Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Final post for 2008

Hey, this is the final post in 2008 for Jumping in pools.

a couple random thoughts:

For all the talk about liberal judges being "judicial activists", why doesn't anyone talk about conservatives being activist judges? To me, DC vs. Heller and Bush vs. Gore were pretty activist. The former striking down a DC handguns law and the latter deciding the 2000 election.

For all the place New Year's Day has had in college football, the day has lost its luster lately in College football. The BCS National Championship is not until January 8th and the freaking GMAC Bowl between Ball State and Tulsa in Mobile, Alabama is on January 6th.

Lastly, Happy New Year and have a good 2009.


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The voting has just begun!

Note : the following post is mainly directed towards Republicans.

My fellow Republicans, a few Conservative Republicans created a website for us the base of the party to share our thoughts on the upcoming RNC chairman election,
http://www.chooseyourchairman.com/
I believe we should all share our opinion on this subject, as anyone of these candidates could become the next chairman of the RNC, I personally voted for Chip Saltsman, and I encourage all Republicans who voted in this poll to post whom you voted for in the comment section of this post.

Thanks, have a great New Years!

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The Gilboa Dam

As everyone is well aware, the Gilboa Dam has been making headlines as of recent. Among the papers which have held the story is, of course, our own Times Journal, the Daily Star, the Times Union, and the New York Times. But, other than knowing the dam is etcetera years old, few people are privy to the history of the dam.

The hamlet of old Gilboa was founded March 16, 1848. Through it’s history of seventy years, it would contain an ice cream parlor, a tannery, a creamery, a foundry, a tinsmith, a blacksmith, a cotton mill, and a grist mill. Furthermore, it held two hotels, three churches, and a two-roomed schoolhouse. Before the dam was constructed, Gilboa was a trade center for southern Schoharie County.

Now, the proposal for a dam to serve New York City was not a new idea. Actually, a bill was proposed in 1906, then again in 1912, for the construction of a dam in Schoharie County. Both were rejected. But between 1912 and 1916, the Schoharie Creek was found to have a creek bed of solid rock, so when a bill was proposed in 1916, the state authorized the construction of the Prattsville Dam, which was subsequently changed to the Gilboa Dam.

Old Gilboa was doomed. The state set up three commisions to condemn buildings, the first of which was a church. The moving of people and the condemning of buildings did not happen instantly. Rather, people were allowed to stay in their homes for a few years after construction began, but it was evident that in a short amount of time, they would have to move.

As construction continued, workers took residence nearby, and stone quarries were opened. Bodies and tombstones were placed at different locations, obviously they didn’t want dead bodies floating in their water supply. Tunnels were constructed to take the water to New York City. In 1927, construction of the dam was finished, and water first went over the top of the dam on October 20, 1927.

Now it has come to today. For 78 years the state has done nothing to the dam, and for 78 years the dam has been eroding. Not that the state hasn’t noticed the old dam. Actually the state had plans to strengthen the dam... in 2010. But this was before the New York City Department of Environment Protection said it was “concerned with the integrity” of the Gilboa Dam. Now there are plans to drill holes in the dam, and reinforce it with steel cables, which will strengthen the dam until it is redone. If the dam was to break, parts of Esperance, Central Bridge, Schoharie, Middleburgh, Fulton, Breakabeen, Broome, North Blenheim, Conesville, and Gilboa would be flooded. This is according to the map given in the November 16th issue of the Times Journal.

Since the story first broke in October, the state’s been going crazy to calm citizens, holding meetings, making evacuation “plans” for the citizens effected, and the state has even set up a website dedicated to the dam. The address of which is www.gilboadam.info. In November the mayors of Schoharie, Middleburgh, and Esperance sent letters to state representatives, including Hillary Clinton. The letters ask for an assessment of the dam, and what repairs are needed.

Little real action has been taken, and the main thing we can do is hope and pray that the Gilboa Dam stays strong and faithful, until it can be redone.

Bibliography

1. David Avitabile. “Dam Concerns Grow”. Times Journal. November 16, 2005.

2. Lester E. Hendrix. The Sloughters’ History of Schoharie County. April, 1994.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Quote of the Day-- December 30, 2008

Saw an American, four Big Macs,
stuck 'em in his face and that's a fact.
Oh yeeeeeah, uh-huuuuuuh, oh yeeeeeah, uh-huuuuuuh.
Well, I got a burrito at Taco Bell,
I'll eat it 'til I pop, come Heaven or Hell.
Oh yeeeeeah, uh-huuuuuuh, oh yeeeeeah, uh-huuuuuuh
Well, I am an American, I super-size,
yes, I'll have another 10-pound box of fries.
oh yeeeeeah, uh-huuuuuuh, oh yeeeeeah, uh-huuuuuuh
All Americans are big fat hogs,
they eat a Big Mac and shoot out a log.
Oh yeeeeeah, uh-huuuuuuh, oh yeeeeeah, uh-huuuuuuh


-- Raj Fahneen and his son

Nader in Albany


Monday, December 29, 2008

Ousting Neary

After years of being the Mayor of Richmondville, causing many controversies, and pissing off a majority time and time again ( and for some reason being re-elected time and time again), Mayor Neary's reign over Richmondville is coming to an end, talking to the average everyday citizen I feel a movement of finally voting Neary out of the office of Mayor. The question that is haunting some people such as myself is :

Who, on the Republican side can face him and win?

