News, Entertainment, Enlightenment
William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 12-19-15 — Ford Model S 
What was the car Ford made before its famous Model T?
That’s right, Miranda, it was the Model S. The one before that was the Model R. Ford’s first car in 1903 was the Model A which is kind of confusing as the company also named the model that replaced the Model T, the Model A.
OK, if you want to call the Ford Quardricycle a car, the first Model A was Ford’s second model.
Pennsylvania Terror Under-reported –For those who still think it wise to allow Muslims purportedly fleeing Syrian violence to live here, consider these stories from last week.
Jalil Ibn Ameer Aziz, 19, of Harrisburg, has been charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Aziz allegedly used 57 Twitter accounts to advocate violence against the United States and to disseminate ISIS propaganda and acted as an intermediary between a person in Turkey and several well-known members of ISIS.
Note the source is the Marple Newtown Patch using information unsealed Thursday U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. This story was not given major play in the local dailies or television.
And yesterday, Dec. 18, authorities evacuated the Walmart on Conchester Highway in the Willowbrook Shopping Center in Boothwyn, after receiving a bomb threat.
It really doesn’t take a genius to figure out that threats alone can cause havoc.
Hat tip Bob Small
William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 12-18-15
Wall Street was once the northernmost street in New York. Or New Amsterdam, anyway.
Tax Hike Vote In Pa House Tomorrow — The Pennsylvania House has scheduled a vote for tomorrow, Dec.19, regarding the budget already approved by the State Senate which includes hiking the income tax from 3.08 percent to 3.3 percent.
According to various sources also it expands the sales tax to digital downloads and movies, adds a tax on e-cigarettes, hikes the cigarette tax 75 cents over two years — note: this very well might mean Pennsylvania loses money — and increases business filing fees for C-Corps to $600.
It is reported that Delaware County representatives Bill Adolph (165), Steve Barrar (160) and Nick Micarelli (162) will be among the Republicans voting for it. Frankly, considering the chaos that Gov. Wolf and his ego has caused this state we’d almost be inclined to give them a pass. But we can’t. It appears none of the underlying causes such as incredibly out-of-control pensions and corrupt public work regulations that are among the things responsible for the state’s severe fiscal problems are going to be addressed.
If these men vote for a tax hike while failing to address the root causes of our crisis they should hang their heads in shame and their voters should not forget what they’ve done.
Steve Barrar has said he doesn’t think the (mild) pension reform on the table would be upheld by our judges. Considering the results of the recent election he has a point. The point he’s missing, however, is that if our judges rule as he expects — which would be wrongly and corruptly — the reform is still not merely right but necessary.
And that means we have to fight. The power of the purse is a legitimate and rather gentle means of doing so. It is immoral to ask working people to bail out former Penn State President Rodney Erickson’s $477,591 pension.
If this point is hammered often enough even corrupt judges will get the message.
Trump Does Not Want Presidency By Chris Freind 
Virtually no pundit believes Donald Trump will win the GOP nomination, let alone the presidency. Half think he’ll fall short because he doesn’t get it, and the others think he can’t sell it.
They’re both wrong.
Trump absolutely gets it, and, more than any other candidate on either side, he could sell it.
The reason he won’t win is far simpler: He doesn’t want it.
Trump’s ideas are resonating, and not just with Republicans. From common-sense border security to exiting the Middle East to taking on political correctness, his bold vision is exactly the kind of leadership people have been seeking. So with a roadmap for success, why would someone deliberately deviate from a winning course, jettisoning any chance to occupy the White House?
Trump wants the best of both worlds, coming oh-so-close, but just short enough that he doesn’t inherit the awesome responsibilities and frustrations that come with the Oval Office.
Trump’s outrageous statements show him to be serious, but as a world-class headline grabber and conversation piece, not a bona fide presidential candidate.
Let’s analyze The Donald and his candidacy:
1. For starters, running for office while not really wanting it is nothing new. Mitt Romney’s son Tagg told the Boston Globe, “(Mitt) wanted to be president less than anyone I’ve met in my life … if he could have found someone else to take his place, he would have been ecstatic to step aside.”
