The states impacted are as follows:  AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, KS, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TX, WI, WV and WY.

To find the rate adjustments, go to our Resource Center (Log in Required):

• Company = AARP
• State = (Pick your State)
• Product = Medicare Supplement
• Resource = Rates

 The saga continues . Back on Dec.10,2008 H.R. 7321 was passed. This bill was titled “Auto Industry Financing and Reconstructing Act”. It was more commonly known as the auto bailouts.                        

  This Act was intended to give the President and his designee the authority to hand out fourteen billion dollars to the big three auto makers to bail them out of their self-created financial problems.

  And yes , in case you haven’t guessed by now, the honorable Rep. Mike Castle (RINO-De) voted for it. Now if that wasn’t a fine example of Mr. Castle’s conservative principles, well I just don’t know.

  And while I’m at it let me point one other thing out about Mr. Castle’s voting record. Often when I bring up this topic someone will point out how often Mr. Castle votes with Republicans. Well if you take the time to go through the voting record line by line(and I have been ) you will notice that often on these big-ticket items Mr. Castle will vote the party line on amendments right up until it really counts and then he jumps ship and votes with the Democrats to pass the bill. This is exactly what he did on this bailout bill. He voted with the GOP , until it came time to vote to pass the bill.

 So it would seem that Mr. Castle is playing a numbers game to keep up his percentage, but in reality he isn’t voting with the GOP when it counts.

The 49ers returned back home to do a show at The East End Cafe. They entertained the Delaware crowd with material from their albums Equlibrium, State of the Art, Ultrasound, and Fresh out The Lab. The set ended with and impromptu freestyle from Marchitect. When asked about the November 21, 2009 show, Jas Mace said, “It’s always good to come back home and rock for the fans that were down since day one.” The 49ers are currently planning a world tour to support their upcoming self titled album.

Serving some good ol Hip Hop.

Top Billin the Newark Delaware event.

Delaware in the US is officially the world’s most secret financial location. The finding will embarrass President Barack Obama as the Stop Tax Haven Abuse Bill he supports comes before Congress this week.

In the first ever detailed ranking of 60 of the world’s financial hubs, published today, Delaware was found wanting in 11 out of 12 secrecy indicators. London was also ranked in the top five most secretive jurisdictions.

The east coast state of Delaware, home to half of all America’s quoted companies, fails to place on public record details of trusts, company accounts and, crucially, the identity of beneficial owners – the people who receive the profits. It also allows companies to relocate to other countries, leaving minimal trace.

The opaque nature of Delaware is seen as America’s weak link in its fight against tax evasion, the financing of terrorism and drug money laundering. Both the FBI and the Financial Action Task Force, the high-level international body set up to combat money laundering and terrorist finance, have repeatedly expressed concern at the way some US companies use the state as a base from which to operate under their radar.

John Christensen, director of the Tax Justice Network and one of the authors of the report, said: “Secrecy is a core feature of the global financial system. Jurisdictions compete with each other to provide it, in order to attract financial flows. But this comes at a price. Financial secrecy provides cover for money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance, insider trading, terrorist financing, embezzlement, Ponzi schemes, illicit financial flows, fraud and much more.”

Delaware’s assistant secretary of state, Rick Geisenberger, told the Observer that companies did not choose the state for secrecy but for the sophistication of its judicial system. He admitted that Delaware was under pressure to amend beneficial ownership disclosure laws.

The revelations will heighten calls for the US to get its own house in order before clamping down on tax havens. The Stop Tax Haven Abuse Bill, which seeks to deter the use by Americans of tax havens, is attracting intense opposition from US business interests.

Source: The Observer

An offshore company is simple and easy to form. With increase in the demand for this type of company, many corporations have come up to make the formation of these companies easy and simple. The companies are formed outside the countries of jurisdiction for the following reasons. They are formed to help those with dire need to have a faster formation and development of companies in other nations easier. This is mostly done when the company sees some possibility of profit making in a given nation easy. Historically, offshore companies have been known to provide many services. This is determined by the reason for choosing a certain jurisdiction. The major reason for starting these companies is to help other companies acquire the assets of a subsidiary on its liquidation.

To form an offshore company, there are set rules and procedures that must be followed to legally own such companies. The following must therefore be taken into account during the formation of such companies:
- A memorandum and articles of association or the set bylaws must be given in a properly detailed document. This shows all the rights that an individual has as a member of that company. The set objectives and goals of the company and the internal activities must be clearly outlined in the Memorandum.
- Certificate of Incorporation which is issued by the Company Registry Board must be given. This serves as a proof that the company is registered and is has a good business standing.
- Appointment of an agent in the country in which the company has been formed. This helps in cases of official communications with the registry board. The agent is allowed to carry out some official duties in company.
- The official address of the company must be provided. This will act as a legal provisional for the company correspondences.
- The legal owners of the company must be identified. This is done by giving the list of shareholders of other members that have a legal link to the business or company. These are only people who are meant to directly benefit from the company.
- The names of the directors, managers and members who will be involved in the daily running of the company must be provided. This comprises of all directors, shadow directors and company secretaries.
- Finally, during the formation of offshore companies, the type of offshore company that is to be formed must clearly be shown. This is because offshore companies are found in different major types namely: an Offshore Company with a share capital, an offshore company limited by guarantee, hybrid type which is a combination of the two and finally protected cell company.

An example of an established offshore company jurisdiction is Belize. This is because it has a government registered company called Belize Offshore Formation Ltd which deals mainly in offshore company formation and registration. This company is guided by the standard set rules IBC. From this Act, an individual or group of people is able to incorporate a company. The Offshore Company Act in Belize does not allow a residence of Belize to conduct business.

We provide the following company formation services, Seychelles Company Formation |Belize Company Formation|BVI Company Formation as well as the opening of bank accounts for clients worldwide.

Josh Marshall speculates that poor decisions by Democrats and the Obama White House could cost us Senate seats in Delaware, New York, Illinois, Colorado, and even elsewhere in 2010.

Sponsored by JPSkate and Boardshop

This is a recap of a trip I took to New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware back in August 2006.
–
Thought I would share with you a couple of things about my trip up the Eastern Shore this past weekend. I left Friday morning and got back last night. I accomplished several things – I saw the Maryland State Capitol, got my New Jersey haircut, went to church in New Jersey, saw a Wilmington (DE) Blue Rocks baseball game, stopped in my first stand-alone 7-Eleven in La Plata (MD), saw the James Monroe Museum in Fredericksburg, VA, and saw George Washington’s and Robert E. Lee’s Birthplaces. My biggest disappointment was not finding a Rocky Bluewinkle to add to my collection of mascots. For the record, it’s 19 state haircuts, 13 states for church services, 10 state capitols.

My New Jersey haircut came in Hammonton, New Jersey. It’s in south Jersey, and advertises itself as the Blueberry Capital of the World (and has blueberries on the city sign). It also has a plaque commemorating a 1984 campaign speech made by President Reagan (the transcript is accessible on the town website 22 years later). Hammonton is also the Gateway to the Pine Barrens (where I went afterwards). The town is about 70% Italian, so it should not surprise you that Susanna Vaccarella cut my hair at Paul’s Barber Shop. I rated it a 4+ for its authenticity, crowd, the haircut, and the hair left on the floor. Susanna slipped into the stereotypical Italian accent a few times while I was there.

I am attaching two pictures I took this weekend. One is a sign in a Hammonton business. It’s a rather unique way of dealing with solicitors. I don’t know what type of business it is, either. The second picture is from a church in downtown Mays Landing. It struck me as fairly innovative, given the millions of church signs I’ve seen.

We at Hatter & Beanz have thought of something interesting and, even though our idea may not be so unique it’s something for those who may be less fortunate or those that may have been hit hard by the economic downfall.  

So readers, as we give thanks for our families, our friends and the roofs over our heads we have built for you a list of soup kitchens and shelters and services in each of the 50 states. (Oh by the way, we personally checked each reference).

So here’s how this is going down, we’re going to sort this by state, and right now our goal is to list one or two organizations by per state for this year. At Christmas, we’ll add one or two more, per state.

