The person of the year this year actually is more than one person. This year’s person of the year is a group of people. This year’s person of the year is the Tea Party Protesters.
This group of people from around the country, including some high-profile protesters in Lebanon County, stood up to the government and called attention to out of control spending. Fiscal policy normally is written off as boring, an area that most people would like to leave to someone else to manage. But this group of protesters shined a light on the soaring deficits and seemingly limitless fiscal appetite of President Obama’s administration. As the Obama administration seeks to gobble up the health-care industry like Pac-Man, the protesters at least were able to stop some of the damage.
The protesters came to the fore after the so-called Stimulus Plan that Obama said would revive the economy. Congress passed this giant bill in a hurry to avoid debate. As people began to realize that the bill was nothing more than a bunch of ill-conceived, haphazard pork projects, and not a plan to revive the economy at all, they began fighting back, calling out the liberal politicians who passed this monstrosity.
Their momentum continued as Obama started to roll out his health-care plan, which seemed like a disguised attempt to create a government run health-care bureaucracy. This bureaucracy seemed like another government boondoggle that would make health care worse for most people while driving up the cost.
Thanks to the protesters and their strident confrontation of Congressional supporters of the bill, the most costly public option and expansion of Medicare portions of the bill have been dropped. Unfortunately, a health-care bill did pass the Senate, after the Democrats used pork barrel spending to buy off supposedly moderate members of their party.
Despite the passage of a bill in the Senate, the protesters accomplished quite a bit by defeating the public option. For people who call them hypocrites because they did not attack existing government programs, such as Medicare, this argument is off base. Once these programs are created, they are almost impossible to roll back because people rearrange their lives to depend on whatever the government is providing. The best way to prevent out of control spending is not to pass such programs in the first place.
In short, the protesters have served as the fiscal conscience of the nation. The goal of providing health care to everyone is a noble one, but when the government takes over, it drains money from the economy, hampering job creation, weakening the dollar, and putting the United States in a precarious position of having to borrow money from foreign countries just to pay our bills.
The protesters looked at Washington and saw nothing but irresponsibility. They demanded accountability, and actually were able to slim down portions of President Obama’s agenda, despite the fact that Democrats have large majorities in Congress. For their hard work and their success, the Tea Party Protesters are the Herald Person of the Year.
January 8, 2010
OUR VIEW: PROTESTERS MADE MARK
KATE’S DATING GAME?
By MOLLY DAVIS
Do you want to Date Kate?
Not Kate Hudson.
Kate Gosselin.
Yes, you heard me.
The baby factory and original octo-mom is supposedly in talks to star in a new reality show — not about her kids — but about finding a new love.
“Love her or hate her, people are fascinated by Kate,” a TV executive said in the story published on Popeater.com. “She has a lot of mouths to feed and Kate looking for love will certainly put bread on the table.”
I’m hoping this is not a reliable story.
Kate is sporting a longer hairdo and a new outlook, as she rebuilds her life as a single woman.
She jokingly said she is changing her name to “Kate Clean-Slate.”
After not hearing anything about Kate for a few months, I figured she was focusing on what’s important (her kids) and not looking for another sleazy 15 minutes.
But here she is on the cover of People, showing off her makeover.
She may look good — and she does look beautiful — but I don’t know many men that would take on dating a woman with that kind of baggage.
Her emotional baggage, not her eight children.
Kate is an alpha female who will rule her roost, and she will need another laid back doormat like her ex, Jon, to boss around.
And there aren’t many eunichs out there.
I do hope Kate finds happiness — but if she’s looking for it on trashy reality TV, odds are it probably won’t work out.
Hindsight is 20/20, Kate.
You should have some by now after your last TV debacle — where your family imploded for the world to see.
The collateral damage done to your kids is nothing short of traumatic, as is any divorce viewed though the eyes of kids.
So lie low, Kate.
Don’t put yourself out there for the world to dissect – they didn’t like what they found the last time.
January 4, 2010
DOG DISTRACTS DRIVER, CAUSES CRASH
A dog distracted a teenaged driver, triggering an accident in Caernarvon Township on Jan. 1, state police at Ephrata said.
The dog jumped from the passenger’s seat to the driver’s lap moments before the accident, state police said.
The vehicle went off the road, struck a sign, two fences and a utility pole, state police said.
The driver, a 17-year-old Morgantown boy, suffered a moderate injury and was taken to Reading Hospital, state police said.
