Out to Kill Small Business

No better than armed robbers!

Update - it's even worse!

This time they want to raise the CT cigarette tax another $7.50 $10.00 per-carton to $27.50 $30.00

Call Governor Rell
Tell her NOT to listen to whoever it is that's feeding her bad data!

Tel: 860-566-4840
Toll-Free: 800-406-1527


Connecticut consumers already pay the 3rd highest in the nation - but frankly this has nothing to do with smoking.

Consider this: 76% of all convenience store purchases include some tobacco product.

Over 75% of all the cigarettes sold in the country are sold by small retailers employing under 12 people total.

We lose over 27.00 in Connecticut revenue for every carton brought in illegally.

Over 30% of the cigarettes consumed in CT were not purchased here NOW!

Another tax increase will only hurt our retailers and our state budget even more.

Connecticut receives over 4.00 per-carton from the Master Settlement.
As bootleg (out of state) cigarette sales increase we cost ourselves both that plus the sales tax
of over 3.00 per carton; not to mention the 20.00 CT cigarette tax that's already in place.

Lebeau For Governor?

From the Courant:

Sen. Gary LeBeau, an East Hartford Democrat who has served in the state legislature for 17 years, is running for governor.

Hogans Hero's has been off the air for ages now;
how old is this guy?

Business Journal Honors Bill Cortese

I first met this young man when he was a staffer on an ill-fated Republican U.S. Senate campaign.
Had the candidate worked half as hard as young Cortese, I suspect he would have won.

The Hartford Business Journal will be honoring Bill and 39 others this September at their annual 40 under 40 event. Still plenty of time to buy tickets; which is recommended.


Title: Government Affairs Coordinator
Company Name: Associated Builders and Contractors of CT
Company Location: Rocky Hill
Residence: Danbury


Career Highlights: Serving with the Marine Corps in the Horn of Africa is my highlight. Here I was at 20, leaving the United States for the first time in my life, heading to a fourth world country located in the hotbed of terrorism. A lot of things go through your head. But it turned out to be an amazing experience. I was able to go out and build schools, improve their infrastructure, and work the hearts and minds side of things. It was quite an experience. Then, working on the McCain campaign was such a ride. Although things didn’t turn out the way I would have liked, to work for a hero like John McCain was just so rewarding.

Community Involvement: I’ve been involved in several veterans’ organizations, like the American Legion, the VFW, the Marine Corps League and most recently a new organization called ‘No Vet Left Behind’ which assists veterans that may have drug or alcohol addictions, may be homeless or in need of medical treatment. It’s a great thing to be a part of.

Musical Inspiration: U2 has always inspired me. They have been able to touch millions and motivate people to move beyond their comfort zones to see that there is a world out there in need. I remember they played the halftime show during the first Super Bowl after 9-11. To watch them sing, ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’ with the victims names in the background, two of those victims being relatives of mine, was really inspirational.

Person you most admire and why: I have to say that I have always really admired Colin Powell, both professionally and personally. To see someone who grew up poor in the Bronx become the first African-American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and then the first African-American Secretary of State is truly something special. I remember being four years old and watching the news coverage on Operation Desert Storm, and there was Colin Powell in front of these maps and sketches of the battlefield, I was just in absolute awe. I had to have that uniform. And there I was 16 years later, wearing that uniform, serving in a different time, during a different war, but serving nonetheless. I owe a lot of that to him. I still call upon the inspiration I took from him growing up.

"I can't imagine what you'll see in your lifetime"

July 20, 1969

<-- Buzz Aldrin, the 1st Freemason on the moon.

Neil Armstrong is visible in reflection on Bro. Aldrin's face shield.
_____________

Forty years ago today I was living in Hyannis, Mass in the loft over my grandmother's carriage house with a cousin or two.

The days news had been a godsend for Ted Kennedy, who two days earlier had drowned Mary Jo Kopechne only a few miles away on the Vineyard.
The moon landing had knocked the Kennedy story back several pages and well off the front page of every paper in the region.

