[iGate Crook] The former head of Monroe  County’s Technical Services Department was sentenced Friday to 18  months in state  prison followed  by 13 years’  probation for  the theft and  sale of county owned iPads and iPhones. Circuit Court Judge David  Audlin also ordered former  Information Technology Director Lisa Druckemiller to pay  the county $16,000 in restitution. The judge told Druckemiller in court that her sentence  would have been more than five years in prison had she not cooperated with investigators and voluntarily testified before  the county grand jury.

Druckemiller said. “I knew then and now  that what I did was illegal and wrong.”

[What’s in an Address] Along the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys, house numbers indicate their distance from Mile Marker 0 in Key West. The mileage is found by dividing the house number by one thousand. For example, 77220 Overseas Highway is 77.2 miles from Mile Marker 0.

That tribute to westerns brought tears to my eyes. Wasn’t the world so different back then. It brought me back to a place I haven’t been to in so long. Boy, I had some good times in those days. It was so easy to turn on the TV and there were people who showed you how to respect each other, and how to deal with the ones who didn’t. Thank you so much whoever sent that in. I couldn’t turn it off. I miss those days, but life goes on. 

[“Watercars are only good on lakes without waves”] I did watch all 3 videos before commenting. None of them showed the car in a light chop, never mind rough seas, all the videos were on calm water. The only wave they showed was when the car followed inside the wake of a large cruiser, but the car stayed within the wake’s path and never crossed it.  I suggest that it is you who are inept at insulting someone who knows what he’s talking about instead of you, a non boater (I’ll wager). Why can’t you just say what you mean without a useless insult. Does it make you feel superior to insult even when you are wrong?

Watercars have been around since the 1950s and no one has yet to make one that is seaworthy. They only work well on lakes or ponds. Link

[Old 7 Mile Bridge] Well at least you haven’t gotten to this point yet.

“US agency investigating Greenville bridge removal. A federal agency is conducting a civil rights investigation after state officials removed a bridge in Greenville. A neighborhood association joined state Rep. Chandra Dillard in filing the complaint with Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Civil Rights. The groups accuse the state Department of Transportation for ignoring residents near the bridge because of their race and low income…” Link

[Geek News] Microsoft threw a temper tantrum when Google blocked their YouTube app on Windows Phone, ignoring the irony that Linux users can’t use Netflix because Microsoft refuses to allow Silverlight on Linux. (Plus, who outside of Microsoft even uses Windows Phone?) Speaking of things that aren’t used, they are also killing the Games for Windows Live store.

Google’s terms of service for Gmail were the topic of a lot of privacy-related discussion when people realized that sending email to Gmail meant that their servers would process it. Of course, the NSA continues to break privacy rules thousands of times per year, while Congress tries to cover up the fact that they are all in on it together. In a conspiracy theory twist, the CIA declassifies some information about Area 51. Meanwhile, the White House is busy installing solar panels and the Washington Post got hacked, sort of.

The Steve Jobs movie isn’t very popular with the critics, and the App Store isn’t a monopoly.  Maybe Amazon’s new biography series of famous people like Jesus and Edgar Allen Poe will do better.

Tan lines from typical summer activities.

[“Pet peeve”] I was just reading about someone’s pet peeve, “a bite to eat”. They said no one eats just one bite. Maybe they should try some of these newbie restaurant owner’s food. Sometimes one bite is enough and sometimes that’s all they give you.

Real men have tool chest lavatories.

Can we have emoticons on CT so that humorous and facetious posts won’t be misinterpreted.

I wrote a story about some characters around Big Pine years ago. Maybe it is fun for some of your readers. Would you be willing to put it on the Co Co Nut Tele? Indian Sam was real.

[Baked Fries] Cut potatoes almost all the way through, drizzle olive oil, butter, some sea salt, and pepper over top and bake at 425° for 40 minutes. Better than fries!

[Direct Deposit] Who are these people that get charged $3.50 for paying Keys Energy Services bill online. I pay my bill online thru my bank and never get charged.

Embarrass me in the grocery store again and mommy will blare her 80’s one-hit-wonders collection while dropping you off at school.

2 Florida Big Pine Key butterflies proposed for Endangered Species Act protection; 17,546 acres of protected habitat. Worldwide exposure for BPK through a butterfly. I love the Fla. Keys! Link

Save the turtles–eat more mahi!

You Be a Redneck if:
– You’ve used a baseball bat for anything other than baseball.
– You’ve experienced “road rage” on a riding lawn mower.
– Your wife’s cellulite is actually buckshot.
– Hunting involves a getaway car.
– You only watch sports which involve helmets.
– Your jet-ski used to be your motorcycle.
– Hitchhikers won’t get in the car with you.
– You’ve broken the speed limit in reverse.
– You keep a chainsaw in the trunk, “just in case.”
– The diving contest at the family reunion was ruined because your pool went flat.
– You can name the entire cast of “The Dukes of Hazard” but not your congressmen.
-Thanks to last year’s fireworks show, you can only count to 9.

