Support Rolling in For Matthews Censure

After posting my opinion yesterday, I went about the business of the day, paying little attention to what was going on.

Late in the afternoon, however, I got a comment form one of the contributors to the Lehigh Valley Poliblog, a conservative blog out of the Allentown area.

They reported on what happened Monday evening in Montco, citing my 'cooler post as well as my follow up opinion. They reported the following:

"Over the last couple of years I have become confused and dispirited and wonder why I have been working for candidates and elected officials who not only work AGAINST my beliefs and principles but almost seem to mock them.

This is an encouraging sign from Montgomery County."

This, coupled with some of the reader comments I have been seeing on the newspaper sites as well as on several other political blogs gives me hope...it really shows me and the people of Montgomery County that they are not alone in wanting to purge the party of RINO's who would rather make a deal than take a stand for good government.

Chinese philosopher Lao Tsu stated: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." The first step is often the hardest, and usually takes a brave man (or woman) to begin that journey. I admire Bob Kerns' leadership and will gladly walk alongside him in his journey to make our party the Grand Old Party it once was, and, with this brave, new leadership, the great party it is destined to be.


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My Thoughts on the Matthews Censure

I posted the news of Jim Matthews' censure on Monday without any commentary. I let the words of Bob Kerns speak for themselve. Today, I'd like to give my opinion of the resolution (and as I have observed the happenings of the past year).

The 2008 election was not a good one for Republicans. Neither was the election of 2004, 2006, and 2007, as we lost both the house and the senate, and the PA house of representatives. Why? We all know the answer.

We have moved, as a party, too far to the left. the general consensus has been "if we act more like them (democrats) we will get elected. This "experiment" hasn't worked.

The problem is, when we do that, we lose our base. Just look at the results of the last election as proof. In Montgomery County, only 31% of all registered Republicans bothered to vote in what was probably the most important election of their lifetime. Not that the democratic base did much better, but their 40% turnout won the election here for Obama and anybody else who rode in on his historic coattails.

In last years election, Republicans won the County Commissioner positions. Jim Matthews then went to say that we needed to form a "more bi-partisan" government"...one that governs more to the center than to the right or left. Unfortunately, the current governing body does, indeed, govern more to the left, as we have passed most of the liberal Hoeffel/Damsker platform since January 8th than we have passed any conservative platform. Jim has essentially turned his back on the Republican party. As a result, we are probably going to have a budget deficit, taxes will probably have to go up and we will probably lose our AAA bond rating that Former Commissioner Tom Ellis worked so hard to obtain and preserve.

Our new county Republican Chairman, Bob Kerns, has worked, since taking office, to try to convince Matthews that he needs to start working with Republicans for good, sound fiscally responsible Republican style governance, as he was elected to do. Jim argues that the people spoke when they elected him and that they asked for a more bi-partisan (liberal) governance. Jim is wrong. The numbers don't lie. Besides, if the people had wanted a more leftist style of government, they would have elected Ruth Damsker and Jim would now be a private citizen of Montgomery County.

Also, most of the rank and file, as I have witnessed, disagrees with Matthews.

I have attended enough fundraisers and events over the past eleven months to have heard, ad nauseum, "what are we going to do about Jim" and "why isn't Bob (Kerns) doing anything about Jim"?

On Monday night, after months of getting nowhere with Jim Matthews, Bob Kerns did something.

Bob drafted a resolution censuring Jim Matthews for basically betraying the will of the voters of Montgomery County. Jim's move to the left has not only hurt the taxpayers of Montgomery County, it has hurt the Republican party as a whole. It has hurt our credibility. It has hurt our "branding" if you will.

It has forced our top Republicans to take a stand that they would have rather not taken (remember, it took months to make this decision).

Bob Kerns did something courageous on Monday night. He started pulling our party back to the right, where it belongs. Bob took a stand against the very thing that has destroyed our party nationwide and caused us to lose elections.

Bob chose to be a real Republican. So did the leadership that unanimously voted to censure Jim Matthews for his transgressions against the party.

I will be eternally grateful to Bob for recognizing that we needed to go back to what made our party what it was, and for taking the proper steps to start returning our party to it's conservative roots.

Today, as I sit here writing this post, I can say, without equivocation, that I am the most proud I have ever been to be a Republican in Montgomery County.

Thanks, Bob, for restoring my faith in the party that I chose to be part of back in 1996.


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Just for Fun

ALa at Blonde Sagacity has a neat little meme on her sidebar called "100 things". I thought it would be a good thing to beat the doldrums with if myself and my fellow bloggers challenged each other to do our own "100 things" list.

Are you up for the challenge? I'm half done.

Trek? Lisa? Alex? DB? Charlie? Any takers?

I'll post my list on Friday.

B.


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MCRC Press Release: MCRC Censures Matthews

The Montgomery County Republican Committee adopted a unanimous resolution censuring County Commissioner Jim Matthews on Monday.

(Click on image to enlarge)

“Since I was elected chairman and even while I was campaigning, everywhere I went, I was asked ‘What are we going to do about Jim Matthews’?,” Chairman Bob Kerns said.

“The voters I talk to feel betrayed and the Republican committee members are just devastated by Jim’s actions. The voters placed their trust in Jim Matthews and Bruce Castor and the committee members put their hearts into the campaign to elect the Matthews-Castor team last year. This has been a difficult year for everyone,” Kerns said.

Kerns was referring to Matthews’ announcement on December 18, 2007 that he would form a government with Democrat Joseph Hoeffel as Vice Chairman of the County Commissioners in exchange for Hoeffel supporting Matthews for Chairman and appointing Matthews’ political allies as County Solicitor and Human Resources Director.

“Republicans have done a great job running Montgomery County and that is why the voters have consistently elected Republican majorities to the County Commission. It’s been based on our record and the things we stand for, not our political affiliation. Our committee members delivered that good government message to the voters last year and the voters responded by electing our team. But the Matthews-Castor team is not what they got,” Kerns said.

“Montgomery County’s voters pick the person, not the party. It’s been that way for two decades and Jim Matthews and Bruce Castor campaigned on a set of priorities that are not being implemented. Instead, we’re implementing the major priorities outlined by Joe Hoeffel and Ruth Damsker, but that agenda was rejected by voters in favor of a Matthews-Castor agenda. The voters have to know we don’t condone what’s happening in Norristown,” Kerns said.

As an example Kerns cited the Hoeffel promises of hiring a Chief Financial Officer, enacting a $50 million econom ic development plan, and Hoeffel’s record in the 1990’s of running up debt and paying for budget items with bond issues.

