Today is a very special day here in the Gorgeous Commonwealth. It is the first day of Deer Season. When I was a kid growing up in Western Pennsylvania it was a school holiday. There was no point in having classes because most of the students would be absent anyway. [...]
As was their custom, four Lakewood, Washington police officers met at a local coffee house before their shift began, to exchange information, catch-up on paperwork and browse the internet. This morning, things went horribly wrong:
The officers – three male and one female – were in full uniform and wearing bulletproof [...]
Number of comments: 1 6abc
Pennsylvania’s biggest draw for hunters is set to begin with the start of the 12-day firearms deer season.
About 750,000 hunters statewide are expected to take to the field on Monday. However, rain is forecast in some areas.
Hunters are expected to kill between 80,000 and 90,000 deer on opening day. [...]
I spent a little time wandering around the South Hamburg railroad yards today. As a child I lived in a railroad town on the Pennsy main line. Railroading was a vibrant culture back in those days and it saddened to me to see the state to which it has fallen. [...]
Reuters
Michael Mann, co-author of the Copenhagen Diagnosis and lead author of the UN IPCC Third Assessment Report, blamed skeptics for taking the personal emails out of context.
“What they’ve done is search through stolen personal emails—confidential between colleagues who often speak in a language they understand and is often foreign to [...]
About the hockey stick, and no doubt influenced by the “leak.”
WattsUpWithThat:
In November 2005, Representative Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) requested that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) convene a panel of independent experts to investigate Professor Mann’s seminal 1999 reconstruction of the global surface temperature over the past 1,000 years. The resulting [...]
Number of comments: 1 Morning Call:
Hauling brush and old tires out of the woods in Allentown early Friday, members of the Service Employees International Union learned an Eagle-Scout-to-be is just as forgiving as he is trustworthy, loyal and helpful.
The Eagle Scout service project of Kevin Anderson, 17, of Upper Saucon Township was caught up [...]
Today, millions of people went out shopping for the bargains which stores invariably offer on the day after Thanksgiving. I now offer the pros and cons of Black Friday, for the amusement of my fellow retail workers.
Pro: Today is the biggest day of the year for sales, and the only [...]
Recovering from Thanksgiving overeating festival — so posting is late and will be short today.
Today is “National Pins and Needles Day” — it was originally a publicity gag for a Broadway show — “Pins and Needles” back in 1937. Today it is more generic as a day of excitement and [...]
Longtime Philadelphia media fixture Al Alberts died Friday at his home in Florida. He hosted a local childrens talent show for 32 years, and retired in 2000.
[...]
I’ve been listening to some of the debate regarding the health care bills going through Congress (all that I can stomache anyway) The most recent debate has been on how they’ll pay for the bill should it become law. There’s been ideas floated about that would include a 1% income [...]
On the topic of the Montgomery County ethics ordinance preventing certain officials from running for political office.
The Intelligencer:
Hoeffel, the driving force behind the enactment of the legislation, repeatedly has maintained that no one department was the target of the legislation. However, in support of the legislation, Hoeffel has cited what [...]
That’s a pretty nice climate you have there…. it’d be a shame is something happened to it.
This past September, [Penn State's Michael] Mann told a New York Times reporter in one of the leaked emails that: “Those such as [Stephen] McIntyre who operate almost entirely outside of this system are [...]
Fifth worst in the country!
An environmental group claims new data indicates that Pennsylvania’s coal-fired power plants are among the “oldest and dirtiest” in the country, and are among the biggest contributors to global warming.
Coal is the dirtiest of all fuels, according to PennEnvironment’s Nathan Wilcox, and Pennsylvania ranks fifth nationwide [...]
Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, your crazy uncle.
Swordplay.
A black western Pennsylvanian has been charged with attempted homicide for using an 18-inch sword to stab a drunk white man who yelled racial slurs at his own dog and the suspect.
Forty-four-year-old Vernon Bridges, of Ambridge, allegedly stabbed 48-year-old Ronald Book with an 18-inch [...]
