In Loving Memory of Kyle F. Fish

Today I went to my friend George's Son's viewing and funeral Mass at Saint Charles Church in Drexel Hill. Kyle was 14 years old, full of life, a happy go lucky kid who thrived to please anyone around him. I met Kyle years ago, and my younger Son Nicky and Kyle were buds. As a Dad, I can only imagine the thoughts and feelings going on in Kyle's families' heads right about now. My heart goes out to them and the outpouring of love and caring today from hundreds of people was beautiful and righteous.


You never said I'm leaving.

You never said Goodbye.

You were gone before we knew it, and and God knows only why.

A million times we needed you, a million times we've cried.

If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.

In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still.

In our hearts you hold a special place no one can ever fill.

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone.

For a part of us went with you the day God called you home.



To George, Doreen, Brittany, Breahanna, George II, family & friends, my heart and the hearts of hundreds of others go out to you.

RIP Kyle

ACDC - Let The Cat Out Of The Bag!

I took notice of this reply and am posting it in the hopes that it will raise awareness about cats being stolen in Delaware County, especially in the Upper Darby area. As far as the Animal Coalition of Delaware County being involved with some sort of "Cat Napping" ring, as the below poster suggests, I would have to say that in my opinion in this lawsuit happy day and age?

No Comment other than to say something does smell fishy here. Maybe someone over at the Delaware County Daily Times can investigate this?


Read on:

Anonymous said...

If you can, please post this in the hopes that people will see it.

Due to recent reports of missing cats in the Drexel Hill / Havertown area, I wanted to post a warning to neighborhood cat owners about the Animal Coalition of Delaware County, a local organization purportedly concerned with animal welfare and who place cats into foster homes and special sections at local PetSmarts.

This is an unsettling story in two parts:

(Part One)

Our beloved indoor-outdoor cat (a neutered, male, absolutely beautiful orange Main Coon mix who answers to 'Saab,' in case you've seen him) went missing from our Drexel Hill home and the area around it about a month ago. He was about nine years old, perfectly healthy, and a very solid animal capable of holding his own in a fight and finding his way home, so we believed him to be alive somewhere, possibly taken in by a concerned animal lover. We searched for him all over the neighborhood, knocked on doors, and registered a lost report with the Delaware County SPCA, heading there every day or so to check the intake rooms for him.

So far, no sign.

After weeks of looking for our boy, our family agreed that, since we had always been a multiple-cat household, we wanted to welcome a new kitten or two into our home. While still searching for our cat at the SPCA intake rooms, we kept our eyes open for kittens in the adoption rooms. When we could find no kittens at the SPCA, we reluctantly turned to Pet Smart and were immediately enamored with two little kittens, a brother and sister. We were told that they were adoptable through an organization called the Animal Coalition of Delaware County (AC DC) and that, pending a clean vet record, we'd likely be able to bring them home within the week.

Of course, that hasn't happened. Through we put in an application and have a vet record of always spaying, vaccinating, and treating (when necessary) our animals, some of whom lived with us for upwards of 20 years, we have not heard from anyone at the Animal Coalition, save once, when we were informed that the kittens would be carted around to "meet and greets" to ALL of the potential families, whose applications were allowed to pile up before any adoption could be finalized. (Wouldn't you think that, with so many cats in need of homes, one happy, loving home would be as suitable as the next?) We were also told that it would be "impossible" to keep up-to-date online records of animals' statuses... basically, from this phone call, we started to get a bad feeling from this organization of animal activists.

(Disclaimer: Now, we respect AC DC for being no-kill and for keeping their animals healthy, but right now, that is beside the point.)

(Part Two)

So, we are still without kittens and still missing our grown-up male. All of our friends know this and have been keeping their eyes open. One friend in particular, knowing how concerned we were and knowing that we had been looking at PetSmart, called this afternoon to tell us a rather disturbing story: the blocks immediately around her mother's Drexel Hill home have, in the past few weeks, reported FIVE missing cats. Very strange. What's more strange is this:

One of those five missing cats was a three-legged, micro chipped cat owned by a local veterinarian. She of course conducted a search, and that veterinarian FOUND her cat, three legs and all, sitting in an ACDC cage in the local PetSmart. A happy reunion? One might think. But the organization WILL NOT turn the cat over to its owner, despite her profession and her cries of, "But that's my cat!" Claiming that they found the cat wandering in a cemetery, the organization says that adoption offers are already pending on this three-legged animal, and they refuse to reunite this veterinarian with her cat.

