By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2009 – Two days ago, I and six other reporters accompanied Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to Texas to see two high-tech operations under way: the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter Lockheed Martin is building in Fort Worth, and the retrofitting of the MC-12 Liberty turboprop at the L3 Communications plant in Greenville.

Both efforts have important military implications. The F-35 is a revolutionary next-generation fighter aircraft that the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as eight partner nations, will share. The MC-12 is being outfitted with state-of-the-art gear – 41,000 pieces of it, to be exact – and already is delivering new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in Iraq. It soon will do the same for warfighters in Afghanistan as more come off the line. 

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

A moon-viewing party is usually held in the middle of September when the air is clear and cool and the moon is most beautiful.This traditional custom is said to have originated from farmers religious observances to ensure a good harvest.

IBDeditorials.com:

According to icasualties.org, 153 troops died in July and August, the most since the U.S. invaded in late 2001. The Taliban is metastasizing again, attacking American and allied troops, setting off suicide bombs and retaking territory.

Since Afghanistan\’s election on Aug. 20, President Hamid Karzai and his challengers have bickered over the less-than-clear outcome. Karzai\’s government looks shaky at best. On Wednesday, a suicide bomber killed Afghanistan\’s No. 2 intelligence official, Abdullah Laghmani, and 14 other people outside a mosque in Kabul.

A different strategy is no doubt needed — but retreat isn\’t it. Leaving Afghanistan might save American lives now, but it would cost us dearly in the long run.

via www.ibdeditorials.com

GAUGHAN

Thomas F., Jr.

On September 3, 2009. Age 72. Of Mount Ephraim. Born and raised in Pennsauken. Loving wife of 23 years to Dawn Weily. Loving father of Eugene Weiley and Melissa Gaughan. Dear brother of Marianne Gallo and Robert (Laura) Gaughan. Predeceased by his loving parents Thomas F. and Margaret M. Gaughan, Sr. (nee Tice). Thomas was a graduate of Pennsauken High School. He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose in Gloucester City. Thomas enjoyed camping with his family.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his visitation on Saturday morning, September 12 from 10 am to 11 am in Saint Mary’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Memorial Mass 11 am in the church. Cremation will be held privately. Expressions of sympathy www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Thomas F. Gaughan, Jr. Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ. Ph: 856-456-1142

I promise this is the final version of \”Talking Points\” for the promised DRPA public meeting for Wenonah citizens during July. I am now told the meeting has been cancelled and no future meeting date has been suggested. However before setting this matter aside I do want offer my belief that the DRPA has deliberately provided wrong and misleading information about the current proposal.

BILL\’S POINT OF VIEW

BY BILL CLEARY 

GLOUCESTER CITY-Happy to report the overgrown bushes and weeds that were a hinder to pedestrians walking on the sidewalk in front of 2 East Thompson Avenue were cut sometime on Thursday (Sept. 3). On August 30 I wrote an article about the condition of this property. It appears my effort paid off.

And the owner of the vacant Lane Avenue home that had been surrounded by tall weeds since June was finally clearing his property of the debris. Plus he removed the overflow dumpsters piled high with trash from the side of the empty bungalow.

Why does anyone have to complain in the first place. A little pride in the appearance of your property goes a long way in dressing up a neighborhood…and a community.
Related: Neighborhood Blight

Senate Bill 773 would grant the administration emergency powers (where have we heard that before?) in the event of a cyberemergency that the president would have the power to define and declare.

Wait a minute. Didn\’t the left recently weep and gnash its teeth over President George W. Bush\’s wireless surveillance of communications between real, live terrorists who want to kill us and their American contacts? Would Congress have given Bush such a sweeping power?

Have we already forgotten the administration wanting Americans to spy on their neighbors and report \”fishy\” communications opposing health care to [email protected]? Didn\’t oodles of our e-mail addresses wind up in the White House from which then came unsolicited e-mails supporting ObamaCare?

via www.ibdeditorials.com

NOTICES
Fall Turkey and Special Area Deer Season Permits Application Period Closes September 6
Non-lottery Zone Deer Permits On Sale Tuesday, October 13 at 10am.

2009 Hunting Digest

2009-2010 Rifle Permits, Waterfowl \”Stamps\”, and HIP Certifications are on sale at license agents and this site.

Note that Waterfowl Stamps and HIP Certifications purchased online must be printed on your computer system (there are no longer actual paper stamps being issued). Free duplicates can be generated and printed on your system if the original is lost or damaged. Hunters who purchase these items at license agents must go to a license agent for a duplicate ($2.00 fee) if the original is lost.

Register Now for a Hunter Education Field Session and Exam
Check course availablility

Know the Regulations!

via www.njfishandwildlife.com

He isn\’t the only one who can claim the unofficial title of \”Mr. Woodbury.\” Jack Scott, the whirlwind volunteer, has carried the tag for years. Former Mayor Don Sanderson, too.

But Bill Riskie, although perhaps not the visible community servant Scott has been nor a public servant of Sanderson\’s considerable profile, gets more than his share of votes at Woodbury Mews, where he resides.

And if you put the rap on Woodbury for its downtown struggles in Riskie\’s presence, you\’re itching for a fight. He loves his hometown.

via www.nj.com