My Annual Advice to the New College Graduates

Note- this is a re-print of a letter I sent two years ago to three relatives who just happened to be graduatiing from college.

Advice to the New Graduates

Dear Michele, Christine & Gabe:

Before I wrote this, I looked in a dictionary for the definition of the word “commencement”. The dictionary states commencement refers to “the act or process of bringing or being brought into existence; inauguration, inception, incipience, initiation, leadoff, birth, dawn, genesis, start”.Therefore, commencement suggests your lives are just beginning (and that is true in some respects).

And by calling graduation ceremonies a “commencement”, our institutions of higher learning have sorta decreed you can’t really take that first step until they have conferred a degree on you. That’s somewhat presumptuous but I guess by promoting the necessity and value of a degree, the schools can make a buck too. And there is no law against that.

Essentially, I wish you two things: interesting people and interesting places. By that, I hope you find, see and keep both of those close to you for all your years. If you do that, you will lead rich, rewarding and fulfilling lives.

And try very hard to understand the primary goal in life is to get very old. I know you won’t agree with that statement right now but believe me you will one day. Put more simply, it is exhilarating to be both available and sufficiently lucid to give the eulogy at a friend’s funeral.

I know it is hard to resist the urge to follow the crowd. But do try to be your own person- so don’t routinely and rigidly adopt all of the latest fads and trends. Find music, books and other hobbies you enjoy and make time for them.

Endeavor to be a leader to others. Christine, you are a born leader. And there is much evidence you were born with the ringleader gene. That’s the mischievous cousin of the leader gene. And that is a good thing- you love life and you show it.

Each of you should try to stand up for what you believe is right even:

• · When your opinion is unpopular·
• When it’s not the easiest path to take and·
• When you have not been right about anything in a very long time (cause the law of averages says everyone is right sooner or later).

You will be a part of many groups and organizations in the next 60-70 years. Don’t just go along for the ride. Give your best effort. Develop a reputation as an impact player. You can do that by making a strong personal impression and offering your support to the group’s goals (i.e unforgettable PARTAYS, improve annual sales, beat the Villa Gorillas every other year).

Never stop learning and never stop asking questions (there are almost no dumb questions).

Set out to identify mentors and role models from whom you can learn valuable life and career lessons. A good mentor will be happy to freely give you career and life advice for years to come.

Strive to be a role model yourself. Be generous to others with your time and knowledge. No one can leave much of true value in this world except those gifts you plant in the hearts and minds of those you leave behind.

Be open-minded and learn to think for yourself. Don’t be afraid to question the prevailing wisdom or latest news story. For example, a national news program recently ran a story that “the exercise done on Infomercials accounted for more than 50% of the total exercise done in America”. That “news” story first originated as a spoof in a satirical magazine. The news network picked it up as “real news”. I cringed and laughed when I heard it and wondered if any of you (had you worked on that program) would have thought to question the ridiculous premise. I believe each of you would have (Especially Gabe since he reads the magazine though until now he probably thought its “news” stories were legit).

Take very good care of yourself both physically and mentally. There is a time to party and a time to “not party”. Try to learn the difference way before you turn forty (so you can still run for President).You only get one chance in this world and life is much better when you are fit and ready to take advantage of all it offers.

Make strenuous exercise a regular part of your routine and add a large helping of mental exercise and challenges to keep the mind in top shape. If you smoke, quit.

With regards to your career, as you know there is a secret to success. Unfortunately, it is a secret so I can’t share it with you. So, you will have to settle for my own priceless advice:

• NO MARKETABLE SKILL= ZERO JOB OPPORTUNITIES= NO MONEY
• MARKETABLE SKILL = JOB OPPORTUNITIES= PAYCHECK= REGULAR PARTAY
• LOTTA MARKETABLE SKILLS= MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES= MORE MONEY= REALLY BIG PARTAY

So what does that mean. Pick some skills. Regularly polish, hone and improve those skills with practice and repetition. Enhance your skills with regular study and learning and MAYBE you will always have a job and make money.

Ideally you will choose skills (as I said that are marketable) in jobs and professions where:

• You enjoy the work (i.e. barfly, world philosopher, expert recounter of Seinfeld episodes, social director for former dorm mates).
• It is in demand by employers and customers and
• You are good at it and like it.
• It would be great if you could find a career that has all three of the above criteria but you will survive and likely thrive even if you choose skills that only have two of the above criteria.

And remember, there are no guarantees in life and life can be unfair. That’s just the way it is. Bitching about bad breaks won’t help. It will just make you very unpleasant to be around.

Be confident in your abilities and self-worth. Be persistent in pursuing what you want.

Michele- with your focus and drive you could achieve anything you set your sights on. So set your sights high! Gabe, you could do anything. You just have to convince yourself you CAN do anything instead of finding reasons for why you can’t do something.

Remember you are most fortunate to have been born in this country. Though not without its faults, it is the greatest country on Earth. Always honor and respect the elderly though I know it is especially hard when they don’t wear their hearing aids.

Always value and cherish your family even when they ask a bazillion questions about your latest escapade.Remember where you came from, respect traditions, and perhaps start your own traditions.

Stay informed about current events - it makes you a more interesting person and give you a big edge on your peers.

Be faithful to your core values and beliefs, your religion, your lover and one day your spouse.

You will make mistakes. Most mistakes are minor and can be fixed. However, try to avoid the really big mistakes (i.e always wear your seat belt). Observe other people and try to learn (and maybe get a good laugh) from their big mistakes.

But you also have to take risks in life. Without risk, there is little reward. Just do your homework before you take those risks.

Set priorities and establish goals and objectives- it makes life a bit more interesting to look back and see how you did. And try to recognize the difference between what is important and what is not.You each have what it takes to be very happy and very successful. Keep that in mind and let the fun begin. Just know I’ll be watching you. Love and all the best to each of you,U.T.

It's Not Nice To Call Someone That- Even On the Internet

Did you seen the internet catfight yesterday brewing on the Huffington Post where one manly liberal is calling out a Republican pundit and talking head and actually threatened to beat him up? Here is the link if you'd like to read it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/michael-smerconish-is-a-p_b_20843.html

That story made me come up with my own list of who I thought was a Wuss and who I figured was not a Wuss.
And BTW, I placed both the threatening lib and his Republican target in the Wuss category. Also the bloviating lib attended Penn which has absolutely no record of even one tough guy among its thousands of alumni (OK maybe one and that would be Football Hall of Famer Concrete Charlie Bednarik who went to Penn about 50 years ago).

WHO IS A WUSS :
…..Cenk Uygur & Michael Smerconish (the squabbling talking heads with odd names), Will Bunch, Chris Matthews, John Podesta, Bill Clinton, Bill Maher, Keith Olbermann, Billmon, Bill Lockhorn, Chris Satullo, Dick Polman and David Gregory.

WHO ISN’T A WUSS:
……………..Aaron Rowand, Allen Iverson, Camille Paglia, George Bush, John Street, Bill O’Reilley, Stephen Colbert, Steve Mackell, Rasheed & Ben Wallace, Laura Ingraham and Tom Ferrick.

NY Times Correction

Saw this on Powerline......the NY Times had to correct a story about a soldier killed in Iraq. The original story reported the soldier recieved the "Purple Star" Medal. Doesn't everyone except the NYT know it is called a Purple Heart. It's an unbelievable mistake. Below is the actual correction from the NY Times...

"An article and a picture caption yesterday about the funeral of Sgt. Jose Gomez of Queens, who was killed on April 20 in Iraq, referred incorrectly to the Army representative who comforted his mother. She was a sergeant first class — an enlisted woman, not an officer. The article also misstated the name of a service medal that a general presented to Sergeant Gomez's mother. It is a Purple Heart, not a Purple Star. In some copies, a picture of the coffin being carried out of a funeral home carried an erroneous credit. The photographer was Ozier Muhammad of The New York Times." (Go to Article)

Graduation Advice

I enjoy reading commecncement addresses to see if they contain any true nuggets of truth and wisdom. Below is a tongue-in-cheek column by Tom Ferrick, the Inquirer's best metro columnist. I recommend you read it for some laughs. Below is the link.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/14540670.htm

Newspaper Circulation - The Most Liberal Papers Dropped The Most

I saw this on Drudge. Many of what I call the most liberal papers seem to be losing readers the fastest....The SF Chronicle lost almost 16% in six months. Can that be accurate? The Philly Inquirer lost 5% and the Atlanta Journal Constitution lost more than 6%.

I read the Inquirer and in many ways it is very good and other ways it is pathetic. It sucks up to so many Dems (Fat Eddie Rendell especially) and most of its opinion writers (columns) are bigtime libs..Dick Polman, Trudy Rubin, Chris Satullo (editor and wheeny lib), etc.

Here is the link to the story. http://www.drudgereport.com/flash.htm

What A Great Country

What a great country this is. My evidence is the huge number of illegal imigrants who played hookey from work to voice their desire to stay in America. The pols have to figure out what is right..I believe some sort of delayed amnesty BUT we need to simultanously stop the border bleeding by erecting a secure wall down Mexico way.

