Some schools have already started the year, while others are getting ready to open the doors in a matter of days.

 

Although, I’ve been working here at Fox Toledo the summer has felt like a vacation for me, that’s because I’m also a substitute teacher.

 

To be honest when I signed up for the job I thought, “Wow all I really have to do is watch the students and make sure they do their work. It’s a simple side job and only lasts a few hours.”  BOY, WAS I WRONG!

 

Teachers are so important and I thought I knew that but I didn’t realize how true it was until I became one myself.  Not only do you have to control the atmosphere in the classroom by keeping the students on task, you’re also a disciplinarian, at times you’re like a parent and you DO have to teach (even as a subJ).

 

I’ve had good days and bad days.  I’ve had students (elementary students) tell me off and call me names (expletives!).  But I’ve also actually had the opportunity to be sort of like a mentor to some of the students even if it’s only for a couple of hours.

 

My hat goes off to all of you full-time teachers who’ve made this a career choice.  You spend so much time trying to mold the lives of these kids and you make it look easy when it’s not. You may not hear thank you as much as you deserve but I know there are plenty of educators who without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.

 

Have an awesome school year and let the fun begin…

All day long on Saturday, the time "10:58" was in the back of my mind.

That's not the time I have to be on air (usually, I have to have my stuff edited by 10:10).  It was the time Michael Phelps was swimming for his record-setting 8th gold medal in one Olympiad.

So as the show ended at 10:30, I gathered my things.  Naturally, some stuff just HAD to hold me up, and I didn't get out of my station until 10:45, if not later.  I probably pulled into my driveway at 10:59, didn't even open the garage, didn't even take my suit back inside, but ran inside, and flipped the TV on.  Luckily, I was there on time to catch the historic moment.

Anyway, now that Phelps has set the record, it almost feels like I'm waiting for the closing ceremonies.

The other storylines almost don't even matter.  USA basketball is SUPPOSED to win gold.  I don't care if they're the Redeem Team or not.  Having Mud Hens on the USA baseball team only goes so far.  Usain Bolt already clinched gold in record-setting fashion in the 100-meter dash.  Liu Xiang already has become arguably the biggest Olympic disappointment of all time in front of his host country, considering the setting, the stakes, and past history.  Dara Torres is NOT Michael Phelps.

So yeah, I'm sorry, Olympic fans (of which I am one), I just don't care about the games anymore, at least, until the closing ceremonies.  Seriously, can Beijing possibly top the opening ceremonies?

----------------------------------------------------
-

I WILL say, though, that the Olympics has brought to mind, an interesting subject.  China's goal in Beijing was to win the medal count.  Keep in mind, that in recent Olympic history, that has been American territory by a long shot.  We're talkin' about a hundred medals overall for Team USA, to about 60 medals to whoever's second.

This year, things are different.  China focused its resources on events where it could win the most medals, and the efforts are showing in the results.  So far, China is KILLING America in gold medals, while the United States is still holding off the Chinese in the overall medal count, but not by much.

So who wins?

Either way, both countries are gonna say that they won.  Either way, both countries, if put in the other countries' shoes, would say the exact same thing even then.

Here's my take: if the gold medal count was closer, then the US, in my mind, would be winning the medal count.  But seeing how the medal count is close, but our country's getting KILLED for gold, let's face it, we're NOT winning.  WINNING is gold.  WINNING is 1st place.  Enough of this politically-correct stuff about how it's good to be there, it's good to come home with a medal, yada yada yada.  When you say you WIN an event, it's not coming back with a bronze.  (sorry, US men's gymnastics, despite the great accomplishment)

So.... so far, China is WINNING the medal count.

EPA on HOW TO CLEAN UP A NEW LIGHTBULB.

Humans use mercury in a variety of manufacturing processes and products such as thermometers and fluorescent bulbs. If you improperly dispose of products with mercury in them, they may break and release mercury vapors which are harmful to human and ecological health.

• Dispose of used mercury-containing items properly.
• Clean up mercury spills properly and report them to the proper authorities when necessary.

---

Spills What Never to Do with a Mercury Spill

• Never use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury (but see the "What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks" section below for more specific instructions about vacuuming broken fluorescent light bulbs). The vacuum will put mercury into the air and increase exposure.

• Never use a broom to clean up mercury. It will break the mercury into smaller droplets and spread them.

• Never pour mercury down a drain. It may lodge in the plumbing and cause future problems during plumbing repairs. If discharged, it can cause pollution of the septic tank or sewage treatment plant.

• Never wash clothing or other items that have come in direct contact with mercury in a washing machine, because mercury may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage. Clothing that has come into direct contact with mercury should be discarded. By "direct contact," we mean that mercury was (or has been) spilled directly on the clothing. For example:
  • if you broke a mercury thermometer and some of elemental mercury beads came in contact with your clothing, or
  • if you broke a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) so that broken glass and other material from the bulb, including mercury-containing powder, came into contact with your clothing.

  You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, like the clothing you happened to be wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.

• Never walk around if your shoes might be contaminated with mercury. Contaminated clothing can also spread mercury around.

