A Rough Night...

...turns into a good morning.

I had a pretty rough night at work, and couldn't wait to get home.

In light traffic, I was on the road only 25 minutes. It's just enough time to get the wind in my face and clear my head. I've noticed that since I've been riding the bike to and from work, my own personal "road rage" factor (cursing, screaming, name calling) is now probably 1 on a scale of 10. When driving, it hung out around 6-7.

It's also starting to get a bit chilly. I've ordered gloves (with fingers!) and am shopping for a full face helmet so I can "eke out" another month or so on the bike.

Anyhow, nothing else to report yet today, check back later.

Oh, and good morning to all!

B.
P.S. I still love this milk carton>>>>>>>.


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Whitemarsh Township to Hold Special Election

Of course, most of you already know this, but Margaret Gibbons makes it official:

By: MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff

09/21/2008

COURTHOUSE - Whitemarsh voters will have one extra office to fill in the Nov. 4 election.
A special election will be added to the ballot to fill a vacancy on the board of supervisors that was created on July 10 when Republican Supervisor Jean K. McLenigan resigned.

The supervisors tapped Democrat Robert Hart, a lawyer from Lafayette Hill, to serve as interim supervisor until the vacancy is filled by the special election.

Democrats have also nominated Hart as their candidate in the special election to serve out McLenigan's term, which expires in January 2010.

Republicans have nominated Dr. Richard Cutler, a dentist, as their candidate to fill McLenigan's unexpired term.

In paperwork filed with the county election board, Republicans note that Cutler was an unsuccessful candidate last year for supervisor but has continued his involvement in the township since that time and has attended most supervisor meetings.

Cutler did apply to serve on the township's planning commission and for the interim supervisor appointment but was unsuccessful in both attempts in the Democratically-controlled township. Read Full Text/Comments

Separated at Birth?

The saying goes, "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it still looks like Rosie O'Donnell".



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Speaking Of Tom Ellis...

It seems like the Treasurer's race is taking a back seat to the more popular races. Not much in the way of news stories have been published about this particular State Row Office.

I found a nice article from PhillyBurbs.com on the Ellis McCord race.

It's worth a read.

B.


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King James Declares A Freeze On Hiring, Citing the False "Recession"

Maybe he just needs to fire a few of his closest and dearest friends from their public-assisted job services program?

It seems that Montgomery County is in a bit of a pickle. Just 9 short months ago, former Commissioner (and State Treasurer candidate) Thomas J. Ellis left our county with a $90,000,000 surplus.

So, where has the money gone?

How about to Joe Hoeffel's (Turd assisted) cronyism hirings, and King James' continuing county public assistance program for county solicitor Barry Miller and several others?

Not to mention the current liberal spending agenda that RINO commissioner KJ-TURD has bestowed his blessing upon, such as allowing for the hiring of staff in the clerk of courts office, when the office ran fine for years with the staff it had in place. He allows this, but mentions that the other rows will have to sue in court to do any hiring.

Just what I want to hear, if I have business in the courthouse, is that the people charged with keeping the courthouse safe (Sheriff John P. Durante) and the bad guys off the street (District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman) have to sue the county that they've sworn to serve and protect, to hire bodies if their office is grossly understaffed. And the clerk of courts office gets to hire unnecessary personnel, on KJIII's say so?

Preposterous!

It's dem/rino cronyism at it's worst. It's the Turd's welfare program for unemployable friends. And it's a rotten shame that we have to pay the tab for these losers, through our real estate taxes.

Thank goodness we have Bruce Castor as our watchdog. Otherwise, we'd really be up the scatological creek without an implement of aquatic mobility.

Read all about it in Margaret Gibbons' article from today's Times Herald.

HT to Tony Phyrillas for the story, which was reported on his blog, "tonyphyrillas"


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Sightings: XIV

Jim-Turd was seen yesterday morning on NBC-10...being interviewed about the McCain campaign. I didn't see it, but I'm sure he mentioned his brother a half dozen times during the broadcast.

Why anybody values his opinion any more baffles the living sh*t out of me...maybe it was just a slow news day, and they were desperate, as all of the good Republicans were in church on Sunday morning. (Cool milk carton, huh?----------------->)

If anybody saw it, contact me and I'll update this as comments come in. If nobody saw it, who cares, right?

B.
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Amazing Video

This has got to be one of the most amazing things I've ever seen...you've got to watch the whole thing to appreciate it, even though the magic is revealed at the 3 minute mark.


Really Cool Painting

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Moose Shootin' Mama

HT to "SR" for the following video:







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On The Road, revisited (With a Sighting)

Jim Maza ($90,000) and Barry Miller ($135,000), the two reasons for the Hoeffel/Matthews deal, arrive together to the Commissioners "On The Road" meeting in Schwenksville.

Hoeffel comes in right behind them. Jimbo comes in right behind Hoeffel. They all had dinner together beforehand at Cedars Pub (A SIGHTING). Do I smell another "sunshine act" violation here?

Jimbo and Joe take their BFF positions next to each other.

Oh, who is Barry talking to?

None other than Jane Markley, the former Clerk of Courts who he, Jimbo and Joe accused of illegally transferring $750,000 before she left office from her Clerk of Courts automation fund to the county's coffers. Jimbo and Joe voted to return that money to the Democrat Clerk of Courts, Ann Thornburgh Weiss.

Stay tuned for the next installment of "On The Road", details to come as soon as it is scheduled.

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State Committee 150th Birthday Extravaganza

Rubber chicken, speeches, loud music.

More later.

