MM Vs Caliber

Something WAY off my normal rants. This has nothing to do with the city, the mayor or the council.



The other day I was Talking about 'Law & Order' and I mentioned that, although I love the show, they often get things wrong. The specific point I made was Detective Ed Green was looking for a small handgun which he called a 25 Millimeter.... What?!!
That HUGE round, the second from the left is a 20 mm, a 25 mm is MUCH larger. He should have said a 25 caliber. Look below the 20 mm, go ahead and strain. That tiny thing is a 25 caliber (AKA .25) case.
Just for info they go 40 mm grenade case with mechanical link, 20 mm, 50 Caliber, .30/06 (WW2 round for the M1 Garand), .308, 6.5 MM Carcano (the type of round that Oswald used), .30-30 (I've read it's The most popular deer hunting round in PA), 7.62 x 39 mm (the AK-47 ammo), a 5.56 x 45 mm blank (M16 round) and a .30 carbine (WW2 round) and beneath them the 25 caliber. Except for the .25 all are RIFLE rounds. Or Cannon and Grenade launcher.
Caliber is the rough diameter of the BULLETS base. The bullet is the actual projectile.
Just for fun here are some handgun rounds.

Again from left to right .44 Magnum, .44 Auto Mag (very Rare), .45 ACP (AKA just the .45, or .45 ACP), 10 mm, 40 caliber, .357 Sig, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, 9 mm (9 mm parabelum, 9 mm NATO or just the 9), 9 x 18 mm Makarov (the standard pistol caliber for the Soviet Union), .380 (AKA 9mm Kurtz), 32 S&W, .32 Auto (AKA .32 ACP), .25 ACP, .22 LR (Long Rifle).
Can you tell I'm a gun buff?

Enough for now,
Dan

Last nights council meeting

Well last night I went to the council meeting, The only topic was the vote for at-large elections, and I can say it was 40 minutes that I will never get back.
Unsurprisingly, the motion passed. I have no real opinion either way, mainly because everyone has an almost rabid opinion on the subject and actual facts are about as rare as '63 corvettes (the split window coupes).
What I don't like is the fact that the meeting was double secret (Thank you Bill O'Boyle and Matt Harris of the Times Leader and Citizens Voice Respectively for letting us know), that it was scheduled at a time that 'Joe Average-Dude' was just getting out of work and done in such a hurry that it could not be put off. This last part is the fishiest because back on June 10Th after I spoke at council, Mr. Barrett and Thomas talked at me and Mr. Thomas mentioned that they were planning this. So why wait to the last minute to put this in a meeting? I can only think of one reason, to minimize opposition. And if you have to minimize opposition maybe you should look at what you are doing.
On another note, I expected Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith or Bob Kadluboski (of City-Wide Towing) to be there, Both are opponents of this move. I don't really know why I expected them to be present but...
So I spoke even though I was VERY unprepared. I asked if the council put this part of their Charter on a vote, then they should put the FULL TIME benefits and retirement on the vote as well. I was told that this cannot be because of the terms of the Wilkes-Barre Home Rule Charter and the city attorney promised to email me a copy this afternoon. Guess what didn't get emailed to me. I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count. I'll wait till Monday and then call or email him to remind him.
And my last note. Kathy Kane Obviously reads this Blog and indirectly aimed a few comments at me. Yes I got the references to my abandoned house, street sweeper, and that council is letting us down rants. That and the direct comment about blogs.
Of all the council she is doing 'something'. The 'cell phone ban' is an excellent plan and has my FULL support. She had the 'mosquito farm' some call a creek across form my home cleaned out. BUT when this all started she also told an elderly lady, who was worried about her sick husband, that we were not picketing for public safety, we wanted more overtime. WRONG. If we got the manning we are trying for overtime would go DOWN. It's simple, More men less overtime. She is to smart not to realize this so it was a LIE. And that comment is why she has been mentioned so many times here.
Well enough for now.
Dan Emplit WBFD

Anyone elses fault pt 2

June 10, 2005 "I wouldn't say I oversold it. I think maybe the media did," Mayor Leighton said. (WNEP)
AKA It's not my fault, it's the medias

June 8, 2005 "I would love to have a fire station in every neighborhood but you have to remember, this is neglect of the past," said Mayor Leighton. (WNEP)
AKA It's not my fault, it's McGroartys

