Simon Conway's Orlando Real Estate Blog

Who voted for the Pelosi Bill...

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:23:15 -0600

I thought it would be interesting to see who voted which way in Nancy Pelosi's sneaky Saturday night vote in Congress. And don't forget - Pelosi broke a huge promise after she failed to publish the Bill on line 72 hours before a vote.

A "yes" vote is a vote to pass the bill.

Voting yes were 219 Democrats and 1 Republican.

Voting no were 39 Democrats and 176 Republicans.

X denotes those not voting.

Present denotes those who voted they were "present" at the time of the vote but did not vote yes or no on the issue.

ALABAMA

Democrats - Bright, N; Davis, N; Griffith, N.

Republicans - Aderholt, N; Bachus, N; Bonner, N; Rogers, N.

ALASKA

Republicans - Young, N.

ARIZONA

Democrats - Giffords, Y; Grijalva, Y; Kirkpatrick, Y; Mitchell, Y; Pastor, Y.

Republicans - Flake, N; Franks, N; Shadegg, N.

ARKANSAS

Democrats - Berry, Y; Ross, N; Snyder, Y.

Republicans - Boozman, N.

CALIFORNIA

Democrats - Baca, Y; Becerra, Y; Berman, Y; Capps, Y; Cardoza, Y; Chu, Y; Costa, Y; Davis, Y; Eshoo, Y; Farr, Y; Filner, Y; Garamendi, Y; Harman, Y; Honda, Y; Lee, Y; Lofgren, Zoe, Y; Matsui, Y; McNerney, Y; Miller, George, Y; Napolitano, Y; Pelosi, Y; Richardson, Y; Roybal-Allard, Y; Sanchez, Linda T., Y; Sanchez, Loretta, Y; Schiff, Y; Sherman, Y; Speier, Y; Stark, Y; Thompson, Y; Waters, Y; Watson, Y; Waxman, Y; Woolsey, Y.

Republicans - Bilbray, N; Bono Mack, N; Calvert, N; Campbell, N; Dreier, N; Gallegly, N; Herger, N; Hunter, N; Issa, N; Lewis, N; Lungren, Daniel E., N; McCarthy, N; McClintock, N; McKeon, N; Miller, Gary, N; Nunes, N; Radanovich, N; Rohrabacher, N; Royce, N.

COLORADO

Democrats - DeGette, Y; Markey, N; Perlmutter, Y; Polis, Y; Salazar, Y.

Republicans - Coffman, N; Lamborn, N.

CONNECTICUT

Democrats - Courtney, Y; DeLauro, Y; Himes, Y; Larson, Y; Murphy, Y.

DELAWARE

Republicans - Castle, N.

FLORIDA

Democrats - Boyd, N; Brown, Corrine, Y; Castor, Y; Grayson, Y; Hastings, Y; Klein, Y; Kosmas, N; Meek, Y; Wasserman Schultz, Y; Wexler, Y.

Republicans - Bilirakis, N; Brown-Waite, Ginny, N; Buchanan, N; Crenshaw, N; Diaz-Balart, L., N; Diaz-Balart, M., N; Mack, N; Mica, N; Miller, N; Posey, N; Putnam, N; Rooney, N; Ros-Lehtinen, N; Stearns, N; Young, N.

GEORGIA

Democrats - Barrow, N; Bishop, Y; Johnson, Y; Lewis, Y; Marshall, N; Scott, Y.

Republicans - Broun, N; Deal, N; Gingrey, N; Kingston, N; Linder, N; Price, N; Westmoreland, N.

HAWAII

Democrats - Abercrombie, Y; Hirono, Y.

IDAHO

Democrats - Minnick, N.

Republicans - Simpson, N.

ILLINOIS

Democrats - Bean, Y; Costello, Y; Davis, Y; Foster, Y; Gutierrez, Y; Halvorson, Y; Hare, Y; Jackson, Y; Lipinski, Y; Quigley, Y; Rush, Y; Schakowsky, Y.

Republicans - Biggert, N; Johnson, N; Kirk, N; Manzullo, N; Roskam, N; Schock, N; Shimkus, N.

INDIANA

Democrats - Carson, Y; Donnelly, Y; Ellsworth, Y; Hill, Y; Visclosky, Y.

Republicans - Burton, N; Buyer, N; Pence, N; Souder, N.

IOWA

Democrats - Boswell, Y; Braley, Y; Loebsack, Y.

Republicans - King, N; Latham, N.

KANSAS

Democrats - Moore, Y.

Republicans - Jenkins, N; Moran, N; Tiahrt, N.

KENTUCKY

Democrats - Chandler, N; Yarmuth, Y.

Republicans - Davis, N; Guthrie, N; Rogers, N; Whitfield, N.

LOUISIANA

Democrats - Melancon, N.

Republicans - Alexander, N; Boustany, N; Cao, Y; Cassidy, N; Fleming, N; Scalise, N.

MAINE

Democrats - Michaud, Y; Pingree, Y.

MARYLAND

Democrats - Cummings, Y; Edwards, Y; Hoyer, Y; Kratovil, N; Ruppersberger, Y; Sarbanes, Y; Van Hollen, Y.

Republicans - Bartlett, N.

MASSACHUSETTS

Democrats - Capuano, Y; Delahunt, Y; Frank, Y; Lynch, Y; Markey, Y; McGovern, Y; Neal, Y; Olver, Y; Tierney, Y; Tsongas, Y.

MICHIGAN

Democrats - Conyers, Y; Dingell, Y; Kildee, Y; Kilpatrick, Y; Levin, Y; Peters, Y; Schauer, Y; Stupak, Y.

Republicans - Camp, N; Ehlers, N; Hoekstra, N; McCotter, N; Miller, N; Rogers, N; Upton, N.

MINNESOTA

Democrats - Ellison, Y; McCollum, Y; Oberstar, Y; Peterson, N; Walz, Y.

Republicans - Bachmann, N; Kline, N; Paulsen, N.

MISSISSIPPI

Democrats - Childers, N; Taylor, N; Thompson, Y.

Republicans - Harper, N.

MISSOURI

Democrats - Carnahan, Y; Clay, Y; Cleaver, Y; Skelton, N.

Republicans - Akin, N; Blunt, N; Emerson, N; Graves, N; Luetkemeyer, N.

MONTANA

Republicans - Rehberg, N.

NEBRASKA

Republicans - Fortenberry, N; Smith, N; Terry, N.

NEVADA

Democrats - Berkley, Y; Titus, Y.

Republicans - Heller, N.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Democrats - Hodes, Y; Shea-Porter, Y.

NEW JERSEY

Democrats - Adler, N; Andrews, Y; Holt, Y; Pallone, Y; Pascrell, Y; Payne, Y; Rothman, Y; Sires, Y.

Republicans - Frelinghuysen, N; Garrett, N; Lance, N; LoBiondo, N; Smith, N.

NEW MEXICO

Democrats - Heinrich, Y; Lujan, Y; Teague, N.

NEW YORK

Democrats - Ackerman, Y; Arcuri, Y; Bishop, Y; Clarke, Y; Crowley, Y; Engel, Y; Hall, Y; Higgins, Y; Hinchey, Y; Israel, Y; Lowey, Y; Maffei, Y; Maloney, Y; Massa, N; McCarthy, Y; McMahon, N; Meeks, Y; Murphy, N; Nadler, Y; Owens, Y; Rangel, Y; Serrano, Y; Slaughter, Y; Tonko, Y; Towns, Y; Velazquez, Y; Weiner, Y.

Republicans - King, N; Lee, N.

NORTH CAROLINA

Democrats - Butterfield, Y; Etheridge, Y; Kissell, N; McIntyre, N; Miller, Y; Price, Y; Shuler, N; Watt, Y.

Republicans - Coble, N; Foxx, N; Jones, N; McHenry, N; Myrick, N.

NORTH DAKOTA

Democrats - Pomeroy, Y.

OHIO

Democrats - Boccieri, N; Driehaus, Y; Fudge, Y; Kaptur, Y; Kilroy, Y; Kucinich, N; Ryan, Y; Space, Y; Sutton, Y; Wilson, Y.

Republicans - Austria, N; Boehner, N; Jordan, N; LaTourette, N; Latta, N; Schmidt, N; Tiberi, N; Turner, N.

OKLAHOMA

Democrats - Boren, N.

Republicans - Cole, N; Fallin, N; Lucas, N; Sullivan, N.

OREGON

Democrats - Blumenauer, Y; DeFazio, Y; Schrader, Y; Wu, Y.

Republicans - Walden, N.

PENNSYLVANIA

Democrats - Altmire, N; Brady, Y; Carney, Y; Dahlkemper, Y; Doyle, Y; Fattah, Y; Holden, N; Kanjorski, Y; Murphy, Patrick, Y; Murtha, Y; Schwartz, Y; Sestak, Y.