It sounds remarkably shifty, and we, as a family of cat lovers still hoping for a reunion with our missing cat, are extremely concerned. Is this organization, which could be doing so much for so many animals, really plucking calm, peaceful cats out of residential neighborhoods and putting them up for adoption because they are so against cats being outside? (Prospective AC DC parents must swear to keep their cats indoors 24/7, and the organization reserves the right to make "home visits" to make sure that that is happening.)

Now, we have no concrete proof of any foul play, since the AC DC volunteers at Pet Smart will swear until they're blue in the face that that cat was found wandering a cemetery and that there's no way it could belong to the Vet in question. But putting the pieces together raises some very alarming questions and suspicions, and bearing that in mind, I at least wanted to call attention to local cat lovers.

So, if you have a cat who enjoys the freedom of some time outside, BEWARE. Some people believe that cats shouldn't be able to enjoy their God-given habitat, and it appears to me as though some of those people will sink so far as to snatch your beloved pet right off of the sidewalk in order to put it in a "better home."

92 minus 45 = She's Guilty

Come on now.. No amount of Viagra could satisfy this woman. I'd of done a lot more to her than slap her around if the cheating bitch was my wife. So what's going to happen here? Send the old man to Charlie Sexton's Gulag for a few years? I'm sure I'll get replies from you feminists that I am a sexist. Know what? I couldn't care less. Remember Lorena Bobbitt? The same feminists and women in general thought that it was OK that she dismembered her old man.

Well tit for tat I say.

Cheers..

Yummy Bakery Cafe - Your friendly neighborhood bakery

Got the below rant from my My Space friend Elaine..

I went into Yummy's Bakery yesterday with my 3-year-old daughter. We shared a grilled cheese sandwich (and soup, and we each got a drink). The sandwich was $3.95. Neither one of us has a big appetite and we do this all the time (share a dish).

I saw they charged a $2.00 sharing fee. When I asked the waitress, she whispered to me, "It's the owner, if I ring you up, I'll take it off." Well I decided to ask him. He's sitting at the register, this ugly big fat thing that was leering at me all through lunch. I asked him why there was a $2.00 sharing fee on a $3.95 sandwich, that I never heard of this before.

He YELLED at me that I'm lucky it's not $3.00, that restaurants everywhere do this. I told him they do not, I eat out with my daughter for lunch a lot, and never had this happen. He told me I was lying, that yes they do. Actually, he's sputtering and yelling. I asked him why he was being such a jerk. He said "You're just bitching because you're pouting and not getting your way. I'm not capitulating to you so you're just being a brat." I was so shocked he said that to me. I'm so embarrassed but I had to choke back the tears and told him he is being very mean to me, that I never heard of this sharing charge before, and I've been coming to this bakery since my 12 year old daughter was in diapers. He looked at me and said I never saw you before.

I said you're a new owner! That's why! He then pointed his finger to the door and said "Get out of here!"

As I was leaving with my daughter (and yes I paid the $2) these customers that were eating (a table of 6 with an old man and lady and their daughter and her daughters) said I was in the right, that he was a jerk to me. He yelled from the counter "Stop talking to them and get out the store now!" He screamed back "You're a big bully!" and got out of there. I went to Kid to Kid with my daughter to have a good cry in the aisles while she looked at all the toys.

The customers that were in there came in looking for me (or maybe they just happened to go to that store - I don't know) and gave me tissues and told me they told the owner he was wrong, and he threw them out of the store too.

He threw a 60 year woman out of the store!

I was in there about 3 months ago and saw him scream at a waitress who then broke a coffeepot, which then made him scream more. And we had to send a turkey sandwich back because the turkey smelled rank.

He is the new owner and the cafe is so small - about 10 tables. He re-did the place from white to black and red and now it looks like Satan's Den and he is Satan, ha!

I've been going to Yummy's since I was a little girl and I love their orange cake and got all my birthday cakes there, but never again!! I just wanted to relate this story so that my Delaware County friends can pass the word.

Have a good weekend!
Elaine

Now I have never been to this Yummy's Cafe before, but I seems to me that the owner is not a nice or polite man. I also (with some digging on my own) came across this rant, I gather from Elaine's fiance.

