12-YEAR_OLD ARMED ROBBER

Everyone is talking about the case of a 12-year-old Poughkeepsie kid arrested for trying to rob a woman near the train station with what appeared to be a handgun. A passing patrol car observed the little thug as he accosted the woman and arrested him at gunpoint. The "gun" turned out to be a BB gun. Is this kid a poor misguided boy from a poor family and no father? Probably but try telling that to the poor woman he attempted to rob. I also recall I was over six feet tall at 12 so he might not have been too non-threatening in appearance. I'm also willing to bet his victim was coming home from work at 5:30pm. What do we do with kids like this who grow up in a culture of violence and total disregard for conventional society or rules. It might be time to roll back the clock and lock these miscreants up. If we don't they will simply proceed down the road and become full time adult criminals. There should also be penalties and restitution imposed on whatever passes for parents. Lastly, imagine if it had been dark and the cop shot this kid with a gun in his hand. Who would the bad guy be? What would you suggest society do with this kid?

BAD TIME FOR BUSH BOOK

OK, first of all I had no idea George Bush was writing a book. I thought he had the good sense and good taste to lay low for a while like most ex-presidents. But apparently not. What I find odd and troubling is Bush's book is getting leaked all over the internet at a time when republicans don't need to remind people about the Bush years. If I'm the about to be smoked democratic party, I'm dancing a jig about now. Bush did enough damage to the republican brand when he was in office. Why bring it all up again as republicans are about to win big on Tuesday. It proves again, Bush is a moron.

SHOULD DAYTOP GET THE BOOT?

That's the lead story in this week's Hudson Valley News. The issue is an old one with a new face. Daytop is a residential drug and alcohol treatment center located on an old estate in Rhinebeck. The residents are not confined in any way and can come and go at their pleasure. A few weeks ago one of the residents broke into the home of a nearby resident as they slept. Luckily for them, nobody woke up. The intruder was high as a kite and eventually stole their car before being captured a few days later. The incident conjured up vivid memories of that poor family in Connecticut slaughtered by a couple of drug crazed losers.
At a recent meeting of the Rhinebeck Town Board, the victims and other residents rose to demand Daytop be closed. The primary objection is Daytop houses convicted criminals and people with significant substance abuse issues. Should they be living side by side with residents who have neither problem? Should taxpayers be forced to roll the dice with their children's safety to accomodate a program intended to be an alternative to incarceration? In my opinion, no they shouldn't and the town is insane to incur that kind of potential legal liability. Remember if one of these victims had awakened and startled this thug, a number of people could have been murdered. Even the liberal residents of Rhinebeck seemed to get that the other night. Your thoughts?

NPR IS A JOKE

NPR contribitor and Fox analyst Juan Williams was summarily fired from his NPR gig for saying he gets nervous when he sees Muslims on a commercial airliner. So do most sane individuals but it doesn't make them bigots or racists. It makes them rational. Every terrorist event since 9/11 involving an aircraft had one common denominator. The perpetrators were Muslims and justified their cowardly and muderous actions through some distorted interpretation of the Koran. Do I or Juan Williams think every Muslim on a plane wants to kill me. No but I'm sure paying more attention to anyone of Arab or Muslim appearance who goes anywhere near the front of the plane or acts suspiciously. That's not profiling or prejudice, it's the manifestation of the human survival instinct. Normally I would say NPR is entitled to hire and fire within reason but given they are funded with taxpayer money, I have a problem. Taxpayer money means citizens of all political and religious persuasions. Their voices should be heard as well as those of the far left. But as we all know, liberal talk radio has always be a financial loser and liberals have had to rely on public funds to stay on the air. That's fine but let's not make it so obvious by firing a decent and intelligent guy like Williams.

PROPOSED HYDE PARK BUDGET REMOVED FROM WEBSITE

The revelation that the proposed tax increase generated by the 2011 Hyde Park proposed budget was 27% rather than the board's 17% pronouncement has them reeling at Town Hall. They just hate it when someone actually bothers to read and analyze the numbers. But HVN did because I wouldn't trust these clowns to make change for a $20 bill. Not surprisingly, the budget which had been posted on-line has been taken down. I wonder why? Also, we're hearing rumors Martino may have been somewhere more interesting than on vacation the last few weeks. More to follow with that.

DOES SUGAR DRINK LAW DISCRIMINATE AGAINST POOR?

There is something profoundly uncomfortable about watching billionaire New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson waxing on about the evils of sugar soft drinks and people accepting public assistance. There's not much dispute that these drinks, consumed in excess, can contribute to childhood obesity. But so can too many banana splits or french fries. There are two questions. One, shouldn't it be the responsibility of parents to monitor their kids caloric intake? If junior is hoovering burgers and milkshakes and not exercising, how is it Mike Bloomberg's business? But here's where it gets tricky. The proposed legislation would only apply to poor people on food stamps and other government welfare. The implication is 'THESE PEOPLE" have no family structure or dietary filter, so the government has to become their parent. Bloomberg argues these sodas will have these children in the health care system if we don't stop them. I get it but it just doesn't feel right on so many levels. I don't want the government telling me what I can eat, drink or smoke. If I want to weigh 400 lbs. what's it to Mike Bloomberg or David Paterson? The fact that these regulations would only apply to poor people is offensive. What do you think?