Creepy losers stole vehicle
Lowlifes stole an unlocked 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 from a side alley on Spring Street in Tremont, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The thugs managed to start the vehicle and drove it away, state police said.
The vehicle, which has a Pennsylvania registration GWZ1736, has a cracked windshield below the rear-view mirror and 17-inch tires on the vehicle, state police said.
Anybody with information is asked to contact with state police at (570) 593-2000.
Police: Man assaulted Pine Grove woman
A Pottsville man physically assaulted a Pine Grove woman — causing bodily injury — during an incident on Village Drive in Pine Grove on Dec. 27, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The suspect, Clarence Donton, 31, arrested without incident on Jan. 2 was arraigned, state police said.
Donton was unable to post bail and was sent to Schuylkill County Prison.
The victim is Jennifer Donton, 33, state police said.
Unknown vehicle strikes truck, flees
An unknown vehicle struck and damaged a Ford F-150 pickup truck outside the A&M Pizza on West Main Street in Palmyra on Jan. 4, borough police said.
The vehicle fled the scene.
The victim is Salvatore Mannino, 56, of Lebanon, police said.
Anybody with information is asked to contact police at (717) 838-8188.
Police: Man belts boy with plastic toy
A 22-year-old Hummelstown man struck a 4-year-old Granville boy with a plastic toy during an incident on Clifton Heights Road in Londonderry Township, Dauphin County, on Jan. 1, state police at Harrisburg said.
The boy suffered bruising and welts, state police said.
State police didn’t release the names of the suspect and victim.
Slugs swipe, GPS, Snuggie from vehicle
Goons grabbed a GPS, phone charger and Snuggie from a vehicle on Quentin Road in North Cornwall on Dec. 31, township police said.
The victim is Diana Carpenter, of Lebanon, police said.
Anybody with information is asked to contact police at (717) 274-0464.
Police: Boy, 16, charged with retail theft
A 16-year-old Lebanon boy was charged with retail theft after failing to pay for merchandise totaling $52.96 at Kohl’s in North Cornwall on Dec. 24, township police said.
Police: Man charged after stop
Edwin Rose-Rivera, of Reading, was arrested and charged with altered, forged or counterfeit documents and plates after a traffic stop on 16th and Walnut streets in North Cornwall on Jan. 3, township police said.
Rosa-Rivera also was charged with driving under suspension and expired registration, police said.
Police: Vehicle hits illegally parked vehicle
A vehicle driven by Rose Glant, 31, of Lebanon, backed into an unattended, illegally parked car on South 17th Street in North Cornwall on Jan. 1, township police said.
Nobody was injured.
Vehicles collide in Kohl’s parking lot
Vehicles driven by Jo-Dee Patton, 36, of Lebanon, and Sebastien Maeder, 30, of Lebanon, were involved in an accident on in the Kohl’s parking lot in North Cornwall on Jan. 2, township police said.
Nobody was injured.
Lowlifes steal boy’s snowboard
Slugs swiped a snowboard from a storage rack at Bear Creek Ski Resort on Doe Mountain Road in Longswamp Township on Dec. 30, state police at Reading said.
The victim is a 14-year-old Downingtown boy.
State police are urging skiers and snowboards to lock their equipment or use the storage services provided by the ski resorts.
Creeps try to deposit bogus checks
Creeps tried to deposit forged checks from a Fleetwood man’s National Penn Bank checking account on Pricetown Road in Ruscombmanor Township between Dec. 8 and 9, state police at Reading said.
The jerks tried deposit bogus checks for the amount of $38,945 and $6,500, state police said.
The victim is Randall Parrish, 53, state police said.
Police: Lancaster man charged with DUI
Joshua Thomas, 21, of Lancaster, was arrested for DUI after a traffic stop on South Esbenshade Road and Route 283 in Rapho Township on Jan. 3, state police at Ephrata said.
Police: Man sent harassing text messages
A 21-year-old Gordonville man sent threatening text messages to a woman’s cellphone after being told to stop on Jan. 2, state police at Ephrata said.
Jeffrey Snyder was charged with harassment, state police said.
The victim is a 36-year-old Narvon woman.
Teen’s vehicle hits house
A teenager’s vehicle hits a guide rail and shrubs before hitting a corner of a house in a accident on East Brubaker Valley Road in Elizabeth Township on Jan. 2, state police at Ephrata said.
