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Thursday January 31, 2008

[biggest fear about voting is getting trapped in the booth] My mother, who was a real character, got stuck in the booth once. It was on of those old fashioned kinds with a curtain that had to be opened by a large lever in the booth. Ma, not being mechanical, couldn’t figure out a simple lever and ended up crawling under the curtain to freedom and everyone else’s amusement.

[Strategy] Have you noticed that Winn Dixie, who is undergoing a multi million dollar redo, doesn’t have many 2 for 1s or other sales? I think this is to let us know how expensive food is; and then when they have their grand opening all the sales will reappear and we’ll all be so grateful for all the new low prices and the very popular 2 for 1s.

My most favorite icon is the save icon. It has “save” my butt so many times when I’ve been writing the great American novel and my computer screws up and I don’t lose all my work.

I see just now on the internet that John Edwards has announced he is withdrawing from the race. Now we are down to Obama. Clinton, Romney and McCain. Romney and McCain are out of the question for me and Hilary is too much like them on the war, leaving Obama unless someone else runs as third party. You accurately describe Mc Cain as learning absolutely nothing from the Vietnam experience. He is definitely a warmonger–and he believes what he says about that.

Hawkman is an old Alabama amigo. Hawks are his spirit totem. In 1972, he participated in full military dress in Dewey Canyon III, a week-long Vietnam Veterans Against the War demonstration in Washington, D.C.  This was when John Kerry testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This was the first time American vets opposed a war while American troops were still fighting in the war. In 2003, wearing his Vietnam ribbons, Hawkman marched in Washington D.C. with veterans and civilians against the Iraq War, which was one month old. In 2005, he marched in a similar demonstration in Atlanta. He often stood on street corners holding a “Peace” poster. He told me Vietnam Veterans against The War now mentors members of Iraq Veterans Against the Iraq War. He supported John Kerry in his bid for president, which I could not do, because Kerry started talking like he was more of a hawk than President Bush, in an effort to get the hawk votes. Kerry eventually disappointed Hawkman, too. GoodMorningKeyWest.com

The acting county administrator and the county staff clearly demonstrated that they believe in the "just us" system. They only care about themselves and their lucrative salaries and benefits packages. To all of the people who had their jobs eliminated, would you please contact me at golf12@earthlink.net

Chris Dean Blues Band will be performing tonight at Coconuts (MM30 at the light). This is a special performance and the only night Coconuts could book this great blues band.

There are, I think, many of us who would like to know Tina's condition and learn of any progress, but there are too many sources of disinformation here.  People mean well many times, but their sources are not always dependable.  If there is someone out there who is a reader and has true and reliable information I would like to be the first to know.

[Hate] Time is a perishable commodity.  Money cannot buy this or good health.  Energy spent hating and committing petty crimes against people whom you dislike could make you sicker.  Instead of putting forth so much effort into your hate campaigns perhaps you could change your tapes and simply ignore them and try to do productive, positive things in your lives and attempt to have some integrity.  Hate takes a lot of work and a different path could lead you to happiness and peace.

It’s getting easy to see that Americas have had enough of the neo-conservatives. Rudy got trashed and John McCain seems to be the man to beat. He is the most left leaning Republican that still has a chance. Hillary is getting ready to run away with the Democratic Party. I guess the independents, like me, are actually acting like a third viable party. If either person wins, moderates from both parties can celebrate. “Enough of the neo-cons” seems to be the way America is turning. It smells like victory. It’s time to regroup and regain our leadership of the free world.

Bashers of Republicans are a sorry lot, they screech and throw falsehoods like chimps toss crap in a zoo.  If they were to engage in just a little thought before tossing excrement, their message might have a smidgeon more weight.  Yesterday one poster whinnied that the illegals were crossing our borders at a higher rate than at any time in history.  The poster claims knowledge, yet shows us no proof of his claim.  Could his claim be pure political rhetoric?   Now, let’s consider what has happened to staunch the flow of illegals in the last 7 years. 

First, the old “Catch and Release” policy that began in an, ahem, previous administration, has been rescinded.  We’ve seen “Operation Jump Start”, a program whereby the National Guard provides assistance in patrolling the border in Texas, Arizona, California, and New Mexico, 6000 National Guardsmen were assigned.  Border Patrol increased the number of agents from 9,000 to 12,000, with an additional 6,000 requested.  Funding has been increased by 66%.  In excess of 6 million illegals have been apprehended and returned to Mexico. There have been many attempts to build fencing to enlarge on the existing 80 miles of (semi) secure fencing, but all attempts have been rebuffed by Congress.  Most importantly, there is a growing, already substantial body of anecdotal evidence that suggests that the numbers of illegal aliens are on the decline. There are claims that there are labor shortages.  

Let’s face it; Democrats do not want to have a secure southern border.  The Democrat establishment curries favor with the illegal alien populace. They want to spend our security and economy to buy the votes of the illegals, their families, and sympathizers   Please, please, someone challenge me on this, there is so much overwhelming evidence to support that charge that if I were a Democrat, I’d hide my head in shame.

I'm not sure why I did it.  I guess I was just bored.  By it was definitely 30 minutes of my life that I will never get back.  I actually took the time to scan over the internet sites created by our newest gang of three, otherwise known as the three S's (Sal, Sloan, and Sandy).  I am completely dumbfounded at what these people are claiming, some of which just can not possibly be true.  It always upsets me when people think they have it so bad here.  I guess you can't have a community without a few lunatics. 

This is chilling picture of a man with just seconds to live. 

["panic-buy" carrots] These people need a life and a job.

Spanish for your Nanny http://youtube.com/watch?v=5fda4_wo6JI

Pray for guidance and reserve your seat for the heavenly musical “Nunsense” by Dan Gogin.  This is Keys Kids 3^rd production of the season and opens Wednesday Feb. 6^th and runs until Sunday February 10^th at Key West High School (no performances on Saturday).  This comedy is in the skilled hands of Director Mimi McDonald, Musical Director Bruno Casolari and Choreographer Penny Leto.  Tickets can be purchased at Mac Arthur music 294-9329 and start at $10 with a discounted family ticket. For more information contact nora.revelin@keysschools.com or 509-1370. 

Bulletin Board

[lowering the house price also lowers their commission]  Why would any realtor agree to lowering their commission rate at the time of sale because their client will walk away with less profit due to a high mortgage payoff?  Where the justification that a realtor should share the loss? Why would any realtor lessen the high mortgage payoff burden for the seller when the realtor had no ownership interest in the property?  The realtor must be nuts to agree to this arrangement.   When a realtor lists a property with an ownership interest, their are FREC rules that govern what must be disclosed, and, Real Estate office's have their own policy addressing commission rates.   

A commission rate is negotiated prior to listing the property.  The Realtor Commission Rate is crystal clear in the listing agreement and is binding throughout the listing period.  A commission rate reduction must be clearly addressed in the listing agreement; if not the commission rate that is written in the listing agreement is binding.  When a price reduction occurs without a commission rate reduction agreement during the listing period, the commission rate written in the listing agreement prevails. You are confusing rate vs actual dollars.  

Educate yourself, read the FREC handbook (oops, do you even know who FREC is).

Does anyone in the lower Keys have any info on the sport of powered parachuting?  I've flown in the two seat version, and have begun to get an itch to try the backpack version.  I'm wondering if there is a club, or an instructor in the lower keys?  I'd appreciate any info. 

Hillary said she will bring the troops home within 60 days. She never said that! She said it would take till at least 2010.

[Investing and the stock market]  Check out the Motley Fool website  www.fool.com.  Don't let their name throw you, you can get good advice there.

Does your doctor charge any less for a physical where he finds something wrong with you than he does when he finds you are healthy?  Probably not.  Why would your realtor lower his commission when you lower your over-priced house and finally sell it.  Maybe if you weren't so ready the day you listed it you would have sold it months ago and saved a lot of tax, insurance and mortgage money.  Don't be greedy and you might sell it.

[Crispy French fries]  Try soaking them in ice water before frying.  Pat them dry then immediately fry.  I always fry mine at a little lower temperature then most people. 

I just read the sandyforsheriff.com website.  It sounds more like a kid running for class President than a professional running for Sheriff.

[Bush Sr.] You’re right about him raising taxes, but the worst thing he did was barter with the democrats who insisted on raising taxes in concession for things he wanted to pass. Then as soon as he gave them their tax increase, they turned around and said, “Read my lips.”

[Investing] The best book I ever read was "The Wall Street Journal Complete Money and Investing Guidebook” (The Wall Street Journal Guidebooks, Paperback) Available on Amazon for 10 bucks. Whatever you do, don't pay attention to anything regarding investing on this site.

Finally a clear, researched and accurate definition of the Federal Reserve. Be gone all you of the paranoid mindset. (I heard that JFK recently called about an RV space at Lucky's Landing.)

[Amendment 1 passed] This is not a good thing. In years to come, as less money comes into the county coffers, and that $246 saved is a faint memory, people are going to look around ask how did it get this bad? Now my landlord can claim homestead exemption on his rental properties, so his tax liability will not increase this year. Guess what, my rent is still going up $75 more a month.

Do you like real Pińa Caldas?  Then you have to make them at home.  They help hot flashes!  In a blender add a bunch of ice, two shots of Bacardi rum, four ounces of Coco Lopez, four ounces of pineapple juice then blend, pour in to a pretty glass and garnish with a pineapple slice and a big straw.  A float of Meyers rum is optional and much fun if you're not driving.  If you want your favorite bar to make this, you may have to bring your own can of Coco Lopez as they serve a generic mix that sits in a tub for days and tastes awful. 

If you woke up today free to choose what you will have for breakfast, and where to eat it. If you spent most of the day working where you choose to work, doing what you wanted to do for your wages, or choosing to go work elsewhere. If you live in the Keys, or in New Jersey because you can. Be sure to thank our treasure of veterans, for without them you would not have those choices.

[Q-tips] There were none to be found. I was told they would be on the next truck. W/D is good at brain teasers; Q-tips are on the aisle with the band aids.  Otherwise W/D is looking good.

[The realtor lost $3,000] Here's the really sad part. The realtor didn't lose anything because it's not their investment. They just make a little less. Convincing you to lower your sale price helps them complete the sale and make a commission before your contract expires and someone else gets a crack at it. They win if they sell it, regardless of price. I agree with the homeowners. They’re the one who takes the big hit. Ouch is right!

I hope someone at Winn Dixie can explain why they are taking up so much room for wine.

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Has anyone heard of any of these stories?

Spooky Ghost Tales from Big Pine Key, Florida. This island appears like any other place in the States, but this town has scary mysteries concealed in the dark. Night is living-dead-time here. People who have never spent the night in this town will say to you it's lies, but seeing is believing and if you spend the night here in Big Pine Key, you may perhaps catch a glimpse of a phantom. These are some of the spooky things that have happened here recently.

The phantom of a man sporting a sheriff outfit has, every now and then, been seen striding through a Big Pine Key vicinity churchyard. One thing's for certain, this ghost undeniably is scary; one that should be avoided.

The phantom of an old guy with a huge white beard is, from time to time, spotted looking down by the water at Coupon Bight.

A lady with a sword sticking out of her head is rumored to have been witnessed on several instances pulling a cadaver across the dirt in Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve at midnight.

A medieval armor lacking a human inside can now and then be noticed pondering next to the water's edge at Long Beach. One of the local residents confidently says that this ghost enjoys startling unwise folks who come searching for ghosts in Big Pine Key.

The ghost of a female with a plastic bag strapped around her head has repeatedly been distinguished by The Grasses shuffling orbs around.

A big bloodcurdling spirit has been observed on a handful of instances appearing terrifying beside a deserted road near Big Pine Key around midnight. A number of the people here say this ghost may be the soul of a local resident who passed on here in Big Pine Key some decades ago.

The ghost of a tied up man may be distinguished repeatedly gazing irritably at the watcher in Friend Key Bank very late at night.

The phantom of a street bum is, every now and then, perceived standing by a wild road in the vicinity of Big Pine Key. In any case, this is a bad phantom that you’d rather not upset.

The ghost of a young lady covered in blood has allegedly been witnessed on a few instances flinging stones by Bahia Honda State Park. It has been said that this exact ghost is possibly the struggling ghost of a person who used to have a house here in Big Pine Key. Whatever people express, it unquestionably is a scary ghost that you wouldn't wish to bump into in the early morning hours before sunrise.

The ghost of an elderly hag can every so often be witnessed being carried by a bicycle on a dark road in the vicinity of Big Pine Key. One thing is for sure, this is an unsympathetic phantom that you shouldn't go looking for.

My God, you can really recreate history to meet your needs.  Bush Sr. did say "read my lips, no new taxes".  He said that while running for the presidency.  After he was elected, he reluctantly agreed, in an attempt to deal with a democratic congress, to raise taxes. You guys have packed that comment up his butt ever since. What it really proves to me is never trust a democrat.

[Federal Reserve] I thought that was a well laid out post. Getting to the basics of it without going thru pages and pages, made it concise and to the point. I don't know where the fellow is coming from that was asking the questions, so I won't attempt to go there. As to conspiracy theories, I think many people when they are young and  naive, morph into these ideas, but as we  get older and mature, most of us tend to cast off these childish views of the world and begin to recognize it as it really is.

Benedict Arnold set the standard for treason in America by consorting, plotting and scheming with and lending comfort to England. Rather than face the music, the hangman’s rope, he snuck out of America on a British naval vessel and moved to London.

It is not disputed by serious military historians that Franklin D. Roosevelt knew the Japanese fleet was headed toward Pearl Harbor and purposely delayed having that news sent to the U.S. Naval Base there because he wanted America to enter World War II and he correctly figured a sneak attack on Pearl bring that off. In substance, FDR, plain and simple, consorted, plotted, schemed and lent comfort to the enemy. In fact, he betrayed his own troops and country. Treason. He should have been hanged.

George W. Bush took America to war in Iraq over fabricated evidence furnished not by American intelligence agencies but by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Intelligence of weapons of mass destruction America’s own intelligence agencies could not and would not confirm. Intelligence America’s own intelligence agencies doubted was accurate. All of which President Bush knew and went to war in Iraq anyway. Treason. He deserved to be hanged. He still deserves to be hanged. And his Vice President and Secretary of Defense. Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld. Hanged.
 
Amazingly, most Republicans still attempt to defend what they clearly know was and is treason. Even more amazingly, quite a few Democrats, including Hillary Clinton, still defend President Bush as well. So the question must be asked: What does it take for an American president to be tired and convicted of and hanged for treason? Would he be tried and convicted and hanged if he admitted on national television that it doesn’t matter that he went to war in Iraq over fabricated evidence because it was in America’s best interest? No, he would not be tried and convicted and hanged if he did that, because he already did it and he’s still alive.

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Thursday January 31, 2008

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Tuesday January 29, 2008

Vote today!  Polls open 7am - 7pm. 

You have to realize that even if you recently had an aerobic system installed, it will have to replaced or "upgraded" to meet the latest standards if sewers are not installed. I know this may shock some of you, but some of our county departments seem to be influenced by the companies that install these systems. The buzzwords they will use are "best practices."

