Senate Votes on Long-Term Care

The Senate is going to keep the long-term care insurance plan in its health overhaul bill. The Republicans fell short of their 60 votes. It was 51-47. This care plan helps seniors and the disabled stay in their homes and not have to resort to nursing homes. Workers pay premiums and if they shall get hurt or become disabled, they will be payed 50 dollars daily. These monies can contribute to an independent living. This was the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s program.

This is a very good thing that the Senate is doing. Why it was ever re-voted on, I don’t understand. Does the Republicans not care about the people of America or are they just wanting all the benefits for themselves and not worried about the people? I like knowing that there are programs out there that can help us in our time of need. These are great investments because no one really knows what the future will bring.

Robber Feeds Baby

Two suspects enter a home intending to rob the place in Indianapolis. One of them was an 18 year old boy who was picked up at Arlington High School and is now in police custody. While they were ram shacking the house, they heard a baby crying. The 18 year old warmed up a bottle in the microwave in order to feed the baby during the robbery attempt. He is held on charges of burglary, robbery, criminal confinement, and pointing a firearm.

It’s immoral and unethical to steal someone’s personal belongings that they’ve worked so hard for. However, it’s moral and ethical to feed a hungry baby. In this case there was a right and a wrong. They shouldn’t have been in the residence at all. This goes to show that some criminals have a heart. This is very strange.

Stealing From The Church!!!

Someone in Georgia went into Berean Baptist Church and stole very expensive equipment, microphones, laptops, and important information contained on the laptop. Whoever it was tried to break into the safe only to find that it was empty. This makes the fourth robbery within two years for the church. The ironic thing is that the robber left a note for the church. It read “‘Sorry but I’m poor. Forgive me Lord.’” The Rev. Roger Davis said maybe he needs to put up his own note letting potential robbers know to contact him and he’ll see about putting up a collection to help them out.

The robber is very disturbed if he’d rather steal from a church of worship. I’m the type that would rather go to the church for help, not take from them when they can offer it to you. I can tell that the person may have some conscience problems by leaving the note, but it doesn’t make it right. Like the Reverend said, come to him and he’ll try and make it right. Have faith in the Lord, don’t take from him.

Officer Stealing Gas

Springfield Officer John Fulmer was arrested for petty larceny and misconduct in office. The State Law Enforcement Division charged the 51 year old after he was caught charging the town for fuel used to fill his personal vehicle. He was arrested and released on Friday with a 10,000 dollar bond.

If this isn’t one of the silliest idiotic things an officer can do, I don’t know what is. This is very much so an ethical issue. Everyone else has to pay for gas, why not Fulmer? He may have lost his job over $191 is gas for his personal vehicle. I know he makes well over this amount on his checks!!!

440 Year Sentence Upheld

Darry Hanna was convicted back in 2007 after the acquittal of the murder of his sister Teresa Hanna. United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia, has upheld the conviction of Hanna’s charges on one count of conspiracy, nineteen counts of mail fraud, and two counts of wire fraud. The wire fraud was in connection with the August 2003 murder of his sister-in-law. There were also fraudulent attempts to collect on life insurance policies after her death. Hanna was sentenced to 440 years in prison. He tried to get it overturned by saying hat statements made by Teresa Hanna prior to her death, as well as a letter written by Davy Hanna, his brother, prior to his suicide, should not have been admitted as evidence in his trial.

I believe that the courts upheld the decision that’s right for justice. I can’t believe someone could actually get a 440 year sentence. How it’s possible is beyond me. But anyway, those statements that were introduced at his initial trial were relevant and I believe that he should rot in jail for the evil, despite, and immoral things he’s done.

Deputy Arrest in Chesterfield County

A Chesterfield County Deputy has been busted by Federal Agents on drug conspiracy charges. Albert “Brent” Surratt, III was arrested on Thursday, December 3, 2009. Surratt is charged with the manufacture of meth and possession of a firearm during a drug crime. Although he hasn’t been with the Chesterfield County Department long, he has been fired. He worked there since June of this year.

What is really going on in the world today? Instead of protecting and serving, Surratt’s a criminal in the justice system. How does that work? As we can see, this is not tolerated and he was relieved of his duties as a deputy but how are the people of Chesterfield County reacting to this new found information? Are they going to believe that their department is corrupt or not believe that they are corrupt because they took immediate actions?

Teacher Charged W/Criminal Sexual Conduct

The middle school teacher accused of having sex with an eighth grade student has been further investigated. Norbert Ryan’s computer in his former classroom has been seized for further information but nothing has been released yet on the findings. Ryan has had an ongoing relationship with a 13 year old student at St. James Middle School in Horry County. Although he was arrested, he is now released on bond from J. Reuben Long Detention Center but is not permitted on school grounds.

This is an unfortunate event that a parent has to go through when hearing about their child involved in sexual conduct with a teacher. No one wants to hear that an adult that’s supposed to be educating your child is having sexual contact with them. It’s disgusting, disgraceful, and out of character in a school environment as well as any other work or social environment. What was he thinking? Years of college work and his life are now destroyed because of this wrong decision.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots drive held at Krispy Kreme Donut was a successful one this week. The drive was held Wednesday and Thursday and donations were doubled from last year. There were 1359 toys donated along with 3400 dollars in checks and cash. There were about four different locations hosting the Toys for Tots drive.

This was a very good decision by the news crew and Krispy Kreme to do something will deserved for the community. Giving back is what it’s all about. I commend them on raising so much is such a short period of time. They were giving out a dozen of donuts for every item or donation 5 dollars or more. I know they were kept quite busy. When businesses and community’s come together, there’s no telling what good will come out of it.

Toyota plans huge U.S. recall for dangerous floormats

Toyota has to recall its hot-selling Prius hybrid because of its dangerous floormats that have already been the cause of death of 5 people in crashes. These crashes are due to the floormats riding under the accelerator of the car. This is a critical time for Toyota because this was one of its best sellers and they are in a bad economic situation at the time. They have to call back 3.8 million in the US alone.

I understand that Toyota was making a comeback with these vehicles, but they are doing the right thing by calling them back because they can be hazardous. The economy is bad on everyone at this time so I guess Toyota has to come up with better floor mats for these vehicles and make sure that they are safe for people to drive. I hope they weren’t just trying to make a quick buck.

5,800 died in U.S. due to distracted driving in 2008

Too many fatalities and injured persons due to distracted driving in the US is very serious. Recent statistics show that 5800 people die annually in accidents due to drivers texting, eating, reading, and talking on hand-held devices while driving on the highway. There is talk of banning texting while driving. We all know that banning something isn’t exactly going to make it stop, but that is a step.

I know that when I drive sometimes I am distracted by my cell phone. The only difference is that when there’s a lot of traffic or I don’t feel as if it’s safe for me to text or answer my phone, I don’t. I just let it ring or vibrate. In some cases I know it may cause an accident. I am cautious. I love my life, and I definitely don’t want to take someone else’ on account of a simple phone conversation that may only last a minute or less. I am quick to end the conversations early anyway, until get to where I’m going. People have to consider the safety of others.