I was wondering too what my ancestors would have done to protest back in 1900 or so. I suspect if it involved a day off from work, they would have chosen to go to a bar and play darts, gamble, fight and just generally carouse in a drunken stupor. Sure sounds like more fun than marching peacefully down a crowded street.

Quit Your Belly Aching (about gas prices)!!

We interrupt the hysteria over rising gas prices in America for the following bulletin:
Average Gasoline Prices in 10 Cities

Olso...$6.90
Paris...................$6.77
London...............$6.28
Brussels..............$6.16
Rome..................$5.91
Berlin..................$5.96
Tokyo.................$5.77
Hong Kong..........$5.62
Sydney...............$3.44
Philadelphia.......$3.01

Prices are in U.S. dollars for a U.S. gallon of unleaded regular (3.785 litres)
Prices are those posted as of early to mid-April, 2006
Sources: CNN and various gas-price web sites.P.S.
A Hummer / H2 has a 32-gallon gas tank.
It would cost $208.80 to fill 'er up in Oslo.
In Philly, it would cost a mere $96.32.

I got this info from Tom Ferrick's blog- he is a columnist for the Philly Inquirer.

Best Kind Of Baseball Trade

Phils traded Jim Thome because they felt the younger Ryan Howard was their best bet to play stellar First Base for years to come. And you know what the Phils were right!

Today, Ryan hit his 5th homer today including a tape measure shot into Ashburn Alley. And Thome has already hit 9 for his new team. So the trade is turning out great for both teams and that's OK!

She Should Have Hidden Secret Info In Her Socks

I heard the CIA fired an employee for giving classified info to Dana Priest of the Washington Post. The employee, Mary McCarthy, was once a Clinton appointee and got her job from Sandy Berger, who himself, pleaded guilty to taking classified info from the National Archives.

I guess Berger neglected to tell McCarthy that a good spy hides classified info in their socks. Here is the link to the story and btw somewhere I heard McCarthy was also a Kerry supporter.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/21/AR2006042101218_pf.html

Is Gillick Philly's Best GM?

Isn't it funny how things change so quickly? I believe Pat Gillick is the most experienced and most qualified and best GM among Philly's four major sports. And in my world that means the Phillies are in the best position to win their sport's title. Cause my theory is it's GM's not managers nor owners that assemble the parts that make up championship-caliber teams. And Gillick is definitely an upgrade from Billy King, Bobby Clarke and slimmed-down but still arrogant Andy Reid.

And it is very rare for a first-time GM to win it all. King and Reid are first-time GM's and Clarke has never been a GM anywhere but here (I think-- he may have served some time in exile for a year ot two). So that means they are first-timers.

This Is Not Right & The Pols Have To Fix It

A Philly kid from the ghetto was murdered the other day. He would have been the first one in his family (out of 35 cousins) to graduate from college (in August 2006). But he was apparently robbed and shot when he was home from Penn State to attend a family funeral.

Now I know you can't prevent all murders but there are just too many murders and shootings in Philly thses days. The city bigwigs are paid to keep honest citizens safe and they must figure out how to reduce these crimes. Here is the link to this sad story.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/14373337.htm

Always Get A Receipt

I am making this up cause it's funny.... but as far as I know it could be true.....

Attorneys for the Duke lacrosse players (charged in the rape) claim the players are not guilty and have evidence including a commercial transaction which proves they were not even at the crime scene. Ironically, the evidence is a receipt for lap dances at Bubba's Downhome Bada Bing Lounge, a well-known gentleman's club in the Durham metro market. If true that is good news for the two players but the bad news is the two (19 year-old sophmores) are guilty of underage drinking.

I like To Read Between The Lines

There was a story in the news today that the number of black businesses is growing faster than other businesses. The story went on to say that there are now 1.2 million black-owned businesses and the combined revenue from these businesses is $88.8 Billion.

Bottom line is that this is fantastic news for our country BUT when I ran the numbers (which is what I do), the average revenue per business is a fairly modest $74,000! So the flip side to this story is : Are the numbers correct and accurate? And if so, it sounds like what is being created is a bunch of micro-businesses or sole proprietorships. And I don't view that as a bad thing since that is the trend throughout the entire economy.

But I'd like to see what the average revenues are for other businesses. And I suggest the MSM should dig deeper into the data and this story cause I am busy and have a real job. Here is the link to the story.

Btw, this story reminds me of when the MSM breathlessly reports (and it does that every 3-4 months or so) that literally thousands of people make the majority of their living off of Ebay and when I run those numbers, it comes out this average Ebay etailer takes in like $299 per year.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06108/682889-28.stm

Student Is Awarded A Scholarship For Exotic Dancing

I heard the alleged rape victim and exotic dancer will have her college tuition paid by a group headed by Jesse Jackson. I assume it's a Dance Scholarship. Below is the link to the story.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/nation/14358218.htm

Inquierer Headline Emphasizes The Negative About VP Cheyney

The Inquirer had an AP article today that revealed how much Bush and Cheyney made in 2005 per their tax returns. Of, course, the Inquirer slanted the article so its headline read: Bushes, Cheneys share details of their tax returns- The President and his wife had income of more than $700,000, a tenth of what the Cheneys made.

And much later in the article, the Associated Press writer says that by the way, the Cheyney's gave almost 80% of their income to charity!! So, yes, they made a lot of money (mostly stock options) but they gave most of it away!! Here is the link to the article if you want to read it yourself. I can't wait to see the Clinton's tax returns when she runs in 2008. Cause I know they make at least $10MM a year and probably gave less than 1% to charity.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/nation/14347106.htm

Rolling Stones Arrive In China on Harleys Bearing Capitalism??

I admit to know very little about China but thought it was a communist country, kinda backwards but waking up and starting to become a big guzzler of the world's oil. But I did not think the average Chinese resident could afford to pay for two things I saw in the news today:

• Rolling Stones play a concert in China- how can the communists afford the Stones concert prices?
• Harley Davidson is opening a dealership in China. Here is the link to the Harley story.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/3780963.html

And I view this as very good news.

Talk Show Host Is The Real Garbage

I was reluctanly listening to a talk radio show, Jay Severin. I say reluctantly because I don't care for this guy's show but I was in my office and the station happened to be tuned to his show.

Anyway, a lady called in and very politely admonished Severin for calling all illegal immigrants "garbage". It seems Jay had said that on a past show. Well, the caller went on to say her husband is an illegal immigrant and they had a couple nice kids and she said none of her family were garbage. Jay responded by asking if the husband was really an illegal immigrant. When the lady responded "yes", Jay said "well then he is garbage" and hung up on her. I say this guy Severin is the real garbage and I suspect he is a physical coward to boot. He certainly proved talk is cheap.

Best Infield In Baseball

If you watched the Phils-Cards game yesterday, you may have been watching the best infield in all of baseball. It's just too bad that the Phils fielded only have three of the four pieces (Howard, Utley, Rollins) and the Cards have the fourth (Scott Rolen). Seriously, if the Phils still had a great third baseman like Rolen, you could argue the Phils had the BEST INFIELD IN BASEBALL! It's fun to dream, huh!

Do Hostages Get Paid Overtime?

When someone is taken hostage, do you think their employer has to honor their contract and pay the hostage gobs of overtime money?

Now Jill Carroll, the recentlly freed journalist, was usually called an independent contractor. Since she could not file stories while being held hostage, she is probably screwed financially. But how about a truck driver who is paid hourly? Bet he makes out bigtime if he is lucky enough to escape with his head.

Term Limits Now- Politics Should Never Become The Family Business

State Representattive Mark Cohen apparently likes to read books and he has charged the state (on his expense reports) for $28,800 in book purchases over the last two years. It would appear he is a greedy, sneaky piggish politician. But my main point is this- politics should never become the family business and that is why I support term limits.

What does that have to do with Rep. Cohen you ask?

• Well, Mark Cohen has been in the state house for about 20 or so years.
• His father, David Cohen, was a Philadelphia city councilman for about 35 years until he died recently at about the age of 92 years. David Cohen was a bigtime invalid for the last few years. On many occasions, he was wheeled in to work and appeared barely conscious. If he had expired in his wheelchair in the Council chambers, I don't think anyone would have even noticed.
• Cohen's mother worked for her councilman husband for many years. Now Mrs. Cohen wants to run for her late husband's seat. And Mrs. Cohen is about 88 years old.

Let's face it families like this are greedy, grasping arrogant pigs and that is why we need term limits because I bet there are many more families just like this piggish one! Here is the link to the story if you want to read the story about the book loving Rep. Cohen! http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/14241399.htm

Can We Trust Our Elected Politicians To Enforce Any Laws

That is the question I have to ask. For years, our political class has decided to pick and choose which laws it will enforce and which laws it will simply wink at when that law is broken. That is not right. If America is anything, it is a country of laws.

And I am in favor of immigration- it's very good for our economy. And I am in favor of hispanic immigtrants- they generally hold values that are similar to American citizens. But why should I trust Senators Santorum or Spector to enforce the existing laws or any new laws??

