A New Playground in Allentown!

We are lucky to have a wonderful park system in Allentown. Our family spends a lot of time at parks and on playgrounds. We take advantage of the Muhlenberg School playground, where our son can stay after school and play with his friends. Other than the school playground, which has old equipment, and is like a swamp after it rains, there are no other public playgrounds in the west end of Allentown. This is why I am excited about plans for a new fully accessible destination playground to be built at Allentown's Cedar Beach park. According to the mayor, this playground will "consist of the latest technology and most innovative playground equipment available." Wow, that sounds great!

Unstructured play is so important to a child's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development. Childhood obesity is a problem in this country. Too many kids stay home and play video games or watch television. Too many parents use television as a babysitter. The American Heart Association advocates for one hour of play a day for kids.

Our community is changing and growing. There are more children. Children of all ages can benefit from a new playground. New playground equipment looks more like big modern sculptures for kids to explore and be creative. These newer structures are safer than the old equipment, and are handicap accessible. They are also designed with less flat surfaces, which helps to deter graffitti. And it's free fun! I know that there are many Allentown children (and parents) who will benefit from the new playground.

A New Playground in Allentown!

We are lucky to have a wonderful park system in Allentown. Our family spends a lot of time at parks and on playgrounds. We take advantage of the Muhlenberg School playground, where our son can stay after school and play with his friends. Other than the school playground, which has old equipment, and is like a swamp after it rains, there are no other public playgrounds in the west end of Allentown. This is why I am excited about plans for a new fully accessible destination playground to be built at Allentown's Cedar Beach park. According to the mayor, this playground will "consist of the latest technology and most innovative playground equipment available." Wow, that sounds great!

Unstructured play is so important to a child's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development. Childhood obesity is a problem in this country. Too many kids stay home and play video games or watch television. Too many parents use television as a babysitter. The American Heart Association advocates for one hour of play a day for kids.

Our community is changing and growing. There are more children. Children of all ages can benefit from a new playground. New playground equipment looks more like big modern sculptures for kids to explore and be creative. These newer structures are safer than the old equipment, and are handicap accessible. They are also designed with less flat surfaces, which helps to deter graffitti. And it's free fun! I know that there are many Allentown children (and parents) who will benefit from the new playground.

Jury Tosses DA Jim Martin's Murder Case in an Hour

Let's "read between the lines" of the always helpful to Jim Martin Morning Call "newspaper" account, shall we ...

Morning Call "newspaper" account

Jury acquits 2 men of murder

1 hour: Fast verdict spares Allentown man death sentence

Following a nine-day trial, a Lehigh County jury needed only about an hour Friday to acquit two men of murder.

Translation: Prosecutor DA Jim Martin's office busted their butts on this case (9-day trial) but the jury blew it in favor of the guilty killers.

By Kevin Amerman

Of The Morning Call

... and Bill Villa, Of Lehigh Valley Somebody

April 25, 2009

Despite DNA evidence, an alleged motive and witness testimony that prosecutors said showed the two men gunned down 30-year-old Rahiem Melvin in an Allentown alley in 2004 in front of his pregnant girlfriend and the woman's child, the jury found Sylvester Nelms and Wayne Jarrett not guilty of homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide.

Translation: The jury blew this case, not DA Jim Martin, obviously these two were guilty.

After the 12-member jury announced its verdict at 2:10 p.m., Nelms, 37, of Allentown wept as he rested his head on the defense table by his attorney Philip Lauer while 28-year-old Jarrett of Easton hugged his lawyer, John P. Karoly Jr.

Translation: Despicable parasite defense attorneys (and not an incompetent DA Jim Martin) have put two killers back on the street.

Teary-eyed, Nelms, who faced the death penalty if convicted, put his hand up and thanked the jury as it exited the courtroom.

Translation: Remember OJ doing the same thing?

Jury members were led out before others were permitted to leave. They were quickly escorted to their cars by sheriff's deputies and could not be reached for comment.

Translation: The jury of "killer lovers" wouldn't even comment, they just ran away in shame like the OJ jury did.

Nelms and Jarrett, also known as Wayne Benn, were taken to Lehigh County Prison but were expected to be freed by Friday night.

Translation: They'll be bragging to their criminal buddies how their lawyers helped them get away w/ murder.

''Justice is served, justice is served,'' said Jarrett's mother, Joan Jarrett, as she exited the courtroom. ''My son has never been guilty.''

Translation: What would you expect his mother to say?