Mar 12, 2010 "You left me with no choice, I'm not failing you, the city administration is not failing you and city council is not failing you. Your union is failing you." (Citizens' voice)
AKA It's not my fault, it's the Firefighter Unions

Oct 18, 2007 Leighton raised taxes 20 mills when he first took office in 2004, but has not raised taxes since. “I was forced to raise taxes because of past mistakes, because of past debt,” Leighton said. (Citizens' Voice political blog)
AKA It's not my fault, it's McGroartys

October 27, 2008 Leighton said the union contract demands that the city first call out all city firefighters before another community can be contacted for help. He said Luzerne County 911 does the call-out, but the mayor said a lot of time is lost during the process. (Times Leader)
AKA It's not my fault, it's the Call Centers

July 16, 2010 About claims by police officers the system is bogged down by technical glitches at times, Leighton said "they're (police) not happy about it because they think we should put more people on the streets." (WBRE)
AKA It's not my fault, it's the Policemens'

October 15, 2008 The mayor blames the hike on health care costs and a million-dollar firefighters’ arbitration award. "By no means am I happy or proud of this budget, but it's legitimate numbers, it's legitimate expenses," said Leighton.
AKA It's not my fault, it's the Firefighters'

May 16, 2010 "We've tried to work with them to help the city," he said. "They have to help. Employees have to help. We've had other unions help us" (Citizens Voice)
AKA It's not my fault, it's the Firefighters'
When mayor was elected he asked all the city unions to help the city financially in their contracts. the fire union did (concessions = approx 3.5 million dollars over 7 years). Mayor Leighton said "By making (these) substantial concessions, the firefighters' union has agreed to become partners with the city in its revitalization plan" The Fire Fighters Union did their part and who gets cut back? And what did the other unions do exactly?

October 15, 2008 Mayor Leighton blames the tough economy, increasing health insurance premiums and a recent award of one million dollars to the city's firefighters union for the budget gap. But he promises the financial squeeze won't mean fewer police patrols, or reduced services like salting, plowing and roadwork. (WNEP)
AKA It's not my fault, It's the tough economys', increasing health insurance premiums' and a recent award to the city's firefighters unions'

Oh and he he 'promises' the financial squeeze won't mean fewer police patrols, or reduced services like salting, plowing and roadwork.
What about essentail LIFE SAVING Services?

I firmly believe that if I wasn't VOCALLY opposing the mayor we would've been cut even further, south station would've been sold (probably to disgraced ex-judge Conahans' Medic 8), and the city would be in even worse shape safety wise.

We need to keep the pressure on him and council.

Dan Emplit WBFD

At large elections

At large elections

Well, Our usually silent council is trying to put one by us. A few years ago the way we elected our Council was changed from at-large to a district based system. The reason was that as a district system there would be a larger number of people running for election, giving us more control in who represents us. I don't know which system I would endorse (yet), but I do have a problem with the fact that if the papers hadn't been there, then we wouldn't have known about Thursdays meeting.
This fits with our council. A double secret meeting, No time for someone to oppose them, a time when most people are just getting out of work, and they will not be giving accurate information about the pluses and minuses of this.
Our council is taking steps to protect their sweet part time jobs, the ones with a FULL Time benefits and retirement.
I'm beginning to believe it is time to go back to a weak mayor form of government (In this form, the mayor is elected by voters, but has little real political power and less independence than a strong mayor. A weak mayor serves largely ceremonial duties).
In the weak-mayor form of the mayor–council government, the council possesses both legislative and executive authority. The council may appoint officials and might approve of mayoral nominations. The council also continues to exercise primary control over the municipal budget (This is the form of city level government envisioned by Andrew Jackson called, innovatively enough, Jacksonian democracy). The point is if a mayor has limited power and multiple checks, They can do little harm.
In the strong-mayor form the elected mayor is given almost total administrative authority and a clear, wide range of political independence, with the power to make unilateral decisions without council approval and little, or no public input. In this system, the strong-mayor prepares and administers the city budget, although that budget must be approved by the council.
Abuses in this form led to the development of the council–manager form of local government and its adoption widely throughout the United States.
So once again Wilkes-Barre is behind the times with an antiquated, easily manipulated system. Anyone who doubts this has only to look at the previous administration. Mayor McGroarty ran around doing anything he wanted, until he became a 'lame-duck' (having lost his re-election bid), and then with little to worry about in the way of repercussions from him, council finally stepped up and stopped his last few rampages.
I'm thinking the weak-mayor form of government may be better for Wilkes-Barre because council would have to make a stand on their decisions and not hide behind someone. This would at least make them EARN their pay, benefits, and retirement.

