Monday, September 20, 2010

Most Aspects Of E-Waste Not Regulated

Virginians are creating piles of potentially dangerous waste.

The problem is old electronics, or e-waste -- computers, cellphones and other gadgets that people toss because they've found something newer and shinier.

"It's not factory waste but post-consumer waste that's coming out of your hands, my hands or anybody's hands," said Jim Puckett, director of the Basel Action Network, a Seattle-based environmental group.

The old electronics are laced with pollutants, such as lead and cadmium, that have been linked to cancer, nervous-system damage and other problems.

No one is sure how much e-waste Virginians produce. No one tracks it closely, in Virginia or nationally. But everyone agrees it's a lot.

The Environmental Protection Agency says the U.S. discarded about 2.25 million tons of electronics in 2007, the most recent year for which even a rough estimate is available.

That's about 14½ pounds -- roughly the weight of a couple of laptops -- for every U.S. resident. It's also nearly a three-fold increase from the estimated 850,000 tons in 1997, according to the EPA.

"There's so much of it, and it's being generated at an increasing rate in the U.S. and worldwide," said Dan Gallo, an environmental protection specialist for the EPA.

And no one knows precisely where it all goes. Most of it ends up in landfills that are safe now, regulators say, but which critics say will leak someday.

A portion of the waste -- the amount is in dispute -- gets exported to such places as China and Africa, where workers in unsafe conditions extract valuable copper and other materials using open fires and acid.

Most aspects of e-waste are unregulated, federally and in Virginia.


"We're not deeply involved in how computers are managed in Virginia, other than encouraging that they be recycled or donated so they can have continued life," said Steve Coe, recycling specialist with the state Department of Environmental Quality.

The state and federal governments oversee the disposal of cathode-ray tubes, or CRTs -- the big, glassy parts in old computer monitors and TVs -- which can contain up to 8 pounds of lead, a toxic metal.

But while some states ban residents from dumping CRTs and other electronics in landfills, Virginia does not.

Among Virginia's neighbors, North Carolina and West Virginia will start banning the dumping of computer equipment and TVs next year. Maryland has no ban or plans for one.

Virginia allows individuals to dump old electronics with their household garbage, which ends up in a landfill.

Virginia localities can ban people from tossing lead-laden CRTs in the trash, but few localities -- and none in the Richmond area -- do that.

Of the electronics discarded in 2007, more than 80 percent went into landfills, the EPA says. Everyone agrees that's a waste of landfill space and valuable materials that can be recycled. The question is whether that dumping endangers the public.

The EPA says no, because modern landfills are equipped with plastic underground liners and systems designed to limit pollution.

"If properly managed, the disposal of electronics in landfills can be safe," Gallo said.

Others fear that even the most modern liners will leak someday, allowing e-waste-tainted "garbage juice" to pollute underground water, which can feed wells and streams.

"The heavy metals are there for the long, long term, and I don't think the liners are there for the long, long term," said Roger Diedrich, who deals with waste issues for the Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club.

Acidic liquids in landfills can dissolve hazardous metals in e-waste such as lead and copper, said John T. Novak, a Virginia Tech professor of civil and environmental engineering.

If the landfill leaks, those metals can contaminate groundwater, but operators of properly built landfills should prevent that by pumping out and treating the liquids, among other measures, Novak said.

Landfills contain lots of nasty things, including treated wood containing copper and arsenic. You can debate the wisdom of building big landfills, but there is nothing really unique about the threat of the e-waste in them, Novak said.

"A landfill is almost like a biological experiment," said Scott Mouw, North Carolina's recycling director.

"To me, it's common sense" to recycle or reuse electronics, he said, and not put them where they might cause problems.

While most of the high-tech castoffs go into landfills, the rest are either repaired and put back into use, or recycled.

Much of the recycled waste is ultimately broken down into parts such as plastic and metals that can be used to make such products as parking-lot curbs and lead-acid batteries.

Although it sounds wonderful to recycle, critics say a lot of e-waste that is diverted toward recycling gets shipped to developing countries.

"Eighty percent of what you hand over to a recycler in this country is going to end up offshore," said Puckett, the Seattle environmentalist.

The exports can be legal, particularly if they don't involve cathode-ray tubes. But, critics say, some exports endanger overseas workers and mislead Americans who in good faith take their old computers and other items to recycling sites -- sometimes paying for the privilege.

The EPA's Gallo said he does not know what portion of the exports is handled improperly, but, "We think it's not as large as what's being portrayed" in the media.

The Government Accountability Office said in a scathing 2008 report that the EPA did little to stop recyclers from sending e-waste overseas. Used electronics other than CRTs flow "virtually unrestricted" to developing countries, the report said.

