Open Thread
By Greg L | 13 March 2008 | Uncategorized | 87 Comments
It seems too long since I opened up the discussion. Have at it.
The opinions expressed here are solely the views of the author, and not representative of the position of any organization, political party, doughnut shop, knitting guild, or waste recycling facility, but may be correctly attributed to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. If anything in the above article has offended you, please click here to receive an immediate apology.
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Twisted Priorities
In Prince William County, bashing illegal immigrants skews public spending.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008; Page A18
LAST JUNE researchers from the University of Virginia asked residents of Prince William County what issues rankled them the most. Just 3.2 percent of respondents cited illegal immigrants as their chief complaint; about the same number said they wished they could get to the grocery store more quickly. So it may come as a surprise to the other 96.8 percent of residents that the county will soon be spending more of its money on harassing illegal immigrants than on building roads, protecting the elderly, helping at-risk kids or promoting public health. Welcome to the twisted politics of Virginia’s second-most-populous jurisdiction.
In launching its mean-spirited crackdown on illegal immigrants, which began last week, the Board of County Supervisors has elected to spend $6.4 million in the first year — a down payment on a program expected to cost about $26 million over the next five years. To generate the revenue needed in Year One, the county will have to increase property taxes for homeowners by 3 cents per $100 of assessed value. That means the owner of a $340,000 house (the county’s average assessment) will be ponying up $103 more next year so that illegal immigrants — many of them employed, paying taxes and supporting families — can be targeted. Budgets are a reflection of priorities, and Prince William’s are badly out of whack, particularly as the county struggles with plunging revenue and an anemic housing market. The crackdown’s $6.4 million price in the next fiscal year is more than the county has budgeted from its general fund for transportation improvements ($4.2 million), public health ($5.2 million) or its office on aging ($3.7 million).
The high price of bashing immigrants is due partly to the police department’s realization that the new policy will make it a likely target for discrimination lawsuits by Hispanic plaintiffs alleging racial profiling. To defend themselves, the police have insisted that they equip their patrol cars with cameras to videotape arrests and devote extra personnel to monitoring the recordings. In addition, the county expects to spend millions of dollars not just to detain illegal immigrants once they are arrested, but to farm them out to other jails in the probable event that the county’s own jail is full.
Acting with apparent urgency, Prince William’s elected supervisors have also opted to drain $800,000 from the county’s reserve fund to get the program up and running before the new fiscal year starts July 1. That leaves the fund all but empty, which will make things that much trickier if the county faces an unforeseen emergency in the next few months.
The county board’s haste seems less a response to popular demand than to the political agenda and timing of its baldly ambitious chairman, Corey A. Stewart, who has launched a campaign for lieutenant governor. Mr. Stewart, a Republican who has been running for one office or another nearly every year since he moved to Prince William in 2001, has by demagoguery transformed a relatively harmonious county into a hotbed of intolerance. That is the platform on which he evidently hopes to base his current race, and no wonder, since he has largely ignored the issues on which he was originally elected — traffic, growth and development. It is a wretched legacy for Mr. Stewart, and a dishonor for the county’s 380,000 residents.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/11/AR2008031102667.html
Ducky - consider the source. The Washington Post is a liberal rag and I place no value on any article in that paper. The Washington Post’s only value is as material for starting a fire.
It’s mean spirited to expect everyone to abide by the same laws? I don’t think so. If 96.8 percent of the voting population disagrees with what’s going on, they can let their voices be heard. Has anyone heard an overwhelming outcry against the decisions of the BOCS?
For anyone who truly cares about the downtrodden disadvantaged illegal population, maybe they should spend their energies educating them on their responsibilities more than on their rights.
Ducky
on WTOP there was an item yesterday which I did not see picked up on this blog (of maybe I missed it). Chief Deane has decided to do the smart thing, and bypassing all the lovely arguments above, has petitioned, or is in the process of, requesting federal funds for the implimentation of policies regarding the observance of federal immigration law AND has requested that the money for the cameras specifically is to come from federal funds.
Since this is a federal problem, I think that Chief Deane is finally making a thoughtful decision on this matter.
And Ducky, nowhere in the article is mentioned that our desire to remove illegal aliens is, aside from your quotes, anything but legal. The mean spirited label is due to the obvious bent of some publications to promote policies which advocate the interest of people who are considered underdogs , all the while ignoring the true victims of this one sided argument.