[“I am Spartacus”]  Not everyone is capable of battle in the front lines, but we all have a vote.  We all can support each other and stand together.  Know that you are not alone.

[Pet Peeve]  Logical, but not one you’re going to win.  I’ve got a friend who grits his teeth at the term “fixin’ to”.  Sorry, dude, you live in Texas now, roll with it.

[N. Roosevelt Construction] Who’s hands going to have the blood on them when the first scooter or motorcycle driver dies from a car turning left into a parking lot on the Blvd. when it’s 2 lane both directions? Its kind of like that light at Sugarloaf School. The folks that live back there and who lobbied for that light all have blood on their hands. DOT said it was dangerous, but the whiners got their way. Anybody have an accurate count of accidents caused by that light so far? 2 deaths at least so far. But, hey, let’s ignore the pros and make Blvd in Deathrace Arena too.

[Texting] They found his cell phone still in his hands and his head in the back seat. Isn’t texting fun?

[Crook] Former Director of the Monroe County Services Department, Lisa Druckemiller, has been sentenced to 18 months; and 13 years probation. Plenty of time to pay the County back  $16,536.29  For selling County owned iPads & iPhones.

[Scooter Owners] I found a scooter repair in KW called Grease Monkeys. He has free pickup and delivery for Big Pine, 305-747-9240. A good number to have.

[Tables Turned] BP has sued the EPA. Link

“I am Spartacus because our media are palace eunuchs gazing avidly at the harem of power and stroking their impotent pens in time to the rape of our liberties.” Would the poster of this line please name the movie that this line comes from, I want to rent it. 

[“Phony fish“] Two weeks ago I asked all the restaurants in the lower Keys if they serve Keys fish and shrimp. It has now been 2 weeks and not one has responded. Not one! The only way you will get fresh fish down here is to bring your own catch. It appears you can get the same seafood in the midwest for a cheaper price than down here. I knew this, but now I feel I can say it to all.

[True Friendship–Scottish style] None of that sissy shite. Are ye tired o those pish weak ‘friendship’ poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, here are a series o promises that actually speak of true friendship. You will see no cute wee smiley faces, just the stone cold truth o a great friendship.

1. When ye are sad — I will help you get pished and plot revenge against the bastard who made ye sad.
2. When ye are blue — I will try to dislodge whatever is choking ye.
3. When ye smile — I will know ye are thinking of something that I would probably want to be involved in.
4. When ye are scared — I will take the pish oot o you every chance I get, until you’re not. 
5. When ye are worried — I will tell ye stories about how much worse it could be until ye stop whining!
6. When yer confused — I will try to use only wee words.
7. When yer sick — stay the f*** away fae me until ye are well again. I don’t want whatever ye’ve got.
8. When ye fall, I will laugh my heid aff at you, you clumsy arse, but I’ll help you up.
9.This is my oath. I pledge it tae the end. Why you may ask? Because you are my friend. Friendship is like pishing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth

[Titty Bar] I heard that starting in September, the Looe Key Tiki Bar, is going to change their name to, “The Looe Key Titty Bar”. Does anyone know if this is true? We could use a titty bar up here.

[“When are Americans going to stand up and say that they have had enough?”] We say it every four years at the ballot box. This next time if we really want to fix government vote term limits for all and don’t listen to politicians defending their tenure. It’s all bullshit just to keep their do-nothing jobs.

What religion has contributed to the world this month! Video

A few views of recent world news from this moderate Democrats point of view.

1. Iraq is asking the United States to step back in and help them with their recent rash of extremism 2 years after they wanted us out.

Hell no. Its your country now you people can fight over it and end your own civil war. Maybe if you pay us by purchasing some drones and paying us to help It can be worked out but it shouldn’t cost any American taxpayer one red cent. If your country cant afford to pay for your countrys security the phrase “sorry bout your luck” comes to mind.

2. The right was first bashing Obama when Mubarak the past leader of Egypt was using government forces including gunships  to gun down their own people. The right was calling for Obamas head. So now the recent set of wackos are doing the exact same thing and now the right wants Obama to do the same thing they chastised him for previously. The most recent leaders were voted for in elections.

We get it the same old story. Youre going to dog Americas President if does what you want and youre going to dog him if he does something different. Im with him. Go ahead and kill each other it saves us American troops lives and ammo that would be used against us if we meddle.

Again. You sort out your own problems. Good luck with that. I have zero issues with Muslims that want to fight as long as they are killing each other. Stand back and  have at it.

3. I thought the clown wearing the Bush mask was every bit as stupid as the one wearing Obama mask. It shouldn’t have been made into a huge issue from either party either time. The ones that could take the financial hit from people to uptight to attend because of either mask need to work this out since they are the ones that hired the clown both times.

Join the Egyptians and the Iraqis and work your own damn issues out.

