Chump Change?

With two more Delaware County lawmakers reversing positions and refusing to accept their "unvouchered expense" checks, a majority of the county's 15-member delegation in the Pennsylvania General Assembly has postponed their salary raises until next term. From the Daily Times today the above has me laughing. Why? Because in a nutshell the "Times" and other print media exposed what goes on in Delaware County and Pennsylvania when it comes to your tax dollars. Imagine giving yourself a 16 to 34% raise! And doing it late at night, like a cockroach coming out to feast on the crumbs on the kitchen floor that you failed to clean up. Locally, only ONE member of the house of representatives actually voted against this cowardly thievery. A one Greg Vitali, a Democrat representing Haverford and Radnor Townships. And, the kicker is, Vitali was penalized for it!

Since when is it "OK" that one puts the party and their wallets before the Country, State, City and Town? What has become of our elected officials? Are they all T.O. wannabes? Are they that smug and feeling so invincible that they think they can get away with these things? Democrat, Republican, it makes NO difference. BOTH parties have some members that are corrupt, mismanaged, and constantly jockeying for political leverage, while patting themselves on the back for a "Job well done". Today I read Rep. Nick Micozzie quoted in a letter to the Times saying this:

"Forget about guys like us, I got scars going all the way back to 1979. It's the family, the kids. The Micozzie name is well known in the area and you make us look like a bunch of crooks," Well Nick, a raise of eleven grand minimum while the "minimum" wage in PA hasn't been addressed in years dosen't sit well with a lot of people. This is not to say that Nick Micozzie and others haven't done a good job for their constituants mind you, I like Nick and vote for him everytime. It's just the way they now are whining about this issue that finally made me post this blog.

I can't vote myself a raise witout losing clients.This also makes A lot of people "voters mind you," angry. It's getting to be like that movie "Network", when William Holden screams out the window, "I'm mad as hell, and I ain't going to take it anymore!". The multitude of bullshit that is going on here in Delco and across the nation today is unbelievable. Just read the Haverford Blog sometime, and see what Haverford people think.

Iraq? Yes! Stay the course, as long as it isn't my kid over there! Price of gas? "It's because of supply and demand I hear on FAWX NEWS. Locally and across Pennsylvania I see all the back tracking because of the media fallout over this vote. My opinion? Secretly, your all banking on the hope that the "sheeple" won't remember this vote. Too late! Come 2006 things WILL change in Delco the way they should have 70 years ago. No more "War Board" or cronyism. Either both parties shape up or ship out. Put your constituents first! How they voted HERE.

P.S. Happy Birthday Pete, you old fart..

Nextel - DONE!

From one of my many blogs.. Today in the Daily Times I read about a guy who was “alledgely” stabbed by his girlfriend after she peeked at his Nextel camera phone and saw pictures of him and another woman doing the nasty. Is he an idiot? Or did he want her to see them? Seriously, I think that they were his “Trophy” pics. You know, the ones you used to take of you and your girlfriends and be scared shitless that the lady at the PhotoMat wouldn’t look at them? (You knew she did by the nasty look she would give as you picked them up.) Today, things have changed. Digital camera’s abound, “Web Cams” are the norm, and voyeurism goes on. Speaking of voyeurism, I did a quick google search of the word and was shocked to find that it is labeled here as a “disorder of sexual arousal”. Heh. I used to call it a peeping tom.

Flood Insurance

Delaware County is getting 'new' Flood Insurance Rate Maps. What does that mean? Well the requirement for flood insurance is based off of these maps. And no, your lender isn't the one requiring it, Congress is. They created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 1968. Why? Because many insurance companies went belly-up from flood claims. After that most insurance companies wouldn't offer flood insurance. Some still do though, mostly overseas companies, at an increadibly huge cost. The lenders though determine if you are required to purchase flood insurance though they do a very half-ass job in this determination usually paying some other company to do it for them. Homeowners Insurance does NOT cover flood damage. Don't have a mortgage/home equity loan? Your not required (mandatory purchase of flood insurance is enforced through the lenders) to purchase it though you really really really should get it if your live in/near the floodplain. So anyway, Delaware County maps have been updated. If you want to look at them go to your municipality (usually a planning/zoning department but something the building permitting office). Think the floodplain is wrong? Better have some data and by data I mean engineering data proving that its wrong. Think the road names suck? Go ahead and comment back to the municipality, who may or may not bring that to the government (depends if they agree), who will then change it. Here is the official NFIP site. The NFIP is one of those few government programs that make a lot of sense. Money goes into the program from insurance premiums. That money is used for employee salaries, floodplain mapping, mitigation programs, and a host of other related stuff. Congress has recently been throwing taxpayer money into the pot to push things along and create modernized maps (read: digital) for the entire nation in about 5-7 years.

