Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lunch Counter Discussion Grand Opening

I am pleased to announce that The Lunch Counter now has a discussion forum area made for current technology. It’s called Lunch Counter Discussion. It has RSS capabilities built-in to monitor a topic or the whole forum. The bbPress software is far superior in so many ways, not the least of which is effective spam protection, to the old technology forum software it replaces.

The Lunch Counter Discussion is open for bidness. Although, the forum is not a business and there are no ads. This is the place for you to opine and carry on a discussion on a topic of your choosing and where others can respond. It could be fun or boring. That’s up to you. But it is a great platform (no pun intended) to run on. Same rules on net etiquette apply there as here.

And rest assured, if you want to be anonymous, you will be.

link: Lunch Counter Discussion

UPDATE: 1/27/09  It turned out to be boring so the forum is closed unless and until there are enough people willing to have a civil debate on issues of the day.

Cleaning Up Bayou Texar

Referring to this post from last November, I made a point that a local conservation group, the Emerald Coastkeepers, seemed more interested in suing companies with deep pockets and not interested in trying to find out where the sewage comes from that has repeatedly caused the Health Department to close Bayou Texar from human contact. Turns out, they are interested in the sewage problem in the bayou.

Larry B. Johnson, the volunteer in charge of Bayou Texar for the Emerald Coastkeepers is on their board of directors. Larry and I are on the same page on the subject of sewage in the bayou and I have agreed to volunteer to find an end of the sewage problem that has plagued the bayou for so many years. So that’s where I got involved, and now have something to report.

There was a study published by the University of West Florida in September 2006 that was, at that time, the most comprehensive analysis of water quality in Bayou Texar ever done. The Health Department has it for your review on their website. You might need a lawyer and a chemist standing by to assist you in deciphering it. It is very detailed.

After looking at the survey and knowing how many years Bayou Texar has had a sewage problem, I set out to find some answers to these questions. If you have any questions to add, please let me know.

  • Does the Health Dept know which systems are in failing condition?
  • Where are they? Names and addresses.
  • Are any of the properties with failing septic systems within 50 feet of an ECUA sewer?
  • If yes, has the Health Dept taken steps to force the property owners to comply?
  • Has the Health Dept notified the property owners to repair their systems and if so, have the property owners complied?
  • Who is responsible for this problem continuing, the Health Dept or the property owners, or both?
  • Are there any outstanding orders for the ECUA to do any sewer hookups, and if so, how many?
  • Of those hook-up orders, how many of them are on the offending septic systems in the bayou?

With the cooperation of the Health Department and the ECUA, I can report that there are no septic systems facing Bayou Texar. All of the properties on the bayou are on city sewer. I don’t know how long that has been the case, but it is the case now.

Enforcement of codes as relates to sewage falls under the purview of the Health Department. And, according to Philip Davies there, the methods of enforcement they use are definitive and seem to work well. Most often it is handled with a little education to the property owner, and gets into a legal issue if necessary, but in either case, their actions are effective in correcting a problem.

Davies also said that there is a new study currently underway by UWF that is focused on determining the sources of the fecal contamination in the bayou, which necessarily includes Carpenter’s Creek. Carpenter’s Creek, which feeds into the bayou, extends from the bayou on up to beyond Olive Rd and Old Palafox. One quickly realizes how difficult a project this is when you appreciate the size of the area to examine.

There are currently no pending work orders for the ECUA to hookup residents to the sewer system in the Carpenter’s Creek area and no pending actions by the Health Department to residents in the Carpenter’s Creek area.

I questioned whether the dog park on the bayou was the culprit and the answer is no, it is not. Despite the fact that the testing site the Health Department uses for the bayou is right at the dog park, the fecal contamination is not coming from it. They use that site, as opposed to other locations on the bayou, because that is the part of the bayou that has the most public activity.

That is all I have to report at this time. Will report back with a progress report on the current survey that UWF is doing and when they think it will be finished.

UPDATE 01/08/08: Dr. Richard (Dick) Snyder, the biologist responsible for the current study, was prompt to reply to questions I had regarding the study. Thank you Dick for your quick reply. These were the questions . . .

When do you anticipate completing the report? Will the report, or the work being undertaken to produce a report, actually determine the sources or pathology of the fecal contamination as relates to specific properties along the waterway, including rainwater runoff sources? After determining what is happening to the bayou and why things are happening to the bayou, will making recommendations for remediation of the waterway be part of your report or subsequent reports? Is the subject study a UWF financed project or a federal, state, county or city grant-financed project? Basically, who is paying for it?

This is Dr. Snyder’s reply, which addresses every question, in his own words.

The study will be done over two years to incorporate annual variation in water levels. We will try to identify contaminated ground water as opposed to runoff, with the idea that the groundwater will more likely be septic or sewer malfunction. The data will be given to the DOH and ECUA for them to address any identified problems. Financing is from a fine levied against the Target Corp. for contaminating Carpenter’s Creek, through the West Florida Planning Council and with input from the Bayou Texar Foundation, who is providing some additional funding.

