INSIDE SUFFOLK VIRGINIA

THERE IS HOPE

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:54:00 +0000

It looks very much like this blog will disappear soon as there is no one with time enough to consider the comments, a decision had to be made on whether or not the comment was appropriate and contributive.

My original issue was the SCCA cost to taxpayers for getting it off the ground and an annual half million to nudge it along. All to the benefit of a small group of Suffolk citizens in need of local entertainment and what they decided was culture. To cover the failure of sufficient financial return the affluent participants conjured various activities that on the surface would widen the interest in broadening young minds. It, too, failed to attract an audience.

My hope as I leave the scene is that a strong City Council will demand success or let the SCCA die as has the plan for an expensive and absurd Dismal Swamp tourist display, and restoration of the Phoenix Bank to appease a handful that insist they care. May luck be with you.

SORRY, UNAVOIDABLE

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:01:00 +0000

Maxine’s Message for Today….

I have been in many places, but I have never been in Cahoots. Apparently you can't go there alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.
I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport. You have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my family, friends and those where I have worked. I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump and I am not too much on physical activity anymore. I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go and I try not to visit there too often. I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm. Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older. One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense. It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart. At my age I need all of the stimuli I can get.

Now ... if I can just avoid getting in Continent.

LITTLE BY LITTLE THAT FOOT IN THE DOOR

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:09:00 +0000

President Obama and senior members of his staff met with eight religious leaders at the White House Wednesday to discuss protecting programs for the poor and vulnerable in deficit reduction and debt ceiling negotiations. I guess that Obama and liberals have no clue as to separation of church and state is about, but it makes very little difference when they are in power. Let's get this straight folks. Pastors who work for tax-exempt corporations are invoking the name of Jesus for political causes? Obama uses religion (non muslim) when its good for obtaining votes. He uses his Muslim roots when it benefits him and other Muslims.

By invoking Christian religious beliefs found in the Bible, do you think that Jesus would approve of this? Many of these so-called religious foundations and churches, many of these churches are on the dole themselves. The so called and titled "Reverend" Jeremiah Wright run multi-million-dollar operations taking money from Head Start and other federal programs.
Can anybody provide to me the addresses of the churches that Rev Al and the good Rev Jesse claims to lead. Exactly where are their churches located?
Churches are supposed to collect alms for the poor — not demand them from taxpayers.

As a liberal, shouldn’t Obama kick them out under the liberal interpretation of separation of church and state?

How come many veteran cemeteries can't use God in their services? How can chapels that are there are closed to families who's family member is being buried there and they want to use the chapel for prayer? If a cheerleader can’t say a prayer before a football game or a student wants to say a prayer at his or her graduation, why are these lobbyists allowed to invoke Jesus at the White House?

It's funny, I don’t recall Jesus ever being a stooge for the Roman government. There is NOTHING in the Gospels where Jesus advocates coercively taking money from anyone for any reason.
Come to think of it Invoking Jesus Christ while proclaiming support for the Muslim faith, does this not violate the tenets of Islam??? Obama might be the first US President to have a Fatwa issued against him if he continues dealing from the bottom of the deck like this.

I'VE GOT TO TAKE A BREAK

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:05:00 +0000

As I turned 86 last March this old body of mine began acting its age. Like most men born in the early twenties it has been a long haul. All those steps, education, find spouse, first home, children, two depressions, a war; these together can wear down the mind that is finally looking for some rest. We came from Michigan to Suffolk in 1980, found a perfect spot on the water and began to understand the delightful southern accent. I wrote a column once or twice a week for the SNH, nearly 12 years, and joined Andy Damiani's RoundTableTalk. I got to know a bit about Suffolk and realized the then 50,000 citizens were set to explode to a population of 85,000 today. We hoped we could provide an exchange between those who govern and those that elect them. We know from our stats that over 64,000 computers have logged on to our site. We have seen many debates on many subjects, some of them showing all possible sides of the question. We have been both applauded and "nailed" by the same person. We always expected to be challenged and often wrong. We gave it our best shot.

We will allow both Posts and Comments until February, our annual decision date. You have that much time to offer suggestions, get in a last effort to back your theory. Feel free to write a Post in the Comment space and we will make it a Post if you so instruct us. As for me, I'm just plain worn out after spending months in hospitals and or rehab centers, May through August. I've got to pay attention to what the doctors, nurses, friends and family tell me. And I will.

A SIMPLE QUESTION

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:07:00 +0000

Obviously Obama will again run for the presidency without opposition. What democrat would dare?