Alabama

1 – Rose Of Sharon Soup Kitchen – 2412 Memorial PKWY NW – Huntsville, AL 35810 Ph: (256) 536-2970

2 – Anniston Soup Bowl – 1516 Moore Avenue – Anniston, AL  36201 – Ph: (256) 236-6794

Alaska

1 – Downtown Soup Kitchen – 434 East 4^th AVE – Anchorage, AK 99501 – Ph: (907) 277-4302

2 – Food Pantry of Palmer – 7805 East Palmer Wasilla HWY – Palmer, AK 99645 – Ph:  (907) 745-3635

Arizona

1 – Vista Colina Family Shelter – 1050 W. Mountain View Rd. – Phoenix, AZ 8501 -  Ph: (602) 944- 0960

2 – Gospel Rescue Mission – 1130 West Miracle Mile – Tucson, AZ 85705 – Ph: (520) 740-1501

Arkansas

1 – Food Bank of North Central Arkansas – 14215 Highway 5 South – Norfork, AR 72658 – Ph: (870) 499-7565

2 – Johnny’s Food Bank – 312 Church Street – Lake Village, AR 71653 – (870) 265 -2601

California

1 – TLC Soup Kitchen – 3904 High Street – Sacramento, CA 95838 – Ph: (916) 759-1806

2 – Hospitality Kitchen – 821 East 6^th Street – Los Angeles, CA 90013

Colorado

1 – Denver Rescue Mission – 1130 Park Ave West- Denver, CO 80205 – Ph: (303) 297-1815

2 – Soup Kitchen Inc. – 1675 Larimer Street – Denver, CO 80205 – Ph: (303) 629-6383

Connecticut

1 – Torrington Soup Kitchen – Trinity Church, 220 Prospect Street – Torrington, CT 06790 – Ph: (860) 482-0130

2 – Covenant Soup Kitchen – 220 Valley Street – Willimantic, CT 06226 – Ph: (860) 423-1643

Delaware

1 – Food Bank of Delaware – 1041 Mattlind Way – Milford, DE 19963 – Ph: (302) 424-3301

2 – Acorn, Inc. – 1607 Todds Lane – Wilmington, DE 190802 – Ph: (302) 762-4226

Florida

1 – Homestead Soup Kitchen – 105 Southwest 3^rd Ave – Homestead, FL 33090 – Ph: (305) 245-7448

2 – Bread of the Mighty – 325 Northeast 10^th Ave – Gainesville, FL 32601 – Ph: (352) 395-6570

Georgia

1 – Albany Rescue Mission – 604 North Monroe Street – Albany, GA 31701 – Ph: (229) 435-7615

2 – Feed America – 102 East 14^th Ave – Cordele, GA 31015 – Ph: (229) 273-0227

Hawaii

1 – Office of Social Ministry – 100 Kinoole Street – Hilo, HI 96720 Ph: (808) 935-3794

Idaho

1 – The Soup Kitchen – 301 South BLVD – Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Ph: (208) 557-5750

2 – St. Maries Food Bank – 416 Main Ave – Saint Mares, ID 83861 Ph: (208) 245-9090

Illinois

1 – Midwest Food Bank – 1703 So. Veterans PKWY – Bloomington, IL 61701 Ph: (309) 663-5350

2 – Cornucopia Food Pantry – 402 Market Street – Rockford, IL 61107 – Ph: (815) 962-1380

Indiana

1 – Backstreet Mission – 215 So Westplex Ave. – Bloomington, IN 47404 – Ph: (812) 333-6360

2 – Wells County Food Bank – 1254 So. Main Street – Bluffton, IN 46714- Ph: (260) 827-0053

Iowa

1 – Community of Concern – 203 North US Highway 71 – Carroll, IA 51401 – Ph: (712) 792-5150

2 – Mapleton Food Bank – 315 Main Street – Mapleton, IA 51034 – Ph: (712) 881-1128

Kansas

1 – Genesis – 350 So. Range Ave. – Colby, KS 67701 – Ph: (785) 460-7930

2 – Christian Food Bank – 111 West 4^th Street – Pratt, KS 67124 – Ph: (620) 672-5150

Kentucky

1 – God’s Pantry Food Bank – 1685 Jaggie Fox Way – Lexington, KY 40511 – Ph: (859)255-6592

2 – New Hope Food Bank – 880 J.T. Riggs Road – New Hope, KY 40052 – Ph: (502) 549-6015

Louisiana

1 – Food for Families – 245 Illinois Street – Delhi, LA 71232 – Ph: (318) 878-3869

2 – God’s Food Box – 711 Mahlon Street – Deridder, LA 70634 – Ph: (337) 463-4449

Maine

1 – Good Shepherd Food Bank – 3121 Hotel Road – Auburn, ME 04210 – Ph: (207) 782-3554

2 – Winthrop Food Pantry – 15 High Street – Winthrop, ME 04364

Maryland

1 – Movable Feast – 2620 Wilkins Ave – Baltimore, MD 21223 – Ph: (410) 327-3420

2 – Abundant Life Church – 110 Front Street – Pocomoke City, MD 21851 – Ph: (410) 957-4206

Massachusetts

1 – Beverly Bootstraps – 371 Cabot Street – Beverly, MA 01915 – Ph: (978) 927-1651

2 – Merrimack Valley Food Bank – 735 Broadway – Lowell, MA 01854 – Ph: (978) 454-7272

Michigan

1 – American Saucery – 10750 Capital St – Oak Park, MI 48237 – Ph: (248) 544-9485

2 – Manna Food Project – 8791McBride Park – Harbor Springs, MI – Ph: (231) 347-8852

Minnesota

1 – Fare for All – 8501 54^th Ave North – Minneapolis, MN 55428 – Ph: (763) 450-3860

2 – Pastor Paul’s Mission – 100 Oliver Ave North – Minneapolis, MN 55411 – Ph: (612) 521-4665

Mississippi

1 – Hartland Hands – 385 Stateline Road East – Southaven, MS 38671 – Ph: (662) 280-5365

2 – PBM Ministries – 639 Second South Street – Woodville, MS 39669 – Ph: (601) 888-3880

Missouri

1 – Arnold Food Pantry – 23 Village Plaza – Arnold, MO 63010 – Ph: (636) 467-5959

2 – Holy Spirit – 3128 Parkwood Lane – Maryland Heights, MO 63043 – Ph: (314) 739-9796

Montana

1 – Give Away House – 1058 2^nd Street North – Harve, MT 59501 – Ph: (406) 265-7741

2 – Sagebrush Food Pantry – 669 Park Ave – Shelby, MT 59474 – Ph: (406) 424-8287

Nebraska

1 – Arapahoe Area Food Pantry – 210 7^th Street – Arapahoe, NE 68922 – Ph: (308) 962-7296

2 – Western Nebraska Food Bank – 825 Hickory Street – Sidney, NE 69162 – Ph: (308) 254-1095

Nevada

1 – Food For Thought – 3579 US Highway 50 – East Carson City, NV 89029 – Ph: (775) 883-1011

2 – Colorado River Food Bank – 1575 South Casino Drive – Laughlin, NV 89410 – Ph: (775) 782-3711

New Hampshire

1 – Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter – 42 Chestnut Street – Nashua, NH 03061 – Ph: (603) 889-7770

2 – Sonshine Soup Kitchen – 4 Crustal Ave #4 – Derry, NH 03038 – Ph: (603) 437-2833

New Jersey

1 – Extra Helping – 31 Evans Terminal – Hillside, NJ 07205 – Ph: (908) 355-3663

2 – Interfaith Food Pantry – 540 West Hanover Ave – Morristown, NJ 07960 – Ph: (973) 538-8049

New Mexico

1 – The Food Depot – 1222 Silver Road – Santa Fe, NM 87507 – Ph: (505) 471-1633

2 – Los Alamos Community Food Bank – 77 Loma Vista St – Los Alomos, NM 87544

New York

1 – Masbia Soup Kitchen – 4114 14^th Ave – Brooklyn, NY 11219 – Ph: (718) 972-4446

2 – Project Hospitality – 100 Park Ave. – Staten Island, NY 10302 – Ph: (718) 448-1544

North Carolina

1 – Good Shepherd Ministries – 811 Martin Street – Wilmington, NC 28401 – Ph: (910) 763-4424

2 – Hallelujah Soup Kitchen – 1904 South Wilmington Street – Raleigh, NC 27603 – Ph: (919) 899-6498

North Dakota

1 – Amen Food Pantry – 1100 3^rd Ave West – Dickinson, ND 58601 – Ph: (701) 483-4344

