The Way I See ItBy cj pollickClearwater To Review Sign Policy - After resolving a federal lawsuit made by a Clearwater bait and tackle shop regarding paintings of fish on the outside of the bait house business building for $55,000, Clearwater officials stated they would review city rules related to outdoor signage. The city financial settlement helped to pay legal fees incurred by the ACLU who represented the bait house owner in the lawsuit. The question raised in this lawsuit was whether the outdoor building fish painting was an artwork or form of signage promoting the bait house business. The answer is now clear, such similar artwork related to a business building is "artwork" and not signage (and subject to city signage rules.) Perhaps of greater significance with this Clearwater settlement is how other types of business might incorporate outdoor artwork on their buildings. The case in this instant was a bait and tackle shop, the next case could be a computer shop or restaurant. Thus, "artwork" might become fashionable on the outside of many small business buildings in Clearwater (and not be considered a form of signage.) Interesting settlement and situation. Government Employee Pay Raises - If you work in private industry, you feel most fortunate just to have a job during this recession. Pay raise? No, most private companies are lucky to keep employees at the same compensation scale. Benefits? No increase in benefits for people who work in private industry; in fact, many employees pay for their own benefits (such as health insurance.) Now come government employees who expect pay raises during this deep recession. Yes, and perhaps it is difficult to believe, but there are many elected officials who support using taxpayer dollars to give pay raises during this recession. Many taxpayers would be shocked to see their local elected officials supporting pay increases while those people who are struggling to keep their jobs are not receiving any pay increase. Boxer Says I Will Become A Woman And Continue Boxing - Rob Newbiggin is a 44-year-old English boxer who plans to have a sex change operation and continue his/her boxing career. Yep, Newbiggen plans to continue boxing as a woman, if the woman's boxing organization allows his entry as a woman, call it a type of Renee Richards (the once male tennis player who became a woman and played on the woman's tennis tour.) Richards had the feet of a six-foot man and the tennis serve of a 14-year-old girl. Suffice that Richards did not have a successful woman's professional tennis career (even though Richards once played college tennis as a man.) The future boxing career for Newbiggin? Don't expect the woman's ruling body in boxing to allow acceptance of a sex change operation where a once male boxer can compete as a woman. Amazing. Letter To The Editor - The following was actually in the Wall Street Journal. It is ironic that President Obama criticizes doctors when he belongs to two groups that have probably escalated health-care costs more than any others: lawyers and smokers.JUST READ IT - Come on folks, our legislators are getting BIG BUCKS, GREAT BENEFITS, while acting as though they are the ELITE CLASS!! Trying to push the health care reform legislation in a speedy manner without even reading the 1000-page document is not only RIDICULOUS, Is Downright DANGEROUS!! The TRUTH is our Legislators refuse to sign up for the health-care plan that is good enough for you!! Times have Changed For Beaver Trappers - When early pioneer explorers found beaver plentiful in northern Maine and Canada, the news quickly traveled to high society in France and England... and a new fur industry was founded mostly by French trappers and investors. Beaver hats and beaver furs of various types were worn by fashionable women and men; prices of beaver furs increased with the greater demand in Europe. Times have changed over the last 30 years, and beaver pelts that were once valued at $50 per pelt now only fetch $12 per pelt. Trappers in northern Maine and Canada are saying it is not worth the work to trap beavers at such a low market price. Same problem for beaver furs is true in Russia, where more beavers are caught than anywhere else in the world. Fur production in general has dropped each year reportedly due to pressure by environmental groups, animal protection groups and world economic problems. On the other hand, when was the last time you saw someone wearing a beaver hat? Hugo Chavez Moves Forward - Hugo Chavez the leader of Venezuelan government has pressured 34 independent radio stations in Venezuela to close. Yes, it appears that Chavez does not want any form of independent news in Venezuela other than his government sponsored news. No friend of America or Americans, Hugo Chavez is tightening his dictatorial grip on the people and businesses of Venezuela in order to complete his political agenda. Where is the outcry from world leaders, America and the UN? Missing. Much like the stopping of modern-day slavery in Africa by tribal leaders and middle-east middlemen. The Question May Never Be Settled - Was President Obama born in Hawaii or Africa? This question may never be fully answered since President Obama has refused to reveal a copy of his birth certificate. Makes you wonder why Obama would care to allow this issue to fester if he truly had a birth certificate. This is no big deal to me since his mother was from Kansas and obviously a US citizen, but why would Obama allow the issue to remain unanswered? Then again, this is the same man who promised to change the privacy rules of Washington politicians and support full disclosure. Yet, Obama refuses to disclose his papers as a State Legislator, medical file, client list as an attorney, college records at Occidental College, records at Columbia, records at Harvard Law, records at Illinois Bar Application, names of political donors, etc. These are all items that many people and organizations demanded of the Bushes and Clintons. (Remember when George W's military record as a pilot became a political issue? Or Bill Clinton's avoidance of the military draft?) One thing is clear, Barack Obama will not release his records for full media review. Big deal? Only if you believe this is the same man who more than once stated he would bring open disclosure to the way Washington does business. Congress Is In Recess - Our elected officials in Washington are on recess. This is the time they have to talk to their local constituencies and hear what the people think about what is happening in Washington. Yet, when you call the elected folks, they are not planning town hall meetings to hear from the people during this recess. Where is Sen. Bill Nelson? Oh, he plans to spend his time in China. Same is true for many elected officials who can travel the world on the taxpayers ticket. When Rep. Bill Young's office was called about town hall meetings, the message was much the same, no such meetings were planned at this time. How can voters send a message that they are fed-up with government waste and spending habits? Call your elected officials and leave a message. Let them all know your opinions about healthcare spending, the federal deficit, bank rescue plans, big business bailouts, funding illegal healthcare, funding social security, etc. They are avoiding the public by not holding town hall meetings during this recess, but they can't stop your voice on their recorders. Frustrated? Do something about it... and prepare to vote for better change in 2010. Leadership-And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit. - Matthew 15:14. |