Clearwater's City Budget - Taxpayers in Clearwater still think the city budget has some fat that could be eliminated. Some folks are wondering whether some police substations could not be consolidated with resulting taxpayer expense savings. In fact, same expense savings could be true for a few small Clearwater sub-libraries. The list of current expense items that could be cut from the contemplated city budget could also include some other items.
Would additional expense cuts result in a meaningful lowering of the city tax rate?
Probably not much; but, there would be a tax cut. And, to many Clearwater taxpayers, any tax cut is a move in the right direction.
More cuts from the proposed city budget?
There is growing supporting Clearwater for more tax cuts. Time will tell whether this movement results in more city discussion about the proposed city budget.
9/11 - Americans were in a state of shock on September 1, 2001, after watching two hijacked airliners plunge into the World Trade Center twin towers.
Terrorists on 9/11 also used a hijacked plane to hit the Pentagon, and another plane whose destination was Washington, D.C., crashed in the woods in Pennsylvania due to heroic efforts of several passengers. Many innocent Americans were killed on 9/11 by terrorists.
Americans became united in an effort to combat other terrorism acts on American soil and supported a "get tough" attitude against terrorists.
President Bush quickly instituted military efforts to combat terrorism (wherever it might be found.)
The manner in which people could travel on airlines changed after 9/11 as well as other proactive measures to help eliminate terrorism acts on American soil.
Is it likely that there will be an act of terrorism on American soil in the near future?
Yes.
With over 20 million illegal immigrants crossing American borders, there are assuredly many terrorists in the U.S. planning to cause trouble.
How tough should we Americans get in protecting our homeland and citizens from acts of terrorism?
You tell me. The way I see it, we're not tough enough on protecting our borders.
Headline Should Make Us Angry - "A Divided World Remembers 9/11," was the headline at one news source on Monday morning. "Divided world" was stressed by the news source that published the article about nations in the world that do not like America.
Of course, the article went on to say that America had international sympathy after 9/11, but that international sympathy for America is now gone due to the war against terrorism and Iraq.
What? Nations in the world were once friends of America before 9/11?
Is there anyone in America, excluding the socialists in Hollywood, that questions the belief that many nations around the world hated America before 9/11 and still hate America after 9/11?
The events of 9/11 merely resulted in a short reprieve of typical animosity towards America and Americans by the French, German and other nations who have been anti-American. To think that some people would believe that there are nations around the world that changed their opinions of America due to 9/11 is foolish. There are clearly nations around the world that do not care if Americans are killed by terrorists. Divided world? Yes, there was, and is, anti-American sentiment around the world. Such was true prior to 9/11 and exists today. No surprise.
However, when it comes to looking for money or other help, they look to America with a wide open hand.
Imagine if liberals had charge of America. We'd have open borders, no registration for elections, socialism, free healthcare (of course, fewer doctors), nationalized pension system causing a 70 percent tax bite, abortion clinics on every street corner, no rules on who could run for office, no big business (none would dare incorporate in America), open and free trade around the world, a huge welfare department and list could go on and on.
The reminder of 9/11 should be a wake-up call for the next general election in November. Can we afford more liberalism in America? I wonder what senior citizens from the Greatest Generation (WWII) would say about all of these things. Pearl Harbor was not New York City, but we Americans were attacked by an enemy that does not wear uniforms and does not claim one nation as their home . . . and they will attack again!
Please Katie, Don't Forget Other Workers - Katie Couric is cute enough to entice people listen to her opinions regardless of the facts.
Smoke damage to firemen due to 9/11 was Katie's recent big story.
Katie and a least one doctor in New York say New York firemen have been forever damaged due to smoke inhalation. Can't work . . . or at least can't do their previous on-site firemen jobs. Work comp claims?
One New York attorney might push this issue to the courts for monetary resolution. And at least one Congressman running for election wants to pass a law to award more funds.
Are there firemen who have been harmed due to smoke inhalation? Yes.
Should they be compensated? Yes.
BUT . . .
Katie, what about coal miners who breathe coal dust every day of the working year? Yes, they accept the risk just like firemen in performing their jobs. What about steelworkers who breathe orange and black smoke in working to help keep America's shrinking steel industry from leaving American. What about other American workers who work in places where fiberglass or asbestos is in the air?
Should any of these workers be compensated if they are adversely affected by such work hazards? Yes, just like the firemen in New York.
9/11 will long be remembered due to heroic efforts by many New York firemen. Many are true heroes. But Katie has taken a side of 9/11, smoke inhalation damages, and has tried to make it sound like other American workers don't have same or similar health issues.
Claims for firemen in New York?
Yes.
But, the same is true for other workers. Where does one find the money to compensate workers who accept hazardous jobs? Workmen's compensation claims.
Doctors, Religion and Medical Care - There is a growing phenomenon in the practice of medicine - bringing a doctor's faith into the medical care and treatment. Growth of this special type of medical practice is now noted throughout the United States and crosses many types of medical specialties.
Although this form of medical care, doctors who bring their religious faith into medical practice is not new, reports of such growth throughout the U.S. is just being reported in places like the Washington Post.
Many of us know doctors who bring their religious faith into practice.
Those doctors believe there is good medical practice, which they all subscribe to, and then there is healing beyond what can be explained by use of modern medicine. Such special healing, therefore, is something those doctors recognize as coming from a higher power.
Faith in a supreme healer that acts in ways beyond modern comprehension?
Yes, that is what some doctors are saying.
Of course, those people who have religious faith believe those doctors are correct in the manner in which they conduct their medical practices. Those who are not religious do not believe such doctors are practicing good medicine. Thus, depending on whether one is religious or not may help to determine how one views the practices of some doctors. Liberal scholars in Wisconsin and California have already attacked doctors who bring religion into medicine. Such liberal medical scholars would like to see all doctors avoid religion or a supreme healer.
Is there reason to believe that modern medicine can't explain why some near-death patients are healed in a miraculous way? The answer is, yes. There are factual cases every year where people are healed in a way that modern medicine can't explain. Folks tend to refer to such healing as miracles (beyond understanding.)
I wonder is there anyone who objects to miracles?
Defensive Line Coach a Nudist? - Imagine a young lady waiting on a man sitting in his car nude while waiting for his "meal to go" package. Yet, that is exactly what occurred in Detroit to a waitress at a fast food place.
The male driver? Defensive line coach for the Detroit Lions football team.
Matt Millon of the Lions organization stated he would quickly deal with the problem. Matt, you have a nudist line coach. What's to think about!
Saved the Armadillo at Clearwater Pass - As my son and granddaughter were motoring out Clearwater Pass they noticed a floating grey animal drifting out to sea. Upon closer inspection, they noticed it was a live, large armadillo . . . swimming with its head held high. After netting the tired animal, which was most grateful, they released it at Sand Key Beach. The armadillo quickly headed for the trees and a happy ending.