Michele Bachmann Should Withdraw Her Candidacy

Michele Bachmann in Miami (Lynne Sladkey/AP Photo)

Michelle Bachmann placed her foot squarely in her mouth Sunday when she called for oil drilling in the Florida Everglades, if it can be done responsibly.  Ham on Wry has great difficulty taking her candidacy seriously when she makes frequent gaffes in speaking with the media.  Clearly, Bachmann has no idea what she's talking about in even considering drilling for oil there.  If she had bothered to do her homework before opening her mouth, she would have realized that the Everglades cover a fragile ecosystem deemed crucial for preservation and important to the environment.

Bachmann told the Associated Press, "The United States needs to be less dependent on foreign sources of energy and more dependent upon American resourcefulness. Whether that is in the Everglades, or whether that is in the eastern Gulf region, or whether that's in North Dakota, we need to go where the energy is.  Of course it needs to be done responsibly. If we can't responsibly access energy in the Everglades then we shouldn't do it."  Doesn't it make sense for a presidential candidate to investigate an idea's feasibility before speaking about it?"  I shudder at the thought of someone like Bachmann sitting in the Oval Office making judgment calls in a haphazard fashion.

The Everglades Foundation released a statement Monday responding to Bachmann's utterly ridiculous stance.  “NRA card-carrying hunters, fishermen, waterfowlers, and other outdoors enthusiasts do not want to see oil drilling in their Everglades wildlife paradise. In addition, the Everglades is the source of fresh, clean drinking water for more than 7 million Floridians. Congresswoman Bachmann needs to understand that oil and drinking water do not mix.”  Many geologists have concluded not much usable oil exists in the Everglades anyway.

Tuesday, a CBS reporter in Miami asked Bachmann, "Why would you invade that natural resource with gas and oil drilling?"

Bachmann responded, "Let's access this wonderful treasure trove of energy that God has given us in this country. Let's access it responsibly."  Now there's a truly well-phrased response. As Shakespeare penned, "Much Ado About Nothing."  Bachmann has mastered the art of political speak well.  Her mouth moves and words come out, but they mean absolutely nothing.

Try to imagine Michele Bachmann at a G8 conference, sitting next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, recently named by Forbes as the most powerful woman in the world.  Perhaps they could exchange recipes, because Bachmann could not hold her own in the company of the G8 members.  She can do America a big favor and withdraw from the race before she makes us the laughingstock of the world.

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Tropical Storm Irene Ravages Vermont

Sandy Macy AP Photo

Irene downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it hit Vermont Sunday, but Governor Peter Shumlin declared it the worst flooding disaster the state has experienced.in its history.  Irene submerged parts of many communities and destroyed roads and bridges in its wake, leaving hundreds of people stranded with no means of leaving their homes.  State transportation maintenance crews and contractors are working to restore travel on some of the 260 roads affected by the storm. 



Sarah Jones AP Photo



Eleven small towns remain trapped today, and emergency crews consider their rescue a top priority.  FEMA sent a convoy of trucks to Vermont with food, water, and other vital supplies to some of the hardest hit towns this morning.  For those who remain cut off from roads and bridges, relief will come from helicopters.  Danger of rising floodwaters still persists in some of the largest rivers as they continue to swell. 



Vyto Starinskis Photo via AP



The torrent of watero crumpled historic covered bridges and crested above marks set by the 1927 floods used to measure the damage wrought by other disasters in the state.  The state’s largest utilities
began trying to restore power to more than 35,000 homes and businesses yesterday and said many might not have electricity for weeks. 



Photo by Austin Danforth Bennington Banner





Governor Shumlin immediately declared a state of emergency, and President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration Monday because of the storm's horrendous damage.  Pictured at right, Governor Shumlin sits aboard the helicopter used to tour the devastation in Southern Vermont. 
Shumlin's grief was apparent when he said. "This is unprecedented, I think, in Vermont.  We still are notifying family members of some of the casualties, but I can tell you that we have more bad news coming in terms of deaths as a result of this horrific storm."  Three bodies have been recovered so far.

Although Irene was no longer a hurricane, the system caused disastrous consequences for Vermont.  The state is dotted with small communities, so the rescue efforts span most of the state.  Residents will be delighted to say, "Good night, Irene," after clean-up efforts end.

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Congress Out of Touch with Real World--Time for 28th Amendment

Harry Reid (D), Senate Majority Leader and John Boehner (R), Speaker of the House

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House John Boehner represent the leadership of a  112th Congress that fails to grasp the reality of a world that has undergone enormous changes culturally, socially, politically, and economically.  Rhetoric reigns in both parties, making it difficult to pass meaningful legislation.  Is it time to "throw the bums out?" Yes, for many of them. In fact, the time has come for citizens to rise up and draft a constitutional amendment establishing term limits in Congress. Since two-thirds of the members of Congress must ratify such an amendment, the path to full ratification will prove herculean in nature. Once Congress ratifies an amendment, thirty-eight states must do so as well.

Given the complexity of passing this type of amendment, wording must be clear and concise, omitting any extraneous language.  Ham Wry believes that a twelve-year maximum should be established under the proposed twenty-eighth amendment.  Since senators serve six-year terms and representatives serve for two years, a successful amendment must allow for a total number of years rather than a number of terms. The amendment should also establish that the maximum applies to anyone who switches from one body of Congress to the other.

Readers might wonder why this would promote a more effective Congress.  Several reasons exist.  First, those elected would understand that Congress does not offer a lifetime career, which, in turn, would force the majority to work in real world jobs.  In that way, they would face the same concerns as ordinary citizens who earn less than $1,000,000 each year .  Second, Congress would focus more on its purpose, passing legislation, rather than currying favor with financial supporters. Lobbyists would also have greater difficulty influencing votes, knowing that they would no longer derive long-term benefits spending money to influence members of Congress.  Third, Congress would have new blood and more frequent change of leadership, which would stimulate innovation and streamline the often cumbersome process of doing business.  Although many other possibilities exist, the three mentioned would bring welcome change.

