Friday, December 31, 2010
Have a safe and Happy New Year
Comment Up
According to the Department of Transportation, a Committee for which Jeff Clemens will be a part, Florida experienced a 14 percent decline overall in alcohol-related fatalities from 2008 to 2009. In spite of the decline, over 1,000 people were killed in drunk driving accidents in the State last year.
Let's make it a Happy New Year folks! Be careful out there.
According to the Department of Transportation, a Committee for which Jeff Clemens will be a part, Florida experienced a 14 percent decline overall in alcohol-related fatalities from 2008 to 2009. In spite of the decline, over 1,000 people were killed in drunk driving accidents in the State last year.
Let's make it a Happy New Year folks! Be careful out there.
Local Banks Target of Enforcement Actions
Grand Bank, with locations in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens Lantana and four other locations is in trouble. Russell Greene, bank president and CEO, says, "it is due to the accumulation of nonperforming loans on a backlog of mortgage foreclosures."
Regent Bank is also in trouble--
Chairman and CEO Cyril “Sid” Spiro said the bank has been working to raise money with a combined common stock and convertible subordinate offering that should be out right after the first of the year. He also said he expects a gain if the bank can sell its South Carolina bank, which would provide capital for the Florida bank.
Read more: Regent, Grand Bank & Trust target of enforcement actions | South Florida Business Journal
Regent Bank is also in trouble--
Chairman and CEO Cyril “Sid” Spiro said the bank has been working to raise money with a combined common stock and convertible subordinate offering that should be out right after the first of the year. He also said he expects a gain if the bank can sell its South Carolina bank, which would provide capital for the Florida bank.
Read more: Regent, Grand Bank & Trust target of enforcement actions | South Florida Business Journal
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Call it like it is
The Diversity Committee of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is seeking to “inform and sensitize” reporters nationwide about how “offensive” the term “illegal immigrant” is to Latinos.
Debbie Warren says, "Really? They don’t ‘like’ Illegal Alien or Illegal Immigrant? How about we just call it what it really is: Parasite? Thief? Invader?"Read more about it HERE
Marc Drautz to run Marathon
"I like running 100 miles a lot more than being in politics," said Marc Drautz, who was mayor of Lake Worth from 2005-07. He expects to exceed 100 miles for the first time in a 24-hour race at Peanut Island.
Read more of the story at The Sun Sentinel
Read more of the story at The Sun Sentinel
A Slippery Slope
Comment Up
"No refusal" DUI checks already implemented in some Florida counties, will possibly begin as soon as October in Tampa. Who knows when this might be happening in Palm Beach County. How would Lake Worth, a city that just turned down red-light cameras as too Big Brotherish, handle this?
If a driver is stopped and he refuses to take a breathalyzer, a Judge will be on site and order an immediate blood test. Breath tests have proved to be unreliable in many instances. Cops prefer blood tests as they have lost many DUI cases. With a blood test there would be no doubt.
What if that stopped driver objects to having his blood drawn? "Drawing blood over a patient’s objections is committing assault and battery," insists Dr. Phil Brewer, President of the Connecticut College of Emergency Physicians and a fellow at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. He refuses to do it.
Source: WTSP.com
"No refusal" DUI checks already implemented in some Florida counties, will possibly begin as soon as October in Tampa. Who knows when this might be happening in Palm Beach County. How would Lake Worth, a city that just turned down red-light cameras as too Big Brotherish, handle this?
If a driver is stopped and he refuses to take a breathalyzer, a Judge will be on site and order an immediate blood test. Breath tests have proved to be unreliable in many instances. Cops prefer blood tests as they have lost many DUI cases. With a blood test there would be no doubt.
What if that stopped driver objects to having his blood drawn? "Drawing blood over a patient’s objections is committing assault and battery," insists Dr. Phil Brewer, President of the Connecticut College of Emergency Physicians and a fellow at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. He refuses to do it.
And what about the abuse a driver may suffer at the hands of law enforcement? Could he possibly be "tased" for objecting? Drivers have been routinely handcuffed, tied down, sat upon, beaten, and occasionally even killed in the process of obtaining blood.
Source: WTSP.com
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
4 COP License approved for Chaser's
The owners of Chaser's Sports Bar and Grill requested a 4 COP license. The 4 COP license was just approved unanimously by the City Commission with no minor children under the age of 18 after 10:00pm.
Commissioner Maxwell says it is not the City's responsibility to dictate whether parents can or cannot bring their children into a bar after a certain time. As far as I can ascertain, the State doesn't regulate whether or whether not children can be in bars, but the law allows local governments to prohibit anyone under 21.
They are located at 2107 10th Avenue North.
This is a family type sports bar/restaurant. They offer:
Commissioner Maxwell says it is not the City's responsibility to dictate whether parents can or cannot bring their children into a bar after a certain time. As far as I can ascertain, the State doesn't regulate whether or whether not children can be in bars, but the law allows local governments to prohibit anyone under 21.
They are located at 2107 10th Avenue North.
This is a family type sports bar/restaurant. They offer:
- Pay per view events
- Major sporting events
- Poker tournaments
- Video game tournaments
- 8 minute dating
- Cafe dining
Coakley gets Irked
Bill CoakleyPhoto by: Carline Jean, Sun Sentinel
Read more about it at the Sun Sentinel:
Helicopter Noise Irks Residents
Assange complains
For a criminal who was given stolen, classified documents owned by the United States and who published them for the world to read thus compromising others' lives, Assange is now complaining that some people want his head. The U.S. is the victim here. The women he allegedly raped might also be victims. Assange says it's the other guy's fault.
You Must have "Standing" so say the Judges
Appeals court sanctions environmental groups in land-use case
December 14, 2010
By: Bruce Ritchie of Florida Tribune
A state appeals court ruled on Tuesday that environmental groups must pay the attorneys fees of Martin County, the Florida Department of Community Affairs and development interests for appealing a land-use case.
Richard Grosso, an attorney for the groups 1000 Friends of Florida and the Martin County Conservation Alliance, says the ruling sets a chilling precedent for groups that seek to enforce state growth management laws.
To read the rest of the article, CLICK HERE and scroll down.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Assange will make over a mil on his Memoirs
Comment Up
"Assange has made it clear: This funding will sustain and grow his criminal enterprise. "I don't want to write this book, but I have to," he said, citing the "need to defend myself [from rape allegations] and to keep WikiLeaks afloat."
But Assange no more has to keep WikiLeaks afloat than a drug dealer has to keep churning out his deadly product. Indeed, if Random House dared help an ordinary criminal profit by publishing a self-promoting, glossed-over memoir, it would violate New York's Son of Sam law and surely run into a buzz saw of ostracism."
The best revenge is that no one buys the book.
Ramdom House Shouldn't pay Julian Assange
"Assange has made it clear: This funding will sustain and grow his criminal enterprise. "I don't want to write this book, but I have to," he said, citing the "need to defend myself [from rape allegations] and to keep WikiLeaks afloat."
But Assange no more has to keep WikiLeaks afloat than a drug dealer has to keep churning out his deadly product. Indeed, if Random House dared help an ordinary criminal profit by publishing a self-promoting, glossed-over memoir, it would violate New York's Son of Sam law and surely run into a buzz saw of ostracism."
The best revenge is that no one buys the book.
Ramdom House Shouldn't pay Julian Assange
Growth of Totalitarianism in America
"Americans hoped the midterm elections in November would put the brakes on the overreach of the current administration and Congress. However, as I expected, the hubristic arrogant bunch of elected elites that currently contaminate our nation’s capitol have refused to hear the message voters sent them," says Bob Livingston.
Although I am not in total agreement with the author or his statement on WikiLeaks, it is an interesting reflection written by an ultra-conservative.
Although I am not in total agreement with the author or his statement on WikiLeaks, it is an interesting reflection written by an ultra-conservative.
Read more HERE.
Judges hostile to environmental groups
Comment Up
Jac Wilder VerSteeg says that 1st District Court of Appeals Judge Paul Hawkes and Bradford Thomas are destructive "activist" judges. "Their recent ruling in a Martin County case punishes people and organizations that dare to challenge rulings detrimental to Florida's environment."
Read the editorial, Ruling chills access to courts.