“When Hoeffel left the Board of Commissioners in 1998 he left us with hundreds of millions in debt and just $12 million in the bank. Our AAA bond rating was threatened. It was a disaster. Hoeffel and Matthews are pursuing policies that will put us right back in the same hole. This year alone they are looking to raid the county’s dwindling savings to pay for their programs. It’s not the way Republicans would run this government. Jim Matthews got elected in 1999 and again in 2007 by pointing out what a disaster Hoeffel was as a commissioner in the 1990’s. Now he’s forming a government with him and implementing Hoeffel’s agenda? It makes no sense and our committee and the voters are confused and hurt,” Kerns said.

Kerns hoped that his unanimous election as Chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Committee in May would bring Matthews back to the table.

“I did meet with him in early summer in the hope s of bridging the divide between he and his Republican colleagues in county government. He made it clear that he was not interested in any kind of reconciliation. I continued to pursue the matter through intermediaries throughout the fall,” Kerns said.

“At some point, we have to decide to move on and accept that, based on his actions, he is not a Republican anymore. No matter how often Jim insists he is a Republican, you are ultimately judged by how you govern and your record, not your words,” Kerns said.

Kerns said on Election Day many committee members reported incidents where voters stopped to express their disgust with Matthews on their way into the polls.

“It is becoming a distraction and our voters are confused. It is time to take action and then put this matter behind us and move on without Jim Matthews. We’ve got important elections to win in 2009. We cannot have this kind of sideshow playing out where the same party that is advocating for School Board, Township and Borough offices and Judicial positions is the one that can’t seem to get on the same page at the county. It weakens our message,” Kerns said.

“In the end, Jim’s actions are the actions of an individual, not the Party. That is the message I hope people take away from this resolution. The party is standing up and making its position clear. We don’t agree with Jim, we don’t condone what he’s doing as a Commissioner and he’s not representative of our Party as long as he’s engaging in this behavior. Don’t blame the Party for the actions of one man,” Kerns concluded.

56 Municipal Leaders, Area Leaders and Executive Committee members attended the Leadership Conference called by Chairman Kerns on Monday evening.



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Republicans Need Much Better Leadership

Opinion: Lawrence Frangiosa
The Reporter Online, Tuesday, November 18, 2008:

One of the most memorable exchanges from the 2000 movie "Remember the Titans" was between Gerry Bertier, the white Captain of the T.C. Williams High School, and Julius Campbell, a black player in the first year of racial integration in Roanoke Virginia.

Campbell confronts Bertier: "I'm supposed to wear myself out for the team? What team? No, what I'm going to do is look out for myself and get mine."

Bertier retorts, "See man, that's the worst attitude I ever heard."

"Attitude reflects leadership, Captain."

And so here we are two weeks after the election, and everywhere I hear similar complaints. John McCain got off message, Sarah Palin was a bad choice, George Bush is responsible.

I have even heard blame placed on local committee people who were labeled by their county leadership as unenthusiastic and apathetic.

So if blaming the top of the ticket is not your cup of tea, just place blame on your loyal, dedicated committee folks. That should energize the citizens to support the local Republican Party.

If there is any blame to throw around for Republican woes, it rests squarely with local county leadership.

Let's first take a look at Chester County. Joseph "Skip" Brion, the Chester County Republican chairman, who under his watch has seen huge losses in party registration, went so far to say that the Democrats "deserved to win."

No " Skip, the Republicans deserved to lose. Maybe if you would have supported the decent local candidates who ran for office because they believe in responsible and honest government, instead of constantly dropping names and worrying about your next photo-op, you would not have lost three state House seats, and a Senate seat.

Under your watch as Chester County Republican chairman, republican registrations dropped by 15 percent, and although you boasted that you would bring a county victory for John McCain, Chester County gave Barack Obama more than 20,000 more votes.

Time to step down Brion, and if not willing to go quietly, I urge the Chester County Republican committee people to show the leadership that you lacked and force the issue.

Lets now travel across the Schuylkill River to Montgomery County where I grew up, and see what rears its ugly head.

Bob Kerns was elected Montgomery County Republican chair in May of this year, and he cannot be held responsible for what has occurred, or is occurring, in Montgomery County, unlike his counterpart in Chester County.

Montgomery County's problem is not really due to a lack of leadership, or unenthusiastic and apathetic committee people, as intimated in an e-mail to those very folks, but rather due to a huge clash of egos vying for power instead of representing constituents in an honest and transparent way.

Anyone who lives in Montgomery County knows the saga, and I don't need to mention names, but until this fissure between top county Republican leadership can be healed, Montgomery County will remain a blue county.

Good luck Bob Kerns, you will need it.

I am a resident of Montgomery County and the owner of a small business in Chester County, but more importantly a citizen of this commonwealth, and I believe in honest, transparent government that works for the people.

That being said, if the Republican Party does not want to remain irrelevant for the next 20 years, it needs more responsible candidates like Steve Kantrowitz, more state representatives like Mike Vereb, more state senators like Rob Wonderling, and more county commissioners like Bruce Castor.

It also needs local leadership that will work with these leaders, not against them.

Attitude reflects leadership.

Lawrence Frangiosa is a resident of Montgomery County and a business owner in Chester County.

H/T to my "brother" for this article.

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The Audacity of One-Sided, Biased Reporting

I was perusing the Times Herald web site this morning and caught an article I had missed on Sunday (please, read it):

Election spurs 'hundreds' of race threats, crimes

The article begins with the following:

Cross burnings. Schoolchildren chanting "Assassinate Obama." Black figures hung from nooses. Racial epithets scrawled on homes and cars.

Incidents around the country referring to President-elect Barack Obama are dampening the postelection glow of racial progress and harmony, highlighting the stubborn racism that remains in America.

It goes on to list several incidents of white on black bigotry in the wake of Obama's election as president of the United States. Not once does it mention the opposite effect and the McCain/Palin hatred that was spewed by both the public and the press during the pre-election campaign and post election, after Obama won.

To me, it seems that the article is not so much a "reporting" of the incidents, but a one-sided attack on those who would not support "the One". What the author fails to report is that the racial attacks (and they are, indeed, egregious) are not one-sided.

I have witnessed first hand the hatred and abuse heaped on my own son because of my political philosophy.

Back to the article...I read the article and was stunned that there was no mention of the above "reverse-bigotry" towards whites in the aftermath of this campaign. It's sad, because it's the constant "victim mentality" that keeps society where it is and creates contempt for the persons who perpetuate such senseless drivel.