Josephine Felton testified that Melvin, her boyfriend at the time he was killed, was so threatened by Nelms that the couple moved several times. She said Melvin spotted a car matching the description of Nelms' car a few times on Jan. 23, 2004. She saw it again in the 200 block of E. Winton Street in Allentown at about 2:30 p.m. The cars came together and Felton said shots were fired from the other car, which contained two men wearing ski masks.

Translation: The jury blew this case, not DA Jim Martin, obviously these two were guilty.

Melvin's chest absorbed four of the seven shots. Two ski masks containing DNA matching Nelms' and Jarrett's DNA were found within two blocks, police said. Leotta Smith, the girlfriend of Nelms at the time, told police during one interview that Nelms came home that day and told her ''I put him [Melvin] down.''

Translation: The jury blew this case, not DA Jim Martin, obviously these two were guilty.

Besides the physical evidence, authorities said they uncovered a motive. Nelms, police said, blamed Melvin for luring him to Larry Holmes' Ringside Restaurant in Easton in May 2003, where Nelms was shot by another man. Tracy Campbell, 35, of Easton was charged with shooting Nelms in 2003, but the case was dismissed in February 2008. Nelms said he couldn't say for sure that it was Campbell who shot him.

Translation: The jury blew this case, not DA Jim Martin, obviously these two were guilty.

Nelms took the stand Wednesday and Thursday and said he believes Campbell not only shot him, but also shot Melvin. He said Campbell and his cohorts could have stolen a car that looked like his and planted DNA evidence near the scene to frame him.

Translation: The jury blew this case, not DA Jim Martin, obviously these two were guilty.

Nelms said Campbell could have killed Melvin because Melvin refused to cover up the 2003 shooting.

Attorneys in the case Friday didn't speak with the jurors, so they were unsure if the jury bought Nelms' theory or just believed Nelms and Jarrett were not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Translation: No one from The Morning Call spoke w/ any of the jurors neither.

''I think the speed with which they rendered the verdict was to send a message that these two men should not have been defendants in this case,'' Karoly said. ''Based on the evidence, I don't see how it could be anything but [an acquittal].''

Translation: Despicable parasite defense attorneys (and not an incompetent DA Jim Martin) have put two killers back on the street.

Karoly and Lauer argued that police focused only on Nelms and Jarrett and refused to consider others who could have killed Melvin. The lawyers also said witnesses who testified against the men were unreliable and in some cases had ulterior motives.

Translation: Despicable parasite defense attorneys (and not an incompetent DA Jim Martin) have put two killers back on the street.

The prosecutor in the case, Lehigh County Chief Deputy District Attorney Christie Bonesch, said she was disappointed but, ''We respect the jury verdict.''

Translation: The jury blew this case, not DA Jim Martin, obviously these two were guilty.

After the jury left the courtroom, Jarrett hugged Karoly and thanked Judge Robert L. Steinberg for being ''very fair'' and treating him with respect. The one way you can make me feel better is to never see me again,'' the judge replied."

Translation: Hmm, well I guess it is possible that two innocent men were wrongly charged here ... and that justice was indeed served ... but ... more likely the jury blew this case. Heck, even the judge seemed pissed off.

Readers: Either 2 guilty killers walked in this case because of an increasingly erratic and incompetent DA Jim Martin ...

or ...

2 innocent men were wrongly charged in this case because of an increasingly erratic and incompetent DA Jim Martin.

It was one or the other.

And for the 2nd time in as many months, a Lehigh County jury has seen through DA Jim Martin's prosecutorial incompetence quickly, see LVS, March 1, 2009

And once again, The Morning Call tells us absolutely nothing about the defense's winning case.

The Morning Call will not lay a glove on DA Jim Martin, no way, no how.

Is anyone interested in WHY this is?

Read > THE DIRTY FACTS ON DA JIM MARTIN

Essential Reading > WHY WE FIGHT

Jury Tosses DA Jim Martin's Murder Case in an Hour

Let's "read between the lines" of the always helpful to Jim Martin Morning Call "newspaper" account, shall we ...

Morning Call "newspaper" account

Jury acquits 2 men of murder

1 hour: Fast verdict spares Allentown man death sentence

Following a nine-day trial, a Lehigh County jury needed only about an hour Friday to acquit two men of murder.

Translation: Prosecutor DA Jim Martin's office busted their butts on this case (9-day trial) but the jury blew it in favor of the guilty killers.