This argument that something that is expensive should not be pursued because of the burden it poses is indefensible. I guess we should then not pursue criminals, child molesters, fraud artists, id theft, and any illegal act for which our budget does not allow.
This insistence upon labeling our action mean spirited is intended to demoralize those citizens who have courageously and steadfastly refused to have their rights trampled by ill meaning, selfish, law breaking individuals. For all of those who have seen their competition eat up their livelihood because of the hiring of illegals I ask you: Do you really think that you would react in so benign a fashion if you were directly affected or impacted?
This and other good considerations I think people must consider before taking sides. Those who dream of the fabulous moment or harmony and integration are caught up in a lifeless spirit of delusion, forgetting both the needs of the many and trying to foster the need of the few.
I know of a house which burned down over a year ago. Have heard that PWC zoning say they had no insurance (and no money to rebuild). Are mortgage holders allowed to go to settlement without insurance? All their belongings are stuffed in a garage (strange they moved their stuff before the fire). It doesn’t seem to matter that the house in the neighborhood will not be rebuilt (don’t know if the owners are still paying a mortgage or taxes). Aren’t homeowners required to re-build? What happens to a development when various homes are destroyed and left in that condition - isn’t that one reason we have Zoning? Does anyone know who we can next appeal to? Thanks.
I’ll I can do is laugh at editorials like this. I’m so sorry your enlightened enclaves are now getting overrun. The rhetoric is getting deep as the migration increases. I love it!
just news:
Concerning Deane and the grant money - not sure he can take credit for it. Stewart and Stirrup mentioned Tuesday at the board meeting they had gone to D.C. to met and work with a couple of Congressmen concerning the grant money. It was indicated that it would only cover the equipment itself which was $1.8M, was not a sure thing, and if obtained would not be received until the Fall.
How about a public advertising campaign aimed at illegals challenging them to go back and make something of their own sad countries, poiting out that many of us think them lesser and cowardly for sneaking in here instead of fighting for their actual birthright.
RB - AMEN!
RB-
I agree with you, except I believe they think they ARE fighting for their birthright. The whole reconquista / Mexica Movement.
Loudoun said on 13 Mar 2008 at 5:51 am:
Ducky - consider the source. The Washington Post is a liberal rag and I place no value on any article in that paper. The Washington Post’s only value is as material for starting a fire.
It’s not good at doing that either. All smoke and no fire!
For those of you that live in Arlington (and any other Sanctuary City)…how come I have not seen a front page ad from you and your groupies that tell these so-called “poor illegal aliens” that they are “welcome to reside in your town”?
Rick Bentley said on 13 Mar 2008 at 7:49 am:
How about a public advertising campaign aimed at illegals challenging them to go back and make something of their own sad countries, poiting out that many of us think them lesser and cowardly for sneaking in here instead of fighting for their actual birthright.
They have as much allegiance for their own countries as they have for this one. Nada! Their only reason for being in this country is $$$$$$!
Ducky is quite the puppetmaster. He pulls the strings and makes you dance.
I say we run an advertising campaign against Ducky. I will chip in mucho pesos for this. Si?
Actually, Che’…Ducky doesn’t make anyone dance. He/she simply demonstrates and confirms that “liberals” cannot use critical thinking and actual factual information to formulate intelligent arguments to substantiate their claims.
I wonder if Chief Deane has factored into the cost of implementing the Rule of Law Resolution the cost of shoe shines and starched shirts for his men and women? After all, we can’t have them looking shabby in front of the cameras as the ask, “Por favor, da me su licensia.”
Wow Ducky, that article has ALL the buzz words in it, mean-spirited, bashing, demagoguery, intolerance and racial profiling. It is missing racist and xenophobic.
“….will be ponying up $103 more next year so that illegal immigrants — many of them employed, paying taxes and supporting families — can be targeted.”
There is nothing further from the truth. I would LOVE to see the taxes the ILLEGAL aliens pay, other than the fuel tax we all pay. I want to see where their employers have paid the US Gov’t the proper taxes for their employment. What about their property taxes? How do we benefit when 12 or more people live in a house?
I am growing weary of the apologists. I would love to see the apologists open their home up to the ILLEGAL aliens so they can pay for them. Get them out of my pocket NOW!!!
