Barlights

Hey, Thanks!!

Just wanted to give a big thanks to everyone who either attended or sent a super gift to Jena dn I for our August wedding.  What a great day, and thanks to all of the above for being there in spirit if not in body!

Yeah, I know this is almost 5 months later, but I think you've got a year afterwards to do all the thank-yous (?).

Courthouse Search: Round 2

Via WITF's State and Local News and the Patriot News:

The General Services Admin has trotted out its new 'long list' of potential sites for the new federal courthouse in Harrisburg:

* South Front and Sycamore streets
* eastern corner of 2nd and Paxton streets
* western corner of 2nd and Paxton streets
* North 6th and Reily streets
* Maclay and Cameron streets
* North 3rd and Wiconisco streets (Scottish Rite Cathedral)
* 3rd and Pine streets
* 2nd and Locust streets
* 7th and Boas streets
* 2nd and Market streets (Dauphin County Administration Building)

This list does seem to have some real possibilities on it.  I remember thinking when they brought out their first list, What about putting it on Third Street  (Midtownish) or Sixth/Seventh Street?  Seems like these areas need the potential development spur more than the previous list.  I'm still waiting for the City to stop cramming everything into Restaurant Row and start moving some development onto Third Street around the Broad Street Market and the old Nick's 1014.

Now, I wonder what they're gonna do with the current courthouse when the new one is finally built.  Harrisburg sure could use some tax money out of that property...

Rock the Vote

I filled out a good, old-fashioned paper ballot when I voted today.  Why?  There were only 2 of the new electronic machines in my polling place, and something like 6 or 8 spots for paper balloting.  Guess which line was longer.  I'm glad there's a paper trail with my vote.

Now we just need to get on the "vote by mail" train here in PA, like they've done in parts of Oregon and Washington.  Simplifies everything and there's no standing in line.  Check out The Vote By Mail Project.

Please make sure you exercise your Constitutional rights today, no matter who you're voting for...  Polls are open an hour later ('til 9PM) in Lancaster and Lebanon counties.

Peace.

Stem Cell Bullshit!

Eminent scientists Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Sam Brownback of Kansas today denounced the bill currently before the U.S. Senate to allow for federal funding for stem cell research using new lines of stem cells. 

Oh wait, those guys aren't medically trained, or scientists by profession?  And the use of embryonic cells is a destruction of life?

So, these are the same two guys who support a military action in Iraq that takes HUMAN LIVES everyday?  And the same two guys who likely wouldn't miss a chance to cut funding to some social program that likely keeps HUMANS alive and/or healthy? 

It's a purely political move with these people.  Must be nice to not give a shit about healing people with ALS or Parkinson's, while those of us who have to grapple with the suffering of  a family member or friend who has one of these diseases.

My grandmother is suffering horribly from the effects of Parkinson's disease as we speak.  And you're telling me she doesn't matter?  We've got to save the cells that aren't even a fully formed human over her comfort and well-being in her final years?

Give me a break...

Go, Floyd, go!

Congrats to Floyd Landis of Lancaster, PA (and the rest of the U.S. cyclers), for holding the yellow jersey for two days last week and for remianing second in the overall standings.  Sapin's Perreiro won today's leg, but Mr. Landis certainly has a chance to regain the yellow. 

Go USA!!

FEMA and where to go from here

In the last month or so we've seen a federal panel of legislators recommend the elimination of FEMA and the establishment of a new federal org. for disaster relief and rescue.

The point that they're missing here is that FEMA worked fine a few years ago, and that it is likely FEMA's kidnapping by DHS and it's huge bureaucracy that hindered its action in New Orleans. 

Yeah, where's the Plymouth???

I haven't been able to find Plymouth gin in the local state stores recently.  I hope this is just an oversight or a lack of supply.  Plymouth is probably the best brand under $20 and somewhere between Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray, IMO. 

Don't get me started on the ridiculousness of the state system in PA (still the world's largest buyer of liquor!).  I moved back from Maryland for this?

Vote In the PA Primaries

Dragonballyee's (Albert's) piece on Valerie McDonald-Roberts, my pick for Dem lietenat governor candidate.  interesting stuff...

Go out and vote during Pennsylvania's prmaries on May 16, 2006! I can't since I'm registered as an Independent (unless, that is, a great candidate registered as "I" comes along). Kind of BS that we have this democratic freedom to vote, and then we basically can't vote in a closed primary unless we're registered with one of the two majority parties. Yeah, I know it's simplified, but some days I think I know how it is to live in DC and not have a Senator.

Like old times...

Saturday night, just sitting back with a beer and listening to some music.

I'm digging Richard Taylor's Roots Rock Radio podcast.  Just downloaded #57, but I've been lax and now am catching up on RR #53. 

Nothing but good, lesser known, roots-rock/country/punk/folk/pop/alt.everything.

Moremoremore

(Many) More posts and site design changes when I get around to them.

Slowly, but surely, people...