My New Year Resolutions And More

Well actually I have only one resolution. The same one I had for the last ten years or so-- Not to make any. This for a couple of reasons. First off if I don't MAKE any I can't BREAK any. The second reason--I kind of figure after 69 years I ain't gonna change anyways. Why kid myself. I've always smoked, drank and sweared. Made it this far. So why not?


Reflections And Thoughts On Upcoming New Year
I'm going to focus a whole lot less on the idiotic things politicians and internet trolls will say in 2018. Why torment myself over how bad Donald Trump and his followers will screw things up. I didn't vote for the guy. I had nothing to do with this mess. I'm not going exhaust myself fretting over this kind of stuff in the new year. Sometimes these things need to run their course (no matter how painful) before people wise up. Why resist? Nothing I say will alter the course we're headed. The sooner things get screwed up the quicker it shall pass. MAGA believers- go for it so we can get this over with.

As far as my personal life is concerned. I've had a really great year like those I've had in past. Couldn't ask for a better family life. Great wife, kids and grandkids. Had good health too. I consider myself fortunate.

My blogging life--not so much. Slow year (as usual) when it comes to comment interactions or people providing feedback on many of the things that interested me. Which is why I posted on the subjects I did.

That sums up my annual self review over 2017. Something I know many of you were breathlessly awaiting.

I'm not certain what I'm going to blog about in 2018 but one thing I'm certain. My posts will be far less negative and contain far less political material. Probably fewer posts too.

With that said-- here's to hoping 2018 will be a more compassionate caring and empathic world then the one we've experienced in 2017.

My New Year Resolutions And More

Well actually I have only one resolution. The same one I had for the last ten years or so-- Not to make any. This for a couple of reasons. First off if I don't MAKE any I can't BREAK any. The second reason--I kind of figure after 69 years I ain't gonna change anyways. Why kid myself. I've always smoked, drank and sweared. Made it this far. So why not?


Reflections And Thoughts On Upcoming New Year
I'm going to focus a whole lot less on the idiotic things politicians and internet trolls will say in 2018. Why torment myself over how bad Donald Trump and his followers will screw things up. I didn't vote for the guy. I had nothing to do with this mess. I'm not going exhaust myself fretting over this kind of stuff in the new year. Sometimes these things need to run their course (no matter how painful) before people wise up. Why resist? Nothing I say will alter the course we're headed. The sooner things get screwed up the quicker it shall pass. MAGA believers- go for it so we can get this over with.

As far as my personal life is concerned. I've had a really great year like those I've had in past. Couldn't ask for a better family life. Great wife, kids and grandkids. Had good health too. I consider myself fortunate.

My blogging life--not so much. Slow year (as usual) when it comes to comment interactions or people providing feedback on many of the things that interested me. Which is why I posted on the subjects I did.

That sums up my annual self review over 2017. Something I know many of you were breathlessly awaiting.

I'm not certain what I'm going to blog about in 2018 but one thing I'm certain. My posts will be far less negative and contain far less political material. Probably fewer posts too.

With that said-- here's to hoping 2018 will be a more compassionate caring and empathic world then the one we've experienced in 2017.






Happy New Year From LVCI

Radio I Grew Up Listening To

Some Of The Great Radio DJ's I Grew Up Listening To

Video Courtesy: Art Vuolo

The problem today is someone could drive from Atlantic City to Los Angeles and still hear the same satellite feed program from coast to coast. Just what if one of the 50,000 watt stations set themselves apart from all the others. I wonder whether it ever crossed their minds. Considering AM radio is dead I wonder if one of them would have much to lose if they tried doing something entirely different by bringing back this kind of uniquely individual format. What do you think?

One of the guys I most listened to was Joey Reynolds when he was at WKBW (1520) out of Buffalo New York. It was one of only five clear channel 50,000 watt AM radio stations in the country. I hoped one day when I later got on radio to be just like him. Fortunately for me when I did I had neither his talent nor his knack for getting fired at just about every station he ever worked for :-)

Note in the following video the 27 stations he either got fired from or left on his own accord

Video Courtesy: Gene Tourangeau


Here's a Joey Reynolds classic from when he worked at WFIL Famous 56 in Philadelphia. It's from February 14th, 1985. Note in the video how after he screwed up he played a WIBG jingle instead of his own at WFIL just in case a listener would report him to the FCC :-)


Video Courtesy: Ellis Feaster

Legend has it the final straw that got him fired from WFIL is when he called a listener and pretended to be from another radio station and gave away that station's rather sizable prize money. LMAO!

Art Vuolo did a great job profiling Joey's long career


Joey Reynolds (Joey Pinto) does has a Facebook account. Let's hope we've not heard the last from this talented guy.


^ ^ ABOVE REPOSTED FROM ^ ^
Thursday, January 1, 2015




~ ~ ~
LVCI Plays DJ (Repost From 05/27/2013)

The songs are clipped down for audition purposes

I made the following audio files years ago when I first retired. They were supposed to be audition tapes to get a part time job back in radio like I did when I worked full time back in the early 70's in my retirement years.

Little did I realize THERE ARE NO JOBS IN LOCAL RADIO BROADCASTING!
That all went away years ago.



So instead I'm posting them here. I kind of figure at least somebody ought to hear them since I went to the trouble.

Rock Oldies

How many of these rock oldies from the 50's/60's have you heard before?

I'll bet very few.

60's SOUL

MOTOWN

Misc. 60's Stuff

60's Dance Hit Singles.

80's- Rock

Older Country

These audio files could be considered the country version of "Off The Chart Oldies". I'm not claiming to be all that and more. What I strived for was to create a bunch of tunes few people have ever heard of. Something that is unique, completely different and not currently being broadcast. So once again I ask.. How many of these have you ever heard before?

70's/80's
Part 1

 

Part 2

Part 3

This one is 46 minutes and contains 27 rare recordings. If you don't have time, you can always come back later. By moving the slider you can pick up where you left off.

Part 4

This one features 'Western Music'. It starts off with some tunes from the 30's but ends up with Western swing/dance music from around 2005. So if you don't like the old stuff, hang in there!

Part 5

This One Features The 80's

I hope you appreciate my efforts and enjoy these rare recordings.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Middle Of The Road- Light & Easy Listening

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Who Knew Rob Vaughn (WFMZ) Family Could Sing?

I came across this on Facebook today

Bobby Vinton's Kissin' Christmas LIVE (1996)

I really wanted to watch Bobby Vinton's Branson Christmas special from 1996. That's when I realized it's no where to be found. So I decided to dig into my archives and load some of it here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. What a talented guy. He ought to re-release a DVD of it. Better yet a TV Special maybe on PBS.

