" NO MORE DAMN MALLS ..... BUT LOTS MORE CONDOS "

Good Morning People of Earth! .......... Well it has finely come full circle. The era of the Mall has passed. That mega shopping mart where you could find just about anything, just like the old time general store, but bigger! I am not against Malls, they do serve a convenience to the community, though they can be blamed for the demise of a lot of local small stores that couldn't afford the mall rents and there-by the exposure to the shopping public..... But alas it has come to it's end because of that very reason.....Mall Owners Greed.....the driving force in our society today.... if you ain't greedy you ain't going nowhere! Anyway..... You could say that by continual raising of the rents they drove out the very people they needed to stay in business? Go figure?
We now have entered the era, (again) mainly because of economic pressures on the communities, to re-open those small stores again but within the community. Lower rents, for now anyway, are the driving force but if history repeats itself then it will be back to that old stan-by....The Catalog Store!
Now on to the Condo issue......... Why do we need more Condos? Ain't we got plenty of empty ones now? Talk to the hand here people! Another nagging Question...If the outfit is going to buy the French Church Complex en-mass, pun intended, why is the Mayor involved? Wasn't that his argument that no one wanted to buy the whole package, so we were stepping in to help out? John...what is going on? Talk to the hand Mr. Mayor! Or better yet talk HONESTLY to the City Council! It will be interesting to see if anyone on the Council has the balls to ask that Question of the Mayor! OK...It's Your Dime!

CNN: John McCain's Baghdad Neverland

" JUST MORE DENIAL OF REALITY "

John McCain said that the Presidents new initiative is working so good that you can now wonder around Baghdad shopping for souvenirs in the now re-opened and thriving open air markets.

This is the reality of the Republicians, the White House, and John McCain!

This is the REAL reality!

" EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE "

Executive Privilege..... OK folks lets tackle this nonsensical, not in the Constitution, plucked outa thin air, a hide behind mechanism, issue. They all try to use it to hide behind when they don't want the truth to get out. Where did it come from? Who first used it? Why do they keep trying to use it when the Supreme Court already ruled on it? This hide behind tree could be used from the White House all the way down to a Council President. It flies in the face of transparency and accountability in government, and says, " I am the sole decider and what I do is none of your business " Work with me people!

" THEM vs US "- or - "THE HATEFUL vs THE COY"

This morning I did my usual routine of rising between 2am or 3am or there abouts, let the dog out for her wizz-poop, (not to be confused with whizz-poop) put on the coffee, suck in my medication that allowes me to function somewhat all day, then settled down at the puter to check on the state of the world. (I gotta get a life?) Then after checking the news, which is usually all bad, I turn to browsing the Blogs.
What seems to have been a recurring theme and discussed a lot on many of the blogs is that the Arts Community or those that associate themselves with them and the non Arts Community, or us longtime locals, as apposed to the new comers, taking sides against each other. Seems the newbies having come from more progressive and liberal communities want to model their new found home after the one they just left. Forgetting that the progressiveness and liberalism was probably the reason they left in the first place! Now us locals somewhat resent being told that we are undereducated, dumb, anti-art, regressive in our thinking, and our school system sucks......we already know this! But what pisses us off most of all is the newbies want to cram their life style down our throats. Not liking or seeing any meaning in a bunch of crushed up garbage sitting on a stick seems to put us in the Neanderthal Man category in their eyes.
Now having said all that what is now understood by the Art Community is that the Arts are not the Save All that it was touted to be in the beginning. (we are not going to say "We Told You So" ) They now realize that you need a diverse community with each endeavor complimenting the other. The radical, something for everyone idea.
North Adams may not be Shangrala but it is, even with all its faults, a great place to live!

" JUST WONDERING? "

A Question to those that may know...Why aren't there any E-Mail addresses for City Departments listed on the Town Web Page? Telephone numbers are listed.....20th century communication device.....but as far as being interactive.....21st century communication device, the Web Page is sorely lacking. It was my understanding that the NEW WEB PAGE was going to be more interactive and allow the citizens greater access to City Hall? Granted there are a few things that you can do over the net but on the whole the web page reads more like a Telephone Directory (The Yellow Book) than a web page. There are no City documents available other than permits for this that and the other, and no way to contact a Department with a question over the net. The telephone only allows access during working hours and if there is someone available. I bring this up because in an earlier Blog we discussed electric generation and I was curious as to how much the City paid for electricity. I went to the City Web Page thinking that that sort of information would be available, The City does publish a yearly report, journal, whatever, listing all sorts of information from salaries to status of city vehicles. Why isn't that available on the net? The City Web Page should, as well as being a Travel Guide for the Chamber of Commerce and Telephone Directory, it should also be a portal to information for it's citizens. How much do we pay for Electricity anyway?

" WHAT's NEW PUSSYCAT "

After reading in today's Eagle http://www.berkshireeagle.com/editorials/ci_5423321 their editorial on the "BLUEPRINT FOR THE BERKSHIRES" I am almost inspired to give the Mayor an a-a-a-a-a-pology. Seems that this very expensive, highly touted cure all, is nothing more than a rehash of common knowledge, things everyone on the street already knew. They produced no answers other than to tell us that the things that are really needed to revitalize the area are to expensive, to elusive, or beyond the scope of reality, (the Bypass) Good job guys!.. So why do we keep paying these ripoff artist to study what doesn't need studying? They wrap it up in a pretty package with a ribbon, give it a technical sounding name, pat themselves on the back, then take the money and run! Hell, they don't even spend the profit here in the Berkshires. Screw all those studies. They are useless and don't solve squat, just waste time and money. What is needed is less Studying and more Doing!

" GOOD OLD NORTH ADAMS "

I had to laugh the other evening when I was reading the Transcript article about how John III got all bent out of shape because the "lets develop the area, gang" didn't show up at City Hall with an oak leaf cluster head ban and a marching band paying tribute to our own "decider". Seems if they don't check in with him first and get his stamp of approval then it is a no starter and can't possibly succeed, ergo the Town will not have anything to do with it, much less he give a speech and share his experiences to help out. All that being said"

What everyone else seems to understand is that this is "NORTH ADAMS! No matter how you flower it up, paint, sell $300,000 condos (I gotta get me one of those before the rush starts), advertise, try to make us look like Williamstown, or South County or some other ritzy neighborhood, the fact remains....we are who we are and we just don't fit in and never will. We should feel lucky that they were willing to include us at all,..... I guess we don't have to worry about that anymore!

" FREE POWER ,kinda"

Well ...Good Morning Populace of The World. First the good news.....my (S) key is working again, I know that just makes your day. On to the real important issue of the day. ENERGY!
Let us start our journey with our Federal Governments Energy Policy....... hold on just a minute,... I'm still looking for it?... Seems I am unable to find it... It must be in some committee waiting for further clearafacation?........No!....I found it..........It is in the Vice Presidents Pocket...He won't let us see it though because of "Natural Security Concerns" and the "War On Terror" thing, and after all how can he do his job if everyone knows everything!.....Hmmm, I'm going to have to think on that one.
OK, on to the State of Confusion, I mean Massachusetts. Seems their policy changes with the wind,... (I put that in for the professor, :~) ) Anyway at the present time they seem to want to turbineize the State with windmills, but not where any self-important persons, like Senators, can see them. It is not a good thing to ruin the beauty of the view, you know? (White man speak with forked tong)(White man has two faces) etc....
Locally how can we lower our energy costs? Notice I didn't say energy needs! We live in an energy demanding and consuming world so for (Them, the energy producing and supplying corporations) telling me to conserve as a way to energy independence, is kind of an oxymoron of sorts. Again I would like to ask why we can't put our water power back into service? Instead of tearing down the dams, why can't we fix um up and power up the hydro generators? I don't think that there was even a feasibility study done to see if it would be cost effective. You don't need an outside expensive private enterprise to do the preliminary work. Hell... send out the City Engineer and have him make few measurements and make some calculations. He is after all on the City payroll and he is an Engineer! Dam...even if we just power up the municipal needs it would be a big savings for the City. What do you think? Wind power or water power?

