Nemo me impune lacessit

No one provokes me with impunity

____________________________________

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Article 1, Section 9, Constitution of the United States

If this is the law of the land...why in a republic (little r) and as republicans, do we allow mere POLITICIANS to the right to use a "title of office" for the rest of their lives as if it were de facto a patent of nobility. Because, as republicans, this should NOT be the case...just saying...

The Vail Spot's Amazon Store

Sunday, May 25, 2014

The Case for Reparations, A Response: Bullshit & Fuzzy Logic

In yet another example of the stupidity of modern Leftists, Ti-Nehisi Coates has published a lengthy article entitled "The Case For Reparations". However, while he's long on history, he's short on logic.  Essentially he's saying that every single white American owes every single black American reparations for slavery...regardless of when their ancestors emigrated to America (either voluntarily, or involuntarily).

What Coates ignores is the simple fact that the vast majority of slaves sold to traders on the west coast of Africa were sold by Africans, and Muslim slavers...not by "white people."  More over, his logic states that every single black American should receive "reparations" regardless  of when they arrived on our shores.  Furthermore, every single white American owes this payment...regardless of when they arrived in America.

For my case, my ancestors came to America in the 1630's in Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony...and moves westward.  As far as I can discern, NONE ever owned slaves, but according to Mr. Coates, I should pay him because I am white.

BUT, if you  follow his logic chain, then every single black American should pay the descendants of every single Union soldier who was either killed or wounded in the Civil War because they fought to free Black Americans.

Mr. Coates, you owe me blood money because my direct ancestor was killed along with four of his brothers at the battle of Peachtree Creek, Georgia.  I want my money now, Mr.  Coates, YOU OWE ME FOR YOUR CURRENT FREEDOMS. My ancestors payed the ultimate sacrifice for your freedoms and now you must pay me for their deaths in  freeing you.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

This is my last resort

To all of my husband's loyal readers:

We have come to a point where I have never asked for any assistance on his blog (even though he lists me as a contributor).

I am asking for any donations because the company he had been working for the past few weeks has not paid him any wages.

We are down to our last few dollars and with his medical bills coming in and the cost of my medications; we have nothing.

I would be very grateful for any assistance.

Thank you in advance,

Cheri Vail

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

UPDATE added by Rich:

Here's the name of the Company that has not paid:

Beaubois

It's a Canadian company located in Quebec.  I've recently learned that they have a history of not paying 1099 sub-contractors.  I worked for them for several weeks, and eventually stopped from lack of payment.  We have been trying to collect for more than three weeks.  I'd hire a lawyer, but can't afford to.  At this point they owe me more than $2200 dollars in return for services rendered at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC. Feel free to contact this deadbeat company and voice your opinion. Here's how:

Contact us

 Ébénisterie Beaubois Ltée
521 6ième Avenue
Saint-Georges, Quebec, Canada
G5Y 0H1
Phone: 418 228-5104
Fax:418 228-3524
Toll free:1 800 463-2237
E-mail: beauboisREMOVE-THIS-FOR-SPAM@beaubois.ca
carrieresREMOVE-THIS-FOR-SPAM@beaubois.ca
GPS: 46°07.16.02. N / 70° 41.42.69 Wexternal link


Quebec City airport to Head Office:
  • Route de l'Aéroport Sud (South)
  • Autoroute Duplessis (South)
  • Pont Pierre-Laporte (Bridge)
  • Autoroute QC-73 Sud (South) and follow the road all the way to Beauceville, then follow Route QC-173 Sud (South) to St-Georges.
  • In St-Georges, take Lacroix Blvd. then turn right at 118th Street.
  • Cross the bridge over the Chaudière River up to Dionne Blvd./6th Avenue, then turn right on 6th Avenue and head north to Beaubois' office.

Montreal airport to Head Office:


  • Highway 20 Est (East) to Quebec City
  • Take the Saint-Georges Exit 312-South at Highway QC-73 and follow the road all the way to Beauceville, then follow Route QC-173 Sud (South) to St-Georges.
  • In St-Georges, take Lacroix Blvd. then turn right at 118th Street.
  • Cross the bridge over the Chaudière River up to Dionne Blvd./6th Avenue, then turn right on 6th Avenue and head north to Beaubois' office.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Monday, May 19, 2014

Top Political Donors

Gee, with Harry Reid's all-nighter to appease Tom Steyer so that Steyer would then agree to spend $100 million dollars for Senate Democrats...but that's ok right? He's not part of the .0001% or anything...and what about this lovely list...how many of these are part of the so called 1%'ers...and give a vast majority to "Progressive" candidates and/or Democrats?

