Director of Documentary “Restrepo” is Killed In Lybia

Elena

For those who have not watched the documentary “Restrepo”, I strongly urge you rent it.   What a loss to the world that this Documentarian has died. 

British-born Tim Hetherington, co-director of the 2010 documentary “Restrepo” about U.S. soldiers on an outpost in Afghanistan, was killed, said his U.S.-based publicist, Johanna Ramos Boyer.

Here is a brief summary of Restrepo:

Hetherington, a veteran war photographer, and journalist Junger, whose books include best-seller “The Perfect Storm,” wisely follow “The Hurt Locker” formula and leave politics aside, taking no stance on the war other than to show the daily lives of the people fighting it.

“Restrepo” unfolds with an objective yet impassioned voice, the soldiers’ actions, words, loyalty, even their horseplay combining for an unforgettable chronicle of fraternity under fire.

And the men are constantly under fire — sometimes as often as three or four times a day. Hetherington and Junger’s cameras reveal the assaults in frightening detail as the platoon fires back to repel attacks with matter-of-fact resolution.

One scene, almost unbearable to watch, captures the terrible outpouring of emotion after a comrade is killed. Such agonizing images bring home the war in a way no news report or fictionalized drama ever could.

Unhappy Trails to You…until we meet again

MoonHowler

 

It seems that PWC has a financial  windfall this budget season.  That is good news, or is it?
According to insidenova.com:

On Tuesday, the over­whelming majority of the eight supervisors were in agreement with Chairman Corey A. Stewart’s tax rate and spending proposals dur­ing the annual budget mark­up. At $1.204 per $100 of real estate property, Stewart’s tax rate would allow for a host of long-sought-after trail proj­ects that the Park Authority has been unable to achieve due to lack of funding.

The proposed tax rate would increase the average tax bill by $62.

More than $600,000 of the $4.73 million in additional revenue from Stewart’s plan would be headed to the Park Authority to spend on im­provements or additions to a number ofprojects, includ­ing the Neabsco Creek Trail, Broad Run Trail, Catharpin Creek Trail, the Potomac Her­itage National Scenic Trail, Lake Ridge Eastern End Trail and the Old Bridge to Minnieville Loop.

Stewart also expects an additional $2.5 million from the annual carryover session in late summer, as well another $1.4 million in proffer funding that can be used for trails and park projects. These include the creation of the Fuller Heights Community Park and Occoquan Riverwalk Park, and the addition of fields at Catharpin Park.

As the county slowly recovers from a devastating crash in the housing market, and thus, a greatly reduced tax base, employees will finally get a much deserved raise of 2% cost of living.  They have not had a raise in 2 years, yet they have been asked to work longer and harder, often doing the work of others.

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Manassas Tea Party Call to Arms?

MoonHowler

Every once in a while it’s good to step back and look at what is really being said and by whom. 

A friend sent me a link  that I think bears watching.  First off, I am not a resident of the City of Manassas.  I have friends and relatives there and generally I try to stay out of their business.  However, every once in a while something comes along that is so egregious that it needs comment.

Apparently the Manassas Tea Party has decided to wage war on the Manassas City Council.  They decry increases for services:

Gas and food prices are soaring.  Electric, sewer, trash pickup and water rates are all going up.  As citizens, our first step in these dire financial times is to tighten our own belts and we naturally expect our government officials to follow suit. But look no further than our own Manassas City Council to find a government entity uninterested in reducing the burden on its citizens.

Services go up for everyone, including municipal government.   Isn’t trash service part of City services?  These costs will be passed along to the resident.  The City isn’t your parent, Tea Party People.  You have to foot some of this cost. 

Here are additional complaints:

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Doocy: the latest birther?

MoonHowler

Steve Doocy of Fox and Friends apparently has crossed over to the dark side and is now a birther.

 

 

Carl Rove has said Donald Trump is making a mistake to hone in on the birther phenomena and the Donald takes exception. The earth is spinning backwards. I never thought I would be agreeing with Carl Rove.

The Donald thinks Rove took a cheap shot at him.