The driver, Brandon Roland, 19, of Lititz, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Lancaster General Hospital.
Police: Man strikes, injures boy
A Narvon man is accused of striking and injuring a 13-year-old boy during an incident on Mountain Top Lane in Narvon on Jan. 1, state police at Ephrata said.
Damion Charlton was charged with assault, state police said.
Vehicle slams into utility pole
A vehicle driven by John Reisinger, of Manheim, lost control on an icy North Colebrook Road and struck a utility pole in Rapho Township on Jan. 1, state police at Ephrata said.
Nobody was injured.
Police: Man bailed without paying food
Dayton Cassel, 22, of Lititz, left the Hess Express without paying the full retail price of a $5.29 food item on East 28th Street in Elizabeth Township on Jan. 1, state police at Ephrata said.
Police: Man arrested for DUI
Adam Broomell, 23, of Ephrata, was arrested for DUI after a traffic stop on Newport Road and Oregon Pike in West Earl Township on Jan. 1, state police at Ephrata said.
Vehicle slides, hits tree
A vehicle driven by Lona Wilson, 51, of Pottstown, slide off the snow-covered Churchtown Road and hit a tree in Salisbury Township on Dec. 31, state police at Ephrata said.
Wilson was injured and taken to Lancaster General Hospital.
Jerks swipe UPS packages
Punks pilfered two UPS packages from the front porch of a residence on Garfield Road in Rapho Township on Dec. 30, state police at Ephrata said.
The victim is Kelly Williams, of Mt. Joy.
Anybody with information is asked to contact the state police at (717) 721-7667.
Lunkheads steal mail
Goons grabbed mail out of the victim’s mailbox on Pool Circle in Elizabeth Township between Dec. 23 and 30, state police at Ephrata said.
The victim is a 50-year-old Newmanstown man, state police said.
Anybody with information is asked to contact the state police at (717) 721-7667.
Police: 2 cited after fight
Brian Conlow, 45, of Lebanon, and Michelle Speck, 45, of Lebanon, were cited for harassment after a fight between each other on Fairway Drive in Bethel Township, Lebanon County, on Jan. 1, state police at Jonestown said.
Police: 2 slap Jonestown woman in face
A Lebanon man and woman slapped a 47-year-old Jonestown woman in the face during an incident on East Main Street in Jonestown on Jan. 2, state police at Jonestown said.
Wilbert Torres-Ramos, 34, and Carolyn Maldonado-Ortiz, 38, were cited with harassment, state police said.
The victim is Nancy Patterson, state police said.
Police: Man injures woman during domestic dispute
A 28-year-old Palmyra man assaulted a 20-year-old Cleona woman during a domestic dispute at his residence on East Main Street in Palmyra on Dec. 31, borough police said.
The suspect, Justin Mayfield, was charged with simple assault (domestic violence related), police said.
The victim, Brittanee Mowrer, was injured during the incident, police said.
Vehicles collide in Palmyra
Vehicles driven by Cody Redick, 20, of Coatesville, and Kurt Yordy, 32, of Palmyra, were involved in an accident at Cherry and Railroad streets in Palmyra on Dec. 31, borough police said.
Police: Campbelltown man arrested for DUI
Samuel Wolfe, 47, of Campbelltown, was charged with DUI after a traffic stop on the 900 block of East Main Street in Palmyra on Jan. 1, borough police said.
Vehicles crack up in Palmyra
Vehicles driven by Mary Youtz, 62, of Palmyra, and Jeanmarie Douglas, were involved in an accident at East Main and Harrison streets in Palmyra on Jan. 1, borough police said.
Douglas declined treatment for a minor injury, police said.
Police steal wheel, tire
Thugs stole the left front wheel and tire from a vehicle in the parking lot of Palmview Apartments on West North Avenue in Palmyra on Jan. 2, police said.
The total value of the stolen items is $250, police said.
The victim is Mary Unger, 73.
Blue vehicle hits parked vehicle, flees
A blue SUV-type vehicle hit a legally parked vehicle and fled on the 600 block of East Main Street in Palmyra on Jan. 3, borough police said.
The parked vehicle sustained a moderate amount of damage to its driver’s side.
The victim is Kenneth Fuhrman, 51, of Palmyra, police said.
Anybody with information is asked to contact police at (717) 838-8188.