Appointed by Jeb Bush, Judge Paul Hawkes got the lowest Florida Bar rating ever. The previous worst scores were in the 70s, except for a 61 scored by Hawkes in 2004 and a 64 scored by fellow Judge Brad Thomas in 2006.
Read about it HERE
Jac Wilder VerSteeg says that 1st District Court of Appeals Judge Paul Hawkes and Bradford Thomas are destructive "activist" judges. "Their recent ruling in a Martin County case punishes people and organizations that dare to challenge rulings detrimental to Florida's environment."
Read the editorial, Ruling chills access to courts.
Appointed by Jeb Bush, Judge Paul Hawkes got the lowest Florida Bar rating ever. The previous worst scores were in the 70s, except for a 61 scored by Hawkes in 2004 and a 64 scored by fellow Judge Brad Thomas in 2006.
Read about it HERE
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunset Parcel
Comment Up
Sunset Drive Holdings Petition to Amend Hearing
City of Lake Worth's opposition to Sunset Drive Holdings request to Amend Notice of Administrative Hearing
I have never seen an attorney such as Larry Smith for Sunset Drive Holdings drag out anything as he has done this case. His fees must be tremendous. He keeps challenging the land-use on this parcel when there is no legal basis to do so.
This is supposed to go before the Judge on January 12th. Just another delay tactic by Smith.
Sunset Drive Holdings Petition to Amend Hearing
City of Lake Worth's opposition to Sunset Drive Holdings request to Amend Notice of Administrative Hearing
I have never seen an attorney such as Larry Smith for Sunset Drive Holdings drag out anything as he has done this case. His fees must be tremendous. He keeps challenging the land-use on this parcel when there is no legal basis to do so.
This is supposed to go before the Judge on January 12th. Just another delay tactic by Smith.
Nuclear Proliferation
Comment Up
With enough nuclear missiles to blow up the world, the New Start Treaty between the U.S. and Russia will cut long-range strategic nuclear arms to no more than 1,550 on each side within seven years.
- China: About 400
- France: 350
- Russia: Approximately 2,600 operational strategic warheads , approximately 2,000 operational tactical warheads, and approximately 8,000 stockpiled strategic and tactical warheads. Estimated total at 21,000.
- United Kingdom: 185 deployed strategic warheads, total stockpile of up to 225.
- United States: - 10,577
- Israel- 200 - may have as many as 400
- Pakistan - 70 to 90 warheads
- India - 75
- North Korea - 2 - and no one knows what this crazy guy is really doing.
Rick Scott's Regulatory Reform Transition
Comment Up
Scott's Regulatory reform transition Plan
On page 53, talking about the Department of Community Affairs, we learn that Rick Scott's Transition Team waged a 10 year war against Florida Hometown Democracy.
It states: We need to be smarter. We just won a 10 year war on Hometown Democracy (aka Amendment 4). Itchy trigger policy could have significant consequences.
Princeton University Prof. Alan Krueger, a former U.S. Treasury Department official said, "Scott's transition team mis-used my study and even spelled my name wrong."
Scott's Regulatory reform transition Plan
On page 53, talking about the Department of Community Affairs, we learn that Rick Scott's Transition Team waged a 10 year war against Florida Hometown Democracy.
It states: We need to be smarter. We just won a 10 year war on Hometown Democracy (aka Amendment 4). Itchy trigger policy could have significant consequences.
Princeton University Prof. Alan Krueger, a former U.S. Treasury Department official said, "Scott's transition team mis-used my study and even spelled my name wrong."
Season's Greetings to State and Local Officials
Comment Up
The top five causes for the deplorable state of affairs of States and Cities are wages, infrastructure, public safety, health, prices/inflation (something for which the government says we do NOT have, and Pensions. Here in Lake Worth we have suffered and are dealing with all five.
We have a political action committee blaming it all on our local officials with the Unions not giving in to reality. The political action committee (BAC PAC) blames all the ills on our present Commission and the Unions think we have deep pockets. They say, "you're not in a crisis or prove it." Both are way off base. We have a City Manager and a City Commission doing everything within their power to get Lake Worth on track to health and prosperity.
America's Most Bankrupt Cities
San Diego
New York City
San Jose, CA
Cincinnati, OH
Honolulu
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Washington, DC
Newark, NJ
Detroit
Reading, PA
Joliet, IL
Camden, NJ
Hantramck, MI
Central Falls, RI
Paterson, NJ
Chicago, IL
States with the Most Bulging Budget Gaps
Municipal pain is at its worst level on record, according to annual report from the National League of Cities
"Cities that depend on property taxes have suffered the most." It is a good thing that we have our own Utility that can help compensate for the big loss in property taxes that are in the biggest decline over the past two years, not only in Lake Worth but across the country as well as out of control Union benefits. Revenues, nationally, have fallen for four straight years. Austerity really kicked in this year.
Video: Day of Reckoning
Another right-on-point PB Post Editorial: Lake Worth's Finances
Source: Business Insider
The top five causes for the deplorable state of affairs of States and Cities are wages, infrastructure, public safety, health, prices/inflation (something for which the government says we do NOT have, and Pensions. Here in Lake Worth we have suffered and are dealing with all five.
We have a political action committee blaming it all on our local officials with the Unions not giving in to reality. The political action committee (BAC PAC) blames all the ills on our present Commission and the Unions think we have deep pockets. They say, "you're not in a crisis or prove it." Both are way off base. We have a City Manager and a City Commission doing everything within their power to get Lake Worth on track to health and prosperity.
America's Most Bankrupt Cities
San Diego
New York City
San Jose, CA
Cincinnati, OH
Honolulu
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Washington, DC
Newark, NJ
Detroit
Reading, PA
Joliet, IL
Camden, NJ
Hantramck, MI
Central Falls, RI
Paterson, NJ
Chicago, IL
States with the Most Bulging Budget Gaps
Municipal pain is at its worst level on record, according to annual report from the National League of Cities
"Cities that depend on property taxes have suffered the most." It is a good thing that we have our own Utility that can help compensate for the big loss in property taxes that are in the biggest decline over the past two years, not only in Lake Worth but across the country as well as out of control Union benefits. Revenues, nationally, have fallen for four straight years. Austerity really kicked in this year.
Video: Day of Reckoning
Another right-on-point PB Post Editorial: Lake Worth's Finances
Source: Business Insider
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Snow at Christmas - From Donna and Tom
Comment Up
For snow to fall, all of the layers of air that the snow falls through once it leaves the cloud must be sub-freezing. And you think we've had cold weather!
Tom says, "Well, we moved from Where The Tropics Begin to Where The Civil War Began and it's snowing! Up here they call snow Grits from Heaven.
Hope everyone is warm and well in Lake Worth.
Tom and Donna
For snow to fall, all of the layers of air that the snow falls through once it leaves the cloud must be sub-freezing. And you think we've had cold weather!
Tom says, "Well, we moved from Where The Tropics Begin to Where The Civil War Began and it's snowing! Up here they call snow Grits from Heaven.
Hope everyone is warm and well in Lake Worth.
Tom and Donna
Is the government trying to play God?
Comment Up
Soon we will all have to face end-of-life.
The government is now getting more involved and will actually pay doctors to advise patients on their options--costly procedures or pull the plug. Medicare coverage will now have new regulations regarding end-of-life planning starting on Jan. 1.
Are Death Panels, a name coined by Sarah Palin, coming back for consideration? As we all have faith in our doctors to advise us correctly, opponents have said that such a policy could encourage doctors to advise patients to end their lives prematurely. What was once a two-way split in philosophy, now has been compromised by government intervention--the Feds paying doctors to advise and influence the patient. There is a conflict of interest here as the government's goal is to reduce the cost of medical, not save lives.
As Sarah Palin said back in 2009: “The Democrats promise that a government health care system will reduce the cost of health care, but as the economist Thomas Sowell has pointed out, government health care will not reduce the cost; it will simply refuse to pay the cost. And who will suffer the most when they ration care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama’s ‘death panel’ so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their ‘level of productivity in society,’ whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil.”
Read it at The New York Times.
Soon we will all have to face end-of-life.
The government is now getting more involved and will actually pay doctors to advise patients on their options--costly procedures or pull the plug. Medicare coverage will now have new regulations regarding end-of-life planning starting on Jan. 1.
