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The Coconut Telegraph
An Historical Diary of what Keyheads were talking about
Since 2002

Sunday February 28, 2010

[Islamorada Council] After saying candidates running for Islamorada Council who are suing the Village have their “heads in the sand”, the Reporter endorsed Dave Purdo, one of the litigants. What’s up with that? He and the other suing candidates say they'll drop their law suit if we elect them.  Isn’t there a word for that? I don't get it.  All this politically motivated suit does is cost people in the Village lots of money and tell us if they can't make a good enough argument to persuade 2 other councilmen, they'll sue them and the taxpayers.

The Reporter says Borski is doing all the right things, but we should vote for her opponent who changes his position on every issue every time the wind blows, or he’s told to by whoever his current handler happens to be.  Their rational was Purdo deserves a chance because he lost so many times.  Huh? 

The Reporter messed up on this one.

[Healthcare] I don't think it's funny to ask whether any death certificate has recorded "lack of health insurance" as a cause of death. Lack of health insurance or lack of money causes people to not see doctors often until it is too late. It means doctors won't treat them as promptly as those who can pay. Is this a surprise? You have two clients, one who pays, one who doesn't; who gets treated first? It was a nasty post the From The Right guy, a man who tells us proudly he sucks at the teat of Social Security and takes his socialized Medicare and mocks people without access to health insurance. In case he's forgotten, insurers reserve the right to deny people health insurance and there's not a damned thing you can do about it.  I have a job, still I have health insurance and I have always looked for jobs with insurance. The fact that insurance companies are raising premiums to increase profits in a recession when reform looked dead, tells me all I need to know about naked right wing greed. We need a public option to keep them in line.

Mr. From The Right, who is so "anti-big-government", must really be enjoying his "government" perks in his old age.  He eagerly accepts his government police dept. pension, social security and Medicare!  He's sitting pretty. I have seen a gradual change in his postings in the past year.  He has definitely become more bitter, hateful and judgmental.  His latest postings have sunk him to a new level.  How dare him judge others and insult them for not having health insurance.  Who does he think he is?  Each situation is different, yet he puts himself in judgment of others.  This is typical Republican elephant dung (in his ugly words).  Republicans only worry about themselves.  Mr From The Right and all members of the House are given great health insurance.  They have nothing to worry about.   It is absolutely ridiculous that he believes that no person in the United States has ever died from not having health insurance.  He even had the heartless nerve to insult a poster's friend who died, by insinuating that he didn't do enough to save himself.  It’s insulting to great Americans who are working hard and doing their best everyday but have fallen through the cracks with many different situations.  Do you pay $1000 per month for Cobra because you were laid off and can't find anything cheaper because of pre-existing conditions? You need to take a break from your hateful postings and regroup. As they say, "put a little love in your heart"!    

The snow birds have arrived.

[State Attorney] They say they want change, but they really don‘t. State Attorney Dennis Ward certainly proved that, didn't he? Actually it’s quite the opposite. Just the fact that Dennis got elected shows how much the people want change.

[Talk about noise levels] How about that annoying ice cream truck on BPK? …pop, goes the weasel…

[Boating etiquette] I agree with the poster about boating etiquette. While fishing on No Name Bridge I see a lot of jerks “fly” under bridge without any slowing down. Most have FL registration on the boat. People should care about others or regulate them. Make a boating course mandatory like kids on jet skis!

[Verichip] Tommy Thompson Supports FDA Approved RFID chip. "It's a coming thing?!"  The main question is: How long would it stay "voluntary?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A1_Y_psZTA

[Healthcare Lobbyist] A Washington lawmaker (I forgot who) was on NPR saying that healthcare reform will not happen because health insurance lobbyist have access to lawmakers several times a day. He also said there aren’t even a handful of lobbyists representing the people and they have almost no access because they don’t have any money or anything else to offer the lawmakers later on as the insurance industry’s lobbyists do.

The sad thing is that the Right buys into all the propaganda the insurance industry spreads as truth. They refuse to believe that the insurance lobby has websites, blogs and “news” stories pretending to be written by plain folks. They refuse to believe that the lobby has scores of their people planting comments and stories on influential websites and blogs to spread the insurance companies’ misinformation.

[Euthanasia] People don’t kill their pets because they are tired of them. They kill them because the pets are in misery. It’s the humane thing to do. It’s similar to “pulling the plug” on a hopelessly sick loved one.

Seal level rise is ignored by those who say no to everything. You only have to look at you canals to see the difference (if you’ve been here long enough). Look at the shoreline in the shallow areas. The water is much closer to houses than it was forty years ago. I’ve seen it, but I’m not in denial and please don’t send me a link telling me how some jerk phonied-up some data to get this point across.

Men can fix anything.

[Healthcare] There are more insurance industry lobbyist in Washington now than the total of all lobbyist in all of history. Do you thing they’re there for our benefit? Those of you who are against healthcare reform had better open your eyes.

It’s true. A redneck and a set of mud tires can ruin anything.

[Offshore Drilling in Florida] I have faith in American ingenuity. I think we will find an alternative to drilling off our shores before we run out of oil. There are so many new technologies in the works that one or two of them will hopefully relieve our oil dependency.

I love Pitbull, the Cuban rapper. He's hot. Something about a handsome man speaking / rapping in Spanish is so sexy.  I will try to have sex with a Cuban this weekend and report back. Once you go Cuban you never go back?

[No Edit Saturday] Is the CT supposed to be for people to post entire articles?  Why did yesterday's poster think that he could use half of the CT's space to post a lengthy article from a magazine, word for word.  Why didn't he attach the link so the folks who were interested in it could read it?  Personally, I didn't agree with much of it and it was a waste of my time to read it. I recently read an interesting book, maybe I should write it word for word on the Coconut Telegraph!

People will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard-boiled egg.

[Hyphen-American] All I hear is African-American, Asian-American, Mexican-American.  You never hear from just Americans any more! They want to be separate but still be equal?

[Chili Quake] I don't know about you guys, but everyday, when I read the news, I feel like I'm not having enough fun. Is it just me or what? Chile Struck by 8.8-Magnitude Earthquake; Hawaii Braces for Possible Tsunami - AOL News

[Sloan] I wrote yesterday of the flames and the Grail journey. I could write reams about that, but a little more needs to be said, to leave it complete enough, although only a skeleton admittedly.
 
The flames are absolutely necessary to burn out impurities in a person's body, mind, emotions, soul and spirit. There is no other way for a person to change from what he/she is to what he/she could be. Jesus spoke of this fiery passage as the baptism in fire. It is also mentioned, although obliquely, in Genesis, after the fall. God placed two Cherubim with fire swords around the Tree of Live to protect its ways.
 
This is the most misunderstood of all misunderstood passages in the Bible. Misunderstood, because it is viewed as God banning Adam and Eve (humanity) from Eden, where the Tree of Life lives. There was no ban. God never said Eden was off-limits. But to go there, people have to pass through the fire swords and be purified -- if they survive the purification, which can take a long time and make you wish you never were born.
 
Eden and the Tree of Life are no more a garden or a tree that grow in the ground, than the ground is a garden and tree that grow on the moon. Eden and the Tree of Life are a state of being, which Jesus called the Kingdom of God, Paradise. There were people, once upon a time, who actually did live there. It was idyllic. They were innocents, had no way to truly appreciate what they had to enjoy.
 
When that epoch ended, they experienced the opposite. This was necessary, for them to appreciate what they had had and to cherish it above life itself, if they ever got to experience it again. To return to that exhalted state, they had to be purified and wizened, so when they returned they would know how to stay there and what would cause them to lose it again, but on their own volition. The first fall was contrived, in other words, but the second fall is error by those who fall. Horrible error.
 
Those selected today to attempt the return to Paradise are put on probation for a while. Up to a point, they can turn away with no penalty, or not much of one. But there comes a point of no return, so to speak, where turning away results in the original fall from Eden. For these there is no going back to what they had before they were selected. They live out their days in the orignal fall. This is the peril warned against by the anonymous-authored Letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament. The letter is addressed to Jews, who had known and were trained by Jesus and were falling away because the flames were so intense. The author, Mary Magdalene, encouraged them to return to the return to Eden and the Tree of Life, or perish. The rest...goodmorningfloridakeys.com

[Mitch Hedberg] Some years ago, I used to do a list of comedian's quotes called "Funny Fridays" kind of semi-weekly on the Coconut Telegraph, (originally Kudos & Whiners). But, before that, it started out as "Fridays With Mitch" which was just a list of musings from the late, brilliant comedian Mitch Hedberg. As it would have been his 42nd birthday this past Wednesday, (he left this world at the young age of 37), I figured I'd gather up some more fun quotes. Some are new material from his posthumous album, "Do You Believe in Gosh?" I was going to post this on his birthday, but I spaced. I think Mitch would have let me slide on that.

•  I bought a doughnut, and they gave me a receipt for the doughnut. I don't need a receipt for the doughnut, man, I'll just give you the money, and you give me the doughnut... end of transaction. We don't need to bring ink and paper into this. I just can't imagine a scenario where I would have to prove that I bought a doughnut. Some skeptical friend: "Don't even act like I didn't get that doughnut! I got the doc-u-men-tation right here... oh, wait it's at home... in the file... under 'D'... for doughnut."
• A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer.
• I bought a seven-dollar pen because I always lose pens and I got sick of not caring.
• I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too.
• I hope the next time I move I get a real easy phone number, something that's real easy to remember. Something like two two two two two two two two. I would say "Sweet." And then people would say, "Mitch, how do I get a hold of you?" I'd say, "Just press two for a while. And when I answer, you will know you have pressed two enough."
• My friend asked me if I wanted a frozen banana, I said "No, but I want a regular banana later, so ... yeah".
• Last week I helped my friend stay put. It's a lot easier'n helpin' 'em move. I just went over to his house and made sure that he did not start to load sh*t into a truck.
• I think Pringles original intention was to make tennis balls... but on the day the rubber was supposed to show up a truckload of potatoes came. Pringles is a laid-back company, so they just said, "F*ck it, cut em up!"
• I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it.
• I think Bigfoot is blurry, that's the problem. It's not the photographer's fault. Bigfoot is blurry, and that's extra scary to me. There's a large, out-of-focus monster roaming the countryside. "Run, he's fuzzy, get out of here!"
• This shirt is "dry-clean only"...which means it's dirty.
• One time, this guy handed me a picture of him, he said,"Here's a picture of me when I was younger." Every picture is of you when you were younger. "Here's a picture of me when I'm older." "You son-of-a-bitch! How'd you pull that off? Lemme see that camera... what's it look like? "
• If carrots got you drunk, rabbits would be f*cked up.
• My apartment is infested with koala bears. Its the cutest infestation ever. Much better than cockroaches. I turn the lights on and a bunch of koala bears scatter. I'm like, come back! I want to hold one of you, and feed you a leaf.
• I like vending machines 'cause snacks are better when they fall. If I buy a candy bar at a store, oftentimes, I will drop it... so that it achieves its maximum flavor potential.
• You don't have to be sweaty and holding a basketball to enjoy a Gatorade. You could just be...a thirsty dude! Gatorade forgets about this demographic!
• My fake plants died because I did not pretend to water them.
• I think they could take Sesame seeds off the market and I wouldn't even care. I can't imagine five years from now saying, "Damn, remember Sesame seeds? What happened? All the buns are blank!" They're gonna have to change that McDonald's song: "Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a... bun." How's a Sesame seed stick to a bun? That's f**kin' magical! There's got to be some Sesame seed glue out there! Either that, or they're adhesive on one side. "Take the Sesame seed out, remove the backing, place it on the bun. Now your bun will look spectacular." What does a Sesame seed grow into? I don't know; we never gave them a chance! What the f**k is a Sesame? It's a street! It's a way...to open sh*t!
• See, this CD is in stores. The only way I could get my old CD into a store is if I were to take one in and leave it. Then the guys says, “Sir, you forgot this!” “No, I did not. That is for sale. Please alphabetize it.”
• When I was a boy, I laid in my twin-sized bed and wondered where my brother was.
• I don't have a microwave oven, but I do have a clock that occasionally cooks sh*t.
• I want to hang a map of the world in my house, and then I’m gonna put pins into all the locations that I’ve traveled to. But first I’m gonna have to travel to the top two corners of the map so it won’t fall down.
• I was walking by a dry cleaner at 3 a.m., and it said "Sorry, we're closed." You don't have to be sorry. It's 3 a.m., and you're a dry cleaner. It would be ridiculous for me to expect you to be open. I'm not gonna walk by at ten a.m. and say, "Hey, I walked by at three, you guys were closed. Someone owes me an apology. This jacket would be halfway done!"
• I had a parrot. The parrot talked, but it did not say "I'm hungry," so it died.
• I order the club sandwich all the time, but I'm not even a member, man. I don't know how I get away with it.
• The Kit-Kat candy bar has the name 'Kit-Kat' imprinted into the chocolate...that robs you of chocolate! That is a clever chocolate saving technique. I go down to the factory, "You owe me some letters!"

[Mooring] I hope they check the boat anchored by the mako swimming hole. Those spongers poop in the water full time. They also raped the whole area of sponges. They offload their sponges into their truck at the swimming hole all the time. Is that legal in the park?

[Pakistan] A very bizarre, nightly border crossing ritual.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ0ue-XGl9c

Coffee hit by global warming. Say it ain't so! As it stands now, world agriculture has set itself up to fail massively with the widespread malnutrition, illness, and political upheaval that always follows such massive food failures. It is still not too late to learn to plant and properly cultivate your own gardens. They may be the difference between scarce sufficiency and serious hunger. Coffee Hit by Global Warming Say Growers | CommonDreams.org

It looks like the CPAC vote for Ron Paul gave some of GOP leadership’s idea people, like O’Reilly, the okay to turn on Sarah Palin.

The International Olympic Committee stunned the world this morning when they awarded U.S. President Barack Obama a gold medal for Men's Skiing. When asked how this could be, considering that President Obama has never skied nor competed in the Olympic games, an IOC spokesman justified the decision by stating "Barack Obama is going downhill faster than anyone this year."

Glenn Beck was railing on about communism in this country and how he found his information at the library. He probably doesn’t know that the library is owned and supported by the government (the people). Isn’t that communism? He’s an ignorant one-trick pony. Watching him is like reading the From the Right guy. Both of their works are ill-informed and riddled with exaggerations and lies in order to further their agenda of nothing.

[Congressman] For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress.  Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn't pay into Social Security, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed while ordinary citizens must live under those laws.  The latest is to exempt themselves from the healthcare reform that is being considered.  Somehow, that doesn't seem logical.  We do not have an elite that is above the law.  I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever.  The self-serving must stop.  This is a good way to do that.  It is an idea whose time has come.

Mr. Far out right guy, Clinton left George Bush the strongest military in the world’s history when he left office. Spin it, twirl it, debate it, consider it and just plain lie you cannot disprove that point. But then how would you know because you slam the military leaders of this great country yet you never spent one single day of your life in a military uniform. You must have stayed at a Holiday Inn, General. Hang your head in shame. I had cousins that had bad health -- does that make me a medical expert?

I think Washington should end all the partisan politics and just do the right thing by giving bigger tax cuts to the wealthy so they can let a little bit of the money trickle down on the rest of us.

[United States of America, Inc.] Maybe we should have our fine elected officials wear NASCAR style jackets with corporate sponsors. That way we will know who owns them.

[From the Right] The fable that Mr. Bush’s policies are responsible for this mess that engulfs us has unraveled as the biased media and others come to the grudging conclusion that it is a massive falsehood. Dems and Reps seem to be in agreement that there were massive screw ups that put us where we are today. None of it was a mere accident; it was a direct and predicted result of implementation of cherished leftist theory. Central to it all is Fannie Mae. No one doubts that the financial collapse of Fannie kicked out the walls that started the fall of the house of cards. Fannie is a weird combination of government and private business. Fannie (and much of the lending industry) was charged by government mandates to make housing more affordable to all. They did this by requiring Fannie, and most lending institutions, to lower their loan qualification standards. Lenders were forced to loan to borrowers who were unable to repay.  Then the lenders were forced to ignore neighborhood standards and conditions when considering loans (the practice of “red lining”.)  Lenders were forced to make loans on properties that had much less value than the amount loaned. Billions were pumped into failed and declining neighborhoods. Then the lenders were forced to make a government mandated percentage of their entire loan inventory to low income borrowers. That's a perfect recipe for disaster. To set this all in motion required several years of Democrat pushed legislation, and the establishment of new rules were necessary to open the spigots of Fannie’s pump of tax payer provided/guaranteed money for loans that would/could not be repaid. The menu of those laws, rules, and regs and the movers behind them is available for those who wish to do just a little research. If you do look, you will find that it was the handiwork of our Democrat friends. It goes without saying that you find that there is a Republican presence, but the overwhelming driving force is Democrat social engineering. Your research will uncover documentation that the Bush admin and others attempted to poison the weeds by legislating genuine regulation of Fannie, but they were defeated by a Democrat controlled Congress. Management of Fannie has become a zoo populated by Democrat apparatchik. At the helm of Fannie during the run up to the crash was Franklin Raines. He is a Clinton and Obama confidant. In 1998 Raines replaced James  A. Johnson, a long time Democrat operative, Clinton and Obama confidant, who, in his last year alone, took $21 million from Fannie. Plus a $600K per year “consulting” contract. Raines did better. It has been estimated that he took $90 million and a $1.3 million per year pension.  Raines is ultra liberal Democrat not a Fat Cat Republican.  Then there is Jamie Gorelick, she made $26 million, she too is a Democrat Fat Cat. There are scads of others, nearly all of which are Clinton and Obama confidantes. Do the names Dodd, Obama, and Kerry sound familiar? They sure were familiar to Fannie. They, in the order just listed, received a big pile of dollars in contributions from Fannie. It’s interesting that Mr. Obama, who was only a rookie Senator at the time the money was taken, took second place in the Fannie Mae sweepstakes giveaway. Dodd, was the head Senate Regulator of the banking industry, so naturally, he got the biggest slice. Chicken Roosting time has arrived. Fannie and Freddie Mac failed, big time. Now Fannie and Freddie/Mac have had billions and billions of tax dollars pumped into it by Democrat fiat. Democrats still oversee it. Now, Fannie has lost most, if not all, of our tax money. Fannie has lost $120.5 billions over the last 10 quarters.  Just like Jack Nicholson, Fannie, with a big evil smile is now saying "We're baaack!" Now Fannie wants even more tax payer money. Now they want $15.3 billion more of our tax money. Have you heard any outrage about any of that? As long a Democrat are at the helm, they will get whatever the hell they want. If you are an Obama fan or a progressive or a liberal, I urge you not to check out the following. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usvG-s_Ssb0

(Part II) Holey Moley! Shazam! On Friday Mr. Obama let it be known that it was his way or the highway for anyone opposed to his latest Obamacare scheme. He told us that he is President and that he will have his way. He wants Obamacare and he is determined to get it. On Saturday his approval index plunged to -21. That tied his lowest approval index ever. That was in December a day or so before he began pushing Obamacare through the Senate. Perhaps Mr. Obama is not a bright as he believes. If you watched his “Health care summit”, I'm sure you have an idea why his popularity has plummeted. Americans are hardwired to dislike arrogance and bullying.

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Sunday February 28, 2010

Saturday February 27, 2010

(eD:  No edIT SatuRDAY!!!!!!......b-cuz u assd 4 iT!!!!!!!!!

No-Edit Saturday. For those of you visiting for the first time, don’t judge the Coconut Telegraph by today’s un-edited episode. This is the Editor's day off. Tune it tomorrow for the edited version. You’ll find its' format and graphics more pleasing.

[Sloan] Five times I ran for local office (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009). In 2004, I declared I was running, and then got all messed up in my thinking and pulled out. Disaster. It took the angels two years to straighten me out inside.

I want to be excused running for office again. I see no point to it, other than to grind me up some more. Before I was put into politics, I learned people don’t really want to change or grow; they prefer to stick with what is familiar, even if they don’t like it. Running for office showed me people collectively don’t want anything new, either. They say they want change, but they really don‘t.

