The Tao Of Paul

In an unusual and blinding revelation, the Common Council realized they might have acted like dumbasses. They put out a piece of pure garbage, get some case from the Catholic League ripping them a new one on TV, and now they have issues with the language?
Here’s my favorite part:

Why didn’t Russell object to the phrase when the Council discussed the matter Wednesday?
She replied that Lovejoy Council Member Richard A. Fontana already lodged such objections. “There was no use in being redundant,” she said.

Perhaps if enough people voiced their concerns, this fiasco would not have happened.
Next favorite part:

But Franczyk refused to back off from claims that the diocese’s actions have “at least the appearance” of ethnic cleansing. “They should start showing some backbone,” Franczyk said of lawmakers who are distancing themselves from the remarks.

Maybe he should start showing some freaking brains.

C’mon. Somebody actually thought that hosing dog diarrhea off your car is “an example of coolness under trying circumstances”? Let’s put this in perspective:
If you neighbor did this, you would probably laugh at this over a barbecue and a beer, calling him a dumbass.
If you’re a presidiential hopeful, you get raked over the coals for doing something callous and evil.
Note to zealots: Focus on real issues. This incident from over 20 years ago does not really give us any insight as to whether or not he will make a decent president.

I put my blog on my mother in law’s computer in the ol’ favorites. I promised to mention her so so she would check it out.
“Hi Julia, my favorite Mother in Law”.
There. Shameless self promotion on my part you say?
Damn right.
But a hit is a hit, and I’ll take them any way I can…

Now we’re playing “Chicken”. In a ballot that was so critical that only 62% of the members voted, the offer was turned down, 1107 to 274.
Some things to note…This is a nationwide decision, not a local one.

The Lockport result may not be representative of the broader vote, Siejak said. The radiator and air conditioner parts plant is a center of senior UAW workers who would see their wages slashed under the proposal.

So although the locals turned it down, it may still pass.

Workers were angry at being asked to accept deep pay cuts that weren’t shared by management whom they blame for the company’s problems, Siejak said.

I can understand the sentiment, but possibly risking your continuing employment, and your ability to pay the family bills on anger over management falls into the category of biting your nose off to spite your face. And if you say you are voting on principle, tell me how much food will that “principle” put on your family’s table?

If this contract does not pass and Delphi has to cut more costs, which plant do you think will go next? Perhaps the plant that is considered a “center of senior UAW workers” ?

What say you? Are the workers taking too big of a risk by voting down this contract?

Happened tonight, 7 pm, in my backyard. Everyone wore bright colors, hawaiian shirts. Groom’s brother was Best Man, Son of Dub was “Dude of Honor”. It was just immediate family, grandparents, and a great time. I wish the picture turned out, but I suck with the camera. You’ll have to wait on that.
So, I want to officially introduce my daughter and her husband to the blogosphere.
Blogosphere, I would like you to meet James Slayton, and his lovely wife (my daughter) Mrs. Maria Elena Ballester Wasiewicz-Slayton.
Their kids are gonna love that name…

Current wages at Delphi for high seniority unskilled union workers. 56k salary. What’s the median in Buffalo? I remember 27k being mentioned a while ago.

Unskilled workers earning about $27 an hour now would see their pay cut from an average of to between $14.50 and $18.50, the wage earned by workers hired since 2003.

I am pretty sure there is a lot of people in the area that would be happy to get a job that pays around 36k a year.

“Anything we lose, we lose forever,” said worker Rich Brant of Medina. But the alternative to accepting the pay cut is probably to “take our chances with a strike.”

I try to avoid pro/anti union discussions whenever possible. But I’ll tell you what kids, the day after a strike is announced, Delphi will announce another plant closing. And there is no one around in either Niagara or Erie county that will be able to absorb that work force.

So here’s the big choice:
50% cut in pay, or
100% cut in pay.
No genius here, but I know what will pay the bills.

Things in my head with 36 hours until the wedding:
People should not make major decisions concerning legal issues based on commercials. But then again, is a broken ankle worth a half mil? Or better yet, should the law firm make thousands upon thousands more than the plaintiff?

The volunteer meeting for BOHW is tonight, 6:00 - 8:00, 742 Delaware. Come and be a part of something good.

It would be poetic justice if Mr. Chertoff made a trip across the border, then was unable to return due to not having the correct “papers”.

Women can plan and coordinate all logistics required for a wedding and reception in 2 weeks time. Imagine what would be possible if our state politicians were so efficient?

And on that note, I hope they all get called back into session, and it screws up their summer vacation trip to Pallisades Park, or wherever they were planning on going to spend our money…

They don’t do much for the citizens of Buffalo, why the hell should they help you? I have never been to any casino, and I doubt I will ever go to the storage shed slot machine haven downtown. I will let others argue the pros and cons of the good casino/bad casino issue. But this is lame.

“From the nation’s perspective, you’re writing checks to the tune of $80 [million], $90 million and sending it to someone. You’re kind of asking, ‘What is it you’re doing to continue to warrant those types of payments?’ ”

Those are payment for the existing casinos, Mr. Brandon, not a payoff for the state to cover you in case of a lawsuit. Do you actually expect help from the state after you send them a bill for the Thruway?

I am sure that even after you write those checks, you still have more than enough money to pay for a very good defense.
So knock off the whining.

All excitement, all action packed!
It seems this year there is more going on then ever. Granted the wedding was a bit of a surprise, but my actual role in the planning and preparation is relatively small.
Like…
Cut the grass. Real tough one here. Two hours and I’m done. Nice green, weedy carpet for the ceremony.
Finish painting the inside of the patio. I have to finish this before dusk, or else I am painting with illumination coming from one hanging lamp, and a string of very cool lobster lights.
Grocery shopping of course.
Nephew’s birthday party. 16 years old, and it’s a BOWLING PARTY! Bowling is my life, you know.
General errands, party on Sunday, Volunteer meeting on Monday, Wedding on Tuesday (I’m off til Wednesday, so all this counts as weekend).
If I am lucky, there will be something good at the Buffalo Drive in this weekend so I can go.

How about you? Doing any fun filled, thrill a minute type stuff?

Thank goodness they both survived. Every Island resident knows this road ends at the water. 100 mph down a road with no street lights to speak of. While under the influence. If they had hit one of the many deer in that area, we would have been reading their obit in 2004. Instead, we read how Palma successfully pleaded with the court to keep his friend out of jail. And how the insurance companies shelled out 2mil of the money we pay as premiums. Our rates go up so they can pay off things like this.
Am I wrong in being a little irritated ?