American Idols All

Memorial Day Tribute

In memory of all those who helped make our country great. We carry your sacrifice in our hearts.

http://www.military.com/memorial-day/slideshow/

Update and Continued Prayers for Bob

A message from Bob's daughter, Wendy:

Robert Pocklington was emergently transferred from Obici to SNGH on 23 May and is having surgery in an attempt to restore the circulation to his foot. He has been suffering with intermittent excruciating pain for many months, and somehow all his physicians missed the fact that blood flow was severely compromised. Please send your prayers and positive energy his way.

Thank you; daughter Wendy.

UPDATE:  BOB'S SURGERY IS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011.  PRAYERS ALL AROUND.

UPDATE: June 1, 2011
Bob's artery graft surgery was successful and his recovery is being monitored.  Keep the prayers coming!

THE PRESIDENT IS A GREAT GUY

Let's be clear" on this as POTUS always reads to us from his teleprompter: OBAMA did NOT kill Bin Laden. An American sailor, who Obama just a few weeks ago was debating on whether or not to PAY, did. In fact, if you remember a little less than two years ago, his administration actually  charged and attempted to court marshall 3 Navy Seals from Seal Team  when a terrorist suspect they captured, complained they had punched him during the take down and bloodied his nose. His administration further commented how brutal they were. The left were calling them Nazi's and Baby Killers. Now all of a sudden the very brave men they vilified, are now heros when they make his administration look good in the eyes of the public. Obama just happened to be the one in office when the CIA finally found the b...... and our sailors took him out. Essentially, Obama only gave an answer. Yes or No, to him being taken out. It  NOT an Obama victory, but an AMERICAN victory!! Forward on IF YOU AGREE " Ed Schriber  Col. USMC (Ret.)   "Semper Fi".   An when will someone be prosecuted for releasing all the Top Secret details  to the Media? Whatever happened to using actionable intelligence before releasing it to the public? Or is the real mission propping up POTUS' political image regardless of degrading operational capabilities, compromising opportunities to take down more terrorist networks, or risking servicemen and women's lives?

Our Guest Author Sums It Up:

Statists believe government is the answer to all of our ills. However, authority goes hand in hand with responsibility. If President Obama and his ilk want to run everything, is it too much to expect them to run it well? C'mon Mr. President. You wanted to be Emperor of the US if not the world. Let's see the quality, low cost health care, millions of new jobs, and reliable, environmentally "good" green energy you promised. I ask, how can you have one policy for Egypt and another for Libya? What is our policy in Syria or Yemen? The Saudi Government is angry at Obama for calling for regime change because they fear they are next. Obama's Middle East strategy is to have no coherent strategy at all. Why? Could it be something about Obama's Muslim roots? Of course. He can’t afford to set off the entire Muslim world, but again they don't need Obama to do that. They all seem to have a problem with him now by the way HE managed the OBL situation.Before that they didn't care because of their knowing he is weak and uncertain. Both he and Hillary are two Progressives in a pod. It may take years to repair the harm that they have done to our foreign policy and relationships with our allies including Israel.

Obama is tremendously vulnerable on all the issues that he chooses to face and those he chooses to dither on he says "present" in closed circles and by doing so, he is actually ignoring his cabinet members and then has council with his czars who I think actually run the country. Republicans by and large seem to be afraid of that third rail the Democrats have constructed around Obama--racism. His presidency is just a continuation of his whole life aided and abetted by Affirmative Action and a shadowy group of Progressives,. George Soros, and his czars who want to turn this country into a socialist state like France. Unfortunately, the MSM has lost its mind and thinks their support of this incompetent executive is the highest priority. It's like a family that gives a backward child a pass at every act that he fails to succeed at. His programs such as the oil exploration embargo and the wild spending are so wrong and stupid that an eight-year-old kid could point it out. But whoa, Nellie, that's how the media is treating this middle-aged man! I was brought up to believe if you can't hack it you should be summarily dismissed. The SEAL team that terminated Osama bin Laden are the exact opposite of the Obama Administration--highly trained, patriotic, and completely dedicated to protecting America while the Obama Team in Washington D.C. is only when it becomes politically motivated as to garner votes to help off set other failed policies. This is a defensive moment. This gives the appearance of one trying to save his presidency. That is exactly what Obama is doing.

Of course some will call me racist, nothing new there at all, but in my opinion Obama is America's first Affirmative Action President. He won the presidency for no other reason than skin pigmentation. Americans have been fed the Political Correctness and Afirmative Action pabulum for so many years that it is nearly impossible for many to think any other way. The Dems realized that very fact and capitalized on it in the last election.If the repugs and those independents who are willing to take a stand and challenge the liberal mentality and those who suffer from "white guilt syndrome," I hold very little hope that 2012 will herald anything but four more years of the same lunacy.

