The French still use the Maginot Line, at least part of it. Ouvrage Hochwald is a hardened command center for Drachebronn Air Base.
The French actually re-manned the line after World War II — an event in which it infamously failed — and used it as originally intended until the 1960s when they developed an independent nuclear deterrent.
One of the forts was used as the set for SPECTRE headquarters in the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Ouvrage Hochwald William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 10-20-17
On Oct. 17, Senator John Eichelberger and Representative Stephen Bloom introduced legislation to enable a limited state constitutional convention. We are proud to count Sen. Eichelberger and Rep. Bloom as CAP members. The legislation that they’ve crafted will go a long way to reforming the dysfunctional government saddling the taxpayers of the Commonwealth. Their press statement on the legislation makes an effective case for its rational and lays out the basics of how a convention would operate:
“Pennsylvanians deserve better,” said Senator Eichelberger. “They’re fed up with the inability of the General Assembly, on the whole, to address significant deficiencies in several key areas of the state government. A limited constitutional convention could lead to significant reform and go a long way in restoring the public’s faith in a system that has been failing them.”
“Senate Bill 867, sponsored by Senator Eichelberger, and House Bill 1967, sponsored by Representative Bloom, will allow the public to vote in an upcoming election on whether or not there should be a constitutional convention limited to very specific topics. Those topics include proposed changes to the terms and size of the General Assembly; spending without an enacted budget; the office of the Lieutenant Governor; and the judiciary.
“A constitutional convention would be an opportunity for citizens who are frustrated with our broken state government to take a very direct role in historic government change,” said Representative Bloom.
If the majority of voters approve, a preparatory committee would immediately make logistical arrangements for holding the convention. The convention would consist of 163 members – three delegates elected from each of the senatorial districts and 13 other members who would consist of members of the General Assembly and be ex-officio members. Convention delegates would vote on recommended changes to the state constitution. All recommendations would require a majority vote of the 163 delegates. Proposed changes in the form of ballot questions would be placed on the ballot for final approval or rejection by the voters.
The text of the Senate bill can be found here. As Sen. Eichelberger and Rep. Bloom noted at their press conference, the scope of the convention will be limited to the Articles affecting the legislature, legislation, the executive, and judicial branch. None of the sections on basic rights of citizens (i.e. firearms) would be open for discussion. We will keep you posted about this important legislation as it progresses.
Studenina Palinko Style, A Legendary Recipe — Timmy Palinko was known all over the Pocono Mountains for his magnificent homemade whiskey. Timmy operated a butcher shop in Freeland, and while his meat was the finest quality, it was the top-of-the-line whiskey he manufactured that made him a rich man.
He had runners in every coal patch in Luzerne County. Of course federal agents were always after them. One day in Freeland, a well-dressed agent approached Baron Lutz, one of Timmy’s runners.
The dapper detective told Baron he would give him $10 for a quart of good whiskey.
“Can’t do it for $10,” said Baron. “It will cost you $40.
The agent agreed, and handed over the $40.
“Hold this shoebox,” Baron said. “I’ll be back.”
After a while, the agent began to get suspicious. He opened the shoebox and found a quart of Timmy’s best whiskey, so he got what he paid for. It was hard for the feds to put one over on the natives.Timmy’s liquor still was hidden in the desolate strippings behind Eckley, and there was no agent alive who was ever going to find it.
Timmy, during certain holidays, would give out a bonus pint of his finest cornbrew to the best customers at the butcher shop.
One Easter there was an unbelievable run on the pork sausage.Timmy was making it as fast as he could and just barely keeping up with the demand. He finally ran out of pork.
“Keep everything under control,” he told an assistant. “I’ll be right back.”
He hopped into his pickup truck and took a ride into the countryside where he knew there were always pigs along the road. He spotted one, and simply ran over it. He tossed it into the front seat where it would not be seen, and headed back home.
He was in such a hurry, he ran a stoplight, and was pulled over by a state policeman new to the area.
“I’m sorry officer, I’m in a big hurry,” Timmy said, pointing to the pig. “That’s my sick brother, and I’m rushing him to the doctor.”
The cop took one look and waved Timmy on.
“I’ve seen a lot of ugly people in my time, but your brother has got to be the ugliest in the entire world,” the cop said.
Timmy smiled. “I’ll tell him what you said. He’ll be might proud,” Timmy said. A few minutes later he was back in his shop butchering the hog. The bulk of which was used in the making of his sausage.