Smart Letter Of The Week- "Global Warming? Nah"

Congrats to Mr. Del Rossi of Lower Gwynedd, Pa who wrote the smartest letter of the week! The letter-writer, Mr. Michael Del Rossi, asks a very logical question. Distilled to one sentence, he asks if temps are returning to levels seen 130,000 years ago, maybe it is not being caused by "human activity" cause the earth did not have that many humans on it back then! Pretty hard to argue with that logic!! Below is the letter- enjoy.

"Dear Editor:
In the 1970s, climatologists were warning of a new Ice Age. Now, they are warning of global warming. The Earth has been evolving and moving in cycles for thousands of years. Yet we believe we are entitled to a static coastline.

The March 24 article "Reports see 3-foot sea-level increase" also indicated that the Arctic region temperatures were projected to be as warm as they were 130,000 years ago. To my knowledge, man-made activity could not have been a cause of that previous warming.

Yet today we are told to alter our economic system to eliminate man-made causes of global warming based on computer assumptions. This from people who cannot tell us what the weather will be two days from now but are certain what it will be in 150 years from now. Science indeed!

Michael G. Del Rossi
Lower Gwynedd, PA

Convicted Councilman Must Decide If He wants to Be The Wife Or The Husband (in prison)

Today' Inquirer (in the hard copy) had this headline "LAWYER SAYS MARIANO NEEDS TO WEIGH OPTIONS" over an article about the soon to be imprisoned and disgraced city councilman, Ricky Mariano.

I figured the headline referred to the difficult decision Mariano must make when he gets to his prison cell ....."will he be the wife or the husband during his time in prison ?" Update- the online edition changed the headline. Read the article if you like. Here is the link.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/14209457.htm

Jackoff's Prison Sentence Is Way Too Short

Just heard filthy scum, Jack Abramoff, was sentenced to just short of six years in prison. From what I know about his crimes, it should have been much closer to 20 years!

I try to walk 3 miles a day and this article says it's good for you

Good article in the paper today about the benefits of walking every day combined with walkable communities. I try to walk three miles per day every day. And could not agree more with Thomas Hylton's very well-written piece. Below is the link.

ps- I have found there is one risk to walking. There are a lot of frigging bad drivers who don't pay attention, talk on the phone and ignore the rights of pedestrians.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/14146947.htm

State Legislator Serves 4 Years in Office and Gets a Pension of $8,500 Per Year

The Inquirer has a great article today that tells about the extraordianrily generous pension benefits that Pennsylvania state legislators get. For instance, they include an example of a state legislator who was in office for only two terms (a total of four years) but is entitled to a lifetime pension of $8,500 per month. Let's be clear - no one these days - absolutely no employer in the private sector pays that type of pension anymore for ONLY FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE. Hell their pension benefits are way more generous than the military. And that is not right!!

I will go on record and recommend mandatory term limits for these mediocre slimeballs. I suggest their pension checks should be no more than $100 per month for each year of service. Hell -it's a part-time job with full-time pay. Kudos to the Inquirer for writing the article. Here is the link below.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/14190151.htm

Evidence ( Follow-up to earlier post "Do You Believe In Coincidences")

Below is a copy of the email response I got back from the PNC Prez, Bill Miles, who wrote the OPED article about early childhood education and that we taxpayers should pay for it. I very cleverly suggested in my email to Mr. Mills that he contact the PU Foundation because they really really want taxpayers to pay for this stuff. Mills took my bait when he responded to my email and essentially said he already knew that cause he has the biggest PU bigwig on his board.

Well, what do you know the PU president is a member of the PNC Bank advisory board. So I was right to guess the PU Trust probably helped write the OPED for Bill Mills. Below is Mills' email response to me (or evidence in my world):

"Mr. Lynch: Thanks for your e-mail about the op-ed piece. I appreciate your recommendation to contact the PEW Charitable Trust. PNC has been actively engaged with PEW around the issue of early childhood education. In fact,Rebecca Rimel is a valued member of my local PNC Advisory Board. Regards, Bill Mills (president of PNC Bank)"

Lastly, I don't think Einstein could keep an accurate count of the number of articles the Inquirer prints that are initiated by the PU Trust and its vast and deep-pocketed tentacles. And btw I love it when I am right!

NJ Governor's New Budget Spends $3,545 For Every Man, Woman & Child In The State

I had to post this. You may recall when the Congress approved a new federal debt ceiling earlier this week, virtually every MSM outlet breathlessly mentioned the $9 Trillion represented $30,000 for every man, woman and child in the country. So, I thought I should report on the state of New jersey's new budget in the same manner.

Ergo, the state of New Jersey now spends $3,545 per year for every man, woman and child in the state. WTF do they do with all that money??

And keep in the mind the US budget is way too high too. It spends $9,000 for every man, woman and child in the USA. And yes I understand some of that NJ money is double-counted since it is reflected included in US budget. But, wtf, what do they do with this money?

Do You believe In Coincidences?

On Friday, the president at PNC Bank wrote an OPED piece in the Philly Inquirer. He was recommending we spend $10 Billion a year to pay for pre-school for low-income kids. That's an increase in govt spending of about $33 for every man, woman and child in the USA. And of course, since not everyone works, let's figure it's about $100 from every worker in the USA. And that's on top of the $9,000 per spent by the govt for every man,woman and child. If you are a lib, you say what's another $33?? And you are right.

I actually posted this because I am sure the PU Trust was behind the OPED by the bank prez. The PU is trying oh so hard to get govt-paid pre-school into a select group of states and I know the PU "ghost-wrote" the OPED for this PNC bigshot. When I confirm this, I will let you know.

Oh and it was also no coincidence that the same day, Bob Casey, the candidate for senate, announced the first thing he will do after he is sworn in is to introduce legislation to pay $10 Billion for pre-school for low income kids. And did I mention that an evern greater coincidence was that Casey's announcement was in that very same Philly Inquirer??? Guess it is possible they all got the same fax from the PU Trust!

My New Favorite Comedy "The Colbert Report"

Have you seen this show? It is a spoof of Bill Oreilley's Factor and Colbert is the former sidekick of Jon Stewart. The Colbert Report is hilarious- he has to be one of the most talented comedians in the whole country.

on each of the last two shows, Colbert had a liberal guest. They were Keith Olberman and Al Franken. Both have been lampooned by and dissed by and are feuding with the real Bill O'Reilley. Colbert asked each about the feud and neither was able to make light of it. Both lashed out at Oreiley and were way too serious (unfunny). Btw, Colbert has nicknamed and refers to Oreilley as "Papa Bear".

Coincidentally, I happened to see Olberman a few nights before on C-Span with Brian Lamb. He was asked the same questions and answered identically and just as seriously! Guess it could be true when they say republicans are happier than democrats. Lastly, I'd love to see an interviewer ask Olberman about his show's dismal TV ratings! Oh and may as well ask Franken about Air America's poor ratings too.

Why Does Sirhan Deserve Even One Parole Hearing?

In 1968, Sirhan killed a candidate for president, RFK. The news reported he is about to have his 13th parole hearing. Why ? Just throw away the key on this guy.

http://www.news10.net/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=16471

Ten Winning Ideas (My Contract With America - Part One)

Always remember America is great because it strives to “Reward Hard Work, Offer Opportunity For All And Is Fair and Compassionate”. When I am Emperor, My Contract With America will encourage and support the following:

1. Every legislative proposal must clearly disclose the price or cost per citizen.


2. Mandatory term limits for state and federal elected officials.


3. Establishment of a standing education commission (like the census bureau) that will analyze and evaluate the cost to adequately educate a student, Publish a report that lays out its findings and mandate a minimum (or recommended) spending per student. School districts can continue to spend more than the recommended minimum per student because it is still a free country!


4. Outlaw gerrymandering of voting districts. It creates an unfair advantage for political parties and candidates and serves to disenfranchise the district’s citizens.


5. A uniform, nationwide voting period for all federal elections. The voting period will start at 10AM EST on a Tuesday and ends 24 hours later at 10AM EST Wednesday. And do away with the “big party lever”. Voters do not have a constitutional right to be able to cast a single vote for a party’s entire slate. If you support a candidate, find his name on the ballot and vote for him. If that is too difficult, remember I am Emperor. Every voter must present a valid government-issued photo ID before they will be allowed to vote.


6. Make Social Security Solvent. Under my plan, those over 45 years old will help by paying 2% more; 1% will be deducted from your paycheck and your employer will pay the other 1%. Their benefit plan will not be changed. Those under 45 will do their part by paying 1% more with ½% deducted from your paycheck and ½% paid by employers. Their benefit plan will be re-structured into a simpler, fairer plan called “The Yours, Mine & Ours Plan”. One-third of their money will go into the “Yours” pool and will be used to fund the cost of benefits for those who are disabled and their dependent children. One-third will go into the “Mine” pool. This is entirely your money, a type of personal savings account. You can bequeath this money to a beneficiary of your choice even if it’s a gay partner (just don’t disclose that part). One-third will go into an “Ours” pool. That money will be divided up among all those born in the same year. I will leave it to actuaries as to payouts but everyone will get exactly the same benefit amount from the “Ours” pool regardless of their lifetime earnings. You can opt out of paying into social security once your lifetime earnings have reached $5 Million. Does this plan sound fair and equitable to you? That’s what I thought.


