So Why The Fuss About Photo Voter ID?

Well the ACLU and NAACP are now suing to get Pennsylvania’s popular voter ID law overturned by the courts. They are claiming that  law violates the state constitution’s ”free and equal” elections clause and may cause people to lose their right to vote.

Why don’t they work to get everybody eligible to vote a a photo ID? It really isn’t that hard to do. It’s as easy to get a photo ID as it is to go to a polling place.
Why are the partisan Democrat groups like the ACLU and NAACP — and have no doubt that they are partisan — so against photo voter ID?
I think we know the answer.

Rally Against Home Tax Tyranny Is Monday

Rep. Jim Cox (R-129) is asking those planning on attending his rally on  Monday, May 7, in support of House Bill 1776 to RSVP at his website.

HB 1776 would stop property taxes from being used to fund public schools hence making it easier for those on fixed incomes or out of work to save their homes, and be of great benefit to family famers

The school funding mechanism would be replaced with other taxes.

Why Does Everything Good Have to be Communist?

By John Gilmore

At 17th and Market Occupy Philly met to have a pep rally to
celebrate May Day as a day to support workers. 
Movements all over the world are “reclaiming May Day and taking it
back to its origins.”

Occupy Philly us calling for a general strike for the day,
specifically targeting Philadelphia banks saying that their bad investments for
the city, along with slick contracts, drove the Philadelphia public education
system into bankruptcy.  During their
“mic check,” for which the Occupy Movement is so well known where one
person speaks and the crowd repeats the statement back, they spoke of the rise
in student debt, the privatization of prisons and the creation on an industrial
prison complex, and perpetual wars that have driven almost fifty percent of the
United States into out close to poverty.

Despite some clown dressed in a military uniform and posing
for the camera with a red book and what was supposed to be a communist flag,
they made quite a bit of sense.  The nut
with the flag, obviously a plant or idiot, probably wasn’t a real
communist.  They are not stupid enough to
wear such peraphernalia and turn people off.

I, myself, was insulted that this person would refer to the
good old US democracy this nation was founded on, and the responsible spending
the conservative party used to be founded on, as communism.  The lack of coverage and the refusal to
discuss these issues of which many US citizens are aware, that is Soviet and
Chinese style communism.

 

Convert Oil Refineries To Process Marcellus Shale Natural Gas

By Chris Freind

Psst: Don’t tell anybody, but the worst-kept secret in Pennsylvania is that the natural gas industry — the only economic salvation our dying state had— is leaving in droves, replaced by job loss, budget holes and despair.

Like most tragedies, this one was preventable. Only common sense and foresight were required. But those traits were pumped dry long ago, so instead of experiencing a booming economy rooted in the rebirth of American manufacturing, Pennsylvania is now witness to yet another long exodus of our best and brightest. And the Commonwealth’s march toward permanent mediocrity is accelerating.

As with most things, our elected officials couldn’t see the forest for the trees, and now that the gas industry is packing up their mobile rigs and making for greener pastures, (or, more accurately, black pastures, as in Black Gold), the recently passed gas “impact” tax will be as impactful as Mitt Romney’s Position-du-jour.

Why is the gas industry leaving? Simple. They are losing money hand over fist, as natural gas is sitting at a ten-year low due to lack of demand. So let’s get this straight. We ignore cheap, abundant and clean natural gas while continually getting hosed at the pump from record-setting oil prices. And as a direct result of soaring gasoline prices, inflation is rising unchecked and true economic growth is vaporizing before our eyes.

Only in America – literally.

No other country on the planet would permit this kind of self-destruction, willfully sending hard-earned money to overseas adversaries while doing everything in its power to bite the (domestic) hand that feeds it. And that paralyzing incompetence comes from being fat, dumb and lazy while aggressive competitors do whatever is necessary to gain an advantage.

Because of this choice, the U.S. remains dependent on others for its energy needs. In addition to the obvious national security concerns (we wouldn’t be expending blood and treasure in the Middle East if we drilled domestically), we are willfully engaged in the greatest transfer of wealth in the history of mankind, as hundreds of billions go to China and Middle Eastern oil barons because we refuse to harness our limitless natural resources.

