Justice or Street Justice?

This post is one that will go down as one that will keep us wondering why not build a moat. A man fleeing from police near Miami, Florida, jumped in a pond and was eaten by a large alligator. Now I don't know if the man was a native to the area but I guess the sign you see to the right was not seen by the gentleman. I would call this justice served, would you consider it street justice or just justice? Either way this should be a story for all crooks to remember - always plan your route before attempting to rob someone or some place. What an idiot, he should taken his chances with the cops instead of taking a short cut.
VIDEO

A-Rod in the Glass City?

Alex Rodriguez isn’t going to be a Tiger in 2008, but maybe he’ll consider an offer from the Toledo Mud Hens. On Sunday, after SI.com reported that Rodriguez would opt out of his contract and become a free agent, New York Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner told the New York Times, “Does he want to go into the Hall of Fame as a Yankee, or a Toledo Mud Hen?” The Mud Hens figured they should give him that opportunity. Dan Royer, a graphic designer for the team, created a mock Hall of Fame bust, with Rodriguez wearing a Toledo hat. The Mud Hens also prepared a letter that they plan to mail to Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras. Included is a contract offer with incentives if he hits 75 home runs per season and leads Toledo to 10 straight Governors’ Cup titles.
There is a catch, of course.
The letter includes a reminder that Mike Hessman – the International League’s reigning Most Valuable Player – is the Mud Hens’ everyday third baseman.
“We think that it would be a healthy competition at spring training between the two of them,” it reads. “Would your client be willing to play a different position?”
By Jon Paul Morosi -
Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

I believe we should welcome him with open arms and hearts. We have a great crew in The Mud Hens and we can always use an addition to the club. Let's see what happens with this one and I would have to agree that he might bring in a bigger fan crowd and a bit more money to the area which Toledo canuse right now and in the future.

Volunteers to honor...

While watching the news last night and again tonight online I want to send a special thank you to the couple that have taken the time to take the course and passing it with such a passion for the safety of their fellow neighbor and stranger. That couple is none other than Rick and Lynn Melchert. Thank you for taking the time to help the police force by offering your time and energy. What we need here in Toledo is something similar to what they have done but with the police vehicle problem we have this wonderful program won't work all that good here, but it would be nice for Toledo to look into it.

Stop Scammers...

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I got this little FYI from a co-worker that I consider a good friend, read it and please watch out for scammers...

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NEW CREDIT CARD SCAM

The Holiday Season is just a little bit down the road and the bad guys are
already trying to get free stuff by using your credit.

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information,
except the one piece they want.  Note, the callers do not ask for your card
number; they already have it.

This information is worth reading.  By understanding how the VISA and
MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to
protect yourself.

One of our employees was called on Wednesday from 'VISA', and I was called
on Thursday from 'Master Card'.  The scam works like this: Person calling
says, 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud
Department at VISA.  My badge number is 12460.  Your card has been flagged
for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify.  This would be
on your VISA card which was issued by ( name of bank).  Did you purchase an
Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in
Arizona ?' ........

When you say 'No', the caller continues with, 'Then we will be issuing a
credit to your account.  This is a company we have been watching and the
charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that
flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to
(gives you your address), is that correct?' You say 'yes'.......

The caller continues - 'I will be starting a Fraud investigation.  If you
have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of
your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this
Control Number.  The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. 'Do you need me
to read it again?'

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works.  The caller then says, 'I
need to verify you are in possession of your card.' He'll ask you to 'turn
your card over and look for some numbers.' There are 7 numbers; the first 4
are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers' that
verify you are the possessor of the card.  These are the numbers you
sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card.....

The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him.  After you tell the
caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, 'That is correct, I just needed to verify
that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your
card.  Do you have any other questions?' After you say, 'No,' the caller
then thanks you and states, 'Don't hesitate to call back if you do', and
hangs up. ....

You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card
number.  But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20
minutes to ask a question.  Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA security
Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase
of $497.99 was charged to our card.

Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA
account.  VISA is reissuing us a new number.  What the scammers want is the
3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead,
tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their
conversation.

The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as
they already know the information since they issued the card!  If you give
the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit.
However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases
you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to
actually file a fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a
'Jason Richardson of Master Card' with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA
scam.  This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police
report, as instructed by VISA.  The police said they are taking several of
these reports daily!  They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this
scam is happening. Please pass this on to all your family and friends.  By
informing each other, we protect each other.