I decided to comment publicly on the Times Herald web page...below is what I posted, in it's entirety:

What the article fails to point out, is that the racial discrimination goes both ways.

I supported the McCain/Palin ticket. I had a large McCain/Palin sign on my front lawn. My son, who is just 12 years old, was called a bigot and an (effing) racist because he supported the "white" candidates.

The abuse was thrown at him by Black and Puerto Rican students on his school bus. None of the white kids (whose families supported Obama) said anything stronger that "McCain sucks".

The fact that all of this poor behavior is wrong notwithstanding, the bottom line here is that race will always be a factor in society, even if the next ten presidents are black. The only way for a society to properly meld (if it is at all possible) is to find some common social middle ground and all would have to adapt to that middle ground.

It's nice in theory, but it's never going to happen. We must, instead, strive to make our children understand that black, white brown and yellow are just colors...it's the person on the inside that matters. Just as all white folks aren't model citizens, so is the same for every culture, race and ethnicity. To prejudge strictly by skin color or religious belief is wrong and we should define people strictly by their character.

I'm proud to be an American. The color of my skin has no bearing on that. I've made it a point to raise my children color-blind. Unfortunately, it will be a very long time before we see this to be the rule, instead of the exception.

Have a great day.

B.



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Update On "A Social Experiment"

Last week, I asked my son, Jesse, to conduct a social experiment by wearing several different hats to school. I wanted to prove that his McCain/Palin hat would invoke more harassment from his schoolmates (obama rally arrest).

If you recall, I asked him to do the following:

I’ve urged him to continue this “social experiment” by wearing my “rebel” hat with the stars and bars on it…I’ll bet it doesn’t get a second glance, and that the McCain/Palin hat will cause more divisiveness in his middle school than if he wore a hat that said the “N” word on it

Well, I'm chagrined to report that Jesse got tired of the harassment and declined to wear the hats to school.

I can't say that I blame him. The era of Obama seems to have created even more division, rather than bridge the divide. It's not enough that Obama won, now if you supported McCain, you're a racist.

Kids can be cruel, and Jesse learned a valuable lesson last week. He learned that the same people who complain when they are discriminated against are just as guilty of discrimination when they have views that differ from yours. Pity. It looks like an Obama Nation will go down in history as an abomination.

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A Huge Surprise From Philly Proper

From the Philadelphia Daily News:

A lonely GOP stronghold

Philadelphia Republicans can take one slim measure of solace in the election results that carried Obama to a 460,000-vote city margin over John McCain: For the first time since 1988 a Republican presidential candidate carried a Philadelphia ward.

It's the 26th ward, a big chunk of South Philadelphia sitting west of Broad Street and south of Passyunk, to the Schuylkill.

McCain carried the 26th with 52.7 percent of the vote, a 556-vote lead over Obama with provisional and absentee ballots still to be counted.

"If you look at voting patterns in all the national elections, it's probably the most conservative ward in the city," says Democratic ward leader Ron Donatucci, the city's register of wills. "We've got a high concentration of senior citizens and three Catholic churches, a lot of pro-life voters . . . I was a little surprised. I thought it [the margin for McCain] would be even bigger."

George H. W. Bush, the father of the current President, carried the 26th and 17 other Philadelphia wards when he beat Michael Dukakis in 1988. Bush 41 lost the city by 230,000 votes but won Pennsylvania by 105,000.

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For Our Veterans...

...glommed from Tony Phyrillas (he always has good stuff)



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Scotch and Peanuts

...Stay Classy, Jimbo!


See the video at PAWaterCooler!


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Veteran's Day

It's 12:52 and has been Veteran's Day for just under an hour.

I'd like to take the time to honor those who've served, both living and dead, to preserve freedom and the American dream we now enjoy.

I'd like to especially honor several family members (those that I know of) who have served in various branches of the armed services:

James Robert Johnson, My great grandfather-Spanish American War Veteran.
William Jesse Shaw, Sr., My "Pop-Pop" served in the peacetime Navy in the 1930's
Edward J. "Uncle Eddie" Schwartz, WWII Navy (he told me he was a cook)
John Edward Lawlor, my grandfather, a sergeant in the U.S. Army who volunteered to fight in WWII
William James Kovatch, my uncle, served in the peacetime Marine Corps
William Robert Taintor, Jr., my uncle, served a tour in Viet Nam in the U. S. Army

I love you all and thank you and every man and woman who ever wore the uniform of the armed services for your sacrifice to keep our country free from tyranny.

Happy Veteran's Day!

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My First Meme

5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago

* Working second shift
* Redefining myself into what my career choice has now become
* Recovering from surgery to save my life (my bowel ruptured on October 18, 1998 and I almost died)
* fighting for custody of my then 11 year old son
* Starting a streak of luck in hunting deer that would last for 8 years (8 deer in 10 years)

5 Things on My To-Do List Today

* Finish the bathroom remodel
* Hug and kiss my wife and kids (but then, that's every day)
* Lose weight
* Caulk the windows
* Really finish the bathroom remodel

5 Snacks I Like

* Anything salty/crunchy and potato-based
* Slim Jims
* Cold roast (insert favorite bovine, porcine, turkine, chickine flesh here)
* Wendy's chicken nuggets...usually 3-5 pieces from the $.99 cent menu
* Hard pretzels and milk (it's been with me since first grade)

5 Things I Would Do If I Was A Millionaire

* Hunt the world
* Buy my dad a Harley...he bought me my first mini-bike at age 7 and fueled my love for two-wheelers
* Buy a week hunting with Ted Nugent for my dad, kid and me
* Take care of my family
* Record an album to satisfy the narcissist in me (I'd play all of the instruments)

5 Places I Have Lived (for various lengths of time)

* Kensington section of Philadelphia-22 years
* Harrogate section of Philadelphia-1 year
* Frankford section of Philadelphia-2 Years
* Kensington again-2 years
* Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County, PA-17 years


5 1/2 Jobs I Have Had

* Pretzel boy (the "1/2 job"...it's a "Kenzo" thing)
* Busboy, Fran Lee Caterers
* Camera man and contact frame operator
* Platemaker/Proofer/Stripper
* Digital Pre-Press Specialist
* Freelance Graphic Designer/Artist


5 People I Tag

*Lisa Mossie
*DB Light
*Reverse_Vampyr
*Alex
*John Lewandowski (just to give the other side of the state a chance to chime in)



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Re: Obama Rally Arrest

(cross posted from the 'cooler)

In response to "Obama Rally Arrest". Click on the link, then come back to read this post...the link is the "prequel" to this post.