By Kevin Amerman

Of The Morning Call

... and Bill Villa, Of Lehigh Valley Somebody

April 25, 2009

Despite DNA evidence, an alleged motive and witness testimony that prosecutors said showed the two men gunned down 30-year-old Rahiem Melvin in an Allentown alley in 2004 in front of his pregnant girlfriend and the woman's child, the jury found Sylvester Nelms and Wayne Jarrett not guilty of homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide.

Translation: The jury blew this case, not DA Jim Martin, obviously these two were guilty.

After the 12-member jury announced its verdict at 2:10 p.m., Nelms, 37, of Allentown wept as he rested his head on the defense table by his attorney Philip Lauer while 28-year-old Jarrett of Easton hugged his lawyer, John P. Karoly Jr.

Translation: Despicable parasite defense attorneys (and not an incompetent DA Jim Martin) have put two killers back on the street.

Teary-eyed, Nelms, who faced the death penalty if convicted, put his hand up and thanked the jury as it exited the courtroom.

Translation: Remember OJ doing the same thing?

Jury members were led out before others were permitted to leave. They were quickly escorted to their cars by sheriff's deputies and could not be reached for comment.

Translation: The jury of "killer lovers" wouldn't even comment, they just ran away in shame like the OJ jury did.

Nelms and Jarrett, also known as Wayne Benn, were taken to Lehigh County Prison but were expected to be freed by Friday night.

Translation: They'll be bragging to their criminal buddies how their lawyers helped them get away w/ murder.

''Justice is served, justice is served,'' said Jarrett's mother, Joan Jarrett, as she exited the courtroom. ''My son has never been guilty.''

Translation: What would you expect his mother to say?

Josephine Felton testified that Melvin, her boyfriend at the time he was killed, was so threatened by Nelms that the couple moved several times. She said Melvin spotted a car matching the description of Nelms' car a few times on Jan. 23, 2004. She saw it again in the 200 block of E. Winton Street in Allentown at about 2:30 p.m. The cars came together and Felton said shots were fired from the other car, which contained two men wearing ski masks.

Translation: The jury blew this case, not DA Jim Martin, obviously these two were guilty.

Melvin's chest absorbed four of the seven shots. Two ski masks containing DNA matching Nelms' and Jarrett's DNA were found within two blocks, police said. Leotta Smith, the girlfriend of Nelms at the time, told police during one interview that Nelms came home that day and told her ''I put him [Melvin] down.''

Translation: The jury blew this case, not DA Jim Martin, obviously these two were guilty.

Besides the physical evidence, authorities said they uncovered a motive. Nelms, police said, blamed Melvin for luring him to Larry Holmes' Ringside Restaurant in Easton in May 2003, where Nelms was shot by another man. Tracy Campbell, 35, of Easton was charged with shooting Nelms in 2003, but the case was dismissed in February 2008. Nelms said he couldn't say for sure that it was Campbell who shot him.

Translation: The jury blew this case, not DA Jim Martin, obviously these two were guilty.

Nelms took the stand Wednesday and Thursday and said he believes Campbell not only shot him, but also shot Melvin. He said Campbell and his cohorts could have stolen a car that looked like his and planted DNA evidence near the scene to frame him.

Translation: The jury blew this case, not DA Jim Martin, obviously these two were guilty.

Nelms said Campbell could have killed Melvin because Melvin refused to cover up the 2003 shooting.

Attorneys in the case Friday didn't speak with the jurors, so they were unsure if the jury bought Nelms' theory or just believed Nelms and Jarrett were not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Translation: No one from The Morning Call spoke w/ any of the jurors neither.

''I think the speed with which they rendered the verdict was to send a message that these two men should not have been defendants in this case,'' Karoly said. ''Based on the evidence, I don't see how it could be anything but [an acquittal].''

Translation: Despicable parasite defense attorneys (and not an incompetent DA Jim Martin) have put two killers back on the street.

Karoly and Lauer argued that police focused only on Nelms and Jarrett and refused to consider others who could have killed Melvin. The lawyers also said witnesses who testified against the men were unreliable and in some cases had ulterior motives.

Translation: Despicable parasite defense attorneys (and not an incompetent DA Jim Martin) have put two killers back on the street.

The prosecutor in the case, Lehigh County Chief Deputy District Attorney Christie Bonesch, said she was disappointed but, ''We respect the jury verdict.''

Translation: The jury blew this case, not DA Jim Martin, obviously these two were guilty.

After the jury left the courtroom, Jarrett hugged Karoly and thanked Judge Robert L. Steinberg for being ''very fair'' and treating him with respect. The one way you can make me feel better is to never see me again,'' the judge replied."

