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Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

Did An Illegal Alien Steal My Car Registration Tags?

Monday, December 7th, 2009

I noticed yesterday that someone stole the registration tags off the license plates of one of our cars. The car is 8 years old and had stickers dating back to the early 2000’s with the latest being 2010.

I went to open the trunk of the car and looked down to see someone has scraped off the stack of stickers to get the latest. These stickers are nearly impossible to get off quickly when there is just one on a plate, but after they pile up over the years, I would imagine a screw driver or butter knife could be used to pry them off.

Outside of the inconvenience of having to report the theft to cover my own butt in case I get pulled over, I need to report the theft to the DMV, and oh how the Department of Motor Vehicles is a joy to deal with. I am hoping to avoid waiting in line and see if the process can be handled with a phone call.

Let’s jump ahead and think about who would steal a registration tag? Two types of people fall into this category:

1) Someone who for whatever reason cannot afford to register their car and to avoid being pulled over for expired tags, steals a legitimate set and places it on their own car.

2) An illegal alien, illegal immigrant, a criminal alien, an undocumented person – I am covering all grounds here to categorize a border jumper who drives a car without holding a driver’s license, possessing insurance and knowledge of basic traffic laws. Since this person cannot legally own or drive a car, they cannot register a car they may have purchased so they steal a legitimate registration tag to place on their plates so they don’t draw attention.

I spoke with a police officer I ran into at the Starbucks parking lot near my home, and he told me that they do not track registration tags – meaning that even if this person is caught, next to nothing can happen to them.

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Tags: car registration tags, criminal aliens, dmv, illegal aliens, license plates, stolen
Posted in Community, Politics, Things That Irritate Me | 1 Comment »

Made In China Is A Good Thing

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

I had a discussion recently with my Aunt Vera, a wonderful lady in her 80’s who still lives in the house she and my father grew up in San Francisco. She, like many of her era were raised to believe that unions and union jobs were the way to achieve middle-class lifestyles, and that companies owed lifetime employment to their workers.

As my kids were running around and making more noise in the house than she is used to, she mentioned to me between sips of tea just how horrible it is that all the jobs are being outsourced to India and Mexico, and that there are no good jobs left for hard working Americans.

I asked her what she meant, and she went on to say that all the factory jobs and the jobs that made the Bay Area and our country strong were being sent to places where labor was so cheap. I knew where she was going but I wanted to hear it from her, since if I were in her shoes I’d likely feel the same way. My goodness, MADE IN THE U.S.A. used to mean something is what she was trying to say.

Levi’s 501 Jeans Are Made in Haiti

My dad used to drive cool Thunderbirds and even had a 1965 Firebird. I had an RCA TV in the house growing up, and my Levi’s 501 jeans were made in America, now they are made in Haiti. American cars were cool, pre-Pinto, Vega and Pacer, then the 1970’s happened when Detroit got lazy and Toyota and Datsun took their lunch money.

Levis 501 Jeans Made in Haiti

I started talking a bit about progress, and how technology moves things along for the betterment of not only our society, but also the global economy by allowing workers in countries that do manufacturing to earn good livings so they can buy our Nike sneakers, watch Disney movies and have a Coke with a smile.

Then I asked her how, when she was a kid, she made a phone call. “Didn’t you pick up the ear piece and crank the handle on the side of the box to alert the operator who then asked for the number?” She nodded and I jokingly said, “But those poor operators – they’re all out of work!” She chuckled.

Then I commented on her new TV in the living room, a nice model that was about 32”. I then mentioned the number of TV’s manufactured in the United States was right around zero, and hers’ was likely made in China. (Vizio, a company headquartered in Irvine, California, led by Taiwan-born William (not his given name) Wang, claims to be America’s #1 LCD HDTV Company. Their televisions are made in China.)

She winced.

Then I quickly jumped in and said, “Just think, 20 years ago a 19” Sony TV cost about $500, and today you are getting a 32” TV for the same price that gives you a better picture.”

Made In China Is A Good Thing

As the chat progressed, she got the fact that because some things are made in places like China where the cost of living and the corresponding wages are significantly less, more American people can enjoy things that used to be considered luxury items – like an LCD TV. To really put the matter of TV prices into perspective and why “Made in China” is not a bad thing, chomp on this: A Sony 42” Plasma TV had a MSRP of $7999.00 in 2002. Yes, EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS for a 42” TV, seven short years ago. Today I can buy a 52” Sony TV with a free Blu-Ray DVD Player for about $1500.00, and Costco is selling an off-brand ProScan 40” LCD set for a ridiculously low $499.00!

I would love to buy American-made products, but I am not willing to support the unions that seemingly ruin a good thing whenever they can, in the “best interests” of their rank and file. In other words, I am not willing to pay a large premium to buy goods made in this country, when I know the Sony TV made across the Pacific Ocean is of better quality and price than any comparable set that could be made here.