State Attorney Dennis Ward certainly proved that, didn’t he? What he suggested to the county commissioners should have been a drop-dead no-brainer. Now some of them want to weaken a county personnel ethics ordinance they only passed last year. And they want themselves and the county manager and attorney to be exempt from any local ethical oversight. Is not top management supposed to set the standard for the rest of the employees? Otherwise, what’s the point in even having a personnel code of ethics? Why not abolish it altogether, so everyone is treated the same?

I was asked in my sleep, in March 2004, “What do you think of the species?” I’d heard this same voice quite a few times. I had come to trust it’s truthfulness, although I didn’t always like what it said. Especially I didn’t always like what it said about me.

In thinking through my answer, I learned how I really felt about God trying to help humanity. I told the angels, although a few individuals had been helped down through the ages, everything heaven had attempted to help this species, in general, had failed. If Jesus was unable to turn the species around, how could anybody else?
 
I said, look a me. Look at all the special attention I had received from heaven, and I was still a mess. If I was the best heaven could do, then what was the point of any more effort. If heaven did to everyone what it was doing to me, maybe 50,000 people would survive. Why not just take the species off this world and put it somewhere it at least a chance to move forward, instead of backward, as was underway?

I heard no criticism back. However, about a month later the voice told me in my sleep, “You were the keynote speaker at a homeless conference and you didn’t even show up.” Alyson Matley, the Keynoter’s Key West Bureau Chief, had written a lovely piece about my candidacy, after I declared in early January that year. There was no worming out of the meaning of the voice’s accusation. Like I said, it took the angels two years to get me straightened out.    The rest...goodmorningfloridakeys.com

Saturday

Friday February 26, 2010

[Art] What would life be without artists.

[Improvements along the highway] I know one; it's called Walgreens.

[Mooring] Your local government is working on expanding its control over your activities and to make you pay for a useless bureaucracy. I am talking about boat mooring regulations around the Keys. First local gov’t will do a 12 month study of vessels currently anchored in their areas. How much will that cost? Your gov’t will

then design rules and regs to "improve or eliminate negative effects to water quality". I guarantee that any rules and regs that they come up with will be totally useless in preventing pollution and very costly and impinge on your rights to enjoy our waters.

A very high percentage of those that live on the water really care about the water quality that they boat and swim in. A very small group uses the ocean as a bathroom. Even if all the boats you can see in an anchorage did their "business" in the ocean, that would not come close to all the pollution that is washed into our waters every time there is a rainstorm.

Rules and regs that allow heavily armed men to invade your boat home at 2 am or board your boat while recreating has no real value in preventing pollution. Take care of the land based pollution before we talk about the miniscule pollution caused by a boater.

There is a problem with derelict or abandoned vessels, but it is not clear to me how more laws will prevent that from occurring. Somebody that does not obey the current laws regarding abandoned boats probably will not heed new laws.

I am sure whoever has to enforce the new rules and regs will require more heavily armed men in expensive boats. When you look at the associated cost of implementing new regulations I am sure it will be hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.

What do you get for hundreds of thousands of dollars of your tax money? You get no change in water pollution. You get more useless laws and regs. You will be approached more frequently by heavily armed men while on the water. And more bureaucracy.

You might want to stand up and ask our local leaders how much these new laws will cost and what will be their true value.

[Big Legged Woman] The average woman in America is size 14! For comparison, the mannequins in store windows are size 7.

[Iguanas as bait] If you are really doing this, then you are the lowest of the lowest, and I hope you go to hell, so there!

[The Movies] As I was watching Bonanza today, there sat Little Joe, Paw, Hoss, and Adam. I realized they are all dead! Film, what a form of immortality.

Mike Noe, had been fighting a rare type of cancer for the last few years.  Through it all he kept smiling and laughing and was quick with a joke. I think that’s just the way he'd want us to remember him.  He was one of the few excellent contractors around whom you could believe at his word. 

The Killer whale at SeaWorld is either 16,000 lbs of cat food or $5,000 of sushi at a Japanese fish market.

[Do not disturb – my boat] I has the same fishing experience a few days ago. I was anchored in 70 feet with no one else around. A twin engine boat roared by me no more than thirty feet away. The guy was totally oblivious.

The people who live and fish here would not do that, so I tend to believe this clown was a snowbird, probably from Michigan or another one of those frozen, depressing, fat women, fly-over states.

My deepest sympathy goes to Mike Noe’s family.   He was one of the good and honest guys here. I will miss him.

People are resilient; after all, every person has recovered from nine month’s on life support.

[Do you know who has kittens] Adorable, happy, healthy, well adjusted kittens.  Forgotten Felines has them. They are there waiting just for you and your loving family. 305-743-2520 http:///fffk.org

The Great Sunflower Project. Help document bee pollination in the U.S. http://www.greatsunflower.org/

Free Palm Seminar: Palms and Cold Weather Damage
Monday, March 8
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Marathon Government Center, EOC Meeting Room, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon 
          9:30-10:30 Palm Anatomy and Effects of Cold Weather on Palms  Dr. Timothy K. Broschat    
          10:30-10:40 Break  10:40-11:40 Fungicides and Cold Weather: What, When and Where.  Dr. Monica L. Elliott, Professor of Plant Pathology 
          11:40-Noon Ask the Experts Bulletin Board

Keys renters’ electrical repairs at there worst.

[Dive Club] The correct e-mail address for the newly formed Florida Keys Queen Angelfish Dive Club is QueenAngelFish@Att.Net

Mike Noe passed away after a long battle with cancer. There will be a service for him out at Content Keys, probably next month. He was a good guy and put up a good fight. A lot of people will miss him.

Parrotdise is well within its rights to play music and they are permitted to do so within their hours of operation providing that the music does not exceed 60Db at the property line.  I know that the owner has used a sound level meter to assure that the music is within those parameters.  Also, when the restaurant offers live entertainment “on the beach,” it is also compliant with their permitting and licensing guidelines.  When I patronize the establishment I park directly in front of the building and cannot hear any music until I exit my car; and even then it is not offensively loud.  Granted, live music on a weekend may be louder, but it is still within the permitted rules.  The neighbor is simply waging a campaign of harassment against the restaurant using the Sheriff’s Department’s resources to get his way.  I would think that the Sheriff’s Department would explain to the neighbor that the establishment is properly licensed and permitted to engage in their activities and that repeated calls to the agency constitutes abuse of the system.  If the neighbor who lives in his slum-like encampment was smart, he would keep a lower profile lest County Code Enforcement should pay him a visit and do an inspection of his property and sanitation facilities (or lack thereof). 

[Downstairs Enclosures] Inspections are here to stay according to our friends at FEMA yesterday.

Neugent down here and Scott Brown in Mass are kind of alike in that they are rising above any preconceived expectations about their intentions and doing the right thing for the most people they represent such as Brown voting for Obama's Jobs Bill and Neugent tacitly nixing the idea of making illegal downstairs enclosures legal.

[In denial about seas rising] All but 2 of Patagonia’s (Chili) glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. The water has to go somewhere, why not in your canal?

[Satellite TV] Hi folks! This is SammySam the DirecTV man. I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to all you folks who have written to the CT expressing you appreciation for Florida Keys Satellite. We are your local DirecTV provider for the Florida Keys, and our commitment is quality and professional service (and a dash of humor).

We are David competing with two Goliaths--cable TV and the DirecTV’s 800 number. As many of you already know, the only thing that will make us successful is being there for you when you need us and making you a happy customer. We are here to serve you and taking care of your TV needs. I thank the CT, BizBaz and The News Barometer too. 

Remember if you don't get your DirecTV from Florida Keys Satellite, you'll be sorrrry!

[Water vapor confirmed as major player in climate change] Water vapor is known to be Earth’s most abundant greenhouse gas, but the extent of its contribution to global warming has long been debated. Using recent NASA satellite data, researchers have estimated more precisely than ever the heat-trapping effect of water in the air, validating the role of the gas as a critical component of climate change. http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/vapor_warming.html

A whale of a tale. 'Serial' Killer Whale Tilikum Kills Again at SeaWorld Orlando - AOL News

[Joke]

The driver, obviously confused, says to him, "Officer, I don't understand, I was going the exact speed limit, what seems to be the problem?"

The trooper, trying to contain a chuckle, explains to her that 22 was the route number, not the speed limit.  A bit embarrassed, the woman grinned and thanked the officer for pointing out her error.

“But before you go, Ma'am, I have to ask, is everyone in this car okay?  These women seem awfully shaken.”

“Oh, they'll be all right in a minute officer, we just got off Highway 115

National Politics

[Party of No] Let’s get one thing straight. The Republicans don't care about me or you. They care only about big business (which owns the US Congress) and their right wing religious friends. They don't care about anyone unless it will help line their pockets. They don't want any compromise with Obama because they only have one purpose and goal which is to destroy the Democrats as best they can, so they can get back into office to help their fat cat friends. Fellow travelers like "From the Right" are just puppets (unless he is a fat cat that is going to benefit from a Republican administration). This is all part of an organized and concerted effort to knock down Obama and the Democratic Party. The Republicans don't care about doing the people's business. They care only doing business’ business!

Republicans talk about smaller government, but they never give us smaller government. Smaller government is just a code word for less regulation of big business so their friends can screw us worse than they are doing already. The economic meltdown was no accident. The republicans (and some Democrats) changed banking regulations and argued for less regulation across the board so their fat cat donors could loot the American middle class with impunity. They have already let the bulk of U.S. manufacturing run out the door to improve corporate profits, so real estate was the only real money action left in the United States.

[Jobs Bill] Yesterday the House voted for a jobs bill opposed by guess who … the Republicans. In another great show of how far the Republicans have fallen, their new Messiah, Scott Brown of Mass. broke from the party goosestep and voted for the bill. Brown also voted for the landmark revocation of antitrust exemption for insurance companies. So Massachusetts, that bluest of blue states, is really still blue. Did you know that Mass. has a very strong form of public health insurance? Yes, a whole, prosperous State of the Union has a government health plan, and it covers 92% of its citizens. Hawaii also has a plan, even better than Mass, and it covers everyone.

So when you see the footage of the whale eating his trainer, just think of the American public turning on its mouthy corporate master in the same way. The water is churning.

[Country Comparison to Current account balance] This entry records a country's net trade in goods and services, plus net earnings from rents, interest, profits, and dividends, and net transfer payments (such as pension funds and worker remittances) to and from the rest of the world during the period specified. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2187rank.html

Rush spanks himself on the Radio and Ditto Cam. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39arrG5kHnA

[Unemployment] Obama has the highest unemployment rate since 1983 at 10%. I can’t believe this, but boy do. I miss Bush and his 4% unemployment rate. At least I had a job!

Grade Obama's 1st year in office. Grade Obama's First Year in Office - Political Hotsheet - CBS News

The Census Is Getting Personal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsDhkPym01k

[Afghanistan] Looking back, I would say that we backed the wrong side in Afghanistan in the 80s.  We should have helped the Russians who started the whole war-thing there with the idea of suppressing the rising tide of Islamic fundamentalism threatening their own region.  It was fun watching their heilos being shot down with our Stingers, but in the long run we would be better off today if they had prevailed.   Who was our leader then?  Oh yeah, Reagan the Great.  (I have a feeling I should have saved this one for No Edit Saturday).

[Political Evolution] In my lifetime, we've gone from Eisenhower to George W. Bush. We've gone from John F. Kennedy to Al Gore. If this is evolution, I believe that in 12 years, we'll be voting for plants.  ~Lewis Black

[Military decimated] As a veteran I take strong offense to the From the Right guy’s assertion that Clinton destroyed the military. I would like to rehash a few points. Clinton inherited the job of keeping an eye on Iraq with the no-fly zones and rebuilding supplies after the First Gulf War. We did the job and it was a success. Clinton used the military to help end ethnic cleansing in the Balkans and the people of that region are very thankful for his help to this day.

When President Bush was handed the military left by Clinton we were strong enough, to not only overthrow 2 countries in two years, but we did it in short fashion. If you think a military that can overthrow 2 countries in two years is weak when that action is half way across the world you most likely never spent day one in the military. When it comes to matters of what constitutes a strong military it seems like you’re getting your opinion from talking heads not experience. Clinton’s military was as strong a military as any in the world’s history and to call it otherwise is wrong. When you start bashing American military victories and the sacrificed lives for political gain, then you’re stepping on every Veterans toes that ever put their boots on the ground.

I’m proud to have served under President Clinton and I never, ever was short of supplies or short of training. We always had clear cut orders and knew what our missions were. We don’t bash our Commander’s past or present because we are the ones that cannot sit home and politicize our duties.

Bush Sr, Clinton and Bush Jr all used the military to protect and serve this country and all three were strong leaders. Victories in the Balkans, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq disprove your bashing their military efforts. I doubt you’ve ever served; if you have I apologize, but I must say you will be the first veteran to say our military was decimated.

[From the Right] 30,000,000 Americans uninsured, so sayeth Obamacare champions. Oh Woe! 50,000 Americans die each year for lack of health care insurance, so sayeth  Obama care champions. Oh Hell no! Not true, bunk, horse-hockey, donkey dung, sayeth Obamacare naysayers (that’s me). Let’s think about it.  If you believe the Obamacare champions, (I don’t) just how big a problem is that? Divide the 50,000 supposed deaths by the 30,000,000 supposed uninsured and you will learn that about .016% of the supposed 30 million will “die” from “lack of insurance”.  Every year 2,420,000 Americans die. That is about .8%, of the 300 million population of the USA.  Let’s review, for any year: According to Obamacare champions, the chance of death because of “lack of insurance” (bunk) = .016%. On the other hand, the chance of death from any cause = .8%. Just to be safe, maybe you ought to get rid of your health insurance (don’t).

(Part II) Permit me to restate: Not a single  death has been caused by “lack of health insurance.”  If anyone can show us a copy of any  certificate that certifies the cause of death as “Lack of health insurance”, I will admit my error, I will grovel, and I’ll make a contribution in the amount of my choosing to Deer Ed’s charity of choice. It is true that there are plenty of folks whose disease or condition kills them because they have not received care.  The same applies to many who do receive care. Remember, everybody dies. My condolences to the poster who lost a pal to a heart attack. But, it was a heart attack that killed him. Only that.  Like him, I’ve lost friends and family who had just received medical care. I’ll bet that there are couple score of Big Piner’s who know of deaths following medical care or error such the misdiagnosis that he described. About 100k of us die each year from medical mistake. What the poster described happens frequently to folks who have insurance and to folks who do not. The poster does not tell us why his friend did not have insurance. If he was truly poor, he probably would have been eligible for Medicaid. If he was a Vet there was the VA. Or, did he simply decide that he did not want to buy insurance. Did he decide that he would rather have a new ride, a new TV, a new cell phone,  deluxe satellite tv,  a new engine for his boat, a couple of hours a day at Coconuts, or the thousand luxuries that we all cherish. Nor do we know what sort of an exam was done on his pal. Did he get an EKG, I’ll bet he did. Did he get a blood test to determine if he actually had heart damage? I’ll bet he did. Was he observed for about an hour? I’ll bet he was. Emergency rooms are there to administer immediate rescue care. Did his pal ask to be admitted? I’ll bet he didn’t. If he had, at least at Marathon, the admitting folks would have worked out a discounted fee, and would have worked out a payment schedule. For those folks with limited income who do not have health insurance, there is Medicaid, and every state has SCHIP. SCHIP is the program that covers uninsured children in families with incomes that are modest but too high to qualify for Medicaid. The State of Florida has a program to deliver health care insurance at “reasonable” rates.)   Mr. Obama himself has said that there are only about 30 million folks who do not have health insurance. There are over 300 million Americans. Most of those who do not have insurance would likely be covered by existing government and charitable plans. A large fraction, maybe most of the rest, they just decide not to buy. They choose to gamble. At the Obamacare legislative Senior Prom dance held yesterday, it was revealed that under Obamacare every American who is now purchasing health insurance will see an increase in their premiums between of 15 and 20%. Every American will be forced to buy Obamacare insurance. The so called “Public Option” is left-wing-speak for “No Option.” The long and the short of it is that there are far too many Americans who want a free ride on health care. They want this free ride at the expense of everyone but themselves. The very worst thing about the current Obamacare is that it does nothing to bring down the development costs of drugs, the cost to institutions to purchase equipment, the costs of medical apparatus. In fact, it proposes to tax all of those thereby increasing the cost to deliver medical care. By the way, the health industry profit margin is 2.6%. What about that business people? 

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Friday February 26, 2010

Thursday February 25, 2010

Yesterday’s storm video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA-3j4o8TSg

Canada is a nation of 30 million people, fewer than the population of California. Unlike other nations with socialized health care, Canada does not allow private health insurance in their country, however Canadians are free to buy health insurance or use health care facilities in the US if they can afford them. In an effort to provide affordable sensible coverage Canada does not require that the Canadian health care system provide every latest and most expensive treatment in their country. Indeed with first class facilities just south of the border it is common practice for the Canadian government to pay for esoteric and capital cost intensive treatment in the US. It makes good business sense not to spend capital resources on treatments that are relatively rare in such a small population.

You'd think a Republican would understand and appreciate a government service that is dedicated to cost effective treatment. With that explanation out of the way let's review health care options in the US. Check out these health insurance premium changes as reported by the Huffington Post yesterday:
 
California: Average rates are expected to increase 25 percent in 2010, with increases as high as 39 percent for some policyholders.
Colorado: Average rates are expected to increase 19.9 percent in 2010, with increases of up to 24.5 percent for some policyholders.
Indiana: Rates are expected to increase 21 percent in 2010.
Maine: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield requested a 23 percent increase for 2010 after five straight years of double-digit increases for individual policyholders. Anthem is suing the Maine Insurance Commissioner for rejecting its request last year for an 18.5 percent rate hike and allowing a 10.9 percent increase.
Ohio: Average individual rates are expected to decline 40 percent in 2010 due to a new state law that went into effect in 2010.
 

It's interesting that Ohio will see a decline thanks to a new state law.  Let's not forget that insurance companies withdraw coverage at will and refuse to cover pre-existing conditions. So, do we think this patchwork quilt is much better than Canada's system which provides free coverage to all? Sure, as long as you, like me, have insurance that actually pays for things with companies that haven’t yet dropped you. The rest of you get your bake sales going to pay for cancer treatments. Have a heart attack? That will cost you about $70,000 to treat. Then you can go medically bankrupt, a concept unknown to Canadians.

[Rube Goldberg would be proud] How to open the living room blinds automatically. Click Here

I watched as much of the Toyota hearings yesterday and was ashamed of our Congressman. They seemed to be there for no other purpose then to posture. Their insulting of Toyota chairman Akio Toyota bordered on assholedness. One Congressman was telling him how he lost “face” and should be ashamed of himself. It sounded like he wanted Akio to commit seppuku right there on the floor. Another Congressman had no idea what he was talking about and was so unprepared I was embarrassed for him.

Another attacked him for signing a document that was full of baloney, holding it up like it was a smoking gun. Akio said, yes, his name was on it, but only where it was addressed to him, but that didn’t stop the Congressman’s attack, why let facts get in the way of his grandstanding. No matter what fantastic engineering measures the Chairman mentioned to fix the problem with his cars the panel just ignored them and continued with their posturing. Catch phrases replaced dialogue. Things like “hard working Americans”, “how we do things in America”, Americans’ hard earned dollars”, etc.

The hearings were a poorly-concealed agenda to bring down Toyota’s reputation while boosting GM (Government Motors). Very little was mentioned about safety and how to make cars safer. I doubt anything will come of these hearings.

How come there were no hearings for the recalls of American cars in the past which have killed more than Toyota’s current problem?

Castro, yesterday, said there was torture in Cuba, but only at the American base in Guantanamo. I think he has a point.

[Gifts for your commissioner] Neugent seeks change to County's gift policy. Neugent seeks change to county's gift policy | KeysNews.com

[Do Not Disturb] Tuesday I went fishing about 6 miles in front of Big Pine Key. I anchored, put out my chum and started fishing. I was not within a mile of any other fishermen. Every damned boat that came by had to get so close to my boat that I had to hold on until their wake settled down. What a bunch of jerks. They remind me of the crowd that invades us during the opening of lobster season. I don't know or care where you come from, but it is a very large ocean out there so stay the hell away from other boats. While I am ranting and raving on this subject: It is never appropriate to troll through another boat’s chum line.