Grandmother had made sure I was home to watch the live from the moon broadcast with her, and we sat glued to the television.

My grandfather had passed in May and my cousins and I did our best to be attentive to our grandmother; (who we adored) as possible.
Showing up on command wasn't a problem for any of us; but I was the only one working a split-shift and there for the landing itself.

There we sat, a just-out-of-high-school kid and his 1880's vintage grandmother; along with millions of others across the globe - amazed as we watched the grainy black and white video "live from the moon", when she reached over, patted my not quite 18 year old left knee and said:

"I remember when we got electricity, my father's first car, and when he signed up for telephone service.
(Her father's business almost 70 years earlier had received phone number "5")
I remember the Wright Brothers and what big news that was.
But this...."
she paused reflecting for a moment.
"....this; I can't imagine what wonders you'll see in your lifetime."

Often those words still ring in my ears as I chat live with my son in Korea on the computer with some free IM (instant messaging) software and a color TV camera (with a built in microphone) that cost under 40 dollars.

I recall quoting her sentiments from that day to my father 16 or 17 years later in the late winter of 85-86 as I made my first phone call from a car as I drove home along the Merritt Parkway.

Today, forty years later I recall those first steps on the moon; and the insightful words of my grandmother that have proven true.

9th Annual Wamp Swim-a-Thon July 18, 2009

This is an un-retouched photo of 26 year old Liz Stafford.

Liz is the Chief of Staff, and Finance Director for the Connecticut Republican Party.

Referring to Liz as a bit of an over-achiever would be an under-statement.

This coming Saturday the 18th, she and her siblings are holding the 9th Annual Wamp Swim-a-Thon at the Wampanoag Country Club.

Below is her message.


Just a reminder that the Wamp Swim is this Saturday July 18th!

We have lined up some GREAT raffle prizes this year including:
*4 Tickets to see the Mets play the Cardinals on Wednesday August 5th (courtesy of Moran Tug and Barge)
*4 Tickets to see the Dropkick Murphy's Play in Boston on St. Patrick's Day (courtesy of Tim Brennan and Family)

*Gift baskets and prizes from: Vineyard Vines, Pfaus Hardware, Herbs Sport Shop, Lux, Bond & Green, The Toy Chest, Oakley glasses from Harvey and Lewis, Earings from Camile's Bridal Boutique, Traveler's Golf Grab Bag and a portrait session with photographer Carla Ten Eyck.

More items are being added to the raffle as the days go on - don't miss out on the opportunity to win some great prizes and help a great cause.


View Larger Map

If you are not able to make the event, tickets for the raffle may be purchased in advance. For more information e-mail me at liz.stafford@gmail.com.

If you are not interested in the raffle, please consider going online to make a contribution by following this link:
http://online.myeloma.org/netcommunity/wamp09

Every donation $25, $50 or $100 helps!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

Sincerely,
Liz (on behalf of Jules, Chris and Courtney) Stafford

PS - With only days remaining we are working over time to reach our goal of raising $20,000. Please help us get there by making a contribution today!
http://online.myeloma.org/netcommunity/wamp09

THANK YOU!

My Son's in Korea

So I've quickly learned how to operate something called "AIM" where we can finally do this ->









Just as promised at the 1939 World's Fair!

Seoul

Keeping track of the 13 hour time difference is new to me and him too; but we've spoken "live" via the net several times so far and he's been sending me pictures too!



Clearly a highly civilized society.

Domestic Terrorists?

Islam's Public Relations Problem Personified

Bad Santa?

Top Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, speaks Friday at Tehran University







From AP
British embassy staff 'face Iran trial
Top Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati made the announcement in a prayer sermon earlier today.

Nine embassy staff were arrested at the weekend amid rapidly deteriorating relations with Iran since the disputed re-election of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Complete article

Since the beginning of recorded time we've witnessed the perversion then hijacking of religion by evil men for their own purposes.

This is not the fault of religion and before the members of any group (or none at all) start to think their own group is somehow immune - think again.