"Shame on Congress" - FAA Furlough's Workers

BREAKING: Aug.4,2011 3:23pm est  AP Reports that the Seante  Harry Reid HAS A DEAL to end the Partial FAA shutdown and put over 74,000 workers back to work & OFF the unemployment line!

Aaahhh, SUMMER! Long warm lazy crazy days! A time to relax. A time to stop and enjoy life.

We ALL work very hard all year and we deserve a must needed break from the monatny of the day to day work grind. Time to spend some quality time with family, friends and ....... CONSTITUENTS!?

Right after the final vote was cast on the Debt Ceiling Bill on August, 2, 2011, Congress fled Washington D.C. on there summer vacation break faster then a Nolan Ryan fastball. Why not, you may ask! They work hard all year. They finished there job for now so it's time to take a well earned VACATION!

RIGHT?...........WRONG! 

A congressional dispute has delayed funding for the Federal Aviation Administration, resulting in a partial shutdown. So while Congress hits the beach, aviation workers hit the unemployment lines. Over 74,000 workers to be exact. 

 

At issue is a decision by Rep. John Mica, a Florida Republican, to add a provision to the funding extension cutting subsidies to rural airports,known as the Essential Air Service program at a savings of about $16 million.(see partial list below as he manly targeted democrats). The measure is opposed by powerful Democrats such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada.  There's also a dispute over provisions that would make it easier for airline employees to unionize. Democrats support the section; Republicans generally oppose it. 

FAA employees are stuck in the middle of the dispute. But they're not the only people being hurt. The FAA has stopped hundreds of airport construction projects nationwide, putting construction workers out of work.

Also support workers, such as food service vendors, are also affected, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.

The FAA says the impasse will also prevent the federal government from collecting approximately $200 million a week in airline passenger taxes -- or about $1.2 billion during the congressional recess.

All this simple to cut $200 million of the federal budget! 

The FAA’s re-authorization, normally routine, has become a partisan football in a polarized Washington, D.C. Sound familiar?

The FAA has gotten along for almost five years on a string of 20 "temporary extensions" because Congress has been unable to work out long-term funding for the agency since 2007. The 20th extension ran out on July 23, and so "nonessential" functions — construction projects, facilities inspections and the like — were shut down.

Both the House and the Senate have actually passed bills to fund the FAA this year, but they weren't able to combine them into a single measure both chambers could agree on.

The Senate version, which passed in February, left in place a new federal rule that would make it easier for unions to organize at airlines. (Previously, unions had to win "yes" votes from a majority of all eligible employees, whether they actually voted or not; employees who didn't show up to vote were automatically counted as "no" votes. The new rule makes it a simple majority of employees who actually vote.)

Ely,Nev.

In April, the House passed its version. Under heavy lobbying from Delta Airlines — where the National Mediation Board is investigating alleged corporate interference with a union election last year — it included an extra provision to repeal the new union rule.

Senate Democrats refused to go along with a compromise that killed the union organizing rule, which President Barack Obama said he would veto anyway. But House Republicans said it was non-negotiable.

So while once again Washington play's partisan politics with thousands of American's lives, these workers are now furloughed until after Labor Day when Congress comes back from there "Well deserved Summer vacation"!  So instead of them heading off to wait in line to see a movie or standing in line a t the register at a mall, they are ALL heading for the unemployment line and are trying to make ends meat and survive!

Again I blame both parties for NOT working out there differences for the American workers and only thinking of there own political agendas and self interest and spitefulness!


SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

NBC News reported that Reid sent House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, a letter Wednesday offering to approve a clean extension, saying the cuts in airport subsidies could be negotiated in a long-term bill when Congress returns next month. 

1. Airports that would lose subsidies
   The House-passed bill to extend authorization for the Federal Aviation Administration would reduce federal subsidies for 13 small rural airports:
   • Alamogordo, N.M.
   • Athens, Ga.
   • Bradford, Pa.
   • Ely, Nev.
   • Franklin-Oil City, Pa.
   • Glendive, Mont.
   • Hagerstown, Md.
   • Jackson, Tenn.
   • Jamestown, N.Y.
   • Johnstown, Pa.
   • Jonesboro, Ark.
   • Lancaster, Pa.
   • Morgantown, W.Va.
   
   

   • One is in Ely, Nev., which is represented by Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid.