Surely Carl Warner Jr. has a good shot, as he nearly beat Neary 4 years ago.

Dick Lape is well known Republican who could win.

Councilmen Bilby perhaps?

The list goes on and on, but this is my advice to the Schoharie County Republican party :

Find a man that is well known, and respected in Richmondville, launch a respectful but at times attack filled campaign against Mr.Neary, expose his faults as Mayor of Richmondville, how he has not always done the best for the town, among other things.

All I can say is, goodluck to the GOP candidate for Mayor of Richmondville.

P.S.

Whoever is brave enough to run for Mayor of Richmondville, must have a strong heart and a lot of knowledge with village affairs.



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Quote of the Day-- December 29, 2008

She has not won a case yet for me and we've sued, probably, in the last three years... several hundred people, but this one-- gosh, I feel so good about it.

--
Steve Bozell

Revolution Comes to the Valley


Sunday, December 28, 2008

Quote of the Day-- December 28, 2008

It looks like someone set her face on fire and put it out with a track shoe.

-- David G. Hall

Global Warming Dooming Us All

Now, me and Mike are environmentalist Republicans, supporters of windmills, biofuels, hydro power, and nuclear power. However, I have to say that this is perhaps too far--

So here's some things that we're going to die from. A lot of direct pasting, but I think it's worth it:

1. Cannibalism

In April, media mogul Ted Turner told PBS's Charlie Rose that global warming would make the world 8 degrees hotter in 30 or 40 years. "Civilization will have broken down. The few people left will be living in a failed state, like Somalia or Sudan, and living conditions will be intolerable," he said.

Turner blamed global warming on overpopulation, saying "too many people are using too much stuff."

Crops won't grow and "most of the people will have died and the rest of us will be cannibals," Turner said.

2. The Death of the Loch Ness Monster

In February, Scotland's Daily Mirror reported that 85-year-old American Robert Rines would be giving up his quest for Scotland's most famous underwater denizen.

A World War II veteran, Rines has spent 37 years hunting for Nessie with sonar equipment. In 2008, "despite having hundreds of sonar contacts over the years, the trail has since gone cold and Rines believes that Nessie may be dead, a victim of global warming."

3. Beer Gets More Expensive

In April, the Associated Press reported that global warming was going to hit beer drinkers in the wallet because the cost of barley would increase, driving up the price of a pint.

Jim Salinger, a climate scientist at New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, said Australia would be particularly hard hit as droughts caused a decline in malting barley production in parts of New Zealand and Australia. "It will mean either there will be pubs without beer or the cost of beer will go up," Salinger said at a beer brewer's convention, the AP reported.

4. Pythons Take Over America

Giant Burmese pythons – big enough to eat alligators and deer in a single mouthful – will be capable of living in one-third of continental U.S. as global warming makes more of the country hospitable to the cold-blooded predators, according to an April report from USAToday.com.

The U.S. Geological Survey and the Fish and Wildlife Service investigated the spread of "invasive snakes," like the pythons, brought to the U.S. as pets. The Burmese pythons' potential American habitat would expand by 2100, according to global warming models, the paper reported.

"We were surprised by the map. It was bigger than we thought it was going to be," says Gordon Rodda, zoologist and lead project researcher, told USAToday.com. "They are moving northward, there's no question."

5. Kidney Stones

A University of Texas study said global warming will cause an increase in kidney stones over the next 30 years, the Globe and Mail reported in July.

Scientists predict that higher temperatures will lead to more dehydration and therefore to more kidney stones. "This will come and get you in your home," said Dr. Tom Brikowski, lead researcher and an associate professor at the University of Texas at Dallas. "It will make life just uncomfortable enough that maybe people will slow down and think what they're doing to the climate."

6. Skinny Whales

Japanese scientists, who have claimed that the country's controversial whaling program is all in the name of science, said in August that if they hadn't been going around killing whales, they never would have discovered that the creatures were significantly skinnier than whales killed in the late 1980s, the Guardian reported in August.

The researchers said the study was the first evidence that global warming was harming whales by restricting their food supplies. As water warmed around the Antarctic Peninsula, the krill population shrank by 80 percent as sea ice declined, eliminating much of the preferred food of the minke whale.

The whales studied had lost the same amount of blubber as they would have by starving for 36 days, but the global warming connection couldn't be proven because no krill measurements are taken in different regions.

7. Shark Attacks

A surge in fatal shark attacks was the handiwork of global warming, according to a report in the Guardian in May.

George Burgess of Florida University, a shark expert that maintains an attack database, told the Guardian that shark attacks were caused by human activity. "As the population continues to rise, so does the number of people in the water for recreation. And as long as we have an increase in human hours in the water, we will have an increase in shark bites," he said.

Shark attacks could also be the result of global warming and rising sea temperatures, the Guardian said. "You'll find that some species will begin to appear in places they didn't in the past with some regularity," Burgess said.

8. Black Hawk Down

Although it happened in 1993, the crash of a U.S. military helicopter in Mogadishu that became the film "Black Hawk Down" was blamed on global warming by a Massachusetts congressman in 2008.