Clips From Bobby Vinton's Kissin' Christmas Show 1996 LIVE

(He turned 82 in 2017)

54 Christmas Videos

Merry Christmas and best wishes to everyone.



Here's to hoping everyone will enjoy my Christmas playlist.

If anyone's interested here are all my favorites playlists

21 Trillion Dollars In Unauthorized Government Spending

Michigan State University Today
MSU SCHOLARS FIND $21 TRILLION IN UNAUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT SPENDING; DEFENSE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT FIRST-EVER AUDIT (12/11/2017) "Earlier this year, a Michigan State University economist, working with graduate students and a former government official, found $21 trillion in unauthorized spending in the departments of Defense and Housing and Urban Development for the years 1998-2015."

COMMENTARY:
Think about it. That's nearly $1 trillion more then where our national debt currently stands. Course I always understood there never was such a thing as government accountability. Just keep printing fake money. So long as everyone still accepts U.S. dollars and bitcoins we'll all be fine.

Till they don't...

Why I'm Not Inspired To Blog As Much

It's not unusual for me to speak negatively at this time of year. It's usually after I reflect over the past year on people's comments. For the large part most are extremely negative and uninformed.

For example Bernie O'Hare created a informative post about Ron Beitler wanting to run for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.. It so happens I have great respect for Ron, his opinions and his successful business. BUT--check out the vile uninformed comments. For certain Ron already has a successful business and family. He has no need to put himself out there for this kind of abuse. No wonder few decent people are willing to run for office. Bernie has far more patience then I for this kind of stuff.

Another example is the negative uninformed comments on Molovinsky's blog which keeps hammering away at the Strata Apartments insulting it's tenants. Look I happen to know a guy who lives there. He earns close to $500,000 and says most units are indeed occupied. Besides the point here isn't about whether someone else thinks people are stupid for renting them or the Morning Call is lying. The main point seems to be bitching about them for whatever reasons that elude me for doing so.

This is why I'm hesitant to post anything with substantial content. If there is a comment left it usually requires me to explain why they're uninformed. Check out the comments on on this prior post regarding the fairgrounds and stormwater fee's impact on it.

I'm almost convinced at this point most people just want to bitch. It seems the internet is made up of uninformed people all too willing to bitch about stuff having no ambition whatsoever to do background research before they speak. Thus why Trump has appealed to the masses which are too lazy and uninformed to fully understand what the hell is going on. He bitched and complained his way to the top. No wonder he's their hero-- they're just like him.

Thus why my reluctance in this environment to publish frequently anything of subsistence in detail. Besides I'm the kind of guy who always tries to look on the bright side of life. Yeah right--no not really :-)

Joe Biden What A Decent Man!

Joe Biden Speaks With Meghan McCain About His Late Son Beau's Battle With Cancer | The View (12/13/2017)

End Is Near For Allentown Fairgrounds

Although nothing officially has been said I don't see how the Lehigh County Agricultural Society (Allentown Fairgrounds) can survive this new rainwater tax fee.

Emily Opilo of The Morning Call posted a list of the top 75 who will be hit the hardest.

Number 5 is the Lehigh County Agricultural Society (Allentown Fairgrounds) for $56,440. I think you'll agree the fairgrounds along with it's farmers market and Ritz are likely to become a relic of the past. That's a damn shame for the small independent stand owners we strongly support. I'll tell you one thing. We aren't going to drive 10 additional blocks, pay to park and walk to some seasonal market downtown--THAT FOR SURE !

This rainwater "fee" is a perfect example of trickle down economics. Hospitals will have to increase their billings. Allentown, county and school taxes all will have to be raised. Apartment rents will go up and retail prices. This on top of property owners paying their own individual fees.

All of this is supposed to be used for cleaning up our storm water, My question is--how the hell are they supposed to do that? So far I haven't heard anyone speaking about the specifics.

Then what would become of the fairground's land?
We don't need one more mini mall that's for damn sure. Don't need another city park. I'm 100% positive none of the hospitals are interested in it either. Hey I got an idea. After we put the fairgrounds out of business why don't we channel our rainwater into one great big water retention pond? Maybe that'll satisfy the EPA's demands.

The Absolutely Amazing Voyager 1 Spacecraft

CNN
Voyager 1 spacecraft thrusters fired up for first time since 1980"NASA scientists needed to reorient the 40-year-old Voyager 1 -- the space agency's farthest spacecraft -- so its antenna would point toward Earth, 13 billion miles away... Tuesday [11/28/2017], engineers fired up the thrusters and waited eagerly to find out whether the plan was successful. They got their answer 19 hours and 35 minutes later, the time it took for the results to reach Earth: The set of four thrusters worked perfectly...

It is expected that in the year 40,272, Voyager 1 will come within 1.7 light years of an obscure star in the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Bear or Little Dipper)...."

Is that all?
I can hardly wait.





Speaking of 'Voyager' anyone remember this 'Star Trek' classic?




Hey, one never know, do one :-)

Pontiac Silverdome Failed To Implode Today

Sunday's (12/03/2017) planned implosion of the Pontiac Silverdome didn't go quite the way expected






Dat's some damn good work by the structural engineers who designed it, Geiger Berger Associates back in 1975 ain't it?

What's In The Senate Tax Bill Just Passed?

Yeah that's what a lot of people would like to know...

This Senate passed the bill just before 2:00 AM Saturday (12/02/2017) by 51 to 49 votes. Now it goes to the House for reconciliation with the one they passed last month before being sent to Donald Trump for his signature.

I'm going to hold off trying to nail down specifics (since there are none)-- but there are a few concerns I have with some of the things I've heard were in the bill. One being a deficit cap that would kick in if the bill fails to generate the revenue predicted. In that case cuts would kick in to Medicare, Social Security and education amongst others. I heard also there's a bunch of amendments giving breaks to special interests so certain Senate members would vote in favor of it.

As this bill moves forward one thing is almost certain-- neither members of the house or senate nor the president himself will know all it contains. Only a fool would buy a house or a car not knowing what they're signing. Then again if you're buying a car or house on somebody else's dime and have no conscious why care?



Alternet (12/02/2017)
Republican Tax Plan Is Only The Start of GOP Effort To Spread Inequality and Economic Anxieties by Shredding Safety Nets"Before the Senate voted, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, a past presidential candidate, said the Republicans must make additional cuts to Social Security and Medicare,.. The Senate’s $1.5 trillion tax plan would trigger a federal law, known as PayGo, which limits Medicare to 4 percent of the annual budget. It is projected to impose $400 billion in cuts to senior healthcare in the next decade..

The Republicans intentionally mislabel Social Security as an entitlement program. In fact, it is an earned benefit program where workers contribute via payroll deductions. It cannot spend money it has not collected under federal law...