Chances are that I will never patronize Yummy's. But for thoese who are curious, here is Yummy's business listing.

1254 Township Line Rd. (Near the Dunkin' Donuts)
Drexel Hill, PA
19026-5001
Phone: 610-449-0606
URL: http://www.yummybakeryandcafe.com/ (Seems to be expired.)

Bon appétit!

Creeps Too Close For Comfort

Marshal Guns Down Suspect
Victim, who was wanted for violating supervised release, reportedly pulled a gun before being shot.

By Rose Quinn rquinn@delcotimes.com

Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green, left, and John Patrignani, acting chief deputy of the U.S. Marshal’s Service in Philadelphia, answer questions after Friday’s shooting.

CLIFTON HEIGHTS — A member of the U.S. Marshal’s Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force shot and killed a man who pulled a gun from his waistband during a confrontation Friday, authorities said.

The official cause and manner of the death of Joseph Mitchell, 24, was under investigation by the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office, while the Delaware County District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit was investigating the circumstances of the shooting, namely justification of use of lethal force.

Read full story here..

So this happened a few blocks from our home and really close to Clifton Field, where children were surely playing as they had the day off. More and more it seems that thugs just have to carry sidearms (actually stuffed down their waistbands)in order to what, act cool? I'm sure someone will come forth and say that the guy was shot dead in cold blood, that he didn't have a gun and that the cops planted one on him.

The rise in crime and criminals carrying guns only makes me worry more about my Mother who is trapped in Stonehurst. That former decent place to live is now a war zone, with blatant drug deals going on. Don't believe me? Go park at the 7 -11 on Guliford Rd on any given evening, and bring your camera.

I guess I'll have to lend my Mom my Ithaca 37. Or move in.

The Blue Plane

I was digging thru some old e-mails (I have some dating back ten years) and came across one from a certain Michael Dolan. Interesting read.

P.s. Is the plane still there?

Dems in Delco - Time to Change Your Party

If you really want change in America, you"ll change your party affiliation to Republican and vote for Ron Paul in the April 22nd Primary. Hillary and Obama have no chance to become President. That leaves Ron Paul, a true consertative that is for All Americans.The MSM is against Paul because they and their handlers fear him. That is why Ron Paul is scarely mentioned on TV and the Newspapers.

From Ron Paul's Web Site:

In Pennsylvania, only registered Republican voters can vote for Ron Paul in the April 22, 2008 primary, or sign and circulate petitions to place Ron Paul and Ron Paul GOP convention delegate candidates on the ballot. Petitioning begins January 22, 2008 and ends February 12, 2008.
If you are not already a registered Republican, we need you to register Republican as soon as possible.

It’s easy: Download, print and fill out this form and mail it to your County Voter Registration Office (addresses on the back). Important: after you send in this form, make sure you get confirmation back from your local Voter Registration Office, that you have been registered as a Republican.

Cheers.

Going To The Candidate's Debate

"Laugh about it, shout about it when you've got to choose..
Every way you look at this you lose..."

Yes, yet ANOTHER BULLSHIT election heating up, and RON PAUL isn't mentioned. The Delaware County GOP isn't saying squat on who they will endorse. Well if they were honorable and truly patriotic people, they would endorse RON PAUL. We will see just how birds of a feather flock together, or to put it bluntly - "Who's ass is worth kissing in the name of holding down power and a job". a.k.a Cronyism? I thought that was solved.

Anyway, It's the same old same old. The Dem's been doing it for decades. When will Delco and it's "elected" leaders do the right thing? Go with what is right? Or go with the national dictate?

Only time will tell..


Word to the Delaware County GOP. Endorse RON PAUL. If your so smart with computers and tracking software, etc, you"ll see that the MAJORITY of people who know about RON PAUL in Delaware County will vote for him. And if he doesn't get the nod from the national party? People all across America have good memories, and are FED UP with BOTH Dem's and Re pubs. You Both are selling out your constituents and have been for years. It reminds me of a wife who has been cheated on but then realizes her Hubby is really leaving her and leaving her high and dry, kids and all..

If you were in "her" shoes, what do you think she would do?


Cheers..

I'll see you at Casey's someday...

P.s.

*********************UPDATE***************************


Democracy Unplugged Presents


2008 Foreign Policy Presidential Campaign Forum

Democracy Unplugged presents our initial 2008 Campaign Forum, this one focusing on foreign policy. This Forum will be held on Friday Night, January 25th, 7:30 at Swarthmore Borough Hall, 121 Park Avenue.