7. Right size government. The state of Pennsylvania has way too many state legislators. Take my word for it. I say the state can be as effective and more economical to set a normative standard of one state senator for every federal congressman and three state representatives for every state senator. That would eliminate more than 100 current legislators and save taxpayers more than $25 Million a year. Replicate this idea in 50 states and the big cities and we could save billions. And the best part is no one would even notice they were gone!


8. Simplify all other retirement savings plans: Universal IRA, 401K plans, etc. Everyone is eligible. Eliminate every “if”, “and” or “but” from the current regulations. Keep it very simple.


9. Change the name of The Billionaires Club back to the U.S. Senate. We must put a limit on the amount a candidate can give to his own campaign. Aren’t you sick of all these billionaires self-funding their own campaigns? Is Jon Corzine’s political career that much different than the Outer Limits episode where the overgrown kid (on another planet) gets her father to travel to Earth so he can bring back a couple tiny humans for her dollhouse? Let’s face facts. About six years ago, Corzine tired of his Wall Street job and decided he’d like to buy a U.S. Senate seat. But he soon tired of that senate job and he decided he’d like to buy a state governor’s office. I say no candidate should be allowed to contribute more than one term’s salary to his own campaign. That may be unconstitutional but don’t forget I am Emperor! Let’s start with the senate and work our way down to the sheriff of Mayberry (you know he got filthy rich from the TV reruns, coffee mugs, theme park royalties, etc). And I suspect that’s how he kept those campaign coffers filled.


10. Form a commission to find ways to slow the increase in healthcare costs, make healthcare insurance more affordable, encourage and motivate citizens to get and stay in shape, mitigate the ties between healthcare coverage and one’s employment.

This Blogger Has Writing Talent But Thinks She Must Be Cruel to Succeed

Below is a link to a progressive blogger who wonders if Senator Specter's cancer has spread to his brain. That's nasty speculation even for a blogger. And I myself don't like Specter myself but she crosses the line. Read it yourself if you like.

http://susiemadrak.com/2006/03/13/20/49/the-excuse/#comments

Eagles Will Not Make Enough Big Free Agent Signings

Blogs are great for making predictions. So I predict the Eagles will not make sufficient free-agent signings to satisfy the average but skeptical Philly fan like me!

So far, I am right - they just signed a back-up tight end. Big Whoop!!?? I am not an LJ Smith fan - he will never be a Top Ten player (at his position) so they should have made a bigtime upgrade but they did not. Joe Banner, the Eagles salary cap genius and and former fantasy football geek is an idiot.

The Eagles missed out on the best free agent at center, Le Charles Bentley. And news reports seem to indicate the Eagles were blowing smoke about signing Bentley.

And what the hell kind of name is that for a football player?? Le Charles?? IMHO, he would not have fit in with grey-collar Eagles fans. But damn Bentley looked huge in the picture of him signing with the Browns. Usually, a player looks a little small in his jersey without shoulder pads but Bentley looked like he was actually stretching the jersey and did not need the pads to do so.

Last word- the Eagles missed their Super Bowl window of opportunity and unfortunatelly those only come around every 20 or 30 years.

Another Wishy Washy Democrat Caves In To Party Pressure

Here is a story about a typical career pol, Joe Hoeffel, who announced yesterday he was running for lieutenant governor but just TODAY said he changed his diaper (I mean his mind) after talking to Governor Fat Eddie (who supports even older and fatter Katherine Baker Knoll instead). It's so heartening to see how decisive and independent these drones are; they are generally scared shitless to go against the reigning governor. Here is the link to the new story if you want to read (but I can't imagine why you would).

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/14048380.htm

Happy Birthday!

You know who you are!

I Don't Know If Bonds Used But I Looked At His Stats

I don’t know if Bonds used steroids but I looked up his home run records back to 1990. He played in Pittsburgh from 1990-1992 then was traded to San Francisco in 1993.

1. He hit 33, 25 & 34 homers in 1990-1992. That is a total of 92 and a three-year average of 31 per year.


2. He hit 46, 37,33,42 & 40 homes from 1993-1997; that is a total of 198 and a five-year average of 40 per year.


3. He hit 37, 34 & 49 from 1998-2000. That is a total of 120 and a three-year average of 40 per year.


4. He hit 73 HOMERS in 2001. That 24 more than his previous career-high of 49!


5. He hit 46, 45 & 45 homers from 2002-2005. That is a total of 136 and a three-year average of 45 per year.

His average homers increased by nine from 31 to 40 when he moved to San Francisco in 1993. In 2002, his average jumped again to 45 per year. In his defense, Bonds was now playing in the extremely hitter-friendly Pac Bell and pitchers had started to avoid him. His walks zoomed up to record levels and he became a truly excellent hitter.

So, are these stats evidence Bonds used steroids? Maybe, but in 1993, he was in fact entering his prime age (mid to late 20’s) and now played in a more homer friendly ballpark and the number of home runs increased throughout baseball.

IMHO, home runs increased everywhere for several reasons including better player conditioning and weight training, better hitting coaching and techniques, smaller ballparks, perfected eye / laser surgeries (Mark McGwire is one beneficiary) and of course steroids.

Lastly, I did not consider partial seasons due injuries or strikes but was surprised that Bonds has has only one season with 50 or more homers (ala Hammering Hank).

Whatever Happened To The "20th Hijacker"?

I have noticed the MSM hardly ever refers to Mossaiui as the 20th hijacker. When did that start and why? I admit I have not paid much attention to his long trial and don't care either way if he gets life or death penalty. Death penalty cases become drawn out for years due to ability to make numerous court appeals.

But I am curious how virtually the entire MSM seems to use the same terminology or labels in stories. Do you think they hold a big conference call to discuss and agree that "we should no longer call him the 20th hijacker"??

Cause the odds of all using the exact terminology / labels are too high to be a coincidence.

Democrats Are Taking A Poll To Determine What They Think

Glanced at these choices for the Dems new election slogan. Have to say they are uninspiring and IMHO use the word "government" far too often as if Guvmint is the answer to our collective problems.

It's a shame they don't know what they feel or think. Maybe I should write it for them. If you are interested, below is the link:

http://www.ourtenwords.com/

"Dude- Where Is My Civil War"?

That's the title of Ralph Peter's latest column about the media almost gleefully predicting and reporting civil war in Iraq. But, Peters claims from his vantage point on the ground in Iraq, that he sees no substantive evidence of a civil war. (and btw the civil war was one of the main topics on the weeny Chris Matthews Show on this Sunday morning).

In his column, Peters takes a whack at the reporting methodology of the MSM. Here is a a great quote..."And the Iraqi stringers (working for the MSM) have cracked the code: The Americans (the MSM) don't pay for good news. So they (the stringers) exaggerate the bad."

Read the whole article, I provide the link below.

http://www.nypost.com//postopinion/opedcolumnists/64677.htm

Best Irish Joke Of 2005

Since it's only 14 days til St. Patrick's Day, let's kick it off with a damn fine joke:

John O'Reilly hoisted his beer and said: "Here's to spending the rest of me life, 'tween the legs of me wife!" That won him the top prize at the pub for the best toast of the night! He went home and told his wife, Mary, "I won the prize for the best toast of the night" She said, "Aye, did ye now? And what was yer toast?" John said, "Here's to spending the rest of me life, sitting in church beside me wife." "Oh, that is very nice indeed, John!" Mary said.

The next day, Mary ran into one of John's drinking buddies on the street corner. The man chuckled leeringly and said, "John won the prize the other night at the pub with a toast about you, Mary. "She said, "Aye, he told me, and I was a bit surprised meself. Ya know, he's only been there twice in the last four years. Once he fell asleep and the other time I had to pull him by the ears to make him come."

More Evidence of Greed & Arrogance In the Non-Profit Sector

Catch this article about the very, very well-paid president of the University of Miami and her 9,000 square foot house paid by the school? Her extravagant compensation is in stark contrast to the much lower paid janitors at the school. Have to say these non-profit execs make way too much money! It is getting to be rampant- wonder what the PU Foundation prez, Rebecca Rimel, makes? I'll guess more than $1MM but less than $2 Million. And here is the link to the story. Enjoy.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/13986000.htm

If College Tuition Increases by Five Thousand % And Government Aid to Students by Five Hundred %, Whose Fault Is It?

I caught a bit of Bob Brinker's radio show this weekend. Brinker has a show called Money Talks and he takes calls from people who have questions about managing their money. I am not a regular listener but Brinker generally offers good advice.

Anyway, this weekend Brinker had a guest named Tamara Draut. She just wrote a book called "Strapped" which tells how the high cost of college has stapped 20 and 30-somethings. On the show, the author, Draut, blamed the government for cutting student loan programs and she used this as an example to make her case:

In 1948, the GI Bill paid a veteran $475 per year to use for college and that covered virtually the entire tuition bill at Harvard (except for $25). Today, Draut reported the GI Bill provides a grant of about $2,500 and that leaves a gap of more than $24,000 because Harvard's tuition is more than $28,000.