2 – Carrington’s Daily Bread – 875 Main Street – Carrington, ND 58421 – Ph: (701) 652-2333

Ohio

1 – Zion Soup Kitchen – 2716 West 14^th Street – Cleveland, OH 44113 – Ph: (216) 861-2371

2 – From Darkness to Light – 1925 Stanford Road – Twinsburg, OH 44087 – Ph: (216) 744-7408

Oklahoma

1 – Salvation Army – 1306 SW Ave E – Lawton, OK 73501 – Ph: (580) 355-1802

2 – Ardmore Soup Kitchen – 2207 Ridgeway Street – Ardmore, OK 73401 – Ph: (580) 226-2870

Oregon

1 – Lebanon Soup Kitchen – 170 East Grant Street – Lebanon, OR 97355 – Ph: (541) 451-7667

2 – St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen – 820 Ellsworth Street SW – Albany, OR 97321 – Ph: (541) 926-8562

Pennsylvania

1 – Jubilee Kitchen – 2005 Wyandotte Street – Pittsburgh, PA 15219 – Ph: (412) 261-5417

2 – East Liberty Soup Kitchen – 1091 Pittsburgh Road – Valencia, PA 16059 – Ph: (724) 898-3503

Rhode Island

1 – Fall River Soup Kitchen – 783 Slade Street – Fall River, MA 02724 – Ph: (508) 324-1323

South Carolina

1 – Project Host Soup Kitchen – 525 So. Academy Street – Greenville, SC 29601 – Ph: (864) 235-3403

2 – The Soup Kitchen – 573 Meeting Street – Charleston, SC 29403 – Ph: (843) 723-2726

Tennessee

1 – Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen – 215 Foster Street – Clarksville, TN 37043 – Ph: (931) 645-9020

2 – Manna Day Ministry – 1186 Ft. Campbell Blvd. – Clarksville, TN 37042 – Ph: (931) 648-1324

Texas

1 – Star of Hope Homeless Shelter – 419 Dowling Street – Houston, TX 77003 – Ph: (713) 748-0700

2 – New Hope Housing, Inc. – 320 Hamilton Street – Houston, TX 77002 – Ph: (713) 223-1995

Utah

1 – Manila Food Pantry – 93 North 1 West – Manila, UT 84046 – Ph: (435) 784-3993

Virginia

1 –Central Virginia Food Bank – 1415 Rhoadmiller Street – Richmond, VA 23220 – Ph: (804) 521-2500

Washington

1 – University Street Ministries – 4740 University Way NE – Seattle, WA 98105 – Ph: (206) 522-4366

West Virginia

1 – Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling – 1610 Eoff Street – Wheeling, WV 26003 – Ph: (304) 233-2992

Wisconsin

1 – McCarthy-Hall Kitchen – 1100 Douglas Ave – Racine, WI 53402 – Ph: (262) 634-9336

Wyoming

1 – Community Soup Kitchen – 633 Bridger Ave – Rock Springs, WY 82901 – Ph: (307) 382-7383

Have A Happy & Safe Thanksgiving Holiday !!!!

-Hatter & Beanz

Attorney General Beau Biden, Rep. Mike Castle, Senators Ted Kaufman and Tom Carper did not sign similar briefs

By Lee Williams

Nearly 1,000 lawmakers from all 50 states – including 21 Delawareans – have signed a “friend of the court” brief supporting the National Rifle Association’s position that an individual’s rights to keep and bear arms, guaranteed in the Second Amendment, should be incorporated against the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

“It’s vitally important that elected officials protect the Constitution, and you can’t pick and choose the parts of the Constitution you like or don’t like,” Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover South, said of his decision to sign the NRA’s brief.

“Regardless of how people feel about firearms, the Constitution clearly protects an individual’s right to own firearms,” Bonini said. “As legislators, we took an oath to defend the Constitution.”

The NRA’s brief was filed Monday with the Supreme Court in the case of McDonald v. City of Chicago.

“We are pleased that such a large group of state legislators and other officials agree that our Second Amendment freedoms should apply to all Americans, not only those who reside in federal enclaves,” NRA Chief Lobbyist Chris W. Cox said in a written statement. “Gun owners across the country should be proud of the stand that their lawmakers are taking on this crucial effort to restore and protect the gun rights of law-abiding Americans everywhere.”

In 2008, the Supreme Court struck down Washington D.C.’s near total handgun ban in the landmark case District of Columbia v. Heller. The justices found that the right to bear arms granted in the Second Amendment is an individual right.

However, since the District is a federal enclave, the court still had to consider whether the Second Amendment protections applied outside of D.C.

Now in McDonald, the court will determine whether the Second Amendment protections are incorporated against the states and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment.

The case was spawned by Chicago’s restrictive gun laws, including a near-total handgun ban, which have been in effect for 27 years.

The court’s decision could force many jurisdictions to change or remove their firearms laws and restrictions.

Dover attorney John Sigler, a CRI board member and immediate past-president of the NRA, said in Heller, the Supreme Court found that the Second Amendment protections that provide an individual the right to keep and bear arms predate the formation of our country.

“It was merely codified by the founders in the Second Amendment so that future generations would not forget this fact,” Sigler said. “In addition, the Supreme Court in Heller recognized the fundamental right of all human beings to self defense.”

Because the District of Columbia is a federal enclave, Sigler pointed out, the impact of the case was limited.

“The McDonald case presents to the court the question of whether the right to keep and bear arms contained in the Second Amendment is like the right to free speech, the right to a free press, the right to a jury trial, prohibitions against unlawful search and seizure, that are all applicable to the states, in protecting the fundamental rights so well understood by the founding fathers,” Sigler said.

The impact of the decision in Delaware may not be as great as in other states and jurisdictions, because of safeguards incorporated into the state constitution.

“Having said that, it is entirely possible that Chicago, New York, San Francisco and many of the states of the union – particularly New Jersey – could find many of their gun laws to be unconstitutional because they infringe upon the rights of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms for lawful purposes,” Sigler said.

The amicus curiae brief signed by the state lawmakers was accompanied by a similar brief submitted by 251 members of the U.S. Congress and 58 U.S. Senators.

In addition, 38 attorneys general have signed a brief supporting the NRA’s position.

Neither Attorney General Beau Biden nor any member of Delaware’s congressional delegation signed these briefs.

Biden did not immediately return calls seeking comment for this story.

Sen. Joseph Booth, R-Bridgeville, first learned of the McDonald case from the NRA.

“I support the NRA. They don’t take elected officials down the wrong road,” Booth said. “There’s an old adage where they talk about SUVs killing people. It’s actually people in operation of a motor vehicle, or in operation of a gun, where we have concerns.”

Signing the brief were: Delaware Auditor of Accounts R. Thomas Wagner, Jr., State Senators Bruce Ennis, Colin Bonini, Gary Simpson and Joseph Booth, State Representatives Tom Kovach, Richard Cathcart, Robert Gilligan, Michael Ramone, William Carson, Pam Thornburg, William Outten, E. Bradford Bennett, Robert Walls, David Wilson, V. George Carey, Ruth Briggs King, Gerald Hocker, Daniel Short, Clifford Lee and John Atkins.

Contact investigative reporter Lee Williams at (302) 242-9272 or lee@caesarrodney.org

The Caesar Rodney Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan research and educational organization and is committed to being a catalyst for improved performance, accountability, and efficiency in Delaware government.

Predicted winner:
Siena by 31pts

(Raw score:  Siena 95.413 over Delaware 64.587)

  Back on March 19,2009,  the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impose a 90% tax on the income of certain executives of financial institutions who had received federal funding during the bailouts.

  Considering that the house is controled by the Democrats this is not all that remarkable. What is remarkable is that eighty-five Republican congressmen also voted to impose this tax.

  Now it is not unheard of for Republicans to vote for tax increases, but normally this happens under pressure from a Republican president and as part of some budget deal that cuts spending in other areas. Neither was the case with this tax increase. There was no cuts to spending or of any other taxes to accompany this tax hike.

  There was no economic necessity for this tax increase, it was nothing more than punishment for bonuses paid out to AIG executives .

  Many believe that this bill was illegal, in that it violates the Constitution’s  prohibition against bill of attainder, or laws that singal out specific people for punishment.

  We would expect that the populist Democrats would vote for a bill such as this, but it is shocking that Republicans would. It is twice as shocking that none of these Republicans cared enough about free market economics let alone the Constitution to consider the long-term ramifications of such a tax bill.