The way out of the recession – permanently – is to keep American petro dollars here. And by the way, “here” doesn’t mean Canada, since it too is a foreign nation. So Republicans need to stop their grandstanding about the Keystone XL pipeline, which, if approved, would only re-direct American money to our Canuck friends. By definition, that neither achieves energy independence nor creates large-scale American jobs. But never let the facts stand in the way of a good political gimmick.

America will never compete with Chinese labor costs, but the untold story is that we don’t have to. We beat them by having the world’s cheapest energy costs, and that, along with reworked trade policies, would level the manufacturing playing field and get America making things again.

Just look at Proctor and Gamble’s manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania. An energy bill in the tens of millions was virtually eliminated after the discovery of natural gas under the plant. Saving that much money leads to company expansion, additional jobs, more service industries, and a larger tax base.


But instead of embracing that kind of success, our leaders have punted the ball. Why haven’t all state buildings and vehicles been mandated to operate on natural gas? Why haven’t tax incentives been offered to private sector companies willing to invest in natural gas refueling stations? Why haven’t efforts been made to rescind job-killing and innovation-stifling regulations? Why weren’t the success stories of companies like Proctor and Gamble told and sold by our top political leaders?

No vision, and no gameplan. And now it’s getting late in the fourth quarter.

But there is an opportunity that could provide the same type of boom on a much greater scale: convert the Sunoco and ConocoPhillips refineries in Philadelphia to process natural gas rather than the much more expensive crude oil.

(Note: While a Delta Airline’s subsidiary just bought the Conoco refinery to make its own jet fuel, we’ll see whether that high-altitude idea flies, since airlines have a hard enough time staying in the air financially. An airline getting into the fuel business has the right idea, as lower fuel prices will make their bottom line take-off. But given the industry’s track record, that type of diversification could send Delta into a tailspin, possibly ending in a crash-and-burn scenario. And that would occur for much the same reason that the oil companies themselves are divesting themselves of their refining operations — wild fluctuations in the price of oil and mindboggling regulations make it inherently unprofitable.)

However, if Delta really wanted to lower costs over the long-haul, it might consider retooling its refinery to convert abundant natural gas from 100 miles away to jet fuel —rather than relying on oil shipments in a volatile market from across the world.

Sure, converting a refinery to process natural gas rather than oil takes a significant investment, but it is one that would pay huge dividends given that America’s insatiable appetite for energy (and in Delta’s case, jet fuel) will only increase. And that’s a good thing, because increased energy demand means companies are thriving, jobs are being created, people are traveling and the economy would be truly gaining strength (unlike the disingenuous “recovery” claims now made by government and the media).

How to do it? After the refinery conversion (and elimination of many energy-sector regulations that drive up costs), immense amounts of “dry” natural gas, primarily from northeastern Pennsylvania, would be piped down to the refinery, utilizing the right-of-way alongside the Northeast Extension of the Turnpike.

The dry natural gas would then be converted to gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel — at a consumer price point that may well be under $2 per gallon. Fuel that inexpensive becomes an instant win-win: the rebirth of manufacturing, big job gains, fewer foreclosures, and the satisfaction of knowing that national security is bolstered every time you hit the pump.

In addition to Philadelphia’s refineries being in an ideal location for disbursement of those refined products, there is yet another opportunity for economic growth. To meet what would surely be increased domestic and overseas demand, a pipeline could be constructed down the Delaware River, terminating offshore so that tankers could safely take on their loads out at sea.

(A liquefied natural gas tanker explosion, whether accidental or deliberate, would be akin to a small nuclear weapon. While extremely unlikely, that possibility would nonetheless present huge political challenges in allowing large LNG tankers in the Delaware River.)

Despite their good intentions trying to save the refineries, some politicians have missed the boat by only pushing the idea of exporting natural gas from Philadelphia. That won’t create jobs, as we would merely be shipping the gas to be refined elsewhere. How ironic that would be, watching Pennsylvania export its lifeblood in the shadow of three refineries, any and all of which could keep all of the economic benefits here, and none of which will likely be profitable refining oil as currently outfitted.

