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30% Of Docs To Quit If Deem Health Plan Passes

Bill Lawrence — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:22:00 GMT

A survey by the Medicus Firm shows that almost 30 percent of doctors will either quit practicing medicine or retire early if the Nancy Pelosi's Deemocrats pass the embattled ObamaCare socialized medicine plan. The breakdown is 7.4 percent quitting and 21.8 percent retiring early.

If the public option plan desired by many members of the party were part of the package the percentage abandoning their practice would be 45.7 percent.

The Medicus Firm is a national physician search firm based in Atlanta and Dallas.

Ras Poll Shows Toomey Still Strong Over Snarlin' Arlen

Bill Lawrence — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:47:00 GMT

The latest Rasmussen Reports shows presumptive Republican senate nominee Pat Toomey continuing to hold a 9-point lead over Democrat incumbent Arlen Specter, a margin he has maintained in Rasmussen polling for three straight months.

Rasmussen has him beating Congressman Joe Sestak (D-Pa7), who is challenging Specter for the Democratic nomination, by 5 points.

Rasmussen has Specter ahead of Sestak 48-37 in the primary contest, which is May 18.

A Quinnipiac University poll released March 2 had Specter beating Toomey by 7 points and Sestak by 24 points.

Toomey, a businessman who represented the Democrat-leaning 15th District in Congress from 1999 to 2005, is being challenged by activist Peg Luksik in the primary.

Tea Party Group Reports Altmire Switches To Yes

Bill Lawrence — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:02:00 GMT

Tea Party activists are reporting that Jason Altmire (D-Pa4) has switched to a yes vote on the plan to socialize our health care system.

Altmire has close ties to the health care industry and voted no on the bill last November.

Yesterday, he harshly criticized the process his fellow Democrats (or is that Deemocrats?) were using to advance the legislation.

Altmire Rips Dem Strategy

Bill Lawrence — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:56:00 GMT

Congressman Jason Altmire (D-Pa4) criticized the Democrats "deem and pass" strategy regarding the attempt to socialize America's health care system. Speaking on Fox Business Network, today, he called the attempt "wrong."

Altmire represents a fairly conservative district, has close ties to the health industry and voted against the House version of the plan last November. He has, however, said he was considering voting yes this time around.

TheHill.com, as of 12:41 p.m., lists him as undecided.

Education Department Wants Short-Barrel Shotguns

Bill Lawrence — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:01:00 GMT

The federal Department of Education is soliciting bids for 27 Remington Model 870 12-gauge shotguns with 14-inch barrels.

Why does the federal Department of Education need 27 Remington Model 870 12-gauge shotguns with 14-inch barrels?

Now, someone might make a comment like "ho ho ho, maybe they might have to enter South Philadelphia High" and think they are being smart, but someone making such a comment would only show themselves to be rather stupid.

The Department of Education has absolutely no defense or law enforcement purpose. Buying guns indicates a perverse mission creep and that those running the department are not really people we want in government.

A Meeting With Amber Murphy

Bill Lawrence — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:50:00 GMT

I just met the lovely Amber Murphy, who was out for a jaunt with mom, Holly, brother Hunter and sister Krista. Amber was born Feb. 6, the night of February Blizzard I.

When Holly went into labor Springfield emergency personnel gave her the option of having Amber at their home or taking a ride to the hospital. Holly chose the hospital. She says there 10 volunteer firemen with shovels had to clear a path for her to the ambulance.

Amber is a living doll and dad, Brian, has every reason to be proud.

Krista, if I misspelled your name, I apologize.

Baghdad Bob Gibbs Pledges Socialized Health Care By Sunday

Bill Lawrence — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:40:00 GMT

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday, yesterday, "whoever sits here this time next week, you all will be talking about health care reform not as a presidential proposal but as something that will soon be the law of the land."

Gibbs expressed confidence that the government take over of health care would be popular with the American people.

". . .once it passes, we're happy to have the 2010 elections be about the achievement of health care reform. That's a debate I think we're obviously comfortable having," he said.

Regarding opponents of the bill , he said "They do not even have control over themselves! Do not believe them! . . .We're giving them a real lesson today. Heavy doesn't accurately describe the level of casualties we have inflicted. . . These cowards have no morals. They have no shame about lying . . .God will roast their stomachs in hell"

Proven Cost-Cutter Seeks To Fill Rohrer Seat

Bill Lawrence — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:52:00 GMT

Mark M. Gillen, the man who won an election in 2001 for Berks County Jury Commissioner to eliminate the $18,000 part-time job, is seeking the 128th District seat in the State House being vacated by Samuel E. Rohrer to pursue the Republican nomination for governor.