" TIME WARNER UPLOAD SPEED "

Does anyone have any update as to what is the current situation with the high speed "Road Runner" upload speed? Is Time Warner going to rebate us for a broken contract or just drop our rate? I lost over 200 KB/s upload speed and that is a lot, we are not getting the same as with our Adelphia contract, which seems to me to be illegal. Any one ?

" THE STINK POLICE? "

Now isn't that just so silly? Instead of welcoming a new business and being thankful that they decided to settle here and add to the economy of the town, the mayor has to do his "Gorilla Chest Beating Act" and start to threaten the people with his " STINK POLICE ", even before they open their door. Good God, this town has more stinky places than you could wave a stinkometer at. And who decides what is "stinky" and what ain't? One man's stink may be another man's rose! Is their such a thing as an odorometer with preset graduations, so we know for sure what smells and what doesn't? It wouldn't be very fair to just depend on one individuals nose, what if he has a cold? Who would calibrate his nostrils? Do restaurants and dinners have to block off their exhaust fans now or get a certificate of "stinky smell Compliance" from the city hall? How about the dump? With the High School being so close and down wind, the dump is surely not within the limits of the odorous compliance rule? What do you think?
Anyway, the rest of us would like to welcome you and wish you success in your endeavor.

" TAX TIME "

I'm all a dither this morning. There is so much stuff out there this morning to blog about. But unfortunately it is all a bunch of crap laced with bull shit PR, and most of it is frosted over - same old, same old - hog snot lies and purposely directed propaganda, all packaged up nice and pretty for our daily brain fix, to go along with our morning injection of caffeine! So.... after long and comprehensive deliberation with my undisclosed (for reasons of national security and self preservation--mine) informants, I decided to pick out the biggest lie of them all ---" TAXES "
We bantered about this topic last year but we didn't seem to have made much of an impression on any one because things have seem to have gotten worse, not better. Is it just my imagination or have the forms become even more complex and vague and dependent on even more complex forms, for their completion? In one such instance...." If you give the IRS $300 something dollars....they will fill out the form for you" Holy shit, what gives there? I find it very disturbing that it is getting to the point where you have to be a tax lawyer to be able to fill out your tax forms.
Who dreams up these forms? Aren't they all based on some percent of some number for the outcome? Why all the mumbo jumbo? I guess my question for discussion today is " Why are they so complicated and confusing? " Isn't simple better? You make $100, you pay a given percent? Everyone pays the same percent of their income, starting just above the poverty line. We are talking gainful income here, not welfare or ssi or income to the disabled. That would be dumb and counter productive. IT's YOUR DIME!

" CASINO NORTH ADAMS "

It's a Casino stupid! Want to cure our monetary problems...build a Casino in North Adams Stupid! Most people wouldn't cross the street to look at a broken bolder on a string, but they will travel multi miles to lay down a bet! Oh the evils of gambling...hog snot, everyone gambles in North Adams and to pretend that we are some sort of puritonian upholders of the high and mighty righteous right is bull shit. It's in our nature so why not make some money from it? Maybe it is asking a lot that our people in charge have a little common since and foresight. I fail to see Dan Bosleys steadfast resistance to Casinos, when it is obvious that our neighboring states are sucking away dollars, lots of dollars, that should be staying in the state, and North Adams. Seems that he is putting his personal feelings before the interests of the majority of the people. Get with the program and stop thinking small and start thinking like a visionary. Maybe the city council could set up an independent study group and get some truthful unbiased numbers and input. That would certainly be a refreshing blast of spring air for North Adams. It's a Casino Stupid!

"JOB WELL DONE"

I would like to give a "JOB WELL DONE" to the Mayor and all the personal that are responsible for the snow removal in the City (town). It is not an easy task to keep our roads and side streets open in the face of such a storm that we had. Long hours and a true since of dedication to their job makes for a part of our city services that we seldom stop to appreciate, but is such a needed service. Again "JOB WELL DONE" to John Barrett and the city crews, and Thank You!

"SAME-OLD-SAME-OLD"

I was very disappointed at the City council. I really thought that they had gotten over "BOBBLIAGE" and had become a body willing to "ASK QUESTIONS" of John Barrett when ever he brought something before them, and try and get some honest truthfully factual answers from him before deciding anything.... And to meet when the only descending voice was out of town......Slick!

But back to the issue. Even if we sell one of the properties we still have to maintain the other two. Heating them and a certain amount of maintenance must be done. All costly to the City (town). Remember John Barrett said, "We were not going to make any profit on this! " Something really stinks here. Sounds fiscally irresponsible to me. How about the other buildings John Barrett bought, that were going to be developed by unknown developers, they seem to have vanished into thin air!? We still have yet to see anyone doing anything yet!

Are we going to preserve the school records that are stored in the basement of the school? My father and his siblings went to the French School as did many of your family with French heritage. Shouldn't they be preserved at the library, for they are as much part of the heritage of the town as the steeples, even more so!

Ask the Questions....it's is your duty to this City... not John Barrett!

" NORTH ADAMS REAL ESTATE AGENCY "

"The North Adams Real Estate Agency, John Barrett lll your friendly sales agent! Gimmy a break! I just have a couple of questions to ask that seem to shout out at me on the issue:
1. If there is an interested party (who min"t that be?) why are we acting as an agent for the French church?
2. Did Mr. Alcombright excuse himself from the voting? A conflict of interest surely exists by his being on the finance committee for the catholic parishes?
3. As the planning board has the ultimate decision and they do what John Barrett says, then the City (town) has complete control over anything that is done with the property already, without having to purchase it, as has been shown with past City (town ) involvement in projects.
4. Are we also going to buy the other City (town) Churches when they come up for sale? The same arguments can be made for them also. They are all part of the heritage of the Town and are no less important than the French Church.

Personally, I think there is more going on here than John Barrett is willing to tell! Come on John, what's the real story?

The Huffington Post

The Huffington Post: "Not Only the Worst President, but the Worst Possible President
01.15.2007 Jane Smiley
Bush is the worst possible president because he is simultaneously unusually ignorant for a president and unusually shallow, as well as desperate for a success he can call his own.
READ POST comments (235) "

" EXTRA EXTRA "

Good Morning People........... I have some very scary news to report. My sources in the State House, who for reasons of National Security must remain anonymous, have reported that Massachusetts is running out of "alphabetical Letters" It is not the time to panic the young school children just yet but my sources have told me that some drastic changes are about to take effect! They have told me that there is going to be a law passed that prohibits the use of Silent Letters! I happen to agree with this, being the first thing coming out of the State House that makes sense and has any real meaning. My sources told me that they can stockpile enough silent letters to forfill the writing needs of Massachusetts People through 2012. ( the world is going to end on that date so who cares after that anyway. ) Letters will only be allowed to be used if they can be announced within a word. This is not a secret subversive war on any ethnic population living here.....Although it is strange that some languages need silent letters...why are they used if not for some hidden purpose. My sources told me that there may be some retraining camps set up to re-educate those that persist in using silent letters in their writings and especially in their names! We must understand that this is a WAR ON TERROR we are in and we all must do our part.

" I'M CONFUSED? "

They impeach this guy for getting a blow job.











They do nothing to this guy
for murder!

" SAME BULLSHIT.....DIFFERENT DAY! "

Desperate men do desperate deeds! And this is one desperate man. His whole life has been one failure after another, one calamity followed by another. What makes this latest folly any different? The man is a walking disaster that has dragged a whole country with him into a world wide boondoggle. But the most freighting part of the latest "new direction" is that it has nothing to do with the War on Terror or establishing Democracy in Iraq.......it all has to do with His LEGACY! He is petrified how negatively history will judge his reign, and he knows that this war is just another failure..........but this time there is no one to pull his ass outta the fire!
I don't think that throwing away the lives of our youth at the legacy alter of George Bush, so King George can look good in the history books, is the price we are willing to pay! It's time for the IRAQI to take over and manage their own affairs. We have given them everything they need to succeed, even the blood of our youth,.......... it's time we came home!