The EPA is planning a study to better determine the fate of exported electronics, Gallo said.

Robert Houghton, president of Redemtech, an Ohio-based company that repairs and recycles old electronics, said, "I think it's absolutely truthful to say that there are no completely reliable statistics" on where e-waste goes.

Some say Congress will eventually have to stop the improper handling of e-waste.

"We stopped companies from throwing stuff in rivers a long time ago," Houghton said. "This really isn't very different."

The state DEQ's Coe said he believes recycling companies in Virginia are operating properly -- partly because they are truly "getting green" and partly because they fear getting bad publicity.

"There's a business risk if they don't do the right thing," Coe said.

Virginia's e-waste in 2009 included 20,370 computers and other electronics owned by state agencies, state officials said. AERC Recycling Solutions, a Pennsylvania-based company, dealt with the electronics at a cost of $217,587. AERC's services included recycling computer parts and erasing data from computer hard drives. AERC runs two warehouse-like plants near Ashland.

In addition, Computer Recycling of Virginia, a nonprofit near Tappahannock, recycled and refurbished since 2006 about 47,000 formerly state-owned computers that were replaced by Northrop Grumman under that company's contract to provide technology services to the state. The payment to Computer Recycling totaled $230,515, Northrop Grumman said.

The potential danger of e-waste has been known for years, but there is a growing concern over its proliferation and the lack of transparency about its ultimate resting place.

"I don't know [where Virginia's e-waste goes] and I don't exactly know how to find out," said Sierra's Diedrich.

Could part of the issue be semantic?

Using the term "e-waste" for valuable used electronics adds to the problem, said Eric Harris, associate counsel for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, a trade group.

"If we keep on calling it a waste," Harris said, "we're encouraging the type of behavior that is associated with waste."

Things would be better, Harris said, if we called the stuff "scrap."

www.timesdispatch.com

Pocomoke Man Charged With Possession Of Pot And Other Drugs

A Pocomoke man is charged with a variety of drug offenses after he was spotted in the West Ocean City Wawa with a partially burnt marijuana cigarette behind his ear by a Maryland State Trooper. 26 year old Tyrone Scruggs was arrested and faces numerous drug offenses.

CRIMINAL PRESS RELEASE:
Time: 09/17/2010 @ 2321 hours
Case #: 10-96-006202
Location: WAWA 12502 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, Worcester County, MD
Crime: Possession of CDS: Marijuana, cocaine, and paraphernalia
Victim: State of Maryland
Accused: Tyrone Scruggs 26 yoa from Pocomoke City, MD

Narrative: .. On the above date and time an on duty Trooper from the Berlin Barrack was in the WAWA convenience store located at the above location. While in the store he observed the above subject had a partially burnt rolled marijuana cigarette held behind his ear in plain view. The Trooper took the above subject into custody for marijuana possession. During a further search of the accused, the Trooper located a baggie containing crack cocaine and powder cocaine. The accused was processed and taken before a District Court Commissioner for CDS marijuana, CDS cocaine, and paraphernalia charges.


Disposition: Taken before District Court Commissioner.

www.wgmd.com

More From Gumboro ~ The Sod Buster

Each and every mudbog at Gumboro brings new trucks to area for the fun of racing through the 200 feet of mud. And each and every time the same trucks reappear with the hopes of keeping their points already acheived and gaining more plus getting their thrill for racing. It's also a time for joining friends made at races before and make new ones.

It should always be remembered that the trucks you see on mudbog day were put together with a great deal of expense and time and care. They all want to win.

Some will drive a great distance to Gumboro.....hours. For those of 187 East Peformance it is a 1 1/2 hour drive. Most of us stop for breakfast in the morning and dinner in the evenings before venturing home. It is not an expense free day.
Without these trucks and without these fearless drivers Gumboro would NOT be what it has become. Each and every truck that enters the pit has paid their fair share, just like everyone else, to participate. And it is always a sigh of relief for me knowing that we arrived safely and the rest of the 187 East Peformance would arrive shortly.

Saturday after the mishap of Orange Crush the spectators witnessed another hair raising moment with Sod Buster.

Flips and roll overs and fires may be excitement for the crowd but I can assure you that it most definitely is NOT for those in the pits! The family is there too....not to forget the extended family of the 187 East Performance.

This incident is unsettling with me. I did not like what I saw in the few seconds after this truck caught fire.

Here's the video followed by some photos.

The first one to arrive to the side of the truck was this driver's son! Within seconds other drivers had jumped the fence INCLUDING the driver's WIFE, daughter and daughter's boyfriend followed by my husband and even more.

Then appearing on the scene even seconds later was the staff arriving in their golf cart looking like the Keystone Kops! That's right. I said Keystone Kops! They do a remarkable job measuring distances driven by the trucks in the pit but when it comes to an emergency situation they stink!

