Reverse 911: Not that great AFTER the fact

There were reports of funnel clouds in Central Ohio today in Southern Delaware County. In Powell, where we live, the sirens went off and to the basement we went. The tornado warning was extended until 2:30 pm.

After 2:30 we came back upstairs and as we were putting the kids down for a nap the phone rang. It was a reverse 911 recorded message telling us there was a tornado warning until 2:30. Time of call: 2:40pm.

I am expecting another call this evening to tell me that there might be a hurricane in New Orleans… years ago.

UPDATE (2:56pm): Just got another call from the Deleware County 911 to tell me that the tornado warning that was to expire at 2:30 did. Uh, thanks(?)

Strickland's Economic Stimulus Plan Costs Ohioans Jobs

In 1998, along with 45 other states, Ohio negotiated a Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) with the tobacco industry. The money, either paid over time, or bought out in a lump sum, was to fund tobacco prevention programs and education.

In Ohio the monies were originally taken over time, however, Governor Strickland thought he could spend it better. Even though the MSA was being used to fund programs such as the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (OTPF) and youth programs like stand, Strickland wanted the money, all of the money, for what else... an economic stimulus plan.

Ironically, in doing so, Strickland’s greed for the MSA money has now caused the destruction of the OTPF and the layoff of Ohioans whose job it was to promote the programs.

Two trends one should recognize here. The first is that Ted Strickland thinks he can spend hundreds of millions of dollars better than anyone else, original plans and purpose be damned, and secondly, Uncle Ted thinks is ok to cause layoffs to fund a program that will not create jobs... Ugh

In the spirit of full disclosure, for a time I worked for Northlich and worked on the OTPF account but waited until now to comment out of professional courtesy.

UPDATE: More about Strickland's efforts here

Six Men, One Yukon, $50,000 for Charity

Members of the local Strongman Competition Team, Boss, are attempting to raise $50,000 for Nationwide Children’s Hospital by pushing a Chevy Yukon 12 miles. The 12 mile route will start at Jason’s on North High Street in Worthington and end at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Below you will find a video about the event, but in the mean time, click here to learn how you can donate to this worthy, albeit crazy, fund raiser!

Thought of the Day 4/19/2008

Our leaders refuse to work across the aisle for fear that doing so will cause them to lose credibility within their own party. However this practice has caused these very same leaders to lose all credibility with those whom they serve; the Nation.

Happy election year!

An Important Message to Watch

An important public service message about Sexual Harassment From HEROES’ Hayden Panettiere

Comedian Bill Burr Delivers In Easton

Last night my wife and I went to see comedian Bill Burr at the Funny Bone Comedy Club in Easton Town Center.

Burr has performed on Comedy Central, HBO, the Opie and Anthony Show and was a writer and performer on the Chappell Show (He was the red haired white guy). Others may also know Burr as the guy who went on a tirade against a Philadelphia crowd that had turned on the comedians during O&A’s Traveling Virus Show (in the end, Burr received a standing ovation from the same crowd that began by booing him.) You can see it on You Tube. Classic.

Bill Burr did not disappoint. With his less than optimistic view of the world and possible subscription to conspiracy theories, Burr entertained the sold our crowd. At times Burr would make comments of how the crowd was not with him and he would riff as to why he thought this was happening. Those moments were hysterical and one can only wonder if that is part of the show… If his set up and then rant on the crowd’s reaction is not part of the bit. I would not put it past him.

Topics such as his internal turmoil over being in a relationship, the tiger attack in San Francisco and how with the simple jerk of a steering wheel, one could be famous for mowing down 30 people, Burr pontificated on the thoughts in his head. Dark? To be sure, but honest, funny and a welcome relief from the usual, “people are crazy on the roads… am I right?” shtick that is usually found in comedy clubs.

Burr owned the crowd; a crowd that he was performing for, “20 feet from a food court... I’m not in show business right now folks.”

The opening act and MC as well as the feature act were surprisingly good. For those who do not know the usual comedy club set up, it goes like this: The first act serves as the host and MC. He or she is usually a local comedian and/or someone starting out in comedy. They get 10-15 minutes and usually are awkward to watch. Last nights MC broke this mold. His energy and seemingly polished act was great. Being a son of a Judge leads to some good stories about how he lives and the bits about his parents and step-parents were very funny.

The feature act, or the second performer, was great as well. His quick wit served him well as someone in the audience tried to heckle. Although he did say it was the, “... best heckle [he] had ever heard.” He recovered quickly and turned it around to his advantage. Instead of the usual pissing contest that comedians and hecklers in engage in, he made it part if his act not only winning over the heckler, but the audience who, truth be told, he already owned.