Top of page

What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks

Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are lighting more homes than ever before, and EPA is encouraging Americans to use and recycle them safely. Carefully recycling CFLs prevents the release of mercury into the environment and allows for the reuse of glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights.

EPA is continually reviewing its clean-up and disposal recommendations for CFLs to ensure that the Agency presents the most up-to-date information for consumers and businesses. Maine's Department of Environmental Protection released a CFL breakage study report on February 25, 2008. EPA has conducted an initial review of this study and, as a result of this review, we have updated the CFL cleanup instructions below.

Pending the completion of a full review of the Maine study, EPA will determine whether additional changes to the cleanup recommendations are warranted. The agency plans to conduct its own study on CFLs after thorough review of the Maine study.

Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal below. Please also read the information on this page about what never to do with a mercury spill. Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room

• Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
• Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
• Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces

• Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
• Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
• Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug

• Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
• If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
• Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials

• If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
• You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
• If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials

• Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
• Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
• Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

• The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.
• Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

• Have everyone else leave the area; don't let anyone walk through the mercury on their way out. Make sure all pets are removed from the area. Open all windows and doors to the outside; shut all doors to other parts of the house.

• DO NOT allow children to help you clean up the spill.

• Mercury can be cleaned up easily from the following surfaces: wood, linoleum, tile and any similarly smooth surfaces.

• If a spill occurs on carpet, curtains, upholstery or other absorbent surfaces, these contaminated items should be thrown away in accordance with the disposal means outlined below. Only cut and remove the affected portion of the contaminated carpet for disposal.

• Cleanup Instructions

  1. Put on rubber, nitrile or latex gloves.

  2. If there are any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects, pick them up with care. Place all broken objects on a paper towel. Fold the paper towel and place in a zip lock bag. Secure the bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.

  3. Locate visible mercury beads. Use a squeegee or cardboard to gather mercury beads. Use slow sweeping motions to keep mercury from becoming uncontrollable. Take a flashlight, hold it at a low angle close to the floor in a darkened room and look for additional glistening beads of mercury that may be sticking to the surface or in small cracked areas of the surface. Note: Mercury can move surprising distances on hard-flat surfaces, so be sure to inspect the entire room when "searching."

  4. Use the eyedropper to collect or draw up the mercury beads. Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. Place the paper towel in a zip lock bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.

  5. After you remove larger beads, put shaving cream on top of small paint brush and gently "dot" the affected area to pick up smaller hard-to-see beads. Alternatively, use duct tape to collect smaller hard-to-see beads. Place the paint brush or duct tape in a zip lock bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.

  6. OPTIONAL STEP: It is OPTIONAL to use commercially available powdered sulfur to absorb the beads that are too small to see. The sulfur does two things: (1) it makes the mercury easier to see since there may be a color change from yellow to brown and (2) it binds the mercury so that it can be easily removed and suppresses the vapor of any missing mercury. Where to get commercialized sulfur? It may be supplied as mercury vapor absorbent in mercury spill kits, which can be purchased from laboratory, chemical supply and hazardous materials response supply manufacturers. Note: Powdered sulfur may stain fabrics a dark color. When using powdered sulfur, do not breathe in the powder as it can be moderately toxic. Additionally, users should read and understand product information before use.

  7. If you choose not to use this option, you may want to request the services of a contractor who has monitoring equipment to screen for mercury vapors. Consult your local environmental or health agency to inquire about contractors in your area. Place all materials used with the cleanup, including gloves, in a trash bag. Place all mercury beads and objects into the trash bag. Secure trash bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.

  8. Contact your local health department, municipal waste authority or your local fire department for proper disposal in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

  9. Remember to keep the area well ventilated to the outside (i.e., windows open and fans in exterior windows running) for at least 24 hours after your successful cleanup. Continue to keep pets and children out of cleanup area. If sickness occurs, seek medical attention immediately. View information on health effects related to exposures to vapors from metallic mercury. For additional information on health effects, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) provides a Mercury Fact Sheet that also presents information on health effects related to exposures to vapors from metallic mercury.

  Recommendation: If there are young children or pregnant women in the house, seek additional advice from your local or state health or state environmental agency.

  Top of page

  Spills of More than the Amount in a Thermometer, but Less Than or Similar to Two Tablespoons (One Pound) Cleanup Instructions

  1. Have everyone else leave the area; don't let anyone walk through the mercury on their way out.
  2. Open all windows and doors to the outside.
  3. Turn down the temperature.
  4. Shut all doors to other parts of the house, and leave the area.
  Don't vacuum.
  5. Call your local or state health or environmental agency.

  Top of page

  Spills of More than Two Tablespoons (One Pound)

  Any time one pound or more of mercury is released to the environment, it is mandatory to call the National Response Center (NRC). The NRC hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (800) 424-8802. Note that because mercury is heavy, only two tablespoons of mercury weigh about one pound.

• HOW IS THIS BETTER????   ANYONE?

• www.poedpatriot.blogspot.com

• tol

Change is hard.  It's also fairly constant in the broadcasting business.  Part of that is the migration of people.