  By the way , for those of you that maybe don’t follow along as closely as some others, our very own Rep. Mike Castle of Delaware was one of the eighty-five Republicans that voted for this un-constitutional bill.

 Just another example of Mr. Castle’s conservative credentials !!

  Be looking for more examples coming in the future .

Em nosso primeiro dia em Buffalo assim que acordei olhei pela janela para ver como estava o tempo, infelizmente o dia estava cinza e com uma chuvinha que acabou perdurando o dia todo, fomos tomar nosso café da manha, o qual podia ser muito melhor pelo padrão do hotel, De fato café da manha como dos hotéis que ficamos na Alemanha especialmente o de Berlin vai ser fácil encontrar.

Buffalo é a segunda cidade mais populosa do estado de Nova York, perdendo apenas para Nova York. Localizada no oeste do estado de Nova York na margem oriental do Lago Erie e na cabeceira do rio de Niagara, Buffalo é a principal cidade próxima ao Niagara Falls e é a sede do Condado de Erie. Tem uma população de 292.648 (Censo 2000). Mas se contabilizando toda a região a população chega a casa dos 1.25 milhões de habitantes.

Não se sabe ao certo de onde o nome Buffalo surgiu, no entanto a maioria dos relatos populares afirmam que o nome “Buffalo” é uma corruptela da frase beau fleuve do francês que significa “rio bonito”, uma frase então dita por um explorador francês, ao ver o rio Niagara. Essa especulação, entretanto, é desmentida por fontes mais confiáveis uma vez que os exploradores franceses na verdade se referiam ao rio de Niagara como Rivière aux Chevaux, “Rio dos Cavalos.” 

A teoria mais antiga sobre a origem do nome relata uma história sobre cavalos roubados abatidos sendo vendidos como carne de bisão. Próximo a um riacho que ajuda a formar o Rio Niagara. O que está claro é que não havia nenhum bisão nativo na área, e que este lugar onde essa carne era supostamente vendida passou a se chamar Buffalo Creek, que acabou aparecendo pela primeira vez em um mapa em 1759-1760. Embora a teoria do Beau Fleuve seja a teoria menos plausível entre várias teorias, é pouco provável que a origem do nome da cidade de Buffalo tenha de fato derivado do animal.

A cidade tem uma historia muito rica, mas hoje encontra-se em processo de decadência economica visível por toda cidade. A cidade foi fundada em 1789, como uma comunidade de pequeno comércio perto do Buffalo Creek, mas a cidade cresceu rapidamente após a abertura do Canal do Erie em 1825, sendo a cidade como seu ponto mais ocidental.

A cidade também foi a primeira nos Estados Unidos a ter uma Rua iluminada com energia eletrica, proveniente de uma usina instalada no rio Niagara.  Foi palco de um atentado ao então presidente William Mckinley, que morreu 8 dias depois e foi sucedido por Theodore Roosevelt.

Em 1900, o búfalo era a maior cidade dos Estados Unidos, e passou a se tornar um grande pólo ferroviário, bem como o maior centro de moagem de grãos no país, e casa da maior produtora de aço em operação no mundo.  A titulo de curiosidade o limpador de pára-brisa foi inventado em Buffalo.

 Porem na última parte do século 20 sofreu profundamente com a abertura do St. Lawrence Seaway um fator muito importante no declínio da cidade, para se ter uma ideia no ano de 1990, a cidade tinha apenas um terço do nível populacional de 1900.

O encerramento ou realocacao de muitas das usinas siderúrgicas e outras indústrias pesadas na região também contribuiu para o declínio da cidade.

Como a primeira reunião do Mau era apenas as 10 da manha e o prédio do banco não ficava longe do nosso hotel decidimos ir caminhando ate la, a chuva parecia ter passado e la fomos nos, pelo caminho passamos por uma igreja muito bonita, a St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Catedral de St. Paul’s é a catedral da diocese da igreja episcopal de New York ocidental e foi construída em 1851, e refeita em 1888 após um incêndio do qual apenas suas torres se salvaram, um verdadeiro marco histórico no centro da cidade de Buffalo, no estado de Nova York. Foi declarada Patrimônio Histórico Nacional em 1987.

A Igreja tem um interior bastante decorado com vitrais realmente muito bonitos, o orgao da igreja também e algo bastante impressionante e muito bonito. Quando a cidade tem uma igreja imponente podemos ver que essa cidade tinha bastante poder economico na época em que ela fora construída.

Depois de visitarmos a igreja  seguimos em direcao ao One HSBC Centre,  um arranha-céu localizado no centro de Buffalo. Anteriormente conhecido como a Midland Marine Centre, que teve seu nome alterado quando o Marine Midland uma empresa que o HSBC Adquiriu e passou a ser parte do HSBC Bank USA.

Foi construído com um custo de US $ 50 milhões entre 1969 e 1972, e tem mais de 1.200.000 metros quadrados em 40 andares que ainda dominam o horizonte de Buffalo, com seus 161 metros de altura.

É um exemplar de arquitetura de estilo modernista da decada de 70, tendo como um dos aspectos mais interessantes ser atravessado pelo Metro de Buffalo no extremo sul da Main Street. Alem disso e ainda hoje o edifício mais alto entre Cleveland e Albany. Em dias claros o One HSBC Centre pode ser visto a mais de 32 km. Mas o mais impressionante do predio e seu interior revestido todinho com travertino.

Como ainda estava relativamente cedo para os compromissos do Mau aproveitamos para ir no HSBC Premier Centre, para checar nossa Conta Corrente e ver nossos e-mails, essa e uma das vantagens de ser cliente HSBC Premier, em qualquer lugar do mundo que você esteja que tenha um Premier centre você pode acessar a Internet, fazer ligacoes, imprimir documentos e ainda tomar um café.

Aproveitei para ir ao Consulado do Canada que fica no 30 andar do predio para checar que documentos e quanto tempo levava para o visto para la ficara pronto, bem o visto ficaria pronto no mesmo dia, porem como estou com visto B2 aqui nos EUA e não tenho provas substanciais como emprego ou passagem de retorno ao Brasil dificilmente conseguiria o visto, mais uma vez passei raiva como quando íamos para Austrália em Setembro.

 Alem do One HSBC Centre atrás do predio fica o Arena HSBC, uma arena multi-uso com capacidade para 18.690 expectadores, uma arena super moderna construída em 1996.

Acabei voltando ao hotel aquela chuvinha fraca continuava sem dar tempo, pela hora do almoço me encontrei com o Mau para almoçar, como a chuvinha continuava acabamos comendo no restaurante dentro do predio mesmo, digamos que a comida poderia ser muito melhor.

Como a garoa não dava trégua e o frio na casa dos 5 C digamos que acabava com qualquer vontade de explorar a cidade voltei para o hotel e aproveitei para tirar uma soneca e curtir o hotel Hyatt de Buffalo, eles estavam com um evento para levantar fundos para caridade, vendendo árvores e guirlandas de Natal, bem bonito.

Final da tarde já entediado por não poder sair do hotel com aquela chuvinha fraca, decidi pegar o carro e dar uma volta para explorar a cidade usando o GPS, decidi então ir ate as margens dos lago Eire, na verdade queria ir ate um farol, mas ao chegar la era uma área restrita da guarda costeira dos EUA.

Segui uns 500 m de volta na estrada e vi que havia uma trilha com uma placa na entrada, estacionei o carro ali mesmo e fui la tentar chegar a margem do lago, um vento forte, mas foi uma das experiências mais legais que tive esses últimos tempos, primeiramente a trilha levava ate um Deck de observação onde durante o período de migração dos Gansos Selvagens do Canada param para se alimentar, os gansos obviamente não estavam la nesta época do ano, mas ver aquela vegetação de banhado dourada e as árvores sem folhas foi legal.

Isso sem falar na vista da cidade daquele lugar.

Como os dias estão mais curtos essa época do ano, já estava anoitecendo quando ainda tentei continuar na trilha para chegar na margem do lago, quando de repente a cerca de 75 metros vejo um animal, inicialmente pensei que se tratava de um cachorro, mas quando me dei conta era um cervo americano.