Language is the means of getting an idea from my brain to yours without surgery.

[Safety Glass] Crack in airplane window.

[Public Option] There are going to be a lot of folks who will regret not supporting a public option in our health care system. Mark my words.  This was our chance and America blew it.

By the way, what planet does From The Right live on?  He must be very comfortable in his little Medicare cocoon, because there are many people who die because they don't have health insurance. He is very, very wrong!  Maybe he should leave his computer and TV for a while and start talking to common people with real health experiences.

[Toyota] While watching the best hockey I have seen in a long time with the best in the world at the Russia vs Canada game Toyota had a commercial and their slogan was “Moving forward”. They just didn’t mention it was moving forward out of control and you might not be able to stop!   That’s a bad slogan these days.

[Singing for Dummies] He’s not only a good singer but a great ventriloquist. http://www.gingagadgets.com/youtube/view?key=qNJ02rxaNrs

This set of photos has to bring a smile. Slide show

[Sloan] Here's an interesting thought by our County Attorney opining on whether or not she can receive free meals. Notice the term "Draconian"

”The draconian “no gift” policy was sometimes awkward, and unlikely to actually protect against any perceived ills that might come from the “gift” of a meal.”

[Tourist Season] Is it just me or do the tourists seem more aggressive and mean this year? Maybe it's just the bad weather we've been having. 

And please you can turn right on red only if no traffic is coming. 

Those of you still suffering from the debilitating effects of the Navy's actions, I refer you to www.keywestjetnoise.com.  Investigate the noise problem, the proposed legal action and possible solution.  If you like what you see, sign on.  If not, charge the next round of drafts to my Navy account at the private marina.  I can afford it; the Navy still owes me two grand.

I suggest that all homeowners in the affected areas surrounding NAS Key West read The Consideration of Hazardous Noise in the Acquisition of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Report.  In 2005 alone, the US Navy has paid out over $200 million dollars in loss-of-hearing health benefits to service members that were in close proximity to the F-18 Super Hornet.  Can you hear me now?  It can be found at www.stoptheplanes.com.

[Capitalism] 2% of the US population controlling 85% of the money is a fair situation according to the natural laws of a free enterprise economic system, but I don't think it is a good situation for the country in the long run.

[Queen Angelfish Dive Club] Now forming for the Keys.  We will post outings on the Coconut Telegraph and in the newspapers.  We are taking names, numbers and e-mail for divers seeking adventures starting in the spring.  Tell us if you have a boat, how many people you can take, your degree of diving, where you like to dive and any pertinent info.  There will be minimal meetings; contact will be mainly by internet and telephone.  You must be certified and willing to sign waivers when on other people’s boats should they require it.  In June, there is a big scuba diving extravaganza in Key Largo.  Let's get this started and be ready to take the giant stride when the water warms up.  QueenAngleFish@Att.Net

[Parrotdise’s Noisy Neighbor] Please leave the poor man alone. He doesn't bother anyone, and has probably been there longer than anyone. I have met the guy and he is a really nice--a little eccentric, but this is the Keys.

It is ridiculous that the curlers get the same gold medal as skiers or the 90-meter jump. They should get one about the size of dime. I guess curling is the only Olympic sport that you can get a medal and be hammered at the same time.

We just got DirecTV from Sammy Sam. We live in Marathon on a boat and are watching TV right now!

Happy Birthday to a husband that rocks!

[Never Mention the Military Negatively] To those who are whining about the noise, if and when the enemy decides to attack I hope they target your houses first. I happen to love that noise, its a noise of safety. I can't believe it, the Navy has been here for years. If you don't like the noise, then get out of the area. How ignorant are you people? Do you realize the Navy is what stands between you and the enemy? They are here to protect us and you want to complain about the noise? I am so freaking mad about this I don't know who to yell at. I bet you are the kind of people that take candy from a baby and kicks puppies. These men and women protect us and you complain. Move to the freaking mountains, you moron.

[Here, kitty, kitty] This gives new meaning to "Honey would you go outside and warm up the truck for me?" These were outside of Corning, NY. Corning is just a little west of Binghamton out I-86.

¿Que Pasa USA?, the first multi-lingual TV program, is going off the air after 30 years. Video

[Animal Shelter] It is definitely unfortunate that some people feel paperwork for adopting a pet is intrusive or too extensive.  I would not want these people to adopt an animal anyway.  Animals are in shelters generally because of irresponsible people.  The puppy was cute, so they bought it, not knowing that puppies need training and guidance.  None of that was provided, and puppy grew up into what they considered to be a willful, disobedient dog.  What did they expect - that the puppy would automatically know how it was supposed to behave?  Off to the shelter with it.  Then there are people who are moving and can't take their pets. I moved from the U.S. to Africa and back, and I took my pets!  Too many people think of animals as furniture, nice to have for a while but easily discarded.
 
Shelters are merely doing for their animals what should have been done originally - insuring that the people are adopting for the right reasons and understand the responsibilities; in the case of rentals, that the people are allowed to have the animal; and determining that the people have adequate space and facilities for the animal.
 
Shelter dogs and cats are abandoned animals.  Call them stray, call them surrendered - it's abandonment.  They deserve a forever home with people who love and respect them as they do their humans.  If you don't understand that and don't want to deal with paperwork, you don't deserve an animal.

How I feel about winter!

The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them.

Growing Parsley Growing Herbs: Parsley - Shelterpop

[Corporations are people too] Does that mean corporations can be sued like people are? Or are they just the same old BS companies that hide under desks when the do dirty to us and don't take the blame?

Back to Huey Long. A famous quote of his being: When Fascism finally comes to the USA it will be in the guise of Anti-Fascism.

[Rare fog rolls in] Oh, my god, it's the New World Order spraying the Keys to get the land for Obama's new resort and spa. Save us, oh lordy!

[Mike Noe] What happened to Mike? He was a great guy and great contractor. Above all, he was honest. He helped us with our home 20 years ago and also gave us direction after Hurricane Georges.

Sal says, "You voted for them."

I liked the USA, Inc. picture yesterday. That’s just what our country is—one big corporation and we’re not shareholders.

Constrictors invade the Keys. This is actually a terrific paint job.

Tim O’Hara’s article O'Hara is tainted because of his relationship with County Administrator's office. Well that explains why his articles seem so slanted. What's the relationship?

I saw on the news today that a SeaWorld Killer Whale that killed a trainer was said to have exhibited dangerous behavior before.  Duh, they’re killer whales!  They didn’t get that name by accident. As I watched the helicopter shot of the whales I realized how big they are and how small their pen (cell) is.  No wonder they’re pissed, they’re locked up killer whales.

Do you want a free cat? Come to my house.  I have several that sleep on my porch, in my boat, run across my roof and root through my trash cans.  They do not belong to me, and the owners keep telling people that, "You do not see any rats, so they are doing a good job".  Which translated means, "Hope he buys that BS because I do not have the time to take care of my animals."

This is a pencil drawing of my cousin (he’s the one on the right). He’s in Iraq. You can't really make him out because the drawing was made from a photo of his team. http://www.prlog.org/10387835-just-released-still-warrior-musical-tribute-to-wounded-warriors.html

[Water boarding 101] Learn how to water board at home. http://content1.clipmarks.com/content/7E8ADC46-F3DD-4D6F-B184-3A07CF501B7C

[Iguana for Bait] I have discovered that iguanas make excellent live bait for shark fishing. They are easy to catch now with the cold weather. Proper hook placement is the key to getting great action from the little fellas. I like to use a puppy harness with a large hook attached to the back for inserting just behind the rear legs. Just hook them up and watch them go! When they stop swimming just give a good swift jerk on the line and thy start up again. Sharks of all kinds seem to love the realistic panic swimming action. Go catch a few, hook them up and enjoy some of the best shark fishing action you will ever see!

The Yike Bike fits in a bag. http://www.yikebike.com/site/home

[Sea level rise in my canal over the last 30 years] Have you considered that you may be getting shorter? It happens when you get old.

[Class Action Suite Against Navy Noise] Translation:  If you were dumb enough not to know you were buying a house at the end of a runway, here's your chance to have the American taxpayer bail you out for your ignorance.

From the Right guy yesterday made 2 questionable statements that I must address:  1)You said every human in America can get treatment for disease by simply showing up at an emergency room. We all know that nearly every poor American is eligible for free or drastically reduced in price health care from a whole catalogue of state, federal, private, and charitable organizations.  Truth: Not one person has ever been treated for cancer or given a life-sustaining organ transplant in the free emergency rooms. In fact without a good insurance policy, these people simply die.  2) You said, Danny Williams who is the Provincial Premier, came to the US for heart surgery. In a recent interview he said he will not apologize for seeking the best care possible.  Truth per Danny Williams: he came here for treatment, not because he considered Canadian health care inferior, but because he could get the procedure done with minimally invasive surgery. It seems that doctors in Miami could do the procedure through the armpit as opposed to going through the chest cavity.  The very same procedure, just different means of entry.

Please stop correcting the From the Right guy. He doesn’t like facts.

The 1/4 truth guy strikes again. "Lack of insurance has never killed a single human." Wow. Not one. Ever? Where did you find that fact? I recently lost a friend without insurance. He went to the hospital claiming chest pains. When the hospital learned he didn't have insurance, they sent him home with antacids. He died of a heart attack the next morning. That's fact!

[Job Loss] Thank you and kudos to the poster that gave us this fact. In the last December of Bush’s Presidency America lost 850,000 jobs. One year after President Obama was in office we lost 85,000 jobs. I did the math. Thank You Mr. President. I salute you. Outstanding job slowing down the damage that 3 or 4 months before the election had no bottom!

Dick Cheney is recovering from his fifth heart attack. This is pretty impressive and quite frankly, frightening. I was always taught that a person was only allowed the luxury of three heart attacks. Is he one of the undead? Many religious scholars think so. Is he very lucky? My democrat friends think so. In reality he is the victim of healthcare. You see, he has scary government run socialized health insurance paid by you and me, the proletariat, comrade.

If he had paid for his own insurance, well, to be honest, they would have refused to pay for anything after his first heart attack and dropped his coverage, leaving him with a preexisting condition that would prevent him from ever getting it again and he’d be very dead by now. But our argument is that if he had private healthcare he would have had access to the best medicine and the best doctors in the world, and he wouldn’t have had any heart attacks at all. So Dick Cheney isn’t so smart after all. All these years he could have paid for his own private healthcare but chose the public option instead; and here he is, sitting comfortably in his hospital bed and no bills to look forward to.

[From the Right] Yesterdays CT was loaded with gripes about extreme spending, deficits, and general screw ups that occurred during the Bush Admin. The  Bush bashers are saying that Bush was horrible, but Obama isn’t quite as bad, so Obama is just fine with them. It’s nonsensical, but it is so very Democrat. The Bush bashers are way off base. But they do have a point. Like Obama, Bush was dealt a crappy hand; just like Obama he inherited a recession.  He started in the detritus of the .com crash. Early on he had a market meltdown. And of course, he had 9/11, that forced the wildly expensive rebuilding of the military that Bubba broke. Then we had the beginning of the World War on Terror. In which,  to his credit,  Mr. Obama is following in the Bush footsteps. For the first 6 years, with a Republican Congress, things went pretty good. We had good to excellent employment, and we had increases in GDP nearly every quarter.  Throughout it all Mr. Bush was the target of unrelenting unwarranted ridicule and attack by a media that was slavishly liberal.  Because of ginned up liberal hoopla about Iraq, 2006 changed all of that; the Democrats took control of Congress. Their legislative takeover exacerbated the spending which in turn brought us to our current situation. I hope that at least some of Mr. Obama’s sycophants can recall that Mr. Obama and nearly every one of his Democrat legislative pals voted for the run up of spending during the Bush years. Obama voted for every spending bill. It was Democrat votes on legislation and the attendant spending that got us where we are today. Let me repeat that. Things were going pretty damn well until we were stuck with the Democrat legislature. Then they, including Mr. Obama, began voting to spend like silly fashionista teens using Daddy’s credit card. The last 4 Bush budgets with a Republican legislature saw a reduction in national deficit each year (04-07). In ’08, the first Democrat controlled budget year, the deficit more than doubled. Today, the national deficit is about 6 times what it was in ’07. Mr. Bush’s biggest sin was that he failed to veto so much of this crap. Let’s not forget that it was the massive failure of Democrat Congressional oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that dug the cess pit we now occupy. Democrat legislators (Dodd et al) were overseeing FM/FM’s Democrat management and practices. Those faulty policies and practices had been designed and initiated by Democrats.  Democrat apparatchik were in charge at FM/FM. It was Democrat policy that required lending money to people who could not repay that set the stage for our current mess. The Bush admin attempted reform of FM/FM, but it was voted down by Democrats.  The Bush admin attempted reform of Social Security, but the Democrats defeated it. By now Obama sycophants reading this are nearly apoplectic, but I wonder how many of them will do the research and try to discredit what I have written. Our current Democrat Congress and the Obama admin has morphed a problem into a catastrophe. How’s that for change? When Mr. Obama took office the unemployment rate was about 7%. 13 months later the unemployment rate is 10%. Mr. Obama was hired to fix things, not make them worse.                                                                 

(Part II) By the way, as I write this I look at the canals on either side of my property that I purchases in 1982. I can see no difference in the freeboard now compared as to what it was then. My dock has been in for 20 years, it was purpose built to be very close to MSL, about a foot at MHT, and there is no discernable difference.  Thanks for the kind words, but it really doesn’t take much time to knock this out. I was a cop, a detective, for most of the time. During the nearly 40 years that I served, I got a lot of practice in report writing. This is just report writing with opinions added. It's kind of like a probable cause affidavit.  Please jump in, the more voices that there are speaking out their honest opinions about our situation and ways to cure it, the better. Our Democrat friends sure are vocal. Not enough of us spoke out in opposition to the Bush critics. I believe that  when the Democrat group-speak nonsense goes unchallenged, it can gain unwarranted credibility, ala "The big lie" and master Nazi propaganda meister Goebbels. Therefore we must refute their trash talking.  Kudos for the piece on tips for behavior during a traffic stop. Just the facts M’am.

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Thursday February 25, 2010

Wednesday February 24, 2010

[Downstairs enclosure] Am I wrong or is that a downstairs enclosure under this house in North Carolina? And look it's still there! FEMA had better outlaw upstairs roofs in that area because it looks like their going to have to clean part of this one up wherever it might be.

Stand Up For Animals (SUFA) who run the shelters on Big Pine and in Marathon, is a "no-kill" organization.  Unless an animal is terminally ill or injured, they are not killed.  I volunteer at the Big Pine shelter and can attest to the fact that there are cats and dogs who have been there for years.

They only have about four dogs (most do go to Marathon), but one of them, Marco, has been there at least three years and there are lots of great cats who have been there a long time and would make wonderful pets.  They have all colors, sizes, and temperaments, so I'm confident you can find the cat you're looking for.

[Stock Island Jail Tax Scam] The IRS said it hasn’t done anything to stop the million dollar scam because the amount is so small compared with the total amount of money they deal with. The IRS has allowed this particular fraud to continue for three years. An IRS spokesman said “A very small fraction of those came from prisoners.” It appears that a million dollars isn’t a significant enough amount of money for them to do anything about.

I guess this is another example of our tax dollars at work.

[Climate Change] There is a mountain of evidence for global warming caused by human activity. The main body of that evidence is photographic, and you can see some of it in the link below.

The republicans’ stated excuse of where global warming comes from is a worldwide conspiracy between scientists, university research laboratories to scare us into paying for further research. Therefore there must also be a worldwide conspiracy of doctors that profit by prescribing drugs, and a worldwide conspiracy of football players who intend to rule the earth, by acquiring it ten yards at a time.

If you follow the money, you will find that a few dozen billionaire oilmen stand to lose billions of future earnings if people turn to other sources of fuel. I know of many billionaires that own TV news networks, control PACs, buy huge chunks of advertising time, and hire lobbyists full time. I know of no scientists, researchers, or grad students that do the same. The truth is quiet, it is photographic, and it is free and easily available to you, but you have to look. The contrasting lies are bought and paid for and constantly bombard you with the Big Lie; the more its told, the more true it sounds.

http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/blog/entry/time-lapse-photographic-evidence-of-climate-change/

[Dennis Ward] This voter appreciates you doing what you said you would do in your campaign.  A lobbying and gift ordinance is long over due in this county. It is a real sick society that tolerates and jokes about whose supplying what to which commissioners, be it drugs, money, unlimited freebies, meals, etc.  Members of the Board of County Commissioners have for too long flaunted their actions and arrogantly proclaiming that they are above the law. Someone suggested yesterday a recall of Mayor Murphy and I would support that idea. She repeatedly demonstrates from the dais her disrespect, distain and disregard for the average citizens' concerns.

[Corporations are people too] In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling that corporations have the same rights a people people we need a name change.

Most of us have long known that corporations rule this country so I propose we change our name to The United States of America, Inc.

If Global Warming sea level rise is bunk, then what about the sea level rise in my canal over the last 30 years?

[Sues Navy over Noise] Property owners near Naval Air station Key West have interested a law firm filing suit on their behalf against the US Navy. The firm has set up a website on the subject which can be found at www.keywestjetnoise.com

George Neugent needs not to be on the Board of County Commissioners.  Same for Sylvia Murphy.  They are not above the law and should follow the very code of ethics that both voted for last year for county employees.  Why do we even need commissioners if they are going to violate their own rules whenever it is convenient and serves their own purposes?  It seems like our commissioners have forgotten that they were elected to “serve” the public interest.  I hope voters remember the mockery of public service demonstrated by Neugent. We have had enough of his lip-service-is-all-you'll-get-from-me mentality.  ~ecoplanetgirl@live.com

[Parrotdise] The guy playing the loud music wanted to spoil everybody’s day. He is full of hate and is a real piece of work. He is unstable as hell, and gives ultra light flights for a fee (un-licensed). He has a real hobo style village back in the woods, with many vehicles up on blocks, instead of legal buildings, and no sanitary facilities. The poop police should go see him.

[Influence Peddling] Deer Mr Ward, Please don’t take away the Commissioner’s small bribes. That’s why they ran for office -- they’re only little bribes.

[The Movies] The latest promotional gimmick is to watch this Bollywood horror movie and win $10,000? Watch this movie and win $10,000? - Yahoo! News

Well, I guess I'm glad that someone made some money—I think? Report: Wall Streeters got $20B in bonuses in 2009 (AP)

[Sloan on corruption] I don’t like hearing that behind the scenes Jim Hendrick is telling County Commissioner George Neugent, and perhaps Commissioners Sylvia Murphy and Mario DiGennaro, and County Manager Roman Gastesi and County Attorneys Suzanne Hutton and Bob Shillinger, how to deal with the conflagration George, Sylvia and Mario unleashed when they attended a private dinner at Ocean Reef Club hosted by high officials in Ocean Reef’s PAC, Ocean Reef Community Association (ORCA). The general ORCA membership was not allowed to attend. The Florida Sunshine Law was the issue, Dennis Ward told all five commissioners well before the meeting. Two of them, Kim Wigington and Heather Caruthers, did not attend.
 
I told the commissioners, by email, that they should not attend the ORCA dinner. I don’t know if they consulted their in-house lawyers. If they did, I hate to think Suzanne and Bob didn’t tell their bosses to skip the ORCA dinner. Just look at the grief George, Sylvia, Mario and County Administrator Roman Gastesi would have avoided, if they simply had listened to their own public servant, Dennis Ward. Just think of the grief they could have avoided if they had later listened to me. There was nothing in it for either Dennis or me; we stood nothing to gain. In ignoring us, George, Mario and Sylvia turned Ocean Reef and their loyalty to it into major campaign issues. There was no downside for them to decline Ocean Reef’s invitation. No downside at all. Make no mistake, they created the conflagration, and then they, especially George, kept dowsing it with more and more gasoline. 
 