Failure to convert the refineries may well kill off the gas industry altogether, making us ever more dependent on foreigners for our vital energy needs while prices continue to soar.

But if we rekindle that slumbering can-do American spirit and put America first for a change, the possibilities would be limitless, and we would no longer be bent over a barrel.

And what a gas that would be.

President Obama Wants 5 Bucks

Just got an email from Barack Obama telling me this is going to be his last campaign

“Bill, in a few days, I’ll be hitting the trail for my last campaign,” he says.

He asked me for $5 bucks. 

I’d like to help him out and all but with this economy things are tough.

He did say that if I chipped in I might be able to join him and George Clooney “at his place” on May 10.

“It’s not often I can get away from work,” he says, “so I look forward to spending a fun evening in L.A.”  

I sure was tempted.

The good news for The Prez B is that after next January he’ll have a lot of time to goof off –you know, play some golf, hit the beach, that sort of thing. 

Not that it’s any different than what he’s doing now.

Man Faces Assault Charge After Argument

By Pattie Price

Walter Mau, 55, of Newtown waived a hearing Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Lee Hunter on the charges of simple assault and harassment. The charges stem from a domestic altercation 9:58a.m., April 12, at his Newtown Towers apartment in Newtown, Pa.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Chris Barksdale said the complantant reported she had an argument with Mau over the television cables. She said the argument turned physical when he pushed her to the floor. The victim suffered a minor laceration to her thumb and an abrasion on her knee.

Mau was released on $5,000 unsecured bail. He is scheduled for a May 24 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * * 

Sean Conner, 33, of Newtown waived a hearing on the charges of receiving stolen property. In exchange for the waiver, the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 11:02a.m., Feb. 22, at his Rhoads Avenue apartment.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Dan Dougherty responded to Conner’s apartment to assist Delaware County Probation and Parole to recover stolen property. Several credit cards and drivers licenses belonging to a West Goshen woman were located under Conner’s mattress. Conner said that someone gave him the items. 

Doughtery contacted West Goshen Police and learned that the victim’s Coach purse was reported stolen from her car while she was at the Gay Street Wawa, Oct. 18.

Also confiscated from the apartment were two crack cocaine pipes.

Conner was released and is scheduled for a May 24 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Shauna Kane, 30, of West Chester waived a hearing on the charges of DUI and lane violations. The charges stem from an incident 3:45a.m., Dec. 31, in the 3700 block of Goshen Road.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Sgt. Gary Sebra said a black vehicle that was traveling in front of him was swerving and crossed the center line on Goshen Road. He attempted to stop the vehicle at Echo Valley Lane but the driver did not respond. Sebra activated his siren and Ms. Kane came to an abrupt stop in the middle of Goshen Road near Crum Creek Road.

Ms. Kane had a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot glassy eyes, slurred speech, was unsteady on her feet and failed field sobriety tests. A portable breath test revealed a blood alcohol level of .228 percent. Ms. Kane was transported to Riddle Memorial Hospital for a blood test.

Ms. Kane admitted consuming five beers and three mixed drinks with Crown Royal at her friend’s Upper Darby home.

Ms. Kane was released and is scheduled for a May 24 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Sean Stewart, 24, of West Chester waived a hearing on the charges of DUI and possession of a controlled substance. In exchange for the waiver the three charges of possession with the intent to sell drugs, seven counts of possession of a controlled substance, drivers required to be licensed, and operating a vehicle without an official registration were withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 12:15a.m., Jan. 4, at Chestnut Street and Summit Avenue.

According to the affidavit Newtown Officer Dan Dougherty saw the male passenger standing outside a white truck with a flashlight. He said he dropped something and was looking for it. Dougherty saw two small straws commonly used for snorting narcotics on the center console, a piece of plastic with a white powdery substance, an American Express card with white residue, a small piece of metal with white residue, and a few pills in a cylinder.

The driver of the truck, Stewart, was removed from the vehicle and patted down. Confiscated from Stewart were one-and-a-half pills. 

The passenger admitted they were snorting a Percocet and when he dropped some and got out of the truck to look for them.