*****UPDATE*****

OK, it's later.

The speeches were the usual pep rally type of speeches that politicians usually make during election day, with a twist.

Three of the speeches were given by former Governors Thornberg, Ridge and Schweiker. A POW that spent 6 years in the Hanoi Hilton with John McCain also bore witness to his time with McCain.

Arlen was funny, quipped about his shaved head being "sexy"...I stopped him on his way through the crowd and agreed that he should keep it shaved. He took one look at my hairless pate and laughed.

The band was great, with a three piece brass section, awesome, if you like brass.

The wine and beer was on Chairman Kerns, and I had a few glasses of cabernet before retiring for the evening.

This morning was more of the same at the State Committee meeting, the rah-rah speeches by the Caucus leaders, Pols, and candidates. after the votes, we returned to our room, packed up and checked out.

It was a nice experience, being my first time attending state committee. I will probably go back for the February meeting, if I can swing it.


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Interesting Article From My New Friend in Texas

A Texas based blog that I have been reading on a regular basis posted this article today. It makes for interesting reading.

Will Obama & McCain be on Texas Ballots?

HT to Reverse Vampyr for breaking this one.

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Rumor Has It...

...A certain County Commissioner stood and faced the wrong direction during the Pledge of Allegiance at last evening's Commissioner's "On The Road" meeting.

I'm sure he was just confused. I'm wondering...was the flag behind Commissioner Castor? It very well may explain this lapse in cognitive thinking.

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Sorry to Disappoint...

...but, I came down with a wicked case of of the crud last night. I called off of work and went to bed, but still didn't get much in the way of rest.

I'm up though, feeling a little better, and will be posting late morning today, instead of early morning. Sorry if I disappointed you early-risers.

B.

P.S.: Sticks and stones, et. al.

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As Promised...

Hi, Guys!

B.



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A Compliment Well Received

I've been struggling with whether or not to post this. Mi lucha es más.

I was speaking this evening to Plymouth CommitteeWoman and PA State CommitteeWoman extraordinaire, Mary Shorley.

We were talking about my wife (Mary paid her a nice compliment..."She's a gem") and the subject soon turned to the impending nuptials for Mary's only child. I wished him good luck, asked Mary if she was happy with her future daughter in law, she responded resoundingly to the affirmative.

It was then that Mary waxed nostalgic about children, with her son being an only child, "you always have to do your best with them", and such...then she laid on the bombshell: "I think your kids are great, Bill...they're so well behaved and very cute" (OK, I added the "very cute" part, but still...).

What a nice thing to say, and unsolicited.

It's nice to hear that about your children. It reaffirms that my wife, "Gemmy" and I are doing something right (while most parents struggle through every day, not knowing), but, to be told is always, always a compliment well received.

Mary, you made my day!

B.


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If You Ask Me...

Who would you vote for?

The woman on the American-made V-Twin, or,


The geek on the Chinese-made bicycle?


Hmmm...if you ask me, it's a no-brainer.

HT to Chris From Springfield for the pics!


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Some Stupid Sh*t

By now, you all know that I ride a motorcycle. It took two years and a gas price crisis to finally convince my wife, Karen, that it was not a stupid decision for me to get a bike (Karen is not, nor has she ever been a fan of motorcycles...she hasn't even taken a ride on my bike).

The following news article, posted in Tuesday's online Times Herald, is just the thing that makes all motorcycle enthusiasts cringe...it's just more stupidity by inexperienced, thrill seeking miscreants that give us all a bad name. What's more, the guy was just a year younger than I am. He should have known better than to run that fast on the bridge:

Motorcyclist killed near Dannehower Bridge

By: KEITH PHUCAS, Times Herald Staff

09/17/2008

BRIDGEPORT - A Hatfield man was killed Monday after his motorcycle crashed into a guardrail on Route 202 at the foot of the Dannehower Bridge.

Richard Casimir Werc, 43, was reportedly traveling northbound on 202 at a high rate of speed when he struck the railing adjacent to the Mascaro & Sons plant near the bridge and was thrown down an embankment, according to Bridgeport Police Department.

The Suzuki GSX-R 1300 hit the guardrail around 7:55 p.m., and witnesses told police that the cycle appeared to be going between 90 and 120 miles per hour just prior to the crash. [emphasis mine, B.]

[this is the type of bike Werc was riding.(ed.)]

After Werc was ejected from the speeding motorcycle, the Suzuki careened across the roadway, hitting the concrete barrier that divides bridge traffic, finally coming to rest on the bridge more than 500 feet from the point of impact, according to Bridgeport police Sgt. John Cane.

"There was debris all over the road," he said.

Werc's body came to rest in a wooded area 250 feet from where he struck the guardrail.

Werc drove tractor-trailer trucks for Consolidated Freight in King of Prussia, less than a mile from the crash site. Cane said the victim had been on his way home.

The accident closed down the bridge's northbound lanes from 8 to 10:45 p.m.

It's stupid sh*t like this that makes us shake our heads and wonder. Most would put this guy up for a "Darwin" award, but since I'm a firm creationist, I'd say this...two of the things that separate us from animals are inherent intelligence and the ability to reason, both of which this moron poor guy lacked profoundly.

I feel very sorry for his family. May G-d give them strength and comfort.


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Re: The County Republican Candidate's Rally

Rumors abounded at the Westover Country Club this evening. I'll get to them later.

First and foremost, the rally was fun. There was an Irish band that played (go figure) Irish music and a Johnny Cash song. The hors douv...er, appetizers were the typical fare, nothing to get excited over, but filled the void. The open bar meant that your humble blogger was kept in mucho Coca Cola all night long (I never drink alcohol when I have the bike out).

