Another Cold And Windy Weekend

Today, winds hit 56mph in Henderson. And yes, I can verify that as I walked the dog and put my big toe in the pool this evening. On Sunday, the high temp. in the Vegas Valley will be about 67, cooler than Fairbanks, Alaska. Again. But at least we are warmer than Barrow Alaska, where the highs are still only in the 20's and 30's.

10-Day Forecast for Henderson, NV (89012)
Forecast Conditions
High °FLow °F
Precip.Chance
High Temperatures Low Temperatures Precipitation Wind Speed
TonightMay 21
Partly Cloudy / Wind
N/A60°
0%

High not valid after 2pm
SatMay 22
Sunny / Wind
77°49°
0%

77°F
SunMay 23
Mostly Sunny
67°47°
20%

67°F
MonMay 24
Sunny
75°52°
0%

75°F
TueMay 25
Mostly Sunny
82°59°
0%

82°F
WedMay 26
Mostly Sunny
82°60°
0%
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/89012

Pool Scene Info For The Las Vegas Casinos

Being the age of almost 50, overweight and have been hit by the ugly stick so many times, I don't fit in real well with the pool scene in Las Vegas. I just hang out at the pool at our apartment complex and scare the little kids there.
Personally, we plan on going to the Tropicana and their 5 acre pool.
And if you are interested in only cool weather, go up to Mount Charleston where it is usually 20-30 degrees cooler there than the Strip.
But for the younger crowd, here is some info on the pool scene in and around the Strip. Please remember that most resort pools are not really swimming pools but instead they are wading pools with some pools only 3 feet deep. And also, many pools close around 6:00 in the evening, just when the sun is going down but it is still 110 outside.
Please remember, not every pool is like the TV show "Rehab" and in fact, Rehab at the Hard Rock is on Sundays only and the rest of the week is much quieter.
It's going to be cool and windy this weekend, so you may want to start next week.
Here are some web sites that will give you information. In addition, check out each resort's web site.
http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/coolpools.cfm
http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/nevada/las-vegas/las-vegas-pools
http://www.vegas.com/resorts/pools/
http://www.vegashotelpools.com/
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/lose-your-shirt-the-coolest-pools-in-las-vegas/1
If you come, have fun and stay safe and if you drink, find a cure for a hangover as heat and booze don't mix too well.

Update: Officer Cleared In Killing Thug

On March 23, 2010, police officers gave chase to two thugs who stole a Mercedes. The cops stopped the car and one thug was arrested right away while another took off. The cop and thug jumped over some fences and was caught in a yard. The thug pulled a gun and fired, hitting the police officer 3 times, including once in the leg, hitting the femoral artery. The cops partner came over and shot dead the thug with two head shots as his partner and thug were fighting.
Today, the officer who shot the thug dead was cleared by the coroner's inquest jury. It only took 30 minutes for them to clear the officers.
From the Sun: "A Metro Police officer was justified for fatally shooting a man March 23 who fired at a fellow officer, a Clark County coroner's jury ruled today.
The coroner's inquest jury began deliberating Friday afternoon over whether there was any criminal wrongdoing in the death of 26-year-old Damon Beal, who was killed by two bullets to the head fired by Metro Police Officer Christopher LeBlanc.
"I had no other choice but to fire those shots," LeBlanc told the jury during testimony in the inquest, which examined the events that led up to the death -- a car chase, a maneuver to get the car to crash and a foot chase over walls and through backyards of a Las Vegas neighborhood where another officer, Michael Madland, was seriously wounded when Beal shot him in the leg."
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/21/coroners-inquest-under-way-death-man-who-shot-offi/
I just wonder why it took the jury 30 minutes.
Past blog posts: http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/03/injured-officer-update.html
http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/03/something-bothers-me-about-police.html
http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/03/officer-improvong-slowly.html
http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/03/injured-officer-idenified-thugs-have.html
http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/03/update-officer-shot-thug-killed.html
http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/03/breaking-news-metro-officer-shot.html

What The Hell Is Going On In Pahrump?

In Nye County, in which Pahrump is the County seat (or at least where the jail and DA's office is located), is really looking like the wild, wild west in terms of ethics.
A couple of weeks ago, the Sheriff bypasses the District Attorney's office and has the DA arrested on corruption charges regarding a bad check fund that the DA oversees. Apparently, the DA wrote out checks that benefited his family indirectly by giving to groups the family members belong, like the school cheerleaders. No formal charges have been filed and the sheriff is awaiting a special prosecutor to file the charges.
Now, the DA is pissed and so he requests a special prosecutor to investigate the sheriff's department and the detective who had the DA arrested. The special prosecutor filed 25 charges against the detective and today he had an arrest warrant issued and the detective was booked and released from jail in about 15 minutes. The detective will not be missing any work as the Sheriff will not put him on leave.
The DA and Sheriff are up for election and are facing serious competition.
Tit for tat is what you see in small towns and in the old times. It's like watching a good soap opera in Pahrump.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/nye-county-detective-jailed-in-harassment-case-94634039.html

Two Police Officers Killed In West Memphis, Arkansas

Two police officers were shot to death in West Memphis, AR. tonight as they searched for drugs in vehicles. Two other police officers were shot and wounded in a shootout in which the thug criminals were killed.
From the Commercial Appeal: Two West Memphis Police officers were killed and two other law enforcement officers, including Crittenden County Sheriff Dick Busby, were shot today after two suspects were pulled over in traffic around noon on Interstate 40 at Airport Road.
Both suspects were later killed in a shootout. West Memphis officers Brandon Paudert, 39, son of West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert, was killed, as was officer Bill Evans, after they stopped a white Plymouth Voyager with Ohio license plates. Paudert died on the scene. Evans was airlifted to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis where he died....After a massive manhunt by officers from multiple agencies put the small city on a virtual lock down, the van was spotted at the Walmart Supercenter in West Memphis shortly after 1 p.m.
While trying to apprehend the suspects in the parking lot, Busby, 71, and Chief W.A. Wren, head of enforcement in the sheriff’s department, were both wounded in a shootout. Wren was airlifted and Busby was taken by ambulance to The Med. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/may/20/west-memphis-police-officer-killed-another-injured/
RIP officers and God Speed. Your tour on earth is finished. May God bless their families and the West Memphis police department.

Mexican President Rips Citizens Of The United States And The Democrats Cheer

Today, President Calderone of Mexico gave a speech to a joint meeting of Congress and critized the Arizona Law that upholds the Federal law on illegal immigration. And then the Democrats gave Calderone a standing ovation and joining the Democrats in congress was Eric Holder and Janet Napolitano, two of Obama's cabinet officers who never even read the Arizona law before commenting.

The Democrats ought to be ashamed of this. It's one thing to have a debate between U.S. citizens and critize each other. It's different when a president of a country that can't even control it's own citizens from murdering each other, comes to Congress and criticizes citizens of the U.S.
President Calderone, when you fix the problems in Juarez, then maybe you can come to a street corner and bitch about the U.S. But in the mean time, stay out of our business.
And to the Democrats, you are a disgrace to the United States and to Congress and to the Presidency.