I saw 6 day laborers at Coverstone today. There were quite a few earlier this week though. It had to be close to 2 dozen.
Here’s what the libs on Fairfax Underground are saying:
http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/83095.html
Re: Crackdown on Illegal Immigration Quiets Soccer Fields in Pr. William
Posted by: WashingToneLocian (IP Logged)
Date: March 12, 2008 07:29PM
RickyBobby Wrote:
——————————————————-
> Well, they are not putting the illegals in
> different “illegal-only” schools, nor are they
> blasting them with water hoses. Sounds like they
> are asking them to simply go back and come back
> the right way, or they will receive some
> assistance in doing so. I don’t think the race
> card applies here, but it always seems to pop up
> when there is nothing else to support one’s
> thoughts. I have no doubt it will be frustrating
> for those here legally, whether through birth or
> naturalization. Something has to be done and
> Prince William has it right.
Prince William doesn’t have it right. Property values are cratering, potential employers and outside investment are staying away and property taxes are going up 28% to pay for anti-immigration enforcement. Yes, things are tough all over in the housing market, but PW has been especially hard hit compared to surrounding counties. I believe a lot of it has to do with the county’s publicized stance on illegal immigration.
re: Ducky. Nothing Ducky says is of any value. I find it best to just skip over his/her babblings. He/she has no value.
G man
far be it from me to give credit where credit is not due. However, I will be pleased if the Fed gubbermint is finally brought to pay for these indecent expenditures created by the burden of unbridled illegal immigration. Wtop has made no mention of the origin of such initiative, therefore I thought Chief Deane has somehow had some illumination.
I have noticed a lot less day laborers/loiterers in a usual spot AND less traffic since implementation of LaRaza-lution, thank goodness!
Who’s complaining about less crowded schools (I used to hear about crowded ones that needed temp. trailers)? Or less crowded emergency rooms and clinics? Or the savings from both? Only MWB and their sympathizers (illegals).
just news:
More info on camera grant money from the WP.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/11/AR2008031103802.html
monticup said: “…Nothing Ducky says is of any value. I find it best to just skip over his/her babblings.”
I full-well agree, but it’s difficult to totally ignore those who throw out ridiculous data, trying to prove a point. For example, “…3.2 percent of respondents cited illegal immigrants as their chief complaint.” Do you suppose that’s why Corey Stewart received a whopping 3.2% of the vote when he was reelected in November?
:)
I received this email from Consumer Reports. It’s worth everybody’s attention! I didn’t realize credit card issuers could just up and raise the interest rate on credit cards!
================================
Dear XXXXX,
Bank of America recently announced interest rate increases, even for
responsible card customers—some people reported new rates as high as
28%! And the bank didn’t make it easy to object.
To decline the rate hike, the bank required card holders to write a
letter agreeing to stop using the card and pay off the existing
balance at the old rate, according to news reports. They couldn’t
telephone, nor did Bank of America provide a form or a return
envelope to help meet the short deadline. If the company didn’t get a
quick response, rates would automatically rise.
Bank of America is not the only bank to hit card holders with high
rates and fees. Banks get to raise your interest rates, as well as
the fees they charge for most services, because fine print clauses in
your credit card contracts allow it. They don’t even have to tell you
why they did it.
Tell Congress to protect card holders from unfair rate hikes,
exorbitant penalty fees and other fine print “gotchas.”
As the economy softens, some Wall Street analysts believe that big
banks want to make up their investment losses by raising rates to
good credit card customers.
A bill proposed in Congress would help rein in that practice and
limit other “gotchas.” The bill would protect cardholders against
arbitrary interest rate increases; hidden interest charges, due date
traps and more.
This bill is long past due! Tell your lawmakers that you support the
Cardholders’ Bill of Rights.
And please, take one more moment to forward this message to people
you know who use credit cards so they can join you in action for
reform, too!
Sincerely,
Jim Guest
President
Consumers Union of the U.S.
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703-1057
Bank of America is the illegal alien’s bank.
“I full-well agree, but it’s difficult to totally ignore those who throw out ridiculous data, trying to prove a point.”
They should stick to what they know best: feelings.
Facts can be verified.
Editorials like this make me glad I canceled my subscription.