Translation: Hmm, well I guess it is possible that two innocent men were wrongly charged here ... and that justice was indeed served ... but ... more likely the jury blew this case. Heck, even the judge seemed pissed off.

Readers: Either 2 guilty killers walked in this case because of an increasingly erratic and incompetent DA Jim Martin ...

or ...

2 innocent men were wrongly charged in this case because of an increasingly erratic and incompetent DA Jim Martin.

It was one or the other.

And for the 2nd time in as many months, a Lehigh County jury has seen through DA Jim Martin's prosecutorial incompetence quickly, see LVS, March 1, 2009

And once again, The Morning Call tells us absolutely nothing about the defense's winning case.

The Morning Call will not lay a glove on DA Jim Martin, no way, no how.

Is anyone interested in WHY this is?

Read > THE DIRTY FACTS ON DA JIM MARTIN

Essential Reading > WHY WE FIGHT

The "Going Green" Bonanza

I do what I can to "go green." I recycle, drive a small economy car, walk, turn off lights, try to consume less, because I believe it is the right way to live. But lately I feel like I have been bombarded with "green" products. Seems like companies are enticing consumers to buy their new "environmentally friendly" stuff so we can all feel good about saving the planet as we consume. Kinda like environ mental health for consumers. But how legitimate are the claims that these companies are making?

Reynolds wrap makes a new aluminum foil made from 100% recycled aluminum. I can't believe they just got the idea to use recycled aluminum for tinfoil. What were they doing before? According to their website http://www.reynoldsrecycled.com/index.html, the recycled foil is made from "post consumer aluminum such as stadium seats, automobile components, cookware, gutters and siding." So that's what they did with the old Yankee Stadium seats.

There are new "green" cleaning products, paper products and all sorts of stuff. Sometimes I wonder if it is the same old crap in a different package. Actually, the new green stuff could be a lower grade product, but it's still the same price, and sometimes even more pricey. The paper products sure feel a little lighter. What about all that wasteful packaging? A bag of potato chips is still only like 1/3 full. Isn't all that extra packaging bad for the planet?

Wouldn't it make more sense to just use less stuff or omit some products from your life altogether? Like bottled water for example. I could live without that. What a scam, and a waste of plastic. And do I really need to buy a different cleaning product for each surface? I think Fantastick works fantastic on most surfaces.

In a survey done for the Canadian government by a group called "TerraChoice", just 2 percent of self-proclaimed green products (from US and Canada) make completely legitimate claims on their labels.

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE53E6RS20090415?rpc=62

Happy Earth Day Weekend! Go outside and enjoy the warm weather.

Photo of Trexler Park by Gianni Villa age 7

The "Going Green" Bonanza

I do what I can to "go green." I recycle, drive a small economy car, walk, turn off lights, try to consume less, because I believe it is the right way to live. But lately I feel like I have been bombarded with "green" products. Seems like companies are enticing consumers to buy their new "environmentally friendly" stuff so we can all feel good about saving the planet as we consume. Kinda like environ mental health for consumers. But how legitimate are the claims that these companies are making?

Reynolds wrap makes a new aluminum foil made from 100% recycled aluminum. I can't believe they just got the idea to use recycled aluminum for tinfoil. What were they doing before? According to their website http://www.reynoldsrecycled.com/index.html, the recycled foil is made from "post consumer aluminum such as stadium seats, automobile components, cookware, gutters and siding." So that's what they did with the old Yankee Stadium seats.

There are new "green" cleaning products, paper products and all sorts of stuff. Sometimes I wonder if it is the same old crap in a different package. Actually, the new green stuff could be a lower grade product, but it's still the same price, and sometimes even more pricey. The paper products sure feel a little lighter. What about all that wasteful packaging? A bag of potato chips is still only like 1/3 full. Isn't all that extra packaging bad for the planet?

Wouldn't it make more sense to just use less stuff or omit some products from your life altogether? Like bottled water for example. I could live without that. What a scam, and a waste of plastic. And do I really need to buy a different cleaning product for each surface? I think Fantastick works fantastic on most surfaces.

In a survey done for the Canadian government by a group called "TerraChoice", just 2 percent of self-proclaimed green products (from US and Canada) make completely legitimate claims on their labels.

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE53E6RS20090415?rpc=62

Happy Earth Day Weekend! Go outside and enjoy the warm weather.

Photo of Trexler Park by Gianni Villa age 7

Impeaching Bybee Would Be a Start

Federal Judge Jay Bybee, who serves on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, should be impeached for authoring the Bush torture memos
which were written to provide legal immunity for illegal, immoral, and sadistic acts of torture, i.e., waterboarding.

