Today's News & Record (Greensboro, NC), publishes a letter from Dan Holsenbeck of Greensboro. Holsenbeck writes:
"Last year, Barack Obama made a speech in front of NARAL, stating that if he was elected, that his first action as president would be to fight for the repeal of partial-birth abortion ban."
Holsenbeck has his facts wrong. First of all, the speech was to Planned Parenthood, not NARAL. Secondly, Obama did not say that he would "fight for the repeal of partial-birth abortion ban." Obama said that he would "sign the Freedom of Choice Act." [Video here -- at 30:15]
The Freedom of Choice Act, consistent with Roe v. Wade, allows states to make laws prohibiting abortions after fetal viability as long as there is an exception to allow for the life and health of the mother.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Consumer Report: May Roofing, Highly Recommended
A few months ago, our house suffered some some damage in a hail storm. It shattered the two skylights in our sun room. I was having a difficult time finding a roofer to do the repairs. Problems ranged from not having phone calls returned, to roofers telling me they couldn't get replacement skylights. One company even sent over a guy to start work before we had an estimate. I posted my lament on my blog.
That's when I got a call from Tim May of May Roofing in McLeansville. Tim found that, indeed, the usual supply houses either did not have the skylights or they only offered extremely expensive replacements. Tim didn't give up though, "Let me keep looking," he told us. Soon he called to tell us that he found suitable skylights at Lowe's at a reasonable price. He suggested that we purchase them and he gave us a price for the labor required to install them.
Tim and his crew just finished installing the new skylights. When it came time to pay, Tim told me, "That wasn't quite as hard as I thought it would be," and he knocked 20% of the price he had quoted us.
Tim is honest, cost-conscious, and willing to go the extra mile to help a customer out. The next rain will test the installation quality, but Tim made it clear that if there are any problems, he'll come back. This was a relatively small job compared to most, but Tim gave us great professional service. I get the sense that Tim likes pleasing people. I'd highly recommend him. You can reach May Roofing at (336) 697-8868,
That's when I got a call from Tim May of May Roofing in McLeansville. Tim found that, indeed, the usual supply houses either did not have the skylights or they only offered extremely expensive replacements. Tim didn't give up though, "Let me keep looking," he told us. Soon he called to tell us that he found suitable skylights at Lowe's at a reasonable price. He suggested that we purchase them and he gave us a price for the labor required to install them.
Tim and his crew just finished installing the new skylights. When it came time to pay, Tim told me, "That wasn't quite as hard as I thought it would be," and he knocked 20% of the price he had quoted us.
Tim is honest, cost-conscious, and willing to go the extra mile to help a customer out. The next rain will test the installation quality, but Tim made it clear that if there are any problems, he'll come back. This was a relatively small job compared to most, but Tim gave us great professional service. I get the sense that Tim likes pleasing people. I'd highly recommend him. You can reach May Roofing at (336) 697-8868,
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Obama's VP: I think it will be Clinton
I'm not very good at political prognostications. Although I was impressively close (impressive to me) in predicting Obama's margin of victory in the North Carolina primary, I am as often wrong as I am right in guessing political outcomes. Now that I've covered my ass, I think Obama will pick Hillary Clinton as his running mate.
I like Biden, Dodd and Richardson, they and Hillary all have things to offer that meet the test of conventional wisdom about what would make a good VP. But here is what I see as the bottom line: Winning (with someone who shares Obama's goals).
I think Obama is sincere when he says that his primary consideration will be to pick someone who is qualified to be president. Either of these four qualifies. Of equal importance though is to maximize Obama's chances of winning in November. There, Clinton is the superior choice. Sure, Obama can still win with another running mate, and sure, he'll have to face the prospect of managing Bill Clinton if he picks Hillary, but as a simple matter of winning, an Obama/Clinton ticket would be a juggernaut.
I like Biden, Dodd and Richardson, they and Hillary all have things to offer that meet the test of conventional wisdom about what would make a good VP. But here is what I see as the bottom line: Winning (with someone who shares Obama's goals).
I think Obama is sincere when he says that his primary consideration will be to pick someone who is qualified to be president. Either of these four qualifies. Of equal importance though is to maximize Obama's chances of winning in November. There, Clinton is the superior choice. Sure, Obama can still win with another running mate, and sure, he'll have to face the prospect of managing Bill Clinton if he picks Hillary, but as a simple matter of winning, an Obama/Clinton ticket would be a juggernaut.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Clinton Economy Was a Disaster
I took it for granted that anybody over 30 knows that the economy was better under the administration of Bill Clinton than it has been under George W. Bush. Whether one attributes this to congress or the executive branch or both, I suppose there is room for debate. But there is no doubt that the policies under Democrat Clinton resulted in a more robust economy than those of Republican President Bush.