Republicans - Dent, N; Gerlach, N; Murphy, Tim, N; Pitts, N; Platts, N; Shuster, N; Thompson, N.

RHODE ISLAND

Democrats - Kennedy, Y; Langevin, Y.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Democrats - Clyburn, Y; Spratt, Y.

Republicans - Barrett, N; Brown, N; Inglis, N; Wilson, N.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Democrats - Herseth Sandlin, N.

TENNESSEE

Democrats - Cohen, Y; Cooper, Y; Davis, N; Gordon, N; Tanner, N.

Republicans - Blackburn, N; Duncan, N; Roe, N; Wamp, N.

TEXAS

Democrats - Cuellar, Y; Doggett, Y; Edwards, N; Gonzalez, Y; Green, Al, Y; Green, Gene, Y; Hinojosa, Y; Jackson-Lee, Y; Johnson, E. B., Y; Ortiz, Y; Reyes, Y; Rodriguez, Y.

Republicans - Barton, N; Brady, N; Burgess, N; Carter, N; Conaway, N; Culberson, N; Gohmert, N; Granger, N; Hall, N; Hensarling, N; Johnson, Sam, N; Marchant, N; McCaul, N; Neugebauer, N; Olson, N; Paul, N; Poe, N; Sessions, N; Smith, N; Thornberry, N.

UTAH

Democrats - Matheson, N.

Republicans - Bishop, N; Chaffetz, N.

VERMONT

Democrats - Welch, Y.

VIRGINIA

Democrats - Boucher, N; Connolly, Y; Moran, Y; Nye, N; Perriello, Y; Scott, Y.

Republicans - Cantor, N; Forbes, N; Goodlatte, N; Wittman, N; Wolf, N.

WASHINGTON

Democrats - Baird, N; Dicks, Y; Inslee, Y; Larsen, Y; McDermott, Y; Smith, Y.

Republicans - Hastings, N; McMorris Rodgers, N; Reichert, N.

WEST VIRGINIA

Democrats - Mollohan, Y; Rahall, Y.

Republicans - Capito, N.

WISCONSIN

Democrats - Baldwin, Y; Kagen, Y; Kind, Y; Moore, Y; Obey, Y.

Republicans - Petri, N; Ryan, N; Sensenbrenner, N.

WYOMING

Republicans - Lummis, N.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

Terrorists kill 12, wound 31 at Texas base

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:07:37 -0600

ENOUGH!!

I've had enough of it. Major Malik Nadal Hasan (according to ABC) opened fire on unarmed soldiers today. If anyone tries to say this was some lone nutjob I'm going to get really mad.

When are we going to do what we need to do? We went more than eight years without a terrorist attack on US soil and now this. The reason? Oh its so simple. We are slowly surrendering and they see an opportunity.

We are the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!! DO NOT MESS WITH US! When did we lose THAT message? And what hope that we can get it back with the lilly livered occupants of the White house and Congress right now?

I am sick. I have shed tears today.

I am REALLY angry - and frankly NONE of us should take it anymore.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

USA Number One

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:15:31 -0600

Kevin is one of my favorite bloggers. This s one of the best.

Via Kevin Robinson Custom Home Builder (Crownline Home Builders):

Meb is my hero. Did you see him point to his jersey? Proud of it. No. Damn proud of it. No. He pointed to it more than once to get the crowd going. We were cheering for the man in our house. We already knew how he did, but we could not control our jubiliation. He even crossed himself more than once. The man is a Christian. He was so proud to represent America. It was good to see a person who came here from another country, became an American citizen, and repped for us, instead of some guy from some other country come here, use us, and then go win for his other country.

Meb is the real deal. Comes here and wants to become an American. Sure, he is real good at what he does. But, he wants to do what he is good at for America. He becomes a citizen and does it for us. He is even proud of his country. Hell Yeah!

Do you know any libs that like to tell you how the rest of the world hates us? We all know these types. They listen to some mainstream government controlled media, and they get brainwashed into thinking that everyone, everywhere hates us. Yeah right. These are the same people who like to tell us all how we should work to better our country, mostly by paying huge taxes, that they sure as hell are not going to. The same poets, who frequent coffee houses, and like to explain, while wearing their cardigans and sounding quite intellectual, that all of us NASCAR spectators, are nothing but a bunch of hillbillies. They, the elite, even though we can run circles around them in any kind of brain game, except name that newspaper columnist, simply have no clue. They listen to Pearl Jam and Green Day tell us how bad our country is. How every single person from every country in the world hates us. Victims of the public school system I guess. Maybe they should listen to Brooks and Dunn sing "Only in America".

Who the heck would want to be an American? Meb Keflizighi. I love the guy.

THE INSANITY OF CONGRESS (not covered under Government health care)

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:45:20 -0600

It's 1,990 pages long. It weighs in at more than 19 pounds. It has 400,000 words and it is costed out at more than $2.4m A WORD! And even if you can convince your Representative to actually read it, they have NO CHANCE of actually understanding it as you can see from this example:

"(a) Outpatient Hospitals - (1) In General - Section 1833(t)(3)(C)(iv) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395(t)(3)(C)(iv)) is amended - (A) in the first sentence - (i) by inserting "(which is subject to the productivity adjustment described in subclause (II) of such section)" after "1886(b)(3)(B)(iii); and (ii) by inserting "(but not below 0)" after "reduced"; and (B) in the second sentence, by inserting "and which is subject, beginning with 2010 to the productivity adjustment described in section 1886(b)(3)(B)(iii)(II)".

And in my continuing efforts to help you, that garbage is all about "incorporating productivity improvements into market basket updates that do not already incorporate such improvements" - I hope that was helpful.

But the thing you MUST remember is that Nancy Pelosi apparently has the votes to get it through the House. ONLY YOU have the power to stop it.

So having looked at a number of political websites last night and this morning I am able to garner the following.

1. You can't find the word "doctor" in there apart from paragraphs dealing with qualifications.

2. The so-called "death panel" measure is still there.

3. Public funding of abortion still survives.

This has to be a combined effort of various news organisations because as I said, it weighs in at 19 pounds and it stands more than nine inches tall. Fox News found this: Among the industries targeted in the bill are medical device makers - one of the few that failed to cut an early behind-the-scenes deal with Obama and Democrats to help pay for an overhaul. The House added $20 billion in taxes on sales of medical devices like artificial hips and heart stents to the legislation Democratic leaders unveiled Thursday.

The Bill also includes dramatic cuts in pay for doctors - something that we really can't understand the true effects of until you actually sit down and talk to a doctor! Recently when filling in on 540 WFLA, I had Orlando Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Steven Weber on the show. Dr Weber is not politically active; does not represent any group and frankly before he appeared as a guest, I really didn't know what he thought. BUT he made it very clear that he would find it extremely difficult "to keep the lights on" in his practise which employs some 150 medical professionals.

Meanwhile, Breitbart garnered Republican reaction: "Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., head of the Republican Study Committee, issued a statement saying Democrats had produced a "government takeover that will limit choice, competition and innovation in health care while increasing costs and decreasing quality." He said the measure would kill jobs, raise taxes and inflict cuts on a program of private Medicare that provides benefits to millions of seniors. "

Democrats are trying to say the Bill hasn't changed much, but that is clearly not true. There's an eight page document listing all the changes. Line after line after line. Or perhaps lie after lie after lie!

I have said it before - both in these pages and on the air - health care needs some reform. It does NOT need a Government take over! I grew up with Government run health care. I genuinely believe my own dad, who died seven years ago last week (10/29) (still miss you Dad), was a victim of socialized medicine.

You know what needs to be done and so I'm not going to remind you. Suffice to say that it is EXTREMELY important.

We'll leave the last word to a Texan. They have a way of bringing things into focus. Republican Rep. Joe Barton said this: "The bill is about four reams of paper that add up to the American public getting reamed."

Picture is a link from The Washington Times

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Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

Government tries to take down US Marine

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:51:19 -0500

This is Marine Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani. For more than 20 years, the Colonel has had your back. He's had your back three different times in Iraq including the second battle of Fallujah; once in the first Persian Gulf War and has also served in Panama.

It has been said by his superiors that Col Chessani has unlimited potential and value to the Marine Corps. That he has demonstrated moral courage and that he is a superb leader.

And now on December 1, 2009 he is facing a Military Board of Inquiry (BOI) to figure out if he is guilty of misconduct and should be demoted in rank. All this because of the "Haditha Massacre" - a "massacre" that quite literally never happened.

The question must be asked. Why is the Government going after this fine Marine Officer? Someone who represents the very best America has to offer? And why are they doing it on a trumped up charge? What is the purpose of trying to destroy this truly great American hero?

Let's take a step back first. Almost four years ago to the day (November 19, 2005) a Marine convoy was moving through Haditha in Iraq - a terrorist stronghold. A roadside bomb exploded and the convoy took casualties. One United States Marine dead and two more seriously injured when the bomb went off under a Humvee. Gunfire directed at the Marines started immediately from the ambushing insurgents who were holed up in nearby civilian-occupied home.