Latoyia Figueroa - Missing in Philly

I've been thinking about this young woman ever since I first saw a story about her here in the local paper. With all the mainstream medias attention on Natalee Holloway, I think that Latoyia's family needs equal exposure. Some info: Latoyia is 24 years old, 5'2", 130 lbs, with a tattoo of the name "Angel" on her right wrist and another tattoo "IZHANAE" (Her Daughter's name) on her left arm. She is 5 months pregnant. She was last seen on July 18th wearing a tan top and black pants in the area of S. 52nd st. Do you know how many young woman go missing each year in the U.S.? Thousands. How many receive major/national news coverage? Just a few. How many "minority" women? Not many. I saw just one report on "FOX" news about Latoyia. Then it's right back to Aruba looking for Natalee. BOTH of these young women need to be found. It kind of ticks me off that the MSM cares more about their ratings than actual people. Let's face the fact here. Natalee is White, Latoyia is Black. And that my friend is why no coverage. And that's the real story.

What do you do?

You fly into London at 9am. Have to be at the train station on your way to Paris the same day by 6p or 7p. You are alone in London for the day. What do you do? No seriously, I'm taking suggestions. Last week in August. And yes, I will be riding the tube/buses. Not just in mere defiance but to also just get around.

Sears - Where America Shops

Ok, Monday morning here and a little over 5 months ago we needed a new refrigerator, being that our other one went kaput. We didn't have time to be shopping around so I went online and ordered one from Sears. It showed up about 4 days later. The men who delivered it also removed our other one. Everything worked fine until yesterday. After getting back from the Giant I wanted to make some tuna sandwiches. Milk goes great with tuna as some of you know. Anyway, our "New" refrigerator is not working. Freezer section, ok, fridge section, no good. So now we wait until Thursday (Yes Thursday) for the Sears repairman,(or woman) to come and try to fix it. Thankfully, we have our old trusty 14 year old Frigidaire "Quality Goes In Before The Name Goes On" or some old saying I remember in the garage still plugged in used to keep beer & soda, or we would have had to find someone else's fridge to use. I am curious as to why this refrigerator broke in the first place. Compressor is ok, as evidenced by the freezer section. The blower motor seems to be the culprit. Off to work.

Plop Plop - Fizz Fizz

Yesterday evening my wife and I were on our way to Borders Books to buy a copy of "The Deadly Game", A novel by Catherine Crier. It's about the Scott Peterson investigation. She is obsessed with Court TV. I told her she should get a job at the Media Courthouse lol. Anyway, right before Borders, I spotted good old Michael Marcavage, in front of a church, holding a 4' by 4' of a aborted fetus.Very graphic, and in full color.It was gross! I yelled out at him: Hey Michael? Don't you have better things to do? I don't think he heard me, and I really don't care. What I do care about is the fact that a lot of young children were also in cars on Baltimore Pike, and had to see the same gross picture that I did. Why I was at Borders I overheard two women discussing the picture. I chimed in. They said to me that "NO MAN HAS A RIGHT OVER A WOMAN'S BODY". I kind of agreed, giving in to them being out numbered and all.. Anyway, we landed up at The Clam Tavern in Clifton Heights where I barely ate my Filet Mignon. It was good, but the ole' belly was in need of Pepto Bismol. So Michael, I hope you read this and explain yourself on how you have the right to get my stomach upset. Better yet, here's one for you to look at. I took one that wasn't too graphic out of respect for those weak stomachs that may read this at lunchtime. For really gross ones Michael, CLICK HERE - WARNING! GROSS PICTURES OF THE DEAD AND DYING OUTSIDE OF THE WOMB! I guess your "god" says that's it's ok to kill, just not while in the womb. Get a life you freak!