In the early 2030s, the large size of Baby Boom generation will prompt roughly a 20 percent cut in benefits unless the Congress enacts a revenue measure—such increasing the wealthy’s tax contribution to the program. Now, only the first $120,000 or so of income is taxed for Social Security."
For the life of me I can't understand why people keep voting for these candidates. If anyone is counting on a company pension plan they're deluding themselves. 401K's are subject to stock market fluctuations. There's even some talk of taxing them differently then they are now. Unless someone is planning on dropping dead on the job Social Security is the way to go. Heaven help if someone is struck with a medical condition before then.

The way I see it whether someone is a Republican or Democrat everyone is going to get sick at some point and old. Do people really want their kids living with them till 30--then moving in with the kids till death do you part?

Yeah there's a lot of jerks in Washington--but who put them there!

About These Sexual Allegations

al•le•ga•tion
noun
A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proofYep that's all it takes. I'm not saying most aren't true, but let us keep in mind these are unproven accusations. Most are a matter of what he said--she said versus what might have actually happened. Talk abut a battle of the sexes and this has become just that. Heaven help if someone should assert some of these are based on ulterior motives. Especially if that were the explanation coming from a man.

Based on my experience women are no saints. They know all they have to do is flash a little boob or leg and men will fall for it every time hook, line and sinker. Let's not kid ourselves men have and always will be the weaker sex when it comes to falling for a woman's physical charms. Otherwise men would be wearing dresses and the women pants. Still that's no excuse for men to behave badly.

However There Are Two Sides
Ask any man which is more likely to end up with the house, paying support or custody in a divorce by the courts, Ask any man who tried to tell a court she seduced me into doing something I shouldn't have. Or how some woman physically abused them. Who's story you think a jury would be more likely believe?

Where We're Headed
For many years I complained why I or any man should want to go to the malls. All they have is woman's dresses. Woman's shoes. Women's jewelry, perfume, home furnishings, etc. etc. Gone are the stuff I was interested in cameras, electronics, hunting gear, men's clothes and so forth. In other words the malls womanzied themselves then wonder why they are failing. The same will go shortly with TV after sticking it to all the males.

About all I see any more on TV are programs geared towards women throughout the day. Woman anchors, sport commentators, meteorologists and traffic reporters. You know there's nothing wrong with calling out bad behavior but how far do ya wanna go? When does a pat on the behind become a sexual assault and career ender?

Look, I'm all for equal rights and women not having to put up with this kind of crap, but it seems everyone in the world right now is looking for their gotcha moment to the expense of another in the most public way possible. Sooooooo much of this should have been settled face to face behind closed doors with a hard slap in the face or kick in the groin. If women want to be strong start acting like it instead of crying on TV and hiding behind lawyers. I for one am sick of hearing about your boy/girl problems. If women want to be equal with men start acting like it.

I'll give ya a few examples. A friend of mine pissed off one of the girls we were hanging out with when I was young. She hit him over the head with a soda bottle. Yeah he got the message real quick. Another screamed in front of everybody we were with when he tried to smooch her w/o permission. Another slapped the guy in front of me in the middle of a high school class. A female coworker slapped the shit out of our supervisor in front of 48 of my co workers on the production floor. Another one of our supervisors in the cafeteria in front of 70 or so coworkers. I don't know who these women are accusing celebrities these days but I can tell you one thing--most of the girls/women I knew didn't wait twenty years to let me or my friends have it. I learned respect from them early on.

Some may see them as victims--rather I see them as hateful jealous people despite their tears. I can honestly say I never met a woman in my life who hesitated to let me know when I was out of line. Thus why I harbor so much doubt and suspicions of their stories towards these men late into their careers. As far as I'm concerned any of these women going public now deserve questioning of the their motives for doing so. Yeah sometimes the men may be guilty of wrongdoing, but convicted in the court of public opinion and fired ending their careers simply based on a woman's word doesn't cut it for me. How would they like it if it were the other way around?

Women are not whores--neither may be these men now being accused.

Some Of My Favorite André Rieu Videos

It's very hard for me to name any one which would be my favorite musical performers. If I were to name any of my top five without a doubt André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu would be one of them. Not only does he present the most talented people in the world, he also is the most inspiring as well as displaying his sense of humor from time to time.

Unfortunately none of upcoming tour dates throughout the world will include a visit to the United States in 2018.

















André Rieu's home and business grounds in
Maastricht, Netherlands (Kasteel De Torentjes)

Not to shabby, eh :-)

Is Anyone Good Enough for an H1-B Visa?

The New York Times
By Frida Yu (11/23/2017)
Is Anyone Good Enough for an H1-B Visa?

"Six months ago I won the lottery — the H-1B visa processing lottery for skilled foreign workers... on Oct. 11, half a year after my celebration, I learned I had been denied a visa.

After earning law degrees in China and at Oxford, after having worked in Hong Kong as a lawyer at a top international firm, after coming to United States three years ago for an M.B.A. and graduating and joining a start-up, I was given just 60 days to leave the country. I have 17 days left...

I can’t make sense of why an administration that claims to want this country to be strong would be so eager to get rid of us... As I make plans to go back to China, I find myself wondering: If I am not qualified to stay in the United States, then who is?"

The Best of Ronald Reagan (Video)

The Best of Ronald Reagan

Latest Star Accused Of Harassment

Video Evidence..

He's not alone to lose their careers on TV...

Elmer Fudd for making fun of speech impairments..

Others include...
Wile E Coyote who has been declared a terrorist. Yosemite Sam charged with carrying firearms without a license. Speedy Gonzales who was sent back to Mexico because of his immigration status. Tweety bird charged with cruelty to animals. The Tasmanian Devil who has admitted himself to rehab for anger management issues. Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale who are currently serving time at Gitmo.

In addition the Three Stooges are awaiting sentencing in absentia on charges for bullying. Peter Pan for kidnapping and corruption of minors. Cinderella for impersonation and false ID. Goldilocks for trespassing. Travis Coates for shooting Old Yeller. Not to mention Amos and Andy or Al Jolson ever appearing again on TV due to their insensitivities regarding black issues.

Satire
The take away here is we should never find humor in anything. What should be most important to each of us is to take everything serious as possible. Let's always focus on the negative implications of everything we see and hear. Cancel everything on TV that might offend us even in the slightest.
ORAdmit it--there's nothing any human does that someone can't find something that offends them.

Country Music Sunday Videos

Some of my old time favorites.



























To be frank I decided to post these videos which mean so much to me instead of focusing on all the other crap going on These were recorded back in the days before entertainment artists spouted off their political views at every venue. When news on TV did actual reporting about events instead of featuring a bunch of chattering monkeys trying to outdo each other Before the internet which allowed every idiot in the world try and make themselves feel important. When people actually listened with appreciation instead of trying to make everything about themselves.