The highlights of the evening? MCRC Chairman, Bob Kerns was fantastic. He spoke about the campaign, spoke of the need for us to pull together and make this a banner year for Montgomery County. Then, the candidates got up and spoke, and to my surprise, I wasn't bored to tears. They all spoke of the elections, the hard work that they were doing to get elected, and the need for volunteers and money.

The highlight of my evening? Politics notwithstanding, I'd have to say that the highlight of my evening was finally meeting (face to face) fellow blogger and Times Herald columnist, Lisa Mossie (Bluftoonie, and PAWaterCooler.com). (To read Lisa's 9/18/08 column, click here)

Rumor time

Jim Matthews. He wasn't there, but the rumor mill was doing a rather brisk business on his behalf.

Rumor #1: J-Turd has been asked, and has accepted the role of treasurer in his brothers non-committed run against Arlen Specter for U.S. senator in 2010.

Rumor #2: James Rex "ai-ai-ai" has been asked by certain powers that be in PA politics to start his own version of the "Chairman's Club", to try and siphon money away from MCRC fundraising efforts, but will hold off until after the election in November to do so. (Keep your eyes especially on this one folks, and please, don't give in. Our county chairman is doing a fantastic job and needs your support in order to bring Montgomery County back to it's former glory as a Republican county.)

Neither rumor has been corroborated, but they're out there.

Also noticably absent was the contingent from Abington. It seems that a certain Muni-Chair decided that his meeting was more important than MCRC business, instead of changing location to the Country Club, chose not to attend.

Quorum was not met and the bylaws were not voted on. Pity, because the old bylaws are seriously outdated and the new ones are quite good.

There's always January.

B.


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MCRC Candidate's Rally

MEDIA ADVISORY

CONTACT: Robert J. Kerns, MCRC Chairman
215-872-1958

September 17, 2008

MONTCO GOP KICKS OFF FALL CAMPAIGN WITH McCAIN/PALIN GOP RALLY

The Montgomery County Republican Committee will hold a rally and meeting tonight to kick off the fall campaign for McCain/Palin and the GOP ticket. Most GOP candidates will be in attendance and will participate. The rally begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be immediately followed by a brief business meeting of the Montgomery County Republican Committee members.

The rally is open to members of the media.

The event will be held at:

Westover Country Club,
401 S. Schuylkill Ave.
Jeffersonville, PA.



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It's Always Nice to Be Appreciated

I don't get paid to do this. I love the creative outlet that blogging affords me and sincerely appreciate when I get positive feedback on the subjects I post.

One such "comment" hit tonight, and I felt compelled to let that person know just how much a mere few words can be the bright spot in ones day. The comment is as follows, in it's entirety:

Roslyn Resident said...

"I'm not a blogger.
I don't like bloggers.
I'm not an activist.
I think most activists are misguided.
I am a Republican.
But I am a Social Liberal.

I guess that I am part of the 90% that hate neither Fox News or MSNBC.

That being said, I really enjoy reading your blog. Your Sightings Series is a great blend of humor, local reporting and strategic influence. Your other entries ring of honesty and personal experience.

If your goal is to infuence the masses rather than preach to the choir, you've hit your mark.

Keep writing."

"Keep Writing". To me these two words mean more than you could possibly imagine, and I sincerely thank you, "Roslyn Resident". Your humble blogger is inspired by your kind words of praise.

I sincerely appreciate that your wish for me is to continue...so I will.

Have a fantastic day! You've made mine!

B.

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***UPDATE***-Sightings: XIII

Perception is not always reality...Your humble blogger always admits, then corrects when he is mistaken when it comes to the facts.

It has come to my attention, through a very reliable source, that, in fact, Carolyn Carluccio did not arrive with James Rex the Turd (at yesterday's Whitemarsh Brunch), rather coincidentally, arrived at the same time as King James.

Apparently, King James attached himself to Carluccio's hip, reminiscent of my "shake-rape" incident with El Rejo Diego la Tercera.

I apologize to Ms. Carluccio, as I know how she must have felt...knowing she had to stay at the event, uncomfortably, as any close proximity contact with the man makes one feel like they need a shower...but I digress.

Again, my most sincere apology to Carolyn Carluccio. No innocent person should ever feel the grip of "the Matthews Effect"...ever.

Mi dispiace, è stato interamente colpa mia.

B.

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Sightings XIII

King James had the audacity to pretend he was a Republican today, by attending the Whitemarsh Republican Committee Brunch.

I'm sure that someone tipped him off that Republican Commissioner, Bruce Castor, was not able to attend, as he showed up (almost late) as the presentation was starting, accompanied by none other than Deputy county solicitor, Carolyn Carluccio.

Hmmmm. They seem pretty cozy, now that she's "not allowed" to speak to "other commissioners" (read "Bruce Castor") without getting her boss, Barry "the jester" Miller's permission.

Anyway, James Rex sat a table away, with only the barrier of my good friend, "X", between he and I..."X" was able to get these pictures of nobody talking to J-Rex:

Rex was recognized by our master of ceremonies, much to my chagrin. Not many people took the time to speak with "his turdliness", and I gave him the "stinkeye" all morning for his having the nerve to come into my house.

There were about a half-dozen "writemarsh!" buttons floating about the room...I hope having to see them gave him the heebie-jeebies. I'm sure they reminded him to check in, later today, for a new "sighting" post.