The officer at the scene ordered four Marines - at great risk to themselves - to storm those homes from where the terrorists were firing. What happened next was a house-by-house, room-by-room battle in which nine terrorists were killed. There were also 15 civilian casualties who might have been shot by the Marines or the terrorists or a combination of the two. Obviously the death of civilians is always terrible - but not as common an occurrence as some people might think.

The bottom line here is that the colonel IMMEDIATELY reported those 15 deaths to his superiors. In fact the Pentagon had his battlefront report within 24 hours. NOT A SINGLE superior officer - including generals - thought it unusual. NOT ONE OF THEM suggested an investigation. In fact those officers went so far as to commend Lt Col Chessani for a job well done.

Then along came Time Magazine. MASSACRE they screamed. John Murtha jumped on the bandwagon accusing the Marines of cold blooded murder - even saying there was no firefight! He said the Marines were stressed from being in country for too long.

The Liberals went nuts. Our brave military were torturers; murderers; rapists - and of course, responsible for the "Massacre at Haditha" - that has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

The largest investigation in the history of the NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Services) .........

Take that in again!!! - The largest investigation in the history of the NCIS including 65 full time agents went on a year-long, multi-million Dollar digging trip - targeting the Colonel and his four enlisted men.

The Government has LOST at every stage of the criminal process. The four marines have been cleared. At one point they were charging Lt Col Chessani criminally. The Government's case? He did not file the proper paperwork. Had he been convicted he would have faced two and a half years in prison!!

One of the military judges who heard testimony in the case, had the following to say about the Government's evidence and pursuit of this national hero.

"To believe the government version of facts is to disregard clear and convincing evidence to the contrary and sets a dangerous precedent that, in my opinion, may encourage others to bear false witness against Marines as a tactic to erode public support of the Marine Corps and mission in Iraq. Even more dangerous is the potential that a Marine may hesitate at the critical moment when facing the enemy..." - Military Judge, LtCol Paul Ware, USMC

So now he faces this BOI. There are no rules of evidence as we understand them. No cross examination; no subpoena of witnesses. The Government merely has to prove misconduct by a preponderance of the evidence - not beyond a reasonable doubt. The Board could demote him or force him to retire. He could lose his retirement and health benefits for himself and his family.

And at the end of the day, the Government is charging him with failing to report a criminal incident which EVERYONE now understands DID NOT TAKE PLACE!

On Monday of this week Brian Rooney - one of the owners of the Pitsburg Steelers and a Marine Reserve Major himself - was my guest while I was filling in on 540 WFLA. It's a fascinating interview and you can here it BY CLICKING HERE - the top of Hour Two on 10/26/09.

Brian is one of the attorneys representing this Marine through the non-profit Thomas More Law Center. They are doing it for free. They will examine thousands of pages of reports; personally interview witnesses and travel the 2,000 miles to the BOI in California - an event that is expected to last for weeks.

Please check out their website and see if you can help. They are all that is standing between this Marine and Governmental crucifixion! - http://www.thomasmore.org/

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!!

Make sure Lt Col Chessani understands just how much we Patriots get it!

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Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

HONESTY FROM A GLOBAL WARMING NUT

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:00:09 -0500

The thing about those who keep telling us in real "Flash Gordon" style, that we only have a month and a half to save the planet, is that they are - at best - economical with the truth.

You see if you REALLY believe that we are destroying the planet (just so we are clear, I do not!), then getting behind the wheel of a Prius or buying carbon offsets from your own company while you move swiftly around the world in a private jet, is truly not the problem.

The problem is MUCH more basic than that... if you are a true believer that is.

The problem is in fact a four letter word...

MEAT!

You see if we are destroying Planet earth, then by FAR the biggest culprits are in fact cows. Look at this from The Times of London:

Direct emissions of methane from cows and pigs is a significant source of greenhouse gases. Methane is 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide as a global warming gas.

WOW! - 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide??

So the first question you need to ask the person screaming at you for driving around in your SUV is if they want to discuss the whole thing over a burger somewhere... because if they do, then they are a FAR bigger problem to the atmosphere - in all kinds of ways! - than you and your SUV.

In an interview with The Times, Lord Stern of Brentford said: "Meat is a wasteful use of water and creates a lot of greenhouse gases. It puts enormous pressure on the world's resources. A vegetarian diet is better."

Stern is one of the worlds' leading authorities on Global Warming. And it really does come down to this. If you are serious that we are destroying the planet then two things need to happen.

1. Turn veggie. If I catch you so much as sniffing at a well grilled burger or steak while a guest at my home, we are going to have a problem.

2. When exactly should the whole cow and pig genocide thing start? Oh and of course, how exactly are we going to do that? Hunt them from helicopters? Round them up as usual and send them to the slaughter house, but burn all the meat? (hang 0n - carbon dioxide - we better bury them in a land fill!).

I do have some words of praise for this Lord. He is being honest. If you accept the premise that global warming is produced by the gasses we pump into the atmosphere, then surely we need to take on this huge producer of those gasses?

Oh and one final thing - Stern - who I did say was honest - eats MEAT!!! He said so in the Times!!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

Something to think about. . .

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:38:08 -0500

This is really disturbing. Please understand that I am not suggesting you base your decision on whether or not to have a flu shot, but certainly it is something I'm sure no one gave any thought to.

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You can read Simon’s political blog daily at www.540wfla.com – and click on "The Daily Patriot” banner

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

Remembering our fallen heroes

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:35:57 -0500

"At approximately 0622 on Sunday, 23 Oct. 1983, the Battalion Landing Team headquarters building in the Marine Amphibious Unit compound at Beirut International Airport was destroyed by a terrorist bomb. The catastrophic attack took the lives of 241 Marines, sailors and soldiers and wounded more than 100 others." - So started the Department of Defense Commission Report on the event which started the terrorist war against the United States - and make no mistake, we are in a war.

All that has changed since the cowards sprung their murderous surprise on sleeping Marines is apparently our desire to win this war. I'm not sure that the lack of desire exists in the people, but it most certainly appears to be present in our leaders.

But perhaps today and tomorrow are not the days when we should be concentrating on that. Today and tomorrow we should remember how we felt back in 1983. Those of you not old enough to remember will not understand the level of shock than ran through this country and the rest of the world. This was the 9-11 of the 20th century.

A few days after the attack, President Ronald Reagan addressed the nation. He ended his comments as follows: "They were not afraid to stand up for their country or, no matter how difficult and slow the journey might be, to give to others that last, best hope of a better future. We cannot and will not dishonor them now and the sacrifices they've made by failing to remain as faithful to the cause of freedom and the pursuit of peace as they have been. I will not ask you to pray for the dead, because they're safe in God's loving arms and beyond need of our prayers. I would like to ask you all - wherever you may be in this blessed land - to pray for these wounded young men and to pray for the bereaved families of those who gave their lives for our freedom.

And then in 1985, President Reagan said this: "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." My most prized possession is a framed Stars and Stripes flown in my honor at Camp Fellujah in Iraq. This honor was given to me by Master Sergeant of Marines, William "Spanky" Gibson. It is the first thing you see when you walk into my home. Oh Spanky is the first ever serving member of any branch of our military to serve in a combat zone having had an above the knee amputation. He is a volunteer. Somehow he chose to honor me.

We patriots will never forget the sacrifices that are made in our name and in the name of freedom every day.

Today and tomorrow we honor all who have sacrificed in the name of our freedom. Here are the names - courtesy of The White House Commission on Remembrance