Company or name Rank Contributor Total Contribs Total Dem Total Repub

1 Fahr LLC/Tom Steyer $11,230,592 $118,800 100% 0% $11,111,792$11,111,792 16% 0%
2 City of New York, NY $9,070,152 $139,564 89% 11% $8,930,588$8,930,588 97% 0% 
3 Democratic Governors Assn $7,718,842 $0 0% 0% $7,718,842$7,718,842 100% 0% 
4 National Education Assn $7,024,087 $723,337 87% 13% $6,300,750$6,300,750 99% 0% 
5 National Assn of Realtors $5,103,115 $1,603,115 47% 53% $3,500,000$3,500,000 0% 0% 
6 Carpenters & Joiners Union $5,084,717 $1,236,750 80% 20% $3,847,967$3,847,967 100% 0% 
7 American Fedn of St/Cnty/Munic Employees $3,564,375 $1,333,125 100% 0% $2,231,250$2,231,250 94% 0% 
8 AFL-CIO $2,578,400 $203,200 81% 19% $2,375,200$2,375,200 100% 0% 
9 Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $2,134,055 $1,633,055 97% 3% $501,000$501,000 100% 0% 
10 Comcast Corp $2,022,945 $2,022,445 54% 46% $500$500 50% 0% 
11 Republican Governors Assn $2,001,000 $1,000 0% 100% $2,000,000$2,000,000 0% 100% 
12 AT&T Inc $1,960,618 $1,956,568 38% 62% $4,050$4,050 12% 81% 
13 Northrop Grumman $1,878,633 $1,877,583 43% 57% $1,050$1,050 0% 52% 
14 Lockheed Martin $1,875,594 $1,872,971 38% 62% $2,623$2,623 0% 38% 
15 Operating Engineers Union $1,873,733 $1,725,733 81% 19% $148,000$148,000 95% 5% 
16 Honeywell International $1,750,743 $1,750,743 41% 59%  $0$0 0% 0% 
17 Blue Cross/Blue Shield $1,742,949 $1,727,449 41% 59%                                            $15,500$15,500 3% 97% 
18 Boeing Co $1,697,796 $1,696,642 43% 57% $1,154$1,154 0% 35% 
19 Laborers Union $1,648,660 $1,073,660 88% 12% $575,000$575,000 83% 17% 
20 American Assn for Justice $1,628,250 $1,352,750 96% 4% $275,500$275,500 91% 0% 
21 National Beer Wholesalers Assn $1,618,250 $1,618,250 42% 58% $0$0 0% 0% 
22 General Electric $1,609,360 $1,608,110 41% 59% $1,250$1,250 0% 40% 
23 Credit Union National Assn $1,573,250 $1,573,250 48% 52% $0$0 0% 0% 
24 Votesane PAC $1,562,108 $1,562,108 29% 71% $0$0 0% 0% 
25 Mostyn Law Firm $1,560,450 $167,950 100% 0% $1,392,500$1,392,500 28% 0% 
26 Every Republican is Crucial PAC $1,550,000 $1,550,000 0% 100% $0$0 0% 0% 
27 Plumbers/Pipefitters Union $1,540,500 $925,250 91% 9%                                            $615,250$615,250 84% 0% 
28 American Federation of Teachers $1,532,150 $1,181,150 100% 0% $351,000$351,000 100% 0% 
29 Goldman Sachs $1,528,251 $1,527,501 33% 67% $750$750 0% 0% 
30 American Crystal Sugar $1,515,349 $1,515,349 59% 41% $0$0 0% 0% 
31 Jordan Vineyard & Winery $1,505,103 $77,400 0% 100%                                            $1,427,703$1,427,703 0% 100% 
32 Berkshire Hathaway $1,461,148 $1,460,348 36% 64% $800$800 0% 0% 
33 Deloitte LLP $1,459,909 $1,459,359 41% 59% $550$550                                                0% 55% 
34 Contran Corp $1,417,850 $217,850 16% 84% $1,200,000$1,200,000 0% 100% 
35 Cooperative of American Physicians $1,404,998 $95,200 59% 41% $1,309,798$1,309,798 0% 0% 
36 Verizon Communications $1,374,670 $1,371,920 49% 51% $2,750$2,750 9% 55% 
37 Bank of America $1,349,973 $1,325,773 36% 64% $24,200$24,200 31% 66% 
38 American Bankers Assn $1,344,700 $1,337,700 24% 76% $7,000$7,000 0% 0% 
39 Raytheon Co $1,324,348 $1,323,548 38% 62% $800$800 0% 100% 
40 Google Inc $1,305,353 $1,296,233 60% 40% $9,120$9,120 52% 0% 
41 National Auto Dealers Assn $1,296,200 $1,296,200 31% 69% $0$0 0% 0% 
42 Communications Workers of America $1,283,500 $633,250 97% 3% $650,250$650,250 100% 0% 
43 New York Life Insurance $1,266,909 $1,266,509 45% 55% $400$400 0% 100% 
44 Wells Fargo $1,194,145 $1,164,395 34% 66% $29,750$29,750 84% 10% 
45 National Rural Electric Cooperative Assn $1,191,697 $1,191,697 30% 70% $0$0 0% 0% 
46 United Parcel Service $1,181,716 $1,180,966 35% 65% $750$750 100% 0% 