Sorry if I seem a bit cranky, but I'm sorta burned out right now with a world in which everyone seems consumed with themselves Kinda think I'll focus (at least in the short term) on retreating to my happy place. At a time which at least it appeared song writers, movies and entertainers inspired more then those we're seeing today. The movies, entertainers and song writers in the wartime era of the 40's were far more positive then anything being produced today.

I really truly wish the world and it's people were as I believed they were in my younger days. If not--I will always have these videos to believe it were so.

Sure Do Miss The Old TNN

We were regular viewers of 'The Nashville Network'. Since it changed ownership and formats it will never become as popular as it once was. You know what they say--you can never go home again. No truer words spoken when it comes to the kind of homespun down to earth entertainment it once provided. Nor how well we got to know the entertainers who had spoken genuinely of themselves and others. Not to mention the amazing talent.

World's Most Famous Unknown Band (03/1990)

How many did you recognize?
Chet Atkins introduced Glen Campbell, Jerry Reed, Steve Wariner, Roy Clark, Ray Stevens, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Greenwood, Steve Gatlin, Barbara Mandrell, and Irlene Mandrell.



Here are a few more great TNN memories...
1990






All-Star Salute To Ralph Emery In 1990

March 10, 2017 Ralph turned 84 years old
Ye Gads how I miss this bunch of wonderfully sincere people, There never ever again will be another era like that seen on TNN some 14 years ago. As far as I'm concerned when TNN shut down on August 11, 2003 is when genuine country music died.

Sexual Harassment Claims Are Out Of Control

AP
RADIO ANCHOR SAYS FRANKEN FORCIBLY KISSED HER AMID USO TOUR"ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota Sen. Al Franken apologized Thursday after a Los Angeles radio anchor accused him of forcibly kissing her during a 2006 USO tour and of posing for a photo with his hands on her breasts as she slept. Leeann Tweeden posted the allegations on the website of KABC, a Los Angeles radio station where she now works as a news anchor."


TPM
McConnell: Ethics Panel Should Probe Franken Sexual Misconduct Allegations"Less than an hour after news broke that a woman had accused Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) of sexually harassing and assaulting her in 2006, before he ran for federal office, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) called for an official investigation into the allegations."


Wikipedia
Leeann Tweeden "In 1992, while working as a hostess at a Hooters restaurant (she was in their 1994 calendar) in Colorado Springs, Colorado... In 1996, Tweeden appeared non-nude in a fitness model pictorial for Playboy magazine. Fifteen years later, at 38 years old, she appeared again in the December, 2011 issue of Playboy, this time posing in a nude pictorial....

She has also appeared on the political discussion series Hannity, as a member of the "Great American Panel" and occasionally appeared on the panel of Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld"

Posted by Russell Smith with his comments in 2011


Look I'm not getting into the hoopla over these dozens of accusations now coming everyday toward everybody and everyone. What I'm trying to point out not all these accusations should be taken as the gospel truth 100%. Nor am I trying to say what Leeann said happened with Al didn't. However in this case there just might be more politics involved then we may have been first be led to believe.

When these many hundreds of women start accusing men I see a few downsides. This harms other women's chances looking for employment, Whether it be in entertainment or outside of it I'd be quite certain employers will become reluctant to hire not wanting such accusations to rock their business. This also brings into women distrust of men themselves questioning everything a male says or does might have ulterior motives. Thus men becoming more reluctant to even speak to women one on one. Is that really what single women want?

Going way back to my courting days I can honesty say some women I dated didn't want this kind of physical attention. There were times some did and wondered what took me so long to make a move. I swear that's true. Not all women I went out with wanted someone who would take them to a meal, movie and send them off with a goodnight handshake. If I became rich or famous I can't imagine some of the things they could twist and use against me years later if I had quit dating them and they got pissed off. Yeah like they hadn't done that sometimes to me either. There's nothing worse then a pissed off lover--male or female.

Pardon me if I'm a bit skeptical but there is a difference between a man or woman physically teasing someone and an actual sexual assault. I've had my ass pinched (really hard) several times by a woman a work. She thought it was funny. Another who sat on my lap in the work cafeteria who thought it was funny as hell to make her friends laugh. Some who printed out sexy cartoons. Another few who flashed me a boob at work. I never considered these rising to the level of sexual harassment. Just girls being girls. It's a sad day when we take everything someone does to us as sexual assault.

I realize this may not always be the case. Sometimes it's more serious, but women do these kind of things as much as men thinking it's funny. Everybody needs to take chill pill. Not everything is dramatic as I think many of these charges are making them out to be. I'd be willing to bet in most of these cases there's a certain amount of ulterior motives involved.

Morning Call & Others Need To Get Act Together

How the Morning Call site loaded today on Microsoft's Internet Explorer

Notice annoying popups at the bottom?

How the Morning Call site loaded today on Google's Chrome Browser

How the Express Times loads on both

I have a few beefs with almost all sites these days. First off I won't get rid of Adblock. It's a proven fact some computers became infected by embedded code within certain ads. These ads all come from various third party sites. As far as the Morning Call-- they should quit screwing around with their webpage code. If it ain't broke don't mess with it. Their site is a total mess in Chrome today. Months ago WFMZ eliminated RSS Feeds and their videos won't play in Chrome. Still other sites require paid registration either upon the first view or after a certain number of visits.

Look I can understand why these guys need money, but if any of them want to eliminate over half their readers there's no better way then they are going about it. I will never ever click on various popups. These give browsers certain permissions to execute code to perform tasks circumventing various virus protections installed on our equipment. Sometimes I get up to three popups and an auto running video. Sometimes I spend more time refreshing, erasing cookies and trying to kill the video then it's worth. Thus saying to myself--screw it and close the page. It isn't worth it to me.

I'm not sure how these guys are suppose to make money but I can tell you one thing. It won't come by making a pain in the ass of themselves.

Poland Has A Problem

Slate.com
Tens of Thousands Join Polish White Supremacist March: “Europe Must Be White”Fascists and white supremacists descended on Warsaw Saturday to mark Poland’s independence day by chanting Neo-Nazi slogans. Police estimated some 60,000 people took part in the demonstration that included banners that read, “White Europe, Europe must be white” and, “Pray for an Islamic Holocaust.”

What the hell is going on?
Has our galaxy gone through a time warp or wormhole of some kind?

Makes me ashamed to be part of the human race.

Rock & Roll Sunday Videos

Live from Little Darlin's Rock N Roll Palace (1988)




According to Little Darlin's Rock N Roll Palace Facebook page from 1986 to 1992 it was the world's premier oldies nite club in Kissimmee, Fla. It use to air on TNN Cable TV.