The format will consist of questions from a student panel, followed by short speeches from each Candidate/Representative and a question and answer session. There will be a Literature Table with material from those present and many others. Over one hundred invitations have been sent out to various minority Democrat and Republican Candidates, along with Independent and Third Party Candidates. Refreshments will be available and donations will be accepted.
The scheduled speakers are:

DANIEL AVERY BACON Independent Candidate from New Hampshire
CLIFF WILSON current Delaware County Democratic Chair representing JOHN EDWARDS
JAMES CREIGHTON MITCHELL, JR. Republican Candidate from Illinois
DR. CHRIS MACDONALD-DENNIS representing the Socialist Party Candidate BRIAN MOORE
JOHN MURPHY Chester County Green Party Chair representing RALPH NADER
DAVID LAMB representing RON PAUL
SCOTT SHIELDS Mayor of Rutledge, supporter of Fred Thompson
LANAKILA WASHINGTON Humanist Party Candidate from New York

484-450-1123

Hey Scott?
Ready to help out Ron Paul? After all, he is PRO GUN, and ANTI ABORTION.. Or are you not allowed to trully represent yourself and the "Party". I really thought you were on the level reading your replies on Spencer Blog..

Now I know better.

Play It Again Gil

Sorry Gil, James Kirchick is a shill for you know who. I cannot say here because I don't want to be labeled a Anti Semitic, Racist, Bigoted, Homophobic "Angry White Man!" FYI - A little tidbit of information about Mr. Kirchick.

"James Kirchick is an assistant editor of The New Republic, a columnist for the Washington Examiner, and a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times. He has worked as a reporter for the New York Daily News, the New York Sun and The Hill and has written for magazines including The Advocate, The Weekly Standard, The Boston Globe Magazine and Doublethink. His writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal Europe, the International Herald Tribune, The Jerusalem Post, USA Today, The Boston Herald, The National Post of Canada and other publications. "

He is the recipient of the 2006 National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Excellence in Student Journalism award and was the organization's 2007 Journalist of the Year.

http://www.indegayforum.org/staff/show/98.html


In other words.. A liberal Gay advocate who is pro Israel, Pro Nation building, Pro Homosexual Rights, Anti Consertative (look up the true definition of the word) journalist tries to pull a swift boat on Ron Paul? Judging from the first of over 1200 replies to Kirchicks slanderous diatribe, I'd say the cat is out of the bag.




Did I forget to tell you I'm also a "Republican"?

Vote Ron Paul - Hope for all America!

Bowling With Friends of Sean Cawley

I was on my way home when I decided to stop at Johnny B's, the former O'Donnell's bar on Garrett Rd. in Drexel Hill. While in there, I spotted a flyer tacked up on the wall about a guy named Sean Cawley and how they were having some benefit bowling thing for him. Well I found out that he met an untimely death in 2002, and that his family and friends launched an orginazation in his honor. As a former alumni of Bonner, I just had to make this post. I had great times in Bonner - (J-U-G) or better known as "Justice Under God" was my favourite past time LOL.

From Monsignor Bonner's web site:



Friends of Sean Cawley

Friends of Sean Cawley is a benevolent, charitable organization established in the honor and the memory of Sean Cawley. Sean Cawley graduated from St. Laurence in 1986 and Monsignor Bonner in 1990.

Upon his untimely death in 2002, some close friends and family members created this group to help members of the community in ways in which Sean would have been proud. Most years, the Friends of Sean Cawley hopes to give a grant to a student to attend Monsignor Bonner. In 2004 and 2005, the organization granted a St. Laurence student a four-year scholarship to Monsignor Bonner.
More information about the organization can be found at
http://www.friendsofseancawley.com

A flyer about Robert Staffieri was the other one I noticed. Both men went to Bonner, both met an untimely death, and both are remembered well enough by countless friends and family that still after a few years, people still care. I do not know these people not their families, but I do believe that these two guys must have been fun to be around, and the kind of person to give you the shirt off of their back, even if you really didn't need it.

Here are the details, coming up real soon so give it a passing thought!

When: January 26, 2008
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Price: $45.00
(includes bowling lanes and rentals,pizza, snacks, beverages, and beer)
Where: Wynnewood Lanes
Call 484-614-6198 or 610-909-6187 for tickets.