Carlson, Randall A. ....... USA .... MAJ .... 09/25/1982 .. CT .. Trumbull, CT
Reagan, David L. .......... USMC ... CPL .... 09/30/1982 .. VA .. Virginia Beach, VA
Maxwell, Ben H. ........... USA .... SSGT ... 04/18/1983 .. VA .. Appomattox, VA
McMaugh, Robert V. ........ USMC ... CPL .... 04/18/1983 .. VA .. Manassas, VA
Salazar, Mark E. .......... USA .... SSGT ... 04/18/1983 .. CA .. Pasadena, CA
Twine, Richard ............ USA .... SFC .... 04/18/1983 .. UK .. Salop, UK
Losey, Donald George ...... USMC ... 2LT .... 08/29/1983 .. NC .. Winston Salem, NC
Ortega, Alexander M. ...... USMC ... SSGT ... 08/29/1983 .. NY .. Rochester, NY
Clark, Randy W. ........... USMC ... LCPL ... 09/06/1983 .. WI .. Minong, WI
Valle, Pedro J. ........... USMC ... CPL .... 09/06/1983 .. RP .. San Juan, RP
Soifert, Alan H. .......... USMC ... SGT .... 10/14/1983 .. NH .. Nashua, NH
Ohler, Michael J. ......... USMC ... CAPT ... 10/16/1983 .. NY .. Huntington, NY
Abbott, Terry W. .......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. OH .. New Richmond, OH
Alexander, Clemon S. ...... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Monticello, FL
Allman, John R. ........... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NM .. Carlsbad ... NM
Arnold, Moses J. Jr. ...... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Philadelphia, PA
Bailey, Charles K. ........ USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. MD .. Berlin, MD
Baker, Nicholas ........... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. VA .. Alexandria, VA
Banks, Johansen ........... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. MI .. Detroit, MI
Barrett, Richard E. ....... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. VA .. Tappahanock, VA
Bates, Ronny K. ........... USN .... HM1 .... 10/23/1983 .. SC .. Aiken, SC
Battle, David L. .......... USMC ... 1stSGT . 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Hubert, NC
Baynard, James R. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. VA .. Richmond, VA
Beamon, Jesse W. .......... USN .... HN ..... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Haines City, FL
Belmer, Alvin. ............ USMC ... GYSGT .. 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Bland, Stephen ............ USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Midway Park, NC
Blankenship, Richard L. ... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Hubert, NC
Blocker, John W. .......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Yulee, FL
Boccia, Joseph J. Jr. ..... USMC ... CAPT ... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Northport, NY
Bohannon, Leon Jr. ........ USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Bohnet, John R. Jr. ....... USMC ... SSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. TN .. Memphis, TN
Bonk, John J. Jr. ......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Philadelphia, PA
Boulos, Jeffrey L. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Islip, NY
Bousum, David R. .......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. MI .. Fife Lake, MI
Boyett, John N. ........... USMC ... 1stLT .. 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Camp Lejeune, NC
Brown, Anthony ............ USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. MI .. Detroit, MI
Brown, David W. ........... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. TX .. Conroe, TX
Buchanan, Bobby S. Jr. .... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Midway Park, NC
Buckmaster, John B. ....... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. OH .. Vandalia, OH
Burley, William F. ........ USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NJ .. Linden, NJ
Cain, Jimmy R. ............ USN .... HN ..... 10/23/1983 .. AL .. Birmington, AL
Callahan, Paul L. ......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. OH .. Lorain, OH
Camara, Mecot E. .......... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Campus, Bradley J. ........ USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. MA .. Lynn, MA
Ceasar, Johnnie D. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. TX .. El Campo, TX
Cole, Marc L. ............. USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. OH .. Ludlow Falls, OH
Coleman, Marcus A. ........ USA .... SP4 .... 10/23/1983 .. TX .. Dallas, TX
Comas, Juan M. ............ USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Hialeah, FL
Conley, Robert A .......... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Orlando, FL
Cook, Charles D. .......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Advance, NC
Cooper, Curtis J. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. North Wales, PA
Copeland, Johnny L. ....... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Burlington, NC
Corcoran, Bert D. ......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Katonah, NY
Cosner, David L. .......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. WV .. Elkins, WV
Coulman, Kevin P. ......... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Seminary, NY
Croft, Brett A. ........... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Lakeland, FL
Crudale, Rick R. .......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. RI .. Warwick, RI
Custard, Kevin P. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. MN .. Virginia, MN
Cyzick, Russell E. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. WV .. Star City, WV
Davis, Andrew L. .......... USMC ... MAJ .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Decker, Sidney James ...... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. KY .. Clarkson, KY
Devlin, Michael J. ........ USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. MA .. Westwood, MA
Dibenedetto, Thomas A. .... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. CT .. Mansfield Center, CT
Dorsey, Nathaniel G. ...... USMC ... PVT .... 10/23/1983 .. MD .. Baltimore, MD
Douglass, Frederick B. .... USMC ... SGTMAJ . 10/23/1983 .. MA .. Cataumet, MA
Dunnigan, Timothy J. ...... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. WV .. Princeton, WV
Earle, Bryan L. ........... USN .... HN ..... 10/23/1983 .. OH .. Painsville, OH
Edwards, Roy L. ........... USMC ... MSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Camp Lejeune, NC
Elliot, William D. Jr. .... USN .... HM3 .... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Lancaster, PA
Ellison, Jesse ............ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. WI .. Soldiers Grove, WI
Estes, Danny R. ........... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. IN .. Gary, IN
Estler, Sean F. ........... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NJ .. Kenall Park, NJ
Faulk, James E. ........... USN .... HM3 .... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Panama City, FL
Fluegel, Richard A. ....... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Erie, PA
Forrester, Steven M. ...... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Foster, William B. Jr. .... USN .... HM3 .... 10/23/1983 .. VA .. Richmond, VA
Fulcher, Michael D ........ USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. VA .. Madison Heights, VA
Fuller, Benjamin E ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. GA .. Duluth, GA
Fulton, Michael S. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. TX .. Ft. Worth, TX
Gaines, William Jr. ....... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Port Charlotte, FL
Gallagher, Sean R. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. MA .. N. Andover, MA
Gander, David B. .......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. WI .. Milwaulkee, WI
Gangur, George M. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. OH .. Cleveland, OH
Gann, Leland E. ........... USMC ... SSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Camp Lejeune, NC
Garcia, Randall J. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. CA .. Modesto, CA
Garcia, Ronald J. ......... USMC ... SSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Gay, David D. ............. USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Harrisburg, IL
Ghumm, Harold D. .......... USMC ... SSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Gibbs, Warner Jr. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. VA .. Portsmouth, VA
Giblin, Timothy R. ........ USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. RI .. N. Providence, RI
Gorchinski, Michael W. .... USN .... ETC .... 10/23/1983 .. IN .. Evansville, IN
Gordon, Richard J. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. MA .. Somerville, MA
Gratton, Harold F. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Conoes, NY
Greaser, Robert B. ........ USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Lansdale, PA
Green, Davin M. ........... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. MD .. Baltimore, MD
Hairston, Thomas A. ....... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Philadelphia, PA
Haltiwanger, Freddie Jr. .. USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. SC .. Little Mountain, SC
Hamilton, Virgil D. ....... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. KY .. Dayton, OH
Hanton, Gilbert ........... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. DC .. Washington, DC
Hart, William ............. USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Haskell, Michael S. ....... USMC ... CAPT ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Camp Lejeune, NC
Hastings, Michael A. ...... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. DE .. Seaford, DE
Hein, Paul A. ............. USMC ... CAPT ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Camp Lejeune, NC
Held, Douglas E. .......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Helms, Mark A. ............ USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NE .. Dwight, NE
Henderson, Ferrandy D. .... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Tampa, FL
Hernandez, Matilde Jr. .... USMC ... MSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Midway Park, NC
Hester, Stanley G. ........ USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Raleigh, NC
Hildreth, Donald W. ....... USMC ... GYSGT .. 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Sneads Ferry, NC
Holberton, Richard H. ..... USMC ... SSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. SC .. Beaufort, SC
Holland, Robert S. ........ USN .... HM3 .... 10/23/1983 .. KY .. Gilbertsville, KY
Hollingshead, Bruce A. .... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. OH .. Fairborn, OH
Holmes, Melvin D. ......... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. IL .. Chicago, IL
Howard, Bruce L. .......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. ME .. Strong, ME
Hudson, John R. ........... USN .... LT ..... 10/23/1983 .. GA .. Riverdale, GA
Hudson, Terry L. .......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. AL .. Prichard, AL
Hue, Lyndon J. ............ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. LA .. Des Allemands, LA
Hukill, Maurice E. ........ USMC ... 2ndLT .. 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Iacovino, Edward F. Jr. ... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. RI .. Warwick, RI
Ingalls, John J. .......... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Interlaken, NY
Innocenzi, Paul G. III .... USMC ... WO1 .... 10/23/1983 .. NJ .. Trenton, NJ
Jackowski, James J. ....... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. S. Salem, NY
James, Jeffrey W. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. MD .. Baltimore, MD
Jenkins, Nathaniel W. ..... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Daytona Beach, FL
Johnson, Michael H. ....... USN .... HM2 .... 10/23/1983 .. MI .. Detroit, MI
Johnston, Edward A. ....... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. OH .. Struthers, OH
Jones, Steven ............. USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Brooklyn, NY
Julian, Thomas A. ......... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. RI .. Middleton, RI
Kees, Marion E. ........... USN .... HM2 .... 10/23/1983 .. WV .. Martinsburg, WV
Keown, Thomas C. .......... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. KY .. Louisville, KY
Kimm, Edward E. ........... USMC ... GYSGT .. 10/23/1983 .. IA .. Atlantic, IA
Kingsley, Walter V. ....... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. WI .. Wisconsin Dells, WI
Kluck, Daniel S. .......... USA .... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. KY .. Owensboro, KY
Knipple, James C. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. VA .. Alexandria, VA
Kreischer, Freas H. III ... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Indiatlantic, FL
