Foot In Mouth Disease - Terrell Owens Undoing

Nov.7 (Bloomberg) -- Philadelphia Eagles receiver Terrell Owens, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, won't play for the team again this season after criticizing the organization and quarterback Donovan McNabb, coach Andy Reid said.

So Terrell Owens opened his big mouth way to many times, being critical of his fellow teammates. According to several local Philly news outlets, Owens has acted like an out of control megalomaniac. Megalomania One entry found for megalomania. Main Entry: meg·a·lo·ma·nia Pronunciation: "me-g&-lO-'mA-nE-&, -ny& Function: noun Etymology: New Latin 1 : a mania for great or grandiose performance 2 : a delusional mental disorder that is marked by infantile feelings of personal omnipotence and grandeur - meg·a·lo·ma·ni·ac /-'mA-nE-"ak/ adjective or noun - meg·a·lo·ma·ni·a·cal /-m&-'nI-&-k&l/ also meg·a·lo·man·ic /-'ma-nik/ adjective - meg·a·lo·ma·ni·a·cal·ly /-m&-'nI-&-k(&-)lE/ adverb Ok. Enough of that. Fact is, Owens fits the bill to the tee. What does this mean to me? NOTHING. I've known all along as well of many other Philly sports fans that these "Lone Rangers" in the end do more damage to the team as a whole than they are worth.

Remember Eric Lindros?

The big baby who couldn't do nothing unless Mommy & Daddy approved? The same Eric who repurtedly screwed Rod Brind'Amour's wife? The one who was "IT" ?

The Eagles will survive, as you all know, it takes A TEAM to win. Not one or two players. Remember this quote? "Win together now and we walk together forever." Yes, A man who I grew up admiring as a coach of the greatest hockey team ever, Fred Shero said that in 1975, during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Eagles, and Andy Reid have made a good call in terminating Owens, as hurtful as his talent will be missed. I just feel sorry for all you people who went out and bought a T.O. jersey. Maybe you can auction them off on Ebay. Or burn them in effigy. Good riddance I say.

WYO

Well I guess its about time for some kind of comments on the SEPTA situation. Rather than peddle my opinion I'll let everyone chime in. Comment away. I will say though people need to lose that chip on their shoulder and realize this isn't going away. Your just going to have to learn to deal with packed trains (yes, even if more cars are added the trains will still be packed) and long lines. We all have to go through it and no your not a special case. Everyone has a job to make, appointments to make, kids to pick up, etc, etc, etc... Yes it sucks but constantly complaining about it and showing your short fuse to everyone around you isn't going to alleviate the problem one bit.

Propoganda

Interesting take on the recent bombings in Baghdad. Of course there are always recent bombings so to clarify this is in regards to the three car bombs near the hotels that just so happened to occur within prime view of multiple cameras...