P.s. You can even take the P&W there, as I used to do from 69th street.

Cheers.

Why the Delco GOP Should Endorse Ron Paul - Pt. 1

I had a post here but it seems that Blogger dot com dosen't like me posting anything positive about RON PAUL. Let's just say that the GOP in Delaware County should take a hard look at who they have to endorse for President.

Mike Huckabee
Mitt Romney
Fred Thompson
John McCain
Ron Paul
Rudy Giuliani
Duncan Hunter

Only Dr.Paul will stand up for all Americans.

A Brief Overview of Congressman Paul’s Record: (From the Ron Paul web site)

He has never voted to raise taxes.
He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
He has never taken a government-paid junket.
He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.
He voted against the Patriot Act.
He voted against regulating the Internet.
He voted against the Iraq war.
He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

The others?

Ron Paul Meetup In Delco

It's coming up fast! always a good time at Casey's Restaurant, located at 812 Lansdowne Ave in Drexel Hill, Right across from Bond's Shopping Center. Looking forward to meeting my fellow Ron Paul supporters from Delaware County and elsewhere.

Info below:

When? Thursday, Jan 3, 2008, 7:30 PM
Where? Casey's Restaurant and Saloon

812 Lansdowne Ave. Drexel Hill
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Telco # 610-789-7575

Click here to check out
The Delaware County Ron Paul 2008 Meetup Group!

Cheers and have a Happy and safe New Year!

P.S. I am looking forward to meeting all of you who read our blog, regardless of the so called "party affiliation".

Community Service - Seat Belts Optional

This is going to have some serious legal ramifications. I can only imagine what David Landau will have to say about this..

Read on:

Community service turns into wild ride
By Timothy Logue, tlogue@delcotimes.com

CHESTER — Seven non-violent offenders sentenced to community service were taken on a hell ride Friday by a drunk county employee responsible for transporting them to and from their trash-picking duties, officials said.

“It was terrifying,” said one man who held on for dear life as Adonis Robinson swerved in and out of oncoming traffic and hopped an occasional curb while driving through Upper Darby, Lansdowne, Clifton Heights and Aldan. “The guy was absolutely toasted.”

By the time Robinson crashed his county van into a Mercedes in the 200 block of Edgmont Avenue in Chester, six of his passengers had bailed out at various locations.

“I’ve had a lot of people show up for community service drunk, but this is the first time for one of my drivers,” said Community Service Director Walter Omlor, who immediately called Upper Darby police when he got word one of his drivers appeared to be driving under the influence. “I know he wasn’t on anything when left in the morning.”

Robinson, 54, of the first block of Worrell Street in Chester, was charged with DUI, recklessly endangering another person, driving at unsafe speeds, careless and reckless driving, aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence and driving with open container.

He was taken to the cell block at the Chester Police Station and later arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Spencer B. Seaton Jr., according to Omlor, who said Robinson had worked for the county for more than seven years.

“I’m a constable and just happened to have warrants on another guy Chester had in custody,” he said. “I saw (Robinson) there and said, ‘You’re done.’

“Everyone in the county knows if you drink on my crew, it’s over.”

Robinson took his community service crew, made up of at least three DUI offenders, from Media to Upper Darby for trash duty along West Chester Pike at about 7:45 a.m. Friday.

When the group wrapped up its first shift near Upper Darby police headquarters and got back into the van, it became clear something was wrong with their driver.

“He picked us up around lunchtime and drove a few blocks toward 69th Street and then he stopped for no reason in the middle of a busy intersection for about 10 or 15 seconds,” said one member of the crew who requested anonymity. “Then he made a right and hit the curb.”

Robinson made his way up 69th Street Boulevard past the Tower Theater with his crew of four men and three women, stopping briefly at a Burger King near Church Lane and Marshall Road.

“We got out for a few minutes to get some food and nobody wanted to get back in the van,” the crew member said. “One girl looked absolutely terrified and another guy looked at me after we got back in and said ‘Do you smell that?’

“I said, ‘Yeah I smell it.’ By that time, everyone knew the guy was totaled, but I was afraid of the consequences if I said something or turned him in… I didn’t want to lose my (community service) hours.”

After booting his crew out of the van for another 15-20 minutes while parked outside the Pearle Vision Center on Church Lane, Robinson collected his crew and headed for Baltimore Avenue.