Or so I thought.
I was recently challenged by a commenter on another blog to show that that is true. My first attempts to chide the commenter to return from the land of make-believe and simply acknowledge reality, were met with an insistence that the Clinton economy was a disaster. Sigh.
Against my better judgment, I spent some time gathering some statistics that illustrate how good the Clinton economy was and how anemic the economy has been under Bush. I'm sure the commenter will insist that everything good that happened during Clinton's eight years was a benefit of the Bush before him and that everything bad that happened under the current Bush is the fault of the previous president. If you don't fall for the self-contradictory silliness of such a view, you might find it interesting to see just how Bush's economic record stands up against Clinton's:
1. UNEMPLOYMENT
When Clinton took office, he inherited an unemployment rate of 7.3%. When he left office, unemployment was 4.2%, a 43% decrease.
When Bush took office, unemployment was at 4.2%. Today it is at 5.7%, an increase of 36%.
2. BUDGET DEFICIT
When Clinton took office, the federal budget deficit was $320B. When he left office, it was $32B, a 90% decrease.
When Bush took office, the federal deficit was $32B, it is projected by the CBO to be $482B this fiscal year. (And that's with the war being "off the books"), a 1,500% increase.
3. STOCK MARKET
When Clinton took office, the DOW was at 2,700. When he left office, it had grown to 10,800, an increase of 300%.
When Bush took office, the DOW was at 10,800. Today it is at 11,450, an increase of 6%.
4. PERSONAL INCOME
When Clinton took office, per capita income (in 2006 dollars) was $21,000. When he left office, it was $26,000, an increase of 24%.
When Bush took office, per capita income was $26,000. Today it is $26,300, an increase of 1%.
There are plenty of issues of importance for the upcoming presidential election, certainly the economy is among them. When you hear people saying that the economy will tank under a Democratic president, you may ask yourself if you should be frightened by fairy tales or make a decision based in reality.
.
Or so I thought.
I was recently challenged by a commenter on another blog to show that that is true. My first attempts to chide the commenter to return from the land of make-believe and simply acknowledge reality, were met with an insistence that the Clinton economy was a disaster. Sigh.
Against my better judgment, I spent some time gathering some statistics that illustrate how good the Clinton economy was and how anemic the economy has been under Bush. I'm sure the commenter will insist that everything good that happened during Clinton's eight years was a benefit of the Bush before him and that everything bad that happened under the current Bush is the fault of the previous president. If you don't fall for the self-contradictory silliness of such a view, you might find it interesting to see just how Bush's economic record stands up against Clinton's:
1. UNEMPLOYMENT
When Clinton took office, he inherited an unemployment rate of 7.3%. When he left office, unemployment was 4.2%, a 43% decrease.
When Bush took office, unemployment was at 4.2%. Today it is at 5.7%, an increase of 36%.
2. BUDGET DEFICIT
When Clinton took office, the federal budget deficit was $320B. When he left office, it was $32B, a 90% decrease.
When Bush took office, the federal deficit was $32B, it is projected by the CBO to be $482B this fiscal year. (And that's with the war being "off the books"), a 1,500% increase.
3. STOCK MARKET
When Clinton took office, the DOW was at 2,700. When he left office, it had grown to 10,800, an increase of 300%.
When Bush took office, the DOW was at 10,800. Today it is at 11,450, an increase of 6%.
4. PERSONAL INCOME
When Clinton took office, per capita income (in 2006 dollars) was $21,000. When he left office, it was $26,000, an increase of 24%.
When Bush took office, per capita income was $26,000. Today it is $26,300, an increase of 1%.
There are plenty of issues of importance for the upcoming presidential election, certainly the economy is among them. When you hear people saying that the economy will tank under a Democratic president, you may ask yourself if you should be frightened by fairy tales or make a decision based in reality.
.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Scam: Greensborosingles.org
If you get an email inviting you to visit greensborosingles.org, don't bother. The email invitation itself should send up red flag warnings. The email refers to "greensboro City," a term that anybody familiar with Greensboro knows isn't used to describe this place. Another clue is the supposed address of the greensborosingles.org home, 5657 N. Classen Boulevard -- there is no such street in Greensboro.
The domain name is registered to the IMAT Group, a company located in India that specializes in marketing and lead generation. Bother to "sign up" with greensborosingles.com and you'll be required to provide a lot of personal information including your gender, income, height, weight, phone number(s), marital status and more. Once provided, you won't get access to a dating site, you'll get a promise (warning?) that someone will call you soon.
It's a scam to generate sales leads.
