Category: Uncategorized

PSU Prof Is Suing Mark Steyn And National Review

Michael “Hockey Stick” Mann has filed a lawsuit against writer Mark Steyn and National Review alleging they defamed him in a column Steyn wrote in July called “Football and Hockey” which was about all the neat ways Penn State has gotten itself worldwide notice over the last few years.

Mann is a professor at PSU and was one of the major players in the global warming scandal of November 2009 in which emails were leaked from  University of East Anglia’s Hadley Climatic  Research Centre in the United Kingdom that showed leading climate researchers playing tricks with data and conspiring to stifle dissenters regarding the global warming catastrophe story.
Mann is the creator of infamous “hockey stick” graph which was widely claimed to have proved that earth temperatures were drastically increasing.  It was learned he left out data points in creating it. A graph that takes into account the missing data is a lot less scary.

Steyn quoted someone else saying that “Mann could be said to be the Jerry Sandusky of climate science except that instead of molesting children, he has molested and tortured data in in the service of politicized science that could have dire economic consequences for the nation and planet.”
Steyn wondered “If an institution is prepared to cover up systemic statutory rape of minors, what won’t it cover up? Whether or not he’s ‘the Jerry Sandusky of climate change’, he remains the Michael Mann of climate change, in part because his ‘investigation’ by a deeply corrupt administration was a joke.
We actually said something similar way back.
Anyway, Steyn and National Review are fighting the suit. Their lawyer John B. Williams of Cozen O’Connor of Washington D.C. notes that his clients will be seeking access to materials Mann successfully fought to protect in other proceedings.
It should be interesting.
The defense is not  free and NR is asking for help with it. Information on how to donate can be found here. We are going to send them $10.
And Penn State? Sell the land for office space. It can’t be taken seriously as an institution of higher learning.

Afternoon Burglars Prowl Delco In Maroon Mazda

Over the past month, there have been at least eight daytime burglaries in Delaware County, Pa –including Upper Providence and Nether Providence townships —  involving a suspect vehicle described as a small older compact maroon sedan possibly a Mazda with unknown New Jersey tags, reports Newtown Police Chief Chris Lunn,
 
The suspects are believed to be a white male with a white, dark-haired female driver or two white males.  
“They are usually hitting between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.,” says Lunn.
 
The majority of the entries are forced with some being unlocked doors.  In one of the burglaries, a victim encountered the male in his house and chased him down the street where he was observed entering the maroon vehicle and leaving the area.  The suspect was described as being approx. 5′ 11″, 170 pounds and about 25 years old. He was wearing sunglasses, a baseball hat and possibly gloves.
 
If you see the car described above in your neighborhood, call 911 immediately and provide as much information as possible.
 
 

Cryptowit

By William W. Lawrence Sr

Nyrk Z ufe’k czbv rsflk fwwztv Tyizjkdrj grikzvj zj cffbzex wfi r afs kyv evok urp. 

Gypcczj Uzccvi 
Answer to yesterday’s puzzle: Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart. 
Washington Irving 

Off The Internet– The Longest Password

Courtesy of Cathy Martin

During a recent audit by a company it was found that one blond employee was using the following password: MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofySacremento.
When asked why she had such a long password she rolled her eyes and said “Hello! It has to be at least eight characters and include at least one capital.”
Laugh but it’s not that bad a password, and she can remember it. She should probably get a numeral in there somewhere, though.

Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Is Dec. 31

The deadline to apply for the 2011 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is Dec. 31, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129). If you’ve already applied and/or received your rebate check for 2011, please note that applications for the 2012 program will not be accepted until next year, probably in mid-February. 

Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2011. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with permanent disabilities. 

Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits: 

•

$0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (homeowners and renters).

•

$8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (homeowners and renters).

•

$15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (homeowners only).

•

$18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (homeowners only).

Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately. 

One can obtain an application by visiting this page on Cox’s website.

Cryptowit

By William W. Lawrence Sr

Adkt xh ctktg adhi. Xu cdi gtrxegdrpits, xi lxaa uadl qprz pcs hduitc pcs ejgxun iwt wtpgi. 

Lphwxcvidc Xgkxcv 
Answer to yesterday’s puzzle: The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I, therefore, intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt. 
Barack Obama

Flu Up In Pa.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported a recent significant increase in influenza activity across the state since Thanksgiving, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129). 

Flu activity has risen from sporadic to widespread throughout the Commonwealth, meaning at least half of the state’s regions are experiencing outbreaks of influenza or increases in influenza-like illness. The flu made an appearance earlier this year than in most flu seasons, as widespread activity is usually not seen until January. 

To protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu, the department recommends the flu vaccine for everyone over the age of 6 months. The vaccine is especially important for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions that place them at increased risk of complications from the flu. 

In addition to getting vaccinated, individuals should take precautions to keep the flu from spreading, including: covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, staying at home when ill or experiencing flu-like symptoms, washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizers when soap and water are not available, and cleaning and disinfecting high-use surfaces, especially if someone has been coughing or sneezing in the area. 

For information on seasonal influenza, visit www.health.state.pa.us.

Cryptowit

By William W. Lawrence Sr

Gur snpg gung jr ner urer gbqnl gb qrongr envfvat Nzrevpn’f qrog yvzvg vf n fvta bs yrnqrefuvc snvyher. Nzrevpn unf n qrog ceboyrz naq n snvyher bs yrnqrefuvc. Nzrevpnaf qrfreir orggre. V, gurersber, vagraq gb bccbfr gur rssbeg gb vapernfr Nzrevpn’f qrog. 

Onenpx Bonzn
Answer to yesterday’s puzzle: A traitor is everyone who does not agree with me. 
King George III

Tidbit Of The Day

J.P. Morgan’s uncle wrote Jingle Bells.

Gun Shots Lead To Charges

By Pattie Price

Peter Bowen, 25, of Newtown Square, was held for a Jan.16 arraignment in Common Pleas Court on the charge of recklessly endangering another person following a hearing Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Lee Hunter. In exchange for the waiver the charge of possession of a controlled substance was withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 4 p.m., Oct. 26, on Fairview Avenue.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Detective John Newell and several other officers responded to the 4300 block of Fairview Avenue to investigate a report of “shots fired.”

When police arrived they heard additional gun shots. Police entered the wooded area and located Bowen and his friend. Both men denied having or firing a gun, but said they had set off fireworks.

Bowen’s friend told police that a gun was buried under a pile of leaves a few feet from the fire pit where the men were located.

Newell found a loaded black .22 caliber revolver, and next to the gun he found a bundle of suspected heroin.

Confiscated from Bowen were two empty blue bags containing heroin residue and a pocket knife.

Both men admitted they had used heroin and drank a few beers while shooting the gun.

Bowen told police that he brought the gun from his friend’s house and that the gun belonged to his brother.

* * * 

Shariff Blackwell, 33, of Philadelphia waived a hearing on the charges of DUI and possession of a small amount of marijuana. In exchange for the waiver the charges of speeding, operating a vehicle following suspension of registration, and careless driving were withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 3:18a.m., Oct. 21, on West Chester Pike near Bishop Hollow Road.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Joe Vandegrift saw the driver of a black Lincoln Navigator speeding on West Chester Pike. He clocked the vehicle at 79 mph in a posted 40 mph zone and stopped the driver who was identified as Blackwell.

Blackwell had a strong odor of alcohol and admitted he had been drinking at West Chester University’s Homecoming.

A portable breath test revealed a blood alcohol level of .196 percent. He was transported to Springfield Hospital for a blood test.

A computer check revealed Blackwell was arrested for DUI in 2005 and that his registration was suspended.

After Blackwell was processed he placed a small container of suspected marijuana on the floor where he was seated.

Blackwell is scheduled for a Jan. 16 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Desmond Davis, 44, of Prospect Park, was held in abstentia for a Jan. 16 arraignment in Common Pleas Court on the charges of bad checks. The charges stem from an incident 9:40a.m., Oct. 5, at Niemeyer’s, 19 S. Newtown Street Road.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Dave Wilding said an employee of Niemeyer’s reported Davis made a purchase of $918.89 on May 11 and his check was returned the following day for non-sufficient funds. Niemeyer’s contacted Davis and he promised to make payments. On June 29, Davis finally made a payment of $100. When he didn’t make any more payments after numerous phone calls, police were contacted to prosecute Davis.

* * * 

Cheryl Scout, 63, of Drexel Hill, plead guilty to harassment for an incident 6:20p.m., Nov. 16, at 126 Pine Street.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Joe Vandegrift  said Ms. Scout called her ex-boyfriend 13 times in 24 hours, despite a PFA. He said Ms. Scout attempted to contact him 46 times between June and November, While taking the report, the victim’s cell phone rang and Vandegrift advised Ms. Scout that she was going to be arrested for plotting to run her ex-boyfriend over in Casey’s parking lot.

Police said at the time of the incident, Ms. Scout was on bail for a previous harrassment incident of her ex-boyfriend.