STAFF REPORT FROM SNH

"As with so many things in life, there are no easy answers to the problems that face the youth of Suffolk — and America — today. From teen teenage sexuality to violence on the streets to declining test scores to a seeming loss of social mores, the social climate surrounding teens today is more potentially poisonous than at any time in the history of the nation, much less the community.

“IS” is tempted to say “Hogwash.” We could judge, from this SNH report that our teenagers have somehow been walled off from their parents and helpful contact with society and forced to grapple with self-created unbearable problems and “pressures” of their own, using only their limited experience to deal with life. Granted, but only if they have no parental guidance or they are the victims of parents they would be better off without. Even kids in that mess often find the right path through teachers and religion. Our guess is that the SNH speaks for a very small percentage of children who haven’t yet realized they have and are a problem.

What Does MORE Government Mean?

NOT A SPECK OF HESITATION

Al Gore, Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama go to heaven. God addresses Al first. ''Al, what do you believe in?'' Al replies: "Well, I believe that I won that election, but that it was your will that I did not serve. And I've come to understand that now.'' God thinks for a second and says: "Very good. Come and sit at my left.''

God then addresses Bill. "Bill, what do you believe in?'' Bill replies: "I believe in forgiveness. I've sinned, but I've never held a grudge against my fellow man, and I hope no grudges are held against me.'' God thinks for a second and says: "You are forgiven, my son. Come and sit at my right.''

Then God addresses Barrack. "Barrack, what do you believe in?'' He replies: "I believe you're in my chair."

Test of New Background

You may see some changes to our site over the next week or so.  We thought we might try some different backgrounds that are now available in Blogger.  The same content will always be available to you, but the coloring will be different. So please stay tuned and enjoy the subtle changes as we make them.

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG

Let me get this straight. We're going to be gifted with a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it, to be signed by a president who also hasn't read it and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke.


AUTHOR UNKNOWN

=

VIRGINIA LEADS THE WAY

"Idaho requires its attorney general to sue the feds if ObamaCare passes while Virginia, the cradle of liberty, heads the line of states in front of the federal courtroom. Somewhere Patrick Henry is smiling. As the second coming of King George III seeks to impose the leftist mandate of national health insurance on the unwilling American people, the states are once again in revolt. This time they're unwilling to be the colonies of an imperial federal government determined to spend and tax us into bankruptcy while treating the Constitution as if it were bird cage liner. Is this what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they risked being hanged by the British crown because they said we shouldn't be taxed without representation? Well, we have representation, and they care not about the people they represent. ... Not amused is Idaho, the latest state to jump into the fray last Wednesday, with Gov. C.L. 'Butch' Otter signing into law a measure requiring the state attorney general to sue the federal government if residents are forced to buy health insurance. 'The ivory tower folks will tell you, 'No, they're not going anywhere,' Otter told reporters. 'But I'll tell you what, you got 36 states; that's a critical mass. That's a constitutional mass.' Otter shares the belief that nowhere in the U.S. Constitution is a mandate to buy health insurance or anything else. ... He believes in the 10th Amendment, in states' rights as defined in the Constitution. All powers not specifically given to the federal government belong to the states and to the people. Mandating health insurance is not one of them. Some would say these states are stepping on Superman's cape, that federal law trumps state law. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says that's true only when the federal law has some basis in the Constitution and is not in itself unconstitutional." --Investor's Business Daily

I GUESS THAT'S REASONABLE

CLICK ON PHOTO

'IS' READERS CAN'T BE GUILTY

The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the presidency.

It will be easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to an electorate willing to have such a man for their president.

The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails us. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.

The republic can survive a Barack Obama. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president.”

-- Author Unknown

DID CAPITALISM TAKE A FATAL HIT

Socialism makes sheep. Not only do millions despise what just transpired in Washington, they fear the costs that will be facing the future generations and us. It has been tough enough living with our current welfare state that continues to grind down the middle class year after year. You can be sure that additional taxes necessary to float this health care balloon will weigh heavily on most of us. To realize that 216 individuals can bring a country of 300 million to this chaos is frightening. If they were Muslims I’d understand it. Most of you have saved and invested to secure a safe retirement yet Obama speaks of exacting a toll of four percent of your savings earnings each year you live, probably more than your investments can earn. After this debacle Socialism will begin to haunt you, that which took place where elected cowards dwell in the House and Senate will lead to other ways to make us all the same. If this does not affect you negatively you will be affected positively, you will gain from the loss of others. That is the nature of Socialism. If Pelosi is your heroine you have my sympathy.

Half way down from DC we have in Richmond another small elite group that decides even more issues for the entire state of Virginia, issues that take more of your salary or paycheck. And here in Suffolk we have less than a dozen devising formula to remove millions more from the wallets and purses of eighty thousand citizens unless they fall below a certain level of income. It is a very sobering thought; all three levels of government are elements of Socialism.

THE HOBSON WARS

For years we have heard complaints about Suffolk still having homes with outdoor toilet facilities. The city finally agreed and is taking action against owners by placing those buildings in bad condition on the “hit list.” Some have already been demolished in Hobson bringing other owners out in strength to demand a halt to destruction of “historic” buildings. The City insists their motive is only safety, not an attempt to merely clean up the village. One could say the residents can’t have it both ways. Mary Hill is defending the right to own historic buildings and insisting that the city allow sufficient time to restore rather than destroy “antiquity.” The city, on the other hand, has pointed out that they’ve already allowed plenty of opportunity to deal with the safety factor. Whose money would be spent for restoration is yet to be determined.