The domain name is registered to the IMAT Group, a company located in India that specializes in marketing and lead generation. Bother to "sign up" with greensborosingles.com and you'll be required to provide a lot of personal information including your gender, income, height, weight, phone number(s), marital status and more. Once provided, you won't get access to a dating site, you'll get a promise (warning?) that someone will call you soon.
It's a scam to generate sales leads.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Are punching and kicking part of GPD's arrest techniques?
Timothy X video tapes a Greensboro police officer punching a suspect in the head and kicking him in the stomach (hat tip: Greensboring). It is very clear that the suspect is not complying with the officers' commands, but seriously, are the GPD not trained in techniques for apprehending a suspect that do not include punching and kicking?
Thursday, August 07, 2008
News & Record double-speak: McCain flip-flop consistent
In an article in today's News & Record (Greensboro, NC), reporter Mark Binker writes "McCain has been a consistent supporter of expanding offshore drilling..."
Say what? Binker is a great reporter and usually spot on accurate. But this is just flat out wrong. Until June of this year, McCain was against offshore oil drilling. That hardly makes McCain a "consistent supporter." I'm sure a correction will be published tomorrow.
Say what? Binker is a great reporter and usually spot on accurate. But this is just flat out wrong. Until June of this year, McCain was against offshore oil drilling. That hardly makes McCain a "consistent supporter." I'm sure a correction will be published tomorrow.
Tom Shuford: Letter writer, partisan clown
Today's News & Record (Greensboro, NC) publishes a fear-mongering letter from Tom Shuford of Lenoir, N.C. in which Shuford quotes Senator Barack Obama as saying:
"'Nobody in the Senate, other than maybe Ted Kennedy, has been more consistent in saying we need to have a pathway to citizenship for those who are undocumented. ...' (Obama in an interview with Univision, the Spanish-language network)."
Shuford conveniently forgets the Kennedy-McCain immigration reform bill (Oooooh, KENNEDY!), legislation that would have provided precisely a "pathway to citizenship" for illegal immigrants. McCain has since reiterated his support for a pathway to citizenship, recently telling a group of elected Latino officials that he would make a pathway to citizenship "my top priority."
Funny, Shuford. Like a clown, you amuse me.
"'Nobody in the Senate, other than maybe Ted Kennedy, has been more consistent in saying we need to have a pathway to citizenship for those who are undocumented. ...' (Obama in an interview with Univision, the Spanish-language network)."
Shuford conveniently forgets the Kennedy-McCain immigration reform bill (Oooooh, KENNEDY!), legislation that would have provided precisely a "pathway to citizenship" for illegal immigrants. McCain has since reiterated his support for a pathway to citizenship, recently telling a group of elected Latino officials that he would make a pathway to citizenship "my top priority."
Funny, Shuford. Like a clown, you amuse me.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
PHISING SCAM ALERT: "Web Hosting Support" calling about your domain
I just had a phone call that I'm convinced was a phising scam. I had come inside to hear a message being left on my answering machine. I played the message back and heard a message from Shaquan Brown calling about the domain hosting I have with "them." I know the name of my domain hosting company; so do its employees; and it's not "them."
Caller ID said the call was from "WEB HOSTING SUPPORT" at (602) 716-5339.
I called "Mr. Brown" back and, after navigating through a recorded welcome message saying that I had reached "hosting support," a man answered with, "Hosting support."
"Uh, yeah, I'm returning a call from Mr. Brown," I said identifying myself. The man said that he was Mr. Brown.
Mr. Brown said that he was calling about my domain name. I have some internet domain names registered and utilize the services of a web and domain hosting company; on the rare occasion that they call me, their company name shows up on caller ID and they properly identify themselves as being with that company.
Mr. Brown proceeded to ask me for my domain name. "My domain name?" I asked him. "You have a domain or web hosting, don't you?" He asked. "I do?" asked I, "You tell me. You called me about 'it' you moron."
At this point I heard male laughter break out in the background--like Mr. Brown had just been made.
I asked Mr. Brown what company he was with and he acted as if I'd just asked him the capital of Tajikistan. I cussed at him, he informed me he would have to terminate the call and hung up.
I don't doubt that if I had been more cooperative with Mr. Brown, he would have come to the point where he needed to renew my domain name, probably conveniently with a credit card.
Beware... and don't say I didn't warn you.
Caller ID said the call was from "WEB HOSTING SUPPORT" at (602) 716-5339.
I called "Mr. Brown" back and, after navigating through a recorded welcome message saying that I had reached "hosting support," a man answered with, "Hosting support."
"Uh, yeah, I'm returning a call from Mr. Brown," I said identifying myself. The man said that he was Mr. Brown.