Police: Man assaulted woman
A 37-year-old Pine Grove man physically assaulted a woman — causing bodily injury — during an incident on Long Run Road in Wayne Township on Dec. 24, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The suspect, Matthew Herring, was arraigned and released on unsecured bail, state police said.
The victim is Renee Herring, 45, of Pine Grove, state police said.
January 3, 2010
POLICE: HALF-NAKED MAN CHARGED
A man has been charged after he was found half naked in a yard in Lebanon City on Dec. 27, prompting the homeowner to shoot a gun into the air to scare him off, city police said.
The suspect, Stephen Melnick, 47, of Lebanon, allegedly was in a back yard in a fetal position on Locust Street and walked around the side of the home to the front yard, where the homeowner, Michael Hummer, 30, saw Melnick mumbling incoherently and wearing only a T-shirt, police said.
Hummer had been awakened by loud thumping noises, had grabbed his handgun and had gone downstairs to investigate, police said.
Melnick allegedly walked toward Hummer, prompting Hummer to fire a shot into the air with his handgun to scare Melnick off, police said. Melnick allegedly ran east on Locust Street, but he was identified and located the next day, police said. Police had located clothing and a wallet in the back yard of Hummer’s home.
Melnick was charged with loitering and prowling at night, indecent exposure and disorderly conduct.
Police will not be charging Hummer.
Creeps steal copper wire
Goons stole about 150 pounds of scrap copper wire after entering a locked home on Fidler Court in Pine Grove Township on Dec. 18 or Dec. 19, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The victim is Richard Haynes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 570-593-2000.
Salt truck breaks two telephone poles
The dump bed of a truck spreading salt caught power lines running across the road, causing two telephone poles to break, on Mount Zion Road in Bethel Township, Lebanon County, on Dec. 31, state police at Jonestown said.
The vehicle was driven by Donald McMullen, 45, of Bernville.
Three vehicles involved in accident
Vehicles driven by Wesley Wenger, 17, of Womelsdorf, Austin Kline, 17, of Schaefferstown, and Joann Griffith, 55, of Mohnton, were in an accident at Main Street and Route 419 in Schaefferstown on Jan. 2, state police at Jonestown said.
Griffith suffered a minor injury, and she was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital.
Man steals laptop from home
A man allegedly stole a laptop from a home on West Main Street in Newmanstown on Jan. 2, state police at Jonestown said.
The suspect, Clayton Ressler, 24, of Newmanstown, was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, and receiving stolen property. He was transported to Lebanon County Central Booking.
The computer was returned to the victim, Lacey Bernhard, 22, state police said.
Vehicle strikes embankment, overturns
A vehicle driven by Erin Garcia, 25, of Kingston, went out of control on a downhill curve, struck an embankment and overturned on I-81 in Pine Grove Township on Jan. 2, state police at Jonestown said.
Troopers: Fugitive caught after accident
A man was determined to be a fugitive after he was involved in an accident in Union Township, Lebanon County, on Dec. 22, state police at Jonestown said.
The suspect, Felix Pinero-Baez, 60, of Lebanon, was wanted by the Lebanon County and Atlantic City, N.J., sheriff’s offices, state police said. He was charged as a fugitive from justice and taken to Lebanon County Central Booking.
Goons swipe bass mailbox
Goons swiped a green and white largemouth bass mailbox on North Mill Street in Swatara Township on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1, state police at Jonestown said.
The victim is Jeffrey Boltz, 47.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 717-865-2194.
January 2, 2010
AVOID STRESS EATING
By SARA HAUFF DORAN
SARA HAUFF DORAN
Or your newborn baby would not stop crying today no matter what you tried, so it’s time to dive into a bag of potato chips [or insert your food of choice here].
Perhaps it’s the pressure of getting everything done for the busy holiday season. You’ve been doing things for other people all day long and you want to treat yourself to something good to eat.
Yes most of us have succumbed to stress eating. Everyone has their different triggers, but often the result is the same — you eat something under the not so good for you category and you eat a lot of it.
But there are better ways of dealing with everyday stress. Instead of your usual go-to food when you are under stress, there are actually healthy foods that help you fight stress.
Foods can fight stress in several ways. Comfort foods, like a bowl of warm oatmeal, actually boost levels of serotonin, a calming brain chemical. Other foods can reduce levels of the stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline.