What delusional water is the Potomac News drinking? It certainly is seems to be quite some powerful stuff. I and others in the community are getting very tired about seeing the local paper trying to divide the community by using divisive names. When you use terms like “racist, discrimination, mean spirited” you only breed contempt and destruction for what the majority of law abiding citizens are demanding. The community has spoken clearly time and time again–they want to have people that are breaking our laws be held to account. The Potomac News seems to believe if you have a good enough of sob story then you can commit a crime. Last year 4 of 7 murders were committed by an illegal immigrant. A majority of assaults in the community were committed by illegal immigrants. Does the Potomac News justify this? The Potomac News leadership is disconnected from this community and seems hell bent on promoting their political agenda no matter what the effect.
Greg Letiecq has led a grassroots group and along with the leadership of John Stirrup and Corey Stewart we have already had positive results. He should win an award but not from the Potomac News or a maligned marginal group such as Southern Poverty Law Center. He should be awarded as a Patriot and he has my thanks for being a fortified leader on protecting our community.
Just my Thoughts-
Trent A Barton
Editorial attached below
A nativist in the heart of PWC
OUR OPINION
Published: March 13, 2008
What is a nativist?
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a nativist is the name for a new group of activists battling the influx of illegal immigrants into our country.
And the center has named Greg Letiecq, president of Help Save Manassas and political blogger on bvbl.net, as one of the top 20 most influential leaders on the illegal immigration issue.
This serves only to cement the image of Prince William County and the surrounding jurisdictions as a haven for intolerance.
This is bad enough, if only because of the company Letiecq has on the nativist list — some of them are radical and racist.
But not all of them are.
In a description, the center says that some nativists are not extremists and are genuinely concerned with addressing the illegal immigration issue. We wish we could say that Letiecq had demonstrated similar attributes.
Unfortunately, the center describes Help Save Manassas as an extremist organization and quotes Letiecq’s often extreme language in its bio of him.
Letiecq said that he thinks the center is trying to shut down the debate with its use of the term nativist. He said the center wants to “smear anyone who holds an opposing viewpoint as a racist and a member of a hate group.”
We concede that the “racist” card is played too often in this debate. But the “illegal alien apologist” card is also bandied about by people like Letiecq to describe those who oppose them.
The fact of the matter is that racism is part of this debate, because whether Letiecq wants to admit it or not, racism and prejudice does drive some of the anti-illegal immigrant fervor in Prince William County.
And part of the trick to dealing effectively with illegal immigration is dividing those with racist intentions from those who want to address the issue in an unbiased manner. The extremist rhetoric used by Letiecq and some of his supporters does nothing to help establish this dividing line.
The founders of the Southern Poverty Law Center were instrumental in the Civil Rights movement and the center was a staunch opponent of the Klu Klux Klan. The center’s credentials are impressive and dismissing the inclusion of Letiecq on its list of nativists would be foolish.
As a bastion of tolerance in a sometime intolerant world, the Southern Poverty Law Center has much to bring to the debate on illegal immigration, including the following fear:
“A dangerous mix of nativist intolerance, armed and untrained civilians, and wild-eyed conspiracy theories could easily explode into violence.”
This is one of our fears too.
In 2005 the U.S. Senate killed the bill to limit interest to 30% on any extension of credit. The vote was 74 to 24 with 2 not voting. For the record Clinton voted yea while Obama and McCain voted nay. The millions give to congressional and presidential campaigns by lobbyist from banking and credit card companies would lead one to believe if they voted today it would not be much different.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00020#name
Anyone still banking at Bank of America is indirectly funding the status quo. This international company has cornered the market on international money transfers and international account transfers. They have launched advertising campaigns to win the business of the undocumented persons in the US (in Spanish of course).
Take all of your business, including credit cards, out of BOA today. Write a letter to the president of the company and let him know why they have lost your business.
TDB- I bet they raised the rates because the illegals didn’t pay on their credit cards and we Americans have to make up the shortfall, once again.
The smart people cancelled their cards when it was know that they were catering to the illegal alien population.
Today’s funny!
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/03/12/video-code-pink-vs-the-marines-and-the-daily-show/
We all need to accept the fact that we are entering a recession fueled by our own greed. We’d better kick out the illegals soon, because those jobs will be needed by citizens who are going to lose their jobs in construction.
Had to Say-I’m sure it’s a combination of credit card default and the subprime mortgage failures. BOA and others were giving mortgages without documentation. Imagine that…they defaulted.