So according to Tamara's argument the government is not doing enough even though the GI grant increased by 500%. I would argue the problem is primarily due to Harvard's tuition increasing by an astronomical 5,000% . Maybe, Tamara should be asking why college tuition (at least at Harvard) has increased by ten times the rate of the government grant.

Great Story About A High School Kid Who Gets A Chance To Play

The Inky had a great story about an autistic high school senior who was the devoted and loyal manager for the varsity basketball team. Well, the coach decided to let the kid suit up for a late-season game and the kid actually played int he game. And he scored 20 points when he made 6 out of 10 three-point shots (maybe he can give lessons to the Sixers). It's a good story so I provided the link below. As the star of the game, he had a great quote... "I was as hot as a pistol". And that is from a kid who did not speak until he was five years old. Enjoy.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/high_school/13947131.htm

Non-Profit Radio Exec Makes A Lotta Loot

The state of Minnesota has a population of about 5.2 million people. Its public radio network is called Minnesota Public Radio (or "MPR"). MPR operates 30 public radio stations in the state (which is a ratio of about one station for every 150,000 residents). There is a state law that requires non-profit groups (who take state funding) disclose every employee whose annual salary exceeds $100,000. Sounds like a reasonable law, huh?

Well, MPR has said it will refuse any state funding if it has to comply with the law. And btw, it has been learned the president of MPR, a person named William Kling, gets an annual salary of $500,000. Like I always say..."that is pretty good work if you can get it".

(and a Hat tip to the Blogfather at Instapundit via Mickey Kaus).

Poll Shows Liberals Are Less Happy

I am sure you have heard of the lastest poll that found that conservatives are happier than liberals. What's that, the media has not been trumpeting about that poll's findings.

Well I'll be happy to share the link to a George Will column (that is where I heard about it). Happy reading to you (if you are conservative). Thanks to one of my favorite websites (Real Clear Politics) where I saw the article.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-2_23_06_GW_pf.html

Sounds Like Most Other Two-Bit Criminals Just Before They Put A Bullet In Their Own Heads

You gotta admit that Osama Bin Laden's latest statement (that he will never be taken alive) sounds just like the typical smalltime hoodlum about an hour before the cops corner him and the alleged toughguy shoots himself.

Can I Cast My Vote For "None Of The Above" ?

Lynn Swann, the Republican candidate for governor, is taking a beating in the Inquirer for his voting record. They reported he had an almost perfect voting record in the last ten elections (voted in nine) but was far from perfect if you go back for the last 36 elections (voted in only 20 or just over 50% of the elections).

Shockingly, the Inquirer story emphasized Swann's lower percentage, the 20 out of 36, when it could have just as easily used the more recent 9 out of 10. I think it is fair to say one could spin Swann's record either way. Methinks the Inquirer first checked with Governor Rendell (Swann's opponent) to see if Fat Eddie had a spin preference.

But I digress. The media proclaims our number one duty is to vote when they are not proclaiming our number one duty is to pay higher and higher taxes. I say give me a chance to go into the voting booth and pull a lever marked "None Of The Above" ! Then I will be sure to vote in almost every election except for those wheeny primaries like the one in May of 2005 (only about 12-15% of eligible voters actually voted).

The candidates must earn your vote- am I right? So why give your vote to the lesser of two evils. Unfortunately, that's what we typically are forced to do on election day if we choose to vote. I submit the lack of good candidates helps to explain why this great country has relatively low voter turnout.

Not Just Big Governent- It's Expensive Government Too

Parade Magazine reported this weekend that the average federal employee now "earns $63,125 per year". Damn if you add the cost of fringe benefits and a great pension/retirement package that must cost taxpayers about $85,000 per year. That is pretty sweet (if you are the federal employee and not just a taxpayer like me). I have to ask why is it so high? The annual earnings for an average American worker is only about $40,000.

Someone please tell me why the federal government pays such high salaries. And let me know if they are hiring!

Cheyney Hub Bub

It appears the Washington MSM is all abuzz because the news of the Cheyney shooting was not put in a press release for their consumption sooner. It took 18 hours or so and Hardball's Chris Matthews spent almost his whole show covering the unexplained delay. May be Cheyney figured it was OK to follow Ted Kennedy's example at CHappaquiiddick.

The MSM hubbub shows what the American MSM has become - regurgitators of press releases. Do they really have to go to college to prepare for that? It seem they have forgotten it is their job to go and dig up news.

Shouldn't this story have been broken by some cub reporter (do they still have them?) who was gloomy because he was assigned to cover the boring travels of the vice president. So, where were those reporters who are assigned to the VP? Did they have their heads up their butts or what?? Or maybe the MSM has all its resources hanging around the White House waiting for that press release to do their work for them.

Cheyney Sends A Message To Scooter?

Did you hear about the "accident" Scooter? Let that be a warning to you. Uncle Dick knows where you live!! [and what kind of name is Scooter anyway]

PA State Budget Costs $2,100/ Resident

Current and soon to be one-term Governor Fat Eddie Rendell just announced his annual budget proposal for the state of Pennsylvania. It's like $24 Billion or so. Trust me it is the equivalent of $2,100 for every man, woman and child in the state. Just yesterday I posted a comment that the latest federal budget proposed by Bush is $9,000 per resident. So combined the two are spending $11,000 per Pennsylvania resident (and yes I understand that some of the PA budget comes from the feds).

But don't forget too that tax revenue such as gasoline taxes and other government fees are not included in the numbers above (in some cases). Pigs At The Trough I tell you. Anyway you slice it sounds like way too much wasteful spending to me!!!! And unless you are a government-loving lib, you should agree.

Ann Althouse Is In A Slump

One of my favorite blogs is Ann Althouse's. She generally has interesting postings and topics and her readers are pretty smart and informed so the conversations are interesting. But for the last 2-3 weeks, her posts have been really uninteresting to me. That's why I say she is in a slump!

Lately, Althpuse has been writing about stuff like her son's lame artwork and her angst-ridden decision to move from a big house to a condo. Ann, here is an FYI for you. Please don't take huge offense, but I probably don't care much about you or your personal life. However, I do enjoy reading about the outside interests you select for your blog. So get back to work and enough with the personal minutiae.

Here is her website; suggest you check it out. www.althouse.blogspot.com

"Muslim Cartoon Riots"

Was watching O'Reilley last night and he announced his next segment would be on the "Muslim Cartoon Riots". Doesn't that sound funny? Like some sort of joke or maybe a music/rap/ rock band...such as O.D.B. was Old Dirty Bastard. Or the Dead Kennedys. Yeah, I can almost see it "now appearing tonight and back by popular demand the Muslim Cartoon Riots".

Last comment- those Mulims sure have a lot of free time on their hands. And I always wondered how much work a man could do when the Koran requires you to stop and pray six times a day.

The West needs to do more humanitarian work in the Muslim world. I think it is critical for us to encourage those young Muslim men to get involved in more important activities like capitalism, blind career ambition, battling obesity, staving off credit card debt, choosing your favorite substance abuse, avoiding bankruptcy, carrying on fine family traditions like alcoholism, and participating in fun-filled group activities like bowling or gamblers anonymous. Why should we have all the fun?

Power Corrupts

In round numbers, the federal budget has grown since 2000 from $1.8 trillion to 2.7 trillion. That is a 50% increase in five years!! That is an annual increase of $3,000 per person!!!!!! Means in 2000, federal government cost you $6,000 per year and now it costs you $9,000.

Jeez, that is a disgrace and it can't all be attributed to 911 and GWOT. Can you say Pigs At The Trough? How many of you have seen your family income grow by 50% in the last five years?

In Pennsylvania, last summer's pay-raise grab by the state legislators is leading to a possible seismic shift in voter sentiment. I think an awful lot of incumbents will be cast out of office. That is what voters should do to the Congress! Can we all say term limits?

Birthdays Coincidence

February 5th is Hank Aaron's birthday. He, of course, is baseball's all time career home run king. Hammering Hank hit 754 home runs. Oddly enough, Hank took the home run record from Babe Ruth, The Sultan Of Swat whose birthday is February 4th, just one day before Hank's. ..I think that is pretty interesting. And I just learned that yestderday. Hat tip to my brother who shares the same birthday with Hammering Hank.

Oh the Irony

Check out this link to a website that mocks angry muslim response to their depiction as angry muslims.

http://oddbits3.blogspot.com/2006/02/angry-muslim-terrorists-protest.html

Super Bowl Prediction

I see a really hard-fought, exciting game and the Seahawks win by a point in a not high scoring game due to a young Roethlisberger (the Steeler QB) miscue. But I am rooting for a Steelers win cause I am a Pennsylvanian and I think it could help Lynn Swann beat Fat Eddie Rendell next fall. Enjoy the game!

Will Buy Sirius Satellite "Stream Jockey II"

I gave Sirius satellite radio as an Xmas gift and bought the boombox before Xmas but the receiver was sold out at the time. Now here it is almost six weeks later and the receiver I need is still unavailable ABSOLUTELY ANYWHERE. So, if anyone has a contact, I want to buy the Sirius receiver called Stream Jockey II.