Finally, a nutritious diet can counteract the impact of stress, by shoring up the immune system and lowering blood pressure, according to www.webmd.com. And a large part of a nutritious diet includes complex carbohydrates (carbs), such as whole-grain breakfast cereals, breads and pastas. All carbs prompt the brain to make more of the feel-good chemical serotonin. Complex carbs can also help you feel balanced by stabilizing blood sugar levels, according to www.webmd.com.
There are also vitamins, ideally ingested in food, or taken as a supplement, that can boost your immune system. Studies suggest that Vitamin C, found in oranges and strawberries among other foods, is one of those heavy-hitting vitamins.
Another item to add to your diet is Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon and tuna, that can prevent surges in stress hormones and protect against heart disease, www.webmd.com states. There are other healthy foods to help beat stress including black tea, pistachios, almonds and avocados.
Instead of eating, a better way to let off steam is exercising. Go for a run on a treadmill, go for a walk outside — whatever you can do — it’ll be much more satisfying than overeating and feeling guilty afterwards.
Aerobic exercise is the most effective, because it increases oxygen circulation and produces endorphins — chemicals that make you feel happy. And isn’t that the best defense against stress — being content.
A COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SYSTEM THAT REALLY WORKS
By ERIC FISHER
ERIC FISHER
If you want additional time to build toward the championship game, make the tournament five weeks. If you want to cut the field to eight teams, that’s fine, too.
Can’t be done? Logistics too difficult?
Wrong. It’s already been done – by the NCAA.
Two weeks ago, Villanova celebrated its first national championship after defeating Montana, 23-21, in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision title game. Aside from the awkward-sounding name, the game was wonderful.
The game was wonderful because it was the culmination of a fantastic season. The championship was the also the culmination of a month-long tournament. That tournament included a 38-28 victory over Holy Cross, a 46-7 stomping of New Hampshire, avenging Villanova’s only loss this season, and a dramatic 14-13 triumph over William & Mary. The road to the title made the championship even sweeter for quarterback Chris Whitney, all-purpose receiver Matt Szczur and the rest of the Villanova Wildcats.
In contrast to Villanova’s month-long journey, Texas and Alabama will have spent a month of doing nothing prior to their national championship game on …
How many of you can complete the previous sentence? What day is the national championship game? Where is the game being played?
The fact that many of you can’t answer those questions demonstrates the problem with the current system in the Bowl Championship Series, or whatever they’re calling Division I football these days. The NCAA might be making a lot of money from the BCS, but this system is damaging overall interest.
Remember when New Year’s Day meant something in college football? There are five bowl games on New Year’s Day this week. There are five more on January 2. Not one of them means a darn thing in terms of the national title picture.
Time for another quiz: Aside from Penn State’s game, how many of the New Year’s Day bowl matchups can you name? How about the five games on Jan. 2?
The reason you can’t name them is, aside from the game involving your local team, the other games are virtually meaningless. Yes, the teams and conferences involved receive money. Yes, there’s pride on the line. Otherwise, nobody cares. The magic of college football on New Year’s Day is gone.
For the record, the New Year’s Day bowls are the Outback (Northwestern vs. Auburn); Capital One (Penn State vs. LSU); Gator (West Virginia vs. Florida State); Rose (Oregon vs. Ohio State); and Sugar (Florida vs. Cincinnati).
There are some intriguing matchups on New Year’s Day. They’re interesting, but meaningless.
The same intrigue isn’t there for the Jan. 2 slate of bowl games: Cotton (Oklahoma State vs. Mississippi); Liberty (East Carolina vs. Arkansas); International (South Florida vs. Northern Illinois); Papajohns.com (Connecticut vs. South Carolina); and Alamo (Michigan State vs. Texas Tech). I know you’re excited about seeing South Florida play Northern Illinois in Toronto!
The most interesting event over the New Year’s holiday weekend, arguably, isn’t even a college football game. It’s the NHL’s Winter Classic, pitting the Flyers against the Boston Bruins in an outdoor game at historic Fenway Park. (Not to mention NFL games with playoff implications.)
The bowl schedule, of course, doesn’t end this weekend. Boise State will face TCU in the Fiesta Bowl on Monday.
How many people are interested in the Fiesta Bowl’s battle of unbeatens? Now, imagine this game was a national semifinal or quarterfinal game. Would you be more interested?