Laise, Keith J. ........... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. East Stroudsburg, PA
Lamb, Thomas G. ........... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. MN .. Coon Rapids, MN
Langon, James J. IV ....... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NJ .. Lakehurst, NJ
Lariviere, Michael S. ..... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Perry, FL
Lariviere, Steven B. ...... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. MA .. Chicopee, MA
Lemnah, Richard L. ........ USMC ... MSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Camp Lejeune, NC
Lewis, David A. ........... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. OH .. Garfield Heights, OH
Lewis, Val S. ............. USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. GA .. Atlanta, GA
Livingston, Joseph R. ..... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. IL .. Champaign, IL
Lyon, Paul D. Jr. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Milton, FL
Macroglou, John W. ........ USMC ... MAJ .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Maitland, Samuel .......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Martin, Charlie R. ........ USMC ... SSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Camp Lejeune, NC
Martin, Jack L. ........... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Oveido, FL
Massa, David S. ........... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. RI .. Warren, RI
Massman, Michael R. ....... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. MI .. Port Huron, MI
Mattacchione, Joseph J. ... USMC ... PVT .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Sanford, NC
McCall, John .............. USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Rochester, NY
McDonough, James E. ....... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Newcastle, PA
McMahon, Timothy R. ....... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. TX .. Austin, TX
McNeely, Timothy D. ....... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Mooresville, NC
McVicker, George N. II .... USN .... HM2 .... 10/23/1983 .. IN .. Wabash, IN
Melendez, Louis ........... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. PR .. Puerto Rico
Menkins, Richard H. II .... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Tully, NY
Mercer, Michael D. ........ USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Vale, NC
Meurer, Ronald W. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Milano, Joseph P. ......... USN .... HM3 .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Farmingville, NY
Moore, Joseph P. .......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. MO .. St. Louis, MO
Morrow, Richard A. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Clairton, PA
Muffler, John F. .......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Philadelphia, PA
Munoz, Alex ............... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NM .. Bloomfield, NM
Myers, Harry D. ........... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Whittler, NC
Nairn, David J. ........... USMC ... 1stLT .. 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Nava, Luis A. ............. USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. CA .. Gardena, CA
Olson, John A. ............ USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. MN .. Sabin, MN
Olson, Robert P. .......... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Lawtons, NY
Ortiz, Richard C. ......... USMC ... CWO3 ... 10/23/1983 .. OK .. Ft. Sill, OK
Owen, Jeffrey B. .......... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. VA .. Virginia Beach, VA
Owens, Joseph A. .......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. VA .. Chesterfield, VA
Page, Connie Ray .......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Erwin, NC
Parker, Ulysses ........... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. MD .. Baltimore, MD
Payne, Mark W. ............ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Binghamton, NY
Pearson, John L. .......... USMC ... GYSGT .. 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Perron, Thomas S. ......... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. MA .. Whitinsville, MA
Phillips, John A. Jr. ..... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. IL .. Wilmette, IL
Piercy, George W. ......... USN .... HMC .... 10/23/1983 .. MD .. Mt. Savage, MD
Plymel, Clyde W. .......... USMC ... 1stLT .. 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Merritt, FL
Pollard, William H. ....... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Pomalestorres, Rafael I. .. USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Philadelphia, PA
Prevatt, Victor M. ........ USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. GA .. Columbus, GA
Price, James C. ........... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. AL .. Attala, AL
Prindeville, Patrick K. ... USMC ... SSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Gainesville, FL
Pulliam, Eric A. .......... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. IL .. E. St. Louis, IL
Quirante, Diomedes J. ..... USN .... HM3 .... 10/23/1983 .. RP .. Calcoocan City, RP
Randolph, David M. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. AZ .. Siloam Springs, AZ
Ray, Charles R. ........... USMC ... GYSGT .. 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Relvas, Rui A. ............ USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Philadelphia, PA
Rich, Terrence L. ......... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Brooklyn, NY
Richardson, Warren ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Brooklyn, NY
Rodriguez, Juan C. ........ USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Miami, FL
Rotondo, Louis J. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Philadelphia, PA
Sanpedro, Guillermo Jr. ... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Hialeah, FL
Sauls, Michael C. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. SC .. Waterboro, SC
Schnorf, Charles J. ....... USMC ... 1stLT .. 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Camp Lejeune, NC
Schultz, Scott L. ......... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Keeseville, NY
Scialabba, Peter J. ....... USMC ... CAPT ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Moorehead City, NC
Scott, Gary R. ............ USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. IL .. Rankin, IL
Shallo, Ronald L. ......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Hudson, NY
Shipp, Thomas A. .......... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Shropshire, Jerryl D. ..... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. GA .. Macon, GA
Silvia, James F. .......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. RI .. Portsmouth, RI
Sliwinski, Stanley J. ..... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. OH .. Niles, OH
Smith, Kirk H. ............ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Miami, FL
Smith, Thomas G. .......... USMC ... SSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. CT .. Middletown, CT
Smith, Vincent L. ......... USMC ... CAPT ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Soares, Edward ............ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. RI .. Tiverton, RI
Sommerhof, William S. ..... USMC ... 1stLT .. 10/23/1983 .. IL .. Springfield, IL
Spaulding, Michael C. ..... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. OH .. Akron, OH
Spearing, John W. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Lancaster, PA
Spencer, Stephen E. ....... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. RI .. Portsmouth, RI
Stelpflug, Bill J. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. AL .. Auburn, AL
Stephens, Horace R. ....... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. MD .. Capitol Heights, MD
Stockton, Craig S. ........ USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Rochester, NY
Stokes, Jeffrey G. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. GA .. Waynesboro, GA
Stowe, Thomas D. .......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Sturghill, Eric D. ........ USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. IL .. Chicago, IL
Sundar, Devon L. .......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. CT .. Standford, CT
Surch, James F. Jr. ....... USN .... LT ..... 10/23/1983 .. CA .. Lompoc, CA
Thompson, Dennis A. ....... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Bronx, NY
Thorstad, Thomas P. ....... USMC ... SSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. IN .. Chesterton, IN
Tingley, Stephen D. ....... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. CT .. Ellington, CT
Tishmack, John J. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. MN .. Minneapolis, MN
Trahan, Lex D. ............ USMC ... PVT .... 10/23/1983 .. LA .. Lafayette, LA
Vallone, Donald H. Jr. .... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. CA .. Palmdale, CA
Walker, Eric R. ........... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. IL .. Chicago, IL
Walker, Leonard W. ........ USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. AL .. Dothan, AL
Washington, Eric G. ....... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. VA .. Alexandria, VA
Weekes, Obrian ............ USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Brooklyn, NY
Wells, Tandy W. ........... USMC ... 1stSGT . 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Wentworth, Steven B. ...... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Reading, PA
Wesley, Allen D. .......... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Philadelphia, PA
West, Lloyd D. ............ USMC ... GYSGT .. 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Weyl, John R. ............. USMC ... SSGT ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Wherland, Burton D. Jr. ... USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Jacksonville, NC
Wigglesworth, Dwayne W. ... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. CT .. Naugatuck, CT
Williams, Rodney J. ....... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. FL .. Opa Locka, FL
Williams, Scipio Jr. ...... USMC ... GYSGT .. 10/23/1983 .. SC .. Charleston, SC
Williamson, Johnny A. ..... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 .. NC .. Asheboro, NC
Wint, Walter E. Jr. ....... USMC ... CAPT ... 10/23/1983 .. PA .. Wilkes-Barre, PA
Winter, William E. ........ USMC ... CAPT ... 10/23/1983 .. SC .. Fripp Island, SC
Wolfe, John E. ............ USMC ... CPL .... 10/23/1983 .. AZ .. Phoenix, AZ
Woollett, Donald E. ....... USMC ... 1stLT .. 10/23/1983 .. OK .. Barthesville, OK
Worley, David E. .......... USN .... HM3 .... 10/23/1983 .. MD .. Baltimore, MD
Wyche, Craig L. ........... USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NY .. Jamaica, NY
Yarber, James G. .......... USA .... SFC .... 10/23/1983 .. CA .. Vacaville, CA
Young, Jeffrey D. ......... USMC ... SGT .... 10/23/1983 .. NJ .. Moorestown, NJ
Zimmerman, William A. ..... USMC ... 1stLT .. 10/23/1983 .. MI .. Grand Haven, MI
Townsend, Henry Jr. ....... USMC ... CPL .... 12/02/1983 .. AL .. Montgomery, AL
Biddle, Shannon D. ........ USMC ... CPL .... 12/04/1983 .. AL .. Valley Head, AL
Cherman, Sam .............. USMC ... CPL .... 12/04/1983 .. NY .. Queens, NY
Cox, Manuel A. ............ USMC ... SGT .... 12/04/1983 .. NJ .. Union City, NJ
Daugherty, David L. ....... USMC ... CPL .... 12/04/1983 .. OH .. Eastlake,OH
Evans, Thomas A. .......... USMC ... CPL .... 12/04/1983 .. MT .. Conrad, MT
Hattaway, Jeffrey T. ...... USMC ... PFC .... 12/04/1983 .. FL .. Pensacola, FL
Kraft, Todd A. ............ USMC ... CPL .... 12/04/1983 .. ND .. Devilslake, ND
Lange, Mark A. ............ USN .... LT .... 12/04/1983 .. MI .. Fraser, MI
Perkins, Marvin H. ........ USMC ... CPL .... 12/04/1983 .. TN .. Franklin, TN
Gargano, Edward J. ........ USMC ... CPL .... 01/08/1984 .. MA .. Quincy, MA
Dramis, George L. ......... USMC ... LCPL ... 01/30/1984 .. NJ .. Cape May Court House, NJ
*Hernandez, Rodolfo ....... USMC ... - ...... 01/30/1984 .. TX ..El Paso, TX
Butler, Alfred III ........ USMC ... CAPT ... 02/09/1984 .. FL .. Cocoa Beach, FL
Wagner, Michael ........... USN .... IS1 .... 09/20/1984 .. NC .. Zebulon,, NC
Welch, Kenneth ............ USA .... WO2 .... 09/20/1984 .. MI .. Grand Rapids, MI
*Hendrickson, John ........ USMC ... - ...... 04/13/1990 .. - ..
*Simpson, Larry H. Jr. .... USMC ... - ...... 08/31/1992 .. - ..
Hasenfus, Michael ......... USA .... CPL .... 10/20/1984 .. MA .. Dedham, MA
Stethem, Robert D. ........ USN .... SW2 .... 06/15/1985 .. MD .. Waldorf, MD
Higgins, William R. ....... USMC ... COL .... 07/06/1990 .. KY .. Louisville, KY