Number of comments: 1 Drudge has several good links up regarding the recently leaked data from the East Anglia Climate Research Unit in the UK. “Climategate”, as it is predictably being called, is continuing to gain momentum and may well put the final nail in the coffin of global warming hysteria.
For those of [...]
A partial list:
Acne, agricultural land increase, Afghan poppies destroyed, poppies more potent, Africa devastated, Africa in conflict, African aid threatened, African summer frost, aggressive weeds, Air France crash, air pressure changes, airport malaria, Agulhas current, Al Qaeda and Taliban Being Helped, Alaska reshaped, moves, allergy season longer, alligators in the [...]
Tis the season to reflect on what we value, what we cherish, and what we are thankful for in this great nation. We live in challenging times and uncertainty is our constant companion – yet there is much I am grateful for every day of the year:
To the men and [...]
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have [...]
Re: “Catholic” Congressmen like Murphy who take umbrage at the bishops telling them they should not participate in Holy Communion if they vote for abortion, well, St. Paul is pretty clear on that:
Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for [...]
Chambersburg used to have a community Christmas creche. It doesn’t anymore. The reason? An atheist group demanded the right to put their own display next to the nativity scene. As a leader of the group explained: “We didn’t want to take Jesus out of the public square…. We want to [...]
Amidst the economic crisis and 10.2% unemployment, the President and the First Lady inspired hope with a lavish gala that was the Obama’s first state dinner, letting the unemployed and downtrodden know that yes, the glitterati do still exist in these tough times, if only amongst the Washington and Hollywood [...]
A Mathews / Hoeffel created ordinance preventing selected employees in the Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s office from running for office was just declared invalid by Montgomery County judge William Nicholas.
The ordinance was such a good idea, even the Philly Inquirer was against it.
By blocking the experienced candidates for running for [...]
I don’t get the faux outrage.
The Catholic Bishops are not telling Congressman how to vote.
It’s just telling them that they are disqualified from receiving Communion mostly because of pro-abortion positions they have taken.
I’m somewhat impressed by the political tack of the Democrats lately. They pretty much have chance of [...]
While still holding out some hope that Obamacare will die in the Senate, NR’s Jonah Goldberg suggests a rallying cry for Republican Congressional candidates – Repeal Obamacare.
(Matt Lewis’ concern that this message deflates the urgency of killing Obamacare is duly noted.)
According to the Jonah, the unambiguous “kill it” message will [...]
Patrick Murphy, the Democratic blue lap dog from Pennsylvania’s 8th District is outraged that the Catholic Church won’t give Rhode Island Congressman and JFK nephew Patrick Kennedy Communion because of Kennedy’s pro-abortion abortion stance:
“We don’t legislate at the orders of the Vatican, we legislate what is in our conscience and [...]
Today is “National Parfait Day” so go out there and indulge your yearnings for the “perfect” dessert [here are some recipes]. With all that fruit in it you can add a little granola to the mix and think of it as a health food. That way you can have two, [...]
It’s good to be the king(maker).
You can claim it on your resume.
Asked whether Pittsburghers ought to be leery at the prospect of another Philly-area politician taking control of their fortunes, Hoeffel stressed that that is the same challenge he faced as a suburban pol trying to win over urban [...]
I heard they do science up there in Happy Valley.
But this is straight up fraud.
Professor Phil Jones, the head of the Climate Research Unit, and professor Michael E. Mann at Pennsylvania State University, who has been an important scientist in the climate debate, have come under particular scrutiny. Among his [...]
Number of comments: 1 What do you call a politician brave enough to endorse an unchallenged candidate?
What do you call that politician if he withdraws his endorsement when there is a challenger?
Senator Daylin Leach.
[...]
Couldn’t happen to a nicer thug.
Allentown union official Nick Balzano has been a political punching bag all week because he threatened to file a grievance against the city for allowing a Boy Scout to clear a walking path in a city park.
Three days of taking body blows nationally from conservative [...]
Today is a day without any official [or unofficial] designation, so feel free to make up your own pseudo-holiday and celebrate it in any way you want [remembering always to practice appropriate behavior, of course].