Detained in America

I got this off the net about 6 months ago and have been trying to add to it. See, I'm not all about politics and conspiracy theories. Day 183 My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant. Day 184 Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair ... must try this on their bed. Day 185 Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was.... Hmmm. Not working according to plan. Day 186 I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth. Day 187 There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer". More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage. Day 188 I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time!

Brit Hume Should Be Fired

I just came accross this via the Huffington post. "My first thought when I heard - just on a personal basis, when I heard there had been this attack and I saw the futures this morning, which were really in the tank, I thought, 'Hmmm, time to buy.'" - Fox News's Brit Hume, 7/7/05 Brian Kilmeade and Stuart Varney, two other clowns that work for FOX, had this to say: KILMEADE: And he [British Prime Minister Tony Blair] made the statement, clearly shaken, but clearly determined. This is his second address in the last hour. First to the people of London, and now at the G8 summit, where their topic Number 1 --believe it or not-- was global warming, the second was African aid. And that was the first time since 9-11 when they should know, and they do know now, that terrorism should be Number 1. But it's important for them all to be together. I think that works to our advantage, in the Western world's advantage, for people to experience something like this together, just 500 miles from where the attacks have happened. VARNEY: It puts the Number 1 issue right back on the front burner right at the point where all these world leaders are meeting. It takes global warming off the front burner. It takes African aid off the front burner. It sticks terrorism and the fight on the war on terror, right up front all over again. Totally digusting from a so called "Fair and Balanced" news network. But alas, O'Reilly and others will spin it and somehow make it all go away. Yes the London bombings are horrific. Fox and others wnat you to forget about the Downing Street Memo,The Valerie Plame affair, The Iraq quagmire,etc, etc. Just concentrate on the "War" on terror. Wars on Drugs, Literacy, Terror, etc are NOT designed to be winnable. Only profitable.

London's Madrid today, Madrid's 9/11 yesterday, what happens tomorrow?

When I think of the british I always think of the nicest people in the world. I mean really, I have never met a british person I didn't like. Maybe its the accent, everyone coming off as so educated and intelligent. Now add London to that equation. One of the greatest cities in the world. Full of such rare class. Then today happens. I was in Brooklyn on September 11th. Luckily too far away to see details. Smart enough to turn away before things got out of control. Unlucky enough to see it first happen. Unlucky enough to see it happen real-time, outside of the magic tv that makes real events look like a movie. Unlucky to have to drive through Staten Island/Brooklyn, seeing that lone lane dedicated to the FBI/CIA/EMS/NYPD/NYFD and anyone else I don't want to see. Lucky enough not to have lost anyone I knew. Unlucky enough to watch a dockworker goes crazy trying to get in touch with his wife whom worked there, only to find out she was one of the few running late for work. The use of Iraq as an excuse for the bombings is getting to me. It made Spain pull out. Its making Italy leave in September. 5-10 more years of this Iraq thing. 5-10 more years of the rest of the world thinking not contributing in Iraq equals no bombings. In 5-10 years everyone else will be forced to realize Iraq has nothing to do with all of this besides being an excuse. How can europe forgot the many bombings prior to Afghanistan & Iraq? Britain has been through this before. Many times before. I've seen one video, not from London, where a suspiscious truck was found parked on the side of a busy road for hours. Slowly and calmly the entire area for 3 blocks was evacuated. A robot sent in. The entire street in shambles following the blast. Pushing forward is in the blood of every Britain. Dealing with hardship is like taking holiday. All of these people, killed and injured, for no reason. Some probably thought Iraq was a mistake. Victims of some misaligned initiative created by realigious zealots. My heart to the families of the victims of New York, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Madrid & London whom are either having to watch their loved ones suffer, watch them leave this world, or have been forced to relive their horror. And my heart to those who witnessed this event, stuck with a vision no one deserves. I couldn't image Madrid. I can't imagine London. I don't want to. Long live the Queen.