Canadian goose

Some might find this boring but others might like it. I filmed this Canadian goose the other day. I think it looks pretty cool. Not sure if they say zed instead of Z...


I was a Yankees fan but I think this call was a joke. George Brett's pine tar home run off of "Goose" Gossage. I liked Billy Martin, but come on! What a great home run off one of the best relief pitchers at that time. How can you protest that? How about having some dignity in defeat?

The call was overturned by the commissioner. They were ordered to play the last 1/2 inning. 1,200 people showed up to watch four minutes of baseball. It probably took twice as long for the players to put on their uniforms.

Letter to the editor- union support of state Democrats

I don't have a problem with the unions. It is their job to get the best benefits and working conditions for their membership. I do have a problem with poorly negotiated contracts that end up costing the taxpayers and anybody trying to do business in New York state. This letter writer points out that unions traditionally give money to and support the state Democrats endorsed by the political machine. There seems to be growing division between the taxpayer and the public sector unions as demonstrated by letters like this:

Private enterprise, taxpayers get fleeced

How does this make sense? On local news broadcasts, I watched public union members picketing because of the possibility of a temporary loss of the 4 percent raise they were scheduled to receive. A union official decried the injustice of it all during an interview. He thought it despicable that such a thing could take place.
Last time I checked, public unions throw massive support to the Democrats who run the state government. In turn, the Democrats vote for issues the unions favor, which in part is why the state is in a catastrophe now. It seems to me all those pickets should look at just who they voted for and what demands they, the unions, hammerlocked Albany into supporting.
In the end, private enterprise and the taxpayer get fleeced.

Charles Schwendler
Orchard Park
$12,000 firefighter payback is projected : City Hall : The Buffalo News

Tea Party Extremists

The Tea Party people are viewed by some as wackos. I think it's an unfair characterization. Sure, some are extremists. But most are just regular Americans fed up with high taxes and big government. Look, here are a few pictures we snapped at the last Tea Party gathering. These are everyday Americans, just like you and I...

Congressman Tickler

Come on. Give me a break! Does this look like the face of someone who spent his entire time in Washington trying to pick up his male staffers? Never mind. Sorry I asked.

Staff's efforts to deal with Massa spelled out : National : The Buffalo News

Higgins throws Paladino under a Greyhound bus

The Paladino campaign fired back today at the sources of his email leaks. While acknowledging that the emails were in bad taste and apologizing to anyone offended by them, Paladino campaign manager Michael Caputo contends that the source of the leak was none other than Congressman Brian Higgins:

" "If you get in this race, this is how I will hurt you,' " Caputo quoted the friend, blaming Higgins for leaking the e-mails.
"He will squirm and hide under a rock and deny it," Caputo said. "But this is a state Democratic Party hit delivered by Brian Higgins and a liberal Democratic blogger. The timing of it was measured very carefully."
Caputo said he now views the situation as "war, and believe me, we are heavily armed."

Brian Higgins is a good guy. I will always remember him as a young councilman. He worked hard to help me with the soccer program in the early years. But I think he has begun to be more Washington minded than constituent minded in recent years. A few years ago, he secured the appointments of Jeff Conrad and Tim Kennedy, two yes-men, to the Common Council and County Legislature, respectively. The South Buffalo Committeemen made the ultimate recommendation. But those members all follow Higgins' lead (in exchange for jobs for themselves and their family members.)Two years ago, he opened up a headquarters for Senator Bill Stachowski and told residents we needed more of Stachowski's 30 year"representation" in Albany. Last year, he actively helped Byron Brown against one of South Buffalo's own neighbors, councilman Mickey Kearns. Now, this year, he is working with megaweasel Steve Pigeon in an effort to unseat Stachowski, a guy two years ago he said we absolutely needed to reelect. Which is it? Higgins is too good of a guy to lower himself with the likes of Pigeon.

