snkypete'ssong's,stories,blather,and blarney

On Febuary 10th the Consumer Product  Safety Improvement Act goes into effect

This law states that all clothing and toys up for resale at thrift stores must be tested for lead and pthalates(chemical that makes plastic flexiable).This includes charities and garage sales used as fund raisers .

All articles not tested will be considered "hazardous material ",regadless of chemical content.

Excutive Director of National Assn. of Resale and Thrift Shops, Adele Meyer said,"They'll all have to go to the landfill"This at a time when  landfill space is becoming a premium!

This hastily passed law was passed in responsed to the importation of childrens products from China containing lead and lead based paints.

Congress rather than demanding more intensive testing on all products from China (thus facing the REAL issue) has placed a finanical burden on Charities, Thrift Stores ,and Small American Businesses. Making it more diffucult for lower  income Americans to provide for themselves.

Hamas has ordered all Fatah operitives under House Arrest.

Fatah leaders in Ramallah have told thier members in Gaza to be ready to assume power, in case the Isreali military can oust Hamas.

A senior Fataha offical has stated that Hamas is nervous suspecting that the "end is near".Therefore,it is claimed that Hamas is persuing a "brutal campaign" against Fatah supporters.

Hamas has confirmed at least 75 Fatah activist have been shot in the legs,and numerous others have had thier hands broken. The object being to prevent them from assisting the Isrealis.

It is thought that 35 Palestians were 'excuted"for collaboration,half by relatives of Hamas Fighter killed in combat.The decision to kill the suspects was due to the fear of a rescue attempt by Isreali forces during a  ground offensive.=

A Hamas offical stated they would ""would kill them all if  they try to help Isreal bring down our goverment"

He also said they would "Hang Mahoud Abbas (Palestain Authority President) and Mummad Dahlan(former Fatah security chief)in the Public square" if they enter Gaza in the company of the Isrealis.

A Fatah spokesmans says it's "shamful" that Hamas is using it's weapons against it's own people and not the Isrealis.

The order of House Arrest has come from the much feared,Hamas controlled,Interior Ministry in Gaza.

Former U.N.Ambassador,and Energy Secratary, Gov. Bill Richardson (D- New Mexico) has bowed out of the nomination process for Commerce Secratary.

The Commerce Department oversees the National Weather Service,Census Burerau ,Economic Development, and other programs that have mostly to do with the interaction of business and goverment.

It seems a Federal Grand Jury is investagating a California company that has contributed to Gov. Richardson's P.A.C. , and  won a lucrative New Mexico  State contract.

Allegations of "pay for play"have been leveled against C.D.R. Financial Products, and an as yet un-named individual, in an  as yet un-namewd State position,colluded to push the contract through with the State of New Mexico.

Mr. Richardson says he plans to stay on as Governor of New Mexico.

Can anyone say "Culture of Corruption "in the Demorcratic Party? Or does only Nancy Pelosi get to say that about the Republicans?

In 2002 popular Dutch politican Pim Fortuyn ,due to warning about the Islamisation of Dutch society was gunned down. His killer was an animal rights activist, who at trial claimed to be "protecting muslims from "persecution".=

Film maker Theo Van Gough (linear decendant of Vincent Van Gough) in 2004, was stabbed to death by Mohammed Bouyeri (a Dutch born Muslim). This was done in retaliation for a film Van Gough made about the mistreatment of women in Islamic society. Pinned to Van Gough clothing was a list of "Infidels' to be killed, among the names was Greet Wilders.=

Greet Wilders is the Dutch M.P., he has been termed an Islamaphobe by the press.(Which he freely admits)He has been persuing a campaign of warning of the effects of radical Islam in the West.  He states that not only is the morality of Islam congrunnet to that of the West, it is completely opposed to it.=

Mr. Wilders has faced innumberal assination attempts,plots, and threats on his life.One in 2006 stating,his"Infidel blood will flow freely on the cursed Dutch streets"=

Al-Queda has singled him out for death.=

It is nice to see at least one media outlet (Front Page Magazine ) can still recognize courage,and name a real "Man of the Year".

Since announcing the end of the cease fire agreement with Isreal last week ,Hamas has launched over 200 missles from Gaza into Isreal. Making for a total of  over 3,000 this year alone.

Yesterday Isreali Defence Forces retaliated with air strikes on every known Hamas security installation, killing 155 and wounding over 300.