A great night at the Funny Bone. It is a rare evening in a comedy club where all three acts are great. This was one of those nights.

Side Note: Burr was very cool about getting a picture with me. When I asked we has very quick to say yes and pose with me. I was impressed how cool he is in person.

Also, I am not sure when or why Bill Burr shaved his head, but it makes him look like he is ill. I hope he is not.

In Case Of Failure, Your $10 Seat Can Be Used As A Floatation Device

My father is a genius. Just the other night he said, "I don't think SkyBus is going to make it."

He was right. This evening, the following text is the only thing found on SkyBus.com

Skybus Airlines will cease all operations effective Saturday, April 5.

Skybus struggled to overcome the combination of rising jet fuel costs and a slowing economic environment. These two issues proved to be insurmountable for a new carrier.

We deeply regret the impact this decision will have on our employees and their families, customers, vendors, suppliers, airport officials and others in the cities in which we have operated. Our financial condition is such that our Board of Directors felt it had no choice but to cease operations.

Passengers holding reservations for Skybus flights scheduled to depart on or after Saturday, April 5, 2008 should contact their credit card companies to arrange to apply for a refund. More information for customers and others will be made available on the Skybus web site (www.skybus.com) as it becomes available.

All flights for Friday, April 4 will be completed. Passengers holding reservations on flights for Friday, April 4 should check in for their flight at a Skybus kiosk at the airport instead of the Skybus website.

There is something ironic about an air company like Net Jets that caters to millionaires expanding, and an affordable airline for the rest of us failing. Sign if the times I suppose.

Shit, I Do A Damn Fine Job

It would seem that this blog is a bit potty-mouthed. So F-ing what?

Created by OnePlusYou

Liberals Thought Their Political Correctness Would Not Bite Them In The Ass

Free speech is a hallmark of America. We have the right to free speech… We do NOT have the right to be sheltered from speech we do not like. We do not have laws saying all speech must be nice and only a select few should decide what is ok and what is not. We do not have laws that say that what offends one should offend all. Sadly, many liberals didn’t believe this… and now it has bitten them on the ass.

From the NY Times

Randi Rhodes, an afternoon host for the progressive Air America radio network, was suspended Thursday after repeatedly insulting Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton at an event last month.

Ms. Rhodes used vulgar language that likened Mrs. Clinton to a prostitute at an event sponsored by KKGN, the Air America affiliate in the San Francisco area, on March 22. A video of Ms. Rhodes’ remarks was published to the video-sharing Web site YouTube on Tuesday, prompting condemnations by some bloggers

In a statement, Charlie Kireker, the chair of Air America, said the radio network “encourages strong opinions about public affairs but does not condone such abusive, ad hominem language by our hosts.”

The article goes on to say that the suspension is “indefinite”. For those who are unaware how this works in radio, let me explain. It starts with an ‘investigation’, then a ‘suspension’ and then a firing. The firing normally happens when a few people, very few but annoyingly loud people, bitch and moan then threaten the owners with boycotts and protests of advertisers… you know, intimidation and bullying.

Now make no mistake, I can not stand Rhodes. I think she is a complete nut case, but I think she should be allowed to say what she thinks. She is PAID to be shocking, push the envelope and yes, even offend the senses. Everyone KNOWS what they get with Rhodes and should invoke fake rage when she does what she does. Hmm, sounds familiar.

When Don Imus was attacked by the liberal elite in the name of political correctness, many people, including myself, called on everyone to realize that such an attack on one voice is an attack on all voices. People attacked Imus out of fake rage. Those he supposedly offended had no idea who he was until someone told them to be ‘outraged’. I argued then and I argue now, you do not have the right to silence those who words you do not like. We are grown ups. Sticks and stones folks.

“WHAAAA, they said something mean! WHA!!!!” Give me a break.

So here we are. The liberals felt that censorship through political correctness would be a smart tool to attack those they disagree with. What they did not realize is when you set fire to burn those you hate, you also run the risk of burning those you don’t. Consider Liberal talk radio burned.

Dumb asses.

Has Hillary Actually Ever Seen Rocky?

So, lets chalk this one up to either hack speech writers or just a stupid staff. Recently, while Hillary was trying to relate to folks in Pennsylvania, she compared herself to Rocky Balboa from the movie Rocky.

“Let me tell you something, when it comes to finishing a fight, Rocky and I have a lot in common. I never quit. I never give up. And neither do the American people,” Clinton said. (Source)

What makes this so rich, and her so stupid is… Well, as everyone recalls, in the movie, Rocky loses to the black guy.


h/t Scott’s Morning Brew (he covers this too)

There is a Word For This Sort Of Growth

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Islam has overtaken Roman Catholicism as the biggest single religious denomination in the world, the Vatican said on Sunday.