Member Of Obama's Cabinet Disrupts News Conference

I wonder which member of Obama's cabinet ran by Obama's podium the other day. Could be Eric Holder, Janet Napalitano or Hillary Clinton?
What is that saying, rats fleeing a sinking ship?

CCFD: I Didn't Realize The Waste Was This Bad According To A Rory reid Commercial

From the Las Vegas Sun, acting as Rory Reid's spokesman:"...wants to mothball the department’s mobile air unit, which hauls extra oxygen apparatus to fire scenes, and a water tender, a truck that transports water to locations without hydrants, freeing the staff who operate the equipment for other needs. The equipment could still be used “as needed.”"
Up until now, I didn't realize that the CCFD actually had a water tanker fully staffed, 24 hours a day by a firefighter/engineer. You talk about a waste of money. How many fires did it respond to last year? 10? Maybe 15? Maybe 5?
There is no doubt that the CCFD needs a tanker truck for grass fires or car fires in out the way places. But to staff it full time is just asinine and to staff it with a higher paid engineer is even more stupid. A tanker truck does 2 things. It brings water to a fire and dumps it in a holding tank or perhaps directly into an engine. Just that and nothing more. A lower paid firefighter could handle this task. This has to be the easiest firefighting job in the CCFD.
Now, about the air supply unit. I have my doubts about this cut. The truck goes out to most working fires and probably many haz mat calls and it replenishes firefighters with air in their SCBA's or air tanks. This truck actually does provide a service at a fire scene. However, between Henderson, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas fire departments and CCFD, they could cut the total units from 4 to 2, assuming NLVFD and HFD have air trucks.
I would suggest that the fire chief of the CCFD look for more cuts like the water tanker fiasco and the air unit.
And to the Sun, we realize the Sun is in bed and humping the Reids. We know you love them, but 99.9% of the people realize that Rory Reid did not come up with these ideas or cuts. Stop giving credit where it doesn't belong.

You Know It's Bad When The Brewers Lose To The Pirates

Which One Will Be The Next Closer???

Today, the Milwaukee Brewers lost their 9th straight game. It was to the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team they have dominated since the days of Abner Doubleday.

Trevor Hoffman has blown saves, they are not hitting and the pitching sucks. Maybe it's time to put in Bernie Brewer and the racing sausages.

6 Blind Mice

6 blind mice
6 blind mice
See how they run, see how they run
They ran Clark County into the ground
Who caved into the union and ignore the future
Did you ever see such a sight in your life
6 blind mice

Ok, the "poem" sucks, but this is the story about the 6 blind to reality mice that sit on the Clark County board of commissioners.
Instead of dealing with the budget crisis in Clark County, they just steal money from different accounts and hope for a better tomorrow, even though the experts state the budget crisis in the County is going to get worse instead of better.
The LVRJ has a good editorial on this:
"If you've just lost your job, you don't tap your savings to substitute filet mignon for sirloin. You don't use your reserves to upgrade from basic cable to premium channels. And you certainly don't begin making investments in Megabucks as a strategy to regain income.
No, you downgrade to hamburger. You cancel cable TV. And you don't take foolish flyers with your finances -- you stretch your savings as long as possible, knowing you have no way of knowing how long you'll be out of work. But Clark County prefers the former course. After months of talking a good game about finally addressing a root cause of massive revenue shortfalls -- unsustainable growth in county employee compensation -- the County Commission blinked Monday. It punted on third down, approving a 2010-11 budget that, at least for now, bails out public employee unions that insist on collecting generous pay raises, even as local tax collections continue to decline.
The only sane way to deal with a projected budget deficit of more than $120 million is a combination of layoffs and concessions from bargaining groups. Because county unions have shown no interest in having their members get by with what they have now -- let alone less -- commissioners had a responsibility to taxpayers to take a tough bargaining position.
Instead, they swiped $55 million from a capital fund, $47.3 million from their general fund reserves and used $20 million in one-time federal reimbursements to plug the budget's hole.
That's $120 million that won't be available next year. Blowing that money now is akin to the aforementioned Megabucks pull -- it's a prayer that the valley's economy will turn around quickly and provide government with the windfall it needs to avoid making the cuts that should have been authorized Monday." (hope they don't sue me for using part of their editorial)
http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/the-county-punts-94234004.html
The Clark County Commission covers the unincorporated areas of the Clark County. Most of the Strip is in Clark County instead the City of Las Vegas, for instance.
The City of Las Vegas, cities of Henderson and North Las Vegas, CCSD, and the State of Nevada have all been responsible by cutting costs and even having layoffs, if they are necessary. Clark County, on the other hand just steals money from other funds and hopes for a better future.
Rory Reid, son of Harry and a candidate for governor is the head of the commission is doing nothing but throwing the County under the bus. This is just another another reason, among many reasons why Rory should not even be considered for governor.
6 blind mice.

Sharon Angle Get's Another Endorsement

From the LVRJ: "The conservative Club for Growth Political Action Committee on Wednesday endorsed Angle. And the group pledged to start spending money to help her win the June 8 primary – and defeat Democrat U.S. Sen. Harry Reid in November – if she pulls off a surprising come-from-behind victory." http://www.lvrj.com/blogs/politics/Angle_wins_Club_for_Growth_endorsement_in_US_Senate_race.html

Angle has won some impressive endorsements. Radio talk show host, Mark Levin is endorsing her and is going to make a quick visit to Vegas to show his support.
While Lowden and Tarkanian have been fighting amongst themselves, Angle has been getting the endorsements and highlighting her accomplishments and has not attacked anyone.
If she wins the primary in June, she will easily beat Harry Reid, despite his dirty tricks and last minute of bringing home the bacon. Heck, even Reid doesn't even has his base sewn up.

We're Number 2!

I don't think it is a surprise that Las Vegas ranks number 2 in the country for it's divorce rate and Reno is ranked number 4, according to Men's Health magazine.

What surprises me is who is number 1. Cheyenne, WY. And third is Billings MT.

Ahhh, the wild, wild west.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20100519/NEWS/5190403

Good Bye Arlen Specter, It's Good To See You Go

Arlen Specter a Republican who turned Democrat is histroy tonight. He was always a RINO and now he will be unemployed.
And Harry Reid, it's not looking good for you, come November.