Fui caminhando devagar para não assusta-lo, como já estava com pouca luz tentei tirar fotos, mas sem tripé elas não ficaram grande coisa, quando me dei conta não era apenas um e sim uns uns 4 – 6 animais, e eles pareciam bastante  dóceis, pois ia me aproximando e eles não fugiam de mim, finalmente alguma coisa para alegrar a visita, pois choveu o dia todo.

Embora eles pareciam dóceis evitei me aproximar muito afinal de contas eles não são animais domésticos, mas se quisesse acho que daria ate para tocar neles, legal ver na hora que eles fogem de você pois eles levantam o rabo branco que ai sim sinaliza eles na vegetação.

Tirei algumas fotos do lago ainda, mas sem o tripé estava difícil pois já estava quase noite, voltei para o carro e segui ate o Banco para pegar o Mau, passamos ao lado dos antigos grandes moinhos de Buffalo, uma área industrial antiga, bastante decadente, quase em ruínas, mas ao mesmo tempo interessante.

Fomos jantar em um restaurante de comida mongolesa, uma delicia por sinal, mas alem de comida mongolesa tinha comida chinesa e americana em um sistema de Buffet. O legal da comida mongolesa que você escolhe os ingredientes e eles são todos misturados na chapa como se fosse um Teppan-Yaki Japonês. Depois do jantar aproveitamos para dar uma volta pelo shopping ali perto, os preços são quase semelhantes aos de Delaware, no entanto sobre o preço em Nova York se aplica o Sales Tax.

Quando estávamos voltando para o hotel, vimos um Aldi, um supermercado de baixo custo da Alemanha que esta crescendo bastante em outros paises da Europa e também aqui nos EUA, quando morava na Alemanha tinha um a cerca de 100m de casa, e sempre fazia compras nele, pois tem preços otimos e produtos diferentes, mas nunca pensei que fossemos achar algo mais diferente do que achamos desta vez. Em uma rede de supermercados da Alemanha nos Estados Unidos encontramos Panettone Bauducco fabricado no Brasil, pode isso??

Engraçado que para ter maior apelo comercial na embalagem fala que e de Origem Italiana e usa uva passas da Marca Sun-Maid bastante popular aqui nos EUA, e você só descobre que ele e fabricado em Guarulhos lendo cuidadosamente a embalagem ou sabendo que a Bauducco e uma marca Brasileira, infelizmente nesses de exportação não tem os brinquedinhos natalinos como no Brasil.

Como o hotel não tinha estacionamento próprio estacionamos o carro todos os dias num estacionamento publico, o qual só conseguia comprar o ticket para o pernoite no parquímetro a meia noite, um saco.

O segundo dia em Buffalo foi muito melhor, as nuvens e a chuva sumiram o céu estava azul, por outro lado a temperatura caiu ainda mais e o vento deixava a sensação térmica negativa, para se ter uma ideia a temperatura media máxima do mês de Novembro e de +8º C e a mínima de +1º C em Dezembro e de +2º C e -4º C respectivamente, embora de manha ainda estivesse garoando, por isso acabei levando o Mau de carro ate o trabalho, mas pelas 09:30 da manha o sol resolveu aparecer.

Por sorte não chegamos a pegar Neve, mas no mês de Novembro em media Neva quase 29.2 cm e no ano em media 2,32m, por isso todo mundo que a gente fala que foi ou que ia para Buffalo pergunta se estava ou que pegaríamos muito frio.

Por Volta das 10 da manha com sol bem bonito mas um frio de rachar, fui “explorar” Buffalo, o primeiro lugar quase em frente ao hotel, o M&T Bank uma construção neoclássica muito bonita com um domo dourado impressionante, feito com 140.000 folhas de ouro 23.75 quilates.

Logo ao lado fica a Electric Tower, ou Torre da General Electric, um prédio histórico e é  o sétimo edifício mais alto no Buffalo. Com 13 andares de altura e em estilo neoclássico.

Ele foi projetado por James A. Johnson e construído em 1912. Adições foram feitas em 1923 e 1928. Foi inspirado pela Electric Tower na Exposicao Pan-Americana de Buffalo, era originalmente construída com tijolos aparentes mas posteriormente foi rebocada e hoje é branca.

A construção possui uma torre octogonal que possui três plataformas terminando em um grande farol, é também conhecida como Iskalo Electric Tower.

Seguindo em ao norte pela Main Street fica o Shea’s Performing Arts Centre, um teatro para turnês musicais da Broadway e eventos especiais em Buffalo, foi inaugurado em 1926 para mostrar filmes mudos. Possui um dos poucos órgãos de teatro dos EUA ainda em operação no teatro em que fora projetado.

Ainda na Main Street mais ao norte se encontra a Catedral St. Louis, construída em 1832 e foi uma pequena congregação ate 1843 servindo com o nome de Ovelha de Deus (Lamb of God), foi destruída por um incêndio em 1885, reconstruída em 1889 e consagrada Catedral em 1913.

De fato foi a primeira igreja católica da porção Ocidental do estado de Nova Iorque. Por ter uma coloração rósea e ser feita de arenito me fez lembrar da Catedral de Freiburg na Alemanha.

Em uma transversal da Main St, fica a Trinity Episcopal Church uma igreja Episcopal histórica, sua parte mais antiga foi construída em 1869 com estilo gótico. Desde 2008 esta listada no Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos dos EUA.

Ali perto presenciei do outro lado da rua uma abordagem policial a um motorista, coisa bem de filme americano, o carro vem com a sirene ligada e o motorista e obrigado a encostar o carro e mostrar os documentos, nunca vi isso antes no Brasil ou qualquer outro lugar. E engracado viver aqui nos EUA, aquelas coisas que aparecem nos filmes são em grande parte das vezes verdade.

Seguindo pela Delaware Avenue, vi outra Igreja, pelo menos parecia pela fachada mas de fato não e mais uma igreja, era também conhecido como Igreja Metodista Episcopal Asbury-Delaware que foi construída em duas fases, entre 1871 e 1876. Mas em 2006, a estrutura se tornou o lar de Righteous Babe Records, uma gravadora independente. A construção ia ser demolida, mas passou por uma reforma que conservou sua fachada um exemplo distinto de  arquitetura gótica vitoriana eclestial.  E desde então esta listada no Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos.

E esquisito todas as 3 igrejas que visitei ate esta estavam fechadas, esta tinha uma entrada de vidro ao lado, fui la tentar entrar, quando eu vi estava dentro de uma galeria de arte, pelo que parece a igreja tem cada vez menos importância, aqui nos EUA elas estão ate mudando de finalidade, o que na verdade chega a ser triste.

Na saída vi um Toyota Corola todinho pintado a mão, certamente de alguém que trabalha nessa gravadora independente, nunca tinha visto uma personalizacao de um carro assim antes.

Fui então caminhando em direcao a Niagara Square, que possui um obelisco em 4 leões os guardando que fica em frente ao Cityhall (Prefeitura) de Buffalo, uma imponente construção em estilo Art-Deco que foi terminada em 1931 com 32 andares e 115.2 metros de altura, sendo um dos mais altos edifícios municipais dos EUA.

A importância desta obra-prima Art Déco é imediatamente relevante sobre a sua visão de comando do centro de Buffalo e dos grandes lagos. Ao se aproximar da Prefeitura pela Niagara Street, e de se ficar impressionado com um estilo arquitetonico que é moderno para a época em que foi construído. O exterior e interior são adornadas com figuras simbólicas e decorações em relevo que retratam um tema industrial que foram esculpidos por Albert Stewart e a escultura executada por Rene Paul Chambellan.

 Como já estava na hora do almoço fui encontrar o Mau no One HSBC Centre, depois do almoço ele levou a maquina para tirar algumas fotos da vista do predio sobre os grandes lagos, diga-se lago Eire, e da cidade de Buffalo, suas igrejas e instalacoes esportivas.

Depois disso fui conhecer o HSBC Arena que é a casa do Buffalo Sabres da National Hockey League.

 A arena também é utilizado regularmente para jogos de basquete e principalmente torneios de Hockey no gelo. Além disso, o HSBC Arena e utilizado para hospedar vários eventos de wrestling profissional, principalmente o Smack Down da World Wrestling Entertainment.

Infelizmente não pude conhecer o interior da arena pois cheguei tarde de mais, se tivesse ido pela manha poderia ter assistido ao treino do Buffalo Sabres.