[Yes on 1] The folks who earn their living off our taxes are the ones opposing Amendment One because they think it will impact their jobs. You will hear them talk about services being cut and people dying because of fewer police and firemen. These are the standard scare tactics used when tax reduction is mentioned. Here is the question I have: During the long period when real estate prices were going out of sight, and the tax revenues increased proportionately, what the hell did they do with all that windfall money? And why can't they live with a reduction? The bottom line is that the government will take and spend as much as you let them have.

[Animal shelter budget cuts] All three contractors for the animal shelters in the Keys had to cut $17,000 from their 2008 budgets.  We need to amend the budget, so that each shelter takes a certain percentage cut across the board.  Since the Key West Shelter (FKSPCA) gets the most money ($365,000), their budget should be cut $21,206.50.  SUFA (operating two shelters, Big Pine Key and Marathon) gets the least money, their budget should be cut by $14,408.80.  Key Largo (HACC) getting the second largest amount of money should take a $15,396.50 budget cut.   Let's not reward the highest bidder; they need to shoulder a proportionate share of the budget cutting.

[Toot-tone] An invention whose time has come. Video

You are misinformed about the additional homestead exemption.  Those who are homesteaded will continue to receive the 3% Save Our Homes cap on their taxes.  Those non-homesteaded people will receive the 10% cap.

How to tell if a Catholic is driving too fast.

[Relatively very few stocks traded on Wall Street pay dividends] Thank you Captain Obvious. The original "rant" was about the DJIA not all the stocks offered for sale.  The DJIA stocks do pay dividends.  For more information go here http://money.cnn.com/data/dow30/

If you want to gamble, go to a casino or buy a penny stock.  If you want to invest, do some research, buy quality and hold the stock for the long term.

I live near Paradise Petroleum and I have heard that low rumbling kind of noise too, for at least 2 years.  I have wondered what it is too.

[Animal shelters and the population they serve] The only real difference is in salaries. Key West salaries run around $275,000, nearly double that of anyone else. Their animal expenses are pretty much the same as the other shelters. So, how does population fit in?

[Federal Reserve] It is not Federal and has no Reserves. It is as federal as The Federal Tire Company. The US dollar used to be backed by the gold and silver in Fort Knox. Now it is backed by a bunch of greedy bankers who print it and lend it to the Government at rates that can never be paid back. They profit from every war this world has seen. The fleecing of America and anyone who thinks otherwise must be living under a rock. Our Founding Fathers knew the dangers of letting the federal reserve control America's money. Look what happened to Kennedy when he tried to stop the Federal Reserve!

To the person who posted doubting any of this, I’m sure you will be first in line to get your National Government ID Card so they can track your every movement, but that is sure to prevent the so called terrorist threats I’m sure you’re so scared of. This is the problem with America nowadays, too many sheeeple. Wake up people! Also isn’t it strange that Americans are 75% against the war in Iraq, but the 2 front runners are both pro war? There’s lots of money to be made in Iraq and Iran. For who? You guessed it, the Federal Reserve.

Two words on a Yankee Super Bowl: Who cares!

I went to the library to get a book on dyslexia. The librarian said there wasn't one. I said, “That’s okay, I couldn’t read it anyway.”

It is your policy to print the email address of anyone who attacks an individual personally on your pages.  I got to thinking that there are so many people that I would love to tell off, a bar manager; a restaurant owner, a local musician and a couple “everyday” people. I figure just publish my email address and let them guess who I am!  Submission Guide

Does anyone believe that Commissioner Spehar will own up and take the blame for her part of the County’s spending spree along with the other members of the "Gang of Three"?  She voted yes on Sinking of the Vandenberg, she voted yes on purchasing the Hickory House Restaurant (which the county still has not sold).  That amounts to $5.2 Million.  Employees of Monroe County, do you think you would be worried to death about keeping your job now, had Spehar voted no just on these two items?

In case anyone missed it, in Sunday's Citizen, Dixie Spehar is blaming all of the County's financial problems on the State's mandated cut in property taxes. It's never her fault.

Woman reunited with ring lost 67 years ago - Telegraph

I love when republicans like the Bush supporter yesterday whined about people seeing "evil behind every tree" yet they won’t mention that it was the republicans that "saw evil and WMDs in Iraq" when they didn’t exist. I guess to be a Republican you have to revise history to survive. I guess when they see evil it’s different.

[Key West Animal Shelter kills healthy animals]  Furthermore, if you look at their tax return (form 990/2006 latest I found), you'll see that they don't have any cremation fees, only “waste” fees.  If they euthanize by drugs, they cannot dispose of the bodies in trash, so what are they doing--freezing them? 

[Budget cuts]  According to Debbie Frederick, Acting County Administrator, each division in county government was requested to cut expenses by 19.5%.  So my question is, why doesn't the County Administrator, and the 6 county department heads, take a 19.5% cut in their salaries?  They sit back, fat and happy, and rich, and slash away at everyone else's jobs but not their own.  I say, get rid of the bums!

Doctors are calling for NHS treatment to be withheld from patients who are too old or who lead unhealthy lives. Smokers, heavy drinkers, the obese and the elderly should be barred from receiving some operations, according to doctors, with most saying the health service cannot afford to provide free care to everyone.

Pakistan - land of opportunity and cheap hard hats.

[Those of us who buy things, anything, pay taxes, not the rich] In reality this is not quite true. The rich who own any business, in fact anyone who owns any business should never pay any tax if they run that business correctly! Any capital in a business should be invested in that business and not left dormant. Buying supplies, maintenance, payroll, enlarging, etc are deductions. Any business must “zero” out at the end of the year or it is not run right. Only the employees do not have this advantage.

Do I have a dumb phone if the new cell phones are smart?

[Realtor tells you to lower the price of the house so it will sell but doesn't lower the commission]  Yes they do lower the commission.  It is 6% of the sale price.  If the price is lowered they get 6% of the lowered price.  If the house is over priced the seller or the realtor gets 0% because it won't sell.

[Wine and the economy]  This Big Pine booster has got to question the judgment and taste of anyone who thinks that Ft. Lauderdale, even with its “expansive wine market”, is “a city where taste for the finer things in life are quite obvious.”  WOW!  I must assume that this poster identifies fine wines and brie as being bedrock “finer things in life”.  I was born in Ft. Laud and spent the first 65 years of my life there.  Trust me, neither Ft Lauderdale nor its life style is worthy of emulation.

The very low-pitched humming sound you hear at night may be coming from the "poop plant", (sewer treatment unit)  over in Breezy Pines trailer park. I used to live there, and it makes a noise like that and turns on at intervals as you say.  It's directly across the road from Paradise Petroleum, and the sound carries at night.

All 3 democrat candidates will raise your taxes. Here’s the attribution.

John Edwards: 2/4/7 "Yes, we'll have to raise taxes," the former one-term senator from North Carolina and 2004 vice-presidential candidate said during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" yesterday”. 

Hillary Clinton: "I want to restore the tax rates that we had in the '90s," said the New York Democrat and former first lady” 12/13/07, Myrtle Beach S.C.

Barak Obama: Democrat Barack Obama said Sunday, 11/11/07, (on Meet the Press) that if elected he will push to increase the amount of income that currently is taxed to provide monthly Social Security benefits.”

There are plenty more to list but, c’mon folks; everybody is absolutely certain that if a Dem candidate is elected your taxes will get higher than Ross, the Intern’s, giggle.  Not just the “rich bastards”, but you and me.  Our poster pal fails to see the obvious, he acknowledges that the tax rebate proposal is sound fiscal policy, yet he endorses higher taxes.  That's a head scratcher.  Our poster pal says “Don’t get worked up into a tizzy”, he suggests that whoever gets elected will not materially change our world.  Horse shit!  If a democrat President is elected, take off your pink glasses, lick the brie from your fingers, put down your crystal stem ware, and get ready for nitty-gritty change. 

First: confiscatory higher taxes throughout the income spectrum. You probably won't be able to afford Chateau LaFleur Petrus any longer.  Second: Socialized medicine.  Third:  Because of continued inaction on Social Security reform, SS will collapse.  Fourth:  Lack of tort reform and increased governmental intervention will lead to even higher taxes to pay for stratospheric true health care costs.  Fifth:  Lack of American resolve and action will further empower Muslim fundamentalism.  Pakistan, and probably, Afghanistan will revert to Taliban rule.  European governments will falter into Muslim caused chaos.  Sixth:  Lack of resolve and action to secure our borders will create increasing disharmony in the American workplace as American citizens lose jobs to illegals, and the attendant costs further raise taxes.  Seventh:  Ah, that’s enough for now, but you get the picture!  No, my friends, I don’t believe that the sky is falling, we will endure.  Nonetheless, all of the foregoing are probable consequences of a Democrat President operating in conjunction with a Democrat controlled Congress.  That sad prospect rates a tizzy.

[County Attorney Suzanne Hutton requested the BOCC ask Rep. Saunders to put in the legislation that a “Plan for Dissolution” be furnished. This request fell on deft ears]  Deft (adjective) 1. quick and skillful; 2. clever.  Truer words were never written. Although I'm sure that's not what the poster intended to say. Ron Saunders's ears really are deft, consummate politician that he is.

The Kennedy’s have endorsed Barack Obama. Ted Kennedy said he is convinced that Obama will get universal healthcare for all. That’s something Ted has been working for most of his career.

New Arkansas state quarter.

My wife told me she wanted a divorce because she'd lost the tingle. I don't know what a tingle is, but it's equivalent to one house.

Only three more days to support Florida Keys Wildlife Rescue in their work to help wildlife of the Keys.  We can't win the contest, but your contribution will nevertheless help us help them.  Go to https://www.networkforgood.org/pca/MyPcas.aspx to donate.  Our wildlife thanks you.

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[French vintages which cannot be found in the keys]  The same wine distributors that are found in Ft Lauderdale also service the Keys. You can pretty much get everything found up there from them.  The exception would be if the store up there bought vintages and stored them and they are currently sold out through the distributor. 

Northern lights over Yellowknife Park and living in teepees at 37 below zero.

Is it true that people that get really big dogs do so because of some male, physical inadequacy?    Is it possible for a twenty year old to know everything? I am fifty something and I don't know everything. I must have missed a phase of my life.  I used to care but I have to admit, I cannot waste my time on morons anymore. Just stay the hell away from me and wander through the rest of your life and learn the hard way, just like the rest of us did.

Crane Point’s monthly Evening with the Stars program will be held Thursday, January 31th at 7:15 p.m. All attendees will meet at the main museum entrance and can either take a trolley ride to the observation point or walk with a guide. Evening with the Stars is facilitated by Dr. David Heeschen who holds a PhD in Astronomy from Harvard University.

Depending on the time of year observations may include double stars, galaxies, moon, planets and more. In case of overcast skies, Crane Point will place a notice on the Web site, www.cranepoint.net by 6 p.m. on the day of observation. Please call the office number below if you are concerned about the weather conditions for viewing.

Crane Point is located at MM 50, bayside across from the Kmart plaza. Please call (305) 743-3900 for more information. Price is $5 for nonmembers and free for members of Crane Point. Bulletin Board

[The term euthanasia] If the animal shelter was trying to hide the fact that they kill animals, why would they use a term that means the act of putting to death, painlessly, a person or animal suffering from an incurable disease or condition? If they were really trying to hide this wouldn't they use a word that doesn't mean death? What we can assume from your posting is that you do not know the meaning of the word and it confused you. The rest of the country that managed to pass a third grade level of English are quite aware what the shelter means.

[Anthrax scare] Who is this Chaney you are referring to?

Boy, is this cool! The screen saver shark (or any critter on the left you select) follows your mouse over any seascape (selected from the right) you like. http://www.sharkbreak.com/  

The worst part of the state of the union speech last night was having to watch that fat-assed Chicken Hawk Cheney sitting on his throne above the Congress while Bush droned on about nothing.  It's no wonder no republican candidate has sought their endorsement in the upcoming election.  Can you envision this?  “Mr. President, I do not seek, nor will I accept your endorsement for the office of president of the United States.”  These guys would be the kiss of death to any aspiring presidential candidate. 

[Where there's smoke there's fire] You are so right. With the new (fuse) running for Sheriff and Spehar (the match). Now that's a nuclear bomb.

After doing the math we've wondered for several years how any new business could make a go of it in the Keys.  The established businesses that had their property paid for before the speculation boom started could keep up because their overhead was low enough.  But how could anyone pay over a million dollars for a small business property  and then get any kind of return out of bar patrons and beachcombers?  A few we knew had "something going on the side", (use your imagination) that allowed them to stay afloat awhile, but the deck is stacked from the beginning.  "Do you know now how to leave the Keys with a small fortune? Arrive there with a big one." is really true.  Hopefully this recession and housing bust will end up making things a bit easier for new business people later on. Only time will tell.

Windows Vista modifications and how-toos! I suggest keeping this link for reference even if you don't own Vista because--you will!  http://www.howtogeek.com/tag/windows-vista/

Marine Mammal Conservancy, a non-profit all volunteer organization that rescues stranded and injured dolphins and whales in the Florida Keys, is having a fund-raising yard sale February 9 at 7:00 am at MM102 (behind the Bellsouth tower). If anyone is interested in donating items, please contact me at 305-304-5530 or email me at islandmermaid1@bellsouth.net for pickup or drop off instructions.  Classified Ads > Yard Sales

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Tuesday January 29, 2008

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Monday January 28, 2008

When the anthrax scare hit Washington, Chaney wanted all Americans vaccinated, but after health officials convinced him how many how many people would die and how many debilitating infirmities inoculation would cause he reduced his demand to 500,000 military and healthcare workers. By the time the vaccine was ready the anthrax threat had passed. Note: Chaney refused to have him or his family vaccinated.

[Amendment 1] What happens if we all get homestead exemptions like I think this amendment proposes? What’s the point of the exemption if it’s not really an exemption and actually a giant tax reduction for all home owners? Can the State afford to give every Floridian this reduction of taxes? Who will make up the difference? Will it be the poorer among us? There are so many questions I have about this amendment, but I can’t find an unbiased answer.

The free Health Fair is worth the price and little more. It is run by young, unlicensed students and your diagnosis is hit or miss. We went two years ago and it took five hours to get processed. My wife was told that her heart was a problem so she had to pay for a whole battery of tests with a real heart specialist in KW which costs her a small fortune. The results were negative. The doctor said she was misdiagnosed at the Fair. I was told my blood pressure was too high so I paid another KW doctor to tell me that it was fine. All, in all, it was not worth the time and trouble unless you don’t have any means to get regular professional care. You get what you pay for. You do indirectly pay for socialized medicine and that's fine with me.

Just a thought on how things have changed on Big Pine Key. The Sharecropper has done well over many years; The Glass Tiki burnt down and has never been replaced. It seems there is not enough business. The Baltimore Oyster House has been closed from a long time and looks like it has gone to seed. It has not been replaced, not enough business. Judd’s has had many owners and remains closed. The owner knows there is not enough business to warrant the investment in such an Iffy deal.

