This is the piece of trash that will be replacing Jay Leno next year?

At Breitbart: NBC’s Conan O’Brien Tells Crude Joke About Palin’s Daughter

For those that don’t want to waste their bandwidth — or their IQ points watching the video — here’s the transcript:

Conan O’Brien: During [Sarah Palin’s] speech [at the Republican National Convention] — I don’t know if you saw this — Sarah Palin spoke proudly about being a hockey mom.

That’s what she said…yeah, yeah.

It’s unknown what positions her kids play, but one of ’em isn’t very good at protecting the crease.

[Scattered jeers and applauses.]

Okay, then…that joke’s going to follow me around for awhile.

What the …?: Hanna to hit Ireland/Scotland at Tropical Storm strength?

That’s what the track from the National Hurricane Center says.

Yesterday, the track was heading directly to the Irish coast.

Now it’s supposed to head a little bit north of Ireland to Scotland.

Luck of the Irish, eh?

A couple years ago, the remnants of a hurricane made it to Ireland and Britain but it was barely at tropical depression strength (wind speeds of less than 39 mph).

Hanna, however, is expected to be at tropical storm strength (wind speeds between 39 mph to 73 mph) went it gets near Ireland.

UPDATE, Sept. 6, 5:30 a.m.: The 5 a.m. update to the track now shows the tropical storm completely missing both Ireland and Scotland.

UPDATE, Sept. 6, 5:30 p.m.: The new 5 p.m. track shows the tropical storm heading towards the Faroe Islands at tropical storm strength.

For those ignorant of European geography, those are the Danish controlled islands between Scotland and Iceland.

Two Search Warrants Executed in Ruther Glen Area

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office:

According to Sheriff A. A. “Tony” Lippa, the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division assisted Stafford County Sheriff’s Office with the execution of a search warrant of a Ruther Glen address. Elvis Usual, Jr 28, of Ruther Glen was charged on a warrant from Stafford County for Aggravated Malicious Wounding.

In another non related incident, the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Investigators and Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) were deployed to assist the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents with the execution of a Federal Search Warrant early this morning. “Since this is an ongoing Federal Investigation, no further information will be released from this office. Further inquiries should be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Richmond, VA at 804-819-5400” Sheriff Lippa stated.

So, what did I think of the premieres of Prison Break and The Shield?

Meh.

That’s right, meh.

What’s there to say about Prison Break?

One character was killed (James Whistler), one character appeared to be killed in the first hour yet was shown to be in a secret prison in the second hour (Gretchen Morgan).

Oh yeah, they also brought back a character (Sara Tancredi) who was killed off last season and whom producers said was really dead and wasn’t going to come back. Tancedi was, of course, killed off following a contract dispute between FOX and her portrayer Sarah Wayne Callies, whom had just had her first child.

Good one producers; way to screw with your viewers.

Not to mention, I saw this coming when I saw the episode where Tancredi was originally killed off.

And then there’s the plot holes.

How the heck does a trained driver for “The Company” not notice that there is a Toyota SUV following him around everywhere he goes?

How do the dozen or so security guards at this guy’s property not notice the two morons in the same SUV sitting across the street watching the house for hours on end?

Hell, “The Company” is supposed to be so powerful and wealthy; but damn, do they have trouble finding competent people to work for them!

The Shield‘s premiere was pretty much the same as usual. Mind you, that is the standard operating procedure for season premieres for The Shield (season one being the exception to the rule).

The season usually starts kinda slow and builds until there’s something really dramatic at the end of the season (e.g., Money Train heist at the end of season two, the Strike Team breaking up at the end of season three, Lem’s death at the end of season five, etc.)

However, what’s the common definition of insanity? “Doing the same thing over-and-over again and expecting different results”?

Apparently no one ever told this to Vic Mackey.

This time he’s trying to turn the Armenian Mob against the Mexican Mob.

How many times has he tried to turn one gang against another, and all hell has broken loose?

And why did the producers have to bring that annoying bum Billings back? He’s probably the most annoying and worst character on the show. Let Dutch fly solo or pair him up with Danny (no pun intended).

Oh yeah, and get rid of Tina. She’s as annoying as Billings.

A good cause: National Suit Drive

Sponsored by the Men’s Wearhouse:

Our Commitment
Here at Men’s Wearhouse®, we believe in committing ourselves to the communities that we serve. We feel that being a socially responsible company is just as important as providing excellent customer service or quality products. That’s why, in conjunction with our 35th anniversary, we’re sponsoring our first annual National Suit Drive.