Change requires arduous work and commitment.  It’s happened twenty-seven times before, and it can again, if the effort can reach critical mass.  We limit the President to eight years.  We have much to gain in holding members of Congress to twelve years at most.

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Ham on Wry Award--Delgado Sisters Thwart Hit-and-Run Driver's Escape

Brienna Delgado Pictured on You Tube

A hit-and-run driver who collided with the car in which Brienna and Brittany Delgado were traveling made the mistake of his life last Saturday night.  After the accident, the sisters were tending to their grandmother, who was driving, when the other driver attempted to flee on foot.  Brienna, pictured above, pursued and tackled him, forcing both of his arms behind him with the Chicken Wing, one of the wrestling moves she has mastered as a talented wrestler.  "When I was chasing him I was still yelling, 'You need to come back". I wasn't wearing the proper footwear. I got a little road rash when I tackled him," Brienna explained.




Brittany Delgado in an Oklahoma University Photo

Brittany followed close behind in the chase and helped her sister to bring the man to his feet and keep him standing there until the police arrived on the scene.  A senior at Oklahoma City University, Brittany has won two national championships in the Women's College Wrestling Association.  "My sister and I are very proficient wrestlers and also played football in high school, so we know about tackling," Brittany told the Oklahoman.

While the sisters and their grandmother suffered bumps and bruises, the driver of the other car was briefly hospitalized and then released into police custody.
Both siblings have aspirations of making the United States women's Olympic wrestling team.  Although Brienna entered the university as a freshman this year, she has already demonstrated her wrestling prowess in the real world.  Ham on Wry offers Brienna and Brittany its congratulations on nabbing the suspect. 

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Hurricane Irene Threatens Northeastern United States



NOAA Satellite Picture of Hurricane Irene



Hurricane Irene strengthened to Category 3 before slamming into the Bahamas earlier today. With winds of 135 mph currently, the storm is expected to bring widespread damage in its path, as it bypasses the east coast of Florida and makes landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The hurricane is slow-moving and envelopes a wider path than most hurricanes.  Forecasters have compared its span to that of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans, Louisiana in 2005.

Coastal areas along Irene's projected path have been warned to prepare with some evacuations already underway. Visitors to North Carolina's Outer Banks, Ocean City, Maryland, and Cape May, New Jersey, were ordered to evacuate. On Fire Island, a barrier island in Suffolk County, New York, ferries have already begun voluntary evacuations that could soon become mandatory.  North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut have declared states of emergency, on the basis of the latest forecast.  New York City hasn't had a direct hit from a hurricane since 1903,  but if did suffer damange during the "Long Island Express" hurricane in 1938 that also ripped through New England.  New Yorkers must brush up on hurricane preparedness quickly.

Having experienced Hurricane Andrew, a Category 5 hurricane, in 1992, I can attest to the fact that people should evacuate immediately, if ordered to do so.  I had been away for the weekend and hadn't listened to TV or radio during that time.  I couldn't understand why so few cars were driving south on I-75, until I reached my home and turned on the TV.  By then, it was too late to leave, so I spent the night on the floor, wondering if the giant live oak tree with limbs directly over my roof would crash through and impale me to the floor.  Nothing untoward happened, but I have never experienced that kind of lingering terror before, and I hope I never will again. 



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Alzheimer's Diagnosis Spurs Glen Campbell's Good-bye Tour

Glen Campbell Poses for a Portrait Picture (credit Matt Sayles/AP photo)

In a recent interview with ABC's Terry Moran, Glen Campbell showed signs of forgetfulness, often a major indicator of dementia or Alzheimer's.  Kim Woollen, his wife of almost thirty years, sat by his side throughout the interview, sometimes correcting statements he made.  When queried about the diagnosis, Campbell responded, "I hadn't gotten it yet.  In fact, I don't even know where it came from."  Woollen chimed in, "Yes, you've been diagnosed with Alzheimer's."  When Campbell guessed his age as 78, she told him he is 75.  In speaking about his marriage, he said, "There's a verse in the bible that says, 'If the man findeth a good wife he's found a good thing,' and I found a good thing, or she found me," he said. "Did you find me or did I find you?"  She said they had found each other.

Fortunately, Campbell does remember the words to songs that made him famous.  The ABC interview video shows him singing "Wichita Lineman" at different stages of his career.  Other hits include "Gentle on My Mind", "Rhinestone Cowboy", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", and "Galveston".  He knew early in life that he didn't want to work picking cotton or corn, so he turned his love of the guitar and clear singing voice into a career.  For many years, the demands of touring and life on the road promoted heavy drinking.  Eventually, he stopped "cold turkey".




Ghost on the Canvas Album Cover

 His final album, Ghost on the Canvas, was recorded during 2009-2010 and will be released August 30, 2011.  Campbell and his wife delayed the announcement of his Alzheimer's diagnosis until recently.  They went public prior to the Good-bye Tour, so audiences wouldn't wonder why, if he forgets any of the lyrics. Campbell will be supported on tour by the band Instant People, which includes three of his youngest children. His son Cal plays drums, son Shannon plays guitar, and daughter Ashley plays banjo and keys.  His oldest daughter Debby sings harmony.  That tour should motivate fans to see him one last time. People of a certain age will know the lyrics to all of his songs by heart.



