Meb452m's Blog

Caught this article in the Sentinel this morning : State to sell executive jet for $ 1.35M. The article goes on state that the aircraft is a Beechcraft King Air turboprop. A jet and a turboprop are not one in the same. The Florida Department of Management Services agreed to take the high bid though they thought it about $600,000 less than the plane was worth. Two other bids came in at $1.03 million and $727,770 respectively. A recent legislative study recently concluded that the state could save between $700,000 to $2.5 million a year by selling one or more of it's planes and using commercial charter or air-taxi services. This information was taken from the Orlando Sentinel and contributed by The Associated Press.

On a small side note, while the King Air is a good aircraft, one can buy a Hawker DH 125 jet for approximately the same as the sale price the state excepted. The difference is that the Hawker is a jet,faster,and with a larger cabin offering full walk-in height minus a baseball cap if you're 6'-0" and more seating options.

Reguardless, I think it is a good move by the State of Florida. Now if only we can get Senators and Congressmen on commercial flights !

This one's for Tom Sussi !  I like the type investigative reporting that you do. So I had a thought / intrest / sugestion for a possible topic , recycling. I'd heard that Lake County's program generates 5 million in revenue. How does Orange County's program stack up against that ? I recall the commissioners talking of possibly burning some recycleables as power plant fuel, but that sounds like throwing money in the fire to me.

With revenue from property taxes down, are there any programs that the county is involved in that have the potential to earn more money ? Not so much as to reduce taxes, but to maintain the level of services provided and possibly find more funding for them without creating a greater tax burden.  I'm a firm beliver that it is far cheaper to learn from the mistakes of others, and more importantly to adopt the practices of others that are successfull !

Any thoughts ?

Another find ? The REAL story told ?  You've all heard of Bill Heard Chevrolet, right ? The news story told was that due to an economic down-turn the largest Chevrolet dealership in the world has closed, right ? Well I guess that kinda depends on who's doing the story telling. RIGHT ?

I've always believed that  "timing", being in the right place at the right time has more effect on life than about anything and that includes learning and new sources of information.

Our company had a meeting today on the 401K plan and the financial advisor made a rather intresting statement. He'd asked if anyone had heard of Bill Heard Chevrolet and it failure due to a bad economy ? That's the WRONG story by him. He'd stated that there were so many complaints about bad bussiness practices, in reguards to selling cars, that GMAC Finance Corporation pulled out as his primary lender. Amagine that !

Wonder which story is the REAL story ? I don't, when it conscerns finance, I tend to go with the SOUND advisors. 

Any thoughts or comments that you care to discuss ?   Reguardless, be HAPPY and  BLOG ON !

Enviromentalists and their liberal lackeys, are they always right ? I thought this example might just make a fine case in point. Ever hear of the Crystal River Nuclear Power Plant ? The enviromentalists fought it for almost a decade before construction was started. Late last year, the Orlando Sentinel ran an article that Florida Power was considering shutting the plant down. This wasn't due to accidents, but the fact that it was an old plant, less efficient, and with greater maintainence costs. Did the enviromentalists cheer ? No, as a matter of fact they threatened to sue, sue to KEEP a nuclear plant open. This despite the fact that previously they had sued to halt construction. Strange twist of fate ? WAS it because nuclear plants emmitt little to no greenhouse gasses ? Was it because people benefit from cheaper electricity ? Well not exactly. The enviromentalists are not worried about spent fuel, a China- Syndrome, or a Chernobyl.

The enviromentalists are worried about the manatee. Seems the manatees have become accustomed to wintering near the warm  water discharge tubes. The enviromentalists are worried that denied that the manatees will suffer.

Remember the Alaskan Pipeline and the enviromental conscerns, permafrost and the caribou were the top two. The damage to the permafrost has been monitored and is negligable. The caribou can still migrate. The caribou seem to prefer wintering near the pipeline as a matter of fact. The oil has to be heated to flow through the pipeline and that warms the close surrounding air , to their benefit and their numbers seem to have increased.  Amagine that. I kinda wonder if BP said we need to shut the line down, if the enviromentalists would sue ?