Do HSBC arena fui caminhando ate o Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, um museu às margens do Lago Erie. Onde hoje se encontram vários navios aposentados da Marinha Americana entre eles o Cleveland-class cruiser USS Little Rock, que ajudou a patrulhar as águas do Atlântico Sul durante a 2 guerra mundial.

O Fletcher-class destroyer USS The Sullivans, que recebeu este nome em homenagem aos irmãos Sullivan (George, Francis, Joseph, Madison, e Albert) com idades entre 19 e 27 anos que morreram a bordo do USS Juneau num ataque da marinha Japonesa na batalha de guandalcanal em 13 de Novembro de 1942, sendo a maior perda de uma família americana em uma guerra, todos os filhos do casal estavam a bordo deste navio. Este navio serviu tanto na 2 guerra mundial como na guerra das Coreias.

E ainda o Submarino USS Croaker, todos os três são abertos ao público para visitas mas não durante esta época do ano infelizmente..

Alem deste Submarino Americano, existe na entrada do local uma parte do USS Boston.

Ali também se encontram diversas aeronaves utilizadas pelos americanos nas suas guerras.

Bem como um memorial para as vitimas americanas de Buffalo nas guerras que os EUA criaram ou participaram.

Foi interessante conhecer um pouco da historia, mesmo que apenas por fora, mas o frio a beira do lago Eire com vento super forte não estava fácil, fui caminhando ate a desembocadura deste atracadouro onde fica esse museu naval, onde do outro lado fica o farol que tinha tentado chegar de carro no dia anterior.

A visão para o lago e super legal, mas o vento era tão forte e a sensação térmica tão fria que não dava para ficar muito tempo ali admirando o lago, que de tão grande parece ser mar, ainda mais com o vento que fazia e as ondas que quebravam no mole.

Voltei em direcao ao centro de Buffalo, fui na Igreja Católica de St. Joseph, esta estava aberta, e era super bonita, mas também não tinha uma alma viva la dentro, mas um lugar de muita paz com vitrais realmente bonitos e um orgao enorme.

Já voltando em direcao ao hotel, passei pela sede do condado do Eire, um predio de 3 andares com uma bela torre de 7 andares construídos em 1871-1876 em estilo neoclássico, na frente do predio fica uma escultura de George Washington o primeiro presidente dos EUA.

Ali na Frente haviam algumas arvores e um esquilo estava mesmo coletando folhas para fazer seu ninho para o inverno eminente.

Passei pelo Liberty Building, um raro exemplo de edifício neo-clássico. Construído em 1925, um prédio comercial de 23 andares com 101 metros, mas o que torna o edifício famoso são as duas réplicas da Estátua da Liberdade, esculpida por Leo Lentelli. Ele é o 5º edifício mais alto em Buffalo.

Por fim passei na Laffayete Square o marco zero da cidade de Buffalo, onde se encontra um monumento da guerra civil americana, em homenagem a infantaria, cavalaria, artilharia e marinha, Abraham Lincoln chegou a discursar nesta praça, que recebe o nome do general Laffayete, Chefe da Guarda Nacional Francesa que visitou a cidade em 1825.

Final da tarde fui buscar o Mau no trabalho de carro, fomos ate onde no dia anterior tinha visto os cervos, mas desta vez não tivemos sorte eles não estavam mais la, decidimos então ir jantar.

Jantamos na rede de pizzarias Uno de Chicago, a pizza era gostosa, principalmente a massa que e bem grossa, a única coisa que estraga um pouco as pizzas aqui nos Estados Unidos e o molho de tomate que eles usam.

Encontramos outro Aldi e compramos mais 2 panetones e um Stollen para levarmos para Delaware, já que la não temos nenhum Aldi ainda, quando voltamos para o hotel estacionamos em um estacionamento diferente, mais barato e sem a necessidade de ir comprar o ticket a meia noite.

  We are all aware of  the cost that the  Valero refinery in Delaware City closing will have on the state’s economy. We are also aware of the effect it will have on those directly effected by the loss of their jobs from that closing.

  There is also a ripple effect from this closing. How many small coffee and sandwich shops in the area will close now that all of those employees will no longer be coming through the area , or taking breaks and lunch.

  Think of all of the suppliers who will no longer be delivering to the refinery. There are probably hundreds of small businesses that will be affected by this closing that won’t receive any state or federal funding to support them through this loss.

  Also let me tell you as someone who works in the home heating industry that this closing will greatly affect your retailers  ability to get and deliver your home heating fuels, it will also affect the retail gasoline businesses in the area.

  I heard a state official saying on the radio (sorry I missed his name), that this closing would not have much impact on the availability of, or the price of home heating fuels.

  Let me tell you he is either lying or has no idea about how this industry works. He said that due to the mild weather we are experiencing and the reduction in international demand, that we should see very little effect in the availability or the price of fuels.

  Each retail supplier who has their own transport vehicle and who loads directly from a refinery, is allocated a set amount of fuel each month of the year. Once they have reach their ration for that month they must go to another refinery to receive more fuel for that month.

 So if Valero has closed then all of the retailers who receive fuel from Valero will have lost those allocated gallons for every month. The retailer cannot go to another refinery to make up those lost gallons , because they are already receiving a ration from those refineries. These gallons cannot be replaced locally.The refinerires are already at maximum output, this is why any little interuption creates a shortage. So retailers will be forced to travel further with their transports or receive shipments through railroad shipments.

 So due to the added expense of transporting further and the reduced availability prices will naturally increase. Also , as in past winters, if the mid-west experiences a colder than usual winter, it will make finding the fuel even harder.

 This closing will have far-reaching effects both on state and personal finances. And I find it hard to believe that Valero made this decision overnight. It would seem to me that they would have been in contact with the state trying to find a way to stay open. You would hope that the state would have done everything in its power to keep such an important industry open.

 But don’t worry folks the governor has a plan to replace all of these lost jobs with green industry jobs. I hope that is some comfort to you as you are paying higher heating cost this winter and higher gasoline cost next summer.

No inicio desta semana surgiu a nossa primeira viagem aerea domestica nos EUA, o Mau foi fazer um treinamento e eu aproveitei para ir junto, compramos a minha passagem pela Internet no mesmo voo dele com a Southwest Airlines saindo de Baltimore para Buffalo no estado de Nova Iorque, proximo a Niagara Falls e a fronteira com o Canada.

A passagem nao saiu muito caro, mas pelo visto comprada com mais antecedencia ficaria bem mais barata, para irmos ate Baltimore um motorista foi nos pegar em casa e nos levou ate o aeroporto de Baltimore (BWI).

Este percurso levou cerca de 1h e 15 minutos com transito bastante intenso e com 2 pedagios pelo caminho, uma das vezes como sempre proximo de um tunel, aqui nos EUA sempre os pedagios estao proximos a pontes ou tuneis.

O aeroporto parece novo e moderno. O Check-inn quase todo self-service e bastante eficiente, principalmente se voce nao esta despachando bagagens.

Apos fazer o Check-inn fomos a parte mais chata, passar pelo controle do aeroporto, se ja achava chato e desagradavel nos outros aeroportos, e por que nunca tinha embracado em um aeroporto americano.  Alem de tirar todos os casacos, relogio, cinto, celular, carteira aqui se chega a ser procedimento padrao obrigatorio a retirada dos calcados.

Um absurdo para nao dizer ridiculo. Enfim mas isso nao e tudo, agora por amostragem eles obrigam voce a entrar em uma maquina que faz um raio x completo e em 3 D da pessoa, nesse caso alem de absurdo, ridiculo chega a ser constrangedor; Saber que alguem em algum lugar do aeroporto que felizmente ou infelizmente nao vemos, alguem ve voce praticamente nu. Eu tive sorte, mas o Mau foi contemplado.

Se isso ainda nao bastasse, as pessoas que trabalham nos aeroportos desse pais parecem ser treinadas para tratar voce mal, isso vale desde os agentes que trabalham no controle dos passageiros e imigracao, mas tambem para o povo que trabalha nas lojas e restaurantes. Todo mundo parece estar de mal-humor.

Bem como aquele velho ditado diz que a primeira impressao e a que fica, essa e a minha impressao sobre os aeroportos desse pais, o que seria para ser uma viagem legal, acaba se transformando num pesadelo ja no comeco, felizmente o resto foi ate legal.

