The Virginian-Pilot: Timeline of significant events for Blackwater
The Virginian-Pilot September 18, 2007
Timeline of significant events for Blackwater
A BLACKWATER TIMELINE
Significant events in the history of Moyock, N.C.-based Blackwater
Dec. 26, 1996 - Blackwater Lodge and Training Center Inc. is incorporated in
Jan. 30, 1997 - The company buys its first properties in Currituck and
Mar. 31, 2004 - Four Blackwater contractors are killed and publicly mutilated in
Quote of the day
September 24, 2007
“Regardless of what you do in life, the size of your funeral is still determined by the weather.”
E-mailed to me by Mrs. Owl, thank you.
French Foreign Minister Kouchner responds to be being interrupted
On Sunday, September 23rd, 2007, “Amy Proctor” posted the video below on the “French Foreign Minister Calls Code Pink 'Stupid' During Interruption.”
It is a relatively priceless moment captured on video.
Ms. Proctor wrote, in part:
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who last week said "We must prepare for the worst” against Iran (referring to war), addressed Center for Strategic and International Studies where he was interrupted by (sigh, who else..) Code Pink.
Read the rest of her post here: French Foreign Minister Calls Code Pink 'Stupid' During Interruption
Meanwhile, enjoy this:
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1199226888
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Media Advisory – Posted September 24th, 2007
For more information, contact: Julie Tasillo,
Center for Watershed Protection, 410-461-8323
What:
Where: Multi-Purpose Room,
When: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 26
Details: Builders for the Bay is a unique initiative that brings together the Home Builders Association of Maryland, the
Directions: From
From
# # #
Carroll
Please Note: This weekly agenda is subject to change. Please call 410-386-2043 to confirm a meeting you plan to attend. All meetings will be held at the
Room 311. (Unless otherwise noted)
Monday – September 24, 2007
11:00 a.m. Board of
Adoption of a Resolution in Support of the Carroll Child Care Centers, Inc.
Chief of Staff ~ Mr. Steven D. Powell
12:00 p.m. Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Tour of Colonial Pipeline Facility
Woodbine, MD
Commissioners Gouge & Zimmer
4:00 p.m. Water Resource Council
County Office Building ~ Room 105
Commissioner Gouge, Guest Speaker
Tuesday – September 25, 2007
10:00 a.m. Board of
PowerPoint Presentation of E-Tix
(Electronic Traffic Information Exchange) Pilot Program
followed by demonstration
Hampstead Annexation No. 30 ~ Summit/Taylor Properties
Department of Planning ~ Mr. Steve Horn
Tuesday – September 25, 2007 ~ Continued
Bid Approval
Bureau of Purchasing ~ Mr. Rich Shelton
Department of Public Works ~ Mr. J. Michael Evans
Bid Approval
Bureau of Purchasing ~ Mr. Rich Shelton
Department of Recreation & Parks ~ Mr. Jeff Degitz
Execution of State Aid for Police Protection Report
Department of the Comptroller ~ Mr. Rob Burk
Request Approval of the FY08 Town/County Agreements with
Town of
Department of Management & Budget ~ Mr. Ted Zaleski
Presentation of the Emergency Operations Plan & the Hazard Mitigation Plan
Office of Public Safety ~ Mr. Scott Campbell
Chief of Staff Time ~ Mr. Steve Powell
CLOSED ~ Land Acquisition
Department of General Services ~ Mr. Ralph Green
4:00 p.m.
Commissioner Zimmer
Wednesday – September 26, 2007
8:00 a.m.
Commissioners Gouge, Minnich & Zimmer
1:00 p.m. Board of Education Meeting
Board of Education Offices
Commissioner Zimmer
Wednesday – September 26, 2007 ~ Continued
7:00 p.m. Board of
Commissioners Gouge, Minnich & Zimmer
Thursday – September 27, 2007
10:00 a.m. Administrative Session ~ Closed
2:30 p.m. Parents as Teachers Kickoff Celebration
Carroll Community College ~ The
Commissioners Gouge, Minnich & Zimmer
Friday – September 28, 2007
2:00 p.m.