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Tags: costco, lcd tv, levis 501 jeans, made in america, made in china, made in haiti, pacer, pinto, plasma tv, unions, vega, vizio, william wang
Posted in Business, Community, Political Satire, The Economy | No Comments »

Arrogant Liberal-Owned Bookstores Don’t Carry Sarah Palin’s Going Rogue

Saturday, November 21st, 2009

Sarah Palin’s book, “Going Rogue,” was released this past week with some major fanfare. Palin was on the Oprah Winfrey show, and had her public relations team working overtime handling book signings throughout the Midwest. The major booksellers had large posters in their windows alerting customers of the date it will hit their shelves for over one month.

Sarah Palin on the Oprah Winfrey Show

Ever since Palin burst on the scene as a virtual unknown at the Republican National Convention as John McCain’s improbable running mate, she has gone from overnight sensation, to a running joke to tabloid fodder, for various reasons. I honestly felt McCain stole the election when I heard her acceptance speech – I was blown away by her communications skills, and felt her blue-collar background, teamed with a card-holding union member husband and heart-string-pulling autistic child sealed the deal.

Then something happened. She went dark the week following the convention and everyone assumed she was being coached by Team McCain for the grilling she would face as a vice-presidential candidate. The coaching was piss-poor and the liberal, Obama-loving press turned her into the class dunce, whether accurate or not. Palin went from an asset to a liability in a matter of weeks, and was ridiculed at every level.

Fast-forward one year, and Palin has mysteriously stepped down from her elected position as governor of Alaska, entered into a feud with Levi Johnston, the father of her illegitimate grandchild, and written a book that will pad her bank account to the tune of several million dollars. Good for her on the dollars.

Closed-Minded Liberal Bookstores Spit on Sarah Palin’s Book

I am writing this entry at the Portland Airport and can buy her book at the many kiosks, or at any local Border’s or Barnes and Noble. Yet there are many holier-than-thou independent bookstores that have chosen not to stock the book for no other reason than she is Sarah Palin – Republican.

Imagine for a moment if Bob’s Books in Hackensack, decided not to carry either of the Barack Obama books because his is a democrat? Reverend Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson would mobilize the troops and protest, targeting all who enter the store with insults and deem the owner and patrons as racist scum. TV camera crews would paint the store owner as intolerant, closed-minded and hateful, and you would have the reporter finding the tree-hugger in the crowd to get a juicy quote on how such despicable acts in this day and age are unacceptable and how he/she felt we have, as a society moved beyond censoring a community from books.

Liberal Censorship of a Republican is OK, Apparently

Witness the liberal double-standard of the #1 book on the Amazon.com Best Seller List: Nathan Embretson of Pendragon Books in Oakland, California, states in the San Francisco Chronicle, “Our customers are thinking people, they aren’t into reading drivel,” while Emily Stackhouse, the unbiased clerk at San Francisco’s Cover to Cover stated that the book “would gross us all out,” and that “you carry (books) because of freedom of speech, but a book like that is just gross.” Apparently freedom of speech applies to liberals and to muzzle a Republican is humorous.

There are no pickets outside either bookstore by the National Organization of Women or any other group that would show up if they refused to stock Hilary Clinton’s “Living History” book. Clinton, you see, is a democrat, and by virtue of her political affiliation has built-in virtue, and her book demonstrates insight and a value to the greater good of society.

That is the rule for republicans – deal with censorship; the regulations are different for liberals. Liberals cannot be racist, intolerant or closed-minded; it’s not in their DNA. They believe in free speech – provided the speech is in agreement with what they believe. Deviate or disagree and they will berate, belittle and call you names.

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Tags: censorship, cover to cover, democrats, emily stackhouse, freedom of speech, going rogue, liberals, nathan embretson, oprah winfrey show, pendragon books, republicans, sarah palin
Posted in Community, Politics | 8 Comments »

Union Workers Are Lazy and Helpless

Friday, November 13th, 2009

This past week, there have been several large companies announcing layoffs because of drooping stock prices, lower than expected sales, or simple job overlap. That’s business in the real world, where if the company needs to meet the bottom line or appease shareholders, the appropriate cuts are made. Companies do what is best for the company – end of discussion.

When a city government lays off workers, union workers, all hell breaks loose. Let’s see, cities are broke and many in deficit mode due to over-bloated benefits and pension packages, they support illegal immigrants’ health care and social services all while crimes go unsolved and potholes unfilled, and there is griping over layoffs?

Yes, Mr. Shareholder, we donated $7 million to the Guatemalan orphan relief fund and upped our warehouse manager’s benefit package to include his grandparents in Burma, and lost $27 million last quarter, and no, we cannot lay anyone off because that would be unfair. Can you imagine?!