On this day in 1859, after dithering for several years, Charles Darwin finally published The Origin [...]
November hasn’t really been a good month to be a liberal. Consider:
1. Republican victories in Virginia and deep blue New Jersey,
2. Gaping holes exposed by Major Nidal Hassan in our national security that were created by nothing more than political correctness,
3. Dithering on Afghanistan continues; soldiers die.
4. Gitmo [...]
(1) Commonwealth Foundation blogs that one of those caught up in the global warming email scandal is a Penn State climatologist. (Go State!)
Jimmie Bise calls out the New York Times for hypocritically discovering some lofty ethical standard that would deems these illegally obtained emails as something short of “all the [...]
Jim Matthews is having a hard time holding the reigns of county government.
He and Joe Hoeffel have to make some tough calls.
The proposal drawing the most ire would require county employees to share the expenses of health insurance that previously had been provided free to them and their families. Also, [...]
Today is National Cranberry Day and also National Cashew Day. Hmmm. Cranberries and Cashews, two of my favorite snacks. Mix them together with some dark chocolate, and a few other ingredients and you have pure perfection. Uh, excuse me…, time to run out to Trader Joe’s for some provisions.
Ahh, I’m [...]
Al Gore went on national television and said this:
People think about geothermal energy – when they think about it at all – in terms of the hot water bubbling up in some places, but two kilometers or so down in most places there are these incredibly hot rocks, ’cause the [...]
A murder of crows.
Something to strike terror into the heart of any crow — a red-tailed hawk skimming low over a field.
Bare ruined choirs where late the sweet birds sang….
Blast off, a flock of pigeons takes to the air.
Fields along Rte. 222 west of Reading.
[...]
Number of comments: 1 WPVI:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the small amount of radiation detected at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant is not significant.
Specialist John White has told ABC News that there is no indication that radiation at the plant exceeded or even approached regulatory limits.
The commission sent investigators to the [...]
Number of comments: 1 The recent theft and publication of electronic records from Britain’s Climate Research Center has revealed a conspiracy of climate alarmists to falsify research and to suppress contrary evidence on climate change. One of the chief conspirators, referenced in several e-mails, is Michael E. Mann, Head of Penn State’s Earth System [...]
WPXI has video of the crowd waiting for Sarah Palin at the Trinity Point Sam’s Club in Washington, PA.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has a short article about the event.
I find her to be inspirationally courageous,” said Denise Brna-Kusky, 44, of Washington, who arrived at the store just after midnight clutching a [...]
The Fighting Quakers cruised to an easy victory over Cornell today 34-0 to remain undefeated in League play and secure undisputed possession of the Ivy title. Cheer Hurrah! Hurrah! for the boys in blue and red. Lift your glasses high and toss a toast or two for “Dear Old Penn”.
ps: [...]
In honor of Sarah Palin’s return to Washington, PA tomorrow, here are a couple of photos I took of her the first time she was there, back in August 2008:
Click for the original size. I left the photos “in context”, so Chris Matthews can see how “tribal” the people are.
[...]
First let’s kill all the women.
Fox News:
In what some see as further attack on women’s health care, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended Thursday that women delay cervical cancer exams, also called Pap smears, until the age of 21 and that women younger than 30 undergo cervical cancer [...]
Breaking right now: Blog Brother JK over at Three Sources links to James Delingpole at the Telegraph (UK) who has the scoop on Climategate:
If you own any shares in alternative energy companies I should start dumping them NOW. The conspiracy behind the Anthropogenic Global Warming myth (aka AGW; aka ManBearPig) [...]
Alex, as a mother, I think reasonable bike laws are something that everybody should be for. After all, if, by some estimates, there are some 50,000 unregistered bikes just floating around the city, how can pedestrians expect to feel safe when every day it seems like you hear about one [...]
Waaaaaaaaah.
Philadelphia’s city council is looking at enacting some regulations for bicyclists. Included among them is a $20 registration licensing fee and fines for riding on sidewalks or with headphones or for bicycle maintenance.
The idea of registration is, in theory, not ridiculous. Especially if it were a tool to help recover [...]