When asked how long this operation would last,I.D.F. minister Ehud  Barak replied"AS long as necessary"

Military spokesperson Maj. Avital Leibovich stated "Any Hamas target is a target"When questioned about Hamas politicans.

 Many experts believe this is a bid on the part of Hamas to widen the conflict and engage Egypt , considering Egypt has opened it's borders to Gaza and is providing "humanitarian"aid.

Maybe the best thing to happen is for the rest of the world to but out . Let Hamas get the drubbing they deserve,then let the normal people of Gaza see them for who they are and throw them out..

University of New South Wales (Austrailia) researchers Declan Patton and Andrew McIntosh have found evidence that "head banging" at a rate of 145 or more beats per minute ,and  at 75 or more degrees may cause brain damage.

Many heavy metal musians for years have claimed this to be true. In fact the lyrics of the song "Whiplash" from Metallicas 1983 debut alblum "Kill 'em All" describe just such a situation..

Virginia based "Municipal Waste" have come to coin the phrase "bangover " to describe the after effects of a night at a heavy metal concert.

Doctors believe that the stroke that left Evanescence guitarist Terry Balsomo's left side paralyzed was caused by extreme head banging while on tour in 2006.

So, it seem that Beavis and Butthead weren't just stupid , they were brain dead.

If you use this blog I'm sure that you read the Fox news page,so most likely  you've read this story .

On December 8th at the C.V.S. on St. Rd.434 in Altamonte Springs a gentleman who appeared to be in his 30's, with brown hair and goatee exposed himself to the checkout clerk.

As I read this article ,a scenerio played through my mind, this guy trying to convince the Judge he was only trying to get the correct fit in condoms.

Have I got a twisted sense of humor or what?

This is a new reality television show broadcast on A&E. It follows real U.S. Marshalls based out of Manhattan and Newark pursuing fugatives who have violated federal laws.

While this program is based in the New york area , the group travels to different areas of the country interacting with local law enforcement and other U.S.Marshalls.

What I particularly like about this show is these officers seem like regular people and not a bunch of circus freaks.

In 2006 ,Augustus Felix a homeless gentlemen living under the I-4 &408 overpass ,was senselessly ,and for no reason beaten to death by 6 teens.

In Orange County Court, the first two of the teens Brenton Mack, and Arsenio Dennison  were convicted today.

Mack recieved 1 year and Dennison 15 months, which they don't have to start serving until after the Holidays! While both had many character witnesses,is a mans life only worth 27 months? While no one claimed Mr. Felix's body ,was his life only worth 27 months. While Mr. Felix may have been a "drag" on society, or an alcholic, or a drug addict, was his life only worth 27 months?

Maybe "Lady Justice "ought to peek a little bit from underneath that blind fold. And for you that think it's only a homeless guy, consider this, with the economy getting to be what it is that homeless person could be you or I or someone we love in the future. Besides no one deserves that type of treatment.

 At 6 a.m. this morning Gov. Rod Blagojevich  D.  Illinois was arrested at his home.Charged with extorison and conspiracy (so far) he has  been under investagation for the last 3 months.

His campaign offices have been bugged ,and his home phone tapped .Through these electronic devices, evidence has been gathered,that may lead one to  two firm  conclusions.

#1 His attempt to auction off President elect Obamas Senate seat . It is alleged that he was asking between $500,000.oo and $1,000,000.oo in campaign contrbuitions. While no one was named a number of Illinois officals are believed to have been considered,including Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

#2 The Tribune Corporation ,owners of the Chicago Tribune and Wrigley Field were approached with a demand to can thier editoral staff . In return for fianancing assistance in selling Wrigley Field.

Also arrested was Blagojevich's chief of staff John Harris who acted as go between in these acts.

U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald termed this a "corruption crime spree" ,while this is an on going investagation,they felt they had to go public. The reason being to prevent certain bribed legislation from being approved. Mr. Fitzgerald emphized that the  investagation  had nothing to do with the President elect.

This the second Gov. of Illinois in a row to be indicted, ex-Govenor Ryan is serving 6 years for bribery and fraud.Ironically Blagojevich went into office in 2003 as a reformer.

Rumour is mayor Richard Daly Jr. of Chicago is also under investagation. Must be something in the water!

C.E.O.s of the Big Three were back in Washington today to beg for a bail out.=

After the furor raised about the private jets used on the last trip,they decided to travel by automobiles of thier own construction. When I viewed the video I noticed that all these vehicles seemed fresh off the assembly line.Would have been more impressed if they were 10 years old with 100,000 plus miles on them.