Everyone was screaming to remove the driver. Others were screaming for fire extinquishers. They yelled and yelled while this driver's family and friends scrambled to unhook the extinguishers they had................The "staff" had come unprepared! No one on that cart had a fire extinguisher in hand!

And at the same time all of this was happening the daughter of the driver was running towards the pits screaming for a screw driver. I can't imagine that cart not even being equiped with a few tools..... common sense should tell them that a screwdriver and hammer could always come in handy.
And the other racers and racers families even helped clean up. All that was left to be done was to tow the Sod Buster. The driver was not hurt..........but as in any mishap HE COULD HAVE BEEN!

What is it going to take before an ambulance is present at these races? What's it going to take before fire extinguishers are placed ALONG THE FENCE NEAR THE PITS so your summer tanned pretty boys can fight a flame or a flicker in a truck if they know how to!?

Each and every driver is required to have an extinguisher on board his or her truck. THEY can't always get to it in an emergency situation and neither can the first person to the scene.

This isn't the first time this has occured. We witnessed a similar situation on August 28th.

These drivers spend alot money for and on Gumboro. Not because they have to........they want to. They love the sport. Each mudbog these men and women put on one heck of a show for the spectators in hopes that the crowd will spread the word and return the next time and time after that.

So, in appreciation for what these men and women do and for the revenue THEY bring to the Gumboro Mudbog organization don't they deserve to have that extra reassurance? Surely, by now they have made enough money for the Gumboro Mudbog to affored it.

They deserve it and it should NOT be put upon the people in the pits to take care of these situations...........even though they will and with a reaction time so much faster.

Let's not wait for a true horrible disaster to happen...........it can. By then it will be too late.

A little bit of money spent for SAFETY purposes will go a long way.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Mishaps From Time to Time At Gumboro

The wonderful people that make mud racing possible at Gumboro go all out in making everyones visit as comfortable as they can. I've never heard a terse word among any of them, seen any signs of anyone working the grounds seem to be unhappy. Each event is positively alcohol FREE.....which is a wonderful thing........

In the concession stand they have a wonderful assortment of hats, t-shirts and really great food.


They don't seem to forget a thing........well almost........


This is a photo of "Orange Crush" driven by Jared Collins. Jared is familiar face in the pits at Gumboro as is his truck to the spectators that cheer him on.

Saturday Jared had an unfortunate mishap that caused his truck to almost roll over as he traveled through the 200 feet of thick mud at a high rate of speed.


I had thought I had his race on video but don't. These are the photos that I did capture.


It seems something around the wheel area snapped causing damage to the front end. The driver was not injured but this could have been a most unfortunate experience for Jared and everyone else watching yesterday.



I keep a watchful eye on all these trucks. An accident can happen at anytime regardless of the size of the trucks motor or the speed applied to gain the least amount of seconds. Spectators are watching, children are watching, family and friends are watching and other racers are watching.

An accident like this one which does not look like much from the photos can scare the pants off everybody.

For myself, when this occurs, I can't help but feel faint. The one thing I pay close attention to is RESPONSE. When these pictures were taken the driver had been removed and there was no further danger to the truck.


The crew that was there was empty handed. NO fire extinquishers! Not one.

Also NO emergency crew. NO ambulance.


And you say........."didn't need one". And I say but IF there had been a need for one would these racers have been protected? By whom?


Oh, I'll tell you how and I will tell you just exactly WHO protected ANOTHER DRIVER yesterday!


Stay tuned.......

More Gumboro Mudbog

During opening ceremonies at the Gumboro Mudbog yesterday the drivers that participated in the August 28th Charity Run For the Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed Hospital were recognized. It was espicially comforting to hear that the 50/50 raffle yesterday raised an extra $200 OR MORE that will be added to the original amount already raised.

More than 50 trucks registered for the mudbog in all classes. Big Tire and Small Tire Modified Classes both had a first place prize of $750.00 EACH which enticed more drivers to bring their trucks and take a chance.
Videos and more photos................



BUSY DAY AT GUMBORO~ Alot Of Good Racing

What a beautiful, bright and sunny day we had yesterday at the Gumboro Mudbog.

Days likes this don't get any better on the Eastern Shore. There seemed to be many more spectators the last couple of times and alot of them appear (from the pit side) that in spite of what they drive to the race in they come equipped sometimes with those pop up tents or beach umbrellas.This is a wonderful idea, especially if you have children, since it gives more room to move around as apposed to sitting on those hard bleachers in the sun all day. Even tailgait watching can be relaxing.

And those pop-up tents are on the pit side too! I wouldn 't be afraid to bet that those inexpensive creations probably take the days temperature down 12 degrees or more........ true lifesavers for alot of us who arrive early in the morning and don't leave until the evening hours.