And it showed. Romney never caught fire because people sensed that his heart wasn’t in it. Similarly, George H.W. Bush lost re-election because he demonstrated utter disinterest. Trump supporters are starting to see him in the same light, since people will not give blood, sweat, tears (and money) to a candidate who doesn’t appear to fully believe in what he’s doing.
Voters don’t want someone to do them “a favor” by running; they desire a leader with the passion and energy to see it through to the end — all effort, no excuses. Trump’s not doing that.
2. The “How” of the Trump Explosion: Say what you will about Trump: Arrogant, egomaniacal, even nasty. Maybe. But one thing is unquestionable: he’s an extremely smart man. Trump speaks intelligently without talking points because he has core beliefs, and, while not knowing the minutiae of every issue (and no president does), he is able to articulate his positions with clarity and charisma.
More important, he eschews the boring and often politically correct approach of his colleagues. Rather than tiptoeing, he tackles tough issues head-on, taking the bull by the horns and calling out those too afraid to speak their minds. That refreshing approach has bolstered Trump’s support, even among those who don’t agree with many of his positions but respect his candor.
All of which makes his crazy statements seem all the more calculated. Granted, anytime one has the guts to speak off the cuff, there will inevitably some hyperbole and misstatements. But that’s why God invented whiteout — so we can rectify our mistakes, clarify our points and move on. But Trump has never done that.
Instead, he constantly doubles down on his controversial positions, making even faithful followers question him. Banning Muslims; calling Mexican immigrants rapists; insulting debate moderators; engaging in feuds with TV networks; and stating John McCain wasn’t a war hero — these are just a few examples of Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric. But it’s his refusal to admit he misspoke, let alone was wrong, which makes it almost impossible to believe that such as savvy as he could be so inadvertently bumbling.
Bottom line: Donald Trump knows exactly what’s he doing, and he’s in control, all the time.
3. The “Why.” The presidency isn’t for anyone. An effective president must exhibit immense patience and restraint, have the ability to work with adversaries and allies, employ grace under pressure, and hone the skills of diplomacy and tact. That doesn’t mean the Commander-in-Chief can’t be tough as nails, as both Roosevelts and Ronald Reagan proved. But they had qualities that made them suitable for the office — attributes that Trump probably has, but doesn’t want to display.
The Donald, in his businesses, reality TV career, and campaign, has a simple rule: His word is first, last, and immutable. Fine. As boss, that prerogative is eminently his. But that would not be the case at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Obviously, as head of the executive branch, the president wields enormous power, and many serve at his pleasure. But Congress and the government bureaucracy is a whole different animal. A strong leader can help influence Congress, but push too hard, embarrass them too much, and they’ll make you pay — even those from within his own party. And that’s particularly true for someone viewed as a “Washington outsider,” as Trump would be.
It’s one thing to insult rivals, excoriate the media and blast foreign heads of state on the campaign trail. But try that as president, and your demise will be clocked with an egg timer.
For someone used to sycophants jumping whenever he enters the room, Trump would be in for a rude awakening. Presidents come and go, but the Washington culture is slow to change. Trump is smart enough to realize that, and knows his frustration level would quickly go through the roof, begging the question if gaining the presidency is worth what he would have to give up — namely, being himself.
Donald Trump, who was world-renowned before his candidacy, has seen his profile skyrocket. Unquestionably, he is enjoying every minute as flamboyant flamethrower, a role he will continue to embrace as the primaries approach.
It’s not inconceivable that his plan is to fall short, blame the media and political establishment for their institutional corruption, threaten to run as an independent, and, being the master performer that he is, storm out, leaving the world in suspense as to how he will top his campaign exploits. And make no mistake: Trump will surely not disappoint.
Donald Trump relishes one thing above all else: The swagger that comes with being one of the most successful and brash leaders in the world. About the only thing that could knock him off that pedestal is a stint in the Oval Office.
So with all the benefits — and no responsibilities — of being “almost” the victor, it seems clear that Donald being Donald trumps being Donald being President.
And you don’t need a casino to make that bet.
William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 12-17-15
Brazil once tried to sell an aircraft carrier on eBay.