What man or woman will top the ticket a year from now for the Conservatives and a short reason why.

Hope 'n' Change: CLASS Dismissed

noreply@blogger.com (G.H. Mears ME, MBA) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:21:00 +0000

The Obama administration last week shelved CLASS, a major portion of ObamaCare, because they could no longer defend its inevitable insolvency. CLASS (Community Living Assistance Services and Supports), a leftist pet project even before it was included in ObamaCare in 2009, was designed to operate as a self-sustaining voluntary insurance program that workers would pay into during their careers, then collect from if they came to require long-term care later in life. CLASS could operate without a taxpayer subsidy only if large numbers of healthy workers joined it, which was unlikely given their current coverage and the program's high premiums. Thus, disabled beneficiaries would drain the program and make it insolvent unless the federal government mandated participation or created an additional payroll tax to fund it, two possibilities with which Democrats are perfectly comfortable.

Democrats knew well of this major flaw in CLASS during the ObamaCare debate in 2009, yet continued to push for its inclusion because it was the linchpin of their argument that ObamaCare was not only deficit-neutral but would actually cut the deficit. They claimed that CLASS would reduce the deficit by $80 billion over 10 years, accounting for 40 percent of ObamaCare's total supposed savings. In reality, in 10 years, the program would have collapsed by virtually every calculation. But by then, it would be too late, and the American people would have been stuck with yet another unfunded entitlement.
The CLASS disaster was averted due to a Republican provision that called for actuarial analysis before its implementation, proving the program's solvency over a 75-year period before its implementation. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius finally admitted last week that this benchmark was unattainable, and now the administration wants to "revisit" CLASS. Senate and House Republicans, however, have introduced new legislation calling for outright repeal. Strangely, Obama has threatened to veto legislative repeal. CLASS's downfall is a clear demonstration of big government hubris, further proof that all of ObamaCare should also be consigned to the scrap heap.

--From The Patriot Post (http://patriotpost.us/). It's free, it's right, and I've been following this site for almost ten years! I'm convinced that The Patriot Post presents the best and clearest analysis of governmental intentions and mistakes that have such enormous impacts on our future prosperity and the freedoms guaranteed to us in the real (not "living") U.S. Constitution as I've found anywhere. Should be read regulary by citizens and elected officials alike who understand that government was never intended to be the peoples' overseers but protectors of all of our Constitutional rights as public servants!

WHY I VOTED DEMOCRAT LAST ELECTION

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:40:00 +0000

I voted Democrat because I believe oil companies' profits of 4% on a gallon of gas are obscene but the government taxing the same gallon of gas at 15% isn't. I believe the government will do a better job of spending the money I earn than I would. OK, I'm too irresponsible to own a gun and I know the local police are all I need to protect me from murderers and thieves. I voted Democrat because I believe that people who can't tell us if it will rain on Friday can tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don't start driving a Prius. And I voted Democrat because I'm not concerned about the slaughter of millions of babies through abortion so long as we keep all death row inmates alive.

I proudly voted Democrat because I think illegal aliens have a right to free health care, education, and Social Security benefits. And I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. They need to break even and give the rest away to the government for redistribution as the democrats see fit. I voted Democrat because I believe liberal judges need to rewrite the Constitution every few days to suit some liberal fringe kooks who would never get their agendas past the voters. And I voted Democrat because it is unlikely that I'll ever have another point of view.

THE WAY THINGS OUGHT TO BE

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:28:00 +0000

The Suffolk Rotary Club and Peanut Proud partnered recently to lend a hand by donating funds and collecting and assembling goods to create 48 baskets for teachers left with nothing following the devastating spring tornados in Hackleburg, Ala. “Both the Suffolk Rotary Club and Peanut Proud believe in assisting with humanitarian efforts in our local community and around the world. This partnership is an example of the wonderful humanitarian work the Suffolk Rotary Club does for the greater community.” AMEN we say, and most Civic organizations find ways to raise funds to give.

I’m proud to be a member of the Chuckatuck Ruitan where thousands of dollars from an annual Oyster Roast are distributed to worthy causes. And Chuckatuck Firemen devote themselves to a pair of Fish Frys. I, like the Tourist Director, can’t come up with figures proving anything, but I will wager the total raised and spent in Suffolk would make us all proud.