I love to have and see family and friends around us and yesterday there was plenty of that!
It's been custom for a while now that participating trucks line the fence before the races. This gives the crowd a chance to view them before the muddy races begin.
And of course the Gumboro Mudbog would not be the same without the Kid's Power Wheels Race! There were only two for the race yesterday but as usual quite a sight to see.
Here's the video of that most important race! The Future Mudbog Racers! And this young lady seems to beat them all! Could it be that she has the inside scoop because her Dad is a truck racer himself? We'll never know.





MORE FROM THE GUMBORO MUDBOG COMING SOON!

Handgun Found During Traffic Stop

A handgun was found in a vehicle at a traffic stop on Route 113 in Newark, Maryland. The trooper took the gun and found it to be loaded. They also found that William Wilson Jr.—a 21-year old from Temperanceville, Virginia was wanted on an outstanding bench warrant for driving with a suspended license.

CRIMINAL PRESS RELEASE:

Time: 09/17/2010 @ 2300 hours

Case #: 10-96-006203

Location: US Rt. 113 @ Langmaid Rd. Newark, Worcester County, MD

Crime: Handgun in vehicle, outstanding arrest warrant

Victim: State of Maryland

Accused: William Harrison Wilson Jr. 21 yoa from Temperanceville, VA

Narrative: On the above date and time a Trooper from the Berlin Barrack conducted a traffic stop on a 2003 Mazda driven
by the accused for passing in a no passing zone. A check of the accused through the District Court revealed he was
wanted on an outstanding bench warrant for driving with a suspended license. While placing the accused under arrest for the outstanding warrant the Trooper observed in plain view the barrel of a firearm protruding from underneath the driver’s floor mat. The Trooper retrieved the firearm and found it to be a loaded .32 caliber Colt revolver. The Trooper took custody of the above firearm. The accused did not have a handgun permit or any documentation for the firearm and was charged with carrying a handgun in a vehicle. The accused was taken before a District Court Commissioner for the warrant and handgun charges.

Disposition: Taken before District Court Commissioner

Investigating Trooper(s): TFC Sigmund #4783

Approving Duty Officer: CPL. Chatfield Date: 09/18/2010

Commander: Lt. E.W. Starner
Assistant Commander: 1/Sgt. D. Sharp

http://www.wgnd.com/

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Teresa Lewis To Be Executed In Virginia

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell said Friday he will not grant clemency to a woman scheduled to be executed next week for the murder of her husband and stepson.

If she is put to death, Teresa Lewis, 41, would be the first woman executed in Virginia since 1912, The Washington Post reported. She is scheduled to die by lethal injection Thursday.

Lewis pleaded guilty in 2002 to arranging for her lover and another man to kill her husband, Julian Lewis, a Vietnam veteran, and his son, Charles "C.J." Lewis, an Army reservist. Matthew Shallenberger and Rodney Fuller, who carried out the killings at the Lewis trailer in Danville, received life sentences.

A judge, declaring Lewis the "head of this serpent," gave her the death penalty.

Opponents of Lewis' execution say Shallenberger actually planned the killings, manipulating Lewis, who has an IQ just above the level of mental retardation.

McDonnell, who supports the death penalty, said he read the submissions from Lewis' lawyers.

"I find no compelling reason to set aside the sentence that was imposed by the Circuit Court," McDonnell said.


Lewis 2010

www.upi.com

Feds Arrest Members Of Pagan Motorcycle Club

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBS/AP) Federal officials have arrested 19 members of the Pagans motorcycle gang in five states, marking one of the largest roundups of the notorious group since 2002.

Prosecutors said Wednesday that the arrests made during early morning raids in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Massachusetts were the result of a 21-month investigation by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who infiltrated the biker gang's internal operations.

According to an indictment, several members of the Long Island, N.Y. chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club met with gang members from other divisions last Sunday in New Jersey, where they discussed plans to kill members of the rival motorcycle gang, Hells Angels.

ATF officials say the conspirators drafted a list of potential targets and were told to be prepared to die or go face time in prison for completing their mission. ATF special agent-in-charge Ronald Turk said the arrests interrupted the conspiracy before anyone was hurt.

The deep-rooted rivalry between the Pagans and Hells Angels is one rife with violence. In 2002, one Pagan member was shot and killed and at least 10 other people were injured when a confrontation erupted after Pagans members decided to crash a motorcycle expo sponsored by Hells Angels.

Seventy-three Pagans were convicted of or pleaded guilty to federal charges in that case. Turk noted that this most recent sting was the largest roundup of Pagans members on Long Island since that case eight years ago.

