Feeling better already

County officials say Marion is prepared for swine flu

By Naseem Sowti Miller
Staff writer

County officials said on Tuesday that they're ready to handle any possible cases or outbreaks of swine flu here.

The county's Pandemic Influenza Planning Committee, which was formed in 2006 in response to human avian flu cases overseas, has been meeting regularly since.

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Velez said that the health department is monitoring the situation closely and will keep the public informed.

"It's not a time to panic," she said. "It's time to stay informed, and understand how to protect yourself. And it's all the basics. Things your mother taught you: wash your hands, cover your mouth ... common sense things."

Actually I do feel better. No, no panic here...hell, I remember too well the over-reaction in the 1976 version of swine flu. But I know some of the people on this Pandemic Influenza Planning Committee, and they're pretty damn good.

Guns and Ammo

Well, plenty of guns...but ammo is running a little low around here.

In 1976, Southern rock legend Lynyrd Skynyrd scored a hit with the rollicking tune "Gimme Back My Bullets."

These days the boys in Skynyrd, whose song was actually a pro-gun control anthem, would have a tough time getting their bullets in the first place.

The shelves at gun shops in Gainesville and Ocala, even at the big stores like Wal-Mart and Gander Mountain, are mostly bare these days - with the exception of some ammo for hunting rifles.

Many online sites are out of .45-caliber and 9-millimeter ammunition, as well.

The election of President Obama, combined with a Democratic majority in Congress, has led to a run on guns and ammo and rampant speculation about federal gun-control legislation that has not yet arrived - and possibly never will. (Dude, your mouth to God's ear!)

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As gun buying during the Clinton administration showed, a Democratic president who favors gun-control legislation leads to increased business at gun shops.

That's held true after the election of Obama, who campaigned on bringing back Bill Clinton's expired assault rifle ban. A run on ammo is in full sprint, and the rush for guns hasn't let up.

Good thing I stocked up last year. Ready for the rumble.

Getting closer to a state budget

TALLAHASSEE - House Speaker Larry Cretul said Tuesday that he's willing to consider most tax increases the Senate has proposed - including a $1-a-pack hike on cigarettes - if it agrees to what he wants: bigger spending cuts.

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Senate leaders have been critical of House proposals to cut funding for higher education and highway construction.

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The Senate has proposed a $65.6 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, $549 million higher than the House version.

"We have informed the Senate that we would be willing to consider supporting nearly all of the proposals for additional revenues contained in their budget," Cretul said. "But in return, the House is asking the Senate to support nearly all spending reductions proposed by the House."

What this means is more...stuff.

Anyway, if you're interested follow the link.

Just doin' the best I can

Yep, just doin' the best I can.

Today was Earth Day, so I kissed Mom Earth. (Frankly, she tasted dirty.)

Today was Administrative Professionals Day, so I kissed my secretary. (Hmm, she tasted dirty too.)

And Today was declared by Gov Crist to be Suicide Prevention Day. So I decided not to commit suicide...today. Of course, the day's not over yet.

A dog named BO

Yep, I now this is old news now, and I wasn't going to blog it. But after the ongoing arrogance displayed by our president, I felt the need to get it off my chest.

The world's media have been drooling over the prospects of getting a scoop on the presidential pooch, if not actually scooping up after him. The Washington Post rang the bell first with word that the Obama girls, Sasha and Malia, named their new pet Bo.

The girls reportedly picked the name because they have cousins with a cat by that name and a grandfather whose nickname was Diddley, making for a reference to blues guitarist Bo Diddley.

To this I say...bullshit!

It is very doubtful that Bo Diddley was in any way the inspiration. Mrs. Right pointed it right out several days ago that it obviously was Obama who named the dog, not the girls.

And he named it BO after himself: Barack Obama. That's what a self-centered asshole would do.

Update: Speaking of Bo Diddley!! And another classic clip. You gotta watch. Btw-Bo was a Gainesville resident. And a class act.

The Florida Legislature is still in session, so...

So be very afraid. But that's true of every government body that can take your property through taxation.