The treatment of this kid by the police is the kind of thing we’re all going to have to get used to. Case in point:

My son, “Scraps”, is a 7th grader at Colonial Middle School here in Montgomery County, PA. He was harassed constantly because of my McCain signs on the lawn (see “Democrat Sign Games“, posted last month). You can guess who is doing the harassing.

Anyway, on election night, I stopped at the house before I took my results back to the county “after-party” and while I was there, I swapped hats…I gave Scraps my McCain/Palin (for his collection) and put on my old, worn, “Proud to be Republican” hat.

He wore it to school on Wednesday, was harassed on the bus (with expletives thrown at him) and Thursday, at a “Challenge Day” (click on the link, it’s important to see what this day was supposed to represent), he was derided by a staff member to take his hat off, because it was becoming apparent that his “peers” were becoming agitated by it.

McCain Derangement Syndrome, pure and simple, and McCain lost.

My son has been called a racist, bigot, etc., just because he dared “support” the white candidate in the race. When pressed, he told them that he wasn’t against Obama because of his skin color, but because of his policy on “redistribution of wealth”. Then he asked them if they were racist for supporting the black candidate and not the white one…they improved his status to “f@*kin’ racist”.

7th graders…and the Obamamaniacs in his school (teachers, staff) do nothing about it…nothing, that is, except single him out for wearing a souvenir hat that supports “the other candidate” and not the Übermessiah.

If taking a stand on his future makes Scraps a racist, (their label, not mine) then I’m proud that he’s smart enough and ambitious enough to be against wealth redistribution…and, it means that I’m raising him “right”.

I’ve urged him to continue this “social experiment” by wearing my “rebel” hat with the stars and bars on it…I’ll bet it doesn’t get a second glance, and that the McCain/Palin hat will cause more divisiveness in his middle school than if he wore a hat that said the “N” word on it.

I’m monitoring the situation closely, and will update if anything about the situation changes.

This situation and the one in the video notwithstanding, I’ll be this is only the tip of the iceberg and the MSM will quietly sweep these incidents of “reverse discrimination” under the proverbial carpet, one by one. It looks like it’s up to us to make hay of this and report it when it happens.

B.

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Dreams of My Father

My dad recently retired from his career as a pressman. I worked with dad at the same company from 2000 until 2003, when economics caused me to have to seek employment elsewhere.

In the three years that I worked with dad, I saw him put a lot of ink to paper, leaving words for the world to read for posterity.

Unfortunately, none of those words were his own.

Since his retirement, Dad has been spending more time on the computer. He writes emails (now) that are more than just a line item reminder to meet him somewhere or send a check, etc. Dad's emails are becoming letters, and I'm glad.

When I got the writing bug, I often wondered who I took after, as I didn't ever remember my mother or father ever sitting down and writing simply for the pleasure of it. In my dad's letters, I now see that Dad, (the reserved, laid back guy I love and respect like no other) gave me a lot more than just his name, and I am profoundly grateful for that (among other things).

Dad sent this to me yesterday...it's worth the read:

Since before the election, gun sales across the nation have gone up. People are afraid of Obama's gun control measures, I guess its "buy them and hide them". The November issue of American Rifleman [NRA] outlines Obamas views on gun control and ownership. If you are a hunter, sportsman, target shooter, etc., you better keep a close eye on new gun control laws that will probably emerge shortly.

Automatic and semi-auto weapons will probably be outlawed. Ammunition could be taxed out of reach [up to 500%]. If you enjoy this sport, you had better do t soon, for in the future you may be banned from doing so.

The old adage ["guns don't kill people, people kill people"] does not seem to apply any more. I live in Philadelphia, where two police officers were shot and killed this year, but not by law abiding citizens who obey the law, register their guns, get legal permits, have a high standard of ethics, and otherwise conform to what is expected of them. They were shot by ex-convicts who were released early by our "parole board". What are they looking at?

So the bottom line, the government will make us criminals, hiding or not registering guns and weapons. I recently read an article about England, most guns are banned, so now the police are stopping and searching young people for knives, [even though there has been no increase in crimes committed with knives]. What is next? baseball bats and hockey sticks?.....Think about this carefully, what do you want to allow to happen? I want to be able [allowed?] to hunt for a few more years, until I can't walk the fields and woods anymore, to maybe hunt with my grandsons and/or granddaughters, to do what I didn't have too much of a chance to do with my own father.

My final and sincere advice, JOIN THE NRA.

BILL

Thanks, Dad...well said!


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My Predictions

As my predictions went, so did the country...

McCain/Palin lost, so did the country.

Gerlach won what was supposed to be his easiest race, and it was by a slim margin

Perry and Maguire lost, their campaigns echoed the national numbers (although both did better than their counterparts in their previous election cycle(s)

Ellis and Beiler went the same way the presidential went, as I predicted...I just predicted the wrong presidential candidate would win...sorry, guys.

Finally, Dr. Richard Cutler. This one surprised me, as I thought that people would care a little more about their local races, especially a special election. I'm chagrined that people voted straight ticket and didn't care to get to know Dr. Cutler and what he stood for. Pity, Richard would have made us proud.

That's it...My predictions were way off base. Maybe it was a pollyanna attitude toward the national race, maybe it was just that I had blinders on, maybe a little of both.

It's time to get back to basics and start supporting hard nosed, hard line right of center Republicans and stop trying to appease everybody by pushing moderates, especially at the local level. I'd sleep better knowing that the conservative agenda isn't going the way of the dinosaur, that fiscal and social conservatism isn't dead and that there's still a place at the table for our way of thinking.

The democrats never compromise on their candidates, neither should we. If we give conservatives good candidates to vote for, they'll vote for them. Pure and simple.

It's time to return to the Reagan Republican.



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The Audacity of Hope and Packaging

I wasn't going to post today...I'm sitting here in my living room watching cartoons (I'm loathe to turn anything else, lest I be reminded of last night).

I'm bitter, but I've earned the right to be. I'm angry, but I'll get over it. I'm frustrated, but frustration will soon become fuel for thought. I'm disappointed, but not so much in myself as in the (national) Party, as a whole for it's inability to convince the public that this election had nothing to do with Bush.

But, as George Harrison eloquently put it back in 1970, "All things must pass, All things must pass away", and my bitterness, anger, frustration and disappointment will, too, pass.

So, my audacity of hope? Here goes nothing:

Hope.

Up until today, I believed, as most conservatives did, that this buzz word, adopted by the Obama campaign, was just that..."buzz". Little did I know then, this may just become the conservative rally cry for the next four years.