Stewart’s pupils were extremely dialated and his nose was running. He refused a blood test.

Stewart is scheduled for a May 24 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Eric Rathmann, 19, and Zachary Perales, 18, both of West Chester pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct for an incident 1:40p.m., Jan. 5, at West Chester Pike and Bryn Mawr Avenue. In exchange for the guilty plea the charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana was withdrawn.

* * *

Charges of forgery, theft by unlawful taking or disposition and receiving stolen property were withdrawn against Sean Harper, 25, of Newtown. The charges stem from an incident 10:30a.m., Dec. 27, at his Woodhill Road residence.

DUI Charges Upheld For Edgmont Incidents

By Pattie Price

Cynthia Clarke, 47, of Newtown, was held for a May 24 arraignment in Common Pleas Court following a hearing Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Lee Hunter.

Ms. Clarke is facing charges of DUI and careless driving stemming from an accident 11:23a.m., Oct. 12, on Providence Road in Edgmont, Pa. near  Gradyville Road.

According to the affidavit Trooper John Hanosek was dispatched to a one-car accident and located a blue 1998 Dodge Ram laying on the passenger side about 30 feet into the woods. He was able to free Ms. Clarke from her van.

Ms. Clarke had bloodshot glassy eyes and appeared confused. She was transported to Riddle Memorial Hospital for her injuries. A blood test revealed marijuana, Butalbital and Diazepam in her system.

Ms. Clarke was released.

* * *

Benjamin Bates, 24, of Gradyville waived a hearing on the charges of DUI. In exchange for the waiver the charge of careless driving was withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 2:53a.m., Feb. 19, at the Gradyville Post Office, Route 352 and Gradyville Road, Edgmont.

According to the affidavit trooper William Crowley saw a pick up truck in the middle of the post office parking lot. The driver, later identified as Bates, made a right turn onto Route 352 with his left turn signal activated and was stopped.

Bates said he was picking up a friend who was just involved in an accident. Bates had a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot glassy eyes and failed field sobriety tests. A breath test revealed a blood alcohol level of .166 percent.

Bates admitted to consuming nine or 10 beers prior to being stopped.

Bates was released and is scheduled for a May 25 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * * 

Nicholaus DeSimone, 21, of West Chester, formerly of Marple, waived a hearing on the charges of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a controlled substance, driving at an unsafe speed, careless driving, and reckless driving. The charges stem from an accident 11:52a.m., Jan. 3, in the 3100 block of Providence Road, Edgmont.

According to the affidavit Trooper Jason Sperazza responded to a report of an accident with a pedestrian struck in a work zone with two flaggers and three work zone signs. The victim was laying on her back on the side of the road and was bleeding from her nose and screaming in pain. 

Nearby the red Acura that struck her came to a stop when it hit a PECO pole. DeSimone told police that he was traveling at 25 mph when he struck the woman. He said he didn’t see any of the work zone signs.

DeSimone admitted he had syringes in his truck that he used the previous night to shoot heroin. Confiscated from the truck were four packets of heroin and five syringes.

DeSimone was transported to Riddle Memorial Hospital for a blood test.

A computer check revealed DeSimone had a warrant from Philadelphia.

DeSimone was remanded to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility when he was unable to post $100,000 bail. He is scheduled for a May 25 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

On a second affidavit the charges of burglary and criminal trespass were withdrawn against DeSimone for an incident 4:15p.m., Sept. 23, at a home in the 100 block of Mansion Drive, Newtown.

Assault Charges Upheld Against Octogenarian

By Pattie Price

Joseph Certo, 83, of Newtown, was held in abstentia for a May 24 arraignment in Common Pleas Court when he failed to appear for a hearing Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Lee Hunter.

Certo is facing charges of simple assault and harassment stemming from a domestic altercation 4:18p.m., March 30, at his Golf Club Lane residence.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Sgt. Brian McNeill said Certo’s daughter-in-law called police when Certo came out of his garage apartment and cursed at her. The victim ignored him until he picked up several large toys and threw them at her. The victim said Certo then grabbed her with both hands and started to choke her. The victim pushed Certo away and fled into the house and called police.