" THE SKY IS FALLIN !, THE SKY IS FALLIN ! "

I have been reluctant to post anything on my Blog lately, mostly because I haven't found anything worth posting. It is a new year but the same old shit. Our insane King George is doing just what he wants to do, full steam ahead and the peoples wishes be damn! The man is really truly insane and should be committed......
Then we have the 400 Billion dollars spent in Iraq. How come we didn't have any money for domestic programs or for programs to get us off dependence on foreign oil, or for medical research to cure the nations ills, or for a national health program so everyone can have access to quality health care, as the politicians do, or a plethora of other programs that would have been for the good of the people? They told us their just wasn't any money and we would have to privatized all our domestic programs so they could continuous to give us the high degree of service we were accustomed to from our Federal Government. Hmmmmm, where did all this extra money come from?......
I am really tired and sick of the same old shit and hot air from our over worked and under paid politicians that sit on their fat asses and decry the ills of the people but do nothing to solve the problems unless their is something in it for them on the personal level, money - power - or glory ! Ya that's right, they are all whores for sale to the highest bidder! It is all about the personal money, power and the glory isn't it? The people be damned!.........
On a scarier note, and something for our History buffs out there to contemplate, what do you think would have been the out come of WWII if we had to fight it today? Lets see.....through a series of government initiatives fueled by the greedy and paid for by the working class, we have outsourcing our industrial base to foreign governments. Our steel mills are gone, we assemble cars now not build them, our stores are filled with items made in China not America, and our mills have all been turned into condos or lofts for the arts community. Hell.....if this situation had existed in 1940 we would all be speaking German and Jap. God forbid we have to gear up for another world war!
Then there is the morality of the Nation.....or should I say lack there of. We condone perversion, (queer rights) and immoral attitudes, hell... we go as far as to raise immorality to the lofty standards of our Constitution. I guess I was absent from class when they talked about allowing the same rights to perverts and criminals (it is or at least I thought it was against the law to butt fuck another person of the same sex) as are allowed to normal family oriented Christian thinking folk. Not to take a second place to perversion is Greed. The stampede to get all you can get as fast as you can get it, all bets are off. The new National God.....the dollar bill!
Along the same lines is gone from our Nation the moral pride, we use to hold in such high regards, in helping each other . We have become a Nation of .....Me - Me - Me... A self centered greedy inward thinking morons who's life ambition is to die with the greatest number of toys...... Way to go School System!
Should I, could I go on? No, Yes! I think you people all get the message. Remember "the stink starts at the head" we can thank our politicians, Local - State - Federal, for leading the way and showing us the light. Without their guidance who knows where we would find ourselves today? Hell.....We may have turned into a Nation the rest of the world would want to emulate.....GOD Forbid!!!

CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS Everyone and a Healthy NEW YEAR

" GRANTS "

Good Morning People!..........Do we, meaning the City (town) of North Adams have in their employ a person that does Grant research on a full time basis or do we just wing it, when we hear of something we go for it? A few links I came across that will be interesting reading for us non politico types that don't normally hear of these things or even know that they exist.
http://www.mass.gov/Aosc/docs/policies_procedures/contracts/po_procon_state_grants_fed_sub.pdf

http://www.mass.gov/portal/index.jsp?pageID=mg2searchlanding&sid=massgov2&query=grants

Just something to get the juices running for those interested in WI-FI and where it would fit into the Comunity Development Program in the City (town). There seems to be a lot out there in grant monies just for the asking!.......... So why arn't we asking?..... It's Your Dime!

" MUNI-WI-FI "

Good Morning People! ..... I have been doing a little surfing and looking at WI-FI. WOW.....I wasn't aware that just being able to connect to the internet was such a big deal. Like everything today it has come down to the greedy corporations facing off against the wishes of the people. We are talking, MUNI-WI-FI. Seems that, as usual, some of our public servants have been bought off by greedy corporations and have gone so far as to submitting legislation of behalf of corporations making it a crime to install a MUNI-WI-FI system in some places. Check out this link..... http://www.freepress.net/communityinternet/networks.php
Ok my opinion....MUNI-WI-FI is a good thing! I know just the mention of this makes some politicos break out in a sweat and their heart start palputating like crazy. The 21st century is not kind to regressive politicians that vote their pocket book rather than their duty to the people. MUNI-WI-FI is a reality who's time has come. Like other city services, water - sewerage (?) - trash pick up (?) - a dump (?) - schools - etc... MUNI-WI-FI is a staple of the 21st century. We are not talking of putting some local small internet provider out of business because they don't provide high speed access, we are talking having to compete with corporate giants that don't want the competition because that would mean lower profits for themselves and having to provide a better service. Heaven forbid! ...Checked your UP Load speed lately?
what we are going through now is liken to when OLD Ma BELL was the only telephone Company in town. Hell... if they had had their way we would still have to go through Geraldine to get our call through. (One Ringie Dingy - snuck,snuck,snuck ) OK, IT's YOUR DIME...VOTE

" DOING MY PART "

Good morning people. Being that our Politicians in Boston don't seem to want our voices to be heard, I have added to the Blog a special place for us to get a sense of everyone's thoughts on issues, and for you to be heard. I will try to be impartial in the questions and let the numbers lie where they fall. They will relate to the topic at hand or you can suggest one that you would like to know what people think. You have my E-Mail ( jtremblay@adelphia.net ) so if you have any ideas send them along. Even the "Shadow People" can get involved without having to type anything in the comment box. You will see it just above the topic of the day. Give it a try and let yourself be heard..................It's Your Dime!

" SOMEONE HAS GUTS "

Our Gov. Mitt Romney asked the Massachusetts' highest court Friday to force a proposed anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment onto the state's 2008 ballot if the Legislature fails to vote on it. At least he has the GUTS to bring it before the people of the state. What is the rest of the Legislature afraid of?
Our Gov. filed the request with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court after lawmakers put off acting on the question until January, also known as avoiding the wishes of the People, not rocking the boat, protecting votes and contributions, and maintaining their NANNYCRAT elitist status....after all ,THEY are the "ALL KNOWING GOD LIKE, and we are merely the lowly dumb Voters! Go get um Mitt!.....

" TRAZANINAFRAN "

Good mornin People. Being the Sabbath, or the day after the Sabbath, or when is the Sabbath anyway? "The seventh day after six days of toil", but when do you start counting? If I don't start working till on a Tuesday, then the following Monday is my Sabbath! So if I am reading the Good Book right, the Sabbath is a different day for each of us depending on our work schedule....What if I work nights?! Hmmmm, very interesting.
I am thinking of turning over a new leaf. No more spewage about the short comings of our political system and the people that ploy it for their own personal egos and advantage......enough thought.....never mind, it was just a passing fantasy!
It really doesn't matter, nothing really changes, just the faces. At the risk of offending some...I liken it to what I always say about women.... God had only one mold, He just put different faces on it! ( you fellows know what I mean ) :~ )
So nuttin really worth yackin about today. Just thought I'd stop by and let everyone know I am still breathing...to the dismay of some I'm sure! It's Your Dime...............

" WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? "

What is the problem with our servants in Boston? Why do they consistently act as an elitist all knowing special secret society that they want to keep the voting public from having access to? What are they afraid of? Why at every turn do they fight binding initiative petitions, and do all they can to keep them off the ballet? What is their problem? Are they so arrogant that they believe that they are all knowing and the rest of us are just dumb hicks that don't really know what is good for ourselves? Or are their other reasons? It wouldn't be that their loyalty lies with Special interest Groups, that make loud noises and contribute heavily to enhancing Party War Chests? It baffles me why they refuse to allow the wishes of the voters to be heard time after time, and when our wishes are heard.....just ignore them in favor of big money, and go on their merry way! I think that it is time for another voter revolution like the one we just saw in Washington. It is time we replace the PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS, that are mainly concerned with enhancing them selves and their positions and maintaining their elitist club, than doing the bidding of the voting public that sent them to Boston. I guess it is true that who ever yells the loudest and can back it up with lots of money wins votes.....or lack there of! .....It's Your Dime!