Commissioners Gouge & Zimmer
Saturday – September 29, 2007
Sunday – September 30, 2007
8:05 a.m. “The Commissioners’ Report” – WTTR
Commissioner Minnich
ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to the Carroll County Government and its programs, services, activities, and facilities. If you have questions, suggestions, or complaints, please contact Ms. Jolene Sullivan, the Carroll County Government Americans With Disabilities Act Coordinator, at 410-386-3600/1-888-302-8978 or TTY No. 410-848-9747. The mailing address is
Posted: 07/07/06
a great place to live, a great place to work, a great place to play
Today is National Punctuation Day
September 24th, 2007
Please join me in a celebration of the semicolon.
Hat Tip: About.com – Grammar & Composition: http://grammar.about.com/b/a/000153.htm
There is even an official “Meat Loaf of National Punctuation Day.” I kid you NOT!
So please tell me; did you celebrate National Punctuation Day? If so how?
How do you feel about punctuation?”
As I keyboard - festivities are in the works over at WTTR.
Cook the Official Meat Loaf of National Punctuation Day! (see PDF recipe)
Celebrate National Punctuation Day®
September 24
National Punctuation Day founder becomes caped crusader to promote literacy in schools
PINOLE, CA — National Punctuation Day, the holiday that reminds
Founded in 2004 by former newspaperman Jeff Rubin, NPD is listed in Chase’s Calendar of Events and The Teacher’s Calendar, two directories published by McGraw-Hill.
The annual event is widely recognized. Bank of America in Tampa, FL, for example, commemorates NPD with a week-long array of celebrations and trivia contests. Last year, Rubin was a guest on dozens of radio shows, NPD received significant newspaper coverage, and the
More: Celebrate National Punctuation Day
In the Spotlight | More Topics |
from Jen Hubley
Formal instruction in grammar and punctuation was out of style when I went to school. If you were a big reader, which I was, it was sort of assumed you'd pick up the mechanics on your own.
Fortunately, my Mom was a former English teacher with a horror of sloppy usage. I was the only kid I knew who diagrammed sentences at the dinner table - and not because it was homework.
- Grammar & Composition Guide Richard Nordquist
As Richard points out, the problem with rules of punctuation is "like many of the so-called 'laws' of grammar, [they] ... would never hold up in court." One of my favorites to abuse: the "law" of "quote." (See how annoying that was?)
- Grammar & Composition Guide Richard Nordquist
The Campaign to Abolish the Apostrophe
It totally fries me to see possessives spelled without apostrophes. As it's happening more and more - "Pike's Peak" into "
Grammar & Composition Guide Richard Nordquist
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City Council Members | Minutes of City Council Meetings
Mayor and Common Council Meeting of September 24, 2007
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR:
August Departmental Operating Reports
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2007
4. BIDS:
Water and Sewer Rate Study Contract
5. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR
6. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
7. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:
Suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to Introduce and Adopt
Ordinance No. 770 and the Accompanying Decision - Local Map Amendment
No. LMA 06-2 – Brightview of
Suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to Introduce and Adopt Ordinance
No.771 - Zoning Text Amendment No. TA06-5
Resolution No. R07-11 – Activation of Target Investment Zone under the Heart
Of Civil War Heritage Area Management Plan
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a. None as of September 20, 2007
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Finance Policies
10. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
11. CITIZEN COMMENTS
12. ADJOURN
Just a couple of college journalists looking for a job at the New York Times
September 24th, 2007
Ah, and speaking of Bush Derangement Syndrome, click on this college student newspaper moment of intellectual endeavor – after you understand that what you are about to view, albeit, in a student newspaper, in part supported by taxpayer dollars, is fairly off the scale offensive: Student Newspaper Strikes Out.
Hat Tip: The
But of course, President George W. Bush had nothing to do with the incident.
For that matter, neither did Senator John Kerry, who certainly appeared to attempt to ameliorate a bad situation promulgated by someone intent on calling attention to himself by being extraordinarily obnoxious and then shoving a police officer.