47 CSX Corp $1,166,719 $1,166,469 36% 64% $250$250 0% 100% 
48 International Assn of Fire Fighters $1,160,080 $1,085,080 87% 13% $75,000$75,000 100% 0% 
49 Elliott Management $1,143,073 $990,000 0% 100% $153,073$153,073 0% 100% 
50 Perry Homes $1,142,200 $42,200 0% 100% $1,100,000$1,100,000 0% 100%
51 Koch Industries $1,122,025 $1,122,025 1% 99% $0$0 0% 0% 
52 United Food & Commercial Workers Union $1,110,265 $1,060,265 100% 0% $50,000$50,000 100% 0% 
53 Home Depot $1,082,820 $1,082,820 21% 79% $0$0 0% 0% 
54 Pfizer Inc $1,081,449 $1,081,249 47% 53% $200$200 0% 0% 
55 Microsoft Corp $1,078,926 $1,078,476 60% 40% $450$450 0% 0% 
56 United Steelworkers $1,072,486 $198,300 99% 1% $874,186$874,186 5% 0% 
57 EMILY's List $1,070,582 $965,023 100% 0% $105,559$105,559 100% 0% 
58 AFLAC Inc $1,070,270 $1,070,270 42% 58% $0$0 0% 0% 
59 Alliance Resource Partners $1,064,850 $464,850 0% 100% $600,000$600,000 0% 100% 
60 Boies, Schiller & Flexner $1,051,100 $49,850 97% 3% $1,001,250$1,001,250 100% 0%
61 Ernst & Young $1,037,700 $1,037,450 38% 62% $250$250 0% 100%
62 PricewaterhouseCoopers $1,029,634 $1,029,634 33% 67% $0$0 0% 0% 
63 United Technologies $1,029,350 $1,029,350 43% 57% $0$0 0% 0% 
64 Blackstone Group $1,008,601 $1,008,601 38% 62% $0$0 0% 0% 
65 UBS AG $984,648 $982,898 40% 60% $1,750$1,750 0% 0% 
66 Uline Inc $974,975 $94,975 0% 100% $880,000$880,000 0% 100% 
67 Ironworkers Union $960,200 $812,100 98% 2% $148,100$148,100 100% 0% 
68 Akin, Gump et al $956,688 $936,688 70% 30% $20,000$20,000 0% 38%
69 Teamsters Union $949,867 $894,869 94% 6% $54,998$54,998 55% 0% 
70 National Cable & Telecommunications Assn $948,700 $948,700 50% 50% $0$0 0% 0% 
71 National Assn of Insurance & Financial Advisors $945,900 $945,900 39% 61% $0$0 0% 0% 
72 JPMorgan Chase & Co $941,791 $935,566 37% 63% $6,225$6,225 0% 0% 
73 National Air Traffic Controllers Assn $925,150 $925,150 70% 30% $0$0 0% 0% 
74 Investment Co Institute $920,750 $920,750 34% 66% $0$0 0% 0% 
75 Trust Asset Management $908,900 $58,900 100% 0% $850,000$850,000 100% 0% 
76 Air Line Pilots Assn $905,500 $905,500 66% 34% $0$0 0% 0% 
77 Service Employees International Union $904,430 $769,430 100% 0% $135,000$135,000 100% 0% 
78 American Assn of Orthopaedic Surgeons $897,900 $897,900 38% 62% $0$0 0% 0% 
79 FedEx Corp $894,100 $893,600 37% 63% $500$500 0% 0% 
80 Altria Group $888,265 $888,265 20% 80% $0$0 0% 0% 
81 Sheet Metal Workers Union $886,400 $806,400 93% 7% $80,000$80,000 100% 0% 
82 Exelon Corp $874,475 $872,975 36% 64% $1,500$1,500 0% 83% 
83 Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union $872,200 $872,200 96% 4% $0$0 0% 0% 
84 Wal-Mart Stores $869,338 $868,538 42% 58% $800 $800 31% 69% 
85 Independent Community Bankers of America $849,550 $813,550 38% 62% $36,000$36,000 0% 0% 
86 Citigroup Inc $838,009 $809,259 50% 50% $28,750$28,750 0% 0% 
87 Morgan Stanley $827,649 $821,649 41% 59% $6,000$6,000 0% 8% 
88 Painters & Allied Trades Union $827,060 $827,060 83% 17% $0$0 0% 0% 
89 General Dynamics $817,058 $817,058 45% 55% $0$0 0% 0% 
90 Freedom Project $815,000 $815,000 0% 100% $0$0 0% 0% 
91 Union Pacific Corp $814,696 $814,696 36% 64% $0$0 0% 0% 
92 Associated Builders & Contractors $802,850 $752,850 0% 100% $50,000$50,000 0% 100% 
93 WPP Group $801,463 $795,963 62% 38% $5,500$5,500 91% 0% 
94 American College of Radiology $785,500 $785,500 30% 70% $0$0 0% 0% 
95 American Society of Anesthesiologists $778,200 $778,200 40% 60% $0$0 0% 0% 
96 United Transportation Union $777,650 $777,650 75% 25% $0$0 0% 0%
97 American Hospital Assn $776,449 $776,449 56% 44% $0$0 0% 0% 
98 AmeriPAC: The Fund for a Greater America $774,600 $774,600 100% 0% $0$0 0% 0% 
99 Jon Stryker Architecture $770,400 $45,400 100% 0% $725,000$725,000 100% 0% 
100 Amgen Inc $767,245 $767,245 49% 51% $0