IT IS NOT AN EASY JOB

An article in the SNH caught my attention because the gentleman writer points out that young newspaper reporters get caught up in zeal and exaggeration due to innocence that comes naturally when short on experience. Young writers can be guilty of painting less than accurate pictures of a scene, an action, or when describing a person’s aura. The SNH gentleman considers himself, at 45, parallel to “an old man of the sea.” And his assumptions are correct, it takes knowledge, courage, and keen “eyesight” to see through the smoke to what is actually there. When it comes to “covering” noteworthy incidents involving allegedly important personalities a writer must be a “grumpy old man.” Cynicism is as important a tool as the pen and why we allow most all comments to “Inside Suffolk.” Anonymous Writers may have inside knowledge readers can use when forming their opinions. It is sometimes difficult for us to judge the fairness of opinion sent us, but we find transparency to be a good thing. As for the SNH writer to have PERFECTED his skills at 45 I have doubts. At 85 I carry cynicism with me at all times and am a well established gumpy old man, but I still get conned now and then.

March Madness

No – I’m not talking about basketball.  But it’s a game that Obama seems to like.  He continues to look for parliamentary tricks to save his game.  He doesn’t like to lose.

He’s been dribbling for over a year on the healthcare bill – and he hasn’t scored yet.  His center, Princess Pelosi, isn’t helping.  And Rebound Harry knows that most Americans don’t want the bill and he is on the offense.  They are now getting even more fired up to cheat the game and even remove the referees.

Obama has changed the game to one-on-one.  He’s enticing players with trips on Air Force One and promising other special favors.  He has a full-court press on the players in Congress.  We’ll watch as he picks off players one by one.  Team Obamacare is committing more than its fair share of personal fouls.  Team players are sneaking along the court looking for every point they can make.  Point guard Roving Rob Emanual continues to try to coordinate the offense for the big win – both in the locker room and in the showers.  He’s now looking for a 3-point play.  If he keeps on his current game plan, his players will continue to foul.

He’s finding it hard to make it through the human hoop of American citizens who simply don’t want some of the plays to result in a score.  But he’s persistent.  He’s looking for a free throw because he can’t make the score any other way. He’s ready to buy the game result.

March Madness is hitting us daily from our legislators in Congress.  I don’t know about you, but I want this madness to be over.

TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION

Nancy Pelosi wants a Windfall Tax on Retirement Income. In other words tax what you have made by investing toward your retirement. stock market profits (including 401K and Mutual Funds! Alas, it is true - all to help the 12 Million Illegal Immigrants and other unemployed Minorities! This woman is frightening. She actually says (quotes) ... "We need to work toward the goal of equalizing income in our country and at the same time limiting the amount the rich can invest" (didn't Marx say something like this?) When asked how these new tax dollars would be spent, she replied: "We need to raise the standard of living of our poor, unemployed and minorities. For example, we have an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in our country who need our help along with millions of unemployed minorities. Stock market windfall profits taxes could go a long way to guarantee these people the standard of living they would like to have as 'Americans'." (Read that quote again and again and let it sink in.) 'Lower your retirement, give it to others who have not worked as you have for it'. This lady is out of her mind and she is the speaker of the HOUSE .....

Between her and two ladies downtown we are broke.

WHERE TO BUILD A NEW SCHOOL

This week the Planning Commission was placed in a difficult situation. The School Board submitted an application to build a new school on Copeland road to serve the needs of Holy Neck and Whaleyville Borough residents. Seventeen sites were considered before deciding upon Copeland Road. Unfortunately no one bothered to check if the location was suitable in the City’s 2026 Comprehensive Plan. So on Tuesday afternoon after much discussion and good intentions the Planning Commissioners did the right thing and turned down the School Board’s application. They unanimously agreed that amending the Comp. plan in a haphazard manner would have undermined its importance. If there is to be a change to the plan to accommodate the school, the decision belongs with City Council. Regardless which location is chosen some of the approximately ninety students will be traveling greater distances. To save costs the site selection needs to consider the availability to water and sewer. The Copeland site will require wells drilled, water quality evaluated, drainage basins created for storm water runoff and drain fields or an expensive sewage treatment plant. The Villages of Whaleyville and Holland have water but need sewage treatment plants. Development is progressing along Route 58 faster than 13. If you were a member of the School Board where would you look?

"IS" Team Deme Panagopolus ME

ALWAYS A REASON TO SPEND

"Increased financial responsibilities include the King’s Fork Public Safety Center, additional police officers and dispatchers needed for public safety, increased local costs at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail, technology upgrades and other needed funds, according to Seward."

"Fire Chief Mark Outlaw and Police Chief Thomas Bennett asked for additional firefighters and police officers, as well as replacements for old emergency response vehicles."

“The police fleet is getting a little long in the tooth,” Bennett said. Twelve vehicles in the police department’s fleet have more than 130,000 miles, which is a maximum recommendation for mileage, Bennett said."

"On the fire department side, Outlaw stressed the need for additional vehicles, noting that some fire trucks are approaching 20 years of use on the front lines. Under ideal conditions, a fire vehicle would be used only 10 years on the front lines and 10 years as a backup."

Uh,,,listen just a minute fellows. Pretend the city is out of money, that most of us are over-assessed and taxed, and that we like to eat. See if you can make do for a little while. That new setup on Kings Fork wasn't exactly necessary but it does blend well with the overpriced school next door. Try hard, you can do it.