Are Death Panels, a name coined by Sarah Palin, coming back for consideration? As we all have faith in our doctors to advise us correctly, opponents have said that such a policy could encourage doctors to advise patients to end their lives prematurely. What was once a two-way split in philosophy, now has been compromised by government intervention--the Feds paying doctors to advise and influence the patient. There is a conflict of interest here as the government's goal is to reduce the cost of medical, not save lives.
As Sarah Palin said back in 2009: “The Democrats promise that a government health care system will reduce the cost of health care, but as the economist Thomas Sowell has pointed out, government health care will not reduce the cost; it will simply refuse to pay the cost. And who will suffer the most when they ration care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama’s ‘death panel’ so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their ‘level of productivity in society,’ whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil.”
Read it at The New York Times.
Hope you know what you're doing, Dania
Our former City Manager, Bob Baldwin, is at it again. Dania to merge its fire department into the Sheriff's Department of Fire Rescue.
The City says it will save money through lower insurance costs. Dania's fire department employees back the plan. Surprise.
Hope you know what you're doing, Dania.
The City says it will save money through lower insurance costs. Dania's fire department employees back the plan. Surprise.
Hope you know what you're doing, Dania.
The Myth
Comment Up
Bad idea, built on a myth.
Finally.
At last. I agree with Randy Schultz in his editorial today regarding Governor Elect Scott's idea of merging Transportation, Community Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection thus weakening the DCA and EPA.
The myth, used extensively in the last election in order to defeat Amendment 4, was that it would be a job killer. Now, with developer backed lobbyists behind this idea to merge all three departments, they are once again using this argument to neutralize these departments so that they can build everywhere and anywhere.
Read his editorial above.
Bad idea, built on a myth.
Finally.
At last. I agree with Randy Schultz in his editorial today regarding Governor Elect Scott's idea of merging Transportation, Community Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection thus weakening the DCA and EPA.
The myth, used extensively in the last election in order to defeat Amendment 4, was that it would be a job killer. Now, with developer backed lobbyists behind this idea to merge all three departments, they are once again using this argument to neutralize these departments so that they can build everywhere and anywhere.
Read his editorial above.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Little Baby, pa rum, pum pum pum
Comment Up
Although I have asked him on many occasions not to stalk me, not to e-mail me, not to try and post here, he just won't listen. This is Mark's Christmas' message sent at 9:14pm Christmas Eve:
Mark A. Parrilla has left a new comment on your post "Florida Gangs":
Wow, lyn I didn't know you even knew how to spell the word "facts" much less use it in a sentence. I hope that we won't get to find out just how delusionally wrong you are, but that is your comfort zone, so I am not surprised. That is where you dwell 98% of the time. I say 98% because even a broken clock is right twice a day. You keep drinking the kool aid and smile, you lack the intellect to do much more than that, your poorly written imitation of a blog is proof positive of that. Did you ever contribute anything POSITIVE in your life or have you always been this lonely and bitter?
Although I have asked him on many occasions not to stalk me, not to e-mail me, not to try and post here, he just won't listen. This is Mark's Christmas' message sent at 9:14pm Christmas Eve:
Mark A. Parrilla has left a new comment on your post "Florida Gangs":
Wow, lyn I didn't know you even knew how to spell the word "facts" much less use it in a sentence. I hope that we won't get to find out just how delusionally wrong you are, but that is your comfort zone, so I am not surprised. That is where you dwell 98% of the time. I say 98% because even a broken clock is right twice a day. You keep drinking the kool aid and smile, you lack the intellect to do much more than that, your poorly written imitation of a blog is proof positive of that. Did you ever contribute anything POSITIVE in your life or have you always been this lonely and bitter?
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Treasures
Comment Up
Christmas Treasures
From my house to yours at Christmas
It is the time for children of all ages
It is the time for children of all ages
Christmas Treasures
Lake Worth will become First Tier City
Comment Up
Who is Mike Palar?
He wrote a biting Letter to the Editor this morning dissing Vice Mayor Suzanne Mulvehill for her public comments on conservation and said that our city is second tier. He mentions that his neighbors are watering their lawns on a daily basis and blames that on lack of code enforcement. No, Mike, blame it on all your neighbors who live around you on North Palmway who believe that laws do not pertain to them. Blame it on all those selfish "me first" types.
What the Vice Mayor has done for Lake Worth is to start a rain barrel rebate program; she has implemented Energy Monitors that you can check out through our Library that will help you reduce your energy consumption by 10%; the backyard composting program started in May and now that it has been successful, the City will provide composting bins at a reduced rate beginning in 2011. Conservation audits are provided by the City of Lake Worth.
As far as the many properties that are overgrown that may or may not be in foreclosure, when I see one that needs attention, I call Code Enforcement. Not once have they ever not responded or my complaint ignored. Perhaps, instead of complaining, take some action and call Code or get a stronger neighborhood association like Tropical Ridge that gets out there and takes care of some of these problems themselves. We do have limited resources, or haven't you noticed?
To say that Lake Worth is not friendly to residents or businesses and that our city commission "runs the city like some sort of social experiment" is absurd. It is being run like a business now that Susan Stanton has been our City Manager and this Commission is in place. In mid 2011, ground will break on our new Casino. Our beachfront property will be re-designed. Our golf course is making money and the entire course is being refurbished. We have a public works department that is on top of maintenance and keeps our parks in tip top shape. We have funds budgeted for road repairs and sidewalks and some will be done through the NSP2 Grant through the CRA.
The real problems in Lake Worth, Mike, have been caused by past waste and the overall financial crisis that every city has faced across the country: falling property values and the high cost of operating our city because of Union wages and benefits that have sucked us dry.
Who is Mike Palar?
He wrote a biting Letter to the Editor this morning dissing Vice Mayor Suzanne Mulvehill for her public comments on conservation and said that our city is second tier. He mentions that his neighbors are watering their lawns on a daily basis and blames that on lack of code enforcement. No, Mike, blame it on all your neighbors who live around you on North Palmway who believe that laws do not pertain to them. Blame it on all those selfish "me first" types.
What the Vice Mayor has done for Lake Worth is to start a rain barrel rebate program; she has implemented Energy Monitors that you can check out through our Library that will help you reduce your energy consumption by 10%; the backyard composting program started in May and now that it has been successful, the City will provide composting bins at a reduced rate beginning in 2011. Conservation audits are provided by the City of Lake Worth.
As far as the many properties that are overgrown that may or may not be in foreclosure, when I see one that needs attention, I call Code Enforcement. Not once have they ever not responded or my complaint ignored. Perhaps, instead of complaining, take some action and call Code or get a stronger neighborhood association like Tropical Ridge that gets out there and takes care of some of these problems themselves. We do have limited resources, or haven't you noticed?
To say that Lake Worth is not friendly to residents or businesses and that our city commission "runs the city like some sort of social experiment" is absurd. It is being run like a business now that Susan Stanton has been our City Manager and this Commission is in place. In mid 2011, ground will break on our new Casino. Our beachfront property will be re-designed. Our golf course is making money and the entire course is being refurbished. We have a public works department that is on top of maintenance and keeps our parks in tip top shape. We have funds budgeted for road repairs and sidewalks and some will be done through the NSP2 Grant through the CRA.
The real problems in Lake Worth, Mike, have been caused by past waste and the overall financial crisis that every city has faced across the country: falling property values and the high cost of operating our city because of Union wages and benefits that have sucked us dry.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Ramiccio settles law suit with PB Post?
Comment Up
It has been reported that Tom Ramiccio has settled a libel suit against The Palm Beach Post and won.
Was it this ARTICLE?
The Post said: An earlier version of this article incorrectly described a Dec. 14 letter by Lake Worth City Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill in which she aired complaints about Tom Ramiccio, who was fired that week as the president and chief executive of the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce. Mulvehill’s letter, written on city letterhead, did not say that Ramiccio had “pocketed cash” from special chamber events. In addition, the chamber did not say it had dismissed Ramiccio because of “alleged financial misconduct.”
He says it was from an article in December 2009, so it can't be THIS ONE. Perhaps these Commissioners can sue Ramiccio?
It has been reported that Tom Ramiccio has settled a libel suit against The Palm Beach Post and won.
Was it this ARTICLE?