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:09:00 +0000

YxAAAAAAAA money The Suffolk Rotary Club learned of the teachers’ needs at a school in the town. from Rotarians representing Birdsong Peanuts who were familiar with Peanut Proud’s efforts. Some groups have helped students in Alabama, but Rotarians in Suffolk wanted to help the teachers get the basic supplies they need to operate their classrooms, according to Suffolk Rotary Club President Kenda Council.

The baskets were filled with products such as pads of paper, pencils, calendars, paper towels and markers. While Peanut Proud donated the majority of the items in the baskets, several Suffolk companies, including TowneBank, Planters, Suffolk Insurance, Lipton Tea, Birdsong Peanuts and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, contributed items.

Led by Suffolk Rotary Club service project Co-Chairman Betsy Totten, eight club members assembled baskets in the offices of Birdsong Peanuts. The baskets will be transported to Hackleburg this month. As signified by the motto “Service Above Self,” Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. “The Suffolk Rotary Club was proud to partner with Peanut Proud to help lend a hand to the teachers in Hackleburg — and we were drawn to them, as they are a peanut community, as well,” Council said.

“Both the Suffolk Rotary Club and Peanut Proud believe in assisting with humanitarian efforts in our local community and around the world. This partnership is an example of the wonderful humanitarian work the Suffolk Rotary Club does for the greater community.”

BETTER TAKE ANOTHER LOOK

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:05:00 +0000

Citizen Chris Dove blew dust off the city ordnances when he asked Council if they were legally binding. The Mayor did not know, Council members dodged the question because they had never been asked that one before. Not even Curtiss Milteer would take a shot, and he knows everything. Everyone expected the Mayor to reassure they were binding but she knew better than to ask the City Attorney who knew all ordnances are NOT legally binding. Was it an innocent question by Mr. Dove or did he know they were not binding. If some are not then maybe none are. Can you imagine the chaos that could follow when individuals and attorneys look back at decisions rendered to their displeasure. There have always been questions about the “sensibility” of many

rules in the UDO. We owe Mr. Dove applause for stirring the pot.

TIME FOR CONGRESS TO STOP BEING “ABOVE” THE REST OF AMERICANS.

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:09:00 +0000

1. Begin by giving up your unfair and unearned special pension and instead receive ordinary salary while in office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) must participate in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security System and Congress participates EXACTLY like other citizens. This money may not be used for any other purpose. Congress participates with the American people.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves pay raises. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is supposed to be an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
Who in hell do they think they are?

MAKES SENSE

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:01:00 +0000

Here is an interesting letter in the Australian Shooter Magazine, which I quote:

"If you consider that there has been an average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq Theater of operations during the past 22 months, and a total of 2,112 deaths, that gives a firearm death rate of 60 per 100,000.

The firearm death rate in Washington , DC is 80.6 per 100,000 for the same period. That means you are about 25 per cent more likely to be shot and killed in the US capital, which has some of the strictest gun control laws in the U.S. , than you are in Iraq .

Conclusion: The U.S. should pull out of Washington"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          WAKE UP AMERICA!!!! REMEMBER ALL THE OTHER PRESIDENTS WITH THEIR DOGS COMING OFF THE PLANE WITH THEM???
          NOT THE OBAMA'S...

                                         If this doesn't tick you off....nothing will....
                                         Bo has never traveled in the same means of transportation with the First Family.

                             I guess since they had to swallow their pride and use the Gulfstream there just wasn't enough room for the dog and one other person.

I REMEMBER ELIZIBETH McCRORY

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 17:26:00 +0000

I never did know how to spell her last name or her job title but she seemed to be in City Hall just to help new business owners find their way through the paper maze that appeared to be spread all over the city. She was happy doing it whether she took part in the silver shovel ceremony or was left out to make room for higher ups. She left and many still don't know why.

There are enumerable ways for city employees to assist new and/or struggling business owners that are risking time, money and labor. It seems that there is always another city hall permit to obtain or inspection to pass when the new owner is focusing on income. Those who have attempted to invest in our airport come to mind-being helped by one department and stymied by another. And there are other ways to impede progress.

I have a friend up in a Michigan small town that just bought out a restaurant. He cleaned, remodeled, painted, rejuvenated, and hired more than worked there before, an ideal improvement to Suffolk. But one night there was an altercation between two young men whose skin color did not match. Police were involved and calmed the situation. But to maintain peace the police are still involved, they show up too often, keeping too much of an eye on the place. Regular customers are intimidated by their presence and can’t help but wonder why the cops haven't let go. My friend in Michigan finally went back to city hall to demand relief from an over eager police force. Anyone here in Suffolk feel they have problems with city hall or Departments?