Pissed at Wawa

In the process of trying to find out just who is running for what in the election on November 8th, I came across this from Dan Quinn's web site: HELEN AND RICHARD D. GREENWALD, SR. 8 COLUMBUS AVENUE HAVERTOWN, PA 19083 E-MAIL: POP19083 @AOL.COM October 13, 2005 My bride of 40 years and I have been residents of Haverford Township for 35 years now. We moved here many years ago so that our three(3) children could benefit from the excellent schools and the family atmosphere that existed at that time. Our children are now grown, but in their place, many of our ten(10) grandchildren still reside in Havertown and still attend the same excellent schools. Yes, we all love our community! However, something happened recently that bothers us greatly since we are people of principle and don't like the fashion in which we have been treated by either WAWA or their authorized agent. On Saturday October 1st (Havertown Day) we parked in the WAWA located at Darby and Manoa Roads and our automobile was subsequently towed. Note that we were wrong and deserved to be punished. We were more than willing to pay the $200 towing charge and this issue would have ended there. However, WAWA's agent (shown below) refused to give us our car back on Saturday and told us to come back on Monday- when, naturally, additional storage charges would also be tacked on to the original $200 towing charge! TOW SQUAD, INC. 6702 MARKET STREET UPPER DARBY, PA 19082 We have both been treated in an extremely rude and calloused fashion to the point that (forget me) I was concerned that my wife was going to have a heart attack. (Having personally had a heart attack and quadruple by-pass surgery, I guess you might consider me to be somewhat of an expert on heart attacks.) When I say she was near having a heart attack, let me tell you that she continues to shake at the mere mention of the words "WAWA or Tow Squad"! As an example of WAWA's attitude, when my wife demanded to pay the $200 towing charge and get her car back on Saturday, WAWA's agent (in front of a Haverford Police Officer in the WAWA parking lot), snapped his fingers in the air in an extremely belligerent and aggressive manner and said "Sure lady-just like that you'll get your car back-You'll get it back on Monday morning and not before!" I immediately went to the WAWA agent's above location, where the car was being held, and called the Upper Darby Police. Their incident report will document that at that time, the owner was on the premises, another employee was on the premises and in addition they released a previously towed car to a young woman that arrived "AFTER" me. (because she paid them an additional $100 that I did not have!) In addition, his tow truck had another car in the process of being put on his lot when I arrived. WAWA's agent refused to give me our car indicating that his office was closed until Monday. Let me reiterate: -The owner was present -Another employee was also on-site -They were in the process of releasing a car to a person that arrived after me -They were continuing to tow cars -All they had to do to release my car was to open the gate- there were no cars blocking us in. THUS, THEY WERE "NOT CLOSED", THEY WERE OPEN AND WERE CONDUCTING BUSINESS!!! PETITION TO ALL LEGISLATORS IN HAVERFORD AND UPPER DARBY TOWNSHIP AND ELSEWHERE IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA Our signature below signifies that we agree with the Greenwald's open communication dated October 13, 2005 that spells out in detail the need for new and enhanced legislation to address the obvious deficiencies in our current Towing Regulations. We request that new legislation be passed AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME to protect the citizens of our communities. Some specific issues and recommendations follow: -Towing Charges- it is requested that a towing company's charges be tied to a specific index. As an example, "a towing company's fees can not exceed the charges levied by the police department of the township from which the vehicle is towed for similar services". If there is a need to further punish the owners of towed cars, it is acceptable to add to this amount an additional reasonable "specified" penalty fee. - Towing Destination- to ensure that vehicles are not towed across the country and further to ensure that the Township from which the vehicle is towed does not lose its legal jurisdiction, we request that a new regulation be passed that specifies that a towed vehicle can not be towed outside the township from which the towing commences. - Vehicle Protection- the current regulations that indicate that towing companies are not responsible for damage to, loss, or theft from towed vehicles must be closely re-examined. - Recovery of Towed Vehicles- A towing company can not be allowed to pick and chose when they will allow the return of personal property of other people. All towing companies should have to adhere to the same schedule in the respective township! Further, a specific new section should be added that indicates that any towing company that tows a vehicle after the prescribed time schedule is deemed to be open for business and must accommodate the owners of towed vehicles that desire to retrieve their vehicles on the day towed. It is noted that one of the Tow Squad's signs indicates that that recovery is by "appointment only". Since the Tow Squad was "not" open when the owner and another employee were on-site and when they were both towing and releasing vehicles from their lot, we wonder how anyone could possibly make an appointment! . -Towing Authority- The legal rights of a towing company (and naturally the owner of the vehicle) must be thoroughly examined. After a vehicle leaves the property of a business (such as the WAWA) by what right does the towing company have to tow the vehicle further, charge whatever fees it desires, and decide when it will release the personal property to the owner, while at the same time hiding under an umbrella of section 3353 of the PA Motor Vehicle Code that apparently says they are not liable for any damage to the vehicle or other loss or theft therefrom? It is further important to distinguish between the actions of the towing company in the actual towing of the vehicle and subsequent damage, loss or theft that arises after the initial towing action is complete (the vehicle is placed in the lot of the towing company). It is further suggested that all towed cars be immediately towed to the applicable local police department's towing lot and that the local police take ownership of the matter immediately. - Parking Meters- Authority should be granted to all Police Department's to tow all vehicles that are parked in front of expired parking meters. - Expired Registration Stickers- The posted WAWA sign indicates that vehicles with expired registrations will be towed. WAWA and their agents are not the local police enforcement agency- what right do they have to tow the vehicle of a customer of WAWA that is doing business in their store? WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE! I hereby support the need for the above new towing regulations and ask that all legislators immediately address the deficiencies that are highlighted in this petition and the Greenwald's communication dated October 13, 2005, a copy of which will be made a part of the formal petition. Click here for the petition What amazes me is that Wawa would even think of pulling a stunt like this. I always have felt good when going to area Wawas, the people who work there perform multiple tasks, like fixing you a sandwich or hoagie, "Deli Worker", ringing you up"Cashier", in addition to deal with product "Stock Person". Even cleaning the rest rooms, and store! At "MY WAWA"(s) the workers and managers are extremely nice and a few I even would consider friends. So that to say that the above had me shocked is beyond belief. But shocked I am. I hope that Mr. & Mrs. Greenwald achieve two things. One, a sincere and public apology from Wawa, and Tow Squad Inc; and Two, the people in power in Haverford Township take notice of this and deal with it accordingly. Better yet, how about all of Delco's community leaders look into this?

