BENNETT: 2015 - The Year in Review
by Jack Bennett
How was 2015 for you? Depending to whom you ask that question will very definitely determine what kind of an answer you get back.
The following, in no particular order, are events that helped shape our local communities.
After much discussion and with the constant supervision of Linda Hemmis the Locks on the Allegheny River (7, 8, 9) were opened for pleasure boat use utilizing private funds. Quite a feat on its own, alone in our lifetime.
Next we have the construction (description) of Market Street and the Revitalization program. What a mess and they will be back when the “weather breaks”!
The long awaited new high school opens and by most accounts is moving along very well,
And speaking of opening (or moving) we have the continuing saga of the outgoing chairman of the county commissioners and the quest to utilize funds from the Tourist Bureau to off-set losses at the Belmont. (Your tax dollars at work?) Thank goodness that situation was finally put to rest and the Bureau remains on Market Street in Kittanning.
Speaking of the Commissioners, it won’t be long until the new ones are sworn in and we will be watching to see if they can follow through with their goals for the county.
Bad weather continues to “dog” the Arts on the Allegheny programs and the same could be said for the Questors’ Antique Show.
The weather was nice for the Fort Armstrong Folk Festival and for the Tribute to the Veterans of the Viet Nam war. Fifty (50) years later will again be conducted on Sunday of the Festival 2016.
Although torn up all summer, US 422 is finally open in all directions and it looks pretty good.
And let’s not forget our good president has reached all the way into Armstrong County and through his “War on Coal” with the lay- off of approximately 350 miners. How’s that for supporting the community?
And finally, according to City-data.com, Armstrong County (yes, little Armstrong) is fourth (4th) in the nation for gun owner ship.
Finally a note from the President. He will be making Gun Control the dominant priority for his outgoing administration. And if he doesn’t get our guns, Hillary will. Think long and hard about the up-coming election. All our futures are riding on it.
IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM
The views expressed are those of the author.
BENNETT: Commentary | Jack Bennett December 30, 2015
By jorn jensen, December 30, 2015 @ 7:55 AM
Wonder if any of the 600 county employees would ever see a layoff?
By Flamingo1, December 30, 2015 @ 11:27 AM
Poor Jack just repeats things he here’s on conspiracy radio and internet sites.
1. Armstrong County is 4th in the nation for gun ownership on a per capita basis. A fine distinction.
2. The war on coal is mostly being waged by the market forces that have natural gas producing cleaner and cheaper electricity. Things change. The whaling industry is gone too.
3. And of course goes off on repeating the lie that Obama is coming after your guns. Nice try. The Democratic position is that mentally ill people shouldn’t be able to buy guns, and people who are on the do not fly list (people suspected of being terrorists or who have some national security issues) should not be able to buy guns. That is not going after your guns—-unless you are mentally ill, or a terrorist. Now that is the real defense of freedom.
By jorn jensen, December 31, 2015 @ 7:48 AM
Flamingo, for an educated liberal, try using the correct form of here’s and hears. It is not that difficult.
By jorn jensen, January 6, 2016 @ 10:17 PM
This Bennett article is excellent liberal bait. And where are they? They’re still back, whining forth and back, on the Don White article. Liberals - it is okay to whine on more than one article.
By jerry6, January 7, 2016 @ 7:06 AM
I have still have my two hand guns and six rifles and Obama is going out of office soon after eight years.
Read the book by Gabby and Mark Kelly called Enough. You will see the true NRA. Both of these people own guns and go to the rifle range. Gabby had to learn to shoot with her left hand after being shot. No one is taking your guns away. We just want background checks at gun shows and on the Internet. Jack Bennett is still living in the old age.
By sickofpayingforit, January 7, 2016 @ 10:37 AM
Some would argue that the “background checks” are secret code for a governmental registry for gun owners. I tend to agree………..
By Marc, January 7, 2016 @ 10:44 AM
Jensen: If someone comments on an article they’re “whining” and if not, then that’s also not good enough for you? It looks like the only person constantly crying here is little Jorn. Your comments here have me thoroughly convinced that you stay seated to tinkle.
It’s obvious that people care less and less about these Bennett articles.