They’re back out at Coverstone, no fear of anything.
From Bank of America’s website en Espanol
——————————————————–
Envia dinero a Mexico gratis
translates to:
it sends money to mexico free
WOW!! Nothing like pandering and then expect a bailout when all hell breaks loose…like credit card failure and forclosures. How can they pay their bills when they send money home for free!! The illegals WILL be returning home to live a life like we once knew. One of PROSPERITY.
MP Resident said on 13 Mar 2008 at 10:31 am:
It is the economy. Just so happens that the resolution is going through at the same time sub-prime loan foreclosures are hitting the market. They are two different situations. I do not believe that business is not coming here because of the resolution. I would also like to see your proof to support this accusation.
________________________________________
k. o’toole said on 13 Mar 2008 at 11:07 am:
I don’t see a downside to this either. We could attract more people to the area that are willing to pay their fair share of the expenses. I do not see how PWC could continue on the same track as before. I believe we have a hard row to hoe here for a couple of years, but it will equal itself out.
_________________________________________
Rick Bentley said on 13 Mar 2008 at 1:39 pm:
Pisses me off that nothing seems to be done about it either Rick!!! They seem to be able to thumb their noses at the law.
MP resident it seems you are WashingToneLocian on the Fairfax Underground Blog:
The cure is worse than the problem. Cops are being pulled off of investigating thefts, rapes and murders to deal with this stuff. People who would inform on MS-13 are now afraid to talk to the cops. Who is leaving PW county? The mostly law abiding Hispanics who just want a job and a decent place to live. Who is staying? The drunk, drug-abusing, gang members who are driving down property values and driving up crime.
As for “what ever we can,” do you mean you want to give up services? Should counties switch money away from schools, parks, maintenance, etc, to do enforcement? Should roads go unplowed in the winter? Should potholes be allowed to go unfilled? Should greenways grow over? Should your property and sales taxes go up?
_________________________________
I can only hope you are not because what is posted above is pure stupidity. The money saved from the self deportation of the ILLEGAL aliens will be seen. It has already shown up in the decrease of enrollment in our schools since the first of the year. The savings alone from this one situation can pay for the first year of the resolution. This on top of the fact that our children will be in less crowded classes and we can use the funds for ESOL to improve the situation. It is going to be a tough couple of years until things can get lined out. We have to know that anything like this is going to take time and it is going to have a cost up front, but the payoff in the end will be more than we spent!!
From the W/P:
Immigration Head Leaving
Who’s Blogging» Links to this article
The Associated Press
Thursday, March 13, 2008; 10:19 AM
WASHINGTON — The head of the Homeland Security agency that ushers in new citizens is leaving the job.
Emilio Gonzalez is the director of Citizenship and Immigration Services. He told some staffers Wednesday of his departure and was announcing it to all employees Thursday morning.
Gonzalez’s resignation will be effecitve April 18. He is leaving just a few months after his agency drastically increased the fees it charges immigrants to apply for citizenship and other immigration benefits.
That increase triggered record-setting applications last year that deluged the agency. Many immigrants won’t become citizens in time to vote in November because of numerous applications.
Advocator said on 13 Mar 2008 at 2:16 pm:
Of course the democrats want them to push them through so their voter base can be increased. I say, wait your turn. If you can get through the process before November, good for you!! If you can not, sorry, but you will be available for the next one. I do not think there should be any corner cutting right now. We have to be diligent in who is allowed citizenship.
My ex wife and 2 children were stuck in the Philippines because of an immigration issue. They were there for an additional 3 months. I didn’t whine and cry, it is part of the process. So I have first hand experience with this and it should be handled correctly without any corners being cut!!!!!
/\/\3|)iç 64 (Winner of the BVBL 40k and 50k post award) said on 13 Mar 2008 at 2:01 pm:
MP Resident said on 13 Mar 2008 at 10:31 am:
It is the economy. Just so happens that the resolution is going through at the same time sub-prime loan foreclosures are hitting the market.
Expect to see more foreclosures and empty houses in May. Another ARM kicks in then. That should be the last one for awhile. If what MP resident says is true re only legal Hispanics have left and all that is left are the gang bangers, illegals and drunks, well then, they should be easy to catch, don’tjuhthink?