Sirius has to be losing SERIOUS amounts of money everyday cause there must be 1,000's just like me. IDIOTS!!

XPN - Now Has Commercials??!!

WXPN, the nationally reknowned radio station owned and operated by the University of Pennsylvania, just finished it's semi-annual fund drive.

It is a great station and is proud to tell listeners it is "member supported". I have given it small donations myself a couple times. But this morning, I swear I heard the DJ read a commercial for Dodge! Now,the station has been drifting across the line for several years with announcements such as "XYZ Corporation is a proud supporter of XPN". But the one I just heard crossed all the way over the line. What is up with that XPN? You can't have it both ways.

BTW, If you have never listened, check it out on the internets. You can find by googling WXPN (and google is not paying me to say that).

Best Letter To The Editor (tried to find a uplifting winner but this was too easy)

Below is a letter to the editor. It was published in the Philly Inquirer on 2/02/06. Frank Keel submitted the letter to the Inquirer. It appears, from his letter, Mr. Keel is simply a public-minded citizen from the suburbs. But, in fact, Mr. Keel is a well known and well-paid public relations professional whose clients include many Democratic city elected officials. These include (I believe) Mayor Street during his last election campaign, and Councilman Rick Mariana until Mariani’s unfortunate federal corruption indictment. Ironically or not, Keel’s letter criticizes an Inquirer reporter for a recent story on a Republican candidate for mayor, Tom Knox.

I’d like to criticize the Inquirer for failing to point out Keel’s role in city politics and for stooping so low as to select Keel’s letter for publication. Afterall, it was Keel who was criticized because his wife apparently wrote letters to the editor under her maiden name in the last mayoral campaign. Below is the actual letter.

A candidate or not?

In the Jan. 22 Inquirer, gazillionaire and mayoral candidate Tom Knox announced that he was resigning his position as chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare to devote all of his time and energy to becoming mayor ("Insurance firm's chief exits to focus on '07 mayoral run). In the very next breath, he stated that he was not going to abide by new campaign contribution limits and used the rationale that he didn't have to adhere to the limits because he was not a declared candidate for mayor.
Which is it? He quit his job to run for mayor but won't abide by the rules because he hasn't announced that he's running for mayor? Huh? And why didn't The Inquirer's reporter call Knox on his doublespeak?

Frank KeelNorth Wales

$110 Million Dollar Whiner

Donovan McNabb is being paid a bazillion dollars to play a kid's game and he whines about being dissed by T.O. I think McNabb must be a real Momma's boy. He needs to grow a spine and stop eating all that soup with his Mommy or he's gonna look like the Pillsbury Doughboy one day (he already sounds like him).

And please stop with the "black on black crime" crap. There are kids being shot every day in Philly and McNabb thinks being figuratively bitchslapped by T.O. belongs in the same category.

Lets Drill Down Into The Number Of Uninsured

We are often reminded there are 45 million uninsured people in this country. Let’s look at what comprises 45 million number. The figure is derived from US Census data; I checked it myself at http://www.census.gov/ and learned the following:

• In 2004, there were 45,820,000 individuals without health insurance and here are some non-mutually exclusive facts regarding the uninsured individuals.


• 34% (15,934,000 people) or one of three was in a household with income of $50,000 or more.


• 17% (8,092,000 people) or one of six was in a household with income of $75,000 or more.


• 25% of the uninsured individuals (11,859,000 people) or one out of four were foreign born.


• 20% (9,542,000 people) or one of five are not citizens.


• 19% (8,772,000 people) or almost one out every five was between the ages 18-24.

The census data suggests the uninsured crisis is partly hyperbole. A good number of the uninsured could afford insurance coverage but apparently decided they don’t want to pay their own premiums. That group represents one-third of the total. You may guess if COBRA premiums were made more economical, the size of this group would likely shrink significantly.

The group between 18-24 is primarily comprised of college students and others trying to find their career niche. They tend to fall off their parent’s insurance policy when they reach the age of 19. Once they settle into a regular job, the majority get insurance coverage.

The non-citizens represent 20% of the total. Should an immigrant expect immediate coverage for health insurance from his/her new country? I am curious as to how an immigrant is treated in countries with national health insurance. The United States admits 2-3 million immigrants each year so this data seems to suggest the average immigrant is without insurance for 2-3 years after their date of immigration. That does not seem like a bad trade-off to trade life in this country with their former homeland.

I trust you understand these categories are not mutually exclusive. That means a high-income individual may also be a non-citizen and I am not trying to count those twice. I just used the base US Census data as best as I could.

Lastly, I would argue that anyone who truly wants to fix health insurance in this country is not acting in good faith when they use this 45 Million number. The census data detail supports my argument.

Out Of Touch?

This morning on the Today Show, John Kerry was quoted in news accounts as saying that 53% of students don't graduate from high school. That is so blatantly wrong, it confirms what I believe about Kerry...that he is out of touch and out to lunch.

When I mentioned this to a far left co-worker, she replied she thought Kerry could be accurate because you know once you get away from the coast, education is inferior and in fact, she heard on NPR that there are still about 500 one-room schoolhouses in the USA (like that is relevant).

Memo to self- don't discuss this unfair country with this lib co-worker again. Talk about reality-based discussions huh?

Best Letter To The Editor

Some blogs post a regular feature they refer to as "the week's worst letter to the editor". I think I will try a variation of that and post the "Week's Best Letter To The Editor". Here is the inaugural winner from a Kate Kane of Chesterport. She wrote into the New York Post and pointed out the stupidity and waste of money when the school district spends vast sums of time and money to translate documents to languages other than English. Good Job Kate! (Sorry but there is no prize yet for the winner).

Best Letter To The Editor(from the New York Post on 01/28/06):
Dear Editor:
As a bilingual social worker in a NYC public school, I protest the City Council's plan to translate school-related documents so as to engage more parents in their childrens' education. The schools already translate many documents for parents. In addition, a bilingual staff is available to help parents with translations and specific school issues.

Since non-English-speaking parents are able to get jobs, apply for welfare, make airline reservations and obtain apartments, they are clearly able to function in New York City. The parents who are not involved in their children's education choose not to be involved.

Kate Kane
Centerport

How Long Has Ex-CNN Anchor Believed This?

I never cared for Aaron Brown, the former CNN anchor. Thought he was too much of a wuss and was better suited to be one of those soft spoken NPR jobs.

Now that he is an ex-anchor for a cable channel, Brown is freely sharing his deep thoughts and big ideas. Below is what he said recently about the world today:

"Truth no longer matters in the context of politics and, sadly, in the context of cable news," said Aaron Brown, whose four-year period as anchor of CNN's NewsNight ended in November, when network executives gave his job to Anderson Cooper in a bid to push the show's ratings closer to front-runner Fox News.

And I think Brown is still being paid by CNN at least until the end of his contract.

Phoenix Real Estate

Saw this item about Phoenix real estate and specifically John McCain's attempt to sell his mansion. I was out in Scottsdale about 4 months ago and wondered then if it could be a good market to open a 2nd office. Don't think this is a bubble yet. Below is the link if you want to read.

http://upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060126-040731-5248r

What You Might Call "Thinking Outside The Box"

The NY Knicks GM is being sued for sex harrassment by a former Knicks employee.

In these types of cases, all kinds of claims and accusations are thrown against the wall in the hopes one claim will stick (against the deep-pocketed defendant like the Knicks). So the lady included the claim that Isiah Thomas wanted to schedule more games at noon because he planned to try to to get the opposing team's players drunk the night before at area clubs. If this is a false claim, I suggest Thomas should claim (off the record of course) it's true because it's a pretty crafty scheme- what I call thinking outside the box.

Below is the actual quote from the news story. "The lawsuit also alleges that Thomas told Browne Sanders he was pushing for more home games at noon on Sundays. His plan, according to Browne Sanders, was to have opposing players go to certain clubs, including strip clubs, that Thomas had connections with on Saturday nights and get them drunk so they would be sluggish for the game the next day.

"The Antique Media"

Below is the link to an excellent article called the Antique Media by Thomas Lifson. I think he nails what has occurred to the MSM and what lies in their future.

I wholeheartedly agree with his statement that Watergate led to the MSM taking a sharp left turn. I believe Watergate actually ruined the MSM. After Watergate, the average media employee evolved from having an ordinary lower to middle class background to being an Ivy League rich kid bound and determined to emulate Woodward & Bernstein and take out a president too.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-1_25_06_TL.html

This Is Just Plain Wrong

Here is a NY Post story about how some Port Authority cops are making mucho dinero in overtime in 2005. The story listed five policeman and how much they made includng overtime:

Sgt. Rienzie $249,000
Sgt. P. Ryan $228,000
Ofc. P. Callaghan $210,000
Sgt. R. Keith $225,000
Sgt. L Goldberg $210,000

And I guess a good year like this makes their pension check that much fatter!! Pretty good for a civil servant, huh? Below is the link to the story if you don't believe me....
http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/61643.htm

90% Of Homeless Victims Were Drunk

In a story about the extreme cold in Europe, this sentence caught my eye.... "About half the vistims were homeless and 90% of those were drunk." Now is that an estimate and can it be accurate? Did they actually test the corpse's blood alcohol after it thawed out? Or did the writer mean to say the homeless victims were alcoholics which would be a very different statement with different meaning (the "90% were drunk" would never get past an American editor who would be troubled about appearing politically incorrect)?