Como nessas horas a lei de murph nunca falha nosso voo atrasou cerca de 50 minutos, e tivemos aquele cha de cadeira gostoso. Pelo menos as cadeiras eram ate que confortaveis, mas falta a Internet gratuita, nao e a toa que o Changi Airport e considerado o melhor aeroporto do mundo.

Antes que eu esqueca para viajar com esta companhia, voce na hora do check-inn nao tem seus assentos marcados, eles sao preenchidos de acordo com o embarque, as pessoas que pagam mais pela passagem numa categoria “Business” tem prioridade de embarque e podem escolher primeiro em que lugar querem sentar na aeronave.

Assim tambem e com os cinemas aqui, como no Brasil, quem chega primeiro pega os melhores lugares, mas depois de viver em Cingapura e na Alemanha em que ate o cinema tem poltronas marcadas no entanto tenho que concordar que e muito melhor do que aqui nos EUA e no Brasil.

Porem como o Mau estava no grupo com embarque prioritario conseguimos um lugar bom na primeira fila do aviao, eu por outro lado por ter comprado o ticket um dia antes de viajar fui do ultimo grupo a embracar na aeronave, apesar de o mau ter reservado um lugar para mim, na hora que embarquei obviamente nao havia mais espaco para a minha bagagem de mao, acabei conseguindo apenas um lugar para acomodar elas no meio da aeronave.

O aviao era um Boeing 737 e devia ter mais de 10 anos de uso e estava quase totalmente lotado, e depois de viajar em classe executiva parecia ainda mais apertado, pelo menos serviram refrigerante e deram 2 pacotinhos de amendoin pelo atraso. Normalmente eles dao apenas um.

O voo foi bem curto em cerca de 1 hora ja estavamos nos preparando para pousar no aeroporto de Buffalo Niagara no estado de Nova Iorque, como minha mala estava no meio do aviao acabamos sendo quase os ultimos a desembarcar.

Gracas a Deus por ser um voo domestico nao prescisamos passar pela imigracao, pegamos um Sonata, ja que estamos mais acostumados com o carro, como trouxemos nosso GPS nao tivemos grandes problemas para chegar ao nosso hotel.

I was beginning to worry just  a bit since I had not heard anything from  the 47th occupant of that lofty office in a while. But as if on cue, up pops two examples of  the Biden factor. One can be characterized as political while the other is a bit harder to define. It isn’t really thuggish behavior but overly boorish and sort of amusing.

First, the political. As is possibly the case with many leading Democrats, the 2010 elections are on Biden’s mind. At this point, he is not as confident a she would like to be. His comments are from a fundraiser held on  September  21 in Greenville, De for Arizona Rep Gabrielle Giffords. A fundraiser held in Delaware for a member of Congress from Arizona. Gotta love politics. Anyway, Biden made reference to House seats currently held by Democrats but in traditional Republican districts. He said that  a loss of 35 of such seats wold doom the president’s agenda. Or in his words, “be the end of the road for what Barack and I  are trying to do.” He went on to say that the retention of those seats would bring in a real era of bipartisanship. It would  then embolden  Republicans to move away from party dictates and vote their convictions, i.e., the Administration’s way. Sorry, Mr Vice-president, you lost me there. (Biden’s comments were reported by ABC  White House reporter Karen Travers.) Depending on who is counting and what time period is used, average mid-term House losses  are around 25 seats.

Biden plays golf. Newsworthy, not unless he plays with Tiger Woods, you  might say. Well, he didn’t, but it still is and amusing as well. it happened in Las Vegas, how appropriate is that. The members only club in question is The Golf Club at South Shore and it took place a week ago today.

It seems the Mr Biden was in town for  a fund-raiser for Rep Dana Titus, D, Nv and wanted to get in a round on the links. The call  came in early Sunday morning from a Biden staffer and the PGA pro running the pro shop declined, citing the  club’s membership policy. Gotta wonder if he still has a job? Not to be deterred, another call came in and  theses words ensued,”you know the vice president would really like to play.” (Know what I mean?) Apparently the connection worked and the club reversed its decision, said membership director Mark Barrett. Biden and his people arrived about 11:00 am, played 17 holes and left. He does know that around consists of 18 holes, right?

Afterwards, Barrett could laugh about it saying it gave the club a boost of needed publicity during  a time when it could really use it. Suppose that Biden left one those economic stimulus at work signs? His score, who knows. Doesn’t what happen in Vegas stay in Vegas?

Delaware Blue Hens vs. University of Pennsylvania Quakers

The Palestra

November 21, 2009

Preview

Penn has its first home game of their season as the 0 – 2 Quakers host the Delaware Blue Hens who are also looking for their first win of the season.   Penn  has lost to Penn State and Villanova while Delaware has been beaten by Temple and Bucknell.

Darren Smith, Guard, leads Penn with a 12 per game average.  Forward Jack Eggleston averages 11.  For Delaware Guard Jawan Carter average 17 for Delaware. 

Both teams look for victory number one.

1st Half

A good start for Penn as Jack Eggelston and Rob Belcore stoked Penn to a 20 – 8 lead off steals, fast breaks and 3’s.  Guard Rob Belcore had 7 points and Jack Eggelston 5 at the 12:30 mark.  The lead would grow to 18 points at 26 – 8 after Darren Smith hit back to back 3’s forcing a Delaware timeout with 11:37 remaining.  Penn’s outside shooters were open and had time to shoot.  Their shots were going in.

Delaware would get back into the game closing the gap to 32 – 24 with 7:33 to go.  Blue Hen Guard Alphonso Dawson lead he charge scoring 9 points during the run.  The game would get a bit more physical.  Jawan Carter was silent up to this point but he hit two 3 point shots to get Delaware to within 7 ( 39 – 32) at the 4:42 mark.

Penn took a 50 – 40 lead at halftime.  That is a lot of points for Penn who scored  55 at Penn State and 65 at Villanova for the game.

Zack Rosen led Penn with 12 points (5-5 at the foul line) while Forward Mike Howlett chipped in 11 (4-4 form the field).  Delaware Guard Alphonso Dawson led all scorers with 18 points (6-9 and 3-4 from 3) and Jawan Carter scored 12 (6-6 from the foul line).  Penn shot 58.3% from the field and hit 6 of 11 threes.  Delaware shot 39.3% and hit 5 of 13 threes.  Penn out rebounded Delaware 19 – 12.  The fouls were the big statistic in the half as Delaware committed 15 fouls, Penn had 13.  The game got physical and the officials needed to keep control.  It did not help the flow of the game as Penn went to the foul line 21 times (making 16) and Delaware shot 16 free throws (making 13).  Penn had the lead in “hustle stats” with 3 blocks and 5 steals.  Delaware had 1 blocked shot and 4 steals.  Penn had 7 turnovers to 6 for Delaware.

What will the pace of the second half look like?  How many may foul out?

2nd Half

The second half started with no discernable flow, just a continuation of fouls and 3’s.  Delaware was committing more fouls.  At the 11:50 mark the Blue hens had 8 team fouls to 3 for Penn. 

The lead for Penn was 9 at the 15:  46 mark after Jawan Carter made 3 free throws for Delaware.  Penn answered by scoring 8 of the next 10 points to go ahead 67 – 52 with 11:50 to play. Penn Forward Jack Eggleston scored 6 of 8 Penn points during that run.  Delaware would not go away as they scored the next 6 forcing a Penn timeout.  The score was Penn 67 Delaware 58 with 9:58 to play.

 With 8:45 remaining in the half Penn Guard Zack Rosen committed his 4th foul, a key loss for Penn who led 69 – 60.  Rosen returned to make 2 foul shots, then went back to the bench at the 5:59 mark with Penn ahead 77 – 69.  Delaware would respond with a 3 by Alphonso Dawson and a drive by D.J. Boney to get back to 77 – 74.  Rosen returned to the game, and Jack Eggleston made a 3 to give Penn an 80 – 74 lead with 4:11 to go.  Jawan Carter made a 3 and with 2:29 to go it was Penn 80 Delaware 77.  With 1:09 on the game clock Penn’s Darren Smith went to the basket, but was called for a charge giving Delaware the ball in a 1 possession game.  D.J. Boney hit a 3 with 43.9 seconds to tie the game at 80.  Zack Rosen went to the basket on Penn’s next trip.  His layup with 12.6 seconds put Penn ahead by 2.  Delaware went for the win as Jawan Carter put up a 3.  He missed, but Forward Hakim McCullar tapped in the miss at the buzzer to force overtime.