One may be able to argue that there is a place in society for civil disobedience – but one must always be willing to accept the consequences and always remember that police officers have guns.
As far as the budding student journalists ... one could also argue that the folks at “The Rocky Mountain Collegian” were just looking to develop a resume item for the New York Times, which says the same thing, every other day, with different adjectives.
(Meanwhile, you may want to contact them: “Since 1891, The
Fox News has more…
Thanks again to “The Baltimore Reporter.”
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Family visit to
August 5th, 2007 – September 22nd, 2007
The weekend of Sunday August 5th, 2007 a large contingent of the family traveled to attend services at the
This video depicts that
The web site for the church proclaims:
“Our unofficial motto is “We Meet to Eat:” between Food, Fun and Fellowship groups, covered dish suppers, Games Nite, Advent Vespers, we'll grab any chance to get together over some of the best food and conversation you'll find anywhere. Sometimes we just make time and space to rest, to gain a little peace in a busy, busy world. Friendships are made, lives are changed.
“We are blessed by God with Grace, Salvation, a beautiful earth and all that we have. In response to the love that God has shown to us, we want to cheerfully help God's Kingdom here on earth by giving something back.”
Please enjoy the video.
A church that establishes an unofficial motto, “We meet to eat,” is a place in which I am comfortable.
We had a wonderful visit.
As we all grow older – discovering our roots becomes increasing important. We simply have no idea where we are going if we do not know where we’ve been.
20070805
An Overdue Update to the Granite House May 11 2007 Rock Ball
Lyndi McNulty, Joe and Audrey Cimino entertain at Granite House fundraiser
May 11, 2007 – September 22, 2007
These short videos feature Lyndi McNulty, Joe and Audrey Cimino entertaining at the first annual “Rock Ball” hosted by Granite House. (Please see: 20070406 Support Granite House Rock Ball.)
On May 11th, 2007 Caroline and I were pleased to attend the first annual “Rock Ball” hosted by Granite House in
This year’s event was held at the Inn at Roop’s Mill in
The event was billed as an evening of classic rock and roll, amazing food, and lots of fun surprises. The event lived up to its advertising as we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with great folks who all came together to raise money for a great cause.
One of the many entertaining and delightful surprises was Audrey and Joe Cimino – and Lyndi McNulty.
Please see the videos below.
What folks from outside Carroll County are not aware is that these three individuals are held in high regard as part of the top tier of folks who make thinks happen in Carroll County and the fact that they were so willing to, how shall I say, have some fun; was greatly admired by one and all.
And they did it for a great cause…
The Rock Ball specifically raised dollars for Granite House’s “Charitable Fund.” The Charitable Fund was created to help folks who cannot afford to pay their co-pay from their insurance plan or even have no insurance coverage at all, i. e: the working poor. We believe strongly that mentally healthy people are more productive community members and that all people should be able to receive the care they need.
If you would like more information on Granite House, please contact
20070511 Lyndi McNulty entertains at Granite House fundraiser
20070511 Audrey and Joe Cimino entertain at fundraiser
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We hear from a reader on President Ahmadinejad.
Aryeh Amihay has left a new comment on your post "20070921 Columbia won't cancel Ahmadinejad speech":
I think the issue is not so much his views, as is his ability to implement them.
In other words, he's not invited to
Not any antisemite in the
More on this on my blog:
http://mostlyonisrael.blogspot.com/2007/09/some-comments-on-iran-ahmedinejad-and.html
_____
Thanks for your comment Mr. Amihay.
Thanks for calling to my attention your blog. I took a quick tour of your web site and I’ll be placing a link on my blog to your site the next chance I get. I’ll look forward to checking-in as frequent as possible.
As a journalist, if I had a chance to attend the presentation of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - I would. For me, his right to free speech in our country is not the issue.
It is wonderful that he have the forum to prove, once he opens his mouth, that his positions are not in-line with a just and peaceful world.
