Robin_Taylor's Blog

The Brinkley family has been pleading for justice for years, but their cries have fallen on deaf ears.  They say the wrong brother has been behind bars for 31 years.  But, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office stands by its conviction of Kevin Brinkley.  

On December 22, 1977, Charles Haag, 35, an egg and poultry salesman was shot and killed during a robbery on the corner of 32nd and Arlington Streets.  Two armed men jumped the delivery man and his partner, pressing gun to their heads and demanding money.  Haag resisted and during a struggle was shot and killed.

Police arrested Kevin Brinkley, a 15-year-old with a criminal record that included shoplifting, and another man June O'Bryant, 20.  O'Bryant told police that he and Kevin were responsible for the crime.  Brinkley denied any involvement.  To complicate matters, Brinkley's younger brother Ronnie, 13, went to police and confessed to the crime.  A jury found Kevin Brinkley guilty of murder and sentenced him to life in prison.

Since then, Ronnie has testified, in a hearing to decide whether there should be a new trial, that he was the killer, not his brother Kevin.  O'Bryant has also changed his story, saying it was Ronnie, not Kevin who pulled the trigger.  Other witnesses have also changed their stories.

 A judge must now decide whether to grant Kevin Brinkley a new trial.

If Brinkley gets a new trial, the district attorney's office is faced with daunting task of taking a 31-year-old case back to court, with witnesses whose memories are faulty and evidence that happened a long time ago.

If Ronnie is tried for murder, it would be even more complicated, because he was a minor and would face a maximum of seven years for a crime he committed as a boy.

Please share your thoughts with us.  What do you think should be done?  Have you or your family ever experienced anything similar to this?

And what about the choice the mother has had to make?  She has had to fight to free one son, knowing the other son could end up in prison.

 

The Democratic Presidential Debate at Drexel gave all seven contenders a chance to state their positions on the issues and prove their potential ability to be president.  Going in, Hillary Clinton was the candidate to beat, at least if much credit to the national polls.  Whether the other candidates dented her armor is purely subjective.

Immediately afterwards, the analysts and spin doctors put their two-cents in on who won or lost.  So what do you think?

I would say the real winners were the student volunteers who got to see how the process works and will hopefully pay attention to more than the theatrics and actually think about the ideas.  

Proper Etiquette: When is it okay to talk politics?

 

I was attending a wedding this past weekend, when the man seated next to me started to talk politics.  Now I don't usually mind a few political comments or even some lively debate, but this was a man looking for a fight.  He was extremely opinionated and wanted to trust his point of view on everyone around him.  Unfortunately, I was a captive audience because it was a formal dinner and I couldn't just excuse myself and walk away.  After finding my blood start to boil, I quickly changed the subject several times, and eventually he moved on to another potential target.

 

I found his behavior entirely inappropriate.  The wedding was a joyous occasion which I wanted to share with the bride and groom as did the other people at the table, including the wife of "Mr. Obnoxious.'"  I just thought I would share this, because I'm sure many of you have encountered similar uncomfortable situations.

 

Please feel free to share.  They're humorous afterwards, but not so funny at the time.

 

 

 

The arrest of six suspected terrorists in New Jersey highlights the importance of security at sporting events.

Agents say one of the potential targets was the Army-Navy game, but the conspirators decided against it because security was too high; instead they opted for Fort Dix which they viewed as a more vulnerable target.

This week, college athletic directors from schools across the country are meeting at Temple University to learn ways to enhance campus security at sporting events.  The venues draw tens-of-thousands people and in many cases are soft targets that are considered vunerable to anyone bent on causing harm.

There are effective measures colleges can take, such as creating a buffer zone, making sure everyone has proper credentials, limiting access to the venue, searching bags and vehicles and making sure there is a visible police presence. 

All of these measures act as a deterrent, but the best security stops a terrorist before he ever gets to the target.  And that is where you come in.  Agents say it was a tip from a video store employee that alerted them to the New Jersey suspects.  Investigators say it's critical that people speak-up when they witness suspicious behavior.

It is through tips and other intelligence work that law enforcement tracks a suspect, builds a case and then eventually makes an arrest.

Please feel free to add your thoughts on what can be done to enhance security.

How do you feel about exercising in a gym with people of the opposite sex?

The YMCA did some research and found out that there are a lot of women who want to workout but are uncomfortable in a traditional gym.  They may not be familiar with the equipment, or are intimidated by the weightlifters, or are turned off by the stinky sweaty smell of a man's gym.  So, the Y decided to do something different.  It opened a womens wellness center in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania designed specifically for women.

The clients are women of all ages, but the concept is particularly appealing to busy moms and people who aren't "jocks", like senior citizens who don't have a regular workout routine.  In many cases, they are not familiar with the equipment and are afraid to ask for help.  Being in a "women only" atmosphere helps alleviate some of that pressure.

Tell us what you think?  Does the idea appeal to you?  Or would you to prefer to workout in a gym with both men and women?