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Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

Three million pink slips sent to Congress!

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:19:13 -0500

As I write this at 8am on Tuesday 20 October, 2009, some THREE MILLION pink slips have been sent to members of Congress individually addressed, personalized with senders name and address and delivered to all members of Congress by Fed Ex.

Three million after just THREE WEEKS since the campaign started.

The idea was conceived by Janet Porter of Faith2Action and a WND weekly columnist. "They didn't listen to the Tea Parties and the Town Halls; maybe they'll start listening when they're tripping over boxes of Pink Slips and stacking them from floor to ceiling!" she said

"We need to erect a firewall of pink slips before they vote to take our freedoms, our free enterprise, and our very lives with socialized medicine.".

Of course with 2010 approaching, members of the House in particular are looking towards the election - as usual the top priority! This innovative campaign will hopefully have the effect of reminding exactly who they work for!

If you want to be a part of it, just follow the links provided. It is actually a cheap way of sending a very powerful message due to the economies of scale - and Fed Ex WILL deliver.

More from Janet Porter: "There is a revolution brewing across this country," she said. "People are angry about losing their country and they are ready for action. This campaign is just the latest evidence."

Send your pink slips to Congress now

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

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Hey You!

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:38:39 -0500

More great stuff from one of my favorite bloggers...

Via Kevin Robinson Custom Home Builder (Crownline Home Builders):

Yeah you! I am talking to you! What are you going to do about this mess? Got any ideas?

Damn dude, for something like a year, all I heard from you was how the current guy was not doing the job right, and how your competitor would not be able to do the job. You talked like you were the guy. You had this whole thing figured out and were going to fix the problem.

Man, you are no different than a bad used car salesman. Promise that the thing will run right and if it does not, merely bring it back. When we try to bring it back, you are not there anymore. You lied.

Remember all of those jobs you were going to create? It was no big deal for a smart educated man like yourself. Lately it seems like you just talk about hopefully paying the unemployed a few more bucks. No new jobs so far. All talk.

Have you seen all of the business closing up lately? Probably not. you are too damn busy keeping a bunch of elitist Europeans digging you. Good for you, bad for us. Man, listen up.

Here in our country there are people who needs jobs. Lots of them. When you were the outsider trying to get the job, you were all answers. All kinds of new jobs. Where are they? Throwing money around as if we have it. Government printing out money and IOU's like it is Monopoly money. Like it is a game. It ain't no game.

The value of our dollar is a worldwide joke. Our businesses are closing and our citizens are out of work. Everything that you are doing is further eroding our dollar. In case you don't know, as our dollar gets to be worth less, our country gets to be worth less. Economics man. High finance. This aint community organizing anymore. This is the bigs man. See, as a leader you are supposed to actually do something to solve the problem. Stop going around like some movie star, collecting awards and presenting Olympic proposals. None of that will get jobs for our people. Big talk = no action. To anyone who is paying attention, you are looking like a guy who is hell bent on not solving the problem. You sure do appear to be working on destroying our great country and turning us into a 3rd world country. Talk is cheap, but actions speak volumes, and your actions ain't good for America.

Mr. President, you need to start supporting capitalism. It works. Stop making government bigger. I know that you have some pie in the sky, childhood dream that socialism works, but it does not. Dude, I was a kid once and thought utopia sounded great, but then I grew up and saw that it is nothing but a fantasy. Everyone liked the whole "steal from the rich, give to the poor" thing as kids, but once they start working, see that it is for suckers.

Here is a primer for you. Unemployed equals less spending. Less spending equals less employment. Less employment means less jobs. Do you see. Vicious circle. Oh, and by the way, it also means less tax revenue. I should not even have to explain this to you.

I respect the office that you hold, and for that reason I will address you as President. But, I am now very sure that you are not qualified for this job. You fabricated your resume, and are in over your head. Please step aside while we still have a country for you to pretend to lead.

And now for something REALLY spooky!

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:35:39 -0500

You will most certainly not have heard yet, that at the end of October - on Halloween to be exact - Federal funding of Acorn returns.

You see the vote in Congress to defund the organisation actually only achieved that for one month. Congress is trying to put one over on you.

YOU MUST CALL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES!

I know how time consuming it is. I know how frustrating it is when you actually get through to some assistant who couldn't care less what you say, but I also know how effective it is. These people do not get the calls many people think they get. You cannot leave it up to someone else to write the letter, send the e-mail or pick up the phone.

YOU HAVE TO STAND UP AMERICA!

It was actually Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann - serving the 6th District of Minnesota - who revealed the ticking clock for Acorn. Remember - this is YOUR money they are spending. Call them! Make them understand who they work for. Do not allow Acorn to get refunded on your watch. And do it today. Then do it again tomorrow and the next day. And then do it all again starting on Monday.

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(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

What happened to Global Warming?

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:43:44 -0500

OK I admit it - I stole the headline. But where I stole it from might come as a bit of a shock. I stole it from the BBC. When even the BBC starts to question the validity of the greatest con ever perpetrated on mankind then you know there is a problem.

Last time I was guest hosting for Bud Hedinger on 540 WFLA, one of my guests was Phelim McAleer - an Irish film maker who's movie "Not Evil, Just Wrong" comes out this week (Remeber where you heard it first!!).

Now it would seem that the rest of the media has picked up on Phelim because he was an attendee at the Society of Environmental Journalists annual conference at the Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin.

Someone made a big mistake! For the first time since the 2006 movie "An Inconvenient Truth" came out, Al Gore - the guest speaker - agreed to take some questions. Now while most of these were softball stuff, Phelim McAleer managed to get hold of the microphone. He asked Gore a question about the movie. He wanted a comment on the British Courts' decision that there were nine major factual errors in the movie. Gore responded that the movie was still being shown in British schools and then they cut off McAleer's microphone for the follow up question.

The Global Warming crowd have a problem. The earth has been cooling for 11 years. Some say it will cool for at least another 20. That's why they changed the name to "Climate Change" but if you allow them to own the language, they own the argument. That's why the BBC headline is so significant.

It is worth reading the following from the BBC Report: "According to research conducted by Professor Don Easterbrook from Western Washington University last November, the oceans and global temperatures are correlated.

The oceans, he says, have a cycle in which they warm and cool cyclically. The most important one is the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO). For much of the 1980s and 1990s, it was in a positive cycle, that means warmer than average. And observations have revealed that global temperatures were warm too.

But in the last few years it has been losing its warmth and has recently started to cool down. These cycles in the past have lasted for nearly 30 years.

So could global temperatures follow? The global cooling from 1945 to 1977 coincided with one of these cold Pacific cycles.

Professor Easterbrook says: "The PDO cool mode has replaced the warm mode in the Pacific Ocean, virtually assuring us of about 30 years of global cooling."

It is also worth looking at the movie clip at the top of this blog and then going to the website - www.noteviljustwrong.com - and ordering your copy. I watched an advance of the movie last weekend and I'm not in the least bit shocked that Gore cut off McAleer's microphone.

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(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

What a great game!!

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:58:15 -0500

Yes indeeeeedie!! Roll up and play the newest game in town!! And the best part about it (if you believe the Administration) is that WE ALL WIN!!

The object of the game is simple - it is to destroy American capitalism by having the Government take over everything!

