Sterling news

OK, first off a big thank you to Jim Ryan and Cathy Macko Payne for quickly and efficiently getting me some info that I "right to know"ed.

Now to the meat of the post. Pictures of the inside of the Sterling Hotel.
First floor




The 'Marble columns' aren't real Marble. They are deteriorated steel beams with a fake Marble coating.


Second Floor


And the roof that was repaired.




The 'repairs' seem to be several dozen 4 X 4's to buttress the badly rotted roof with some tar paper and cheap rolled roofing.




And I'm told, this huge hole wasn't even touched.




Anyone notice the date on the bottom right of the pictures? That's right. A full month before the flood. And Cityvest thought we wouldn't notice?
Yeah, the 'flood' destroyed the Sterling...... More like GREED did.
What does $6 million buy you in the county?
Corruption.

I literally have HUNDREDS of pictures to go through. So more to come.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

Let's see what games get played

I had a class today on the Sterling Hotel. It had a long series of photographs taken by the engineering company that did the structural analysis. Because it interested me (And I would like to be able to show the 'save the Sterling' enthusiasts the scope of what would have to be done), I put in a 'Right-to-Know' request.

Let's see how long it will take for the city to get back to me. This isn't me being snippy. I'm still waiting for Attorney Vinsko to E-mail me a copy of the city charter. He promised it to me back in August 2010. He said, "you'll have it by Monday, Tuesday at the latest." Maybe I should have made him tell me WHICH Tuesday.

Honestly, they don't have to do much. Give me written permission, and I can just copy the presentation from today. Since I was at work, I had to do it by E-mail. Wanna bet it gets 'lost'?

Dan Emplit WBFD


Add on Edit: I'm man enough to point out when I am wrong. Jim Ryan and Cathy Macko Payne got back to me (by Email) almost immediately. And the pictures were in my possession in 2 days. I was very wrong about their professionalism, and they have my apologies for it.

The Dissent Increases

I was just watching WBRE and, unlike our Federal government, actually listening to the people being interviewed.
Basically it was people opening their eyes, Our government is more than willing to give aid to Haiti, Chile, Pakistan, Lybia, Egypt, Turkey, Japan and Greece (Just 4 months ago Obama pledged $116.8 to 146 BILLION over 3 years to Greece) and $2.6 Million to Train Chinese Prostitutes to Drink Responsibly on the Job! But where is the money for Americans that need help? It is after all OUR MONEY! How about throwing half a billion into the relief efforts here? It's only American citizens that are suffering. Basically the people who elected you morons.

This should be no surprise, our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any breaks (Not even a cost of living increase) while our government pour Hundreds of Billions of dollar's to Foreign Countries! With ZERO chance of it EVER being repaid!!

After Hurricane Katrina, you would think FEMA would have been well funded, but like Cityvest it is claiming to be broke. Bet the people in charge are still getting paid. Oh, to the Obama supporters out there, What would you be saying about 'W' right now if help was this slow under his watch?


Note the condition of the countries in the background.

Imagine if our *GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries. Or just didn't look at our taxes as something to impress other governments with.

We (Americans) can not keep going this way. We need to take care of our seniors, Stop giving money away (to countries that will not pay us back), Stop giving free benefits to NON-Americans (While denying them to tax paying Citizens), Investigate and prosecute all corruption, and STOP listening to the retards in Hollywood and academics who have never had a real job.

Dan Emplit WBFD

Mall Ninjas

I mentioned 'Mall Ninjas' the other day and the person I was talking to gave me the 'dog listening to a weird noise' look.
This post on Huey's gunsight has the best description I've ever seen, and it is put in a humorous 'Deadliest Warrior' format.
Give it a look.


Dan Emplit WBFD
USN 1986 - 1992

The Hotel Sterling

Okay, I have one important question to ask. WHO THE @#$%&^ DO THE CITYVEST ASSHATS THINK THEY ARE?

In the Times Leader article, "Battle over razing Hotel Sterling brews", They DEMAND that the city tear down the Sterling?!!!

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“The Hotel Sterling needs to be razed and it needs to be razed immediately. Waiting thirty days for CityVest to do something which all parties know CityVest cannot do is imprudent and, quite frankly, constitutes a needless threat to public safety,”
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Translation, We stole all we could from the $6 million LOAN, and you can kiss our asses if you think we're gonna pay to do it.

Am I wrong in thinking that Cityvest SHOULD have made the building stable before wasting our taxes on anything else?