A courthouse that can not go away...

I posted about this back in July of this year, back then the talk was to bring down the old courthouse that has been around since 1884. It hit the news again today and Rep. Peter Ujvagi (D., Toledo), is working on potential sources to help fund restoration of the vacant courthouse and possibly other courthouses across the state. Mr. Ujvagi is looking at a menu of possible legislative options, including creation of a Texas-style commission to help finance courthouse restoration, a business tax credit to encourage private investment, and capital-budget funding. This courthouse is one of many throughout our state that will potentially meet a fate that is completely opposite from its' opening day. Let hope that a course is taken before such a historical landmark is destroyed.
Click here for the story.
Click here for previous post on this issue.

Illegals are just that illegal...

I can't take this anymore...
Everytime I hear these people talk it penetrates right down to the bone. Let me get some duct tape and wrap my head with it before I start my rant.
Okay - to all the illegals in Texas and anywhere else for that matter, WHERE COMING FOR YOU! The video link below will probably upset most of you like it did for me. If you are an illegal and you are driving with a fake license then you will be deported, if you are an illegal and you are caught breaking the law you will be deported, if you are an illegal and you get a traffic stop and your license is listed in a list of illegal immigrants then guess what YOU WILL BE DEPORTED. It may not seem fair to those who get caught but what about the immigrants that are taking the courses and paying their dues to become a "Legal" immigrant what about their fairness. These stories keep popping up and of course there's always someone on camera putting words together to make a sentence that only god can understand what the hell their trying to say defending the "rights" of illegals. Now that's an oxymoron for ya 'Illegal Rights'.
I need more duct tape...
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An Interrupted Plan...

By looking at the image to the right simply disturbs me because for this kid to have this much arsenal and then having the mom being found responsible for purchasing some of the weaponry which includes a 9mm rifle and allowing her son to actually have gun powder in the home. Call me an out of the box thinker here but didn't she get a clue or an insight or heck even a hint that her son was a bit out there. What kid collects guns as a hobby, why I say that - because it would not surprise me if she pleads not guilty due to her thinking it was a collection that he had and that it didn't have any other meaning to it other then that. I need to meet the friend that brought this to the attention of the police because that person needs to be honored for preventing a possible horror.
VIDEO

Thank goodness...

'Bridge to nowhere' abandoned

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That title just makes me feel great. There's nothing that feels better then having something stopped that wasn't going to serve any purpose to anyone.

"We went through political hot water -- tons of it -- and not just nationally but internationally," Ketchikan-Gateway Borough Mayor Joe Williams said. "We have nothing to show for it."

Here in Ohio we beefed up our ferry lines to Put-in-Bay with our new Jet Express service. The bad boys pick up some serious speed and they get you to the fun in no time at all. I believe they should resubmit their proposal but instead of going for the bridge aspect they should go for completely new docks at each of the locations with state of the art accommodations and services. I know what it feels like to have a project in your hands (southwyke) that will be great for the community and then have someone else (Dillards) from the outside throw a monkey wrench into the works. The reason why I'm not for this particular project is because it costs way too much. We have been spending money as a country like there's no tomorrow and this project did not need to be born.

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Common Sense that's all...

Watching this video I couldn't help but remember the post I did awhile ago about a man getting shanked with a twelve inch horn in his leg. This kid although very talented or in my opinion very stupid is facing a pissed-off bull while learning the steps as a bull fighter. You know that's great to have the sense of fear be stripped away and the sense of control takes over your complete body but when that bull decides to give you an extra hole you didn't have before don't come complaining to the trainers that it hurts.

Let's legalize it...

The statement above is one that many of my coworkers believe should be done through out the US when it comes to marijuana. I can agree to a point, yes legalizing it and then taxing the heck out of it would bring some extra money maybe some added crime as well. My only problem with the legalizing of it is that even though it is such a highly used product many of the customers buy it in secrecy because the last thing they want is for someone to know that they are smoking it. The argument stood at that beer and alcohol has just as much of an impairment as marijuana and those seem to sell pretty easy. My only answer to that was that the two beverages have been in the system for so long now that when you see a coworker or even your boss walk out with a case of beer or even a brown bagged liquor bottle you don't necessarily deem them a danger, you automatically assume they are going to either have a party or just a small social meeting with some friends. I can assure that even if it was legalized not many people will quickly head out to buy some for the fact that they don't want to run into some friends that might think of them as one of those people. If you legalize it make sure that it follows the same standards as cigarettes and cigars, actually let me correct that make sure you don't smoke them anywhere except your home - Why? Because having a smoke break at work with smokes is not the same as having a smoke break at work with a joint. Ah heck keep the darn thing illegal because the last thing you want is some knuckle head come in to a convenience store and ask where it came from then have the clerk not know and god forbid someone buys something homegrown.
:)

Just some help...