It's Time For Ensign To Go

I have somewhat defended John Ensign in the past regarding some false reports a liberal group has filed against him. I also think the Senate Ethics Committee (talk about an oxymoron) is on a witch hunt. Same with the FBI and their investigation. I have never defended Ensign regarding his sexual relationship with a friend and campaign worker and then paying off the family.
IN Rep. Mark Souder resigned this morning because he essentially did the same thing as Ensign and this changed my mind. From Fox News: "Eight-term Indiana Rep. Mark Souder announced his resignation Tuesday after admitting to an affair with a female aide who worked in his district office.
Souder, a Republican, will will step down on Friday. He said in remarks obtained by Fox News that he "sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part-time member of my staff."
"I wish I could have been a better example," he said. "In this poisonous environment of Washington, D.C., any personal failing is seized upon, often twisted, for political gain. I am resigning rather than to put my family through that painful, drawn-out process. ... We are a committed family but the error is mine and I should bear the responsibility. Not only am I thankful for a loving family but for a loving God"
Souder didn't have to resign. He most likely would have won election because his constituents probably would have forgiven him. Souder acted with class after committing a classless act.
Ensign, on the other hand has tried to ignore his affair and then just pretended it never happened. He didn't commit a crime he just used bad judgement but the coverup was worse.
If Ensign had been a Democrat, this would have been nothing because the politicians who are Democrats are amoral. How else can you explain Ted Kennedy, Robert Byrd, Barney Frank, William Jefferson, Bill Clinton, Chris Dodd, Kent Conrad and so many other low lifes. It's just a matter of fact that when comes to morals, Democrat politicians don't have them and GOP politicians do. We are better than the Democrats, morally and that is why Ensign needs to resign and let Jim Gibbons appoint someone to his seat.
Senator Ensign, thank you for your service but it is time for you to go.

We're Not Going To Boycott Arizona

Looks like Seattle will be come the latest liberal city to make an ass of themselves when they said they will boycott Arizona.
Well the family will be going to Phoenix within a few weeks to go to Culvers. Later, we will go to the NASCAR race in Phoenix in the Fall.
We were going to go to San Diego and Los Angeles in the summer to go to it's beaches and visit an old aircraft carrier in San Diego, but because the city governments are boycotting Phoenix, I am going to boycott San Diego and LA.
I don't Phoenix is going to celebrate and and San Diego is going to cry but hey, a buck is a buck.

My Endorsements For GOP U.S. Senate and Governor

Not that anybody would care, here is who I am supporting in the primaries in June
For U.S. Senate: Sharon Angle. I don't trust Sue Lowden because the way she behaved at a GOP convention and closed it down when it appeared that Ron Paul supporters had gained some support of the delegates. Danny Tarkanian violated Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment of ripping on your fellow GOP opponent. That leaves Sharon Angle and the also rans. I think Sharon has the best chance against Harry Reid and she has not attacked a fellow GOP candidate. I also think that the also rans have a good future in politics, if they want to continue and I wish them the best of luck.
For governor, I choose Brian Sandoval. Again, Jim Gibbons has attacked Sandoval by calling him names in advertisements. I am not terribly impressed by Sandoval but he is much better than Gibbons and he will crush little boy Rory Reid. I do give credit to Gibbons for doing a hell of a job the last year or so but he has a lot of baggage. I also like Mike Montandon but wish he had more money.
So, there are my 2 endorsements, for whatever that is worth and it is not worth very much.

Somebody Is Going To Hell For This

From The Wausau Daily Herald: "Police in Wausau are looking for a stolen car with the cremated remains of two people inside. Shawn Leslie, 39, of Wausau reported Wednesday that his 1994 Mercury Cougar was stolen, according to the Wausau Police Department. Leslie told an officer that he last saw the vehicle on April 18 in a parking lot near North Third Avenue and Quaw Street, Wausau Deputy Police Chief Bryan Hilts said. Leslie said he is a truck driver who often is on the road for several days at a time, Hilts said.
The vehicle had a half tank of gas and the cremated remains of Leslie’s father and grandfather inside, Hilts said." http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20100517/WDH0101/100517086/1975&located=WISINFO
I can imagine the shock when the thug thief finds out what is in the urns. My guess he won't be too happy. I hope the ghosts of the two people haunt the hell out of this guy.

Two GOP Politicians We Can Enjoy

Click on the two videos. This is what the GOP should be like instead of wimps some the RINO's many GOP politicians are. First is Dale Peterson of Alabama



And Governor Christie:

Gov Christie calls S-L columnist thin-skinned for inquiring about his 'confrontational tone'

h/t Real Debate and Badger Blogger
and Charlie Sykes

Andy Rooney Is Senile, But We Knew That

From the Las Vegas Sun: "There's only so much money in the world and if it's lost at a gambling table, it's money that isn't spent on things America makes. I mean who's best for this country - a machinist at an automobile plant in Detroit or a blackjack dealer in Las Vegas?"
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/elsewhere/2010/may/17/andy-rooney-critical-las-vegas-gaming-industry/
That quote is from Andy Rooney when he opined on 60 minutes.
Well, to answer Mr. Rooney' question: Both are very important to America's economy. Both are high paying jobs that contribute to the economy. And the blackjack dealer does not need a government subsidy like machinists in Detroit.
So, Mr. Rooney, thanks for taking a cheap shot at Vegas. Nice that you can join the company of President Obama.

Rory Reid Blows Another Chance At Being The Next Governor

Today, the Clark County commissioners rolled and played dead to the unions representing Clark County employees by backing down on layoffs on their $57 million deficit and took the money out of their rainy day fund.
From the LVRJ: "It avoided tougher cost-cutting measures for now by pulling money from a reserve fund, transferring money from capital projects and getting a surge of federal funding.
Commissioner Steve Sisolak decried what he called budgetary "tricks" and said the county was putting off the tough decisions needed for true financial recovery."
http://www.lvrj.com/news/county-approves-budget-despite-shortfall-93970644.html
Rory Reid, a Clark County Commissioner along with his cohorts could have made a big dent in the deficit by laying off worker as had been suggested by the Clark County administrator, cut back on overtime, especially with the CCFD but no, he wimped out and delayed the inevitable until later when the deficit is projected to be much worse.
Once again, Rory Reid shows he is lap dog to the unions and is not fit to be a governor where he will actually have to make tough decisions.

Pawn Star Review: 5-16-2010

Tonight was the first night to see Pawn Stars in a week due to moving. Wish we had somethings to sell at the pawn store so it would have lighten the load, but alas, being a teacher generally does not allow you to pick up expensive items to pawn.
The first guy brought in a statue of Pegasus from a famous artist. Rick determined it to be a fake from the first moments. The potential seller, thinking he may get around $6500 was quite angry when he was told it was a fake. He started arguing with Rick and the Old Man, not the smartest thing to do in a pawn shop. The big bodyguard went to assist in handling the small seller, but he was not needed.
The next guy has a glider for sale. It was damaged but fixable. In Las Vegas, gliding is popular as there are a lot of updrafts caused by the mountains and the heat of the summer in which is beginning now. Rick bought the glider for $1500 after a little bartering. It cost $8000 to repair and so he has $9500 in it. Chumlee went for the ride.
The next guy brought in a watch repair kit which was made in the 1920's or so. It sold for $100,
The next guy brought in a Las Vegas Club $5 chip in which there are only 8 of them in existence. The Las Vegas Club still around. There was some bartering around with the Old Man and the guy got $3000 and a trade of some statues of the Rat Pack of Dean, Sammie and Frank.
The next guy brought in a Lou Gerhig team jersey from a high school. Corey brings in his dad. The seller wants $10,000 for the jersey. Corey said that he would like Chumlee to grow a brain for that amount. The jersey and signature real. Corey offered $3000 and the guy really wanted $5000. But it went for $3000.
In the final episode, it was reviewed on 3-29-2010. http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/03/pawn-stars-review-march-29-2010.html