By jerry6, January 7, 2016 @ 1:30 PM
I hope if we get a republican president, we have a democratic congress and they do to him the same that they did when Obama got in office. The night he was inaugurated, the top republicans went into a room and decided how to make Obama fail.
God help us if trump would win. He is already banned from Great Britan.
I wish people would look back to what this country was like when bush left office. He is the one who ran this country into debt with two unnecessary wars.
By blutoblutarsky, January 7, 2016 @ 3:41 PM
Oh look! jorn is upset that nobody cares about Bennett’s latest attempt at blogging.
By jorn jensen, January 7, 2016 @ 10:28 PM
jerry6 - The best gun salesman is a democrat president that is going to take guns away. Bill Clinton sold tons of guns, and cigars, when he was president. Obama is beating Clinton at gun sales - the teary eyes sold extra guns.
By scott_starr, January 8, 2016 @ 10:53 AM
@Flamingo
1. There is already a law on the books that the mentally ill can’t purchase guns. ( been there since 1968), but funny how, since the ACLU in the 1970-1980’s wanted to ensure the rights of the mentally ill not to take their medication, that we now have these issues.
2. No fly list - are you saying that all those on the list are terrorists ? Really ? one criteria is “resonable suspicion” and with the twit in office now, if someone is a cogent person and does not believe in the global warming clap trap - that could make them a candidate for the no fly list.
Here’s the funny part…. Democrats want to give Iran the Nuclear Bomb, but take away our six shooters.
Who is the terrorist ?
By jorn jensen, January 10, 2016 @ 4:46 PM
Correct, scott_starr, the laws are already on the books - enforce them before making more unenforceable laws. Further, you can write all the laws you want - criminals won’t abide by them - just makes it tougher for the good guys to fight back. That making-more-laws logic only makes sense to a liberal - to hell with enforcement.
By jd718, January 11, 2016 @ 1:48 AM
“Some would argue that the “background checks” are secret code for a governmental registry for gun owners. I tend to agree………..”
Foil-Hats, anyone!
By jd718, January 11, 2016 @ 1:53 AM
@ Flamingo, Jensen is reduced to correcting Typo’s!
What, no Trump Falsehoods!
By jd718, January 11, 2016 @ 2:28 AM
@ Justsayin, impede (what I am guessing jd718 meant by “Tardicans” because Republicans have a tendency to not accept change or advancement).
You are the Only one that got it Right! Thanks
By jd718, January 11, 2016 @ 7:51 AM
The Real Court Jester is Back, Jensen Matters, Not.
By mad-2010, January 11, 2016 @ 8:22 AM
Who Really Takes Bennett Seriously, Who?
Jensen correcting typos, a good job for that Bum!
Alleghany Ludlum Steel is and has been more involved with Alloy Steel. If you were there in 1996 or before you would know this, there’s little comparison between AK Steel and ATI! ATI would be ahead of AK as far as Capital investments and Technology overall. But, then, after 20 years, what would you know?
By Marc, January 11, 2016 @ 8:45 AM
Wow, Scott. You’re on fire with the whiny posts lately. It’s obvious by what you write that you live in a world where politics define relationships. How sad. You’re literally Jensen Jr.
By mad-2010, January 11, 2016 @ 10:53 AM
In regards to Jensen’s comment: “Obama is beating Clinton at gun sales – (the teary eyes sold extra guns.”)
As Chris Matthews said:“I think it’s a blemish––I think it’s your original sin. I’m an American, I think the president should be respected! I think there’s a little ethnic aspect to it, I don’t like it!”
By blutoblutarsky, January 11, 2016 @ 11:53 AM
Scott- That’s quite an alarming amount of paranoia in your post!
By Flamingo1, January 11, 2016 @ 6:11 PM
@Scott
I question the veracity of a law on the books that prevent the mentally ill from buying guns. Do you mean back ground checks for that? That is something else. It is a not true that being a climate denier will get you on the No Fly list. C’mon Scott that is just beneath you. And by the way the President did not establish that list—it was W.
The fact is we have a gun killing problem. 30, 000 a year. And your solution?