Hope.

Bitterly clinging to hope yesterday, I went to bed bitterly disappointed.

Not in the outcome of the election so much as in the collective...may I say "ineptitude" of the American people to have real vision. They cling to hype and hyperbole and elect the first president (in my lifetime) who has absolutely no practical experience to do the job expected of him.

Hope.

Hope that Obama's policies do not bankrupt our great nation, both financially and morally.

Hope.

Hope that Obama realizes that his "softball" approach to foreign policy doesn't get Israel blown off the map. Hope that he doesn't spend the next 4 years undoing the great work of our military in the middle east, essentially making the sacrifice of our military heroes (who didn't return) meaningless.

Hope.

Hope that over the next 4 years, the false hopes of the multitudes will be dashed by Obama's inability to deliver on the many promises he has made during his campaign.

Hope.

Hope that in the next 4 years, the very young, idealistic voters who voted Obama into the White House, will look at their paychecks (that is, if they are lucky enough to find a job that pays a living wage) and see that they are, indeed, paying more taxes than they should be, just to support the social programs of their president. Yes, "their president"...the one whose policy on wealth redistribution will eventually create the biggest welfare state this country has ever seen.

Hope.

Hope that in 3 years, this country will be fed up with a president whose inexperience will likely make the United States the laughing stock of the world...whose failed foreign policy will cause turmoil and strife worldwide, whose inexperience and "pollyanna" attitude will may be responsible for our country experiencing another terrorist attack...this time, with more devastating results than the attack on 9/11/01.

Hope.

Hope that this election was not just about putting a black man into the white house.

Hope.

Hope that our party can take this as a lesson. A lesson that we need to rebuild, and rebuild into a newer, stronger, brighter party...one that doesn't cling to it's losses and whine, but who says "what did I do this time that I can't do next time?". One that accepts the fact that we, as a whole, are lacking something, somewhere, and need to quickly come up with a solution that makes our Republican party great again.

We need to engage younger Americans with a real message that will make them listen, not the same old rhetoric that we've been hearing for years, the rhetoric that sends young voters toward the other side.

The Republican Party has to evolve...not so radically that it becomes something completely different than it was meant to be back in 1854 when it was founded, but, one that adapts to the times without losing the ideological foundations that makes our party great.

We need a facelift, pure and simple. But, we need to only change the package, not the product. We're "selling" a great product...it's just that our packaging sucks and people aren't buying.

HOPE.

Hope that this rings true with an Obama presidency. Statistically, only one in three new products introduced to the public succeeds, despite pretty packaging and advertising hype.

Last night's election results are proof positive that if you wrap a lousy product in a pretty package, you're bound to get some people to buy it. And last night, the price was right (little do they realize that the payment plan is at least 4 years long and not so easy). Unfortunatly, the return policy usually takes 4 years.

Hope.

Hope that, in 4 years, the American people exchange the "pretty package" for a new and improved Republican product...one that works, is reasonably priced and is more reliable than the one they have been using.

Until this happens, I can only hope.

B.



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This Would Be Funnier...

...If it weren't so true!






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My Election Predictions

I’ll only predict the races that will effect the voting district I live in…Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County, West-1 district.

President/VeeP-John McCain/Sarah Palin (but it’s a squeaker and the MSM will not declare him on election night)

Congress (PA-6) Jim Gerlach, but we have really no competition there…Roggio is a seriously weak effort by the PA dems, which surprises me considering how strong a candidate Lois Murphy was the past 2 election cycles.

PA Senate (7th Senatorial District) I really am loathe to predict this one, as I consider Marc Perry a personal friend and do not want to jinx any chance he may have, so I will not make a prediction. I do know that Vincent Hughes is banking on the Obama name (as his signs sport both his and the Übermessiah’s name}, which suggests tht he may think he needs an Obama win to succeed.

PA House (148th) I’m working on this campaign personally. Reality Check time? Maybe, but I won’t say it, ala Perry above. It’s going to be hard, nay, nearly impossible to beat an incumbent who gives earmarks to all of the right groups, in all of the right amounts, at the most opportune times. But, there’s much to be said for prayer. I’m praying the rosary…twice.

Attorney General-Corbett wins

Treasurer and Auditor General-Whichever way the presidential goes, so goes these two…it’s sad, but the state row under-ticket is less important to the rank and file voter than it is to us political junkies. Most people do not know who is actually running for these seats, the catchy “Check Chet” may help him at the polls, but most will vote party line on these offices. It’s a toss-up.

Finally, there’s a special election in Whitemarsh Township this year. We had a Republican supervisor resign (family matters) and the seat was filled by a democrat nobody who has only lived in the township for a few years.

Last year, Dr. Richard Cutler, a local periodontist who has been very active participant in Whitemarsh Township governance for quite a few years, gave the d’s a real run for their money.

I predict that Dr. Cutler wins…his name recognition gives him a serious edge on his competitor and, he has more to offer the township than his opponent, who’s only real contribution to Whitemarsh Township for the last 5 years is that he decided to say yes when asked to fill the vacancy.

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Redistribution of Wealth I'd Like to See

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This Sheds an Awful Lot Of Light On The Ballot Question

H/T to JCS for sending this to me…it’s an eye opener on the ballot question, which reads:

Water and Sewer Improvements Bond Referendum: Do you favor the incurring of indebtedness by the Commonwealth of $400,000,000 for grants and loans to municipalities and public utilities for the cost of all labor, materials, necessary operational machinery and equipment, lands, property, rights and easements, plans and specifications, surveys, estimates of costs and revenues, prefeasibility studies, engineering and legal services and all other expenses necessary or incident to the acquisition, construction, improvement, expansion, extension, repair or rehabilitation of all or part of drinking water system, storm water, nonpoint source projects, nutrient credits and wastewater treatment system projects?

Well, the following was sent out by the PA dems, which sheds an awful lot of light on the referendum:

Dear Fellow Democrat,

Vote YES!

Every day more than 10 million Pennsylvanians depend upon a supply of clean and safe drinking water from public systems. But much of our drinking water and wastewater plants as well as miles of water and sewer pipes are nearing the end of their life-span.

On November 4th when you vote for President, you will also be asked if you will you support a Clean Water Referendum that invests $400 million in Pennsylvania’s waterways and provide safer, more dependable drinking water and sewer services. I am writing to you today to strongly urge you to vote YES on Act 64.

If approved, the Clean Water Referendum will provide new resources for repairs and upgrades to Pennsylvania’s water infrastructure. The money will be used to provide more dependable drinking water and sewer services. This money will be available to your community and many others all across the Commonwealth.