BENNETTS CREEK PARK A SUCCESS FOR CANCER RELAY

The Cancer Relay team made a bold move and shifted operations to Bennetts Creek Park where there is more room for everything except parking. That can be remedied. Of course there was the usual uprooting dismay because the N S Academy was ideal for traffic control and parking. Many wondered why the Relay gave up the great indoor facilities. The cause of what few problems they had at the park was exactly what they wanted; an abundance of people and the right amount of potties.

They have reached $191,000 , about $10,000 shy of the goal. Outstanding sponsorship money and post-event fund raisers are sure to bring in the remainder. The money will stay in the community. The Cancer Relay of` 2011 was outstanding and aided by City employees.

TESTING A MAN'S PATIENCE

You come home one evening and there is a young man in the home apparently bent on stealing or vandalizing or just needed a glass of water. You produce a gun and intimidate him until higher authority arrives. Your home had been visited other times and this may be the person. What goes through your mind; does your trigger finger itch a little? Walter Sorensen controlled his emotions. Army combat-training told us in that situation pull the trigger. He didn’t and his “enemy” was spared, given time to think and change. Too often lead flies and the scene is irreversible.  Let’s hope Sorensen’s decision, the  Juvenile  Court System, and the boy’s family can rearrange the boy’s attitude.  

NEW EDA MEMBER STARTS FACING SHORTAGES

Fritz Skeeter, an electrical engineer at Newport News Shipbuilding, replaces former representative Johnnie Edwards, who died in March 2010. Not a great way to start but a challenge…he wanted the job.
EDA picks up income from Hilton Garden leases, and rental of our Conference Rooms. EDA pays expenses and receives income from our new Health and Human Services on East Washington. EDA also pays its own administration costs and bills for landscaping our many recreational and Industrial Parks.
Unfortunately the budget for expenses at the Health and Human Services Building has gone up nearly $150,000 since last year. The expenses on the bond interest have risen more than $100,000. Lawn service and janitorial services, both currently out for bid, are projected to rise. The electric bill will go up if Dominion Virginia Power gets a rate increase approved. The water and sewer rates are going up, which means the authority is stuck with that..
Suddenly a budget of 2.2 million. EDA is a city unto itself, a deliberate spin off. Is it suddenly out of control. Good Luck Fritz Skeeter’

PERFECT ANSWER

An annual contest is held each year at Texas A&M University calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term.

This year's term was: "Political Correctness."

The winner - with a great definition, was student who wrote:

"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media,which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of dog poop by the clean end."

SOL TEST TIME

Visiting with a young 2nd year college student who takes SOL tests next week at a large college in
Virginia. Said he had to get back to school in order to be prepared. Keep in mind this was  an all  "A" student in high school. I learned this: If he passes the SOLs he won't have to take the final exams. Buts if he fails the SOLs he must take the final exams.

Am I missing something here?   Are SOLs anywhere near as difficult as final exams? If  a student fails the SOL what are his chances to pass the exam? Were SOLs designed to make life for kids a bit  easier? Help            

DOES SUFFOLK KNOW WHAT IT IS DOING IN REGARD TO

 BORROWING 71 MILLION

It appears that this time they do because the bulk of the new borrowing, about $60 million, will go to the utility fund to cover construction of new and upgraded water and sewer facilities, Seward said. Many of those improvements were mandated by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality; others are needed to meet the increased demand of the city's growing population.

We can't argue with that and the profit from the new trash pickup plan may assist payments. The rest is for the city hall, our city employees new home away from home. We expect Brown and Bennett to sooner or later scream loudly for the Phoenix Bank restoration. Perhaps they have gone soft. The girls in the old courthouse are happy with their pamphlet racks and free coffee, and are not a tall bothered by tourists. So sort of a peace exists in Suffolk unless you have something on your mind.

WE'RE GONNA DIE ?

There is a plan to seek volunteers on a day in May to rid the city of litter. Better we equip them with Ozone filters because the American Lung Association gave Suffolk an “F” in ozone air pollution. Like our city tax and spend department our air is not making the grade. But what does this group of words in this their 12^th report tell us? “Suffolk was the only city in Hampton Roads where the organization gathered enough data in order to grade it.” They go on with a detailed explanation of how the air is tested but should we jump into action before we know how surrounding cities rate? And if we start pulling ozone out of our air envelope what’s to prevent it leaking in from bordering cities? We see no need to panic. The stink from local pig farms is no more and Franklin shut down the paper mill but apparently those items have no connection with ozone. Williams recommends anyone concerned about air conditions should contact their state legislators and tell them about their concerns.  I wish I knew what our concerns are. Do you?