Authorities reportedly confiscated 34 firearms and one improvised explosive device during the raids Wednesday.

Seven of the defendants were based on Long Island, where they were ordered to be held without bail during their arraignments in U.S. District Court. Members face charges of racketeering, murder conspiracy, assault, extortion, drug distribution, witness tampering and firearms offenses.

www.cbsnews.com

Why Mr. Rogers wore a sweater

This is a special tribute--Please take the time to read this. 


You Would Never Have Guessed

Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23,  2004 at age 76 , which is odd, because he always looked to be 76. (DOB: 6/27/27 )
His death reminded me of the following story.

Some people have
been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave alongside 3 and 4-star generals at Arlington National Cemetery His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else. Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer:

I always liked Lee
Marvin, but didn't know the extent of his Corps experiences.

In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces often in rear echelon
posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero.  He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima there is only one higher Naval award... the Medal Of Honor!

If that is a surprising
comment on the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery.

Dialog from "The Tonight
Show with Johnny Carson": His guest was Lee Marvin... Johnny said, "Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima ..and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."
"Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the bottom
and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi.   Bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys getting shot hauling you down.
But, Johnny, at Iwo , I served under the bravest man I ever knew... We both got the Cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made
mine look cheap in comparison.  That dumb guy actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach..
Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there
as the main target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life.

 That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter and said, "Where'd they get you Lee?" "Well Bob.... if you make it home before me, tell Mom to
sell the outhouse!"

Johnny, I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew.
 
The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as Captain
Kangaroo."

On another note, there was this wimpy little man (who passed away) on PBS, gentle and quiet.
  Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he now portrays to our youth. But Mr. Rogers was a U.S. Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long-sleeved sweater on TV, to cover the many tattoos on his forearm and biceps. He was a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat

After the war
, Mr. Rogers became an ordained Presbyterian minister and therefore a pacifist.   Vowing to never harm another human and also dedicating the rest of his life to trying to help lead children on the right path in life... He hid away the tattoos and his past life and won our hearts with his quiet wit and charm..

 America's real heroes don't flaunt what they did; they quietly go about their day-to-day lives, doing what they do best. They earned our respect and the freedoms that we all enjoy.
 Look around and see if you can find one of those heroes in your midst.  Often, they are the ones you'd least suspect, but would most like to have on your side if anything ever happened.

Take the time to thank anyone that has fought for our freedom. With encouragement they could be the next Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers..

Friday, September 17, 2010

Dr. Jeffress Responds to Dallas News Columnist

This is a must see video, please take the time to watch but more importantly to listen to this well thought-out video response.



VIA: First Baptist Dallas

Hat Tip; Art

Cemetery Watchman


I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's.  Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 1655.  Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day.  Full dress was hot in the August sun.  Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever--the heat and humidity at the same level--both too high. 

I saw the car pull into the drive, a '69 or '70 model Cadillac Deville, looked factory-new.  It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace..  An old woman got out so slowly I thought she was paralyzed; she had a cane and a sheaf of flowers--about four or five bunches as best I could tell. 

I couldn't help myself.  The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste: 'She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I'm ready to get out of here right now!'  But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in. 


Kevin would lock the 'In' gate and if I could hurry the old biddy along, we might make it to Smokey's in time. 


I broke post attention.  My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch.   I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery. 

I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman's squint. 


'Ma'am, may I assist you in any way?

She took long enough to answer. 

'Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days.' 

'My pleasure, ma'am.'  Well, it wasn't too much of a lie. 

She looked again.  'Marine, where were you stationed?'

'Vietnam, ma'am.. Ground-pounder. '69 to '71.

She looked at me closer.  '
Wounded in action, I see.  Well done, Marine.  I'll be as quick as I can.

I lied a little bigger:  '
No hurry, ma'am.

She smiled and winked at me.  '
Son, I'm 85-years-old and I can tell a lie from a long way off..  Let's get this done.  Might be the last time I can do this.  My name's Joanne Wieserman, and I've a few Marines I'd like to see one more time.

'Yes, ma 'am.  At your service.

She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone.  She picked one of the flowers out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone.   She murmured something I couldn't quite make out..  The name on the marble was 
Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France 1918

She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone.  I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek.  She put a bunch on a stone; the name was 
Stephen X.Davidson, USMC, 1943

She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone,  Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944

She paused for a second.  'Two more, son, and we'll be done

I almost didn't say anything, but,  '
Yes, ma'am. Take your time.

She looked confused..  'Where's the Vietnam section, son?   I seem to have lost my way.

I pointed with my chin. 'That way, ma'am.

'Oh!', she chuckled quietly.  '
Son, me and old age ain't too friendly.

She headed down the walk I'd pointed at.  She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted.  She placed a bunch on
Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968, and the last on Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970.  She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn't make out. 