Then there's the old Dive-shop/laundry/Gangplank; it has remained closed and had more owners and or renters than I can remember. I must say that Walgreens and Publix's and the new Subway and Quiznos along with Winn Dixie's new drugstore should finish off the Mom & Pop stores for good.

This is not a very good report. Big Business and Government are the ones that seem to do best. As I recall Fish and Wildlife just had Jack Watson. That was it! I would like to know if any one has a real number or percentage of folks that are employed by state, local and Federal Government.

Well, enough of my dribble. Enjoy your day, it’s the only one you have.

The Seventh Annual No Name Race, 5K Run/Walk from the Old Wooden Bridge Fishing Camp on Big Pine Key takes place Saturday morning, Feb. 23. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the nonprofit Monroe County Domestic Abuse Shelter, which serves clients from Key West to Key Largo. It is one of the most needed services in Monroe County, as domestic and emotional violence know no bounds -- gender, ethnic, economic or otherwise. Please support your local shelter of last resort.

To get a race brochure or registration form, go to www.domesticabuseshelter.org and click on Happenings.

According to Commissioner Dixie Spehar, Jerry Coleman is no longer going to be working for the County as a hired outside attorney for the Workforce Housing Task Force. Do we believe this?  Commissioner Dixie Spehar, where was your vote to can him back in February 07, when Commissioner Murphy tried to get rid of him and save taxpayers money?  Are you trying to now make amends for your re-election?  Voters will remember come election time on which side of the fence you were sitting.

Commissioner Spehar, talk to the employees who may lose their jobs, talk to the children who will lose a day at the library, talk to the people who depend on bus service to get to Doctor’s appointments, talk to the elderly who depend on Community services, they are voters too. Trying to blame the state for the cuts is not putting the blame where the blame belongs for our financial woes. The blame squarely belongs on former County Administrator, Tom Willi, and hearing him say countless times at BOCC meetings that he "can only do what 3 Commissioners allow me to do", spending money like water pouring out of a boot.   

Commissioner Spehar, you’re a day late and a dollar short.

How times have changed] Have you noticed that many new car commercials are focusing on what hi tech electronic devices their vehicles have instead of how good the vehicle is? Mp3 players, GPS, handless cell phones, rear view backup cameras, etc.

The level of paranoia is astounding around here.  This whole hacking issue is very comical to me because if this was an actual hacking, it was the most ineffective and innocent hacking I've ever seen.  And as for you Mrs. Downs, you can threaten lawsuits all you want. You do not scare me. I am a person who tells it like it is and does not fall for BS.

I'm sure some people are ignorant enough to fall for your lame excuses of how your family is so innocent, but I'm able to do the math.  And much of what you say does not calculate.  You see, I too know the law.  And I guarantee that I know it much better than you.

Perhaps you should read up on the First Amendment a little.  And as for slander, it's only slander if there's no truth in it.  You and I both know you are a liar. ~govwatch2007@yahoo.com

The Freaking Brothers. Look ma, no hands! Video

[Plan for dissolution of the Village of Islamorada, by Robert Page] At the Monroe BOCC meeting on January 25, 2008, the commissioners were spending the day, discussing the budget crisis, and how to cut back expenses to solve the shortfall in revenue.  Representative Ron Saunders put on the agenda, the issue of Unincorporation of the Village of Islamorada and City of Marathon. Rep. Saunders wanted to hear from the elected officials, that they could absorb the two municipalities, if the taxpayers voted to abolish the local governments.  All five elected officials said that was up to the voters to resolve that issue and if it happened, they would deal with the issue then.  After the vote to stay mum on the issue, county attorney Suzanne Hutton requested the BOCC ask Rep. Saunders to put in the legislation that a “Plan for Dissolution” be furnished.  This request fell on deft ears.  This was a most important issue and not something to be left for a last minute plan to be developed.  This plan for Dissolution is something the county should be responsible for and not the Legislature or the Village which is the target of Unincorporation. 

This “Plan for Dissolution” is not something that one would ask a company to plan for their demise.  As someone that has been deeply involved in the deactivation of several governmental units, and knows the importance of advance planning with experienced and competent personnel and not a last minute, throw something together, resulting in another financial disaster and embarrassment, that is currently facing BOCC.  I will be working on a long range plan, to drawdown the Village of Islamorada, during the fiscal year October 1, 2008 ending with the gradual but coordinated complete turnover of all municipal functions to Monroe County by September 30, 2009.

The timetable should follow this schedule.
A - Legislature meets March/April 2008 and enacts special act to require referendum  at next scheduled election, which is August 26, 2008 - statewide Primary Election.

B - During the normal budget process for proposed county budget, during July/Aug for FY 2008-2009, the current village budget should be utilized to project the manpower/workload and equipment requirements for the county.  IF, the vote by the village voters passes, to abolish the village, then the following process should take place.  This projection process will be done by county staff, during the normal budget process, in anticipation of the vote, so it will be a simple task to go back and add up the additional requirements before the final two hearings of the county budget in September. It is important to have these functions, well thought out and already discussed and resolved, well in advance. This will not require much additional time or effort.  The actual timing of each department's takeover of the municipal functions, can be spread out, to make the transition as smooth as possible, and the fiscal impact known, well in advance.  Many of the small municipal services could be taken over on October 1st but the larger, more complicated and expensive functions can be spread out and the actual timing of the takeover carefully coordinated between the Village Drawdown team with the County Assumption team.  One of the most important functions of the Village Clerk is the completion of the digital reproduction of ALL village records prior to the deactivation.  The village clerk, village attorney and finance department along with the village drawdown team, being the last to be deactivated.

C - October 1, 2008 - Village drawdown begins, and transfer of legal titles to all the equipment begins to be identified;  Transfer of title to the over 35 pieces of land/property that is scattered over Monroe County begins to be processed.  As the revenues begin to appear, payoff of the over $26 million dollars in loans begins, as cash flow permits.  The village attorney works with county attorney to dispose of all pending litigation. Each county department will work with the county assumption team, that is working with the village drawdown team, to carefully coordinate the transition to the county, assuming all the services that were formally performed by county staff.  Since there was no reduction in county staff, when the village was incorporated on January 1, 1998 and the amount of construction and building permits has declined, the population of the county has shrunk; there should be no large increase of county staff to accomplish the take over of services.  As the county budget team goes through the village budget you will realize how fat the village staff was and the county will be able to perform those same functions with much less staff.  The intent of this slow downsizing plan is to pay off all debts of the village and to continue to receive the many revenue sources, that only goes to municipalities, and build up a large cash reserve, which will go to the county and help fund some of the expensive operations created by the village.  The county should have the County Assumption team, identified prior to the beginning of proposed budget discussions for next year, so some agreement can be reached on how the assumption process will work.        

[Escapa Game] I couldn’t make it past 7 seconds. Escapa!

[Please vote “no” to Amendment 1] Why doesn’t everyone understand that our tax cap will increase from the now 3% to 10% in the future?  I would suggest that you learn more about Amendment 1 before you presume that it will be a great thing.  The only time that our state and county pushes so hard for a vote on an amendment is because it will increase the amount that we already pay to benefit them.  Think about that!

I decided to click on the link provided under "Update on BPK Mitigation. The Taking of Big Pine & No Name Key" post yesterday.  Besides having to read through all the obvious grammatical errors, I came across a comment made early on that said "we also should remember that man brought the Key Deer to Big Pine..."

Obviously, you haven't read the memoirs of Hernando DE'scalante Fontaneda, a Spaniard who wrecked on the Florida Keys in the mid-1500's and was captured by the Calusa Indians.  He lived with them for 17 years, and when he went back to Spain, he wrote his memoirs, which detail his time spent in the Keys.  Imagine that...he mentions there being many deer here.

I'm tired of people trying to claim that these deer were brought here by man.  Twenty thousand years ago, these islands were not islands; they were part of the mainland that we call Florida.  When the glaciers melted some 10,000 years ago, the water levels rose and formed these islands, and the deer were stranded Virginia White-tail deer like you see on the mainland.  As time has passed, they've evolved into the smaller sub-species that we see today.  That's why sometimes you see one that just seems to be somewhat larger than his/her relatives...it is just a throwback to its ancestors.  So, no, they were not put here by man; they were put here by Mother Nature.  There have been claims that Flagler brought the deer down for his developer friends to hunt.  Yeah, he might have brought some down for that reason, but if they weren't killed in the hunt, they probably would not have survived in this rugged habitat.

Leave the Key deer out of your ridiculous arguments.

Sammy isn't in jail because, getting arrested has nothing to do with guilt]  OK, nice story, but this guy has been arrested 18 times in 2 months for burglary so I am going to say he's probably guilty of something.

I have been away for a few days.  It seems the new topics are the site getting hacked and Sal from the Key Largo site.  Maybe the hacker is someone who wanted to see the email addresses of the people posting the comments about them?  There are some pretty good "bashng" comments on here.  Sal on the other hand, he is funny as hell.  Take no prisoners there.  I keep reading his site more by the day.  I wouldn't want to be Bill Becker, Brian Schmitt or Kat Thacker when Sal gets going.  I missed reading bigpinekey.com for a few days.  Gives me my laugh of the day. KeyLargoKey.com

The Monroe County Public Library is pleased to announce the debut of the Historic Marathon Flickr Collection. Tom Hambright, Florida Historian, and Anne Layton Rice, Librarian, have been digitizing and mounting the Library's collection of Marathon photos, postcards and aerial views. View Historic Marathon here: www.flickr.com/photos/keyslibraries More images will be added, so bookmark the site to visit again.

Also on our Flickr site are nearly 600 WWI Waterfront Passes. These passes were used by workers during WWI and include a photograph, occupation and employer information. They provide a wealth of information for genealogists, historians, cultural researchers and the plain curious.

These collections are part of our ongoing work to provide 24/7 accessibility to the Library's historic archives. Also visit our award-winning Mile Markers project: www.mile-markers.org Future projects may include vintage Keys cookbooks, oral histories and charter fishing photos.

(Photo caption: Fishing guide Harry Snow Sr. at Ye Ole Feshin Hole. Photo from Erma Stout's scrapbook.)

Relatively very few stocks traded on Wall Street pay dividends.

On Friday we had to go to Ft. Laud.  Tuesday at 10 am I felt fine, by noon I had violent nausea, vomiting and diarrhea simultaneously.  This is a very busy way to spend a couple of days.  My wife was fine.  These interesting symptoms expanded to chills, genuine gut pain, severe body aches and extreme fatigue.  The symptoms peaked late Tuesday and gradually abated until Friday afternoon when I felt almost normal.  The bad news is that my wife began getting the same set of symptoms Sunday morning.  She is now fully involved (3:00 pm).  Watch out folks, this bug may be coming your way.  It looks like it takes 3-4 days to show itself.  I don’t think it’ll kill you, but it’ll make you wish it would.

[It’s my life]  Rosy red kudos to the poster who is spot on about personal responsibility.  It strikes me that there is a wealth of readers of this site salivating at the chance to blame anyone but themselves for any discomfort or failure in their lives.  These “gimme, gimme, gimme” types are red hot about taking freebies, but refuse to take responsibility or consequences for their own acts or choices.  These folks see an evil presence behind every tree that lurks there with the purpose of victimizing them.  Their discomfort at their shortcoming translates into hate, and that hate is focused on that mis-perceived evil presence.  Nowadays, to these types, that presence wears the face of Bush 2.  Like many, I prospered during the Bubba times; nonetheless I think that our nation suffered a serious wounding by his administration.  Like many I’ve prospered under Bush2, and I think that our nation is wobbling toward a victory in a war that began in the 1970’s.  Bush was the first President to acknowledge the fact of this war and was the first President to effectively protect our American interests by prosecuting it.

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I am a writer who reads a lot of books. I would hate to see books phased out as another writer predicted. I can't imagine sitting in an overstuffed chair and curling up with my laptop on a dark and stormy night reading a good mystery (viewing my porn maybe, but not a good book).

Does anyone else notice that when a realtor tells you to lower the price of your house so it will sell, he doesn't offer to lower his commission to help lower the cost?

[tax the rich]  This is the short version of why it will still bite you:  Paris Hilton is rich--tax her. She pays the tax, she gets the money back from hiking prices in hotel rooms.  This same over-simplified explanation can be applied to any person or corporation with goods or services to sell.  Any “tax the rich” increase is simply handed back to those who purchase their goods or services.  Those of us who buy things, anything, pay taxes, not the rich. 

I'm not sure how to respond to the guy about the Federal Reserve. He seems intent on insulting me or my intelligence, but yet he can't or won't answer the question about who actually owns the Fed.  His writing is pretty incoherent but it seems that he is in agreement that the Federal Reserve is owned by banks which are in turn privately owned.   The point that I'm trying to clarify is whether or not our money supply (and therefore our economy) is actually controlled by private interests.  I know that the Fed has an advisory board, etc., but if it is privately owned then it's pretty obvious who will be calling the shots.  Am I right, wrong?  

Narcicism is a personality disorder which cannot be cured.  Once you have known this type, you can spot them a mile away and run fast in the other direction.  It is always all about them. They usually lack empathy for others and are overly self-entitled bores.  A person wrapped up in their own tiny world becomes a very small package.

[Florida’s 3-day cooling-off period doesn't apply to every contract] Joyce Gagliardi found this out when she tried to get out of a contract she signed for windows at the Lehigh Acres home where she lives with her mom. She signed a contract for $5,456 and paid half the amount as a deposit. She began to feel uneasy about the contractor, doubted her decision, and called to cancel, leaving a message on his answering machine. "There is a cooling-off period where you have three business days to cancel," Gagliardi said.

There is in some cases, but not in her situation. Gagliardi found Charles Screening and Aluminum in the phone book and called. Because she approached the company first, the sale doesn't qualify for a cooling-off period. Then Gagliardi made another error. She should have notified Charles in writing about the cancellation. Even an e-mail would have been good - anything to create a paper trail she lacked. Mark Charles of Charles Screening and Aluminum didn't even get her message before showing up at her home again and finding out she had hired another contractor. Charles had been to Gagliardi's house several times, measured the windows, and had already started production when she backed out of the contract. Now he wanted his money. "I thought she was a reliable, legitimate homeowner the way I'm a reliable, legitimate contractor," he said.

Charles wasn't out much because he was able to stop the window production and use it on another job. And I do believe an hourly charge for the time and effort he spent would have been fair. But this situation could have been avoided had Gagliardi done her homework. She would have felt secure in hiring Charles if she had checked the company by calling the attorney general, Better Business Bureau, Consumer Fraud Awareness and former customers. She also could have gotten other estimates and interviewed contractors to make sure she was getting a good price before making a decision. But she did one thing right and ended up with her $2,700 deposit back. She used her credit card to pay. When she didn't get the merchandise, the credit-card company credited her account.