"In Somalia back in 1993, climate change, according to 11 three- and four-star generals, resulted in a drought which led to famine,” Rep. Edward Markey told a group of students who had come to the Capitol to discuss global warming, according to CNSNews.com. "That famine translated to international aid we sent in to Somalia, which then led to the U.S. having to send in forces to separate all the groups that were fighting over the aid, which led to Black Hawk Down."

9. Frozen Penguin Babies

Penguin babies, whose water-repellant feathers had not grown in yet, froze to death after torrential rains, National Geographic reported in July.

"Many, many, many of them—thousands of them—were dying," explorer Jon Bowermaster told National Geographic. Witnessing the mass penguin death "painted a clear and grim picture" of global warming.

"It's not just melting ice," Bowermaster said. "It's actually killing these cute little birds that are so popular in the movies."

10. Killer Stingray Invasion

Global warming is going to drive killer stingrays, like the one that killed Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, to the shores of Britain after a 5-foot -long marbled stingray was captured by fishermen, the Daily Mail reported in June.

A single touch can zap a man with enough electricity to kill, the Mail said, and global warming is bringing the Mediterranean killers north.

"Rising sea temperatures may well have brought an influx of warm water visitors," sea life curator Alex Gerrard told the Mail. "Where there's one electric ray, it's quite likely that there are more."

How about that?

Saturday, December 27, 2008

One Year Anniversary

Although her death is lost in the headlines today, December 27, 2008 marks the one year anniversary of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Bhutto was running, and polls showed that she was winning, in the Pakistani General Election before her death. Her assassination must be remembered, but is forgotten by the masses.

Benazir Bhutto: June 21, 1953 - December 27, 2007

Book Review: Jailbird


Recently I was lucky enough to read Jailbird by Kurt Vonnegut. Yes, the book is 30 years old, but I'd still like to review it for our clamoring fans.

Jailbird was to-the-point, with a lot of neat surprises, laid out in an interesting manner. The book didn't drag on like Breakfast of Champions but wasn't as funny as some of Vonnegut's work. Kilgore Trout was in this one, too, with some of his fantastic works of science fiction.

I enjoyed reading this book and got it done in a couple of days. I would suggest it for reading or as a gift.

Quote of the Day-- December 27, 2008

Oh, no, not the face, Phil. I have a photo shoot for Campbell's Soup this afternoon!

-- Sir Budward Dickman

Friday, December 26, 2008

Times Journal Star?

Not sure how many of the readers of this blog read the local newspaper, the Times Journal - www.timesjournalonline.com , but they are holding a yearly award contest they have held for years, asking who is the star of Schoharie County for this specific year? Previous winners include Kevin Neary, I am not sure who will win this year, but it will most likely be one worthy of it.
Announcement will be Decemeber 31st, I can't wait to read it.

Merry Christmas, and have a Happy New Year to all.




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Merry Christmas from Fail Blog

fail owned pwned pictures
see more pwn and owned pictures

Merry Christmas

Quote of the Day-- December 26, 2008

Alright cadet, you will kiss the gunner's daughter, Take him below for the makings.

--Harvey Wireman

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Quote of the Day-- December 25, 2008

Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home.

--Carol Nelson

The History of Middleburgh

Middleburgh is where Conrad Weiser, and his followers, decided to settle. Upon arguments over land, Weiser left Middleburgh and resettled in Pennsylvania in 1722. Mr. Weiser died there. His daughter, Anna Maria, married Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg, the founder of the Lutheran church in America.

John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, Henry’s son, accomplished many things in his life. In 1774, he was elected to the House of Burgesses, and in 1775, he became a colonel. In fact, after he concluded a sermon in favor of the Revolution, he got almost three hundred men to enlist under his command, that very day. Mr. Muhlenberg fought in the battle of Charleston, and in 1777, was promoted to Brigadier-General. Soon afterwards, he joined Washington’s army , and was with his army until 1779. As the war closed, Muhlenberg was a Major-General. In 1801, he was elected a Senator, and was appointed supervisor of the internal revenue of Pennsylvania. He died on his birthday, October 1, 1807.

John Conrad Weiser Jr. succeeded his father as an Indian interpreter. John Jr. Worked for the government for some years, and even traveled with George Washington. Washington and Weiser were such good friends that Washington even visited his grave, even though it was many miles out of his way.

When the Palatines arrived to the valley, there were a small amount of Indians, Mohegans to be exact, living near the stream. These Indians gave the Palatines shelter, and helped them survive. As time went on, and the more there were whites, these Indians disappeared.

Between 1722 and 1775, the forest was cut down, and crops were grown. Also within this time period, houses were built, barns were constructed, and prosperity reigned. In 1732, the Reformed Dutch Church was built, and it stood until it was burned down by Johnson and Brant in 1780. In 1785, construction of a new church commenced, and in 1787, it was completed. In the meantime, services were held in the Middle Fort. Other churches in the area included, the Lutheran Church, Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, and the True Reformed Church. The book gives detailed information on the positions held in the churches. “Stewards” of the Lutheran Church included two Vromans.

The Middle Fort was originally a wing of Johannes Becker’s mansion, which was sealed with wood and metal. In 1777, the property became a three acre fortress that accommodated the local farmers and the militia. In the fort were also cannons and an oven to serve the town.

Johnson and Brant came to raid the Schoharie Valley in 1780. Their forces attacked the Middle Fort on October 17. Patriots who fought in the battle included Tim Murphy, Colonel Vroman, and Nicholas Sloughter. Even though powder was low the patriots still drove back the Indians and Tories.

