What is a “Change Candidate”?

The Democratic Candidates Need to Explain How They’ll Bring Change

The top three Democratic candidates have been going on and on about change. They are telling Americans that they are the “change candidates”. But what does that mean? I don’t get it.

Change is such a vague word. When you hear the candidates talk about the change, you never really hear a substantive explanation for what it means to them.

Obama dances around an explanation. He talks about ending partisan bickering, but the Senator doesn’t explain how he will make it happen.

I want to know how he plans to do it. You can talk about change all day long, but in order to make it happen, you need to know how you’re going to do it.

I think the Democratic candidates can get away with not explaining how they will make change happen because Americans don’t need one.

They’re just so desperate for a change from the brand of politics that George Bush has brought to Washington. They’ll pick any candidate that is talking about change because they just want to change presidents.

The USS Oriskany is a Boon for Local Diving Shops

UWF reports that the sinking of the USS Oriskany has been a major revenue generator for dive shops in Escambia and Baldwin Counties. The shops have led over 4200 chartered dive trips to the site of the now sunken ship which has earned them 3.6 million dollars.

This is good new for the local economy, but how long will it take to pay for the sinking of the ship. That operation wasn’t cheap. The tax revenue from the dives is probably just a drop in the bucket.

The proprietors of the dive shops can thank Uncle Sam for picking up the tab on that expense.

Former Escambia County Assistant Public Defender Pleads Guilty to DUI; Drug Possession

This morning, a former Escambia County assistant public defender pled guilty to possessing a controlled substance and driving under the influence.

Ronald Davis was arrested last April by Escambia County deputies at the Whataburger on New Warrington Road. When the law enforcement officers searched Davis's car, they found cocaine, crack pipe and pain pills.

Davis will soon be sentenced.

I wonder if a public defender argued his case?

Yesterday's Warehouse Fire Started by Arsonists

The word from the Pensacola Fire Department is that yesterday's fire at the vacant warehouse on Government street was started by arsonists.

The state fire marshal's office is interviewing suspects and witnesseses; the culprits are expected to be arrested next week.

Good job PFD!

Crow Bar Weilding Man Robs West Florida Medical Credit Union

The West Florida Medical Credit Union was robbed this morning by an unidentified man.

The man was wearing all black and had a hood covering his face when he robbed the credit union. He was able to flee the area without being caught.

Police have cordoned off the area and a helicoptor has been called in to help search for the suspect.

This guy is an idiot. Couldn't he think of a place to rob that's a little more inconspicuous than a bank inside of large hospital complex?

Pensacola Man Who Killed Baby Pleads Guilty to DUI Manslaughter

Pensacola resident Gay White has pled guilty to DUI manslaughter.

White killed a 7-month-year-old baby when he slammed into a parked car that the baby's parents were driving. White was drunk when he plowed into the car that had been stopped along Highway 29.

White faces up to 22 years in State prison.

Let's hope White is given the maximum sentence for a senseless killing of a young life.

Traveling Highway 98 Could Get Easier, but it Won't Happen for Several Years

The PNJ has a story in today's paper that says it will be at least five years until traffic woes are alleviated on Highway 98, but projects to solve the problem are being planned.

The Florida Department of Transportation wants to widen 3.7 miles of Highway 98 to six lanes, but construction will not begin for at least five years. The widening would take place between the eastern edge of Naval Live Oaks Reservation and Garcon Bridge Road.

An FDOT official explaining the delay in construction said, "Funding is going to be a big problem." and "We're looking way down the road."

State officials are also floating the idea of building a bypass road from Navarre to Freeport that would cross Eglin Air Force Base. The road would divert traffic from the sections of Highway 98 in Fort Walton and Destin that experience heavy congestion.

It's a good thing that the State is taking the steps to alleviate the traffic problems on Highway 98. Now if only they could keep people from dieing on the dangerous stretch of road.

Miles and Millions to go for Wider 98

Obama and Huckabee are Riding High in Iowa

Congratulations to Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee for winning their parties primaries. Hillary Clinton had disappointing showing in Iowa; she placed third in the Democratic race.

During Obama’s victory speech, I got goose bumps, and I’m not someone that’s frequently moved by speeches from politicians. It was almost as if Obama was channeling Martin Luther King Jr. in his speech. It was something special.

Fire Ravages Vacant Warehouse on Government Street

Pensacola’s firefighters and police offers were very busy today. Not only did they need to attend to a crash that spilled chickens all over Bayfront Parkway, they also had to put out a warehouse fire on Government and C streets.

The fire completely ravaged the old Markham and Sons Sign Co. warehouse which has been vacant since Hurricane Ivan.

Fortunately, no firefighters were injured as they put out the fire.

The Chicken Crossed the Road because a Truck Crashed

There was some crazy stuff that went down in Pensacola today. Probably the craziest would be the tractor trailer that over-turned on Bayfront Parkway, spilling its load off chickens all over the road. Frozen Chickens!

The driver of the truck was turning right and he veered too far left, careening into the stoplight at the intersection of Bayfront Parkway and Chase Street. After the crash, the truck was left lying on its left side. Miraculously, the driver of the truck was left uninjured.

The driver said his brakes failed as he was exiting I-110.

Expect the intersection to create a mess for drivers as the city repairs the stoplight and cleans up the mess.

Pensacola’s Justin Gatlin will have to Sit-Out Beijing Olympics

After testing positive for steroids in July of 2006, the U.S. Anti-doping Agency has told Justin Gatlin that he has been banned from competing in organized running events until the 2010. This means that Gatlin will not be able to participate in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Gatlin faced a possible lifetime ban from the sport, but two steroid tests proved to be inconclusive.

Keep your head up Justin. Stay healthy, don’t get near the roids and you’ll kickass in the 2012 London Olympics.

No Beijing Olympics for Justin Gatlin

Congressman Jeff Miller Contradicts Himself in PNJ Interview

The PNJ interviewed Congressman Jeff Miller and he gave two contradictory statements when it comes to his support of the earmarking process.

At first, Miller makes himself out to be a Congressman that wants to end the use of earmarks. “I would like to see a moratorium on all earmarks”.

Then, the PNJ reveals that Miller brought 6 million dollars in federal money to his district. Miller contradicts his earlier statement by saying that, “not all earmarks are necessarily bad”.

Most of the money went to defense contractors in Miller’s district.

Hey Jeff, if you want a moratorium on earmarks, you’ll also need to put an end to the pork that is going to your district; you can’t have your cake and eat it to.

PNJ's Miller Interview