MASTERFUL STROKE BY OBAMA------HE THINKS

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:51:00 +0000

Real eye opener, Always suspected that the Fast & Furious plot was a political scheme hatched to raise the public’s ire against legally held guns in this country. Just another one of Eric Holder’s botched political gambles I suspect but I hope this one sticks to him and forces him out of office! But unfortunately, I doubt it. Too many of the “Republicans” in Congress are no more supportive of conservative values and individual responsibility than are the Democrats. The Republicans just want to get back in charge so that they can overspend and start diverting our treasury to their political supporters rather than watching the Democrats do the same thing to their own.

It’s amazing that the left gets to frame the debate in terms that invariably denigrate individual responsibility, gun ownership, property ownership, wealth building, the sanctity of innocent life as opposed to crying over the SOBs rightly placed on death row for praying on their own species, and people in “flyover country” who still believe in teaching our children fundamental values and principles that—yes—come from the bible, our Founding documents, and from our Judeo-Christian heritage.

"is" staff

ALL THOUGHT OUT

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:08:00 +0000

One problem with a plan by Virginia to partner with a private company to build a new Route 460 is the cost. Even allowing for rather high tolls it still requires that the State contribute half a billion to build the road a lot of money especially when the highway will be under private control that can change the tolls.
McDonnell insists the new road is vital to the safety of Southeast Virginia and to the future economic viability of the commonwealth as a whole. The current 460, a primary evacuation route for Hampton Roads, is not capable of handling mass evacuations ---too crowded to provide safe and efficient way to transport goods to and from Virginia’s ports. And as the state builds more port capacity in Portsmouth and warehousing in Suffolk the problems with congestion will only get worse. Apparently the Virginia Port Authority’s new board of directors understands what’s at stake. That board discussed this week a plan to contribute $5 million a year. They are talking $5 — up to $250 million — toward the project’s cost, starting in 2013, using funds it would have gotten from its share of the state’s Transportation Trust Fund. Members of the board are expected to discuss the matter in more detail at a meeting in October and vote on it in November.
Since there really is so much at stake for the Virginia Port Authority, buying in to the Route 460 project would be an appropriate move that would help ensure the long-term viability of the ports and of the businesses springing up to support them. And using money already earmarked for the ports to do so would help ensure that the project saddles Virginians with less debt. The new board of directors should approve the plan in November.

MILTEER WANTS EIGHT VOTING BOROUGHS

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 12:04:00 +0000

He further added this original wise statement; “Now is the time to act,” Milteer said. “I think that if we want to do something, let’s not wait until the horse leaves the stable before we try to ride it. Let’s catch him in the stable and hook him up.” Wow, that motivating expression is almost as old as Curtiss. But like the answer most people approaching Council get, Milteer’s suggestion got no further discussion. Nor will it.
Literally thousands of Suffollk citizens have prepared themselves for the opportunity to stand at the lectern to plead their case. No matter how good or bad their presentation was, the standard reply by the Mayor is, “Thank you, next speaker. It is as though you were never there.

SMALL TOWN QUEEN REIGNS OVER 83000 OF US

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:19:00 +0000

"IS" congratulates Rayvn Stringfield, new Queen of Suffolk's largest festivel. A top student in King Fork High School. I think back to the forties when twice as chairman of our annual four day festival I had to pick the Queen. In addition to the usual qualifications we could not allow a daughter of our Lion Club member compete. This alone potentially eliminated 50 high school girls. Nor would a girl with black skin even consider applying for the honor. I'm ashamed to say that in our town there were no people with black skin. It wasn't allowed by civic leaders. Nor could a black person passing though expect to be served in any resturant, or sleep in a motel. It could still be that way, we came south in 1972.

Even choosing between white girls was not easy. It is amazing how quick the pressure comes from parents, school teachers, politicians, etc. Not beholden to any of them I picked whom I considered right for the job. I'd like to know how it was done here.

PLAIN ORDINARY LIES OR JUST ANOTHER OBAMA ERROR

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:46:00 +0000

As Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said earlier this year when federal judges first began to rule parts of the Health Law unconstitutional, “As recently as last week, the President said: ‘This law will lower premiums’, yet since its passage we continually hear the opposite: insurers across the country are raising premiums to cover the cost of all the new mandates they’ll have to comply with.