Any thoughts ?

ABC's Roundtable, oil and energy. It was intresting, of the four comentators, two were liberal Democrats, one a Republican, and one speaking in behalf of the oil industry. First the Democrats blame the current situation on a lack of an energy policy for the last eight years , that answer probably sounds good and will satisfy a Bush- basher, but what about those of you that actually have a brain and can use it ? The first Arab Oil Embargo was in the 70's and pointed out a fundimental weakness in our economy and defense that far back, was that Bush's fault as well ?  The Republican party is trying to streamline the permitting process for nuclear, and fighting Democratic obstructions as well. The Democratic responce is that wall street will not invest in " new " nuclear and capitalism is to blame. This is a classic case of a Democrat lying his blame elsewhere. Nuclear would be invested in if it were allowed, currently lawsuits and regulations can tie construction up 20 years. Can anyone afford to invest in something where " NO RETURN " can be expected for at least 20 yrs. ? Democratic objections to new drilling are that 80% of Federal lands have been made available and have not been fully utilized. The oil representative states that : on that Federal land 280 test wells have been drilled at a cost of $1 million dollars apiece, 21 were found to have hit oil. It requires further testing and a considerable amount of money to see if there is still enough oil there to economically recover. Democratic responce  to those " FACTS "- nun, I guess that without considerable time and counsel from others a good " LIE " or " FALSE FACT "cannot be produced. Once again the Democrats cry about Exxon/Mobil's $ 40 billion dollar profit, once again the fact that that return was from a total sales of $ 404 billion dollars was omitted. The Democrat ( communist ) then claimed that Exxon was not doing enough to invest in alternate energy, stating the Exxon/Mobil spent $ 32 billion of that profit to buy back stock.  That in my belief is a sound strategy, it allows : a better defence against hostile takeovers, frees money up to invest rather than pay dividends, and makes steering a corporation easier.  What the Democrats also didn't mention was the cost that their Congressional Inquistions and the Oil companies legal fees add to your energy prices. AMAGINE THAT !

Any thoughts ?

Why we can't drill, explained by the liberals !  Some of the statements and excuses seem devoid of all intellegent thought or reasoning.  From the Democrats : Even if we permitted drilling right  now ofshore, the oil companies couldn't as there is a shortage of drilling equipment . All of the oil rigs are currently leased and there is a shortage of drill bits.  This statement might satisfy a poorly trained  or educated chimp. Is it not possible to build a  " new " oil rig or manufacture a  " new " drilling bit ? Wouldn't that mean more skilled jobs, taxpayers, and taxpaying bussinesses  as well ?

It has been mentioned that the potential for spills can damage tourism. We have bad hurricanes. Have you ever seen those little globs of oil wash up on a beach ?  These statements are truthfull, but I believe they bear examination.  What are the worst spills attributed to: tankers, barges or pipelines ? I believe that tankers and barges routinely hit bridges and run aground, fact. But if you drill closer inshore, couldn't you transport crude through a pipeline,  like something similar to the one transporting  avation gasoline and kerosine from TAMPA BAY to ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ? No earthquakes here or offshore, right ?  How many spills or leaks from that pipeline have you heard of ? Oil globs on the beach. I won't deny that thats not possible. But how much is carried by ocean currents from other  locations  ?  How much is from tanker ballast water transfers ? As far as tourism, if you can't afford to do anything at your planned destination because of the effect fuel costs have had on everything, would you still go ?

The OIL INDUSTRY says that they can pump crude within 18 months of finding it. WHERE DO CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS COME UP WITH  A FIGURE FOR 10 YEARS ?

Water, one story ! I heard this one last week and I thought it worth sharing. " The water issues in Central Florida are because of St. Augistine lawns !"  I'm not going to name the source of that statement, but I do believe it bears some scrutiny .  St. Augistine does use more water than some other turfgrass choices, no doubt. However there are different varities of St. Augistine and their light and water requirements differ. The lawn didn't naturally occur or sod itself, somebody made a conscious decision, wheter educated or not is another story. The lawn wouldn't be there without residential developement, I believe I can safely state that for fact. 

