From Westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 07:21:10 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:21:10 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] How the liberal Democrats deceive onhealthcare statistics Message-ID: <04a001ca645b$c9012f20$5b038d60$@com> Jer, I couldn't agree more! John -----Original Message----- " What follows is a perfect example of how the "radical" liberal Democrats in D.C. will say anything they think sounds to convince you of their position -" John Scurich Jer Responds: Good discussion, John. Thusly, if I can go a step further and it's getting repeated many times by me. IF (strong IF), the current congress/senators wish to take the route following the extremist views of the socialist, Reid, Pelosi, and 0-B-1, this makes every one of them "guilty by association". In this manner, consider the crimes against Americans here. Falling economy, horrific welfare/communistic ObamaCare health bill, deflating dollar, immoral statutes, --all criminal activities against the goodness and ever moral-seeking Americans. IF they continue their quest for socialism in America, the house and senate, being guilty by associating with the 3 stooges agenda--mark themselves as socialist themselves. Calling them radical liberal Democrats is being gentle with the type of leadership each and every one is attempting to thwart the American way of life toward an archaic form of government (ie. 1917 revolution and the 1950's cold war). I don't care if it's a Republican voting in their favor or what the liberals call blue-nose or brown nose: siding with these socialists is bringing into our nation an atmosphere of destruction via their cause. Many great Americans today will feel the hell-fire sting for eons to come simply based on what has transpired in the past year to date. I've sat in long lines for 2 days before at a charity hospital awaiting treatment. Yes, they need Charity hospitals, but making all hospitals, doctors, medical centers and waiting rooms have an equal-playing field is beyond comprehension. The middle class will find illegals, "low class" individuals, and those unable to afford any kind of care (ie, out of work, low-income, etc.) will be in the same rooms at your doctors offices increasing the wait time, paper work galore, red tape bureaucracy to detain and devalue the experience and much more distasteful moments are ahead simply because this foreigner who claims to be born in Hawaii wants all to be "comrades" in arms, brotherhood of equals and other socialists attributes together. His communistic Utopia. Pitiful. --jer-- From westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 07:26:34 2009 From: westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:26:34 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Four Years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Contracts Keep Coming Message-ID: <04a401ca645c$8a182f10$9e488d30$@com> Four Years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Contracts Keep Coming 12-Nov-2009 14:49 EST More than 4 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the surrounding areas, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continues to award large contracts to repair and strengthen flood control infrastructure in New Orleans and the vicinity. The lastest contract, for $195 million, was awared to Kiewit Louisiana Co. in Fort Worth, TX to upgrade 4 pump stations on the east bank of Lake Pontchartrain in Jefferson Parish, LA. This contract follows a $278.8 million contract awarded to Odebrecht-Baker in Coral Gables, FL for levee improvements to the Chalmette Loop in St. Bernard Parish, and a $33.3 million contract awarded to Tetra Tech EC in Norcross, GA for construction of a hurricane risk reduction floodwall and 5 floodgates in the Lake Ponchartrain area of New Orleans. These are a few of the many contracts the USACE has awarded or intends to award under the Hurricane & Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (formerly the Hurricane Protection System). USACE has developed an interactive map with the status of all of the projects under this program in the New Orleans area. Under the recent Kiewit Louisiana contract, awarded Nov 6/09, the contractor will build fronting protection at the Duncan, Elmwood, Suburban, and Bonnabel pump stations to protect the stations from storm surge and associated waves, as well as to prevent any water from backflowing through the pump stations. Kiewit will build T-walls in front of the pump stations and extension of the pump discharge tubes through the floodwalls, as well as valves to prevent any water from backflowing through the pumps. The fronting protection floodwalls will tie into the existing levees on either side of the pump stations. Construction will begin on the Elmwood and Suburban pump stations first. The fronting protection at these pump stations will also include improvements to the existing breakwaters. Once this work is completed, construction will begin on the Duncan and Bonnabel pump stations. Separate contracts have already been awarded to build new breakwaters at these pump stations. The new breakwaters are scheduled to be complete before the 2010 hurricane season. Kiewit expects to complete construction on the Elmwood and