November 2009 Archives

These are uncertain times. But here's one thing we can rely on: No matter how horrific the tragedy, there's always going to be some vile jackass trying to bring out the worst in us.

Sorry if I'm a bit behind-the-news-cycle on this one. I'm still catching up after my flu-related hiatus.

So yes, I'm addressing the anti-Islamic backlash in the wake of the Fort Hood shootings -- most notably Pat Robertson's characteristically rabid take on it.

I get really irritated with these demagogues who try to present themselves as eminently reasonable. "Look, I'm not prejudiced. I'm just pointing out the simple fact that Muslims are evil, violent people. That's all."

As if there's really some rational framework for expressing the premise that every single one of the approximately 1.5 billion global adherents to a religion is a violent psychopath who wants to kill you. And yes, Robertson, Islam is a religion. Get it through your skull.

To be fair, I haven't seen the update of "V" either. I did see the original when it aired, though. The part where that woman unhinges her jaw and swallows a guinea pig? Maaaan! Thinking back on it, I still feel that disorienting sensation of being simultaneously terrified and strangely turned on.

Anyway ... the Obama administration as alien invaders? Shhhhh! Don't give the birthers any ideas!

Sorry for the lack of posts. I'm recovering from a bout of the flu. For a few days there, I didn't have much energy for anything besides reading and napping.

Once I started feeling better, one of the first things I did was go online to make sure that the latest round of Bonusgate allegations wasn't some bizarre fever dream I had while I was laid up.

Those allegations against former House majority leader John Perzel are pretty huge. When I first read them, I found myself thinking of that Dennis Miller joke about Bill Gates -- that he's "a monocle and a Persian cat away from being the villain in a James Bond movie."

Holy crap!

I'm not going to write a lot right now on the latest "bonusgate" charges from Attorney General Tom Corbett. I've just worked 12 straight hours, and I'll likely come in on my day off tomorrow to write a follow-up story.

Yeah, I know -- you don't read this blog to hear me whine.

But frankly, I'm still trying to absorb the whole thing. Believe me, this will give me plenty of blog-fodder in the weeks ahead.

I'll give you a link to Corbett's Website. This press release is actually a three-parter. When you read to the bottom, click on part 2 for the next chapter. It's actually pretty compelling reading, in a scary kind of way.

Very briefly: Former Speaker of the House John Perzel and a small cabal of supporters allegedly used more than $10 million in taxpayer money to set up a bunch of sophisticated computer systems designed to track voters and get Republicans elected.

If true, it means that Vince Fumo wasn't the only dangerous megalomaniac in the state legislature.

Here's the link.

On Wednesday, I usually put up a goofy video for Video of the Week.

This week, I thought I'd do something different. "Oh Danny Boy," was a favorite song of my Grandpa's, a veteran himself. From what I understand, it's subject to different interpretations. Some intepret it as a song about the Irish diaspora. Some as a farewell from a dying loved one.

The way it was always explained to me when I was a kid was that it's a farewell to a young man going off to war. That always made the most sense to me, in light of the lyrics "come ye back."

Isn't that what we wish for all servicemen and women? Come back safe. Come back whole. Just come back.

(The Pogues, incidentally, are one of my all-time favorite bands.)

Here's an Associated Press story about a bill that would ban texting while driving. The state House's Transportation Committee unanimously approved it, and it's now going to the floor for approval.

Just to make sure, I checked in with state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-West Manchester. He confirmed that, yes, it's the same legislation he tried to get passed earlier this year.

In April, DePasquale tried to introduce the ban as an amendment to a bill designed to improve teen safety on the road. The House narrowly defeated it, then passed a bill that would impose an additional $50 fine on those caught driving carelessly if they were also using a hand-held device.

So why the initial rejection? Is there really anybody out there who thinks texting while driving is a GOOD thing? As I mentioned to DePasquale during a phone conversation earlier today, it seems like the kind of thing that would be about as controversial as, say, a ban on smacking toddlers with socks full of steel ball bearings.

DePasquale has a theory about that, which he first voiced back in April.

So now the health care reform plan that passed in the House on Saturday goes to the Senate. How painful will that process be? Hmmmmm....

As I reported last week, U.S. Rep. Todd Platts, R-York County, has applied to take over as head of the Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C.

You can read about it here.

He's one of 17 or so applicants for the job, called "comptroller general." The other day, I was talking to my Dad (Hi Dad!) about it. My Dad speculated that since the president ultimately makes the appointment, Platts would be a long shot because Obama might want to save the appointment for a Democrat.

Granted, I'm no expert on the process. But I think Platts might have a good shot.

Wow. When the county commissioners announced a press conference after Wednesday's meeting, I was afraid it would be something boring.

Here's the story:

http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_13707394?source=most_viewed

Basically, two county parks have become hot spots for gay men making surreptitious hook-ups. County rangers have busted 81 of them in recent months, but it continues unabated.

All my Republican friends love this one.

Looks like the Republican picks -- Chuck Patterson and Harry Ness -- got elected as Common Pleas Court judges. I hope they're prepared for the kind of challenges awaiting them.

I was just talking to one of my colleagues on the sports desk about the mayoral race in York. He said there didn't seem to be a lot of campaigning, and he wondered if he'd missed it.

He hadn't.

Kim Bracey, the Democratic candidate, is virtually assured of a win. Independent Steven Young is running as a write-in, which is always a long shot under the best of circumstances. And Republican Wendell Banks, frankly, isn't a viable candidate. His big campaign platform is bringing an NFL team to York. And he's been making himself scarce in recent months, when a serious candidate would have been campaigning hard.

I just stopped by Alexander Goode Elementary School in York, site of my local polling place. The poll workers said they were wondering when I'd show up.

Well, there's one more incentive to vote every time: the knowledge that someone will be aware of it if I don't. That's OK. I always vote anyway. I actually get a kick out of it -- the feeling that I'm part of this big, important procedure.

And I take a certain pride in showing up during off-year elections. From interviewing people at the polls, I get the feeling I'm not the only one who feels that way.

It's the pride of a baseball fan who sticks with a team even through the losing seasons, or a music fan who was into a band before they got popular.

Voting for president? Hey, anyone can do that! We show up to vote for judges and school board members! We're hardcore, baby!