In case you haven't heard, my co-anchor of the last few years, Karl Rundgren, is leaving for a job in Texas in early September.  It's a move closer to family for him and his family.  So I'm happy for him.  But I've really enjoyed working with him.  He's not only good at delivering the news, he's a great newsroom leader who helps to chart the course our coverage takes on a daily basis.  He'll be hard to replace.  But we must.

The word went out just this week, including postings for the co-anchor position at Fox Toledo.  Already our news director has a huge stack of tapes.  They come from all over the country.  Some are already anchors.  Some are reporters wanting to make the switch.  You always get a few who aren't even close to qualified, but just think TV sounds like fun.

I just hope that in that pile of applicants is someone who fits the criteria well.  Great writer, good at working with the rest of the staff, smart, creative and experienced.  Of course, for the viewers, they need to look and sound good enough to be credible and watchable.  By the way, both female and male applicants are encouraged!

The most amusing part of this is the applicants who are popping up from within the Toledo market.  One called minutes after the staff was gathered for the announcement.  We still haven't figured out who tipped that person off.  Others have surfaced since then.  Interesting how some people who have not always said flattering things about our station, and its employees, suddenly think Fox Toledo would be a great place to work.  I might have to ask them about that if they come in for interviews.

Another thing that's interesting is the people who are calling Karl to ask for his recommendation.  Think about it.  He's leaving.  It's the rest of us you should be courting.

Yes TV is a competitive business, especially in these economic times.  I'm just hoping that tall and growing pile of tapes will result in the selection of the right one.  After all, during the week, this is a person I spend more time with most days than my husband.

 

“I looked the man [Russian Prime Minister Putin] in the eye.  I found him to be very straight forward and trustworthy and we had a very good dialogue.  I was able to get a sense of his soul.”

 

George Bush on Russian Prime Minister Putin

 

“When I looked at Putin’s eyes I saw 3 letters:  KGB”

 

Sen. John McCain

 

“I’ve expressed my grave concern about the disproportionate response of Russia and that we strongly condemn the bombing outside of South Ossetia”

 

George Bush interviewed on NBC Sports

 

 

“With our allies, we now must stand in united purpose to persuade the Russian government to end violence permanently and withdraw its troops from Georgia.    WE ARE ALL GEORGIANS!”

 

Sen. John McCain

 

“Yesterday, I heard Sen. McCain say, ‘We are all Georgians now, Well, very nice, you know, very cheering for us to hear that, but OK, it’s time to pass from this.   From words to deeds.”

 

Georgian President Saakashvili

 

“The United States spent 45 years working very hard to avoid a military confrontation with Russia.  I see no reason to change that approach today.”

 

US Sec. of Defense Robert Gates

 

“The United States of America stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia, [and] insists that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected.”

 

President George Bush

“One can forget about any talk about Georgia’s territorial integrity”

 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

 

“In the 21st Century nations DON’T invade other nations”

 

Sen. John McCain

 

“The Americans can take Baghdad…we can take Tbilisi [capital of Georgia].”

 

Russian Soldier in Georgia speaking with NPR.

 

“The current demand for our forces exceeds the sustainable supply.   We are consumed with meeting the demands of the current fight [in Iraq] and are unable to provide ready forces as rapidly as necessary for other potential contingencies”

 

Army Chief of Staff, Gen. George Casey during a congressional hearing

 

“Well boys, I reckon this is it-nuclear combat toe to toe with the Roosskies.  Now look, boys, I ain’t much of a hand at makin’ speeches, but I got a pretty fair idea that something doggone important is goin’ on back there.   And I got a fair idea the kinda personal emotions that some of you fellas may be thinkin’.  Heck, I recKon you wouldn’t even be human bein’s if you didn’t have some pretty strong personal feelin’s about nuclear combat.   I want you to remember one thing, the folks back home is a-countin’ on you and by golly, we ain’t about to let ‘em down.  I tell you something else, if this thing turns out to be half as important as I figure it just might be, I’d say that you’re all in line for some important promotions and personal citations when this thing’s over with.   That goes for ever’ last one of you regardless of your race, color or your creed.   Now let’s get this thing on the hump-we got some flyin’ to do!”

 

Major T. J. “King” Kong in the film DR. STRANGELOVE

 

The country of Russia is estimated to have over 6,000 nuclear weapons in it’s arsenal.  It also has more natural gas and oil reserves than even the Middle East.   One fourth of ALL European natural gas is supplied by Russia.   In recent years it has shown no hesitation in using those supplies for political gain, often by cutting off heating supplies in the middle of winter.  Russia is also one of the few countries with ANY influence over Iran.

 

Perhaps America needs to reconsider how important it is to think and to talk before threatening action that cannot be sustained in a realistic manner.    “Cowboy Diplomacy” makes for great movies…but the consequences in the real world can be deadly.

 

 

“A strange game.    The only winning move is not to play.   How about a nice game of chess?”

 

The computer Joshua from the movie WAR GAMES

Headlines came out these last few days about how the Chinese put out fake fireworks during their Opening Ceremonies to the 29th Olympiad.

One word for ya: Jealousy.

All those who watched the opening ceremonies realize that the fireworks were, while extremely beautiful, an extremely minor reason why these ceremonies are probably the best of all time.