Impeaching Bybee would be a good start in bringing all the Bush administration war criminals to justice. People at the top, and that means former Attorney General

Alberto Gonzales, President Bush, and Hissing Viper VP Dick Cheney should be prosecuted and held accountable for their war crimes.

The New York Times is calling for Bybee's impeachment.

According to the torture memos, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was waterboarded 183 times in a month, which is 6 times a day. Now I'm no fan of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, but if this waterboarding method of torture is so effective, then why did it need to be administered almost 200 times in a one month period? And what was its yield regarding actionable anti-terrorism information? Zero (gulp), Zip (gulp), Nothing (gasp).

To guarantee that these immoral (and ineffective) criminal acts are never repeated, and to restore our reputation in the world, we need to act on this now. It's not "looking back" because this issue is very front and center to who we are right now as a nation, and what we stand for.

It is a mockery of our "justice system" that someone with judgement skills as awful as Jay Bybee's be allowed to hold a lifetime seat as a Federal Judge! Judge Jay Bybee should be impeached and disbarred, ASAP.

By releasing the memos, President Obama has shown his commitment to transparency in government. I understand that he has to focus on the economy right now and that the Justice Department should handle this. But I also must register my disappointment with our new President that he, a constitutional law professor, has not yet come out and said there must be prosecutions for violating the law-- no matter how high up the previous administration the long arm of the law reaches. I also see this as a failure of Congressional oversight by the Democrats and the Republicans over the last 8 years, because they were both afraid to stand up to the bully Cheney/Bush administration. They can reassert their authority now by initiating impeachment proceedings starting with Jay Bybee and proceeding upward from there.

Don't worry Rs, you know Dick Cheney has a suicide capsule in his jacket pocket :) we'll never take him alive.

W? He won't even see it coming.

Impeaching Bybee Would Be a Start

Federal Judge Jay Bybee, who serves on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, should be impeached for authoring the Bush torture memos
which were written to provide legal immunity for illegal, immoral, and sadistic acts of torture, i.e., waterboarding.

Impeaching Bybee would be a good start in bringing all the Bush administration war criminals to justice. People at the top, and that means former Attorney General

Alberto Gonzales, President Bush, and Hissing Viper VP Dick Cheney should be prosecuted and held accountable for their war crimes.

The New York Times is calling for Bybee's impeachment.

According to the torture memos, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was waterboarded 183 times in a month, which is 6 times a day. Now I'm no fan of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, but if this waterboarding method of torture is so effective, then why did it need to be administered almost 200 times in a one month period? And what was its yield regarding actionable anti-terrorism information? Zero (gulp), Zip (gulp), Nothing (gasp).

To guarantee that these immoral (and ineffective) criminal acts are never repeated, and to restore our reputation in the world, we need to act on this now. It's not "looking back" because this issue is very front and center to who we are right now as a nation, and what we stand for.

It is a mockery of our "justice system" that someone with judgement skills as awful as Jay Bybee's be allowed to hold a lifetime seat as a Federal Judge! Judge Jay Bybee should be impeached and disbarred, ASAP.

By releasing the memos, President Obama has shown his commitment to transparency in government. I understand that he has to focus on the economy right now and that the Justice Department should handle this. But I also must register my disappointment with our new President that he, a constitutional law professor, has not yet come out and said there must be prosecutions for violating the law-- no matter how high up the previous administration the long arm of the law reaches. I also see this as a failure of Congressional oversight by the Democrats and the Republicans over the last 8 years, because they were both afraid to stand up to the bully Cheney/Bush administration. They can reassert their authority now by initiating impeachment proceedings starting with Jay Bybee and proceeding upward from there.

Don't worry Rs, you know Dick Cheney has a suicide capsule in his jacket pocket :) we'll never take him alive.

W? He won't even see it coming.

Giving "Credibility" to Snakes

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) is a disgraced ex-member of Congress. In 2005, a Texas Grand Jury indicted DeLay on criminal charges that he conspired to violate campaign finance laws. Republican Conference Rules forced him to resign temporarily as House Majority Leader.

In Jan 2006, he announced he would not return to his position, but in March 2006 he ran and won the Republican primary election, but in April 2006 he withdrew from the race and resigned his seat in Congress. DeLay is currently facing charges of money laundering and conspiracy to launder money. He has connections to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Two of his former aides were convicted in the Abramoff scandal. You may remember DeLay as being outspoken and w/ out shame in the Terri Schiavo case. He has adopted Rush Limbaugh's stance of wanting President Obama to fail and has called Obama a "Marxist."