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Richard Branson's Caribbean Estate Destroyed by Fire Monday

Richard Branson's Necker Island Mansion

Lightning struck Richard Branson's eight-bedroom Great House on Necker Island in the Caribbean during Tropical Storm Irene Monday.  All twenty guests staying at the house escaped the blaze that completely destroyed the house.  Branson credits Kate Winslet, who was visiting with her two children, with the rescue of his 90-year-old mother Eve. Winslet sprang into action, swooped Mrs. Branson into her arms and ran to safety.   After fleeing the fire, Winslet remarked, "It's like being in a film set where you're waiting for the words 'cut' but they just don't come," according to Branson.  He and his wife, Joan, and son, Sam,  were staying in one of the five villas surrounding the Great House when the fire broke out.



Actress Kate Winslet Saved Branson's Mother


Branson plans to rebuild the palatial estate quickly, so that his daughter and her fiance can marry there in December as planned.  He has owned the island for over thirty years and has developed it into a tropical paradise, leaving much of the natural habitat to preserve the ecology of the land.  Stars such as Oprah Winfrey and Robert De Niro have frequented the island as paying guests at a cost of $54,000 per night.

Ham on Wry congratulates Ms. Winslow on her bravery in saving Branson's mother and sends Mr.Branson hopes for a timely reconstruction.

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The Help, A Must-see Movie

Emma Stone (left), Octavia Spencer (center), and Viola Davis (right)

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The Help is one of those movies that comes as close to perfection as exists in moviedom. I admit to a degree of snobbery when it came to seeing this movie, because I had read the book when it was first published and believed the movie version would disappoint me. Au contraire! Whoever did the casting deserves a special Academy Award for choosing the actors flawlessly. Emma Stone plays Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, an aspiring writer who has just graduated from "Ole Miss" and returns to Jackson, Mississippi to get some experience as a writer. Set in the early 60's, the story centers on two black maids who work for middle class white people and must deal with the "separate but equal" mentality of the South in that era. Skeeter observes the demeaning way that her friends treat their maids and decides to write a book that reveals how the maids view their lives and their employers.  This project poses great danger for Skeeter and the maids who contribute their stories, because it was illegal to promote a mixing of the races in that state.

Viola Davis plays Aibileen, a fifty-one year old maid whose only son died as the result of an accident at work.  She narrates the movie, and viewers see the world through her eyes.  Aibileen introduces us to Minnie Jackson, played by Octavia Spencer.  Minnie is a fiesty, opinionated woman, and,as Aibileen's best friend, has helped Aibileen through the tragedy of her loss.  Both Davis and Spencer display their consummate acting skills and evoke a range of emotions from the audience as they endure the injustices heaped on them.

Bryce Dallas Howard as Hilly Holbrook portrays her socialite character brilliantly with a twist of evil, while her facade of gentility falls apart under the scrutiny of Minnie, her maid.  Hilly's mother, played by Sissy Spacek, sees through Hilly's pretense and laughs at her missteps.  Skeeter and Hilly have been best friends for many years, but that changes as Skeeter recognizes Hilly's superficiality and mean-spiritiedness.

The Help made the audience laugh uproariously, cry frequently, and cheer when Hilly gets her comeuppance.  The Motion Picture Academy will have a conundrum when considering who will get Oscar nominations from this movie, because all of the major characters deserve that recognition.  It is the best, most engaging movie I have seen in many years.

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Ham on Wry Award--The Boston Tea Party

A Depiction of the Boston Tea Party December 16,1773

The Boston Tea Party erupted as a result of furor over the shipment of tea from the East India Compnay and prompted the dumping of the entire cargo into the Boston Harbor.  The Boston Tea Party Historical Society cites the words from a handbill posted November 29, 1773 throughout Boston,  "Friends! Brethren! Countrymen!--That worst of plagues, the detested tea, shipped for this port by the East India Company, is now arrived in the harbor."  This was not, however, the beginning of the protest. Colonial merchants, some of them smugglers, played a significant role in the protests. Although the Tea Act  of 1773 made legally imported tea cheaper, it threatened to put smugglers of Dutch tea out of business.  It also affected legitimate tea importers that the East India company had not named as consignees by potentially causing their financial ruin.

Except for Massachusetts, all the other colonies had mounted a successful campaign to convince the East India Company consignees to either resign their posts of return the tea to England.  However, Massachusetts Governor Hutchinson stood firmly against such action and convinced the consignees there not to resign, leading to the eventual tea dumping in Boston Harbor.  So, what was the big deal?  Colonists believed that only their elected officials had authority to levy taxes, not the British.  Thus, "The Sons of Liberty" were fighting against taxation without representation when they marched down to Griffin’s Wharf, boarded the three tea ships sitting in Boston Harbor, and threw 342 crates of tea into the water.  The so-called Tea Party of today bears little resemblance to the people who ignited a fire in the bellies of colonists who chafed under Britain's rule and set the Revolutionary War in motion.

The Tea Party has lost some of its credibility with reasoned, informed Americans because it expresses anger with no viable plans to improve the lot of the middle and lower classes.  "The Sons of Liberty" would have scoffed at the causes that Tea Party members support.  In a world where children are dying of starvation, sold into slavery, beaten and killed by those who should keep them safe, and lost in a foster care system overwhelmed by mounting caseloads, Tea Party members focus on banning abortion.  Michelle Bachmann states she would eliminate the capital gains tax, and they cheer.  Most Americans don't pay taxes on capital gains because they haven't amassed enough money to hit the baseline.  It certainly doesn't fall under the concept of taxation without representation.

Ham on Wry.believes that the Tea Party should hold a convention in Boston and bump up against a culture that actually understands the true meaning of liberty.  Mitt Romney must have forgotten every lesson he learned there, because he now supports ideas that were never part of his previous platform.  A New York Times/CBS News pol released earlier this week shows that 40% of respondents have an unfavorable opinion of the Tea Party.  Well, it's about time!  "The Sons of Liberty" can rest in peace.

