Real Estate Marketplace - Some very good news - overheard from several local agents, the market is picking up. Remember there is the trickle down effect..
Sandpearl Resort Opens In August - Clearwater Beach's first luxury property in 25 years will feature 253 guest rooms. The resort will employ approximately 200 people.
Many nearby business owners are eagerly awaiting the opening in anticipation of new customers. A very good project for the beach!!
Trees In The Middle Of Sidewalks? - On Clearwater Beach, thanks to the approval of Clearwater officials, tropical trees can be found in the middle of beach sidewalks. Yes, trees.
The interesting news?
Some think this sidewalk obstruction is a good thing, "Really not all that bad," said one official.
When questions about wheelchair accessibility and legal liability of pedestrians walking into a sidewalk tree are asked, answers seem to support the trees. "It's not all that bad."
Perhaps this creative Clearwater sidewalk project will become a thing of the future and used by other nearby cities when thinking of beautifying pedestrian sidewalks. It could be that the folks in Clearwater are visionaries like when they supported the roundabout project and roundabout (car wash) water-fountain. After all, it's only taxpayer money!
Speaking of Sen. Bill Nelson And Other Elected Officials - Much like Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Florida Sen. Bill Nelson doesn't spend much time addressing Florida issues.
Where is Sen. Bill Nelson? Fact-finding (?) in Africa.
Gov. Charlie Crist? Touring Israel.
Clearwater City Commissioners? Visiting Philadelphia Phillies.
Illegal Immigration Is The Number One Issue For Republicans - Most conservative Republicans do not support amnesty for illegal immigrants. In fact, most Americans do not support amnesty for illegals in America, regardless of how some politicians dislike using the word "amnesty."
This issue has split the Republican Party and could result in a disaster at election time for Democrats.
President Bush has been out of touch with the GOP for a couple of years. In fact, history may conclude that it was Bush who helped to bring down the GOP while President. Bush, of course, supports Sen. Ted Kennedy and Sen. Hillary Clinton's ideas for amnesty.
Interestingly, there are Democrats who do not support amnesty for illegals, same for many Republicans. But, there is a move in Washington, in great part led by President Bush and Sen. Ted Kennedy, to grant amnesty for illegals in America. Yes, this amnesty is not called amnesty by those who support allowing illegals to stay in America, but the truth of the matter is that it is amnesty.
However, this amnesty bill is no cure-all - - rather, this is a poison pill. This amnesty bill will result in an irrevocable change in America's history. America will fast-track to a form of socialism, big government, higher taxes and greater entitlements for people who refuse to work.
Don't buy into the words from Washington clouding what is clearly amnesty for million of illegals in America. Do you really think illegals would pay back taxes, go back to their home country and pay a $5,000 fee to enroll for future citizenship?
Rev. Billy Graham - A frail and ailing Rev. Billy Graham, age 88, was recently honored by past Presidents during the dedication of the Rev. Billy Graham Library at Charlotte, North Carolina (not far from his childhood farm home.)
Rev. Graham is the most widely known Christian evangelist of all-time. His message always related to salvation through the grace of God's son Jesus. It is reported that Rev. Billy Graham had preached this uncomplicated message to over 200 million people. Graham is now retired and his son Rev. Franklin Graham, who looks and talks much like his father, now runs the Graham Ministries.
Over all the years that Rev. Billy Graham interacted with Presidents and world leaders, you never read negative things associated to him. He led by example and his religious message was simple-- perhaps that is why so many people were eager to listen. Rev. Graham did not seem to care what religious denomination one belonged to, rather, he shared a message of good news for all people. Millions of older folk can remember watching a tall, good-looking "southern" young man on black-and-white television preaching a message to large crowds. Former Presidents George Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were present at the dedication ceremony
Expenses Of Former Presidents -- So, you wonder what it costs taxpayers for the lifestyle of former presidents!
Here are some of the costs associated with the three living former Presidents according to the Washington Post:
In 2008 former President Bill Clinton had taxpayer-funded expenses of $1.16 million. This is over double needed by Jimmy Carter and over triple requested by George Bush.
Clinton's response to the high taxpayer bill? "Taxpayers are getting a bargain!" reported a Washington Post writer.
Telephone bills?
Clinton's phone bill was $79,000-- $17,000 for Bush and $10,000 for Carter.
Former Presidents receive a pension of $191,000 per year, but Clinton wants another $10,000 for health insurance expenses. Of course, there is also secret service protection.
This does not include speaking engagement fees, book deals and other investment income.
U.S. Attorneys - U.S. Attorneys work at the pleasure of the President. Call them political appointees or beneficiaries of being well-connected. Getting an appointment is not about where you went to law school or your law school class ranking.
When a new President is elected, many U.S. Attorneys are dismissed and new ones appointed, much like when Bill Clinton was elected (and previous Presidents.) Out with old political appointees, in with the new. It's a political appointment process.
However, it makes you wonder why the media is giving so much attention to the manner in which a dozen or so current U.S. Attorneys were dismissed. Some have called it the left-wing agenda led by Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Ted Kennedy, Sen. Hillary Clinton, etc. In other words, any topic that might help to discredit the current President and GOP administration can, and will, become topical news (every day.)
When the next President is elected this topic should again become big news (when remaining U.S. Attorneys are dismissed and new ones appointed.) However, if a Democrat wins, you may never see the new Democrat appointees as a news article.
The 2008 election is important considering the Presidential appointment power of appeals court justices and Supreme Court justices. Every vote will be important in 2008 to help determine if America remains more conservative or more liberal regarding social issues such as how marriage is defined, how late-term abortion is defined, how to deal with illegal immigration and, on a fiscal note, if taxes will be increased .
Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) - Actor and former Sen. Fred Thompson is "testing the waters" in is quest to join other Republicans in the 2008 Presidential race.
How might Fred Thompson fare?
He probably would win the GOP Florida primary.
Rudy Guiliani?
Second.
The Democrats?
Osama first, Clinton second.