So is the real issue the turfgrass or the amount of unrestricted developement allowed creating the water issues ?  I lean towards the developement, but then I've lived here 48 yrs. in October. Do you know anyone or heard of anyone who has had a drinking water well run dry or had levels drop so low as to allow a submerged pump and casing to suck air ?  When that happens all you have to do is count the mineral deposit rings on the pipe casing. You can accurately determine the amount the water level has dropped over a given period of time. In the Conway area that was from  1974 on about a foot a year up until 2000. I know that for a fact because I know when the well went in and when the burned up submerged pump was pulled out. When the new pum went down it had an additional 40' added to the well point. I wonder where the water stands now ?

Maybe that's a question for the politicians ?

The  big stink in Utah, is it laughable ? Last week the Orlando Sentinel ran a brief article about Utah residents protesting the plains of a private company that handles and stores low-level radioactive waste at it's storage facility. There are plans to store 20,000 lbs. of  Italian low-level radioactive waste at this site.

What about radioactive waste generated in the good old US of A ?  This country can't build a new nuclear reactor because of conscerns about  handing, using, and storing radioactive fuel. Yet a bussiness can be licensed by the goverment, and handle the  low-level radioactive waste of others ? The goverment manages a large storage facility  for the hotter spent fuel as well. Will this end up being used to store waste of others , because the goverment will not license the construction of new American reactors?

What a fricking joke !  I don't believe atomic energy to be an ultimate answer for energy independence. I do believe it to be an temporary alternate though.


Your thoughts ?

What's in store, capital leaving America ?  What's in store , Americans leaving America ? Two of the largest American retirement communities outside of America live in Belize and Panama. Why is simple enough, cheaper cost of living and modest to low taxes, reasonable housing and medical care. They are both nice places, but it is truly a shame. American's that have worked hard all their lives and paid their share of taxes leave so that they can afford a modestly comfortable retirement. Stay in America, and the Congress and Senate strive to steal from you until your last days.

People complain about the money illegals send back to Mexico, and it is an issue. But how much money is deprived from the American economy by Americans who are little better than driven away ?

Check into Panama's construction boom. Check into Belize's boom as well.  Of course those Americans keep their money  there as well, in a local bank free of the abuses legislated by our representatives. No Hillary, Obama, or Pelosi there. Could that be a reason they are not feeling an economic slump ?  Could it be that those American's feel that only there are their funds and retirements  SECURE ?

The Bahama's are close, their banks are as well. Something to ponder ?

Hot, Hot, Hot Topic ! Details forthcomming . There is a fantastic show on WMFE , PBS channel 24 tonight, between 9.00- 11.00 PM. This is a National Geographics Special titled : Strange Times on Planet Earth !"  This covers the estimated loss of up to 90 % of the species that are commercially  fished, and their comming extinction.  If your intrested in the enviroment and the world's oceans, you might want to watch this !

So don't be late tonight.  WMFE, PBS channel 24, between 9.00-11.00 PM. If you can watch it and post a comment here. Thanks !

Banking woes, who's really to blame ?  I'll give you my take. The banking industry and those that lobbied for it convinced the House and Senate to write legislation relaxing loaning standards. This was do to get more people in houses that they couldn't afford. But without those relaxed standards, the banks wouldn't have gotten the bussiness and the intrest on their money. Word has it that most banking  institutions in America are owned by Saudis in the majority. So let me see if I've got this right so far. The Saudis lobby for relaxed standards to make more money. Then their plan and the FINE legislation making it legal, blows up in everyone's face. The American goverment rushes in offering to salvage the mess that they have created with taxpayer dollars, because they don't have the intellegence or foresight to see the potential for a massive failure and abuse. 

Isn't this then a case of the American taxpayer paying for the Saudis and our Goverments sins ? Borrowers with poor money management skills wouldn't have come into play without legislation making it legal.

