get no child support from deadbeat moms leads me to think, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!

This is absolutely a "poor" tax, and it needs to be repealed. To tax a person who may be holding down 2 jobs to make ends meet, who relies on the child support to maybe pay for doctor's appointments for little Johnnie or Janie, $25.00 is a lot of money. It may very well be the difference between getting antibiotics or toughing out that upper respiratory infection.

Call or write your congressmen/women to have this tax (2006 federal Deficit Reduction Act.) on the innocent victims of divorce and/or unwed unions, the children, repealed.

READING, Pa. (AP) — Under a new policy, custodial parents in Pennsylvania are being charged $25 a year by the state to offset the cost of collecting child support.

"It's absolutely ridiculous," said Bonnie Hendricks, who lives near Reading and gets support for her two children. "This support is supposed to be for the kids."

The fee is the result of the 2006 federal Deficit Reduction Act. Federal officials gave states the option of paying the $25 fee on behalf of parents, collecting it from custodial parents or collecting it from noncustodial parents.

Most states, including Pennsylvania, have chosen to collect from custodial parents, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families.

"This is a fee we have to pay the federal government whether we collect it from parents or not," state Department of Public Welfare spokeswoman Stacey Witalec said. "From what we know in the number of noncustodial parents that we have in arrears, there's a higher probability that we can fulfill the requirement by collecting the fee from the custodial parent."

If the state were to pay the fee, it would cost taxpayers $2.6 million this year and $3.2 million next year.

Not all custodial parents must pay. Parents who have received cash assistance from the welfare department and those who receive $500 to $1,999 a year in child support are exempt.

"It's a weighty issue no matter which way you cut it," said Linda Faye Epes, Berks County's domestic relations director. "I think some people will realize it's the cost of doing business. It's a small cost to pay for the services provided on the county and state level."


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Happy Birthday, Dad

Today is my Dad's birthday.

I am just about to leave for the ride home from our vacation and made sure I took the time to let Dad know how much I love him and to let him know I'm thinking of him today.

Happy birthday to my hunting buddy, my fishing buddy, to my confidant, to my mentor, to my hero and my favorite "southern" democrat... Happy Birthday, Dad!

I hope you live at least another 69 years!

B.

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Requiem for a Friend

I found out this morning that one of our scout leaders had passed away from a heart attack.

Billy Gebhardt was just 45 years old.

Billy was to the Boy Scouts what Joe Paterno is to the Nittany Lions...a legend in our area and one who inspired the boys to become great men.

Billy devoted more than 3/4 of his life to scouting. He was responsible for raising a boatload of money for "Friends of Scouting". He spearheaded a ton of events, and cooked like a gourmet chef. Billy was a Renaissance man and our boys thought the world of him.

Billy probably pushed more lackadaisical scouts to become everything they possibly could be, most achieving Eagle Scout rank with his constant badgering. He did it because he believed in the boys. The boys responded because they believed in Billy.

I must admit, I wept openly in my son's arms this morning upon finding out, via email, that he had passed away.

I wept because I was becoming friends with Billy, which you didn't do if he didn't like you.

I wept because there were things left unfinished that, without his signature, may be only mildly successful.

I wept because my son would never have the opportunity to be badgered into achieving greatness by Billy Gephardt.

Not that Billy was the be-all and end all of Scouting...but if you ask some of those boys who were "badgered" into completing their Eagle Projects and that one more merit badge, they'd beg to differ.

Rest in peace, my friend. I will miss you. Scout meetings will never be the same.

Your spirit will live on in the many lives you have touched, however briefly. I will make sure of it, I promise...on my honor.


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HT to The Save Ardmore Coalition...

for sending me this little gem, "because I'm so cool":

The Emerald Necklace Political "Atta Boy" Award?

Darth Vader is getting a new award? How is it he is the gift that keeps on giving? Why does he deserve this exactly? Because he no longer is a commissioner and no longer chairs the Montco GOP? Couldn't he just buy a condo in Symphony House instead?

Board of Commissioners
Regular Monthly Meeting
Date: 8/6/2008 7:00 PM
Location: Township Administration Bldg - 2nd Floor Board Room
75 East Lancaster Ave
Ardmore, Pennsylvania 19003-2323

Announcements

Presentation – Kenneth E. Davis, Chair, Ad Hoc Open Space Committee, Emerald Necklace Award

Ya know, there are a lot more people deserving of recognition in this township and doesn't this just smack of political atta boys?