It is also untrue the Democrats want to give Iran the “Nuclear Bomb” (by the way do you mean an atomic weapon or a hydrogen bomb?) Before the treaty nothing was stopping Iran from enriching uranium, or allowing inspections. But now there can be. Our history with Iran has been absolutely awful. We supported the Shah who was an awful dictator who murdered millions—all for oil and control. The overthrow was against the Shah whom we supported We made our own enemy. And do not forget that Reagan then sold Iran arms and weapons in a very illegal deal.
By scott_starr, January 19, 2016 @ 4:45 PM
Flamingo:
1. The Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits any person from selling or transferring a firearm or any ammunition to any person who has been “adjudicated as a mental defective” or committed to any mental institution.
Such persons are prohibited from possessing firearms. yes, it includes background checks.
So your answer is to put another law on the books? And how will new law be voraciously enforced??? ( read about the law).
2. No Fly List - numerous instances where people were put on the list because they said something which the Government didn’t like. Obummer said that “Climate change deniers endanger national security”. Endangering National security can get you on the No Fly list. So was Obummer exaggerating about climate change skeptics?
Who established the list is irrelevant, and does nothing to strengthen you opinion ( I would say argument but you have no facts).
3. Hahahhaa, nice try you know exactly what was meant by Nuclear Bomb, Even after the treaty there is nothing stopping Iran from enriching uranium. It still retains 5000 centrifuges and can enrich as long as it is for “peaceful purposes”… Yeah… And the agreement stops Iran from getting fissile material from a few months to one year… BIG DEAL…
The Shah killed Millions ? He may have been a dictator, and I’m not a nice guy but millions ? Can you get a reliable source ?
The millions killed if anything are through the current regime through the use of Hezbola and other organizations.
The rest of your opinion is nothing more than trying to give moral and political equivalence to giving Iran Nuclear Weapons. Sad try.
By Flamingo1, January 20, 2016 @ 7:17 AM
@Scott
Obummer? Seriously. Insults are not argument.
A mental defective is not the same as mentally ill, Good grief. And lots of mentally ill have never been committed
On the Shah—dozens of historians document his brutality and deaths.
By jorn jensen, January 20, 2016 @ 10:00 AM
Scott_Starr, you go above and beyond to explain details to the liberals. Do you really think that they can learn something? Good job, but you’ll get nowhere with them. People like that are why we are so backward here in Armstrong County.
By scott_starr, January 20, 2016 @ 11:35 AM
@Flamingo:
In 1980’s the population of Iran was about 40 - 50 million.
So, in order to have killed millions the Shah would have had to wipe out about 5% of the population of Iran.
Good heavens, get a grip.
By Marc, January 20, 2016 @ 12:56 PM
Starr quotes Obama, “Climate change deniers endanger national security.” Yes, this quote was made. What he doesn’t tell you is that it was in reference to our state of “military readiness”. There was no reference to individuals being a threat to national security here.
The correlation to this and Starr stating “Endangering National security can get you on the No Fly list.” is foolish at best. I disagree with Flamingo that this comment was beneath him. It’s right up his alley.
Scott, if you are so certain that the majority on this list are harmless climate change deniers, please feel free to hop on a flight or go take in some target practice with a handful of them.
By worthingtonman, January 20, 2016 @ 9:52 PM
If only one life is saved by new stricter gun laws, then they are worth it. That is the rally call to get all the anti gun nuts riled up. How about we discuss how many lives were actually saved today because people have guns. And how many lives are saved because people maybe having a gun is a deterrent. All the laws you want to write are not going to keep bad people from getting a gun and using it. Background checks are perfectly ok with me. But once you pass your background check. It really is nobody’s business what guns you have. You have been deemed acceptable, so why is it important to for the government to keep track? I could kill someone just as easily with my car than I can with a gun. Gun laws can be senseless. I have relative that lives in New York State. He is 50 years old. Married father of three. A good honest hard working man that is great to his family and his community. When he was in his 20’s he made a mistake and got into a fight. He ended up catching a felony and some jail time . He is not allowed to own a gun. I know a guy here in Pa that is around 60. In his early 20’s, he made a mistake and hot drink. While driving drunk he crashed his car and killed a mutual friend. Today he owns a pick up and two cars and drives them all around legally. And still likes to tip back a bottle. Our Society has become the great enabling society . We make excuses for drinks, addicts and drug offenders. But once we get someone to the point they can not own a gun, they are not able to be rehabilitated. It’s hypocrisy.
