Vacation USA

I was just reading about the two French women murdered in Argentina. It makes one stop and think yes it is very exciting to travel to different parts of the world. I think you have to pick your destination very carefully and stay out of Third World countries as much as possible. Almost anywhere you go there is some type of danger but the risk in these out-of-the-way places are much higher.

In some of these off-the-wall countries kidnapping and murder are just the way of life and are even a business to some people. Unfortunately no matter where you travel in the world you have to keep your guard up and be aware of your surroundings.

My condolences and sympathy for the family and friends of these two girls. I think my next vacation will be in the boundaries of the USA.

He's Back

Our old friend Hugo Chavez is back.Singing and dancing as he celebrated his 57th birthday claiming that he will probably stay in power until 2031. Chavez who was diagnosed with cancer in June as been going back and forth to Cuba for treatment.I can't understand that if Venezuela is the utopia that Chavez claims why must he continually return to Cuba for his cancer treatment? Do they not have doctors in this country? With all the problems in the South American the great leader of Venezuela Mr. Hugo Chavez is worrying about his hair falling out don't worry Mr. Pres. you always came across as a clown now you will just be a bald headed one.Mr. Chavez at times called his opponents the devil I doubt that he knows what the devil looks like but it is possible in the near future he may find out when the Grim Reaper comes knocking at his door.

Debt Ceiling Talks

It looks like no matter what they do the Democrats and Republicans cannot come to some kind of agreement on raising the debt ceiling. They hold meetings during the week on the weekend and even the White House and they are still at odds with each other. I think the American people are getting fed up with both parties. It just seems like the same old political BS as usual nobody wants to give in. I wonder why all these different decisions always have to go down to the wire. The Democrats and Republicans should have been working on this problem many months ago not just kicking the can down the road as they so fondly like to say. They even have representative claiming they will not vote for a raise in the debt ceiling no matter what. I think we have two take a long look at these people in 2012. To determine if they deserve to be in office anymore. As the ship sinks they are fighting over problems that should have been solved many months ago and taking us down with it.

End of an Era

Watching the shuttle Atlantis land at the Kennedy space Center was a sad day in America. After being the dominant power in the space race for 30 years we now take a backseat to the Russians and have to depend on them to fly us to the space station. I don't understand the thinking of NASA officials in letting this happen maybe it is to save money but at a cost of over $50 million per person that is what the Russian government will be charging per astronaut.where is the savings.
I also could not help but wondering what is going to happen to the 3200 people who will be laid off as of today. There Is No Way, Central, FL has this many jobs available in total they say the number will reach 9000 unemployed NASA workers when the cuts are over. I don't think the American people are too happy with this situation I hope they show their frustration in the coming election.

I am sure the real estate market in the Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral area will be on a steep decline people without jobs will not be able to maintain their mortgage payment.

So after 30 years in space we say goodbye to the shuttle program and hello to the Russian space program where we will just be a passenger. This is another change for the better brought to you by the present administration how is that working out for you.

The meaning of volunteers

Watching the news on TV and also when reading my morning paper I have noticed there are quite a few lawsuits being brought against Casey Anthony. Believe me I am no fan of Ms. Anthony but some of these lawsuits are ridiculous and just ignorant.

Let us take the one filed by Leonard Padilla the bounty Hunter that got Casey Anthony out of jail the first time she was arrested. He claims he spent money looking for little Caylee Anthony. I thought his sole purpose when he came to Orlando was to post bail for this woman. He voluntarily begin to search for the little girl. I don't remember hearing that anybody contracted Mr. Padilla to look for the missing child he took on this burden of volunteering for this job. Also in the same theme the diver looking for the child who is now suing Casey Anthony was working for Leonard Padilla I would suggest he collect any expenses that he may have incurred up with him. This is another baseless lawsuit and a waste of the court's time.

The lawsuit that does have some merit is the one brought against Leonard Padilla by the meter reader who actually found the body. According to the lawyer for him they have many interviews by Mr. Padilla slandering him. I think I believe the lawyer because Leonard Padilla seeks publicity in any way that he can. He never passes the camera without something to say I think he actually hunts for the news man on the scene. We will have to wait to see how all of this plays out. So in closing it is quite evident that the Casey Anthony trial brought a boom town for all the lawyers involved in the frivolous lawsuits. Have a nice day.

Congressional Benefits

Government officials in Washington are looking for ways to cut expenses. I wonder if they have thought about cutting some of their Congressional benefits. Members of both houses enjoy salary, health insurance and retirement benefits and also get an expense account.

The salary for members of the House and Senate run about $174,000 a year. The speaker of the house makes $223,500 a year. Others in leadership position of the House and Senate bring in $193,400 a year. They also receive annual cost of living increases which by the way has been denied for the last two years to people on Social Security.

If you have served in Congress for five years or a member of the house you will be entitled to full retirement benefits. Your benefits will include health insurance coverage and pension benefits it must be nice to be able to retire with only five years service. Now you know why they fight so hard to stay in office everyone would love to have a plush job like this. This is not mentioning the many small entitlements that they have such as free postage and stationary all supplied by the federal government. I'm sure that we could take a long look at all their benefits and find ways to cut expenses but you know this will never happen as these representatives are the ones in charge of cutting expenses. So you the taxpayer are now saddled with the mounting debt and will pay the price when they begin cutting your entitlements and benefits. Have a nice day.

Last Chapter of Casey Anthony's story

The last chapter in the never-ending story of Casey Anthony was written last night at the Orange County jail in Orlando Florida. Casey Anthony was released at 12:14 A.M. Sunday night to a crowd of screaming protesters when she appeared walking through the door they went into a frenzy like a school of piranha's on a piece of roast beef. Have you heard the words in a song clowns to the left of me and jokers to the right that's a good description of what went down last night.

The entire jail was surrounded by police every exit was guarded God knows what this must of cause orange County taxpayers. Then we have the mobile command center it was also present not to mention the mounted police on horse back and countless numbers of police cars up and down John Young Parkway the overtime pay for this little operation must be overwhelming.

With the entire jail surrounded and every exit blocked what do they do they let Ms. Anthony walk out the front door to a waiting vehicle this took approximately 15 seconds for her to exit the jail and disappear into the Florida night. Thank God this saga has come to an end I don't know how much more the orange County taxpayers could afford. I would really like to know how much money was spent for food housing and transportation for this woman the entire time she has been incarcerated I bet it's staggering.

We have been informed that the local government will try to recoup some of this money but you and I know this probably will never happena and for all the frivolous lawsuits filed by the cast of characters in this soap opera most will never materialize.

So as Casey Anthony and all our imaginary friends disappear into the Florida night we can only say goodbye and good riddance.