A Second Chance
For many unemployed men, a new suit is the first step toward a second chance. During the National Suit Drive, every one of our over 550 stores will be collecting gently used professional attire to benefit at-risk men and youth transitioning into the workforce. All clothing we receive will be distributed throughout the community by local nonprofit organizations. Click here to see the complete list of nonprofits.

For more information visit: http://www.nationalsuitdrive.com/

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending August 30, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office:

On August 24, 2008, Deputy C.A. Heywood was on patrol in the Ruther Glen area when he encountered Christopher T. Sams, 21, of Mechanicsville, Lauren L. Ashley, 20, of Quinton, and Jessica N. Marshburn, 20, of Glen Allen. Upon further investigation, all three individuals were charged with trespassing and Marshburn was also charged with Underage Consumption of Alcohol. All three individuals were released on a summons and a court date of October 1, 2008 was set.

On August 24, 2008, Deputy C.A. Heywood was on patrol in the Ruther Glen area when he encountered Samuel G. Smith, II, 20, of Mechanicsville, Kayla L. Cagwin, 21, of Richmond, and Heather A. Snow, 20, of Richmond. Upon further investigation, all three individuals were charged with trespassing and were released on a summons. A court date of October 1, 2008 was set.

On August 24, 2008, Deputy T.P. Connolly was on patrol in the Ruther Glen area when he encountered Michael L. Shifflett, 28, of Richmond, Tiffany L. Blot, 23, of Ashland, and Christopher R. Hunnewell, 22, of Richmond. Upon further investigation, all three individuals were charged with trespassing and were released on a summons. A court date of October 1, 2008 was set.

On August 25, 2008, Deputy C.A. Heywood was on patrol in the Ruther Glen area when he encountered Quincy L. Anderson, 34, of Woodford and Angelic M. Gallop, 26, of Washington, D.C. Upon further investigation, both individuals were charged with trespassing and were released on a summons. A court date of October 1, 2008 was set.

On August 27, 2008, Sgt. J.W. McCarty responded to Bowling Green for a report of a domestic assault. After further investigation, Robert R. Waller, 52, of Bowling Green was charged with Domestic Assault. He was held on a $1,000 secured bond and a court date of August 29, 2008 was set.

On August 28, 2008, Deputy J.S. Perry responded to Bowling Green for a report of a Bad Check, which had occurred in the past. Upon investigating, Tanya R. Bentley, 25, of Rappahannock Academy was charged with Felony Bad Check. She was released on a $2,500 unsecured bond and a court date of September 10, 2008 was set.

On August 29, 2008, Sgt. R.L. Hixson stopped Victor Lewis, 48, of Plains, NY, for a traffic violation. Upon further investigation, Lewis was charged with Drive on a Suspended CDL-2nd offense, Fail to Obey a Highway Sign and Possession of Cocaine. He was held on a $5,000 secured bond and a court date of September 5, 2008 was set.

On August 30, 2008, Deputy C.M. Hall was on patrol in Ruther Glen when he encountered Robert W. Wise, 63, of Manassas. After further investigation, Wise was charged with Possession of Marijuana. He was released on a summons and a court date of October 3, 2008 was set.

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Wrap Up

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, Caroline Deputies made 8 drug arrests, 1 DUI arrests, 11 domestic violence arrests, and 83 other criminal arrests during the past week. The deputies served 240 civil papers, issued 236 traffic summonses, handled 12 motor vehicle crashes, responded to 42 alarm calls, and dealt with 42 juvenile offenders. The Sheriff’s Office Communications Center dispatched 627 calls for service and handled 2,048 telephone inquiries. The CCSO also logged 35 calls assisting outside agencies and had 289 self-initiated calls.

Charges brought in vandalism spree in Lake Caroline.

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office:

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, during the late evening of August 12 and early morning of August 13, approximately 31 incidents of vandalism were reported in the Lake Caroline subdivision.  The majority of these involved vandalism to mailboxes but included other property damage as well.  The total damages reached into the thousands of dollars.

On August 29, 2008, Investigator B. L. Fedder obtained information on suspects in these offenses while investigating another matter.  As a result of the follow up investigation by Deputy DiGravio-Ferguson, Investigator Fedder and Sergeant Rozell, a total of 93 juvenile petitions are being obtained on 3 juvenile suspects.  These charges clear all of the vandalisms that were reported that night.  While their innocence is presumed until conviction, if convicted, restitution will be sought.

“I am very pleased that we were able to solve these crimes through the efforts of our deputies.  Vandalism is typically one of the hardest crimes to solve, and this evening was particularly disturbing because it did involve so many victims,” said Sheriff Lippa.  “I encourage anyone who may have information about this or any crime to call our anonymous tip line at (804) 633-1133.  Only by working together will we continue to solve these types of crimes.”