If anyone's interested CLICK HERE for dozens and dozens more.

Allentown Mayor Pawlowski Won Here's Why

He had more votes. Yes as strange as that seems to some--this is how elections work.

Pawlowski Won. It wasn't because of...
Ray O'Connell and his supporters writing him in (splitting the votes).
Overwhelming minorities support.
A backlash against Trump.
Allentown voters are a bunch of ignorant Democrats.
'The Morning Call''. The very ones pointing the finger at them were the ones said nobody reads it. So now they accuse them? Folks you can't have it both ways.

For years I hear how the Republicans get screwed over by all of the above. Could it just be because of their refusal to take responsibility for failure?

Normally there's not a Republican candidate to vote for in Allentown. The excuse is why bother they wouldn't win anyway. Wow that's a hellva lame justification. I myself voted for both Heydt (R), Burke (R) and Hershman (R) and others. Yeah sometimes they won--sometime they lost. But blaming Democrats for them not even running a candidate doesn't cut it.

Many of these same conservatives here locally have repeatedly criticized Hillary Clinton's for her constant whining blaming everyone for her loss except herself.

Yeah that doesn't cut it with me from either her or those here locally on the other end of the political spectrum.




Let me put this another way. If your team lost it wasn't because the other team sucks. The way sportsmanship works is no matter how much players dislike the other team or their backers they get back on their feet then try and win the next game. Nobody likes a team that finds all kind of excuses why everyone else is at fault for their loss. Then refuse to play their opponents again. I doubt few would support such a team.

Of course I'm not happy with the outcome. It's particularly sad that Lehigh Valley Republicans couldn't even muster enough votes to defeat someone like Pawlowski. This speaks more to they then it does Pawlowski's win. Blaming others isn't going to take the party where it needs to go.

My Unapologetic Vote For Ray O'Connell

As I post this the election is still going on (11/07/2017). I'm not sure how things will turn out in the run for Allentown's next mayor but I voted for Ray O'Connell as a matter of conscience. He's the guy I want.

During the last presidential elections I held my nose and voted for Hillary even though I didn't want her. I wanted Bernie Sanders but resisted writing him in. I wrestled with this up until two hours before I voted. Felt guilty ever since.

Not anymore. I refuse from this point forward to cast my vote based on election strategies that tend to call mine a wasted vote. If there's guilt to be had let it be on those who voted for either of the two other candidates I feel didn't deserve to hold the office of mayor.

I feel Nat Hyman hasn't engaged in civic participation. He never spoke at council meetings nor had Allentown committee involvements. Hence we have no idea where he stood on the incinerator project, parks, the city water deal, NIZ, taxes and whole host of other hot button issues. When they occurred he was MIA. He never ran for council nor any other political office until he decided to run for mayor.

When it comes to Ed Pawlowski I think it should be more then obvious why I wouldn't give him a second of my consideration.

Ray O'Connell has been active throughout his career on school district issues and his previous commitment on city council. Without a doubt he has more experience over his lifetime in public service then either of the two other candidates.

While some may not agree with my choice let it not be said I was willing to compromise my beliefs in this election. Being in the majority doesn't always make it right.

Tax Cuts--Anyone Really Believe This?

Ronnie once said...


'USA TODAY' published some of the proposed changes. I'll highlight a few. Adoption: The tax credit worth up to $13,750 per child would end.
Alimony would no longer be deductible by the payor.
Teachers could no longer write off the cost of supplies they buy.
Eliminate the deduction for out of pocket medical expenses.
Tax preparation fees would no longer allowed to be deducted

Here's more from 'CNN MONEY'
The student loan interest deduction would go away

'CNN MONEY (2nd link)
"Today you're allowed to claim a $4,050 personal exemption for yourself, your spouse and each of your dependents. The House bill eliminates that option."

"Eliminates tax exclusion for dependent care assistance accounts:"
"Repeals state and local tax deductions, but preserves property tax break"
"Repeals the estate tax: The estate tax today affects just 0.2% of all estates, and only those with more than $5.5 million in assets (or $11 million if you leave a spouse behind)."Call this tax cuts, tax reform or by any other name rest assured the government wouldn't make changes unless it would benefit itself and the wealthy who help write legislation. Yes we were promised a draining of the swamp. Just didn't realize it was we--the average smuck--they were referring to. But they sure do talk pretty don't they?


If you have a little extra time on your hands CNN published the current 429 page bill.

Don't Forget Turn Clocks Ahead

Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour Saturday before bed.

That way you'll be 2 hours ahead of every one else.

Pitting One Generation Against The Other

Dividing the nation is what these modern day right wing extremist in congress seem to do best. This is about a bill providing funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at the expense of seniors.

According to 'Talking Points Memo"-- The bill’s lead author, Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), blasted Democrats Friday morning, accusing them of “voting against kids and their doctors.”... We’re fully funding CHIP for five years. We’re fulling funding Community Health Centers for two years. We’re asking the wealthiest seniors in America to pay $135 more for their Medicare,..

Funding for the program, which covers about 9 million children nationwide, ran out at the end of September, as Republicans focused their energies on taking a series of unsuccessful votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

In addition according to latest information the Republican tax cut proposal calls for eliminating the out of pocket deductions for medical expenses Now this bird wants to throw another $1,620 a year on top of that. Not to mention Medigap insurance costs many of us already pay.

Do any of these eggheads understand we can't simply print money nor give ourselves a raise like they can?

Just who are these wealthiest seniors he mentions. Nobody I know. And if they are it doesn't look like they will be much longer if this guy gets his way.

It appears we're left with two choices. Either seniors are thrown off the cliff or the kids. Some choice !

Bernie Sanders Got Railroaded

FOX News 11/02/2017

As the expression goes-- NO SHIT DICK TRACY
Sanders supporters like myself has been saying this for a long time. On Sunday, July 16, 2017 I posted How The DNC Helped Donald Trump Win-- Many conservatives accuse Democrats of being sore losers. In part they are right, but not because Hillary lost. Rather because Bernie Sanders didn't win. If there was any rigging going on it was done more by the DNC then the Russian government.

May 2016



The Nevada Democrats Convention Caucus in May 2016



SynopsisWhat Hillary and the Democratic party did was not illegal but it most certainly undermined our democracy and the will of the people. In the end supporters for Bernie either chose not to vote at all or voted out of spite for Trump. Now look where we are. Yes indeed Russia did give it their all trying to influence the election but couldn't have done near the damage to Bernie as they were able to Hillary.