To me, the ceremonies were special because, quite honestly, what country can say they have a more storied and tradition-rich history? These people invented paper and printing, ladies and gentleman! The Chinese used so much from their tradition and implemented it PERFECTLY into their performances by, not the superstars in their nation, but by the masses. The engineering and design work of the venues were also out of this world!

It's like if someone said, "Yeah, the Americans had a much better firework display during the Atlanta Opening Ceremonies because they were at least real." True, they were real, but I certainly don't REMEMBER the firework display. It blended in like all the other ceremonies. The fireworks for all the ceremonies are all pretty cool. The American moment I remember is Muhammad Ali making an appearance and also when the archer shot the flame into the pulpit.

That was cool.

In other words, the fireworks don't make the ceremonies.

By the way, to all those who question my stances in my posts, my parents were not born in China. I wasn't born in China. I've never been to China. I ALSO am rooting hardcore for Michael Phelps to stay the course and win 8 golds.

I just think it's funny when a rival superpower steps up and overshadows other superpowers, that those superpowers try to shell out some propaganda convincing their people otherwise.

Propaganda's everywhere, people: in China, Russia, and even, dare I say it, the United States of America.

Why Fight for Liberty?  Why take time out of Your Life to raise Your Voice against Tyranny?  What reason is worth all the Time and Effort and if necessary, Blood to Stand in the Defense of Liberty?

Is it to rid ourselves of these Dishonest Politicians?  No, for that is no Reason to stain the Land with Blood.....I Dislike these Wolves in Sheep's Clothing as much as anyone..but that alone is not worth war...

Is it to rid ourselves of Tyrannical Taxation?   No...it is for something more substantial than our precious wallets....

What is it that a Man or Woman must Stand for Liberty, be it in Peaceful Protest or with Arms?

Is it for Our Rights?  Our Rights that are Guaranteed in the Constitution?....Yes, but to stop there would be a Grave Injustice.  

We must fight for the Liberty of All Mankind.  For the Women,Children and Men who for themselves have no Voice.....Who can not Stand for themselves because their suffering is greater than Ours.  For those that Oppose us and their Future Generations.  So that there shall be No More Tyranny, at Home or Abroad.  That a Few Tyrannical Men Can Not, Must Not, Dictate to Millions.  So that wherever the Wind Blows or the Sun Shines People will have a say in who rules over them and by what laws they live.  We Must Fight for the Rights given to us by Nature's God, for those Rights are Given to All, be them Friend or Foe.  From the Poorest Drunk to the Wealthiest Businessman has the Right to Liberty......For this we Must Fight, For this we are Obligated to Fight....

 We as the Nation of Freedom and Liberty have an Obligation to Ourselves, Our Children and to the World to Shine the Light of Liberty to All the Ends of the Earth....

THIS is what Our Founding Fathers Fought For........

For This Reason.....Liberty Must Survive...No Matter the Cost...

We Must Stand upon Our Rights, Not Upon the Force Of Arms........

But Let it Be known we Will Fight...with Words Peaceably...with Arms If Necessary...

 

"Give Me Liberty, Or Give Me Death!"

 

 

 

www.poedpatriot.blogspot.com

tol

As touched upon extremely briefly in an earlier post, sports can and should be used as a pleasant distraction to all the negative things going on in the world.

Whether it be the Taliban's presence in Afghanistan, the obstacles American soldiers face over there with Pakistan not helping, the American quest for oil, the human rights struggles in various areas of Chinese interest and the resulting protests, all the politics (China vs. Japan hatred, China vs. Taiwan politics) surrounding the Olympic Games... you get the picture, it's not pretty.  And there are still plenty to list out.

Anyway, after a few days of Olympic athletic events, sports has succeeded in, at least, temporarily blocking all the negative out of my mind.

Think about all the stuff from these last few days.

After quite possibly the best Opening Ceremonies of all time (that may never be topped), I think the biggest storyline has got to be Michael Phelps and his quest for 8 golds in 8 events.

This overshadows China's quest for more medals than the U.S.  This overshadows the volleyball team's win a day after the father-in-law of the U.S. head coach was murdered.

My mouth must've stayed open with my eyes fixated on the TV for about 15 minutes after Phelps' 2nd gold, the one that came in the relay where Jason Lezak made a stirring comeback in the final leg to overcome and overtake the heavily-favored French team.  Add on top of that... the American team smashed the world record, and even still, they won by a hair.  Just added to the whole drama.

This came after Phelps set another record a day earlier by winning his first gold medal.

2 down, 6 to go... an Olympic dream still alive and well.

Did everybody else notice the camera shots where Phelps was cheering on Lezak and Phelps' resulting celebration?

Simply amazing.

Oh, by the way, Phelps volunteered as a swimming coach at the University of Michigan from 2005 through 2008, so he even kind of relates locally to us Northwest Ohioans.

Regardless, anybody who was watching him win his 2nd gold, be it in Northwest Ohio or not, had to be shouting at the TV screens and not thinking about all the negative things in the world.

Sports is reality too... just in this case, it's so much more refreshing in this era of death and destruction (Russia vs. Georgia, Middle East, etc.).  It was so great during the Opening Ceremonies to see all the athletes from the various countries come together as one.

