A Little Levity Please

MoonHowler

Elizabeth Hasselbeck seems to think we should all go around in mourning because of the economy or maybe its over the 2 wars.  She wasn’t quite clear during her rant.  She needs to read some history.  Americans got through the Great Depression  listening to FDR’s Fireside Chats.  He tried to cheer people up, keep them informed, give them hope.  Yes, he told a joke or two.  Americans have always maintained their cheerfulness in the face of adversity.

Some background, Sarah Palin, like her or not, mocked President Obama by writing on her hand as her ‘teleprompter.’ Now everyone knows that all presidents since JFK have used the teleprompter.  They have other things to do rather than sit around memorizing speeches.  However, laughing at President Obama over his use of the teleprompter is something his opponents have latched on to, and so be it.  He is a gifted speaker.

 

This humor seems rather harmless to me.  Palin mocks Obama,  Gibbs mocks Palin.  No one is a sacred cow.  There is nothing much vicious being said.  So why does Elizabeth Hasselbeck get close to hysterical over the issue?  I don’t watch The View.  I don’t enjoy watching and listening to people attempt to scream over each other.   But isn’t Hasselbeck really a little over the top or is she just politically naive? 

Did Hasselbeck think Palin was serious?  Didn’t she realize that Palin was spoofing the President?  I thought it was silly but also harmless.  And she got it back at her.  Hopefully she is woman enough to take it.  I imagine she is.

The State of the County, Blizzardly Speaking

MoonHowler
The NASA Earth Observatory has taken true-color satellite photos of Snowmageddon, everyone’s favorite Beltway-crippling massive weekend snowstorm.
The NASA Earth Observatory has taken true-color satellite photos of Snowmageddon, everyone’s favorite Beltway-crippling massive weekend snowstorm.

From this morning:

Here we go again.  We are in the middle of a blizzard where 10 inches of new snow is expected to drop on Prince William County today.  So far, about 4 inches have fallen.  The snow has been heavy at times but nothing blinding.  But it isn’t over.  The emergency blurb from N & M that arrived moments ago  says we are under a blizzard warning and to expect blinding snow and high winds. 

That was all earlier today.  It looks like we dodged the proverbial bullet.  Areas north of us were not nearly so lucky.

The weather is costing the municipalities a fortune!

According to the Manssas News & Messenger:

Prince William County, Va.—It’s too soon to figure how much money Prince William taxpayers are spending on snow removal and related storm activities, but supervisors were told Tuesday to expect costs to be “extensive,” according to the county’s emergency services manager.

The bright spot is that the county executive’s recent declaration of a state of emergency makes the community eligible for pursuit and receipt of federal disaster dollars.

“We’ll follow the [Federal Emergency Management Agency] guidelines for reimbursements and go after every dollar we can,” said Patrick Collins, the county’s emergency services man-ager, in a last-minute presentation to supervisors during a 2 p.m. board meeting on Tuesday.

It’s been record-setting levels of snow that Prince William has experienced—and another 10-to-20-inches is on the way by Wednesday evening, according to weather reports.

“According to the totals we’ve seen, with another 10 inches, this will be the snowiest winter in 111 years,” said County Executive Melissa Peacor. “So we’re facing that proverbial 100-year storm.”

Some places in the county reported 30 inches of snow this past weekend, Collins said. Power outages, meanwhile, have hit thousands. But as of 2 p.m. Tuesday, service had been restored to all but 523 NOVEC customers and 107 Dominion customers, Collins said.

Those without electric service may contact Dominion at 888-667-3000 and NOVEC at 888-335-0500.

Virginia’s Department of Transportation has all but depleted its stores of salt, Collins said, and most county Public Works clean-up trucks were now relying solely on sand to help clear the roads.

How does the state run out of salt.  Totally amazing.  Is it possible to get more?  We are still at the beginning of February and there could be a lot more el Nino left.   Should we take bets that there is no more moisture left in the atmosphere?

The snowiest winter in 111 years is quite an accomplishment.  What did people do back then in 1899?  Were they better equipped in some ways than we are today?  Were people better prepared then?  When we lose our comfort zones, are we more miserable?

On a lighter note, the dude on Squawk on the Street just said he was in the heart of Snowmageddon 2010. (Reagan National)

Ending Codified Discrimination in Virginia Once and for All

MoonHowler

From the Washington Times:

By Bob Lewis ASSOCIATED PRESS

RICHMOND — Virginia’s Senate has passed a bill that would write into law executive orders by the past two governors that ban bias in the state work force based on sexual orientation.

Sen. Don McEachin’s bill advanced from the Democratic-controlled Senate on a nearly party line vote of 23-17. One Republican, Sen. Fred Quayle, joined the Democratic majority.

Democratic Govs. Tim Kaine and his predecessor, Mark Warner, issued executive orders during their tenure banning discrimination in state government hiring and workplace protection.

Republican Gov. Robert F. McDonnell has not reissued such an order but says Mr. Kaine’s is still in effect while he studies whether such orders are legal.

The measure faces a tougher fight in the Republican-dominated House.

Now wait a minute.  Are we to understand that Democrats are opposed to discrimination and Republicans are in favor of discrimination?   When is discrimination ever acceptable?  In what ways does the State discriminate against gays when the ban isn’t in effect?  How can Virginians have this kind of vacillation based on who is governor?  I am embarrassed for my own state unless this issue is corrected.

City School Roof Woes

MoonHowler

Manassas News and Messenger reports that the Mayfield Intermediate School roof has been declared unsafe by safety inspectors.  According to N & M:

On Monday, Manassas city officials deemed Mayfield Intermediate School unsafe after the roof started to show signs of collapse.

According to city schools spokeswoman Al Radford, a structural engineer has evaluated the situation and determined that the building cannot be used until the entire structural system is evaluated and the compromised structural trusses replaced.

This will require, at least for the next several weeks, that the Mayfield Intermediate School students and staff be housed elsewhere. Staff are working on alternatives regarding instructional settings. Mayfield serves approximately 1,000 fifth and sixth grade students.

Mayfield was constructed before the 2006 school year and houses more than 500 students, according to the school’s Web site.

The question becomes where to the 5th and 6th graders go to school during the time the roof is being repaired?  They cannot stay out of school.  They can’t go to school in an unsound structure.  Will Metz be used to double shift the kids?  Can the elementary schools take some of the kids?  Things will be very uncomfortable until normalcy can be resumed.  “The next several weeks” has an ominous ring to it.  Who knows how long it will really be once the snow is cleared up and inspectors and roof repair people really see what is going on. 

The following announcement is posted at the Mayfield Intermediate Website:

Also, please be advised that the excessive snow loads from the recent storm have caused sections of the roof structure at Mayfield Intermediate School to be compromised.  The school will be closed indefinitely so the entire structural system can be evaluated and the damaged areas replaced. Specific plans regarding Mayfield instruction will be communicated by the end of the week using the Alert Now system and the Mayfield and division websites.

 

The City of Manassas Schools will have some tough decisions to make that will definitely test the mettle of administration, teachers, staff, students and parents. They are certainly up to the challenge but it won’t be easy.