Suburban pump stations by June 2011, and construction on the Duncan and Bonnabel pump stations by the summer of 2013. The breakwaters currently being built will provide the 100-year level of risk reduction in the interim. The USACE is working with the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, and the East Jefferson Levee District, as well as Jefferson Parish and the City of Kenner on this project. Bids for this project were solicited on the web with 6 bids received by the USACE New Orleans District, LA (W912P8-10-C-0007). From westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 07:40:37 2009 From: westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:40:37 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] LRA allocates $5 million to redress tainted drywall Message-ID: <04ab01ca645e$80af8390$820e8ab0$@com> LRA allocates $5 million to redress tainted drywall By SARAH CHACKO Advocate Capitol News Bureau Published: Nov 13, 2009 - Page: 13A A resolution allocating $5 million to some homeowners with contaminated drywall is moving to federal authorities for approval. The Louisiana Recovery Authority board of directors approved the resolution Thursday after receiving public comments on the proposal. Homeowners say the drywall causes a rotten-egg or sulfur smell, corrodes copper wiring and pipes, destroys air-conditioning coils and causes respiratory problems. Published reports show that more than 275,000 tons of the tainted drywall have been imported since 2006, and some estimates show the drywall was used to build more than 60,000 homes in a dozen states. The LRA's resolution must be approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Legislature. Still, the money will not be used until the federal government comes up with a plan on how to identify and safely remove the contaminated drywall, LRA Director Paul Rainwater said. Public comments on the resolution criticized the limitation of who is eligible for assistance. The $5 million will only be available to affected applicants of the state's Road Home program, which was used to help homeowners rebuild after hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Ryan O'Neil, of Madisonville, wrote that he knows people who have tainted drywall but did not apply for state assistance because they had insurance. "It is unfair to only offer help to certain people," he wrote. "This situation has nothing to do with whether you applied for Road Home before or not," wrote Shaun Boudreaux, of Chalmette. Most comments came from people in south Louisiana but a few Baton Rouge, Hammond and Lafayette residents also responded to the proposal. Rainwater said the $5 million is coming out of unused Road Home money, so it is limited to that program's applicants by federal regulations. "There's nothing we can really do" about other people in need of tainted drywall remediation, Rainwater said. It is unclear at this time how many total affected houses are in Louisiana and how many of those homeowners could be eligible for the LRA money, Rainwater said. The state attorney general is collecting names now, he said. But the $5 million is not expected to cover the needs of everyone who is eligible, Rainwater said. "I feel comfortable with $5 million to get it started, to get it moving, but &hellip we don't have enough money in this state to solve this issue," he said. The plan is to use the money to assist affected homeowners in relocating while their homes are being renovated or rebuilt, not to actually do the remediation, Rainwater said. Louisiana's congressional delegation is also looking at legislation that would send money to help with housing vouchers, he said. Meanwhile, state House Speaker Jim Tucker launched an effort to get the LRA to reallocate unused hurricane recovery dollars to housing blight remediation and infrastructure repair in New Orleans. Tucker has asked the LRA to come up with an estimate of how much money is left in various pots of federal funds that's gone unused or could be reallocated. He said he would like $500 million devoted to each of the problems. Tucker said the blighted properties are part and parcel of New Orleans' crime problem. "We have to use the limited resources we have left to get the city back up," said Tucker, R-Terrytown. If it doesn't happen, New Orleans will become more like Detroit, he said. Tucker submitted proposed resolutions asking the LRA to direct its staff to recommend potential sources of funding for the initiatives at its December meeting. "There may be more than $1 billion left in CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) money," Tucker said. Marsha Shuler contributed to this report Find this article at: http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/69930252.html?showAll=y&c=y From Westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 09:06:05 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:06:05 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Don't leave it on the desk Message-ID: <04d901ca646a$70f0f130$52d2d390$@com> WOW! That was fantastic! Thanks for sending that along. JY ----------------------------------------------------- This is GOOD. GOD IS GOOD. Sometimes we have to look at it a new way. DON'T LEAVE IT ON THE DESK There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his freshman year, regardless of his or her major. Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously. This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going on to seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.. One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?" Steve said, "I do about 200 every night." "200? That's pretty good, Steve, " Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?" Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time." "Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson. "Well, I can try," said Steve. "Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor. Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it." Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind." Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class. Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?" Cynthia said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?" "Sure!" Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk. Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?" Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut. Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?" Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?" Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them." Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then." Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?" With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups. Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!" Dr. Christianson said, "Look!, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk. Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?" Sternly, Jenny said, "No." Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut. By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say, "No!" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved. Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely. Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it. Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set. Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?" Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on. A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!" Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come." Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?" Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut." Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?" Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut." "Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down. Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room. The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a donut?" Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you." Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda. Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?" Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?" Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone; I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes." "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?" As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor. Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten." Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. "Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words." Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not His only Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid." "Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?" From Westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 09:06:57 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:06:57 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Conservative Review - The Two Faces of Maj. Hasan Message-ID: <04e601ca646a$901cadb0$b0560910$@com> THE CONSERVATIVE REVIEW - November 13, 2009 The Two Faces of Maj. Hasan by Pat Buchanan Nidal Malik Hasan was two men. One was the proud Army major who wore battle fatigues to mosque; the other, the proud Arab who wore Muslim garb in civilian life. What brought Hasan's identities into fatal conflict was his belief that Iraq and Afghanistan were unjust wars, and his shock that he, a Muslim, was to be sent to serve in one of those wars, against fellow Muslims -- a sin against Allah meriting damnation. Hasan was conflicted by a dual loyalty -- to the country he had sworn to protect, and to his perceived duty as a Muslim. When Hasan told his neighbor that morning, "I am going to do good work for God," the call of jihad overrode his oath of loyalty as an American soldier. Hasan proceeded to shoot, wound or kill 44 U.S. soldiers, and die on what he saw as the side of right, the side of Islam, against America. "Allahu Akbar!" -- "God is great!" -- Hasan shouted as he began firing. An Internet posting by "Nidal Hasan" compared suicide bombers to medal-of-honor winners who throw themselves on grenades to save fellow soldiers. Hasan had decided to become a suicider for Allah. Though this was an act of treachery against his fellow soldiers, of treason in wartime, of terrorism and mass murder, Hasan must have seen himself as a hero and martyr. Few ever commit atrocities like this. But conflicts in identities and loyalties are common in the cauldrons of war. "Let none but Americans stand guard tonight," said Washington