Wait until Writemarsh hears about this, huh?

(I wonder if he's ever received the "pearl necklace" award. I'm sure he'll stash this right in his murse, as it probably wouldn't fit around his neck with his popped collar.)

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Sightings: IV

Jim Matthews was sighted having lunch with county solicitor Barry Miller at a Montgomery County restaurant. Not entirely out of the ordinary and probably unworthy of your humble bloggers "Sightings" reports, right?

Wrong!

They were breaking bread with a third party... Democrat Controller Diane Morgan!

It is one thing for Matthews to continue to portray his charade at the court house as some kind of bipartisan experiment for the benefit of the county, but hey–we know that is a load of elephant crap.

Morgan has repeatedly made unfounded and undeserved attacks upon Republicans Bill Donnelly, Jane Markley, Bruce Castor and Risa Ferman, the entire DA's office and has basically made the Republican party, in general, her cottage industry.

By (apparently) taking her under his wing, Matthews is showing the county GOP where his loyalties and sympathies are.

So, I write this open letter to Cmmsr. "The Turd":

Jim,

You've been a stalwart to the party for as long as I can remember. I've thought better of you in the past than I have in recent months.

Chairman Bob Kerns has offered an olive branch (to have you back) no questions asked, if you'd just try to get along with Cmmsr. Castor and refute your newfound alliance with the democrat commissioner.

You've not made any attempt to meet us, the loyal Republican base, even halfway.

My proposal is this: if I send you a voters registration form, check off the "democrat" box, would you finally complete the equation you've left unfinished since January 7th? Just sign the damned form and get it over with?

Thanks.

Bill Shaw
writemarsh@gmail.com

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Had to Share This

HEHE...I received this comment this morning on my post about the "Matthews Effect":

Anonymous said...

Real classy Bill, real classy.

Let's not even begin to discuss your physical appearance.

Well, here is the comment I posted in response to this anonymous person's comment. I've only done this a few times, but, here goes:

I'm fat, shave my head and have an uneven beard.

Every couple of years, I change my hair, shave my beard, or otherwise change my appearance. Why? I get tired of looking at the same old face in the mirror and like to change it up every once in a while.

I accept the fact that I am 44 years old and am at the age where I could become a grandfather.

I am not a "young Republican".

Oh, by the way, I don't consider myself attractive, either. Just a plain "Joe", that's all.

See? I'm not afraid to discuss my physical appearance, nor that of others. I'm a realist.

Peace.

B.

As an afterthought, I'm also not afraid to sign my name to anything I write.

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It's Laughable

This last week, Ed Boyd, Abington committeeman and Matthews apologist, posted this on his blot (skip the bullsh*t, just watch the second video):

Off the Record (or, there is no "Matthews Effect")

Apparently, Mr. Boyd lives in a fantasy world. Here, in some previous posts, are a few of those who have fallen victim to "The Matthews Effect":

http://writemarsh.blogspot.com/2008/05/ed-boyd-latest-victim-of-matthews.html

http://writemarsh.blogspot.com/2008/06/matthews-effect-again.html

http://writemarsh.blogspot.com/2008/06/philadelphia-inquirer-latest-victim-of.html

http://writemarsh.blogspot.com/2008/06/update-victims-of-matthews-effect-thus.html

There are but a few of those who have fallen victim to the dreaded "effect". I, too have been a victim, as Jim told me that I had his support in my failed run for supervisor in Whitemarsh. Boyd is a fool not to recognize the pattern for what it is.

What would you expect from a guy who still considers himself a "young Republican" at his age? (I visited a YR meeting once, it was just plain creepy seeing him, apparently trying to hang on to his lost youth, mingling with the 20-somethings like a dried up old bachelor uncle.)

(If you've ever seen the guy, he looks like he's about 60)

Maybe if he wasn't such a Matthews sycophant, his blog would be doing better than it has (he just recently took down his counter...only 4000+ hits since last September, which is pitiful)


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We're Sorry, World,...

HT to Trekmedic251 at "Is This Life?"...this is a cross-post from his blog:

Hell, if the Obamessiah can do it,....