“MP resident it seems you are WashingToneLocian on the Fairfax Underground Blog”
Hell no. I’m not the idiot who thinks PWC raised taxes 28% when they haven’t even decided what tax rate to advertise!
Incidentally, I don’t think someone like WashingToneLocian would even want to live anywhere near Manassas Park.
“can only hope you are not because what is posted above is pure stupidity.”
It sure is, and the reason I posted the link to it above is so you and others can see the stupidity.
This is not the first time I’ve seen it claimed that the PWC resolution is causing the housing market to tank–I see it here and there in comments on the Manassas JM site.
Unfortunately…the housing market started to tank well over a year ago. I remember thinking my 2007 MP assessment was too high and didn’t reflect reality.
I noticed it got easier to find parking in this townhouse community in the summer of 2006 or so.
This is the same way the idiot liberals blamed Bush for the 2000 recession even though the stock market started showing signs of a decline in March 2000….
“I do not believe that business is not coming here because of the resolution.”
If a business doesn’t come here because of the resolution then it’s probably not the sort of business one would want in their community anyway. Like brothels and check-cashing stores.
MPResident/WashingTonelocian said:
“The mostly law abiding Hispanics who just want a job and a decent place to live. Who is staying? The drunk, drug-abusing, gang members who are driving down property values and driving up crime.”
Now wouldn’t that assumption be known as racial profiling? Shame on you! So if a PWC officer sees a Hispanic, that person should automatically be rounded up for deportation since only criminal hispanics are left in PWC.
MP Resident said on 13 Mar 2008 at 2:43 pm:
WHEW!!!! I am RELIEVED!!!!!!!
I was thinking you had your head screwed on better than that!!!!
I do not know where they were getting the tax information either. How can that even be posted when the board is in session right now trying to figure out the rate.
An honest one will come here if they find the tax breaks, potential employee pool and community conducive to their business. If they do not, then they are, like you said, probably not the type of business we want here.
___________________________________
999 said on 13 Mar 2008 at 2:33 pm:
I have always said this is not the bottom. I also do not think the Gov’t should help any of these people. All involved have to pay the consequences for their actions. I do not think I should have to pay for someone else’s greed and deed ways.
____________________________________
JM, One would think so. It would then be a no win situation. Can’t ask them even though the only ones in the county are criminals.
I have no quarrel providing proof I live here legally. If I have to carry “papers” to prove it, I will!!!
FYI-
If you haven’t been to Old Town Manassas recently, this
weekend might be a good time. The St. Pat’s Parade
is Sat. morning and you can see the biggest construction
crane in the history of the city at the site of the
new VRE-Manassas parking garage - next to the depot.
Plus some unique shops and great places to dine.
Please come join us.
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=F06D9735AB112EDF87FE5EF41D684D92?contentId=6009826&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1
Ahhh…the culture!
“MPResident/WashingTonelocian said:”
I didn’t say that. I am not that person…thank god.
“I do not know where they were getting the tax information either.”
I asked but they chose not to respond to that question.
If I had to take a wild guess most of the people on Fairfaxunderground who are complaining about PWC’s crackdown are ones who only see illegal aliens when they’re mowing the lawn…and that’s how they’d like to keep it.
Big Dog,
You forgot to mention they could see that sign still standing at 9500 Liberty. Please, give the city credit for that damn thing.
Lafayette,
Are you feeling better?
Johnson said on 13 Mar 2008 at 3:29 pm:
Just doing the jobs that Americans won’t do!!!
This is the type of third world country crap we want in the US?
/\/\3|)iç 64 (Winner of the BVBL 40k and 50k post award) said on 13 Mar 2008 at 4:20 pm:
I am now able to sit up 15 minutes, every couple of hours. That’s an improvement, but a far cry from my healthy self.
Thanks for asking.
wow, this one got a hold of you good huh??
We are getting a dog from the Fredericksburg SPCA this weekend. He is about 18 months old. I told my mom that he would be the only “baby” she would get from us. She laughed and told me I didn’t need anymore babies anyway and she was ok with it. LOL
Keep drinking lots of water so your system can flush this bug out of you!!! It is important not to get dehydrated right now.
Lafayette,
Most people, including me, don’t like the sign,
but it is becoming old news. The people who put it up
even seem bored with it — the last writing on it is
about Christmas and wreaths are still up. Perhaps
they realized a sign in the city has little influence on
events in the county.