By worthingtonman, January 20, 2016 @ 10:00 PM
If you consider the Iranian deal a good deal, all you have to do is go back and look at the deals we made with North Korea to keep them from getting a bomb. Worked out great…. Right? When you allow them to self inspect I am sure they will alert us to any parts of the deal they may be violating. Liberals call this plan a great show of diplomacy . Conservatives call it s great show of weakness. Only time will tell . I give it ehhhhhh 5 years
By Flamingo1, January 21, 2016 @ 12:16 AM
@Scott
1-you would do well to read the books of Daniel Yergin who details the work of Savak in Iran which regularly picked up 50 to 100 k people a year and they just disappeared. Yergin’s books ( Pulitzer Prize winner) tell us that the middle east is all about oil. Not religion, or jihad, but oil.
Iran has no ability to produce a “nuclear bomb” even in your wildest right wing conspiracy fantasies.
2- The no fly list does not exclude the nuts who write a letter to the editor saying climate change is a hoax. (but maybe it should). It is much more serious.
By sickofpayingforit, January 21, 2016 @ 4:35 PM
Mad-
I saw with my own eyes Michelle Obama make a disparaging comment to Barrack Obama about the fact there was a ceremony surrounding the American Flag. Totally disgraceful.
The office of POTUS should be respected. The actual person filling that office every so many years must earn that respect. That is a personal decision for every American to make, and should be!
By Rat_Smeller, January 22, 2016 @ 9:45 AM
Flamingo - How can you be so sure that Iran does not have the capacity (or will have the capacity in a relatively short period of time) to produce a nuclear weapon?
By scott_starr, January 22, 2016 @ 10:44 AM
@Marc
How you can even say that the majority of the no fly list are climate change deniers by my post, just goes to show you have the intelligence of a gnat, but that was already proven.
Your post makes no sense at all.
In fact, I heard when you tired to insult me on the Preparation H comment it took you 29 tries to get the correct spelling of “H” in the comment.
By Flamingo1, January 22, 2016 @ 11:18 AM
@Sick
Okay so you saw with your own eyes. All of the First Family’s movements are documented. I challenge you to come up with date and time. You probably can’t and won’t. Your attack is just pure and simple racism.
By steve, January 22, 2016 @ 12:26 PM
Jensen states: “People like that are why we are so backward here in Armstrong County.”
What is your problem with the people of Armstrong County???? That’s quite an insult to the same folks you were begging for votes from just a few months ago!
By steve, January 22, 2016 @ 12:33 PM
Wo-man states:
“All the laws you want to write are not going to keep bad people from getting a gun and using it.”
Ok then, let’s take all of the drug laws off the books while we’re at it, since laws are meaningless.
Wo-man also states that guns are a deterrent. Armstrong County is a red county with one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the nation. Please explain why drugs, break in’s, robberies, murders and gun accidents have been a growing issue over the past few years in our county?
Deterrent of crime my ***.
By steve, January 22, 2016 @ 12:34 PM
Scott says: “No Fly List – numerous instances where people were put on the list because they said something which the Government didn’t like.”
I say, verified proof? examples?
By jerry6, January 22, 2016 @ 6:15 PM
Steve: I couldn’t believe Jensen would say that the people of Armstrong County are backward. When I read his posts on here, it always sounds like he is a teacher critizing what people say. He says he doesn’t read other posts. How does he know that his baiting of liberals is working if he doesn’t read the liberals postings.
I was just reading that 69% of conservatives in New Hamshire are not for Trump. They say there are only 19% who will vote next month if that many show up. If I had to vote for a conservative, which I won’t, it would be John Kasich of Ohio.
By Marc, January 24, 2016 @ 12:04 PM
Scott,
The fact that you don’t understand that my comment regarding “the majority of the no-fly list being climate change deniers” was making fun of your previous comment… well, that’s expected
I don’t recall a Preparation H comment, but it must have been good if you’re still crying about it. LOL The fact that it still bothers you after quite some time is pretty satisfying.
By Marc, January 24, 2016 @ 12:10 PM
Jerry, Jorn lies and rattles off so much crap that he hasn’t no idea how to keep track of it all. He can’t help but read everyone’s posts. The guy has nothing better to do than comment here and act like a child at public meetings.