I can’t help but wonder how much of this mess – I would say regrettable mess, except for the fact Ocean Reef’s pet commissioners’ true colors needed to be hoisted and waved for all the Keys to see – was egged on by Jim Hendrick from behind the scenes. If Jim was smart, he would have told Ocean Reef to back down, not hold the dinner. He would have told George, Mario and Sylvia to give Dennis Ward what he had requested. But then, maybe Jim sees Dennis as a substitute for the US Attorney that convicted him in federal court. Maybe Jim is still fighting his conviction by substituting himself for George, Mario and Sylvia.
 
Jim is the darling at Ocean Reef. They send an airplane down to Key West to fetch him up there on their dime when they want to see him. I realized Jim was lobbying the County from behind the scenes when, about a year ago, he tried to get me to come over to his office one morning to play chess, instead of attending a county commission meeting, where developers were scheduled to try to persuade the commissioners to allow them to build large condominium projects disguised as hotels.

Tips from a Police Officer. What to do when you get pulled over. Tips from a Police Officer

[Tim O’Hara’s article]  O'Hara is tainted because of his relationship with County Administrator's office, he is their stooge and they feed him whatever they feel can be used to manipulate the residents.  It is illegal for the County Administrator to be exempt from the County’s Personnel Code, if they do that they will be playing into Ward's hands.  How are you going to "fight corruption" when you're handing out exemptions?
 
Sadly, George is actually a good commissioner and has some great, progressive ideas that could bring Monroe County out of its fog.  But if he's doing stupid stuff like promoting a new code that would exempt the County Manager from falling under the Personnel Code then, he basically slashed his political wrists and committed political suicide.

The ethics expert from Miami-Dade County (a poor example of ethics) to teach our county personnel and county commissioners about ethics in government, was a joke. 

The bottom line is that the rich buy access and the poor have to show up at the BOCC meetings if they want to express their concerns and opinions about how Monroe County should be run.

Whether Roman violated the very Code of Ethics he had tried so hard to get enacted is a mute point unless Ward steps up to the plate. 
 
Most Monroe County residents get it. The County's Personnel Code of Ethics was not written for the seven top County employees.   

The Ocean Reef Gang of Three are not going to resign because they clearly think they are above the law.  ~isagrand5600@hotmail.com

[Allah’s 79 Virgins] Since singer Susan Boyle ,who professes to being a virgin, has been on TV.  There's been a marked drop in suicide bombings. Apparently many of the terrorists didn't realize what a virgin looked like.

[Confused] I became confused when I heard the word "Service" used with these agencies:
Internal Revenue Service
U.S. Postal Service
Telephone Service
Cable TV Service
Civil Service
State, City, County and Public Service
Customer Service

This is not what I thought Service meant. But today, I overheard two farmers talking, and one of them said he had
hired a bull to Service a few cows. Bam! It all came into focus. Now I understand what all those agencies are doing to us. You are now as enlightened as I am.

[Code enforcement] The beef between Parrotdise and its neighbors, not just the one to the south, has gone on for some time.  The problem is that Parrotdise refuses to follow the noise restrictions established by the county, that being 60 decibels at the property line.  While it might not seem loud to a patron, I can assure you that, as a neighbor who can not simply enjoy an evening of watching TV in their own home, I can understand the frustration of the neighbor to the south. 

The fault really lies with Code Enforcement and the sheriffs department blaming each other and not enforcing the ordinances.  Code enforcement does not work on the weekends when the outdoor music is played and the sheriffs don't want to bother with the assignment to enforce code on the weekend. 

So before you try to lay blame on the one neighbor you should put yourself in his place for a few years and see if finding creative ways to get your point across, without violence doesn't sound rather civilized.

The From the Right Guy is my hero. I don’t know how much time you spend on research to enlighten the wacko lefties out there, but I am sure that it's several hours per post. I also don’t know where you come from or who you are, but two things I am sure of. You are a breath of fresh air; and you speak for many of us that are just not as well read or articulate.

[IKC] Due to the overwhelming success of the live Kill Caged Iguana Shoot ($10 a shot) at the Valentine’s Day Tournament the Iguana Killers Club will be promoting Erotic Kill and Grill island hunting safaris. Hunters will be driven around on guided safaris to the most productive killing fields for Iguana take downs. Numerous locations have already been located and permission has been granted to hunt on these selected private properties. Children under the age of 14 must have their parents signed permission to participate in this event. The IKC will provide use of high powered rifles to the participants after a brief safety course. Six passenger electric solar powered open air vehicles will be used so as not to exhaust polluting emissions into the atmosphere. These vehicles were donated by a now defunct golf course on the West coast of Florida.

Professional IKC hunting guides will be available to educate the hunters about the delicate balance of the beautiful eco systems and habitats of the Florida Keys. The IKC has a great respect for the environment and strongly promotes green hunting. The high standards of the IKC reference rules of engagement, sportsmanship and proper disposal of carcasses will be followed. If you are having problems with these invasive Iguanas on your property and want to have them humanely executed you can contact the IKC to set up having the hunting party safari stop at your property. There is no charge for this extermination service. Applications, dates, locations and starting times will soon be available on the Iguana Killers Club web page and at all tourist welcome centers throughout the Florida Keys.

Hopefully this safari hunting adventure will attract larger numbers of lower end tourists to the Keys during these tough economic times.

[Put to sleep]  You say “murder” while I say. “lovingly put out of its misery”.  We should have the compassion to allow our seniors the same option.   

[Stock Island jail scams turn IRS into ATM] If they were sorting garbage and trash this might not have happened.

[Reptiles of Concern] As God as our witness, Florida will not rest until we put a bullet between the eyes of every alien python, anaconda, and monitor lizard in this state. They have taken our pets, they have taken our Everglades, they have taken our alligators, they have even taken our children, and this means war.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has called open season on "reptiles of concern" from March 8 through April 17. Registered hunters can pay a $26 fee and will be able to freely kill these beasts on state-managed lands around the Everglades. The renegade reptiles on the list include Burmese pythons, Indian pythons, African rock pythons, green anacondas, and Nile monitor lizards. Many of these creatures were brought to Florida as pets, but clueless, irresponsible owners either dumped them in the wild when they grew too large, or didn't take proper precautions to ensure they didn't escape. They've upset the ecosystem and are a danger to other animals and children alike. Scientists have warned that different types of pythons could interbreed, resulting in a hybrid super snake.

So if you've got a gun, get out to the Everglades and kill them. This is one of the reasons why we have the Second Amendment, all right. Just make sure to, you know, not accidentally shoot a hunting buddy or any of Florida's native endangered species.

To paraphrase Dylan:
Come gather round people wherever you roam,
and watch your trailer turn into a million dollar home,
but don’t feel too bad ‘cause you ain’t alone.
for the times they are a-changin’

Redneck hot tub.

[Affordable housing] Take a look at Cheeca Lodge or Hawk’s Cay, both of whom have workforce affordable housing.  Check out the employees.  Good people.  Hard-working.  Friendly.  Now ask the employees who live on the premises where they hail from.  The answers are Jamaica, Russia, Poland and some other obscure East European country.  These are persons who stay in affordable workforce housing during season and return home off-season.   These are not members of the community, nor do they intend to be, nor do they contribute to it. 

There is nothing wrong with that as long as citizens of the Keys remain aware that the affordable housing the developers propose is for their workforce not your former neighbors whose trailer park was recently purchased by some gigantic mega-developer.  There is a crucial difference between workforce housing and affordable housing. 

As Rick Casey of the Middle Keys Community Land Trust maintains, there is a limited number of affordable housing units available according to law.  The more units you allocate for workforce housing the less are available for plain old affordable housing. 

[Euthanasia] If any animal can be killed by humans because we don't want them or need them any longer; and humans are really two legged animals … then ... nah, they'd never go for the mother-in-law thing!

I too went to the Stock Island animal shelter to get a cat to replace the one that died (20 years old). The paperwork was more involved than buying a home. I left without a cat. They say they try to place cats in good homes, but they do everything in their bureaucratic power to prevent it. I saw a poster yesterday that had the same problem. I wonder how many of us are turned away.

I still don’t have a cat. Does anyone have a kitten I can use for the next twenty years?

[Republicans should have been born smarter and white]  I thought Republicans were already smarter and white.

[Government Spending] The reason Republicans hammer on about the deficit isn't because they are worried about government spending, Lord knows there has not been a Republican Administration since the sainted Dwight Eisenhower who has reined in government spending. The reason deficit spending is the Big Lie pushed by Republicans, and parroted even by Democrats (also big spenders) is because they want to use The Deficit to make you poorer. I have pointed out previously that cutting deficits takes a whole lot more than cutting pork spending or a few hundred million here and there. Cutting the deficit involves destroying programs that have benefited working Americans since the last Great Depression. Unless working Americans tell legislators (elected with corporate money) to go ride a bike.
 
Republicans will always suggest killing programs that benefit working people and never taxing people who have more money in their checking accounts than you will see in the rest of your life. Democrats wanted to provide health care for all by taxing people who earned more than $350,000 a year an extra $15,000. They have proposed means testing Social Security to preserve the program forever.

But these ideas to give working Americans a measure of peace of mind are always shouted down by the fake deficit hawks on the Right. The Republican Party's big problem is that they support a small core group of very wealthy people, yet to win the votes to take power they have to present themselves as supporting working people. So they tell the Big Lie that if you support the Republicans eventually you will become rich enough to benefit from their program cutting. Meanwhile you will suffer and a lot.
 
I have asked you all for suggestions on specific programs to be cut to eliminate the deficit; and as you can see, when you get specific no easy answers are forthcoming. That should be a cause for concern if you are a working (or unemployed) American. The deficits themselves have been built into our budget over the decades by politicians of both parties afraid to make tough decisions. Why are they afraid? Because every time they try to level with you, you the voters vote them out of office.

It's time for American voters, people who actually go to the polls, to grow up. We need mature voters and determined Americans to end the power of corporate lobbying and tell our leaders they need to listen to us and make tough decisions. There are more of us working people voting than there are rich people ripping us off. Fight back with your vote and support candidates who speak truth and back programs that benefit you.

Ancient Rome declined because it had a Senate, now what's going to happen to us with both a House and a Senate?   ~Will Rogers

[Deficit] For those of you who want to buy into the anti-Obama rhetoric that the Republicans want to foist off on us, let me give you some facts:  (This isn't talk radio spin or half-truths or lies; these are facts that the Party of No wants you to forget):

 1.  When President George W. Bush took office, President Clinton passed onto him a federal budget with a $236 billion surplus.  Budget surpluses were projected for the next 10 years.

 2.  When President Bush left office, he handed President Obama a $1.3 trillion deficit.  We were in the deepest recession since the great depression and the economy was on the verge of a complete meltdown.  

3.  How did President Bush and his Republican friends in Congress turn billions of dollars in surplus into more than a trillion dollars of deficit?  Deep tax cuts for the rich, not once, but twice.  He started two wars, Iraq and Afghanistan.  None of it was paid for.  The tax cuts and the wars were put on the national credit card.

4.  During the eight Bush years, the amount of the national debt became greater than the total debt of all the presidents before him—combined!

5.  During President Bush's last month in office, December 2008, 850,000 Americans lost their jobs.  A year later, in December 2009, the number of lost jobs was 85,000.

These facts show the mess that was turned over to President Obama.  

Now the Republicans and their Tea Party friends want you to vote the Democrats out of office.  Are you kidding me?  For what?  More of the same? Now Republicans are kissing Tea Party’s ass. All the Tea Party wants is to abolish Social Security and Medicare and go back to living like it's 1854.  Be careful.  Things could get a hell of a lot worse than they are right now.  

[Tea Baggers are phonies] They are mad at Obama because he ran up the deficit to astronomical heights. Do they even know why? It was to prevent the country from going into a depression. Would they rather have that? I think they would, as would all traitors.

[Big government] Deer From the Right guy, If the republicans are all for smaller government was the government smaller or larger after 8 years of the Republican President then it was after President Clinton left office? I will count every day until I get a simple answer. No spinning please or going off on the usual ranting or spinning the question into some answer avoiding the question. Larger or smaller government after Bush left office?

Sweatin' With the Socialists http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izpU4YJ0ZAA

[From the Right] It had been fervently hoped that Obamacare as first written was dead, and that we will now be able to really put together methods to actually reduce the cost of delivering medical care. But it was not to be. Mr. Obama’s politics have reared their ugly heads again.  Mr. Obama’s latest iteration is a near mirror of the earlier version. The newest version has virtually no measures to designed to cause a reduction in the cost of medical care.  Once again this proposal's bogey man is healthcare insurance. The bill is nearly silent on anything else. Mr. Obama wants you to forget that insurance is there to pay bills, if the bills are high, the cost of the insurance will be high. Drive down the nuts and bolts cost of health care, medical bills will fall, and insurance premiums will follow. Democrat bluster and bull are back at work. One poster blamed lack of insurance for 50K deaths p/a. That is pure donkey dung, its absolutely untrue. 1^st, folks die from disease, trauma, or old age. Lack of insurance has never killed a single human. That charge is nothing more than slick nonsensical sloganeering. 2^nd, every human in America can get treatment for disease by simply showing up at an emergency room. We all know that nearly every poor American is eligible for free or drastically reduced in price health care from a whole catalogue of state, federal, private, and charitable organizations. The vast majority of Americans who do not have health insurance, have made a thought out rational decision not to buy it. For some people it is a waste of money. Another bluster is a brag on how good medical care is in places like Canada. Folks who make that claim are never able to explain why the head of government medicine in Canadian provinces New Found land and Labrador, Danny Williams who is the Provincial Premier, came to the US for heart surgery. In a recent interview he said he will not apologize for seeking the best care possible. The latest Obamacare BS bomb completely misses the point, it does not attack the cause of the high cost of medical care, it does not even treat the disease, it only attacks the symptoms. The disease is the cost of treatment; the symptom is the bill for the treatment.  Don’t forget that we can’t now afford Obamacare because we’re broke. Mr. Obama himself says that it will cost over one Trillion Dollars. The Congressional Budget Office says that they can’t even figure out how much it will cost from the data that Mr. Obama provided. You can be positive that the cost will be way, way, way above One Trillion Dollars, some experts predict $2.3 to $3 trillion dollars. No, hell no!                                         

(Part II) The other day a Bush bashing poster waxed nostalgically about FDR’s “glorious anti fascist 1930’s". Let’s look at that. Did you ever hear of Huey “The King Fisher” Long?  During the ‘30’s Long was a fantastically popular political figure from Louisiana. He was a man of the people, a magic orator, and ruthless in his pursuit of power. At the pinnacle of his power he was the Governor of Louisiana. While Gov, he was elected US Senator, but he delayed taking the seat so he could temporarily continue to rule Louisiana until he could hand pick his successor. Long’s populism sprang from his nary hypnotic oratory and his professed commitment to massive public works,  free public health care, free education, massive government hiring, massive government spending, class warfare through redistribution of wealth, sharply graduated income taxes, huge inheritance taxes, even a guaranteed minimal annual income.  All of that could have been ripped from Mr. Obama’s campaign speeches and his current initiatives. Even then a prominent American Communist (Bittleman) labeled Long as being a “Fascist Demagogue.”  FDR considered him to be a fascist and one his most threatening adversaries. FDR labeled Long as being one of the most dangerous men in America. Long was murdered by another political rival in 1935. Was FDR’s battle against Long any part of his so called “Glorious Battle against Fascism?” If so, what do you suppose FDR’s take would be on Mr. Obama?

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Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tuesday February 23, 2010

[Stock Island jail scams turn IRS into ATM] Inmates at a South Florida jail were masters at picking Uncle Sam's pocket, filing for more than $1 million in bogus tax refunds. Now the feds are fighting back.

Before the scam was uncovered, they hauled in as much as $100,000 for themselves, their friends and relatives, say past and present law-enforcement officials. It was easy money.

The scam was simple. Inmates at the Stock Island Detention Center, their friends and family members filed 1040EZ forms (the short form) along with the one-page 4852 form, which is a substitute for the W-2 when an employer doesn't provide one. The scammers filled in the names of phony or defunct businesses and fabricated tax withholding and income figures, which they often claimed to have earned at a time when they were incarcerated. Many went through unverified.

In most cases, the requested refunds were for about $5,000.

Investigators discovered that many IRS refund checks were sent directly to the jail, a lockup at 5501 College Road with a capacity for about 600 inmates, male and female. The money either was signed over to relatives or deposited directly into inmates' canteen accounts. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-south-florida-jail-scams-022110,0,6095069,full.story

Sunday’s Tier and ROGO poster is either seriously uninformed and unclear on the concept, or she is part of the problem group trying to fool us with that old, tired, “the sky-is-falling and development-is-coming” fear tactic.

Once we are bankrupt, what good will Tier, ROGO, or the HCP do? Once we are upside down on the tax rolls, who is going to pay for anything this County, or you as a taxpayer need?

[Euthanasia] It would be utopic if animal shelters weren't needed because people spayed and neutered their pets and all pets were wanted.   I feel sorry for the many animals that are euthanized as most deserve good, "forever" homes. 

I recently bought a puppy of a certain breed and several people brought up the fact that I could have adopted some dog or puppy from a shelter.  I tried looking up the Rescue website for the breed I wanted and all the candidates were adult animals with behavior issues:  "Shy girl who, with patience and TLC, will come out of her shell",  "Fun-loving rambunctious male will make a great companion (will need a high-fenced yard, no cats)", etc. I don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars and hours on training and classes to bring it out of it's shell, not jump fences, run away, or savage my cat.   Since a dog is a long-term commitment, I wanted a specific breed with traits that I am familiar with and endeared to and would fit my lifestyle.  I wanted to train a puppy myself and have its behavior developed so that it is a friendly, safe dog to have in the community.  I don’t feel guilty about buying my puppy.  I bought the right breed for the right reason at the right time for me.  Some people have the patience and resources to work with a diamond-in-the-rough that they adopted from the shelter.  Others go to the shelter and immediately find their four-legged soul-mate.  All of these ways of acquiring a pet is ensuring that the pet is wanted and hopefully going to a good home. 

I wish all pets were spayed and neutered.  I wish all pet owners were of the responsible kind.  I wish all pets had nurturing, loving homes.  I also wish peace on earth but people are people.

[Country two-step comes to AARP] Country dancing has been added to the list of classes offered by the Dallas MacDonald Senior Center in Big Pine Key. Led by Kim and Hoss Ranck, the class includes two-step, waltz, and circle dances, all with a country theme. Says Kim, “We’re just going to have fun.” The free classes are held Monday nights from 7 to 9 pm. For more information call Kim at 484-356-3313.

Other activities at the Center include line dancing, exercise, quilting, bowling, and keyboard classes. The prime activity, however, provided by Monroe County, is the daily lunch program available to all seniors. This is a vital asset for those who are unable to prepare meals for themselves.  The suggested donation is $2, but more is greatly appreciated since the actual cost is over $9.  Monroe County also provides limited transportation.  Call the center for more information: 872-3990.

The Dallas MacDonald Senior Center is on Key Deer Blvd. behind the new fire station.  Bulletin Board > Continuing Events

[Dog Park] Thank you to everyone who came out to support or donate items to the Big Pine Bark Park at our Yard Sale this past weekend. We had a great turnout and are already planning another one. We are still accepting donations, gift certificates and volunteers for future events. We will also be at Boondocks Pet Party on the patio March 7. Please feel free to email us with questions and visit our website. http://bpbp.shutterfly.com

[Euthanasia] Over the years I have had many animals and have had to put some of them to "sleep".  My experience isn't anything like the one described here on Monday.  I have been fortunate enough to live in the Keys, where we have some wonderful vets.  They have come to my home, encouraged me to hold my pet and say goodbye. They have given the animal a sedative if needed, then the final shot.  Each one has been calm, quietly closing their eyes and slowly stopped breathing.  While it breaks my heart to have to say goodbye, it can be a gentle way to let go of the pets we cherish.  It doesn't have to be the way described.  I am thankful we have kind and caring professionals in the Keys who help us with the final service we can do for our pets.

This Saturday the Florida Keys Dragon Boat Club will be set up at the Key West Boat Show out at Truman Annex.

 We will be promoting the sport of Dragon Boat Paddling, the Battle in the Bay Dragon Boat Festival and its advantageous benefits to ones health - physically, mentally and spiritually. 