Sexton Cove Estates, a community of approximately 250 property owners, will hold its annual fund-raising dinner Saturday, February 9th. This year’s event is a Pig Roast with all the trimmings.  Volunteers will be serving from 5-7 p.m. at the community's park, MM 106 bayside.  You can also dance the night away to music by DJ Dr. Dean of Good Times Karaoke.  Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the gate.

The Key West Animal Shelter kills healthy animals, and tries to hide this fact behind the term euthanasia.  I am deeply saddened that my tax dollars are helping them to kill cats and dogs, as are your tax dollars.  My heart goes out to the innocent animals that they destroy.

Elvis has been dead so long there’s a rumor going around that he's really dead!

[Saving Monroe taxpayers money]  Deb Barsell, Director of Community Services, makes a whopping $102, 437 a year.  Breaking that down, she gets $4136 bi-weekly, or $51.71 per hour.  Why doesn't she take a salary cut?  Or even better yet, why don't we just eliminate her position, as it is a waste of our hard-earned money?

Paul and Magda Bates of Islamorada are pleased to announce the birth of their forth child, a new baby Girl, Samantha Vallisa. The couple owns and lives at Coconut Cove Resort. Paul is a Pilot with American Airlines and Magda is a business major and both are working as a wedding planning team doing many Keys destination weddings.  Pictured here is (left front) Nicholas age four, (center front) Tony age five and (right front) Bernadine age three.  All four of the Bates children were born at homestead hospital. The newest, Samantha, was born at the newly constructed hospital, Mother and daughter were photographed to be included in the new Homestead Hospital brochures and video tapping is planned this week for additional publication. Photo Gallery

Deer Ed, make sure you change your IP, password settings and web settings on your server ( only if you are hosting your own domain names on a server at your location) that was hacked. That’ll avoid the hacker coming back in. If you’re not hosting your own then it’s up to the hosting service provider.

I live near Paradise Petroleum and every now and again I hear a very low pitched sound at night that I can neither tell what or where it is coming from. It has no rhythm or I would think it's somebody's subwoofers. It is an eerie low sound. Has anyone else heard this or know what it is? It is starting to be a puzzle to me. It repeats but with not distinct pattern. I appreciate any input on this subject.

The different animal shelters receive differing funding what is determined by the population they serve. One size does not fit all. Their needs are different.

Go Patriots! 19 reasons the Patriots will win the Super Bowl

In case anyone missed it, in Sunday's Citizen, Dixie Spehar is blaming all of the County's financial problems on the State's mandated cut in property taxes.

It's never her fault.

The Moscow subway is opulent. Slide Show

Where's there's smoke, there's fire.  And there seems to be an awful lot of smoke in the family of our newest Sheriff candidate.  I'm reading a lot of excuses and backtracking that make me very weary of her. 

[Wine and the economy] I do drink fine French vintages which cannot be found in the keys.  Thus my monthly trek to the north where there is an expansive wine market in a city where taste for the finer things in life are quite obvious.  As far as the economy is concerned, I believe Bush came up with the idea of the temporary cash infusion idea and the dems went along as they should have.  After all if Rove was still around any dissenters to Bush’s plans might have been labeled "unpatriotic."   The real estate mess is just part of an overall hands-off policy of this administration that allows corporations to push the limits, bend the rules, trash pension plans, and rob the treasury to pay ridiculous salaries to incompetent executives.  Now even the airlines are rushing to consolidate in a climate of “anything goes” before the next election.  I guess they have a feeling about who just might win in November.  And as far as raising taxes is concerned, give me a specific time, place, and statement by any candidate who said "I will raise taxes."  You say that all three democratic candidates have made that statement.  Finally, chill out and don't get yourself worked up into a tizzy.  Your little world is unlikely to change much no matter who gets elected.  The sky is not falling. 

Hack, hack, hack damn I coughed up a fur ball.

A government official asked Chief Two Eagles where did the white man go wrong?

The Chief stared at the government official for over a minute and then calmly replied. 'When white man find land, Indians running it, no taxes, no debt, plenty buffalo, plenty beaver, clean water.
Women did all the work, Medicine man free. Indian man spend all day hunting and fishing; all night having sex.'

Then the chief leaned back and smiled. 'Only white man dumb enough to think he could improve system like that.'

The Keynoter newspaper is still running its unincorporation poll.  The total votes cast has risen to 480 and 67.1 % vote to unincorporate and 32.9% want things to stay the same. 

Please take a couple of minutes and cast your vote while the poll is still operating. There is no registration, just check a box. www.keynoter.com 

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Monday January 28, 2008

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Sunday January 27, 2008

Does anyone know where I can take basic sewing lessons?  I tried another source but it fell through.

God bless the people that have the initiative and the fortitude to find out what’s going on in the local community; and call the powers that be on it! We depend on you, even if we don’t know it.

[Federal Reserve] I'm not sure how you respond to a poster who's pretty uniformed about the free markets and thinks that an agency with a board of presidential appointees 'Therefore, the Fed is owned by rich people who get to print their own money'.  Maybe a good time for an economics class or even a discussion with a local bank officer to try and help - but the world is a lot bigger and more complex than this simple theory.

One tidbit is to go look at who are the major stockholders for banks.  I don't know, but in general, a lot of pension funds for Joe Average American are the ones calling the shots.

Does anyone know if AARP will have the income tax assistance again at the Senior Center for the low income and elderly?

[2008 budget]  The Key West shelter contract is for $365,000 a year.  The Key Largo shelter contract is for $265,000 a year.  The Marathon and Big Pine contract is for $248,000.  Why doesn't the county administrator trim the fat of the Key West and Key Largo shelters?  All three contracts should be for the same amount, $248,000.  This would save Monroe County taxpayers $134,000 per year.

[Huckabee] It’s a sad state for our nation when a man who doesn’t believe in science gets so far in a presidential race. Scary isn’t it?

[Elvis is still alive] I wouldn't be so quick to judge on this hacking issue. It wouldn't make any sense for someone to hack a website just to remove a comment that can be easily replaced by the author.  And in Downs' case, someone trying to hurt her campaign would have gone much farther than to just remove a comment. Think about it people.  It doesn't make any sense.  It looks an awful lot like a publicity stunt.

[Watching TV] The third cousin of Death.

All this sewer talk stinks.

Eli's coming and he is going to kick some butt in Arizona.  Go Giants!

The five county commissioners recognize that this unincorporation issue is something to be settled by a secret vote at the ballot box. Representative Ron Saunders has a deadline to meet to have an ad placed in the local newspaper that a public hearing must be held on this issue. Will he make the deadline or let it die? Over a thousand voters have asked for this vote.

Dow up 16% in 8 Yrs? Mr. Baruch you are not, are you trying to say that the percent increase or decrease on the DOW is the same as the interest you earn on a dollar invested? If my ten year old son made such an asinine statement, I would worry that he was probably showing signs of severe dementia.

Our sewer situation is due to the diatribes of a few loudmouthed bully ignoramuses who publicly railed against the need for sewers for the last twenty years and, unfortunately for the rest of us, consecutive county commissioners bowed to.  Their battle cry was "Bad Science".

I wonder if the strange happening with your "Click here to send a comment" line awhile ago was somebody practicing?  By the way, the envelope isn’t spinning.  Another attack? (Ed: To make any animations work click the F5 key on you keyboard.)

There has to be some good person who will run against McCoy and Spehar’s commission seats. If no good person runs the gang of three will be running our county further into the rock.

It is funny how the book reader feels free to make blanket comments about folks who choose not to read books.  There are many ways to get your information these days.  If you choose to read online or to watch informative TV are you any more or less informed than a book reader?  I personally don't read many books, but keep my self informed by other sources.  I personally believe that if not now, then soon, libraries will become extinct with only a few regional libraries surviving this electronic age.  I feel qualified to consider myself above average in regard to being informed and educated.  I hold several degrees and am a professional writer, yet I read less than a book a year.  Be careful when you make blanket accusations, the blanket is only pulling the wool over your eyes.

The Dow is 30 stocks. Only 30 stocks, no more no less.  The DJIA does not account for dividends paid by the businesses included in the DJIA.  These dividends are one of the many reasons to keep investing.

I look at my IRA - which is invested in mutual funds - and they have increased much more than 2% per year.  My IRA has averaged just over 8 1/2% (including the crap kicking it took in 2001). My point is, Rather than complaining about the Republicans, Democrats, Bush, the Clintons, and 50 million other things, why not say "screw the stupid bastards in Washington, it's my life, I need to take control of it".

[More fun to make your site look silly.  That's what hacking is about.] If someone did that who could tell the difference?  We all try so hard to accomplish that anyway!

[Chili cook-off] Hungry for some good home cooking?  Ride on out to mm 30 today and find great chilies to eat at Coconuts; and enjoy live music, great fellowship and even help others by giving blood while you are there. It's today and starts at noon!  Bulletin Board

[I do believe I can really turn this county around]  If you think you can do good, and if you truly have the desire to do it, well, that's why it's called “public service”.  The compensation comes with the accomplishment, not usually the paycheck. 

Bus service cuts, no affordable housing. I guess it's true that the workers are being squeezed out. A local sandwich shop owner said it best. The Millionaires will just have to do all the work for the Billionaires. That will be fun to watch!

Alas!  Some words of wisdom yesterday.  I thought I was the only one who thought is was a little odd that two web-sites supposedly got hacked, and people were blaming someone who wanted to discredit a certain candidate.  If I knew how to hack a web-site, and actually did it, I would totally screw it up, not just take away one single posting.  Nothing about that makes any sense to me.  Ed, I have no reason to think you would be involved in this.  But the other person seems to thrive on conspiracy theories.  This is a very cheap way to try to gain votes. (Ed: Just because your paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.)

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Deer Ed, If it is not too late, please do not post my comment about being a 30 yr service marine and maybe I will run for sheriff.  It was intended as a joke, but with the hacking going on and tempers flying, I think it would be best if I stayed out of it. 

It looks like the Key Largo site has picked up on a past hot topic from our site here: KeyLargoKey.com  I can't believe how brave they are.  They now are how this site once used to be.  I love that Key Largo site.

This little piggy went to the mosque. Three Little Pigs story "too offensive"

Is anyone having trouble bringing up the Sheriffs site? I keep getting "Request denied by watchquard HTTP proxy". Arrest Reports Mug Shots

[Dwarf crime a 'growing problem'] Thieves are robbing long-distance coaches by sneaking dwarves into the luggage holds in sports bags. Once inside, they slip out from their hiding places to rifle through the belongings of unsuspecting travelers. Then they take their loot back to their hiding place and wait to be collected by another gang member when the coach reaches its destination. They have stolen thousands of pounds in cash, gems and other valuables in recent months. Swebus, which ferries thousands of Brits across Sweden, has been among coach firms targeted. A spokesman said: "We have had reports about several thefts by dwarves on the stretch between Vasteras and Stockholm. We're thinking of installing video cameras."

Update on BPK Mitigation. The Taking Of Big Pine & No Name Key

While America focus on a better future after the 2008 elections, I can bet President Bush will try to rewrite history during his last State of the Union Address. In an attempt to rewrite the history books, President Bush will lie and deny, wrap himself in the heroism of better, braver men and women who wear the uniform, and try to tell us the economy is strong and the occupation is a success.

Sorry about the hack on the site. It’s sad state of the internet world.  It’s probably a good time to change passwords to be extra safe too.

Alien encounter.

Near Walgreen’s, I saw Monroe County Mayor Sonny McCoy crossing Duval Street and called out to him. When he turned around, I said, “Good Morning, Sonny, Sloan Bashinsky.” He smiled, walked back to the sidewalk, and then commenced a maybe five minute talk about architecture. Sonny’s an architect. He mentioned books he’d written about architecture, and said, yes, they are in the county libraries. He said he’d even met Frank Lloyd Wright once. When he asked what I was doing in Key West?, I said I live nearby, in a flat in the back of the Wyland Gallery building on Duval. He said he thought I lived up the Keys. No, I live in Key West, I said. He said he was born just around the corner in his family’s home. It was a longer conversation, but that was the gist before we said out goodbyes and he crossed Duval and I continued to my flat, wondering what that was all about?
 
Sonny didn’t know I live in Key West. I have to live in Key West and be registered to vote here to run against him in the upcoming county commission race. I made that announcement in several emails and on two Keys radio stations. I had to live in Key West and be registered to vote here to run in the recent city mayoral race. Sonny lives in Key West. He has received copies of my near-daily missives for quite a while…years. Does he know I’m running against him? Does he know I ran for mayor? Was it just a senior moment? What was the meaning? Would I write about it? Those were my thoughts walking back to my flat behind Wyland Gallery, where I have lived since last March 21, according to the date on my one-year lease. Actually, I moved in a couple of weeks later. First, I moved all of my art work in and hung it, covering the walls with other people’s and my own art, creating a mini art gallery. Then, I brought down furnishings and kitchen stuff. Then, me and my clothes, wondering why I was back in Key West? Pretty soon I knew I would run for mayor, again. I knew because dreams told me. Just as dreams later told me to run against Sonny.
 
My dreams throughout last night were a shift in emphasis, away from county politics toward national politics. I’m not sure where that will go for me personally, and rather than speculate, I leave it at that for now. What I can say is that there was plenty of hullaboo yesterday in the national news about Barack Obama trouncing Hillary Clinton and John Edwards in that state’s primary. So maybe I should write a little about Barack, as I’ve had some dealings with his campaign, and have had none with the other two’s campaigns.  GoodMorningKeyWest.com

I went to the Health Fair on Big Pine Saturday.  It turned out to be what I imagine socialized medicine would be like.  Very disorganized and long waits for everything (1 1/2 hours for skin cancer check, 3 1/2 hours for prostate check, 45 minutes just to turn in your form and leave when you're finished).  I finally left in frustration.  My time is worth more than what I'd save by waiting.

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Sunday January 27, 2008

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Saturday January 26, 2008
Part Deux 6:30pm

I'm very concerned that Bill Becker linked Sal Gutierrez’s name to the hacking. I thought it was clear from my postings that I had separated Sal from govwatch07. I told this govwatch07, "No I don't have you confused with anyone.  I have a keen eye and I am referring to your letters from 2007."  I do not know who might have hacked both my site and bigpinekey.com. But I will tell you this; there are people with a lot more to gain than Sal by pulling off the page which exposes jail problems on the very day that the rape in the jail made headlines.  I am sure no one wants to be held accountable that these situations were evident since 2005 as I had pointed out.  Sorry Sal, I have been the victim of absolutely ridiculous slander and I know how it feels.  It wasn't me who linked you. Please know I will do all I can to help clear this up.  ~sandy@sandyforsheriff.com 

(Ed: Somehow there’s a rumor that Sal from KeyLargoKey.com hacked this site. I guarantee he did not! I’ve been trying to teach him to do a very simple task of linking pages to one another and he is having a difficult time doing that. Hacking a single page from an HTML-type site requires advanced technology skill. It was not Sal. Don’t even think it was.)