Q. Why would Chris Matthews have Tom DeLay on Hardball or give any credibility to DeLay? He didn't challenge DeLay much, and let him rattle on. Do you think Matthews did this to make the R's look like fools? Have the whacky extremists become the mainstream in the Republican Party?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#30252790

Giving "Credibility" to Snakes

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) is a disgraced ex-member of Congress. In 2005, a Texas Grand Jury indicted DeLay on criminal charges that he conspired to violate campaign finance laws. Republican Conference Rules forced him to resign temporarily as House Majority Leader.

In Jan 2006, he announced he would not return to his position, but in March 2006 he ran and won the Republican primary election, but in April 2006 he withdrew from the race and resigned his seat in Congress. DeLay is currently facing charges of money laundering and conspiracy to launder money. He has connections to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Two of his former aides were convicted in the Abramoff scandal. You may remember DeLay as being outspoken and w/ out shame in the Terri Schiavo case. He has adopted Rush Limbaugh's stance of wanting President Obama to fail and has called Obama a "Marxist."

Q. Why would Chris Matthews have Tom DeLay on Hardball or give any credibility to DeLay? He didn't challenge DeLay much, and let him rattle on. Do you think Matthews did this to make the R's look like fools? Have the whacky extremists become the mainstream in the Republican Party?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#30252790

Time 4 Tea Baggers!

April 15 Tax Day is "Tea Party" Protest Day!

But I'm confused. What, exactly, are these angry "Teabaggers" protesting?

Why are they so outraged at President Obama? Tax rates haven't increased. In fact, Obama is cutting taxes for 95% of Americans. Only the wealthiest 5% will have their taxes "raised" back to the same level they were during the Bill Clinton economic BOOM years and way, way less than what they were during the (genuflect now please) Reagan administration.

Where were these angry patriot protesters when GW Bush was on a dry-drunken spending spree for 8 years?

Do they blame Obama for TARP?

What exactly has Obama done that is so (impeachment-worthy? really?) wrong in his first 90 days on the job?

Okay, so he's a Muslim (and a terrorist) and a socialist (and a Negro) and not even an actual American and his wife's arm muscles are bigger than McCain's. Other than this stuff, I mean.

Is it because Obama will "spread your wealth around" and "take away your guns?"

Hey, teabaggers, maybe Obama should take away your Social Security and Medicare benefits. These are socialist (FDR, LBJ, boo, hiss) programs after all. How 'bout that?

Fact is, today's patriotic (wink wink) Tea Parties were created purely to placate a bunch of cry baby sore loser Republicans. Well-spoken Conservative Andrew Sullivan describes the movement as "Tea Tantrums," brilliantly, here.

And don't be fooled: GOP teabagging is no grass roots movement. The movement across America to successfully elect Barack Hussein Obama President, now that was a grass roots movement. Plus, the whole Tea Party idea was stolen from the Libertarians and Ron Paul. Fox News created this faux Tea Party protest movement and they're promoting the heck out of it. FreedomWorks, a national Conservative lobby, is funding it. Faux News is gonna cover it (after creating it) like it's some legitimate big news event. It ain't. It's a fauxin' joke. 

So what's next for these GOP teabaggers?

Charity balls?

That might excite their shrinking base.

Time 4 Tea Baggers!

April 15 Tax Day is "Tea Party" Protest Day!

But I'm confused. What, exactly, are these angry "Teabaggers" protesting?

Why are they so outraged at President Obama? Tax rates haven't increased. In fact, Obama is cutting taxes for 95% of Americans. Only the wealthiest 5% will have their taxes "raised" back to the same level they were during the Bill Clinton economic BOOM years and way, way less than what they were during the (genuflect now please) Reagan administration.

Where were these angry patriot protesters when GW Bush was on a dry-drunken spending spree for 8 years?

Do they blame Obama for TARP?

What exactly has Obama done that is so (impeachment-worthy? really?) wrong in his first 90 days on the job?

Okay, so he's a Muslim (and a terrorist) and a socialist (and a Negro) and not even an actual American and his wife's arm muscles are bigger than McCain's. Other than this stuff, I mean.

Is it because Obama will "spread your wealth around" and "take away your guns?"

Hey, teabaggers, maybe Obama should take away your Social Security and Medicare benefits. These are socialist (FDR, LBJ, boo, hiss) programs after all. How 'bout that?