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Matthews has "Jumped the Shark"

With the news of Jimbo openly supporting a democrat against Senator Specter in 2010, the time has come to say "enough is enough.

Matthews sides with democrats 100% of the time in his role as chairman of the County Commissioners. 100% of the time.

He now has handed down a directive to solicitor, and personal court jester to the chairman, Barry Miller that his staff not talk to any of the commissioners without first getting permission from Miller.

Castor, in an email letter to Miller on 8/29, requested permission to speak to Carolyn Carluccio-who was involved with the situation that caused this directive to be implemented in the first place. Castor has not yet received any response from Miller.

On Thursday, when confronted on the issue, his Turdliness repeatedly shouted "the solicitor and all the senior staff work for ME! They work for ME! They work for ME! It went on and on, ad nauseum.

Later, on 9/11, I attended the ceremony on the plateau at the courthouse, honoring the fallen heroes of Montgomery County who have died as a result of the 9/11 attacks and subsequent war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The ceremony was very moving, (except for when J-Rex spoke, as his equipment failed and he resorted to shouting his remarks...which were laced with misquotes by Abraham Lincoln, extolling the virtues of Government by and for the people–which, by the way, he hasn't prescribed to that theory/practice since he was sworn in on 1/7/08–does he even hear himself when he speaks?)

After the ceremony, I stood talking with Sheriff John P. Durante and Republican Commissioner, Bruce Castor, both of whom I consider great Republican leaders. During my conversation with both of them concerning the ceremony (and an intellectual conversation on the health benefits of good wine) at least three citizens/residents of Montgomery County approached Commissioner Castor to tell him what a great job he is doing, and what a real TURD Jim Matthews has turned out to be. After introducing the residents to yours truly, Castor graciously thanked them for their support and kind words.

One of these residents was there to see his cousin's banner dedicated at the ceremony and was a little irate that King James was a speaker.

It's still baffling to me that, only in Montgomery County, can "third" actually become "first". But, then again, we used to be a Republican majority in the commissioners office, too.

Fortunately, El Rejo Diego la Tercera is poison to the Republican Party and will not run as one next time around. Unfortunately, the state does not allow for recall votes, which I'm certain is the only thing J-Rex can find consolation in for the next three years.

Enjoy your Saturday!

B.



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Sightings: XII

King James was not sighted at the Chairman's Club Dinner last night.

Figures, though...why would the Turd give $1000.00 to an organization that would be supporting Arlen Specter for Senator (against his brother, Chris "Tingles" Matthews) in 2010?

Let's face facts: J-Rex is so far off the reservation, most of us really don't care if he ever comes back.

I, for one am glad he "missed" the dinner...no chance of getting "shake-raped" again. And, my surf and turf tasted somewhat better without him in the room.


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Smoking Ban Starts Tomorrow

I smoke cigars. I used to smoke cigarettes. There are many places that until today allowed cigarette smoking, but banned cigar smoking.

Given that I have been discriminated against by business owners, as a cigar smoker, I still have a serious issue with the new, nanny-state smoking ban.

I think that it is up to the individual business owner as to whether or not to allow smoking in their establishment, just as it is up to the consumer not to patronize these businesses that allow smoking. Period. The end.

But, the PA legislature knows better, people:

PA's Smoking Ban Should Filter Into Homes and Cars Too, According to Temple University Expert

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On September 11, the Pennsylvania smoking ban will filter into public places.

"Now it is up to individuals and families to make their homes and cars smoke-free too," said Jennifer Ibrahim, Temple University assistant professor of public health."

Ibrahim was co-author of a recent report on smoking bans in Lancet Oncology from the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

She and her colleagues reviewed the global body of peer-reviewed published research and government reports regarding the health, economic and social impact of exposure to secondhand smoke.

They concluded:

Voluntary smoke-free home and car policies decrease exposure to secondhand smoke for children, as well as decrease adult smoking.

Despite arguments to the contrary, there is no evidence anywhere in the world to support claims regarding negative economic consequences of such a policy on the restaurant and bar industries.

There are significant health benefits to reducing exposure to secondhand smoke

There is good compliance and minimal opposition once a smoke-free policy has been passed.

Already a few states, including Maine, Massachusetts, and California, ban smoking in a car when a minor is present. Nationwide, there are at least 36 public housing authorities that have smoke-free public housing, following guidelines provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Smoke-free Homes and Cars Program (http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/).

"It is important to keep in mind that smoke-free policies are not prohibiting smokers from smoking. The policy is intended to protect the public from exposure to secondhand smoke. Period. Smokers may continue to smoke outside," said Ibrahim.

Yeah. Right. "Smokers may continue to smoke outside" until the government says they can't anymore.


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9.11.01

Writemarsh! is less than a year old, so this is the first opportunity I've had to write about 9/11. What I will never forget is where I was and what I was doing that fateful day:

Seven years ago, I was working second shift at my dream job at Pomco Graphic Arts (where my father had worked for most of his 49 years in printing, and has recently retired from).

As was the norm, I would go to bed at about 2 a.m. and get up in the morning to see my son off to school. As was my practice at the time, I would turn on the TV and watch what my wife, Karen, would tape for me the night before. Afterwards, I would "try" to get to the "honey-do" list.

Before I could finish my coffee and get the tape turned on, I caught a news flash on the bottom of the TV...The world trade center had been hit by an airliner that had flown off course!

Forgetting my "shows", I turned on Fox News and flipped back and forth between it and CNN. It had not been an accident!

For the next four or five hours, I sat, stunned...alternating between anger and sorrow for what has become the single most deadly attack by foreign nationals on American soil.