" WHY CAN'T IT BE THIS WAY? "

OK, just some rambling thoughts for this morning.......... With the country in a tizzy over the up-coming fight for political power and control of the masses, here are a few of my thoughts on the grand event.
First, what are the issues we would like our elected help to address: That is a personal issue because each of us has different needs and desires, but as a whole, I believe the ability to survive financially, have our elected help pay more attention to our needs and less to theirs, Follow our wishes and not their personal agenda.
To begin with the "two party system" is a sham. Although I rag on Republicans, I do like what they profess to stand for, although reality is far from the advertising brochure. Their core doctrine is in line with the founding fathers wishes for a small unintrusive central government. Allowing the States to work out the details but with guidance from Washington. Unfortunately the reality has become perverse and has been hijacked by a few elitist hell bent on greed. Now the Democrats on the other hand profess to be the working man's party protecting us lowly slaves that produce the wealth of this nation from those very elitist. But again the cover doesn't jive with the content of the book. They have become nannycrats that believe only they, because of their self importance, know what is best for you. You are just children with no ability to think for yourself and comprehend what is good for you. The party of "It's for your own good".
So who stands for what? The reality is it doesn't matter because they both stand for themselves and the perpetuation of their elitist jobs. Sure we get a few crumbs now and again, but they are few and far between.
The structure of our system is broken and needs to be fixed. We need to take the authority out of the hands of the professional politician and give it back to the people. The structure is designed for the early days of the country when it was hard to find a person that could read and write much less understand the workings of government. Not to let the fact that the great US of A was started by a small group of elitist in the first place, go un noticed. But time marches on, and knowing this, our founding fathers tried to fashion a system that would be able to change with the changing seasons. Unfortunately those that came after them had other fish to fry and we weren't invited to the feast. They quickly found that bull shit goes a long way, especially if you can keep the masses from finding out the truth. We need a drastic revamping of the system or, actually more to the point, is to bring the system back in line with the purpose for which it was started in the first place.....doing the bidding of the people!
The trick will be to lance the political leaches from the system, those that have elevated "their line of bull shit " to an art form and sit in their cushy office in Washington and do as little as possible anything with substance. Don't rock the boat-a-tiction, the fence sitter that bends to whatever is fashionable at the time. Term limits is a good start.
In closing just a few thoughts.....We want our elected hired help to be open and forthcoming, responsive to our real needs, protect us from those that seek to take advantage of us, and most of all.....be trustworthy!

" IMPLODING "

After many attempts to educate you readers on the vial state of our governing system, and the fact that you have "NO" say what's so ever in your government, I give you a big....." I TOLD YOU SO " the great corporate government is imploding. The revelations of the past years , (the BUSH years) are just the tip or the iceberg. It lays bare the reasons politions are so desirous to "serve the people"...... Hell, to serve themselves, and boy do they! From Mayors to State Reps. and Senators to members of Congress.....There should be term limits.
Why is it that our government officials have such a good medical insurance program and all they can seem to do for the general public is put everyone in a risk pool policy, dictated by an office worker somewhere more concerned with the corporate bottom line than your health? Yes Dorothy we are talkin PERKS here. From health care, to health insurance to working hours to working conditions to employee rights to unions to whatever can benefit them should also benefit us! They don't seem to have a problem with substantial automatic raises for themselves, usually hidden away in some scheme away from public scrutiny, but can't seem to rationalize a higher minimum wage for the working public. Why is that?
You have to take the decision making process out of the hands of politicos! Let the politions do the research and report the pros and cons and let the voters decide.....everything! Contrary to what the politions would have you believe, we are smart enough to know what is good for us and some of us can even read and write today.
The first big hurdle is to take money out of the election process. A pool of money shared equal by ALL parties. No party or canidate war chest. All donations go into one big pool shared equally by all.
The next big change is to limit the lobbyist access to government buildings. They should not have access to anyplace that the general public doesn't. If you can't go behind the counter than they can't either!
Of course this is all wasted ink...nobody will do shit about the situation and we will just keep a crusin along in the same gutter until it gets so bad that a revolution will break out and the people will finely take back their government....knowing the people...don't hold your breath!
IT'S YOUR DIME......ya right!

"SO.....WHAT'S NEW?{"

Just an observation from the cheap seats.....The Republican Party is falling apart, the Democrats are all suited up and waiting to enter the game, and we the people are looking for a political party that will just be concerned with our needs. We are looking for a government that isn't more concerned with it's self and its own interest and more concerned with our interests and needs. Sorry to say but our government, federal and State, are not the government the people want. In my opinion we need to start over and get the authority back into the hands of the people. Our current form has been raped into oblivion by big money and people with way to much authority. I don't see any real change or difference happening even with a changing of the people in power. The system needs to be restructured so the people have the final word not a party or an indivual. With the modern state of the electronic revolution that is possible. I predict a revolution by the people in the not to far future. They are tired of being lied to, cheated, overlooked, controlled, and used by people that have hijacked the government for their own personal enhancement. We have lost the ability to govern ourselves......So...What's New?

"SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT"

For all you NANNYCRAT DEMOCRATS to have a look see. I guess reality is hard for even you to swallow. "ANNIE GET YOUR GUN"
Want to really fight crime....take a lesson from those that really know how!

http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-sep2206-greenleaf.84b1934.html

" JUST WONDERING "

OK...Alright...Right On...It's Saturday!...The work week is over for a few...( in today's real world the work week is six days long, not five, and for some seven days long ) Not to get side tracked here, the length of the work day and the work week and the why, I will save for another time. Today's Blog has to ask the question " Why do people get so intense about things that they have no control over? There are two endeavors that are in the spotlight at the moment.....SPORTS and POLITICS! I have a tough time understanding why some people get so worked up, almost to the point of violence, over what team or what player, racer, boxer, golfer, quarter back, pitcher, hitter, etc. etc. My point being that some people spend the whole week in anticipation of plunking their ass down on the couch on Saturday and Sunday from morning till the wee hours of the night watching SPORTS! There must be an uncountable number of these people around because every where you go you see the advertisements, and the specialty bars, devoted to just one thing...SPORTS! It isn't because they know anyone involved or they have any financial interest in the team or player...they are just fanatical watchers. WHY?
Then there is the political observer. Today's reality is that we have as much control over our politicians as we do over our favorite baseball team,... none! I guess the point I am trying to make is that we, as part of our human condition, love to partake of life from the cheap seats. We get all frothy on the corner of our lips, raining spit all over the face of the person we are talking to, flailing arm and hand gestures (that would make any of our grandfathers proud) over WHAT? I really don't see the logic behind any of it. I read with interest and a slight smile "The Blazer Blog" and Andys in depth reporting, of which he did a tremendous job, kudos to you Andy. The smile came from reading the comments people had. People spewing their own logical reasons for backing this one or that one. Do they really know the person...NO, do they really know what the person will do...NO, do they really think that it will make a rats favorite cheese ball in purgatory difference...NO! SO then why even waste the energy?
Well that is enough foaming and spitting for this Saturday morning. Not that anyone will even read this posting.....It's Saturday stupid.....everyone will be to busy plunking their fat asses on the sopha, sucking down bruskies and popcorn and cheap seating life as they know it! May all the GODS have mercy on our spirit!
Me...I'm going to sit on the back porch and take in the aroma of Autumn and watch the leaves turn color.....and suck down a couple of bruskies!

" WINNER "

NEWS FLASH: PM 6:37 Monday.... North Adams has "WON" According to my sources at City Hall, NORTH ADAMS will be among those vying for the Grand Prize at the Fenway drawing! Councilor Chris Tremblay and the Mayor will be present representing the City (town). Initially there was some confusion over some "hanging chads" but after a careful recount it was reported that the City had indeed the correct number of votes to win an entry into the final drawing. A big THANK YOU to all that voted and lets keep our fingers crossed!

" JACK FROST IS ON THE LOOSE "

Just to let you people out there know that JACK FROST has been seen wondering the foothills. I know it is hard to believe, but Summer is over already! I just thought I would remind you that it is time to get in the wood or pellets or the coal in preparation for the freezing season. Don't forget to test out your furnace and heating system and any heating stove you have, before you need to use it. OK, that's my public service announcement for this year......Oh yah...Don't forget to get the long johns washed?