Received this by e-mail from The PokerMistress:



This 'Letter of Apology' was written by Lieutenant General Chuck Pitman, US Marine Corps, Retired:

For good and ill, the Iraqi prisoner abuse mess will remain an issue. On the one hand, right thinking Americans will abhor the stupidity of the actions while on the other hand, political glee will take control and fashion this minor event into some modern day massacre.

I humbly offer my opinion here:
I am sorry that the last seven times we Americans took up arms and sacrificed the blood of our youth; it was in the defense of Muslims ( Bosnia , Kosovo, Gulf War 1, Kuwait , etc.)

I am sorry that no such call for an apology upon the extremists came after 9/11.

I am sorry that all of the murderers on 9/11 were Islamic Arabs.

I am sorry that most Arabs and Muslims have to live in squalor under savage dictatorships.

I am sorry that their leaders squander their wealth.

I am sorry that their governments breed hate for the US in their religious schools, mosques, and government-controlled media.

I am sorry that Yasser Arafat was kicked out of every Arab country and high-jacked the Palestinian 'cause.'

I am sorry that no other Arab country will take in or offer more than a token amount of financial help to those same Palestinians.

I am sorry that the U. S. A. has to step in and be the biggest financial supporter of poverty stricken Arabs while the insanely wealthy Arabs blame the USA for all their problems.

I am sorry that our own left wing, our media, and our own brainwashed liberal masses do not understand any of this (from the misleading vocal elements of our society like radical liberal professors, CNN and the NY TIMES).

I am sorry the United Nations scammed the poor people of Iraq out of the 'food for oil' money so they could get rich while the common folk suffered.

I am sorry that some Arab governments pay the families of homicide bombers upon their death.

I am sorry that those same bombers are brainwashed thinking they will receive 72 virgins in 'paradise.'

I am sorry that the homicide bombers think pregnant women, babies, children, the elderly and other noncombatant civilians are legitimate targets.

I am sorry that our troops die to free more Arabs from the gang rape rooms and the filling of mass graves of dissidents of their own making.

I am sorry that Muslim extremists have killed more Arabs than any other group.

I am sorry that foreign trained terrorists are trying to seize control of Iraq and return it to a terrorist state.

I am sorry we don't drop a few dozen Daisy cutters on Fallujah.

I am sorry every time terrorists hide they find a convenient 'Holy Site.'

I am sorry they didn't apologize for driving a jet into the World Trade Center that collapsed and severely damaged Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - one of our Holy Sites.

I am sorry they didn't apologize for flight 93 and 175, the USS Cole, the embassy bombings, the murders and beheadings of Nick Berg and Daniel Pearl, etc....etc!

I am sorry Michael Moore is American; he could feed a medium sized village in Africa .

America will get past this latest absurdity. We will punish those responsible because that is what we do.
I am sorry the Barack Hussein Obama may be elected president of the United States when he doesn't have a clue on how to be a strong Commander-in-chief in a world filled with Muslim extremists who will do whatever it needs to do to destroy the lives of civilized people while killing innocent men, women and children in order to bring a change that is beneficial to all Islamic terrorists worldwide.

I am sorry that voters on the liberal left don't understand the frightening changes that are taking place
in the Muslim world and what these changes will do to this world in which we live.
I am sorry that the Democratic Party has been highjacked by Socialists and Communists right under the very noses of those who take pride in calling themselves democrats.

We hang out our dirty laundry for the entire world to see. We move on. That's one of the reasons we are hated so much. We don't hide this stuff like all those Arab countries that are now demanding an apology.

Deep down inside, when most Americans saw this reported in the news, we were like - so what? We lost hundreds and made fun of a few prisoners. Sure, it was wrong, sure, it dramatically hurts our cause, but until captured we were trying to kill these same prisoners. Now we're supposed to wring our hands because a few were humiliated?

Our compassion is tempered with the vivid memories of our own people killed, mutilated and burnt amongst a joyous crowd of celebrating Fallujahans.

If you want an apology from this American, you're going to have a long wait! You have a better chance of finding those seventy-two virgins.

Chuck Pitman
Lieutenant General, USMC

Pass this on to your friends if you agree.
If not, I am sorry I offended you by passing on the facts. And here is the rest of it. Read Full Text/Comments

A Very Compelling Argument for Drilling NOW!