I was at the Sterling when they condemned it way back when. Honestly, I've been VERY sceptical that it could have been saved, even without the flood.

The questions that really need to be asked are not being asked.
When are we going to get our $6 million back?
Why was the Sterling left to rot for a decade?
Why would the city be responsible for a privately owned building?

If the City has to tear it down, they should be able to put a lien on all the private holdings of the owners (or whatever the big wigs are called) of Cityvest, to recoup the loan and costs of demolition.


Dan Emplit WBFD

Obama Flake

And People make fun of Bush?!



Dan Emplit WBFD
USN 1986 - 1992

Replacing the M9

Pistols with a shot at replacing the M9

So the Army (and if they do, the other branches will probably follow) is looking into replacing the Beretta 92FS (a 9MM handgun).



The M9 replaced the venerable Colt .45 (The M1911A1) back in 1985. It is the standard pistol of the United States Navy, United States Army and the United States Air Force. The M9A1 is also seeing limited issue to the United States Marine Corps.


The Colt .45 is on the left with the M9 on the right.

The Army may be looking at a different caliber as well as a different design.
Calibers rumored to be in the running, Staying with the 9MM, going back to the.45 ACP, the .40 S&W, and the .357 Sig (NOT to revolver cartridge).
My opinion? I've never had a problem with the 9MM. If a round has the minimum (or better) amount of power, I believe shot placement is MUCH more important than caliber. And with or Armed Forces being restricted (largely) to Full Metal Jacket rounds (the alternative would be expanding rounds like Hollow Points), I don't see a point to switching calibers.

Designs rumored to be in the running:
The Smith and Wesson M&P, an excellent choice (Plus it is AMERICAN made)
The Glock, also an excellent choice but it doesn't have a manual safety or a decocking lever (I believe one or the other is a requirement)
The Sig Sauer, a third excellent choice (although I have heard some very bad things about the quality control in the last few years)
The Heckler & Koch P2000, I have zero experience with this weapon.
Both Colt and Springfield have put their hats in with unspecified designs (also AMERICAN made).


I've got to admit, I'm no fan of the M9. I think ANY number of designs would have been MUCH better and I would like to see the contract go to an American company.

Dan Emplit WBFD
USN 1986 - 1992

Looters

Residents vow to protect their homes from looters

I was going to post about something else, but I saw the front page of the Voice and felt the need to comment.



First off Mr. Parsons, KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER until you are ready to fire. Second off KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER and lower the hammer for the picture. With firearms discipline like that, your son was right to take your .308 off of you.

The 4 rules to firearms safety are easy to remember and follow.

1. Treat every firearm as a LOADED firearm. Why? Because too many people have been shot by 'unloaded weapons'
2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Why? Because your finger is THE most important safety feature.
3. Know your target and what is beyond. Why? Because the bullet may miss the intended target and hit a non-target around or beyond the target.
4. NEVER point a weapon at anything you are NOT willing to destroy (IE KILL). This one needs NO explanation.

Mr. Parsons while I applaud your determination to protect yourself and your friends, YOU NEED A CLASS ON SAFETY. You are 4 for 4 in violating these simple safety rule.... IN ONE PICTURE!!!!
Hammer back (in old rifles the hammer IS often the safety), Rule #1 broken.
KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER, Rule #2 broken.
You are sweeping the air with the barrel, Rule #3 broken.
You have NO idea where your rifle is pointing, Rule #4 broken.

Before someone says, "Maybe it was unloaded", re-read rule #1.

While I agree with Mr. Parsons intent I disagree with his plans. 'Shoot them in the leg' & 'Shoot them in the kneecap'?! In defensive shooting scenarios you are taught to fire for the 'center of mass' (COM) in order to maximize stopping power (Notice I DID NOT say killing power). Death may result from this action. It is unfortunate, But you are using a DEADLY WEAPON. And with a .22 (a round extremely short on 'stopping power'), if you have to fire, you try to maximize your chances to STOP an opponent.



Dan Emplit WBFD
USN 1986 - 1992

South Station

Over the last 18 months I've been hearing rumors. One of them (given to me by someone who has been very accurate) is that after the election, South fire station was to go up for sale. The reasoning behind it was simple, why keep an engine house that only housed an Ambulance and a part time Fire Engine?