I watched, live, as the second jet hit the second tower. I was aghast. I got angry. I wept.

I went so far as to call our local Army recruiter to find out if I could still enlist. I had turned 37 years old that year, too old to enlist, according to whomever I spoke with.

So I sat, for the next four or five hours, the honey-do list and taped shows forgotten, while my wife and I watched the spectacle that would be the starting point of our "war on terror".

A lot of time has passed and the war on terror is still being waged. I am attending a memorial service later today at the Montgomery County Courthouse to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the attacks, and honor 13 local heroes who have been killed in action during the war. The service starts at 12 noon on the courthouse steps. If you can, attend.

(The monument on the Swede Street plateau is made from beams salvaged
from the World Trade Center)

We should, however, all take a moment out of our busy day and silently remember the innocent people whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001, as well as for the many good servicemen and servicewomen who have lost life or limb to protect our country from future attacks, by rooting these terrorists out at the source, and eliminating them.

Finally, we should say a silent prayer of thanks for G-d granting us the wisdom to elect a president in George W. Bush, who stood up to the terrorists and said "no more!".

G-d Bless America. G-d bless or troops. G-d bless the memory of those who perished on 9/11/01, and G-d bless those who have died fighting the war on terror. G-d bless our president for having the nerve to stand up to the terrorists. And, as you take time for a moment of silence, may G-d bless you all...and may we never forget where we were when we first heard, 7 years ago today, that our country was at war.

B.



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If the Bus Fits...

I was on my way to the William Jeanes Memorial Library (in Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County) to pick up a couple of books that my son, Scraps, had reserved.

As is the norm, I took the bike, as I love to ride when...well, I just love to ride!

As I sat waiting for a light to change, I heard (faintly, but growing louder) some young teens chanting, "O-Ba_Muh!, O-Ba-Muh!", over and over. For the record, I have a McCain/Palin sign on the luggage rack (see photo below).

I turned around to see where the the "noise" was coming from...first thing that went through my mind (and I'm going to hell for thinking it) was "figures". You see, the chanting was coming from a "short bus"...

My apologies to any of you out there who have ever ridden on the "short bus", but, if the bus fits...

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Feds: Stephens OK to run in 151st House District

HT to Tony Phyrillas for this gem:

This just in from reporter Margaret Gibbons: The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has ruled that Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Todd Stephens did not violate the Hatch Act by running for state House in 151st District because his duties do not involve any federally funded programs.

Supporters of Stephen's Democratic opponent, freshman Democrat Rep. Rick Taylor, raised the phony issue earlier this year.

“A little over a month ago, political operatives on behalf of Rep. Rick Taylor chose to make false, politically-motivated attacks against Todd Stephens that besmirched not only Todd's reputation, but the reputation of the entire Office of District Attorney here in Montgomery County,” District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said in a statement released by her office. “I am happy to report that the federal government has concluded that Mr. Stephens is not in violation of the Hatch Act as falsely claimed by Mr. Taylor's political operatives.”

Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr., the former county district attorney, said the timing of Taylor's accusations coincided with the Bonusgate scandal in Harrisburg.

“This attack against Todd and the District Attorney's office was a coldly calculated attempt by Taylor and his campaign to draw attention away from Taylor’s own ethical issues surrounding the Bonusgate scandal,” Castor said in a statement.

Taylor's 2006 campaign manager was one of 12 people indicted in the Bonusgate scandal, and Taylor himself is referenced as having received benefit from the scandal, with that same manager receiving a bonus paid with taxpayer dollars, according to Castor.

Taylor is obviously running scared. Stephens should win the 151st seat and help return a GOP majority in the state House.



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Obama is a Sonovabitch

Whiskey-Tango_Foxtrot?



Stay Classy, Barry, you a$$hole!

HT to John Lewandowski at PAWaterCooler.com

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The Case for Working Moms

In a post way back in March, I sparred a bit with Alex at the PAWaterCooler about Sarah Palin's ability to be an effective VeeP, given that she was very pregnant at the time (7 months).

The case I made is that good families make it work. My mom worked, my bride of 16+ years works, and her mom worked. For the most part, we come from fairly well-adjusted families, with some cracks in the proverbial china (but who's family doesn't have some "cracks"?).

What the looney-bin left would have you believe is that a woman has to make the choice between being mom or being a career woman. They can't seem to let the two meld into one super being, unless they are floating a woman candidate for some office...then all bets are off.

Sarah Palin has been on the receiving end of some very poisonous statements, ranging from the sublime to the utterly ridiculous. (I'm not going to repeat any of them here, as I have too much respect for the Palin family not to continue spreading conjecture)

And yet, when it was suggested (years ago) that Chelsea Clinton was pretty much raised by nannies, the moonbats went ballistic. That McCain even joked that she was the result of a relationship between the Hildebeast and Janet Reno was considered in such poor taste that Senator McCain spent months apologizing.

But, for some reason, even baby Trig is not immune to the lefty-loonies audacious attacks. There is a blog (started by a leftie called "the Daily Kos") that pokes fun at baby Trig's Down's Syndrome...it sickens me to no end that the lunatic fringe of the left, those who claim to be compassionate and caring, would stoop so low.

All this in an attempt to discredit a successful, working mom of five.

Where am I going with this? For starters, Gov. Palin grew up in the dawning age of feminism, raised in a traditional family, with traditional values. She pretty much missed the feminist demagoguery that permeates our public schools today. That these traditional values in which she was brought up are so inherently wrong, in the eyes of the dems, baffles me.