As you can see the boogiemen, the Koch brothers rank no higher than 51st. Now, count how many individuals/organizations ONLY donate money to Liberal/Progressives...they outnumber those who donate to Conservatives by a significant percentage.

Via Opensecrets.org

The VA's Issues

As some of you may know, I served in the USMC in the early 1980's. While in service, I damage ligaments and cartilage in both my knees.  In June of 1984, I was medically discharged...when I got home to Panama City, FL, I did what I was told to and went to the local VA office and filled out my paperwork so that I could start the process to get my knees fixed and start collecting my huge (10%) disability pay...

Well, after having jumped through all their hoops, and dotted all the 'i's and crossed all the 't's.  In early 1985 I was told to report to a VA hospital Alabama, since that was closer to my home than any in FL (one of those, now 7, that has "issues" with treating patients on time...nothing has changed in 30 years) in 9 months for an medical evaluation.  I did so.  I was then told to report to an orthopedic specialist in 7 months (it's now 1986...) for a further evaluation.  When I reported to the hospital for the ortho eval, I was told there was no record of me being in the VA system...WTF?

So, returned to the Panama City, FL VA office...where my records should have been on file, only to find out they were "missing".  I once more filled out all the pertinent paper work for the second time in mid-1986.  In early 1987, after having waited for 7 months, I received instructions to return to the same VA hospital for a medical evaluation.  I saw the same physician, who of course didn't remember me...and once more was told that yes, you do have a medical issue that was a "service connected disability."  I was then instructed to make an appointment with the ortho dept and report for an ortho evaluation.  My appointment was for late 1987...

...when I reported to the Ortho clinic...once more I was told there was no record of my being in the VA system, much less having served (I was smart, I brought along a certified true copy of my DD214)...and was instructed that I would have to refile all of my paperwork and then be evaluated by a physician as to whether or not I did in fact have a service connected disabililty...

By this time, I had married and moved to Tallahassee, FL(now it's early 1988 and I've been out of the USMC for 4 1/2 years)...and so I traipsed down to the Tally VA office and for the 3rd time filled out all of the necessary paperwork.  This time, I was told to report to a VA hospital in FL.  That appointment was in mid 1988...12 months or so after having filled out all the paperwork for the 3rd time!  I duly reported for my 3rd eval...and was told that yes, indeed, I did have a problem (by this time, my left knee was dislocating/locking at a rate of about once a week)!  So, make an appointment with the ortho dept, AFTER receiving my rating letter...