Scott Ott (Scrappleface, Wash Examiner, PJTV) was recently interviewed by Michael Koolidge about Ott’s narrowly lost campaign for Lehigh County Executive.
Go listen.
There’s a lot to absorb in this 26 minute interview, but what I found most interesting and enlightening was “Don’t believe the conventional wisdom.”
[...]
Excellent piece by Jonah Goldberg over at the National Review on the subject of Palinophobia. He makes a lot of sense. I particularly liked this line:
[S]ome of us will always be sympathetic to Mrs. Palin if for nothing else than her enemies. The bile she extracts from her critics is [...]
Today is “Universal Children’s Day”, officially so designated in 1954 by the U. N. This is not to be confused with “International Children’s Day” sponsored by UNICEF which comes in December, nor the other “International Children’s Day” which comes in June, nor with “National Child’s Day” which President Bush established [...]
If they really want to win elections, that is. From my column in today’s Pottstown Mercury:
For years, voters have lamented the fact that there is no difference between the parties; that Democrats and Republicans are all the same. And for the most part, they are right. GOP party leadership is [...]
Chris Matthews continues to beclown himself when he talks about Sarah Palin. (Newsbusters, H/T AoSHQ)
On one hand, isn’t it notable how white- nay, “tribal” the people are who go to the Palin book signings. Those white, tribal, paranoid tea-party birthers, rambling about this thing they call a “Constitution”.
On the other [...]
Number of comments: 1 Today is “Have A Bad Day Day”. Wow! Sounds bad! Wishing misfortune on others — that’s what comic book villains do. But it’s not as perverse as it sounds. The commemoration was established by folks fed up with hearing people say “Have a good day” at the end of every [...]
Number of comments: 1 There is much to say about Sarah Palin, but I think that the most apt observation to come out in recent weeks is that she is a litmus test. In some she inspires an almost Obama-like devotion; in others an irrational seething hate that makes the ire directed at George [...]
Even the Crosby-haters have to admit that this is cool. Sidney Crosby was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch through Halifax in his home province Nova Scotia, as the Flame makes its way westward to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Olympic Hockey is going to be awesome this year. Imagine [...]
Number of comments: 1 So I was thinking…
Given that the recovery.gov website is a fictional mess featuring ridiculous amounts of money per job created, wouldn’t it be great if our state’s Auditor would look at the numbers & spending?
Especially if said Auditor is running for Governor?
You know, prove that he’s independent of party or [...]
Editor’s Note: Dick Stanton is an friend of the watercooler from Montgomery County, Pa.
Guest Post is a occasional feature at the watercooler… if you’d like to post a piece please email it to me, and I will put post it. Same rules apply as to the cooler contributors. You [...]
Here’s what was missing from Dr. Nancy Snyderman’s report on the new Government guidelines on breast cancer screenings: a little journalistic objectivity.
View more news videos at: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video.
Lu Ann Cahn of Philadelphia’s NBC affiliate apparently did not get the memo from Corporate. Of course, the execs at GE who run NBC [...]
Today is “Occult Day” so go out there and spend the day getting in touch with your paranormal side. Dabble in Theosophy or Ariosophy or Astrology; hold a seance, complete with spirit rapping; seek out Madonna and ask her to explain the Kabbalah; or answer an ad for the Rosicrucian [...]
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
I’m posting a different clip than I promised earlier because Snyderman basically parroted the same line that Dr. Susan Love did on the earlier clip with Brian Williams.
In this clip, watch how tense Snyderman is. It’s almost like [...]
If you have some time to spare, and would like to help with the Temp Smith recount efforts in Philadelphia, please contact Joe DeFelice @ jdefelice@pagop.org or call him at 215-756-4158
[...]
Today is “World Peace Day”. An admirable sentiment, no doubt, but one also has to ask at what price. A number of studies have shown that since the collapse of the Soviet evil empire the world has been getting steadily more peaceful, that is, the levels of conflict, both between [...]