There's a couple of weeks remaining in the regular legislative session. So, where do we stand?

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - House Speaker Larry Cretul said Tuesday that he's willing to consider most tax increases the Senate has proposed if it agrees to what he wants: bigger spending cuts.

Cretul, R-Ocala, told the House he hasn't yet been able to reach an agreement on that sticking point in talks with Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach.

Until the two leaders settle on basic revenue and overall spending numbers, lawmakers can't begin formal negotiations over the details of the next state budget.

The Senate has proposed a $65.6 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. It's $549 million higher than the House version.

The House plan also doesn't include Senate tax increases of $1 a pack for cigarettes and $1 an ounce for other tobacco products including cigars. It also doesn't include measures that would close loopholes in corporate and real estate transaction taxes.

Lawmakers have only a week to settle budget issues and adjourn the regular legislative session on schedule May 1. That's because a compromise budget must be completed at least 72 hours before a final vote can be taken.

So, don't worry: there will be more taxes. This from our Republican (!!) controlled senate and house.

Helluva world!

And it will affect many more than just smokers.

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Speaking of smokers, the Florida Senate seems to have it in for you according to this April 9th story. You seem very ripe for the plucking.

TALLAHASSEE -- In an attempt to suppress the sale of tax-free cigarettes sold on Florida's Indian reservations, state senators want the tribes' smokes labeled ''Indian cigarettes'' and any non-Indian caught with them forced to pay a $1,000 fine and face misdemeanor charges.

The provision was tacked onto a Senate bill to raise the cigarette tax $1 per pack late Tuesday night. Lawmakers fear that when the tax hike takes effect, buyers will flood Indian reservations to get the lower-priced cigarettes and undercut state tax collections.

''This is a way to prevent untaxed cigarettes from being sold in our state,'' said Sen. Thad Altman, a Melbourne Republican who sponsored the amendment in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. "I really don't think the intent is to start throwing folks in jail.''

Here's reality...people will be thrown in jail. This tax increase, on top of the feds tax increase, will not raise the amounts of revenues projected. People who want smokes will go underground, or drive a couple of hours to buy from the Seminoles. The tribal members will now be subject to white man's justice for just supplying a legal commodity in the old capitalistic manner.

Helluva world!

Pledge of Allegiance...the Marion County Way

I've blogged on something similar to this before.

But this time it's right here at home in Marion County.

Students standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Or rather, the little bastards not standing.

Superintendent of Schools Jim Yancey met with military veterans Monday and, as expected, agreed that the clause "standing for the Pledge of Allegiance" should remain in the Student Code of Conduct.

Yancey and the veterans also settled on some additional language that, they hope, will ward off potential civil rights lawsuits.

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In hopes of deterring lawsuits, the code also includes a citation from the book "Our Flag." Congress has codified the book's guidelines - which include standing - for saying the pledge.

The code further says that "Students who choose not to stand (will obtain written permission from their parents and) will show dignity and respect to their fellow students and staff and will not be punished for choosing not to stand."

Is this important? Well, it doesn't rise to a capital issue of course. But it is right for our darling children to at least acknowledge their home, represented by its flag, is worthy of respect.

I'm Scary...Again!

Yep, be very afraid of me. I'm one of those right-wing extremists DHS recently warned about.

I'm white, male middle aged, employed, love my country, hate its enemies, vote Republican, respect the military (but didn't serve) etc.

Back when I was 18 thru 22, I scared lots of people. Or at least pissed them off.

You see, in 1969 I was a long haired hippie freak. Made my mom sad, but only perplexed my dad. But boy, did it bother other family members and those who only saw my exterior. Quite fun, being a rebel. Just like almost every one else I knew. Frankly, that's why I mostly smile at the gangstas strutting their stuff. I kinda remember the thrill of sticking my middle finger in the face of "the man." Good times!

But anyway, who would have guessed that I'm now a threat to the public welfare, now that I'm looking 60 in the face.

Helluva world!

Mark to Market Rule Relaxed

Now let's see what happens. I've been bitching about this for some time, including apologizing for being an accountant. I hope it's not too late to undo the damage.