He is running in the GOP primary which is May 18.

Gillen says he will work to reduce the size and cost of Pennsylvania government, not serve more than eight years, and not accept per diem payments.

State-Owned Vehicles More Than Doubled Since '80

Bill Lawrence — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:12:00 GMT

State Sen. David Argall (R-29) is reporting that the number of state vehicles owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has increased from 5,700 in 1980 to 16,186 today.

The state had 161,528 full-time equivalent employees as of December 2009 for a population estimated at 12.6 million.

It had 123,284 full-time equivalent employees in July 1992 for a population estimated at 12 million.

Why Traffic Jams Are Worse In Pa. Than They Have To Be

Bill Lawrence — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:33:00 GMT

The Berwind Property Group plan for a development bordering state routes 252 and 3 in Newtown Township, Pa. remains on the drawing board with the new hurdle that those concerned about congestion at the intersection now run the township.

The township settled with BPG two years ago to develop the 219 acre site that was once part of the campus of the Charles E. Ellis School For Girls but a lawsuit by rival developer Claude de Botton stopped the project cold.

BPG has filed a right-to-know request hoping to find incriminating emails showing that members of the present board of supervisors had communication they should not have had regarding de Botton and BPG's project.

De Botton is developing a town center a few miles to west similar to that proposed by BPG.

I've met de Botton and I have a lot of respect for him as a man and as a developer, and I'm sure BPG is a responsible developer as well although their people skills can use some improving.

While one can never be certain as to what another's primary motivation is, the anti-congestion faction that runs Newtown certainly has a legitimate issue. The roads of Newtown-- more often than not referred to as Newtown Square which is the post office address for most residents of the township -- become almost a parking lot during the rush hours. This affects a rather large part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area since Route 3, aka West Chester Pike, is a feeder road for the Blue Route and Route 252 is one for routes 1 and 30.

The tragedy here is the remarkable shortsightedness shown by officials at the municipal and state level to make traffic flow a priority over commercial matters while there was a lot of open space and before anybody put any development plans on the table. The same can be said about the development of Route 322 and Baltimore Pike in Concord.

It's still not to late in Newtown for the state to step and make traffic a priority. The stores have not been erected and the parking lots have not been paved.

BPG's tract is northwest of the intersection but it doesn't include the actual northwest corner. That belongs to de Botton. For a bit of irony if the powers-that-be demand a widening of the intersection or an underpass, he would be the one more affected.

Michelle Must Join President On Indonesian Trip

Bill Lawrence — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:33:00 GMT

President Obama has reportedly delayed his trip to the western Pacific in a last-ditch attempt to socialize our generally very good health care system.

It was supposed to run from Thursday to March 21 and include the territory of Guam and the nations of Australia and Indonesia. Michelle and the kids were supposed to accompany him and now they are saying they are not.

Indonesia is an Islamic nation. There is a very widespread belief in this country that the President is a closet Muslim and that Michelle has not joined him on his visits to Islamic nations because it would violate the tenets of Islam.

It is true that Michelle has not joined the President on any trips to Islamic nations albeit she has not joined him on trips to several non-Islamic nations either.

For the sake of his leadership and for the need to show that while he may not be a uniter he doesn't have to be a pointless divider, he must pack Michelle with him when he journeys to Jakarta.

GOP Picks Burns In Race To Fill Murtha Seat

Bill Lawrence — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:12:00 GMT

GOP leaders from Pennsylvania's 12 Congressional District, tonight, picked businessman Tim Burns as its candidate to fill remaining months of the seat left vacant by the Feb. 8 death of John Murtha.

Burns beat out Bill Russell, Murtha's opposition in 2008, by a vote of 85-46.

Also seeking the nomination were Ron Robertson, Luke Summerfield and Bill Choby.

Burns will take on Democrat Mark Critz in a special election on May 18, the day of the primary.

A separate vote will be taken to determine the candidates for the general election for a full two-year term. Russell said he will not remove himself from the primary.

Can Admiral Joe Be A Health Care 'No'?

Bill Lawrence — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:39:00 GMT

Residents of Pennsylvania's 7th District are reportedly getting emails (aka spam) from President Obama asking them to call Congressman Joe Sestak to say thank you for his vote last fall to socialize our health care system and "to report that OFA supporters in Pennsylvania have pledged 332,199 volunteer hours to back up member of Congress like yours who stand up for health reform"

Sestak wavering on socializing our health care system would be like Ed Rendell joining the Republican Party.