Mr. Brown said that he was calling about my domain name. I have some internet domain names registered and utilize the services of a web and domain hosting company; on the rare occasion that they call me, their company name shows up on caller ID and they properly identify themselves as being with that company.
Mr. Brown proceeded to ask me for my domain name. "My domain name?" I asked him. "You have a domain or web hosting, don't you?" He asked. "I do?" asked I, "You tell me. You called me about 'it' you moron."
At this point I heard male laughter break out in the background--like Mr. Brown had just been made.
I asked Mr. Brown what company he was with and he acted as if I'd just asked him the capital of Tajikistan. I cussed at him, he informed me he would have to terminate the call and hung up.
I don't doubt that if I had been more cooperative with Mr. Brown, he would have come to the point where he needed to renew my domain name, probably conveniently with a credit card.
Beware... and don't say I didn't warn you.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
News & Record (Greensboro, NC) publishes fabrications
Once again showing a disregard for factual accuracy, the News & Record (Greensboro, NC) published a complete and total fabrication as an assertion of fact in its July 11, 2008 edition. The N&R reserves on its opinion pages space for "Counterpoint" columns, reader contributions selected by editors for prominence and additional space beyond what is given to the standard letter to the editor. In a piece titled "Swifties told truth about John Kerry," writer Jospeh E. Lyons of High Point, NC writes this:
"Moreover, based on evidence or lack of it, Kerry’s naval service was less than stellar and the details (contained in his fitness reports, never released) would undoubtedly show this." [emphasis added]
Lyons goes on to speculate that Kerry's fitness reports would show him to have been a mediocre soldier and reasserts that these reports where never released. Lyons is wrong that those reports were not released--and the N&R gave its stamp of approval to this gross lie.
A simple Google search for "Kerry fitness reports" yields a link to Kerry's fitness reports at FindLaw on the first page of search results. It's caveman easy, but apparently beyond the capabilities of Lyons and the N&R editors.
I do not know what value the letters editors deliver to the News & Record. I'd say none other than secretarial. In a little over two months I have documented five instances of the N&R publishing lies, fabrications and plagiarism (the others are here, here, here, and here.) This latest is especially egregious because the editors selected it as worthy of special attention as a counterpoint column.
In this new media age, the one thing that still can still give traditional news organizations an edge is credibility. The News & Record is squandering theirs.
"Moreover, based on evidence or lack of it, Kerry’s naval service was less than stellar and the details (contained in his fitness reports, never released) would undoubtedly show this." [emphasis added]
Lyons goes on to speculate that Kerry's fitness reports would show him to have been a mediocre soldier and reasserts that these reports where never released. Lyons is wrong that those reports were not released--and the N&R gave its stamp of approval to this gross lie.
A simple Google search for "Kerry fitness reports" yields a link to Kerry's fitness reports at FindLaw on the first page of search results. It's caveman easy, but apparently beyond the capabilities of Lyons and the N&R editors.
I do not know what value the letters editors deliver to the News & Record. I'd say none other than secretarial. In a little over two months I have documented five instances of the N&R publishing lies, fabrications and plagiarism (the others are here, here, here, and here.) This latest is especially egregious because the editors selected it as worthy of special attention as a counterpoint column.
In this new media age, the one thing that still can still give traditional news organizations an edge is credibility. The News & Record is squandering theirs.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Super Fast Greensboro Police Response -- A Community Watch Success
A few months ago, our neighborhood started experiencing some daytime burglaries -- kick in the door, quickly grab jewelry, guns and computers. Neighbors started talking to neighbors, a neighborhood blog facilitated communications and, after a few meetings, we formed a Community Watch. A Greensboro Police Department Community Watch liaison came to an organizational meeting and gave us some ideas for what to look for and how to respond. Today we put one of the suggestions to use with pleasing results.
For years, we have had shady door-to-door solicitors. Many of us, me included, have stories of "college kids" selling [magazines, books, mugs] to pay for [a trip, tuition, books] to whom we gave money (me, $42) only to never receive what we thought we bought. That's bad enough, but we had started to suspect that some of these "solicitors" might actually just be scoping the neighborhood, seeing what houses are empty during the day, who looks vulnerable, what items of value might be within easy reach. The GPD Community Watch liaison told us when these people come around to ask for a city-issued solicitor's license and, if they didn't have one, tell them to leave the neighborhood then call the cops if they don't.
Today, a very pleasant-mannered young lady showed up on our doorstep. Without introducing herself, she started asking questions of me: Am I a father? Is the education of my children my purview or my wife's? I interrupted and told her, "Before I give you any information, you will tell me who you are and why you are here."