After talking to my wife today she and I agree that some companies do not know what such a thing is or how it works. It seems that companies would inform you of cetain details but in actuality they are merely trying to get you suckered, (ie) Purchase a brand new PC from any retail store, go home install it enjoy it for about a week. You then notice that certain programs aren't cooperating with the OS (operating system). You've got yourself a new PC but are unable to run the basic programs. Well being the concerned consumer that you are you would call the manufacture's number to find a resolution to your problem. Well the first thing you get is the oh so familiar run-around on the automated voice prompts. After about an hour on hold you get someone that after trying to help you informs you that the model you bought has a few "bugs" in it and that a correction model was created to eliminate the problem. So you tell yourself sweet I just bought this one so I have at least a one year manufacturer's warranty. That's when the idiot on the phone adds that the warranty on that model is voided due to the fact that it's obsolete, but they'll be more that happy to issue a certificate that only covers for about a third of the supposed "New and Improved" PC. The answer to this whole bs experience is to
A) ask before buying if the product is capable of operating on its own after it leaves the store or
B) have the manufacturers keep all current known issues available to all of their vendors so that a bad one does not get sold before being removed from the shelf.

This happened to a co-worker of mine yesterday - let's just say he's still upset.

Added note:
This was bought as a package deal which those of you who have bought package deals before it usually has an extra detail that once opened it cannot be returned - kind of like the if you open a cd/dvd you can't return it.

Man of Steel?

There's no other way to talk about this other then this guy is truly lucky he wasn't completely smashed by that north bound train. Man of steel or part of it... In case you didn't know a gentleman by the name of Zach Smith was walking across some tracks when he noticed a south bound train coming so he stopped, after that train went by he put his head down looking at his cell phone and continued to cross the tracks. That's when the south bound train struck the man and knocked him out. Not only was this man not seriously hurt but when he came to he asked witnesses what had happened. All I can say is he had someone looking out for him and the next time you decide to cross some tracks please wait for the lights to shut off and the bars to go back up before crossing.
VIDEO

A careful strategy...

I was a victim to the bully system back during my elementary years. My problem was that I didn't tell anyone - I just kept it in and decided that I will handle it when the time came. I was pushed around for about a year before I snapped and managed to get this bulling individual to a location where I knew the school was not going to be involved. I laid such a beating on this guy that I did not see him for about two weeks, I'm not saying that violence is the answer but for my situation it was the only option I had. With that being said I just got done reading an article that I believe will help out a lot of kids out there that don't want to go to an adult because of their fear of being exposed as a coward to the rest of the school and neighborhood. While I respect the first amendment and free speech, I still believe that certain words shouldn't be said regardless to free speech. A young lady has committed suicide due to threats, that young lady had a right to live and a right to enjoy life 'free' of harassment. There are kids that believe that they can run other peoples lives, to those kids I say - Be careful who you push because you never know who's going to snap.

I've Seen Her Before...

ATLANTA -- An Atlanta-based flight attendant for Atlantic Southeast Airlines faces charges of getting high before leaving the ground.

I don't know exactly where but I have seen this woman before, she looks familiar for some reason. Her name does not bring up any memories but I know for a fact that I have seen her before but for the life of me I can not remember, and no I did not fly the airline that she worked for. Oh well either way click on the the title and watch the video of this woman - she is totally out of it. I'm surprised no one noticed before she got on the plane.

I agree with the comments...

After watching the video below I came to realize that I almost became one of those people that are affraid to say the wrong thing because I might offend someone. Most cultures do walk around with a chip on their shoulder and would claim offense the first chance it gets, I on the other hand will treat you or anyone else in the same manner in which I received yours. Watch the video and let me know what you think.

One of our own is caught...

Andrew Butler and a friend of his (Christopher Avery) were accused of robbing the Valley Central Savings Bank in Reading. Apparently this young man was having issues with his financial status. I am puzzled as to why he and his friend didn't go together to a financial office and talk to an advisor before trying to rob a bank. They could of found some sort of grant or loan program that could of helped them out with their situation.