At the end of regulation the score was 82 – 82.

Overtime

Penn’s Zack Rosen’s 3 and Delaware making 1 of 4 free throws gave Penn an 85 – 83 lead at the 2:09 mark.  To this time the Blue Hens had yet to hit a basket in the overtime, but Penn had only one basket, the Rosen 3.   Each team continued to miss free throws.  With 6.8 seconds remaining Penn’s Zack Rosen fouled Delaware Guard D.J. Boney.  Rosen fouled out on the play.  Boney converted both free throws, Penn missed a shot at the buzzer.

At the end of the first overtime the score was tied at 87.

Double Overtime

Penn would have to play the rest of the game without point guard Zack Rosen and Rob Belcore.  Both teams continued to play a game of attrition.  Delaware took the lead with 55 seconds left on a Malcolm Hawkins basket.  On Penn’s next possession Forward Mike Howlett was called for a travel.  Delaware would make 3 of 6 foul shots to put the game away that really was not decided until the final horn sounded.

Delaware Guard Jawan carter led all scorers with 35 points.  He shot 6 – 13 from the field and 4 – 10 3 point field goals.  However, he was an outstanding 19 – 26 from the free throw line.  Alphonso Dawson contributed 28 (10-16 FG, 5-7 3 FG, 3-3 FT).  Also scoring in double figures was Malcolm Hawkins who had 12.  Delaware shot 45.3% for the game and made 10 of 25 3 point shots.

Zack Rosen led Penn with 25 points (6-12 FG, 3-6 3FG, 10-11 FT).  3 other Penn players scored in double figures;  Jack Eggleston scored 19, Darren Smith contributed 17, and Mike Howlett chipped in with 14.  Penn shot 45.5% for the game, 35.7%  from 3.

The key stat was free throw shooting.  Delaware was 29 – 42 while Penn was 34 – 50.  Each team had ample opportunities to put this game away from the free throw line, but did not.  In overtime Penn made 2 of 6 free throws. Forward Dan Monckton missed 2 with 17.8 seconds left.  In the second overtime Penn was a meager 3 of 8.  Delaware  was slightly better.  In the last 1:16 of the first overtime period they shot 4 of 6 as Jawan Carter made 3 of 4 and D.J. Boney made 2 to send the game into double overtime.  In that second overtime Delaware made 6 of 10 free throws.

Delaware gets their first win of the season as they are 1 – 2.  They prepare for a game at Siena on November 24. 

Penn drops to 0 – 3 with their next game on November 24 at home against Drexel.

Written by:  Glenn Papazian   

Hihowareya? Bean here. Vacation was great. Spent a few days in Virginia, Delaware, and especially Maryland, the state I chose for State #6 on my Haircuts Across America tour.

I see that the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas 2009 concerts were announced and then sold out while I was gone.It looks like another great show and I want to congratulate you if you were lucky enough to win or buy tickets to either night. See you there!

Catching up on the news I missed while I was gone and saw the top story of the week. Sure, Oprah made headlines., so did Sarah. But Megan Fox did a new photo shoot and that is what I am talking about.

The Kevin and Bean show returns to full strength Monday morning at 5:30. We might even be funny by time you wake up so be sure to tune in.

P.S. I like the new KROQ blog layout too. How about you?

 Experience, what is it really ? Well it can be defined as something that you have lived through. It can be defined as , observation of or participation in events resulting in or tending towards knowledge.

  We tend to put  a lot of  emphasis on a persons experience when talking of their ability to do a job, and rightly so.

  If we are looking for people to fill a technical job experience is very important. If we are seeking to fill a skill position, again experience is often preferable.

  But in all of these cases at some time these experienced people had to gain that experience. We are not born with experience.

  I drove my first truck when I was ten on the farm. My father came home for lunch in it , and had parked it beside the house. While he was eating he told me to take it down to the barns and turn it around. It took me about fifteen minutes of twisting and turning , but I did it and without hitting anything.

  I had no experience driving trucks before that and here I was being allowed to drive a ten wheeler. My father evidently saw something in me that told him it was time to give me a shot. He trusted me to take my time and to be careful. He felt that I wouldn’t be careless and reckless. That being said , if I had knocked down the side of a barn I wouldn’t have been driving anything for quite a while.

  Now when we discuss choosing candidates for elected offices we often discuss their experience and qualifications.

  Let me say that when running for office I believe the most important qualifications are to be motivated to improve the quality of life for those you represent, to have a desire to do the job, and that you are honest with yourself and those you represent , even when it may cost you your position.

  As for experience, I happen to think that in some cases , especially politics, experience can be a negative.

  I think that we have come to a point , that we must abandon the practice of re-electing people to office simply because they have years of experience in the job.

  What do we get from this practice ? Well we get leaders that have experience working the political system to ensure that they get re-elected and little else. We get leaders that have spent decades working so closely with lobbyist that they feel more beholden to the lobbyist than they do to the voters. We get arrogant leaders who feel that they can vote for any piece of legislation that they want , even when it is contrary to the wants and desires of the voters. These leaders begin to take for granted that their re-election is a given,  they no longer feel that they are answerable to the citizens.

  Is this what we need at a time when this country is being tested to the point of breaking, by an out of control congress and a President that wishes to change the very fabric of this nation? Do we need more of the same old experience, do we need to send back time and time again the people who have gotten us to this point in the first place ?

 I say no ! I say what we need , are people with fresh ideas and who have none of the ties to the political machines. People who don’t owe decades of favors to lobbyist and special interest groups. People who are motivated to work to improve the lives of those they represent.

 This is why I believe it is time to send Mr. Castle home for a long rest so that he can write his memoirs . Mr. Castle has those years of experience that I have described above. He is also one of those people who has gotten us into the mess we are in today.

  I believe Christine O’Donnell is our best bet to elect someone who is motivated to improve the lives of the citizens of Delaware and the nation.

  I believe that by electing Christine O’Donnell to be the next U.S. Senator from Delaware we can break the cycle of sending back to Washington someone who’s main interest is to be re-elected. Someone who will speak the truth to the people, even when it is hard to hear.

  There are many within the GOP who will say , “Christine O’Donnell ? Oh yes , she is a great candidate, but she needs EXPERIENCE . She should run for dog catcher,or for the town council of some small western Sussex town .”

   What they are really saying is that she hasn’t paid her party dues yet. She hasn’t worked the system enough. She hasn’t licked enough party leadership boots.

  Christine O’Donnell is about to face a very tough primary. That is unless enough pressure can be brought to bear upon Mr. Castle and or the GOP leadership to demonstrate that the GOP rank and file will not support Mr. Castle and that for the good of the party he should stand down.

 It is highly unlikely that Mr. Castle will see this truth, until he is dealt his first defeat in many years, in the GOP primary.

  My advice to Ms. O’Donnell is to trust the voters, trust the people who supported her through the write in campaign and her growing support in her last run for the Senate. I would say to her to not listen to the party leadership when they tell her , it’s just not the right time, that she should step aside for someone with more experience.

 I say that if Christine O ‘Donnell is true to herself and honest with the voters and holds to her conservative principles , that she can be the person that breaks the strangle hold that the liberals have held for too long on this state.

 The question that GOP voters will be asked during the primary is, will we settle for more of the same from Mr. Castle , or will we demand better, and vote for Christine O’Donnell ?

Were You Still Wearing The Underwear When You Woke Up?

In Delware, The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington says it is obligated to keep paying retirement benefits to confirmed pedophiles.  There was a motion filed to keep paying retirement to six actual confirmed pedophiles, after the Church filed for Chapter 11 protection.

 In what freaking way is the Church feeling ‘obligated’, to support these disgusting people? Just because you work in a so-called “Holy” place, and you wear a robe, you are automatically entitled to benefits no matter what disgusting, immoral and illegal things you do? You automatically get a “Get-out-of-jail-free” card because your old, and because your a priest? What the f? Child molesters should be put to death! Especially those abusing authority, and religious positions with a church–those priests should be put to the front of the line! Better yet, they should be put in jail. That way they can be tortured before they die, tortured like the children they touched. Those children will have issues for the rest of their lives.

How a Church defends and supports those who hurt children, I cannot ever understand. It is disgusting. According to Wilmington Bishop F. Malooly, the diocese has spent $6.2 million to settle sex abuse cases since 2002.