The Way I See ItBy cj pollickHappy New Year - As we prepare for 2010 many of us will give thanks for all of our many blessings and perhaps make a few New Year resolutions that we expect to keep. At the Gazette we give thanks to all of our staff members and affiliates that work every week to produce our local community newspaper. We also give thanks to our many advertisers and supporters who have helped to make the Gazette one of the areas most popular local news sources. And, as always, we encourage our readers to shop locally and support local businesses, especially during this national recession. Let's keep our money local! We give special thanks to our US military troops who are in harms way just to help protect our country and support the cause of freedom. We pray for our country, our elected leaders, and other people in authority that make decisions that could impact our lives. Resolutions? Hmmm, perhaps a few of these:
Drive safely, enjoy New Year's Day and may God bless you. Belleair Beach Bridge - If you drive across the Belleair Beach Bridge you will notice that construction crews are gone and only a few minor things need to be done at the adjacent boat ramp area. The $72 million bridge and causeway project that started in 2007 is completed; and, yes, it is an award-winning project. However, and perhaps one of the remaining items that might need some "tweeking" is the large county sign that proudly states that the boat ramp area is Belleair Boat Ramp and not Belleair Beach Boat Ramp. The City of Belleair was not a party to the bridge project. For those folks who remember the popular dog beach along the (old) Belleair Beach Causeway, (new) Belleair Beach Causeway dog beach will also be opened in about a week. The new boat ramp area should become a popular spot for local boat owners to use. Imagine, a boat ramp, fishing area, dog beach, area for sail-boarding, parking lot and area to simply relax and enjoy the waterfront view-- the new Belleair Beach Causeway has many things for local residents to enjoy. Kudos to everyone involved in this project. Man Of The Year - When you think about people who have stood-out above all other people the past year, you think of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Sarah Palin. However, there is another person, a non-politician that has stood-out above all others, his name is Glenn Beck. What has Glenn Beck done that could cause him to be awarded Man Of The Year? Perhaps it might be his 9/12 grass-roots citizen organization that caused many thousands of frustrated ordinary Americans to march on Washington, but got little media attention. Or, maybe it was his support of founding, what later came to be called, "tea parties" of frustrated Americans of all political persuasions meeting in small cities all across America (and still meet today.) Of course, the same Glenn Beck authored a book that became the nation's best-seller last year. But, no, Glen Beck wins this award because he regularly reveals news about government waste every day on his widely proclaimed television program on Fox Television. Glenn Beck is neither a Democrat or Republican, he is an Independent who reveals unsavory things being done in Washington to all concerned citizens. He is a patriot who holds American values and traditions vital to future generations. Man Of The Year? Glenn Beck. Woman Of The Year? A tie between Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin. Two women who made history in two different political parties. Let's Hope Good Tidings Reach Haiti - Each year The Way I See It relates a story about slavery in Africa and the Middle East. Yes, there is modern-day slavery in those parts of the world (and in many places within America, such as within Los Angeles. In Haiti it is reported that the number of slaves (unpaid household servants) is not 172,000, as once thought by UNICEF, but a much higher number, perhaps as high as 225,000 children in slavery. This number of enslaved children in Haiti is known around the globe by nations such as the US, Canada, England, France and Germany, and not much is done to stop such illegal trafficking. Rather, some people are more worried if an asteroid could hit earth or a "hole" in our atmosphere is warming earth's weather. UNICEF recently reported that these children are emotionally, physically and sexually abused over the course of their enslavement. In fact, it is reported that families that ship their children to another "home" often notice that the home where their children are being shipped may have some of their children living as slaves in another (better) home. Thus, this form of slavery has become an accepted as a way of life for many unfortunate families in Haiti.. Who cares? Not the people worried about climate warming. Strangely enough, and certainly not to belittle Al Gore and his climate friends, but Minnesota is bracing for the snowiest winter in 30 years. In Poland cold weather reportedly killed 79 people and heavy snow is a problem from Moscow to Milan... thus goes the story of cold (not warming) weather. Warm weather? Not in Washington DC or mid-Atlantic states where a major snowstorm dumped over a foot of snow right before Christmas. Let's hope our president addresses issues of slavery in Africa and Haiti as he addresses climate warming. It Is Sleazy - When Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina stated that concessions given to Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson for his vote on the healthcare bill by Democrat leaders in the Senate was "sleazy," he really meant it might have been illegal to support one state's exemption over all other states. But, as other Democrat leaders in the senate quickly added, there were many things given to some senators just to win their support for the controversial health bill. (The bill passed 60-40 with not one republican vote in support.) Strangely enough, this was the type of thing the national media criticized under previous presidential administrations, but no criticism for this outrageous act of Congress. Sleazy deal? You tell me. Resolution- Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. Benjamin Franklin. |