Drill Now
By Dr. Mark W. Hendrickson
July 25, 2008

Dr. Mark W. Hendrickson download photo

High fuel prices have produced a tectonic shift in the United States’ political landscape. Recent polls indicate a strong surge of support for Uncle Sam lifting government restrictions against domestic drilling for oil. Blocking the development of domestic energy resources was a luxury we used to be able to afford. At current prices, though, the calculus has shifted. The reasons for proceeding full-speed-ahead with domestic drilling are compelling. They include:

1) Compassion toward relatively poor Americans. Those who oppose domestic oil production often are those who claim to champion “the little guy.” They can prove the sincerity of their professions by permitting increased domestic production of oil, thereby exerting downward pressure on the market price of the fuel that consumes a growing share of Americans’ incomes.

2) Reducing the merchandise trade deficit. For years, politicians left and right have decried the United States’ enormous trade deficit. Since imports of oil now account for more than half of that deficit, one of the most effective policies for reducing it would be to produce more oil domestically.

3) Creating more jobs, especially high-paying blue-collar jobs. Why does the party that aspires to be known as the friend of labor suppress the creation of thousands of high-paying jobs for American workers?

4) Showing more respect to the rest of the world. There is something pathetic about the president of the United States traveling to Saudi Arabia to plead for them to increase production while we refuse to increase our own. Liberals are uncomfortable with any manifestation of American exceptionalism, yet aren’t we practicing exceptionalism when we expect the rest of the world to produce our energy for us?

5) Increasing national security. Who benefits the most from today’s astronomical oil prices? Ideologues reflexively point the finger at “Big Oil,” but the major beneficiaries are the House of Saud—the sponsor of Wahhabism—and such mischief-makers as Venezuela’s Chavez.

6) Keep taxes on middle class Americans from being raised. If fuel prices stay high, don’t be surprised if Congress proposes new, costly federal energy assistance programs for poorer Americans. Shades of agricultural subsidies and food stamps! Once again, the American taxpayer will take it on the chin twice—first, by having to pay more for gas and heating oil as a result of government’s suppression of domestic production; second, by tax dollars being channeled to those hurt most by those unnecessarily high prices.

The following objections to a pro-drilling policy are weak and clearly untenable under present circumstances:

1) Oil and gas wells are not aesthetically pleasing. True, but neither is human hardship. Are well-to-do “green” sentimentalists willing to see an occasional derrick in exchange for millions of poorer Americans gaining critical relief from high fuel costs?

2) An accident could occur. No fooling? But if we are going to outlaw risk, why not ban driving? Automobile accidents claim over 40,000 American lives annually. The environmentalist assertion that oil companies won’t take sufficient precautions to prevent oil spills is a prima facie absurdity. Oil is valuable, and if American oil companies are half as greedy as their critics claim they are, then they will strive mightily to prevent spills which hurt them in two ways—loss of valuable product and incurring the huge cost of cleanups. Those fearing oil spills should take heart from the fact that a thousand oil and gas wells were smashed by Hurricane Katrina, yet no spills occurred. Technology has improved.

3) Oil company profits are “obscene.” Why discriminate against oil companies? We don’t think twice when other businesses—cell phone, beverage, retail , software, etc.—earn greater profits when they provide more of what people want. In you really resent oil company profits, you should favor opening up drilling to all comers, because increased production puts downward pressure on prices and increased competition squeezes profit margins.

4) Increased drilling won’t boost supply right away. True, but pointless. It is because people accepted this myopic premise years ago that we are in our present predicament. Let’s do a better job of planning ahead. Future oil prices will be lower with increased supply than without it.

5) We need to develop alternative energy sources to replace oil. Okay, but what will we do if those technological breakthroughs don’t occur as early as we hope? We will need affordable energy regardless, so it would be prudent to increase the supply of oil, just in case we find ourselves still needing it.

The time for drilling is now. Let’s get on with it.

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MCRC Press Release

“We are the party of Abraham Lincoln and our party has a place for everyone” GOP Chairman Robert Kerns said.

The Montgomery County Republican Committee (MCRC) held its first Community Leadership Breakfast and DiversiTea July 24 at the Doubletree Suites in Plymouth Meeting. MCRC Vice Chair Sharon Thomas, Mayor of Pottstown, organized the gathering, attended by over 75 Republican elected officials, business owners and community activists of various ethnic and religious backgrounds to assess the current state of the GOP in Montgomery County.