This is a huge investment in the Pennsylvania economy. With the Clean Water Referendum, we will create nearly 12,000 jobs in Pennsylvania and provide for millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades. So, vote YES on November 4th!

You can click here to learn more about the Clean Water Referendum.

Vote YES for cleaner and safer water!! Vote YES for more jobs!! Vote YES to invest in Pennsylvania. Vote YES on November 4th!!

Sincerely,

Edward G. Rendell
Governor

P.S. Once you vote for Obama/Biden, don’t forget to vote for the rest of the Democratic ticket and to vote YES on Act 64! Don’t stop at the top!

If Rendell is behind this, I'm leery of it. Besides, my local governing body already taxes me for sewer and stormwater improvements/maintenance and Aqua PA adds hidden costs into the price of wter delivery to provide for upkeep on the potable drinking water infrastructure...this is nothing more than another hidden tax to fund Fast Eddies pet socialist projects.

B.



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A Very Strong Case For McCain

From a blog called "the Ornery American" I found several points..."lightbulb moment" points, that pretty much sum up why everybody should vote for John McCain:

McCain's America

McCain has helped pay the cost of freedom with suffering and the loss of years of his life. In his America, a Republican in Congress doesn't have to vote with his party -- he can vote his conscience or compromise with opponents to reach a better result.

In McCain's America, you can get mad sometimes. You can innocently talk and joke without looking over your shoulder for fear someone will take it wrong and get you fired.

In McCain's America, you can join the military with confidence that if you are called upon to risk your life, it will be in a good cause, and your commander-in-chief will do his best to make sure your sacrifice is not wasted.

In McCain's America, you get to keep most of your money, even if by some fluke you happen to earn a lot of it.

In McCain's America, you can expect the courts to uphold the law. You can expect that your kids will not be propagandized to despise or ignore your family's religious beliefs.

In McCain's America, you can have confidence that you know the guy in the Oval Office, and he actually pays attention to what you believe in and care about.

The article,"
What Really Matters As We Vote" is a very well written, concise look into the candidates and why McCain is such a better pick overall.



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Margaret Gibbons Doesn't Miss a Beat...

...at her new post at the Doylestown Intelligencer!

Gibbons, ever the snarky reporter, has once again "zinged" Jim "King James the Turd" Matthews, whom she says is "losing it" more and more every day. From Gibbons' column:

*Republican Montgomery County Commissioner Chairman James R. Matthews is beginning to show some cracks from the strain under which he has been operating since he entered that unprecedented power-sharing pact with Democratic Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III.

Matthews had convinced himself that the controversy would die down in January and that he eventually would be lauded for his so-called “statesmanship” in fashioning a bipartisan government.

That has not happened.

The criticism from those within his own party has been relentless. And Republican Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr., the top vote-getter in last November's commissioners' election but the odd man out in this administration, never misses an opportunity to yank Matthews' chain.

In the past, Matthews has simply sloughed off Castor's comments or lectured him about his acting in a political fashion rather than as an elected government official who represents everyone.

However, now Matthews is verbally flinching even before Castor opens his mouth.

Matthews went off on Castor at a recent agenda meeting when Castor simply questioned something on the agenda.

Come on, Jim, get a grip.

Heh! Jimbo thought he was getting a "bye" with Keith Phucas taking over the spot formerly occupied by the queen of rancor, but, true to form, "Peggy" reaches across county lines to once again twist the knife, if only just to watch King James squirm.

B.

And here is the rest of it.

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I'd like to be Joe The Plumber...

...if I'd get to do this!



HT to Warren for the Thursday nite funny!



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Phillies Win World Series, and I Got To See It!

As I drove into work tonight, I was kind of bummed that I would miss the end of the game (the TV version, that is). I listened in the car, hoping to hear Harry Kalas call the third strike and just sing ” The Phillies Have Won The World Series!!!!!”.

As I pulled into the parking lot, the Phillies were on the mound having a conference with Lidge…I thought “crap, I have to get in the shop before I’m late”. I thought I’d miss the last out, unless I could get into work quickly and fire up the ol’ Sony Diskman (with AM/FM radio…how “’90’s”, huh?).

Well, much to my surprise, I walk into my work area and they have a 12″ color TV set up (with rabbit ears, nonetheless) and I was standing there, with my coat on, when Lidge threw the most important pitch of his life and “struck ‘em out!”.

I’m taking Scraps out of school (hopefully, Friday) for the parade…he may never get to see this again in his lifetime, and I want him to experience what I wasn’t able to when they won back in 1980…a Championship Parade!

WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO! Yeah Phillies!

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Durante, Ferman & Other Top Montco Law Enforcement Officials on "Hit List"

Montco probes 50-plus hit list

By Margaret Gibbons
The Intelligencer

Montgomery County detectives are investigating a threatening letter containing a 50-plus person hit list that was received by the CIA from a man serving probation for a Hatfield Township car theft.

“I did not take this as a direct threat, but I think it is something that the courts should be made aware of and deal with in the appropriate manner,” said county District Attorney Risa Ferman. “Someone who writes something like this clearly has mental health issues that have not been addressed.”

Ferman, who was notified this week of the letter, was among those on the so-called hit list as was county Sheriff John P. Durante along with Barack Obama, John McCain, former Gov. Tom Ridge, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton and Gov. Ed Rendell.

Some of those on the list were named, such as a Montgomery County judge, while others were referred to by titles such as the prison warden, chief probation officer and “all chief top cops in Montgomery County,” according to Ferman, adding that detectives had contacted everyone listed.

Ferman declined to release the specifics of the letter. Instead, she described the letter's contents as primarily “ramblings” and “gibberish.”

The letter was sent to the CIA by 34-year-old Joshua Martinez, who has various addresses in the region, according to Ferman.

Ferman said a CIA official told her “Martinez writes them a lot.”

Hatfield police arrested Martinez for a car theft in January 2007. He pleaded guilty in November 2007 and received a probationary sentence, said Ferman.

Martinez is currently in prison in Bucks County awaiting a competency evaluation, according to Ferman. She said she did not know why Bucks County had him in custody.

Montgomery County has lodged a detainer against him for a probation violation and he will be returned to Montgomery County after his Bucks County matter is resolved, she said.

It is in preparation for the probation violation hearing that county detectives are investigating the letter and Martinez' dealings with the law.

“I don't think there is any immediate danger but I think it is important to bring mental health issues to the attention of the judge before they turn serious and cause harm,” said Ferman. Read Full Text/Comments

Dear Friends,

You may have noticed a gap of three days between posts. Unfortunately, I've had another health "episode".