So from the standpoint of what happens next as far as sewage in the bayou is concerned, we wait for the report in late 2009 or early 2010. I suppose we can rest easy in the fact that there are no septic systems in use on the bayou itself. The problem appears to be upstream. Meanwhile, residents around Carpenter’s Creek should know to keep an eye out for septic system failures or sewage system failures and report them to the Health Department (595-6722) or the ECUA (969-3303).

Pundit Predicts State of the Union, And Hillary’s Presidency

Well, a pundit as far as the ‘letters to the editor‘ go. In the Pensacola News Journal today, a regular LTE writer, Noah H. Belew, gives his prequel to the President’s upcoming State of the Union message in his letter Made 2007 worse.’ For starters . . .

The president will not tell the truth when he gives the State of the Union to Congress later this month. He’s never been honest with Congress and the American people. The majority of Americans don’t feel as safe today as they were before Bush invaded Iraq.

I replied to him there, noting that his frustration is typical, if not symptomatic of the political psyche of the left, then responded thusly.

“The majority of Americans don’t feel as safe today as they were before Bush invaded Iraq.”

The reason for this feeling is that war has been declared on us, 3000 of us were killed in this country by the enemy, al Qaeda. But, the majority of Americans also feel alive today because of Bush and our courageous military personnel.

“Any one of the presidential candidates would be better than George W. Bush. We know our nation will continue to slide downward during 2008.”

Bush isn’t running this time. What we’re left with is cut and run candidates in the democrat party, and one cut and run republican candidate. Four years of continuous job growth, unemployment is still at virtual ‘full employment’ levels, and a still growing economy, the federal budget deficit is at 1.2%, well below a 40 year average, even after Katrina and other natural disasters we’ve suffered, including the cost of fighting this war, and the poor are getting richer, makes me wonder what playground Mr. Belew is playing in on his ‘downward’ slide. It must be the same one John Edwards is playing in. Taking all this into account, what will Democrats in Congress do to “fix” that?

“I predict that after Hillary Clinton is elected Madam President, and Democrats are an elected majority in Congress, they will: . . .”

Half the country doesn’t like Sen. Clinton, the other half can’t stand her. Somehow I just can’t see here being elected. Last I checked, Democrats have been in the majority for the last 12 months. Noticed any improvement? They’ve got ‘creating investigations’ down pat.

“• Increase the personnel in our armed forces 35 percent. A draft is unpopular, but it may be necessary to achieve it.”

If Hillary is Commander in Chief, there would have to be a draft just to keep the military at its current size, let alone increase it by 35%. Patriots, who would place themselves in harms way would not volunteer to be led by someone who is guided by polls and focus groups. Our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers know what is worth fighting for, and keeping Hillary in office isn’t one of them.

Pensacola Restaurant & Dining Reviews

Time out for a little shameless self-promotion. Not for this blog, but for Philly’s Cheesesteaks & Hoagies, our family business. Like most transplants from the Philadelphia region, when you’re out and about the country, you’re wishing you knew where you could get a good cheesesteak. So on the subject of cheesesteaks, I can’t help but to agree with Pensacola Restaurant & Dining Reviews blog, the place for them in Pensacola is Philly’s.

related link: Pensacola Restaurant & Dining Reviews

2008 Mummers Parade On TV

Great news for those people, like myself, who have moved away from the Philadelphia area and miss seeing the Mummers Parade. According to Mummers.com, the 2008 parade on New Years Day will be broadcast on SuperStation WGN for FOUR 4 FOUR HOURS starting at 2pm/et!

Hip Hip, Hooray!

Related link: Mummers 2009 on TV


UPDATE 1/1/2008: I sent WGN some feedback on today’s Mummers Parade, including this. . .

Question is, will you be broadcasting a one-hour show on Sunday that was mentioned during today’s parade as the Best of the Best? It wasn’t clear by the announcer if she was talking of WGN or PHL17 (the local Philadelphia TV station) that was having the 1-hour special this Sunday that would feature the best entrants in each category, including, of course, the ones that we didn’t see today.

And to Lynn (below), according to their website they are on DirectTV and Dish Network.
I’ll post their reply here about whether they will be having the 1-hour special this Sunday. I suppose if enough of you contact them, that they’ll put something on their website about it too.

UPDATE 1/2/2008 : I got a reply from WGN on the Sunday recap. Unfortunately it wasn’t what I was hoping to hear. The recap mentioned above must have been for the local Philly station PHL17. WGN has no plans for it. To WGN’s credit, they responded promptly and promised to forward my suggestions to the management, to do a complete show even if it means showing some of it later in the day as pre-recorded, and a webcast simulcast.They seem totally receptive to feedback. I’d encourage everyone to send a courteous request to keep the Mummers coming and to make contingency plans for delays like what happened yesterday. Also it would be nice to thank them for trying to bring the Mummers to America. Remember, they’re in Chicago. I don’t think they have a complete understanding of the significance of the Mummers Parade in our lives. I guess what happened yesterday would be like having a Chicago hot dog without a bun.

Today’s Special: Fearing Freedom & Islamic Pedophilia

Some images certainly are worth a thousand words. Some don’t need explaining. Some do. Take Time Magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’ and UNICEF’s ‘Photo of the Year’ for example.