Number of comments: 1 Daughter-in-law of Pennsylvania’s favorite former RINO, Tracey Specter resigned her post as the Chairman of the Republican Committee of Lower Merion & Narberth.
He will stay an active Republican, except for working to re-elect Senator Specter.
Full note after the jump….
Dear Committee People, Ward Leaders and Office Holders:
I am stepping down as [...]
Number of comments: 5 More fun with Excel & Recovery.gov
The numbers by Congressional District:
Red & Blue colors denote party affiliation. What’s funny are the Congressional districts in black. The 00th, the 65th & the 96th districts have never existed. Did anyone even do a cursory look at the figures? There’s only 50 states, so [...]
Number of comments: 2 Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
MSNBC:
NEW YORK – Most women should wait until age 50 to get mammograms and then have one every two years, a government task force said Monday in a major reversal that conflicts with the American Cancer Society’s long-standing recommendation [...]
Number of comments: 2 I can’t believe my eyes are seeing this.
It can’t be right.
From the recovery.gov website…. here are Pa’s figures…
I plug these numbers into Excel… and behold.
I’m not really clear on how the fractional jobs are computed, but really now…. is the Obama administration telling us that each job “created or saved” [...]
Innocent until proven guilty, right?
The former Speaker of the House participated in the afternoon’s voting session despite Attorney General Tom Corbett charging him with 82 criminal counts last week in connection with alleged misuse of more than $10 million in taxpayer money. The charges against Perzel and 9 others connected [...]
Back in my days at Orange Brick University, we never called the steam plant the Drexel Shaft.
I can understand the connection, but the Drexel Shaft was more an inevitable state of mind.
Not a building.
Anyway…. the 1930s era Pennsylvania Railroad constructed steam generating plant at 30th Street Station was demolished on [...]
Damn scabs!
Allentown Morning Call:
In pursuit of an Eagle Scout badge, Kevin Anderson, 17, has toiled for more than 200 hours hours over several weeks to clear a walking path in an east Allentown park.
Little did the do-gooder know that his altruistic act would put him in the cross hairs of [...]
A grand jury charged Former Republican State House speaker John Perzel and nine others with misusing public resources for political gain. According to Attorney General Tom Corbett and the grand juries findings, $10 million dollars in taxpayer money was spent to help win political campaigns. This has been an ongoing [...]
The Tea Party on Saturday drew a crowd of over 1,000 people to the Pennsylvania Capitol in the middle of nowhere. Most are very angry about last Saturday’s house vote to approve healthcare legislation. They are also upset about Cap and Trade, and the Socialistic leanings of the new administration. [...]
Today is “Button Day”. I don’t know what it means either.
Lots of military stuff today.
On this day in 1532 the Conquistador Francisco Pizarro took Inca emperor, Atahualpa, hostage after victory in the battle of Cajamarca.
And on this day in 1798 the Brits boarded a United States ship, the Baltimore, and [...]
From the Tribune-Review:
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Tea Party took its message of limited government to this capital city Saturday.
Hundreds of protesters from regional groups that came from as far as the Ohio and New Jersey borders gathered at Harrisburg’s City Island early yesterday afternoon for a march through the city [...]
Speaking in Tokyo Obama referred to himself as the “first Pacific President” suggesting that he, unlike any of his predecessors, had significant experience in Pacific affairs based on the fact that he was born in Hawaii and spent some of his childhood in Indonesia. As with so many pronouncements made [...]
Number of comments: 1 Woo Hoo! The Penn Quakers sewed up at least a share of the league championship this afternoon with a 17-7 win over Harvard. There is no joy in Cambridge tonight, the Crimson lies defeated on the field of play. Next up, Cornell and a chance to win the Ivy outright. [...]
This week I’m posting some pictures I took while we were driving through Pennsylvania Dutch country — my favorite part of the commonwealth.
First, migration season is in full swing and the Susquehanna valley seems to be a favored route for a number of species. As we drove through there were [...]
Number of comments: 1 Here’s what I take from Althouse’s screed:
Look at me! Look at me! Pay attention to me! I’m relevant! Look, I’m calling Sarah Palin “dumb!” That’s edgy! That’s cool! Everybody else’s doing it! Somebody listen to me!!!!