When Johnson’s truce-flag approached the fort, Martinus Zielie fired on Major Woolsey’s flag, under Tim Murphy’s order. The second time the flag approached, Murphy fired at it. Also next to Tim Murphy was David Elerson.

The Zielie family came from Holland to the Schoharie Valley before 1732, the exact date is unknown. The Zielies married into the Vroman family in 1724, when David Zielie married Engeltie Vroman.

The Borsts came to the valley in 1713, or 1714. Peter Borst built a grist mill before the Revolution, which stood until 1795.

Thomas and Cornelius Eckerson came to the Schoharie Valley around 1725. Some of the Eckerson family changed their names to Ecker or Acker. The Eckersons built a mill that was burned by the British in 1780, along with much of the valley.

Hartman’s Dorf was settled in 1713 and contained around sixty five houses. Planted there was the Schoharie Valley’s first apple trees. Lambert Sternbergh, the first man to plant wheat in the valley, came from this valley.

The Richtmyer family came from Germany in 1745. They were intense patriots in the Revolution, and they tried to aid the Colonies whenever they could. Christian Richtmyer was a friend of Tim Murphy’s. Richtmyer also served as a spy in the battle of Saratoga.

After the Revolution, Middleburgh was rebuilt using new technology. J. M. Scribner bought or built three mills. John Hinman made the first threshing machines in the county. In 1813, construction of a new bridge was started, and completed in 1819. Zodac Pratt made one of the largest tanneries in the state, and thanks to this tannery, the hamlet of Prattsville sprung up. George Danfort built another tannery in West Middleburgh. A prominent man born in Middleburgh was Abraham Keyser, who served as a sheriff, an assemblyman, and a state treasurer.

The First National Bank was founded in 1880, with a treasury of $50,000. Port Stanton was named after a soldier that was mortally wounded at Bull Run. In the lists given about the bank, names like Becker and Danforth show up.

Lands around Schoharie were named after Governor Hunter. Thus we get the name “Huntersfield”, but, obviously, later on it’s name was changed to Huntersland. A large portion of this land was bought by Johannes Lawyer in 1768.

On this that stood out to me this entire chapter is that it seemed like everyone knew everyone else. These people must have been really popular.

Merry Christmas

Hopefully you snuggle close to your family this cold winter morning and open dreams underneath your tree. As the day continues, you and your family will create memories that only you can share. Together you will eat and together you will love life. If you are older and by yourself, take a moment and reminisce about the finer days of past Christmases. Remember the joy you felt as you sat next to your Christmas tree, excitedly opening gifts that hold your greatest Christmas wishes inside.

So as you sit opening gifts, either by yourself or with your family, enjoy yourself. And have a very Merry Christmas.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Predictions FROM the future

My predictions, which I predict, after the predictions are made will prove to be 100% predictions for predicting the future.

January 1 2010 :
Gas price - $3.67
Oil per barrel - $124
Jumping in Pools readership - 234
Obama approval rating - 45%
Iran has bomb - Yes.
Isreal attacks Iran - no, but will soon.
Mjor Obama scandal (already have had one concearning his chief of staff) - personal scandal - no, scandal involving country - its possible.
Osama dead? - No.
Atlanta Braves 2009 record - 79-83
World series champ 2009 - Redsox
Super Bowl Champs - Someone, not the Bears though!

Number of fist fights at Richmondville town meetings of any sort - 4
Mayor Neary re-elected in 2009 - Nope.
How many governorships won by Republicans in 2009 - Just one, in New Jersey, the other governorship will be won by a Democrat in Virginia, sadly.

My predictions.


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All I Want for Christmas...

Merry Christmas Eve everybody:



From our friends at YouTube and FAIL Blog.

Predictions for the Future

Hey, everybody

I want to start an annual tradition at Jumping in Pools. I'd like each of our writers to try and predict some things. Feel free to use the things I am, and also add some more. Just try and get it done by January 1. Feel free to comment any predictions, too.

January 1, 2010

Price of gas-- $3.09
Oil/Barrel-- $91
Dow Industrials-- 9,071
Gold/oz.-- $1020
Silver/oz-- $13.10
Jumping in Pools daily readership average-- 120
President Obama Approval-- 53%
Iran has bomb-- No, but close
Israel strikes Iran-- Yes
Major Obama scandal-- No
OBL Dead/Captured-- Yes
Mets 2009 Record-- 84-78
World Series Champs-- New York Yankees
Super Bowl Champs-- Chicago Bears

Quote of the Day-- December 24, 2008

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.

--Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Yanks Nab AL East with Teixeira

As I'm sure just about everyone in North America has heard by now, the Yankees made history by signing Mark Teixeira to a massive 8-year $180 million deal. This tremendous deal may be too much for the guy, but it cements another dangerous bat in the lineup. In addition, the Yankees gain a good fielder and prevent him from going to the Angels.

With Sabathia and Burnett in the rotation, the Yankees have essentially created a lock on the AL East in 2009. Only one more piece could be necessary to cement it. With Manny Ramirez and Ben Sheets still on the market, the Yanks picking up either would further bolster the team. Their lineup still lacks a little power, and Ramirez in the lineup would provide both power and contact. Unfortunately, Manny's immense ego and drama may get in the way of winning games. Not to mention a possible clash of personalities between him and A-Rod.