Fact is, today's patriotic (wink wink) Tea Parties were created purely to placate a bunch of cry baby sore loser Republicans. Well-spoken Conservative Andrew Sullivan describes the movement as "Tea Tantrums," brilliantly, here.

And don't be fooled: GOP teabagging is no grass roots movement. The movement across America to successfully elect Barack Hussein Obama President, now that was a grass roots movement. Plus, the whole Tea Party idea was stolen from the Libertarians and Ron Paul. Fox News created this faux Tea Party protest movement and they're promoting the heck out of it. FreedomWorks, a national Conservative lobby, is funding it. Faux News is gonna cover it (after creating it) like it's some legitimate big news event. It ain't. It's a fauxin' joke. 

So what's next for these GOP teabaggers?

Charity balls?

That might excite their shrinking base.

A Teachable Moment

Yesterday, I took our 7 year-old son to a small playground to climb monkey bars, run around, and make movies with his cool camera that "Nee-Nee and Pappy" bought for him. When we arrived, there was not a soul around, and I was anticipating a relaxing respite of basking in the afternoon sunshine in a quiet space.

When I went to sit down on a bench, I noticed a bird had gotten its one leg stuck between the wooden slots of the bench and was flailing around trying to get free. The bird's leg was wedged very tightly and was bleeding.

I tried, unsuccessfully, to free the bird's leg by using a small stick. I knew I could not just leave this bird there to die, while the crows and the hawks waited in the trees above licking their bird lips. I tried pouring some water between the slots of wood. That didn't work. So who do I call?

I called the Humane Society, and they told me they don't deal with wildlife rescue. They referred me to "Helping Hands" in the Poconos. They referred me to a woman who rescues eagles, and her husband told me there is no one locally who could help me and that I should try to help the bird myself. He instructed me to grab the bird with my hands and pour dishwashing liquid between the slots of the bench and the bird's leg would slip free. Well, just as I was about to get some soap (I had some hand wash in my car), a park maintenance man pulled up to empty the trash cans. I showed him the trapped bird and he went back to his truck and got a screwdriver. He was able to loosen the slots on the bench so the bird could free its leg and finally fly away into a nearby tree! Thank you!

I felt good that I did not leave the bird there to die. Our son felt good too. For me, there is a deeper meaning to this story than just helping a poor, trapped little birdie. I think it was a teachable moment which I used to show my child that there can be good results in life if you try to help. You can always figure out ways to help a living creature that's trapped because you care. The care you give to a helpless bird (or ... puppy) can also be extended to humans who are suffering. Yep.

Life can be really cruel, and sometimes people find themselves trapped, like the little bird with a bloody leg-- who would not stop fighting for his (or her) life. We shouldn't be afraid to do what we can do to help, if we believe that is the right thing to do-- even if there are menacing crows and hawks hovering, ready to pounce and devour.

Photo of trapped sparrow by Gianni Villa

A Teachable Moment

Yesterday, I took our 7 year-old son to a small playground to climb monkey bars, run around, and make movies with his cool camera that "Nee-Nee and Pappy" bought for him. When we arrived, there was not a soul around, and I was anticipating a relaxing respite of basking in the afternoon sunshine in a quiet space.

When I went to sit down on a bench, I noticed a bird had gotten its one leg stuck between the wooden slots of the bench and was flailing around trying to get free. The bird's leg was wedged very tightly and was bleeding.

I tried, unsuccessfully, to free the bird's leg by using a small stick. I knew I could not just leave this bird there to die, while the crows and the hawks waited in the trees above licking their bird lips. I tried pouring some water between the slots of wood. That didn't work. So who do I call?

I called the Humane Society, and they told me they don't deal with wildlife rescue. They referred me to "Helping Hands" in the Poconos. They referred me to a woman who rescues eagles, and her husband told me there is no one locally who could help me and that I should try to help the bird myself. He instructed me to grab the bird with my hands and pour dishwashing liquid between the slots of the bench and the bird's leg would slip free. Well, just as I was about to get some soap (I had some hand wash in my car), a park maintenance man pulled up to empty the trash cans. I showed him the trapped bird and he went back to his truck and got a screwdriver. He was able to loosen the slots on the bench so the bird could free its leg and finally fly away into a nearby tree! Thank you!

I felt good that I did not leave the bird there to die. Our son felt good too. For me, there is a deeper meaning to this story than just helping a poor, trapped little birdie. I think it was a teachable moment which I used to show my child that there can be good results in life if you try to help. You can always figure out ways to help a living creature that's trapped because you care. The care you give to a helpless bird (or ... puppy) can also be extended to humans who are suffering. Yep.

