Congratulations Obama Administration

Hey I am the first to criticize but this is a genuine congratulations.

The handling of the pirates in the Indian Ocean was superb. Unfortunately one survived.

Following well in the footsteps of Thomas Jefferson of not paying tribute to pirates.

Let's say thanks and hope we will continue to impose the same punishment that removed pirates from the Caribbean and stopped the Barbary pirates hundreds of years ago.

Very Good News on First Quarter Home Sales in Harrisburg

The number of pending home sales according to Harrisburg's Central Penn Multi-list are up by 56% for the first quarter of 2009 compared to the last quarter of 2008.

We've got a ways to go but this means the buyers are getting out and buying.

First Foreign Challenge to Obama

Fortunately for all except those involved it's the seizure of one U.S. ship by pirates off Somalia.

Let's see if President Obama can live up to the example his predecessors set over 200 years ago when they refused to pay and sent the Marines to Tripoli.

The entire world knows what the penalty should be for pirates.

Forbes says Harrisburg on List of the Most Liveable

Forbes magazine recently rated metropolitan areas with populations more than 500,000 to come up with their 15 most liveable cities in the U.S.

Harrisburg ranked number 12. Just ahead of Madison, Wisconsin and just behind Denver.

They looked at 5 year income growth, cost of living, crime index, leisure index and unemployment statistics.

Here is the Forbes.com entry

Harrisburg Home Sales up 27%

It's amazing. Pending sales in the Harrisburg region are up 27% for March over February.

Are there still issues? Yes but the rates are still down and first time buyers can get an $8,000 tax credit that does not have tobe paid back.

Congratulations to the Legislature

The Pennsylvania Legislature has now been meeting since January. Guess how many bills they have sent up for the Gov. to sign or veto.

That's right. I can't think of any significant ones either.

Amazing efficiency. How is it our neighboring states can get all of their legislative business done in 90 days??

Oh, I forgot we have the benefit of having professional legislators.

Harrisburg Road Hazards

Once again this morning, 2 tie ups on the Capitol Beltway from the same old issues and still no action from Penndot or police.

First, another wreck 581 east to 83 south. Same old problem - no merge area and drivers not waiting for an opening on 83 south. I still have yet to see a ticket being written to a driver failing to yield coming down the ramp, although you can see it daily in any 10 minute span. Penndot's solution - close the ramp to 83 northbound which is almost never a danger, just a long wait sometimes for those using it.

Second, one more tail gate crash on 83 south bound. Cause, as always, following too close. It would only take about a week of police handing tickets to tailgaters to get this to stop. But no they would rather run speed traps. Which is more dangerous - the driver 2 car lengths behind the car in front at 50 mph or the driver running 10 miles over the limit at 65 with no traffic around him? Just watch for the weekly wrecks to get your answer. They mostly happen when no one is even going at the speed limit.

And of course our Legislature still sees no need to require liability insurance.