She answered with "I'm a student at the University of Arizona and I've been talking to some of your neighbors..." followed by more questions for me. I interrupted again, "Are you selling something?" She answered yes, but didn't offer any more information. "Do you have a solicitor's license?" I asked. She did not. I politely, but directly told her, that we have had a problem with scammers in our neighborhood, that the City of Greensboro required her to have a license and since she did not, she must leave our neighborhood or I would call the cops.
She shrugged an "OK," got in her car and drove further into the neighborhood. I got in my car and found her knocking on another door and started video taping. When my neighbor answered the door for the solicitor and saw my camera, she came over to talk to me. I introduced myself and mentioned that this was one of the things we were supposed to be on the lookout for as part of the Community Watch. She told me their block captain lives across the street and I should go get her. The block captain turned out to be someone I know, so when she answered the door, she didn't hesitate to spring into action. She called the non-emergency number of the GPD and with cool precision described the situation: described the person, gave the make and model of the car, even rattled off the license plate number, "Arizona plate, Alpha, Alpha, Alpha..."
By now, the solicitor was getting back into her car and driving away. The neighbor she had approached had provided her with requested directions to a nearby gas station. After a few pleasantries with the neighbors, I got in my car and headed back home. Two blocks away, I saw a police car ahead of me make a u-turn and head in the direction of the block captain's house. It couldn't have been more than five minutes since our call to the non-emergency number.
I guess my point of this little tale is two-fold. One, despite my general attitude of live and let live, it is good to know that, when warranted, nosy neighbors can help protect their community; and, two, despite the sometimes negative perceptions of GPD response times, statistics don't always tell the story. A cop on the scene in a few minutes is superb police service. I'll eventually get the details of how it all ended, but for now I know this: Our community watch worked and the GPD worked.
For years, we have had shady door-to-door solicitors. Many of us, me included, have stories of "college kids" selling [magazines, books, mugs] to pay for [a trip, tuition, books] to whom we gave money (me, $42) only to never receive what we thought we bought. That's bad enough, but we had started to suspect that some of these "solicitors" might actually just be scoping the neighborhood, seeing what houses are empty during the day, who looks vulnerable, what items of value might be within easy reach. The GPD Community Watch liaison told us when these people come around to ask for a city-issued solicitor's license and, if they didn't have one, tell them to leave the neighborhood then call the cops if they don't.
Today, a very pleasant-mannered young lady showed up on our doorstep. Without introducing herself, she started asking questions of me: Am I a father? Is the education of my children my purview or my wife's? I interrupted and told her, "Before I give you any information, you will tell me who you are and why you are here."
She answered with "I'm a student at the University of Arizona and I've been talking to some of your neighbors..." followed by more questions for me. I interrupted again, "Are you selling something?" She answered yes, but didn't offer any more information. "Do you have a solicitor's license?" I asked. She did not. I politely, but directly told her, that we have had a problem with scammers in our neighborhood, that the City of Greensboro required her to have a license and since she did not, she must leave our neighborhood or I would call the cops.
She shrugged an "OK," got in her car and drove further into the neighborhood. I got in my car and found her knocking on another door and started video taping. When my neighbor answered the door for the solicitor and saw my camera, she came over to talk to me. I introduced myself and mentioned that this was one of the things we were supposed to be on the lookout for as part of the Community Watch. She told me their block captain lives across the street and I should go get her. The block captain turned out to be someone I know, so when she answered the door, she didn't hesitate to spring into action. She called the non-emergency number of the GPD and with cool precision described the situation: described the person, gave the make and model of the car, even rattled off the license plate number, "Arizona plate, Alpha, Alpha, Alpha..."
By now, the solicitor was getting back into her car and driving away. The neighbor she had approached had provided her with requested directions to a nearby gas station. After a few pleasantries with the neighbors, I got in my car and headed back home. Two blocks away, I saw a police car ahead of me make a u-turn and head in the direction of the block captain's house. It couldn't have been more than five minutes since our call to the non-emergency number.
I guess my point of this little tale is two-fold. One, despite my general attitude of live and let live, it is good to know that, when warranted, nosy neighbors can help protect their community; and, two, despite the sometimes negative perceptions of GPD response times, statistics don't always tell the story. A cop on the scene in a few minutes is superb police service. I'll eventually get the details of how it all ended, but for now I know this: Our community watch worked and the GPD worked.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Get well soon Sandra Anderson-Groat
The Troublemaker is reporting that Greensboro City Council person Sandra Anderson-Groat is in the hospital, this on the heels of a report in the News & Record yesterday that her home-building company is going out of business.
I first met Sandra when she hired me to build a web site for her city council campaign. She is a warm, thoughtful person who genuinely is interested in putting what's good for Greensboro ahead of her personal interests. She is a great asset to our city and I wish her a full and speedy recovery. We need her.