“He was swerving really bad and getting progressively worse,” the crew member said, adding most of the seatbelts were ripped out of the van. “We almost got into an accident at Baltimore Pike. He slammed on the brakes and nearly hit the car in front of him.”

Robinson made a right on Baltimore Pike and crossed over Lansdowne Avenue on his way toward Clifton Heights. He pulled over at the Kmart when a woman requested he stop so she could use the bathroom. “That’s when one of the girls called Community Service and told them what was going on.”

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael J. Chitwood said his department got a call about a community service van with a drunk driver in the vicinity of Parkview Avenue and State Road at 1:45 p.m. but the van was never located.

“That was my call,” Omlor said. “I told them, ‘If you find him, test him. If he’s drunk, lock him up and I’ll come get my van.’”

With his seven passengers onboard again, Robinson exited the Kmart lot and headed back toward Upper Darby, again making use of the entire roadway.

“At that point,” the crew member recalled, “one girl started saying, ‘Please stop, please stop. I want to get out.’”

The three women and one man jumped out of the van at Lansdowne and Baltimore with Robinson hardly noticing. Two more passengers got out on Providence Road in the Secane section of Upper Darby after Robinson took them on a wild ride through Aldan. By the time he crashed in Chester, Robinson was down to one passenger.

“I have no idea what brought this on,” Omlor said. “It was purely out of the wild and I was as stunned as anyone.”

The mother of one woman on the crew — a Villanova student arrested for registering a blood-alcohol level of .03 while traveling as a passenger in her friend’s car in the week leading up to her 21st birthday — was furious when she learned of her daughter’s ordeal.

“She was really nervous about (community service) and I tried to reassure her, saying ‘You’re in good hands. You’ll be fine.’ Then I find out she could have been killed.”

The crew member said riding with Robinson was the most persuasive anti-DUI message he had ever seen.

“The first call I made when I got out was to community service and the second call was to my lawyer,” he said. “It’s pretty ironic. I was there for DUI and I know at least two others who were, too. That guy taught everyone in that van a lesson.”

Chester police did not have any information on injuries to Robinson, his passenger or the driver of the Mercedes.

When are the elections again?

Keith Crego And Leslye Abrutyn Busted

I knew there was more to this..

ASTON — Former Penn Delco School Board president Keith Crego arrived at Aston District Court Wednesday wearing cargo shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops — dressed more for a day at the beach than a night in jail. Former Penn-Delco superintendent Leslye Abrutyn arrived a short time later, her attorney and a Fendi bag on her arm. Both were arrested Wednesday, capping a 10-month investigation into their alleged undisclosed financial involvement in the Quick Start Preschools LLC.

Crego, the father of four and former vice chairman of the Aston Republican Party, is also charged with felony drug offenses, including possession with the intent to deliver anabolic steroids. Read the whole story from the Daily Times here.

Bad Apples In Every Profession

In today's online edition of the Daily Times you can read about a Delaware County Deputy Sheriff who was arrested after being charged with threatening his estranged wife and her 9-year-old son with a gun. The Deputy, Martin Hineman, was arrested at a local Wawa after a brief manhunt. Thank God no one was hurt, unlike what happened to these people out in Wisconsin.

Bottom line? Everyone has the ability to snap. Even those who carry guns in their profession. To the anti gun people I say: What do you do about this?

Going To The Dogs?

I read recently that our current County Council is going to turn Kent Park into a "Dog Park", at a cost of over $440 thousand dollars. My sons and me like to fish in that area, especially above the dam. While the concept of this park is a noble one, Imagine the legal ramifications of having it. Let's say a dog (like one of those nasty pit bulls) gets loose and mauls a child? Or the same pit bull attacks my little Chihuahua?

Quote from the County Web Site: "There is a lot of public support across the county for dog parks. These are facilities set aside for dogs and their owners to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment,” Cartisano said. “This isn’t just a dog issue; it’s a people issue. We want to establish a fenced-in dog park where well-behaved canines can exercise in a clean, safe environment without disturbing other people, wildlife or property.”

"Well-behaved canines"

means over 70 percent of dogs (including our dog) will not be allowed into the park. C'mon now. Dogs hate other dogs. Chihuahua's are mean and nasty. Our's was an SPCA dog, and after he gotten sick, the vet saw evidence of abuse (cracked ribs), etc from the former owners. So will they have an obidence school at our disposal there?