Life can be really cruel, and sometimes people find themselves trapped, like the little bird with a bloody leg-- who would not stop fighting for his (or her) life. We shouldn't be afraid to do what we can do to help, if we believe that is the right thing to do-- even if there are menacing crows and hawks hovering, ready to pounce and devour.

Photo of trapped sparrow by Gianni Villa

Case Closed Already?

Related Morning Call "newspaper" Story 

Morning Call reporter Brian Callaway contributed to this story. 

Interestingly, Brian then waded into the fray at The Morning Call "Forum" to ask some questions.  

One Forum commenter posed this excellent question to Callaway, that is, so far, unanswered ... 

Brian Callaway: There's an investigation in progress on this matter. Should The Morning Call be putting forth so much opinion and speculation as to what actually happened here with your provocative headline and first paragraph? It reads like the case is already "closed." Isn't that DA Jim Martin's job?

[Photo: DA Jim Martin] 

Case Closed Already?

Related Morning Call "newspaper" Story 

Morning Call reporter Brian Callaway contributed to this story. 

Interestingly, Brian then waded into the fray at The Morning Call "Forum" to ask some questions.  

One Forum commenter posed this excellent question to Callaway, that is, so far, unanswered ... 

Brian Callaway: There's an investigation in progress on this matter. Should The Morning Call be putting forth so much opinion and speculation as to what actually happened here with your provocative headline and first paragraph? It reads like the case is already "closed." Isn't that DA Jim Martin's job?

[Photo: DA Jim Martin] 

The Arts and Social Capital

I don't have a background in economics or sociology, but I know that the term social capital refers to the value of meaningful human interaction-- cooperation, understanding, building trust, bridging social gaps, easing ethnic tensions. High social capital strengthens a community. Low social capital leads to an intolerant and corrupt society and citizens who are apathetic about their local government. It becomes difficult to identify problems and find solutions. Crime increases. The concept of social capital has been obscured by our current economic panic.

Community arts events and artist groups help to build social capital which can result in actual capital for a city. Therefore, cultural events should not be eliminated when a city is struggling. The arts should not be viewed as just peripheral activities in a city.

A 1996 study found that two thirds of all major city arts agencies in the US were involved in crime prevention, 9 out of 10 involved in helping at risk youth, 9 out of 10 involved in raising cross-cultural awareness (Source: United States Urban Federation, June 1996 Report on the Arts Councils in the 50 largest US cities). So putting the arts on the back burner is not a good idea if a city wants to improve. Smart government leaders can see the interconnectedness and synergy of it all, and the value of the arts. It's more than just pretty pictures for your walls, and it's not just a luxury reserved for the wealthy class.

In Italy, a study of Italian regional government found a strong relationship between the number of choral societies and the effectiveness of government. Apparently, communities that sing together are happy with their government! (Source: Robert D. Putnam, Making Democracy Work, 1993.)

There is a mountain of evidence that arts programs keep kids safe, prevent crime, and beautify shabby neighborhoods.

Art also brings joy to people's lives, and joy makes us more willing to reach out and connect with each other. (Source: Michael Argyle, In Pursuit of the Quality of Life, 1996).

When people attend a cultural event or join a community arts group, they can discover shared understandings. When they participate in creating art, music, or dance, they can learn from each other, become more accepting of differences, respect each other more, and build friendships. The arts are unique in that way.

Dollars and cents aren't the only way to define a successful society. For example, in Canada they developed "Canada's Genuine Progress Index"(GPI) which is a measure of national well being > http://www.gpiatlantic.org/gpi.htm It has five parts: time use (volunteerism, housework and childcare, leisure time), natural capital, human and social capital, human impact on the environment, and living standards. Perhaps we should develop something like this in the U.S., because the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) does not measure human well being.

The GDP shows how much income we produce, but not how it is distributed-- and we know there has been a growing gap between the rich and poor in America.

Bob Lynch, President of Americans for the Arts, estimated that 10,000 arts organizations in the U.S. will close their doors this year. That's 10% of all arts organizations. Maybe during tough economic times, the non-profits and the arts institutions need to find new ways to demonstrate the value of the arts. Perhaps a model for assessing social capital is needed. People will spend time and money on something they feel is valuable in their lives.

I believe we need to create more social capital. Here are 150 things you can do to help create more social capital in Allentown > http://www.bettertogether.org/150ways.htm

Photo: HALA Community Mural at 5th and Gordon Sts., Courtesy Allentown Good News Blog