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Actor Gerard Depardieu Escorted Off Plane After Urinating in Public

French Actor Gerard Depardieu

French actor Gerard Depardieu was removed after urinating at his seat Tuesday night when the cabin crew refused his request to use the bathroom because the plane was preparing for take-off.  .

Different versions of what happened next exist; however, they all agree on one thing.  Depardieu stood up and bellowed in French, "I need to piss!  I need to piss!"  A fellow passenger interviewed on France's Europe-1 radio said he appeared drunk when he stood, and then urinated on the floor.  Depardieu is no stranger to a wine bottle and has been known to drink up to 6 bottles of wine in a day.  A man traveling with Depardieu said he passed a mini Evian bottle for the actor to use, but it was too small to hold all of the urine, so some of it spilled onto the floor.  He excused Depardieu's actions by saying he has a prostate problem and was not drunk.



CNN's Anderson Cooper



Passengers on the one-hour flight from Paris to Dublin were delayed for two hours while the carpet was cleaned.  The French press has labeled the incident Pipigate, while Anderson Cooper used it as fodder for his Ridiculist. The normally straight-faced commentator fired off a series of puns, including The actor had "created his own jet stream" and "I wonder if he flies Incontinental". He cracked up when he said "Depar-doo" and laughed until tears formed, practically falling off his chair.

Ham on Wry warns against trying this to garner a few laughs.  However, in a time when each day's news brings more woes, Depardieu gave the world a little laughter, albeit at the expense of his fellow passengers.

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Arizona Father Saves 6-year-old Girl From Would-be Adductor

24-year-old Antonio Diaz Chacon, Now a Hero

Antonio Diaz Chacon left work early Monday afternoon in Albuquerque, NM, so that he could spend time with his family and emerged a hero for his quick action in thwarting the kidnapping of a 6-year-old girl. Diaz Chacon and his family were doing laundry at a relative's home when he heard a commotion and saw a man throw a young girl in a van and speed away. He gave chase to the van, following it on a winding path through area neighborhoods and finally catching it when the driver crashed into a pole and fled the scene.

Chacon rescued the girl and returned her to the mobile home park where it all started.  As he chased the kidnapper, his wife and one of the girl's siblings called 911 and reported the crime.  The little girl had gone to the house where she was abducted to pick up a package of tostadas, later found in the van.  Police also found  packing tape and a tie-down strap hidden under a rock just 25 feet from the van.

"This little girl was very lucky," police Sgt. Tricia Hoffman said. "We can only guess what would have happened to this child.  Throughout the county we see situations like this and they do not end typically well," 



Phillip Garcia Arrested in Abduction (picture from KRQE in NM)

Police arrested Phillip Garcia, 29, after he returned to the van and tried to escape.  He got stuck on a mesa where he was apprehended.  Garcia was charged with kidnapping, child abuse and tampering with evidence.  He refused to make a statement and called a lawyer.

The victim's parents thanked Diaz Chacon and his wife for saving their daughter, saying they would never forget their instant response to an emergency.  That little girl might not have been saved if Chacon hadn't left work early.



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BP Still Not "Off the Hook" for Damages to Marine LIfe from Deepwater Horizon Spill

A Bottle-nosed Dolphin Captured in Barataria Bay for Testing August 15th

Scientific research is being conducted on dolphins in Louisiana, to determine what, if any, effects from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill still sicken or kill marine life in the area of the spill.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is conducting the tests after obtaining a required permit to examine the mammals.  The researchers collected samples of blood, urine, feces, and blubber, as well as checking teeth and mapping organs.  When released, dolphins receive marks on their dorsal fins, identifying their scientific names.  The project tracks the dolphins by using radio and satellite transmitters attached to their top fin.

Research on other aquatic life is also required under the same Oil Spill Act of 1990 that applies to the dolphin research.  Results of the testing should establish whether or not a direct link exists between the deaths and ailments of the various creatures studied and the BP spill in April 2010. The findings from the dolphin research will be compared to those of a similar dolphin study in Sarasota, Florida.

The furor over the spill has calmed now that tourists have returned to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida, but many claims filed by businesses adversely affected by the spill have not yet been paid.  BP ran a proliferation of ads using Louisiana and Mississippi fisherman saying they were satisfied with their compensation from the oil company,  Ham on Wry views them with skepticism, however.  Too many articles and TV news stories still deal with dissatisfied people whose businesses have failed or never returned to previous levels.

Dolphins and other sea creatures don't have a compensation fund, so it's up to the public to maintain a vigil to ensure they receive medical treatment and protection from the oil's ill effects.  

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Warren Buffett Tells Congress to Stop Coddling the Super Rich

Warren E. Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

Warren Buffett chastised Congress in a NY Times op-ed piece Sunday for its refusal to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans.  Buffett wrote in part, "While the poor and middle class fight for us in Afghanistan, and while most Americans struggle to make ends meet, we mega-rich continue to get our extraordinary tax breaks. Some of us are investment managers who earn billions from our daily labors but are allowed to classify our income as 'carried interest,' thereby getting a bargain 15 percent tax rate. Others own stock index futures for 10 minutes and have 60 percent of their gain taxed at 15 percent, as if they’d been long-term investors.

These and other blessings are showered upon us by legislators in Washington who feel compelled to protect us, much as if we were spotted owls or some other endangered species. It’s nice to have friends in high places.
Last year my federal tax bill — the income tax I paid, as well as payroll taxes paid by me and on my behalf — was $6,938,744. That sounds like a lot of money. But what I paid was only 17.4 percent of my taxable income — and that’s actually a lower percentage than was paid by any of the other 20 people in our office. Their tax burdens ranged from 33 percent to 41 percent and averaged 36 percent."