The Post said: An earlier version of this article incorrectly described a Dec. 14 letter by Lake Worth City Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill in which she aired complaints about Tom Ramiccio, who was fired that week as the president and chief executive of the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce. Mulvehill’s letter, written on city letterhead, did not say that Ramiccio had “pocketed cash” from special chamber events. In addition, the chamber did not say it had dismissed Ramiccio because of “alleged financial misconduct.”
He says it was from an article in December 2009, so it can't be THIS ONE. Perhaps these Commissioners can sue Ramiccio?
The "capture" of the Democratic Party?
It they don't stop it, we may as well fly it
Joe Sims, co-editor of the Communist Party USA online magazine Peoples World states among other things "the possibility that the communists may be able to "capture' the Democratic Party entirely." Read that slowly and carefully..."the possibility that the communists may be able to "capture' the Democratic Party entirely."
Read more--
Communist Party USA says it is using the Democratic Party
Joe Sims, co-editor of the Communist Party USA online magazine Peoples World states among other things "the possibility that the communists may be able to "capture' the Democratic Party entirely." Read that slowly and carefully..."the possibility that the communists may be able to "capture' the Democratic Party entirely."
Read more--
Communist Party USA says it is using the Democratic Party
The Biggest Affront to Social Security solvency
A Chan Lowe cartoonIn follow-up to my blog, Seniors will not get $250, Robert Weiner, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. House Select Committee on Aging, had an article in the Post this morning.
This tax deal was a bi-partisan decision and the reason why I have problems with both political Parties.
He says, because the new tax deal is "threatening the livelihood of America's present and future seniors - to line the pockets of millionaires...the program could be doomed." Mr. Weiner further explains what social security is--"It's a separate, paid for insurance plan, not a social welfare giveaway to business."
Read what he has to say HERE
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The U.K. knows how to enforce its laws on illegal immigration
For all the cry babies here who say those against illegal immigration are "racists" and worse, here's what they do in the U.K. when you aid and abet.
LED signs on I-95
Comment Up
LED signs are appearing on I-95 warning motorists of accidents or problems ahead.
Trying to find out if American Traffic Solutions was getting a piece of this pie, I asked Angel Streeter, the reporter, if he knew who the vendor was. Here is the reply: "The contractor is Transcore ITS. But they could be using a separate supplier for the signs."
And how is that illegal (by city Ordinance) LED sign situation coming along in our City that was installed on I-95? We haven't heard a thing from the City Attorney or anyone at city hall. Do we just allow these creeps to ignore our laws?
LED signs are appearing on I-95 warning motorists of accidents or problems ahead.
Trying to find out if American Traffic Solutions was getting a piece of this pie, I asked Angel Streeter, the reporter, if he knew who the vendor was. Here is the reply: "The contractor is Transcore ITS. But they could be using a separate supplier for the signs."
And how is that illegal (by city Ordinance) LED sign situation coming along in our City that was installed on I-95? We haven't heard a thing from the City Attorney or anyone at city hall. Do we just allow these creeps to ignore our laws?
Sam Cooke - A Memory
Sam Cooke, composer, businessman, singer and part of the Civil Rights Movement lived until the age of 33 when he was murdered in December 1964 by Bertha Franklin who never was charged.
Estee Lauder is using the song, You Send Me, in its latest television ad. Great song.
Estee Lauder is using the song, You Send Me, in its latest television ad. Great song.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Immigration Population Explosion
Comment Up
Census: Population Up 27 Million in Just 10 Years
"Projections into the future from the Census Bureau show we are on track to add 130 million more people to the U.S. population in the next 40 years, primarily due to future immigration."
Read about it HERE.
Census: Population Up 27 Million in Just 10 Years
"Projections into the future from the Census Bureau show we are on track to add 130 million more people to the U.S. population in the next 40 years, primarily due to future immigration."
Read about it HERE.
Day of Reckoning - The Union problem
States have to tighten their belts and this has been done in the City of Lake Worth. Just take a look at the 2011 Budget. Unions are the culprits all over the country and what do they do when they do not get their way? They sue. Recently they sued us.
Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie says, "The day of reckoning has arrived."
This Spring, $160 BILLION in stimulus runs out for the States. What then? Do the Unions keep on suing? Members of these Unions argue that they teach our kids; they protect our safety; they rescue us when we have a medical emergency and therefore they deserve top pay, benefits and retirement for life. Are there any logical Union workers out there who are not greedy? They should continue to serve the community rather than serving themselves.
We have a cost conscious City Manager with Susan Stanton. All of the residents of Lake Worth should be supporting her efforts in this regard. Instead, there are a few angry, selfish and/or confused people who are siding with the Unions to the detriment of our city.
Tabloid Schmucks? -- Assange
It takes a schmuck to know a schmuck
This is the criminal who believes that everything is fair game except when it comes to him.
This is the criminal who believes that everything is fair game except when it comes to him.
Toys for Tots - Allen West - Christmas is for Children
Christmas is for children. What better way to give to underprivileged children than the Toys for Tots program.
Allen West collected close to 1,000 toys for Toys for Tots, a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. They donate toys to children whose parents cannot afford it.
The program was founded in 1947 by reservist William L. Hendricks.
"What ever your life brings you, be happy Christmas day-- Christmas is for children, It will always be that way."
Total Lunar Eclipse
I woke up at exactly 2:41 with no aid of an alarm clock, grabbed my camera and tried to see the moon and the Lunar Eclipse. It had moved quickly from the time I had gone to bed. It was way too dark. My lens could not get the shot. This is one taken by User:350z33 in Orlando and posted on Wikipedia.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Staff Changes announced
Comment Up
Assistant to the City Manager
Ms. Kathleen Margoles (that was fast)
Human Resource Director
Diane Clark will be leaving at end January
Planning & Preservation Administrator (previously announced)
William Waters
Assistant to the City Manager
Ms. Kathleen Margoles (that was fast)
Human Resource Director
Diane Clark will be leaving at end January
Planning & Preservation Administrator (previously announced)
William Waters
City Manager to be featured again on CNN
CNN has just released its Holiday Schedule of TV shows. Among the shows are, "After Jesus," "The Mystery of Jesus," and starting out the New Year is "Her Name Was Steven." I wish they could have kept this in the old year. Better yet, CNN should do a follow-up on Susan Stanton as the City Manager of Lake Worth and her achievements.
Strong and Weak
Comment Up
West Palm Beach has a Mayor/Commission form of government. Because of the powers of the office, West Palm Beach's mayor, Lois Frankel is considered a strong mayor.
Usually--
Usually--
According to our Charter, the City Commission sets policy decisions.
Today at 4pm, The Charter Review Committee of West Palm Beach will be looking into reducing the powers of the mayor of West Palm Beach.
Weak Mayor vs. Strong Mayor.
West Palm Beach has a Mayor/Commission form of government. Because of the powers of the office, West Palm Beach's mayor, Lois Frankel is considered a strong mayor.
Usually--
- The mayor is the chief executive officer, centralizing executive power
- The mayor directs the administrative structure, appointing and removing of department heads
- While the council has legislative power, the mayor has veto power
- The council is relieved of day-to-day administration
Usually--
- The council is powerful, with both legislative and executive authority
- The mayor is not truly the chief executive, with limited power and/or no veto power
- The council can prevent the mayor from effectively supervising city administration
- There may be many administrative boards and commissions that operate independently from the city government.
According to our Charter, the City Commission sets policy decisions.
Today at 4pm, The Charter Review Committee of West Palm Beach will be looking into reducing the powers of the mayor of West Palm Beach.
Weak Mayor vs. Strong Mayor.
Lunar Eclipse
Barbara Jean reminded me that we will be experiencing a Lunar Eclipse and suggested that I get up prior to 2:40 am and photograph the moon as it passes almost dead-center through Earth's shadow. Instead, I have posted the above graphic taken in 2003 so that you get an idea of the color.
The eclipse begins at 1:33 am. If anyone wants to stay awake for this event, plan on being out there around 2:41 am when the Moon will be in "deepest shadow, displaying the most fantastic shades of coppery red."
Life is a Breach
Comment Up
Julian Assange's lawyer says the public doesn't have the right to know everything. He was speaking about the fact that the Swedish police leaked his rape charges to a British newspaper.
Julian Assange's lawyer says the public doesn't have the right to know everything. He was speaking about the fact that the Swedish police leaked his rape charges to a British newspaper.
