Syria: Outside Patronage and a New Offensive for the Regime

Syria: Outside Patronage and a New Offensive for the Regime

Understanding Engineers

Understanding Engineers #1 Two engineering students were biking across a university campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?" The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday, minding my own business, when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike, threw it to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want." The first engineer nodded approvingly and said, "Good choice: The clothes probably wouldn't have fit you anyway."  Understanding Engineers #2  To the optimist, the glass is half-full. To the pessimist, the glass is half-empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.  Understanding Engineers #3  A priest, a doctor, and an engineer were waiting one morning for a particularly slow group of golfers. The engineer fumed, "What's with those guys? We must have been waiting for fifteen minutes!" The doctor chimed in, "I don't know, but I've never seen such inept golf!" The priest said, "Here comes the greens-keeper. Let's have a word with him." He said, "Hello George, What's wrong with that group ahead of us? They're rather slow, aren't they?" The greens-keeper replied, "Oh, yes. That's a group of blind firemen. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime!." The group fell silent for a moment. The priest said, "That's so sad. I think I will say a special prayer for them tonight." The doctor said, "Good idea. I'm going to contact my ophthalmologist colleague and see if there's anything she can do for them." The engineer said, "Why can't they play at night?"  Understanding Engineers #4  What is the difference between mechanical engineers and civil engineers? Mechanical engineers build weapons. Civil engineers build targets.  Understanding Engineers #5  The graduate with a science degree asks, "Why does it work?" The graduate with an engineering degree asks, "How does it work?" The graduate with an accounting degree asks, "How much will it cost?" The graduate with an arts degree asks, "Do you want fries with that?"  Understanding Engineers #6  Three engineering students were gathered together discussing who must have designed the human body. One said, "It was a mechanical engineer. Just look at all the joints." Another said, "No, it was an electrical engineer. The nervous system has many thousands of electrical connections." The last one said, "No, actually it had to have been a civil engineer. Who else would run a toxic waste pipeline through a recreational area?"  Understanding Engineers #7  Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet.  Understanding Engineers #8  An engineer was crossing a road one day, when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He bent over, picked up the frog, and put it in his pocket. The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn back into a beautiful princess and stay with you for one week." The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket. The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want." Again, the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket. Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess and that I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?" The engineer said, "Look, I'm an engineer. I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog - now that's cool."

 

Upward Mobility

Upward Mobility

Breaking - Report: DOJ Leaked Docs to Smear Fast & Furious Whistleblower, Says IG
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/05/20/DOJ-Inspector-General-confirms-US-Attorney-DOJ-headquarters-leaked-documents-to-smear-Fast-and-Furious-whistleblower

Have you ever slapped your forehead and asked yourself, "Just how the hell did this happen? "

Help Save the Boy Scouts.......

  

Dear friends,

Homosexual activists are aggressively targeting the Boy Scouts of America attempting to strong-arm them into amending their membership policies to include gays.

The Boy Scouts of America has a long-standing policy of not admitting homosexuals believing it would be a distraction to the mission of the Scouts. In fact, they write in their membership policy "same-sex attraction should be introduced and discussed outside of its program with parents, caregivers, or spiritual advisers at the appropriate time and in the right setting."

They conclude that the purpose of Scouting is not to "introduce or discuss" these topics.

I have just signed a national petition supporting the BSA's right to set their own policies and govern as they see fit, and am urging BSA officials to stand firm against this latest attack by pro-homosexual activists.

I urge you to do the same by clicking here:

http://www.grassfire.com/252/petition.asp?PID=39361598&ref_id=20921&NID=1

In response to a massive petition delivery by pro-homosexual activists said to include 275,000 citizens, Grassfire Nation officials are moving to counter this effort by mobilizing at least as many who support the Scouts. They will deliver petitions to the BSA headquarters as they reach their goal.

Again, please take action with me by clicking here:

http://www.grassfire.com/252/petition.asp?PID=39361598&ref_id=20921&NID=1

Sincerely,

SM1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 20, 2013 CONTACT: media@eog.myflorida.com (850) 717-9282 GOVERNOR SCOTT: FLORIDA FAMILIES FIRST BUDGET INVESTS TO PROTECT FLORIDA'S NATURAL RESOURCES TALLAHASSEE– Governor Rick Scott today highlighted the Florida Families First budget investments to protect Florida’s natural treasures. Governor Scott said, “This budget makes important investments to protect our natural treasures for future generations.  From our beaches to the Everglades to our natural springs and parks, Florida has been blessed with a multitude of natural treasures. This budget provides a commitment to protect our environment and is reflected by the highest level of funding in the last five years for Everglades restoration and the Florida Forever program.” The Florida Families First budget makes necessary investments in Florida’s natural treasures. Florida Forever: The Florida Families First budget invests $81.8 million in the Florida Forever program, including $70 million for conservation lands, $11.1 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, and $642,000 for the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program. The conservation lands funds will go toward natural spring protection, military buffering, water resource protection, and targeted land acquisitions.  The $70 million for conservation lands includes $50 million in authority from the sale of surplus lands. Everglades Restoration: The Florida Families First investment of $70 million toward Everglades restoration will provide funding for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), Northern Everglades, Estuaries Protection Program, and the Governor’s water quality plan. Springs Protection: In addition to springs protection as part of the Florida Forever Program, the budget includes monies for water quality restoration, addressing nitrates in springs, and water conservation measures. It invests $10 million for springs projects generally and earmarked $5.5 million for springs projects within the Suwannee River Water Management District. Water Projects: The Florida Families First budget funds $32.2 million for local water projects, including $2 million for the Florida Keys to assist in complying with wastewater standards for that community.  Beach Projects: The Florida Families First budget invests $37.5 million toward financial assistance to local governments for beach and dune restoration, beach nourishment, inlet sand bypassing, regional sediment management and innovative projects.  This includes $10.7 million in available funds from beach projects funded in previous years. Petroleum Storage Tank Cleanup: The Florida Families First budget funds the cleanup of petroleum storage tank discharges at $125 million. Wastewater Treatment Facility Construction: The Florida Families First budget provides $142.7 million for low-interest revolving loans to local governments for wastewater treatment and stormwater management systems. State Park Facility Improvements: The Florida Families First budget invests $19 million toward repairs and renovations to state park facilities. Citrus Greening Prevention: The Florida Families First budget provides $9.5 million for research on stopping the bacterial disease known as citrus greening. St. Johns River: The Florida Families First budget invests $10.5 million (split into a $7 million water project and $3.5 million water project) to restore the St. Johns River Ecosystem. Apalachicola Bay:  The Florida Families First budget provides $4 million for water quality restoration projects in the Apalachicola Bay estuary and more than $750,000 for oyster shelling and research to help that industry’s recovery.  Hybrid Wetland Projects:  The Florida Families First budget includes $11 million for innovative nutrient reduction projects to help restore the Northern Everglades, Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.  Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. said, “I applaud Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature for their support and funding of environmental priorities. Governor Scott has illustrated the importance of our environment by including funding for the Florida Everglades, springs, beach restoration and Florida Forever.  The Department and its outstanding group of employees are committed to the preservation and health of our natural treasures. We are here to follow the science and follow the law to make educated decisions on how to best protect Florida’s environment.” Robert Coker, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at US Sugar said, “I applaud Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature for their hard work in building a budget to support all aspects of the State of Florida.  We are proud to see a budget that will help provide the tools to grow our economy and grow our state including funding to support Florida’s Everglades in partnership with the agricultural community.” Eric Draper, Executive Director of Audubon of Florida said, “Thanks to Governor Scott’s leadership the Legislature stepped up funding for Everglades restoration.  The appropriations secure the historic water quality plan and makes a new start on the partnership with the nation to restore fresh water flows to the River of Grass. We also appreciate Governor Scott’s leadership on recommending funds for parks and springs.” Eric Eikenberg, CEO, Everglades Foundation said, "We strongly support Governor Scott's Water Quality Plan and recognize the priority he has placed on protecting and restoring America's Everglades." Pepe Fanjul, Jr. Executive Vice President of Florida Crystals Corporation said, "Sugar farmers are proud of our 20-year Everglades restoration partnership with the state. We have privately funded more than $400 million for restoration efforts and, this year, continued our on-going commitment by agreeing to extend our dedicated restoration payment for projects through 2035 and operations and maintenance thereafter. Together with $70 million appropriated by the Legislature, Florida has sufficient funding to build the last Everglades projects. Under Governor Rick Scott's leadership, Everglades restoration is in its final phase."   Debbie Flack, President of the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association  said, “Repairing Florida’s beaches from the storm damages of 2012 is of considerable importance and priority to sustain our economic growth especially as it relates to tourism as well as providing protection for miles of beaches, public infrastructure and upland development from future storms.  FSBPA, as a league of coastal cities and counties, is most pleased with the Governor’s budget recommendation and the Legislature’s  approval of over $37 million for the maintenance of theses valuable economic, recreational and environmental resources.” About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The Department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally-sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. To view the Department’s website log on to www.dep.state.fl.us. http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/FLDEP-7bb6e5