Free speech is rather important to me as it should be to all Americans and as much as I am concerned, to say the least, about what it is that the Iranian president has to say – or the power to do; my problem is more with Columbia University’s persistent inconsistencies.
The esteemed institution piously, self-righteously, if not - condescendingly proclaims to be the standard-bearer for a “long-standing tradition of serving as a major forum for robust debate.”
Yet anecdotally, that is not its track record. The wonders of information dissemination by way of the internet allow us to be aware that the esteemed university does not extend meaningful invitations to those for whom, the university appears to collectively - not agree.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if
With all due respect sir, for me the wheels come off the cart in your commentary when you misuse Spragens Political Theorem in your fourth paragraph; by utilizing conclusions in your equation that are certainly not agreed upon as facts.
Please read: “19981216 President Clinton explains Iraq strike.”
It was disconcerting how quickly your otherwise intelligent commentary was compromised when it drifted from President Ahmadinejad to diatribes about President George W. Bush.
First things first.
There is no firm foundation for a scholar to simplistically buy-in to the notion that because attempts at nuclearization in the
Suggesting that the war in
(As an aside, I can criticize the conduct of the war with the best. Please see "The Crocodile Dundee Factor." Or “Iraq: Into the Heart of Darkness.”)
But that does not mean that I am opposed to challenging the global forces of terrorism with force. Or that I don’t yearn for peace. No more than you when you wrote on September 1, 2007, that you “will criticize
Like you, my ideal, in spite of how often I come-up short, is “Above all, this blog is concerned with the truth, not in taking sides.”
However with that in mind, what was particularly disconcerting for me is to read is that a PhD student in the Dept of Religion at
Of no doubt, any well-read person has seen President Bush characterized as such. Nevertheless, that is usually where I stop reading. I am unaware of any definitive research that allows me to know what “the public image” is with the exception of that tired canard being trotted out in the lexicon of folks who wish to monopolize the dominant narrative by repeating such a baseless conclusion ad nauseum until the less informed accept it as a “fact."
Fundamentally, your argumentation that a “connection between the war in
However there is a preponderance of information that an historic (see 1973 oil crisis and 1979 energy crisis) destabilization in the price of oil would have persisted in the face of the unchecked continued radicalization of Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq.
Ultimately, any continued
Finally - blaming the phenomena of the erratic fluctuations in the price of oil; the Middle East’s appetite for nuclear proliferation; the continued inability of the šī at Alī (Shias) and ahl al-sunnah wa-l-jamaa (Sunnis) to get along; and the rise of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presents as a manifestation of “Bush Derangement Syndrome” at worst (as defined by Dr, Charles Krauthammer – or click here.)
Or in the least, it smacks of the “… problem … (in) that it once more captures the over-simplistic dichotomy in which many people conceptualize politics, namely the "bad guys" vs. "good guys" view,” (a college freshman’s Hagel’s Dialectic Progression) for which you decry.
Generalizations that all the ills of a dangerous world lay at the feet of President Bush are abusive and contribute to a dangerous polarization for the purpose of bankrupt political expediency such as what characterized the dysfunctionate appeasement in the 1930s that preceded the military defeat of
Meanwhile, thanks again for the feedback. As always, your thoughtful consideration is appreciated regardless of the outcome on any particular issue. Whether we agree or disagree, always find my door open for friendly civil and constructive dialogue. I’ll be up at
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Hat Tip and thanks to “Mostly on Israel”
Published: Sept. 19, 2007
On Monday, September 24, the President of the Islamic
In order to have such a University-wide forum, we have insisted that a number of conditions be met, first and foremost that President Ahmadinejad agree to divide his time evenly between delivering remarks and responding to audience questions. I also wanted to be sure the Iranians understood that I would myself introduce the event with a series of sharp challenges to the president on issues including:
the Iranian president’s denial of the Holocaust;
his public call for the destruction of the State of
his reported support for international terrorism that targets innocent civilians and American troops;
his government's widely documented suppression of civil society and particularly of women's rights; and
his government's imprisoning of journalists and scholars, including one of
I would like to add a few comments on the principles that underlie this event. Columbia, as a community dedicated to learning and scholarship, is committed to confronting ideas—to understand the world as it is and as it might be. To fulfill this mission we must respect and defend the rights of our schools, our deans and our faculty to create programming for academic purposes. Necessarily, on occasion this will bring us into contact with beliefs many, most or even all of us will find offensive and even odious. We trust our community, including our students, to be fully capable of dealing with these occasions, through the powers of dialogue and reason.