Althouse is essentially arguing that a vice presidential candidate exists to be a mindless automaton [...]
Back in early July, sitting East Norriton Supervisor James Staufenberger removed his name from the ballot for re-election. He left the naming of his replacement to the East Norriton Republican Committee. Staufenberg announced his decision with the following statement that should have sent the red flags flying:
“Good government is better [...]
What will the political fate be for Con. Kathy Dahlkemper, Sen. Bob Robbins, Rep. Mark Longietti, or Rep. Michele Brooks in 2010?
Written by Roberta Biros
With the 2009 political season comfortably behind us, it’s time to take a look at the political landscape for 2010. There will be plenty written about [...]
Drudge has an excerpt from Sarah’s book on his site. Read it here. From her account the McCain staffers assigned to handle her were inept, patronizing, and dishonest. This may well be true, but her insubordinate attitude toward them reveals more than Sarah might want people to know. Ann Althouse [...]
Ode to the Facepalm… Just imagine me facepalming after each bit.
(1) They’re trying KSM in a civilian court. In New York. What could go wrong?
(2) So the US Commerce Secretary says, “Trade agreements are going to have to wait.” For what, you ask? “Right now, the administration is focused on [...]
… and gets immunity.
The grand jury presentment Corbett released mentions Scott Migli, campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, who will face Corbett in the 2010 Republican primary. The grand jury found that former House Speaker John Perzel, charged with theft and conspiracy, gave Migli a $100,000-a-year job in the [...]
Today is “Sadie Hawkins Day”. For you young’uns out there, Sadie was the invention of Al Capp, whose “Lil’ Abner” comic strip was extremely popular half a century ago. Sadie was an unpopular girl who couldn’t find a man. She was also the daughter of the town’s mayor. So he [...]
Here’s your link for the streaming video.
Update: Perzel is the biggest name so far, former Rep Brett Feese.
Perzel is looking at 82 counts.
The other eight names are staffers.
Update: The picture:
Update: Charges are not for bonses, but a re-election campaign machine on taxpayer dollars.
Update: As expected, these indictments are painted [...]
Philly Daily News:
State Attorney General Tom Corbett, now running for governor, met with state Rep. John Perzel, of Philadelphia, at a Harrisburg hotel in October 2007.
Two months later, Brian Preski, Perzel’s former chief of staff, organized a campaign fundraiser for Corbett.
In state politics, nothing about either event would seem strange. [...]
Sarah will be on Oprah this coming Monday, talking about her book, Going Rogue. The show has already taped and details are leaking out. Supposedly Oprah asked Sarah about hosting a TV show and Palin did not say “no” [here]. Roger Ailes ears must be pricking up. And Mark Halperin [...]
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports today that the crowd at the Veterans Day parade in downtown Pittsburgh was even smaller this year than it was last year.
It was a day to pay homage to all U.S. soldiers, and veterans like Denk, 60, of Baldwin Borough said they were honored by the [...]
Today is “National Chicken Soup Day”. In happier times I would urge you all to go out and get a large, steaming bowl of gastronomical goodness, but these days the National Organization of Screaming Ninnies might object. They would condemn the killing of poultry, the amount of energy required to [...]
After a seven month absence from the print media, I’m excited to announce that I’m the new contributing columnist at the Pottstown Mercury. My first column for the Merc can be found here.
Here’s a taste:
We’ve all been there:
Dining in a restaurant or waiting in a checkout line, when a parent [...]
Allegheny Institute:
Fresh off his election victory, the Mayor of Pittsburgh has decided to take charge in dealing with the fiscal mess that is the City. No he hasn’t decided to cut spending. Instead he has found a new segment of the population to tax–college students. His plan is to tax [...]
Somebody up at UP is doing things right. They now have a course:
English 497: Narrative, Oral History and New Media Technologies in spring 2009. The goal of the course was to help returning veterans become filmmakers by creating short documentaries about the experiences of the Iraq War. Dubbed “Back from [...]