at Valley Forge. Irish Catholics deserted the Union army to fight beside Mexican Catholics in the San Patricio battalion against what they thought was American aggression. Honored today by Mexico, the San Patricios were hanged when captured by Winfield Scott's army. In Scott's march to Mexico City was Robert E. Lee. The hero of Buena Vista was Col. Jefferson Davis, who had married the daughter of his commanding officer, future President Zachary Taylor. Davis went on to serve in the Cabinet of Franklin Pierce and the U.S. Senate. Yet, in 1861, Davis and Lee would depart the service of their country to wage war against the United States on behalf of their new nation and the kinfolk to whom they belonged and whom they believed had a right to be free of the Union. Were they traitors -- or patriots? This is not to compare the deeds of the San Patricios, Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee, all of whom declared themselves openly and fought heroically and honorably, with the crimes of Maj. Hasan. But it is to raise the issue of conflicting loyalties in the hearts of men in a nation that has declared religious, racial and ethnic diversity to be not only a national good but a national goal. Whence came this idea? No previous generation believed this. In World War I, Wilson feared that if he went to war, German-Americans might march on Washington. FDR was so fearful that the blood ties of Japanese citizens and residents would trump their loyalty to the United States he ordered 110,000 transferred from California to detention camps for the duration of the war. In Arkansas last year, a Muslim opposed to the U.S. wars shot two soldiers at a recruitment center, killing one. In Kuwait, before the invasion of Iraq, a Muslim soldier threw a grenade into the tent of his commanding officer, killing two and wounding 14. This is not to suggest that all American Muslims or Arabs should be citizens under suspicion. Muslims have died fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, as German-Americans died fighting against Germany in two world wars. But it is to say this: America is unraveling. No longer are we one nation and one people. Tens of millions have come and tens of millions are coming whose first loyalty is to the kinfolk and country they left behind, and to the faith they carry in their hearts. And if, in our long war against "Islamofascism," we are seen as trampling on their nation, faith or kinsmen, they will see us, as Hasan came to see us, as the enemy of their sacred identity. There is no American Melting Pot anymore. It was discarded by our elites as an instrument of cultural genocide. Now we celebrate America as the most multiracial, multiethnic, multicultural country on earth, the Universal Nation of Ben Wattenberg's warblings. And, yet, we are surprised by ethnic espionage in our midst, the cursing of America from mosques in our cities, the news that Somali immigrants are going home to fight our Somali allies, and that illegal aliens march under Mexican flags to demand American citizenship. Eisenhower's America was a nation of 160 million with a Euro-Christian core and a culture all its own. We were a people then. And when we have become, in 2050, a stew of 435 millions, of every creed, culture, color and country of Earth, what holds us together then? From westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 14:26:03 2009 From: westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:26:03 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] St. Bernard Sheriff's Deputy Shoots, Kills Man Message-ID: <065b01ca6497$23fb46f0$6bf1d4d0$@com> St. Bernard Sheriff's Deputy Shoots, Kills Man Incident Began As Domestic Disturbance WDSU.com updated 1:18 p.m. CT, Fri., Nov . 13, 2009 NEW ORLEANS - WDSU .com A sheriff's deputy in St. Bernard Parish shot and killed a man in Arabi who allegedly pointed a gun at him, Sheriff Jack Stephens said. The incident began around 1:30 a.m. Friday, when 31-year-old Casey Dumas got into an argument with his estranged wife, Stephens said. Dumas was drunk and threatened to burn down the house, so the wife called 911, Stephens said. When deputies arrived, Dumas threatened to commit suicide by pointing a gun into his mouth. He then pointed the gun at officers, Stephens said. That's when a deputy returned fire, shooting Dumas dead. The deputy who fired on Dumas is on paid administrative leave while the shooting is investigated, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. WDSU reporter LaTonya Norton spoke with Stephens and neighbors of Dumas. She'll have the latest on this story on WDSU News beginning at 4 p.m. From Westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 21:41:14 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:41:14 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] The Marines Want this to Roll All Over the U.S. Message-ID: <075401ca64d3$ef8a8470$ce9f8d50$@com> Soldiers and Jesus emails I forward! THE MARINES WANT THIS TO ROLL ALL OVER THE U.S. Please don't delete this until you send It on, Let's send it around the world. This is a poem being sent from a Marine To his Dad. For those who take the time To read it, you'll see a letter from him to His dad at the bottom. It makes you truly Thankful for not only the