We will go out for a paddle on the hour from 10 am to 5 pm. The boat will be in the water at the old seaplane ramp at the Truman Annex sea wall. I will need help with promotion, paddling, loading and unloading the boat, setting up a table and some shade. We will have a sign-up sheet, information regarding the Battle in the Bay Festival and Team information. Come out and paddle with us, come out and sit at the booth , 

Paddle this Wednesday at 5 pm. We will haul the boat out at Luckies Landing after paddle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4DQ2vTT3O8

This past Saturday, we stopped at Parrotdise to hear DJ George.  I had seen the advertisement here on the CT about his spinning tunes that night, and he is great!

We got there right at 7PM, and he was still setting up.  However, we couldn't help but hear the very loud music coming from the house on the south side of the bar.  They had their outside speakers playing to the max, and it sounded like Andrea Bocelli.  Wow, evidently whoever lives there has a major beef with Parrotdise?  Someone told us that they had been playing the loud music all day.  Does anyone know anything about this?

DJ George just ignored the interruption and did his thing beautifully. He plays everything from the disco era all the way up to the current stuff, and he takes requests.

[Diageo Rum (Capt Morgan)] Florida Senators in middle of rum fight. A number of lawmakers question the wisdom of using billions of dollars of American taxpayers' money to build a rum plant in the Virgin Islands for a foreign company. Florida senators in middle of rum fight - Florida - MiamiHerald.com

Down stairs enclosures are not illegal on new homes.  The restrictions are that the enclosure must be less that 300 square feet and not have any finished living area. 

There’s a Moon out tonight, whoop-do-do do… Slide Show

[Word Police] You should never, ever abbreviate the word "analysis." There simply is no need and it never ends well.

Iowa
It's winter in Iowa, 
And the gentle breezes blow, 
70 miles per hour at 25 below.

Oh, how I love Iowa 
When the snow's up to your butt. 
You take a breath of winter air, 
And your nose is frozen shut

Yes, the weather here is wonderful, 
I guess I'll hang around. 
I could never leave Iowa, 
'Cause I'm frozen to the ground.

Do not bad mouth Ed's buddies.  I made comments about a business and he sent the email to the business owner and singled me out. The next day I got an email from the owner with my full name on it and threats to me. Nice going Ed.

Oh how I like accuracy, spelled USA military! Thank you fighter pilots and ground forces.

The attached video was filmed by some Air Force Joint Tactical Air Controllers (JTAC) in Tal Afar, west of Mosul, in Iraq. A marine unit got pinned down in the street. They set their video camera on the bumper of their armored HUM-V, which they were using for cover. Keep an eye on the opposing van parked just down the street. On the audio you can hear them shooting back and forth. The rounds you can hear are from the Marines, and the ones you hear pinging against the side of the vehicle with no accompanying pop are from the bad guys. When the Marine says they just fired the rifle, it means an F-16 aircraft just launched a Maverick missile. You can hear it come in and see it strike the vehicle the bad guys were using for cover. Talk about pinpoint accuracy! End of story--for the bad guys. Video

Cockpit view from the Shuttle. Video

[Euthanasia 101] That was a heart-wrenching story of how humane society and those other animal loving organizations put down un-wanted or sick animals. That's why whenever any of my animals has to be put down, I just take them out back and put a .22 bullet in their brain when they are not looking. They never know what hit them and there is no pain for them.

Florida Master Naturalist Program. The mission of the Fla. Master Naturalist is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida's natural world among Florida's citizens and visitors. Florida Master Naturalist Program Homepage

[Dog Wanted] I wanted to, and tried to adopt a dog from the Stand Up for Animals, Marathon Shelter. (Big Pine shelter sends all small dogs to the Marathon shelter) and Marvelous Pet Rescue in Key Largo, but they made it too difficult and invasive. they wanted over $100 bucks, a letter from my landlord, fill out a form longer than my arm, visit my house, local references and a note from my mom.  I just wanted a dog and companion. Ii did not want to adopt a child. If you have one or know of a small young dog that needs a good home  Call Max 304-2664 or 1956max@gmail.com

How not to use a breathalyzer! I had to laugh out loud. Video

[Recycling Police]  A solution to the recycling issue. Be careful what you ask for.  A scheme that is cropping up is to require the use of clear bags so that the trash collectors can tell when you are not recycling. Then you get progressive fines for not recycling and ultimately they refuse to pick up your trash.

Dell tech support. A recent PC World Magazine poll voted Dell the worst computer company. Dell made it's reputation from their superior tech support, but that has steadily declined over the years to where they are almost at the bottom now.

Marijuana use by seniors goes up as boomers age. Seacoastonline.com

[No Free Lunch] Free pancakes at IHOP today, Feb 23. That's when the famous chain is giving away free short stacks from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The pancake freebie is part of their efforts to promote National Pancake Day. Eating for free comes with a price, however. IHOP asks that you donate a few bills to the Children's Miracle Network to support sick kids. Not a bad trade-off!

[Euphemism] I hate when people say "I had to put my dog down" when they meant, I murdered my dog.  Be honest, the dog is not the problem, you are.  If you cannot properly raise a dog, please do not have children.

[Paper or plastic] I don't understand how people can be so ignorant as to think they are saving the rain forest, red woods etc. by not wanting us to use paper. The trees that paper is made from are, for the most part, grown for that specific purpose. The southern pine trees can be harvested in as little as 10 years for paper pulp. They are re-planted and harvested like any other crop.

[Rednecks in Uganda] Women's rights activists in Uganda finally got the attention of the Western press in December, when London's The Independent verified the plight of Jennipher Alupot, who periodically, for seven years, had been forced to breastfeed her husband's hunting dogs as she was nursing the couple's own children. Farmer Nathan Awoloi of Pallisa explained that his dogs needed to eat, and since he was forced to send Jennipher's family two milk cows in order to win her hand, he felt his demands were reasonable.

An armadillo was spotted on Big pine, according to the Key West Citizen. I recommend immediate formation of the Armadillo Killers Club to confront this menace. A quilting bee to raise funds for weapons is in order.

[Republican Straw Poll] You can sense how desperate the Republicans have become. At the recent CPAC, Ron Paul won the straw poll with about 31% and then was promptly booed out of the hall. The Republican base was never invited. Regular fiscally conservative folks who want a country favorable for small business, equal treatment under the law, and protection of individual freedoms were not invited. Racists, religious fanatics, gun nuts, and a couple of very famous alcoholics took center stage. A party divided and taken over by the lunatic fringe they exploited for so many years. The New Virgin Mary, Sarah Palin only got 7% of the vote.   

Obama’s healthcare plan is really to make everyone to pay for healthcare, not just the rich. Prepare to get plucked turkeys. In my lifetime, spanning from FDR to Obama, all the government has done is make my life tougher and poorer.

[Healthcare] I think it’s awful when I read Republicans’ letters saying what great healthcare we have in America, like there aren’t 50,000 people dying each year from lack of access to that same great care. Republicans say to hell with those people, let them die. They should have been born smarter and white.

[Healthcare] Prepare to have the crap frightened out of you again. The President has put his name to a health insurance reform proposal and is offering it up for everyone to read and understand on their own. Republicans have nothing. It's this or bake sales for the rest of your short, obese, disease riddled lives.

Was that scary enough for you? Or have you asked yourselves why Canada and Australia both have socialized care for everyone. Yet they have less than half the debt, in proportion, than we do when compared to Gross Domestic Product? Less debt - more health care - better regulated banks - no foreign military bases. Now there's a formula for more effective governance. Or get rid of Social Security and Medicare as the Republicans want to do. That would be the government putting their hands on your Medicare if you elect Republicans.

This could fry your brain if you think too hard about it. Go back and listen to your leaders they have your best interests at heart, certainly not those of the corporations. (sarcasm)

I will make a bargain with the Republicans. If they will stop telling lies about Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them.  ~Adlai Stevenson

Phase 2 of the global warming debate has just been resolved.  The chief scientist involved in the paper regarding Sea Level Rise has just admitted that two major pieces of data were fatally flawed, and there is no evidence of significant sea level rise in the next century.

[Flat Rate Federal Tax] How about a flat tax of 10% and have the damn government reduce their spending by 30%.
 
There are two sides to the deficit equation--income and expenses.  Our taxes are what the government counts as income.  Government spending is what they count as expenses. 
 
There is no reason that they can't reduce their spending rather than have them take more money from all of us.

[Politics Review] One of the many things I love about this cockeyed country of ours is what a predictable nation we are. I mean, here we are, deep into another election season, a very important one both nationally and locally, and, sure as that rowdy adolescent George Washington confessed to the butchering of his Dad’s favorite cherry tree, we’re back to the same old barrage as one politician faces off against another. 

Nationally, it’s really starting to heat up.  It won’t be long before Candidate for Senate X accuses Candidate Y of conceiving a love child in the shadows of an illegal border crossing then having the pregnant woman shipped off to the frontlines of Iraq where she broadcasts indiscreet messages to the troops in the infamous tradition of Tokyo Rose.  Of course, Candidate Y will refute the charges, calling them outrageous, even heinous while reminding the voters that his esteemed opponent still has not fully explained his penchant for late might internet chitter-chat.  Best yet, both political camps will deny that any charges were ever leveled and that no one, absolutely no one ,would ever stoop to such depth of dastardly conduct,  Each press secretary will appear before the bling of cameras and microphones and remind the nation of his or her candidates love for God, Country and apple pie.  They’ll gush such intense adoration that it would make the plunge into the murky world of dirty politics impossible.  This never happened, they’ll insist.  And even if it did, it will never happen again.  And most time, it doesn’t. The damage has already been done. 

Ah, American politics.  Wag the dog.  Feed the handler and count the votes. If you don’t like the tally, count them again.  Chances are you’ll find your party fares much better the 2^nd time around.

A highway sign in northern Kenya near the Sudan border.

[From the Right] Yesterday, for some strange reason, a pair of posters defended Mr. Obama by hollering that Mr. Bush was then nearly bad as Mr. Obama is now. The only coherent complaint was Mr. Bush’s spending. Even at that, the loudest voices then bitching at Bush spending were Democrat. The fact is that Mr. Bush did grow government far too much, and he did sign off on far too much Democrat spending. And the Dems then bitched about it.  A lot.  Since Mr. Obama has been in office he has managed to quadruple the worst Bush deficit. In part he’s chosen to do that by his gargantuan spending and his hiring new government workers by the long ton. Mr. Obama has only had one year to accomplish that prodigious, herculean spending. Here’s only one tiny part of the reason for our deficit.  According to USA Today, at the beginning of the fiscal downturn, the Federal Transportation Dept had one employee making $170K or more a year. Now, under Mr. Obama, there are 1,690 making $170K or more a year. You've got wonder when our Dems office holders will finally realize that we are broke. Mr. Bush was a Monroe County building code violator compared to Mr. Obama’s huge Ponzi schemes. And still our Dem friends swoon at the mere mention of the word "Obama."

(Part II) Some CT readers have been really pissed at those of us non scientists who have regularly questioned the strident sales staff of Man Caused Global Warming Inc. We have regularly said that their claim was not settled science. W have regularly said that their science is flawed and that their sales pitch is very much more political than scientific. Suprise, Suprise!  On Sunday, MCGW’s home office issued a recall for one of their premier models. That's the you're gonna drown from rising sea levels model line. The who shebang has been found to be stink-o bad science and it is now recalled, discarded. Until a few months ago we were told that global sea levels would rise by between about 7" and 24" by 2100. A brand new paper was published last December. This newer paper said that the earlier science was all screwed up. Honest to God, they actually admit that it was wrong. The newest paper says: “we can no longer draw firm conclusions regarding 21st century sea level rise from this study without further work,“  The new study admits that the previous “settled science”  was full of mistakes.  Gang, there is no “settled science” on climate change. Now they say that sea levels will rise by between 2.9 inches and 74 inches by 2100. Simply put, they say that they just don’t know, they don’t have a clue. The tell us that they think that maybe sea levels might rise...That shocking news just surfaced Sunday. Even MCGW home office admits that they have no real idea what will happen, if anything, with sea levels. I submit that they have no idea if there is even any worldwide global climate change, to say nothing of any climate change caused by man. It really makes one wonder what the next report might say; perhaps it will predict a new Ice Age.  Perhaps all of this will really mean that Port Pine Heights will no longer have Ocean or Gulf access. Maybe condo’s in a dried up Bogie Channel.  Maybe Mayo Key Mansions, or Bull Frog Bank Country Club. For sure, this all means that their “settled science” is nothing more than SWAG--a scientist’s Wild Ass Guess. That damned sure is not sufficient reason to surrender our way of life or our economy for the profit of Al Gore and his pals.

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Tuesday February 23, 2010

Monday February 22, 2010

[Spam] 92% of all email sent in 2009 were classed as spam and that social networks such as Facebook and Twitter became popular with cybercriminals as a distribution channel for malware.

[40,000,000 Dead] Between 1520 and 1600 in the area that is now central Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua had their populations decimated by ninety percent by disease brought over from the Europeans. Smallpox, malaria and influenza caused the greatest demographic catastrophe in human history. At least forty million people died.

How to wrap a cat for Christmas. How to wrap a cat for Christmas. [VIDEO]

[Movie Macho Men] Most of them smoked like chimneys too. That might be some of the reasons they’re not around anymore. Now-a-days all the so-called macho men promote razors, hair goo and underwear.

[Flora] It's getting beautiful outside again. Want help identifying a tree, shrub or flower in your area? Contact or become a Monroe County Master Gardener. Plant Identification Learning Module: Ornmentals - UF/IFAS Master Gardeners

[Sorting Trash] The writer that was talking about pre-trial detainees missed the point. No one was talking about detainees. They were talking about convicted prisoners sorting garbage. In this area we have the Big Pine Road Prison. Those inmates volunteer to maintain the roads’ vegetation. I’m sure they would volunteer to sort garbage for jailhouse favors and more “good time” to their sentences. Prisoners are used all over the country to do crummy jobs as long as they don’t compete with businesses.

How about a flat rate Federal income tax for everyone of say, 15%? Everyone, with no deductions for anything allowed?

[History] The main difference for the history of the world if I had been shot rather than Kennedy is that Onassis probably wouldn't have married Mrs Khrushchev.  ~Nikita Khrushchev

[Stimulus Money] It might not have created any jobs in Monroe County, but it sure saved a whole lot.

[Computer woes] I'm quite pleased with W-7, especially now that my DSL is working properly. I had begun to wonder if it was 7's fault. The really short version is there were 5 calls to India and the Philippines totaling about 8 hours (one lasted 4 hours).  I received 3 new modems and had two tech home visits. Everybody reset the password. It would work at their desk, but not mine. The 2nd tech (the smart one) brought an industrial strength modem/router and worked until he got to the root of the problem -- a  glitch in Atlanta. It's working fine now (until it goes out again).

Micro air vehicles—a new weapon. http://video.designworldonline.com/bugbots.html

[Cold Lizard Before and After] A couple of weeks ago I sent in a photo of a Day Gecko that was immobilized on a post due to the cold. Yesterday I found him and he didn’t look so good.

[Tolerance] Have you ever had anyone “chew your ear off”? This patient cat did. Video

[The Movies] You might find how they do it interesting. Movies are about illusions. YouTube - Stargate Studios Virtual Backlot Reel 2009

If downstairs enclosures are illegal, what is the brand new home with one doing on Big Pine?

[Let There Be Light] Endeavour pilot Terry Virts opened the windows of the newly installed cupola one at a time early Wednesday, giving spacewalkers Robert Behnken and Nicholas Patrick an early look into the International Space Station's room with a view that they had helped install.

The cupola's fully opened windows look down on the Sahara Desert in this image that was 'tweeted' from space by JAXA astronaut and Expedition 22 flight engineer Soichi Noguchi.

He saw a train
And tried to duck it
He hit the gas
And kicked the bucket!

~Burma Shave

Time zones and where the Sun don’t shine. http://www.time.gov/timezone.cgi?Central/d/-6/java

[Sold my termite infested house to some NY schmuck after Wilma] Kiss my arse and good riddance.  Big Pine used to be a nice laid back place before you greedy bastards from white-flight big cities came down here and ran up real estate prices for 3 years (the average stilt house appreciated 10k a month from 2001-2004) and ran everyone cool away, either because they couldn’t turn down 250k for a 40 year old mobile home or afford the higher rent the more expensive mortgages demanded.

[Sloan] Even if you were born yesterday, you have to ask yourself why County Commissioner George Neugent went rabid over State Attorney Dennis Wart backing a county-imposed lobbyist registration ordinance. You have to wonder why George went rabid over Dennis backing a county-imposed limit of $50 dollars that county commissioners can allow to be spent on them by way of gifts, lunches, fishing trips, golf outings, escorts, whatever, before it has to be reported. You have to wonder why George went rabid over Dennis coming to a county commission meeting and telling the county commissioners not to attend the Ocean Reef dinner, because it might violate the Florida Sunshine Law.

You have to wonder why George, who complained so very loudly about unethical behavior of the old Gang of Three (Sonny McCoy, Dixie Spehar and Mario DiGennaro), did not send Dennis roses and offer to do any and every thing he could to help Dennis clean up this county’s government. You have to wonder.

Stop wondering; I’ll tell you why. What George is upset about is Dennis has gone after the Republicans’ favorite play things. George is joined at the hip with the Republican Party and views it as politics’ version of Jesus Christ. Anything someone does to challenge the sacred Republican rites and rituals makes George rabid. George is so blinded by his religion that he can only see Dennis as a Democrat. It’s akin to the way radical Moslems view Christians, and vice versa. It’s madness, is what it is. Worse than that, it’s the work of the Devil.

Of course the Devil wants Dennis Ward to be made out like he’s partisan, crazy, evil. Keep that in mind whenever you see or hear George Neugent, or one of his anonymous shills online, take out after Dennis. 

Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down". First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always look like they think they are going for a walk happy, wagging their tails until they get to "The Room". Every one of them freaks out and puts on the brakes when we get to the door. It must smell like death or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there, it's strange, but it happens with every one of them. Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by 1 or 2 vet techs depending on the size and how freaked out they are. Then a euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They will find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the pink stuff. Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk away. I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the resulting blood and been deafened by the yelps and screams. They all don't just "go to sleep", sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves.

When it all ends, your pet’s corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer in the back, with all of the other animals that were killed, waiting to be picked up like garbage. What happens next? Cremated? Taken to the dump? Rendered into pet food? You'll never know and it probably won't even cross your mind. It was just an animal and you can always buy another one, right? I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head. I deal with it every day on the way home from work. I hate my job, I hate that it exists and I hate that it will always be there unless you people make some changes and realize that the lives you are affecting go much farther than the pets you dump at a shelter. Between 9 and 11 million animals die every year in shelters and only you can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can but rescues are always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there are homes. My point to all of this is don't breed or buy while shelter pets die!

Airport security—or not. Video

[Mother Earth] So now we sexualize the planet with gender specific nomenclature? Liberal’s love putting things in such terms because it feels good and sounds passionate -- exclusionary bigoted language be damned.  I won’t even get into the self-indulgent egotistic twaddle about how it’s up to this poster of the sexist language in particular to bear the burden of all humanity. Get off the cross honey, we need the wood.

[Sharpen Knives] The bottom of most ceramic coffee mugs have a flat, unglazed ring that is the perfect surface for giving that dull knife a quick sharpening. Just run the blade across the bottom of the mug at a 45-degree angle, working from the butt up near the knife's handle to the tip. Slide the blade downward in one direction, keeping your fingers out of the way as you work. This little trick will sharpen your knife like new in a few quick strokes. Just don't try it on serrated knives.

“Soup-A-Bowl” Dinner Fest Saturday, March 6 at 6 p.m. at the Island Christian School Family Life Center, MM 83.5 bayside, Islamorada. The event is modeled after “Empty Bowls” project, a national service learning movement and is in response to PeaceJam’s global call to action. The intent is to raise awareness about hunger and homelessness as well as make a difference. “We are following the commitment we made to each other and our community to think globally and act locally,” said Jessica Lankford, board member and ICS student.