It seems to me that the only person with the motivation to hack both websites is Sandra Downs.  I believe she felt it would help people believe her conspiracy theories.  Anyone involved with MCSO wouldn't need to hack anything because the more she writes; the more apparent it becomes that she is a raving lunatic.  Give her enough rope and she will hang herself. Ooooh, I'm so scared she will come after me now! ~keyscool@bellsouth.net (Ed: Ms Downs is another one who can barely check her email, let alone hack a secure website. Hell, until recently she actually had an AOL account.)

[Cutting costs] When I grew up Mosquito Control was a fog truck coming down the road. Now we have people in trucks with their little cup trying to find them. And we still don't get fogged, we get bit.

Sorry laid-off County employees, but we have to get up enough money to fix the Pigeon Key driveway when the time comes.

Hacked to remove just one piece of information? That's odd. It seems more likely to me that someone would want to remove something of their own, that they regretted posting.  I'd look a little closer at the owner of one of the two websites being hacked, and not this one.

Thank you all who are putting the benefit together for Tom and Rosemary Farrell. They are long time residents of BPK and Eden Pines. Tom was hospitalized for more than two months in ICU at Mt Sinai hospital. This benefit will help with the enormous hospital bills.  I hope to see you all  this Sun  from 1 pm to 5pm at St. Peter's pavilion.  A great time will be had by all.  Bulletin Board

[but the hacking matter should be of record]  Ab-so-friggin'-lutely! Anytime time in my life I've had troubles like this it had to documented to be stopped.  Even if the minor inconveniences aren't actionable, the sum total of all such events can be used to bring it to a halt, but it has to be on the record to count.  It may be easier to just 'get over it', but how many times do you want to have to do that?  Also, who's to say the harassment won't get worse, possibly becoming dangerous.  It is the natural order of such things and shouldn't be ignored.

This letter is to response to the mention by Bill Becker on U.S 1 Radio that Sal Gutierrez hacked Bigpinekey.com and Sandra Downs’ web pages.  First I know not how to hack a web page and second why would I hack a web page that I pay money to be on?  As far as Sandra Downs’ web page, I was kind of excited about someone entering the race to try to fight the Monroe County bubba system, but now I’m beginning to believe what the bubba’s are saying about her.  She’s frustrated and has revenge on her mind.  Also, I’m beginning to think nothing got hacked and this is just a big bunch of BS.  Anyway, I’m going to wait for some real hard evidence to my hacking abilities.

The Keynoter newspaper is currently conducting a poll on whether or not the Village of Islamorada and the City of Marathon should be abolished or remain as a separate municipality in Monroe County.  The results were:  62.3 want to abolish the municipalities and 37.7 want to remain separate from the county. Total votes cast: 382.

I love it when out of touch republicans still hash over Clinton’s term in office. Do they have anything from this century? And I love it when they mention 9/11 as a justification for the Iraq war (Iraq had zero, yes that’s right, zero to do with 9/11). Don’t believe me ask the President who, himself, said that. And if you don’t think Al Qaeda has killed Americans in the last few years; who’s killing American troops in Iraq? Afghanistan was the right enemy and the right target after 9/11.They got what they deserved and are still getting it. Osama, I’m afraid, played Bush like a fiddle.

[As seen in the Key West Publix] Yes, that's why it has www.engrish.com printed on it.

[Port Pine Heights dead deer and graffiti]  Ok friends, it's time to take a little more interest and try to find the ones responsible for the crimes happening in our part of paradise.

I am selling my house “by owner” and agreed to pay a Realtor's fee if they bring a buyer.  I went by the office in Key West to sign a one-time showing agreement with the Realtor.  It happens to be the same office the female-beating Realtor works for.  He painted his entire office bright red.  Maybe he is trying to cover up future blood stains.  It still amazes me that company keeps him and condones his actions.

Apparently Deb Barcells' little plot to dump Stand Up For Animals in favor of her buddies at KW SPCA isn't working out exactly as planned.  She got her butt handed to her today when the county commission apologized to the crowd about the inappropriateness and unprofessional way it was handled.  SUFA is apparently going to continue to handle animal control for the Middle Keys. ~Tryin2FindIt@aol.com

A free people's government should be afraid of its people, not the other way around!

[French wine and home prices] It seems a waste of jaw time to bitch about Bush 2’s fiscal policies and how they relate to home prices.  But someone does.  I guess Bush forced the bankers to start making those ridiculous sub prime ARM loans which heated up the home market turning growth into a blister, and then a vindictive Bush intentionally burst the blister.  The media doesn’t tell you that the fact is that those damned subprime adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) were responsible for most foreclosure starts, and they continue to be the lion’s share of bad loans. While only about 6.8 percent of outstanding loans are subprime ARMs, those loans accounted for 43 percent of third quarter (2007) foreclosure starts.  Foolish greedy borrowers and foolish greedy lenders both get burned, and you and I will have to bail them out.  Bush and anyone else who pushes for a bail out is simply wrong.  I just love it that our liberal progressive democrat controlled Congress has decided that a tax rebate is a good shot in the arm for our slowing economy.  Shoot, ain’t it great that they agree with Bush 2?  Wouldn’t you love to have heard the calls between Pelosi and Reid?  This has to make you democrat types a little nervous in that all 3 of your Presidential candidates promise to raise taxes.  I hope the Bush basher enjoys his French Bordeaux wine, because if he does buy it, he’ll probably buy it in an American store, employing Americans and the sale will be taxed and the dollars he spends will wind up in the American economy generating more economic activity.  I’ve got to point out that this schlump will drive all the freaking way to Ft. Lauderdale to avoid spending a few dollars in our local Keys emporiums.  It’s worth noting that the poster probably won’t buy the French wine, he probably simply wanted to give the finger to his fellow Americans and to our economy.

I’ll bet you’ve never seen this before. http://www.slide.com/r/hD6DvyAOxD9ClUhvUpVcUMABW9QzpGnQ

[Winn Dixie on BPK is looking good] I can't wait for the pharmacy to open. On a sour note,  W/D please train your cashiers to do better customer service and to be more people friendly. As I was checking out my groceries the cashier never acknowledge me neither by speaking nor looking at me. It made me take a look at the other

lanes of cashiers that were open and it was the same thing. They do not acknowledge that a person is there. There’s no smile or friendly hello. They are projecting an “I hate being here” attitude.

[Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band] We had a great time Wednesday filming for our upcoming live CD/DVD. We were being filmed from a helicopter while driving our bus into the Keys. It was a perfect day with clear skies and emerald waters. No matter how often I ride down US 1, it never loses its’ romance. There is nothing like it in the world.
Upcoming Shows:
Friday, Feb. 1 Schooner Wharf Bar – 7:00 PM
Saturday, Feb. 2 KOA Sugarloaf Key – 7:00 PM
Sunday, Feb. 3 Terry Cassidy’s Pickin’ Party – to benefit Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity Bldg. At MM 30.5 in Big Pine Key

[Deer Ed, Damn, I'm positive that I'm not alone in wishing you well]  What he said, all of it, times a few hundred.

The lady that is running for sheriff scares me.  I am a 30 year retired marine.  I think I may enter this race. Maybe I’ll lose, but at least  I may draw votes away from her.  I have more qualifications then most people running for this office, but I am not sure I want it.  But I do not want her to have it from what I have read from her on this forum.  I will not attack her agenda, however I will say that I was the Sgt Major of the 3rd Marine Division in the 80s with thousands of men under me.   I will not go any further, however, if you want to contact me, JOLN8888@yahoo.com.  By the way, I have a very successful business here and if by chance I did win, I would make less money then I am making now, however, I do believe I can really turn this county around.  If your first response is “well, he is too old.”  If this is your opinion come over to my house and I will whip your ass.

[specific cost saving comes from the Key West SPCA]  Worse yet, the SPCA spends more on salaries than the other two contract shelters' entire budgets - and they cover the least territory.  If anything, their contracted funds should be reduced to save the $50,000.

Sammy isn't in jail because, contrary to popular belief, getting arrested has absolutely nothing to do with guilt.

I was arrested and my mug posted on that web site for all my friends, neighbors and clients to see and I’m still walking the streets. I had flown in from Hong Kong to LA to NYC to Miami then drove back home to Little Torch Key. I was fried from the 48 hour trip and I looked like ass! (Ed, please insert Nick Nolte's DUI mug shot) Long story short, a supermarket in Marathon (the one with the green sign, not W/D) charged me with retail theft when it was discovered that, out of my $235 dollars worth of groceries, three limes worth .78 cents did not get rung up as I went through the self-serve register. The clerk had even helped me several times with other fruits that did not weigh correctly and ID'd me for the beer and dry ice purchase, but casually stood by knowing their check out machine failed to ring up the three limes. He then watched as I walked out, and then had the manager bring me back in. I stated, obviously a mistake, “How much do I owe you?” He said, "It's not that simple."  I then got dragged out in hand cuffs and thrown into the county brig. Of course I got one phone call and all my friends phone numbers are in my PDA (PDA = complicated phone) which is left in my car in the parking lot. I’ve got $280 cash in my pocket left over from shopping and what do you think my bail is? 300 bucks. So my one call is to a bail bondsman listed in Marathon. I call him and he is in Key West and won't come up to Marathon on a Sunday for the money he makes off one bail out. Luckily for me my friends noticed I hadn’t return as scheduled and came looking for me and thankfully bailed me out. I spent three thousand dollars on an attorney to fight it and a day before the trail all charges are dropped, case dismissed.

I don’t personally know any of the people running for Sheriff but it seems to me that these people are supposed to be adults.  I cannot believe how people can live with themselves being so angry and spouting off all of these vicious attacks at each other.  You all should be ashamed of yourselves.  I suppose no one can figure out what is wrong with our country (not just this county)?  If everyone took a little more time trying to be diplomatic and nice, maybe we wouldn’t have all of these attacks.  Just the same as Obama and Clinton, it’s just childish.

[why would someone connect a hatred of the Key West police department to the deer] Probably because haters seldom limit themselves to one target.  Usually they have plenty to spread around and do so with wild abandon.

Sounds like no sense was made at the meeting about the sewers   Does any one know what the bottom line is?  How much more torture will the property owners of the Keys have to endure.  What are they going to do to us next?

[Fact of life]  It's really only worth what someone will pay you for it.

[Bill Clinton lying?] Only when his lips are moving.

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Saturday January 26, 2008

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Saturday January 26, 2008

State Representative Ron Saunders will be convening a county-wide Wastewater Summit on January 30, 2008 at the Marathon Government Center beginning at 6:30pm.  All governmental entities involved in the completion of the county’s wastewater system are invited to attend. The meeting is open to the public.  Please contact the office if you have any questions.   (305) 853-1947 phone. Bulletin Board

It is very, very important that we in the Keys keep ever in mind that the website hacking is a sideshow, maybe an important sideshow, but a sideshow nonetheless. The main event is the story Sandy Downs has to tell about her and her family’s and other people’s experiences with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. It is for that reason that I wrote to Sheriff Rick Roth yesterday morning. It is his Office still. It will be his office until his successor takes over after the general election next November. In the meantime, he needs to be doing everything possible to get to the bottom of what Sandy has tried before to get him to get to the bottom of in his own department, and now she is trying again. All Sheriff Roth has to do is hear her out, then have her polygraph examined.

He will see the needle does not spike when she tells her incredible story. He will see the documentation she has; hear the tape recording of the detective threatening one of the boys who was hauled out of his home by sheriff deputies without a warrant, threatening death. Then, Sheriff Roth will have names. Then, he will have reason to offer those names an opportunity to clear themselves under polygraph. He will get to see how they respond to his request. Why would any of them refuse, if they are innocent? Why would any of them refuse, if they have sworn to uphold and enforce the law? They wouldn’t refuse, unless they have something to hide. And if Sheriff Roth doesn’t go in this direction, if he does not sit down and talk with Sandy, if he does not have her polygraph tested, what does that say about him? Does it say he already believes her? Does it say he has something to hide? Maybe he should go first in being examined under polygraph. Yeah, maybe he should. It’s his office that’s under fire, the best place to start digging is at the top. If he’s clean, he should eagerly agree to be the first to be polygraph tested. Eagerly agree. Otherwise, everyone above the Keys should stay home until this brutal war is over. Who knows who might get shot or blown up just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time?

The hacker must really hate the Keys to do something so incredibly mean and stupid. Must really hate the Keys. For what he did is generating emails to Sandy from all over the country. He’s made the Keys a national curiosity, the macabre kind the Tourist Development Council and our financially struggling county and city governments, which depend so very heavily on tourism, do not want the Keys be. Thank you very much asshole whoever you are. Maybe Sheriff Roth will find you and put you away for the rest of your natural life. What a service that would be to the Keys. To put you and his own wayward troops away. What a way for him to go out of office. A real law enforcement officer. The kind of law enforcement officer Sandra Downs will be. The kind of law enforcement officer tourists want looking out for them when they come to the Keys. The kind of law enforcement officer Keys people want looking out for them. That kind of Sheriff. Sheriff Sandy. GoodMorningKeyWest.com

Come join the Moondogs for fun and dancing at the Looe Key Tiki Hut Saturday this evening (1/26/8). We have worked up some new tunes and are looking forward to having a tail waging good time!

[2008 Fiscal Budget] Let's trim the fat.  Let's save Monroe County taxpayers well over $100,000 per year. Eliminate the position of Director of Community Services as is it unnecessary and a waste of taxpayers’ dollars.  What a great idea!  

Hacker or more like cracker. Total malice and disregard of others for one’s own selfish amusement. I hope when (and I am sure he, she or them) the jerks are caught; we all can throw every resource at them to make them pay for such a vicious criminal attack.

PS – we cannot let them ruin our GIF-off

[Conspiracy theory] Haw, ha!  Sure, the Fed is going to tell people the truth about their illegitimate usurpation of power and American money on their own website...come on now.  It just takes a bit of research to easily find the truth, and there's no conspiracy, really. It was done mostly out in the open while Americans had their eyes wide shut during the year immediately following the Titanic disaster.  Several of the richest folks in the U.S. were dead set against having a Central Bank and continuously worked against it. Then in April 1912 a few of the most strident in opposition "happened" to be traveling on the new Titanic.  Besides the iceberg, something caused Titanic to blow a huge steel plate out of her bottom, crack in half and plunges to her doom in 13,000 ft. of ice water.  This happened while a mysterious ship stood off just a few miles away, apparently oblivious to what was happening.  People who witnessed it said when Titanic disappeared, the mystery ship slowly moved off into the night. Perhaps someone was watching to make sure the deed was done. 

With their opposition drowned the financiers had a secret meeting on Jekyll Island, Georgia where they made plans.  In December of the next year, 1913, while the entire U.S. Congress (except 2 or 3 representatives) was on Holiday break, the "Federal Reserve Act" was quietly sneaked through.  Learn your history. The Fed has been responsible for stealing the personal gold of the American people and worsening the Great Depression so their interested parties could buy America's assets at fire sale prices. They are at it again as we speak. They are quite glad when people believe the outright lies they tell.  The Federal Reserve is simply a group of greedy thugs and impostors who answer only to powerful banking interests. No conspiracy necessary; only truth.