Marines, but ALL of our troops. THE MARINE We all came together, Both young and old To fight for our freedom, To stand and be bold. In the midst of all evil, We stand our ground, And we protect our country >From all terror around. Peace and not war, Is what some people say. But I'll give my life, So you can live the American way I give you the right To talk of your peace. To stand in your groups, And protest in our streets. But still I fight on, I don't fuss, I don't whine. I'm just one of the people! Who is doing your time. I'm harder than nails, Stronger than any machine. I'm the immortal soldier, I'm a U.S. MARINE! So stand in my shoes, And leave from your home. Fight for the people who hate you, With the protests they' ve shown.. Fight for the stranger, Fight for the young. So they all may have, The greatest freedom you've won Fight for the sick, Fight for the poor Fight for the cripple, Who lives next door. But when your time comes, Do what I've done. For if you stand up for freedom, You'll stand when the fight's done By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert, US Marine Corps USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF Hey Dad, Do me a favor and label this ' The Marine' and send it to everybody on your email list. Even leave this letter in it. I want this rolling all over the US ; I want every home reading it. Every eye seeing it. And every heart to feel it. So can you please send this for me? I would but my email time isn't that long and I don 't have much time anyway. You know what Dad? I wondered what it would be like to truly understand what JFK said in His inaugural speech. 'When the time comes to lay down my life for my country, I do not cower from this responsibility. I welcome it.' Well, now I know. And I do.. Dad, I welcome the opportunity to do what I do. Even though I have left behind a beautiful wife, and I will miss the birth of our first born child, I would do it 70 times over to fight for the place that God has made for my home. I love you all and I miss you very much. I wish I could be there when Sandi has our baby, but tell her that I love her, and Lord willing, I will be coming home soon. Give Mom a great big hug from me and give one to yourself too. Aaron Please let this marine (and all our military) know we care by passing his poem onto your friends even if you don't usually take time to forward mail...do it this time! Thanks, Let's help Aaron's dad spread the word ... FREEDOM isn't FREE Someone pays for you and me. God bless you! From Westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 22:19:11 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:19:11 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] A Message from Congressman Charlie Melancon Message-ID: <076601ca64d9$3c64cbc0$b52e6340$@com> I love the fact that Melancon still has me at the Chalmette address that I haven't lived in since Katrina. ----------------------------- November 13, 2009 Mr. Westley and Erica Annis 3104 Mumphrey Rd Chalmette, LA 70043-3735 Dear Mr. Annis: Thank you for writing to me in opposition to H.R. 3692, the "Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009." I appreciate hearing from you on this very important issue. Although I believe that improvements need to be made to our nation's health care system, I voted against this health reform legislation when it was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on November 7, 2009. I was unable to support H.R. 3692 because I remain concerned about how the bill will affect individuals and small businesses in Louisiana. I believe we should first focus on insurance market reforms that will control costs, increase value, and improve access for Louisianians. As a fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrat, I am also concerned about the long-term costs of this bill for the American taxpayer. The skyrocketing cost of health care is bankrupting Medicare and Medicaid, leading this country down a path to fiscal disaster. A fundamental goal of reform must be to bring down the growing cost of health care. We need to get health care spending under control, or we will never dig ourselves out of this mountain of debt our country is under. It is imperative that we create more efficiencies and savings within the current health care system. Additionally, I am concerned that H.R. 3692 does not address the urgent need for more providers in rural communities. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates are lower in rural communities than in cities, and as a result, we have seen a steady decline in the number of doctors, dentists, and other health care professionals in communities like those I represent in south Louisiana. My hometown of Napoleonville has only one doctor still practicing, and when he retires there might not be anyone to take his place. For rural America to stay healthy, we must reverse this trend and provide strong incentives for health care providers to serve rural communities. There are several provisions in H.R. 3692 that I think make sense. This legislation would cap out-of-pocket expenses, so a major illness does not drive you and your family into bankruptcy. It would ban insurance companies from using pre-existing conditions to deny you coverage. It would eliminate the