Better yet, imagine TCU or Boise State playing one of the big conference teams in a playoff. The interest level would far exceed the interest in Monday night’s Fiesta Bowl.
The major arguments against a playoff system are the logistics are too difficult and that the student/athletes would miss too much class time.
The second argument is simply laughable. The NCAA holds championship tournaments in every other sport and in every other level of football except its highest level of competition.
Those Villanova student-athletes were able to juggle football and academics. In fact, their tournament took place during the final month of the semester. The end of the BCS tournament would take place during winter vacation. Logistics also aren’t a huge problem in the other playoffs.
The BCS system is all about money. The NCAA and the big conferences that control the BCS make a lot of money from this system.
But the NCAA and big conference schools are short-sighted. They are taking short-term gain (money) over long-term gain (interest).
The national championship game is next Thursday in Pasadena, in case you didn’t know. What if Texas had reached the championship game by edging Ohio State and holding off upstart TCU? What if Alabama got there by surviving a scare from Oregon and thwarting Boise State’s upset bid?
In addition to building interest for the national championship game, a playoff system would crown a true national champion and enhance the champions’ feeling of accomplishment.
Just ask Chris Whitney, Matt Szczur and the rest of the Villanova Wildcats.
YOUNG GUNS HAVE HUGE EDGE OVER BORING OLD MEN
By MOLLY DAVIS
I’m putting myself on lockdown.
From men.
I will no longer be pursuing the opposite sex.
Until someone cute catches my eye, at least.
After the demise of my latest relationship, I temporarily give up.
Why am I waving the white flag of dating surrender?
Because, quite simply, men suck.
I don’t care if I’m labeled a bitter, man-hating b**ch.
Can you blame me?
Get thrown over enough, and you’d feel the same way.
Now, I’m not saying ALL men suck.
Just the ones I’ve dated.
Sure, they’re all nice and sweet in the beginning.
Then something shifts.
I’ve yet to figure out what that is — maybe it’s me.
But maybe not.
I’m pretty sure I have the all-time worst taste in the other sex.
Sure, they look good on paper.
And they look good in person.
That’s a must — yes, looks matter.
And if you say they don’t play a part, then you’re lying or you’re a way better human being than I am.
Could it be that I pick younger men?
Hmmmm…
I am definitely a puma/cougar-in-training.
Older men do not interest me.
At all.
I can think of nothing more tedious than a man in Dockers and Top-Siders.
Yawn.
But if I don’t make a compromise, or find some happy middle ground, I will end up the crazy cat lady spinster.
Minus the cats.
That’s if I ever rejoin the dating world.
Which I can’t see happening anytime soon.
I’m still licking my latest dating wounds.
Check back with me in a month.
Or two.
WHY MEN STINK
By MOLLY DAVIS
To defriend or not to defriend?
That is the Facebook question.
One I was faced with last week, after I was dumped.
By the guy who I met on Facebook.
MOLLY DAVIS
Absolutely.
After dating for a while, I got the “Dear John” message.
What was said is not important.
What is important is that it’s over.
And now that our “real” relationship is finished, I was faced with the dilemma of ending our virtual connection, which is how we connected in the beginning.
Sound stupid?
It is.
But realistic.
If I don’t de-friend him, we still have access to each other’s lives.
Pictures, status updates — intimate details I’m not sure I want to know or want him to know.
Now, if I was not a curious person, I would keep him on as one of my 500 or so “friends.”
But I am curious.
And I would totally stalk his page.
Just being honest.
What if he started dating someone else — which he will — and I have to see pictures?
What if he de-friends me first?
If I defriend him, and I have the impulse to check out what’s going on in his Facebook world, then I can’t.
Removing him removes my crazy options.
But, if I keep him, then I leave open that door — just in case he decides to contact me via the social site.
Options still open.
Not a good argument — if he wants to get in touch, he has my phone number.
It’s immature, and I own up to that.
I’m not one of those people that stays friends with their previous relationships.
I have enough friends — and I firmly believe that someone always has an ulterior motive for remaining in contact with an ex.
Someone had to end it — and the other half holds out hope that there will be a reconciliation.
That other half would be me.
Better to cut it off completely.
Or, I could post great pictures, talk about my awesome weekends, and let everyone know how amazing my life is.
Sad thing is, he is not even giving this facebook thing a thought.
I’m sure my crazy thoughts wouldn’t even enter his head — guys operate on a completely different level.
