Anyway.. my husband usually explains it to me this way:

YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING ON A BED, SHEET AND PILLOW THAT WERE TAXED.. BRUSH YOUR TEETH WITH TOOTHPASTE THAT WAS TAXED, USING THE WATER THAT’S ALSO TAXED.. YOU DRIVE TO WORK IN A CAR THAT WAS TAXED USING GAS THAT’S TAXED. YOU WORK FOR 8 HOURS AND HAVE YOUR PAYCHECK TAXED THEN DRIVE HOME FROM WORK USING MORE TAXABLE GAS. iF YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE COOKING (SODA IS TAXED!) AND WANT TO EAT OUT OR HAVE SOMETHING DELIVERED.. THAT’S TAXED. YOU SIT DOWN ON FURNITURE THAT WAS TAXED WATCHING CABLE OR USING THE INTERNET THAT’S TAXED. DON’T YOU THINK WE’RE TAXED ENOUGH?

Good point, huh? My husband’s awesome.

But the other morning I was driving to work and heard this on the radio and thought it was cool so I found it on the net and figured you might like it just as much:

Suppose that every day, 10 men go out for beer and the bill for all 10 comes to $100.00. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

• Man 1, 2, 3 and 4 (the poorest) would pay $0.00
• Man 5 would pay $1.00
• Man 6 would pay $3.00
• Man 7 would pay $7.00
• Man 8 would pay $12.00
• Man 9 would pay $18.00
• Man 10 (the richest) would pay $59.00

So, that’s what they decided to do.

The 10 men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.

“Since you are all such good customers,” he said, “I’m going to reduce the cost of your daily beers by $20. “

Drinks for the 10 now cost just $80.00

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so Man 1, 2, 3 and 4 were still unaffected. They would still drink for free.

But what about the other six men? The paying customers? How could they divide the $20.00 windfall so that everyone would get his “fair share”? They realized that $20.00 divided by 6 is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody’s share, then Man 5 and Man 6 would each end up being paid to drink his beer.

So the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce eaxh man’s bill by roughy the same amount and he proceeded to work out the amounts each would pay.

• Man 5 (like Man 1, 2, 3 and 4) would now pay nothing (100% savings)
• Man 6 now paid $2.00 instead of $3 (33% savings)
• Man 7 now paid $5.00 instaed of $7 (28% savings)
• Man 8 now paid $9.00 instead of $12.00 (25% savings)
• Man 9 now paid $14.00 instead of $18.00 (22% savings)
• Man 10 now paid $49.00 insted of $59.00 (16% savings)

Each of the 6 was better off than before and the first four continued to drink for free, but once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

“I only got a dollar out of the $20,” declared Man 6. He pointed to Man 10, “but he got $10″.

“Yea, that’s right, ” proclaimed Man 5. “I only saved a dollar, too. It’s unfair that he got TEN times more then I.”

“That’s true!” shouted Man 7. “Why should he get $10 back when I got only 2? The wealthy get all the breaks!”

“Wait a minute,” yelled Man 1, 2, 3 and 4 in unision. “We didn’t get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!”

The 9 men surrounded the 10 man and beat him up!

the next night, Man 10 didn’t show up for drinks, so the 9 sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something very important.. they didn’t have enough money between all of them for even half the bill!

And that’s just how our tax system works! The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy and they just may not show up anymore.

In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier!

I was a little too quick with the mouse and what I was writing in this post disappeared. Maybe that’s a good thing!

So the cover story of the Delco Times has a headline stating that the grave stone toppling at Eden Cemetary was racially motivated.

I can tell you absolutely.. positively… 100% clarity that it was NOT racially motivated. Not by any means.

Unfortunately, I happen to know the three dumbasses who did this. It’s one of those friend-of-a-friend-of-a-brother-of-a-friend thing that happens when you have teenagers.

Never liked them. Not even alittle. Never trusted them. My husband can confirm this.

At any rate, what REALLY happened is that they were getting wasted. I don’t know if they were getting high on pills, acid, weed or some other pharmaceutical that I’m too old to be “down” with.. but that’s what they were doing there and in their idiotic, chemically induced mindset they thought it would be fun.