So who in their right mind, especially in light of what happened tonight, can say sports is NOT important?

Recently, news has surfaced that foreign-born and non-citizen muslims are contributing money to try to influence America's next election.     Florida businessman Harry Sargeant III, chief executive for I.O.T.C. has "bundled" at least $50,000.00 for the election from a variety of foreign-born sources.    These sources include:   Ibrahim Marabeh (a store manager for RITE-AID) and his wife;  Nadia and Shawn Abdalla (owners of Twilight Hookah Lounge famous for it SEX ON THE BEACH tobacco blend) who are not even registered voters and Sargeant has also received contributions for his candidate from a California Taco Bell shift supervisor among many others.    All of them with muslim backgrounds and many from relatively low wage jobs.   All who claim that a mysterious & forgotten "friend" asked them to contribute the money.

How does he get donations from such esteemed sources?  

"I have a lot of Arab business partners. I do a lot of business in the Middle East. I've got a lot of friends," Sargeant told the [Washington] Post. "I ask my friends to support candidates that I think are worthy of supporting. They usually come through for me."   These friends include his business partner, a citizen of Jordan and brother-in-law to the King of Jordan.   And this is where it really gets interesting.

IOTC stands for INTERNATIONAL OIL TRADING COMPANY and it has over a billion dollars in contracts with the US Defense Department to supply fuel to Iraq.   The website ProPublica reports: 

"The company, which had not done any government work before it first won that contract in 2004, signed a two-year extension worth $913 million in 2007. But there have been difficulties. The contract requires that the fuel be brought through Jordan to Iraq -- meaning only the company with a "letter of authorization" from the Jordanian government could have stood a chance. ..., IOTC managed that feat by striking a deal with the king of Jordan's brother-in-law. Even though other companies bid on the contract, and IOTC was not the lowest bidder, IOTC was the only one with authorization and so won the contract. (The brother-in-law is suing IOTC, claiming he was cut out of the spoils. He wants $13 million for his trouble.)"

Congress has opened up an investigation into the activities of IOTC to see if there was issues with the setup for the contract and if the government is being overcharged for the fuel.   Sargeant  insists that the contract is "in the best interest of the military and the U.S. taxpayers."    That remains to be seen.    But there is no doubt that many of the political contributions he "bundled" are illegal under US laws that prevent foreigners from contributing to campaigns.    In fact over $50,000 have been returned from the campaign to charity.

So my question is:  where is the outcry agains these muslims who are breaking the law?   Is the reason that there is so little media attention on this because we have decided that we love muslims or is it because the candidate who received the money was SEN. JOHN MCCAIN?    ( I can just imagine the blogs if Sen. Obama had received money from any  illegal sources, much less Muslims.)

Now in fairness, we should point out that it is impossible for any candidate to keep track of all of his donations and sources.   It should also be stated again that McCain did return the money.    Normally, I would say that this should be the end of it.   But there is still one little bit of info that people should know:   Harry Sargeant III, CEO of IOTC (currently under investigation) is also the Finance Chair for the Florida State Republican Party and Co-Chair of the McCain Victory Campaign.    This wasn't just any Joe Shmoe from off the street bundling money....it was a trusted member of TEAM MCCAIN.   And now you know the rest of the story.

In my previous post, I criticized those radicals who have gone over to China and vandalized the host country for political causes, so I figure I have to be fair.

On the first full day of the 29th Olympiad, a Chinese man stabbed and killed an American man, and then he committed suicide.

Unfortunately, many will take this as representing all the Chinese people.  They will see this, and think all Chinese people are out to get them.

Flip the script a little bit.  There was a bomber during the Atlanta Olympics that killed several people.  An American suicide bomber.

The moral: there are psychos and killers everywhere.  Yes, they transcend boundaries too.

The Chinese people view these Olympics as the biggest day in modern Chinese history.  They see themselves as largely misunderstood, and this is their opportunity to show the world that they can put on the best show ever, while being amazingly gracious.   Nothing in our country can compare, because America is a known commodity.

The Chinese, just like us, don't like it when people get murdered.  They, like us, aren't necessarily represented by government policy.  Yet Americans can't be blamed for branding all Chinese as Communist.  Think about it: other countries totally think we're all like George W. Bush.  That's one of the reasons the worldwide perception of Americans has gone downhill from envious to straight-up hatred at our perceived cockiness.

****************************************************

As for the Olympics, I was doing some thinking as to WHY the opening ceremonies were the best I've ever seen.  I compared to those in the past, where different host countries would try to impress with celebrity performances, or celebrity appearances.  Rock stars, Hollywood... it's great these guys come from a specific country or what not, but do they truly represent the people?

China truly found a way to involve the actual people of the country, young and old, and they invoked traditions of the past and weaved it into the ceremonies in a modern way that has never been seen before.  How about that lighting of the torch, huh?  The guy running on air but making it look like he was running on an opening scroll around the stadium?  The little boy/earthquake victim who walked alongside Yao Ming as China walked into the stadium?  The absolutely-perfectly choreographed performances: the painting of the mountains, the tai chi, the "wind blowing"... just unreal.