Wanna play?

No???

>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>

   >>>>>>>>>>

     >>>>>>>>>>

       >>>>>>>>>>

Too bad, you're already playing.......

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

For the sake of our troops - MAKE A DECISION!!!!!

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:29:06 -0500

Is it too much to expect the Commander in Chief to behave like one?

Another ten brave men died this weekend in a war in Afghanistan that we are most certainly not winning right now. The reason we are not winning is political - not military. We have once again forgotten who we are. Take a look at these two simple quotes from one of the greatest men this nation as ever produced.

"In war there is no substitute for victory" - General Douglas MacArthur

"It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it" - General Douglas MacArthur

How about another quote that invokes MacArthur's name? "I'm always worried about using the word 'victory,' because, you know, it invokes this notion of Emperor Hirohito coming down and signing a surrender to MacArthur," President Obama told ABC News. Of course, Hirohito did no such thing, but the MSM will give him a pass on that one. They will also give him a pass on his campaign pledge that winning in Afghanistan would be his Administration's top priority.

Really? Let's examine that shall we.

On August 30th, the General that Obama himself appointed, sent an urgent request for more US troops to Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal said in his war assessment that not only did we need more U.S. troops but that a new U.S. strategy was also urgently needed to defeat a growing insurgency in Afghanistan.

The President was vacationing in Martha's Vineyard at the time. Since September 1, the President has gone on SEVEN foreign trips. He has found time to play golf on four occasions, played some hoops with friends and even found time to mess around with the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.

He has done eight TV interviews including Letterman. He's celebrated Ramadan at the White House, taken his wife out for their anniversary and taken to the kids to some of the sites in DC. He has delivered at least two speeches to AFL-CIO rallies, done numerous fundraisers, but has only answered questions from the press once in five weeks.

He did manage to declare October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month - that was just before he went to Copenhagen to try and bring home the 2016 Olympics - another failure! - and he did find time to go to the St. Regis Hotel in DC where a bunch of Democrat Governors were holding a big fundraiser. He even spoke at that event.

"I know some folks say we should focus on fixing the economy instead of on health insurance reform," he said. We all know what came next so let's not bother with it. Health care, health care, blah, blah, blah. Evil Republicans, George Bush, blah, blah, blah, Dick Cheney, blah blah.

Still no word on our men and women in harm's way of course, although he did manage to sign an an executive order banning federal workers from texting while driving government vehicles!!

So the question is, if "victory" is not our aim, what the heck are we doing there? Why is he having to make ten phone calls this weekend to the families of ten American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom?

The biggest problem seems to be that the President is not focused on what he should be focused on. You may remember that during the election, the McCain camp had some limited success with pointing out that the then candidate Obama had no Executive experience; no military experience and no foreign affairs experience. That lead to the whole "judge me by who I keep around me" garbage which is really working out well for the President I think.

But hidden in the fun of the campaign was a HUGE TRUTH that is now coming home to roost. Unfortunately the people paying the price for that hidden truth are the men and women in harm's way.

So Mr President I have a message for you.

MAKE A DECISION!!!

Either give YOUR GENERAL what he is asking for, or bring our men and women home. In the words of Douglas MacArthur...

"It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it"

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(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

Why is Crist hiding from Florida voters?

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:11:31 -0500

Florida Governor Charlie Crist has refused to face the voters. Specifically the Republican voters who get to choose between him and former Speaker Marco Rubio at the Senate Primary next year.

Let me explain. Last time I was filling in for Bud Hedinger on 540 WFLA, Speaker Rubio was a guest on the show. At the end of that interview I challenged the Speaker to come back to 540 WITH the Governor for a special program - some might call it debate - and take questions posed by the listeners. The Speaker agreed immediately.

I then contacted my boss on the station and told him what I'd done! Luckily we have a great boss and he told me that if I could put it together then we would run a two hour special show during afternoon drive time.

All I needed now was the Governor to agree.

I could not envisage that he would not want to answer questions from the very people in the I4 Corridor who will likely elect him to the US Senate. And so I called his Political Director. In fact I had to call his Political Director a total of four times before I was given the courtesy of a call back. He was very nice on the phone and told me to put my request in writing - which I did.

One week passed and no response, so I nudged him. I was told an answer would be forthcoming "very soon".Another week passed and no e-mail.

I nudged again and this time I received a reply which said that the Governor would have to decline, but that they would be back in touch. I asked for a confirmation. You see I wasn't looking for a date - just a commitment to do the show at any time between now and the Primary. Surely the Governor could fit that in to his busy schedule? My clarification came and the Governor again declined.

CALL TO ACTION

Personally I find it disgraceful that the Governor of Florida is refusing to take questions from the people of Florida. Let me also make it clear - I have not endorsed any candidate for this race.So what do we do now?

I think we try and embarrass the Governor into coming on the air. That's right. All of you need to write to the Governor and demand (remember - he works for YOU) that he change his mind and agree to do the show with Speaker Rubio and myself. And MOST IMPORTANTLY, with YOU - the voters of the State.

You can contact Governor Crist as follows:

Office of Governor Charlie Crist,

State of Florida, The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

E-MAIL: Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com

CALL: (850) 488-7146

LET'S REMIND HIM EXACTLY WHO HE WORKS FOR!

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(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

Palin book tops Amazon pre-order lists

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:12:55 -0500

Sarah Palin's book - due out on November 17 - is already top of the charts at both Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.

In fact "Going Rogue is beating out the likes of Ted Kennedy's "True Compass," Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol," his first novel since "The Da Vinci Code" and Glenn Beck's "Arguing With Idiots" (side bar - does anyone have a problem with the NY Times not reviewing Beck's books? This is his THIRD NY Times #1 bestseller and the paper has never reviewed any of his books).

A massive 1.5 million copies of the former Alaskan Governor's book will be printed and a second print run is already on the cards with the pre-orders looking so strong.

I have no doubt whatsoever that there are people waiting to tear it apart - but that's simply Liberal Elitism and jealousy. "How can she get a book deal?", says one, but perhaps my favorite is this one: "

She is subject to severe mood swings and that combined with a rifle can only lead to a crazy women with a gun. She is subject to temper tantrums when she does not get what she wants. Yes she is good for the NRA and etc. She is not very smart upstairs and needs a body makeover."

A body makeover? Really? Maybe someone needs to visit the eye doctor!

Anyway, you can pre-order Sarah Palin's book at the two above mentioned websites or if you like coffee with your books, then just step right in to a bookstore and do it there. Not enough people go into book stores anymore.

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(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

Grayson says sorry... almost!

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:18:34 -0500

This morning I contacted the office of Congressman Alan Grayson. We could discuss his speech to the House. We could discuss the attempts to make him say sorry coming from both sides of the political isle. We could even discuss his motives - many say have nothing to do with health care.

But the thing I wanted to discuss was his use of the word "HOLOCAUST". I'm not interested in dictionary definitions, just in what it means to millions of people all across the planet.

So when I contacted his office this morning I had but one question. Does the Congressman wish to withdraw that one word?

Well it took a few hours but I just received the reply. In fact it was a reply sent to the Anti Defamation League which apparently had asked a similar question - and here it is.

"I just wanted to re-iterate my thoughts regarding people's concerns over my recent statement on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. I am Jewish and have relatives who died in the Holocaust. In no way did I mean to minimize the Holocaust. I regret the choice of words, and I will not repeat it. I am a staunch supporter of Israel and on numerous occasions, I have said that Iran must be restrained to avoid another Holocaust. I personally support the Anti-Defamation League and its work."

Personally I am pleased he regrets using the word. Personally I am pleased he plans on not repeating it. Personally I am disgusted that he couldn't bring himself to utter the word "sorry". There is no shame in apologising Congressman. It takes a real man or woman to step up and say "I made a mistake". The fact that you didn't when given the chance speaks volumes to me - one of your constituents I might add - and I'm sure it speaks volumes to many others who will get the chance to vote for or against you next year.

SHAME!

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(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

The Daily Patriot is born!

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:37:56 -0500

As regular readers of my blog will know, I have been doing more on the radio recently and that 540 WFLA decided to give me a daily blog. It's been running for a short while now, and today it got a name! When I was asked about naming it, my first reaction was "anything except 'Simon Sez'!"

Anyway, I came up with the title that I am extremely proud of. You click the banner above and please do sign up for the RSS Feed at the bottom of that page when you get there.

The techies are still working on a few minor bugs like "comments" and more separation between entries oh and the size of each title, but overall we are off to a great start.