Between Donald's erratic tweets and the Clinton's past baggage few (if any) problems wouldn't be an issue today. There would be no Mueller investigation. We wouldn't be talking about Russian campaign interference in the election. Donald's so-called dossier, questionable financial dealings and property holdings. Hillary's WikiLeaks emails, erased servers, uranium deals. etc.

Instead we'd be focused on things that really matter to each of us. Medicare, Social Security, healthcare and all the other things more important then both party's badmouthing and name calling each other trying to tear each the other down.

Somehow people seem unable to speak of Bernie as a Independent or Democrat. Instead always insisting that the word "socialist" be used before mentioning either his name or party affiliations. So look what we have instead--two extremely rich well connected politicos to wall street. Assuming people have at least a bit of intelligence to recognize the difference between a "socialist" and a "communist"-- which of the three (Trump, Clinton, Sanders) do you think would have benefited each of us personally the most?

It disappoints me no matter how much Russia tried to influence the election--how artful a bullshitter Trump is or those people who will support Hillary come hell or high water--the American voters were so easily duped. I saw through the obvious the entire time. Why oh why couldn't others?

Last thoughts. People may argue Bernie couldn't have gotten anything done because he didn't have either party's support. Yeah how's that going?

No there won't be tax reform. No there won't be a DACA agreement. No there won't be immigration reform. No not a healthcare package either. A balanced budget--forget about that too. So how much worse could have it been if Bernie would have won? At least we wouldn't be bogged down in these investigations and tearing apart nearly everything past presidents initiated.

Some will insist it couldn't get much worse then it was. Well I'm here to tell ya--yes it can.

Latest Fake News (SATIRE)

Keep in mind none of this may be true but I heard... *** Renovations in the East Room at the Whitehouse could be completed as early as next week for use by FOX News as two new studios for hosting 'Hannity' and 'Fox And Friends'

*** Allentown mayor's attorney is asking the courts to dismiss the 54 counts filed against his client. In return promising his client will testify against the mayor's former campaign manager and his accusers. In addition promising a significant amount of money would be donated towards future campaigns for unnamed federally elected officials.

*** President Trump--after his return from Asia--is planning to host a dinner at the Whitehouse. Guests include Senators Corker, McCain. Jake Tapper (CNN). Rachael Maddow (MSNBC) and Bob Acosta (CNN) and former President Obama. Others guests not yet confirmed include Rosie O'Donnell, John Stewart and late show host Stephen Colbert. The mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulín Cruz is also expected to be in attendance. The menu includes raw fish and cold mushroom soup with side dish of raw unwashed fruits and vegetables from the Whitehouse garden personally picked by the president himself.

*** Rumors are swirling that Hillary years ago once turned down both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin for a date. This same unnamed source claims Obama whooped Donald in several rounds of golf several years ago. Donald and Vladimir each promised there would be no hard feelings but some are left wondering if either ever got over their rejections.

*** A recent survey of Allentown voters shows overwhelming support for write-in candidate Harry Clay Trexler. When shown he has been dead for years they still feel he'd do a better job running the city.

*** Current odds among professional betters the Cedar Pool will make it through the winter and be ready to open on time next year are 3 to 1 against it without some additional work.

*** Local taxpayers are thrilled millions of local and state dollars are being used to build a fish tank in Easton. Others would prefer tax dollars be used for further expansion of the NIZ projects in Allentown. However overall consensuses is the dollars would be better spent for more bike trails rather then infrastructure repairs such as bridges and updating underground utility pipelines No matter what other choices were offered deficit reduction came in at the bottom of the taxpayer survey.

*** There was a bill introduced into congressional committee the Whitehouse should be renamed and painted either red or blue depending which of either party won the election as a way of reminding people which was in charge. No word yet if a 3rd party should ever win. Some suggested in that case painting it both red and blue (all inclusive). Still other insists it should remain white. Kinda like it always was throughout history.

Today's Workers Not Keeping Up With The Dead

We've been taught if we work really hard we all can become wealthy. Anyone who ain't--mustn't be working hard enough. Take for example... AP: FORBES: MICHAEL JACKSON TOP EARNING DEAD CELEBRITY WITH $75M--Two other singers join Jackson in the top five. Elvis Presley comes in fourth with $35 million and Bob Marley ranks fifth with $23 million.Who knows--after tax reform they may even do better next year.

Now that right there must have been some really busy bees last year. What an inspiration for the rest of us still around to try and work harder.

Whoever said the taxman couldn't still collect after you're dead hasn't been paying attention.

Halloween Cover Song Video

Thriller- Michael Jackson (1930s Jazz Cover) ft. Wayne Brady


The 'Postmodern Jukebox Band' itself is scheduled to appear at the 'Santander Performing Arts Center' in Reading, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 7:30 PM.

Regular tickets are $32.50-$49.50. The highest are $105-$135 for front row seating.

This is not a paid advertisement

Immigrants Taking Jobs A Good Thing

February 2017

Anyone who is concerned about losing businesses to Mexico need to think twice. Either these workers will pick crops here or in Mexico if our farms go out of business. Same goes with the meat and dairy farms. Which do you think will end up being cheaper? Which do you think would make us less dependent? The answers should be obvious.

Marketing Our National Parks

Looking to make a couple more buck$ off our national parks the NPS announced plans to over double admittance fees during peak seasons--and that ain't all.

According to the online National Park Service Fact Sheet they are soliciting public comments from 10/24/2017 to 11/23/2017. Although I'm not sure how much weight it will carry in their decision.

The site links to THIS PDF FACT SHEET which says at 17 parks--during peak-season, the entrance fee will be $70 per private, non-commercial vehicle, $50 per motorcycle, and $30 per person. The $80 annual pass that permits entrance into all federal parks would keep the same price tag.

So let's say mom and pop bring their 2 kids 16 years or older by car into the park. That means it will cost them $190 just to get in the place during peak seasons. That may not be the whole story. Different parks may have guided excursions or special programs which would not be included.

Then There's This Press Release
Secretary Zinke Announces Largest Oil & Gas Lease Sale in U.S. History
March 2018 sale to offer 76.9 million acres in Gulf of Mexico .Date: October 23, 2017

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today announced that the Department is proposing the largest oil and gas lease sale ever held in the United States --76,967,935 acres in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The proposed region-wide lease sale, offering an area about the size of New Mexico, is scheduled for March 2018 and includes all available unleased areas on the Gulf’s Outer Continental Shelf, surpassing last year’s region-wide lease sale by about one million acres.I only posted part of it above. Point is the fee increases alone are expected to bring in between $199.99M-$268.5 million annually-- an increase of 34.3% over fiscal Year 2016. That's a pretty steep increase in one shot. Throw in $100's of millions more from the oil and gas leases we're looking at a serious chunk of change.