Kiss Your Rights Goodbye

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon is looking at the possibility of using federal troops to enforce a quarantine in the event of an outbreak of pandemic bird flu in the United States, a senior official said on Wednesday. President George W. Bush said last week he would consider using the military to "effect a quarantine" in response to any outbreak of avian influenza, but provided few details. Bush at the time also suggested he might place National Guard troops, normally commanded by state governors, under federal control as part of the government's response to the "catastrophe" of such a flu pandemic. Paul McHale, assistant defense secretary for homeland defense, said quarantine law historically has been under the primary jurisdiction of states, not the federal government. "And my expectation is that any quarantine measures that would be put in place would likely involve a substantial employment of the National Guard, probably under command and control of the governor of an affected state," McHale told a group of reporters. "However, we are looking at a wide range of contingencies, potentially involving Title 10 forces (federal troops) if a pandemic outbreak of a biological threat were to occur," McHale added. The H5N1 avian influenza virus has killed or forced the destruction of tens of millions of birds and infected more than 100 people, killing at least 60 in four Asian nations since late 2003. Experts fear that the virus, known to pass to humans from birds, could mutate and start to spread easily from person to person, potentially killing millions worldwide. Experts have questioned America's preparedness. McHale said he believed there would be a clearer understanding within a few weeks of the military role in response to pandemic bird flu as part of a broader federal response. Pentagon officials were meeting on Wednesday to discuss the department's role in a flu pandemic. LEGAL BARRIERS One issue that could face the U.S. government in the event of an outbreak is whether or how to cordon off parts of the country to prevent the disease from spreading. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, enacted during the post-Civil War reconstruction period, prohibits federal military personnel from taking part in law-enforcement within the United States. But a president can waive the law in an emergency. National Guard troops under the command of state governors are permitted to perform law enforcement duties, but would not be permitted to do so if they were put under federal control. McHale noted that the military has been used only under extraordinary circumstances for domestic law enforcement and restoring civil order. While not specifically referring to enforcing a quarantine, McHale said the Pentagon has active-duty federal military units on alert and deployable at the direction of the president "to deal with occurrences of massive civil disturbance." He did not identify the units. On the topic of possible domestic attack involving biological, chemical or nuclear weapons, McHale said the government needs "a more robust civilian capability" to respond so the country is not exclusively dependent on the military. McHale said the Pentagon is working to help make the Department of Homeland Security better able to make strategic plans for natural disasters or domestic attacks involving weapons of mass destruction. The department's Federal Emergency Management Agency was strongly criticized for its slow response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster on the U.S. Gulf Coast in August. Yes, I have a problem with this. It really looks to me like Bush is setting America up as a Police State. Like the movie "Outbreak", we Americans will be herded like cattle and put in internment camps already built across America. And guess who will be the first to go? That's right, people like me who dare to question our beloved leaders in Washington. About 100 people so far have died from this flu Worldwide! How are they so certain that it will be a pandemic? How about closing the frigging borders? Noooo, that would ruin the corporations who depend on these illeagals for their profit margin. Cancelling flights from the far east! Nada. No way. Bush has only one answer for everything. Send in the troops. This will not sit well with many, and forget about crying wolf about terrorists in subways. We know that was a load of B.S. to divert the public's attention from the real threats that plauge us like our open ports, where any dimwit could smuggle in a nuke. Martial law? There is no way people will give up their guns. So it looks like we are heading for civil war here in America if Posse Comitatus is repealed. Do you (the government) really believe this is good for us? You as an employee of the government work for the people. What happens when the "troops" UN, etc.. come for your family? Do you all think you"ll have a free pass? I don't think so.. Look what happened in NOLA! It's quite obivous that the feds can't do anything but create total kaos. Like volunteers being arrested by Soldiers who thought they were stealing, people dying from dehydration, bloated bodies floating for weeks. trains and boats being told to go away, a moron horse trader in charge. May God help America and help it soon, before it's too late. Remember this quote? "If this were a DICTATORSHIP, it would be a heck of a lot easier. A DICTARTORSHIP would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the DICTATOR." I do... And it scares the shit outta Me.