Hafer Off The Ballot

Bill Lawrence — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:38:00 GMT

Former state Treasurer Barbara Hafer has removed herself from the Democratic primary ballot to replace the late John Murtha as congressman for the 12th District of Pennsylvania, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The state Democratic Party’s Executive Committee picked Mark Critz, who had been Murtha's district director, as its candidate in a special election to fill out the rest of Murtha's term.

There will be a primary election to determine the party candidates for the general election race for a new two-year term . Still preparing to battle Critz in it are Cambria County Controller Ed Cernic Jr., Air Force veteran Ron Mackell Jr. of Johnstown and Navy veteran Ryan Bucchianeri.

Republicans will choose, tomorrow, either Johnstown businessman Tim Burns, Army veteran William Russell, or Bill Choby as their nominee for the special election.,

Rendell Praises Dubya

Bill Lawrence — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:14:00 GMT

Gov. Ed Rendell speaking on the Sean Hannity show about five minutes ago -- IOW about 6:10 p.m., March 10 -- praised President George W. Bush for being courageous and correct.

Rendell, who chaired the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 election, said Bush and the Republicans heroically went against popular opinion in instituting the surge in Iraq and the policy was a resounding success.

And while speaking of the Republicans, the Governor said "we have to be a big tent".

Yo Eddie, what's up with this?

Turnpike Chief Reportedly Charged By Feds

Bill Lawrence — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:34:00 GMT

It's being tweeted that former Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Chairman Mitchell Rubin has just been charged by feds with obstruction of justice stemming from the Vince Fumo investigation.

The Commission was ordered by federal investigators to retain documents last November.

Update--Rubin, 57, of Philadelphia has been charged with obstructing the grand jury investigation of ex-State former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo.

Rubin is accused of withholding informationrelating to a Senate contract that Fumo arranged to award to a companyRubin co-owned, according to Acting United States Attorney VirginiaGibson.

1 In 6 Americans Have Genital Herpes

Bill Lawrence — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:57:00 GMT

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported, yesterday, March 9, that about 16 percent of Americans between the ages of 14 and 49 have genital herpes which is incurable.

The CDC said about 21 percent of women were infected with genital herpes or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) compared to about 11.5 percent of men.

It said about 39 percent of blacks were infected -- including 48 percent of black women -- and about 12 percent of whites.

Genital herpes can cause recurrent and painful genital sores and greatly increases the likelihood of acquiring and transmitting the AIDS virus.

Specter, Sestak Now Face A Conservative Dem

Bill Lawrence — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:29:00 GMT

Democrats will have a third choice for senator in the Pennsylvania primary, May 18.

Joseph Vodvarka of Allegheny County appears to have acquired the necessary 2,000 signatures to get on the ballot to battle incumbent Arlen Specter and 7th District Congressman Joe Sestak.

Vodarka describes himself as a manufacturer and small business owner. He describes himself as a conservative Democrat. He is against ObamaCare and has been an NRA member for 36 years.

Vodarka will have nowhere near the resources as the other candidates and Specter, the party's endorsed candidate, is already the heavy favorite. Still he's the lone candidate not from the Philadelphia area and western Pennsylvanians are known for their reluctance to vote for Philadelphians.

Welcome Skyler Jane Lawrence

Bill Lawrence — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:40:00 GMT

The newest addition to the Lawrence family is Skyler Jane who came via c-section a few hours ago at an Orlando, Fla. hospital. She weighed in at 7 pounds 10 ounces.

Congratulations Robert and Jennifer.

Kyley will make an excellent baby-sitter.

Turn The Light Off For ObamaCare, Inky Covers Tea-partyers

Bill Lawrence — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:05:00 GMT

Turn the lights off for ObamaCare. If you don't you may as well turn them off for the Democratic Party.

Today's Philadelphia Inquirer reported that "Tea-party activists who oppose the legislation outnumbered supporters, with about 200 sign-wielding, slogan-shouting tea partyers attending a morning news conference before Obama arrived" regarding President Obama's socialism sales pitch at Arcadia (nee Beaver College) University, yesterday. The story, which ran on page B-1, included a large color photo of the tea-party protesters.

When the Inky stops covering for the left, the game is over.

Granted, they ran a puff-piece beneath it about how Obama's supporters came out in force, but the treatment in totality was far from the Pavlovian salivating that the paper gave us in its coverage of the Young Man from Wherever in the Summer of '08.

Arcadia, btw, did not allow protesters on campus.