I would also like to invoke a major theme in the development of freedom of speech as a central value in our society. It should never be thought that merely to listen to ideas we deplore in any way implies our endorsement of those ideas, or the weakness of our resolve to resist those ideas or our naiveté about the very real dangers inherent in such ideas. It is a critical premise of freedom of speech that we do not honor the dishonorable when we open the public forum to their voices. To hold otherwise would make vigorous debate impossible.
That such a forum could not take place on a university campus in
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Did I read that sign right?
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Hat Tip: Grammy
TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW
In a Laundromat: AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT
In a London department store: BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS
In an office: WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN
In an office: AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD
Outside a secondhand shop: WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?
Notice in health food shop window: CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS
Spotted in a safari park: (I sure hope so)
ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR
Seen during a conference: FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR
Notice in a farmer's field: THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.
Message on a leaflet: IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS
On a repair shop door: WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)
Request for variance from the Forest Conservation Code for the
Department Planning
Bureau of Resource Management
REQUEST FOR VARIANCE FROM THE
CONSERVATION CODE, CHAPTER 115
September 21, 2007
Issue: FOREST CONSERVATION, CHAPTER 115, VARIANCE REQUEST FOR TIMBER HARVEST IN AREA SET ASIDE FOR PROTECTION VIA
FILE NO.: E-96-0002
VARIANCE NO: V-FC-07-001
Background: A variance has been requested for a timber harvest of 6 acres of forest. Of the six acres, 3.75 acres have been previously approved via a Forest Conservation Plan designated as a woodland protection area.
Of the 3.75 acres, 1.91 acres are to be clear cut.
Based on Section 3.3.3 (2) (Page 3-39) of the Carroll County Forest Conservation Technical Manual, A Forest Stewardship Management Plan was prepared by the County Forester and submitted to the State Forestry Board.
The Board approved the Management Plan for the incorporation of applicable best management practices, but since said section of the technical manual requires a post harvest basal area of 70 square feet when timbering in areas set aside for forest conservation easement, the Board did not approve the timber harvest plan.
The proposed clear cut would result in a post harvest basal area of 25 square feet.
Based on regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAR 77 and the Precision Approach Path Indicator Obstruction Clearance Surfaces) those areas scheduled for clear cut are areas identified as a hazard to aviation by penetrating into the Obstruction Clearance Surfaces and must be removed for safety of those using the airport.
PLEASE SEE ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Discussion: The desired action is a requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration for safety of those using the airport and applies to all airports with similar precision approach equipment. In addition, the State Forestry Board has indicated that the Forest Stewardship Management Plan prepared by the
Recommendation: The request for relief from the Carroll County Forest Conservation Code, Chapter 115 and the Forest Conservation Manual should be granted based on:
(1). 115-14. (1): Strict adherence to the provision of this chapter would result in unnecessary hardship for the County. By granting the variance request the County can remove the designated obstructions and operate the airport per FAA requirements thus creating a non-hazardous condition for precision approaches.
(2). 115.14. (2): The 1.91 acre clear cut will comply with the requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAR 77) and the Precision Approach Path Indicator Obstruction Clearance Surfaces). FAA Object clearing criteria were developed to provide for safe and efficient approach operations at an airport by requiring that certain areas on or near the airport be clear of objects.
Timeline of significant events for Blackwater
The Virginian-Pilot
© September 18, 2007
A BLACKWATER TIMELINE
For a review of the “Significant events in the history of Moyock, N.C.-based Blackwater
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Gizmos Art:1 New
http://gizmosart.com/gizmosdirect.html