And the audience truly took pride at seeing all this unfurling before their eyes.

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I seriously hope the positives outweigh the negatives when the Olympics end.  It'd be such a shame, if otherwise.  All the venues are just too beautiful to even imagine!

If it's not Good for our Kids, then Why is it good for our Country?  

 

 

Why do we Teach our kids that in order to succeed they need to be Self-Sufficient?  

 

 

Why do we teach them how to be Independent and then vote for Politicians or Laws that take Independence away?

 

 

If we know that it's not a Formula for Success to keep Bailing our Kids out every time they screw up, then why do we encourage our Government to do so?

 

 

Why do we tell them they need to learn to do it themselves but then we turn to the Government to do things for us?

 

 

Why do we Believe in Tough Love for our Children...because we Love them..but then we bend like wet paper to the Will of Big Government?

 

 

Why do we not want our Kids to live at home when they are 40 but want the Government to "take care' of them for the rest of their lives?

 

 

Are we Good Parents and Lousy Citizens or Lousy Parents but Good Citizens?

 

 

If we want Success, Independence and Happiness for our Kids.....

 

 

Then why do we keep Encouraging Failure, Dependency and Misery in the Direction of our Government?

 

 

Do We Not Love Our Country As Much As We Love Our Children?

 

 

I Hope So......

 

 

 Because Our Children Are the Future of this Country....... 

 

www.poedpatriot.blogspot.com

 

to

C'mon, somebody's gotta have an opinion on my last blog? What should I do as the regular blog post? Here's the current tally:

A) Untitled Restaurant-Related Project - 0 votes.
B) First Responders - 0 votes.
C) Phlog - 1 vote.

Karl already voted, and I counted it against my own rules. Though, it was a bit of a sarcastic reaction... so I still need some serious feedback.

Post a comment or shoot me an email!

Okay... I know the Summer Olympics are on a competing network, but it's also a huge sporting event from my childhood. I still remember the times where my parents would sit with my sister and I, as a family, and watch the Olympics on a nightly basis, a giant feat considering my family isn't big on sports.

So let my rant begin. This has nothing to do with fantasy, really... just some thoughts with the opening ceremony gone by.

Here's the deal: in a Chinese family, image is extremely important. Extremely important. I grew up in one. I know.

Just to clarify: My ancestors are from China, but my parents are from Taiwan. They immigrated to Canada, where I was born, and I moved to Houston when I was 11.

Okay, back to the gist of my blog, the opening ceremony kicked major tail, and that's because the Chinese find it pretty much the most important deal to look good, to save face, in front of the rest of the world. That's why they've devoted countless resources to try to win the medal count over the United States. The US generally has the most athletes competing, so that's not an easy task, but the Chinese focused on specific events that give out the most medals. That's called SMART.

On another subject, related to the Olympics, I came across this as I was reading all the different sports news...
http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ap-oly--china-pai
ntedprotest&prov=ap&type=lgns

Um... hello? Are you serious? 2 wrongs don't make a right. I don't condone what China does with human rights at all, but I also think it as insanely rude to go into someone else's country and vandalize it. Remember the American kid who spit gum on a Singapore sidewalk? I think he got his just desserts because he didn't respect another country's rules. When I took a vacation to Singapore, I MADE SURE not to do anything that could be misconstrued as littering.

On another sidenote related to this, China had every right to revoke Joey Cheek's visa. America would do the exact same if some guy made it publicly known that he was coming in not to compete, but to make some political noise. Every country makes their citizens believe their country is right, other countries are wrong. America's not really different than that. China's not different than that. No country is different than that.

I should also say that 1misbehaving American doesn't represent the rest of the country. It just gives us a bad name. Sort of like Sammy Villegas (if he's guilty) and Scooter McDougle (charges dropped) for the University of Toledo.

So sit back, enjoy the Olympics for what they are: a coming together of countries peacefully on an athletic stage. Don't think about the politics. Don't think about all the crummy things going on in the real world, but for once, just relax and enjoy some friendly competition.

That is the essence of sports, and what makes sports great.

 

"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."  George Washington

"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves."  William Pitt in the House of Commons November 18, 1783

"We must all hang together, or, assuredly, we shall all hang separately."  Benjamin Franklin at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicity.  Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address.

"We, the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution."  Abraham Lincoln

"The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed and that they are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of press."  Thomas Jefferson

"Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the world that a free man, contending for his liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth."  George Washington, July 2, 1776

"A generous parent would have said, 'if there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace."  Thomas Paine, Common Sense

"Posterity, you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that ever I took half the pains to preserve it."  John Adams

"The way to have safe government is not to trust it all to the one, but to divide it among the many, distributing to everyone exactly the functions in which he is competent....To let the National Government be entrusted with the defense of the nation, and it's foreign and federal relations.....  The State Governments with the Civil Rights, Laws, Police and administration of what concerns the State generally. The Counties with the local concerns, and each ward direct the interests within itself. It is by dividing and subdividing these Republics from the great national one down through all it's subordinations until it ends in the administration of everyman's farm by himself, by placing under everyone what his own eye may superintend, that all will be done for the best."  Thomas Jefferson

"We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our selection between economy and liberty or profusion and servitude. If we run into such debts as that we must be taxed in our meat in our drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labors and in our amusements, for our callings and our creeds...our people.. must come to labor sixteen hours in the twenty-four, give earnings of fifteen of these to the government for their debts and daily expenses; and the sixteenth being insufficient to afford us bread, we must live..  We have not time to think, no means of calling the mis-managers to account, but be glad to obtain subsistence by hiring ourselves to rivet their chains on the necks of our fellow suffers.  Our landholders, too...retaining indeed the title and stewardship of estates called theirs, but held really in trust for the treasury, must...be contented with penury, obscurity and exile.. private fortunes are destroyed by public as well as by private extravagance.