"A clean, safe environment without disturbing other people, wildlife or property."

And the issue of trying to fish while hundreds of barking, snarling mutts isn't my cup of tea either. What about the locals? Would you like to work 3rd shift and have to come home to hear mutts barking while being forced to smell dog crap?

My answer is to build a recreation center, complete with a "skate park". The youth of Delaware County need s p a c e moreso than "Man's best friend". Kids today are in some areas (Springfield) forbidden to skateboard on public property. I would be the first to volunteer to oversee the children, and maybe even strap on my rollerblades and show them a thing or two.

To those who remember "Tot Lot", and "Box Hockey" in UD. Those were the good old days, before X Box, PS2, and even this pandora's box in which I type this post, items that rob America's youth of an interactive personal childhood, complete with fights, friendship, competevness, and scraping your knee. Build a decent recreation center FOR CHILDREN, Not DOGS.

Cheers.

What Is Scleroderma?

My wife has been dealing with this disease now for nearly ten years. I have researched the subject almost as long and still cannot come up with definitive answers that I want. What causes Scleroderma? Why is it that women are four times likely to develop it? Why isn't there more research on it? After all, the big pharma corporations have billions to spend, right?

This much I do know.

Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

The word “scleroderma” comes from two Greek words: “sclero” meaning hard, and “derma” meaning skin. Hardening of the skin is one of the most visible manifestations of the disease. The disease has been called “progressive systemic sclerosis,” but the use of that term has been discouraged since it has been found that scleroderma is not necessarily progressive. The disease may take several forms which will be explained later. There is also much variability among patients.

What scleroderma is not

Scleroderma is not contagious, it is not infectious, it is not cancerous or malignant.

How serious is scleroderma?

Any chronic disease can be serious. The symptoms of scleroderma vary greatly from individual to individual, and the effects of scleroderma can range from very mild to life-threatening. The seriousness will depend on what parts of the body are affected and the extent to which they are affected. A mild case can become more serious if not properly treated. Prompt and proper diagnosis and treatment by qualified physicians may minimize the symptoms of scleroderma and lessen the chance for irreversible damage.

How is scleroderma diagnosed?

The diagnostic process may require consultation with rheumatologists (arthritis specialists), and/or dermatologists (skin specialists) and require blood studies and numerous other specialized tests depending upon which organs are affected.

Who develops scleroderma, and when?

There are an estimated 300,000 people in the United States who have scleroderma, about one third of whom have the systemic form of scleroderma. Since scleroderma presents with symptoms similar to other autoimmune diseases, diagnosis is difficult and there may be many misdiagnosed or undiagnosed cases as well.

Localized scleroderma is more common in children, whereas systemic scleroderma is more common in adults. Overall female patients outnumber male patients about four to one, and the average age at diagnosis is in the forties.

Factors other than sex, such as race and ethnic background, may influence the risk of getting scleroderma, the age of onset, and the pattern or severity of internal organ involvement. The reasons for this are not clear. Although scleroderma is not directly inherited, some scientists feel there is a slight predisposition to it in families with a history of rheumatic diseases.

However, scleroderma can develop and is found in every age group from infants to the elderly, but its onset is most frequent between the ages of 25 to 55. When doctors say "usually" or "for the most part," the reader should understand that variations frequently occur. Many patients get alarmed when they read medical information that seems to contradict their own experiences, and conclude that what has happened to them is not supposed to happen. There are many exceptions to the rules in scleroderma, perhaps more so than in other diseases. Each case is different, and information should be discussed with your own doctor.

What causes scleroderma?

The exact cause or causes of scleroderma are still unknown, but scientists and medical investigators in a wide variety of fields are working hard to make those determinations. It is known that scleroderma involves overproduction of collagen.

Is scleroderma genetic?

Most patients do not have any relatives with scleroderma and their children do not get scleroderma. Research indicates that there is a susceptibility gene which raises the likelihood of getting scleroderma, but by itself does not cause the disease.


What is the treatment for scleroderma?

At the present time, there is no cure for scleroderma, but there are many treatments available. Some are directed at particular symptoms like heartburn, which can be controlled by medications called proton pump inhibitors or medicine to improve the motion of the bowel. Some treatments are directed at decreasing the activity of the immune system. Some people with mild disease may not need medication at all and occasionally people can go off treatment when their scleroderma is no longer active. Because there is so much variation from one person to another there is great variation in the treatments prescribed.