" JUST WONDERING? "

Good morning people.
I was just wondering if the mayor has gone down to main street, with his team, to test out the sturdiness of those flimsy looking chairs that now dot the downtown? Hmmm.....Isn't he the self appointed official expert on flimsy seating? On a side note.....The elderly and the disabled must pick up their reservations for the bench in Calgrove Park for 2007 at city (town) hall by Thursday or they will be forced to sit on the ground till a seat becomes available. The Bench will only seat two comfortably and the city ordinance forbidding half cheek sitting will be strictly enforced! The demand for this Bench is up because of the proximity to the funeral home next door, so come early.
Summer is over and still we are waiting with great anticipation for the grand opening of " THE CITY (town) WEB PAGE! Will the GRAND OPENING be open to the public or is it a private affair with a need to know only WEB and E-mail address? On the same topic has anything been reported on the City Study for WI-FI?
Does anyone out there reading this have any idea how many homes in North Adams are plugged into a septic system and not on the City Sewer System? Shouldn't Sewer Treatment be a high priority on City Services provided to all it's citizens, I mean after street paving of course, which is more important.
It's Your Dime!

" THE MIRACLE OF MODERN ELECTRONICS "

Wanna talk to an insane mad man? Only possible in the 21st century with our marvel of modern electronic communication devices. No appointment needed! Come right in!

NO,NO,NO! NOT THAT ONE! THIS ONE!

http://www.ahmadinejad.ir/

" MORE INSANITY FROM THE FRONT "

As the War rages on, the report in from the Israeli front, ... is that both sides have won! Hmmmm?????? How can that be? It must be one of those UN things, that we normal people just can't understand because it is to international in scope and way beyond our ability to comprehend. Or.....it means that it isn't over yet and the combatants are just taking R&R.
OBSERVATION from planet Earth....
1. The UN will do shit to keep Hezbollah from re-arming
2. The UN will continue to try and blame Israel for all the problems
3. The UN is a useless conglomerate of self serving people whose only interest is making money and staying out of harm's way and not having to make any tough decisions.
4. And as for them being a peace keeping force enforcing their resolutions, What Force? What Resolve?

Back to the Front: "The way it looks here Roger, is that there seems to be a lull in the fighting so supplies can be brought down from the north" "Back to you Roger!" "Roger, Roger" "Roger Carl!" "Carl, can you see any UN troops?" "Roger Roger, it looks like several UN convoys heading into South Lebanon." "Roger Carl, are those the humanitarian supplies that couldn't get through earlier?" " Negatory Roger, There seem to be pointed objects sticking out the back of the trucks with women and children ducked taped to them!" "Back to you Roger" "Roger, Carl, I guess that is the UN assistance we have heard so much about?" "Roger, Roger" " The UN will assist any way they can." "Roger Carl" "Roger, Roger, back to the FOX Studios!"

" WE ARE IN WWlll ! "

I have been sitting here thinking again, (that is a scary proposition) about all the shit that is going on around us in today's world. I use to think of the battle with the Muslim extremists as just a fight with a couple of radical nut cases bent on world domination. The scary realization is that there are thousands of these nut cases out there. Here is how this barefoot mountain boy sees it. ..... You have first of all, the top dogs. Those we all know. The leaders of countries or movements or sects. Who are nothing more than greedy, power hungry, dominating individuals that are scared shitless that their underlings will learn about Western ways and there-by undermining their power base. They are not Religious Zelots or Defenders of their government system but use the Muslim Religion card to their advantage and expel the evils of thinking for yourself. Just plain and simple these are TYRANTS. From Cheviz to Kim Yung to The Palestinians, to Al Qaeda to Castro and all those in between. Our problem is these people that live under their control have been taught from birth that we are bad, and the people believe it!
I know the solution but it is hard for the tree hugger and peacenick types to admit. It is really simple.....Assassinate the bastards! The gloves off approach, take no prisoners. Send in the Black Ops team and do away with them! We know who they are even before they make noise on the national news. Just simply kill them, and when another pops up..... kill him too! Listen people we ARE in a war and we are under attack. It doesn't matter the how or why it would have happened nomatter what.
Look, we beat the British and won our independence by unethical warfare, hiding behind trees and stone walls. They thought us savages for not fighting the good fight...(standing in a row fifty yards apart and shooting into each others ranks till there were only the victors left standing.) Well our enemy today knows that they can't beat us fighting "the good fight" so they have opted for the tree and stone wall approach. If we don't answer in kind ....we also will be defeated!
You can talk the moral aspects to death but the reality remains " IT'S THEM OR US "
What do you think? IT's YOUR DIME!

" GO GET UM TIGER"

We need a strong voice in Boston. My pick.....

Field Of Dreams III Contest

***Voting will be from August 1, 2006 Noon - September 15, 2006 11:59 p.m. E.S.T.***


http://www.granitecityelectric.com/special/FOD3.php

" THE MAYOR STILL HATES THE OLD FOLKS "

From John B's statements at last night's council meeting I finally get the message.....If you need to sit on a bench to rest your weary bones, then you aren't welcome downtown. Drag your butt to Calgrove Park or to the Highrise, but we don't want you down town ruining it for all the big spenders on Main Street. After all, how would it look to have an old person with a walker sitting on a bench in front of those over priced apartments .....sorry I mean Condos. After all a prospective buyer from New York or Boston, or Connecticut min't see an elderly person or a disabled person on Main Street and get the wrong impression.... that there are old and or disabled actually living in the City (town) and decide to take their money elsewhere!
The Mayor again showed his ignorance of what the people of North Adams really want. Well actually he doesn't give two shits what the people of North Adams want because He has "THE MASTER PLAN" and the "MASTER PLAN" doesn't include the elderly or the disabled of North Adams, and "THE MASTER PLAN" is what is important! I never have seen a person drag out so many and so diverse and so stupid and so meaningless excuses for not allowing Benches on His Main Street. He did say one thing that does bring some hope to the people of North Adams..... There is an election every two years for Mayor. I do believe His Majesty's reign is about over..... finely! This time around, from what my sources in City Hall tell me.... The Fat Lady is about to sing! .......... BENCH POWER!
Just a thought in passing... who does the Mayor NOT hate? I mean..... besides himself?

"I BEEN A CAMPIN"

Good mornin! Well I am back from a restful week a campin at the City (town) Campground up at Fish Pond. We decided to go a campin locally because it is close to home and I hadn't been up there for many long years. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would have to give it a 9. There were some issues with very old and rotting tables and site maintenance seems non existence. It struck me that putting on kids for summer help to take care of some of these issues, maybe through some summer work grant, could fix these problems. The staff was friendly and helpful and vigilant in maintaining order and safety for all campers, they get a gold star. The last time I was there, pop up campers were just coming into use, but now there are these mega motor homes that need a 200 amp service and an acre just for themselves. Times sure do change. I have to admit I to first started out doing the tent thing, an experience in self inflected misery, then moved up to a pop-up, the older type mind you that was nothing more than a tent on wheels. Then joined the elite with a 30 foot tow behind rig that had more shit in it than I had at home. Ran on gas and or electric, cable hook up, telephone hook up, satellite hook up, central heat and or air conditioning, shower, (inside and outside) flush toilet, stained glass, rug, queen bed, plush couch and an easy swivel chair! Well being that all things have a season, first my truck decided that it had had enough and retired from active service. Now without a tow vehicle all I could do was go sit in the camper in the yard and suck on a bruski and pretend. Then my wife passed away and that pretty much ended my camping. So I sold the camper and all the accumulated stuff that goes with it in hopes that someone else could enjoy it. Guess what?........now I am back to that tenting thing again! ( I must like to inflect pain on myself!) I discovered real fast that when you are older trying to get up off the ground from sleeping on a half deflated air mattress in the middle of the night in a dark tent to take a wizz, is a trick that Houdini couldn't even master. I upgraded to a cot!
I think that with gas prices going through the roof that people will rediscover some of the real assets we have here locally. A nice place for the family to go with lots for the younins to do. Now if we can only get BENCHES downtown for us old tired campers, I may try and discover what wonders we have on Main Street.