I was napping after dinner on Saturday evening and when I awoke, I started having chest pain, accompanied by a pain in my left arm.

I went to the emergency room, was treated for symptoms of a heart attack, and subsequently hospitalized overnight for observation.

They found nothing in my blood enzymes, nothing abnormal on my EKG, so they sent me home late Sunday afternoon.

I'm not procrastinating on matters of my health any further than I already have been. I'm scheduled for a nuclear stress test and will know something in a few days.

Don't feel sorry for me...I've not been proactive about my health for a few years and am now "paying the piper".

This has been a wake-up call, whatever the results of my test show. Rest assured, my health will come first from now on. I have children and a wife that depend on my being here and I'm not going to let them down because of my laissez-faire attitude towards my health, weight, etc.

I'm setting a goal to lose 50 lbs in 6 months and want to lose a total of 70 overall (trust me, I am that overweight). I will have to lose an average of about 2.5 lbs a week to make that goal. I'm sure I can do it, as nothing motivates a person more than a heart attack!

My reward will be better health, and will (finally) treat myself to that tattoo I've been procrastinating in getting for 26 years, but only if I make my goal.

Wish me luck.

B.



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This is the Only Type of Gun Control I Agree With

...the ability to hit your target!

H/T to the "Boss-Lady", "Warren" and "Black Horse" for sending me this video



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Just for "Shiggles"

H/T to Warren for this one!



I think this guy lives down the street from me:



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Guest Post By My Dad

My dad sent me an email last night and I've decided to make a post out of it.

Dad taught me, from the time I was but a wee lad, respect for firearms and the love of hunting, both of which I am proud to pass on to my sons.

Dad and I both are "bitter clingers" and are quite proud of it. Dad is really concerned that an Obama presidency will spell the end of firearms ownership as we know it.

Here's Dad's letter and a few links to show you what the Übermessiah really thinks of your 2nd amendment rights:

Hi Bill... I tried to send a response to your blog, but it wouldn't go. Anyone who is a gun owner, or belongs to the NRA should read or be made aware of the article "election report" in Novembers edition of "American Rifleman".

If you have any doubt about Obama's stand on gun laws or ownership, this should clear things up. The bottom line, if you are ready to surrender your guns, or ready to pay exorbitant taxes on guns or ammunition, then by all means, VOTE FOR OBAMA! Otherwise, vote for the man who will insure that your 2nd amendment rights are upheld.

After reading the election report, I couldn't believe what Obama had voted for–500% tax on ammunition, almost the same on guns, trying to out-price the average American from owning a gun or buying ammo. I'm not too keen on McCain or Obama, but I am a sportsman and a hunter for many years and I do not want my rights and privileges taken away by someone I'm not sure is not a Muslim like Obama. I'm not democrat or Republican, I'm an AMERICAN! I value my constitutional rights......post this for me if you will?

DAD

Well, there you have it...I've been hunting with this guy for over 32 years, shooting with him a few years longer than that and he's never once steered me wrong on gun issues...ever.

Here's a few more tidbits of logic for your perusal:



And lastly:

If you value your gun rights and support the 2nd amendment, I offer this: an Obama presidency will change the face of gun ownership in this country. It won't be pretty. We need to really come together on November 4th and say:

nObama, No Way, No How!

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Extreme Sadness

The Plymouth Township Police Department lost an officer today after being called in as back-up for a Lower Gwynedd bank robbery.

K9 officer, Louis Layfield, lost his canine partner, Andy, in a shootout at a Lower Gwynedd branch of Abington Bank. Officer Layfield was also hit in the vest and is reported to be ok.

Please keep Officer Layfield and Andy in your prayers tonight.

B.

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"O", How Poignant the Past Becomes

From that socialist propaganda Public Television show, Sesame Street, circa 1971. The dude in the hat is obviously an ACORN operative!

Enjoy!



"...so buy the "O" and take it home tonight (don't ask any questions)..."


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Laura Ingraham's "E-Blast"

Just received this in my in-box:

Laura's E-Blast
http://www.LauraIngraham.com
October 21, 2008

NEW RULE: Whenever someone criticizes Sarah Palin for her supposed unfitness for the job -- or, in Peggy Noonan's words, her lack of a "philosophical grounding" -- they must follow up with an explanation of how Joe Biden is somehow better. Yesterday Biden said Obama's lack of experience gaurantees America will face a renewed threat from our enemies "within the first six months of our presidency." This, of course, is only the latest; he seems to be averaging about one gaffe/day. While Sarah Palin offered a less-than-brilliant response to Couric's question about her reading materials, at least she isn't batting 0-for-every-major-issue-over-the-last-30-years.


PREDICTION: As Obama heads to Hawaii to be with his ailing grandma, expect to see any and all McCain criticisms of Obama's policies objected to as poorly timed and in bad taste. But the media doesn't really care about good taste, and McCain doesn't need to continue tying one arm behind his back. He needs to keep making the case that he's the safer pick for America. Unless he's criticizing the Obama grandma herself, he's acting perfectly appropriately.


THE "OBAMA RULES": According to That One, noting that his tax policies are based on socialist tenets is below the belt and utterly inappropriate. Meanwhile, it's apparently totally acceptable for Rep. John Lewis to call McCain and his supporters George Wallace-styled segregationists, for the New York Times to slime Cindy McCain as a pill-popping junky, and for his friend John Kerry to make jokes about Sen. McCain wearing adult diapers. Thou shalt not worship false idols and all.


STIMULUS STUPIDITY: Pelosi & Co., are now planning another round of "stimulus," this time rumored to be as high as $300 billion. And why not? Last June's $152 billion stimulus package worked so well! What's another $300 billion? Are we even monitoring the federal deficit anymore? Why not just print an infinite amount of money until everyone has $1 million? Who cares if we have Zimbabwe-style inflation. Even President Bush and Ben Bernanke say another round of stimulus is worth considering!



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Montco Sales Tax Increase Off the Table

From Margaret Gibbons at the Times Herald:

COURTHOUSE - Montgomery County officials appear to have little political stomach for the enactment, or even a discussion, of a county sales tax.

County Commissioners' Chairman James R. Matthews and Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III held the issue at arm's length, stating that a proposal for a sales tax has not yet reached their level.

Instead, they said, it is only one of the options that the county planning commission is studying as a method of bankrolling a transportation funding program for local roadways and bridges.

However, much to Matthews' chagrin, Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. left no doubt on where he stands.