   • Another is in Morgantown, W.Va., which is represented by Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller.

   • Another is in Glendive, Mont., which is represented by Democratic Sen. Max Baucus, chairman of the Finance Committee.

   • Another is in Jamestown, N.Y., which is represented by Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer, a member of Baucus' committee.
   • A fifth is in Alamogordo, N.M., which is represented by Democratic Sen. Tom Udall, a member of the Transportation Committee's subcommittee on aviation.

 Not all of the airports are in states represented by senior Democrats influential in finance or transportation. The Athens, Ga., airport, for example, is in a state with two Republican senators and a district represented by a conservative Republican.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords - The Debt Ceiling Bill

UPDATE: Senate Followers House, Passes Debt Ceiling Bill 74-26

I've been trying to find the words on what to post on the this debate on the Debt Ceiling Bill!

President Obama, Speaker of the House John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the "Tea Party" lead by Michele Bachmann. Those were the players in this political game with the future of ALL Americans sitting and again waiting in the balance for our elected officials to come up with a plan so we would not default on our debt.

But as always, politics and EVERYONE'S own political agenda got in the way as this time we had "THREE" sides to the issue. The Republicans, the Demorcrates and the "Tea Party" each, in my opinion, putting themselves first and not the American People's best interests.

But on Monday, the House overcame opposition from liberal Democrats and tea party conservatives for ideologically different reasons to pass the measure by a 269-161 vote.
The Senate will take up the measure on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 needing a "Super-Majority" of 60 votes!
See how YOUR House Representative voted on the Debt Ceiling Bill→ http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll690.xml

You can read below what was in the bill and what it means. Or Read the Entire Legislation Bill Here→  http://money.cnn.com/news/storysupplement/debt_ceiling_bill/?iid=EL

But to me this night will be remembered for the return to the house floor of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. She, it was learned, insisted to be flown to Washington D.C. to be on the floor for this historic moment in history.

House Speaker John Boehner said he was "very surprised" to see Giffords, whom he met as she got off a Capitol elevator.
"It was nice to see her," said Boehner, who said he told Giffords, "Welcome back."

Rep. Nancy Pelosi said, "Her presence here in the chamber as well as her service throughout her entire service in Congress, brings honor to this chamber.
"We are privileged to call her a colleague," Pelosi added. "Some of us are very privileged to call her a friend."

She brought a Bi-Partisan reaction to the House floor as Democratic, Republicans and "Tea Party" members rose as one to a rousing ovation as she entered the room!
God Bless her continued recovery from the horrific, senseless, tragic events that unfolded on the morning of January 8, 2011 at around 10:10am in front of a safeway shopping store in Tucson, Arizona.

Photo By Tom Williams / Roll Call

To me, she represents the TRUE American spirit of never giving up under any cercumstances and showing to her collegues that it's NOT about them, it's about serving ALL the American people and getting the job done for the better of the country.

WELL DONE, GABY! Your looking BEAUTIFUL!

Details on the Debt Ceiling Bill Passed by the House:

 A debt ceiling increase of between $2.1 trillion and $2.4 trillion: The framework will raise the debt ceiling immediately by $400 billion, then by another $500 billion after September.
After deep cuts are enacted by the end of the year, it will be increased by another $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion.
All told, the increases should cover the Treasury's borrowing needs until 2013.
At least $2.1 trillion in spending cuts: The framework would immediately cap domestic and defense spending, resulting in cuts of $917 billion over 10 years.
The framework then calls for more deficit reduction -- between $1.2 trillion and $1.5 trillion worth -- to be determined by the end of this year and imposed over 10 years. (Video: Shocker! A real Senate debate)
Bipartisan debt-reduction committee: That second round of deficit reduction would be proposed by a special bipartisan joint committee of Congress. The committee has until Thanksgiving to come up with its proposals and those proposals would be guaranteed by an up-or-down vote without amendment by Dec. 23.
If the committee proposes and the Congress approves between $1.2 trillion and $1.5 trillion in cuts, the debt ceiling will be increased dollar for dollar.
If the committee deadlocks or comes up with less than $1.2 trillion in cuts, or if Congress votes down the committee's proposals, the debt ceiling will be raised by $1.2 trillion.While it appears the committee will be free to consider entitlement and tax reform -- and dare we say it, tax hikes -- practically speaking it's more likely members would hit an impasse over these measures just as they have, oh, every other day this year.
Across-the-board cuts as trigger: If the committee deadlocks or fails to come up with at least $1.2 trillion in debt reduction, the sword of Damocles will fall on most forms of spending in the federal budget.
Specifically, as much as $1.2 trillion in across-the-board cuts would kick in -- evenly divided between defense and non-defense spending.
Exempt from this round of cuts, however, would be programs that aid low-income Americans, according to Democrats' fact sheets. These include Social Security, Medicaid, veterans' benefits and pensions, food stamps and Supplemental Security Income.
While Medicare would not be exempt, the framework would restrict cuts to no more than 2% of the program's cost. And the cuts that occur would not affect Medicare benefits nor would they increase seniors' costs, according to the White House fact sheet.
Required vote on balanced budget amendment: In theory, the across-the-board cuts could be avoided if instead both chambers of Congress pass a Balanced Budget amendment to the Constitution and send it to the states for ratification before the end of the year