Ham on Wry encourages readers to study his words carefully in order to grasp the full meaning of his message to Congress.  The last paragraph graphically presents a strong case for his entreaty.  While Buffett paid more money that most of us will ever earn, it totaled just 17.4% of his taxable income.  He explains, " To understand why, you need to examine the sources of government revenue. Last year about 80 percent of these revenues came from personal income taxes and payroll taxes. The mega-rich pay income taxes at a rate of 15 percent on most of their earnings but pay practically nothing in payroll taxes. It’s a different story for the middle class: typically, they fall into the 15 percent and 25 percent income tax brackets, and then are hit with heavy payroll taxes to boot."

Buffett proposes that Congress add two new tax brackets to add revenues. The first will apply to those earning between $1 million and $10 million, and the second for those earning over $10 million.  The first bracket would cover approximately 237,000 people and the second only about 8,000.  Those people receive the most tax advantages, and, in so doing, place a heavier burden on those who earn less than $1 million and keep a larger percentage of their money.

Amy Bingham from ABC World News wrote online, Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann told the Wall Street Journal 's Stephen more in June that if elected she would eliminate the capital gains tax, which Buffett said should be increased and amend the tax code so every American pays income tax.  By eliminating the capital gains tax, which is currently 15 percent, the Tax Policy Center estimates that about 23,000 millionaires would no longer have to pay income tax because their only income comes from capital gains. This move would add $11 billion to the federal deficit, according to Forbes.

Many Americans pay little attention to the ramifications of candidates' proposals until its too late.  Buffett has more knowledge about finance and investing than the majority of people sitting in Congress currently.  The notion that raising taxes would cause job loss and curtail investment doesn't wash.  Thank you, Warren Buffett.  Perhaps many voters who have been "asleep at the wheel" will educate themselves before they cast their next vote.    

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Five Die When Stage Collapses at Indiana State Fair

Lights and rigging for a Sugarland concert a the Indiana State Fair crashed to the ground Saturday, just before 9 pm when the featured act was scheduled to appear, sending concertgoers fleeing for their lives.  An earlier announcement over the loudspeaker warned the crowd that predictions of a severe storm might necessitate an evacuation, and they should find shelter if ordered to leave.  That order never came.  An unexpected, sudden strong wind that reached 60-70 mph hurled dust and dirt on the crowd and caused the tragedy that killed five people and sent dozens to the hospital.  Some are suffering from life-threatening injuries, so more deaths might occur.

Gov. Mitch Daniels called the accident an "unthinkable tragedy" and said the wind burst was a "fluke" that no one could have foreseen. Dan McCarthy, chief meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Indiana, said the wind gust that caused the collapse was much stornger than winds in other areas of the fairgrounds.

Emergency crews arrived on the scene and immediately started carrying the injured out on stretchers. At the same time, many members of the audience had returned to the scene and worked to lift metal scaffolding off people pinned beneath it. Eventually, the police brought in dogs to search the debris for any people who might still be trapped. 

Jennifer Nettles said she watched coverage of the stage toppling "in horror."  She and Kristian Bush, who perform as Sugarland, canceled their show today at the Iowa State Fair. 

Tammy Vandam, 42, of Wanatah, Indiana; Glenn Goodrich, 49, of Indianapolis; Alina BigJohny, 23 of Fort Wayne and Christina Santiago, 29, of Chicago, according to the Marion County Coroner's office died at the scene.  Stagehand Nate Byrd, 51, who was on the stage rigging to run the show's spotlight, died Sunday at Methodist Hospital.  Ham on Wry sends condolences to the families of the deceased.

Fair officials said the Indiana Occupational Health and Safety Administration and state fire marshal's office are investigating, but it could take several months before they finalize the inquiry.


  

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Ham on Wry Award--Charla Nash

Charla Nash has emerged as a model of courage in overcoming immense obstacles resulting from a male chimp attack that robbed her of her nose, eyes, lips, and hands in 2009.  The 200-pound chimp, owned by a friend, attacked without warning and police later killed the animal, which then posed a danger to society.  When Ms. Nash appeared on Oprah later that year, she revealed the damage done to her face by lifting the veil that she wore in public.  Ham on Wry has chosen not to use that photo, but interested readers can see a gallery of Charla Nash pictures online. It includes a picture of how she looked then, and readers can access it by using any of the major search engines and inputting her name in the search box.  

Charla Nash on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2009

After coping with the various disabilities implicit with the kind of trauma she suffered, Charla underwent a facial transplant in May, only the third ever attempted in the United States.  An anonymous female donor provided the face, hands, and other tissue used in the complex surgery that lasted for twenty hours.  She developed pneumonia, which affected the hand transplants and necessitated their removal, but doctors plan a second transplant of hands, if conditions allow.  When asked for a statement about the operations, Nash replied, "I will now be able to do things I once took for granted. I will be able to smell. I will be able to eat normally. I will no longer be disfigured. I will have lips and will speak clearly once again. I will be able to kiss and hug loved ones."  Those abilities were lost to her until she had the transplant.

Briana Nash Visits Her Mother After Surgery

Throughout her ordeal, Charla has maintained a positive attitude and hopes now to experience life with a modicum of normalcy now.  Ham on Wry wishes her well and hopes that she will eventually have the use of some new hands following a second transplant.