Democrats to honor Alan Grayson
The Democratic Club of Boca Raton & Delray Beach will be serving Mimosas & Champagne in honor of the
on January 16th at the BROKEN SOUND COUNTRY CLUB, 2401 Willow Springs Drive, Boca Raton. Buffet at 11am. Awards will follow.
Congressman Alan Grayson. Why would the Democratic Club of Boca honor a guy who created one of the most "reprehensible and despicable political ads in recent memory by twisting the words of his opponent, Daniel Webster, and equating his view of women with the dark, dangerous, and demented religion of Islam." In another words, a big, fat liar.
Daniel Webster won the seat with 56.1% of the vote to Alan Grayson's 38.2 in District 8. I would think that the Democrats would have a more worthy honoree. It's no wonder that Party is in a lot of trouble.
Negative, attack, lying ads did not work this past election. Voters were totally disgusted. Just ask Ron Klein. Ask Blockson and Maxwell about the BAC PAC and how those mailers killed any chance of victory.
"Democrat of the Year"
on January 16th at the BROKEN SOUND COUNTRY CLUB, 2401 Willow Springs Drive, Boca Raton. Buffet at 11am. Awards will follow.
Who is the Democrat of the Year?
Congressman Alan Grayson. Why would the Democratic Club of Boca honor a guy who created one of the most "reprehensible and despicable political ads in recent memory by twisting the words of his opponent, Daniel Webster, and equating his view of women with the dark, dangerous, and demented religion of Islam." In another words, a big, fat liar.
A memory refresher
Daniel Webster won the seat with 56.1% of the vote to Alan Grayson's 38.2 in District 8. I would think that the Democrats would have a more worthy honoree. It's no wonder that Party is in a lot of trouble.
Negative, attack, lying ads did not work this past election. Voters were totally disgusted. Just ask Ron Klein. Ask Blockson and Maxwell about the BAC PAC and how those mailers killed any chance of victory.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
National and State Committee Appointments
Allen West Appointed to two Committees:
Dean Cannon Announces Committee Assignments.
Jeff Clemens, State Rep for District 89, is on five:
- House Armed Services
- Small Business Committee
Dean Cannon Announces Committee Assignments.
Jeff Clemens, State Rep for District 89, is on five:
- Higher Education Appropriations Committee
- Transportation Highway Safety
- State Affairs Committee
- Energy & Utilities Sub-Committee (Ah oh)
- Government Operations Committee
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Earth First and the Clash of Cultures
Comment Up
As we pulled up to the Earth First headquarters around 4:45, there were four Sheriff's vehicles near the vicinity. Ten or so non-threatening citizens were peacefully demonstrating against a group that believes that our civilization is destroying the Planet and through their activism and civil disobedience, they can change the world for the good.
The perception of "civil disobedience" is where the problem lies. To the Earth First Group, it may mean nothing more than a form of non-violent civil disorder such as laying down in the middle of the road in order to block vehicles into a facility such as FPL that they believe is hurting the environment or perhaps it can be something as benign as tree hugging. They do, however, describe themselves as "radical." No one there could describe to me what their mission was.
To those protesting the Earth First group, (the BAC PAC and its sympathizers) they believe that this group is very dangerous ("just Google them," they said) and that their civil disobedience comes in the form of violence such as committing arson and other acts. They also are concerned that Earth First has been particularly active collaborating with anti-globalists and see this as an undesirable group in our city saying, "enough of anarchists."
Earth First is affiliated with other groups that occupy the space: West Palm Food Not Bombs, The Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition, Everglades Earth and the South Florida Legal Defense Fund. They rub elbows with other groups with similar concerns such as the the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), and the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), who have committed over 600 criminal acts in the United States since 1996, resulting in damages in excess of 43 million dollars.
We went inside Earth First HQ and said "hello" to those there. Most were sitting around reading as they have an extensive library of books on many activist issues such as the environment, radicalism and anarchism. Others there, such as Pangioti, were setting up for their opening party.
Earth First describes itself as lovable swamp defenders. According to their literature, over the last few years, Earth First has
The clash of cultures today was obvious. It is what Susan Stanton describes as the "haves" and the "have-nots." The "haves" believe in the free-enterprise system and capitalism and doing everything through the election process--the legal way. Their life-style is the reward for working hard and they don't want anarchist groups here trying to destroy that.
The "have-nots" are interested in things greater than themselves and insist that government and corporations have been ineffective in the environmental community. They plan on fighting corporate greed, political corruption and public apathy.
There is merit to both.
Organizer, Cathy Casella, The Picketts, Mary Lindsey and Karri Casper
As we pulled up to the Earth First headquarters around 4:45, there were four Sheriff's vehicles near the vicinity. Ten or so non-threatening citizens were peacefully demonstrating against a group that believes that our civilization is destroying the Planet and through their activism and civil disobedience, they can change the world for the good.
The perception of "civil disobedience" is where the problem lies. To the Earth First Group, it may mean nothing more than a form of non-violent civil disorder such as laying down in the middle of the road in order to block vehicles into a facility such as FPL that they believe is hurting the environment or perhaps it can be something as benign as tree hugging. They do, however, describe themselves as "radical." No one there could describe to me what their mission was.
To those protesting the Earth First group, (the BAC PAC and its sympathizers) they believe that this group is very dangerous ("just Google them," they said) and that their civil disobedience comes in the form of violence such as committing arson and other acts. They also are concerned that Earth First has been particularly active collaborating with anti-globalists and see this as an undesirable group in our city saying, "enough of anarchists."
Earth First is affiliated with other groups that occupy the space: West Palm Food Not Bombs, The Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition, Everglades Earth and the South Florida Legal Defense Fund. They rub elbows with other groups with similar concerns such as the the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), and the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), who have committed over 600 criminal acts in the United States since 1996, resulting in damages in excess of 43 million dollars.
We went inside Earth First HQ and said "hello" to those there. Most were sitting around reading as they have an extensive library of books on many activist issues such as the environment, radicalism and anarchism. Others there, such as Pangioti, were setting up for their opening party.
Earth First describes itself as lovable swamp defenders. According to their literature, over the last few years, Earth First has
- Blocked construction of the largest fossil fuel power plant located in the Everglades
- Built home made solar panels to power homes
- Promoted alternative transit and bike riding
- Created community gardens
- Defended the last underdeveloped urban forests in our country
The clash of cultures today was obvious. It is what Susan Stanton describes as the "haves" and the "have-nots." The "haves" believe in the free-enterprise system and capitalism and doing everything through the election process--the legal way. Their life-style is the reward for working hard and they don't want anarchist groups here trying to destroy that.
The "have-nots" are interested in things greater than themselves and insist that government and corporations have been ineffective in the environmental community. They plan on fighting corporate greed, political corruption and public apathy.
There is merit to both.
Dreamers should respect this country
Comment Up
§176. Respect for flag--
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.
The DREAM Act was defeated today, 55 to 41.
Photo by Bill Clark
§176. Respect for flag--(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.
The DREAM Act was defeated today, 55 to 41.
“To those who have come to my office: you’re always welcome to come but you’re wasting your time,” shouted Lindsey Graham of S.C. “We’re not going to pass the DREAM Act or any other legalization program until we secure our borders. The Bill is out of order."
Top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Jeff Sessions of Al who oversees immigration policy, opposed the bill and called it unrestricted amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants.
"There's been no serious move to do anything that would improve the situation of illegals at our border," he said. "Leaders in Washington have not only tolerated the lawlessness, but in fact, our policies have encouraged it."
Sessions said that illegal immigration is exposing American communities to smugglers, drug traffickers, and thieves. "The American people are pleading with Congress to enforce our laws, but this bill at its core is a reward for illegal activity."
Assange fears Indictment by U.S.
In an interview yesterday, Rep. Connie Mack, R-Cape Coral, defended the American public’s right to know the information contained in the hundreds of thousands of diplomatic cables leaked to the whistleblower website WikiLeaks, saying “the blame here should fall on the administration and the Department of Defense.”
Rep Mack, the people do not have the right to know secret/classified information just because it was stolen and published. This is absurd. The government has every right to protect sensitive information against the press as well as speech freedoms when it was obtained illegally.