'
OK, son, I'm finished.  Get me back to my car and you can go home.

Yes, ma'am.  If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?


She paused.  'Yes, Donald Davidson was my father,  Stephen was my uncle,  Stanley was my husband,  Larry and Darrel were our sons.  All killed in action, all Marines.

She stopped..  Whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't know.  She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully. 
 
 
I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car. 
 
 
 
Get to the 'Out' gate quick.. I have something I've got to do.

Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him.  He broke the rules to get us there down the service road.  We beat her.  She hadn't made it around the rotunda yet. 


'
Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost. Follow my lead.'  I humped it across the drive to the other post. 

When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice: 'TehenHut!  Present Haaaarms!

I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye-- full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud.

 
 
She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice. 


I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac. 

Instead of 'The End,' just think of 'Taps.

As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer:  '
Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas.  Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us.

Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts..  They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy. 

 

Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too! 


If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under!
 


Hat Tip; Eric 

GUMBORO MUDBOG SATURDAY.........

VISIT THE GUMBORO MUDBOG THIS SATURDAY

September 18, 2010

Gates open @ 11:oo am

Races begin @ 1:00 am


ADMISSION $7.00

Refreshments available


ATTENTION BIG AND SMALL TIRE MODIFIED CLASSES!
On September 18, there will be a first place prize of $750 for BOTH Big and Small Tire Modified Classes! (Entry fee will be $50 for these two classes)


For more info go to http://www.gumboromudbog.com/

SEE YOU THERE !!


'As The World Turns' Ends Today

It's not just the end of "The World," but the end of a TV legacy.

After the final "As The World Turns" Friday, Procter & Gamble won't have a daytime drama on the airwaves for the first time in 77 years, since "Ma Perkins" aired on radio in 1933.

"You could say it's the death of the soap opera, because it's the last soap still produced by a soap company," said Sam Ford, 27, a Kentucky native who has taught "As The World Turns" classes at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

When the show debuted in 1956, P&G had "Ma Perkins" on radio and four other TV shows: "Search For Tomorrow," ''The Edge Of Night," ''Guiding Light" and "The Bright Day." (CBS canceled "Guiding Light" in 2009.)

The story of the Hughes family in fictional Oakdale quickly caught on with viewers, becoming the top-rated daytime serial from 1958 to 1978. Fans are mourning the loss.

Melanie Cosgrove, 38, of Delhi Township, Ohio, hasn't missed an episode in 18 years. She started watching while pregnant and ordered to bed rest in 1992.

"I am so sad it's ending. It's been a constant in my life," said Cosgrove, whose daughter turns 18 on Thursday. "I'm already emotional about losing my baby when she leaves for college next summer, and I'm losing my TV 'friends' of 18 years."

Pat Heasley, 58, remembers watching with her mother as a child in Fort Wright, Ky.

"Mom would fill me in during the school year with what was going on," said Heasley of Anderson Township.

Heasley recalls watching young Julianne Moore on the show. Meg Ryan, Kevin Bacon, Marisa Tomei, Martin Sheen, James Earl Jones, Dana Delany, Parker Posey and Ming-Na also played early roles there.

Marie Masters, who has played Dr. Susan Stewart on the show for 35 years, remembers Moore having braces on her teeth, and Posey "wearing ripped T-shirts and scuzzy flip-flops."

Masters believes the bubble could burst soon for the six soaps that will be left on TV. Viewers have plunged by 80 percent - from 6.4 million to 1.3 million - since 1991, according to Nielsen.

"I don't think the rest of the shows have long to go. People have moved on," she said.

The world has changed radically since "The World" started spinning stories in 1956 sponsored by Oxydol or Duz detergents, P&G spokeswoman Jeannie Tharrington said.

"Not only are a lot of women not home anymore, there's also competition from cable, DVRs and online videos like YouTube," she said.

P&G has shifted pursuit of consumers to producing quarterly family movies on NBC with Walmart; working with producer America Ferrera ("Ugly Betty") on MTV's new "Pedro & Maria" telenovela; producing the "People's Choice Awards"; and making "My Black Is Beautiful" for BET. P&G has produced more than 50 TV movies and miniseries, plus "Circus of the Stars" and other specials.

"We're certainly proud of 'As The World Turns.' The legacy soaps that got us into production created a chance for us to do other shows," Tharrington said

P&G wanted to keep "As The World Turns" on the air for "another year or two," she said, but CBS canceled it. The soap will be replaced on Oct. 18 by "The Talk," a "View"-like show with Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Holly Robinson Peete and Leah Remini.

P&G tried to move the show to another network, cable, syndication or online without success, she said.