He says he baits liberals, but he sure does rattle off comments when they bait him. He only says he doesn’t read their posts when a question is asked of him that he knows he’ll have a poor response for.
The people of Armstrong County comment is the true Jensen. It’s further proof he was only in the commissioner race for a little power and to sponge off some taxpayer money.
By Rainbow Rider, January 24, 2016 @ 11:10 PM
Marc, excellent analysis in your January 24, 12:10 pm. post.
I talked to someone who knows jenny from Worthington, she said jenny doesn’t get to ‘ wear the pants ‘ at home. This probably explains the majority of his behavior. Trying to show some manhood on here and in public.
I believe he won’t be satisfied until every person in Armstrong county hates him. He’ll probably reach that goal by years end.
By cartman, January 25, 2016 @ 9:42 AM
First off, Rainbow is a real clown for bringing up Jorn’s home life. Come on! Steve, your statement about drug laws shows what a doofus you are. It is comparing apples and oranges. The fact is that Obama and his minions wish to disarm and then overrun us with illegal aliens. They would have us be like Germany and some other European countries. They want to turn us into a third world dump, and it seems to be working for them. By the way, how did we get from “Ask not what your country can do for you’ in 1961 to “Where’s my free s@@@? In 2016?
By scott_starr, January 25, 2016 @ 9:44 AM
@marc
Actually all your comments are mind over matter.
I don’t mind coz you don’t matter.
Also, notice how the lab turds come out like ants,as soon as one gets proven wrong they come out en force.
Cowards, all of you
By Marc, January 25, 2016 @ 10:28 AM
Rainbow Rider, Too funny!
I do think you’re somewhat incorrect on your statement that everyone in Armstrong County will hate him by years end. People like Scott Starr will continually back up people that share their political beliefs regardless of how inept and terrible of a person they are.
To be safe we should go with a 95% Jensen disapproval rating with +/- 2% margin of error. haha
By Marc, January 25, 2016 @ 4:21 PM
Scott,
You obviously mind considering you brought it up. Cute saying though.
I’m curious about these “lab turds”? Why is there the need for someone to create synthetic turds with all of the excess fecal matter spewing out of you and Jensen’s mouths on here?
What a waste of energy.
The cowards comment was pretty random considering you make no reference to what it’s about (I can only assume you were aiming this at the “lab turds”). Were you stomping your feet and sniffling while you typed this?
By scott_starr, January 25, 2016 @ 4:26 PM
@ Steve
source Naomi Wolf of the Guardian.
victims
Professor Walter F Murphy of Princeton,2 women who did not give their names but were peace activosts.
So, using a liberal source, to shoew that the government will target people who speak out against it.
I’m sure your mnext comment will be something like ” that’s only 3″, well 3 too many in anyone’s book who values freedom.
By scott_starr, January 25, 2016 @ 4:31 PM
Hey Marc
so Joern is a terrible person because he doesn’t agree withyou?
WHY the man crush on Jensen? I hope you don’t dream of him at night, coz then he should get security.
you are the one backing up tribe people,and being a coward hiding behind some fake name.
By scott_starr, January 25, 2016 @ 4:46 PM
@Flamingo
so,saying something against one of the obummers is racisim? Sad,sad,sad. And you get the authority to state such an accusation how?
Second, the Savak and incarceration have been greatlyexaggeated, by every source you can imagine. And, I also know many Iranians from my stay in California…. you would do well to meet real people.
By scott_starr, January 25, 2016 @ 9:14 PM
Flamingo,
I found my friend sia’s email.
Emad al-din Baghi was told by the Islamic Regime of Iran in 1996 to chronicle the deaths under the Shah from 1963-1979. The number was 3164.
So a noted Iranian historian writing for Yad Yara came up with that number.
so, who to believe?
By jorn jensen, January 26, 2016 @ 8:37 AM
Interesting. I read the KP, online, and then I look at the 5 item recent comments section. If they’re all liberals, I skip it and go to another news site. If I see a name or pseudonym that adds any value to the site, I click on it. There’s cartman, whom we do not hear from often, defending my home life. Okay.
So I look at un-named Rainbow Rider’s comment about an un-named source stating something about wearing the pants.