P.S. I have a friend from Delco who's wife died from this horrible disease last year. If you care to donate, please click here:

The Rise and Fall of Keith Crego

And to think that the Republican party had enough problems as of late.. So when does Christina Fink and Leslye Abrutyn testify? After all, Leslye gave up a two hundred thousand dollar a year job for no reason at all. To me, that's a nice chunk of change to throw away. There must be more to this than what's on the radar..
Leslye, care to tell me your side of this story?



Rise and Fall of Keith Crego

By Loretta Rodgers, Times Correspondent

Former Penn-Delco School Board president Keith Crego is at the center of an investigation by the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office.
In October 2004 Keith Crego was at the height of his power and influence in the Penn-Delco School District. President of the school board, vice chairman of the Aston Township Republican Committee, a successful businessman and self-described “innovative leader,” he was honored one night that month with a very special ceremony.

The school-board meeting room in the newly reconstructed Penn-Delco Transportation Building was being named the “Keith C. Crego Conference Center.”

“I am extremely grateful for this honor,” Crego said that night. “When I came to this school board my goal was to help Penn-Delco to be the best it possibly can. … I believe we are accomplishing this goal. I am indeed honored beyond belief and this recognition will serve as inspiration for me to continue doing all I can for Penn-Delco.”
Three years later, he is off the school board, and resigned his post with the Aston GOP. He is at the center of a nine-month investigation conducted by the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office into the public and private business of the district. His name has been removed from that wall.
It’s been a hard fall for the one-time rising political star. As the district awaits the D.A.’s findings, some believe the worst is yet to come.
Read the whole story here..

Katie Leonard For School Board

She reminds me of my fellow blogger Casey Roncaglione in that She's young, and more importantly, involved with our local government, more than I can say for most of the people I know, including my self.

Read on and consider voting for her tomorrow. I know I am.

About me:
I am running to serve our school board and would appreciate your support.

I have lived nearly my entire life in Drexel Hill and had the privilege of attending Garrettford, Drexel Hill, and Upper Darby before graduating in 2001. Since then, I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and am now attending Temple Law School and West Chester University, where I am working towards teaching certification in English and social studies.

While I take immense pride in the education and opportunities Upper Darby schools presented me with, many people have become increasingly critical of the system. It is for that reason I am seeking your vote this primary season. I get frustrated hearing people make negative generalizations about the very schools I attended not too long ago. Of course our schools have some problems. But every district has its own set of problems. The answer is not simply to complain; rather we must effectuate change to move our community together in a better direction. This is where I see the school board playing an important role.

Some of the goals I suggest we work towards include: retaining our experienced teachers; adapting our classrooms to fit with the changing cultures of our area; acknowledging social conditions and promoting positive behaviors; increasing student involvement and pride in our community; and continuing to make sure that only lawfully enrolled students are attending our schools. For more information on these and other important issues, please, refer to my campaign site .

I hope you will support me in this upcoming election. And, please, remember that in an off-year election many people do not vote - particularly in the primary - so make sure to have your voice heard and vote on Tuesday, May 15. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.

Thank you.
Katie Leonard

DCCC re-opens today but....

DCCC students will be welcomed to the post-VTech college campus. I hope the students don't have a lot of books to carry, because they are out of luck without backpacks. Doesn't this administration know that if all the students were allowed to carry guns then any attempt to create a catastrophe could be eliminated immediately? sheesh.

Taken from the DCCC main page:

There will be a visible police presence at all campuses, in addition to the College’s existing Security officers. Access to all campuses will be limited. Anyone reporting to any College location is not permitted to bring bags, backpacks or other parcels into our buildings. Clear plastic bags may be used to carry personal items. Random searches will be conducted and metal detectors will be utilized. All students and College employees will be called upon to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior on the part of any individual to College Security or the police immediately.

The New Google Blog

It seems that Google (owner of Blogger.com) is forcing us blog owners to switch to their "new" version of blogger. My old Google blogger account (dating back to 2001) already has several blogs on it. The next time I log in to this blog it will be via my old/new? Blogger account. Make sense?

Cheers.

Update: Well I switched, lets see if the label options they gave me work..
Hmm...