Upper Keys Peace Jammers are students from Coral Shores High School, ICS and home education. Together they have planned to host this dinner much like a “soup kitchen” that serves soup, salad, bread and water or tea. The cost per meal is $5. Tickets can be purchased the evening of the event.  Dinner is to be served in bowls and plates made or painted by students from Coral Shores, Treasure Village Montessori, Island Christian and home educated. The dinnerware is to be for sale at the event to help raise additional funds. Bulletin Board

[Arrest] Is this the same guy who for years has been saying someone stole his yacht or some old pontoon boat? I never did understand all the chit chat, but seems he might have opened his mouth and inserted contempt. Just an arrest not a conviction.  Any way its on the Arrest Log date of 2/18/2010.

[Conspiracy] Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.  John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.  John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.  Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.  Both Presidents were shot in the head

Now it gets really weird. Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy.  Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln.

Both were assassinated by Southerners.  Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.  Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839. Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939. Both assassins were known by their three names.  Both names are composed of fifteen letters.

Now hang on to your seat. Lincoln was shot at the theater named Ford.  Kennedy was shot in a car called Lincoln made by Ford.

Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.  Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.

Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials. A week before Lincoln was shot, he  was in Monroe, Maryland  A week before Kennedy was shot, he  was with Marilyn Monroe. 

Key West Botanical Garden events. Key West Botanical Garden

Denture cream problem. My father has used this for 40 years. Yikes! Glaxo to remove zinc from denture cream - Business Breaking News - MiamiHerald.com

[Plastic or Paper] The green-bagger's comments a few days ago created some good discussion about the use of plastic bags. Several pointed out the hypocrisy of shunning plastic bags at the grocery store check-out only to use plastic bags to dispose of one's garbage. Another mentioned that they re-use their plastic bags for many things. These are all good points. Personally, I'm aiming for a common sense middle ground position of using resources responsibly. (I don't want to go back to living in a cave and riding a donkey for transportation – it’s going to happen.) If I get smug or self-righteous about my efforts, call me on it!

[If I had my way, all posts would be 100% grammatically correct and 0% spelling errors] That made me laugh since you spelled scroll as schroll. As for "Deer Ed", he routinely distorts peoples’ posts so much that I do not trust anything I read on here anymore to be even remotely what the author intended. As for the edit-free Saturday that is a complete lie. My posts have been edited, chopped, mangled or just omitted on many Saturdays. Every reader should know that everything published here is filtered through Deer Ed and some subjects are taboo. Showing an animated woman popping Easter eggs out of her vagina is OK, but don't bad mouth Ed's buddies. (Ed: You are correct on every count. It was me who spelled scroll wrong when I put the dashes between the letters. I am a terrible editor. I admit it, but I’m kind to animals and small children.)

[Go granny, go!] This little old Babushka tried to attack a thief. He’s lucky she wasn’t better coordinated. http://living.aol.com/morning-rush/gutsy-grandma-good-morning-america/67277274001/bow?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl7|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fliving.aol.com%2Fmorning-rush%2Fgutsy-grandma-good-morning-america%2F67277274001%2Fbow

Suicide note posted by man linked to Austin IRS plane crash. It is an interesting read. Life is moments, enjoy them. Suicide Note Posted by Man Linked to Austin IRS Plane Crash | CommonDreams.org

[Climate change] Scientists need to redouble their efforts to share the implications of climate change with the public by breaking down the numbers and showing how the often-cited global average temperature rise of three degrees Centigrade could actually send temperatures over the land soaring nearly to nearly nine degrees in the next few decades. http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2010/2010-02-20-01.html

Fear the blobfish!

[Politics] Taking the definition quoted yesterday in the coconut Telegraph thus:
Political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.
 
The suggestion was that the definition fits the style of the current incumbent of the White House, leaving the recent and soon forgotten Bush Administration looking as pure as the driven snow. Indeed how soon we forget! Who exalts "nation above the individual"? The Republicans are always going on about how  we should all hate immigrants who don't look like us. When President Obama reaches out the hand of friendship to foreigner she is roundly abused by Republicans (!) for being an appeaser.
 
"Centralized autocratic government" pretty much defines the policies of Federal torture, imprisonment without trail, wire tapping and accusations of thought crimes (against the Tampa University professor for example) of the recent Bush Administration. 
 
"Forcible suppression of opposition" Personally I just wish the Democrats would steam roller Republicans the way FDR did in the glorious anti fascist 1930's (anti fascist in the US not Spain Germany or Italy). I remember with some distaste how the Bush Administration, intolerant of free speech sidelined protestors in "free speech zones" at public events to deny them a platform. This was the President who chose not to hold press conferences owing apparently to his inarticulate speech.
 
The country voted in overwhelming numbers to get rid of the Bush Administration after eight years of constitutional attacks. Speaking up in favor of those attacks does no credit to the Republicans as upholders of the 4th and 6th Amendments. 

[Big government] The from the right guy said that Democrats always want to make government larger. I have to ask him was the government larger or smaller after 8 years of George Bush the Republican president then it was after 8 years of President Clinton? No spin just a simple answer with no theatrics or offshoots in other directions. Was the government larger or smaller after Bush’s two terms then it was before Bush took office?

[Politics] For those of us who view politics as one of the cheapest forms of entertainment, there is a plethora of debates, advertisements, interviews and rabble-rousing to look forward to.  Most of it will be bought to you courtesy of the ubiquitous conservative talking heads that currently dominate the airwaves.  

[Party of No] I am proud to be a member of the Party of No because no is what this country needs.  It needs no more spending on pork It needs no more spending on people not willing to better themselves.  It is not anyone’s responsibility to feed, clothes, house, or medically support anyone else. You have the right to try and you have the right to fail.

Judicial Watch announces list of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians" for 2009. http://www.judicialwatch.org/news/2009/dec/judicial-watch-announces-list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-2009

[From the Right] I’m beginning to think that we might all be wrong about Mr. Obama, he may not be nearly as bright as we all thought that he was. Our Democrat friends have been telling us that it is imperative that we surrender ourselves to Obamacare. One of the biggest reasons that they cite is that some of version of Obamacare has been presented to the American public for the past 6 decades, and that it has always been denied to the public by some sort of evil presence that blocks its passage. They say that FDR’s reign began their clock ticking. Since FDR we have had 13 Presidents (including FDR), Democrat and Republican presidents. We have had 6 decades of first Republican then Democrat controlled congresses.  For 6 decades America's Democrats and Republicans have said “No” to socialized Medicine. Mr. Obama's worst approval rating, -22%, was in the days just before he attempted to first ram Obamacare through the Senate. In the most recent history, Obamacare was abandoned by the Senate. It was defeated in a Congress controlled by Democrats. It was defeated under the legislative rules that have been in place for years.  On its defeat, Mr. Obama’s approval numbers rose. America liked him better when Obamacare was dead. Obamacare was generally considered dead on/about 1/25/10. Two days before that,Obamacare was expected to pass,  Mr. Obama’s approval rating was minus 19, his 2^nd lowest ever. After the death announcement, Mr. Obama’s polling numbers gradually improved to -4, his best in a long time. Then, late last Friday he made a sneaky stealth announcement that he intended to cram Obamacare down America’s throat whether we like it or not. Mr. Obama is saying to America: "Screw you America, I am Obama, and I want Obamacare, I will have it!." He intends to ignore the long standing rules and precedents of the Senate and simply Rahm it through. After his stealth announcement,  Mr. Obama’s approval has immediately plummeted back to -19, that ties his 2^nd lowest approval rating ever.  Even worse for Mr. Obama is the disclosure that on Sunday, only 22% of likely voters “strongly approve” of him. That’s the lowest ever. Nearly twice that number (41%) “strongly disapprove” of his performance. The American people don’t want Obamacare; 60% of us want it dead. Most Americans are hot to have the cost of health care reduced, but they don’t believe that Obamacare will or can do that. Most of us don’t even that it is designed to do that. If Mr. Obama were as smart as he is billed to be, he would simply move on. Mr. Clinton did that and won back  positive approval ratings. To tell the truth, I hope that Mr. Obama continues on his course. Because of his intransigence, and because America is a Center-Right country, his refusal to step back will bring us several steps closer to a Republican controlled Congress.

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Monday February 22, 2010

Sunday February 21, 2010

[Africa] There is a stable and beautiful country in Africa. It’s called Botswana. Read about it in The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith (also a lovely HBO series). While the books are fiction they are well written. Mr McCall is a Scott who was born and grew up in Botswana. Unfortunately AIDS is a major problem in Botswana as it is all over the world.

(This is my first try at participating in the CT although I am a faithful reader.)

Does it really matter if global warming really exist or not? Do we, as humans, think we have the right to continually take and take from the earth and never give back? We are a part of nature.  Everything in nature exists with balance.  And guess what people? We are not destroying Mother Earth, we are destroying the human race. Mother Earth has shown over and over that with time she will heal herself; but she won't keep us humans around while she mends herself.

Will the human race be gone in my life time? No, but what about my children’s, my grandchildren’s, my great-grandchildren’s time? What kind of quality of life are future generations going to have because our generation is to selfish to give back more then we take and leave just our footprints behind?

I don't know what you can do, but I know what I can do to live more in balance with nature. I can walk the mile or so to the store to get the few things I need or ride my bike. If I do need to drive my car, I make sure I do all my errands at once in an efficient manner.  I can recycle and reuse.  I can vote for people who care about future generation’s quality of life. 

The list goes on.

I am just a person who can't change the world, but can change the world around me by living in balance with nature.

[Bobsledding without snow]  Want to go for a ride?  Have nothing better to do? Clink on the link http://www.gamaniak.com/video/3625

[Rajasthan, India] Slide 30, or so, showed an arch going to the market place. I bought opium in an apartment in that arch. It was very scary. The guy had a knife scar from his eyebrow down to his chin. He looked like he was right out of central casting. He cooked the opium with sugar on the stove for me to eat in a crispy wafer of sorts. I had the greatest dreams imaginable and felt great the next day with the memories of those dreams lingering just below the surface. Definitely habit-forming! Rajasthan Slides

An immigration solution to hospitals in Miami and the Keys money problems? Buy two jackets and a magnetic sign for a vehicle that says ICE on them. Have two employees with ICE jackets outside the emergency room entrance and the vehicle clearly visible with the ICE sign or a Border Control logo on the side near the entrance to the emergency room.

“I wished for food.” Video

[Journalism] I have noticed in recent months that one of our free local rags is getting harder and harder to read. I read the same story two weeks in a row about some guy who advertises and writes a column for them. That is second only to the misadventures of local celebrities who blather on and on about themselves. What happened to journalism?

The swimming hole and my Firebird are two things I miss about the Keys!

[Corruption] The recent school audit showed the Food Service department reported serving 935 meals to a student body of only 396 students.

[Movie Macho Men] We all know it’s tea. The point you all missed is that in the 40s and 50s it was very macho to drink heavily. Just look at movie cowboys and the Rat Pack and their flaunting of liquor.

Video of Sloan during his candidacy for mayor of Key West. He like’s KW because it’s the only place he’s ever been where he’s not the weirdest person in the room. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IftK8jO52-A

[Islam] There is simply no room left for any further accommodation or dialogue with barbarians, nor with those who would sell us out to the highest bidder for that matter. Video

See if you can read each line aloud without a mistake. The average person over 40 years of age cannot do it.
                       1.  This is this cat.
                        2.  This is is cat.
                        3.  This is how cat.
                        4.  This is to cat.
                        5.  This is keep cat.
                        6.  This is an cat.
                        7.  This is old cat.
                        8.  This is fart cat.
                        9.  This is busy cat.
                       10. This is for cat.
                       11. This is forty cat.
                       12. This is seconds cat.

Now go back and read the third word in each sentence from the top down.

Seabreeze trailer park auction on big Pine. They are selling each site separately. It appears that it will remain a trailer park.

What is the keyboard shortcut to shut down Windows 7? Vista had one, but I can't find one for 7.

[Outsourcing] So many are raging about illegals taking jobs, but there are probably more jobs going to all the outsourcing overseas. Try getting tech support that doesn't come from India, Philippines, Pakistan, etc. They always say their name is Jack White or Adam Smith or Nancy Drew but you know from the accent how unlikely that is. I have started asking the Dell or Dish Network tech person where they are physically located. It is amazing how few are in the USA. They will usually tell you the truth, but if you think they are lying, ask what time it is there or what the temperature is today. Cheap entertainment.

Did you see the big promotional video by Ford bragging about their new auto plant in Brazil? Lear and a couple of other US companies have factories next door and manufacture parts that come directly to the assembly line on a conveyor. Bye bye jobs, and your tax dollars help big corporations like Ford cut jobs here. Thanks for nothing, Bush and Obama, et al. Buy a Japanese car, they are made here and US corporations own the Jap companies anyway.

Here is a video of Ford’s Brazil plant. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pczGghB8MKg

[Pickup Trucks] Tuesday night around eight o’clock there was a ball game at Watson Field and the parking lot looked like a pickup truck convention. I didn’t know there were so many pickups around.

What happened to the Clear Channel radio stations in the Keys? I haven’t been able to get 92.7 or 99.5 FM for the pas couple of weeks.

[Tier system and ROGO] I’m amazed by those who don’t want any building restrictions in the Keys. They want to allow building on every inch of the Keys’ rock. All they worry about is money. A writer seems to forget that we elect officials to reflect the peoples’ will. Conservationists are in office now because the majority of taxpayers elected them and want them there. They are doing the peoples’ work, finally! Not the work of developers as in our last few Commissions. The people have spoken. We want to preserve the Keys.

He also says they are trying to remove people from No Name Key. What a nut.

Jane Gilbert’s In a New Vein

Even drag queens recycle in Key Waste.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzy_om0h70A&feature=PlayList&p=47FF1685C254404E&index=
3&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL

[Haitian Relief] A big restaurant in Haiti has been giving away meals since the earthquake. “Munchies” has been serving about fifteen hundred meals a day free of charge. People and organizations have been donating a lot of the food. When asked how he keeps the people from rioting, the owner said it’s simple, the UN hands out 100 pound bags of flour which the Haitians sell. He said those bags are worth a lot of money. What he does is repackage the flour into 3 pound bags and distributes them. End of problem.

[Don’t ask, Don’t Tell] Monroe County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency should stop requiring the inspection of downstairs enclosures.

[Obesity] The average American family drinks $1100 worth of soda a year.

I watched most of Palin’s speech (I just couldn’t bear another minute of it) where she didn’t do anything but criticize. It was “no” to everything. I didn’t hear any ideas or ways to correct all the things she doesn’t like. The coup de grace of the Sarah is Stupid movement was when she couldn’t read a teleprompter and had to write notes on her palm like a sixth grader. That’s it, like a sixth grader’s mind—Sarah Palin.

[The Movies] Forbidden Planet. When the Earthman were first greeted by Robbie the Robot it said, “If you don’t speak English I am programmed to speak 160 different languages.” I think a hacker should insert “press 1” right after the word English—and don’t tell anyone. Once it’s available to torrent downloaders it will be in circulation forever.

[Annotate] I wish there was a right click on any file that allowed me to type in what the hell the file was for. There used to be a program for XP called Annotate that did just that. It was so damned handy. I have so many programs and files on my hard drive that I don't know what they are for and it's too much trouble to goggle them all.

[Corruption] I agree that there should be a law forbidding those seeking favors from spending any money on those in position to grant those favors. A Commissioner may think it innocent, but those seeking favors would not be buying them lunch if they weren’t trying to influence future votes. If a commissioner can’t figure that out then he is crooked!

The Sunshine law protects the public form colluding politicians now we need a law protecting the public from influence buying. It’s not that you can buy a vote for fifty bucks, it’s that you can make friends with a politician for fifty bucks and when your vote comes due, the politician will remember what a swell fellow you were and that will influence his vote.

[Africa] An interesting post Friday said something like Africans are in bad shape because of their corrupt governments. This is partially true. But the African nature is mostly to blame.

In a book I read about this, the author said something like if you help Africans and build them a house, after they let the house deteriorate (and they will) to the point where the house is uninhabitable, they’ll move outside and make a hut to live in. They’ll seldom do anything to improve their lot. This is not in all African countries, but it is their way. He also said that foreign aid has done nothing to improve their lot because when the aid dries up and the aiders leave, the Africans just go back to how it was before the aid arrived.

[Protest] Key West has an a**hole that stands on the corner spewing hate against gay people (he’s even struck people).

Big Pine has a patriot standing on the corner supporting our troops to get them home in one “peace”. I’ll take Big Pine any day.

[Paper or Plastic]  What do you carry your garbage out in?  Piece by piece?  I recycle all my plastic bags.  It looks like there is a Smug Alert for the Keys!

County Administrator Roman Gastesi has committed a number of ethical violations, including getting himself a woman on GLEE's Board, and forcing County employees to cater to the organization.  Haven't you noticed that after years of a bitter and hateful relationship between GLEE and the County, now they're all friendly jumping thru every hoop GLEE sets out for them?  ~isagrand5600@hotmail.com

After Wilma we were lucky to sell one of our termite infested homes to some poor NY schmuck.  Lots of folks dropped their wind insurance which means that one day we could be living in Shantytown because many folks will not be able to afford to repair their homesteads after another monster hurricane.  Those of us who could repair, could end up living near multiple dilapidated condemned moldy homes which will sit for a long time.  Besides the fact that the second houses mortgage was underwater with an ARM in a crack, tick and white-trash infested Big Pine Key, skipping away from our home was simply good business sense.  I know many others who walked away and are happy as larks.  Another good reason to not buy any more pieces of Paradise is the fact that the Keys will be the Venice or Ground Zero of global warming.  Your great-grandchildren will be swimming down to visit.

[Make the CT a race hate free zone] Don't like what you read? S-c-h-r-o-l-l w-h-e-e-l.  That's why it's there.

It's not Dear Ed's job to decide for me or anybody else what's "hate".   Read the CT's posting rules.

How naive are you? People use fake email addresses, so what good does it do to include the email address? It's not up to you to decide what I think is acceptable.

If I had my way, all posts would be 100% grammatically correct and 0% spelling errors. And all posts would be coherent, salient, and rant free.

And I know Dear Ed's rolling on the floor laughing by now.

[Make the CT a race hate free zone ]  Ok, whites only from now on! 

[Africa] Haiti and many places in Africa do have problems. Someone like you, who claims to know so much about African and Haitian history, should know why. Here's a little tidbit about African history. 

It didn't begin with European Imperialism. In fact, Africa and Haiti's problems are because of it. Africa was not in chaos before the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and the scramble for Africa. African civilizations were not behind European civilizations during the Middle Ages. The thing that gave Europe a leg up was guns. You act as if you're surprised that Liberia didn't thrive. I mean why wouldn't a country composed entirely of former slaves who had been prohibited from any type of higher education be able to make a country work? It doesn't take much to figure out why that one didn't work out.

While you people are glorifying European Imperialism, let me just enlighten you to the fact that African nations are not the only nations to suffer a similar downward spiral after colonization. Similar effects have occurred in South America, Central America, India, the United States (Native Americans), the Philippines, and the list goes on. You should include history before 1500 AD in your cognition of history.

If you actually studied all or at least most of the recorded history of the place you're talking about (not just copy and paste from Wikipedia), and then thought about what you read, maybe you'd learn something.

Those who are quite satisfied sit still and do nothing; those who are not quite satisfied are the sole benefactors of the world.

I miss scuba diving so bad that I am terribly depressed.  Not having any fun at all.  Maybe I should go get up in the clubs with a bottle of bub.  Diving is an addiction and I wish I would have been certified earlier because age is a factor if you become unhealthy.  Just another good reason to TCB(?) within my Temple.  In Bonaire, I made friends with a couple in their 70s who scuba and they were in tip top condition.  Don't believe what you hear about the sport - just do it this spring and summer.  You will love it more than substance abuse.

[Not Sure What This Means] I hope all the self-righteous aristocrat wannabes will line up to buy required elevators to their 7th heaven after they no longer are able to tackle their steep stairs to paradise.  County permits will also need to be hefty enough to offset the hot air they emit in the county atmosphere if they can even afford to buy elevators approved for their residential area flood zone and installed by mainland shysters.  That'll teach them to pontificate and look down on neighbors who are either below their level of affluence or preferred creed.