Deplorable? Definately. Racial? Not in the least.

As I posted before, I doubt they even KNEW of Eden’s historical background or that it was an African American cemetary. I doubt they can even spell their first name backwards half the time. In fact, one of three has been picked up by police at least 3 or 4 times since the incident. So what does that tell you about their intelligence level?

And as much as I find what they did reprehensible, I do have to say that the OTHER two teenagers that received 64 hours of community service for robbing Suburban Armory are much more a threat to society then these half baked idiots are.

While I agree whole heartedly that Eden Cemetary and it’s buried needs to be recognized for the historical value, I think the activists who are trying to make something out of nothing should really look at the real problems. There is enough racism as it is… stop promoting it.

Here’s the Delco Times article in case you haven’t read it yet:

Yep.. I got called for Jury Duty.

Let me preface this by saying that I really don’t mind Jury Duty. When I lived in Philly the Jury Commission did everything possible to get people to show. Even re-modeling the holding cell jury room and serving stale bagels and nasty donuts provided for by the money received from the fines of no-shows.

NOTE: Just a thought. Considering the the amount of the fine :: which I think was about $150.00 :: you’d think they’d at least serve FRESH stuff? Then again, this was during the Street administration so what does one really expect? And by the way, if you saw the gang-rush of people trampling each other for that crap, let’s just say that it’s better to pack your own!

So anyway… back in August I get this thick envelope containing my official 4 page notice :: love the lime green ink! :: complete with a 4 page questionairre wanting to know everything about me :: including the location of every mole and beauty mark ::. I had to laugh. In Philly the notice and questionairre was one of those postcards where you had to rip off the sides and bottom .. inevitably tearing through the notice and the questions consisted of:

• Are you a citizen?
• Where you ever convicted of a felony?
• Can you read, write and speak English?
• Did anyone help you fill this out?

So needless to say, I had to run out and buy a box of pens to fill this one out! But I do and mail it back the next day. As a Newbie to the county, I didn’t want to be the one that puts the grind to it’s justice system!

My show date was September 24th and I was instructed to call the night before with my special number to see if I needed to appear.

I put the notice on my dresser and promptly forgot about it.

Now, I KNEW that the date was the end of September but for the life of me, I thought it was for the 29th. So let’s fast forward to the NIGHT of the 24th and while cleaning off my dresser, I find the notice.

Um. Yea. GULP!

I immediately show my husband and say, “Oh Shit, now what?”

The Delco native that he is says, “You better call them tomorrow or they’ll have a warrent out on you.”

At first I thought he was joking but considering how hard ass they are about actually stopping at stop signs, I figured I better head his warning. My thought was that it would REALLY suck to get arrested for NOT doing something that I actually really like doing.

So I call on the 25th.

Remember: I’m from dysfunctional Philly.

A woman named Betty picked up the phone on like, the second ring. No voice mail, no annoying prompts. Nothing. Just Betty.

I quickly go into my story… professing sorrow and apologies.. and she was like, “Well, we don’t have your questionairre”

Holy Crap… I SWEAR I mailed it in the next day! Honest!

Not a problem. “Probably got lost in the mail, ” she said. “Always happens?”

Can you say T-W-I-L-I-G-H-T  Z-O-N-E??

Was she for real? Did she drink Kool-Aid? Was this a some sick twisted joke to lull me into complacency before a policeman showed up at my door?

Nope. Just Betty.

She says she will fax me another questionairre and that I can reschedule.

No problem, I say.

She asks me what date I want to reschedule for?

Huh?

Do you have a calander, she asks?

“Umm, ” I stammer.

She’s getting alittle annoyed with me because let’s face it, this is a really easy process. I tell her it really doesn’t matter… she asks me if my job will reimburse me for Jury Duty.. I said it does.. she says just let her know the date when I fax the questionairre back to her.

Done deal.

I get the fax, complete the paperwork, fax it back indicating that anytime after the second week of October would be fine. Might as well fell a little important, right?

So a few days letter I get the little post card in the mail .. my new date? October 15th.

Cool. I tell my boss and everything is fine.