First, the Yankees must remember that pitching is the foundation of a great team. They've signed two of the best starters in the game today but should shore up the rest of the rotation. Wang could be hurt and Chamberlain is a question mark. Either re-signing Pettitte or signing the injury-prone Sheets could provide some comfort.

But the Red Sox need to be wary. There's a new (old) team in town.

Congressman from California attacking first amendment.

Its been ongoing for years, the Democrats have been attacking the Constitution at almost every aspect possible, gun rights, freedom of religion, state rights, 8th amendment, etc. etc. etc. But this time a little known Congresswoman from California is suggestion that we bring back the "fairness doctrine" which is in short a "censorship doctrine" that would force talk radio to showcase both viewpoints, hitting Conservative radio hard, and perhaps destroying talk radio alltogether (remember Liberal talk radio has been tried several times, and failed miserbly).
But, she also wants to attack freedom of speech on television!

Stories :

http://sfppc.blogspot.com/2008/12/rep-eshoo-to-push-for-fairness-doctrine.html
http://www.redstate.com/moe_lane/2008/12/17/rep-anna-eshoo-d-d-d-ca-14-is-an-idiot/
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=84278

My personal view is this :

Newspapers, television, movies, pretty much everything has a leftist slant in it, in which Republicans are constantly attacked, Democrats are praised, and the Constitution means nothing. Talk radio & the Internet are the true bastions of Conservatism, and if they attack one they will attack the other, as one that loves the Constitution this is wrong, illegal, Un-american, and un-Constitutional.

Hopefully enough email her, or else.......there goes freedom.

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Quote of the Day-- December 23, 2008

I only care about the child who's on that one single crutch, trying to hobble out of the way of an American smart bomb whose destructive radius is several miles. There's no way. The child could have hobbled for a half-hour and still would be incinerated.

-- Dean Wheeler

Monday, December 22, 2008

Obama is Osama? Maybe if You're Mentally Retarded

Now, I like listening to conspiracy theories, but this one is too over the top for me. Some extreme parts of the Right have been talking about Obama being a Muslim, or not being born here, or blah blah blah.

But this one goes too far.



Give me a break. As Borat said, "Mental or physical?"

Iraq Celebrating Christmas

An absolutely wonderful piece from World Threats. A Christmas Miracle!

Yes, Iraq, a thoroughly Muslim nation, is marking Christmas. This is the first Christmas celebration in the nation’s history and shows a clear contrast with Iraq’s recent history. Despite Saddam’s “secular” regime, such a celebration would have been unimaginable in 2002. Before the Surge, any similar event would have been shot or blown up. Something like this is a true show of solidarity, even if it was sponsored by the government.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Quote of the Day-- December 22, 2008

I have at least my own filing cabinet at the National Institute of Health, psychology division.

-- Herb Sewell

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Obama Getting on the Job Training

I was reading an article on World Threats about President-Elect Barack Obama impressing the intelligence community due to him being a 'quick study' and interested in topics at hand. This got me interested in how the reports come out.

From: Langley, VA
To: Quantico, VA
DECLASSIFIED
Intelligence Briefing-- December 21, 2008
President-Elect Obama

The first briefing of the day was about the situation in the Middle East. After a two-hour lecture on the status of the Shi'ite-Sunni fracture points, Mr. Obama clearly stated: "I heard of Iraq-- that's where the Arabs live."

After this briefing was a slideshow on the status of oil exports in the near future. The intelligence presented was in clear opposition to the President-Elect's five-year-plan to run cars on "hope."

The final presentation on Iran's nuclear program was cut short as the President-Elect demanded chicken noodle soup and for his grilled cheese sandwich to be cut diagonally, not horizontally. "I, uh, want my soup to be, uh, Campbells!" he was reported to have shrieked.

Next week Mr. Obama will be administered a sixth-grade geography tests. Real progress has been made, as now he identifies Russia by its name and not as "the big purple place." In addition, he can now name three countries in Europe.

While these incidences may seem poor for a Senator-to-President, they lag compared to past events. For example, when President Bush ordered strikes on "Islamstan." Another example is when President Carter demanded that the United States not support the Shah of Iran because he was "ugly."

At least five more years of these briefings will be required before President Obama achieves high-school level competency in basic geography and recent world history. And, no, to answer his question, he doesn't get points for being popular.

Santa Dreidel















Happy Hanukkah.

This picture is from our friends at FailBlog.

Quote of the Day-- December 21, 2008

I hear some people say "Some of my friends are black," "Some of my friends are Jewish," Well, some of my friends are serial murderers.

--
Herb Sewell

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Quote of the Day-- December 20, 2008

You don't put a Chinaman in front of a Korean War Veteran and expect him to stay calm and collected.

--
Lloyd Bonafide

Friday, December 19, 2008

Quote of the Day-- December 19, 2008

I'm Ted Bell. And you go straight to the place where the Devil lives and has sex and makes little Devils.

--
Ted Bell

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Other option to wind.

Well, since the pools are frozen, its time to debate.

Issue in question : wind turbines.

May I please note, I am a Conservative Republican, I am against wind turbines because they have not been proven to work for the effective means "wind supporters" claim they can perform, but in reality (and wind tycoon T.Boone Pickens backs me up on this) wind technology is 10-20 years away from its full potential, why put money into something that is unproven, expensive, and when there is at least one other good option.