" WHY CAN'T I FIND SOMEONE TO VOTE FOR? "

Good Morning People. I would venture to say, even at this point in time, most of you already know which party and candidate you are going to vote for in the November Election. It would seem in today's reality that you either are a Democrat or a Republican. We are , of course not just a two party system, but we seem to only hear about these two and have become indoctrinated into believing that there are only two parties, with the exception of the Independents, who are regulated to a non important fringe group. In my search for someone or party to vote for I am perplexed by what choices I have. I lean towards small government intrusion into my personal life but on the other hand demand that government protect me from the predators that want to control me for their own interest. this would seem to make me a Republican? I demand a party that works to enhance my well being while protecting my rights under the Constitution. This seems to make me a Democrat. Unfortunately if I choose using these guidelines I would be living in fantasy land. Both choices are just the opposite of what they claim to stand for. Not only that but both seem to a shadow of the other. They have become a blurred mix not really standing for their purported platform, but standing more for self perpetuation. To "Keep It Simple Stupid" The Republicans have morphed into a party dedicated to the enhancement of the profit barrens, while the Democrats have become a party that is dedicated to the finite control of every aspect of our lives, a no choice society where government dictates what is good for you and you have no option of making a personal choice. But all this said you can see that one choice is just a mirror of the other.
So what do I do?..... Do I choose the party that I believe is the lesser of the two evils? Do I not vote at all? Do I vote for one of those other nondescript parties listed on the ballot?..........At this point in time I am perplexed and in need of input. So today I am asking for your help in making a decision.............. IT's YOUR DIME!

" SOME FUN FOR SUNDAY "

OK people today is Sunday, so I thought we could rest from solving the problems of the Prez and the Republicans and just have some fun. So lets talk about something just as dumb and silly as the Prez and the Republicans.........The use of those silent letters..... What is this all about any way? Any logical mind or since of reason would tell you that if you don't need something, than you don't use it. Hmmm, then why do we stick in these letters into words? What purpose do they serve? They aren't needed or used? Is there like a quota thing where we have to use so many "W's" in a year in our writings? You don't put on an extra sox over the pair you have on already do you? Today let's list the words with silent letters in them and maybe I can write to the keeper of the silent letters department and get them to look at this for us. . Just think of all the ink that would be saved! What are your words and letters? :~)

" JUST ANOTHER PR STUNT "

I am feeling much safer now that the FBI has captured and uncovered this group of anti-American terrorists .......... Gimmy a break! If you look closely at the words and listen real good to the statements coming out of Washington you can almost feel pity for Gonzales and Alexander. What a couple of butt licks. All it shows to the people of America is that the Republican Party and the Prez are getting so desperate for some good news, If none happens along then you make up your own!
A clear case of entrapment by the FBI. These people were no more a threat than the Skin Heads, the American Communist Party, or Ralph Nader. What does have me concerned is the thought process that is going on with those in charge in Washington. Lets examine their statements:

This group was more aspirational than operational," FBI Deputy Director John Pistole said
Meaning that if you or I chit chat about anything against the Government that is in power we become suspect. These people had no contacts, no money, no nuttin, not even boots.

Nevertheless, Gonzales said Thursday's arrests underscored the danger of "homegrown terrorists" who "view their home country as the enemy."
We are all in trouble now! I think at this point in time 99.99% of the Citizens of America think that their country IS the enemy. Notice the word...NEVERTHELESS... meaning that regardless of the PR ploy and stupidness of those government agencies involved and the obvious set up.....this is a good thing.

"It's an example of the philosophy of prevention. These arrests were made during the talking stage, long before any bomb-making stage," said Kendall Coffey, a former U.S. Attorney in Florida. "While they may be seen as bungling wannabes, they are potentially dangerous wannabes who, based on the allegations, were pursuing extremely dangerous plans."
This is the one that really has me concerned the most. "philosophy of prevention" in other words if anyone in the government considers you some how a threat then you are doomed.....Reminds me of Germany and Hitler and the SS.

"We are confident that we have identified every individual who had the intent of posing a threat to the United States," said R. Alexander Acosta, U.S. Attorney in Miami
What threat? the poor bastards didn't even have boots! and unless the FBI hadn't gone to them with God knows what promises, trying to entrap them, they would still hanging out in the hood.

So what do you think? The real thing or just more bull shit PR from a desperate Republican Party and President!

"THE TEMPERATURE IN NORTH ADAMS HAS BEEN RISING FOR THE PAST 20 SOMETHING YEARS - IT'S ALL THAT HOT AIR COMING FROM THE CORNER OFFICE "

OK Mr. Mayor...Where is that Home Page for North Adams we have been promised and are waiting to see, for the past two years? It must be some hum dingier! The temperature just keeps rising from all the hot air coming from the corner office. I understand that there is a petition being passed around by the Citizens of North Adams to force His Majesty to stop sending out his henchmen, or is it his BENCHMEN, .....( not all of those messengers like their task but they have a family to feed and we know what happens to those that dare question "HIS WORD". Then again their are those that relish the opportunity to lick butt )
To allow BENCHES for the Elderly and the disabled and THE PEOPLE of this city to rest upon is what the people want. John B... don't you get it...The people of North Adams WANT BENCHES! Stop acting like a spoiled child and for once in your life act like a man and get behind putting BENCHES on Main Street. You are employed by the Citizens of this city to work for their benefit, not your ego!
The Question for today is.......... Why do we have to have a petition to get something done in this city that reflects the desires of the people? Would you sign sign it?

" TO WIT, HATH THOU BEKNOWN THE PREPONDERANCE "

WOW ! Jumpin Samolies...What the hell is he be a talkin bout?...What planet did he fall from?... To day I thought I would rag on the ways certain people and organizations use our English inter mixed with old English, Latin, gibberish, and an assortment of non descript words to make themselves and their position sound superior and to baffle, befuddle, confuse, and hide the truth, from us barefoot bumpkin...........Number one on the chart is the legal profession. They have perverted the English language to the point where lawyers need lawyers to interpret the interpretations. The Insurance Industry tried to do the same deception but we now have laws that make them write in somewhat plain English.......... Then there is the ingredients label on products we put in our mouths, nose, ears, and butts or rub on, rub in, add to, mix with or use straight out of the box. After the first word, which is usually water, no one has a clue or for that matter can pronounce the rest of the shit that they have added...........Next on the list are the LAWS. But one must remember here that they are written by Lawyers for Lawyers with the help of and in cohesion with Politicians............Then of course there is the TAX CODE. I really don't have to say anything here because that one is well known by all, if you can figure out what it says?
OK people, today lets gab about the use of our language and other languages, like Latin by the Church and the medical field, and those examples I listed above. I believe that they should be made to be written in plain simple English so all can understand. What do you think? or am I just Expostulating?

" SOMETHING IS MISSING! "

In America today there seems to be something missing. Our political fabric, on all levels, is a joke. Our elected employees that we direct to do our bidding are a joke. Our moral base has rotted away. Any reference to Religion of any sort is today considered radical and not mainstream, anti-Constitution, not the American way! Law abiding citizens have now become suspect and not protected under the 2nd, 1st, 4th, and all the Amendments of the Constitution by reason of protecting those very rights? Our Schools have gone from teaching even the most basic skills, to coaching our kids on how to pass a Test. Our courts are loaded with nonquilified judges that seem to believe that the criminal is the victim and the victim caused the crime in the first place.....not to mention their total disregard for the peoples wishes ( GAY MARRIAGE ).
We have become a nation of " BRASS RING GRABBERS " Do as little as you can for as much as you can. There is something missing! What ever happened to right from wrong, love thy neighbor, for the good of the many, working together. The drive to better our condition as a nation with sacrifice, ( the working folk seem to be doing all the sacrificing today)
So I pose this question to you..... What is MISSING?

"THIS GLOBAL WARMING THING"

I really fail to see why everyone is fighting over whether we are in the mist of Global Warming or not. It is a fact that our big blue globe has in the past and will in the future go through many phases and changes. Our Earth is spinning around in space and susceptible to many influences from a variety of sources. In the past it has cooled, gotten hotter, wetter, dryer, tipped to and fro on it's axes, flipped over to the extent that the North pole has become the South pole, frozen, melted, the ocean have become dry land, dry land has become oceans, and on and on it goes. To those that still believe the Earth is flat and the center of the solar system.......Go to the library! Anyone with a brain that has a modicum of logical functionality can reason that if you spew gazillion tons of chemicals into the atmosphere, you are going to create an imbalance somewhere. Mother Earth, has through natural processes, herself done the same thing but it takes her billions of years. We are just shorting the cause and effect process. You can call it whatever you want but the fact remains.....we are causing a change and it isn't good news for the human race!

