And The Rockets Red Glare - Wow!! The fireworks displays were plentiful and spectacular!! What a 4th!! Sure makes me proud to be an American! Folks, count your blessings that we live in the greatest country on earth, bar none!!
Clearwater Redevelopment, Has The Economy Hurt Some Beach Projects? - Among some of Clearwater's largest beach realtors, there is grumbling that perhaps the economy has finally hit some of the largest contemplated beach projects. In other words, the developer has leveled the land in preparation for building, but has, for one reason or another, not begun construction as planned.
Of course, most everyone supports the immediate construction of such Clearwater Beach projects.
At least one developer has not responded to questions about when he would begin construction. One might read into such a lack of response as avoiding talk about the building project.
Of course, if there are difficulties in building the project at this time, the developers should merely blame the economy and state that when the time is right it would be built. However, in most cases it does not work like that, it appears that avoiding the issue is the best angle.
Is the city of Clearwater following all of these delays?
Yes, it is only a question of time before more serious discussion of these projects will occur.
Who cares?
Folks who supported these projects would like to see the developers succeed.
If there is a problem, perhaps the city might be able to offer solutions.
One beach hotelier had a proposed sell "fall through." Was he upset? No, he kept the non-refundable deposit, and is not unhappy. This type of thing has occurred more than once on Clearwater Beach the past year. Speculators, hit by the economy, can't close the deal and forfeit deposit funds.
Will there be more of this type of thing in 2006-2007? We'll know more about this situation before the close of the year.
Hazelton, Pennsylvania - Who said folks in Pennsylvania are not having illegal immigration issues?
Fact of the matter is that the citizens in Hazelton, Pennsylvania have noticed their peaceful town of about 31,000 people turn upside down due to illegal immigration issues. Crime has increased, drug trafficking has increased, and quiet sections of town are not safe to walk at night, so said the mayor recently on national radio.
The solution?
"We will revoke the business license of any business found to have knowingly dealt with illegal workers," replied the mayor of Hazelton, "We will pass our new law as a local law and if any company outside of this state operates in this town breaking our law on this matter we will revoke their license to do business."
It seems as though the folks in Hazelton have had enough of illegal immigration and will take enforcement into local jurisdiction . . . since the federal government has done little or nothing to help remedy the growing illegal immigration problem across America.
Hazelton, Pennsylvania is located near the middle of Pennsylvania where people can hunt for deer just outside of city limits. Illegal immigration problems in Hazelton? Just how bad is the illegal immigration problem when small northern cities are complaining and taking matters into their own hands!
This issue could become one of the largest political issues in the 2008 elections.
Republicans and Democrats in office will be forced to take a stand on illegal immigration which might cost them the election. Most American voters expect immigration enforcement, according to latest polling data.
Why would a small town mayor be forced to take local action to remedy the problem?
"Because it costs us legal taxpayers money to deal with code enforcement, police, fire department and other issues caused by people who are not here legally," concluded the mayor. "It is not that we do not like them, it is not a personal decision, it is a decision of legal enforcement of our laws."
The Mayor said he expects other small cities to follow suit.
What about the criticism they will surely receive from the national media?
"I expect it. But, I have had many e-mail messages in support of what we are about to do in Hazelton."
Hillary Clinton Sways Like A Piece of Grass - Hillary Clinton voted in favor of the war in Iraq. Of course, she quietly criticizes the President's stand on the war when she speaks to liberal groups across America. This is nothing new for Hillary Clinton. She is trying to keep her support group from Hollywood and trying to attract independent voters. In other words, she is trying to be all things to all people. You probably will notice how careful Hillary will confront healthcare issues (she would nationalize healthcare if she could), how she avoids her vote on the war in Iraq (you would never know she supported the war), how she would increase taxes for all working people, how she would increase federal government and more government welfare agencies, how she would handle illegal immigration issues, etc., etc.
If 50 percent of voters (as is stated in most polls) would never vote for Hillary Clinton, the Democrat Party might need to resurrect someone like Al Gore to run for office in 2008.
Hillary for President?
Over half of the voters say no. Of course, in politics, deals are made by a small group of "insiders" for both major political parties. What about our vote? The "insiders" think they could sway our vote by use of carefully designed televised ads and friendly journalistic spin. In most instances, these political types think we small voters are like sheep being directed by a shepherd. Ironically, statistics show that in many cases they can sway voters by use of advertising and friendly press.
Are you an independent voter? Do you trust political ads? Do you believe the press?
Where do you obtain fair and balanced news?
Fox News?
Becoming an informed voter is important.
Would Like To Be Free - A teacher tortured, molested, killed and then ate a young teenager because he ventured into his yard once too often. The teacher claims insanity as a legal defense, the court agreed, and he was placed in a mental institution for help.
Years later, the once-teacher is asking to be freed.
However, psychologists are saying he has not recovered from his mental illness. Thus, he will remain in treatment.
Freedom?
It would be difficult to imagine the pain and suffering of the young boy's family all of the year. Of course, image the frustration the family must feel thinking this killer/molester/mutilator could one day be freed from the mental facility.
One would think the killer would be afraid to be freed where a family member might make the same insanity defense and extract revenge. I can't imagine the killer lasting more than a few weeks outside of the mental facility.