"It's a shame P&G got out of the soap opera business. I became a fan of the company because of the exposure to their products during commercials," said Bonnie Shelley, 58, of Deerfield Township, Ohio.

"As The World Turns" ends with main character Dr. Bob Hughes (Don Hastings) retiring. The taping was "chaotic and crazy. People were crying and laughing and breaking down," Masters said.

"They respected the format. I liked that. Life in Oakdale goes on," Masters said. "But there will never be closure. It's heart-breaking that they (P&G) are out of the business."

www.citizen-times.com

Worcester District 2: Absentee Envelopes Collected

SNOW HILL -- Detectives confiscated dozens of envelopes that had contained District 2 absentee ballots, launching what officials described in vague terms as a voting integrity probe.

The Worcester Bureau of Investigation officers placed empty ballot envelopes into evidence bags and sealed them with red tape, after county election officials tallied the votes on the ballots they had contained.

Members of the Board of Elections wore surgical gloves while counting all of the absentee ballots and separately counted ballots from District 2, which stretches from the outskirts of Berlin to Pocomoke City, covering mostly unincorporated areas of Worcester County.

Worcester County State's Attorney Joel Todd said he was "made aware" Sept. 10 of a "potential issue" with absentee ballots cast by voters in District 2. He requested the election board have staffers handle absentee ballots with surgical gloves so as not to affect their evidentiary value.

Todd said the investigation is isolated to District 2 absentee ballots, and he has "no reason to believe the Board of Elections has done anything wrong."

The Office of the State Prosecutor, not the Worcester State's Attorney's Office, is leading the investigation, Todd said. The chief investigator with the state prosecutor's office, Jim Cabezas, declined to comment.

Jeffrey Cropper, an attorney for the county Board of Elections, said he could not comment on the substance of the complaint or who made it.

Two candidates' names appeared only on District 2 ballots, and not in other districts: County Commissioner incumbent James Purnell and challenger Edward S. Lee, both Democrats. The race between them turned out to be the only one in Worcester in which one candidate led among ballots cast in person, but another candidate leads among absentee votes counted so far.

After early voting and Election Day ballots were cast, Purnell held a comfortable lead, with 525 votes to Lee's 250 votes. Lee, the former head of the Worcester County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, had won just 32 percent of votes cast as of Tuesday night.

But absentee voters gave much more support to Lee, giving him 76 percent of their votes. Still, the additional 87 absentee votes for Lee and 27 absentee votes for Purnell didn't knock Purnell off the top spot; Purnell still leads 552-337. No Republican ran for commissioner in the district.

Only 184 absentee ballots sent out to Worcester voters in all seven election districts remain unreturned. Any more absentee ballots received in the mail by 10 a.m. Sept. 22 will be counted that day, along with provisional ballots used for in-person voting. Election officials must certify the results no later than Sept. 24.

Lee, asked to comment, said: "I have no comment at this time. You're telling me something I don't know about and have to look into."

Purnell, in a brief interview, said: "I hope it's not true. It looks bad on the district."

For statewide Maryland elections, people voting absentee can have someone pick up a blank ballot on their behalf, help them fill it out and also turn it in, as long as a "designation of agent" form is filled out. The voter's assistant can't be a candidate on the ballot, the voter's employer or an officer of the voter's union.

In two recent Worcester County municipal elections, candidates won seats when their support among absentee voters skyrocketed compared to the ratio of votes cast in person. In April 2009, Pocomoke City Council candidate Tracey Cottman split the in-person vote with candidate Stephanie Burke at 58 votes apiece, but won the seat on the strength of her 178 absentee votes to Burke's 4 votes. A special investigation of the vote by Todd's office found no wrongdoing by any candidate but urged the town to stop the practice of individually numbering absentee ballots and their envelopes, making it possible to name who cast which ballot. The investigation also found the town's own Election Board didn't keep an accurate list of voters.

Todd's report specifically cleared Lee, who supported Cottman's candidacy, of any wrongdoing in the 2009 Pocomoke election, saying Lee "was not and is not the 'subject' of this investigation." A blog post published by Burke claimed Lee was a subject of it.

In May 2009, resident David Suznavick said the two Snow Hill candidates, Rebecca Bowman and Gerald Shockley, handed in dozens of voters' sealed absentee ballot envelopes for them, prompting Suznavick to ask the Circuit Court to invalidate the election. A judge declined to do so, saying Snow Hill's election laws didn't prohibit what the candidates did.

www.delmarvanow.com

Book Claims Michelle Obama Stated Life In White House Is Hell

Michelle Obama thinks being first lady is "hell" and that she "can't stand it," according to juicy revelations put forth in a new book.

In the new book, written by Michael Darmon and Yves Derai, France's first lady Carla Bruni claims she asked Obama about being the president's wife during a private discussion earlier this year, according to London's Daily Mail newspaper.