They’re so lucky.
Most men deal with their emotional sides in a completely different manner…
Rationally.
They seem to go on with their everyday activities without even a speedbump.
While I feel like I’m driving on a pothole-filed road on a 10-speed Schwinn.
I’m not an idiot — I know it’s easier because it was his choice.
And if it had been the other way around, I probably wouldn’t even hit a speedbump.
Because it would’ve been my choice.
Speaking of decisions…
Defriend.
And block.
ACCIDENT KILLS MAN
A man died in an accident in Pine Grove Township on Dec. 31, state police at Jonestown said.
A van driven by Sean Weiser, 31, of Lykens, and a tractor-trailer driven by William McCaulley, 45, of Elliottsburg, collided on I-81, after Weiser’s vehicle went out of control on a snow-covered surface and traveled through the grass median, state police said.
Weiser was pronounced dead at the scene by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Rory Lipsett.
McCaulley was transported via Pine Grove Ambulance to Hershey Medical Center.
Ravine and Suedberg fire companies assisted.
Grinch runs over Christmas lights, ornaments
A grinch in a vehicle ran over Christmas lights and other ornaments on a property on Fox Road in Tilden Township on Dec. 30, and kept going, traveling north on Fox Road and dragging a portion of the Christmas lights, state police at Hamburg said.
The victim is Dustin Kunkle, 31. Damage is about $200.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 610-562-6885, ext. 3, and refer to incident L04-1102899.
Troopers: Man engages in domestic violence
A man allegedly engaged in domestic violence with a woman at a location on Green Park Drive in Rapho Township on Dec. 28, state police at Ephrata said.
The suspect, Donald Bechtold, 39, was cited with harassment.
The victim is Mary High, 40, state police said.
Goons swipe mail from mailbox
Goons swiped mail from a mailbox on Acorn Lane in Elizabeth Township on Dec. 28, state police at Ephrata said.
The victim is Michele Rhinier.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 717-721-7667.
Dorks damage man’s birdbath
Losers damaged a birdbath on Circle Drive in Rapho Township between Dec. 15 and Dec. 27, state police at Ephrata said.
The victim is David Bartles, 37. Damage is estimated at $20.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 717-721-7667.
Vehicle strikes utility pole
A vehicle driven by Felipe Bravo, 19, of Carlisle, went out of control on ice and struck a utility pole on Clear Spring Road at School Creek Lane in North Annville Township on Jan. 1, state police at Jonestown said.
Bravo suffered minor injuries, and he was taken to Hershey Medical Center.
Bellegrove Fire Department assisted.
Vehicle travels into field
A vehicle driven by Joseph Manzella, 19, of Cleona, sheared a utility pole and traveled into a field on Killinger Road near Route 422 in South Annville Township on Jan. 1, state police at Jonestown said.
Annville Fire Department assisted.
Vehicle slides, strikes tree
A vehicle driven by Jeffrey Engebetson, 29, of Lebanon, slid on ice on a curve and struck a tree on Route 241 near Lake Drive in South Annville Township on Jan. 1, state police at Jonestown said.
Engebetson suffered minor injuries.
Vehicles collide at intersection
Vehicles driven by Jessica Leibig, 22, of Richland, and Thomas Montgomery, 55, of Lebanon, were in an accident at Route 501 and Reistville Road in Heidelberg Township, Lebanon County, on Dec. 31, state police at Jonestown said.
Vehicle strikes legally parked vehicle
A vehicle struck a legally parked vehicle on Godfrey Street near Jacob Street in Tulpehocken Township on Dec. 31, and kept going, traveling west on Godfrey Street, state police at Hamburg said.
The suspect vehicle is described as beige with a right front blue quarter panel.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 610-562-6885.
Vehicle strikes concrete barrier
A vehicle driven by Anniehelene Carman, 54, of Mechanicsburg, went out of control on a slush-covered surface, traveled onto the center median, and struck a raised concrete barrier on I-78 in Bethel Township, Berks County, on Dec. 31, state police at Hamburg said.
Thugs steal Baby Jesus, Joseph figures
Thugs stole a plastic Baby Jesus figure and a plastic Joseph figure from a Nativity scene in front of Bethany Christian Fellowship Church on Front Street in Cressona between Dec. 8 and Jan. 1, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 570-593-2000.
