Rails To Trails We're So Over Them

'Saucon Source' reports-- "The Upper Saucon Township Police Department released on Facebook about a man a female jogger in her mid-20s reportedly encountered while jogging on the trail between Spring Valley Road and the municipal line at around 1:50 p.m. Friday, July 28.... The woman “was nearly struck by an older male operating a bicycle,” police said. “The male proceeded to try to strike up a conversation and convince the female to go with him for a drink."

I posted a few videos about our past bike rides on many trails throughout Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties a few years ago. This was before they became all the rage. Now far too many a-holes know about them. At the time they were safer then just about any other place to ride. Not anymore.

We once rode from Green Lane, Pa. into Philadelphia along the Schuylkill river. Since that time numerous muggings and rapes have been reported in that very same Philadelphia area we once enjoyed. Same goes with other areas near Hellertown, Bethlehem and Easton. Too many jerks have caught on.

I've since removed all those videos because too may knuckleheads made snide comments. What a shame!

Future Of Fossil Fuels And The United States

While Britain is banning new diesel & gasoline powered cars by 2040 and Germany by 2030 and France by 2040 and Norway by 2025 Trump wants to build a whole bunch of new pipelines and expand drilling. And he doesn't like competition. Could this be the real reason why he's announcing new sanctions on Venezuela targeting their oil sector?

Snooze.. You Lose
Folks we're headed in the wrong direction. In a decade or few we'll be so far behind we might as well be promoting coal fired steam locomotives & kerosene lamps. There's no amount of drilling or pipe lines that will move us to economic predominance in the future when it comes to energy production. Even Saudi Arabia is spending $50 billion on solar and wind investments.

Each country is capable of producing their own in some way. Which would pretty much make us SOL if we're planning to base a future economy driven by fossil fuels.

Coal and it's mining is dirty. Fracking is dirty. Drilling is dirty. Pipelines are intrusive, leak and are dirty. Alternative energy on the other hand (electricity) won't pollute our air, land and waterways.

Electricity can be produced in many ways. Solar, wind, biomass (plant/human waste), water turbines, ocean waves and so forth. All which are less damaging to the Earth. This while relegating the need to go to war with one another over oil deposits and who's economies are in ever changing flux because of them.

Remember Rodney Dangerfield?

It's been a tough week in the news so I figured a little humor might help. The thing I liked most about Rodney's jokes they were short.



Many of the old time comedians like Jack Benny, Sid Caesar, Laurel & Hardy, W.C Fields and so many others preformed mostly self deprecating humor. To me this is what made them great. Too many today try to get laughs at someone else's expense.

Forget about situation comedies.
This is what real TV comedy once looked like.

Thoughts On Pawlowski Indictment

I don't wish to discuss either his guilt or innocence. People can believe what they want by reading the entire 60 page indictment posted courtesy of WFMZ. I held off posting on the Allentown mayor's legal troubles because there's a tremendous amount of coverage already out there in newspapers, TV and on the blogs however I do have some thoughts.

This Could Drag On For Years
The mayor absolutely insist he will not step down or withdraw from the upcoming election. Of course not, why would he?

According to the 2017 city budget (page #23) he receives a salary of $95,000 a year. Every week he stays in office is another $1,826 in his pocket. Knowing Allentown voters, they will likely reelect him. That's just how they roll.

After his assumed election victory I'm almost certain he will try to delay his trial as long as possible. For example, if he could drag this out over two years it could mean another $190,000 to him in salary alone. Factor in his continued ability to seek campaign funding (which can be used for his legal defense) means more loot for both he and his lawyer.


Even That May Nor Be The End Of It
Let us not forget about the 'appeal' process. Council couldn't make a move to remove him until his appeals were exhausted. If they tried it could cost Allentown taxpayers a small fortune if the mayor was so determined to fight it. He may not be right to do so or even win, but taxpayers would be on the hook for a team of lawyers to litigate the issue. Not to mention how miserable the mayor could make it for everyone he took displeasure with.


Voters Beware
It could only be the beginning of what might become a lot nastier then what we've seen up to now if he manages to get reelected. If it does or doesn't lies in voters hands this fall. Given the Allentown voters history hang on to your hats. It could a bumpy ride unlike we've ever experienced in Allentown if this plays out as I suggested.

If it does the voters (and non voters) will only have themselves to blame. They can choose either to make this go away or not in a few months. This is not something council nor city government can resolve on their own.

McCain Coming Back For Senate Healthcare Vote

Whoa not so fast Donald. It's Tuesday, July 25, 2017 9:17 am as I type this post. I want to go on record and see if this happens.

I'm thinking Senator John McCain has come back for the sole reason of voting against Obamacare repeal. I may be completely wrong, but if he does... you heard it here first. Wonder what Donald will tweet about the Senator if he does?

UPDATE (07/25/2017 3:15 PM)McCain voted in favor on a motion to proceed to debate, but in his speech after it won approval said he will vote against the bill as it now stands


UPDATE (07/26/2017 4:03 PM)Republican senators including John McCain kill off full repeal of Obamacare


UPDATE (07/28/2017 1:57 AM)The Senate shot down a “skinny repeal” of the Affordable Care Act-- "Three Republicans — Sens. John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins — voted with Democrats on the key amendment, putting the bill to rest after hours of debate."




STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN ON VOTING “NO” ON “SKINNY REPEAL”

Washington, D.C. ­– U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement today on voting “no” on the so-called “skinny repeal” of Obamacare:

“From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people. The so-called ‘skinny repeal’ amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals. While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacare’s most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens. The Speaker's statement that the House would be ‘willing’ to go to conference does not ease my concern that this shell of a bill could be taken up and passed at any time.

“I’ve stated time and time again that one of the major failures of Obamacare was that it was rammed through Congress by Democrats on a strict-party line basis without a single Republican vote. We should not make the mistakes of the past that has led to Obamacare’s collapse, including in my home state of Arizona where premiums are skyrocketing and health care providers are fleeing the marketplace. We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of aisle, heed the recommendations of nation’s governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people. We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve.”

I told you three days ago this would happen!

Home Schooling In The 50's (Humor)

My mother taught me religion
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

My father taught me about time travel.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

My father provided clarification to all my philosophical inquiries.
"Because I said so, that's why ."

My mother explained the importance of maintaining good health.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

My mother taught me how to dress appropriately.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

My father taught me how to be emotionally resilient.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

My mother taught me stamina.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

My mother provided me with an example of hypocrisy.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times, don't exaggerate!"

My father taught me about the circle of life.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

My mother on behavior modification.
"Stop acting like your father!"

My mother taught me about other children worse off.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

My mother helped me understand how stress and anxiety can affect someone.
"Just wait until your father gets home."

My father inspired me to live life to the fullest in the present in much the same way.
"Just wait till we get home!"

My father taught me to stand on my own.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

My mother taught me about genetics.
"You're just like your father."

My mother taught me about wisdom.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand.

My father was so proud of me he once said...
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

Jimmy Sturr Orchestra

Folks who visit here know I tend to post music videos, especially on Sundays. Today I'm featuring one of the most talented orchestras ever... "The Jimmy Sturr Orchestra".


Check out their other 111 videos on YouTube