...said letter never arrives...so I go back to the Tally VA office and ask WTF?  They have no record of me ever having been there...so for the 4th time I fill out the proper paperwork (it's Jan/Feb 1989 by now)...and eventually get a letter instructing me to report for an evaluation in Sep 1989...when I go to the FL VA hosp, they "can't find my records...please return to your local office for instructions..."  At that point I gave up...for several years.

In 1990...Saddam invades Kuwait.  I start hearing from several of my friends who are now lifers that they are being deployed, me, being a good jarhead, go to the local reserve unit, Company H, 8th Tank Bn and enlist as a reservist.  Since I was "prior service" no boot camp necessary (thank G-d! I didn't have to do another 85 days @ PI), I get order to Fort Knox for training as a loader on and M60A3...and get as far as Knox before paperwork catches up with me saying that as I was medically discharged, I was unfit for service!  DAMN! At least the USMC remembered I'd served.  I figured that if the VA was that fucked up, so would the Crotch be so fucked up...my Company Gunny wasn't pissed, as I'd told him what was up (always tell the Gunny EVERYTHING, most of the time, if they're good guys, they'll cover your ass)...he was just bummed that he was loosing a loader...but WTF, it MIGHT have worked.  Unit goes to Kuwait and participates in the liberation of Kuwait City...big sigh...

...and so it goes...in fall of 2000, I move to Newark, DE and just for the fuck of it, go to the local VA office to see what I can do about getting my back pay...and for the 5th time fill out the necessary paperwork.  I get orders to go to the VA hospital in Philly...where once more, I'm told that I do indeed have a service connected disability...so go down stairs and report to the orthopedic clinic here and make an appointment...clinic won't make an appointment until I'm "in the system".  Call in 30 days and make your appointment.  I call, paperwork not processed yet...I call in Jan 2001, not in the system yet...March, same thing, July, not processed...Sep...system meltdown after 9-11, please give us a few weeks to figure things out...March of 2002, I get married for the 2nd time and move to MI...but keep calling Wilmington, DE VA office to see what is up.  In June, I'm told that they "can't find my records"...so, I go to the VA office in MI...and for the 6th time, fill out the paperwork necessary to process my claim...and never hear back from the VA at all...

By this time, the Michigan economic melt down is in full swing, so I'm packing up to move as there are no jobs anywhere...and move to Pikesville, MD in Sep 2004.  I call my local Congresscritter and explain my issues only to be told I'm not in his district.  I go to his local office in Towson and show my voter ID card where his staff do indeed admit that I am in District 3...they will look into my issue with the VA...by this time, I have serious doubts about the efficacy of ANY governmental agency to do anything useful.  I can't imagine why I'd think that, can you?

I call the office serveral times, leave messages...and never get return calls.  I move to the far side of Pikesville, in 2009, new Congressional district, this time with good old Dutch Ruppersberger...when I contact his office, I'm told that I don't live in his district, call the 3rd District office...when I explain that my new voter registration card tells me I'm in Dutch's district, the rather officious young man on the phone tells me I'm wrong and don't know what I'm talking about...so I call back the DC office and explain that I am a Vet, etc, etc.  I send an email as well...and finally got one back saying come into the office...when you have time...

...and that is where things stand. I've filled out paperwork ad infinitem (which seems to be what the VA wants), yet after 30 years (June 6 will be the 30th anniv of my seperation)...I have received no joy.  You want national health service, move to Canada or the UK, because the VA is what we'll have here, an incompetently run medical service where NO ONE IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR INCOMPETENCE!  EVER.

Someday, I'd love to get my back pay...because I really would rather have my wife and daughter working in a whore house than have the VA medical system get their claws on me. The VA's incompetence is systemic, not isolated.  It exists throughout the system, not just a few hospitals.  No one is ever held accountable for anything, so nothing will ever be done.  Personally, I think that we need to take a few of the administrators out behind the hospitals that have killed vets and just shoot them in the head as an example, and to encourage the rest to do their damn jobs.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Barbara Walters "Retires" Today

Good bye Barbara, now go die, biased, bigoted bitch.

Tuesday, May 06, 2014

It is Spring 2014





Saturday, May 03, 2014