I first met Sandra when she hired me to build a web site for her city council campaign. She is a warm, thoughtful person who genuinely is interested in putting what's good for Greensboro ahead of her personal interests. She is a great asset to our city and I wish her a full and speedy recovery. We need her.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Another plagiarized letter to the editor
Today, the News & Record (Greensboro, NC) published this letter from Anthony Belli of Greensboro. Belli plagiarizes from this article by National Rifle Association president, John C. Sigler. Belli's letter is below. The plagiarized portions are in red.
-----------
Barack Obama has claimed that he does not take donations from special-interest groups or lobbyists. True, but he has accepted donations from their spouses, relatives and friends (source: Fox News).
Obama has no respect for the Second Amendment. He has voiced support or voted to ban all handguns, ban the right to carry in every state, and to ban firearms in the home, even for self-protection.
Obama’s attitude toward armed, violent criminals has been one of benign neglect at best. When the Illinois Senate wanted to try gang-bangers as adults when they fired a gun on or near a school ground (1999) or when they committed murder to help their gang, and when the Senate wanted to make them eligible for the death penalty (2001), Obama voted no in both cases. Obama said he believed federal mandatory-sentencing laws used to put armed and violent predators behind bars should be abolished (source: Chicago Tribune).
When Illinois lawmakers introduced a bill that would exonerate citizens for violating local gun bans if they used a gun to defend themselves in their homes, Obama voted no. Obama would disarm the public and allow the criminals to run free.
-----------
Barack Obama has claimed that he does not take donations from special-interest groups or lobbyists. True, but he has accepted donations from their spouses, relatives and friends (source: Fox News).
Obama has no respect for the Second Amendment. He has voiced support or voted to ban all handguns, ban the right to carry in every state, and to ban firearms in the home, even for self-protection.
Obama’s attitude toward armed, violent criminals has been one of benign neglect at best. When the Illinois Senate wanted to try gang-bangers as adults when they fired a gun on or near a school ground (1999) or when they committed murder to help their gang, and when the Senate wanted to make them eligible for the death penalty (2001), Obama voted no in both cases. Obama said he believed federal mandatory-sentencing laws used to put armed and violent predators behind bars should be abolished (source: Chicago Tribune).
When Illinois lawmakers introduced a bill that would exonerate citizens for violating local gun bans if they used a gun to defend themselves in their homes, Obama voted no. Obama would disarm the public and allow the criminals to run free.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Letter to the editor writer plagarizes
If your grandma or grandpa are fond of writing letters to the editor of their local paper, do them a favor and tell them about this thing called the Internet. Tell them that their letter will be posted online and that it is all too easy to determine if gramps wrote his own letter or copied it.
A June 30, 2008 letter to the editor in the News & Record (Greensboro, NC) from Warren Nash is identical in its majority to one from a different author published five days prior in the Times-Union (Jacksonville, FL).
Given the delay in getting a letter to print, it is possible, I suppose, that Mr. Nash wrote his letter first, shared it privately with a friend in Florida who copied it and had hers published first. Clearly though, one copied the other and if you sign your name to someone else's writings, you have plagiarized.
Of course, the letters editor at the N&R could have caught this and saved her paper and Mr. Nash this embarrassment, but, sadly, there appears to be little regard for fact-checking by the N&R on the letters they publish as noted here and here,
A June 30, 2008 letter to the editor in the News & Record (Greensboro, NC) from Warren Nash is identical in its majority to one from a different author published five days prior in the Times-Union (Jacksonville, FL).
Given the delay in getting a letter to print, it is possible, I suppose, that Mr. Nash wrote his letter first, shared it privately with a friend in Florida who copied it and had hers published first. Clearly though, one copied the other and if you sign your name to someone else's writings, you have plagiarized.
Of course, the letters editor at the N&R could have caught this and saved her paper and Mr. Nash this embarrassment, but, sadly, there appears to be little regard for fact-checking by the N&R on the letters they publish as noted here and here,
Friday, June 20, 2008
Records request shows responsible city staff
One of the obligations of being a some-time critic of City government is, I believe, to also write about things that go right. I still have an outstanding disagreement with the City over the release of public records, but a request for records I submitted this week was answered with impressive swiftness and the documents reassuringly demonstrate a city department being careful about spending taxpayer money.
This week's City Council meeting included on the agenda a request to approve payment of $728,229.90 to trash hauler Republic of NC for economic loss, a result of the City annexing areas where Republic currently collects trash from paying customers. State law allows garbage collectors to receive compensation for this kind of loss as a cash payment equivalent to 15 months of lost income from the affected areas. The payment was approved by city council.