Well after this wonderful weekend, the value of South Station CAN NOT be exaggerated. Built in 1977 for a crew of six per shift, it was used this weekend as an emergency Fire Headquarters (it is the ONLY Firehouse out of the flood plain) and for a while as a temporary Police HQ. For the duration it was manned by over a dozen Firefighters and (for a while) several Police. Also most of fire headquarters movable equipment and 'sensitive' documents were moved there.

I've found that most people are amazed to learn that, of our firehouses, ONLY South Station is out of the flood zone. And no, I don't know why Hollenback Station was built in a flood plain. But, after the last few days, I do know that KEEPING South Station, and keeping it manned 24/7 is of VITAL importance to the safety of our city.

Please remember that the Lloyds study, the one that the city commissioned, payed for (with our tax money) and now ignores, says 17 firefighters per shift. Our mayor says 12.
It's about two issues.
The number of firefighters immediately available (because bad things don't wait or they wouldn't BE bad things) to help you, and with our recent experience, Location of those assets.
The other issue is the TOTAL number of firefighters that can be called upon. Somewhere around two dozen have retired since Leighton has taken over the reigns. He has hired six. This is UNACCEPTABLE. We pay HIGH taxes for our safety. WE are NOT getting what we are paying for.

Enough for now, I'm beat.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

Don't yell at him for doing his job

I don't usually post city stuff while I'm at work, But I think it's necessary.
I've received several Emails and texts complaining about the way Mayor Leighton has been handling the flood and evacuation situation.



Please stop. His actions during this crisis have been, without question, correct. He has put the safety of the citizens before all else. He has authorized everything in his power to help the citizens, police, fire and DPW personnel.



I rarely capitalize the 'm' in mayor when talking about Leighton. It is generally an little insult.

Mayor Leighton, Thank you and Good Job.



Dan Emplit WBFD

Photo

Why the US needs to appear Psychotic

The other night, I had one of my "Dan is off his meds" conversations. It was about what is wrong with the world today. IMO, it's simple. The United States is no longer Feared.

For a long time now, America has been looked down upon. We have bent over backwards to placate everyone who isn't an American. This needs to stop. In World War 2, we sent 1,000 bombers (Yes that is one thousand) to bomb ENTIRE CITIES to rubble just to hit a POSSIBLE target. And if we weren't sure it was destroyed, we would bomb the rubble into a different zip code just to get a clearer view of the target!


What's that? We can't do that anymore? We have to worry about the innocents? WHY? Are they Americans? Then why should we give a @#*$ about Habib, Hadji, Manuelle, or any other NON American? The pecking order should be simple. Americans, our allies, and targets.


Here is the REAL question. Would Blowjob the dictator (insert any douche bags name here) EVER have become a problem if he knew that he could be awoken one night and see this:
An anonymous, balaclava wearing Special Warfare Dude, his bloody knife (for some reason most people fear a knife more than a gun), and he tells BJ, "All your guards are dead. All your staff... Dead. Your dogs... Dead. No one even knows we are here. You are an annoyance, become an irritant and you won't wake up...... EVER."


Remember it takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, but only 3 for a correct trigger squeeze.


Part of the problem is we pay WAY to much attention to what Hollywood thinks. Why people think that being an actor makes someone an expert is beyond me. They have problems making good movies, but are right there whining for us to give money to whatever country when something bad happens. BTW where is Hollywood now, when AMERICANS could use some help recovering from Hurricane Irene?


Dan Emplit WBFD
USN 1986 - 1992

A sample of the stupidity I get to deal with

I was checking my comments inbox and of course, the moron fairy has attacked again.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Nepotism Part2 or How many scandals will there be ...":

Looks like another "it's all about us" attitude of the firemen. They don't show such concern for the city when they negotiate their union contracts. Personally, when I call a cop, I need one but if my house burns down, I have insurance.
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This came in on 9-2-2011 at 2:58 am. For a post from 7-2-2011.
Really? 2 months!? Oh well, lets look at what was said.

'Looks like another "it's all about us" attitude of the firemen.'
How? I didn't even mention the FD until the last half of the post.

'They don't show such concern for the city when they negotiate their union contracts.'
We don't? I forget WHICH union made $3.5 million (over 7 years)concessions? Oh right. The Fire Department. But we don't show any concern. And what did the other unions give up?

'Personally, when I call a cop, I need one but if my house burns down, I have insurance.'
Now this just shows how shortsighted and self centered you are. If your 'house burns down' it puts your neighbors houses at risk. And what about the health risks your family will be exposed to? Insurance doesn't save lives. We do.




Dan Emplit WBFD