Bail was originally set at $5,000 unsecured bail.

* * * 

Danny Cardoza, 19, of Scotch Plains, NJ, was held in abstentia for a May 24 arraignment in Common Pleas Court when he failed to appear for a hearing on the charges of DUI and underage drinking. The charges stem from an incident 1:26a.m., Feb. 19, on West Chester Pike at Alice Grim Boulevard.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Todd Welch saw a vehicle stopped on the shoulder, the vehicle was running and the four-way flashers were on. He stopped to investigate. When he approached the driver to see if he needed help, the passenger answered that they were lost and looking for a street in Philadelphia.

Cardoza had a strong odor of alcohol, glassy eyes, slurred speech, was unsteady on his feet and failed field sobriety tests. He was transported to Springfield Hospital for a blood test.

Bail was originally set at $25,000 unsecured.

Sam Rohrer Gets Behind Smith

Sam Rohrer has sent out a letter thanking supporters and encouraging them to vote for GOP primary winner Tom Smith in November’s U.S. Senate race.

Sam was who I hit the button for and he is the type of person this state and nation needs in public life to be prosperous and free.

Still, I’ll have no problem hitting the button for Smith, nor will I forget how the party establishment tried to foist an Barack Obama/Joe Sestak supporter on us by pushing for Steve Welch to be  the Republican nominee

Here is Sam’s letter:

Dear Friends,

It is difficult to put into words the depth of gratitude I feel for those of you who have worked diligently for our campaign. To the thousands who worked the polls last Tuesday, and the thousands who sacrificially gave during the campaign, I thank each of you. It is is you who have so energetically supported this uphill battle to preserve freedom and Truth.  Though I may have been the spokesman, the praise belongs to you.  It is your conviction that protects independence and your bold determination that carves out a safe future.  Freedom will never be extinguished so long as you are standing. Your courage inspires others, it emboldens and encourages me, and it continues to light the way.

So long ago, just after signing the Constitution, Ben Franklin warned, “We have given you a republic–if you can keep it!” My friends, the incremental attacks against our Republic have piled up and they are increasing. Collectively, we have given up much. That is why this election year is so important. The battle is far from over. So long as the Truth and our Constitution are under attack, and so long as I am able, I will fight alongside you for what is right. 

With this Primary election now history, we have one thing we must do in order to go forward together for the cause of Freedom. We must unite around principle, issues, and our Constitution. There are many lessons from these past several months that if truly learned, can help the cause of genuine Constitutional conservatism move forward. It is this cause that transcends Party, geography, or position in life.  I was so encouraged to see the committed embracing of my message of integrity, truth, principle and service by Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Independents, inner city and rural Pennsylvania. This message–applied by those in office–is what is so desperately needed and with God’s help, can turn the tide of corruption in government and the dark side of party politics. We will stand victoriously when we stand on principle. We can stand together when our feet are firmly planted in Truth, courage and conviction. It is this goal to which I remain committed and I ask for your continued commitment.

To that end, I congratulate Tom Smith on his victory. He is now our Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in the General election. I have offered him my support and counsel and I encourage others to support him as we endeavor to take back the Senate from the control of Harry Reid and his enablers. I also want to congratulate David Christian, Marc Scaringi, and Steve Welch for stepping out into the arena. Each brought with them unique though diverse talents, history, experience and service. Only in this great nation can individuals step onto the political landscape and have a chance of winning the prize and assuming the duty that comes with serving in public office.

Our common desire to protect our God-given freedom, to grow our economy so that our families can not only survive but thrive must unite us. We must proceed with the knowledge that unless we stand together for the principles of freedom, we will hang separately on matters of less consequence.  I encourage everyone not to step aside but to work in tandem toward the common goal of elevating principle, truth and the Constitution that guards our republic.

As we stand together and go foward from here, I encourage Tom to stand strong for conservative, constitutional values and I will pledge to help him in this cause. I encourage him to stay focused on the ultimate goal and to always lead with the truth and never compromise principle, for if he and we do so, it will be the mightiest tool in the restoration of our republic.

In continued service,

Sam