On the other end of the spectrum, Mike Huckabee said Monday that the leaking of the documents constitutes “treason” and that “anything less than execution is too kind a penalty.”
Go the The Florida Independent and see the video.
Joining Visa, MasterCard, PayPal and Post Finance, Bank of America said on Friday they would decline to process payments made to WikiLeaks. The news of the payment denial arrived just 24-hours after WikiLeaks Julian Assange was released on bail, and rumors of a financial leak started to spread. Source: The TechHerald
In the meantime, the CIA pulled our top spy in Pakistan because of identity leak which resulted in death threats. Julian Assange says "I fear U.S. indictment." He should. Let's hope that the U.S. can succeed on this one and doesn't get bogged down by Freedom of Speech politicos who wrongly believe that Assange is some sort of a Demigod.
Rep Mack, the people do not have the right to know secret/classified information just because it was stolen and published. This is absurd. The government has every right to protect sensitive information against the press as well as speech freedoms when it was obtained illegally.
On the other end of the spectrum, Mike Huckabee said Monday that the leaking of the documents constitutes “treason” and that “anything less than execution is too kind a penalty.”
Go the The Florida Independent and see the video.
Joining Visa, MasterCard, PayPal and Post Finance, Bank of America said on Friday they would decline to process payments made to WikiLeaks. The news of the payment denial arrived just 24-hours after WikiLeaks Julian Assange was released on bail, and rumors of a financial leak started to spread. Source: The TechHerald
In the meantime, the CIA pulled our top spy in Pakistan because of identity leak which resulted in death threats. Julian Assange says "I fear U.S. indictment." He should. Let's hope that the U.S. can succeed on this one and doesn't get bogged down by Freedom of Speech politicos who wrongly believe that Assange is some sort of a Demigod.
Operation Jetback - SB 136 - getting rid of the criminals
Back in Dwight D. Eisenhower's Day it was Operation Wetback. 1 million illegals were crossing the border from Mexico each year to work on American farms. Corruption was the norm of the day...farmers in bed with politicians. Nothing much has changed in 57 years. It is still a problem with large corporations encouraging the illegal because of cheap labor.
Walt Edwards, who joined the Border Patrol in 1951, tells a similar story. He says: "When we caught illegal aliens on farms and ranches, the farmer or rancher would often call and complain [to officials in El Paso]. And depending on how politically connected they were, there would be political intervention. That is how we got into this mess we are in now."
Bill Chambers, who worked for a combined 33 years for the Border Patrol and the then-called US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), says " politically powerful people are still fueling the flow of illegals." Source: the Christian Science Monitor
Mike Bennett's, (GOP Bradenton) SB 136) SB 1070 Lite plus a portion of the "feminized" version of the 1950's deportation of several million deported forcibly back to Mexico was Operation Wetback and now known as Operation Jetback, denies sanctuary cities, has no mention of e-verify as in William Snyder's (GOP House Rep from Stuart) bill. Mike Bennett said, "My target is the criminal element, the gang element."
Mike Bennett's big deal is getting rid of non violent illegals sitting in prison @ a cost of 20K a year...he mentioned 1300 prisoners he could buy a ticket home for $750 which would cost close to a million dollars and save $26 Million in incarceration costs...in the scheme of things this is chump change...plus...the illegals flown home will be back in a few weeks after vacationing in their home country.
This is just another crime bill that does nothing to solve the immigration problems in Florida. Source: George Niemann
Prior to being elected, illegal immigration was a big deal to Rick Scott. Now that he has been elected, he is quiet on the issue.
Tune in to NumbersUSA TV and listen to the Senate vote on The DREAM at 10am this morning.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Earth First - Opposition Plans Demonstration
Comment UpFrom Cathy Casella:
Hey everyone. The activist group EarthFirst has moved its headquarters from Tucson Arizona to Lake Worth. They are holding an open house on Saturday (tomorrow), December 18th from 4 to 8, at their headquarters near 13th & North G Street (1307 Central Trail). We are organizing a peaceful protest of this activist, anarchist tied group and would like your help in holding signs.
If you do not know about Earth First! please Google them. I have included a couple passages from Google searches I did. Do your own searches - it's scary.
This is from the Coastal Observers notice of the Open House:
"The 30-year-old Earth First! movement doesn’t have members and has no leadership, according to information received here.
Throughout the country, its activists have become known for lying in front of bulldozers and squatting atop redwoods to stop development mining and logging projects. Supporters locally used similar tactics, such as dumping rotten oranges in business leaders’ offices, during a fight involving The Scripps Research Institute."
Do Not Take This Lightly - We need to let them know we will not stand for this type of behavior in Lake Worth. We are losing our city - do you want that? PLEASE MEET AT 13TH & NORTH G Saturday(12/18) at 3:45 and help us say to EarthFirst! "Not in our Back Yard" "Not EarthFirst - Lake Worth First!!!" This will be a peaceful, silent protest of the anarchists that continue to try to take our city.
The following is information I obtained by Googling them
Earth First! since 1990. Since 1990, action within the Earth First! movement has become increasingly influenced by anarchist political philosophy. The change also brought a rotation of the primary media organ in differing regions, an aversion to organized leadership or administrative structure, and a new trend of identifying Earth First! as a mainstream movement rather than an organization. In 1992, the push of Earth First! toward being a mainstream movement caused members who refused to abandon criminal acts to start a militant offshoot called Earth Liberation Front.[13] Most members of Earth First! liken themselves to a decentralized, locally informed activism based on communitarian ethics while Earth First adversaries characterize the group as conducting a form of terrorism.
In various parts of the country, individual citizens and small groups form the nuclei for grassroots political actions, which may take the form of legal actions—i.e. protests, timber sale appeals, and educational campaigns—or civil disobedience—tree sitting, road blockades, and sabotage—called "ecotage" by some Earth First! members, claiming it is done as a form of ecodefense. Often, disruptive direct action is used primarily as a stalling tactic in an attempt to prevent possible environmental destruction while Earth First! lawsuits try to secure long-term victories. Reported tactics include road blockades, activists locking themselves to heavy equipment, tree-sitting, and sabotage of machinery.
Earth First! was known for providing information in the Earth First! Journal on the practice of tree-spiking and monkey-wrenching (or ecotage) which have led to reports of injuries from such tactics.
Monkeywrenching
Monkeywrenching: Ecotage, ecodefense, billboard bandits, desurveying, road reclamation, tree spiking, even fire. All of these terms describe the unlawful sabotage of industrial extraction and development equipment, as a means of striking at the Earth's destroyers where they commit their crimes and hitting them where they feel it most—in their profit margins.
If you do not know about Earth First! please Google them. I have included a couple passages from Google searches I did. Do your own searches - it's scary.
This is from the Coastal Observers notice of the Open House:
"The 30-year-old Earth First! movement doesn’t have members and has no leadership, according to information received here.
Throughout the country, its activists have become known for lying in front of bulldozers and squatting atop redwoods to stop development mining and logging projects. Supporters locally used similar tactics, such as dumping rotten oranges in business leaders’ offices, during a fight involving The Scripps Research Institute."
Do Not Take This Lightly - We need to let them know we will not stand for this type of behavior in Lake Worth. We are losing our city - do you want that? PLEASE MEET AT 13TH & NORTH G Saturday(12/18) at 3:45 and help us say to EarthFirst! "Not in our Back Yard" "Not EarthFirst - Lake Worth First!!!" This will be a peaceful, silent protest of the anarchists that continue to try to take our city.
The following is information I obtained by Googling them
Earth First! since 1990. Since 1990, action within the Earth First! movement has become increasingly influenced by anarchist political philosophy. The change also brought a rotation of the primary media organ in differing regions, an aversion to organized leadership or administrative structure, and a new trend of identifying Earth First! as a mainstream movement rather than an organization. In 1992, the push of Earth First! toward being a mainstream movement caused members who refused to abandon criminal acts to start a militant offshoot called Earth Liberation Front.[13] Most members of Earth First! liken themselves to a decentralized, locally informed activism based on communitarian ethics while Earth First adversaries characterize the group as conducting a form of terrorism.