Miss USA Winner: Not The Smartest Person On The Planet

Miss Michigan won the Miss USA contest tonight in Las Vegas. At least there is something nice coming out of Michigan.
But she may not be the brightest bulb in the past: "During the interview portion, Fakih was asked whether she thought birth control should be paid for by health insurance, and she said she believed it should because it's costly.
"I believe that birth control is just like every other medication even though it's a controlled substance," Fakih said."
I guess getting a vasectomy or a woman getting her tubes tied is a controlled substance.
UPDATE: More evidence that the USA winner is not too bright: "Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih was a contestant in a stripping contest sponsored by a Detroit radio station, MyFOXDC.com is reporting.
Fakih appears in several photos on Mojointhemorning.com, a morning show on Detroit's Channel 955.
Two of the photos are from a strip tease contest held in 2007, and show Fakih performing on a stripper pole in front of an audience of women dressed in their underwear"
http://entertainment.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/05/17/miss-usa-rima-fakih-stripping-contest-photos-emerge/
My guess conservative Muslims are not going to be too happy. I hope she has good security where ever she goes. She is a good Muslim terrorist target.

The Heck With Arizona, Beware Of Las Vegas

All the focus has been on Arizona and their new illegal immigration law, Las Vegas has been basically been doing the same thing Arizona wants to do.
According to the LVRJ, ICE, with Metro police has deported almost 1900 people who Metro has arrested since November of 2008.
From the LVRJ: "The partnership, which allows specially trained officers at the Clark County Detention Center to identify immigration violators and place "immigration detainers" on them, began in November 2008. The detainers let local law enforcement hold deportable inmates after they otherwise would be released so immigration officials can take custody of them.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported 1,487 inmates referred from the county jail between November 2008 and October 2009. ICE deported another 410 from the jail between October 2009 and May 2010.
Las Vegas corrections officers have placed immigration detainers on 2,722 inmates since the partnership began.
"The final determination about deportability" http://www.lvrj.com/news/ice-accord-resulted-in-deportation-of-1-897-93877579.html
This is how to solve the illegal immigrant problem. Start with the local police. If they arrest someone and if they are illegal, get rid of them. Then you go to social service agencies and if you are illegal and you receive social services, they are gone. Then go to the hospitals. If a person is receiving care on the taxpayer dime. After they are released, it is time for them to go home.
You don't have to make raids, you don't have to make stop people int he streets. Just get them when start using taxpayer services like jail, welfare or free hospital care. You do that and the illegal immigration problem solves itself.

That Evil Wal-Mart Does It Again

"Wal-Mart Stores announced Wednesday it plans to help address the problem with a five-year plan significantly increasing its donations. Most of the donations will consist of food which doesn't sell or is close to expiration date - half of which will be fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat. In total, the company estimates donations will consist of more than 1.1 billion pounds of food - providing 1 billion meals.Other donations will go as grants into equipment purchases for more efficient food storage and transportation, and providing assistance to food banks to increase their operational efficiency."
http://www.onenewspage.com/news/US/20100513/10966216/Wal-Mart-billion-food-donation.htm
Wal-Mart is going to donate $2,00,000,000 in food and cash, in addition to other donation local stores make.
This seems to be a policy change. When I was at Wal-Mart, they/we threw out a lot of food that was past or close to the expiration date. The reason they threw out the food was a fear of lawsuits in case someone became ill if they ate a food product that was close to an expiration date. I am sure it will be a matter of time that someone will sue Wal-Mart if they get sick from an item Wal-Mart donated and I hope that doesn't kill the program.
I hope other stores also do the same, but they are are afraid of lawsuits. When I worked at a homeless shelter in Wausau, WI., our donations were limited to us because of the companies feared being sued in case someone got sick from a donated item.
But knowing the left, this program by Wal-Mart won't be good enough for them and if that is the case, screw the left because they actually have a different agenda.
I also wonder when liberal newspapers and bloggers like the Las Vegas Sun and Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel along with Folkbum, Cognitive Dissidence and Las Vegas Gleaner will mention the donations. Don't hold your breath.

The Catholic Church and Abortion: I Disagree With The Church

Being raised Catholic and still practice most of the Catholic religion, I find myself disagreeing with the Church on this case of abortion, with the caveat being that everything in the story is true.
From Fox News: "A nun and administrator at a Catholic hospital in Phoenix has been reassigned and rebuked by the local bishop for agreeing that a severely ill woman needed an abortion to survive.
Sister Margaret McBride was on an ethics committee that included doctors that consulted with a young woman who was 11 weeks pregnant late last year, The Arizona Republic newspaper reported on its website Saturday. The woman was suffering from a life-threatening condition that likely would have caused her death if she hadn't had the abortion at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center." http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/15/nun-phoenix-hospital-rebuked-allowing-abortion/
I am pro-life except when the life of the mother is in severe danger. If, what the hospital says is true, the mother's life was in serious danger if she gave birth. If this is true, then I would be sad about the abortion but would understand the situation.
However, as we have seen time and time again, supposed Catholics exaggerate the truth to fit their agenda. We have seen that in academia (see the latest Marquette University flap about hiring a lesbian dean) or in other Catholic settings where there are Catholics who approve of abortion.
But if all he facts are true, I would support the hospital in this case.
Now, I'll probably go to hell.

Self-Proclaimed Lesbian Attempts To Steal College Education

From Fox News: "A student who received a full-ride ROTC scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill may now owe the Army nearly $80,000 for the money it put toward her tuition and books after coming out as a lesbian.
Sara Isaacson was notified in March that she was being discharged for violating “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” after informing the head of the university’s ROTC program of her sexual orientation in a formal memo, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported.
Along with the notice was a recommendation that she repay the $79,265.14 the government spent on her education, the paper reported."
Whether you agree with the rule don't ask, don't tell or not, this is not about the law. Isaacson knew about the rule. She took the money for college and then when it is probably close to her graduation and mandated military service, she comes out as a lesbian. And she did this on purpose. Further in the article: "Lt. Col. Monte Yoder, head of the university's Army ROTC program, said Ms. Isaacson would never have had to talk about her sexual orientation at all.
"I was very clear with Miss Isaacson about that," he told the Chronicle. "I told her I won't ask."" http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/15/college-student-owe-rotc-coming-lesbian/?test=latestnews
Isaacson did not have to come out, but she did. The head of the ROTC practically begged her not to come out openly.
Again, even if you are for the law or against, it is clear that Isaacson should have to pay back the money she got for college because she was dishonest. She probably also took the place of a potential ROTC student thereby denying him or her a chance for a full ride scholarship. In my opinion, she stole that money.
I find Isaacson's quote to be highly ironic: "I didn't feel like I could be a good officer if I didn't have integrity," she told the Chronicle of Higher Education. But apparently she didn't have the integrity to accept the ROTC's full ride scholarship.