 

Pennsylvania is one of just 14 states that doesn't have a law protecting a mother's right to breastfeed her baby in public.  Many women would like to see that change. 

On Monday, a couple hundred women, many of them mothers with their infant children, held at rally at the state capitol in Harrisburg in support of a bill that would protect a woman's right to breastfeed in public places.  The bill was introduced by State Senator Connie Williams and was scheduled for a vote before the full senate in the afternoon, but the vote was postponed and will have to be rescheduled.

Please share your thoughts on the issue.

 

Tooth Decay is on the rise in preschool children between the ages of 2 and 5.  Researchers say their baby teeth are filled with cavities all because they're being exposed to too many sweets. 

The little girl in the piece I did today was 4-year-old and already had caps, crowns and extractions.  Her parents first discovered the problem when she fell down and knocked out her front teeth when she was two.  The dentist told the family the teeth were rotten from "Baby Bottle Syndrome."  That happens when children are put to bed with juice, milk or formula in their bottle.  The sugars lead to decay which eats right through the thin layer of enamel on baby teeth.  The little girl's parents were putting her to bed with diluted apple juice and had no idea this was happening.

As a parent, I know it's hard to put a baby or toddler down without a bottle.  For those of us who use formula or juice to settle our little ones into bed, does anyone have any suggestions to wean our children from the habbit?

Many of us think that falling in love is something for teenagers.  Adults, they don't fall in love.  They have too many responsibilities, too many adult things to do.  What they have is mature love.  And while that may be true, falling in love is not just for teenagers.

I just did a story on an elderly couple who were getting married.  The bride was 75-years-old the groom 87-years-old; and they were very much in love.  Many of us would have written the bride off as a old maid, for she had never married, but that didn't keep her from falling in love.  Her groom had lost his first three wives to various illness, but that didn't keep him from falling in love again with a woman he probably should have married years ago.

It's something I witnessed first-hand with my own grandmother.  Several years after my grandfather passed, my grandmother opened her mind to the possibility of dating and sure enough she met a widower like herself and fell in love.  They were so cute together!  Just like two teenagers.  It gave me great pleasure to see the two of them so happy together. 

For those who don't believe it can happen, I say it can.  It's never too late to find love.

RT

 

I know.  You've heard it before.  Smoke detectors save lives.  But they really do. 

A family is alive today because in January the fire department installed three smoke detectors in their Kensington home.  An electrical fire within the floor beneath the children's bedroom began in the early morning hours while the family was sleeping.  The alarms went off.  And they got out in time.

I have covered half a dozen fires so far this year.  Some of them tragic.  The ones where children die bring tears to my eyes.  So far, 20 people have died in fires in Philadelphia this year.  That's well ahead of last year.

The Philadelphia Fire Department is doing its part.  Now everyone else needs to do their part by making sure their smoke detectors have batteries and are working.

Robin

Sometimes I think I have one of the best jobs in the world -- and this was one of those times.

On Saturday, I got to fly with the 913th Airlift Wing out of Willow Grove.  It was their final flight, because the base is closing, so the day was bittersweet; but it was still a beautiful day for flying.  The flight crew has flown together for many years, both in peace-time and in war-time, and now will be moving on to other bases or retiring. 

The first thing I have to share is that a C-130 is loud!  Very Loud!  A C-130 is a military cargo plane that transports everything from "beans to bullets" -- meaning everything from personell, to supplies, to ammunition.  The cargo hold is not like a passenger jet.  It has mesh seating that runs sideways for those along for the ride and very few windows.

In the back, it is a rough ride, especially at low elevations.  When you fly on a commercial airliner you usually reach a cruising altitude of 30-thousand feet.  Not so on a C-130.  It's a very reliable prop plane that can cruise at some of those higher altitudes, but often travels at less than 10-thousand feet in elevation where the ride can be a bit choppy.  On our short mission we flew out to Atlantic City and back at an altitude of 3-thousand feet.

Unfortunately, some of the media had to use their air sickness bags.  They were looking rather green and wishing for terra firma.

For those of us who love to fly, it was fabulous!  We had free access to the cockpit and the pilots and crew while we were in the air.  To talk to eachother you need to put on a headset, otherwise it's impossible to hear much over the noise of the engines.  The pilots were feeling a bit nostalgic given the fact that it was their last flight together. 

I really have to give them a lot of credit for doing what they do.  They're "weekend warriors" who work civilian jobs during the week and do their reserve duty on the weekends.  That duty includes being called up and serving most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

I must thank the 913th's public information officer for allowing us on-board for the crews final flight.  We were able to put a very nice piece together and also enjoy a beautiful day of flying.

Robin

 

 

 

Roofing Advice:

I am certainly not an expert on roofing, but I got some very helpful advice from Gary Selleck, the owner of C&C Family Roofing & Siding, which I would like to pass along.