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12-year-old Girl Makes Drowning Boy's Rescue Possible

Nicole Kissel on Left Was First to Respond to "Dale" Ostrander's, on right, Calls for Help

Last Friday, Charles "Dale" Ostrander met Nicole Kissel under strange circumstances, and he wouldn't be alive today had she not risked her life to try and save him from drowning.  Nicole was bodyboarding in the Pacific off the coast of Long Beach, Washington, when she heard repeated cries for help.  She immediately turned her board and paddled toward him, as her father shouted his concerns about the rip tide.  When she reached Dale, also twelve, she slipped off the board and managed to get him aboard.  For a moment, Nicole entertained thoughts of dying, but Dale urged her on. 

With no warning, a wave slammed into them, knocking both back into the water and pushing them to the bottom.  Nicole pushed Dale to the surface, but he disappeared from view when she reached the board.  At that point, Nicole's father, Shanon, pulled her to safety.  A rescue team led by Eddie Mendez, a volunteer water rescuer, arrived and eventually located Dale.  Mendez got Dale to the beach where emergency responders gave him CPR, but his pulse didn't return until they reached the hospital.  Without Nicole's quick action, Dale would have drowned because he couldn't swim.

Ham on Wry gives a big "thumb's up" to Nicole, who placed herself in grave danger without giving it a second thought.  She visited Dale in the hospital the day after his rescue, and he managed a few words of thanks, although he was still not completely out of danger.  Doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

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Governor Rick Scott Sells Doughnuts for 21/2 Hours August 3rd to Raise Approval Ratings

Governor Rick Scott Sells Doughnuts to Customers

 

Florida Governor Rick Scott sold doughnuts to patrons of Nicola's Donuts and Bakery in Tampa last Wednesday in an apparent effort to boost his dismal approval ratings.  Ham on Wry believes that Scott appears more comfortable in this role than he does in the governor's seat.  He's had a lot to learn since he took office in January. He's finally discovered that he couldn't hold closed-door meetings with anyone of his choosing without violating Florida's Sunshine Law that dictates open meetings must be held when state business is discussed.  Readers might find it interesting that Florida voters elected a governor who takes pride in the fact that he doesn't read Florida newspapers and found it distasteful when he realized that he was required to sign his first death warrant for an execution August 2nd.  Ham on Wry suggests that a standardized test might be necessary to determine whether a candidate qualifies for office in Florida. If high students must do so to graduate under state law, why not require one for those who make decisions for our state? Just asking.

As for Scott's approval rating, he did have a 6% rise from 29% to 35% following his doughnut adventure. However, Ham on Wry hopes that voters don't change their minds as easily as the poll suggests, based on superficial acts. Scott's handlers tightly control his exposure to anyone who isn't a supporter, so it's possible the customers at Nicola's had been screened before entering. Even if that didn't happen, Scott had a long counter to protect him from disgruntled citizens. Doughnut Boy's journey into the real world might have exposed him to some harsh truths. He has angered many people in this state, especially educators, environmentalists, and groups that oversee voting rights and registration. Selling doughnuts doesn't erase all the damage he's done thus far in his administration. One can only hope that he will see the error of his ways before the next legislative session

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True Identities of Crossroads GPS and Americans for Prosperity Revealed



Karl Rove,  Mastermind Behind Crossroads GPS

Karl Rove may be gone from the limelight, but he has not forgotten his sworn duty to mislead the public on political matters.  Ham on Wry first noticed political ads sponsored by Crossroads GPS, which Rove conceived, last year, but paid little attention then.  However, of late, this blogs has investigated this supposed 501 (c) (4) organization because of an ad about President Obama two months ago and now an ad running in Florida about Senator Bill Nelson.  The first ad lays blame for rising unemployment, a failed stimulus package, and a large national debt at Obama's feet.  Forget the fact that President Obama inherited the financial debacle that occurred under President Bush's leadership with the domino effect of unemployment, the mortgage crisis and failed financial institutions.  The second ad targets Senator Bill Nelson as bearing responsibility for all of the ills that currently face our nation.  Both illustrate the failure of our campaign election laws to deal with truth in advertising.  In fact, one must look carefully to find the source of these types of ads because the names of the organizations are listed at the end of the ad at the bottom of the screen. 

Even more disturbing than the ads, Crossroads GPS funnels huge contributions from unknown conservative donors to fund negative advertising against Democratic candidates under the 501 (c) (4) designation, a category for social welfare groups.  According to established tax code, section 527 was written specifically for political action groups, which by any definition, better describes Crossroads GPS.  Legally, the government has not granted Crossroads GPS 501 (c) (4) status, but organizational literature identifies it as such. 

Americans for Prosperity is another such 501 (c) (4) organization, founded in 2004 with major support from Koch Industries.  This entity should not be confused with the charitable foundation Americans for Prosperity Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) organization.  The August 30, 2010 issue of The New Yorker, reported that the Kochs have a reputation for"creating slippery organizations with generic-sounding names."  These shadowy outfits "make it difficult to ascertain the extent of their influence in Washington."  AFP provided financial backing for the Tax Day Tea Party in 2009 and recently sent out mailers in Wisconsin to Democratic voters that listed the wrong date as the deadline to return absentee ballots for a recall election tomorrow.  The mailer listed August 11th as the deadline instead of August 9th.  For the past two weeks, Ham on Wry has noticed a seemingly unending barrage of AFP ads blaming President Obama for rising debt and unemployment.  It ends with the female narrator imploring the president to "Put America;s Needs Before Partisan Politics." 

That plea is one of the most facetious in any recent ad.  Instead of asking that of the president, AFP should aim it at the Republican Party, specifically the Tea Party wing of the Republican Party.  They are the ones who displayed blatant partisanship in the debate over raising the debt ceiling. Ham on Wry calls for all informed citizens to protest this kind of manipulation from whatever source it comes.  In fact, voters must demand that campaigns should be run in person and not on television, except in the form of candidate debates where strict rules apply.  Let's show these wealthy ochestrators that the American people are not puppets.  Send them a message stating, "We're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it any more!"

