The Way I See ItBy cj pollickBeach Re-Nourishment Sand Key is on the schedule for beach re-nourishment in late 2010 on early 2011. Speaking of Sand Key, the Sand Key Civic Association will have to take a stand on offshore drilling at some point. The issue of offshore drilling has been debated by many organizations, and the question remains: Do we support sensible offshore drilling? New Community Center In Largo Groundbreaking for the new multi-million dollar Largo Community Center is this Saturday. Citizens and supporters are invited to this groundbreaking event. Fishing May Be Affected Record fish kill from recent cold temperatures will be apparent when the water warms. Snook, redfish, and other game fish will be found floating in nearby coves and inlets. Another Global Warming Misrepresentation Former VP Al Gore has made millions of dollars proclaiming our urgent need to stop global warming, however; most respected scientists do not agree with Al Gore. Those scientists proclaim that global warming and cooling patterns follow historic weather cycles. When the United Nations published a piece proclaiming that global warming would result in the loss of glaciers in the Himalayas by 2035, respected scientists wondered what study confirmed such a fact. They recently found a little known Indian scientist named Syed Hasnain who made the comment, however; when asked about his research and study, Hasnain admitted that his glacier melting assertion was not based on scientific research, but was based on "speculation" and opinion. Glaciers in the Himalayan mountain range are hundreds of feet thick and could not melt, even during warmer weather periods, more than one or two feet a year, explain weather experts. Is global warming causing glacier melting in the Himalayas? No scientific evidence, yet the UN published such a statement as if it had scientific research to support the claim. Thus, another global warming myth debunked. Warm weather? NFL Playoff Picture As expected, the Colts and Peyton Manning had their way with the Baltimore Ravens and Ray Lewis last Saturday. Next, the Colts must face the surprising New York Jets, (who upset the San Diego Chargers). Will the Colts have their way with the Jets, as they did the Ravens? The game will take place at Indianapolis Sunday, January 24th, at 3 p.m. Then there is the perhaps the most interesting playoff match between the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints. The Saints appear to have their high-powered offense in peak performance, while the Vikings, led by Bret Favre, have one of the best defenses in professional football. The two NFL titans will meet in New Orleans this Sunday, January 24th, at 5:30 p.m. CST. Many of us would love to see "old man" Brett Favre win the Super Bowl this year! Projected winners by Las Vegas odds makers? Colts and Saints. Haiti Earthquake destruction in Haiti has decimated the people, business, government, and most all places of habitation. The island nation is in full collapse and its leaders are seeking help from around the world. And, of course, many nations are offering help. Even though there are some television ads saying that the best thing one could do is send cash, such an action might not be the best. Corruption by some unsavory people during times such as this could result in the loss of some of that money. As we give to help the cause of Haiti, use respected sources when giving cash. Church ministries usually have people and connections in Haiti that could directly help the people. Check to see if your church or synagogue has such a direct connection to help the people of Haiti. Haiti needs our help, but we should be careful when donating cash. Referendum On President Obama Massachusetts's voters sent a clear and convincing message to leading democrats at the White House on Tuesday. The message? We do not support the direction you are leading the nation. GOP Scott Brown beat democrat Martha Coakley for the senate seat. Even though liberal media outlets will bury the stunning election in Massachusetts, it is difficult to imagine a republican beating a democrat, and thereby winning former Sen. Ted Kennedy's seat (the man who pushed before Barack Obama for national health insurance). The democratic candidate for the senate seat, Martha Coakley, appeared to have full support from the Democratic Party, and also had President Obama campaigning for her in the closing days of the election. In Massachusetts on Monday, Obama proclaimed to voters, "Coakley would vote for the healthcare bill and Scott Brown would not. We need your vote for Coakley". Only several weeks ago, Coakley had a 30% lead over Brown for the senate seat; however, polls reflected a close race at the end of last week and Brown leading in polls as of last Thursday by as much as 5%. This was an amazing turn of events for Brown, who kept talking about the major issue in America being jobs and not healthcare. Brown had these talks with citizens while driving in his older truck (that became a talking point for President Obama). Brown's conservative comments and down-to-earth personal demeanor resonated with independent voters and 22% of democrat voters in Massachusetts. The result was a stunning victory for Brown in one of the most liberal states in America. What did some voters say after the election? One voter stated, " I don't like the direction President Obama is taking us". As crowds of supporters chanted, "Seat him now!", Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) said, "It would only be fair to postpone votes on the healthcare bill until Brown is seated". Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said, "The people of Massachusetts have spoken". On Wednesday the Secretary of State in Massachusetts will confirm the election to the senate and Brown will be seated in the US Senate. This was a stunning loss for the White House. Political pundits began to talk about the fallout of Brown's victory in Massachusetts. How will democrats in more conservative states fare in 2010 mid-term elections? How will Brown's win affect the manner in which President Obama will push for national healthcare, higher taxes, out-of-control federal and stimulus spending? More than one political commentator expressed troubles for incumbent candidates in 2010. One of reasons to worry about re-election? "Tea Party" supporters. One Florida official who most likely followed the stunning upset Tuesday evening, was Gov. Charlie Crist. Crist, according to one commentator on national television, could lose to upstart candidate Marco Rubio (who seems to have growing support from Independent "Tea Party" voters in Florida). Crist, interestingly enough, had the same 30% lead over Rubio only a few months ago, and that lead has fully evaporated in latest polls. Rubio and Crist are virtually tied in latest polling data. As expected, some liberal sources are now blaming Coakley as a weak candidate; however, the message was as clear in Massachusetts as it was in Virginia and New Jersey (where GOP candidates won recent elections). Voters do not support the direction Barack Obama is leading the nation. Jobs should be are our top priority and not national healthcare. How might this election further affect Florida's Sen. Bill Nelson (who supports national healthcare)? He should be in trouble, but perhaps he has time to change his views on this subject and save his political senate seat. Time will tell. Happy Birthday Jim! Happy birthday to Sheriff Jim Coats who is celebrating his birthday today, Thursday, January 21st. If you see him wish him a happy birthday! "Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly" |