Think about this. 87% of the state of Nevada is federally owned public land. In September 2017 lawsuits were filed to prevent further drilling permits issued for them. This means Nevada has little say. It's like relegating Nevada to being only a 13th of a whole state. Not saying Clive Bundy was right to graze his cattle on public land, but that kind of narrowed down his and other ranchers options didn't it? So now what--is the land just sitting their getting weeded up? Shouldn't Nevada have a greater say in what it's state's lands should be used for?


April 2017

Donald, Nevada doesn't get to "control" nor
any other state where federal lands or
coastal waters are located and allowed to drill
by the federal government.

The Point Is
I'm not thrilled with this latest announcement of drilling over 150 million acres of what is supposed to be pristine waters set aside. This defeats the very purpose why they were first created. These were never intended to become cash cows for neither the government nor fossil fuel industry.

Something Really Suspect Going On In Puerto Rico

Washington Post
Small Montana firm lands Puerto Rico’s biggest contract to get the power back on

"For the sprawling effort to restore Puerto Rico’s crippled electrical grid, the territory’s state-owned utility has turned to a two-year-old company from Montana that had just two full-time employees on the day Hurricane Maria made landfall...

Whitefish said Monday that it has 280 workers in the territory, using linemen from across the country, most of them as subcontractors...

The hourly rate was set at $330 for a site supervisor, and at $227.88 for a “journeyman lineman.” The cost for subcontractors, which make up the bulk of Whitefish’s workforce, is $462 per hour for a supervisor and $319.04 for a lineman. Whitefish also charges nightly accommodation fees of $332 per worker and almost $80 per day for food."
Paid over $227-$462 an hour--THAT'S PLAIN NUTS !!!

If I had the ultimate power (or if congress were so inclined) I'd tell the "state owned" already bankrupt utility to go stuff it. They're the reason Puerto Rico's electric grid was such a mess even before the storm. Instead I'd set up a temporary federal commission headed up by proven successful engineers from electric companies here on the mainland. After work was completed sell it (or pieces of it) off to each of the highest bidders within that group. While I was at it put a cap on how much they could pay per hour.

Here in the states we have many choices for our electric suppliers. Puerto Rico's citizens shouldn't be under the thumb of any one monopoly. Now would be the perfect opportunity since it's starting all over from the ground up.

Either this or inquire whether existing power producers would be interested in expanding there in whole or part of the areas.

Anybody but the current Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA)PREPA has a $9 billion debt load and filed for bankruptcy earlier this year (2017). Hell if they couldn't run it even in good weather imagine how this is going to turn out. Course when your paying each worker over $1,800-$3,000+ a day with another $400+ for meals and lodging I have a pretty good hunch. Somebody's going to get screwed. Gee I wonder who?

Published on Oct 24, 2017

EPA Cancels Climate Change Conference

Slate.com
The EPA Stopped Three Agency Scientists From Talking About Climate Change

"EPA officials have not explained why the three agency scientists were pulled from the conference, but the move has raised alarm among those who believe the agency is silencing scientists conducting climate change research.... The EPA said in a statement that the EPA scientists are still attending the conference: “They simply are not presenting; it is not an EPA conference.”

Could this be the reason?

Huffpost
As CO2 Emissions Flatten, More Powerful Greenhouse Gases Flood The Atmosphere

"Methane molecules trap roughly 30 times more heat than carbon dioxide over a century, and the gas comes from agriculture, coal and gas production, and landfills. Nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, trap about 300 times more heat than carbon dioxide; it’s emitted by soil fertilizers and chemical production....

The U.S. could be responsible for up to 60 percent of the global spike in human-caused atmospheric methane emissions since 2002, a Harvard University study found last year. The researchers said there was too little data to identify specific sources, but the increase tracked the boom in shale oil and gas production across the country, which leaks large amounts of methane from wells and pipelines."

Yeah let's not talk about this. Maybe it'll go away if we ignore it.

The 'Sea Shepherd' Is Not A Pirate Ship

Far too many people--including myself--misunderstood what the "Sea Shepard" mission is. Most of us have only seen them interfering with fishing vessels on TV. Myself included assumed they were a rogue bunch of extreme environmentalists attacking fishing ships purely for their own beliefs. This is not the case.

Rather think of them as cops upholding international laws that nations across the world ignore. Though many nations made such agreements they are failing to live up to their promises to enforce them. That's where the "Sea Shepard" comes in. Under the U.N. World Charter for Nature, it isn’t up to one country or entity to protect our seas, it’s everyone’s responsibility. That’s where Sea Shepherd comes in. This diverse crew of volunteers from around the world literally put their lives on the line to enforce international conservation law against the illegal fishing industry.

According to their website--'Sea Shepard Global--Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 by Paul Watson, one of the original members of Greenpeace. Since its grassroots beginnings it has grown into an unstoppable global movement with independent groups established in over 20 countries.

Sea creatures have enough problems--global ocean warming--garbage patches--oil spills. Because of these threats over fishing should be recognized as one more. Not only migratory wildlife but we as well will be impacted if our oceans become lifeless. 100,000's are employed in the industry (including those on fishing ships). Some island nations peoples entire lives depend on fishing for their subsistence.

It's a damn shame nations fail to enforce themselves. If they did (including the United States) there would be no need to depend on the crew of "Sea Shepard" to risk their lives for what nations are failing to do on their own. For that that the "Sea Shepard" organization needs to be commended..

One More Thing
It's all nice and touchy feely for the U.N. and it's members to agree to such laws--but without appropriating money or enforcement of such agreements they might as well have opened an umbrella on a sunny day or tossed a cup of water into the air thinking somehow that'll make it rain.

Racism Is Very Real

In the previous post to this I featured Harry Belafonte who fought his whole life against racism. Many would have you believe it's fiction--the work of leftists playing the race card. I'm here to tell you it's not the case. Over the last year or two racism has become more pronounced. Blame it on politicians or what you will--the fact is racism has had a resurgence.

I offer the following examples.

10/20/2017- Coatesville [Pa.] Students Leave School to Protest Racist Pumpkin Carvings

10/21/2017-- Police: 3 men made Nazi salutes, shot at protesters after Richard Spencer eventCNN


10/21/2017-- Virginia police investigating video that shows middle schoolers simulating sex, shouting racist remarks

10/19/2017-- Racist patients often leave doctors at a loss.
Dorothy R. Novick is a pediatrician in Philadelphia. “I don’t want some spic doctor, I want the other lady!” The patient was 6 years old. He leaned back on the chest of his father, who nodded silently and then agreed: “He would feel more comfortable.” My colleague, a physician-in-training who is from Colombia, stepped out and I took over."