Other option? :

Hydro-electricity - the energy source of our country ancestry years ago.

We are full of streams, creeks, rivers, dams, etc. Put some hydro-electric techno under the water, you will see instant results, as through out the entire year, except for maybe a dry spell for one month, free-energy will be provided to the citizens of this fair country, Gilboa is considering this. Investing in wind is an insult to injury, and in tough economic times we need to invest money in PROVEN resources.

As for the national level, I argue for across the board drilling, as we need to get our hands on the billions upon trillions of gallons of oil, tons of coal, and God knows how much natural gas.

Wind energy is a gamble, and this is not Vegas, we need smart spending by our local towns, not risky voting. And with the current board in R'Ville - it will most likely pass a pro-wind measure, this would be a horrible investment.

Wind energy not an eye sore, but an financial sore.

Authors note : also if anyone comes in with wind, we need to tax them like everyone else, perhaps we can take the burden off of local citizens, as lets remember - wind turbines would bring no jobs, thus they deserve no tax incentive.

And Matt, I love debating you.




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Windmills Would be an Asset for the County

Over the last couple of years there's been a lot of talk about the possibility of massive wind turbines being built in the area. Between Schoharie and Otsego Counties is one of the richest wind environments in the state. Talk about windmills in Cherry Valley has started again, and hopefully this time it will go through. Unfortunately, it was the urbane democrats of the area which killed the discussion before, despite the majority of the town board supporting the wind turbines, along with local republicans.

Which brings us to our area. Near Madison, NY, there are wind farms in Madison and Fenner. In Madison, there are seven wind turbines which generate electricity for thousands of homes. The operators of the turbines also pay for a quarter of the school budget and a significant portion of the town budget. In Fenner, twenty windmills are on local farms, taking up little space and providing even more power for civilian purposes.

In Tug Hill, 195 windmills provide about 2% of New York State's electricity needs, and pay a handsome amount annually to each of the local towns. These windmills are quiet, having been under one-- touching it in fact. This was while the turbine was turning rapidly.

Sure, the windmills are only effective 20% of the time. However, most of the time, they do not require personnel on site. 20% of the time is still impressive, considering that even with this limited capacity, they still provide relatively large amounts of clean energy. Every windmill that is constructed is one less megawatt of power generated from oil or coal. When the windmills are not in service, the rest of the grid is easily able to compensate for the lack of energy. Any excess energy can be fed back into the grid, causing other energy sources to cut back on production.

As a local official, I would welcome and encourage wind farms in the area. Last year I attended a meeting of the Town of Fulton board and threw my support behind Phil Scowfoe's plan for wind turbines. These turbines will be able to pay a large portion of our local taxes through PILOT programs and will also decrease our energy prices. In Cherry Valley, the company which was to run the windmills offered the residents 25% off of their electricity costs, in addition to paying through PILOT programs. The incentives for putting in the windmills will cut our government overhead costs, further benefiting taxpayers. With school costs rising, any windmill benefits would slow or temporarily halt the rise in school taxes.

My family has went out of our way to visit all three windfarms, with Madison being visited probably 10 times. The windmills would become a minor sightseeing site and would bring in a few onlookers a day. Ten people per day in the summer coming from Albany to gawk at the windmills could inject hundreds of dollars per day into our local economy, which alone would be a nice jolt.

Windmills are not perfect. However, they're the closest thing we have to perfect for now.

Richmondville and the Wind issue

Politics in Richmondville New York, is brutal, well put, simply said, why I would ever want to run for a trustee position in this town is comparable to suicide, but I believe I can make a difference, as for the biggest political issue in Richmondville history :
The wind turbine issue
I have the following to say :
I am against wind turbines in Richmondville for different reasons then most, I am not concerned with the effect it will have on the environment, I am in favor of drilling all around the country for the last drop of oil we can get, I am against it because it has never been a proven energy source, the problem with wind energy is :
When its not windy, the turbines shut off, currently there is no major storage system for the energy it could potentially produce, in some areas such as the open plains or the ocean this is a brilliant idea, but in Richmondville New York? Its suicide of wasting town funds on a un-proven energy source, as well as bringing about the entire town screaming at you every minute of the day.
I have made this proposal before in a Letter to the Editor in the Times Journal, Richmondville has enough creeks and streams, and they have been used before, to do hyrdo-electricity, it would make us even more Independent, and it would end this entire "wind debate".

Until next time,

Timothy Knight

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Quote of the Day-- December 18, 2008

Do you super-size?

--Raj Fahneen

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Disgusting-- SNL Mocks Paterson

Maybe you've heard about the SNL skit about Gov. Paterson of New York State. If not, it's at YouTube.

Making fun of a politician who stole from his constituents: funny. Making fun of a Senator who is ignorant of facts: funny. Making fun of a blind man: not funny. Seriously, I know that Saturday Night Live sucks now, but does it need to scrap the bottom of the barrel on this? Make fun of Patterson's policies, don't make fun of an affliction he can't help.



