7.3 million private sector jobs lost but Fed workers doing "Just Fine"...

"Federal workers are enjoying an extraordinary boom time — in pay and hiring — during a recession that has cost 7.3 million jobs in the private sector."

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USA TODAY newspaper has an interesting article on how well the federal worker segment of our workforce is making out during this recession we all(?) face...

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"Federal employees making salaries of $100,000 or more jumped from 14% to 19% of civil servants during the recession's first 18 months — and that's before overtime pay and bonuses are counted."
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"When the recession started, the Transportation Department had only one person earning a salary of $170,000 or more. Eighteen months later, 1,690 employees had salaries above $170,000."

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"The growth in six-figure salaries has pushed the average federal worker's pay to $71,206, compared with $40,331 in the private sector."
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I just hope these guys have health care insurance, or do we have to help them with that also?...

"Climategate" Scientist issues...

The Roanoke Times has an interesting commentary piece by a local associate professor regarding the actions of many of the "Global Warming" scientist and their newly discovered manipulation of temperature data and computer models...

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The recently release of emails between some of the highly regarded and "trusted" scientist shows that there were efforts to change, alter, doctor, manipulate, temperature data and findings to advance the "fear tactic" of imminent global warming caused by man...

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The scientist in the Roanoke Times piece points out many aspects of the actions taken by these "Global Warming" scientist...

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* Scientists who have repeatedly refused to share data, models and analytic techniques, even under peer review requests and Freedom of Information law.

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* Scientists who would rather destroy their data than risk analysis of that data by someone outside their circle (recent reports indicate that they have destroyed original temperature records, retaining only the altered data).

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* Scientists who selectively screen data in order to produce politically desired results.

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* Scientists who propose coercion to remove journal editors who are willing to publish dissenting views.

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So how do we trust these guys anymore?...

Santa, Marines, Rhonda, and Chris comes to Craigsville as part of the Toys~4~Tots program...

Santa caught a ride with a couple Marines in dress blues and friends on a train coming into Craigsville to help promote and support the Toys~4~Tots program...

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Once again Chris from Spank that Donkey has done a great job in coordinating the local Toys~4~Tots program and this year there is video showing the train carrying Santa coming into Craigsville where there was an impressive crowd...

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Also included on this train were many other supporters including Rhonda Winfield, railroad support staff, and a brass band with a old friend Mark S.....

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Note the amount of toys donated at this stop by the crowd and their support of the Toys~4~Tots program...

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"It's not a tax increase if you return it to the prior rate"...What?!...

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I had heard this theory before but I had to run this example by my "Democrat" friend to see if it applied here also....

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It is being reported that Democratic Virginia Governor \ Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine is looking at cutting back or eliminating the Car-Tax relief all together to fill the $2.7 to $3.5 billion state revenue void...

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"One of the sacred cows in Virginia's budget, car tax relief for residents, is among the spending items outgoing Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and his team are analyzing as they look to plug a state revenue hole estimated to be anywhere from $2.7 billion to $3.5 billion."

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The first time I heard this "Democrat-theory" used was when many were saying that by allowing the Bush tax-cuts to expire it is not an actual tax increase but just allowing the tax rate to return to where it was before the tax-cut(?).....

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Somehow I feel that there will still be less money in my paycheck and a even higher amount going to the government via the tax "adjustment"...

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"An outright repeal of the car tax subsidy could save the state $1.9 billion over the upcoming two-year budget cycle and fill a large chunk of the projected revenue hole. But it would also place localities that rely on those funds in a tough spot and likely mean higher tax bills for vehicle owners."

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Fortunately House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith sees this for what it is...

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"House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, said any reduction to the car tax refund amounts to "a huge tax increase" that "hits the families of Virginia right in the eye."
Anything the state withholds, localities would be "entitled to bill" to their residents, he added."

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Governor-elect Bob McDonnell sets the "right" tone...

The NewsVirginian has an article describing the cost effective and cost cutting efforts already being made by Governor-elect Bob McDonnell in his transition into the Virginia Governors office and executive mansion...

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“They have taken a very frugal approach, saying they want to turn money back,” said Richard F. Sliwoski, director of the Department of General Services, which coordinates much of the transition work.

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Actions like this may be small in actual savings as compared to the total Virginia budget, but a attitude like this combined with sensible budget projections and cost effective programs is what we need to get our State government back to where it should be...

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“And that applies to the transition period just the same as it does to his time in office,” Martin said. “While the potential savings identified are proportionately small in the context of the overall state budget, they are symbolically important when it comes to setting a tone for how government must operate in these tough fiscal times.”

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RPV Advance ~2009~ and a 7-eleven with SCUBA access!!...

Had the opportunity to attend the breakfast session today of the RPV Advance being held in Williamsburg, VA. before coming back over the mountain to find five inches of SNOW in the Shenandoah Valley...