" I'M GETTING DIZZY! "

Life.....doesn't it seem like it is a carousel running just a little to fast and the operator is nowhere in sight and the people watching it go around keep throwing shit at you and won't let you off? Well I'm here to rescue you! I disconnected the power to the thing so now you can jump off and sit on the BENCH and catch your wind. Today I'm going to let you go to that special room that only you have the key to. That place where you go and shed your protective mask that Life has made you put on. That place where you feel like a knight shedding his heavy armor clothing and just sitting around in your skivies. You know the place. That place where you are you........ I don't know how long I can keep Life away from the door and sucking you back on the carousel so for the time you have.....enjoy!

"WHERE TO TURN?"

OK People, Time to get out your score cards. Not many months left till we again are given the right to voice our opinion. So lets see....What are our choices?.....We can stay with the current bunch, give up more of our Constitutional rights, keep lining the pockets of big oil, insurance companies, drug companies, work till we are 90 then be able to retire, allow illegal immigrants to become citizens and we become the illegal immigrants and work for $2 dollars an hour ($1.95 going to health insurance) or we can throw out that bunch and put in the other guys. You know "THE NANNYCRATS" That Party of the working class folks. The party that gave us NAFTA, the party that wants to disarm the citizens (for our own protection you know) suspend the 2nd Amendment, the guys that tell us that GAY MARRIAGE is the way to go, our good buddies that want to tax the shit out of you till you have nothing left and have to go to Mexico to look for work, our pals that believe that only they know what is good for us and we don't have the ability to think for ourselves, that bunch that believes that Huge Government and Total Gov. Control over every aspect of your life with layer after layer of red tape is in your best interest. Our pals that believe that the SYSTEMS SURVIVAL is paramount over it's citizens rights and desires.
WOW...It's so confusing. I have so many good choices here to pick from. Help me out people!
It's YOUR DIME!

"SHAME ON YOU, YOU SHOULD HANG YOUR HEADS IN SHAME"

Just a note to all you senators that chose to show their real colors......You don't deserve to serve the people of this nation. Again you show how you don't really care about the peoples wishes and are more concerned with Politics than substance! See you in November!!!

"GO GEORGIE!"

Well finely the "KING" of the land is doing something useful. The two points that I agree with are.....
1. This Amendment will once and for all define for the fringe element the true meaning of marriage.
2. The amendment will allow for the people to truly have a voice and not have our wishes over run by some judge who probably is gay himself or herself, and stop this using of the court system to by pass the wishes of the majority of the people.
If you are of the perverse nature and want to diddle in your closet, that's between you and your God, if you have one, but don't try to throw it in the face of my children and try to convince them that it is normal and excepted behavior. Don't try to pervert the purpose of marriage with your twisted outlook of life. You need one of two things.....serious psychological help or a sex change. You pick one!
And as for the mealy mouthed wormy politicians that try to play the fence, more worried about loosing a few votes than standing up for justice.....get real or get gone!
IT'S YOUR DIME.....

"THE UN-STEADY STATE OF THE UNION"

Is George Bush really in need of mental help? Is our president really crazy? Do we have a nut case running the nation? The more we listen to him the more I have to say .....YES! George Orwell's 1984 has indeed come to pass and in terms grater than even He postulated. There is no longer a system of checks and balances, a clear cut division of branches of Government..... the Supreme Court (a Republican Party puppet) dictates the laws of the land, and is the unchecked authority of American Law. They have elevated themselves to the status of supreme ruler of the land. The mentally retarded President has placed himself above reproach by simply ignoring the Constitution and sizing power that isn't his, and the Republican Party controlled Government has allowed this to happen.....Hell, we have allowed this to happen.....Hell, we don't have a say any more.....HELL,Did we ever? I have to say people this is no longer My America! We have been invaded and conquered and we went down without a wimpier, Hell, we even helped! The System no longer serves the people as it was intended to, it is the people that are supposed to serve the System now. It is all twisted backward and upside down. The all mighty and encompassing System that we are enslaved to. The System was intended to be small and to serve only the needs of the people, but it has evolved into a beast that devours anyone that dares to oppose it. The whistle blower, a revealer of truth from within, has now become an enemy of the system, a traitor, an outcast, someone to be made an example of to discourage future discord. , so that makes "THE TRUTH" an enemy of the system, and that makes us all an enemy of the System! The System Rules Supreme...and What or Who is the System.........R=$

"NEW FLAG FOR THE VETS"

On the bright side of the news this morning, the Vietnam Veterans on River street will be getting a new American Flag on Monday, replacing the one that was stolen. Chris Tremblay has purchased, through the office of John Oliver, an American Flag that has flown over the Capital Building in Washington D.C. He will present it to the Vietnam Veterans Chapter in honor of those Vets from Berkshire County that lost their lives in Vietnam. Come help us Honor our local Veterans that made the ultimate sacrifice for us. The Flag will be raised at 12 noon on Monday, Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Chapter on River Street in North Adams.

"SEND THEM ALL PACKING"

I just can't stand by any more, I gotta say sumptin! To you and I, average Joe Smuck Citizen, it is a clear cut black and white problem..... If you are an illegal immigrant then you are a law breaker and should be dealt with as such, whether you are hear for an hour or fifty years, you are breaking the law! Now in the fantasy land of politics those people seem to have a different reality...... "Why not say to those undocumented workers who are working the jobs that the rest of us refuse, come out from the shadows," said Arizona Republican John McCain. In the first place notice how he evades the the term "illegal". All you have to do is insert the term...." Undocumented" Some how that upgrades there status from criminal to normal worker but just not documented! Then pretend that we Americans don't want to do this work, he is correct but he doesn't finish the sentence...." At the wages they are paying"..... The bill "strengthens our security and reflects our humanity," said Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., McCain's partner in the Senate compromise. "It is intended to keep out those who would harm us and welcome those who contribute to our country." Mr. Kennedy would you care to elaborate? Just what the hell are you smoking:?.......... I won't go into the Bill in it's entirety because it is typical politico double speak and so full of holes it could allow the whole Chinese Army through. You read it and see for yourself!

President Bush stepped into the Justice Department's constitutional confrontation with Congress on Thursday and ordered that documents seized in a raid on a lawmaker's office be sealed for 45 days. Now here is an interesting news flash! Talk about protecting your own. Politico protecting politico. Is the Lord Almighty George buying time so he can erase any trace of his administrations involvement if any? I wonder?

OK people that is my rant for this morning.

"WHAT FUTURE?"

The Republicans are all kicked from office, King George is dethroned, we have some normalcy back in Government (whatever that is?) , now what? With all the damage done to our Constitutional Rights, separation of powers nothing but a gray area up for interpretation by those in control, foreign policy a total mess, the NSA checking each sheet of toilet paper you use for secret messages, and on and on it goes. My question today is "NOW WHAT?" you know whoever takes control will not be able to fix all the problems, and they may even be blamed for some of them. Have we entered a new era? Has the Republican Party and Their Contract With Corporate America doomed for evermore our system of government, never to return from the abyss? Have we been mortitly wounded? What do you think?

"MORE PRESS, LESS MESS"

Just a thought here! If we made "THE PRESS" an official branch of the Government with unfettered access to all governmental documents, a clearing house sorta speaking, the branch though which ALL documents must pass before they are secretetized and classified. With full top- top secrete clearances for there unopstructed preview. Wouldn't this put a stop to all this over classifying of documents just for political reasons? This would be an elected body of people serving a short term and unencumbered by any political enety. It would be the responsibility of the government to prove their case before these people that a document is indeed worthy of the "TOP SECRET" stamp. Everything else is public information and treated as such!