coverage gap in the Medicare prescription drug plan, so seniors have the peace of mind that they will be able to afford the medicine they need to stay healthy. I was also pleased to see that the House adopted the Stupak-Pitts amendment to the legislation, which would ensure that no tax-payer funding would be used for abortion services. As a pro-life Member, I supported this amendment during the Committee process and again on the House floor. Protecting the unborn is a top priority of mine, and I am pleased that this was changed prior to House passage. Even though there are portions of H.R. 3692 that I support, overall I believe the House bill does not work for Louisiana. I can only support health care reform that will lower costs for Louisiana families and businesses, increase the quality of care provided, and improve access to coverage and care for every Louisiana citizen. Many Louisianians are happy with their current health care and do not want to lose it, but they still believe that some things could be improved. Although they have good insurance, their premiums and deductibles are going up every year. They are worried that if they or someone in their family comes down with a major illness, they will not be able to afford the out-of-pocket expenses and the debt will pile up. They are also worried that if they change jobs, they may lose their insurance, or they will not be able to get insurance because of a pre-existing condition. All of us are paying more and getting less, and that needs to change. Health care reform needs to provide stable coverage you can count on, coverage that can not be taken away through life's ups and downs. Health reform proposals also need to control costs, so rising premiums and out-of-pocket expenses do not eat away at your paycheck and put coverage out of reach. Most importantly, we need health care reform that protects individual choice and maintains competition within the marketplace, so every person can get the quality treatment they need, when they need it, and from the doctor they choose. Although the U.S. House of Representatives has passed its version of health reform, Congress has much work to do before a bill is signed into law. I am hopeful that bipartisan legislation will emerge that ensures choice in the insurance market, strong protections for the unborn, and will reign in federal spending. We need reform that lasts not just for the next five or ten years but for generations to come, while protecting the values we as Louisianians hold dear. In closing, let me say that serving as your representative in Congress is a great privilege, and I will keep fighting every day for south Louisiana's needs. Please don't hesitate to call my office in Washington, or one of my four offices in Louisiana, if there is anything I can help you with or if you want to share your opinion on upcoming issues in Congress. You can also visit my website at www.melancon.house.gov to send me an email or learn more about my voting record and positions on the issues that matter most to you. As your representative in Washington, I take your viewpoints and suggestions very seriously and look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Charlie Melancon Member of Congress CM\tm From Westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 22:22:06 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:22:06 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] RNC RELEASES NEW WEB VIDEO "FLIP FLOP MARY LANDRIEU" AS SENATE HEALTH CARE VOTE APPROACHES Message-ID: <076701ca64d9$a4bad930$ee308b90$@com> RNC RELEASES NEW WEB VIDEO "FLIP FLOP MARY LANDRIEU" AS SENATE HEALTH CARE VOTE APPROACHES WASHINGTON - The Republican National Committee announced a new web video today on Senator Mary Landrieu's disingenuous plan to vote to enable the bill to reach the Senate floor before voting against passage of the bill. The web video, entitled "Flip Flop Mary Landrieu," can be viewed here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIG-cO3ta00 . "Mary Landrieu has taken part in the classic inside the beltway move of telling her constituents one thing in Louisiana and doing another thing back in Washington, D.C. Mary Landrieu's double-speak has not gone unnoticed by taxpayers and voters in Louisiana. Landrieu's Democratic colleagues in the House heard the message which is why 39 members of her own party defected and voted against the Obama health care takeover. Politicians cannot have it both ways - just ask John Kerry. Louisianan's can spot an out-of-touch politician when they see one and they know that any vote to move the Democrats' health care bill forward is a vote for a government-run health care experiment." - RNC Chairman Michael Steele ### From westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 22:22:26 2009 From: westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:22:26 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] How the liberal Democrats deceive on healthcare Message-ID: <076801ca64d9$b0c805e0$125811a0$@com> There shouldn't even be charity hospitals. After all, if a charity hospital gets tax breaks or government funding, how is that any different that government health care? Why should my tax dollars go to provide health care to some loser who can't afford it. You