“A meeting like this is imperative in building community interaction and outreach. Our party is at its best when engaging in inclusive strategies, and we will forge that path in the current MCRC administration,” said Thomas.

A number of elected officials joined the discussion, including State Representative Jay Moyer (70th), County Commissioner Bruce Castor and County Treasurer Garrett Page. Several Republican candidates attended as well - Congressional candidates Craig Williams (7th) and Marina Kats (13th), State Senate candidate Marc Perry (7th), and PA House of Representatives candidates Todd Stephens (151st), and Lynne Lechter (149th), as well as representatives for several other incumbents and challengers.

Kats recounted her struggles in coming to the U.S. not knowing how to speak English and working her way through college and law school. “It is because of the Republican Party that I was able to come to America with nothing and become a successful business woman,” Kats explained.

The discussion included a panel of GOP leaders including Montgomery County Republican Committee Chairman Bob Kerns, founder and executive director of Korean American Senior Services of Pennsylvania and longtime Republican Imja Choi, Page and New Majority Council President Pam Levy. Discussion questions included community involvement, recruiting minority candidates and the role of the Republican Party in minority communities.

The breakfast was organized by Thomas in conjunction with the New Majority Council, a state-wide group aimed at welcoming minorities into the Republican Party and supporting a wide variety of candidates. Kerns charged Thomas, an African American businesswoman, with rejuvenating the party’s focus on Montgomery County’s growing minority communities. The duo was elected as to two-year terms as chair and vice chair of the 834-member organization on May 8.

Kerns responded to a question posed by attendee and former Register of Wills Ron Holt concerning the role of party leadership in community building: “Today we brought people from many different communities that may have never met before. That is our job – what we provide is a basis for putting together groups, programs and processes that will eventually germinate into initiatives that create better communities in Montgomery County,” the GOP chairman stated.

“Many minority voters have told me they feel that the Republican Party isn’t in touch with them. We are going to prove to them that we are. We are the party of Abraham Lincoln and our party has a place for everyone,” Kerns concluded.


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Sightings III: UPDATE!

The Truth is Out There...

Far be it for me not to backtrack and correct myself when I'm not "write"...

I have heard from reliable sources close to former commissioner and State Treasurer candidate Tom Ellis that Matthews was not invited to Ellis' fundraiser and, indeed, called Arthur Makadon to invite himself.

(That puts my mind at ease...I was beginning to worry about the "Matthews Effect".)

Ellis did, however, extend an invitation to Commissioner Bruce Castor, who unfortunately, was in Erie at the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Association meeting. Castor is immediate past president of the group.





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My Big Sister is Another Year Older...Again!

My older sister was born 18 months before me. Today is the day that her "number" age is 2 years older than my age.

Well, there's two things I have to say, sis...you'll always be older than me, and I hope you live as long as you want to, and want to as long as you live.

Happy Birthday, beautiful!

Oh, and Mom will probably tell you this post is up.

Love ya!

B.



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Montgomery County, PA is #9...

...on the list of the top places in America to raise a family!

"Montgomery County, Pa., famous for its sumptuous Main Line suburbs and the King of Prussia Mall, made the top 10 with solid scores across the board and a median home price less than a third of Marin's."

Read the Forbes Magazine report here.

Click on picture to enlarge

I wonder if this has just happened in the past 7 months (since King James the Turd and Prince Kartoffelkopf took over-I'll bet they lay claim to it), or is it just our 150 year tradition of (Republican led) low taxes and smaller government that draws people here?

Maybe we can ask Joe Hoeffel-he knows all the right answers.

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Quote of the Day

HT to Bob Guzzardi for the following item:

"[Barack] Obama will visit Germany, France and England this week. It just happens that those Western European nations have turned to right-of-center coalitions to remedy corrosive welfare systems, never-ending entitlements, unchecked union power and overregulation of industry. In England mere months ago, the left-of-center Labor Party lost more than 400 seats in local elections, including finishing off the reign of London Mayor Ken 'The Red' Livingstone. In France, Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy swept into power in 2007, promising to cut back welfare rolls and revitalize the floundering French economy. In Germany, Angela Merkel vowed free-market reforms to undo theoretical social 'safety nets' that have led to 'terrifyingly high unemployment.' Then, Silvio Berlusconi unexpectedly won Italy's election this year, in part on the pledge to unknot the tangle of economic regulations hampering that nation. Those are the top four economic powers in Europe. That's officially a trend" -- Denver Post columnist David Harsanyi.