So last night I go to call the number to see if I’m needed and guess what? No number on the postcard. Okay.. guess because I already scheduled I just have to go. No free get-out card this time. The best part is is that I don’t have to be there until 9am so the morning Get-The-Kids-To-School mess isn’t as intense and I can hang out with the hubby alittle longer.

I emailed my boss to let her know that there is STILL a possibility that I’ll be in work considering that there was no number to call.. and away I go.

We won’d discuss me getting lost trying to find the courthouse parking lot. Don’t ask. I’m not telling.

But I go in and present my card to the woman and guess what?

TODAY IS OCTOBER 14TH, dumbass!!

Usually I’m a day late and a dollar short… LOL!

So now I have a conumdrum. I can’t take off work on the 15th. Just can’t. No possibility.

So I drive to my office and decide to fax Betty again :: the original paperwork and fax were in my desk :: because frankly, I was too embarrassed to call. I apologize again profusely, attach supporting documentation from my job as to why I can’t come in on the 15th and could I please, please, PLEASE be rescheduled??

Guess what? Betty calls me. And the whole converstation back in September? Yea… had it again. Only THIS time I was prepared.

October 27th is my new date.

PLEASE CAN SOMEONE REMIND ME!!!

BTW.. not to pat myself on the back but she did offer to excuse me completely. But like I said, I do like Jury Duty!

But sometimes.. and this is the beauty of the internet .. someone reads a post and tells me that I have my facts wrong.

This is exactly what happened in reference to a post about an inicident on Marshall Avenue. If you want, you can read the original post HERE.

I wrote that post back in August and there it remained. New crimes occurred… new opinions were shared.. the presidental race started heating up… until yesterday.

A woman named Jane commented on the post and graciously offered to tell everything that happened surrounding this incident. I promised to post it because for me, it isn’t about my opinion being the right one. It isn’t about keeping an arm’s length away from what is happening in my neighborhood. It’s about what is the right thing to do.

This is the email I received from Jane, unedited:

I am a neighbor who lives on Marshall Avenue very close to the Bailey’s house, where a racial incident took place in mid-July 2008. for those unfamiliar with the incident, the Bailey family van and car were vandalized. The van had four tires slashed and spray painted, while the car had the words “F***” and then the “N” word under that. In addition to the N word, several other symbols were scratched into the car. In total the vandalism caused over $4000 worth of damage to the vehicles.

I will never forget waking up that first morning to see the van, all of its tires deflated, and the Bailey children with tears running down their cheeks, trying to clean up the vile language while neighbors swarmed around attempting to make sense of what had happened.

I was immediately told by the Bailey family that “someone” had seen three young, white males near the scene and had witnessed the crime take place. I was also told that the police had told the Baileys there was “nothing to be done” about the vandalism because they “didn’t have any leads”. Apparently an anonymous neighbor had called the Baileys to report what she had seen, but she did not want to come forward and wanted to remain anonymous, and so the Baileys did not reveal her name at the time.

At the same time that all of us neighbors were outside talking to the Baileys about what had happened, I saw and heard a minor on the block a few houses down point to house #226 and say, “Dad, Dad, they did it! It was them!” House 226 was where brothers Anthony, Brandon and Michael Kelly were residing at the time.

I was told later that day by a separate minor that she had witnessed Anthony Kelly and Brandon Kelly pop the tires and spray paint the vehicles.

I went to the police station to inform them of this information and at that time I asked them why they had not started an investigation. The officer I spoke to said that they were “busy” and that there were “no leads” but now that he had spoken to me, they could start to do something. It took four days for the police to start their investigation which involved going door to door.

About a week after the incident I was told by several neighbors that the father of Brandon and Anthony was “personal friends” with the police and the judge, and that he “carpets all of their houses”. In addition, I was told that Brandon and Anthony Kelly have had previous charges brought against them for various crimes over the years, and that all they ever receive is a “slap on the wrist” because of their father having connections iwth the cops and the judge.

This is the allegation of several neighbors and it remains just that – an allegation. However, this allegation has caused me great concern and alarm. i would hate to think that anyone would be let off easy for a hate crime because of a misuse of power by anyone in the county.