You see, even though my wife works, we share the responsibility of raising our children. It's not always a picnic for either of us, as I chose to work a shift that puts my kids first and my marriage a close second. But, one of us is always home with the kids. Not a sitter, not a nanny...a parent.

A. Parent. That's important.

We have a nice home, eat well, buy stuff, own several computers, a gaggle of musical instruments, an SUV, and a Minivan, and have a fairly active social life (scouts, orchestra, politics, etc.). We just don't need the expensive toys, like the Mercedes, the yacht, the summer home in the Hamptons...it'd be nice, but we don't need them at the expense of our children.

We're not rich and certainly do not "keep up with the Joneses". And yet, we live the "American Dream" every day!

There are so many accomplished women who are able to balance a family and a career, mostly with the support of their spouse and family. They, too, realize that it's not wrong to be successful and a mom. Unless, of course, you happen to be a Republican!



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Father/Daughter Talk

...or, why is daddy an Evil Republican?

A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words redistribution of wealth.

She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.

Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked, 'How is your friend Audrey doing?' She replied, 'Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over.'

Her wise father asked his daughter, 'Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, 'That's a crazy idea, and how would that be fair! I've worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!'

The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, 'Welcome to the Republican party.'

From "Reasoned Audacity", a pro-life political blog that I rather enjoy.

B.

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Beauty & the Beast

Yeah, I know...I'm not very nice, but a potential first lady should never go out in public looking like that!

HT to Blonde Sagacity, where I glommed the photo's from her "caption it" contest. Check out her site...good stuff.
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Funny Thing, this Politics...

There's a thing called the "Monday Morning Quarterback". You know the guy (or gal)...they sit in the office or at the shop (wherever you find yourself during the work week) and tell you what they would have done differently, in the "game" the night before.

It's no different in politics. We all fancy ourselves to be politically savvy, and most of us like to claim at least some expertise in most matters political.

Imagine my surprise (feigned, of course), when everybody came out on Friday morning past, touting how McCain picking Palin was a stroke of genius, how they would have picked her if they had known a little more about her, etc.

Monday Morning Quarterbacks.

Normally, I would be calling them out, saying that they were jumping on the bandwagon, now that the pick has been made public. (For the record, I and a limited few others have been literally SCREAMING the name of Sarah Palin since February)

Instead, I offer these words...What took you so long?

Welcome to the club! And, we're glad to have you!

Now, the real work begins. Gov. Palin will now be under not only the scrutiny of the DNC, but also the main stream media (with whom Obamessiah has become their personal savior). The negative propaganda that they will be floating out there will be filled with lies and conjecture. We need to have our talking points be concise and in order, and our defenses valid and firm. No whining "it's not fair".

What we need to project in our VeeP candidate is strength without seeming bitchy, compassion without seeming too "soft". We need to perpetuate the notion that our working mom is not going to neglect her family, rather will be working in concert with the support of her family to be the best mom to her kids (which to me, is already quite apparent).

To reiterate from a post I made last week, welcome to the band! The wagon is big enough for all of us. Let's work hard so we can stand up on November 4th, at 8 p.m. and sing in our loudest voices, "Hail to the Chief", and (screw the rock group "Heart") "Barracuda"!

We'll have earned it!
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The DNC is a Disgrace!!!

(HT to JCS for this tip!)

Republican Recycling

by David Harsanyi on September 6, 2008
denverpost.com

This morning, Republicans tell me that a worker at Invesco Field in Denver saved thousands of unused flags from the Democratic National Convention that were headed for the garbage. Guerrilla campaigning. They will use these flags at their own event today in Colorado Springs with John McCain and Sarah Palin.

Before McCain speaks today, veterans will haul these garbage bags filled with flags out onto the stage — with dramatic effect, no doubt — and tell the story.

“What you see in the picture I sent you is less than half of total flags,” a Republican official emailed. “We estimate the total number to be around 12,000 small flags and one full size 3×5 flag.”

I’m not sure what the DNC was supposed to do with unused hand-flags, frankly. But the Republicans are obviously questioning someone’s patriotism here.

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Sightings: XI

...is actually a non-sighting, once again!

Although King James the turd's best friend and County Solicitor, Barry Miller was sighted (and in the company of-of-of... a woman-{gasp!}-), King James was nowhere to be found.

For the record, although the two are usually attached at the hip, King James happened to still be at the RNC (yeah, why he's there still perplexes me, too).

Anyway, since this was a non sighting, I decided to make it worth your while to read. Actually sighted at the event was that cool-ass motorcycle over Sheriff Durante's left shoulder. Oh, right, that's Don Tollefson chatting it up with the Sheriff, to the right of the cool-ass motorcycle!


Have a great Friday!


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McCain Hits a Home Run

Senator john McCain knocked one out of the park tonight. As Sarah Palin did last night, so did John McCain tonight firm up my resolve...This is the perfect team to run our country for the next four years. Senator McCain's speech tonight had one poignant moment that showed me the wealth of his character (emphasis mine):

I’m not running for president because I think I’m blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me G-d.

McCain is a class act. So is Sarah Palin. G-d bless them, and G-d bless America!

By the way, when they played “Barracuda”, I laughed out loud…and once again got funny looks from my co-workers. As a political junkie, this is my World Series and my Superbowl, all wrapped up in one package…deal with it!

(cross-posted on the 'cooler)


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Sarah

Last evening, I watched the first woman to ever hold the office of Vice President give a tremendous acceptance speech.

She was poised, eloquent, and witty, with a hint of the devil when she flung barbs at the opposition. Sarah Palin, in baseball terms, hit a grand slam.