To the Aryan, Klan racist, what is your point? Peoples have been animalizing people, their neighbors and other people since the beginning of time. They have attacked enslaved, committed genocide, ethnicity, religion, language all for the benefit of being on top. The European, African, Asian and all people have common goals of betterment, teaching their children what is right and wrong and what is moral. 

Racist sit in their arm chairs or bar stools and focus on their being better than the next man. They feed on believing they are the better man. To constantly point out the deficiencies of the other man takes the attention from them, their own shortcomings, their attempts and inability to climb out of the dirt.

To all racist, I know who you are. You have brought us to war, genocide, self-destruction, butchery and slave owning; all supported by their self-righteous ministers, priests, politicians and laws.

We know their intent is division, chaos, stagnation and a self-serving attempt to be on top.

My country ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty. You will not influence me with your small-mindedness and self-destruction. Go away. I will call you out whenever I hear your rants and  comments. I will let my children know that my father and his father fought you in Europe as you tried to kill off your neighbors, that our ancestors fled the butcheries of Catholics and Protestants in Europe 300 years ago, that there is a future where there is progress and people do get along.

Your focus is understood so watch out. Look behind you. People know your intent is destruction and bringing people down with you. Not on my watch!

Dennis Ward is hot. He is doing a great job and so are his people.

[Hard Work Rewards] I always wondered if every person on this rock had to work for everything they wanted like health care, food, water, cloths, travel, entertainment, vehicles, children, homes, etc. how many would be dead in a week or go out and rob those who do work for what they get?

[Downstairs enclosures] In spite of the opinions of various recently imported legal experts, it's should be obvious to any thinking person that downstairs enclosures were made illegal for good reason.

The division in our National politics was started by Kenneth Starr’s inquisition. Starr turned what was a questionable land deal and financial inquiry into an inquisition into Clinton’s sex life. The country has not been united since. He turned what were opponents (conservatives and liberals) into enemies.

A new University of Texas/Texas Tribune survey shows just how destructive a politicized right-wing curriculum can be. A large number of Texans polled said they still don’t believe in evolution and are convinced that humans and dinosaurs co-existed:  I'll sure be glad when these old right wing codgers go the way of the dinosaurs.

The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it.

[From the Right] Mr. Cheney’s speech the other day was fair game for any political comment from either the left or the right. It’s American to praise it or to pan it.  And never forget that every American has the right to look foolish. A sterling example is yesterday’s commentary by a Cheney critic. The critic has not a clue about fascism. Miriam-Webster says this about as to what fascism is:  "(a) political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.

Deer friends, “autocratic centralized government, severe economic and social regimentation, and suppression of opposition", are all pure brand Obama and all are at the core of Democrat philosophy. I will remind the Cheney critic that it is the Democrats who have demanded cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security as a means to strengthen their hold on our daily lives through Obamacare. Let’s not forget that the Obama administration that has appointed an ever expanding gaggle of powerful Czars who are totally under Mr. Obama's control and beyond the purview of Congress. Remember too that it has been the Dems who are doing their damndest to shut down talk radio. It is the current admin that has declared war on a news network that is critical of them. It is the Obama admin that has grown government to levels never before seen in the USA. It is the Obama admin that is committed to managing every facet of your life. The Republican party is day to Democrat night. The GOP mantra is to shrink government and its power over the individual. It’s the GOP who champions free enterprise and small business. It is GOP dicta that  individual freedom and capitalism will lead us out of the swamp that we wandered into when our Democrat friends took control of Congress in 2007. It is the GOP that believes that we’ve got to stop spending. The rank and file of our Dem friends all too often refuse to think for themselves, instead, like the minions of Mussolini and every other Fascist dictator, they blindly adopt the stylish and catchy slogans given them by their masters. In this case, it is an oxymoron that is emotionally charged, but silly, foolish and factually wrong slogan like: GOP fascist.

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Sunday February 21, 2010

Saturday February 20, 2010

(eD:  No edIT SatuRDAY!!!!!!......b-cuz u assd 4 iT!!!!!!!!!

No-Edit Saturday. For those of you visiting for the first time, don’t judge the Coconut Telegraph by today’s un-edited episode. This is the Editor's day off. Tune it tomorrow for the edited version.  You’ll find its' format and graphics more pleasing.

1.05 CODE OF ETHICS
A. All employees must be aware of, and comply with, Section 112:311 (6) Florida Statutes which currently provides in part: "It is declared to be the policy of the state that public officers and employees, state and local, are agents of the people and hold their positions for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State Constitution and to perform efficiently and faithfully their duties under the laws of the federal, state, and local governments. Such officers and employees are bound to observe, in their official acts, the highest standards of ethics consistent with this code and the advisory opinions rendered with respect hereto regardless of personal considerations, recognizing that promoting the public interest and maintaining the respect of the people in their government must be of foremost concern."

 B. Employees may not, either directly or indirectly, use their official position with the County or information obtained in connection with their employment for private gain, for themselves or others.

 C. Employees shall not accept any gift, favor or service from any member of the public, including but not limited to Christmas and/or birthday gifts.

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Saturday February 20, 2010

Friday February 19, 2010 

[Paper of Plastic] On a recent trip to Italy we found that that all grocery stores charged 7 cents per plastic bag. Guess what? Everyone brought there own reusable bags. Problem solved.

[Won’t Fight For Us] Mayor Sylvia Murphy says she will not support challenging FEMA on downstairs enclosure inspections.  Says it is unfair and you can't fight bully's.  FEMA's reason is they had to pay 22 million for Wilma trash pick up.  I wonder how much of that was illegal downstairs enclosures?  Most were single story dwellings.

We have been here 20 years and have been forced to pay $15,000 for flood insurance to have a mortgage.  We knew we didn't need it on our stilt home, but had to pay it anyway.  If we have 65,000 homes insured by FEMA in Monroe County they should have taken in about 1 billion dollars with little pay out in 20 years.

Wilma was the only significant flood in decades so if I can compete with my own flood insurance company against them I am sure I could get thousands of backers with those odds.

Remember Sylvia at the poles next election.  Other politicians feeling as she does likewise.

[Marathon Wendys] I stopped in one afternoon for a Frosty.  I was only able to get a regular chocolate Frosty because no one working spoke enough English to understand my order. I then called the toll free number for Wendys corporate office posted on the sign at the drive thru window and was told there is no Wendys in Marathon, Florida! 

There is a disturbing trend in the Coconut Telegraph lumping together illegal immigrants, Haiti's problems, and African poverty. The many and various posts suggest the color of one's skin is a determinant of quality of life, not the content of one's character or even the path of history.
 
Our national storyline insists that people who work hard and keep their lives clean and honest will come out on top in the end. Instead we now see the top ranks in this country pocketing all the cash while the rest of us lose our incomes, our homes and our health care. Someone must be to blame! The government? Of course. How about asking yourselves why businesses hire illegal aliens? In a business world dominated by decency, employers would not hire people without papers, but they do despite the fact it's already against the law to do so.  Illegals come here from desperately poor countries looking for work to send money home to their families. You would do no less. They don't come here for welfare checks. Look around, where's the welfare? Ask yourself why people hire illegals instead of hiring Americans. The answer is for short term profit and there isn't a damned thing you can do about it. Just as your average Africans can't do a damned thing about corruption in their various nations.
 
Similarly in Haiti and Africa you see countries ruined by their history. In 1936 there was only one country on the African continent that was independent and that was soon occupied by Italy (Liberia was a US colony in all but name). Can you put your finger on Ethiopia on a map, you well educated First Worlder? After World War Two Africa, like India campaigned for freedom (that American concept) and were rewarded by colonial powers that abandoned them and encouraged dictatorship and exploitation of their natural resources. Haiti in 1805 was saddled with a national debt by France that took that country 150 years to pay off. They were charged "reparations" for defeating the French Army; at the time, the only nation in the world that defeated France's soldiers. They paid that debt to France and we, who are running up a massive national debt (to support our banks and to buy toys), could learn a lesson from Haiti.  Don't despair, Haiti is coming to the US and let's see if we do as well.
 
Prepare to be Serfs not Citizens. Families with incomes above $150,000 a year have unemployment rates of 3%. Poor families have unemployment rates of 31%. The top 400 families in this country earn more than half of the rest of the country. They earn an average of 345 million dollars per family. This kind of social inequality is growing wider and it will have consequences for all of us. This is the path to the Third World and our leaders (including President Obama) have you looking every way except this way because they are continuing to exploit us all, like the uneducated serfs we are. Now that health care reform has been defeated insurance premiums are going to go up like you have never seen before. Stand by to hold bake sales to pay for cancer treatment, my fellow Africans. While you look down your noses at the Third World your leaders are telling you to inspect the President's birth certificate and your neighbors look up at aircraft contrails and worry. You are too easily fooled to be worthy of the name American. Our founders would never have been taken in by the thugs and thieves that lead this country today. I'm talking about the bankers not their puppets in elected government.

Rob's Island Grill's
T.G.I.F. Party
Tonight, Friday from 5- 8 pm.

Live music with
Tim Hollohan
at the bar.

Food and drink specials!

Following Tim we have
Hot Tropic
Live from 8:30 to closing

[Sloan] I request that State Attorney Dennis Ward prosecute under the Sunshine Law, the county commissioners who attended the Ocean Reef Club dinner following Wednesday's county commission meeting. I heard Commissioner Wigington did not attend and the other four commissioners did. The commissioners who attended showed us what they are and now it's time to learn their price.

I don’t think the county should be charging anyone for inspections of downstairs enclosures built after the County was supposed to stop them from being built (I don‘t know that date.) In fact, I think the county should be required to reimburse any property owner who has to remove a downstairs enclosure the County allowed to be built illegally. It looks like a government taking to me, without due process of law. It also looks like a criminal violation of constitutionally-protected civil rights.
  
As for Commissioner DiGennaro’s resolution to ask FEMA to end the pilot designation for Monroe County, for which three of the five county commissioners voted Yes. How the County deals with downstairs enclosures will continue as before the resolution was passed; this was repeatedly explained by different commissioners to the audience.
 
Besides something seriously awry about Monroe County being the only ocean/beach county, or any county, in the United States operating as a pilot under FEMA’s oversight, the pilot carries with it a stigma of Monroe County being an outlaw county, which is certainly was in the past. The outlaw stigma bleeds into and hinders all of the County’s dealings with Tallahassee and the federal government.
 
Furthermore, it is generally accepted that rising water/flood insurance rates are going to go up in the future for various reasons, one of which is FEMA is in serious financial straights. It is feared the pilot/outlaw stigma will make Monroe County vulnerable to relatively higher increases in rising water/flood insurance rates than all other counties in the United States. This is not an unreasonable fear. So for this reason, also, the pilot needs to be terminated.
 
Beyond all of that, termination of the pilot would be symbolic; a move by the County back towards legitimacy, normalcy; not unlike a convicted felon who is released on parole, but has to wear a tracker and report to a probation officer and toe the line during the parole period. Monroe County is in much the same shape as a convicted felon; the pilot is the tracker, FEMA the parole officer.
 
What Commissioner DiGennaro hopes, and he stated it at the commission meeting, is the resolution to end the pilot will give him and the County Commission a new base from which to try to negotiate with FEMA; and if that goes nowhere, to try to get someone in Washington, who can get FEMA’s attention, to step in and lend assistance. How any of that might translate into people with illegal downstairs enclosures, under County law, getting any relief, I can’t see. But perhaps it will lead to something more equitable than what we have been seeing happen, which is what gave birth to Citizens Not Serfs. The rest... goodmorningfloridakeys.com

[Paper or plastic] Do you know what they are asking when they say paper or plastic? Do you want to kill a tree or a turtle? To reduce the use of bags there should be a 10 cent charge per bag; then I'd become a bag man. There should be a 10 cent redeemable deposit on any and all drink containers too. You wouldn’t see a can anywhere. It would be a small upfront cost to the consumer and would leave our world cleaner and would give kids and stumblebums something to do. Its time for a dime!

Mayor Sylvia Murphy says she won’t ask FEMA to stop inspecting downstairs enclosures because she’s afraid of what they might do. Boo-hoo, Sylvia. The next election might have someone fill your seat who has balls.

[House shook and rattled] It also happened in Lee and Collier Counties. An aircraft was traveling faster than the speed of sound. There was an atmospheric inversion layer that caused the echo effect. This information is per meteorologist Morgan Palmer, Ft. Myers. It was rockin’!

[County Tier System] To the person who posted the $15,000 offer for their lot.  I know you probably do not like to file a lawsuit, but that is your only option.  Just this last month the State of Florida wrote a check to a landowner for $8.85 million. In 2004 they offered only $630,000 for the same land.  Six years later they got $8.85 million.  If you file a lawsuit, you will probably get $350,000 in 6 years, but do it now or the County will say you waited too long.  It is easy to win these lawsuits because what the County is doing is not right.  The County recently lost the Galleon Bay lawsuit.

Swiss prostitutes are trained to use defibrillators in brothels to prevent clients dying. Brothel owners in the Lugano area say electric shock treatment to restart customer's hearts is needed because so many elderly customers are using their services. The most recent victim was a pensioner, thought to be having fun with the help of anti-impotence medication.

A Muppet guide. Hover your mouse over your favorite critter. 101 Muppets of Sesame Street | National Post

[You are only as sick as your secrets] That may be true, but when some people tell me their secrets, I get sick.

[Computer Cameras] These allegations are about as creepy as they come. I don't know about you, but I often have the laptop in the room while I'm getting dressed, having private discussions with my family, and so on. The idea that a school district would not only spy on its students' clickstreams and emails (bad enough), but also use these machines as video bugs is purely horrifying. School used student laptop webcams to spy on them at school and home Boing Boing

Just because you recycle doesn’t mean it gets recycled.

[Africans] An interesting post Friday said something like Africans are in bad shape because of their corrupt governments. This is partially true. But the African nature is mostly to blame.

In a book I read about this, the author said something like, if you help Africans and build them a house, after they let the house deteriorate (and they will) to the point where the house is uninhabitable, they’ll move outside and make a hut to live in. They’ll seldom do anything to improve their lot. This is not in all African countries, but it is their way.

He also said that foreign aid has done nothing to improve their lot because when the aid dries up and the aiders leave, the Africans just go back to how it was before the aid arrived. They don’t seem to be interested in helping themselves. At the risk of being politically incorrect, that lack of doing for themselves might be some kind of genetic trait.

The whole problem with Toyota is that ten years ago they started making cars in America. They should have kept making them in Japan.

[More bar wisdom] I can make my wife do anything she wants to do.

If Bill Gates had a penny for every time I had to reboot my computer...oh wait, he does!

[Restaurant Review] Driftwood is the new pizza place in Marathon, it’s across from Walgreens.  I have heard differing reports about the quality.  One person said the sandwiches were good and affordable.  Another said their delivery service was slow and the cold pizza (no thermal transport bag) wasn't very good, but probably would have been better if delivered hot.

We wanted to give them a chance so last night we called at 8:30 and placed a delivery order for pizza.  We gave them the address and exact directions to find our home, which is not hard because it's behind IHOP.  We were told we would have our pizza in 35 minutes, 45 minutes max.  So we figured food at 9:15.  And if they lived up to the 35 - 45 minutes delivery, that was reasonable and the pizza would probably, at least, be hot.

At 9:30 I called to find out the status of our order, it had been an hour. I was told by the manager, "It has just gone out the door and will be there any minute."  Okay, great.  We live 3 minutes away from Driftwood, 5 minutes if you drive slowly behind a snowbird. 

A half hour later, I'm again calling to find out where the hell our pizza is (it's now 10pm) the guy comes racing down the street and into our driveway.  I told him to take it back; I'm not paying for a cold pizza that should have been delivered a half hour ago. 

I spoke to the manager and told her that I refused the order, I didn't know why it would take 30 minutes to drive 3 minutes to our house if he'd actually  "just left"  as she said.  The delivery guy either took a break, or the manager lied.  Either way we will never patronize Driftwood Pizza again. 

If you're hungry and want to eat at a reasonable hour, go some where else.   ~islandwitt@yahoo.com

[Land Grab] Thursday’s commentary of the Tier System hit the nail on the head.

Tier, ROGO, and the Comp Plan are all land grab mechanisms used by eco-terrorists to steal private property, and private property rights.

The recent land taking wins on behalf of the property owners West and Richardson (the 905 land grab) resulted in a County taxpayer cost of $8.84 million.  Add to this the (aprox.) $6.5 million taxpayer costs (County taking loss) in the Collins case, and the (aprox.) $10 million taxpayer cost (County taking loss) of the Galleon Bay case, and we are just beginning to see the tip of the iceberg in what the taxpaying citizens will be forced to pay for the eco-thievery that has taken place; and this same thievery is still being fostered by some on the County Commission.

One only has to review the campaign contributions, voting records, and the public stance of past and current County Commissioners to see who is stealing what land, who is infringing on property and rights, and who is costing us what. You might just want to take a good long look at Sylvia Murphy and Kim Wigington.

Over 80% of Monroe County is in Public Ownership, and still the eco-thieves are not satisfied, they want it all.  Don’t be fooled, they aren’t just after the last vacant parcels; they want your home too.  You don’t think so?  Just take a look at how they are trying to run the people on No Name Key out of their homes and off that island.  Big Pine too is terrorized by Tier, ROGO, and the never-ending Comp Plan restrictions. Are the sparsely populated Torch Keys next?

Take a look at this latest eco-tyranny stance that Big Pine and No Name Key’s sewers in the rights-of-way needs mitigation:  Sewers aren’t “development”, yet they want us to “give” them even more land in order to get permission to install the sewers needed to protect the water. What!

From Key Largo to Key West, your private property and your rights are slowly being stolen from you.  And for those who are not yet being stolen from, you still pay for that thievery with your tax dollars and a County run by these same eco-terrorists who are more than happy to see us bankrupt bound.

Vote for Commissioners that respect you as a citizen, and your private property rights. Recall those that do not or forever hold your peace when you get relocated to the mainland.

[RHINO] Actually, From the Right guy, it's the hippo that's called the river horse, not the rhino.  I don't think rhinos like water all that much. I don't disagree with everything you say, but you do act like a smarty-pants a fair amount of the time.  So consider this a karmic gotcha’.

The Big Pine Bark Park is in need of donations for our yard sale on Sat at 7 am at Watson Field in front of the tennis

courts. If you have anything I will be setting up and taking donations at Watson Field from 6:00 to 7:00 pm Fri
night and 6:30 am Sat morning. If you have questions or donations please call Amy at 304-0708. Help us raise funds for our canine citizens to socialize in their own park. We hope to see you there and thank you for all of your
support! http://bpbp.shutterfly.com/

[Reality Mapping] Talk about Big Brother! Have you ever watched NCIS on TV? They are using all this tools to catch the bad guys. Nervous? You should be, Big Bro is watching us all the time. It’s too late now. http://www.ted.com/talks/blaise_aguera.html

Here's a funny Toyota pickup commercial from Australia. Bugger! Video

Howie and Cyndy Livingston have committed to raise money for Care Camp.   Care Camp is a summer camp program for children with cancer.   At many of our performances we have 50/50 raffles, we auction off the first margarita from the good ole Johnson Outboard Motor-turned Margarita Maker, and Howie 'sells' his signature turquoise hats for $100 - of which 100% goes to Care Camp.   To those of you who have participated in helping Howie and Cyndy try to reach their very lofty goal of $20,000.00 this year 

I want to tell you about a new way to donate.  You've heard Howie talk about one of his favorite drink the Painkiller.  Well, Howie's buddy, Glen Prah, has perfected the recipe.   Of course Howie (and friends) have completed many taste-testings and we all agree that this recipe is the epitome of Painkiller recipes.   Howie is now offering Glen's secret Painkiller recipe for a donation of $5.   We'll mail you out a copy of the secret recipe   Click HERE for the details to order through our secure online merchandise site. 

[Africa] Name one functional, prosperous and safe black-run country.

St Peter’s Annual Dolphin Dinner tonight from 5-7pm. Adults $12, children under 10 $5. Dinners include coffee, tea and dessert
Sponsored by the Ladies Guild and Knights of Columbus. Bulletin Board

[Us who can afford to live here] Same old got-miner attitude. Sooner or later you'll have to deliver your own garbage to the dump and eat only at self-serve restaurants as the low renters, as you call them, won't be here to wait on your fat asses’ every narcissist-powered need.