Some might say "Detroit didn't build fuel efficent/ fusion vehicles 10 years ago." Which brings me to the question,Why not? If the foriegn competion can for the past 40 odd years,(and they have been selling like hot cakes) Why not Detroit? And why in the past, every time Detroit builds an efficent vehicle it's the size of a shoe box,and the body falls apart in 3 years?(anyone remember the Pinto and the Gremlin)=

So we come to another corporate "gimme " . I say prove you can produce a RELIABLE, EFFICENT, LONG LASTING, REASONABLY PRICED product and then maybe you'd qualify for a bail out....Oh yeah if they'd  been doing that they wouldn't need a bail out.

Yo -BLEEP- BLEEP- and abottle of Rum! 

Piracy is making a dramatic come back.A couple of days ago an American cruise liner ,after passing through the Suez Canal, and while exiting the Red Sea for the Gulf of Aden was pursued by 2 16 to 18 ft. boats. Each boat  was believed to have an armed crew of 3.You may ask yourself what can a small boat do to a cruise liner? Well ,if a R.P.G. can bring down a heliocopter ,it can surely sink a ship.

 It seemsthe goal of these Pirates is ransom, Hundreds of millions have been made this way in the last few years.This is usually done on merchant ships,kidnapping the captains and navigators.(the most skilled personnel).The attempt to hi- jack cruise ships is on the rise .

The 2 main sites of concern are the straits between Malyasia and Indoneisa, and the Exit of the Red Sea into the Gulf of Aden.In this area alone there have been over 90 incidents inthe last year. If this water way is closed down all shipping from Europe to Asia (or vice versa) will have to circumnavigate Afrfica.

This is also the site of barely over  a month ago of the taking of a ship from Russia,believed at the time to contain a cargo of arms.After murdering the crew ,the ship was found to actually contain radioactive sand.Last heard from this pirate crew was cooking from the inside out.

Most of the Aden pirates are based out of the wonderful lawless land of Somila, this seems to be a result of Clintons maybe yes - maybe no policy of 15 yrs. ago.None of the nations in the area seem to be able to deal with this. On the east coast of the Gulf is Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. I'm wondering if it is going to take a super tanker spreading crude on thier beaches before they deal seriously with this problem.

Due to the recent violence in Mumbai,India it has come to the attention of the world that Pakistan maybe a training ground for terrorist. Preliminary evidence is surfacing that planning and training for this elaborate and well timed attack was conducted in Pakistan.

First reports were that the head of Pakistani intellegance was to travel to India to co-operate with the investagation,now they are sending some low level flunkie.

American heliocopters, in hot pursuit of Al-Queda operatives have been fired upon by the Pakistani military.

There have been 3 wars between India and Pakistan since 1948,but should not terrorism be a common cause?

my question is 2 fold:Is Pakistan/the Pakistani people a true partner/partners  in the war on terrorism ?Or are they a rogue state with Nukes? If the later were in deep do-do. A case for careful diplomacy?

Does anyone remember when Bill Clinton tried to set Hillary up to arrange a National Health Care Plan? She had no offical standing in the goverment, let alone in the adminstration.(outside of First Lady) There was no vetting by Congress,and besides this was an issue that should have been handled by the Surgeon General and the Attorney General,rather than than the First Lady.=

Now ,I'm wondering ,Will Barack try to slide Michelle into the goverment  in a similar sneaky fashion? Since it does seem he is henpecked.Anyone have any thoughts ?=

Please try to keep your hate to a minium (laft and right) and address the issue.

As everyone  should know,it seems like every other large business/ industry is seeking a bailout. And as we all should know by now, that this all started with the collapse of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac,so I'll use them as an example.

Last Friday night I was going to listen to a friend play music on Church Street (Orlando ). While traveling east on 436 I saw  a bill board advertising the sale of town homes.It stated no money down, and with that statement I assumed maybe it was also a sub -prime loan.

I got to thinking to myself the people (govt.) are going to pour out well over trillion dollars before this is  through. .Are these corporations going to still be run on the same principles? Are these banks going to be able to make sub-prime loasns,sandwhich bad debt with good? Are the same individuals going to be in charge ? Are they going to be able to leave employment with 10's if not 100's of miilions of dollars in severence packages? Are the same Bozos( Frank and Dodd) who have been supposed to be doing oversight going to retain thier jobs? If the answer is yes,  to any of these questions,in my humnble opinion we're doing nothing but throwing good money after bad. What do you think ? Have a good evening.