As a hockey mom, she'd probably appreciate the term "Hat Trick"!

Sarah Palin showed me that she is not only qualified to hold the second highest office in the land, she's got all of the qualifications to assume the presidency, on day one!

I jumped on the Sarah Palin bandwagon (it was a very small band) back in February (Palin for Veep). The band is getting bigger, and there's plenty of room on the wagon!

Jump to PAWaterCooler.com to read more comprehensive coverage and even more opinion on the woman who will be our first to be elected President of the United States!

B.


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Separated at Birth-II?

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Political Cartoon Speaks For Itself

HT to Tony Phyrillas for the following, posted to his blog earlier today:



The artist wishes for the cartoon to be distributed freely, royalty free, by those of us who think the leftards are unfairly attacking Governor Palin's family.

B.


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Matthews Lied? Golf-Tango-Foxtrot-Oscar-Hotel!

Commissioner Castor has heard a lot of "truth fabrication" in his many years in the District Attorney's office. Probably too many to count, always starting with "I didn't do it", leading. Well, it looks like things are being perpetuated, at least for him, in the commissioner's office.

To refresh your memory, back in July, there was a unionization letter sent out to the private mail and phone calls made to the unlisted phones of (some) county employees. This letter/call was not so well received by many, as they felt it violated their privacy insofar as the union should never have gotten their private information.

If you remember, Cmmsr. Matthews spouted off about the letter, admonishing acting human resources director ( and deputy county solicitor) Carolyn Carluccio for sending such a harshly worded letter out. Well, it had come to Commissioner Castor's attention that Carluccio had, in fact, run the letter by King James prior to sending it out (from the Evening Bulletin):

Mr. Castor [...] spoke with Deputy Solicitor Carolyn Carluccio, the acting human resources director, on July 30 after hearing about the letter going out. He asked her about its origins and recalled her saying that after Mr. DeAngelo composed it, she read it to Mr. Matthews over the phone and said the commissioners' chairman had approved it.

Mr. Castor said Ms. Carluccio told him Mr. Matthews called her back the following day and reported that Mr. Hoeffel, who does not oppose unionization, reacted negatively to the letter. By that time, Mr. Castor said he learned, it had already gone out to department heads and could not be stopped from reaching employees.

The plot thickens:

At a publicly televised county commissioners' meeting on Thursday, Aug. 21, Mr. Matthews and Commissioners' Vice Chairman Joe Hoeffel, D, both criticized the letter and said such a message should not have gone out without their approval. Mr. Matthews called the language used in the letter "disconcerting" and said there is no official county position on unionization even though he is personally opposed to it for county staffers.

And, now it seems that there's a cover-up in progress:

Subsequent efforts by Mr. Castor to ask Ms. Carluccio for information on the matter have been blocked administratively. The deputy solicitor wrote to Mr. Castor that he must go through County Solicitor Barry Miller to get answers from her.

"I have been recently instructed that all requests for information from any commissioner be directed to the solicitor, Barry Miller, under whom I work," she wrote to Mr. Castor in an e-mail. "I am happy to respond to your requests with Mr. Miller's approval."

And:

Mr. Castor said he believes this procedure contradicts protocol and is too bureaucratic. He said also the refusal of Mr. Matthews and Ms. Carluccio to divulge greater detail were effectively "tacit admissions" of their respective complicity in the matter.

"The public needs to know whether their commissioner lied to them," he said. "And my effort to get to the bottom of that has been stymied. I know what Carolyn Carluccio told me and it is stunning that an elected county commissioner is not permitted to gather information from a member of the commissioners' staff. It certainly appears as though a cover-up is in progress."

Well, King James? Are you ready to let your office "come clean" or will you continue to deceive the people who put their trust in your leadership when they voted for you back in November?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if the work of the people is done by those we elect to do it, who are paid by our tax dollars to do it, and there is an ethics question, does not "the people" have a right to transparency in their county government? If so, then why do any of our three county executives, Mssrs. Castor, Hoeffel, or Matthews have to get permission from an underling, Mr Barry Miller, to speak with a county employee? Or, does this only apply to Cmmsr. Castor?

With a reputation of being a straight shooter, why is Deputy Solicitor Carluccio a party to this deceit? Is there pressure from above to keep her mouth closed? Is it possible that her job has been threatened if she chooses to be a "whistle-blower"?

Egregious is a word that comes to mind.

The clock is ticking, J-Rex-the credibility gap is widening. The web of deceit you have been weaving since January 7th is starting to unravel. And boy, I can hardly wait until the bottom drops out.

All quotes in this report are from a news story in the Evening Bulletin, "Castor: Matthews Approved Letter", by Brad Vasoli. )Click on the link to read the entire article)

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Funny!

From the PDN:

GOP Yucks it up over Rendell Joke

Republican candidate for state treasurer Tom Ellis took a dig at Gov. Rendell during remarks this morning at the Pennsylvania delegation breakfast at the Republican Convention, John Baer reports.

Ellis spoke about going to county fairs and noted that food on a stick is always available. Then he said that at a fair in Bucks County, they offered a ten-pound turkey on a stick. "They called it the Ed Rendell special," he said to the delight of his GOP audience.

Posted by Catherine Lucey @ 11:40 AM


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From PAWatercooler.com

I posted this directly from the 'cooler...it's important that you all see at what lengths the democrats will go to steal an election:

Palin’s SS Number September 2

Filed under Pennsylvania by AlexC

F*cking Democrat scumbags.

How dare they do this?