This is the tendency of all human governments. A departure from principle becomes a precedent for a second; that second for a third; and so on, till the bulk of society is reduced to mere automatons of misery, to have no sensibilities left but for sinning and suffering... And the fore horse of this frightful team is public debt. Taxation follows that, and in it's train wretchedness and oppression."   Thomas Jefferson

 

PATRICK HENRY

"The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun."

"Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction, and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?"

March 23, 1775:

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

 

www.poedpatriot.blogspot.com

 

Whether you lived the horror of this string of murders or not, I recommend this book. 

"Evil Brothers" is written by former Toledo Police Detective Frank P. Stiles.  He now works for the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office.

What you get is a very detailed account of the Cook brother's crime spree.  It stretches from the 1970s into the 1980s.  The victims were mostly young couples or young women.  Stiles describes how little motive there was in these crimes.  The serial raping and killing was mostly just for the sport of it.

Having lived and worked in the Toledo area for a dozen years, I wasn't around here when the crimes took place, but found myself amazed at all of the places described in the book that are very familar to me.  Chilling all of the locations we drive past regularly without realizing that they were once grisly crime scenes.

Not only did I read the book, a few weeks after I read it I was fortunate enough to hear Frank Stiles talk about his many years investigating this frustrating case.  His hard work and the eventual use of DNA matching finally put the perps behind bars.  He even talks about additional cases he suspects the Cook brothers might be responsible for.  It's evident that he took the task of catching the bad guys personally.  It was more than just a job.  It bothered him that these killers eluded the law for so many years.

If I have any criticism, it's that the book could have used a bit more editing.  Raab Road is spelled wrong repeatedly.  Sometimes you read about the same scene more than once or twice.  But in the author's defense, the extreme detail does give you some sense of the work that goes into a crime investigation and of how these attacks unfolded. 

Frank P. Stiles does an admirable job of giving readers a sense of who the murder victims were.  Real people.  People missed by the ones they left behind.  People with their own stories.  So often when we cover crime on the news, the criminals get almost all of the attention.  Stiles turns attention many different facets of these cases in a way no one else could.

You can buy "Evil Brothers" at major bookstores, at some local retailers or through the publisher.   www.outskirtspress.com/frankstiles   Outskirts Press, Inc., 10940 S. Parker Rd - 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
http://outskirtspress.com 1-888-OP-BOOKS

It's been 106 days since my last blog posting, and while I've enjoyed my blog-cation, I decided I might need to brush the cyber-dust off this thing and take it for a spin. A recent Vlog which Barrett Andrews has already alluded to shook me from my stupor. I could produce a lengthy list of reasons why remembering to write has been a challenge, but the primary one is the simplest: It's hard to decide what to write about.

That was until FOX Toledo News First at Four on July 30th, when I alluded to an odd experience I had at the Las Vegas airport. Andrew Z was intrigued, but we didn't have anywhere near enough time to go into it on the air. However, time is hardly a factor here in blogtown. So here goes.

During my first trip to Las Vegas several years ago, I had the pleasure of watching Penn and Teller perform at the Rio. It was a thoroughly entertaining show ending with a truly spectacular trick. Both Penn and Teller loaded revolvers on stage, placed a sheet of glass in front of themselves, trained laser sights on one anothers foreheads, and fired the weapons. At that point, both reacted as though shot only to reveal the bullets clenched in their teeth.

That would be impressive enough, but my wife was fortunate enough to be called on stage to assist with the trick. Before the gunplay she was asked to inspect one of the guns, and then to examine the bullet itself, to ensure that it wasn't rigged. To further the case she then wrote on the bullet and the casing.

After the gunfire, she was called back on stage to examine the bullet and casing again, to confirm that these were in fact the items she had signed. Teller spit the bullet into her hand, and she was stunned to see that her signature was still on it. The casing also was a match. There was resounding applause. After the show my wife and I hung out to try and get some autographs, and were lucky enough to talk them into signing the casing themselves--turning it into an awesome souvenir.

There was just one problem. We now had a fired bullet and casing in our bag, and we were getting ready to walk through airport security.

I realized that this might look...odd...to the agents, so I declared that we had a fired bullet in our luggage. That was probably not the smoothest way to handle things.