• If you live in a home with an older roof, you really should consider replacing it by the time it is 20-25 years old. If you wait any longer than that, you’re probably going to have water damage to the structure of your home that is costly to replace. The cost of replacing a roof obviously varies depending upon the size of the home. A new roof for a typical 3-bedroom home runs about $6,000-8,000 depending upon the amount of work that needs to be done and the materials used.

• If you are replacing a roof, the experts highly recommend applying an adhesive material that forms a leak barrier and will prevent ice damming from damaging your roof. One brand is Weatherwatch. It is applied underneath the shingles to prevent water from creeping in and forming cracks in the roof.

• Ice Damming – happens in the winter during the freeze and thaw cycle. As snow melts, it slides down the roof and fills up the gutters. At night the moisture freezes, and then the next day it thaws. Eventually, that freeze and thaw cycle allows water to creep into the roof forming cracks, holes and other long-term serious damage.

• If ice damming is a problem and you can’t afford a new roof, one suggestion is a de-icing cable, sometimes called a heat coil. It looks like a long extension cord that’s installed at the edge of the roof and then through the gutter system. When it snows or there are freezing conditions, you plug in the cable and it keeps the gutters and drain spout warm enough to keep ice from forming. Roofers say it’s a low voltage cable with little to no danger of causing a fire if used properly.

• De-icing cables can be purchased at large home improvement stores, electrical stores, or from roofing companies. If you install it yourself, the cost is about $60-100 depending upon how much cable you need. Professional installation is about $300 again depending upon how big your home is.

• BE CAREFUL! This is not the time of year to be climbing up on the roof. Snow and ice are obviously slippery and a fall from the roof could cause serious damage and even death. Unless you’ve been trained to walk on slippery, steep slopes, the best advice is to call a professional.

• For free advice call: 1-866-Roof-USA

Thanks for reading, and good luck!

Robin

This is one tough workout!

Boot camp training uses tried and true techniques mastered by drill instructors to whip recruits into shape. Push-ups, squats, jumping rope and running the obstacle course are all standard fare. The idea is to keep moving with very little rest in between each exercise. The camaraderie makes it fun while the competition between athletes pushes people to try harder.

I'm in good shape. I worked out through-out my pregnancy and continue to weight-train now -- trying to shed the last few pounds of baby weight -- but this military-style workout would have kicked my butt.

The beauty behind circuit training is that you can modify the exercises to fit your athletic ability. If you're just starting out, you can do push-ups with your knees on the ground. If you're more advanced, you can lift heavier weight or jump rope faster, but you still have to keep moving, with very little rest between stations.

And that's the key -- your heart rate remains elevated throughout the workout burning more fat in a shorter period of time than in most traditional exercise programs.

What impressed me most were the women themselves. They were everyday people -- working mom's, wives, and dog owners -- who decided they were going to fix something in their lives they didn't like. They signed up for boot camp and found they not only shed pounds, they made new friends, and learned ways to eat healthier while still enjoying food.

Most of the boot camp recruits are in their 30's and 40's, some even in their 50's. At one time, they may have been athletes, but those glory days are long gone -- yet with hard work they've unleashed "the athlete within" and are feeling pretty good about themselves.

The recruits may never run a marathon, or walk down a fashion runway, but who cares -- they've pushed themselves and accomplished something worthwhile.

Robin Taylor

The consumer advocacy group Penn PIRG just released it's list of dangers to watch out for this holiday season. As a new mom this takes on greater meaning for me than it has in the past.

Dangers include: choking hazzards, strangulation, toxic materials, lead, and magnets.

It was the magnets that took me by surprise. A little boy just died when he swallowed two powerful magnets that reattached inside him, ripping their way through his intestines.

These weren't refrigerator magnets. They were far more powerful, strong enough to atract through my finger, but tiny enough to swallow. The magnetic toys are marketed for older children, but they certainly could be a hazzard for youngsters in the home.

I just think it's a word of caution worth thinking about, since it's a danger I never would have thought of.

Robin Taylor

When I was 11-years-old we got our first golden retriever, and that from that point on my life changed forever. He was a little golden fluff-ball that arrived on a plane from California. In no time, he managed to chew up our tennis shoes, destroy newspapers, and swallow just about everything imaginable.

Once, my mom had to call the poison control center when our adorable puppy lapped up all the dishwasher detergent. Another time, he swallowed a thumbtack, which thankfully he passed without incident. But it was the aluminum foil that got stuck. We had no idea what he had eaten until the vet showed us the X-ray. The aluminum foil was stuck in his intestinal tract and had to be flushed out under the care of a trained veterinarian.

As our puppy grew, he became my best friend, frolicking around in the deep snow with me, for we were living in Utah at the time. He would eagerly greet me as I returned home from school, anxious to play outside with my sister and me.

Over the years, my family has had many other golden retrievers and I now have one myself; each one has been a joy I have treasured, but I will never forget my first puppy for showing me how wonderful life can be with a dog.

Robin Taylor