No Honor

Marching on into 2012

The list I have provided is a beginning, and I am hoping you can suggest more things to do as the year progresses.

Note that a number of my wish places have links that will take you to the organization's web site for more detailed information. 

If you have visited any of the places on my list, comments about them are also welcome in the comments section.

Also, if you have friends or relatives coming to visit, sending them those links may be helpful and most welcomed.

Hampton Roads does have a lot to offer residents and tourists alike.  I do not think we appreciate what we have here enough.  So, as the year progresses, get out and explore Hampton Roads.  Maybe I'll see you out and about!

Kenny, Kenny, Kenny, Kenny . . . . .

Got to hand it to Kenny Alexender.  He is certainly creative.  How that he would use his creativity in a more constructive manner.  I have never trusted Delegate Alexander, and here is one reason why, read the story.  Then sit down and write your delegate telling them two things, first, tell them to laugh aloud at Alexander's attempt to stop the midtown tunnel improvement project.  Second, vote against Alexander's bill that would kill the midtown tunnel project.

There is no reason for Alexander to inhibit improvement to the old and very limited capacity tunnel.  I can imagine his political reasons for the bill that have nothing to do with improving life for his constituency, of which I am one.  Things like this remind me why I never have voted for Alexander, usually having to write in a name, mine, rather than vote for him.

Alexander's comment, "People are furious. Why should people who don't use the Midtown Tunnel have to pay for expanding it?"  Are you daft, Delegate Alexander?  Have you ever taxed us for facilities we do not use?  You don't have enough fingers and toes to count the times.  My taxes pay for fire stations, police equipment, schools, city streets, utilities imporvements and many other things that don't directly impact my life.  Mr. Alexander seems to have digressed in his typically Democrat ideals that if it can be taxed or if a fee can be added, let's do it.  He has gone to the other side of the dark side.  Yes, there are good and bad sides to each dark side.  Every silver lining has a cloud, so to speak.

Alexander's short-sightedness angers me, but it does not surprise me.  He also discredits us, thinking we forget his past comments.  Does anyone remember when he wanted add a 5% general sales tax to gasoline go toward tunnel improvement, among other things?  All those people who by fuel do not use the tunnels, m' man.  Answer me this, Delegate Alexander, how is that different. 

To be fair, I don't mind the idea of taxing gasoline locally to pay for transportation projects.  What I do object to is Alexander's two-faced approach to representing me in the House of Delegates, though, that does not surprise me either. 

Political Lies - Keeping Track

We are a nation of fools.  We are gullible, believing lies and false promises voiced by politicians eager for political office.  It is nothing new -- promises given, promises broken.  Yet, the voting public seems to ignore experiences from past elections.  Politicians lie about their records; politicians lie about their opponents; polliticians lie about what they can accomplish.  For instance, a president does not have the power to raise or to lower taxes without Congressional support. 

This is not a party issue.  Both parties are guilty, both more guilty than the other, depending on the day.

Lie Mongers such as Barak Obama and Newt Gingrich get away with this because voters are not very smart.  Voters generally do not research issues; they do not research candidate records; they do not research candidate funding, who is supporting the candidates.  And, amazingly, voters are swayed by political ads.

To help those who may want to perform some of the research on the candidates, let me recommend a couple web sites that will offer the data you need.

Obama Fires Volley Intensifying Class War

It's on and it's firing up -- our President Obama continues his class warfare, along with his party cohorts, and intensified that fight with last night's political speech.

The problem, my dear Mr. President, is not ambitious people earning (see that word -- earning) their money, no matter how much.  The problem is the tax code.  "It's the tax code, dummy," should be your mantra in the fight to equalize opportunities for our citizens, private and corporate.  Let me repeat that most important concept, Mr. Presdident, the problem is the tax code, not the rich.

I know you are intelligent, Mr. President, but I detect a lack of courage in your fight on "the rich."  They are an easy target and it is easy to falsify the facts to rile up the rank and file of the people.  The class warfare you are continuing has no value except in your political aspirations. 

May your aspirations to be our president be greatly diminished in November.

Alien Invasion of Norfolk, Virginia

I am reminded of the 1956 science fiction movie, Invasion of the Body Snatchers by the Pilotonline article I just read. (Click Here)

City Manager Marcus Jones announced that two topics of importance to citizens of Norfolk will be addressed in an open to the public session at 5:15 PM Tuesday evening, January 24th. The session will also be streamed on the city's web site.

The two topics are concerning the five proposals regarding what to do with Waterside and the Community Services Board (CSB) personnel issue, including how the Norfolk CSB might be reorganized.

Let's hope this is a permanent alien possession of the minds of city manager and council. It is understandable that negotiations should be held in closed session, but not presentations or other informational presentations to council.

Kudos to Councilman Tommy Smigiel for his work on bringing this issue into the fresh air for all to observe, as well as to Councilwoman Theresa Whibley for urging a prompt and open discussion of the CSB. City Attorney Bernard A. Pishko will also bring council, and us, up to date on the McGlone case as well as information regarding civil litigation in the CSB case. Mayor Fraim had urged Jones to solicit suggestions from the public.