"He just really was struggling, working two jobs here, you know, temp jobs, two jobs and trying to get the money," said Franki Butler mother of Andrew Butler.

I currently have three daughters who attend college and because of my income an their income they qualify for loans that can help them get their education and land a great job so that they can repay the debt. I hope that when their case comes forward that the judge handling it will see that even though they did rob a bank their intentions were to finish their dream of attending and gaining what college life had to offer. Mr. Avery was able to post the bond of $50,000 in order to be released, if the money was either gathered up among family and friends or maybe a loan was given then why didn't this young man ask those same individuals for the cash that would been needed to further his education and college lifestyle. I can pretty much guarantee that the amount that both he and Mr. Butler were in need of wasn't even close to $50,000. Mr. Butler remains in the Hamilton County jail.

Burglars beware...

Where I live I can honestly say that I won't be robbed any time soon. With the way my neighbors are I can feel safe in knowing that they will notify me if anything seems weird or questionable. We currently keep all of our valuables in a lock box at the bank, we do not take any chances on the things we cherish. I was never a believer of leaving a spare key somewhere outside because you never know who's watching. The last thing I need to deal with is a burglar in my house stealing what I worked hard for and then making me take action by shooting him/her in the leg so that they can not get away. This article details the rights and wrongs of how to protect your home. Most of it will be a little easy to comply with because common sense is something most people have and seem to practice it practically on a daily basis. Check it out and maybe there's something there that you might not know about.

Politics just suck....

Here I am trying not to have my head explode because of politics but yet I see things that should happen while some other things shouldn't happen. The whole BS about this outing should of been handled a bit better then what we have now. When the incident took place Wade should of taken this to John Irish himself and if he was unable to get a hold of him then for god's sake keep trying to get a hold of him. If unsuccessful then please excuse yourself from the group and alert authorities of the indecent exposure that you felt offended by. Have the individual arrested and pursue/push for the girl to be fired for breaking the law in a public environment. Asking for Irish to resign is about as stupid as asking the police chief to resign because the kid that shot Mr. Dressel shouldn't of done that, The chief should of been in better control of his officers so that something like that would not of happened. Are you fu*^ing kidding me, then today instead of having a meeting to show progress in this wonderful city - Joe finds it necessary to call out John and insist that he resign from both of his positions. Joe and I are cool like that but when this becomes an issue that spills into other matters that's when I get a bit upset. This should of been kept under wraps until the matter was resolved, by Wade going to the media it clearly shows what his agenda was and is. For those of you reading this and are not living in Toledo, I apologize for my rant on the Democratic Party. It's pretty sad when a conservative sees this as a non issue but Dems see it as an end of all ends.

Historical Value...

The photo you see to the right is that of Elijah E. Myers, architect of the Seneca County Courthouse commissioned in 1882. The reason as to why I have this up here is because the historical courthouse in Seneca County is planned for demolition because it makes fiscal sense (well according to the commissioners). This structure should be forever kept especially when you know that most of the town's history came in and out through those doors, by history I mean citizens. The article in The Blade doesn't express much about what other residents are saying but they do have a snip of a gentleman by the name of Sam Reino who drives past the Seneca County Courthouse everyday on his way to work. Now the 82-year-old resident sees the local landmark from his bedroom window and can't help it but to shakes his head at the mention of plans to demolish the 1884 courthouse. “I think they’re making a big mistake,”. If this is how history is preserved in Tiffin let's hope that it doesn't spread to far into other counties. I want to also add that six anonymous county residents filed a lawsuit that alleges commissioners have violated the open meetings law and failed to thoroughly explore options for saving the courthouse. The judge (Judge Charles Wittenberg) appointed to handle this case will hold a motion hearing on July 9.
I hope that this is stopped because from what I read Seneca County will become the first in northwest Ohio to abandon and demolish its' courthouse and the first in the state to do so since Richland County brought down its' historic courthouse in Mansfield in 1969. Don't let this happen.

Trash It...

Here in Toledo there was an increase in our garbage fee to five dollars, three and change if you committed to recycling every other week. Well now we hear that some parts of Toledo won't be getting the service that they are paying for. It is being said that trash pickups that fall on holidays won't be picked up until the following week. That will cause some trouble for families that have more then the average amount of trash. I have a quick question - Will those residents receive a lower trash rate when the holidays come and they have to wait an extra week to get rid of it?