While these juveniles are not currently suspects in other incidents, it is still an active and ongoing investigation.

A great post about morality at Ace of Spades HQ.

A sample (with some editing for language):

Another goon steps in to say…

Actually, this is not a good thing. It is a statement that some of those familly values that Sarah [Palin] is advancing could not even be passed along to her own kid.

I still like Palin, but, if true, this is not good.

It’s this punitive and unrealistic worldview that gives conservatives, and especially conservative Christians, a bad name.

Listen up, Stupid: You can do “all the right things” and live your life according to Christ and teach your kids values and all that stuff, but guess what? You’re still going to sin.

Your religion, in fact, explicitly states that no one is without sin, except Christ, so implying otherwise is a direct heresy against Christ’s teachings.

And furthermore so will your kids sin. And their grandkids.

The worldview is utterly naive and unrealistic, which would simply be chuckleworthy, if not for the other part of it: Because there is among some this heretical belief that accepting Christ is a perfect defense against all sins, these j***offs become nasty and gleefully judgmental about others falling short. It’s not really morality; it’s just a pretext for self-celebration and exulting in the travails of others.

Christ didn’t ask you to be smug nasty p****, did He? No, I don’t think that’s among his teachings.

[…]

No one wants to be preached at. Or rather, some like being preached at, but for a couple of hours on Saturday or Sunday, thank you, and by a representative off the church we’ve selected, and not 24/7 by an endless parade of Concern Scolds who have appointed themselves Conscience Ministers Without Portfolio and General Universal Missionaries for Caring.

But the same effect happens when strict moral conservatives just won’t give it a f***ing rest about sex and older forms of conventional morality. There is not a much bigger audience for that, either. It’s not as if people are looking to be bullied without pause by self-appointed Morality Inspectors all godd*** day long, and it’s just that we dislike the particular service offered by the liberal moral scolds.

Call this Morality Fatigue. Yes, I kind of agree with most of what you say about morality, at least to some extent. But you know what? I didn’t f***ing ask you to serve as my substitute conscience, nor to be my proxy in moral scolding anyone who errs, and if I were seeking someone to fill such a position, I’d want to see a resume and references first. I’d want to know that you actually are qualified for the position.

And, quite frankly, your enthusiasm for this job does not count in your favor, nor does your presumptuousness in performing the job’s fuctions before I’ve made you a formal offer of employment.

A bit of reluctance to accept the title, even if offered, might just increase your odds of landing the job.

I really don’t see how this buffoonish, cartoonish view of human morality (and immorality) serves the purposes of moral teaching at all. It makes mockery of the whole idea of morality and thereby drives people towards nihilism. People confuse message and messenger all the time. And if the messenger seems like he’s full of s***, it’s easy to conclude that so must the message be, too.

So, where’s that $3,200,000 YMCA at in Caroline County?

Short Answer:

It’s been put on hold “indefinitely”.

Long Answer:

Way back in 2005, the Caroline County Board of Supervisors, in their infinite wisdom, decided to spend $3,200,000 — $2,800,000 of which were proffers — to build a YMCA at Ladysmith.

The vote was 3-1, according to The Free Lance–Star, with Maxie Rozell dissenting (no idea who was absent or abstained). Rozell wanted to verify first that “the county [would] have enough proffer money to pay for new schools, roads, and fire and police stations, before considering the YMCA.” Rozell objected to the location of the YMCA, as well.

Schools, road, fire and police stations? Nah, can’t have those!

At the time of the approval of the YMCA in Caroline County, it was stated that the Caroline County YMCA should be opened around the same time as the King George County YMCA.

The King George YMCA is currently slated to open in September. Meanwhile, the Caroline County YMCA hasn’t even broken ground.

According to Percy Ashcraft, the Caroline County YMCA has been put on hold “indefinitely”.

So, right now the county has been sitting on $3,200,000 for three years. As Joey Schiebel pointed out while discussing the proposed expansion to the wastewater treatment plant, building costs suffer around a 5% inflation every year.

In three year period from 2005 to 2008, that means the county has lost around $504,400; that means that the YMCA is going to cost more or the project will have to be smaller than was originally proposed.

So, not only is the county sitting on $3,200,000, but they also are considering borrowing $4,500,000 to expand the county park in Milford. Percy Ashcraft noted at one of the Board of Supervisors meetings earlier this year that the county was almost at their established maximum ceiling for borrowing.

Not only that, but the county will see their debt increase in the coming years since they opted to set up interest-only payments for the first couple years on several projects. I guess the county is another “victim” of “predatory” lending.

Percy Ashcraft himself has said if there is any more borrowing by the county, the tax rate will have to go up.