Quote of the Day-- December 17, 2008

Bud: (Couldn't make out first part of speech), Mr. Sewer.
Herb: The name is Sewell, young man, Sewell, not Sewer. Is that the retard that you employed?
Phil: That-- that's Bud, yes.
Bud: What'd he call me?
Phil: Nothing.
Herb: I don't like talking to it. I just want to talk to you, I don't want to talk to it.
Phil: Alright, Bud, go-- outta here.
Bud: Thanks, Mr. Sewer!
Herb: Oh! You know, I-- I-- Walter Bellhaven has asked me-- he'd like to kill again, but he doesn't know if there's anything left worth killing and if I could get that kid's address...

--
Phil Hendrie

Breaking-- Biden's Haircut Exposed

We don't mean to sound alarmist, but it appears that Vice President-Elect Joe Biden (D-DE) has apparently stolen his hairstyle from Tom Hanks' character in the Da Vinci Code.

Need proof?


Will Rate Cut Cause Inflation?

Of course if you took macroeconomics, the answer is yes... but there are a lot of factors at play.

1. The Fed will cut rates near 0%. This will undoubtedly increase the money supply and the liquidity of the markets. After the September 11th attacks, the Fed lowered rates to 1% and it spurred the housing boom... which led to the housing bust.

2. We're pumping in at least $700,000,000,000 into the economy. Considering our GDP is only about $11 trillion a year, this is a huge investment. This also increases the money supply and the availability of cash and credit.

3. Gas prices have dropped dramatically in the last couple of months. While this is good, all of the extra money that would have went in the gas tank is instead either being saved or being spent on consumer goods. That extra money being spent is being pumped into the economy, also increasing the money supply.

Naturally, these factors will help spur economic growth, which is also a good thing. However, when the economy begins to hum again, this excess money will still be floating around. Coupled with increased spending by a resurgent economy, this could cause severe inflation. Not to mention if gas prices again shoot to $4 a gallon. And if the economy is going well, state and the federal government may also dramatically increase spending. All of these factors could push inflation over 7% by 2011.

Yes, I took macroeconomics.

Turkmenbashi Forgotten


I don't know if you follow Central Asian politics, but the former dictator of Turkmenistan was an interesting guy. Supurat Niyazov became dictator after the fall of the Soviet Union. He promptly declared himself a god and exercised full control over the country. Raised an orphan, he changed his name to Turkmenbashi, or Father of the Turkmen. He even had a massive statue of himself built in the capital. His book was required reading everywhere and was considered sacred. He renamed the days of the week and cities to his own name.

He was so highly thought of that when he died a couple of years ago, it was totally unexpected. The dictatorship remained and his influence did too. However, it's being reported that Turkmenbashi's name has been removed from the country's national anthem. So begins the long healing from Turkmenbashi's reign:
Where the first line of the chorus of the previous version said "The great creation of Turkmenbashi" the new version says "The great creation of (my) people."
The change is part of President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov's campaign to expunge the legacy of Niyazov's 21-year ironfisted rule during which he surrounded himself with an elaborate personality cult.

Berdymukhamedov already has reversed other policies of Niyazov, who died in 2006, such as renaming months after his relatives, banning opera and closing hospitals everywhere, except in the capital Ashgabat.

PHOTO CREDIT for second photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/begemot

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Bryan Pisano Strikes Again

It appears that former MCS schoolteacher Bryan Pisano has landed another role in Hollywood. This time it's in the movie Where's Tuesday Monday?, slated to air next year. This current film is in production, and Mr. Pisano is filling the role of D.A. Hawkins.

It appears that this is an indie film, but I hope it gets picked up by some big conglomerate. At this rate, Pisano could become more famous than Gary Hayes.

Good job, Mr. Pisano. Wish you well.

Phils May Have Taken the NL East Back

Despite the Mets acquiring K-Rod to become their new closer, the Phillies may have beaten the Mets to the punch, signing Raul Ibanez as a new outfielder. The Phillies already have the core to a winning team, and this signing goes to reinforce this. With Ibanez hitting behind Howard, the lineup becomes more formidable and balanced. With a hitter who can hit for average, power, or both, the Phillies are able to increase strategies and not worry as much about the lower part of their lineup.

Even as a Met fan, I have to say that the team still is damaged. They still need a second baseman and left field is up in the air. Even with Putz and K-Rod, the bullpen is still in danger. The Mets should look at other options, especially a left-handed reliever who can pitch more than a third of an inning.

If the Mets can't add to their bullpen and at least patch up one of their field positions, they're looking at the Phillies winning the NL East again.

Myth about the "bailout"

There is the myth that is making its rounds through Democrat and some Republican ranks, that if we do not bailout the big three (which is now the big two) millions will lose their jobs, and international companies will invade the United States, forever ruining America. This is complete fallacy, applying for chapter 11 does not mean you lay off millions of workers, it means you regroup the company! Which is the smartest road for all of these bailed out companies, they need to do the following :
Lower wages, get rid of the unions.
Stop following these green-regulations, and start making cars people want.
Start expanding to different areas of the country, where tax rates are cheaper.

The north is a death sentence for most business, the south is an area of low taxes, cheap everything, and no unions.

The myth that millions will lose their jobs because of Chapter 11 is idiotic, we don't need more socialistic bullcrap, we need FREE-MARKET CAPITALISM!

- Timothy K.

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Quote of the Day-- December 16, 2008

When she was getting shoved from that car, she was still talking. I can still see her falling backwards on to the freeway and her mouth still moving on about some house she saw in, uh, La Cañada.