"I will not support a sales tax," said Castor.

Matthews called Castor's comment "gratuitous."

Leave it to King James to once again resort to heaving insults at Republican Commissioner Bruce L. Castor, Jr., especially when he is at a loss to defend his own shaky position. I guess James Rex III doesn't think that Mr. Castor is allowed to voice an opinion? Feh! King James is a lot like Barack Obama in that sense...if they speak out against him, he uses his position to make your life miserable.

News Flash, El rey Diego la Mierda...It ain't working. And "gratuitous"? isn't that kind of like how your lips are always firmly planted on Joe Hoeffel's behind like some low-level sycophant? It's quite unbecoming, Jimbo.

Anyway, read the rest of the article, click the link below:

The issue of levying a one-cent county sales tax was first raised at a transportation summit held earlier this month by the county. Some 260 county decision-makers, including municipal, school and business leaders, attended the morning-long session in which the discussion centered on whether the county should develop a transportation program to fund local projects designed to relieve traffic congestion or at least to keep it from worsening.

The answer to that question was an overwhelming "yes," but then the discussion shifted to how the county should fund such a program.

Until the summit, county officials had focused on funding the program through a bond borrowing. However, several summit participants suggested that the county implement a county sales tax.

The county planning commission, which at the request of the county commissioners is looking into the need and support for a transportation program, subsequently decided to explore the option of a sales tax as an alternative to a bond borrowing if the county decides to move forward with the program.

Residents and businesspersons, responding to news accounts that the planning commission was researching a sales tax option, deluged county officials with phone calls, letters and e-mails to express opposition to a county sales tax.

County Transportation Planning Chief Leo Bagley told the commissioners he did not believe there was much support on the planning commission for a sales tax but, because it was suggested at the summit and was not previously considered, it had to be addressed.

The planning commission and staff will be working on their recommendations to the commissioners over the next month and should present the commissioners with their finalized recommendations in December.

Among the issues those recommendations will address: Whether a transportation funding program should be created; how much county funding there should be for such a program; how the county will pay for the program; and what types of projects should be included in it. Read Full Text/Comments

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Joe Biden teaches the crowd the new "salute"
to the "messiah-in-chief".

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Morons Attempt to Block Palin Motorcade

Straight from the 'cooler (HT to Alex!):

Asshats try to block Palin motorcade in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Get face full of asphalt instead.

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I Honor The Woman Who Gave Me Life

On this, the 37th anniversary of her 29th birthday.

What I am today is a direct result of what you and Dad "were" while I was growing up.

The successes in my life I owe to the pride and hard work that was instilled in us, by you and Dad in our home, and I thank you (but not often enough).

(And, I would have never known the proper way to sing the "Boa Constrictor" song, if you weren't my mom!)



Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!



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Sarah Palin On SNL

Sarah Palin yuks it up on Saturday Night Live...."You Betcha"!




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Sightings: XVII

King James the Turd was spotted at a Lower Moreland fundraiser on Sunday evening.

The event was not well attended and my operatives suggested it was because the talk was that King James was stopping by.

Even fundraisers are starting to fall victim to "the Matthews Effect". *Heh!*

Some pics of El Rey Diego La Mierda, courtesy of Yuna Hoo and Soma Badhe:




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King James Strikes Again

King James the Turd once again sided with democratic commissioner, Joe Hoeffel on the appointment of a democratic party political activist (and former Colonial dems area leader) Nancy Mortimer O'Brien to the Commission on Women and Families.

From the Times Herald:

"Matthews, a Republican chided by Castor for voting in lockstep with Hoeffel, said he made a "partisan" decision in voting for the appointment.

He said he was only following the policy of prior GOP administrations to give Democrats one-third of the appointments.

"I don't feel it is the smartest thing for a Republican to do to make someone a martyr which my contrary vote would have done today with Ms. O'Brien," said Matthews.

James Rex III decided that it would be in the "Republican party's best interests" not to make a martyr of O'Brien by not appointing her? I'm glad to see that Jimbo is finally looking out for the party and not for himself (*feigned joy*).

Republican Commissioner, Bruce L. Castor, Jr. brought up that O'Brien's husband was in the employ of controller Diane Morgan and that he thinks "that is enough of the county's largesse for this family". Morgan defended her hiring of O'Brien, a retired certified public accountant who in the past was an unsuccessful candidate for county treasurer (another unsuccessful democrat for row office given a patronage job in the controller's office, ala Kelbin Carolina)

Just another day for the democrats, courtesy of King James the Turd. He should be ashamed every time he shows his traitorous face at a Republican function.



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Worth Repeating...

...From now until election day:

"Joe" the Plumber to Obama: "Your new tax plan is going to tax me more. Isn't it?"

Obama: "It's not that I want to punish your success, I just want to make sure that everybody that is behind you, that they have a chance for success too. I think that when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.

We finally have proof that he's a dyed in the wool Marxist and socialist. Comrade Karl would be so proud!

Tell EVERYONE!!!

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You Just Have To Read This To Believe It!

I couldn't give it any more justice than the author, but suffice it to say, it's pretty sad when ACORN has to register a 6, 3 and 1 year old just to get the Übermessiah elected.

Click here to read the article (warning, strong language not normally seen on my blog).

*sigh*
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A Very Good Thing

My eldest sibling, my sister Karen, got married yesterday.

Karen has been a single mom for quite a few years. She devoted most of her adult life to raising her only son, Andrew.

Andrew did double duty yesterday, as he gave my sister away and stood for her as "man-of-honor". John's son, Jimmy, stood for his dad as best man.

The wedding was performed by Reverend Reinhart Kruse, the very pastor who married my sister when she and Andrew's dad tied the knot over 21 years go. He had recently retired from the church my sister went to for many years, and Karen was thrilled to death when she found him and he agreed to marry her and John.

Anyway, I'm thrilled that my sister found the perfect guy for her after all of the years devoted solely to her other guy, my nephew.

She was radiantly beautiful, John looked dashing and the wedding was very nice. That she was married on my maternal grandmother's birthday (she passed away a few years ago) was cool, also.

John is a really nice guy, very family-oriented, and loves my sister dearly. He also comes with a grandchild, which made my sister a grandmom the minute Rev. Kruse pronounced them husband and wife.

My wish for her? Exactly what I wrote on her picture frame matte...."Stay Together, Love Billy, Karen, Ryan, Jesse and Angelia".

Here are some pics:

Karen and John exchanging vows

Andrew, the "Man of Honor"looking pretty
holding mommy's flowers.
He's a great son to his mom...we're so proud of him.

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