Enough for Now

Dan Emplit

Marines

This has got to be one of the greatest quotes of all time.
...conversation overheard on the VHF Guard (emergency) frequency 121.5 MHz while flying from Europe to Dubai.


Iranian Air Defense Site: 'Unknown aircraft you are in Iranian airspace. Identify yourself.'

Aircraft: 'This is a United States aircraft. I am in Iraqi airspace.'
Air Defense Site: 'You are in Iranian airspace. If you do not depart our airspace we will launch interceptor aircraft!'

Aircraft: 'This is a United States Marine Corps FA-18 fighter. Send 'em up, I'll wait!'
Air Defense Site: ( .... total silence)

God bless our troops.

Was sent this, Don't know if it's true but it is scary

JUDGE KITHIL wrote:

"I have reviewed selected sections of the bill, and find it unbelievable that our Congress, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, could come up with a bill loaded with so many wrong-headed elements."

"Both Republicans and Democrats are equally responsible for the financial mess of both Social Security and Medicare programs."

"I am opposed to HB 3200 for a number of reasons.

To start with, it is estimated that a federal bureaucracy of more than 150,000 new employees will be required to administer HB3200. That is an unacceptable expansion of a government that is already too intrusive in our lives. If we are going to hire 150,000 new employees, let's put them to work protecting our borders, fighting the massive drug problem and putting more law enforcement/firefighters out there."

JUDGE KITHIL continued: "Other problems I have with this bill include:

** Page 50/section 152: The bill will provide insurance to all non-U.S. residents, even if they are here illegally.

** Page 58 and 59: The government will have real-time access to an individual's bank account and will have the authority to make electronic fund transfers from those accounts.

** Page 65/section 164: The plan will be subsidized (by the government) for all union members, union retirees and for community organizations (such as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now - ACORN).

** Page 203/line 14-15: The tax imposed under this section will not be treated as a tax. (How could anybody in their right mind come up with that?)

** Page 241 and 253: Doctors will all be paid the same regardless of specialty, and the government will set all doctors' fees.

** Page 272.! section 1145: Cancer hospital will ration care according to the patient's age.

** Page 317 and 321: The government will impose a prohibition on hospital expansion; however, communities may petition for an exception.

** Page 425, line 4-12: The government mandates advance-care planning consultations. Those on Social Security will be required to attend an "end-of-life planning" seminar every five years. (Death counceling.)

** Page 429, line 13-25: The government will specify which doctors can write an end-of-life order.

HAD ENOUGH???? Judge Kithil then goes on:

"Finally, it is specifically stated that this bill will not apply to members of Congress. Members of Congress are already exempt from the Social Security system, and have a well-funded private plan that covers their retirement needs. If they were on our Social Security plan, I believe they would find a very quick 'fix' to make the plan financially sound for their future."

Honorable David Kithil
Marble Falls , Texas

All of the above should give you the point blank ammo you need to support your opposition to Obamacare. Please send this information on to all of your email contacts.

Leading the Charge!

Leading the Charge!
Many years ago there was a huge oil refinery fire. Flames shot hundreds of feet into the air. The sky was thick with grimy black smoke. The heat was intense - so intense that firefighters had to park their trucks a block away and wait for the heat to die down before they could begin to fight the fire.
However, it was about to rage out of control.
Then, all of a sudden, from several blocks away came a fire truck racing down the street. With its brakes screeching, it hit the curb in front of the fire. The firefighters jumped out and began to battle the blaze. All the firefighters who were parked a block away saw this, and they jumped into their trucks, drove down the
block and began to fight the fire, too. As a result of that cooperative effort, they were just barely able to bring the fire under control.
The people who saw this teamwork thought, "My goodness, the man who drove that lead fire truck - what an act of bravery!" They decided to give him a special award to recognize him for his bravery in leading the charge.
At the ceremony the mayor said, "Captain, we want to honor you for a fantastic act of bravery. You prevented the loss of property, perhaps even the loss of life. If there is one special thing you could have - just about anything - what would it be?"
Without hesitation, the captain replied, "Your Honor, a new set of brakes would be nice!"