Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Wagner Hydra

Ex Delaware Legislator Nancy Wagner takes feeding at the public trough to new levels.  Like a seven headed hydra, she feeds at our expense.  I see that it was reported, commmented, and discussed in various places how she is vying for the seat of Mayor in Dover by Delaware Politics.net, Delaware Grapevine, and others.

I have seen first hand her slimy brand of public service.  I have sat in senate hearings and I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears how Nancy Wagner throws the truth to the wind in pursuing her political ambitions.  I have seen a bizarre and scandalous report presented for public use by the Legislative Attorney, who later confessed to me that he had been instructed to write it in that way.


And now she goes for treble... or is it quadruple dipping... at the City of Dover.   How sad.

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Craigslist and eBay in Delaware Court

All roads lead to the Delaware Chancery Court, at least for a week or so. Just ask internet heavyweights eBay and Craigslist. They are visiting Georgetown this week in an attempt to "work it out" (eBay Domestic Holdings Inc v Newmark, et al, Delaware Chancery Court, No. 3705-CC).

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Watch Dogs and Guard Dogs

I love dogs. I am continuing to learn about dogs, day by day.

I used to be confused when reviewing the different breed descriptions when they would refer to a seemingly small and harmless dog as a good Watch Dog. This is because I didn't understand the difference between a Watch Dog and a Guard Dog.

Watch dogs are bred to alert the owner of an intruder or other problem. That's it. They bark to wake you up, then YOU deal with it. Guard Dogs, on the other hand, are bred to protect the property of the owner, whether the owner is present or not.

And so now it makes perfect sense to me how a Shih-Tzu can be an excellent Watch Dog.

This also helps me to understand how my "gentle giant" 225 pound English Mastiff stands behind me when he barks. He is a watch dog, not a guard dog. He barks really loudly, but he saves the biting for me. We'll see how he acts when he grows out of his puppy stage.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

School District Merger the Right Choice for Delaware

Excellent - the State Auditor (as reported by the News Journal) agrees that we are wasting 50 Million Dollars a year on surplus high paid school administrators, money we could spend on our children, or save from our taxes! It's a tune I have been playing for years, now it's a harmony! Let's see if we can get the State Legislature to make it a Chorus!

I love the opposition argument! It is awesome! The critics say that if we consolidated the districts, we would have to raise the teachers' salaries up to what they should be anyway, and that that would eat away most of the 50 million in savings. Like that's a bad thing!

The only bad thing would be to continue to allow these totally unnecessary and high paid people to leech the funds from our educational system, the children, teachers, nurses, sports and band programs, et al.

Way to go, State Auditor R. Thomas Wagner Jr.! - - applause - -

Monday, November 30, 2009

A Loss of Words

This is the typical holiday season except for the fact I do no see happy faces. I have been up and down Delaware in a matter of two days and everyone just seems stressed. I worked on Thanksgiving and all of my customers had a growing anger towards everything. One of my friends does not even want to see the Christmas Carol due to her dislike of the holidays. I just want everyone to cheer up because everything is not that serious.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Analogy - Terrorism and Peter Pan

In my opinion, modern terrorists are cowardly misfits, hiding behind various religious masks that themselves belie what they hide. Much in the way the lost boys in Peter Pan escaped the reality of their world, terrorists are angry misguided adolescents, refusing to take responsibility for themselves in any functional way. Terrorists strike out against their twisted self contrived perception of reality. Perhaps they are also tilting at windmills, but I am less familiar with that story.

Perhaps I am angry, as well.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Ethics

At Delaware Technical and Community, college part of the paralegal major is to have a discussion on ethics. This is pretty consistent throughout all of my classes. Ethics is, according to the dictionary, that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions. The more that I learn about this subject the more I understand what I am doing and its effects in an office or school related environment.

Friday, November 06, 2009

Lexis-Nexis v. Westlaw

I am working at this office along with going to school. My major has recently brought me to these two competing law encyclopedias. I have always dealt with LexisNexis and I do love the program. Being so easy to use, it was a must for all of my classes. Then this semester I was reintroduces to Westlaw, which is confusing me. I do not understand why students get choices because I will always go with what I am comfortable with. Lesson of my week has been easier is always better, when it comes to school work.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Applicants and phone calls

This week has switched gears. I have been working helping people to recieve applications. I have learned I do not know Newark well at all nor can I give good directions. This experience is a new lesson in selective talking and listening. I have also spent this week trying to figure out all of the technology in the building. I have learned that it is much easier now to fax or e-mail rather than mail letters.

Shine Some Light on the School Budgetary Processes

Today I read an email just to make sure that it wasn't junk mail. I am glad that I did... this time.