Whatever has happened sounds as if it is for the good of the city. I'm still doubtful, but with Councilman Smigiel to keep an eye on things regarding closed meetings and the other council members doing their part to obey the laws regarding open meetings, we may be seeing more of what we need to see.

Bravo City Council and Mr. Jones. I do hope you keep the meeting openess open and not revert to an us vs. them mentality at council meetings.

Am I dreaming? Is this really going to happen? Is there an ulterior motive? How long will aliens occupy council? Stay tuned.

New Academic Course Proposed for Norfolk State University

NSU Station.  Photo by Archie

Colleges offer a number of remedial courses, math, English, reading! and I would like to offer yet another.  Road Crossing 001.  (Read Story Here)

College folks, administrators and students, are supposedly bright, thinking beings.  Looking at the most recent NSU evidence I can confidently say, "Maybe not."  How can it be smart to cross a busy six-lane highway when there is a perfectly good, and safe, well-marked crosswalk and pedestrian light a block or two away?

Are these college students or are these little more than herds of sheep, better yet, lemmings, following others to their demise?  And to be fair, I am willing to bet there are a good number of professors and administrators following the herd across the highway. Again I ask, aren't college folks supposed to be smart?  Perhaps I have just created a new NSU Mascot, the Lemming.  The Norfolk State Lemmings.  Imagine the fear that would strike in the hearts of their sports competitors.

Perhaps it is the grave distance of a block or two that deters the students rather than a lack of common sense.  That is quite a way to walk, I guess.  I have seen some of the people crossing, and they could use the extra walking, believe me.  Perhaps highway dashing is an NSU physical education course?

Maybe the students suffer from linear thinking syndrom.  Linear thinking syndrom (LTS) is the inability to explore other avenues, in this case turning toward and walking toward a safer crosswalk that is beyond their direct line of sight.  They look across the roads, see the light rail station, and they see and take only the direct route.  I envision a zombie-like walk of hundreds of formerly intelligent beings crossing the street where their is heavy traffic, no traffic signals, and no crosswalk.

Is there a remedy?  Obviosly the students are not smart enough to figure out that a bit of an extra walk to the crosswalk would enhance their chances of making it to graduation.  There are several things that could be done.  A fence was mentioned.  Expensive, but if NSU is willing to fork over money, I could go for it.  Still, it is public money.  Building a walk-over is also expensive, but if NSU pays it could work.  Altought I doubt the lemmings would use it unless it were placed exactly where they wanted to cross. 

My favorite remedy is ticketing the jaywalkers, those who refuse to use the designated crosswalk and obey the installed traffic signal.  This remedy is my favorite because it is a win-win solution.  The city wins by reaping financial support from jaywalkers's fines; the students win because they are taught about the financial dangers of jaywalking, something, by the way, their parents should have taught them in their pre-collegiate lives.  NSU would win by not having to erect and expensive fence or an expensive walk-over.

I see the possibility of a research grant in this situation.  The title of the study could be something like, "Why Seemingly Intelligent Beings Do Stupidly Dangerous Things."  NSU grant writers, what do you think?

Snow Dread Looming

The great weather we are having, in small spurts, is too good to be true.  My "Grok Bucket" is anticipating a blizzard of massive proportions in February, possibly March. 

Norfolk - December 2010

Am I snowing you or will be get snowed?  I hope I am wrong.

 Is this what we are awaiting in the next few weeks?

Kettle, Meet Mr. Gingrich

Several newspapers are now reporting that Newt Gingrich is dating and basically living with Callista Bisek, a "willowy blond Congressional aide 23 years his junior." Biske, 33, has been spending nights at Gingrich's apartment near the Capitol and has her own key. In an amazing act of hypocrisy, Gingrich was apparently dating Bisek all during Clinton-Lewinsky adultery scandal, even as he proclaimed family values and bitterly criticized the President for his adultery. (From Newt Gingrich’s Skeleton Closet)

Waterside Plan Insane

Unbelievable! A developer presented a plan for the Waterside area of Norfolk that includes two hotels and a conference center, plus a marina. And a $76 million dollar bill to the people. This is not the way to go for the Waterside, and certainly not at the taxpayers' expense.

Look at the name, fellers! Waterside. Consider the location! Downtown Norfolk. Mr. Fraim, Mr. Jones, here is a novel idea. Put out Requests for proposals that would make developers compete for the privilege to build there. Make them detail their own paid for, independent, audited studies. Make them submit a detailed budget. Make them present detailed funding sources that do not use public monies. And no tax incentives, either. This is a money-making location that should require no public monies. And, finally, Make the developer pay the city for the opportunity to build something on city property. Watch. After the initial shock pays off, a bevy of developers will fight each other for the opportunity to build there. And, without public monies, I'll bet it won't be a conference center!