Call Me A Doctor

A while back I e-mailed our Senator Arlen Specter, a man who I have voted for since I was 18 about a problem that we in Delaware County and all across the State have. Doctors, who because of skyrocketing insurance premiums are either leaving Pennsylvania or choosing to limit their specific specialty and or just retire early. As one of the thousands of self-employed people across the state who barely afford health care for my family, this is a two pronged issue. I was quite surprised today when I received this from Senator Specter. Dear Mr. Ward: Thank you for contacting my office regarding the issue of medical liability insurance. I appreciate your keeping me informed of your recommendations and concerns regarding this important issue. During the 108th Congress the United States Senate considered legislation that would place a cap on non economic damages in medical malpractice cases. I support caps on non-economic damages so long as they do not apply to catastrophic injuries such as the paperwork mix-up leading to the double mastectomy of a woman or the recent death of a 17 year old woman from North Carolina, due to an erroneous blood test. An appropriate standard for cases not covered could be analogous provisions in Pennsylvania law which limit actions against governmental entities or in the limited tort context which exclude death, serious impairment of bodily function, and permanent disfigurement or dismemberment. On February 24, 2004, I voted in favor of the motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 2061, the Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies Access to Care Act of 2004. On April 7, 2004, I voted in favor of the motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 2207, the Pregnancy and Trauma Care Access Protection Act of 2004. Moreover, on July 9, 2003, I voted in favor of the motion to proceed to the consideration of S.11, the Patient's First Act of 2003. These votes however, failed to garner the necessary 60 votes to further floor debate. Congress will continue to pursue these measures. Beyond the issue of caps, I believe there could be savings on the cost of medical malpractice insurance by eliminating frivolous cases by requiring plaintiffs to file with the Court a certification by a doctor in the field that it is an appropriate case to bring to court. This proposal, which is now part of state procedure, would be expanded federally, thus reducing claims and saving costs. Further savings could be accomplished through patient safety initiatives identified in the report of the Institute of Medicine. I think it is worth noting that my service for 23 years on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Health and Human Services has been to provide access to the best possible medical care to all Americans. I have consistently voted to assist doctors on adequate reimbursement in Medicare cases. I have consistently voted to expand funding for the National Institutes of Health to find cures for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cancer, heart disease and other ailments. I have voted to increase funding for graduate medical education and to provide the delivery of health care for people in financial need. From my travels throughout the state, I understand the problems faced by medical professionals, as well as to people injured in the course of medical treatment; and I am working with my colleagues in the Senate to provide an appropriate legislative solution. The concerns of my constituents are of great importance to me, and I rely on you and other Pennsylvanians to inform me of your views. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office or visit my website at http://specter.senate.gov . Thank you again for writing. Sincerely, Arlen Specter Now I do realize that it must be difficult for a Senator to choose between the Insurance lobbyists who I'm sure bombard him 24/7 and the Lawyer lobbyist doing the same. Arlen, (Or at least his staffers) at least replied to me. Until this issue is resolved guess who will continue to suffer the most? The citizens of Pennsylvania. Ask your Doctor the next time you visit Him/Her how much they have to pay for insurance and you’ll find that they too are paying way too much. Now I'm not defending any Doctor who is proven incompetent, say who gives a wrong diagnosis that results in say a healthy kidney being removed instead of the diseased one, or stuff like that. They should be held accountable. But let's face it. More and more Physicians will continue to close shop for elsewhere unless something about this is done. Also, I would like to put forth the Insurance companies position that there has been an 11% increase over the last 6 years of Attorneys seeking multi-million dollar amounts for "frivolous lawsuits" as they put it. Again between the Doctors. Insurance Companies, and Law Firms, We the people lose out the most. Anyway,Thank You Arlen for being on the ball.