I received an email from the folks at Sunlight on Schools. I am still learning about the organization, the people behind it, and their goals, but it seems almost immediately to me as at least a good resource for information... and possibly much more!

The Sunlight On Schools project has gobs of data re the budgetary processes of Delaware's school districts, the salaries of those persons involved, and much more!

There is also a blog that is somehow related... or maybe they just reported on the same thing... I am still reading... The Caesar Rodney Institute Blog.

The first thing that struck me from looking at the salaries of the various individual District Superintendents, was that in addition to their high salaries, and the contract perks that are largely still hidden in contract language, many are also drawing significant amounts of overtime pay. I always thought that overtime pay was not applicable for exempt-management positions. Well not these folks! They are ripping us off merely by having their position at all, then adding to that they are drawing large salaries, adding hidden contract perks, and now I see that they are also getting OT!?!?

This certainly deserves a closer look. Anybody out there understand this? Care to explain it to us? Please do....

Saturday, October 17, 2009

In Defense of Weather

Almost every day I hear our media announce that... weather caused traffic accidents, death, and injuries on our highways. These are false and slanderous unsupported accusations. I feel compelled to take up the unpopular defense of our weather systems. Even if Pro Bono.

We human drivers of our highways have the responsibility to use due care in the operation of motor vehicles. The weather has no such duty. We have the affirmative responsibility to slow down and drive more cautiously in adverse weather conditions. It is not the fact that our weather must slow down for us!

The injuries and death on our highways for the most part are due to human negligence and reckless behaviour. And yet many of us and our media, continue to malign and blame our innocent weather systems for this carnage. I can no longer stand idly by while this misdirection of responsibility is splashed about our communication networks, spreading and instilling the insidious lack of personal responsibility which has infected our culture.

I will see you in Court!

Friday, October 09, 2009

A new employee

Hello
I am the new employee of Larry Sullivan's law office. I will be working with him in the upcoming months to help him with his technological plans for his law office. I am currently a student of Delaware Technical and Community College with a Paralegal Major and Business General Major. I am a vivid reader who finds interest in nonfiction and fiction. I will be posting on this blog every week. This blog will become a combination of my recent work experiences at the office and current topics that spark my interest. I will also have a blog on The Reading Room that can be read every week.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Query: Is Federalism Dead?

I have found myself wondering over the last year or so, as to whether Federalism is dead in America. It seems as with many thoughts, they are not unique, as I have found several links on this topic... Publius; Case4theright; national review. While the popularity of the question doesn't solve the problem that prompts it, it does give me some solace that others share in the quest for the answer.

It was a good time for me to re-read the United States Constitution, and ... not finding what I was looking for there.... the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution. I feel secure that those words are still there. Even if maybe they are now just an illusion.

New Vice Chancellor

The Delaware State Senate has confirmed J. Travis Laster , of Abrams & Laster, LLP, as our next Vice Chancellor of Delaware's Chancery Court, as reported in the News Journal.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Thought for the day...

Keep tomorrow in mind, forget all but the lessons from yesterday, and live in the here and now.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Line Up, Take your Meds, Shuffle out the Door...

I received notice that it was time to renew my home supply of government anti-radiation medication, for emergency home use. Delaware's Department of Emergency Management, issues Potassium Iodide to those folks who live or work near a nuclear hazard (Salem Nuclear Plant).

It reminds me of when I was lined up with the other soldiers and given numerous inoculations for such things as Bubonic Plague. That's when I was horrified to learn that the plague was alive in well in Colorado, along with a gazillion tons of chemical warfare agents that I was about to guard.

Then also it reminds me of the pouch of antidotes that I had to carry strapped to my leg, for nerve agent poisoning, or anything else that made me fall over and twitch.

Well, here I am. Line me up again. Give my meds and ship me out the door. Just don't forget to sound the alarm system when Salem leaks, so that I have a chance to bail before I absorb too many rads.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Pig Headed

Today I met the head cook (a realtor in the other part of his life) from Pig Headed BBQ, of Middletown. In just a few minutes of conversation, he helped me with several of my novice bbq issues. Look forward to seein ya at the Dover Downs competition in October.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

This is MY country!

Thought for the day... This is my country. Take personal ownership and responsibility, it's a package deal. You can't have one without the other.

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Wondering Where Your Tax Dollars Go? For Shame List

Here is a list of the Superintendents for the 19 school districts that we suffer under in Delaware. By having 19 districts in an area that should at most have 3, we are wasting millions of our tax dollars, and allowing these individuals to take the money that was intended to be spent on our childrens' education. I don't know any of these people personally. I am sure that many of them are nice people. But while they continue to skim the life out of our education system, they should be held accountable. I post this here ( as found on the State's website ) with the intent that they be shamed into doing what is right... that they work together to eliminate their jobs for the betterment of the State and our children.