The Politico has received an opposition research file from the Alaska Democrats. You can read it in PDF here.

In the file, the Democrats have released Sarah Palin’s social security number minus the last four digits. Also tied to the information are her various home addresses.

Back in 2005, Democrats used Michael Steele’s social security number to get his credit record.

It is atrocious that the Democrats would not only seek out Sarah Palin’s social security number, but release it in opposition research to the press.

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Picture of Sarah

I've seen a boatload of bikini pictures circulating on the net of Sarah Palin. I'm more impressed by this one:




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Sightings: X

Sighting's: X is a reader (x2) submitted sighting (Yay, readers!) that occurred whilst your humble blogger slept this morning (in case you've missed it, I work the vampyr shift...;P). It also appeared on the 'cooler, as this post:
________________

Matthews & Matthews September 2

Filed under RNC2008 by AlexC

Got an email this morning from someone who actually watches MSNBC.

Jim Matthews (R-sort of) Endorses Chris Matthews (D-Tingly for Obama) against Senator Arlen Specter (R-mostly) for Senate in 2010.

Is this really a surprise? C’mon.

_______________
King James was sighted on MSNBC's "the Morning Joe" doing the unthinkable...well, maybe not so unthinkable, now that he has formed his alliance with the democrats in Montco.

Jim Matthews, supposed Republican, endorsed a democrat for state senator. Jim sat with his brother, Chris Matthews and heartily suggested that Mr. Tingles would be a better candidate than longtime republican senator Arlen Specter in the 2010 election.

FEH!

For any sitting Republican to promote the candidacy of a democrat, including his brother, mind you, is ludicrous, not to mention just downright subversive to the party in general.

For the record, one of my family members, a democrat, would not support me (openly) in my failed run for supervisor in Whitemarsh...that's what partisan politics is all about-not helping the other side win!

It's a fact that Jim is "sleeping with the enemy". That King James the Turd should be allowed to attend any Republican function, knowing that he may share information with the presumed senatorial '10 challenger, is paramount to being in concert with a traitor.

It's now time for all good Republicans to shun, nay, refuse to allow Jim Matthews, King James the Turd, attendance to any and all Republican political events.

Stay away, Jim...we don't want you anywhere near us, lest the stink not wash away.


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Sightings:IX ( and a half)

Jim Matthews was sighted rubbing elbows with none other than Philadelphia's own Larry Kane at the convention yesterday...Kane referred to King James as "Mr. Republican", which leads me to believe that Mr. Kane is not as brilliant as we believe him to be-or he just drinks the King James Kool-Aid.

I'm sure that Kane will feature James Rex at some point during the week on his life feed from the convention.

Keep me posted if any of you hear of any future convention "sightings".


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Obama Makes History (again)?

Another historic first for Barack Obama:


A Moment For The History Books



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Why Bother?

This is the season for ass-hats. One side attacks the other side, rumor mills get running and character assassination becomes the rule, not the exception.

But, when it comes to spreading untruths and conjecture about a child of one of the candidates, I get boiling mad.

Back up 4 years ago, the Bush girls were thrust into the national spotlight because of an indiscretion. The MSM played it to the hilt, mocking the girls, and chiding the president for not keeping his (adult) girls in line. PPP*, IMHO.

Fast forward to Friday, August 29, 2008. McCain picks his ideal running mate, Sarah Palin. The dust in the stadium had barely settled, when attacks on two of Sarah Palin's children came from the lunatic fringe left.

I wouldn't dream of repeating the slanderous, sleazy and downright mean things said by the left about these two children, but suffice it to say, it wasn't worthy of news coverage. Besides, the kids should be off-limits. T.H.E.-E.N.D!

I also cannot understand why any supposedly "conservative" news outlets or bloggers would even give it the light of day? And, wonder whether or not it may be true.

One such blogger, "he who shall not be attacked directly (but his initials are "E"d "B"oyd)" chose not only to blog the heinous attack on Palin and her children, but actually writes in such a way that he doesn't exactly rule out the possibility. Here's the post (in part)-emphasis mine:

Better Not Be True
(already, the title eludes that he's not sure it isn't true-ed.)

Not even 24 hours after Sarah Palin was selected to be McCain's running-mate this story comes via Comments From Left Field.

If remotely true, what does it say about the McCain's campaign ability to vet the Alaska Governor? Worse yet, what will it say to the conservative base who just got on the McCain-Palin bandwagon?

While one could understand a mom going to extreme legnths (sic) to protect her daughter, it won't sit well with a lot of folks. At least, it will require quite a lot of explaining. (again, this passage eludes that he's not sure it isn't true-ed.)

If (again, doubt?) nowhere close to fact, it proves Left Field is where character assassination is created.

In a direct question to "E"d "B"oyd (again, I'll just use his initials), I ask this: If you have every reason to doubt the validity of what was coming out of the liberal left, why not ask yourself the following question before fueling the fire by blogging it.

Why Bother?

Anyway, the Palin camp announced today that Sarah's daughter, Bristol, is, indeed 5 months pregnant with a child of her own, that she will keep and raise after marrying the father.

The liberal media forced a family in crisis to air their private business in front of the whole country, all stemming from a positively disgusting attack on our future Vice President and her family.

I hope the lib-tard media and those who reported this on this, for no reason other than shock value, got their jollies destroying a kids privacy.

Although I believe in a strong first amendment, and will defend your right to say, write and publish stupid drivel (such as mine-heh!) with my life, I still think kids are off limits in politics. T.H.E.-E.N.D!

B.


*Piss-Poor-Politics


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