Armed wit this information I approached the police and asked them if the alleged connections between them and Mr. Smith (the boy’s father) were true. I have been assured by the police that it “does not matter” who is friends with whom and that “justice will be carried out”. The police continued their investigation and reassured me that things were moving forward. I do believe that the police have done an excellent job so far and I want to trust that no one would abuse their power, but doubt keeps nagging at me.

About a month after the incident I learned the identity of the first adult eyewitness through my conversations with additional neighbors. I approached her and verified that she did indeed see Anthony Kelly, Michael Kelly and Brandon Kelly sitting on their porch at 226 Marshall Ave and that she did witness Anthony Kelly and Brandon Kelly popping all four tires of the Bailey’s van. The Bailey’s van was parked just a few feet away from the brother’s porch.

Shortly after that, I spoke with a second adult eyewitness who saw the three brother’s sitting on their porch and laughing right around the time of the incident.

I approached the first adult eyewitness and urged her to come forward to the police, which she finally agreed to. She gave a written, sworn statement to the police as to what she saw. In addition to that evidence, there is matching graffiti on the van which ties Brandon Kelly to it, because of earlier graffiti linked to him in another section of town.

Cops spoke with both of the  minor children on the block, who told them that they also witnessed the crime occur and I believe there may have been additional witnesses, because when police came to my door during the investigation I was told that “many people” on the block had told them that Brandon and Anthony were the one’s responsible.

Anthony and Brandon turned themselves in to police in September and as of this article they have had one preliminary hearing which was “continued” for later in October. My conern, and the reason I am writing this post, is that I can’t shake the feeling of “what if”. What if the connections their father allegedly has with the police and/or judge will cause them to receive a lesser sentence?

As of matter of fact, it is my belief that neighbors and all of the eyewitnesses, have been made to believe by Mr. Smith, that the Smith-Kelly family has ties to the county/police/judge and that those ties have protected them in the past. it is for this reason that the eyewitnesses were actually frightened to come forward, and why they had wanted to remain anonymous at first.

If there is anoyone out there reading this who what occurred during the first trial, or when the continuation of that trial will be taking place, please leave your comments. I would also like to know if anyone has any information about these alleged connections and favoritism. If these allegations are false, I will be relieved. I am NOT accusing the cops or the judge of any wrongdoing whatsoever, but I am concerned about what I have seen and heard, as I think any reasonable citizen would be.

 I would also like to state that the motivation for the crime was, in my opinion, partially racial and partially for revenge. A neighbor had reported the brothers for using drugs and complained to their mother several weeks prior ro the incident. It seems that the revenge was taken out upon the Bailey’s in error, though, as it was actually a different neighbor who had reported the brother’s drug use. The brothers apparently got the wrong family, mistakenly thinking it was the Bailey’s who had complained.

With regard to the racial motivation aspect, there has been much rumor and hearsay on the block about the “ignorance” of the family and how they were indeed racist. One preson told me that she heard the mother complain that she did not want to live near black people. Again, that is hearsay only, and I did not witness the mother saying this directly. The only thing I have firsthand knowledge of is firsthand accounts from the eyewitnesses to the crime which as I stated included two minor children, one adult, and one adult who witnessed the brothers on their porch right around the time of the incident. However, given the nature of what the brothers wrote on the car, added to what I have heard from neighbors, I can only surmise that racism did play a role in this incident.

It is my hope that this case will be seen through to the end and that jsutice will be doled out to the fullest extent of the law. The Bailey children have been traumatized by what they saw. The N word is a word that carries with it much history, much hatred. I don’t thiank any non-black person, myself included can fully comprehend the harmful scarring that word can cause. To the poeple who that word does not directly affect, well, we just have to trust black people when they tell us it really hurts.

Its because of that trust and because of the pain on the faces of the Bailey children that I pursue this. I hope my pursuit will not be in vain.

My thanks again to Jane for not only taking the time to write this, but to also bring back to light the incident on Marshall Ave.

As always, comments and thoughts are most welcome.