Most Americans have opposed this bill from the start because they were skeptical of all the claims that were being made about what it would do. The process that was used to jam it through Congress made it even less popular. But the reality has been even worse than people feared. It violates the Constitution — which is reason enough to repeal it — it’s driving up premiums, increasing costs, and driving people off the plans they have. . . . Democrats made a lot of promises about this bill. Virtually every one has proved to be empty.” Employers must pay these increasing costs, therefore no increase in wages or other benefits.

SO THIS IS WHERE OBAMA LEARNED THAT

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 02:20:00 +0000

“There are two ways to conquer and

enslave a nation.

One is by the sword. The other is by debt.”

John Adams 1826

A REAL EYE OPENER

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:54:00 +0000

I have always suspected that the Fast & Furious plot was a political scheme hatched to raise the public’s ire against legally held guns. Just another one of Eric Holder’s botched political gambles I suspect but I hope this one sticks to him and forces him out of office! But no, too many of the “Republicans” in Congress are no more supportive of conservative values and individual responsibility than are the Democrats. The Republicans just want to get back in charge so that they can overspend and start diverting our treasury to their political supporters rather than watching the Democrats do the same thing to their own.

"IS" Staff

TICKETS ARE ONLY $6O

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:17:00 +0000

Here’s your chance to booze it up at the tax payer provided facility in the company of Suffolk’s elite, the most politically privileged classes of a society. No need for a designated driver, what cop in his right mind would approach anyone involved in this annual affair and suggest blowing into a machine, or walk a line this time of night especially if that person were attired in rented tux or formal gown, It just isn’t done if the event dispensing hard stuff is to foster any part of culture. After all, they are guilty only of a little fun while raising funds for those who, hopefully, will follow in their footsteps.

DON'T PASS THIS UP

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:56:00 +0000

Lovers of wine, beer, food and art can make themselves at home at the Art D’Vine fundraiser for the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.
The event, which is put on by the SCCA Foundation Board, will be held at the center at 7 p.m. Oct. 7. “It’s not only a wonderful time to socialize and have fun with members of the community and meet new people, but it’s fun,” said Susan Rawls, the co-chair for the event. “It’s just become one of the events that I look forward to every year, and so many other people do too.” The fifth annual Art D’Vine will feature a large wine selection with food pairings, a beer tasting, live music and both silent and live auctions. “It’s our major fundraiser for the center for the year,” Rawls said. “The reason we have this is to, of course, keep our building running. Our big goal is to keep our education department thriving.” She said the center hopes to raise as much as $75,000 to continue to provide arts classes for both children and adults.

from the suffollk news herald

IT HAS BEGUN

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:45:00 +0000

In the wake of Bin Laden's death, Radical Muslims have gone on a rampage in Southern California, killing anyone who's a legal US citizen. Police fear the death toll could reach as high as 12. I will keep you posted on future developments.

THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 09:08:00 +0000

“The Scottish folk artist, who will play the season opener at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts next week, intentionally incorporates words and subject matter into his songs that nobody else has used in a song before. That from the SNH and it brings additional words to my mind, like squeezing nearly half a million of collected taxes and then expect them to pay for tickets at $35 to $45. and come early for dinner. Not exactly Times Square prices but high enough to keep even culture seekers from filling the seats.
“I do try to use language that isn’t in other songs,” he said. “I try to write about subject material other people haven’t written about. There are a lot of words that never get to be in songs, and I think it’s unfair to them.” So said the season’s first star, a one man show.

Unfair to words that never get used in a song? Now that is culture

GOP BETTER WATCH OUT FOR AN END RUN

noreply@blogger.com (rpock) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:50:00 +0000

Democrats can still win the next election. If, for example, a strong run by a prominent anti-war leftist, such as Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio or former Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, would expose Mr. Obama’s weakness, his plummeting popularity among the party’s base. Outside of blacks, key constituencies of the Democratic Party - feminists, labor unions, gays and lesbians, Hispanics and Jews - are frustrated with his performance. They hunger for change. That person is Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. A liberal candidate probably could win 37 percent, maybe even 40 percent of the vote, against Mr. Obama in Iowa or New Hampshire. Inexorable pressure would build for Mrs. Clinton to throw her hat into the ring, casting herself as the Democrats’ savior. If she were to run, she would beat Mr. Obama in a primary fight - thereby fundamentally altering the 2012 election landscape. The presidential campaign would be transformed from a probable Republican landslide to a horse race. A Hillary-Perry or Hillary-Romney face-off would be easy for the GOP to lose.

mment