BTW, every winter in Alaska, it is routine to hear about a few people who have died from severe exposure after exiting a bar (the night before) in a drunken stupor and passing out in a snowbank before they could make it to their home. Below is the link to the story re the European frost if you want to read.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/23012006/323/eastern-europe-freezes-killer-cold.html

Walmart, Government Employees & Other Questions

The Maryland State Legislature just passed a law requiring Walmart to pay a minimum of 8% of Walmart employees’ payroll towards health insurance for the employees.

I don’t support this type of legislation because it really targets and singles out one company. And I am just not convinced Walmart is evil though I am aware that idea is the current conventional wisdom being spread by the left-leaning political class and its grass-roots lapdogs.

But if you drill down deep enough, you will find a substantial chasm between what the state legislators are requiring of Walmart and what taxpayers “contribute” towards health insurance for state/local government employees (a group which generally includes state legislators). And few are discussing this chasm because it is not part of the news du jour.

Statistics show the average government employee is paid significantly more than the average non-government employee and their benefits cost considerably more than the average non-government employee. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (published in USA Today on January 17, 2005):

• The average state/local government employee is paid $24.52 per hour and gets health insurance worth another $3.82 per hour. That totals $28.34.


• So, the state/local govt. employee’s health insurance is 16% of his hourly pay.


• The average non-government (private) employee earns $17.23 per hour and gets health insurance worth another $1.66. That totals $18.89.


• So the private employee’s health insurance is 10% of his hourly pay.


• The cost of health insurance for govt. employees is more than TWICE the cost paid for the average private employee ($3.82 vs. $1.66).

As I said above, the Maryland legislation requires Walmart to pay at least 8% towards employee health insurance.

Whether you agree with the legislation or not, it is fair to ask why the legislators require only 8% when taxpayers pay 16% for its beloved government employees and private employers pay only 10%. And you may also ask why does the average government employee’s health insurance cost the taxpayers so much? Depending on how well you like the answer to that question, it could be time for a change!

(In the interest of full disclosure, I don’t have a dog in this fight. I am self-employed and pay100% of my own health insurance premiums.)

Cold In Russia So Get The Monkeys Drunk

It;s been very cold in Russia, so the monkeys at the zoo are getting what I assume is special care because I saw this quote in a news story on Drudge..... "At a zoo in Lipetsk, south of Moscow, zoo director Alexander Osipov said monkeys would be given wine three times day, "to protect against colds," the RIA-Novosti news agency reported. I bet the monkeys like this daily regimen of forced drunkenness. Could give a whole new meaning to the phrase "monkey business" but I suspect PETA will launch a protest soon.

(Non-profit) Ambulance Company Finances Are Probed

One of my pet peeves is when a non-profit does not spend a sufficient portion of its income on its primary and stated mission (like the PU which spends maybe 5% of its total net worth), or serves to greatly enrich those who control it (like this ambulance company apparently), or one which spends "charitable" funds on programs that may not be charitable efforts (like the PU which is spending $50Million or so to move an art museum).

So today's Inquirer has a story about a Philadelphia area non-profit ambulance company whose unpaid executives may have diverted a good part of donated funds to some non-ambulance purposes. These included remodeling one's home to the tune of $70,000, buying two jet skis for $14,000 and paying the tab at several strip clubs. Jeez, how do you expect these hard-working volunteers to unwind? Here is the link if you want to read the whole story.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/13657697.htm

911 Truce Offer on 119

Is it concidental that OBL has broadcast a truce offer on January 19 (or 119)? I think it is a poignant moment and provides proof we have Al Quaeda turned around and on the run so that 911 is now signified by their de facto surrender and we will one day celebrate this day as 119! Let's hope I am right.

Somewhere His Former Employer Is Breathing A Sigh Of Relief

Ray Nagin, the mayor of New Orleans, is said to be a former executive for a cable company. Do you think that company misses him?

TV Star Did Not Own A TV (and if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you)

Don't you want to smack a TV star when you hear them say they don't watch TV or don't even own a TV? Because when you hear this, you are actually spending your own valuable time watching this faux snob on your TV.

The reason I bring this up, I saw a little of the Golden Globes the other night and a star of the show, LOST, was being interviewed. Her name is Evangeline Lilly and is a up and coming star accoring to the news media. Lilly was asked about her career, etc. and in one response, she claims that prior to being on the show, she did not have nor watch TV. I am skeptical when people or actors claim such nonsense and suspect they think the public will view them as some sort of intellectual.

They should have asked Lilly (CORRECTION) about her two castmates being arrested for DWI about 3-4 weeks ago and within 30 minutes of each other. Now, that would have been interesting.

A Tale Of Two Idiots

The Arizona Republic wrote a story today about a young Glendale couple who have an annual income of over $120,000 per year, pay $208 per month for health insurance and can't seem to get ahead.

The paper called the story "Benefits Drive Choice Of Jobs" and that's not really news anymore. But if you read this story, I suggest a better title would be "Crying Poor With a Loaf Of Bread Under Each Arm And One In Her Mouth" or perhaps "A Tale Of Two Idiots". For your reading pleasure, here is the link. It will make you want to strangle these two dopes. And if the paper was aiming to harpoon the healthcare industry or corporate America, its aim was way off the mark.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0116HCR-kanitsch.html

I Propose The Pew Charitable Trust Change Its Name to The PU Charitable Trust

If The PU agrees to my proposal, I will lend my support to its unbelievably dynamic and wonderfully unique and creative idea to change the name of 30th Street Station to Ben Franklin Station. And the PU must also modify its brand by adding a smelly but small skunk to its logo and letterhead.

PU Charitable Trust Announces It Will Never Lack For Ways to Waste Its Charitable Funds

The PU Charitable Trust is behind the idea to change the name of Philly's Amtrak station from its current name of 30th Street Station to "Ben Franklin Station" in honor of his 300th birthday which I believe is today. And what a coincidence it is that Mayor Street and Philly's Government's Official Tourism Agency Head (Meryl Levitz) now support this idea. Hell, Levitz went so far as to write an OPED for the INquirer touting this wonderful groundbreaking idea.

Now keep in mind the PU Charitable Trust is officially named The Pew Charitable Trust. AND it is willing to pay as much as $3Million in expenses to Amtrak to cover the estimated cost of changing the signs,etc to Ben Franklin Station. I can believe it is very expensive to change those little revolving and clicking signs you see at train stations. But is this the true work and mission of the PU Charitable Trust??

What would you think if a church or other charity had this idea and offered to pay for such a low (IMHO) priority initiative? I am a firm believer the government should just take 10% of the PU's money (they have more than $4 Billion) each year or tax them like a for-profit company.

The story contained a funny quote from the Philly Weekly regarding PU's wasteful proposal...Philadelphia Weekly this week joked that the proposal "shows the Pew Charitable Trusts is running out of ways to spend their money."

Here is the Inquirer reporter's slightly cynical (IMHO) outlook on the PU idea: " The charity maintains more than $4 billion in assets. Redoing all the signage at the train station is expected to run a mere $3 million". Good for Inga Saffron, she is one of the paper's best writers and she successfully belittles the PU proposal without being too obvious.

Addicted To Our Tax Revenues

The Philly news stations and talk-radio have been buzzing about a plan by the state legislature to enact a sales tax of 6-7% on health and fitness club dues. They are going pretty nuts asking why they want to tax something that is so good for you.

The answer is the political class is addicted to tax revenue. They claim they want to reform property taxes so they raise the sales tax and hope no one notices. They rarely reduce government expenditures and that is the root of the problem.

Blogosphere Asks Congress To Heal Itself Or Else

Read the mission statement from some bloggers who are appealing to the current Congress to clean up its act or be voted out. Here is the link below:

http://www.truthlaidbear.com

Speaking Of Felons (Michael Milken)

It's easy to forget but Philly is known for a few more things than just soft pretzels, Rocky, saying wodder instead of water, and corrupt politicians. Here is a list of the Top Ten Life Sciences markets as ranked by an investment organization named after a convicted felon (I think). Philly is #3!! The Top Ten as ranked by Milken Institute Life Sciences Composite Index (June 2005 list) below (and don't ask me what the score in parenthesis means):

1. Boston (100)
2. Greater San Francisco (98.4)
3. Greater Philadelphia (97.1)
4. Greater New York (94.6)
5. Greater Raleigh-Durham (91.1)
6. San Diego (90.7)
7. Greater Los Angeles (87.0)
8. Minneapolis (77.9)
9. Chicago (75.9)
10. Seattle (70.9)

Limit Political Campaign Contributions To The Average Weekly Wage

I saw a report yesterday that the average weekly wage in the largest metro markets is $751. And I thought it would make sense to limit lawful campaign contributions to the size of the average American's weekly paycheck.