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While driving to Williamsburg this morning I had a chance to listen to "The Speech" by Ronald Reagan that he did back in 1964...

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For those of you who know this speech you know that many parts of it applies to the situation we are in once again and understand why many say this is the speech that launched Ronald Reagan's political career...

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"They knew that governments don't control things. A government can't control the economy without controlling people. And they know when a government sets out to do that, it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose. They also knew, those Founding Fathers, that outside of its legitimate functions, government does nothing as well or as economically as the private sector of the economy."...

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Another interesting aspect of this speech is how closely it resembles the conservative beliefs of the then 2009 Republican Candidates and now elected Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Delegates that "Sweep-ed" Richmond and the Shenandoah Valley...

The voters of Virginia were obviously seeking proven conservative beliefs and principles during this past election and that is why Virginia is RED once again...

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"The Speech is available here and is well worth listening to it again...

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After the breakfast I took a ride down to Norfolk to check out the surf and found the "Ultimate 7-Eleven" along the beach with SCUBA access just 15 feet behind the building!

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Incredibly the bulkhead is just 15 feet behind the building and easy access could be made with a "Giant Stride" or "Jersey Roll" during high tide...

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Walk out to the beach found a good 20-25kt wind out of the Northeast, less than 6 inches of Vis,
3 to 4 foot breakers on the beach, and cold water temp...

Typical Jersey diving conditions...

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Hard to see in this photo but there was much apparent damage to the fishing pier on the horizon looking South...
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Times have gotten rough...

A seagull in Point pleasant Beach, NJ has developed the habit of stealing Doritos from a neighborhood convenience store.

The seagull waits until the manager isn't looking, and then walks into the store and grabs a snack-size bag of cheese Doritos.

Once outside, the bag gets ripped open and shared by other birds.

The seagull's shoplifting started early this month when he first swooped into the store in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and helped himself to a bag of Doritos. Since then, he's become a regular. He always takes the same type of chips.

The manager thinks it's great because people are coming to watch the feathered thief make the daily grab and run, and that's good for business, and especially since customers have begun paying for the seagull's stolen bags of Doritos because they think it's so funny.

However, the manager did say, 'This is New Jersey , and if that seagull starts to grab a 6-pack of 'Bud' to go along with the Doritos, I may have to put a stop to it.'

End of the sign season ~2009~...

Today brought the end of the ~2009~ Sign Campaign season with the removal of the GOP campaign signs from "The Barn" just South of Harrisonburg on route 81...

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Great location and always had motorist blaring their horns when we were there adding or moving campaign signs during the season. We were once asked how many people went by that barn and here is the best estimate I could find...

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From the VDOT website it is reported that on average 44,000 vehicles travel along route 81 at this location with "The Barn" being visible from both directions of traffic. Campaign signs for McDonnell \ Bolling \ Cuccinelli went up on July 10th until November 25th for a total of 138 days...

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44,000 avg. vehicles each day, 138 days, exposure to 6,072,000 vehicles...

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David... Great location, well run campaigns, impressive Candidates,

OUTSTANDING Results !!!

Now that was fun...

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"Money for Nothing?"....

YankeePhil had an interesting take on the $300 million that Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) now has for her state after coming up with her much needed vote this week on the health care bill, but it appears this Democratic Senator is not the only one getting a nice payoff for her efforts...

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Donald Lambro has a outstanding article in the Washington Times regarding the $787 BILLION spending package that has also come out of the Obama administration and where that money is being found...

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This article shows that Senator Mary Landrieu's (D-LA) Louisiana is getting more than the $300 Million that she just got for holding out on her vote until the last moment...

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"In Louisiana, for example, the administration's Recovery.org Web site shows that nearly $5 million went to the state's 8th Congressional District, $2.8 million was spent in the 22nd District, $1.8 million in the 32nd District, and other monies spent in the 26th, 45th, 14th, 32nd and, inexplicably the 00 district. But Louisiana only has seven congressional districts."

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Next time you see that AARP commercial who now supports the President's Health care package, think of how they did not support this package in the beginning but do now...

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"Powerful Washington special interests who pocketed big checks from the stimulus bill included the AARP, which reaped $18.2 million, and then endorsed the president's health care plan. The National Council of La Raza, an immigrant rights advocacy group, got $156,620; a fund for the Service Employees International Union, one of the president's biggest union backers, got $265,136; the liberal Urban Institute received $1.443 million; and National Public Radio got $50,000."

Beach Damage ~Mantaloking Beach NJ~ 2009

Photos came in today from the Rescue Scuba Dive team up in New Jersey of the damage from the recent storm that went up the coast this weekend...

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Additional photos and Team website at Point Pleasant Rescue Dive Team...