African-American cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado were targeted with racial slurs. Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, the school's superintendent, made a powerful speech to the academy with an important message. CBS Evening News
Published on Sep 29, 2017


This didn't help (Sept. 2016)



There was a time when presidents faced racism head on



Point Is...
Racism is very much alive and well and has remerged it's ugly head. It's not some made up BS by the so-called liberals. Now more then ever we need someone with courage having great voice to come forward and speak against it like some of those in the past. Good lord knows we need inspiration now more then ever !

1995



The White House 2010






Change Starts With Each Of Us...


I realize this post was very large--but I thought it deserved all the attention I could give it when it comes to racism and the kind of hatred we're seeing today.

Reduce Your Income If Spending More Then You Make

The New York Post
US Budget Deficit Hits $666BThe US budget deficit grew to $666 billion in the 2017 fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, according to data released Friday, after lawmakers took a step toward enacting $1.5 trillion in tax cuts.

The deficit increased by 13.6 percent, or $80 billion, over the prior fiscal year.

“Growth in spending outpaced growth in tax receipts for the second year in a row as a result of historically subpar economic growth,” the Treasury Department said in releasing the figures.
Three ways this could go.
(1) Federal government ignores our 20T debt and hopes the U.S. Dollar holds value.
(2) The old switcheroo: So-called tax cuts end up not being cuts after all.
(3) The shit rolls down hill theory: Cut funds to states, local governments and social needs programs.

Hell maybe all three...Why not!

Punishment Before Trial

That's what this bill amounts to.


govtrackinsider.com
The Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act would discontinue Social Security and retirement benefits to those with an outstanding arrest warrantIt only applies to those people facing federal or state felony charges subject to at least one year in prison

Labeled H.R. 2792 in the House, it was introduced in June by Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD0).

“I reject proponents’ claims that this bill only targets fugitive felons. In reality, current law terminates benefits for fugitive felons,” Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL7) said on the House floor. “This bill strikes the current restriction against fugitive felons and instead expands the benefit cutoff beyond those who are actually fleeing to encompass everybody who had some unresolved run in with the justice system based on allegation, not conviction.”

The bill passed the House on September 28 by a 244–171 vote. It now goes to the Senate Finance Committee.
There' There's another problem I didn't see mentioned in the article. It could take away a possibility of someone being able to afford an attorney to represent their guilt or innocence at trial. We all know the person who usually wins is the one with the most money. A defendant having little or nor resources is a sitting duck.

Prosecutors are already at an advantage. It's not uncommon for prosecutors to seize assets before a trial if they have good reason. It skews things in their favor making a defendant less able to hire a team of lawyers to fight charges.

Everyone heard the expression about traveling down a slippery slope. In my opinion this a further step in that direction.

Got A Flat? Too Bad About That

New York Daily News
Nearly 30% of new cars don't include spare tires"All told, 28% of 2017 model cars do not come with a spare tire as standard equipment. Instead, some vehicles include tire-inflator kits that can temporarily repair small punctures. But that does little to help a blown-out tire. “Also, tire-inflator kits can cost up to 10 times more than a tire repair and have a shelf life of only four to eight years,” according to AAA."

Come on--what did you expect for $20,000. The good thing is with GPS on-board you can call a garage telling them exactly where you are. Then wait a couple of hours for someone to come out and sell you one. Then on the other hand I'm not too hot on changing a flat on the side of a highway the way people drive these days.

Maybe I watch too many cop shows but I'd think might we be better off driving a couple of miles on the rims. Why not? The tire is shot any way. Beats getting hit.

You'd think with all the new technology around someone could come up with something better then filling a tire with air.

Member For 44 Years Had Trouble Finding Senate Chamber

According to 'Politico' 79 Year Old Mississippi GOP Sen. Thad Cochran appeared frail and at times disoriented during a brief hallway interview on Wednesday... at one point, needed a staffer to remind him where the Senate chamber is located. He started to walk into a first-floor room — though the Senate chamber is on the second floor.

On one amendment, Cochran voted “yes” despite being told by an aide to vote “no.” The staffer tried to get the senator to switch his vote, but Cochran kept flashing the “thumbs up” sign, even walking over to the clerk tallying the vote and doing so. GOP floor staffers repeatedly told him the leadership wanted a "no" vote. Several more moments passed before Cochran realized he was voting the wrong way and then changed his vote.

Unlike the private sector all anyone needs to qualify for government office is get more votes then their opponent. No aptitude/skill tests, physicals, drug test nor a employee probationary period. So if the military rejects you and companies consider you unemployable running for office just might be the ticket.

Such A Thing As Borrowing Your Way Out Of Debt?

Pennsylvania seems to think so.

WFMZ
Pennsylvania House OKs new deficit package"It's built around borrowing $1.5 billion against Pennsylvania's share of the 1998 multistate tobacco settlement and extending the state sales tax to purchases in online marketplaces to raise about $50 million."

Borrow 1.5b-- Well that's one way to balance the budget.
Isn't that one of the leading causes of bankruptcy?

I knew this fella who laughed off the $100,000's he owed saying screw em'-- they can't collect when I'm dead and gone. Problem here is after these legislators are dead and gone those of us still among the living in Pennsylvania will be paying for their financial recklessness.

Hey who knows--maybe some of these legislators once voted out of office may move to some other place where the grass is greener.

Always good to have a backup plan, right?

Fevers Are Good For Your Health

Flu and cold season will soon be here along with accompanying fever. This is when most people start popping temperature reducing over the counter drugs. Unless one's temperature exceeds 104 degrees for a length of time it is exactly the wrong thing to do. While it makes someone more comfortable it slows down recovery. This is also true when someone is taking antibiotics which of themselves cause temperature rise. It's part of how they fight infection.

'The Daily Beast'
The Case for Letting Fevers Run Their Course

"Fever isn’t an illness. It’s the body’s attempt to fight illness. So when we treat fever with antipyretics, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen, we only handcuff an important part of our immune response. Although it might seem counterintuitive, several studies have now shown that antipyretics increase the severity of infections."
Sweat It Out
I figured this out for myself. Several times I went to bed fully clothed under the electric blanket turned up high. Daytime I put on a heavy coat indoors. Most times after a day or two I felt much better, Before I tried massive doses of vitamin C and cold medications to little avail. For me what always worked best is just sweating it out.

A Word Of Caution
Like I mentioned it's not a good idea for an adult to let their temperature rise over 104 degrees for more then a few hours. If it should rise to that level for too long taking medication will help bring it down to safer levels. Somewhere between 100-102 degrees is normal for a fever.






I call this blog "Lehigh Valley Clancularius Introspectives" for a reason. It's because you'll never know what I come up with next. Please follow me via email (right sidebar) or through an RSS feed. Even if it's only one or two items you find of interest to you.
Thanks, LVCI