See how YOUR House Reprentative voted on the Debt Ceiling Bill→ http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll690.xml

Derek Jeter & The Yankees "SCREW" Christian Lopez

UPDATE: Topps says it will produce a trading card featuring Christian Lopez that will be included in sets later this year. Also memorabilia dealer Brandon Steiner and sporting goods CEO Mitch Modell said they will make sure Lopez gets at least $50,000 toward his outstanding student loans of $150,000. Steiner set up an auction of memorabilia that eventually will include baseballs signed by both Lopez and Jeter and said Modell is pledging five percent from the sale of Yankees-related merchandise at the Modell's chain during what will be called ''Christian Lopez Week.''
NOW IF ONLY DEREK JETER AND THE NEW YORK YANKEES WOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND COVER THE REMAINING $100,000! What about it guys!

UPDATE: 7/12/11-The four season tickets he was rewarded with could carry a tax burden of up to $14,000 alone, and that's before the signed shirts, balls and bats are taken into account. Should the Yankees give Lopez a hand with his tax bill?
This keeps getting worse & worse!

Question: What would YOU do with Jeter's 3,000th Home Run Hit?

Christian Lopez

On July 9, 2011, at 2pm at New York's Yankee stadium in the bronx, Derek Sanderson Jeter, on a 3-2 slow breaking curve ball,  launched a Home Run into the left field bleachers. Thus becoming the 28th Major League Baseball player to have 3,000 hits in his career.

A true milestone in A baseball players career.

Sitting out in the left field bleachers that hot summer's day in Section 236 was Christian Lopez. WHO? Let me tell you about Christian. This 23 year old Highland Mills, New Yorker works for Verizon Cellular in a store, was there with his dad, Raul "Chico" Lopez, with tickets brought by his girlfriend as a birthday present on StubHub for $65. per. He also ha over $100,000. dollars in student loan debt.

So what did HE do with the ball? He said, "He deserves this, he's worked hard for this ... I'm not the type of person to take this away from him." He just gave it back!

CRAZY!

He did ask to meet Derek and get some memorabilia, but that's all he wanted!


The New York Yankees quickly took advantage of there fans again, giving him only  four tickets for the uber-pricey Legend section for one game, worth a total of $6,000, then four tickets for each of the rest of the games in the stadium's Championship section this year, where seats go for $350. Plus tickets to any playoffs/world series games this year the yankees would play.

Derek & Minka

The captain himself, Derek Jeter, gave Lopez three signed bats, three signed balls and three signed jerseys and a meet-and-great.

AND THAT'S IT!  I'll say it again, CRAZY!

Oh sure he's been on the Yess Network and other TV stations. Local newspapers and radio. He was supposed to be on ESPN, but he said he had to turn it down cause he has to get back to work.

Minka

I was talking about this for several days before this happened with friends and family asking them what they would ask for if his 3,000th hit would've been a home run.
Two girls said they would ask Jeter for a date. To be taken out in New York City to a five star restaurant and wined and dined, maybe go dancing, limo the whole thing!

Now I don't know how Derek's girlfriend, Minka Kelly, would like that?

Others said they would give it back, while some said they would have to think about it.
One said they would ask for six figures!

Steiner Sports, the BIG sports memorabilia company, and themselves who will make a fortune selling Jeter 3,000th hit collectables, said he initially pegged the 3,000-hit ball itself at $100,000. "But there's something about this day, that's taking a life on itself," he said. "I now say it's worth $200,000 to $250,000."