"Don’t ask! It’s hell. I can’t stand it!" Obamareplied, according to Bruni's bombshell account in excerpts obtained by the newspaper.

Details of the closed-door conversation -- which took place during a visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy last March to the White House -- are part of the book, "Carla And The Ambitious."

Obama's spokeswoman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, said today that the first lady never described her White House life as "hell."

The French Embassy in Washington also released a statement denying that Obama ever said those words. The Embassy said Bruni "distances herself completely" from the book, which is due out Friday.

According to the Daily Mail, the outspoken Bruni, 42, also laces into French government officials, accusing them of trying to "kill" her husband by loading him up with work -- and that Sarkozy lets himself be "bullied" into doing it, the newspaper reported.

Aside from dishing dirt on Obama and her hubby, Bruni also takes a swipe at Princess Diana when discussing a recent visit to an Aids hospital in Africa.

Bruni married Sarkozy in 2008 after the French president divorced his wife.

Their quickfire relationship raised eyebrows in France at the time -- especially given Bruni's assertion in a 2007 magazine interview that she was "crazily bored by monogamy."

Asked about that famous comment in a recent TV interview, Bruni pointed out that Sarkozy was her first husband.

"Well I was never married, so I think monogamy has to do with marriage, right?" she said.

Bruni once described herself as a "man tamer" and has had a number of affairs with intellectuals and rock stars, including Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton, and has a young son from a previous relationship.

In the book, Bruni said she refused requests by French cameramen to snap a photograph of her carrying a baby in her arms "like Lady Di" -- adding that there is "something obscene in promoting yourself when you are giving of yourself."

The book, released to combat an unauthorized biography of Bruni out this week, will hit French store shelves later this year.

www.nypost.com

Accomack County Board Of Supervisors Want To Use Grant Money To Increase Teacher Salaries

In the Accomack County Board of Supervisors meeting in Accomac on Wednesday night the Board of Supervisors postponed a budget amendment that would have given Accomack County Schools an additional $5-8 million in revenue from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Supervisors had a host of questions regarding what is normally a routine adoption of the meeting's agenda, most notably how the money will be spent. The Supervisors wanted as much of the money as possible to be devoted towards teacher salaries before approving the amendment. However, the funds are tied to education initiatives and are not allowed to be used to increase teacher salaries.

The Board unanimously passed a motion to ask for a report on how the funds would be used as well as how the funds raised by a tax increase the Board passed in April before voting for the revenue.

Supervisor Sandy Hart Mears then asked for Accomack County Schools to refund the $730,000 from the tax increase passed in April to the County of Accomack if the additional State Revenue is received.

However, the money in question is not additional money according to Accomack County Schools Finance Director Beth Charnock. The $5-8 million is a lump sum used to fund 30-40 different programs, such as "No Child Left Behind." These programs and initiatives are appropriated into the budget every year and will not give Accomack County any additional funds. The Commonwealth of Virginia as well as the Department of Education have very strict rules and guidelines for the uses of the funds and increasing salaries is not a viable option.

The Board will revisit the amendment at the October Board meeting.
www.shoredailynews.com

Nye Introduces Bill To Block Closure Of JFCOM

U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, D-2nd District, said Wednesday he has introduced a bill to block closure of the Joint Forces Command, and U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., pledged to do the same in the coming days.

Both lawmakers said their legislation - if approved - would not permit Defense Secretary Robert Gates to proceed with closing the command, known as JFCOM, until he provides a detailed analysis of the budgetary and military impact and benefits of the shutdown.

"This legislation is going to force Secretary Gates to do what he should have done from the beginning," Nye said in a statement.

Webb said his bill would require Gates to provide "full justification to Congress before any action is taken."

Hampton Roads political and business leaders have been critical of Gates since he announced last month that he would close JFCOM within a year as part of an effort to redirect its budget to other defense areas.

Local leaders, including the congressional delegation, argue that Gates hasn't provided any analysis to back up how the closure would save money or improve defense operations. They also question whether he has the authority to close a command without congressional oversight.

The command, with facilities in Norfolk and Suffolk, provides about 6,000 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue in the region.

www.hamptonroads.com

Mar-Va Downtown Fall Festival

FALL FESTIVAL

COME OUT FOR A DAY OF FUN !!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
10:00 AM --- 4:00 PM
DOWNTOWN POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND

- Local Artists
(Art Show held at Discovery Center)
- Kid's Arts & Crafts
- Mar-Va Kids Theater show
- Dance Loft kids will perform
- Antique cars and trucks on display
- Face Painting


Free Admission:

- Delmarva Discovery Center
- Sturgis One Room Schoolhouse