We're Back

Well, I'm back after a week's layoff. The family moved to Henderson last Saturday and we spent most of the week moving, shuffling back and forth and trying to find things.
I hate moving, but we are now proud to be residents of Henderson.
And it was a good time to leave. Within 2 days after moving, there was a man shot at a bus stop a block away from where we used to live and a couple hours later, an officer shot a thug about 1/2 mile away. Life in the northeast side of Vegas.

Teacher Arrested For Sex With 17 Year Old Student

As a teacher, I read the story about the 30 year old teacher having sex with a 17 year old student.
There are two schools of thought. The first is that the kid is almost an adult and that this is a feather in the student's cap for getting it on with an adult and with a teacher.
The second is that the teacher was wrong and should have been arrested for having sex with a student.
As a teacher, I side with the second view. A teacher who has sex with a student at their school is just asking for trouble. Not only is the sex wrong, you put yourself and all your students in peril. you risk getting caught and then screwing up all your students. You get caught, you get suspended and then the district brings in a long term sub and whatever you taught gets thrown down the drain.
If you have to have sex with someone young, wait until they graduate and then do what you and the kid have to do, not that I endorse that either. But at least, you won't a sexual misconduct charge against you.
Any teacher, male or female that participate in this conduct is an unprofessional teacher and should not be in the teaching field.
Have I seen teachers engage in this behavior. Obviously, I have never been a witness something. Have I suspected or thought someone was doing something wrong sexually. Yes and it is an uncomfortable feeling. I have no evidence or proof that I could bring to an administrator or police, just a feeling something is not right. Would I rat a teacher or employee out if I had evidence- absolutely.
So, what this teacher did was wrong and she will lose her livelihood, even if she does not go to prison. She will probably be labeled a sex offender and for what? Six romps with a 17 year old. It's not worth it.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/07/report-teacher-student-sexual-encounters-occurred-/

9.9% Unemployment And All Is Well

9.9% unemployment and the press and President says this is positive news. Only in liberal America.

12 Buffons Make A Mockery Of The Las Vegas Legal System

12 buffoons sitting on a jury today returned a verdict and ordered punitive damages of $500,000,000 to a victim of the Hepatitis C scandal The buffoons ordered two drug companies to pay this amount, even though the drug companies had absoutely nothing to do with this scandal.
These "jurors" are just looking for their 15 minutes of fame. Maybe they are hoping to be on Oprah, be interviewed on TV, be part of the cool crowd in Las Vegas, being invited to some cool parties or who knows what they were thinking. Maybe they wanted to be part of history. But whatever the reason, they were not using their brain.
The facts of the case are really easy to understand. There were corrupt doctors and nurses who ran an endoscopy clinic. They ordered and used propofol, a knockout drug. What they did wrong was they reused needles and syringes in the medicine bottles. The drug company did not make them do this They did not suggest this or even hint this maybe acceptable. But they are being fully accountable in this case by a corrupt judge and some ethically challenged jurors.
There is no way this verdict will be upheld, either by the trial judge, Nevada Supreme Court or in the federal courts.
Who says tort reform is not needed.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/07/jurors-reach-verdict-over-hepatitis-c-damages/

Las Vegas Sun Hits A New Low

The Las Vegas Sun, in it's quest to be the worst newspaper in the country sinks to a new low today when it said that Jim Gibbons compared fellow GOP candidate for governor, Brian Sandoval to Nazis. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/06/governor-compares-sandoval-nazis/
Never mind that the Sun made no direct quote of the allegation. The Sun also quotes Gibbons as supporting racial profiling and yet has to produce a quote that sustains that allegation.
I am not defending Jim Gibbons nor am I supporter, but this crap that is put out by the Las Vegas Sun under the guise of news is despicable. The writer of this article, David McGrawth Schwartz is a despicable journalist. If he has a direct quote that Jim Gibbons compares Sandoval to Nazis, then use it in the article. But Schwartz uses this article to slam both Gibbons and Sandoval. I'd say Schwartz ought to go back to journalism school and actually learn something about ethics and journalism, but he is so far gone that there is little chance he will ever become an ethical reporter.
Is there a worse newspaper i n the United States? I am sure there is somewhere. Maybe some underground Nazi newspaper comes to mind. Maybe that is who the Sun wants to emulate.

Obama Administration Loses Big Time In Military Court

For a third time, a U.S. Navy SEAL has been acquitted of assault on a thug terrorist prisoner. From Fox News: "A Virginia military jury found a Navy SEAL not guilty Thursday on all charges he punched an Iraqi suspected in the 2004 killings of four U.S. contractors in Fallujah.
"I'm really happy right now," Matthew McCabe, the Navy SEAL, told Fox News shortly after hearing the outcome of the court martial. "It's an amazing feeling. I'm on cloud nine right now."
McCabe, a special operations petty officer second class, called the proceedings "troubling at times," adding "having your career on the line is not an easy thing to handle.
McCabe was the third and final Navy SEAL to be prosecuted in the case. He had faced charges of assault, making a false official statement and dereliction of performance of duty for willfully failing to safeguard a detainee. McCabe was accused of punching last year is Ahmed Hashim Abed, the suspected mastermind of the grisly killings six years ago." http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/06/navy-seal-guilty-assaulting-suspected-terrorist/
This is the third Navy SEAL to be acquitted of assaulted of this thug. I understand, you try and convict someone of the crime once. If you fail maybe try for a second time but why in the world would you try and convict a third time when you lost two previous court cases. Unless someone high up in the Navy and Obama administration wanted to make this Seal's life hell. The Obama administration wanted to make an example of these SEALs.
This was on the Obama watch and it shows his administration's utter contempt of the military.

Another Reason Why CCSD Is Broke

On May 25, 2010, CCSD will be bringing former Atlanta mayor and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young for a speech to CCSD employees.
From the poster:
Ambassador Andrew Young to Discuss
“From the Civil Rights Movement to Today:
The Impact of This Journey in
American Education”
Who: Open to CCSD Employees
When: Tuesday, May 25, 2010
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Where: Curriculum and Professional Development Center
Room 143
Student Support
Services Division
Equity & Diversity
Education Department
799-8484
Ambassador Andrew Young’s humanitarian efforts and influence
have spanned the globe. From his beginnings as an ordained minister
and top aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement,
to his current position as founding principal and chair of Good-
Works International, an organization that embraces his long-held mission
of facilitating economic development in the Caribbean and Africa,
Ambassador Young has dedicated himself to improving the lives of all
people.
COST: No Cost.