I had thought about this before and since and here's what I would ask for or I would take MY ball and go home:

1. Multiple signed Jerseys, bats, balls, batting gloves, hats etc. All coming with a signed letter of authenticity that it was from Derek Jeter and happened on that day.
2. A meeting with Derek, Pictures etc.
3. A signed "TEAM" ball of ALL the 2011 Yankees
4. Some commemorative 3,000th hit merchandise
5. BUT this one would be the clincher, 4-Box Seats to either the Legend or Championship section of Yankees stadium, including playoff's and world series, for the rest of my life......PERIOD! And I want "ACTUAL" tickets, not the ones they use to give out as freebee's. NO actual tickets they would have normally sold, sent to me each year for the rest of my life.

For me, number five, would break or seal the deal. I figure I could sell most of those tickets on StubHub each year, giving me a guaranteed income for the rest of my life!

Listen players don't care about the fans. If you think they do, your CRAZY! There in it for the MONEY, PERIOD. This was Christian Lopez's chance to get something for himself, his family, his future. Ball players have agents to squeeze every last dime out of the team, which they will pass it along to us, squeezing us as much as they can. This was OUR turn to do it to them and Christian blew it!

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE!

Casey Anthony - Now What?

NOT GUILTY.

That is what the court clerk read to the three major murder and manslaughter charges against Casey Anthony and the death of her daughter Caylee.

NOT GUILTY!

Lawson Lamar, the state attorney for Orange and Osceola Counties, said he never criticizes a jury verdict. Caylee’s body was not discovered until six months after her death, much of the evidence had decomposed or degraded. “This was a bare bones case, very, very difficult to prove,” he said. “The condition of the remains worked to our significant disadvantage.”

NOT GUILTY!

UNTHINKABLE: Why would a mother wait for 31 days before mentioning to her family, friends, or the police that her young child was missing?
PROVE THE MOTIVE: Prosecutors said Anthony killed her daughter, Caylee, in June 2008 because she was tired of being a mother and wanted to live the life of a single, carefree 22-year-old.
They said she drugged the toddler with chloroform and then pressed duct tape against her mouth and nose to suffocate the child. She then hid the body in her car for several days, they said, then dumped it in a wooded area a quarter mile from the family home. Prosecutors focused on the lies told by Casey Anthony in the 31 days after Caylee was last seen alive. They also heavily focused on an odor in the trunk of Casey Anthony's car, which the prosecution's forensics experts said was consistent with the smell of human decomposition. Very minute trraces of chloroform was found in the car trunk, but the levals were constant with any cleaning product.

DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY: Defense attorneys said Caylee accidentally drowned in the family’s swimming pool and that Casey went into denial about the tragedy. They said Casey’s father, George, helped dispose of the body and cover up the death and that her seemingly carefree mother in fact was hiding emotional distress caused by sexual abuse from her father.
Caylee was last seen alive on June 16, 2008. Authorities recovered her skeletal remains six months later in the wooded area.

OVERCHARGING: No direct physical evidence proved the mother caused her daughter’s death. But prosecutors encouraged the jury to view the case as a whole and consider strong circumstantial evidence. Going for the DEATH PENALTY, MURDER 1....WHY? on a case of  circumstantial evidence.

  

Anthony's boyfriend, testified that just hours after her lawyers claim that Caylee drowned, they both went to their local Blockbuster video store to rent a film. 'She was the way she was every day – happy. Happy to see me. Having a grand old time.'

 Casey Anthony showed no signs of grief parading in a 'hot body' contest at a Florida nightclub four days after her two-year-old daughter went missing, the court heard during her sensational murder trial.

 First, the Judge, The Honorable Belvin Perry, Chief Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, did a FABULOUS job!

 

The defense was all over the place but Jose Baez got the job done.

Lawyers for the prosecution: Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton (r.) handles evidence with attorneys Linda Drane Burdick relied too much on circumstantial evidence and couldn't tie Casey with the death of Caylee.

She was found GUILTY of 4 lesser counts, misdemeanors, of  giving false information to police. False information about what?
She will be sentenced Thursday, July 7, 2011. She will probably get time served, as she has already served over three years and these convictions carry only a year or probation.

Now there is talk of book deals, TV interviews, movies all for Casey Anthony.  

Was justice served?