get health care, you pay for it. You can't pay, you do without. It's that simple. Richard > I've sat in long lines for 2 days before at a charity hospital > awaitingtreatment. Yes, they need Charity hospitals, but making > all hospitals, > doctors, medical centers and waiting rooms have an equal-playing > field is > beyond comprehension. The middle class will find illegals, "low class" > individuals, and those unable to afford any kind of care (ie, > out of work, > low-income, etc.) will be in the same rooms at your doctors offices > increasing the wait time, paper work galore, red tape > bureaucracy to detain > and devalue the experience and much more distasteful moments are ahead > simply because this foreigner who claims to be born in Hawaii > wants all to > be "comrades" in arms, brotherhood of equals and other > socialists attributes > together. His communistic Utopia. > > Pitiful. > > --jer-- > From Westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 22:31:54 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:31:54 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] Town Halls and Listening to Louisianians Message-ID: <076901ca64db$037e8880$0a7b9980$@com> Ever get the feeling that some people run for Congress to build a good life in Washington rather than listen to what hard working folks in Louisiana have to say? Yesterday, I completed my 60th town hall meeting of the year, and I can proudly say that I've now conducted over 190 town hall meetings since being elected to the U.S. Senate. It's been an honor hearing your thoughts and concerns and representing them on your behalf. Unfortunately, Charlie Melancon seems to put little value on listening to and working for Louisianians. Charlie Melancon has refused to hold a town hall meeting in over 160 days and counting. You can see the exact tally on my new "Charlie Melancon Town Hall Clock" at www.DavidVitter.com. Melancon believes the job is centered in Washington, where he takes his cue from Washington insiders. I see it a bit differently. For me, working in the U.S. Senate is about the future of Louisiana, and making sure that folks from Abbeville to Zwolle know they have the opportunity to speak with me in their hometown about what issues matter to them. For each new session of Congress, I don't return to Washington without hearing what you have to say. If Melancon decided to hold a town hall meeting , he would find out that Louisianians don't agree with the direction President Obama and Washington's liberals are taking our country and economy. Louisianians don't support Melancon's vote for Obama's $787 billion stimulus, they don't support the Melancon-Obama budget that triples our debt in ten years, and they don't stand with Melancon in supporting multiple government bailouts to fix our ailing economy. I said no to the stimulus and the trillions in wasted tax dollars and government expansion that went with it. I opposed all the bailouts and offered a "No Cost Stimulus" package that would bring one million new jobs to our economy and grow existing jobs in Louisiana. Team , Louisianians deserve a leader who stays in touch with constituents and listens to their concerns. I will continue to hold town hall meetings to hear directly from you about the issues you and your family face and how I can help better represent you in Washington. Thanks for your help in the fight for our future - together, we will get the job done. Your friend, David Vitter From Westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 22:37:45 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:37:45 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] St. Bernard Sheriff's Deputy Shoots, Kills Man Message-ID: <076a01ca64db$d4720ca0$7d5625e0$@com> The reporter states..."That's when a deputy returned fire, shooting Dumas dead." Did the reporter mean to say "opened fire?" After all, one cannot "return" fire until the other person fires first. Or did Dumas actually fire his weapon at the deputy? John -----Original Message----- St. Bernard Sheriff's Deputy Shoots, Kills Man Incident Began As Domestic Disturbance WDSU.com updated 1:18 p.m. CT, Fri., Nov . 13, 2009 NEW ORLEANS - WDSU .com A sheriff's deputy in St. Bernard Parish shot and killed a man in Arabi who allegedly pointed a gun at him, Sheriff Jack Stephens said. The incident began around 1:30 a.m. Friday, when 31-year-old Casey Dumas got into an argument with his estranged wife, Stephens said. Dumas was drunk and threatened to burn down the house, so the wife called 911, Stephens said. When deputies arrived, Dumas threatened to commit suicide by pointing a gun into his mouth. He then pointed the gun at officers, Stephens said. That's when a deputy returned fire, shooting Dumas dead. The deputy who fired on Dumas is on paid administrative leave while the shooting is investigated, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. WDSU reporter LaTonya Norton spoke with Stephens and neighbors of Dumas. She'll have the latest on this story on WDSU News beginning at 4 p.m. From Westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 22:38:07 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:38:07 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] How the liberal Democrats deceive onhealthcare statistics Message-ID: <076b01ca64db$e1adf550$a509dff0$@com> >The middle class will find illegals, "low class" >individuals, and those unable to afford any kind of care (ie, out of work, >low-income, etc.) will be in the same rooms at your doctors offices What an elitist thing to say Jerry! Yes, God forbid someone out of work dares to seek medical treatment of some kind. Much better to keep the riff-raff away and let the poor sons-o-bitches die on the street. JY From Westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 22:38:50 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:38:50 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] St. Bernard Sheriff's Deputy Shoots, Kills Man Message-ID: <076f01ca64db$fb245c40$f16d14c0$@com> Suicide by cop. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_by_cop JY From Westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 22:48:49 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:48:49 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] This week: Oysters, Pelicans & Veterans Message-ID: <077301ca64dd$603868a0$20a939e0$@com> Dear Friend, This has been a tremendous week for the people of Louisiana. Read on to learn more about the return of our state bird, the Brown Pelican, and about the FDA's decision to put on hold a proposed rule that would have wiped out an important Louisiana industry. And please, take a moment to thank a veteran for their service and sacrifice. Landrieu Gets FDA to Halt Proposed Oyster Ban Today, the FDA announced that it was dropping plans to implement a ban on raw Gulf Coast oysters sold between August and October. Earlier this week, Sen. Landrieu joined Congressman Charlie Melancon in hosting a meeting with lawmakers from surrounding Gulf Coast states and Food and Drug Administration officials to lobby against the regulation, which would have jeopardized more than 3,500 jobs in Louisiana. Following the roundtable, Sen. Landrieu, Rep. Melancon, Sen. Vitter, and several Louisiana oystermen held a press conference to discuss the disastrous effect that the proposed restriction would have on Louisiana's economy. Sen. Landrieu said the proposal was akin to "trying to kill a nutria with a nuclear bomb ." To watch remarks from the press conference, click here . Brown Pelican Makes A Comeback This week, Sen. Landrieu also had the pleasure of joining officials from the Department of the Interior on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain to announce that the Brown Pelican, the Louisiana state bird, is being removed from the endangered species list . The bird, which was added to the list in 1970, has made a comeback, due in large part to habitat restoration efforts, and a ban on the pesticide DDT. While praising the bird's return, Sen. Landrieu reiterated the need to address coastal erosion , noting that the coastal landscape the bird uses in Louisiana is disappearing. Sen. Landrieu Honors Veterans On Wednesday, Sen. Landrieu took time to honor our service men and women for their tireless and selfless service to our nation. Sen. Landrieu also reinforced the need to provide support for our troops returning from the Middle East, saying: "We can never truly repay our veterans for their courageous and honorable service. But, we can honor them by increasing our state and federal budgets to ensure our men and women in uniform have the resources they need and so richly deserve when they return from the frontlines. That's why I am continuing to work to improve health care, housing and child care for America's veterans." From Westley at da-parish.com Fri Nov 13 22:51:57 2009 From: Westley at da-parish.com (Westley Annis) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:51:57 -0600 Subject: [StBernard] St Bernard Health Center offers Tips on Healthy Holiday Eating Message-ID: <077401ca64dd$d04233b0$70c69b10$@com> St. Bernard Health Center?s Healthy Lifestyle Solutions Team will be at the Community Center of St Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St, Arabi, on Thursday, November 19 and Tuesday, November 24 from 10 AM until noon to help families learn how to eat healthy and manage their blood sugar during the holiday season. On November 19 the team members will discuss how to successfully monitor blood sugar and manage diabetes. This information is especially important during the holidays when those watching their blood sugar may find themselves tempted by candy canes, Christmas cookies and other sugary treats. Residents will be able to get free blood sugar screenings and receive brochures with ?Tips for monitoring blood sugars and meal plans.? Then on November 24, the Healthy Lifestyle Solutions Team will return with helpful hints on how to modify traditional holiday recipes to make them more healthy and flavorful. The team will also discuss how to use proper portion sizes to avoid overeating during the holiday season, and pass out flyers on ?Tips for healthy holiday eating and appropriate servings." For more information about nutrition and healthy eating, please phone the St Bernard Health Center at 504.281.2832 or 504.281.2825. For questions about the Mustard Seed Food Pantry or the Food For Seniors programs at the Community Center of St Bernard, please phone the Community Center office at 504.281.2512.