In various parts of the country, individual citizens and small groups form the nuclei for grassroots political actions, which may take the form of legal actions—i.e. protests, timber sale appeals, and educational campaigns—or civil disobedience—tree sitting, road blockades, and sabotage—called "ecotage" by some Earth First! members, claiming it is done as a form of ecodefense. Often, disruptive direct action is used primarily as a stalling tactic in an attempt to prevent possible environmental destruction while Earth First! lawsuits try to secure long-term victories. Reported tactics include road blockades, activists locking themselves to heavy equipment, tree-sitting, and sabotage of machinery.
Earth First! was known for providing information in the Earth First! Journal on the practice of tree-spiking and monkey-wrenching (or ecotage) which have led to reports of injuries from such tactics.
Monkeywrenching
Monkeywrenching: Ecotage, ecodefense, billboard bandits, desurveying, road reclamation, tree spiking, even fire. All of these terms describe the unlawful sabotage of industrial extraction and development equipment, as a means of striking at the Earth's destroyers where they commit their crimes and hitting them where they feel it most—in their profit margins.
Monkeywrenching is a step beyond civil disobedience. It is nonviolent, aimed only at inanimate objects. It is one of the last steps in defense of the wild, a deliberate action taken by an Earth defender when almost all other measures have failed.
It's your choice - but to me it's an easy one...........hope to see you there. Call with questions!!
--
It's your choice - but to me it's an easy one...........hope to see you there. Call with questions!!
--
Cathy Casella
561.512.5330
561.512.5330
Message from Mary Lindsey:
I'm forwarding the following email I rec'd from Cathy Casella. Please forgive the duplication if you rec'd this earlier. Hope to see all you there. There's a lot of things (like utility rates and property values for example), that we as private citizens can't do much about. But we do not have to sit home silent as this eco terrorist group and their Lake Worth sympathizers take over our city. Yes I know, it's a free country and all that but it might just be useful to let these people know that we're watching them (as I'm sure the FBI is) and we simply don't have to put out the welcome mat. Earth First! is not about responsible environmentalism. It's all about anarchism and haven't we had enough of that? sent bcc.
MaryBallot initiative for 2012 - Off-Shore Drilling
With the Republican Party, for the most part, being in support of offshore drilling saying it is for "jobs, the economy and national security," as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce FOR offshore drilling, Save Our Shores has a big job in front of it to gather 700,000 signatures by February 2012 to put the initiative on the Ballot. Florida Hometown Democracy understands the tremendous effort in front of S.O.S. The Chamber of Commerce sent over 6,000 letters to President Obama urging him to lift the moratorium on off-shore drilling and put people back to work.
We saw what the Chamber did in Florida during this last election when it went against Amendment 4. It was all about "jobs" to them, or so they claimed, and so they are saying the same thing on oil drilling. What will they do? Will they be able to raise another $15 million to defeat it if SOS is lucky enough to get it on the ballot? Will our local Chamber have a Vote NO sign on its front yard?
Even our new governor Rick Scott said, “We need to protect our beaches, break our dependency on foreign oil and hold oil companies accountable when there are problems. As governor, I’ll look to strike a balance between responsible exploration that takes every precaution and is far enough from our shores while holding oil companies accountable for their mistakes.”
Save Our Seas and Beaches says, "We want the public to have the chance to vote on near-shore oil drilling and to ban the possibility of this destructive practice. Our State relies on clean beaches for our economic and environmental well-being. Oil drilling in our state marine waters, which extend approximately three miles into the Atlantic Ocean and 10 miles into the Gulf of Mexico, is simply too great a risk to take."
In order to stop any future attempts by the Florida Legislature to allow near-shore oil drilling on our coasts, Save Our Shores has formed a coalition with Save our Seas, Beaches and Shores, Inc. to coordinate a citizens’ petition drive to place the ban on the November 2012 ballot.
BALLOT TITLE: Prohibiting oil drilling in Florida waters seaward of Florida's mean high tide line.
BALLOT SUMMARY: Prohibiting oil drilling for exploration or extraction in and beneath Florida waters from the mean high tide line to the outermost boundaries of Florida's territorial seas.
Is there ANYTHING about that ballot summary that needs explanation?
We believe that the residents of Florida deserve the right to vote on this and urge you to Download the Petition.
BALLOT TITLE: Prohibiting oil drilling in Florida waters seaward of Florida's mean high tide line.
BALLOT SUMMARY: Prohibiting oil drilling for exploration or extraction in and beneath Florida waters from the mean high tide line to the outermost boundaries of Florida's territorial seas.
Is there ANYTHING about that ballot summary that needs explanation?
We believe that the residents of Florida deserve the right to vote on this and urge you to Download the Petition.
Assange, The Criminal
Cartoon of Julian Assange by Kevin Siers of the Charlotte Observer.
I just saw this in our local newspaper, The Palm Beach Post. It really does capture the essence of Julian Assange. It also captures the same for all those cheering this guy and how far some have fallen in this country to applaud a criminal act (publishing unauthorized and stolen top secret documents) as well as applauding false values at the expense of our security, our allies and our troops.
The improper release of such information could be prosecuted as a crime under the general theft of government property statute 18 U.S.C. § 641.
The improper release of such information could be prosecuted as a crime under the general theft of government property statute 18 U.S.C. § 641.
Kill the Dream
If you think we have slum, blight and bad conditions, especially in the western communities, this is a MUST read.
After reading Victor David Hanson's article, you might agree that illegal immigration is the problem and those crossing our borders have no respect for our country and immigration laws need to be enforced.
"So there is a surreal nature to these protests: something like, Please do not send me back to the culture I nostalgically praise; please let me stay in the culture that I ignore or deprecate."
As Harry Reid may be calling for a vote tomorrow (Saturday), please continue to call today-- Senate switchboard, 202-224-3121 and urge a NO on the DREAM Act.
George LeMieux (R)
Washington, DC ph: 202-224-3041 adr: U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510-0001
Coral Gables, FL ph: 305-418-8553 adr: 8669 NW 36th St.,, Coral Gables, FL 33166
Jacksonville, FL ph: 904-398-8586 adr: 1650 Prudential Drive,, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Pensacola, FL ph: 850-433-2603 adr: 1 N. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL 32502
Tampa, FL ph: 813-977-6450 adr: 3802 Spectrum Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612
After reading Victor David Hanson's article, you might agree that illegal immigration is the problem and those crossing our borders have no respect for our country and immigration laws need to be enforced.
"So there is a surreal nature to these protests: something like, Please do not send me back to the culture I nostalgically praise; please let me stay in the culture that I ignore or deprecate."
As Harry Reid may be calling for a vote tomorrow (Saturday), please continue to call today-- Senate switchboard, 202-224-3121 and urge a NO on the DREAM Act.
George LeMieux (R)
Washington, DC ph: 202-224-3041 adr: U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510-0001
Coral Gables, FL ph: 305-418-8553 adr: 8669 NW 36th St.,, Coral Gables, FL 33166
Jacksonville, FL ph: 904-398-8586 adr: 1650 Prudential Drive,, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Pensacola, FL ph: 850-433-2603 adr: 1 N. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL 32502
Tampa, FL ph: 813-977-6450 adr: 3802 Spectrum Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Tonight's Moon
80% of FullAccording to NASA, the moon's surface shows striking contrasts of light and dark. The light areas are rugged highlands. The dark zones were partly flooded by lava when volcanoes erupted billions of years ago. The lava froze to form smooth rock.
Border Control Now
Former Marine, Brian Terry was shot to death on U.S. soil. He was 40 years old and a U.S. Border Patrol Agent.
Richard Barlow, the Border Patrol deputy chief of the Tucson Sector said, "This is a stark reminder of the realities that we face every single day. There are people out there that wake up every single day with nothing else on their minds than to harm citizens of this country and our way of life."
When will our government enforce our laws and protect our borders from these criminals who seem to have the upper hand? Now the FBI and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office are performing a joint investigation near Rio Rico, Arizona. That's what we do. We study things to death. It doesn't take an investigation to just enforce our laws and give our Border Control agents the resources to do their jobs.
No Dream act. No back-door amnesty. The government can vote itself $8 billion in stupid pork barrel spending but can not allocate the funds to do what it takes to secure our border or enforce immigration law. How many more innocent Americans must die?
Read about it here
Richard Barlow, the Border Patrol deputy chief of the Tucson Sector said, "This is a stark reminder of the realities that we face every single day. There are people out there that wake up every single day with nothing else on their minds than to harm citizens of this country and our way of life."