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Stock Market Falls 634.76 Points--Tea Party Plays a Big Part in the Drop

Stock Market Has Biggest Drop in a Single Day Since 2008 

The Dow Jones Average closed today almost 635 points lower than it did Friday, greatly influenced by S&P's downgrade of the US credit rating Friday.  Thanks to the Tea Party's intransigent stand on attacking Social Security and Medicare, the deal on raising the debt ceiling came down to the wire and was signed into law on the last possible day before default.  Ham on Wry cautions readers not to blame President Obama for this financial debacle and asks them to remember that he asked for a budget deficit plan of at least four trillion dollars in reductions.  This can be laid squarely at the feet of the Tea Party members of the Republican Party, and readers should remember that at the polls next year.  This situation occurred when voters "threw the baby out with the bath water" and elected members of Congress who have no idea of what they're doing.

Wall Street Traders React to Market Decline





Several ramifications exist for this country's citizens, but probably the most widespread impact will occur in the housing sector because the S&P downgraded the credit ratings of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac this morning.  Together, they back about 50% of US mortgages.  In essence, S&P is stating a lowered level of confidence in these two institutions, which can be compared to lowering an individual's credit rating.  Both result in higher costs of borrowing.  For those with Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) tied to fed rates, you can breathe a sigh of relief.  The Fed meets Tuesday and has already pledged to keep rates low.  HELOCs tied to treasuries are more volatile.  Other types of consumer loans that aren't tied to fed funds shouldn't be adversely affected.  For example, credit card rates are usually tied to the prime rate set by the Fed, so little change should occur.

Congress now faces a mammoth task, if the US is to regain its AAA credit rating in a short time.  A committee of six Republicans and six Democrats has been charged with the task of finding a means of reducing the deficit by $2.1 trillion as part of the compromise enacted into law.  Partisanship should play absolutely no part in these negotiations.  In fact, this group will best serve the nation by finding a mix of expenditures to cut and ways to raise revenue, the first of which should be higher income tax rates on wealthy individuals.  Ham on Wry has grown weary of the rhetoric that proclaims higher taxes mean job cuts.  Wealthy individuals have had low tax rates since the Bush tax cuts and jobs have steadily declined.  The time to deal with reality has long passed.  Just do it!

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Shabab Islamists Rebels Depart Mogadishu

                                                Mother holds starving child in Mogadishu

As Somalis cheered in the streets of Mogadishu Saturday night, Islamist Shabab rebels left by the truckload, finally opening the door for aid to the famine-stricken city in a region plagued for years by lack of adequate food.  The rebel group prevented relief groups from distributing food and water to the starving population, preferring to watch them die rather than receive help from foreign nations.   More than 100,000 famine victims are waiting for help.  UN officials estimate tens of thousands have already died and almost four million people, of which half a million  are children, will die if they don't receive nourishment soon.

A starving child waits for food in a Mogadishu Camp

Al-Shabab's departure came as a surprise to the Somali government.  Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Somalia’s new, Harvard-educated prime minister, told reporters that Somalia had been waiting for this opportunity for three years.  Guardian.co.uk stated that "Somali government soldiers and African Union(AU) peacekeepers have moved tentatively to secure former rebel-held areas in Mogadishu, a day after al-Shabaab insurgents announced a retreat from the city."  They faced little resistance as they entered the city, so the government views that as an encouraging sign.  Some analysts attribute the rebels' retreat as a sign of increasing division in the ranks of the Islamist groups related to their blocking aid to their starving fellow citizens of Somali.  Whatever the reason, Ham on Wry celebrates the news.

Now, the hard work can begin in earnest in Mogadishu.  But readers must bear in mind that the rebels still occupy most of southern Somalia.  Al-Shabab rebels operate from a particularly cruel mindset and could prevent people in other regions from receiving aid.  The world is reeling from bad economic news; however, when one sees the pictures included in this blog and others from various news outlets, it puts economic woes in perspective.  Every reader with a computer can help the situation in Somalia with one click on, and even more by buying products from,  www.thehungersite.com.  Ham on Wry urges everyone who reads this blog to do so.  A small act multiplied by hundreds or thousands makes a huge difference.

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Ham on Wry Award-The House and the Senate's Ineptitude

Representative John Boehner with President Obama

Senator Harry Reid

Ham on Wry blasts both the House of Representatives and the Senate for different reasons this week, but please note that the House Republicans deserve the wrath of the American public for stretching the debate about raising the debt ceiling far more than the Democratic Senators, who allowed a two-week shutdown of the FAA because they wanted to preserve funding to regional airports.  More specifically, Ham on Wry considers the Tea Party wing of the Republican Party the most heinous culprits in the protracted negotiations to allow the country to handle its financial obligations by raising the debt ceiling.  In the end, Tea Party representatives' machinations came to naught, because Medicare and Social Security were spared for the moment.

Taking the United States down to the wire the last day before default, shows massive ignorance on the part of those who didn't understand the implications of their actions.  Moody's did not lower the country's AAA rating, but it did cite a negative outlook, which might signal an eventual downgrade.  In addition, skittishness developed in foreign markets as a result of the potential debacle in the US and contributed to this week's precipitous drop in the stock market here.  Yesterday, the market spiraled downward to hit its lowest value since 2008.

The Senators who refused to budge on FAA funding caused a loss of $400 million in taxes to the federal government.  However, that amounts to an almost infinitesimal portion of the damage done by the House.  Last evening, lawmakers reached a bipartisan agreement on a bill that President Obama signed today.  Whew!  At least that issue won't dominate the news for months.