But the feet were set aside to use in making studenina, a Slovak delicacy of which one never tires once one gets the courage to try.
Timmy enjoyed his whiskey, studennia and sausage.
After Prohibition, Timmy went into the legitimate whiskey making business, and until he died on April 27, 1947 put out what might have been be the best sipping whiskey in the world. His studennia weren’t bad either.
Timmy Palinko’s studennia recipe follows:
4 trotters (pig’s feet either split or not)
2 garlic cloves or 1 Tbl of garlic powder
6 peppercorns
3 Tbl black pepper
3 bay leaves
1 Tbl salt
1 Tbl paprika
After filling the bowls put them in a cool place overnight.
Place the trotters in a large pot and add just enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, skimming if necessary, for a half-hour. Remove them and discard the water. Rinse them and the pot. Place the trotters along with the rest of the ingredients back in the pot. Cover again with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for about three or four hours until meat is falling off the bone. Place the trotters in large bowls—Corningware works great. Pour the liquid over the trotters and let stand overnight in a cold place.
Yes, there is a Saint Lucifer. Well, maybe. The status is debated. Lucifer was the name of the bishop of Cagliari from 353 -370 and the Sardinians venerate him as a saint. Some, however, argue his holy deeds were done by another Lucifer who was martyred by the Vandals.
Lucifer appears to have been a fairly common name among courageous Christians of the late Roman Empire. The first bishop of Siena (306) was also named Lucifer.
And Lucifer never was the name for the Devil. It started as the name for the planet Venus and is used to denote the state from which Satan has fallen.
Saint Lucifer William Lawrence Sr. Omnibit 10-19-17
Chester Amazon Would Make A Good Match — Chester, which not-so-long-ago was listed as one of the 10 places in America to avoid, is among the sites being pushed for Amazon’s second HQ.
And a pretty good case can be made for it.
It has under-used, under-taxed land along what could be a lovely waterfront, and easy access to I-95, the Philadelphia International Airport and numerous institutions of higher learning.
Nancy Brout, who will present “Losing Your Job & Finding Yourself” 7-8:30 p.m., Nov. 7 at Media Presbyterian Church’s Hassler Chapel, 30 E. Baltimore Ave., Media, PA 19063.
All are welcome.
Whether losing your job by layoff or by choice, Nancy Brout’s story and job search guidance offer solace, insights, and actions to navigate a transition that can be traumatic, turbulent, and triumphant. Discover how to use online job boards, social media, and company career sites to generate interviews and offers or reinvent your career. Considering herself a Hard-to-Define Professional, hear how Nancy changed careers three times, and landed more than six advertised jobs.
Job seekers get results with her divergent Sweet Spot Job Search Method and tips on 25 Activities that are more and less effective for self-discovery, job hunting, networking, and finding work you love.
The event is sponsored by Joseph’s People Central Delco (JPCD) a joint program of Media Presbyterian Church and St. Laurence Church in Upper Darby. The group has an active, free forum on LinkedIn, named “Joseph’s People of Central Delaware County-Free Job Search Group” in the LinkedIn directory. To join, send a request and an email will be generated confirming membership.
JPCD is affiliated with Joseph’s People, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping unemployed and underemployed workers. For more information, send a message through the LinkedIn group listed above, visit www.josephspeople.org or email contactus@josephspeople.org.
Mandalay Bay Gun Free Zone, CAIR Supporter — Noted sports handicapper, television producer, political activist and long-time Las Vegas resident Wayne Allyn Root, has interesting questions and observations regarding the Oct. 1 Route 91 Harvest festival shooting.
Mandalay Bay, the hotel-casino from where the killer fired his shots, is a gun-free zone.
Including the security guards.
Root says that when the facility was acquired by MGM Resorts International one of the first acts by CEO Jim Murren was a gun ban for guests and the disarming of most of the security guards.
Root also noted that MGM Resorts lets high-roller clients use the service elevators, a policy not allowed at other Vegas hotels.
Root also notes that if the shooting is called a criminal act rather than a terroristic one, MGM might save millions in insurance payouts.
Root says that Murren was appointed by Barack Obama to Homeland Security Council albeit we think he means the National Infrastructure Advisory Council which is tasked with advising the president on security of the critical infrastructure sectors and their information systems.
Root also notes that from July through September Murren sold off more than 80 percent of his MGM stock and that there was $200 million in insider selling from officers and directors of MGM in September.