Part of my interest was inspired by a misreading of the agenda item. It describes the annexation as "12 areas." I mistakenly read that as "12 acres" which had me wondering how 15 months of revenue for a mere 12 acres of homes could result in a payment of $728,229.90. In fact, the 12 areas accounted for thousands of customers.
Companies seeking compensation for this kind of economic loss are required to submit detailed documentation to substantiate their claim of loss. I submitted a request for this documentation to Pat Boswell, Director of Public Affairs. Within 10 minutes, she replied that she had received my request. In less than 24 hours, I had the information I had requested forwarded to me by Pat's assistant, Cindy Briggs, and Field Operations Communications Manager Nancy Lindemeyer. Nancy also promptly replied to my follow up questions.
Here is the bottom line: Republic of NC complied with the documentation requirements and the staff of Field Operations verified it through a variety of means. One may not like that these annexations carried this kind of expense, but it was required by law and the amount was carefully substantiated by city staff. Kudos to Pat, Cindy and Nancy for a swift and thorough response to a records request. It allowed this citizen to report good things about the city.
This week's City Council meeting included on the agenda a request to approve payment of $728,229.90 to trash hauler Republic of NC for economic loss, a result of the City annexing areas where Republic currently collects trash from paying customers. State law allows garbage collectors to receive compensation for this kind of loss as a cash payment equivalent to 15 months of lost income from the affected areas. The payment was approved by city council.
Part of my interest was inspired by a misreading of the agenda item. It describes the annexation as "12 areas." I mistakenly read that as "12 acres" which had me wondering how 15 months of revenue for a mere 12 acres of homes could result in a payment of $728,229.90. In fact, the 12 areas accounted for thousands of customers.
Companies seeking compensation for this kind of economic loss are required to submit detailed documentation to substantiate their claim of loss. I submitted a request for this documentation to Pat Boswell, Director of Public Affairs. Within 10 minutes, she replied that she had received my request. In less than 24 hours, I had the information I had requested forwarded to me by Pat's assistant, Cindy Briggs, and Field Operations Communications Manager Nancy Lindemeyer. Nancy also promptly replied to my follow up questions.
Here is the bottom line: Republic of NC complied with the documentation requirements and the staff of Field Operations verified it through a variety of means. One may not like that these annexations carried this kind of expense, but it was required by law and the amount was carefully substantiated by city staff. Kudos to Pat, Cindy and Nancy for a swift and thorough response to a records request. It allowed this citizen to report good things about the city.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Are there any responsive roofers in Greensboro?
Over two weeks ago, our house sustained some roof damage from a hail storm. Although the insurance adjuster showed up within 48 hours and cut us a check, getting a roofer to do the repairs has been another matter entirely.
We have contacted five different roofers. The results have ranged from multiple messages not being returned to promises of a return call to schedule an estimate not being fulfilled. What a joke. Not one of the five has even given themselves a chance at our business. I would never conduct my business with such disregard for potential customers. Are roofers so damn busy that they just don't care about tarnishing their reputations or are they just slack asses when it comes to conducting business?
Two weeks after the storm we are still trying to find a reliable roofer. If you know of one who wants some business, please let me know in the comments.
We have contacted five different roofers. The results have ranged from multiple messages not being returned to promises of a return call to schedule an estimate not being fulfilled. What a joke. Not one of the five has even given themselves a chance at our business. I would never conduct my business with such disregard for potential customers. Are roofers so damn busy that they just don't care about tarnishing their reputations or are they just slack asses when it comes to conducting business?
Two weeks after the storm we are still trying to find a reliable roofer. If you know of one who wants some business, please let me know in the comments.
Greensboro may adopt some funky vendor pushcart regulations
Sigh.
City Council agenda item #29 would change the ordinance governing push carts. I suspect it is a lack of attention to detail that has the proposed changes eliminating the requirement that push carts cannot exceed 40 inches in width OR 75 inches in length to a requirement that they not exceed 42 inches in width AND 77 inches in length -- a change that could allow for a really, really long push cart.
"Or" means a cart is in violation if either measurement is exceeded, "and" means a cart is in violation only if both measurements are exceeded. So, under the proposed change, a push cart could be 42 inches wide and 100 yards long and would not violate the proposed new ordinance because it does not exceed 42 inches in width AND 77 inches in length. Cool.
City Council agenda item #29 would change the ordinance governing push carts. I suspect it is a lack of attention to detail that has the proposed changes eliminating the requirement that push carts cannot exceed 40 inches in width OR 75 inches in length to a requirement that they not exceed 42 inches in width AND 77 inches in length -- a change that could allow for a really, really long push cart.
