Thursday, May 8, 2014

[“I don’t have a smartphone”

I carry it with me for the computer and camera parts of it. I play my music wherever I’m working. I check tides when I’m boating. I use the GPS when I drive out of the Keys. I use the flashlight at night to see. I read all books from the Big Pine Library on it. I use the bubble level for small projects and it has an angle finder too. The compass shows me that I built my house 4º shy of true north (oops). I use the internet to satisfy my curiosity. I use the stopwatch for my anal retentive time studies. I take videos when I take apart things so I know how to reassemble them. I use the recorder to capture interesting sounds of nature. I use the calculator because I’m stupid. When traveling I use the voice translator (yes, just like on Star Trek) to communicate with foreigners. The alarm clock is very handy. I make notes and lists with the text tool. Looking at maps is helpful too. I like that I can find restaurants close by with just a couple of swipes. I listen to live radio and if I’m really bored watch Netflix or Hulu movies.

My Samsung Galaxy S3 is very slim, one of the slimmest. I don’t have a case because they add too much bulk and I don’t want to be encumbered any more than necessary. It’s so slim that I’m not aware that I have it in my pocket until I need it. I have one rule (the same rule I use for my privates) and that is not to take it out in public unless the situation calls for it, and it seldom does.

And lastly, in a pinch I can phone for help.

Has anyone applied for a license to keep a “big cat” on their property.

I have an Aldi store close to me but I rarely go there. You have to be sure to have a quarter and a box or bag with you.

I think the county is trying to make it hard for homeowners to install their own sewer pipes. I have a friend who just bought a large ditch digger and is ready to dig.

Has anyone gone to any events at Grimal Park in Big Pine Key?

Only about one-quarter are performing proficiently or better in math and just 4 in 10 in reading. And they’re not improving, the report says, reinforcing concerns that large numbers of today’s students are unprepared for either college or the workplace. Link

In other Florida murders, a Tampa mother accused of kill­ing her two teenagers, told a detective that her children had been “really mean” and she hoped they were dead.

The Heron is an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) for chronically/persistently mentally ill adults, which has provided supportive housing for over 25 years now.  Your support is now more important than ever and we are asking for you to help! Please consider making a contribution today. Events

Six days before, Congress had established the president’s right to call out the militia. The outbreak of Shay’s Rebellion, a protest against taxation and debt prosecution in western Massachusetts in 1786-87, had first convinced many Americans that the federal government should be given the power to put down rebellions within the states. The inability of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation to respond to the crisis was a major motivation for the peaceful overthrow of the government and the drafting of a new federal Constitution.

The Militia Act was tested shortly after its passage, when farmers in western Pennsylvania, angered by a federal excise tax on whiskey, attacked the home of a tax collector and then, with their ranks swollen to 6,000 camped outside Pittsburgh, threatened to march on the town. In response, President Washington, under the auspices of the Militia Act, assembled 15,000 men from the surrounding states and eastern Pennsylvania as a federal militia commanded by Virginia’s Henry Lee to march upon the Pittsburgh encampment. Upon its arrival, the federal militia found none of the rebels willing to fight. The mere threat of federal force had quelled the rebellion and established the supremacy of the federal government.

In the 2008 presidential campaign primary race, Crist solemnly assured Romney that he intended to stay neutral in the race. Then at the last minute he endorsed McCain. McCain was stunned. Then we learned that Crist had promised Rudy Giuliani that he would endorse him. Ultimately he campaigned (sort of) for Romney, and against Obama.  In Crist speak, that makes Crist a bigot, a lying, unprincipled, sack of rancid Donkey Dung. During the Clinton years, Crist urged Clinton’s resignation. Now he sucks up to the Clinton’s.

Many have forgotten that Crist’s entry into ’08 Senate race as an independent effectively stole huge numbers of votes from Kendrick Meek, an American of African heritage. Crist infuriated throngs of American Africans and especially Meek by trying to run away from the conservative image he had so assiduously cultivated just months before his Eureka moment conversion from conservative to liberal.

Crist’s gubernatorial record sits out there for all to see. His fallback position when faced with crisis was “raise taxes and fees.”  Under Crist, Florida’s economy tanked even worse than most other states, our unemployment situation was much worse than the national average. Charlie piled on long tons of debt on Floridians shoulders.

Never forget that the recession hit and Florida tanked under Crist’s leadership. Only 2 years into his term when faced with crisis, Crist elected to cut and run. He announced that he was running for the Senate and devoted most of his time to that endeavor while Florida foundered.

Governor Scott is the polar opposite of Crist. Under his leadership we now operate with a budget surplus, Scott is cutting taxes, decreasing college tuition, and even reducing licensing fees. Florida’s u/e rate is now substantially less than the national average. Florida is now considered a premier place for new business start ups. Under Crist, Florida foundered, under Scott Florida leads the nation in economic recovery

It’s astounding, but Crist admits that he would again raise taxes yet again  if the opportunity arose. He is unworthy of your trust or your vote.  He is unworthy to be our Governor.