2007 Person of the Year, Vladimir PutinRussian President Vladimir Putin, selected as Time Magazines ‘Person of the Year‘ for 2007 evokes a certain disdain from people who love freedom. Putin fears freedom. Freedom is a bad word in Putin’s Russia. (The pose for this picture looks eerily familiar.)

Putin has jailed and assassinated journalists and political opponents. He has used his country’s oil and natural gas resources as blackmail towards his neighbors, formerly part of the old Soviet Union. His administration was complicit in the United Nations’ OFF (Oil For Food) program, taking Saddam’s bribe money to bypass sanctions. He is not a cooperative participant in limiting Iran’s nuclear ambitions in enriching uranium. And lately, he is laying the groundwork to remain in a position of power in Russia after his term as president expires by becoming a ‘Prime Minister.’

I concur with President Bush on Time Magazine’s selection. . .

At a news conference today, Bush said the magazine honored Putin for being a consequential leader, but added, the “question is, consequential to what end?” Bush said the key will be what Russia looks like 10 years from now.

For those who would bow to the wishes and jurisdiction of the United Nations, consider this picture. It was selected by UNICEF as the Photo of the Year. UNICEF Photo of the Year for 2007

The groom, Mohammed, looks much older than his 40 years. The bride, Ghulam, is still a child; she just turned 11. Photographer Stephanie Sinclair, who took the photo last year in Afghanistan, asked the just-turned 11 year old bride what she felt on the day of her engagement.

“Nothing,” said the girl, according to Sinclair. “I do not know this man. What am I supposed to feel?”

She’s about to feel what it is like to be raped and treated as a slave. UNICEF is a part of the United Nations that does a lot to feed and care for children around the world. However, they are woefully absent in putting an end to pedophilia in the Islamic world. In fact, putting an end to this practice is not even on their agenda. Just look at their ‘World Fit For Children‘ declaration published Dec. 13, 2007.

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kul Gautam said . . .

“This short but powerful declaration calls for the pursuit of a common vision to ensure the well-being of all children with a collective sense of urgency.”

Ask that 11 year old girl how she feels now, if she is still alive. The ‘optional protocols’ by member states is all gums, no teeth. No mention of this barbaric practice of selling children to be brides. To wit . . .

3. We reaffirm our commitment to the full implementation of the Declaration and Plan of Action contained in the outcome document of the twenty-seventh special session of the General Assembly on children, entitled “A world fit for children”, recognizing that their implementation and the fulfillment of obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Optional Protocols thereto and other relevant international instruments are mutually reinforcing in protecting the rights and promoting the well-being of all children. In all our actions, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

The track record of the United Nations in corruption, child abuse, rape, and pedophilia ought to be enough to repulse its members, and reason enough to suggest they move their headquarters to a country that is not offended by their actions, or, in this case, inaction.

 

aSide Order

Last NewsBusted TV for this year.

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Here is your Civics Lesson for Today.

How it’s done:

Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House in D.C., one from New Jersey, another from Tennessee and the third, Florida. They go with a White House official to examine the fence.

The Florida contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. “Well,” he says, “I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me.”

The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me.”

The New Jersey contractor doesn’t measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers, “$2,700.” The official, incredulous, says, “You didn’t even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?” The New Jersey contractor whispers back, “$1,000 for me, $1,000 for you, and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence.”

“Done!” replies the government official.

Wisdom of Larry, the Cable Guy

  1. A day without sunshine is like night.
  2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
  3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
  4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
  5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
  6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
  7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
  8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
  9. Support bacteria. They’re the only culture some people have.
  10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
  11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
  12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
  13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
  14. OK, so what’s the speed of dark?
  15. When everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.
  16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
  17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
  18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don’t get sucked into jet engines
  19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
  20. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
  21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, “What the hell happened?”
  22. Just remember — if the world didn’t suck, we would all fall off.
  23. Light travels faster than sound. That’s why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
  24. Life isn’t like a box of chocolates. It’s more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.

The Godfathers In Congress

I don’t know how else to characterize it when politicians believe, and so far get away with, that because they are elected representatives of the people that they are immune from criminal investigations. It’s enough to make Tony Soprano jealous.

The Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to overturn an appeals court decision limiting law enforcement searches of congressional offices, arguing that the sweep of the ruling last summer may kill ongoing public corruption investigations.

Acting Solicitor General Gregory G. Garre, in a petition filed this week, urged the high court to weigh in on how far the “speech or debate” clause of the Constitution goes in insulating members of Congress from legal action. In the meantime, he said, “investigations of corruption in the nation’s capital and elsewhere will be seriously and perhaps fatally stymied.”

Hiding behind the ‘speech or debate’ clause of the Constitution creates a safe haven for criminal behavior. Who thinks that was the intention of the founding fathers?

related links:
U.S. Asks High Court to Nix ‘Speech-or-Debate’ Ruling | Best defense is a good admission? | Jefferson plays the race card | Congressman Indicted In Washington | Nation’s Capitol Is No Safe Haven For Corrupt Politicians