BB bozos shatter vehicle window
Losers fired a BB that shattered the right front window of a moving vehicle on Front Street at Ash Street in Cressona on Dec. 30, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The victim is Thomas Seiler, of Schuylkill Haven.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 570-593-2000.
Lowlifes try to break into biz
Goons attempted to break into U.S. Gas Mart on Pottsville Pike in Perry Township on Dec. 26 or Dec. 27 by prying open a rear door and breaking a glass window, state police at Hamburg said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 610-562-6885.
Piece of ice cracks windshield
A piece of ice cracked the windshield of a moving vehicle on Old 22 near Route 183 in Upper Tulpehocken Township on Dec. 29, state police at Hamburg said.
The vehicle was driven by Jeremy Deck, of Ft. Drum, N.Y. Damage is $400.
Losers use blunt instrument to smash mailbox
Losers used a blunt instrument to smash a metal and plastic mailbox on Ontelaunee Trail near Onyx Cave Road in Perry Township on Dec. 28 or Dec. 29, state police at Hamburg said.
The victim is Warren Weber Jr., 67. Damage was about $50.
Vehicle strikes boulder along road
A vehicle driven by a 16-year-old boy, of Bethel, went out of control on a curve and struck a boulder on Route 419 near Rehrersburg Road in Tulpehocken Township on Dec. 21, state police at Hamburg said.
Driver injured in accident
Vehicles driven by John Wadel, 22, of Washingtonboro, and Godfrey Barrett, 51, of Allentown, were in an accident on Route 645 in Bethel Township, Berks County, on Dec. 30, state police at Hamburg said.
Barrett suffered a minor injury.
Bethel Ambulance responded.
Vehicle comes to rest in median
A vehicle driven by Dwayne Cruz, 21, of Jersey City, N.J., came to rest in the center median on I-78 in Greenwich Township on Dec. 22, after the right wheel came off the vehicle, state police at Hamburg said.
Creeps swipe change from cash register
Goons swiped change from a cash register at Mark’s Exxon on East Lincoln Avenue in Jackson Township on Jan. 1 or Jan. 2, after breaking a window and entering the business, state police at Jonestown said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 717-865-2194.
Vehicles collide in Greenwich
Vehicles driven by Yanbo Huang, 51, of College Station, Texas, and Dale Schweizer, 51, of Auburn, were in an accident on I-78 in Greenwich Township on Jan. 1, state police at Hamburg said.
Kutztown and Hamburg EMS responded.
Woman’s vehicle strikes tree
A vehicle driven by Michelle Cochrane, 29, of Topton, went out of control on a wet surface on a curve and struck a tree on Route 662 (Moselem Spring Road) in Perry Township on Dec. 27, state police at Hamburg said.
Cochrane suffered a moderate injury, and she was transported by Schuylkill Valley Ambulance to Reading Hospital.
Shoemakersville Fire Co. controlled traffic.
December 10, 2009
KATE’S PATHETIC SOB STORY
By MOLLY DAVIS
Just when we we thought it was a Gosselin-free month, Kate opens that mouth of hers…
To Babs Walters.
I’m not shocked that Kate is running her mouth again.
What surprises me is that she was chosen as one of the elite “The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009.”
Fascinating?
If you think watching a train wreck is fascinating.
In the interview, Kate tells Babs that the lack of camera crews has been a terribly emotional adjustment for her children.
The brood are devastated by the fact that their family reality TV series, “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ has been put on hiatus thanks to their parent’s messy divorce.
“They cried in the van on the way home from school the other day,” Gosselin told Walters during the interview. “I finally admitted to them, they kept asking, ‘Where’s the camera crew? Where’s the camera crew? We miss them.’ And I said, ‘Our show is over.’ …Eight sobbing kids driving home from school.”
How strange she doesn’t worry about the effect banning her brother and sister-in-law and the grandparents from her children, but she worries about the effect of not having the camera crew around has on them.
Kate has previously explained how her parents and family are not involved in her children’s lives because she chose for them not to be — because their opinions were not the same as hers.
She must have believed since she could make other family members disappear out of her life quietly when she grew tired of them, Jon would quietly follow suit.
Kate must have been shocked when he went out fighting.
I’m still on Team Jon, no matter how much of an idiot he continues to be.
So the show on TLC is finito.
Poor Kate.
Now she may actually have to take care of her kids.
Instead of going to a spa, shopping, doing talk shows, or publicity for her many brands.