I am outspoken about government waste - especially in Armstrong County - and that includes the local school district/school board. I am outspoken about it with my name so that those people can know who they hate. I do not have to hide behind a pseudonym. 600 county employees doing what? Does that mean that we don’t need any, at all? Of course not. Government provides a lot of services. Do we need all 600? A responsible leader would assess that and trim as necessary to get within budget rather than merely continuing to increase taxes. There’s no 600 employee private sector manufacturing outfit in this county - an outfit which would support 600 public sector employees via taxes.
I’ll suggest that a number of these liberal haters are county employees and they don’t want anyone stopping their fleecing of the taxpayers. But, then, these haters can’t post with their real name because they are gutless.
I’m trimming back, or even eliminating my comments on this site. Before you no-name liberals gloat too much, it is not because of you gutless liberal haters - it is because the KP does not appear to be interested in this portion of the KP online. When it takes up to a week to update comments and only a 5 item comment ‘contents’ is available, a week makes comments very stale and comments are ‘lost’. Shame. It was fun swatting the liberal nest and getting them a-buzz.
By steve, January 26, 2016 @ 1:20 PM
Cartman, Your post is full of delusions and fear. The drug laws comment was exactly apples to apples. Sorry if you can’t see that.
It’s interesting that nobody replied in disagreement to my comment that the county was full of crime despite it’s high level of gun ownership. This is pure proof that guns are not a deterrent of crime.
Obama is going to take everyone’s guns and swamp us with illegal aliens? You’d think he would have done this sometime in the past 7 years, right? What do you honestly think he gains by doing this? You’ve got to be an idiot if you think this is going to happen.
Are you even aware of German politics?? Do you honestly think there are no conservative political parties in Europe and every country there has the same political blueprint??
The conservative media has not done you any favors!
By steve, January 26, 2016 @ 1:27 PM
Before Jorn insulted the residents of Armstrong County he told Scott that he “goes above and beyond to explain details to the liberals.”
I specifically asked Scott to share specific details regarding his comment that people who “say things the government doesn’t like” are put on the no fly list.
Rather than provide examples I see that Scott has resorted to name calling and talking about “lab turds”.
Will we see a message from Jorn asking Scott to stay on topic? I doubt it… but then again I doubt we’ll see a message celebrating Scott’s ability to “go above and beyond’ after that either.
By blutoblutarsky, January 26, 2016 @ 4:21 PM
That’s some nice alphabet soup you have going on there Scott. Cowardly lab turds? Did Sarah Palin guest comment for you?
cartman- If you would have kept typing I bet your next paragraph would have referenced the illuminati.
The paranoia from a few conservative posters on this article is off the charts!
By sickofpayingforit, January 27, 2016 @ 10:49 AM
Heard last night Hillary was sending classified stuff over her cell phone!!! LOL
Loved the town hall she had where a college kid asked her why people his age poll very low as far as trusting her……
I honesly feel bad for the toe-the-line democrats, this cycle. You have to choose between a should-be-convicted-felon and Larry David, I mean Bernie Sanders. Perhaps party politics should be shelved this cycle and voting for someone feasible from the GOP would be appropriate?
By worthingtonman, January 28, 2016 @ 7:55 AM
Steve
Most of these burglars happen when folks are not home to protect themselves. Most of the murders we see are drug related. We have created a society of drug abusers and we don’t punish them to fullest extent of the law. Read the story of some of Kittanning’s finest from Friday 1-22-16. As long as we continue to handle these drug addicts with kid gloves, nobody is safe from them. Luckily for the guns in the house in Adams Township or we could very well be reading about their deaths. No matter what a person may or may not be doing in their home, it is their home and they have a right to defend themselves from gun bearing robbers. Valises is shortening sentences for this scum and it just goes on. I remember when we were in High School I came across Whitey Damore in the back seat of a police cruiser. We were junior high students. He begged me to let him out of the car. Here we are 35 years later and the guy is still being a menace to society and we got the judge randomly cutting his sentence. Let’s all continue to show pity on these addicts and allow them to rob, and kill for their drugs. I say lets make all them drugs legal, get rid of the Narcan and let stupid weed itself out.
By Marc, January 28, 2016 @ 2:42 PM
My recent comments along with just about everyone else’s have disappeared. Accidental or no?