Let me get this straight the innocent property owner is going to be penalized $3000 a year because the inept Monroe county, and state governments goofed around and dragged their collective feet, knowing full well the sewers had be done by 2010. How typical. I am tired of paying for the stupidity of government. I guess I will be spending the day Friday calling our elected state representatives, because god knows the idiots in Moron County will be no help. 

Football fan. Video

From the sewer meeting: "it is doubtful we will have sewers". Could we be so lucky? There are no waterfront cities in Florida with central sewage and clean inshore water. Those two things do not exist in the same place. Including our own Key West with it's regular beach closures. Where does everyone think the treated sewage will end up? I promise they won't be trucking it out of here. Look out Mr. and Mrs. Angelfish, here it comes!

Sugarloaf volunteer fire rescue fundraiser.  The 42nd Annual Fish Fry Sunday February 17th noon until 5 pm  a raffle of 2 night / 3 day stay at little palm island valued at $2,500!  Help the volunteer fireman raise some much needed funds:  white elephant sale, book sale, baked goods, plant sale, 50/50 raffle, awesome silent auction items (restaurant gift certificates, pirate wellness gift cert, Nadine’s spa, fine wines and many more). For $12 you can enjoy fried fish or BBQ chicken along with baked beans, salad and Baby's famous cornbread. Free hot dogs for kids under 10.  The Bloodmobile and community safety organizations will be present.  For more information on this event and donations please contact Sugarloaf Key Fire Rescue at 305-745-4001.  More donations for the silent auction and volunteers are needed to help on that day.  Bulletin Board

Is an aerobic septic system sewer compliant?

It's time the County Commissioners have their arses plugged and we get some people in there that won't suck up to the developers who are trying to take our land.  No, we're not the dummies you bastards think we are.

The sewers will cost $675 million and the county needs to come up with it’s share of $336 million. They’re recommending a .7 mil Municipal Service Taxing Unit to be exempted from the property tax rollback. No money has yet been collected for Big Pine Key. The county doesn’t even know how to come up with the $3 million needed for sewer design. They don’t support on-site wastewater systems due to lack of analytical data to show that the technology meets the new requirements and the high cost for each home installation.

After going through a virus attack, losing a hard drive, fighting off hackers, upgrading all my software, installing fire-walls, being threatened with being cut-off by my email provider and a host of other problems I have fixed my computer. And now it works exactly the way I want it to!

[Attorney General McCollum's consumer alert] Seniors should be wary of reverse mortgages scams. http://myfloridalegal.com/NewsBrie.nsf/OL/SCOS-7B6Q7N

[Young waitress at the No Name Pub] Why don't you ask her? She is called Mo Tea

Last night I watched a movie on TV brought to me by a movie.

Awesome air photos Slide Show

Sandy just got my vote for sheriff today because of the dirty tactics pulled to hack this and her web sites. I'm tired of dirty tricks and government.  Boy, this is a hell of a way to make a life controlling voting decision, isn't it?

[Lid Police] I got a laugh the other day from the garbage can lid lady riding around her neighborhood taking pictures of people’s garbage cans, without lids, and reporting them to this site. Some retired people are just plain cuckoo. Boing...cuckoo...cuckoo!

[The Federal Reserve is owned by rich people who get to print their own money] From what I've read this seems to be the case.  When the government needs money they borrow from the Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve prints out the money which can never really be paid back. This is why our dollar is so horrible. Every time dumb Americans are in denial they always say “conspiracy theory”. Wake up!  Everything is not as it seems, that would be too easy.

Wow, this Sandy Downs for Sheriff thing is really getting good! I'm making popcorn and sitting back to enjoy the carnage.

[More delusional Bushie mis-truths]  The Cole bombing killed 17 U.S. sailors and the first World Trade Center bombing killed 6 innocent victims while Bill Clinton was president.  If this is Al-Qaeda's best efforts under the Clinton administration how do you rationalize 2973 dead in the WTC 9/11 plot and 3931 U.S. troops killed in Iraq thus far while your idol Bush has been in office?  You, my friend, need to go back to class and possibly put new batteries in your calculator.

I am amazed at some of the attacks on the people that read books. I have found that most people who don't like to read--can't. And they can't write either, or spell, but they sure can watch the hell out of TV.

[Web sites hacked] Blame it on Clinton.

If someone is trying to shut up Sandra Downs and prevent her voice from being heard then that is reason enough for me to vote for her.  The culprit who hacked this web site should be run out of the county.

We had a pizza delivery last night and gave the delivery driver a $5. Her comment was “Thanks so much, it makes up for all the $1 tips I get. Who wants to complain about delivery service at that rate?

[Dow on 1/23/2000 10,103.  Dow on 1/23/2008 11,806]  That’s a 16% increase in 8 years or 2% a year.  I would have been better off if I had invested in a bank savings account.  Only a fanatical Bushie would claim this to be a Bush success.

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I wanted to thank the Republican who afforded me at least a small chuckle at the thought of a cabal of evil progressives in Congress leading the country down the path to socialism. Hands up for anyone in the backwoods of Big Pine who's heard of Bernie Saunders, the Socialist from Vermont and his Night Riders taking over Fox News. Never heard of him? I’m not surprised. He gets no mention in the mainstream press because he is seen as having no influence.

I’m a progressive democrat and don't laugh when working Americans have their backs to the wall. I support increased taxes on the rich (for the first time since 1980). I support Medicare for all, and spending money on education for kids and their unemployed parents. I vote Democrat and I say Clinton, Obama or Edwards will make a hands-down better president than any of the Republicans in the field.

When you go camping in bear country it's best to go with someone heavier than yourself. That way you don’t have to outrun the bear, just your buddy!

Did I hear the county commissioners offer to work for free this year and put their salary back in the pot?  What does each one make? I thought I read somewhere it’s over $100,000.  Mr. Neugent made a humble confession this morning on US1 Morning Show about not watching the fiscal issues to closely, which has driven us to this state of budget brokenness.   For the last year or so he has be distancing himself from the gang of 3 and rightly so, but “what have they done for us lately” on Big Pine and the lower Keys? Building moratoriums, large building fees, a park that took over 5 years to get approval for (easily blamed on the Feds) and some lights at the school field. The winds of change are blowing in America and it’s about time.  Now if we could just get some candidates that are worth our vote.

Starting in 2001, the Bush administration's National Security Agency engaged in a massive warrantless wiretapping program in violation of our Constitution.  The administration blatantly ignored laws and procedures under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) designed to protect the privacy rights of citizens. The government could not have conducted this warrantless surveillance without assistance from the nation's telecommunications companies, which willingly -- and, quite likely, illegally -- turned over customer records to the government. 

Telecommunications companies were granted complete immunity against lawsuits brought by customers whose privacy rights were violated?

I heard it from a reliable source that the flea market has been purchased by the Church of Scientology. They intend to build a big church to collect offerings and absorb the congregation’s wealth so they can build a bigger church. Look for Tom Cruise to be in town soon as the front man.

As I understand it, a standard aerobic system will not meet the 2010 requirement.  You have to have an Advanced Wastewater system – sort of a super aerobic system.  I’m not sure you can get a permit anymore for a standard system.  And nobody can give you an assurance that it will meet the next change in the law.  Only connection to a central system covers that and then only because it is the responsibility of that owner of that system to comply with any changes.

Police are warning all men who frequent clubs, parties and local pubs to be alert and stay cautious when offered a drink from any woman. Many females use a date rape drug on the market called 'Beer.' The drug is found in liquid form and is available anywhere. It comes in bottles, cans, or from taps and in large 'kegs'. Beer is used by female sexual predators at parties and bars to persuade their male victims to go home and sleep with them. A woman needs only to get a guy to consume a few units of Beer and then simply ask him home for no strings attached sex. Men are rendered helpless against this approach. After several beers, men will often succumb to the desires to sleep with horrific looking women whom they would never normally be attracted. After drinking beer, men often awaken with only hazy memories of exactly what happened to them the night before, often with just a vague feeling that 'something bad' occurred.

At other times these unfortunate men are swindled out of their life's savings, in a familiar scam known as 'a relationship.' In extreme cases, the female may even be shrewd enough to entrap the unsuspecting male into a longer term form of servitude and punishment referred to as 'marriage.' Men are much more susceptible to this scam after beer is administered and sex is offered by the predatory females. Please! Forward this warning to every male you know.  If you fall victim to this 'Beer' scam and the women administering it, there are male support groups where you can discuss the details of your shocking encounter with similarly victimized men. For the support group nearest you, just look up Golf Courses' in the phone book. For a video to see how beer works click here: Beer Demo

I don’t know about contacting the sheriff’s office about your attack.  It was aimed at someone running for sheriff after all.  You might try calling the state attorney’s office, if for no other reason than to get some kind of official documentation.  The suggestion to contact FDLE was a good one also.  As for the FBI, I believe your site is hosted out of state making it quite possibly subject to FBI jurisdiction since state lines were crossed.  And yes, prosecute the bum if you find them.

Look at the poll being conducted by the Keynoter. It addresses whether or not the Village of Islamorada and City of Marathon should be abolished or not. The Monroe County commission on Friday voted 5-0 not to get involved in this issue and that should be decided by the voters of each municipality.

[Paying bills] You should always get a signed receipt. Pay by credit card (air miles), if they don't take credit cards, then by pay by check, never pay with cash.

[Laughing stock] Connie Christian made a fool of herself Friday in front of the BOCC.  What an embarrassment to the community. She should be ashamed of herself.  ~fortsonphoto@earthlink.net

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Saturday January 26, 2008

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Friday January 25, 2008

Government reveals Stimulus Package. KeyLargoKey.com

Any comments from owners/users of hybrid cars?  The research I’ve done indicates they hold their value well.  To me, that means maintenance is less expensive than a conventional gas vehicle.  True? 

A huge asteroid will zoom past Earth next week at such a close distance that amateur astronomers should be able to spot it, specialists said on Wednesday. It measures between 150 and 600 meters across. Asteroid 2007 TU24 would inflict devastating regional damage were it to hit Earth, but there is no risk of any collision.

[Sewer Meeting] Thank you for posting a synopsis of the meeting for those of us 1200 miles away.  At least the government had the guts to say it out loud. How will we know if the aerobic systems we have installed meet the 2010 criteria?  This is the one that really bothers me as I have asked all government officials and those who install the systems; and there is a big difference between an engineered system and one that is just approved by the county as okay to install.  The majority of us have "just" an aerobic system (that was installed without the engineer’s stamp of approval on it) usually with a bore hole.  How can we get assurance from the government that the aerobic systems that they have approved and comply with the criteria of the 2010 mandate?

Sorry Ed that you had such trouble. Now you know how important you really are to the Piners, and let me add, and to most of the lower Keys.  I agree that you have a huge voice and I think you use the power wisely and think it a bit unfair "they" tried to shut down the Coconut Telegraph.  They better realize that those tactics will make many more votes go to the ones they attack.  This is the land of free speech, and the fact that the woman running is using this election to air out her grievances is a testimony to that freedom; and the more they protest the more they look guilty.  Truthfully, I wasn't taking her seriously until that happened. 

One person saying that the Federal Reserve is not owned by anyone, and another saying that maybe it's a government entity or perhaps its a public entity with both public and private aspects?   It seems like there is some confusion out there, isn't there?  There are a lot of conspiracy theories out there too, but I'm seriously trying to get the answer as to who owns it since the people that control it control our money supply.  As far as I can tell, they are a quasi-governmental organization that has no real governmental oversight. The Fed is owned by its member banks which in turn are of course owned by private people and corporations. Therefore, the Fed is owned by rich people who get to print their own money.  Am I missing something here? 

I don't know about you, but it sure seems strange to me.  The Citizen article about the cost cutting measures being taken by the county refers to the ditching of Stand Up For Animals.  Strangely, the quote on the alleged specific cost saving comes from the Key West SPCA, not from the county.  If it was a level playing field, I don't reckon the SPCA ought to even know what that number might be.

[Very angry woman] Sandy just got my vote today because of the dirty tactics pulled to hack this and her web site. I'm tired of dirty tricks and government.

[Graffiti on Park Ave in Port Pine Heights] Threatening? Do you think the boogie man did it? Is sounds like some dumb-ass kids with nothing to do.

After looking at the sheriff arrest website, I notice that a man named Sammy Santamaria, has been arrested 14 times in the past 2 months for burglary.  Why is the guy not in jail doing some time? 

Wildlife photography Slides

Bob Peryam rules!

The world's first cargo ship partially powered by a giant kite was to set sail on Tuesday from Germany to Venezuela. The MS Beluga SkySails is pulled along by a computer-controlled kite attached to the bows of the ship, assisting the engines and reducing fuel consumption by up to 35 percent depending on the prevailing wind conditions.  The 160-square-metre (1,722-square-foot) kite was made by the Hamburg-based company, SkySails.

A day without sunshine is a day without Big Pine Key.com.

It’s hard to defend the library's importance to someone who has never read a book.

(Ed: At Bill Becker's telephone request, I sent him this email for his interview this morning with Sandra Downs on US1 radio.)

I found The Coconut Telegraph page on BigPineKey.com had been hacked Thurs morning on Jan 24.I was not able to open it. It was corrupted beyond recovery. I was worried because Ms Downs (boy, can she talk) had warned me about “dirty tricks” when she posted a rebuttal to a critic and announced her new website, SandyForSheriff.com, on the Coconut Telegraph the previous day.

I contacted my web server who said “most likely” it was hacked. I then contacted Microsoft for technical support and was told that it was hacked as there was no other way that the file could have been corrupted. Bigpinekey.com is an HTML (hyper text markup language) site. HTML is the most difficult type of website to hack. Plus we have a myriad of other safeguards in place.

I was so busy trying to solve the problem and publish the days’ column that it wasn’t until 6pm when I checked on Ms Downs’ site and found that her page corresponding to her Coconut Telegraph post was missing too. That was the only page missing.

It was too much of a coincidence for that to happen by itself.

Hello, Big Pine. It's Debbie I sure miss all my friends. It’s very cold up here in New Jersey. Maybe I’ll see everyone soon. I have cut my hair as you can notice. e-mail me and let me know what is going on in the keys. Photo Gallery

I was talking to a local the other day and he told me he thought the Federal Reserve was a game refuge.

As seen in the Key West Publix.

I don't know if Sandy Downs is right for the job, but I do know I won't vote for any current member of the sheriff's department who runs no matter who it is. It is time for a shake up. I like the idea of a citizen's review board, no matter who wins.

Barely a week into the race, and Sandra Downs is already threatening lawsuits.  Coming from an active and announced political candidate, that's not good.  By publicly running for office, she has also publicly opened herself to any and all commentary and scrutiny on her past actions and any background information that may come up (the same as any other candidate for political office), and she is going to have to deal with that as long as she is running for office.  Rattling sabers about lawsuits during the first week or so of a political campaign is probably not going to help her win anyone's sympathy vote. Is this how she wants to win an election, by threatening lawsuits to intimidate people from speaking their minds about her candidacy?  I see a big red flag there.  We're watching--very closely.