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Castor Endorses Perry

Marc Perry For Senate (D-7)

Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce Castor endorses Marc Perry for Pennsylvania State Senate in the 7th Senatorial District: (Philadelphia and Montgomery County)

On July 24, 2008 Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce Castor endorsed Challenger Marc Perry for State Senate in the 7th Senatorial District.. "I am humbled to receive such a significant endorsement from County Commissioner Bruce Castor. This endorsement today along with the most recent endorsement from United States Senator Arlen Specter shows that my campaign to bring new ideas new energy and new leadership to the State Senate is gaining momentum.

Congrats to Marc on getting this endorsement. Now, I think I may have to give him a call and explain "the Matthews Effect"....

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A Momentary Self Indulgence

I had to post this photo-it was taken at the "Welcome Back" press conference on the courthouse steps.

I designed the banner, but haven't seen the final product until I came across the photo on Tony Phyrillas Blog.

HT to TP for posting it.



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Sighting:III

Yes, friends, another Matthews sighting! And, in a most unlikely place. It seems there was a fundraiser at Ballard Spahr, law firm extraordinaire, for none other than Former Commissioner, Thomas J. Ellis:

Ellis has been a bond lawyer at Ballard Spahr and comes well-funded; his finance chair is Ballard chairman Arthur Makadon. Makadon, who usually supports Democrats, has been raising money for Ellis and hosted a fundraiser for him at the firm last week. The event raked in some $70,000. Guests included Blue Cross executives Christopher Cashman and Christopher Butler, GOP benefactor Bob Asher, SEPTA general manager Joe Casey, Montco Commissioner Jim Matthews and Ballard lawyer Ken Jarin, husband of Wiessmann, who also attended.

We wonder why Tom Ellis would welcome Matthews, who has tried to undermine Ellis' race by allowing Democrats to use county resources to do opposition research against Ellis' candidacy for State Treasurer.

Complicating matters is Matthews' buddy Joe Hoeffel, the Democrat commissioner who has been using commission meetings as a forum to attack Ellis' performance as a commissioner, in hopes of damaging Ellis politically. The chairman's gavel (so coveted by Matthews that he had to make a deal with the Democrats to obtain it) has never been used to silence Hoeffel's prepared attacks. However, Matthews did once try to use it against Ellis to prevent him from defending himself at a meeting where Hoeffel engaged him.

At some point Ellis will have to make a choice all Republican candidates this year must make: Are they Republicans or are they friends of Jim Matthews? Because you can't be both anymore.

So, the question is this, Tom...besides losing the new-found respect you have achieved in Montgomery County (since your supposed "divorce" from King James the Turd) are you willing to be the next victim of... "the Matthews Effect"?

It's not a tough call...

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Nice Fluff Piece...

...by Margaret Gibbons (in the Reporter) on Frank Custer, challenger to Kate Harper for the 61st legislative district. (Click here to read)

I challenge Margaret to give equal time and write a piece on Kate, as well. After all, we must be fair and balanced, right?

Well Margaret, the ball is in your court.

B

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Bob Kerns' "Welcome Home" Updates

Two things were brought to your humble blogger's attention by a couple of very reliable sources.

Let me preface the first by saying that I was lucky enough to have been asked to design the "Welcome Home" banner that was behind Chairman Kerns at the press conference.

When asked by Commissioner Bruce Castor "which one" (of the elephant graphics) was Jim Matthews, Chairman Bob Kerns pointed to one and, without skipping a beat, said "This one!".

Classic!

Also, if you were there, you may have witnessed a young man walking around giving out a flyer to the reporters and others assembled. The flyers happened to be a rebuttal by the MCDC, signed by their french-libtard leader, Marcel Marceau...er, I mean Groen.

And who was this strapping young man doing the donkey party's dirty work while they enjoyed a day on the golf course (at their "pay to play" golf outing)? None other than the son of our illustrious Clerk of Courts, Ann Thornburg-Weiss.

I wonder if mom was at the office or was she on the links entertaining the many soon to be vendors?

I guess we'll know when people start getting no-bid contracts with the county, won't we?

Feh!
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