The party in question is the Alaskan Independence Party. View their website HERE:

I read through the website and honestly, didn’t find anything meeting the “radical” criteria. What I found was a group that wanted what was best for their land and their people.

Not so different from the Native Hawaiians wanting independent status… OR for North Jersey and South Jersey wanting to be recognized as individual territories.

A quick Google search did not immediately  highlight any type of behaviour akin to William Ayers Chicago “Weatherman”.

Take this for what it’s worth. I said that I am open minded and hopefully this will prove that point

My opinions against Obama is a gut instinct of mistrust. There’s been alot said about his dealings with William Ayers and Sal Alisnki (spelling?) and Reverend White and his beliefs in social radicalism in his youth.

To me, people in college tend to explore different ideals or radical ways of thinking. That’s part of the college experience. Generally one gets involved in clubs or societies and profess to different beliefs and that’s all fine and good. It’s part of the experience and hopefully causes one to grow into a independent thinker who can discern between the right way to go and the wrong.

Think that makes me hesitant on Obama is that with all that’s been documented about his college years and associations, he is trying to shove it under the rug. Pretend that it didn’t exist or is being blown out of proportion.

I would give him much more respect if he said, “… yep. I was involved in this or that. I associated with that person or the other person but you know what? I was a stupid kid who came to realize that I didn’t agree with those ideals.”

That’s it. End of Story. End of potential smear campaigns.

Instead, he just tried to dumb us down into believing that he knew nothing of Ayer’s past… heard nothing that Jeremiah Wright preached in 20 years of sitting in his church.. I mean, come on.

So there it is …

Feel free to comment. As I’ve said before, I have no problems discussing anything about this election and I’m open to hearing anything an Obama supporter has to say.

The only news is one that is really no news.

Time cannot be stopped. Life goes on. Pain deminishes. But here’s what really sucks…

Faith’s family and friends marked the second month of her death recently. A Japanese dogwood tree was planted in her memory. A plaque will be dedicated towards the end of the month. According to an article in the Delco Times, Faith’s family and friends gathered and shared stories and memories. Faith’s mom spends time reading at the cemetary which I’m sure gives her some sense of solice and peace.

While life is moving on and more importantly, life without Faith is slowing becoming the norm, there is still an ongoing police investigation which will eventually lead to an arrest and a trial.

And a trial means reliving that terrible night all over again.  The pain is in the details. Personally, I have a tendency to force myself to remember painful things as a way to overcome it. One can only hurt so much and then the pain starts to diminsh. For me, anyway.

My prayer is when that day enevitably comes, the Sinclair family and the friends of Faith relive that pain knowing that there is now an end to the waiting for justice to be served.

Yknow.. with all the bull being slung in the presidental election about who’s going to change what the real mark of degridation in this society is the recent developement in the Suburban Armory robbery case.

You really want change? Make the punishment fit the crime.

According to today’s Delco Times, 2 of the degenerates :: the 15 year old Collingdale resident and the 16 year old Chester resident :: pleaded guilty or rather MADE ADMISSIONS :: whatever that means :: on Friday and were released to their parents.

Their punishment?

How about 64 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND THEY MUST ATTEND SPECIFIED CLASSES.

One thinks that “specified” doesn’t mean your basic english or language arts class.

The owner of the Armory is livid. The community is livid. I’m sorry but every law abiding citizen should be livid. Regardless of their age, they stole a hell of a whole lot of guns and ammo. ALOT.

So what kind of message does this send? That it’s okay to burglarize a gun store as long as your 12 to 24 months shy of being 18? That all you have to do if caught is ride it out and you’ll end up with community service?

So now here’s fuel for the fire.

Remember the dibachery at Eden Cemetary? Where over 200 grave stones were overturned? The three involved are below the age of 18. Well, at least 2 that i know of are… what do you think THEIR sentence is going to be?

Me thinks it’s going to be alot heavier then 64 hours of community service.

And is that fair? Really. Regardless of what you personally believe the motivation was in the Cemetary case… is it really more horrible or dangerous then stealing 15 guns and 250 rounds of ammunition?

Personally, if I was the parents of the Eden offenders I would definately make that point known.

Thoughts?