American voters should have learned a valuable lesson in watching Congress in action this session. Take an interest in learning about the people you vote into office. Next year, representatives are up for re-election. Make certain to peruse their voting record, which you can do online or with the help of a local librarian. Pay little attention to ads that come from sources other than the candidates or the party to which they belong, and view even those with skepticism.  This takes work, but it's one of the most important responsibilities you have as a citizen. Shame on the members of Congress who gave us so much angst! Shame on us, if we allow this to continue!

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Bubba Smith Dies at 66

Bubba Smith, pictured above in his role as Moses Hightower in the Police Academy movies died yesterday.  No cause of death has yet been determined, but investigators found no evidence of foul play.  Ham on Wry mourns his loss along with the millions of football fans who followed his pro career, as well as movie fans who followed his acting career.  Smith also starred in Miller Lite commercials with another former pro football player, Dick Butkus.  Although Alex Karras didn't appear in those commercials, the three formed a formidable trio of friends.

Bubba played football at Michigan State University, where I met him at a party.  At 6'7", he was a foot taller than I, and when he shook my hand, his hand engulfed mine, making it look like a small child's.  Smith was well regarded by his teammates and a powerful defensive player who was quicker than one would expect from such a large man  When he took the field, the Michigan State fans chanted, "Kill Bubba, Kill!", which always sent the crowd into a frenzy. 

Many readers might not know about his exploits as a football start, but he is worth investigating.  He made helping others his focus after leaving football and is remembered fondly by director Guy Magar, who states, "He was a special soul, a gentle giant, as kind and caring on the film set as he was feared and terrifying to every quarterback that ever faced him on the gridiron" (quote from Los Angeles Times story).  Ham on Wry bids farewell to a hero both on and off  the field. 

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Actor Matt Damon Speaks Out on Teacher Tenure

Matt Damon gave a keynote address Saturday, July 30th, at the Save Our Schools Rally in Washington DC, which he attended with his mother, a Boston child development specialist.  He attained instant folk hero status with American educators as a result not only of his speech, but also because he excoriated a journalist from Reason.TV.   She theorized that teachers lack incentive to work hard under a tenure system.  She continued, "In acting, there isn't job security, right? There's incentive to work hard and be a better actor because you want to have a job, so why isn't it like that for teachers?"

With no hesitation, Damon responded as quoted in ThirdAge.com, "So you think job insecurity is what makes me work hard? I want to be an actor. That’s not an incentive. That’s the thing. See, you take this MBA-style thinking, right? It’s the problem with ed policy right now, this intrinsically paternalistic view of problems that are much more complex than that. It’s like saying a teacher is going to get lazy when they have tenure. A teacher wants to teach. I mean, why else would you take a sh***y salary and really long hours and do that job unless you really love to do it?"  Right on, Matt!  Ham on Wry also notes that teacher incentives, if ever offered, would only amount to a fraction of the incentive offered in major businesses.

Ham on Wry enthusiastically supports Damon's response.  Its author worked in public education for several years and can attest to the fact that one must love teaching to choose that profession.  People seem to think that because they attended a public school, they understand all there is to know about American education.  Wrong!  The US is the only country in the world that guarantees a free public school education that comprises 12 or 13 years, depending on whether kindergarten is offered at no charge.  Ham on Wry believes that every naysayer should visit a classroom in a public school for a month and then see how they feel about the workload. 

Teachers may have contractual hours and a two-and-half-month summer vacation, but they earn that several times over.  Teachers pay taxes, some of which are earmarked for teacher salaries.  Not many professionals actually contribute to their own salaries.  The journalist from Reason.TV came across as smug in her questioning, so Ham on Wry would order her into the classroom for a semester, if it had the power.  When taxes dictate the amount a school district can pay teachers, the only way to add attractive incentive pay is to raise taxes.  That has little chance of ever bringing significant money to the table.  Further, does the American public actually want people in the classroom who value money over motivating students to learn?  Reason.TV erred in choosing that reporter to attend the march.  She has much to learn about the value.of positively affecting the lives of students.  Admit it, executives of Reason.TV!  That journalist's leading question is unforgivable in reporting the news.   

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Gabrielle Giffords, the Shining Light in House Vote on Debt Ceiling



Gabrielle Giffords returned to Washington yesterday for one reason only: to cast her vote for the bill to raise the debt ceiling.  The entire assembly burst into enthusiastic applause when she entered the chamber.  Few representatives knew she would appear, and surprise was evident when they saw her.  Despite her arduous road to recovery, Giffords felt that her constituency needed her to vote on the measure, and she expressed serious concern about what would happen to the country if the bill failed.  Her office released a statement in which she said: "I had to be here for this vote. I could not take the chance that my absence could crash our economy." The bill passed 269-161, making her journey all the more note worthy because passage occurred with a large margin..

For the first time since all of the bickering and infighting started in the House of Representatives over what the bill would contain, the members experienced unanimity in showing emotion and joy in Giffords return.  Ham on Wry wishes that the harmony would continue in future dealings over reducing the federal budget deficit, but that dream will not come true.  The standing ovation that Representative Giffords received will soon fade from memory, and the acrimony will commence yet again.

Ham on Wry fervently hopes that Congresswoman Giffords' recuperation progresses successfully, so that she can resume her duties full time.  She returned to Houston to continue her therapy and has not yet decided whether she will run next year.  If her condition doesn't allow her to run or she simply chooses not to, Arizona will lose a true heroine.  Giffords faced an uncertain recovery with grace, courage, and dignity and serves as a symbol of the kind of attitude and determination missing in so many members of the House.  They act in a self-serving manner with little regard for the country's best interests.  Although Moody's retained its Triple A rating for the country, US financial status teeters.  In all of this turmoil, let us remember Gabrielle Giffords selfless behavior and demand more from the childish politicians who behave like spoiled brats.

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