Hmmm. I think there is a word for this phenomenon.

I Agree with Ohio A.G. Dann… Damn, that hurts to say

I am not in favor of the XM-Sirius merger… this is nothing new. I think it will cause higher prices, less choice in programming, and worse still, Mell Karmizan running all of satellite radio. Uncle Mel is not known for making radio better and he never met a commercial he did not like (ahem, CBS Radio).

In a statement released Wednesday, Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann said:

“If this deal is allowed to proceed, Ohioans and radio listeners across the country will be forced to listen to limited programming offered by a monolithic entity at prices set in a monopolistic environment,” Mr. Dann said. “The antitrust laws were enacted to prevent deals like this. Since the Department of Justice didn’t use those laws to prevent this monopoly, the FCC should use its powers to protect the public interest.”

Look, if I wanted Sirius and Mel’s master, Howard Stern, I would have purchased a Sirius unit (and a lager car to carry one of their over-sized pieces of crap), but I didn’t.

Please, FCC, block this merger. Please.

German chancellor: Beijing Boycott.

From The Guardian
The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, yesterday became the first world leader to decide not to attend the Olympics in Beijing.

As pressure built for concerted western protests to China over the crackdown in Tibet, EU leaders prepared to discuss the crisis for the first time today, amid a rift over whether to boycott the Olympics.

I think she may be a leader on this one. China, who thumbs their noses at the world, should be called out for their treatment of protesters in Tibet, to say nothing of the reason they protest: Freedom.

China is normally given a pass on such issues because of their buying power and their place in the world economy.

This reminds me of the Middle East. It is a third-world area that is frozen in a past of hundreds of years ago. Only oil makes them relevant to, well anything.

If China was not such a large consumer base, we would not tolerate half of the crap they pull. This is like looking the other way while someone beats up the elderly only because he is your ride. Sometimes it is better to stand up to the bully and walk.

How Hillary Remembers Bosnia

The report you DIDN'T see... Must be that conspiracy again.

Google Strikes Again. Shows Their Stripes

When I woke this morning I was excited to see my children’s faces as they saw what the Easter Bunny left them. I was also excited to see what cool graphic Google would have for this Easter… Then I remembered, Google hates Christians.

They are never at a loss for Earth Day, European Holidays and a range of causes non-Christian Holidays, but Easter? Nope (See a screen shot from today).

I will give them this; Google does do something for Christmas, but then again they make a lot of money at Christmas.

Maybe we should all Google the phrase “Why does Google hate Christians” and get it on the top of Google Trends today?

BTW, and I am sure this is just a coincidence, Google and their employees tend to donate exclusively to liberal candidates, by the millions. I am sure the contempt for Christianity and the love of liberals is just a coincidence. I am sure it is.

Where is the cute Easter Graphic?

Quote of the Day

A loyal reader sent me this thought today about Obama's minister and his sermons. I thought it was brilliant.

Funny, we are now being told by Rev. Al, and ALL the "Black community" leaders that we are taking the many, many statements by Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. out of context when compared to his many sermons.

I'm just thinking that the same people didn't think twice about taking 45 seconds out of 3 hours per day, five days per week for 30 years from Don Imus out of context!

Call me crazy, but.......................................

Not crazy, just on point.

But one point of fact... The Imus "nappy hos" comment was 5 seconds... not even 45 seconds. Sad, isn't it?

Boehner Hits The Beach, Bearing Drift Is There.

Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio stopped by my old stomping ground, and home or the original Bearing Drift, Virginia Beach yesterday for a fundraiser on behalf of Rep. Thelma Drake (VA-2-R).

The proprietor of Bearing Drift, Jim, shares some great clips of the appearance including:

-What’s it like to be in the minority and why losing in 2006 may have been the best thing for Republicans

-The presidential race and the outlook for congressional campaigns

-FISA

-Energy (Includes what Lou Holtz thinks about the cost of gasoline)

-How to keep Virginia Red and his thoughts on Northern Virginia

-Education

...and more!
Check out Bearing Drift (Virginia) for the rest.

Little David IS Human

AI's David Archuleta SUCKED tonight. We were told he was perfect yet he forgets the words to a freakin' Beatles tune!?!?! My cat knows the words to the Beatles.

I wonder how long he will keep up this 'ah schucks' crap... I predict this will be the start of his downfall. When people are told they are the assumed winner for a log time before the votes and then they mess up, they tend to crumble...

Yeah, I was thinking of Clinton when I wrote that last line. I know, I know, I'm with you!