Maybe like us they could whine to our friend Ed here and fight it out on the C.T. What do you think Ed?

[“Watching Fox News reminds me of the book 1984] It is obvious you have never read 1984 or you would never have call the People rabble. Understanding the words is step one, then understanding the book may just enlighten you to know what BO is all about. God save America from the invaders.

[Affordable Care] Look up the premium subsidies for people who make 400% or less of the Federal Poverty Level. Link

You might be a Republican Party member if you show your patriotism by cheering every bit of bad news and hoping for the worst for our country.

“While it’s true overall that our economy sucks.” FTR guy.

In a statement the NAACP’s state president, Mary Ratliff, wrote: “The activities at the Missouri State Fair targeting and inciting violence against our President are serious and warrant a full review by both the Secret Service and the Justice Department. Incidents involving individuals acting out with extreme violent behavior in movie theaters, schools, churches, political appearances, and outdoor events in general speaks volume to the irresponsible behavior of all the parties involved with the incendiary events at the Missouri State Fair.”

Part 1) As you probably know the Obama administration is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on promoting the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare.  This money is being spent on public relations and advertising.  CBS recently reported that the bill would be about $700 million.  That’s money that will not improve healthcare.  It will not deliver even a single checkup or flu shot.

Even more money is being spent on “Navigators”.  These “Navigators” are being hired by the federal government to instruct individuals on how to apply for benefits, what benefits are available and the relative merits of the array of plans that are available.  The program will cost about $70 million. The money will be split among about 100 advocacy groups, including Planned Parenthood.

That sounds nice and comfy until you look just a little deeper.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is making it easier for someone to be hired as a so-called Navigator – HHS is cutting back on background checks and eliminating a fingerprinting requirement, and not just for the Navigators.  It’s people that assist the Navigators.  Now, these unvetted persons will have free access to all Americans’ most personal and private information — including tax return and Social Security information.  Of course one of the biggest dangers is the specter of identity theft by unvetted government employees.  Now, consider that a “Navigator” or other applicant might well have a criminal history, or might even have been an identity thief. That’s mah-vel-ous, just mah-vel-ous.

Part 2)  We enjoy a lot of give-and-take on political issues here on the CT, but I can’t recall any postings that clearly articulate the principles of the Republican and Democrat Parties.  I don’t claim to be a spokesman for the Republican Party, but I think I have a basic understanding of our principles.

We believe in the power and opportunity inherent in America’s free-market economy. We believe in the importance of sensible business regulations that promote confidence in our economy among consumers, entrepreneurs and businesses alike. We oppose interventionist policies that put the federal government in control of industry and allow it to pick winners and losers in the marketplace.

We support healthcare reforms – common sense reforms that will lower costs while ensuring the quality health care that Americans deserve.  We believe that health care should be affordable for all Americans.  As a part of the solution we propose to end lawsuit abuse (tort reform) and to facilitate health insurance “portability” from state to state.  We oppose government-run health care, as we believe it necessarily intrudes on the physician-patient relationship.  We believe that healthcare reforms must promote competition so as to drive down costs, and promote health care quality. Many of us are convinced that the problem is not with our health care insurance, but rather in the actual cost of providing medical care. Many of us believe that those costs can be reduced. Please think about $5.00 aspirin tablets. The ACA is actually increasing the taxes on health care delivery.  We believe that the Affordable Care Act will diminish the quality of the health care that we now enjoy, and at the same time will wildly increase the costs to the patient.

More later

Part 3) Oops I almost forgot that an apparently skeptical CT poster wanted to know the origin of the report that the NAACP has demanded that the Secret Service and the FBI open an investigation targeting the rodeo clown who mocked Obama.

Here’s the first paragraph or so of the story found in the Washington Times on 8/13: “The Missouri chapter of the NAACP appealed for the U.S. Department of Justice and the Secret Service to launch an investigation and open a federal case against the rodeo clown who donned a mask of President Obama’s face and mocked with the crowd: Do you want to see a bull run down Mr. Obama?”

“The NAACP says the clown was guilty of inciting violence against the president.”   Geeeeesh! Link

Respectfully submitted: FTR@bellsouth.net

CLIMATE CHANGE

In its article, EU media giant Spiegel calls the growing disagreement between Climate model results and measured observations “the wound of climate science“.

“The days of uncritical acceptance of climate prognoses are over. The trust is gone. Open criticism of climate science is gaining traction in the world as climate prognoses from renowned institutes are being viewed by the public and media with increasing skepticism.” Spiegel writes:

“When the climate models do not agree with the reality, then reality is not what’s false!”

“Hostile audiences are becoming a thing of the past for climate skeptics – even among the generally climate alarmist audiences. The overall reaction signals a growing, pent-up resentment among the people as the inkling that the climate catastrophe is more charade than fact begins to sink in.” Ouch! The tide is turning. Soon it will be time to hold these charlatans accountable for what they have done. Link