Ambassador Andrew Young to Discuss
“From the Civil Rights Movement to Today:
The Impact of This Journey in
American Education”
Who: Open to CCSD Employees
When: Tuesday, May 25, 2010
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Where: Curriculum and Professional Development Center
Room 143
Student Support
Services Division
Equity & Diversity
Education Department
Ambassador Andrew Young’s humanitarian efforts and influence
have spanned the globe. From his beginnings as an ordained minister
and top aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement,
to his current position as founding principal and chair of Good-
Works International, an organization that embraces his long-held mission
of facilitating economic development in the Caribbean and Africa,
Ambassador Young has dedicated himself to improving the lives of all
people.
COST: No Cost.
Licensed employees will receive professional development compensation
per the negotiated agreement between the Clark County
School District and the Clark County Education Association.
Note: This event is sponsored by the Clark County School District.
CCSD Regulation 4280, Dress and Grooming: All Employees will
apply.
EDE 4/23/10 Page 1 of 1.
Note: This event is sponsored by the Clark County School District.
CCSD Regulation 4280, Dress and Grooming: All Employees will
apply.
EDE 4/23/10 Page 1 of 1

I am sure Andrew Young will give a good speech. He is history and knowledgeable about the civil rights movement. He offers good insight as to what is happening now.
So, since Young is probably not talking for free, he will receive his expenses paid plus whatever he charges for the speech. I don't know what he charges, but I am pretty sure total costs will cost more than $10,000 or more.
Is it a wise move to bring in Ambassador Young when the school district is broke. Probably not.
However the kicker is this: "
"Licensed employees will receive professional development compensation
per the negotiated agreement between the Clark County
School District and the Clark County Education Association."
If you are a teacher and you attend this speech, you will be paid between $22 and $30 an hour to listen to Ambassador Young.
I am sure Young is a great speaker but do you need to be paid to listen to him? If 200 teachers come and listen to him for two hours, that will cost the district about $8800, in addition to all the other costs.
When times are good, I have no problem bringing in Andrew Young and let him speak. But if you have to pay teachers to listen to him, this probably is not a good idea at this time.

Dave Obey Resigns: Good Bye And Good Riddance

Dave Obey, D- WI, was my congressman for 5 long years and now he is resigning, joining the other Democrats that have fled the sinking ship that is called the November elections.
Obey is no slacker, he is probably the most powerful politician in Wisconsin as he has been in Congress for about 40 years and is the chairman if the House Appropriations Committee.
Dave Obey was a jerk and not a nice person. If you didn't like what he did, the thought your were trash- he really didn't care.
Now, the liberal newspapers, especially those from the Gannett newspapers have declared a 3 day of mourning.
This House seat will more than likely go GOP. Except for a few areas, the district is conservative. He had a real good chance he would have lost this election. His main support, union papermakers, are a thing of the past. Many paper making plants have shut down or laid off employees and so his main support is gone. He had some support around some small college campuses like U.W. Stevens Point and the Indian Reservation in Shawano County.
Dave Obey's politics did not fit the district.
Good riddance to the socialist David Obey and any one want to make a bet that he doesn't live in Wisconsin after November. Not that he lived in Wisconsin all that much now.

12 Idiots Raise Health care Prices In Las Vegas

Today, a jury ensured that Las Vegas and the surrounding area will continue to have expensive health care by siding with the plaintiff in the Hepatitis C infection case. These 12 morons voted in favor of the plaintiffs over the drug companies, instead of blaming the clinics, doctors and nurses. The plaintiffs, Henry Chanin and his wife sued and won over $5 million dollars from the morons on the jury.
The drug companies were accused of selling over sized vials of the Michael Jackson death drug, propofol to the clinic. Now mind you, the clinic probably ordered the drug and the sizes and the drug company filled the order. The drug company did not administer the drug nor did they reuse the vials. The doctors and nurses did that.
Using the jury's rationale, now the drug companies are going to have to put their employees inside anywhere they sell drugs- inside a clinic, hospital or doctor's office to ensure that their medication is used properly.
This was a frivolous case that should never have been heard but when it was heard, it was heard by a jury and judge that used it's heart instead it's brain.
And yet the Democrats in Congress and President Obama still don't think we need tort reform.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/05/verdict-first-hepatitis-c-case/

Good-Bye Bat Girl

We have been fortunate living in northeast Las Vegas to pretty much have oblivious to crime. Today, we met crime head on as Cathy's Vento scooter, Bat Girl was stolen during daylight hours.
The theft happened between 7Am and 2:00PM and whoever stole it had to have some very powerful tools. Cathy had tied up the scooter with some heavy duty locks and chains from OnGuard. Locks and chains so powerful that they guarantee you that your bike or scooter will not be stolen or they will replace the bike or scooter. We will see how they honor that guarantee. It's also possible that whoever got the scooter also got a motorcycle as well. There was a red Harley parked next to the scooter and it has not been seen by us today.
I might add, we called the 311 non emergency police line and they said they would send out an officer to take a report. Ok, we thought, about a 3-10 hour wait, but we actually had a Metro police cadet knocking on our door less than 20 minutes after we called 311. That was very impressive by Metro.
What really sucks is that we are moving in 3 days and instead of being parked outside, Bat Girl would have been brought into an attached garage. 3 frickin' days and she would have been safe.
So, farewell to Cathy's Bat Girl- we have a lot of memories of her and to the person who stole her, look out because if we find your ass, you won't have to worry about sitting down for a long, long time.

Well, Lookee Here: Failed SUV Bomber In NYC Is A Democrat

From rightpundits.com: "An Islamic terrorist named Faisal Shahzad is the Time Square bomber according to media reports. He is Muslim of Pakistani heritage with dual citizenship in the United States, a registered Democrat in the state of Connecticut who may be an Obama donor. He was recently naturalized as a U.S. citizen under the Obama administration’s lenient open door policy.
Shahzad Faisal as identified by NBC News, or Faisal Shahzad as identified by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, is a U.S. citizen of Pakistani origin. He was arrested at JFK airport in New York trying to flee the country back to Pakistan via a connector flight to Dubai, India on flight UAE 202. He was taken off the airplane sitting on the runway, promptly read his Miranda rights, and presumably went silent. "
http://www.rightpundits.com/?p=6169
Not too bright in bombing, not too bright in politics.
h/t dad29

Pakestani-American Arrested For Car Bomb In NYC

From Fox News: "A Pakistani man believed to be the driver of an SUV used as a car bomb in a failed terror attack on Times Square was taken into custody early Tuesday by federal and local police officials while trying to leave the country.
The suspect, Faisal Shahzad, was identified by customs agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport and was stopped before boarding an Emirates airlines flight to Dubai, Attorney General Eric Holder said. Shahzad had recently returned from a five-month trip to Pakistan, where he had a wife." http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/04/pakistani-american-arrested-times-square-plot/
Shockingly, this thug is a Muslim, based on his name and he is from from Pakistan.
This is going to disappoint a lot of people who thought the crime was committed by a white male, as the first report came out.
Now, will the Obama administration will call this a terrorist attack?