For Shame!

List of District Superintendents

Name Phone
Marchio, Tony J., Ed.D. 302-376-4128
Brandenberger, Andy , Ed.D. 302-793-5000
Fitzgerald, Kevin , Ed.D. 302-697-2173
Stone, George E., Ed.D. 302-645-6686
Thomas, Michael D., Ed.D. 302-672-1556
Lyles, Marcia V., Ed.D. 302-552-2600
Meney, George H., Ed.D. 302-323-2710
Ring, Jr., David C., Ed.D. 302--84-6-95
Bunting, Susan S., Ed.D. 302-436-1000
Curry, Daniel D., Ed.D. 302-284-3020
McCoy, John W., Ed.D. 302-875-6013
Kanter, Sharon G. 302-422-1607
Godowsky, Steven H., Ed.D. 302-995-8051
Sole, Dianne G., Ed.D. 302-697-2170
Daugherty, Mervin B., Ed.D. 302-552-3702
Knorr, Russell H., Ed.D. 302-629-4587
Wicks, Deborah D. 302-653-8585
Savini, Patrick E., Ed.D. 302-856-2542
Carson, Kevin E., Ed.D. 302-337-7990

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Summer Sandwich Spread

I have been workin on different ways to utilize the abundance of peppers that I have this year, and last night I developed a decent sandwich spread (I used it as a wrap filler):

12 Jalepeno Peppers
1/2 of an Habanero Pepper
1 Bell Pepper
several various other peppers
half cup of finely chopped onion
one package of cream cheese
3 thin/medium slices of ripe tomato

Clean all of the peppers.
Put everything into a food processor (may have to do it in several parts, depending upon the size of your food processor... mine is small so it took 3 parts). Process untill all the pepper parts are finely chopped and well integrated into the mixture.

Salt and pepper to taste.

I am thinkin that it will go well with a white meat sandwich.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

News? or a Story?

Speaking of the News Journal... I have discontinued interviews with this publication because of several reasons:

I have been interviewed for a fair number of articles in that publication, and they almost always get the facts wrong;

The reporters that I have dealt with are usually more interested in crafting their own story, than they are in reporting accurate news.

So... News Journal... don't call me, and I won't call you.

Public Scrutiny

Delaware has expanded its use of the public registry of sex offenders, as reported by the News Journal. This is an action that is both criticized and praised.

Do you think that publicizing criminal behaviour may serve as a deterrent? The founders did. Public stocks, and hangings were the norm.

The publication of this material also helps us to guide our lives more safely. Do you believe that?

What are your thoughts?

Friday, August 07, 2009

Thought for the day...

This afternoon I was chilling at the bar at Crabby Dick's(my favorite crab cake source) in Delaware City, pondering life, looking for a succinct way to express myself. For a couple of weeks, my daily slogan has been.... live the journey. Today I realized that it isn't enough to live the journey, we need to Love the Journey!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Baseball Rules

Am I the only one who feels that stealing bases in baseball is somehow unethical or unsportsmanlike?

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Displaced Workers find Corporate Path to Self-Employment

We have seen an influx of new corporate entity formations and inquiries, as the economy has moved significant numbers of qualified workers out of the traditional work force. Many of these displaced workers are starting their own businesses, either as Corporations, or Limited Liability Companies (LLC).

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

PayPal Banned

We have recently decided that Paypal is insecure and not an acceptable means by which to engage in financial transactions. We came to this conclusion because of PayPal's totally inadequate handling of a fraudulent transaction. Therefore, PayPal will no longer be used on this site, nor at any of our related entities.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Delaware Sheds Excess Cars, But Not Enough

According to the News Journal, Delaware's Governor plans to get eliminate some 135 state-funded cars, that have in the past been supplied free of charge to cabinet officials in addition to their salaries. I applaud this as a step in the right direction.

The correct path is made up of many steps. I suggest that the next step be to consolidate the dozens of entirely unnecessary school districts that drain funding from our students education, and the state coffers. Each of these superfluous school districts have over-paid superintendents, and a full staff to support them. I believe that most of them (the already over-paid administrators) also have semi-secret contract provisions that give them each thousands of our dollars per year for their automobile expenses.

Why is it that the Governor can't see the millions of dollars we are wasting in our education system? Who is lobbying to keep it as it is?

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Thought for the day...

In business, the future is uncertain. We plan to achieve long range goals.

In life, the end is certain. Live the journey.