Before long my wife and I were subjected to a parade of TSA staffers, all of them taking turns handling the spent bullet and casing, glaring at it ominously. Without gunpowder there was no way we could actually turn it into a legitimate weapon, but they didn't know if they could let us onto the plane with it. Finally a supervisor took his turn rolling the bullet around in the palm of his hand, and decided we were hardly a threat.

"I hate those guys," he added, referring to Penn and Teller.

So that's how my wife and I got a bullet onto an airplane. It stayed safely in our carry-on the entire flight, and now we consider it a treasured reminder of not only a great Vegas show, but an off airport experience.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to make sure I haven't been added to any terror lists.

I think my blogging hiatus is over. Though, I don't feel much like writing any more...

How's about a vlog? Those seem to be going well for some other folks.

So let's take a vote. Here are the two, er... three options I'm torn between (in no particular order) and, heck, maybe I'll end up doing all of 'em:

1) Food on the Road: Wait, that sounds too literal and therfore kind of disgusting. I'll come up with a better name if it passes...

This would be basically me going to the small-town, hole-in-the-wall type restaurants around the outskirts of Northwest Ohio, places us news people stop when we've got the time and when we want something more than a freeze-dried burger and fries.

One place that specifically comes to mind is a pizza place in Cygnet, just off I-75 in Wood County. Kelly Miner and I stopped there one day working on a story in that rural area, then Michelle Zepeda and I dropped in the next day before we started storm chasing (though, we were originally in town to cover a factory farm debate).

That place has some of the best breadsticks... ever.

Another example: a place in Tontogany (it seems that most of the time when we actually have the time to stop, it's in Wood County) known for its ribs. Tiffany Tarpley and I hit it up one time, and it was pretty good.

Though, admittedly, I'm terrible with remembering names of these places.

With this one, I'd also be open to suggestions... and I'd basically talk to the owner, asking about the history, what they're known for and then, of course, I'd eat the food. And yes, I will pay for it! That's part of the point, since there are so many of these little businesses being driven out of business, it'd be fun to showcase the ones that are still makin' it and stir up a little interest... if anyone reads my blog.

Oh, and yes, I have been watching a lot of the Travel Channel lately....

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2) First Responders: As a photog, a lot of people realize that I have an addition to breaking news. Don't get me wrong; I love soft stories... they're guaranteed to be rewarding. But being raised by a family of police officers, firefighters and paramedics -- there's a genetic attachment to flashing lights and sirens that needs no more explanation.

So my idea is to ride-along with a different department each week. Maybe just show one run, following one responder. Fire, police, EMS, troopers and even maybe the area's medevac helicopters. Full-time, volunteer, overnights, day shift, whatever I can do.

In theory, it'd kind of be similar to this... as in, closer than regular news video:
Fire Hunter's Ridge (the first story)

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3) Backup plan: Phlog. Yeah, apparently that's the official name. Anyway, it would be a photo blog with just a different photo from my work week.

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Email me at bandrews@foxtoledo.com and let me know which one has your vote. Except Karl.

We're trying to determine what the average price for gas is throughout the USA.     Can anyone give us a total of what your average unleaded gas is in the Toledo area?      Visit 6 gas stations and average it out.

I am a Blogger based out of St. Louis.  I am posting this question on different Blogs in about 17 States so as to Gauge if indeed it is time again for the People to Form a Continental Congress. 

The Government is Growing at an enormous rate, much larger than the Founding Fathers ever intended.   Individual Liberties and Freedoms have been under repeated attacks from the very Government sworn to protect them.  The politicians in Office appear to only take turns playing "King" in the White House while Ignoring the Outcries of their Bosses, we Citizens.

Is it time to Elect Delegations from the States to Discuss how to Return this Great Country to the Path of the Constitution?

So that this Great Nation of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Of course I'm not referring to the military conflict.  The topic is still diet and workouts in the quest for better fitness.  Since I last checked in, the scale has moved very little.  Ordinarily, this is the point in my health kick where I would pat myself on the back for the small gains, and go back to just eating whatever I wanted and working out a minimum amount.

This time it's different.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe the 5 to 6 small meals a day eating plan.  Maybe it's the commitment of making appointments to work out with a trainer.  I think I'm aiming more for long term strength and health this time instead of just wanting a flatter stomach.

One thing I am seeing is a seemingly sudden change in the way clothes fit.  I put on a skirt last week that hadn't buttoned comfortably for more than a year.  Of course it's the product of many weeks of working out at least 5 days a week while watching what I eat, but I am starting to see some positive results.

Another thing that was a pleasant surprise recently,  I unloaded a whole pickup truck bed packed full of garden mulch all by myself.  I didn't even have that much muscle soreness the next day.  That's something I wouldn't always have been able to do, but the weights and cardio made me strong enough to do it.  Yes!

No, I haven't been perfect.  Weekends and parties are still difficult.  Temptations, including giant portion restaurant meals are everywhere.  Processed carbs and too much fat is easier to find than things that are good for you.  But I feel better already.  The effort and sacrifice seem worth it.

Readers, if you're fighting your own health and fitness battle, good for you.  Don't get discouraged.  It's the little things you do every day that add up.  You can't let yourself give up because you miss a few workouts or eat too much one day.  Just do better tomorrow.

Wishing you good health,

Laura