Want To Get Drunk In Las Vegas For Less Than $1

From The Las Vegas Advisor: "Dig this: On Tuesdays from 9 pm till midnight, you can get 5¢ beers. Yes, you read that right. No, that’s not a typo. Beers for a plug nickel. And they’re not at some dive bar that only Anthony Curtis could love. Rather, these eight-ounce cups of Pabst Blue Ribbon are served up in the new Todd English P.U.B. in the Crystals mall at CityCenter! Bring a quarter and drink all night". http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/topten.cfm

The Las Vegas Advisor is a great web site for information about Las Vegas. You can find a lot of good deals there. http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/index.cfm?&CFID=33145175&CFTOKEN=36841389

Pawn Stars 5-3-2010

Well, yesterday, there was a new episode, http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/05/pawn-stars-review-may-2-2010.html. Today's first episode covered the first episode tonight. I could have sworn that the 2nd episode was a rerun as well, but I could not find it in the archives. Sooo...
The first guy brought in a 1973 Bally's pin ball machine that was in pieces. They brought in an expert, Michael. I've played these types of machines when I was a kid. The inside looked pretty bad. To restore it, it would take $2500-3000. The guy wanted $3000 and the Corey's offer $800 and then $1000 and that is what it sold for. It was restored for $3000 and it can make $5000, so they may make a profit of $1000 on the deal.
The next lady brought in a a $20 gold piece the lady found at her new house. It may be a counterfeit, but the counterfeit is also made of gold, so the lady maybe in the money. And another expert comes in. The coin was real and it was graded at mint stage 64, worth about $2000. The lady wanted the $2000 and Rick offered $1500 and that is what it sold for.
The next guy brought in his human transporter, a Segway i2. Chumlee tries to ride it but is not very successful. The guy wanted $3500 and the counteroffer was $2000 and then $2500 and it was sold for that amount. Later, Chumlee was seen running around the store with the Segway.
The next guy brought in a portable gramophone, a compact portable record player. No batteries required. You could play old 78 rpms. It worked. Poorly. The guy wanted $200 but the counteroffer was $80. The guy wanted $100 and that is what he got.
The last guy brought in an Shelby car couch. Well, it wasn't a Shelby and Chumlee was way too big the couch. The guy wanted $3500 and Ricked offered $300 and then $400 and there was no sale.
I know this is a rerun, but I couldn't find it, so I could not go to bed until 11:00. Damn.
Have a nice week.

The Gulf oil rig explosion - on the scene photos

Here are some exceptional pictures of the oil rig diaster in the Gulf of Mexico from wattsupwiththat.com
The Gulf oil rig explosion - on the scene photos

h/t Crankyhermit

Oh My, Tom Harkin Calls For John Ensign To Resign

From the LV Sun via Politico: "Sen. John Ensign is facing an increasingly uncertain future in the Senate, with a senior Democrat saying that the Nevada Republican should resign if allegations against him are true and other senators mulling the possibility of public hearings into his extramarital affair with a former staffer.
“If it is true that indeed he did make these payoffs and all that kind of stuff, then I would think the honorable thing would be to resign,” Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said in an interview."
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/elsewhere/2010/may/03/john-ensign-draws-call-resign/
Oh, is that the same Tom Harkin who called for the womanizer, woman killing and running away like a baby and hide behind his family's money Ted Kennedy? Is that the same tom Harkin who called for former KKK member Robert Byrd's resignation? Was that the same Tom Harkin who called for Harry Reid's resignation after hearing about all of Harry's shady land deals? Is this the same Tom Harkin who called for the resignation of Christopher Dodd and Kent Conrad over their Countrywide sweetheart loans/bribes?
But wait, is this the same Tom Harkin who lied about his military service? "In 1979, Mr. Harkin, then a congressman, participated in a round-table discussion arranged by the Congressional Vietnam Veterans' Caucus. 'I spent five years as a Navy pilot, starting in November of 1962,' Mr. Harkin said at that meeting, in words that were later quoted in a book, Changing of the Guard, by Washington Post political writer David Broder. 'One year was in Vietnam. I was flying F-4s and F-8s on combat air patrols and photo-reconnaissance support missions. I did no bombing.'
"That clearly is not an accurate picture of his Navy service. . . . Mr. Harkin's Navy record shows his only decoration is the National Defense Service Medal, awarded to everyone on active service during those years. He did not receive either the Vietnam Service medal or the Vietnam Campaign medal, the decorations given to everyone who served in the Southeast Asia theater."

It turned out Mr. Harkin had not seen combat and was stationed in Japan. What's more, Mr. Cheney isn't the first Vice President to fall victim to Mr. Harkin's acid tongue. In an editorial in 1988, we quoted "Senator Tom Harkin who served in Vietnam" (we thought at the time) saying of his Senate colleague Dan Quayle, who did not serve in Vietnam: "It's so ironic; they get in Congress or the government and become big hawks. Don't they have any shame at all?"
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110005496
Yeah, Tom Harkin is nothing but whiny little liberal who is a liar and shameful liar at that.

Inflation On Pace For 24% Annuallyi

Inflation went up 2% in March and if it holds true, means we will have an annual inflation rate of 24%. I've seem grocery prices rise by pennies, nickels and dimes. Gas has gone up. House prices are going up. Some services have gone up.
It's not surprising that inflation has gone up, especially grocery items. Either prices have gone up or packages are getting smaller, or both.
Hopefully, inflation won't get out of control, but I feel it will. I just hope it doesn't become inflation seen under Jimmy Carter.

Pawn Stars Review: May 2, 2010

The first episode was first seen on February 15, 2010. http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2010/02/pawn-stars-review-feb-15-2010.html
In the 2nd episode, the first guy brought in a 1915-1920 train set. This looks a very old Lionel set but from a different company. Lionel eventually bought the company. The guy wanted $850 and Rick offered $750 and settled for $850.
The next guy brought in a 1862 postage stamp and a coin combined. They brought in Dana, the expert. Dana has a web site and it says his office is out of Rancho Santa Fe, CA. That's just north of San Diego, so that means he has a very long commute to come and see items in the store. http://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/home.php
The stamp/coin was very rare. Dana says the coin could go for $4-6000. The seller wanted $4500 and the counter offer was $2000 and it sold for $2300.
The next guy brought in a 1980 Datsun 280ZX. It sounds kind of rough, like a missing cylinder. The guy wanted $28,000 but Rick wanted to give $4000 firm. So, it sold pending a mechanic looking over the car. The house mechanic decided it was not worth it so because of so many problems, so there was no sale.
The next guy brought in a James Bond screen play with the final draft script of the movie "Goldfinger". The guy wanted $1000 but settled for $500.
The final lady brought in a 1800's tricycle. It seemed to be in good shape but not all the parts were original. Rick believed it was a reproduction and it was a no-sale. The lady disagreed thinking Rick was wrong. In this case, I would have sided with the lady.
Another week done and another week closer to the season of reruns. If you want to come to Vegas and visit the store you better do it quick because if you come in the summer, it will be very hot in the store and waiting outside the shop. Trust me, it sucks to be standing in line when it's 110 degrees outside.