FDA warns public of possible botulism risk. New Era recall expanded for canned green beans and garbanzo beans http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01782.html

Where's my new edition of the Coconut Telegraph? It’s way past noon and I ain't got no news. I'm going to cancel my subscription. You kids stay off my lawn!

Big benefit Sunday for Tom Farrell at St. Peters Church Pavilion on Sunday Jan. 27 at 1pm. There is going to be all kinds of drinks, music, food, and a hot rod car show, live auction and raffles. We’ve got a cruise to the Bahamas, a week in Colorado, just a whole bunch of stuff to buy raffle tickets to win. So please come and lets support one of our own. Terry Cassidy, the Countrio, along with my band Reach will be bring you the music. So lets show Tom and his wife just what we do for our own!  Thanks and see you there. Bulletin Board

Reading the Sandy and GoodMorningKeyWest.com stuff scares the hell out of me to think the nuts on both sides of this confrontation are connected with running my life and government!  But the Keys were never known for sane balanced people though! ~billpatberit@comcast.net

It’s not the snowbirds who are killing the Key deer, it’s the third generation inbred Big Pineonian’s children doing it for fun.

I wonder if the deer killers are part of the same IKC (Iguana Killers Club) group that lives in Port Pine Heights. Coincidence?  I think not. 

Median home prices fell for the first time in 40 years according to reports out of Wall Street.  The fiscal policies of this administration are beginning to haunt the U.S. economy and will probably be the spoiler factor in the upcoming election.  Anyone remember the Bush I second term campaign focus, "it's the economy stupid."  Now Bush wants to pass a smoke and mirrors quick, but temporary fix to the economy by giving every taxpayer a few shekels to piss away as they see fit.  I think I just might go up to Total Wine in Ft. Lauderdale and splurge on several bottles of my favorite French Bordeaux wines.

[Sandy Speaks] I don't know you, or what qualifications you have to be Sheriff, but your post didn't help. I don't know what Yahoo can do to help you track down the person who said bad stuff about you. This account I just created is registered to J J, born on Jan. 1, 1985 and a Zip of 14301, which is not me in any way. I did register as a male which I am.  I would think that someone going for the sheriff position would have a little knowledge of things prior to threatening to sue someone. Good luck in the race, but you won't get my vote.

Where is the 2008 archives?  I was away from the computer for a week and I can’t catch up.  Also, if it’s not paradise, leave!  (Ed: I forgot to link the Archive for January 2008, but I’ve corrected that foible. Archives)

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This comparison chart shows the country that Bush inherited and the country that he is leaving behind. http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/rchart4.gif

I had a bird dog once, but it didn’t look like this.

[Graffiti on Park Ave in Port Pine Heights] If it is connected to the dead deer then why would someone connect a hatred of the Key West police department to the deer?  If they are taking it out on them we all better watch out as this bunch, or person, is totally wacko. A good place to start looking is the arrest record and find the ones who just got in trouble with KWPD from Big Pine. 

I just checked my calendar and today is Thursday and no new posting on your site.  This has been brought to the attention of the powers to be and you should be prepared to suffer the consequences. Perhaps you will be sentenced to attend the next 5 commissioners meeting in Key West. We show no mercy! (Ed: don’t despair, we’ve already been punished.)

[More bar wisdom] Instruction manuals are nothing more than another man's opinion.

Where is the Lost Cargo Trading Post? (Ed: MM 30.25 Gulfside next to the House of Music on Ave A on Big Pine Key 872-9900).

[Sunshine law violation] McCoy and DiGennaro in Tallahassee. Regarding this information published in the local media today 1/24/08 I filed this complaint with the Florida Attorney Generals office on 1/21/08 and never received a reply.

Please remind everyone to reset their link to the website, it has changed again and the old Favorites link does not work anymore.

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Friday January 25, 2008

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Thursday January 24, 2008

Thursday's Coconut Telegraph is being published at 8pm. We started at 7am

Paradise Lost

(Ed: It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Wednesday's Coconut Telegraph got hacked. Only one file got hacked-- the Coconut Telegraph. All other BigPineKey.com computer files were left untouched. A Microsoft representative has confirmed that fact.

The attacks seem to be directed at the Sandy Downs for Sheriff Campaign. Wednesday was the day she posted a rebuttal to a critic and announced the address of her website on the Coconut Telegraph. That is the day she went online with her new campaign website sandyforsheriff.com

Within hours of the announcement the Coconut Telegraph was hacked and Ms Downs' posting was removed. During that same time her new website was hacked and the page telling of her experiences with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office was destroyed. It was only that page her others were left intact.

There are forces in Monroe County a lot bigger than bigpinekey.com and with a lot more resources. We're just the small website with the big voice.

If we don't publish by noon Friday you know that the enemies of democracy and free speech have attacked once more. Are these the same anti-Americans that tear down campaign posters?

Why they will never merge.

The problem with a Sheriff’s Office is that it is an elected position and any paranoid schizophrenic (yes you know who I mean) can run for office. A Chief of Police, on the other hand, is selected by a board from a list of qualified applicants; and those without experience, formal education, or qualifications are not even invited to the interview. If we were stockholders who owned a large construction company involved in building multimillion dollar hotels I would certainly not want a cop elected to the position of managing that company. Give me instead someone with a formal degree in engineering who has built a few structures instead--someone with a proven success record. As taxpayers we are stockholders in the multimillion dollar business of law enforcement. Do you ever notice that those without experience or formal degrees of education to become professionals in their field always state how unnecessary they are? That is why there is a certification process and professional licensing of professions like physician, pilot, law enforcement, fire fighting, and even hair dressing. Would you really want someone to serve you in any of those capacities who was not professionally licensed and educated to do so? And yet we rely on the often uninformed voting public to chose just such a name off a ballot list to head a complex and sensitive operation like the Sheriff’s Office. Give me a Chief of Police any day over this mess.

I was prompted to write this after viewing one of the candidate’s own websites and reading about power surge murder conspiracies against them and how the FBI, FDLE, State Attorney’s Office, County Judges, and everyone at the Sheriff’s Office was involved in a huge complex conspiracy against this one family. One of the benefits of a formal education is that you are exposed to complex ideas like Occam’s razor, a 14^th century principle of logic, that states (paraphrased here) that “all other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best.”  In other words, the theory with the fewest assumptions or “leaps of faith” that postulates the fewest entities is the correct one. Is one person “out there” or is, Literally, everyone out to get this one person?

Professional help appears to be called for here and instead of taking potshots at Dr. Rice (yes he was included too along with every other named person of note in Monroe County) maybe his services could be put to better use in this case. If on the other hand it is the voters who suffer from a momentary lapse in judgment, Dr. Rice will probably have more business than he can handle from the fallout.

And for the candidate that likes to name drop and claim equal greatness with Socrates I ask you to consider one of his more famous wisdoms, “Know thyself.” For when everyone else around you, particularly those who are professionals in a field, says that you are wrong and you are the only one saying you are right and you are not the professional, there might be an issue there that you should consider.

[Cancer Foundation book event and free wine tasting] This Saturday, the 26th, Baby's Coffee, mile marker 15 Oceanside. Book "sale" is actually donations for the Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys from 1-4pm.  If you have any books you want to donate just drop them off anytime between 7am - 6pm.  There will also be a free wine tasting during the event. Lots of yummy wine to peruse.  Hope to see you there! Bulletin Board

Poor boy, poor boy, why so mad? Living here you should be glad. Don't you worry bout the rich boys mind, fix your own and you’ll be fine.

Dancing with a man. Country Music Video

A lot of people around here go off spouting things of which they have no clue. I guess that's one factor that helps the Coconut Telegraph live up to its name. I would be embarrassed to post some of the alleged "facts" that I've read about the Federal Reserve here over the past few days. Of course, if your name isn't posted, why be embarrassed?

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is an independent federal government agency. Individual Federal Reserve banks (there are 12 of them) have a special status, governed by this board, but owned by member banks.

[Dinner time in Eagle River, Wisconsin] These people living in Northern Wisconsin put some corn out in the dead of winter to sustain the area deer.   When they said the deer up here were as thick as cats and dogs, they're not far off.

For those of you who could not attend the Sewer Meeting on Monday night, Elizabeth Wood, Senior Administrator for the sewer projects presented. Basically, they have no money to do a plan for BPK. Without a plan, it is doubtful we will have sewers by the deadline of July 2010. All property owners who are not compliant (basically all of us) will be subject to a fine from the State. Elizabeth said the average fine could be $250 per month!  By the way, that's a fine of $3000 per year. I’m not sure we get anything for the cost of the fine either.

It's time the County Commissioners put a priority on infrastructure instead of things that are nice to have.  We are in deep "shit".

Shooter Martel, a photogenic Dalmatian who was adopted at Stand Up For Animals (SUFA) in Marathon and now lives in the Middle Keys, has a chance to help return a favor to the very shelter that housed him.

Shooter is hosting an event at Boondocks Grille & Draft House & Miniature Golf to garner support and votes to make him the top Fire Dog in the U.S. Mary Beth Martel, Shooter's owner and local photographer, entered his photo in a national contest. Out of 7,000 entries, Shooter made the top 20. If Shooter wins (by getting the most votes), SUFA gets a $50,000 prize. Even if Shooter doesn't get the most votes, SUFA still gets $1 for every vote. Shooter and Linda Gottwald, SUFA director, will be at Boondocks, mile marker 27.5, Ramrod Key, on Saturday, Jan. 26th, from 4 to 7 p.m. Laptops will be set up so that anyone and everyone can cast their vote online. Boondocks has a pet-friendly patio, complete with a pet menu, and all people and critters are invited to attend. Shooter will be signing autographs. In this time of funding cuts, SUFA could really utilize the $50,000 grand prize to continue caring for Keys animals at this no-kill shelter.

Those who won't be able to attend are urged to visit www.firedog.com/kodak and cast their votes for Shooter. Look for his photo -- he's the only Dalmatian standing in crystal clear water off the Content Keys. For more information, call Linda at 743-3779 or Boondocks at 872-4094.

Anyone who runs against McCoy must be good, but it won’t be a easy run. For a man so dumb and totally out of touch with reality, he does appear to be a hellova politician - these two do not make good government!
 
Someone running must gain at the minimum of name recognition throughout MC and it is not easy as I found out supporting Kim Wigington in the in the last election.
 
You are not just running against Sonny, but all his henchmen as Kim was against Dixie, who I supported when she originally ran and then totally turned 180 degrees. I will never support McCoy and Sorenson! 
I am supporting Bob for Sheriff. Sandy or Bob should not have any problems with Mandino, but I see he is running as a Republican this time. GoodMorningKeyWest.com

Government health warning: Do not swallow bubble gum!

I just checked with Monroe Co. Supervisor of Elections and found out that 2,375 petitions have been certified in Monroe County.

[Better off today?]  A sad character flaw exists in many persons who identify themselves as being “progressive democrats”.  As I type this our economy is troubled, the stock markets are declining, and the President and Congress are preparing to implement an immediate tax refund to stimulate the economy.  By the way, you’ve got to notice that a “progressive liberal” dominated Congress is convinced that tax cuts are the answer to our current economic problem.  Nonetheless a poster takes glee in this situation; he takes glee in the fact that many folks face the potential of losing hard earned assets.  Our vapid poster grins and giggles, and is foolish enough to make a challenge.  Are we better off now, or were we better of under Clinton.  Today, DOW = 11,806 Jan 23, 2000 DOW= 10,103.  Today, inflation rate is 2.85% in 2000 it was 3.38%.  Today, Al Qaeda is on the defense, they have not been able to make a single attack on our soil and have managed to kill only about a dozen or fewer Americans since 9/11.  Under Bubba Al Qaeda grew like a metastasizing cancer, they killed Americans with impunity.  Let’s see, World Trade Center 1, The U.S. Cole, I could list a pack of Al Qaeda attacks during Bubbas watch, but why bother, every reader knows them.  Should we talk about our country tied in knots because of Clinton’s peccadilloes, what about “File gate”, and on and on?  And so my “progressive democrat” friend, I’m convinced that we are better off now.  I can’t see any humor in hard working folks losing money, it’s sad that you do.

So, by the time we get Key Deer Blvd repaved, and new bike trail etc, how much do you want to bet they tear it up to put in sewers?   I hope not.

[Idiot sighting] I live in a semi-rural area in Kingman, Kansas. We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the deer crossing sign on our road. The reason: “Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.”

The Keys mother that starved her baby to death said she didn’t have time to take the sick baby to the doctor even though she had a car, free medical care and no job to occupy her time.

It looks like our local Sheriff wannabe is a very angry woman.  That's not the attitude I'd want as our county's top cop.  And in a position such as Sheriff, experience goes a long way.  Here's a bit of advice.  If you can't take the heat, get out of the frying pan.  Threatening lawsuits only shows an inability to handle conflict.  As far as I'm concerned, Peryam is the only legitimate candidate right now.

Do check your 401K it’s exhilarating. Maybe it was just a dead cat bounce but, wasn't today pretty? If you did any bottom fishing on the market Tuesday between 9:30 and 10:30 and sold Wednesday after three thirty you made a bundle!  Easy street for another few years.  God, I love the market!  I'm out at present because I think the democrats that hold Congress hostage are going to make it go down even lower, but I sure had fun these two days.  Every now and again even a blind squirrel finds a nut.  Day traders rule!

FlightGear Flight Simulator

Did anyone see the graffiti on Park Ave in Port Pine Heights?  There were threatening notations, a body drawn on the street,  "F**k the KWPD" (Key West Police Dept) and other notations.  It’s quite large and quite threatening.  It is not far from the decapitated deer.

[The flea market] This is the USA we have the bill of rights and other laws to allow people to make a living as long as we pay our taxes and buy our goods as I do and have for more years than most of the business's on Big Pine. If you don't like the flea market don't waste the parking space for someone who does like it. Go after the contractors that really ream you. Get real and get a job. Most of us have owned stores in other states before we moved to the keys. If a vendor is not honest the people find out quickly. That’s no different than going to a super market; if you don't like one go to another.

Ms Downs claims to know the law, but apparently knows nothing about copyright laws.  Using the Sheriff's Office website and manipulating the pictures for her own advertisement is not only illegal, but unethical.  She could be sued by both the Sheriff's Office and the Deputy shown on her page.  That's not exactly the right way to start a campaign for a law enforcement position.© ~Aquahound@aol.com

Boy, I got the bookworms’ panties in a wad. But why should the public (me) buy your books, computer, phone line, Internet Service Provider (especially for out-of-towners). Buy your own books. Go to an internet cafe. Close libraries down. They are dinosaurs. The only losers are the ones who hang out at the library (ie cat lady, bicycle bums, tourist who pay no county or state taxes, etc). Go by and see for yourself who we are entertaining.