"THE OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY"

We seem to take for granted the fact that "THE PRESS" has evolved into almost part of our system of government. They are like the ultimate watchdog group. The safety valve that without, we would be kept in the dark to the goings on in our government. Politicos have a nasty habit of not informing or saying just what they have to. They don't like the idea of an informed public. It is a wonderful institution when the press can be used for their PR Spewage but when they find the dirt then they are traitors, anti American, leekers, and all sorts of negative things. I my self can't imagine our society without the PRESS. We would know absolutely nothing that went on in any government institution--- City (town), State, or Federal. But there is a problem..... When the same people that run the government run the Press you have nothing more than a PR outlet. Your big press operations and their CEO's are more inclined to be republicans because they are the party of profit and news is all about the profit. It is a good thing for us as a country that there are still some independent press people around that are not under the control of the government. I would just like to thank those that have the character to inform and report the news with out the influence of any politico or corporation. THANKS GUYS.......

"THE FACTS MA'AM, JUST THE FACTS"

As usual at last night's Council Meeting the mayor was true to form. No longer can he rely on a rubber stamp for anything he brings before the Council so he has reverted to trying to intimidate, threaten, scare, and lie to the members. He also shows his lack of respect for the Councils ability to comprehend the subject before them, he kept jumping up and saying "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" Well I think they do understand all to well. Because the mayor can't control the retirement board and they don't do his bidding, he tries to paint them as a force that will bring down the City (town) to financial ruin and all the city employees will be on the unemployment line. Because they didn't take his advice it cost the City $70,000. Well that may be but Mr. Bloom was correct when he pointed out that when you are dealing with the stock market it is a crap shoot at best and the City could have lost a lot more. The Retirement board seems to be in the hands of an extremely knowledgeable person and they don't need the mayor sticking his nose in trying to take control. As for the Veterans Bill, I believe Mr. Billings was correct to ask for more clarification before voting on it. Although it seemed that the Council would have passed the first section with no problem. The Veterans of this City should get what is due them and I back the bill in its entirety. Mr. Mayor sit down and leave your pettiness at home, you can't control the whole world!

" WWlll "

After much thought of the world situation and all the forces tugging this way and that way, each seemingly to have some sort of hidden agenda. With sides clearly taking sometimes and sometimes hard to tell friend from foe. With every country involved in a struggle somewhere in the world, over something transparient or sometimes hidden away in the minds of those in power I have done the math and have concluded we are certaintly involved in WORLD WAR 3! Not the war of my fathers generation but a product of the forces of my generation. Just as the British Square, the horse charge of the calvery, or the storming the hill have all been replaced with more intricately layered centrailized command, insted of reporting to, they get orders from! A global agenda not fought over dirt or rightous beliefs or good v/s evil but over the planets resources by the shadow government trying to posess the wealth of the planet for their own financial gain. We the citizens of the world are nothing but cannon fodder for their greed.

"I BET YOU THOUGHT I WAS JUST JOKING.....DIDN'T YOU?"

Well I wasn't! How about some input from you people. It would be the greatest thing to hit this City (town) since "A BOULDER ON A STRING". I'm Looking for some serious input here.

Yup...I finally found the real answer to our dwindling population and low tourist attraction dilemma. It has been starring us right in the face the whole time. Turn the wasted swamp land that the Hoosic River South Branch meanders through into a great lake! Let me explain... Dam up the river at the point where the existing flood control begins, behind the radio tower. then on the other end...on the Adams - North Adams border build a retaining dyke across the low lying land. (to be a nice neighbor...ask Adams if they would like to join the endeavor, which would extend the Lake even further and cut them in on the action, but knowing their dislike for anything that even sounds like progress and development, I'm sure they would refuse) Moving on...being that all this land is low lying swamp you wouldn't have to do much but add some stones around the sides. The secret is to dredge out the swamp area to maybe a depth of 40 to 60 feet deep. Now some land will have to be taken by the mayor, for the good of the many, but that isn't a problem. Existing businesses on high ground would stay because they are above the lake level. On the outflow, dam side of the lake we will install several low flow electric generators, selling the power back to the electric company and the monies going directly to the residents of North Adams via a yearly check. Next, as part of the rejuvenation process, on the hill or mountain, depending on your perspective, on the westerly side of Rt. 8 across from the radio tower we will build a large multi function lodge. A low profile log building, so as to keep in step with the environment and the look of the mountain. the main access to the lodge will be a train trolley that will wind through the wooded area to the south of the mountain starting on Rt.8. The cars will be mostly clear plexie glass so as to afford the passengers an unobstructed view of the ride and also so as to be almost invisible from any observer. the tracks will be in the ground so you won't see them and the width of the train trolley will be 8 feet. There will have to be an access road to the lodge and that will be on the northernly side of the mountain. Again the mayor will have to exercise his "take um Daniel" stamp and take the parcel for parking and pickup of passengers that don't want to ride the train trolley. A shuttle buss will be used here and deliveries will have to be made. Their will be no parking or vehicles allowed on the mountain for obvious reasons. The lodge itself will be a lowprofile log building that will be mostly under ground with guest rooms and decks allowing for a view of the lake. Built into the environment. A first class restaurant over looking the lake with outside and inside dining, a banquet hall, rooms to rent, and a visitor center. This is just a rough draft and the details will be worked out at a later date...... So what do you think?

"IS THIS REALLY HELL ?"

Well today I am depressed. Seems everyday I'm depressed! Well can you blame me! My problem is that I read the News first thing in the morning then go on to read the Blogs then make the mistake and read Blog comments! We seem to be trapped in a big toilet bowl that someone just flushed. Seems all we can do is just.....nothing! Why is that? Why can't we be masters of all we perceive? Is this really HELL? We have no control over our Government, though they would like us to believe that we do. We purchase land with a home on it, but it isn't really ours. The Bank, Insurance Companies, City (town) State, national, environmental, and a plethora of Laws govern usage both outside and inside. We buy something from the store but it isn't really ours, we are only buying permission to use it under certain circumstances. ALL, and I stress here "ALL" our elected officials work harder at preserving their jobs than really doing something substantial to enhance our Health, protect us from the Greedy, keep the Wolf at bay as you were. This is truly what HELL is. You think you are FREE, but only free to exercise the freedoms that "THEY" allow. The DARK FORCE has indeed prevailed in the world....and yes Dorothy there is a Satin! And yes, we are in HELL! IT"S YOUR MELTED DIME!

"SOMETHING FOR A RAINY DAY"

Without getting all philosophical and long winded, I pose a question to you.....Who Is GOD?

"It's SPRING TIME, TIME TO PUT OUT THE BENCHES"

Yes Citizens it's finally Spring time in the little City (town) of North Adams. Time to start getting ready to plant our flowers downtown, fix up the roads, clean away the winter sand in the gutters, and put out the BENCHES for the people...... What do you mean there are no benches? Not this again! Maybe this year I'll write a nice letter to the major news outlets and in form them that the Mayor of the smallest City (town) in Mass. is trying to keep the elderly and handicapped from the downtown by not allowing BENCHES for them to rest on, (BENCHES that everyone wants), and making it impossible for local private businesses to do so by sending out his henchmen to harass them. Also by making up make believe concerns about structural soundness, (we all know that the Mayor is also an expert on bench construction and soundness) ...(just a thought here...I would suspect that the State safety laws already regulate BENCH safety and unless they pass State Standards they couldn't be sold in the State.) They like little news items like that. Of course they will want to check with the Mayor for his side of the story and take a few pictures and they may visit the elderly and ask them their opinion. Of course maybe I am jumping the gun here. The Mayor probably already has plans to allow Benches this year as a nice surprise for us. We'll just have to wait and see! IT's YOUR DIME!

"MAY DAY"

OK, Who is going to set up the MAY POLE?

Not going back to preChristion Rome or dancing to Goddess Flora, there is still some significance of MAY DAY, even today. The celebration of Spring and a hope in the coming season. We should set up a MAY POLE on the front lawn of every City Hall, State Capital, and The White House and all the People should dance around it. What you say...you nuts? It would show our unity as a people, that we are still in control, that we do believe in a better tomorrow...and demand it! It would show our desire for the fertility of the process to grow and become bountiful to our needs, not wither on the vine. A showing that we still do believe in the System and it can work for us, all we have to do is pick off the dead leaves and stems. Make MAY DAY a national holiday to remind those who we allow to govern that we expect the coming year to bring forth a bountiful harvest of laws designed to help John Doe Smuck Citizen. It would be a Celebration as well as a Warning!.....