And now this. Paladino's emails were in poor taste. However, let's not forget how he got rid of the tolls and has fought for the average WNY resident. It seems odd that Higgins would oppose a man that has stood up for his constituents. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
Paladino draws derision from left and right : Home: The Buffalo News

Dr. Williams:Show us the list

Dr Williams, Buffalo schools superintendent, say's the city schools will face a $93 million deficit next year. He says the school system will ask the common council for additional aid this year. Lawmaker Mickey Kearns has publicly called for a list of administrative salaries and positions at the board of education. Williams refuses to disclose them saying the funding for his central staff makes up only 1.5% of overall spending. This all sounds good but then I get emails like this:

They are trying really, really hard to save money. a new position has been created: associate superintendent of humanities. rumor has it is going to be ann magavero botticelli the current director of english and libraries. she's well connected and never taught a minute in buffalo or taught anywhere for that matter. we can bet her position will be filled by 2 people.

Dr. Williams: There are a lot of canaries down by the docks. People are now talking about the excessive jobs you control at the board. If you want the money, show the residents the list of all your employees. If you don't, it implies that you have something to hide.

Councilman Kearns: your supporters want to see this list. We will be in contact with you to stay on this. I used to think Dr.Williams was like Joe Clark, but now I'm starting to think he's more like Joe Piscapo...

Buffalo schools to face $93 million deficit in three years, officials warn : City Hall : The Buffalo News

Nushawn Williams:Rastafarian Jew?

Local AIDS spreader Nushawn Willams has completed his sentence. However, state officials want to keep him confined, and who can blame them?

Authorities say he knowingly infected 13 women, including a 13-year-old, in Chautauqua County and possibly as many as 50 women prior to being sent to state prison for four to 12 years in 1998.

Here's how he behaved in prison:
• Tossing urine at another inmate and putting that individual at risk of contracting HIV.
• Expressing a desire to infect more women with HIV upon his release, according to statements he allegedly made to another inmate.
• Arranging to have drugs smuggled into prison that he possessed and used; fighting; participating in gang activity; and possessing weapons.
Because of behavioral problems, he was thrown out of prison programs for treatment of alcohol and drug abuse and for obtaining a general equivalency diploma, according to state documents.

Then, the article gets funny:

In his interview with the psychiatric examiner, Williams said he would control his sexual urges by staying "in church" and living up to Christian values.
When the examiner pointed out to him that in his prison records, he listed his faith as "Jewish," Williams dismissed it as a way to get different types of food in prison. At another point in prison, he claimed to be Rastafarian so that he would not have to cut his hair.

Reminds me of the words of Juan Epstein: "It's not easy being a Puerto Rican Jew."


AIDS predator may stay in custody indefinitely : Southern Tier : The Buffalo News

This kid really likes Mountain Dew

Someone offered this kid a free Mountain Dew if he withstood shocks from an electrical device. Everything was ok until he went into convulsions. Teacher now up for New Hampshire teacher of the year. They don't say if he won the bet.
Police record talk with shocked NH teen, teacher

How many crooks can you put on one stage?

Count the crooks in this picture. Paterson, Lenihan, Stachowski, and some lady who looks like she just landed from planet Mars. Does Stachowski show up to these events or is that just a cardboard cut-out they place on the stage? Not the most photogenic person in the world. This guy's got the personality of an igneous rock.

Bad press can't stop Paladino's message

Carl Paladino has said from day one: he's not a politician and he's not politically correct. The reporters have the right to ask him questions about the off color emails he forwarded. He didn't write them but did forward them. However, I feel it's an attempt by the insiders to try and smear him as he gains momentum in the race for governor.

What's worse? The emails he forwarded or the way these clowns have run New York state into the ground with their corrupt behavior for decades? A few years ago, it would have been guys like Eliot Spitzer saying Paladino should apologize for being sexist. We all saw what he was doing behind closed doors. Then, you got Sam Hoyt writing poorly written love letters to his college interns. How long has that guy been a parasite to the taxpayers? Then, there was Republican Assemblyman Mike Cole from Clarence and his misgivings. To say nothing about former Congressman Eric "the tickler" Messa from Corning, rolling around on the floor with his male staffers, while you and I pay his salary.

Paladino is now viewed as a serious threat by both Democrats and Republicans. They keep saying he doesn't have any specific plans to change things, as if they do. He has decided to run to try and shake things up. This latest smear attempt is simply a smokescreen to try and keep you from talking about the real issues facing New York state. High taxes, a corrupt government, and a lack of decent jobs. Paladino is talking about these things and the career politicians don't like it. It's not good for their free ride on the gravy train and they fear he might expose their real corruptness. I'm a registered Democrat. But if he pays me $5, I'll switch parties and vote for him in the primary.