Well, what I predicted a couple of months ago is coming to pass.  I said when the announcement was made that it was a piece of a plan on the part of Deb Barcells (Monroe County Director of Community Services or something title like that) to run-off Stand Up For Animals so she could give the contract to her friend at the Key West SPCA and that's exactly what's happening.  Key West will be taking over the shelters all the way up to the 7 Mile Bridge. She's painting it as a big "cost saving measure", but don't kid yourself.  It's bubba politics at its best! Big Pine's best interest is again being sacrificed for a sweetheart deal. ~Tryin2FindIt@aol.com

I just finished watching the Michael Moore movie called Sicko now I'm really depressed.

Now, the run for Sheriff is being made a mockery of like the Commission seat was.  I wish this County would grow up.

I hope who ever killed those three deer didn't do it because they needed the food. If this is the case, what the heck will it be like if America has a stock market crash? Will more people get this sick in the head?

There is a public record that lists who was suspect of the Little Knockemdown Key fire.  In that record, it lists a key piece of evidence that put the suspect at the scene.  The key piece of evidence was left by the son of a certain Sheriff candidate.  The only reason the case went nowhere is the fact the kid is now deceased.  Let's not play games here.  Extreme activists have no place in politics.  They are too narrow-minded.  And let’s not forget who is supporting this person; another nut job who ran for another office. 

World Golf Tour™ - PGA.com Charity Challenge

[This is just my opinion]  Comments that are too long, most people don't read.  

I get a bad feeling inside when people are quick to be defensive.

[Fishermen's Hospital] I can see where people would be confused by the whole billing process of hospitals. I, on the other hand, had never received a bill from Fisherman's and a year later I was turned into a collection agency for not paying my bill.  I found out they were sending my bill to another part of the state where I have never even been. I contacted the hospital and made payment arrangements and two weeks later got a phone call saying I no longer owed the money and they were sending back my money. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, I said thank you for your call and hung up. I received a check a week later from Fishermen's. Three month's later I received another call saying I owed the hospital the money and they were very sorry for the mistake. Since I was furious with these people I asked them to send another bill and I would send them the money.  Again, I never received a bill and when I called to ask what was going on they looked up my chart and they said and I quote “Oh, I see we owe you money.”  I never did receive that check. What I did receive was a big old delinquent mark on my credit report. After two years and the help of an attorney I finally got it resolved. The only thing that really upsets me is that it won't be removed from my credit report, it read underneath “in error of”. So please take advantage of checking your credit reports especially if you have any dealings with Fishermen's Hospital.

[Boot Key Bridge] Why should anyone give the radio station a free lot for their tower?

Former Sheriff Freeman was a drunk and a joke. I remember one night when I picked him up off the sidewalk and gave him a ride home. ~Holding4Aces@aol.com

You all just keep racking up those credit card bills just like the government is doing and keep sending this country down the tubes. Sorry to be negative. We should just keep thinking flowery, happy, positive thoughts.   You're more likely to get lucky at a tiki bar.

[You heard it here first] An increase in ocean water temperature leads to a reduction in hurricanes and intensity. As water temperature increase wind shear rises. As wind shear rises it limits the number and intensity of hurricanes. 

[Federal Reserve] I may be real slow on this, but I followed the instructions to Google "Rothschild" and "Federal Reserve" and the #1 hit was an article at http://www.adl.org/special_reports/control_of_fed/fed_rothschild.asp that is titled The Myth of Jewish Control of the Federal Reserve: The "Rothschild" Connection.

I really hate to burst the bubble of the conspiracy theorists who frequently post to this board (and I did find a lot of conspiracy theorist websites), but just because it's on a web doesn't mean it's a fact.

On the Federal Reserve's own website you can see:  Who owns the Federal Reserve?  The Federal Reserve System is not "owned" by anyone and is not a private, profit-making institution. Instead, it is an independent entity within the government, having both public purposes and private aspects… There's never even been a Rothschild on the Board.

I won't be available to respond on this, I just hit the jackpot! I got an email from a Nigerian Prince and I am going to receive $17m. It must be fact, it was on the web!

Reading is the second cousin of death. Sleeping is the first.

About the message of JUNO, the movie about teen pregnancy. Keep things simple like they used to say, "Keep your zipper up or your knees together." If you can't feed ‘em, don't breed ‘em.

Top 10 Car Commercials. top-10-car-commercials

Does anyone know who the young waitress is at the No Name Pub?

What is it worth to you to have someone come to take care of a hurt bird or deer or another of our wildlife species?  To actually drive to your door, collect the poor critter, and take care of it until it’s well enough to be released?  Maya Totman and her volunteers at Florida Keys Wildlife Rescue (FKWR) respond to calls from hundreds of people wanting to help disabled animals.  However, it costs money to do that – gas for the rescue vehicle, food and medicines for the “patients,” along with the costs of running the rescue center – electric, water, telephone, etc.  FKWR has entered a contest, the grant prize of which is $50,000.  If you care for wildlife but don’t know how to help, this is a way. For a $10 donation, you can help FKWR towards their goal of winning.  At the least, that $10 might buy a quarter of a tank of gas!  If everyone in the Lower Keys participated, the $50,000 (in addition to the donations) would be won easily.  Our entry was late, but our goal is to win, so please go to http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?BadgeId=110335 and help FKWR help our wildlife. 

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Thursday January 24, 2008

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Wednesday January 23, 2007
A Day of Infamy

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Wednesday's Coconut Telegraph got hacked by someone we've been posting about. Only the Coconut Telegraph file was hacked. All other computer files were left untouched. Microsoft has confirmed that fact.

There are forces in Monroe County a lot bigger than us and with a lot more resources than bigpinekey.com. We're just the small website with the big voice. A real American believes in FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

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Wednesday January 23, 2007

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Monday January 21, 2008

Tonight is the scoop on poop on Big Pine at the Episcopal Church on Key Deer Blvd just south of Watson Blvd. The County sewer person will speak at 7:30. It’s free and to your benefit to attend.

[Gossip of the week] Publix's has not given up on Big Pine Key, but I understand there is not a rock-hard deal for the flea market property as yet.

Tom Thumb Corp has not shown up on any deed transactions and Underseas has not been for sale.

KD's is a mess with paperwork. There are 1st and 2nd lenders with liens on that business and land. It will take about one million dollars to clear that up. Then they have to demo the building, then...whatever.

Betty has been working to open Key Deer as a beer and wine bar. Dan’s son would like to sell it. Allowing someone to open and run the club could open a can of worms for Jr from lawsuits to liens. I don’t know if Jr is up for that.

[On getting back together] I do know of 3 couples who have done it successfully, but I know many more who have tried and failed. The successful ones had about 7-10 years apart. Ask yourself this: When you trade a vehicle because you’re tired of it or it causes you a lot of trouble, do you ever go to the dealer and try to buy it back? If you did, you would probably find it’s the same as it was when you traded it.

I'm going to start hanging out behind Winn Dixie because that’s where Sonia lives!

[35 mph on BPK at night] Approximately 3 weeks ago my husband and I were headed to Marathon on evening at around mm 30 when some "delightful" driver decided that 35 mph wasn't fast enough for him and began flashing his lights and tailgating us.   He then proceeded to quickly whip his car around us to pass.   Imagine our delight, when we observed a police car parked facing south pull a quick U-turn and with flashing lights pull Mr Impatience over!   Ahhhh, the sweet smell of justice! 

We Didn't Start the Viral Part II http://www.break.com/index/we-didnt-start-the-viral.html

[couple getting back together after having been divorced] I think when they do it is because the sex was good, but after that’s done they have the same personality problems that caused the divorce in the first place.

[Speaking about deadbeats] I love the growing "yacht" community on Sugarloaf, by the resort. It is so pleasant to view those peasants depleting the bays of sponges and to see the maintenance free "yachts" they live on, and to smell the sometimes fragrant nostril enlightenments when the wind has changed. Oh joy!

To the person who bought the house on Washington Street in Key West.  Maybe you should have looked at your neighborhood before you bought your home and not try and pawn your problems off on people in Bahama Village and in the Avenues on Big Pine. Are you trying to say that all the people in Bahama Village and the Avenues are comparable to trash and vagrants?  You should probably apologize for that statement.

Great music and videos at http://zigmeister.com/Music_From_Big_Pine.html

[The first time this group had all the meetings and public displays, they made a fortune on us] Please explain how they made a fortune, who made the fortune, and how much was the fortune? I'm new here and don't know the history. I'd like to know all the "old" details. On the surface, the scenic highway appears a good thing, but, I've been here long enough to know things aren't always what they seem, and to trust the reactions of those who remember.

It is not the Fed that controls your money, it is the Federal Reserve, which is a privately owned business, and is partially controlled by the Rothschild banking family, among other very large and super rich share holders. Have you ever asked yourself where all the gold is?

Any information on Tina the bartender?

Usmagazine.com is reporting that the Associated Press has begun preparing Britney Spears’ obituary. “We are not wishing it, but if Britney passed away, it’s easily one of the biggest stories in a long time,” AP entertainment editor Jesse Washington tells the magazine. “I think one would agree that Britney seems at risk right now,” Washington says. “Of course, we would never wish any type of misfortune on anybody and hope that we would never have to use it until 50 years from now, but if something were to happen, we would have to be prepared.”

[More bar wisdom] "Why would I lie to you, we're not married?"

To the person that mentioned Wanka Tanka in their post. Do you speak Lakota fluently? I’m learning the language and was curious.

Edward must have deep pockets to have a fox like Sonia who lives behind W/D.

[Electile Dysfunction] The inability to become aroused over any of the choices for president put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.

[Has anyone ever heard of a couple getting back together after a few years of having been divorced?]  Yes.  One couple I know married very young and divorced mainly because they hadn't grown up enough.  They later remarried and have had two kids since and seem very happy.  Another couple I know have married and divorced twice so far and look to be headed for round 3.  They don't seem to be able to figure it out one way or the other.

Alaska railway. Slide Show

I thought that Commissioner Murphy would not overlook inappropriate conduct by a county employee like the gang of three does.  Commissioner's, can you please explain to the citizens of Monroe County why Lisa Druckemiller is allowed to manage large Monroe County government contracts and accounts when she can't even manage paying $130 for flowers that she obtained on credit from Flowers By Gilda in Key West, or to pay for eye glasses from Oppenheimer's in Key West, or fails to pay her taxes over many years? 

Did you know that she has tax lien's from the IRS, and owes over $15000 to the IRS in back taxes?.  Check it out for yourself, it's on the Monroe County Clerk Of Courts website.  Also, Commissioners how come a Monroe County employee that is a not a Department Director is allowed to make statements to the press?.  Isn't that the job of the county's PIO, or County Administrator?. 

Ms. Murphy as well as all the county Commissioner's need to do their job, and step up to the plate and do the right thing.  It's an election year. Show us what you are made of for once. ~ gladimnotaconch@yahoo.com

How foolish some Piners are. In this week' s issue of a local newspaper, the editor tells of buying a cat and trying to get it to go outdoors! That's exactly the wrong thing to do. If people must have a cat, it should be kept indoors for its own health and for the health of our wildlife. I urge everyone to go to http://www.abcbirds.org/cats/ if you care for the cat and our precious wildlife.

If you are still in-love with your ex you need to get counseling.  And then mull over why you broke up in the first place.  If they left you for someone else and that's why you still love them then talk it over with a professional who will help you move on.  You are wasting you time with someone who is no longer in your life and only in your mind.

[Asking for marital advice on bigpinekey.com] Are you crazy!  Consider the source. Go ask a preacher or therapist.

[More gossip] The real scoop is the flea market has been bought by Publix. The flea market has already subleased a building from Winn Dixie which will close this summer and will reopen in the air conditioned bldg next October.(?)

I used to have six-pack abs .I still have beer related keg-abs.

I remember reading that because Europe has been trashed by war so many times, most families keep a "bailout"  stash of gold in the cellar to use for bribing their way out to safety, buying food, etc.

Thank you Eden Pines Property Association, for honoring Jean Bell.  She really deserves positive recognition for her daily clean-up of Key Deer Blvd. Our community is lucky to have her.

My name is Ronald Reagan I did not approve of yesterday’s cartoon. I also think the republicans running for office are not really me. They are indeed posers.

Be the 2008 winner of the Southernmost Chapter of ABATE's Chili Cook-Off. We need cooks to enter their special recipes. Bring us your best chili, and lots of it. It will be held Sunday, January 27 at Coconuts, mm 30 on Big Pine Key. It will happen from noon until around 4pm and the Bloodmobile will be there too.  The cost is $5 to eat all you want and to judge.  Anyone who enters will not be charged, and can eat and judge others' chili creations.  Please call Dixie for more information and to enter in advance 305-797-0474.  Live music, lots of chrome, libations and great Keys people will make Jan 27th a wonderful day; and we guarantee you will go home full!
Bulletin Board

Throwing fish carcasses in the canal in the name of chumming? That just sounds like a lazy-ass's excuse for not taking them out to sea or putting them in the garbage. In West Virginia it's legal to marry and impregnate a 14 year old girl, but that doesn't make it right.

You don't have to speak French to understand this! Slide Show

[Edurado at R2R] I don't know anything about his personal life, but during my many trips to the garage for repairs he always gave me good service at a reasonable price. More then once he stopped what he was doing to handle one of my mini emergencies. 

Shark fining is happening in Key West and they sell it to Japan.  This is an absolute fact as a commercial fisherman told me they do it all the time and make a lot of money from it.  He did not even flinch when describing the process, which is horrific.  They could at least shoot the poor thing instead of allowing it to drown (the cut off the fin and throw the mortality wounded shark back in the water).  I hope and pray the proper authorities stop this practice.  It is a big ocean and this Cuban guy is making a killing through an illegal and insanely inhumane act.   

[cozy shenanigans going between certain local elected officials, businessmen and developers ]  Serious question and not from the candidate; is that something a sheriff can affect or is it strictly political? 

The Nation is good reading and has been around forever. http://www.thenation.com/

First of all Sandra, I am not the same govwatch that routinely gripes on this website.  A keen eye would have seen a difference in the screen names.  And don't be so quick to assume I am ignorant to happenings in the Keys.  My gripe with you running for Sheriff is quite simple.  Your family is responsible for burning houses on Little Knockemdown Key.  That's not an accusation, it's a proven fact.  I won't even mention all the other crap you and your kids were involved in because arson and destruction of property is bad enough.  The fact you failed to discipline your kids for what they did makes you just as guilty, and shows you have no sense of responsibility.  You expect me to trust you with a multi-million dollar budgeted organization with several hundred high-risk employees? 

Second, you have no business running for a position you know nothing about.  Tell me, what is your law enforcement background?  What training do you have?  Do you have a degree in Criminal Justice?  Do you even have a degree?  I have news for you.  Being on the wrong end of the law doesn't make you qualified to lead an organization.  

I can sit here and voice my opinion all I want.  But for you to type such a post, running for an elected position only shows you do not have the proper demeanor for such a position.  ~govwatch2007@yahoo.com

On behalf of all of us that were smart enough to put the fish carcass on the offender's vehicle hood in the middle of the night, thanks for the effort anyway.

[Gossip of the week response] 1. No 2. No 3. No 4. No and furthermore NO!

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Monday January 21, 2008