-- Herb Sewell

Funny


Just thought this picture was funny. I doubt that this is a real picture, but at least it should make you laugh.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Another Albanian Triumph: Religious Freedom


Anyone who has been reading this blog has known that we take a very pro-Albanian slant. None of our writers (to my knowledge) are Albanian, but we take pride in the insightful and pro-American policies and attitudes of Albania and Kosovo.

So I was fortunate enough to stumble upon an article by Michael Totten, who is linked on our blogroll. He writes about his experiences in the newly-independent nations of Kosovo. This nation is Muslim, but along with Albania, Georgia, and Kurdistan, is fervently pro-American.

Totten writes about the very small portion of this Muslim nation that is fundamentalist and the majority of the people who are secular:
Wahhabis are encountering resistance from Kosovo’s religious community as well as from its atheists and agnostics. “We are working very hard to stop these kinds of movements,” says Hamiti. “These kinds of movements are dangerous for all nations, for the faiths, for all religions. The traditional Islam that has been cultivated in these areas is the best guarantee for the future. If we allow foreigners to come here and to push us to war with their ideas, then the situation will be out of our control."

And to make it better, Kosovars are incredibly pro-American:

In 2004, a Gallup survey measured popular opinion of U.S. foreign policy around the world. Only ten countries rated American foreign policy favorably, and among those, Kosovo scored highest, registering 88 percent approval. When one ethnic Albanian I met happened to make the uncontroversial statement that Kosovo was a European country, another broke in. “We aren’t European,” she corrected. “We’re American."

And this article has perhaps the best interchange I've read in a while:

“Americans are our best friends in the world,” a waiter said to me at one of Pristina’s finest restaurants. “The U.K. is second.”

“Thank you,” I said. “We appreciate that. Some people don’t like us.”

“Bad people,” he said.

I strongly suggest that you check out this article. It might just make your day.


Happy Birthday, Dave

Jumping in Pools would like to say happy birthday to our dear friend, David C. Panzironi. Dave was a wizard of Dinars, and is a genuine hero. There are at least nine reasons to wish him a happy 23rd birthday today.

Quote of the Day-- December 15, 2008

Did you just mention guns?

--David C. Panzironi (ca. 1985-2104)

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Hitler's Personal Library

I stumbled across a very cool piece of news. A book has been published detailing Adolf Hitler's personal library. To see where the mind of a maniac came from is really neat, and is a new insight into the Third Reich. And it gives another perspective into Hitler the man:

Only one large segment of the collection--three thousand books hidden in beer crates in a Bavarian salt mine--remained intact after the war ended. Members of the U.S. Army's Twenty-First Counterintelligence Corps concluded, after what they called a "hasty inspection of the scattered books," that the collection "was noticeably lacking in literature and almost totally devoid of drama and poetry." Worse still, "none of the books examined gave the appearance of extensive use. They had no marginal notes or underlinings." Hans Beilhack, reporting on the collection in November 1946 for the Süddeutsche Zeitung, noted contemptuously that the "library itself, seen as a whole, is only interesting because it is the library of a 'great' statesman and yet so uninteresting. It is the typical library of a dilettante."

So that's:

Hitler's Private Library: The Books That Shaped His Life

By Timothy W. Ryback

( Knopf, 304 pp., $24.95)

Coming to a bookstore near you!

Quote of the Day-- December 14, 2008

I'm in Canada, obviously, because my life's been threatened directly by Al Gore. He's always hated me because I invented the Internet.

--
Brigadier General Johnson Jameson

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Quote of the Day-- December 13, 2008

"We got him."

Paul Bremer, December 13, 2008

Friday, December 12, 2008

Jumping in Pools Welcomes a New Writer

Jumping in Pools would like to welcome a local writer to our blog. As he put it in his last article:

Timothy K. from Richmondville here, I am the new writer on Jumping in Pools, I shall share my opinion on local/state/national political affairs from a Conservative viewpoint, as well as tell my positions for a possible Trustee run in 4 years.

Look beyond the snowy beauty, the mountains that cover the area, the beautiful skyline, what do you get? New York state.
One of the worst states in the entire United States when it comes to running things financially, may I please give some examples :
40,000 dollars for Turkish rugs (2) in the Governors mansion.
A possible "gas - cow tax" that would kill the farming industry.
An idle tax from Westchester county, if you idle for longer then 3 minutes - you get a 250 dollar ticket!
Mayor Bloomberg in New York City : cut police force, hire metermaids to get more money!
The list goes on, and on, and on.
One local one as well :
Lets spend 75,000 dollars more a year on Tourism when everyone is hurting real bad, THANK GOD FOR BILL CHERRY!

New York state needs reform, as Assemblyman Lopez suggested, perhaps during this crisis we can reform the state of New York back to ethics when dealing with money, perhaps we can become more fiscally Conservative, and not more liberal-landish like California has become. We need to help the citizens of NY by spending less, and using the tax money for better use, or else - the state of New York is going to start losing citizens by the bucketfull.

Authors note :
Timothy K. from Richmondville here, I am the new writer on Jumping in Pools, I shall share my opinion on local/state/national political affairs from a Conservative viewpoint, as well as tell my positions for a possible Trustee run in 4 years.


Quote of the Day-- December 12, 2008

Is it customary for dead people to crank call?

--
Art Bell

Thursday, December 11, 2008

A look to the past in gaming: secrets in: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time