"Or" means a cart is in violation if either measurement is exceeded, "and" means a cart is in violation only if both measurements are exceeded. So, under the proposed change, a push cart could be 42 inches wide and 100 yards long and would not violate the proposed new ordinance because it does not exceed 42 inches in width AND 77 inches in length. Cool.
Greensboro to pay waste hauler $728,229.90 to not collect trash
Another cost of annexation: Agenda item number 31 for tonight's city council meeting requests that council approve a payment of $728,229.90 to garbage collector Republic Services of NC for "loss of business," a consequence of the City annexing 12 acres of Republic's customers for whom the city will now collect garbage.
It has long seemed to me that annexation decisions by the city of Greensboro lack a bottom-line cost/benefit analysis. I've never seen city staff say, "On the plus side, the additional property taxes will bring in x dollars and in the minus column, the cost of the annexation and providing services will be y dollars." It seems to me that kind of comparison would simply be prudent. It seems to me that a city council person who votes in favor of an annexation without that information is being irresponsible.
It has long seemed to me that annexation decisions by the city of Greensboro lack a bottom-line cost/benefit analysis. I've never seen city staff say, "On the plus side, the additional property taxes will bring in x dollars and in the minus column, the cost of the annexation and providing services will be y dollars." It seems to me that kind of comparison would simply be prudent. It seems to me that a city council person who votes in favor of an annexation without that information is being irresponsible.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Oh, Hail!
We got hammered with a mighty hail storm this afternoon. It was only about nickel-sized, but there was a lot of it, driven hard by wind. It crushed our previouly healthy tomato plants (you'll see them on the patio) and punched a dozen holes in our sunroom skylights, allowing the rain to pour in. There wasn't anything I could do while it was happening, so I just shot some video. Here it is.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Hammer Watch: Rhino Times editor puts on his tinfoil hat
In his Under The Hammer column in this week's Rhinoceros Times (a Greensboro, NC weekly newspaper, article not online), editor John Hammer regurgitates as serious the intellectually bankrupt idea that "[P]eople who might cause problems for the Clintons have had a habit of dying in unusual circumstances."Hammer proceeds to offer his "evidence." It requires his readers to suspend their good judgment and abandon all reason. Why Hammer perpetually expects his readers to be so naive, I don't know. It seems rather contemptuous of his audience, as if he must be thinking to himself, "My readers are dumb enough to buy this crap."
First on Hammer's list is the suicide of Deputy White House Counsel Vince Foster. Hammer writes "[W]hen a top White House official dies of a gunshot wound, you would expect there to be a full autopsy and there was not." Hammer is quite simply wrong about this. A full autopsy was performed. Doubt it? Read this exhaustive investigation into Foster's death. The investigation was conducted by Kenneth Starr, yes that Ken Starr. It concludes that Foster's death was a suicide. To believe otherwise, is to ignore the empirical evidence and assume that Clinton nemesis Starr was in on "it."
Next up, Hammer turns to the plane crash in which former Secretary of Commerce Ron Borwn died along with 34 other people. Hammer describes the crash as "bizarre," although he doesn't explain why the crash was bizarre. In truth, although Hammer incorrectly writes that the crash occurred on a "relatively clear day," the cause of the crash was an improperly executed instrument landing -- tragic, but not bizarre. Hammer reminds us that Brown had a wound in his head that looked like a gunshot wound. He fails to tell us that an examination of Brown's skull by military officials "revealed no bullet, no bone fragments, no metal fragments and, even more telling, no exit wound."
Finally, Hammer offers former White House intern Mary Mahoney who was murdered in a botched robbery. The perpetrator, who was also "accused in the shooting homicide of a security guard in 1993, the attempted murder of a police officer, and four armed robberies" confessed to Mahoney's murder, plead guilty and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole while not once attempting to mitigate his punishment by claiming to be a Clinton operative.
Hammer also incorrectly asserts that victim Mahoney was "going to go public with her story of sexual harassment at the White House." There is zero substantiation of this. Prior to the Monica Lewinsky scandal breaking, Newsweek writer Mike Isikoff hinted that a White House staffer with the initial "M" was about to talk about her affair with Clinton. The "M" was Monica, not Mahoney. Doubt it? Ask Hammer how he "knows" that Mahoney was about to go public.
Snopes has a thorough examination of the distortions, misdirection, fabrications and just plain wrong assertions that people must resort to in order to put forth, as Hammer did, these tinfoil hat conspiracy theories.
If you suspect that your readers are unwilling or incapable of critical thinking, you may think you have an audience for these kinds of conspiracies. Since that seems to be where Hammer is coming from, maybe next week he will write about People With Connections To The Bush Dynasty Who Met With Suspicious And Untimely Deaths.
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