Kathleen Kane And Media Failure — Kathleen Kane is an historic figure. She is the first woman and the first Democrat to be elected Pennsylvania’s attorney general. She is also the first Pennsylvania attorney general to have her law license suspended.
Truly a unique legacy.
The law license suspension came after she was charged with multiple counts of obstructing administration of law and official oppression, along with perjury and false swearing relating to leaks from the grand jury investigation the Jerry Sandusky child abuse matter. She had been implying that then Gov. Tom Corbett had handled it inappropriately, something for which Corbett has since been conclusively exonerated it should be noted.
Leaking grand jury information is a big no-no in our judicial system and rightfully so, but it’s not as though that was the only questionable thing she did in her short career as the person responsible for enforcing Pennsylvania’s laws. She refused to refused to defend Pennsylvania’s gay-marriage prohibition in court declaring it unconstitutional — a declaration that was not in her purview to make — and shut down a corruption investigation into Philadelphia politicians which was subsequently re-opened by Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams who managed to obtain several guilty pleas.
With all this grief falling on her head, our princess fought back. She said it was all a conspiracy by powerful men who spent their days sending pornography and racist jokes to each other via email. Quick quiz: did any of you gentle readers ever send or receive something a tad inappropriate via email? Of course not. However, it now appears that Ms. Kane certainly received them herself and her twin sister, Ellen Granahan, who heads her child predator unit, not only got them but passed them on.
So what was this woman thinking when she made her counter-charges and hurt the lives of others who were just trying to do their jobs? How can a person of such character end up with such a powerful and important job?
Well, she was sort of pretty and that’s not to be discounted, but so is Sarah Palin.
The real reason is that Ms. Kane’s claims and character were never questioned by the media gate-keepers who we trust to do such things. Maybe they were afraid of being called sexist. Maybe they actually supported her philosophy that traditions are foolish and government is the greater good. Maybe both. Regardless, they took her at her word when she said that she cared, and would look out for children and the little guy, and fight corruption.
It should be noted that the same thing dynamics were in play with Barack Obama and are in play with Hillary Clinton.
That should make us all afraid.
Equal Opportunity Dog Story — A sign was placed in an office window that read: “HELP WANTED – Must be a speed typist and have computer skills. Successful applicant must be bilingual. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.”
A short time later a German Shorthaired Retriever dog trotted up to the window, saw the sign and went inside. He looked at the receptionist, wagged his tail, then walked over to the sign, looked at it, whined and pawed the air. The receptionist called the office manager. He was surprised to see a canine applicant but as the dog looked determined he was shown into the manager’s office.
Inside, the dog jumped up on a chair and stared at the manager expectantly. The manager said, “I can’t hire you. The sign says you must be able to type.” The dog went to the typewriter and proceeded to quickly type a perfect business letter. He took out the page and trotted over to the manager, gave it to him, then jumped back up on the chair.
The manager was stunned, but told the dog, “That was fantastic, but I’m sorry. The sign clearly says that whoever I hire has to be good with a computer.” The dog went to the computer and proceeded to demonstrate his’ expertise with various programs, produced a sample spreadsheet and database, and then presented them to the manager.
The manager was dumbfounded! He said to the dog, “Look, I realize that you are a very intelligent applicant and have fantastic talent, but you’re a dog. No way could I hire you.” The dog jumped down and went to the sign in the window and pointed his paw at the words, “Equal Opportunity Employer.” The exasperated manager said, “Yes, I know what the darn sign says. But the sign also says you have to be bilingual.”
The dog looked him straight in the eye and said, “Meow.”
State House Budget Vote Looms — Leo Knepper of Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania tells us that the Pennsylvania House will be voting on the senate’s budget framework tomorrow.
Let your representative know not to get squishy. The hardworking little guys and gals are not the ones who should have to pay to get Pennsylvania out of the fiscal mess that was created by those who betrayed their trust.
Especially not until these people make the appropriate sacrifice.
You can let your representative know that you expect him or her to stand strong using this link: http://www.empowerpa.org/action/?vvsrc=%2fcampaigns%2f39308%2frespond
William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 12-16-15
You know the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty? It never says he’s an egg.