Ah, bacon!

Attack tortoise.  http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/tortoise.html

[Joe Biden said the stimulus created 2 million jobs] This is true. The Fed hired 2,000,000 people to hand out all the money to the 70,000,000 bums that don't want to work for a living.

Caller, “Hi, our printer is not working.” 
Customer Service, “What is wrong with it?” 
Caller, “The mouse is jammed.” 
Customer Service, “Mouse?  Printers don't have a mouse!”
Caller, “Mmmmm, Oh really? I'll send you a picture.”

[Stimulus Projects] I guess the far right guy doesn’t read newspapers either. The Key West Citizen had an article about the stimulus projects coming to our county and they also listed the cost of the work for each project. In the article he will also read the section where Toppino will be hiring back laid of workers to fill more jobs. Please turn off the republican talking heads for a day and do the research. Using daily talking points doesn’t account for real research. But then he does have to apologize quite a bit for his, lets call them untruths. Now we know why. Quit being lazy. Your daily liver soaking of Rob Roys can wait a little bit until you do the research that’s not spoon fed to you.

[RHINO] My Right wing friend has obviously confused rhino's and hippos.  Keep to politics. I agree with most of his posts, however leave the call of the wild to Jack London.

[Insurance] If people choose to own real property that is in a flood prone area, they should pay a higher premium for insurance. Others who choose to build up higher, should pay less. That’s how insurance companies operate; high risk--high premiums.

Tiger Woods is making another apology this morning and then going back to the sex therapy clinic where they will re-tie his thing in a knot.

The state attorney's name is Dennis Ward not John Ward. (Ed: That was my fault)

Pretend that a massive cyber attack has turned the cellphones and computers of tens of millions of Americans into weapons to shut down the Internet. A cascading series of events then knocks out power for most of the East Coast amid hurricanes and a heat wave.

Is the assault on cellphones an armed attack? In a crisis, what power does the government have to order phone and Internet carriers to allow monitoring of their networks? What level of privacy can Americans expect?

A war game, sponsored by a nonprofit group and attended by former top-ranking national security officials, laid bare Tuesday that the U.S. government lacks answers to such key questions. Half an hour into an emergency meeting of a mock National Security Council, the attorney general declared: "We don't have the authority in this nation as a government to quarantine people's cellphones."

The White House cyber coordinator was "shocked" and asserted: "If we don't have the authority, the attorney general ought to find it."

The Bipartisan Policy Center, which focuses on issues such as health care, energy and cybersecurity, staged the war game to demonstrate to a complacent public the plausibility of an attack that could in many ways be as crippling as the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist strikes. Organizers said they wanted to prod Congress and the Obama administration to act. "We were trying to tee up specific issues that would be digestible so they would become the building blocks of a broader, more comprehensive cyber strategy," said Michael V. Hayden, former CIA director and the principal creator of the "Cyber ShockWave" simulation.

During the war game, held over four hours at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, three wide-screen monitors flashed maps of the United States showing network coverage and electric power ebbing. The breakdown was covered by a faux news network, GNN. Senior administration officials watched the reporting of the unfolding crisis -- 40 million people without power in the eastern United States; more than 60 million cellphones out of service; Wall Street closed for a week; Capitol Hill leaders en route to the White House.

[Fear the blobfish] As you can see from the accompanying photograph, the cunning blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus) is the most terrifying fish in the world. A blobfish looks like some fat, drunken judge and may be highly intelligent. And therefore quite dangerous. It frowns. It leers. Sometimes, it even drools.

But the blobfish is boneless. It's a blob. Theoretically, it might squeeze through all the protective filters and screens, and then, with a grunt, pop right out of your stylish Swedish designer faucet, its ugly face first. Or perhaps out of your toilet bowl when you're at your most vulnerable, sleepy in the middle of the night.

As the blobfish is comprised of a gelatinous substance, they actually have no muscles at all, and they just float in the same spot most of the time, waiting for their next meal. Picture them, if you will, floating hungrily, their tiny fins keeping them stable until they strike. With all their boneless goo and slime and passive/aggressive floating reminds one of Democrats.

From Sloan's Thursday missive: "and I got yet another round of thanks in plain view of the dais." No, you didn't, I was there too. The "dais" (aka BOCC) is neither afraid, nor impressed by anybody else. That point of order you pulled was a stunt, crap, doing nothing more than extending the already beyond reasonable long time the BOCC was giving to the issue. More importantly, you de-railed into obscurity the point Commissioner Caruthers was attempting to make, which was salient.

When the meeting stopped for lunch, did you happen to see the activity outside the building with all the blue shirts and the cameras, all taking pictures of themselves?

[RHINO] From Das Reich guy, as Ronald Reagan would say, "There you go again." Let's take a closer look at just how you failed this time around.

1.  Rhino is notorious for having a sour disposition - No, it isn't. Did you learn about Africa from Tarzan movies?

2.  Those deficits limit the beast’s sensory inputs - Wrong, "the beast" is fine just as nature intended.

3. It spends a great deal of its time underwater - A Rhino? Underwater? This is an astounding revelation, never before recorded in history. When do you publish your paper on this remarkable discovery? National Geographic should have a special lined up for you.

4. That beast is often called a River Horse - Now wait just a minute, a river horse you say? Did you mean to say Hippopotamus?

No, tell me it's not true. You didn't really go through that many lines of your daily rant, dripping with condescension, and you don't even know the difference between a Rhinoceros and a Hippopotamus?

Some readers on the CT seemed to be impressed with you and consider you educated because you have a thesaurus. I question the intellect of anyone who believes that penguins live in Greenland and that Rhinos are semi-aquatic. Science is obviously not your strong suit, best you stick with politics. There are not so many of those pesky facts in that discipline.

I have a theory of why your posts always end up at the bottom of the column; it settles there much like whale poop does in the ocean. 

Government snow plow.

[Hang 'em High] If you don’t think tea party members are wacky enough, read what a leader of an eastern Washington tea party group said. She said her local congressman should be hung at a conference--and they applauded! It’s a new low in American politics. The right wing is really getting farther and farther away from American values. In fact, here on the CT, 3 people have called for our President’s death in his first year. During the 8 years of Bush’s presidency no death threats were posted (and he’s the guy that started a phony war, but he’s white). I don’t worry about my country’s financial well-being because Americans work hard and we will recover. The hatred being lashed out daily at our elected leaders are as much a threat to this country as any terrorist could ever imagine. They embolden our enemies and their rhetoric is the same as the terrorists. The terrorist love seeing our country’s leader being dragged thru the mud with such stupid things as he’s "not an American" or "We shouldn’t have to pay for his kids’ swing set". Then there’s the great lie "He uses a teleprompter when talking to kids." Lying is the new right wing mantra. Blind hatred based on lies.

Lil Liberals in our future leaders. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5O9Imbpe6Q

[From the Right] There is nothing sexy about Mr. Obama’s announcement yesterday of his appointment of a Commission to figure out a way heal our nations fiscal ills.  Let’s not forget for even a nanosecond that our Democrat friends have full and total control of the Legislative and Executive branches of our government. If they decide, they can pass any legislation that they want. Mr. Obama and his legislative henchpeople (how’s that for politically correct?) have the absolute power to massively cut spending, but they won’t. They have the power to raise taxes, but for now, they don’t dare. There is no excuse for them refusing to cut spending. Fortunately at least some of them know that raising taxes will actually drag down federal tax receipts.  JFK knew this. Ask yourself why will this new commission’s findings not take effect until 2015, why not tomorrow? That’s easy:  2015 shields him from any political pain from the drying up of the public teat for the entitlement crowd. Mr. Obama acknowledges the danger to our nation. Even though has the power, even though he acknowledges the grave danger that we are in, he does not have to courage to take even bland efforts to balance our books. Because of the political implications Mr. Obama will fight to continue our massive entitlement spending, to support the tort lawyers, to nurture the unions, and to bloat the government.  He has appointed this commission solely for the purpose of providing him and his from political liability. There is nothing sexy at all about getting screwed and not getting kissed.

(Part II) There is very small set of CT posters who use accusations of racism against those who disagree with Mr. Obama who are the proof of that old cliché, “The pot calling the kettle black”.  To quote Mr. Obama, “Let me make this perfectly clear”, those race baiters are so full of hate that they simply refuse to see truth. That truth has absolutely nothing to do with race, but everything to do with political beliefs. Yesterday one of the Hater-ade drinkers was miffed at an Obama composite that he/she searched for and found on the web. The poster offered that tasteless item as proof that Conservatives are racists. What says the complainer about the caricature of Mr. Bush as a chimp? Is that caricature proof that the artist (?) was a Liberal\Progressive? Is that cartoon proof that all who disagreed with Mr. Bush were racists?  Is the complainer personally offended by the cartoon?  Is the caricature a sly racist comment? If we are to subscribe to the rationale of the complainer, then Conservatives should feel all warm and cuddly about the Caucasian Mr. Reid and Ms. Pelosi who claimed authorship of Obamacare.  We don’t! Pelosi and Reid are radical left politicians who happen to be Caucasian.  Mr. Obama is a radical left politician who happens not to be. Trust me; Conservatives have equal enmity for Pelosi and Reid as they do for Mr. Obama.  To paraphrase Dr. King: that enmity is not the product of the color of their skin, but rather it is the product of their lack of character and the content of their socialist notions of governance.  For purposes of brevity I’ll ignore the other pap complained of, but let there be no doubt that noisome and false accusations of racism have no place at the table.

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Friday February 19, 2010 

Thursday February 18, 2010

[Chemtrails] To that someone who is so convinced there is a big, bad New World Order spraying chemtrails and vaccinating their families against the effects and who wants to send me hither and yon on the internet to back up his fairy tales: you are half right. Yes there is a New World Order. It’s called big business and globalization and I’m glad they’re in charge and not you and your band of juvenile paranoids. As for your online evidence on chemtrails, I can only say reading made Don Quixote a gentleman. Believing what he read made him mad.

[Haiti sucks, Liberia Sucks Too] Liberia is unique among African nations because of its relationship with the United States. It is one of the few countries in Africa, and the only country in West Africa, without roots in the European scramble for Africa. It was founded and colonized by freed American slaves with the help of a private organization called the American Colonization Society in 1821-22, on the premise American slaves would have greater freedom and equality there. Slaves freed from slave ships also were sent there instead of being repatriated to their countries of origin.

Liberia has turned into a death hole. Their only claim to fame is they invented the drugged-up child soldier.

Very few things that have been accomplished with foreign aid have helped any African country run by blacks. As soon as the aid runs out they revert back to their primitive existences. I don’t know the solution; I only know Africa’s sad history.

The Tier system Ponzi scam has worked like a charm for the ubiquitous tree hugging land thieves that populate these Florida Keys. This System introduced in 2003 promised not to do anything  more than classify vacant land into three land categories.  Tier 1 lots sensitive, Tier 2 less sensitive and Tier 3 lots which would be the lots on which the County would encourage development. System architect Marlene Conaway stated many times “’The Tier System will not affect development”

The present day Tier system has morphed itself into a perfect Ponzi scheme to devalue your property and steal it. A practice Monroe County has become a master of. Here’s how the scheme works.

Let’s say you bought a lot for $40,000 dollars four years ago. Then you spent another $10,000 for engineered drawing, surveys, environmental reports, permit fees, and ROGO fees.  Then you waited 4 years in the system to finally get the opportunity to pick up your permit. In the interim, a Federal lawsuit says your property is potential habitat for some rat or butterflies and now you can’t get flood insurance. Yet another lawsuit says the County gave you the wrong tier assignment and sends you back in the system for another 10 years.

Out of frustration you opt to go to an administrative relief  hearing which costs you another $1200 to see if the commissioners will grant you a permit allocation.  Then when it’s time for them to make a decision you’re told “We want to buy your property instead of giving you a permit, your lot’s in a hammock.” Then lead Ponziman Mark Roush will say we will send you an offer in the mail.  When the letter arrives it reads. “Sorry the market’s down and all we can offer you is 15 grand.” 

Between all the articles in the press about the tree huggers’ lawsuits and FEMA’s BS on these wooded lots you would have to be on crack to buy one now. The scam works perfectly.

Bernie Madoff would be real proud of the County Commissioners and the environmental pirates, Last Stand and The National Wildlife Federation who fully support this scam.

Bernie’s doing 300 years. These folks should be in the cell right next to him.

[I would love to see how long a blond-haired-fair-skinned able bodied young man would last under the hot sun] You can drop that right there. Iowa farmers are mostly German and Danish descent and have done that work for decades, men and women.  Any person who wants to eat and buy things and figures out that work will get them there, will take the jobs available.  If they've grown used to welfare it will just take a little longer to learn, but learn they can, and be better persons for it.

[Work] I'm tired of it. I'm putting an application in with Mosquito Control. I need a new truck too. (Ed: Deer poster, it is not necessary to send seven copies to get it posted.)

This is my dog Tiki in PA the day after one of the winter storms. Photo Gallery

I understand that the Florida Keys Aqueduct may hire Randy Acevedo. If that happens I will be so mad that I will cancel my account with the FKAA and take all my business to the other water company. So there, put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Saturday Beach Party

~Mary Kay's Birthday Party
~David Hope live from 4-7pm
~D.J. George from 7-until?

Appetizer Table just $20 person
Full Service Cash Bar--on the Beach.

ParrotdiseWaterfront.com
Little Torch Key, overlooking South Pine Channel
305-872-9989

Fresh Local Seafood

[Sloan] I arrived at yesterday's county commission meeting just before Commissioner Mario DiGennaro put forward his resolution to respectfully ask FEMA to dismantle the pilot under which the Florida Keys (all except Key West) has been confined for some time because the county had not done anything about downstairs enclosures. A confinement, I learned at the meeting, came about after a previous county commission had asked FEMA to put the Keys in the pilot (Key West opted out) program. The only county in Florida, the only county in the United States, including Hawaii, to be put in the pilot program--ever. The drift seemed to be that the Monroe County Commission had consistently ignored FEMA's attempts to get the Keys in compliance with FEMA guidelines. So instead of biting the bullet and getting with FEMA's program, that county commission, apparently not wanting to take the political heat, turned the county over to FEMA.

When my turn to speak came, I said those county commissioners all should have been hanged. General laughter followed, even from the dais. Two of those commissioners were Sonny McCoy, still living, and Murray Nelson, deceased, after whom the building we were in was named. An ego edifice Commissioner George Neugent had strongly opposed being built. 
 
I watched George play devil's advocate for a good bid of the discussion on the dais, sounding like he was going to vote against Mario's resolution. But in the end, George asked Commissioner/Mayor Sylvia Murphy to vote in favor, and for all the commissioners to vote in favor so there would be a unanimous vote for a respectful request for the removal of the pilot program. Commissioner Murphy and Commissioner Heather Carruthers voted no, and seemed pretty put out. They had been told by some of the speakers that No votes would be remembered at the polls. Commissioners DiGennaro, Neugent and Kim Wigington voted yes. It carried. Now began the attempt to persuade the 800 pound gorilla, as I had described FEMA during my time to speak, to stop the "racial discrimination" and start treating the Keys like the rest of America. I had said I thought it would take an even bigger gorilla in Washington D.C. to get the smaller gorilla's attention, and for that to happen, the bigger gorilla needed to see the Monroe County Commission was in favor of taking the Keys out of FEMA's pilot program. I said I had been to George's home, it was at ground level. His whole house was a downstairs enclosure, as is my trailer on Little Torch Key.
 
Whether George's yes vote was tempered by his office being picketed day before yesterday by Citizen Not Serfs’ members, I cannot say. Whether his yes vote was tempered by my speaking at yesterday's commission meeting, and my perceived (by some people) impending candidacy against him this year, I cannot say. What I can say is, after I was done speaking through the roaring from hell inside of me, there was a rousing round of applause from the audience, and people were thanking me all the way back to my seat, in plain view of everyone on the dais. Then, when Heather asked the audience a question, not very nicely, and they all groused their answer and sentiments, Sylvia sternly cut them off because they had already spoken. I said, "Point of order. They were asked to give an answer and under parliamentary procedure they have a right to do it." Sylvia yielded, and I got yet another round of thanks in plain view of the dais. Again, whether that had any effect on George's vote, I cannot say. It seemed pretty clear Kim had already made up her mind to vote in favor of Mario's resolution before the meeting started. The rest... goodmorningfloridakeys.com

Does anybody remember Gator Sauce? Back in the day, a local girl, I think Stephanie was her name, produced and sold locally, a great avocado based sauce. It was sold in a short, chubby little plastic bottle. You could buy it at some local shops (I used to get mine at BP Liquors), and it was on the tables at some of the local restaurants, CoCo’s for sure. Does anybody know the recipe?

[FEMA Rules] Yesterday, County Mayor Sylvia Murphy was the only Commissioner to vote against asking FEMA to treat the Keys the same as the rest of the country and drop the downstairs enclosure inspection program.  It's one thing to not have the courage to make demands of FEMA; it's another thing to be too chicken to even ask.

[Elephants Never Forget] In 1986, Peter Davies was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University. On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Peter approached it very carefully. He got down on one knee, inspected the elephants foot, and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Peter worked the wood out with his knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot.

The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Peter stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away. Peter never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.

Twenty years later, Peter was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenage son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Peter and his son were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Peter, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.

Remembering the encounter in 1986, Peter could not help wondering if this was the same elephant. Peter summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing, and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Peter legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.

It probably wasn't the same elephant.

You are only as sick as your secrets.

[Eggos of Death] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to the Kellogg Co. after government testing showed the company's Georgia facility that manufactures Eggo waffles was contaminated with the listeria bacteria and had numerous sanitation violations.

The letter, just made public, is a potential public relations nightmare as the company refills freezer cases short on Eggo products after the discovery of listeria in buttermilk waffles at the plant last summer and subsequent flooding. The contamination and flooding forced the company to pull products from the market and then halted production.

Among the other sanitary issues the FDA said it found: ducts and pipes dripping into the area where the food was being prepared, workers not following procedures for hand washing and cleanliness and open trash just inches from where the raw food products were. Listeria in food can cause gastrointestinal problems or, in rare cases, the more serious listeriosis -- which can be fatal.

Kellogg maintains it has addressed all the issues and its products are safe to eat.

Camp Out Now's mission is to bring awareness to Americans about the profound cost to all of us from this Empire. Peace of the Action

Where are the IKC's Miss Iguana contest pictures from the event held on the 14th? What shade of green won? I would also like to know how many pounds of lizard were harvested. I have this killer Green Iguana Chili recipe. And, yes, it does taste like chicken.

Is the State Attorney, John Ward, mentioned in yesterday's Telegraph the husband of Linda Ward the real estate agent?

What happened at the picketing of Commissioner Neugent’s office the other day? Did anyone show up? I haven’t heard anything about it.

[Looking for a place to protest the Stimulus projects] Head down to Rockland Key and picket at the office of the Toppino Corp. They are going to rehire some employees they had laid off to work the new projects they have been awarded from moneys from the stimulus. There you go, Bucko. Pick up your sign and head right down there and let them know they shouldn’t be working (I suggest wearing a hardhat). Go get ‘em tiger; show them you’re not happy with their upcoming projects.

If you read, check out the archive files of the Key West Citizen because they will show you the amounts and the projects getting ready to be started with that money. Give them hell big guy!

[Minimum Wage] Marathon’s Wendys got 5 orders from my office today and every one of them were wrong. I just called the manager to let her know. She said 5 times she was sorry. It was the not give-a –s**t attitude that pissed me off. I guess that was one sorry per order. Screw them. That's my last time in that Wendys.

[Contrails evaporates within seconds leaving a small visible trail just behind the jet disappearing rapidly]  Atmospheric conditions can vary how wide the trail spreads or how far behind the jet you can see it.  Day or night is not one of the deciding factors as to whether a jet leaves contrails. It depends on temperature and moisture content already at that altitude, plus wind conditions. That particular effect is not caused by any chemical difference in the trail. If there was some plan to spread chemicals the jets would have to be purposely flown farther away from those areas, but it doesn't seem to be the plan.