OBAMA DESERVES ALL THE CREDIT

Here in this secure room  deep in the bowels of  the Pentagon this secret group of  military and civilian persons make up the military and civilian intelligence team considering the next move on the compound where Osama bin Laden is reportedly residing.

GOOD DAY TO GET OUTDOORS

 Direct from the Suffolk News Herald.  Now that  City Officials have just cleaned your financial clock and forced you into recycling they are asking for volunteers to help in a citywide cleanup day this month. Tell you what, our home and property will be spotless, and there never is litter in our subdivision. Beyond that is no man's land where the deer and  the antelope play. Instead of expecting an army of volunteers to clean up after the litter slobs, use some of the new trash taxes to hire some ambitious young people to drive a city truck around town making a business of it. Most of them can't find  a job due to businesses lack of customers. Call it a stimulus package and the people will applaud you City Officials for spending other peoples hard earned dollars.

 Or once a year help out the "Suffolk Clean Community Commission and Suffolk National Night Out 2011" that sponsor the “Suffolk Clean Sweep” on May 14 from 9 to 11 a.m. Volunteers can choose the community they want to give a facelift. Cleanup supplies will be distributed that morning at Bennett’s Creek Park and the City Hall parking lot. Volunteers will be treated to an appreciation picnic at Sleepy Hole Park beginning at noon. Need more info? Call Hattie Lester for that and to register . She is Suffolk's Litter Control Coordinator at 514-7604 or hlester@suffolkva.us.

SO WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?

The vote was 6 and 2.  Only freshman Mike Duman had scrutinized the budget enough for him to say, "Sorry, gang, I can't see more than a three cent raise in taxes." All but Duman and Bennett voted the typical Suffolkian way, you know, the  "Yes but, theory. YES, we know this budget will break your  back, BUT we got plans.

FROM THE SUFFOLK NEWS HERALD

They had to print that there is another budget meeting at City Hall but they needn’t. They can’t believe any sane person will make another useless trip, and I’ve heard enough of the dialogue to know it’s over over there. Councilman Duman attempted to wedge in a suggestion at the last budget meeting and got his face slapped. You must remember this…at least five on the dais know what is best for you and the city. Remember a year or so back when using the term “North Suffolk was a no-no? Well now it is acceptable to say that our City Hall is "dilapidated." Go if it makes you feel patriotic but the Suffolk City Council will meet tonight to approve the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Period, end of discussion.

OSAMA GONE VIA NAVY SEALS

Bring the troops home,  all of them. Put them to work drilling for oil and gas here or rebuild our tired transportation  system.  Eliminate most welfare entitlements and put majority of former recipients to work. Push Senators and Representatives over 65,  at all levels of government, out to pasture. Grade the school and college teachers from 1 to 5, below 3 drive buses.  Force local government to be transparent and tax payer friendly. Rebuild the bridge to Driver.

All will be well again.

CHESAPEAKE FORGES AHEAD

Chesapeake Square that should have been in Suffolk was handed $750,000  by the city to build a bank of theaters out shining Harborview 16. Closer to Suffolk, more movies and big move up in technology, such as enhanced sound systems, 100 percent digital projection and an XD Extreme Digital Cinema auditorium. The XD theater will be the largest in the facility and boast a wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor screen, plush seating and a custom sound system. It will show both 2D and 3D new releases. WOW, can you imagine such an item in Downtown Suffolk?  That would have been impressive in our mayor’s state of the city speech.

DON’T QUIT NOW DONALD TRUMP

1) the original, long-form 1961 Hawaiian birth certificate.

10) Columbia College records — not released
11) Columbia senior thesis — not released
12) Harvard Law School records — not released
13) Obama’s law client list — sealed
14) Obama’s files from career as an Illinois State Senator — sealed
15) Obama’s record with Illinois State Bar Association — sealed
16) Obama’s medical records — not released
17) Obama’s passport records — not released

Note list items 2 through 9 were removed as unimportant. And first item, birth certificate, was honest, but why? To fool his enemies, they took the hook and were embarrassed. But was that the most important item? No, but the list disappeared. Don’t give up, Trump. Force him to explain how he qualified for Columbia College…then how he managed to enter Harvard Law School. Was he really a mental giant or was the fix in?