It was is put up for PR and if nobody gives it
attention then?
Big Dog said on 13 Mar 2008 at 5:17 pm:
That is absolutely right. The less said the better. It is now 30 minutes and time to move on. (reference 15 minutes of fame)
The sign didn’t get the reaction MSF was hoping for, did it?
“Prince William doesn’t have it right. Property values are cratering, potential employers and outside investment are staying away and property taxes are going up 28% to pay for anti-immigration enforcement. Yes, things are tough all over in the housing market, but PW has been especially hard hit compared to surrounding counties. I believe a lot of it has to do with the county’s publicized stance on illegal immigration.”
These are not my words–I posted these because I do not agree with them and I’ve heard similar sentiments which I also do not agree with.
I’m not sure how to respond to such idiocy—as I mentioned previously the housing market started dropping 2 years ago and PWC has not set a tax rate so claiming taxes are going up 28% is a lie.
Haven’t you heard? 9500Propaganda piece has gone international:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=70671590&blogID=365791035
Lafayette, sorry to hear you were sick - get well soon!
The COMPOST cannot get it right. This editorial directly contradicts their polling running up the elections last fall where it found that illegal immigration was a concern of something like 50% of the voters.
Furthermore, the COMPOST had a very small story about the City of Fairfax and their 16% proposed tax increase, but the COMPOST does not attack Fairfax for spending. The bottom line is like the MJM, the COMPOST supports illegals and when one tactic does not work, they try another.
that’s interesting to hear that the tax rate hasn’t been decided…especially since I read about it in the Bull Run Observer, Washington Post, and heard it on two different newscasts (ABC and CBS, I think? can’t recall exactly since I was only half-listening while preparing dinner). I’m actually relieved. But even if it was going up 28%, it’ worthwhile if it’s to pay for all the things that need to be paid for…staffing increases in FDs and PDs, equipment for squads, etc.
We consider the Washington Post nearly un-American in our household. I really don’t mind hearing a more liberal lean to something, but I only want to hear that in an Op-Ed piece, not in my news that should be “just the facts”.
Also, that stunt that BOA is pulling isn’t new. Citibank pulled that crap on me and my husband about 3 years ago. No reason whatsoever. So I wrote them and cancelled the card. They called to woo me back and I got annoyed and called them names. Both of us have excellent credit, so I was totally insulted that Citibank had no loyalty to us as customers…only to increasing their bottom line by the nth degree. Glad I didn’t replace that old Citibank card with a BOA card! Although the card I did get did creep up the rate on me while I wasn’t looking (literally…I had a baby and during those 3 months that I wasn’t critically checking my statement…just had hubby pay it…they hiked the rate). I called, complained, they lowered it slightly. When I got my tax refund, I paid the damn thing off. Unfortunately, I know not everyone has that option (and in the past, we didn’t, either…). I really would be interested in hearing more about a consumer protection law. You don’t see standard mortgages or car loans with interest rates screeching up the charts…same should be for credit cards. I accept paying a reasonable amount of interest on money loaned to me. But charging people more than 10% is completely outrageous. That consumer law should also mention something about their fees. Slapping fee-after-fee-after-fee needs to be stopped. If a customer attempts to use their card for an amount that will put them over their limit, it should just decline…not go over the limit and then charge the customer $35 on top of a rate increase, then only demand a minimum due that is going to make them hit their limit again and be charged $35 again. Pure crap. Pure lunacy. Pure greed.
“that’s interesting to hear that the tax rate hasn’t been decided”
As of Tuesday:
http://www.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/board_delays_vote_on_what_tax_rate_to_advertise/5383/
Raising property taxes is not going to help PWC’s property values, man. High taxes won’t attract prospective homebuyers or businesses to PWC. Op-eds like that of the WaPost above won’t attract homebuyers either, of any race or nationality.
Further, pretty soon everyone is going to be paying 4 bucks a pop for gas.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080313/bs_afp/commoditiesenergyoilpricerecord_080313194016
Raising taxes during a recession, when oil prices are rising to record levels and property values are tanking, is not a wise move - especially when it’s just to use soccer fields.
But if this is what the people of PWC want, well, they are getting it. They got their resolution and they are okay with higher taxes to pay for it. Expect some tough times ahead.
