LOCAL 22 FIGHTS FIRE DEPARTMANT CUTBACKS

ROLLING OVER IN HIS GRAVE

PHILADELPHIA — Scores of firefighters march on City Hall to protest the mayor’s proposed budget cuts.

Mayor Michael Nutter has been firm about his decision to close certain fire companies.

But this group was determined to be heard.

The firefighters closed a lot of Center City streets Monday, hoping to open a lot of minds at City Hall, Fox 29’s Steve Keeley reported.

About 500 firefighters and residents ended their march with a rally at City Hall. They said they were trying to remind everybody that the cuts to the fire department to take place after the New Year are a simple choice between saving a few dollars and saving lives. LINK

You can pretty much guess how I feel about these proposed cuts. I can’t speak officially on them but I can say I support everything the Firefighters Union says 100%. That’s not because I’m a member of the union and a firefighter, but because it’s common sense.

While there may be some leeway to reorganize the Department, the plan that’s on the table now is nothing short of suicidal. This plan poses a real danger to the citizens and the firefighters.
One of the aspects of this plan that isn’t being discussed is who put it together. The Current Fire Administration did, that’s who. Who do they work directly for? The MAYOR. So of course they will do his bidding and put their stamp of approval on it if they want to keep their jobs.

What the taxpayers deserve is an independent study that takes all factors into consideration. For example, the closings were based on straight line map distance. “As the crow flies.” Well, the realities of the urban landscape demand “ACTUAL travel time be considered” in order to be accurate. Downtown gridlock, population density, building type and construction with associated manpower requirements all play a part in determining fire protection. Yet conveniently, these factors were ignored in order to achieve a pre-determined result.

This isn’t about money or benefits or overtime. It’s about safety and the future of the city. We can either have a safe Philadelphia or a war zone like Detroit. It’s the mayor’s choice.

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STAND BY FOR EVEN MORE CHANGE

ALBANY, N.Y (AP) – A person close to the discussions says Caroline Kennedy will seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton.

Kennedy has told Democratic Gov. David Paterson she wants the job should Clinton be confirmed as secretary of state for President-elect Barack Obama.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Monday because neither Kennedy nor Paterson have acknowledged she is seeking the position.

If appointed by Paterson, Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, would hold the seat once occupied by her late uncle, Robert F. Kennedy.

Other Democrats seeking Paterson’s nod include New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

I don’t know how much more change I can stand. Imagine picking a KENNEDY to fill a no-bid contr Senate Seat. You have got to be kidding me. I really am starting to think America is the most corrupt place on Earth. There just seems to be no shortage of Kennedys available to draft on a moment’s notice. At this point, I think if the entire Congress were wiped out by a tsunami there would be enough Kennedys lying around to fill all the vacant seats. No campaign needed and no opposition going forward means Caroline can be a Senate Prima Donna as long as she has a pulse.

And just what are her outstanding leadership qualities that make her so perfect for the job? Well, after being named Kennedy, there’s the fact she’s a LAWYER. After that, who knows? But hey, it’s just like the Brady Bunch episode where Gregg becomes “Johnny Bravo” because he fits the suit.

I guess as far as Congress goes, Caroline Kennedy is as good as anyone else.

ANOTHER UNGRATEFUL ARAB COWARD

I guess by now you may have heard about the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush today. Here’s my take on it: As an American citizen I am outraged at this pathetic conduct. This idiot is an embarrassment to himself, HIS President, and his country. To me as an American he’s just another ungrateful, cowardly Arab.

I say he’s UNGRATEFUL for obvious reasons. His country was a total hell on Earth, ruled by a murderous dictator and run into the ground. The horrors are documented. No economy, no future, no freedom, no hope – except perpetual warfare and suffering. His evil sons would have probably succeeded him some day and the hell would have continued.

With Iraq being a failed state, did any other country come to their aid? No. Eventually, the U.S. acted to depose Saddam and put Iraq on the road to freedom and prosperity. George Bush gave them HOPE before anyone ever herd of Barack Obama. But that road is bumpy and fraught with peril. As in all wars, mistakes were made. But we ACTED. The rest of the world ignored the plight of the Iraqi people.

The United States didn’t abandon the Iraqi people when things got rough. When small-time religious punks tried to intimidate America and the good people of Iraq, we fought on when weaker people would have cut and run (or not gotten involved in the first place). In the process we sacrificed over four thousand of our countrymen. Now Iraq has an ELECTED government. How many other ARAB countries can say that? They can choose their own destiny and that is directly because of President George Bush. And this ass throws shoes at him. Punk.

I also say this reporter is a COWARD. Again it’s obvious why: HE NEVER WOULD HAVE THROW HIS SHOES AT SADDAM, WOULD HE? In fact, the western world was introduced to the Arab tradition of shoe slapping AFTER the Americans liberated Iraq. Suddenly with Saddam out of the way they were FREE to do all the Saddam shoe slapping they wanted. NOT FIVE MINUTES AFTER WE GOT THERE!!!!! Where were all these shoe throwers & slapper’s when Saddam & Udei & Quesi were alive? That’s right. HIDING in terror.

He’s a real hero / tough guy throwing his shoes at President Bush knowing he’ll not be harmed. I was less than impressed at the Secret Service’s response to the whole thing. I can see getting off one shoe, but two??? Come on, guys. Maybe the President needs BLACKWATER, TOO.

The Arabs are applauding this conduct. Just remember this: Iran’s President Ahmadinejad is most likely one of the cowards who held our Embassy staff hostage under the Carter administration. Yet he comes and goes in this country unmolested. Likewise, the likes of Chavez and any of the worlds tin pot tyrants. Americans, it seems, can always be counted on to behave. There is plenty of sh*t WE should be throwing at these clowns with good reason.

So I hope there is plenty of outrage on the “AMERICAN STREET.” You know how every perceived indignity is immediately queried on the “ARAB STREET” by the complicit MSM. They always whine that our policies are creating terrorists. Well, I think the terrorists are creating PATRIOTS with all their bombings and killings of innocents. And we are fighting to stop them. 9-11 certainly created thousands of American heroes.

This time it’s Americans who should be outraged at the treatment of our President, in a foreign country that owes us a debt that can never be repaid. It’s time the Arab Street learns a little old fashioned gratitude for a change.