When will our government enforce our laws and protect our borders from these criminals who seem to have the upper hand? Now the FBI and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office are performing a joint investigation near Rio Rico, Arizona. That's what we do. We study things to death. It doesn't take an investigation to just enforce our laws and give our Border Control agents the resources to do their jobs.
No Dream act. No back-door amnesty. The government can vote itself $8 billion in stupid pork barrel spending but can not allocate the funds to do what it takes to secure our border or enforce immigration law. How many more innocent Americans must die?
Read about it here
Assange - A hypocrite of the first order
Comment Up
This criminal almost became Times' Man of the Year.
This criminal almost became Times' Man of the Year.Julian Assange, the man behind WikiLeaks, has won the most votes in this year's Man of the Year poll.
Readers voted a total of 1,249,425 times, and the favorite was clear-- the shadowy figure, Julian Assange raked in 382,020 votes by all the liberal left wing who feel what he did makes him some sort of a hero--saying and publishing whatever in the hell you want under the Free Speech Constitutional amendment instead of looking at him for what he is--a criminal.
Who in the hell is this guy? On the run since he was 11 years old, he's been troubled and mixed up. He hacked into the master terminal of Nortel when he was 20 and pleaded guilty to 25 charges. His mission is to destroy democracy and his focus has been on the United States, our Republic, and the most prosperous and generous country on the Planet because we keep intelligence "secret." He justified his actions saying that the free exchange of information would put an end to what he feels is illegitimate governance and abuse of power. This is a government by the people. He wants total transparency but hides his own sources and his personal life.
He has taken it upon himself to expose what he believes is "a clever smear by U.S. intelligence" and believes that much of what our government does may not be authentic or even legal.
Wanted recently by Interpol and now being held in jail on rape charges (about to be bailed out), this is a guy who committed another egregious criminal act by publishing stolen secret documents thus compromising lives and limbs. Michael Moore is cozying up to him. That should tell you something.
There are those here holding him up as a hero for sticking it in the faces of the superpowers and their own country. He came close to winning and being apart of the Time's movers and shakers Man of the Year honors that were bestowed on Adolf Hitler in 1938, Joseph Stalin (twice, in 1939 and 1942), and Iran's Ayatullah Khomeini in 1979. He would have been among fellow comrades and would have fit right in.
He has, with malice and intent, acted to harm the United States, its allies, and our men and women in the armed services. The rest of the media does not get off the hook for publishing his stolen documents just because they were already on the Internet. They are co-conspirators.
If there was an award for the Most Stupid Person of the Year it should be given to all of those rejoicing and approving and believing that what Assange has said and done is valid. It is no different than being a fence who knowingly buys stolen property and then sells it on the open market for a profit.
In Assange's case, his reward, for his miserable little life, was trying to bring down the U.S.
Readers voted a total of 1,249,425 times, and the favorite was clear-- the shadowy figure, Julian Assange raked in 382,020 votes by all the liberal left wing who feel what he did makes him some sort of a hero--saying and publishing whatever in the hell you want under the Free Speech Constitutional amendment instead of looking at him for what he is--a criminal.
Who in the hell is this guy? On the run since he was 11 years old, he's been troubled and mixed up. He hacked into the master terminal of Nortel when he was 20 and pleaded guilty to 25 charges. His mission is to destroy democracy and his focus has been on the United States, our Republic, and the most prosperous and generous country on the Planet because we keep intelligence "secret." He justified his actions saying that the free exchange of information would put an end to what he feels is illegitimate governance and abuse of power. This is a government by the people. He wants total transparency but hides his own sources and his personal life.
He has taken it upon himself to expose what he believes is "a clever smear by U.S. intelligence" and believes that much of what our government does may not be authentic or even legal.
Wanted recently by Interpol and now being held in jail on rape charges (about to be bailed out), this is a guy who committed another egregious criminal act by publishing stolen secret documents thus compromising lives and limbs. Michael Moore is cozying up to him. That should tell you something.
There are those here holding him up as a hero for sticking it in the faces of the superpowers and their own country. He came close to winning and being apart of the Time's movers and shakers Man of the Year honors that were bestowed on Adolf Hitler in 1938, Joseph Stalin (twice, in 1939 and 1942), and Iran's Ayatullah Khomeini in 1979. He would have been among fellow comrades and would have fit right in.
He has, with malice and intent, acted to harm the United States, its allies, and our men and women in the armed services. The rest of the media does not get off the hook for publishing his stolen documents just because they were already on the Internet. They are co-conspirators.
If there was an award for the Most Stupid Person of the Year it should be given to all of those rejoicing and approving and believing that what Assange has said and done is valid. It is no different than being a fence who knowingly buys stolen property and then sells it on the open market for a profit.
In Assange's case, his reward, for his miserable little life, was trying to bring down the U.S.
Jeff Clemens opens Lake Worth office
Jeff Clemens, State Rep District 89, was recently seen sweeping the sidewalk
in front of his new Lake Worth office:
District Office:
508 C Lake Avenue
Lake Worth, FL 33460-3809
Phone: (561) 540-1140
This is a perfect location; we should see Jeff more often than we saw Mary Brandenburg. Everyone stop by Jeff's new office and tell him not to screw up the State of Florida like he did Lake Worth :).
in front of his new Lake Worth office:
District Office:
508 C Lake Avenue
Lake Worth, FL 33460-3809
Phone: (561) 540-1140
This is a perfect location; we should see Jeff more often than we saw Mary Brandenburg. Everyone stop by Jeff's new office and tell him not to screw up the State of Florida like he did Lake Worth :).
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The Rick Scott Inaugural Ball
Interesting. I just got invited to Governor Elect Rick Scott's Inaugural Ball that will be held on January 4 at the Leon Civic Center in Tallahassee. I'm not a Republican and I didn't vote for him...voted for Michael Arth. There must be some mistake. But he says that he is forging a path to prosperity. Growth and prosperity is the objective, not aid. I like that. Voters liked that too.
Economic growth alone has lifted more than 500 million people out of poverty over the last 25 years, accounting for over 80 per cent of poverty reduction. In the words of Gordon Brown, "it is the absence of business - and not the presence of business - that blights the lives of poor people, leaving them dependent on aid and denying them the opportunity to work, denying them the chance to support their families and denying them the means to ensure that their children get the chance to succeed."
Rick Scott understands this.
Our Mayor again
Comment Up
Following in the footsteps of our former Mayor Jeff Clemens who voted to give away some of the City's most valuable assets and resources (Remember our water and burning $15 million?) as well as eliminating our police and fire to go with PB County, Rene Varela, Mayor of Lake Worth, now has been working behind the scenes for the possibility of "giving away" our City Annex building, worth over $2 million, to Palm Beach County, details unknown.
Those in the know say that the motivation behind the give-away of this valuable building is to save our Museum. It is easier just to give stuff away than to cut waste and find the money to keep our treasure, the Lake Worth Museum, estimated at a cost of around $50,000 per year to maintain.
With the 100th year anniversary of our City just a few years away, the Museum is important to all of us. Giving away our historical building to achieve this end is a radical solution and is not the answer. People who have lived here for years want to preserve our history and keep our buildings.
"If the Mayor continues on with this, we all will be buying him his one way ticket out of town. If he really cares about Lake Worth, he will resign now," said John Jordan, former candidate for Mayor.
Following in the footsteps of our former Mayor Jeff Clemens who voted to give away some of the City's most valuable assets and resources (Remember our water and burning $15 million?) as well as eliminating our police and fire to go with PB County, Rene Varela, Mayor of Lake Worth, now has been working behind the scenes for the possibility of "giving away" our City Annex building, worth over $2 million, to Palm Beach County, details unknown.
Those in the know say that the motivation behind the give-away of this valuable building is to save our Museum. It is easier just to give stuff away than to cut waste and find the money to keep our treasure, the Lake Worth Museum, estimated at a cost of around $50,000 per year to maintain.
With the 100th year anniversary of our City just a few years away, the Museum is important to all of us. Giving away our historical building to achieve this end is a radical solution and is not the answer. People who have lived here for years want to preserve our history and keep our buildings.
"If the Mayor continues on with this, we all will be buying him his one way ticket out of town. If he really cares about Lake Worth, he will resign now," said John Jordan, former candidate for Mayor.
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