If you wish to comment in places other than here, then please e-mail simontalkshow@gmail.com

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(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

You can read Simon's political blog daily at www.540wfla.com - keyword "SIMON"

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

A tale of two Presidents

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:21:31 -0500
Right now the President is in Denmark - acting as a lobbyist for Chicago in order to get the Olympic Games for that city. All this despite the fact that Chicagoans are at best luke warm about the games going there in 2016. There are protests and websites - try http://www.chicagoansforrio.com/
So now we have the President, the First Lady, Oprah and others flying in on separate planes to try and get something that by the latest poll, half the City doesn't want. And considering the corruption that always seems to surround Olympic Games, is Chicago with its history the best place? I don't think so, but that is the subject for another blog. Oh and before I move on, let's spare a thought for the First Lady and the "sacrifice" she's making! "As much of a sacrifice as people say this is for me or Oprah or the president to come for these few days..." - GIVE ME A BREAK!!
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the President has had ONE CONVERSATION with our commander in Afghanistan in the last 75 days! ONE!!!!
If you remember back to the election, the then candidate Obama told us that this would be his top priority. That we HAD to win this one. That President Bush had failed the country; failed the troops; failed his math class and failed anything else he could think of!
The President also told us that the days of lobbyists being in charge were over - I'd ask Joe Wilson about that one - he says it better than me! But, now with America's top commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, saying GIVE ME MORE TROOPS, the President is over in Copenhagen being the Lobbyist in Chief.
I guess that might explain the different reaction from the Marine Corps given to President Bush and President Obama!
My thanks to my friend Hugh for the video

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(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)
You can read Simon’s political blog daily at www.540wfla.com – keyword “SIMON”
Simon Conway is the winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.
Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

BREAKING....Senate Finance Committee rejects govt insurance option

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:27:34 -0500

Senate Finance Committee votes 15-8 against Government public option for health care. And Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who has been trying to push a compromise Bill is calling it a victory.

"My job is to put together a bill that gets to 60 votes in the full Senate", according to AP. "No one shows me how to get to 60 votes with a public option," he added.

After all the delays it now looks like there will be votes in both the House and the Senate in October, wioth a vote on a compromise between the two much deeper into the Fall.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

You can read Simon's political blog daily at www.540wfla.com - keyword "SIMON"

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

Send Pink Slips to Congress!

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:32:25 -0500

As I write this at 11.30pm on Monday 28 September, 2009, some 850,000 pink slips have been sent to members of Congress individually addressed, personalized with senders name and address and delivered to all members of Congress by Fed Ex. The grassroots campaign was announced last Friday by World Net Daily and organisers believe the target of five million slips will be exceeded.

The idea was conceived by Janet Porter of Faith2Action and a WND weekly columnist. "We set a goal of 5 million pink slips to members of Congress," she said. "We might even surpass that goal."

Of course with 2010 approaching, members of the House in particular are looking towards the election - as usual the top priority! This innovative campaign will hopefully have the effect of reminding exactly who they work for!

If you want to be a part of it, just follow the links provided. It is actually a cheap way of sending a very powerful message due to the economies of scale - and Fed Ex WILL deliver.

More from Janet Porter: "There is a revolution brewing across this country," she said. "People are angry about losing their country and they are ready for action. This campaign is just the latest evidence."

Send your pink slips to Congress now

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(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

You can read Simon's political blog daily at www.540wfla.com - keyword "SIMON"

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

Buy insurance or go to jail - Obamacare official!

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:43:12 -0500

Yes you read that right. Under Obamacare you are forced to buy it. If you don't you can be fined. Now we know that if you don't pay the fine, jail awaits you!

Truly, you can't make this stuff up. It comes down to this. Americans who fail to pay the penalty for not buying insurance would face legal action from the Internal Revenue Service, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.

Senator John Ensign (R-Nev - pictured left) wanted to know what that meant and so he asked a question of the committee's Chief of Staff - Thomas Barthold and was shocked when he received the answer in a hand written reply. The answer is simple. Pay up the fine or face prosecution from the IRS. This can be a fine of up to $25,000 and a year in jail.

You can see a copy of the actual note by CLICKING HERE As you can see, he signed it "Sincerely, Thomas A. Barthold."

Apart from being shocking, this answer blows up the President's continuing claims that the individual mandate penalty, which could go as high as $1,900, is not a tax increase.

The Senator pushed the line of questioning, he later explained, because neither he nor Americans that he had spoken to, believed there was a provision in the Constitution that allowed the Federal Government to mandate that you and I buy health insurance!

"We could be subjecting those very people who conscientiously, because they believe in the U.S. Constitution, we could be subjecting them to fines or the interpretation of a judge, all the way up to imprisonment," Ensign said. "That seems to me to be a problem."

It seems like a problem to me too John, but the problem does not end there. It would seem that the Senator's colleagues don't agree - refusing to sign on to an amendment to dump the mandate.

Not surprisingly, all the Democrats voted in favor of keeping the mandate and perhaps even less shocking is that Republican Olympia Snowe (Maine) also jumped on board. Someone needs to explain to these people that we have a little document that I like to call "THE CONSTITUTION" and that if they don't want to abide by it, then get the heck out of OUR CAPITOL! In case they haven't read it recently, here is a link to the entire thing!

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(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

You can read Simon's political blog daily at www.540wfla.com - keyword "SIMON"

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

Active Rain Simon Conway Gets Our Short Sale Listing Referral Closed!

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:38:29 -0500

My thanks to Katerina and Nestor - not just for the referral, but for posting this as well.
Via Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Luxury Homes (International Properties and Investments, Inc.):
Kudos to Active Rain Member Simon Conway for going the extra mile to take care of a short sale listing referral we gave to him a few months ago. It was a short sale listing that was referred to Nestor and I from one of the attorneys who sends us a lot of referrals for short sale listings.

Simon Conway got a long very well with this seller and his wife. He had the listing sold within a couple of weeks and then it was into the negotiating on the short sale end of the listing. Simon was able to negotiate a fully clean slate for the sellers, no promissory note, no deficiency and no cash outlay from the sellers.

"Simon,

I know it is a done deal when the Broker is paid and all the disbursements are done. Susan and I appreciate all you and Frankie did in making the deal happen. Given that the transaction was a short sale it appears we will come out OK.

I will certainly give you all the referrals I come across for buyers, sellers and sales associates.

Regards,

H. "

It was a nice surprise to hear from the seller who sent us an email letting us know how much he liked Simon and that he would be sending any Orlando referrals to Simon Conway. Then today I got a surprise phone call from Simon that he had closed on the property and the check was in the mail.

Don't you just love referral checks that show up in the mail! Setting up a good referral system is a great way to add additional income to your business.

It works the other way around also. Lenn Harley referred a listing to Broker Bryant who sent the referral to Nestor and myself and we just sent him a check because we closed on the listing a couple of weeks ago. You may have read Lenn's featured post about the transaction that we would not give up on. We send Broker Bryant's check off to him with a smile and gratitude.

If you have a short sale that you need to get closed we will refer you to an agent who is a good match for you.



T o view Florida Short Sales- Click here . We know Palm Beach County Short Sales and Port St Lucie Florida Short Sales and will help you get your home Sold if you need to Sell your home and help you buy your home in Palm Beach County Florida : Call us today.

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Active Rain Simon Conway Gets Our Short Sale Listing Referral Closed! -was first published on South- Florida-Luxury-Living.com.

Copyright © 2009 By Katerina Gasset, All Rights Reserved.*Active Rain Simon Conway Gets Our Short Sale Listing Referral Closed *

This will blow your flip flops off!

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:30:27 -0500
I have no words. This is an extremely rare thing for me, but genuinely I have no words! Below you will find a You Tube video showing Elementary School kids singing the praises of our President. Who is this teacher? Has she been fired yet? if not, why not? What are the parents saying? Why are there no questions in Congress? Where is the New York Times (this happened in New Jersey)?
I have spoken before on the air about the cult of personality that someone somewhere is trying to cultivate in our schools with regards to our President. We had an on air debate about it when the President addressed the nation's school kids and the lesson plans that followed.
The song even uses parts of the spiritual "Jesus Loves the Little Children," replacing Jesus's name with the Presidents: "He said red, yellow, black or white/All are equal in his sight. Barack Hussein Obama."
There are also words that seem to support the President's Fair Pay Bill which was one of the first he signed in January. "He said we must be clear today/Equal work means equal pay."
As the title said - this should blow your flip flops off. WRITE, CALL for God's sake let them know that we know!
STAND UP AMERICA!

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(Copyright © 2008 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

Simon Conway is the winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.
Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

New blog on radio station website

Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:18:08 -0500

As those of you who know me will already be aware, I have been doing more and more radio recently. The main thing has been sitting in for the regular breakfast show host on 540 WFLA when he is on vacation or off sick or something.

Well now the radio station has decided to raise my profile. In pursuit of this goal, it has given me a blog on their website. You can check it out at http://www.540wfla.com/pages/simon_conway.html and don't forget to click on the RSS Feed at the bottom of the page!

If you wish to comment on any of the posts, you can do so at the source page which is http://sc540.blogspot.com/ but please hit that RSS Feed button and also become a follower on the source page. The more numbers the better for me! :)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net