I think the Saudis, their lobbyests, and the Congressmen and Senators should take this hit ! Is this a criminal conspiracy to committ fraud ? Where's the RICO ACT when you need it ?

Your thoughts and comments ?

The word on the street ! I know you've heard this expression, it tends to cover a lot of issues. Such as : that's a nice place to live, there are good jobs and plenty of work, the streets are clean, property values keep rising, there is little to no crime, or crimes terrible there don't go ! Comments like that might be made from those on the RIGHT side of the street, the legal and lawfull side. Ever wonder about the comments made from the WRONG  side of the street ?  Like maybe : the pickings are good there, the population is sheep and the eating is good, I can do or get away with anything there !

I for one would like the word on the RIGHT side of the street to be good, and as far as the word on the WRONG side of the street, THERE should only be ONE.   " Don't go, they shoot and kill you there !"

It's your choice, the typical solution of the past for a lot is to sell and move on. Realestate prices have all but ended that for most. Is that something that you can live with ? Is hat something your relatives, kids and friends can live with ?

Don't  you think it's time to change the word on the street ?

Crime, who are the responsible ones ? The liberal legal minds suggest that society is to blame. Do you buy into that mind-set ? I don't, I believe that the criminal alone to be the major culprit. But are there other players, so to speak ?  If we ,as law abiding citizens, look away do we play some part ? I'm a firm believer in the death penalty, and that the list of crimes punishable by this form of remedy should be increased. I know that there are some that would object on moral grounds. But when you give to causes that fight the legal and lawfull gun ownership, are you not guilty to some degree ? Guns in the hands of properly trained and legal owners usually stop crime and in a lot of cases end that particular criminals career. Is that morally wrong ? How many innocent lives are saved when a criminals career is ended this way ?  I also know that a lot of people are looking into and carrying tazzers, they will stop an assault and most likely end with that particular offender being incarserated. But how long will it be before this felon is back on the street and actively pursueing HIS choice of career ? 

This is were I differ from the tazzer crowd. I believe that , if put in a life threatening situation, you have a CIVIC DUTY to end that criminals career premanently with a gun.How many innocent lives do you believe this approach would save a year ? You see I believe that when a criminal has crossed the line with violent crime, he or she has forfeited their right to life !  Not exactly a liberal conscept, but then I'd don't possess a liberal mind .

Any thoughts ? You're comments are welcome !

History, people forget,fortunately there are a few who presently endevor to preserve important pieces of that history. Ever hear of the SS American Victory ? She was commissioned in June 1945. She was the successor to the Liberty class freighter that was used with distinction by the American Merchant Marine during the dark days of the Battle of the Atlantic of WWII. The Victory class was a substancial improvement over the Liberty class with steam turbine engines versus triple expansion engines. The Victory class steamed at 16.5 knots versus the Liberties 11 knots. The fragile Liberties were replaced nearing wars end by the durible Victory. Reading about history is one thing, to walk the decks,cargo holds,galley and mess,crew berths,captain's quarters, and the bridge is entirely another !  Have you ever sat at the gunner's position of a WWII vintage 3" or 5" deck gun ? Have you ever walked the cat-walks above an  engine and shaft  room ? 

This is just one piece of many things that did and have made America great ! Care to see some history and by your admission help preserve it ? Then I reccommend this tour. Admission is just $8.00 dollars for an adult. This still functional ship and floating museum is located at the wharf behind the Florida Aquarium, Channel Street, Tampa Bay Florida.

Go and check them both out. It will be a fun day, time and money well spent !

Delta, some more of the story. You may have heard fo their recent cutbacks in non-stop flights and offering 30,000 employees an early buy-out and retirement option. The 30,000 figure is for those employees that would be elegible, to meet  the cost cut needs Delta only needs 1,500 employees to accept an early out option. The need for this is attributed mostly  to the high fuel costs and under booked non-stop flights. So don't let the partial story presented on the news scare you. Delta's doing alright. You see, I have an inside source, a long-time employee and he's still confident in his employer !