I'm BAACK...

I have just been way to busy with work, and a sick child, etc to post. Also, I have been actively reading many blogs and official White House "via FAWX / Rush/Hannity/Asshole Bill O'Lielly press releases" and have come to the conclusion that the shit is already hitting the fan. It's now up to the people who are on this to follow thru. To Fitz in Chicago? Do not back back down! WE as a whole are fed the hell up and want these treasonous pricks put in prison. NOW! Not next year or whatever. The new "Person who has sexual issues"(Happy now Shelley?) that Bush nominated is a joke. She never sat behind a bench. WTF. When will us AMERICANS Of all political affiliations demand accountability? Are "Conservatives" really that gullible? Do you not care about your country and where it's headed?

Yes Fran, I am outraged!

OK, I have lots of issues today.....Appointing a fucking veterinarian to direct Women's Health?? How many decades will this administration push back women's issues? I've been fearful of what is going to happen once the frat boy gets to make an appointment to the Supreme Court (now 2 of them, oy vey). I feel like we as a gender have been pushed aside....can you say burka? I was hoping that my generation's strides in women's rights would be a legacy to pass down to our children and grandchildren...was hoping that when my granddaughter is of age, there would be no glass ceiling for women in business, that women would not have to struggle as hard as men to get to the same place.... I know some of you that read Fran's blog are young enough to think that I'm talking smack here but seriously....when I started my career in 1973, I was working in the Intensive Care Unit of a large Philly hospital...large pediatric hospital actually. I was making $4.20 an hour which really, at that time, you could live on ($5.00 to fill your gas tank)...the male nurse that started with me, also a new graduate made 10 cents an hour more. Why? (and yes I DID ask), "Because he has a family to support". This has chapped my ass for years and you know what? It still happens! Back to the women's health issues....there is already a difference in the way health insurance treats male and female issues. Viagra is paid for but in many instances, birth control pills are not, did you know that? I know of what I speak, I work for an HMO. Insurance also pays for an erectaid pump in cases of erectile dysfunction and does not pay for a similar technology for women with sexual dysfunction. Need a penile implant? You can get one! Need breast implants? Sorry Miss. On to another issue..the news. Did you learn from reading the headlines today that we're suffering casualties in Iraq? I didn't think so. I have a dear friend that is there as a reservist, working as a nurse doing air evacuations...didn't hear from him all week and was beginning to worry. Heard from him briefly today, just enough time to tell me that it's bloody and ugly over there this week...just thought you might want to know. Enough bitching for now, but I'll be back!

Male Veterinarian Appointed Acting Director of Women's Health

Ladies: What do you think of this? I think it's an insult to women. First we have a former commissioner for the International Arabian Horse Association, now a former Veterinarian in charge of the Office of Women's Health?

Remembering 911

Earlier I posted this but mysteriously the link that was working fine suddenly is not. Remembering what happened on 9-11-01 and what has happened to America since then has been the topic of many people around the world. I will not go into my thoughts about 911, because it makes me sick to know that people got away with mass murder and continue to get away with it to this very day, four years later. So.Where's Usāmah bin Muhammad bin `Awad bin Lādin, the mastermind of 911? Where is he hiding? Will the 3000 plus souls who lost their lives ever get true justice? I, as well as thousands more, have been remembering 911 ever since and demand the truth. I do believe that someday, someone will come out with evidence that will make the "Official" story look like the story of a Pet Goat. Enough of the lies, enough of the brazen, cocky attitude that befalls the ones who did this. Americans will never forget 911, and pray God I hope that history dosen't get the chance to preserve it in falsehood.