It's Sunday, So It Must Be Time For Another Commercial For Harry Reid Compliments Of The LV Sun

Today is Sunday and The Las Vegas Sun runs it's usual complimentary Harry Reid commercial written by Lisa Mascaro, Harry Reid's Washington D.C campaign spokesman. Mascaro, I am sure, says she is a journalist, but in reality she is just a hack reporter who has very little creditability, even less ethics and even a smaller amount of honesty.
First a lie: "Reid’s spokesman Jon Summers notes the 1,000 jobs created by a new wind turbine manufacturing facility in Southern Nevada are the start of the state’s green economy. Building the transmission line will create 400 construction jobs." First, these jobs have not been created, they are potential jobs and it is far from certain that these jobs will be created. This concept is just in the planning stages and the project depends on a lot of government subsidy.
Another lie: "Reid ensured that Nevada received the largest per capita allotment of foreclosure aid with $1.5 billion for five hard-hit states in a new housing rescue program announced when President Barack Obama visited Las Vegas in February. Nevada will receive more than $100 million." Ok, let's run the numbers. Nevada received the largest amount of money, $100 million. There are 5 states receiving this money. If all received $100 million, that totals $500 million. Where did the other $1 billion dollars go? Harry? Lisa? Hello? Care to answer that?
Another distortion of the facts: "Last year, he inserted in the stimulus bill a massive prize for his home state — $3.2 billion for an obscure Western federal power agency, which is now providing low-interest government loans to finance Nevada’s first north-south electrical transmission line." Well, of course you have to use green energy to be able to use the transmission lines. And since we don't have a lot of green energy in the Valley, this won't be happening any time soon.
Another complaint: Andrew Reamer, a fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program, concludes that the biggest roadblock to Nevada receiving more money from the feds is its unwillingness to spend on social programs, in particular Medicaid, the health program for low-income people.
Nevada brings in $742 annually per capita — barely half the national average of $1,469, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures compiled by Brookings.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/02/reid-delivers-when-it-comes-federal-aid/
So, according to Reid, Mascaro et al., All Nevada taxpayers have to do is spend more money to get more money. And where does Nevada get that money? No answers to that.
I wonder what next Sunday will bring? Harry Reid: Anointed first Mormon Saint in the Catholic Church? Harry Reid: Cures AIDS, Hepatitis and Mental Illness? Only time will tell.

You Won't Find This Happening Too Often

Last night there was a pro-illegal immigration rally in downtown Las Vegas. Clearly, a liberal group of people were in attendance.
The conservative newspaper, the Las Vegas Review Journal said there 2,500 people in attendance.
The liberal rag, the Las Vegas Sun said there 1000 people at the rally.
It's not very often when you have the conservative inflate the numbers at a liberal rally while the liberal paper deflates the number.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/marchers-demand-immigration-overhaul-92614249.html

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/02/immigration-rallies-draw-1000-in-vegas-300-reno/

In either case, 1,000-2,500 is a very pathetic number for a rally that was well publicized and planned out. The organizers were hoping for 10,000 and fell way short.
I guess that don't have the support they had hoped for.

Pawn Stars: A Friendly Reminder

Just a friendly reminder that Pawn Stars is on Sunday nights with a new episode and Mondays are for reruns now.

Another Home Invader Thug Shot Dead In Las Vegas

Another thug was shot and killed this morning by a homeowner when the thug tried to break in. The homeowner was shot in the arm and survived.
From the Las Vegas Sun: A man is dead after being shot during a possible home invasion Saturday morning, police said.
Authorities said initial reports are that a homeowner shot and killed an intruder, but Metro Police this afternoon still were investigating to determine the sequence of events.
The shooting happened about 6:30 a.m. in the 3800 block of Hudson Bay Avenue, near Pecos and Bonanza roads.
The homeowner was shot in the arm, but is expected to survive, police said. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/01/shooting-leaves-man-dead-eastern-valley/
From Channel 13: Metro Police are reporting that a homeowner shot and killed an intruder while defending his home near Bonanza and Pecos.
The shooting happened at around 6:30am Saturday and the homeowner was also shot in the arm by the suspect. The injury to the homeowner is non-life threatening.
Details as to what actually occurred between the homeowner and the intruder are unknown at this point.
This happening more often in the Las Vegas Valley. More and more homeowners are arming themselves and killing the thugs who try to break into homes.
This shooting is very close to my school, so it kind of hits home. What gets me is that criminals still keep on trying to break homes in Las Vegas even though many have been killed by the homeowner.
What also gets me is that there areas in the country that does not allow a homeowner to protect their house with a gun. While I am not a gun nut, I do think that every American should have the right to defend themselves in their home with a gun or rifle.
So, good riddance to this thug. He just caused this homeowner a lot of problems. This homeowner will lose his privacy, faces a police investigation, is having pain because of the gunshot wound, the guilt of killing the thug, possible nightmares, the cleanup of the blood and so much more.
So, goodbye, thug. You have caused a lot of pain to the homeowner and your family and your friends. Was it worth it?

Breaking News: Large Car Bomb Found In Times Square, NYC

A Terrorist attack was narrowly avoided tody when a a Nissan Pathfinder was discovered to have a large car bomb in Times Square.
From the New York Times: A bomb in Times Square led to the evacuation of thousands of tourists and theatergoers from the area on a warm and busy Saturday evening, the police said.
There was no explosion.
“It appears to be a car bomb left in a Pathfinder between Seventh and Eighth,” said Deputy Commissioner Paul J. Browne, the Police Department’s chief spokesman.
The device, he said, contained “explosive elements” that included “propane tanks, some kind of powder, gasoline and a timing device.”
“This is very much an active investigation,” he said.
The device was discovered by a mounted police officer who saw a box with smoke pouring from it in the back of the Pathfinder, Mr. Browne said. The officer called for backup, and the Fire Department and bomb squad.
The Pathfinder’s back window was broken out, Mr. Browne said, and the police sent in a “robotic device” to “observe it.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/nyregion/02timessquare.html?hp
The bomb was by the theater showing the "Lion King".
No one has claimed responsibility, though I fear there will be finger pointing.
Thank goodness for the observant police because this could have been very bad.

Nye County Deputy Sheriff Laid To Rest

Today, Deputy Ian Deutch of the Nye County Sheriff's department was laid to rest today. The above pictures are mine.

There were about 75 people in front of the church to share their respect, including about 40 motorcycle riders, many from the Vietnam Era and many from the Marine Corp Riders.

There were police cars from virtually every police jurisdiction including the State and Federal police agencies.

The Nye County K-9 team were part of the honor guards in front of the Church.

Clark County and City of Las Vegas fire departments were represented by their ladder trucks hanging a huge American flag from the top of their ladders. The Pahrump Valley Fire department also was represented in the procession.

I saw police cars from all over Nevada, California and Idaho at the Church.

The procession line was at least a mile long, as it stretched down Jones from Lone Mountain to Craig and then down Craig for a significant length. It took about 25 minutes for the procession to pass by.

It was nice to see the cooperation and bonding of dozens of police agencies while they were honoring one of their own.

To see the Sun's story on the funeral: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/01/slain-nye-county-sheriffs-deputy/