You have a point, Ducky….however, it won’t take higher taxes to “pay for the resolution,” the absence of those who WERE here, taking advantage of a free-ride will more than pay for it.
Freedom,
That is my thought as well. The schools won’t need as much money since the ESOL and regular classes will be smaller. Many of the services that were once overcrowded will be less than in the near future. We can all enjoy a good way of life without the overcrowding.
It is going to be tough until we get new people coming in that pay their fair share, but it will be worth it in the near future.
Now that the urgent need for esol and bi-lingual teachers is waning, it’s maybe a good time to weed out the weak teachers who drain the budget.
IF you are eligible, you should try NFCU’s card. We called for a replacement about a year ago, due to wear and tear. They volunteered to lower our rate from 12 to 7.5%. We do have good credit, but this was totally unexpected.
Ducky said on 14 Mar 2008 at 3:59 am:
Ain’t life a b!tch?
Three Things to Ponder:
1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments
C O W S
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three
years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington?
And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.
T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N
They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq. Why don’t we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we’re not using it anymore.
T H E 1 0 C O M M A N D M E N T S
The real reason that we can’t have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this:
You cannot post “Thou Shalt Not Steal,” “Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,” and “Thou Shall Not Lie” in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians…It creates a hostile work environment.
Several more things to ponder….
How do we get NEWT on the ballot as VP?
Who do we want to serve as chairman after Corey is elected Lt. Governor?
Have you called your Supervisor today to say… NO TAX RATE INCREASE!
STOP FUNDING The Prince William Clean Council, The Prince William Health Center and all the other 501c3’s in this county that have provided nothing more than create bogus jobs for friends of Craig Gerhart!
WAKE UP PWC….the county staff is coming after your wallet and bank account.
And while we’re at it…..Lets send the Chairman of the Economic Development Council Miles Friedman…PACKING, too.
JJ - I like the way you think!
TDB - enjoyable post!
It’s time to downsize PWC government! The time is now.
Lets roll.
Gun show at PWC Fairgrounds March 22-23.
es_la_ley said on 14 Mar 2008 at 8:27 pm:
Gun show at PWC Fairgrounds March 22-23.
Time to take stock, and stock up!
What happened to the allegedly sex offending high school teacher? I believe three 12-13 year old girls had accused him.
TDB New 11th Commandment….Though shall NOT house illegal aliens.
wine please said: “…I accept paying a reasonable amount of interest on money loaned to me. But charging people more than 10% is completely outrageous. That consumer law should also mention something about their fees. Slapping fee-after-fee-after-fee needs to be stopped.”
I’m sorry but the man with the money is the one who decides what’s a reasonable interest rate. There’s competition in the money lending business just like everywhere else….the lender charging more than the going rate probably won’t be making a lot of loans. Bottom line, if you don’t want to pay, don’t ask to borrow…you probably don’t really need it anyway.
We are not allowed to post comments on the “reader feedback” thread, so I will post one here. I also have had some of my posts deleted and I find this really bothers me. I find myself not coming here as much or posting much. Greg you are turning off people that agree with your illegal alien stand, as well as those that do not agree with you. I think your readers deserve an explanation as to why free speech is squelched on your site, even on open threads.
[Ed note: you caught a raw post that hadn’t intended to be posted. It clearly wasn’t ready. As for your posts, I can’t find any instances where your comments have been deleted. You may have just lost track of which thread your comments were on, which happens to a number of folks. As far as “turning off people with your illegal alien stand”, that’s fine. Folks can agree or not. Most appear to agree. As far as “free speech being squelched”, I have the same policy on deleting comments that is in place at Raising Kaine, and a majority of the other political blogs in Virginia. I think the only free-for-all comment policy in place is at Not Larry Sabato. For some strange reason, no one is screaming at Lowell Feld.]
What an interesting look BVBL has tonight! Greg, you get some really interesting reader feedback!
Sorry, folks. That was a work-in-progress that I didn’t intend to post yet, quite obviously. That one is going to take a whole lot more work before it’s ready to go, and when it does, rest assured I’ll have the comments enabled.
Sorry for the confusion. Those of you who saw that got a little glimpse of the raw garbage I regularly have to deal with.
Greg, I have no problem whatsoever with your editing standards.
For those who want unrestricted blog “free-speech,” I have a suggestion: Create and fund your own blog and then, you can edit (or not) to suit your own personal standard.