So, let's hear it for a campaign contribution limit of no more than $751 (one week's pay) to a single candidate and no more than the average year's pay ($751 x 52 = $39,052) for a candidate to donate to himself. But, let's be nice and allow immediate family members to give no more than 4 weeks pay (4 x $751). These limits will prevent super-rich candidates like Jon Corzine from buying their way into office by funding their own humongous campaign chest.

This sound reasonable to you? Oh and only eligible voters can make contributions; that means no more corporate nor union nor PAC nor felon's money allowed!

DNA Says Executed Killer Was In Fact Guilty

USA Today just reported the convicted killer who was executed in 1992 by the state of Virginia was found guilty for a second time by DNA testing. Here is a pretty funny quote from the story:

"Death penalty proponents welcomed the results. "Stop the presses — it turns out that rapists and killers are also liars," Michael Paranzino, president of a group called Throw Away the Key, said in a statement. "

You gotta admit that's a funny line- wonder who else besides me will "borrow it". Below is the link to the story if you would like to read it.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-01-12-dna-virginia_x.htm?csp=24

No Call For Reader Profanity But Paper Left Out Pertinent Fact From Story

I heard back from the Inquirer reporter whose story I took issue with in a previous post. She was very reasonable and did admit the Sunday Justice counter-rally was organized by a group called Fenton Communications. When I googled Fenton on the internets, I learned it is very big lobbying firm and has done a lot of work for Moveon.org and some other liberal initiatives (that background should have been included in the news story).

Here is a link to their website: http://www.fenton.com/pages/home.htm

The reported admitted, in hindsight, she should have included the Fenton involvement in her story. Fenton organized the conference call for the opposing ministers with media members and I believe that went a long way in demonstrating Fenton's influence and ability to get a news story placed in a very large metro newspaper (and which ended up on Page 1 of the Metro section).

The reporter also told me she got a lot of complaints about the story and many of the complainers were Christians and some used disgusting profanity. I believe her and that is just not right!!

The Inquirer should print those that were made in emails and let the writer be damned (especially if they are Christian, ha ha). How can readers expect reporters to be fair and impartial when the reporters are abused like that?

And, I do confess I once did that in a business email and a lotta subsequent f-bombs were exchanged. I almost made a hasty, long-distance trip to resolve that issue to my own personal satisfaction but I am told vengeance is best when served cold (is that the correct quote?)

60 Million Watched the Rose Bowl But 80 Million Will See The Alito Rally

Below is the link to a news story about a rally planned for a black church in north Philadelphia. The rally is to gather support for the nomination of Samuel Alito. The story predicts the rally will have a TV audience of 80 Million!! Here is the quote from the story ...."The program is to air to an audience estimated at 80 million through Christian television and radio stations and through simulcasts to churches".

That is a seriously outlandish estimate. According to US Today on Friday, the Rose Bowl was seen by 21.7% of US households which represents 60 million viewers (or 1 out of every 5 Americans) IF and only IF every person in those households watched the game.

I emailed a letter to the Inky editor and asked how they came up with this estimate of an 80 million audience. I also asked how and who organized the Inquirer's conference call with the concerned ministers since the conference call seems to have spurred the story.

Lastly, the story in the paper was headlined" Plans For Christian Rally Are Attacked". The online version now reads "criticized" instead of attacked. It seems the MSM truly views these Christian groups and events as something to be demonized and their influence grossly exagerrated. It's almost hilarious but it is a shame too. And I am writing as a lapsed Catholic who has been in a church twice in the last two years (each time was for a funeral) so don't get the idea I am some sort of born-again evangelical.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/13573475.htm

The National Dems Are So Stupid

According to this Drudge Report flash, the Democrats plan to try to take down Judge Alito by smearing him with wacky witnesses including a PETA supporter who sounds like a real whackadoodle (named Steven Dujack?).

The Dems are truly stuck on stupid. Let's face it: Judge Alito is not a sinister or evil character and the American people sense that so they will be amazed the Dems are pulling this stunt.

It's almost a suicidal strategy; they should clean house and recruit some reasonable leaders (like Harold Ford) who are not weenies, wussies, geeks, know-it-alls and elitists. That's why they can't win elections.

Think about it...Reid, Dean, Kerry, Pelosi, Kennedy, Boxer, Durbin, Carl Levin, Rahm Emanual, HRC. The American people must look at this group and gag. And I used to revere the Kennedys but this group of idiots pales when compared to JFK and RFK.

If Kennedy had balls, he'd ask to raise the minimum wage to $10 AND get rid of alot of the wasteful social programs like paid day care. But he has no balls and never had vision.

The Republican are only slightly better but they are better. Here is the link to the Drudge report if you want to read. http://www.drudgereport.com/flash5ja.htm

Almost 95% Caucasian

At the Reading Terminal on Friday 12/30 around 2PM for lunch. It's very crowded, business is booming and (I tend to be observant and notice stuff) I estimate the crowd is almost 95% non-black. What is up with that?? Philly has to be around 50% black population...can my eyes be deceiving me? No, because it's the same at a Philles or an Eagles game. Why is that- is it due to socio-economic differences? Just thought I'd ask.

And BTW, the Reading Terminal(a gigantic former Pennsylvania Railroad trainshed in downtown Philly at 12th and Arch) is a fantastic place to visit and eat lunch if you are in Philly. It's open Mondays-Saturdays and is food court style so everyone can get different stuff ranging from cheesesteaks, sushi, crab cakes, Italian, Pa Dutch/ Amish specialties, Termini's baked goods. Enough said!

Don't Ordinarily Do Movie Reviews...

but is it really possible to have THREE thumbs up or down?

Get Me Some Scalps (every edition)

Let me try to keep this really simple. Newspaper readers like it best when the paper rakes a lotta muck and serves its readers plenty of fresh, bloody scalps. Is that really a secret to anyone?? Then why have the newspapers stopped serving me scalps everyday with my daily paper?

It's a simple formula (or business model as they like to call it in Harvard Business School) ...give me, the faithful reader, some scalps and I will buy AND read your paper on a regular basis. Yes, I mean the scalps of people like Abramoff, The Hammer, Senator Vince, Fast Eddie, Ricky the Councilman, Slam Dunk Tenet, corporate pension looters, union goons who loot the taxpayers with fat pension demands, the (ostensible) charity bigwigs who spend less than 10% of every dollar they have (like the PU Foundation), the football team owners who could have spent maybe $1 Million after the Superbowl on a bone for T.O. and thus avoided this fiasco of a season, the bigshots at the electric company and SEPTA and Blue Cross who authorized wasting millions on TV ads, the local weather news idiots who think we are scared to leave the house without their forecast, cops who don't ticket enough nimrods who chat on cell phones while driving like imbeciles, politicians who have been in office for years yet have never seen the Friday rush-hour bottlenecks, and school boards and editorial writers who think all the schools need is just s little more money, amd lastly people who think everyone can be saved and have the same identical opportunity-filled and boring life and eliminate the grisly world which produces all the storylines for our beloved cop shows (now, that is a scary thought...no Law & Order on TV).

Yes, that is all I want from my newspaper. Am I asking for too much?

The Inquirer Does Some Fine Katrina Reporting

The Philadelphia Inquirer had a fine story on January 2, 2006 which reported the Katrina dead were no poorer, on average, than the residents of the New Orleans area as a whole. Kudos to the Inquirer for giving its readers some pure unalderated analysis and reporting based on facts!

Here are some money quotes from the story: "Four months after Hurricane Katrina, analyses suggest that some widely reported assumptions about the storm's victims were incorrect.

For example, a comparison of the locations where 874 bodies were recovered with U.S. Census tract data indicates that the victims were not disproportionately poor.

Another database, compiled by Knight Ridder of 486 Katrina victims from Orleans Parish and neighboring St. Bernard Parish, suggests they also were not disproportionately African American." Below is the link to the story; I recommend you read it.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/nation/13531474.htm

Munich- Three Thumbs Up

This was a good movie for all the reasons King Kong wasn't. Munich had good casting, was well acted, offered a good story line, was only a tad long, and contained much less hand-wringing than I expected (but still a little too much) by the Israeli killers.

My only complaint was Munich lacked some needed testosterone- like you got from the movie Gladiator. In that movie, when the Roman troops were warming up for a big fight, some great stirring music filled the theatre (and I now have the album) and it made you want to run out of the theatre and decapitate the closest Hun or Visigoth!

Munich was a little like watching a bunch of physics students get on the job training as hired hit men. But, I still recommend it to movie-goers. It's better than average!

King Kong-Three Thumbs Down

This was definitely not worth paying to see in the theatre. The casting sucked (Jack Black and Adrian Brody in particular), the one big chase scene with the brontosauruses was ridiculous (they all would have been killed) and the movie was THREE HOURS long!

I will concede the Ape was great and so was the star actress and the fight with the three T-Rexes was good. All in all, I recommend you wait until it comes out on DVD.