Sprint, Electronic Arts and Microsoft Cut Jobs

Sprint lays off 2000 workers and Electronic Arts cuts 1500 from their force, and since there is no union involved, Nancy Pelosi is not butting in asking for better severance or government assistance. Heck, even Microsoft eliminated 800 jobs, but that didn’t even ring a bell or get a mention in the paper or evening news. These are technology jobs, the theory goes, so these people will just go to another tech company or start a company, right?

Actually, that is right. That is correct because that is the way technology jobs go…one company goes up another slips and so goes the workforce. It’s not the end of the world when Oracle buys PeopleSoft or Siebel System and lays off 10,000 because they bounce back or decide to start a company themselves.

But heaven forbid, the City of San Francisco decides to lay off 500 workers to help close a $438 million budget deficit and the world stops. Yes, you read correctly, San Francisco has a $438 million budget deficit! How is that even possible? They tax the hell out of businesses, San Franciscans pay the highest sales tax rates in the country, then there are hotel, airport, gas, payroll, parking and other assorted taxes, and they are still $538.00 short per resident.

Apparently Union Workers Lack Drive and Ambition

Apparently city and union workers are helpless, lack drive and ambition, and have no visible levels of talent, and a layoff will cause them to wilt away and die. Good for Gavin Newsom for not protecting these coddled workers from the chopping block as the some members on the Board of Supervisors wanted.

Losing a job sucks, we all know that, but (bleep) happens, and you deal with it. The trans-gendered union boss, Robert Haaland of the Local 1021, stated¸”This is about fairness and equity,” since most of the affected workers are women and minorities. OK, so make it more fair and equitable – lay off more workers and make them straight, male and majority.

Transgendered Union Boss Robert Haaland

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Tags: city of san francisco, electronic arts, gavin newsom, helpless, job cuts, layoffs, lazy, local 1021, nancy pelosi, peoplesoft, robert haaland, sprint, union jobs
Posted in Business, Community, Political Satire, The Economy | 2 Comments »

Republicans Are Stupid…Too

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

Stupidity is equal opportunity. There are stupid Democrats, stupid Republicans, stupid men, women and kids. Fat idiots and skinny alike, and there are midget morons as well as very tall morons.

Some Republicans Are Idiots

I came across one Republican on Facebook last week who decided I was in the Stupid category because I disagreed with him on gun ownership and gun control.

Stupid Is As Stupid Does

I told him that I don’t need a gun and likely never will. I live in San Jose and cannot go hunting at the park where my kids play, and since I don’t feel a need to pack heat when I go grocery shopping, my desire for a Glock is less than minimal.

This set him off. Not only did he call me stupid, he went on this rampage:

“OMG I cannot understand how you can be so stupid. You and this site with it’s comments. Just think about this- the only reason you and I can put our thoughts on this or any other site is because of the 2nd amendment. The only reason our home land, the USA, has never been invaded is because we have the right to own guns, the only reason you have freedom of speech is because we have the right to own guns, the only reason you get to work where you wish, shop where you wish, watch movies made by idoits(Chris Rock), see any doctor you wish and pee in you own home is all because of the 2nd Amendment and our guns. If you had half a brain you would do a little research of the countries in this world who do not have the right to own guns and you will discover just how much there crime rates have risen and oh by the way Germany abolished gun ownership and lets see who took power– Nazi’s and they killed millions of people just like you. Keep thinking the way you do an you will find yourself clawing you way to the top of a pile of dead people. GUNS do not KILL people. PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE. That would be you–Yoonsun and Logical Gop. Idiots. I am a true God fearing American, my father fought and was wounded in WWII and I fought in VietNam both of us did so gladly so you could say whatever you like. And guess what we would do it all again for FREEDOM. GOD, FAMILY, COUNTRY are the only things that matter. I you do not like it then please leave and donot let the door hit you in the ass as you go. IDIOTS.”

I congratulated and thanked him for his service to his country, but asked a very pointed question: Please tell me one instance in history when a private citizen has stopped an enemy invasion of the United States with his own firearm? I also suggested he use a spell check – the post is verbatim.

He had no response and deleted me as a friend on Facebook.

Either I am really stupid for not defending our country with my own MX8 assault rifle and keeping Silicon Valley free of invading troops or my opening statement is true…stupidity is equal opportunity.

XM8 Assault Rifle

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Tags: 2nd amendment, assault rifle, democrats, glock, gun control, idiots, mx8, republicans, silicon valley, stupid
Posted in Community, Political Satire, Politics | 3 Comments »

Michigan Economic Development Corporation Wasting Money?

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

I was thumbing through last month’s copy of Fast Company magazine and came across the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s ad and it jogged my memory.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

I saw the MEDC advertisement several months ago in the magazine touting “aggressive financial and economic incentives available right now,” for companies that would consider a move to their humble state.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation Never Responded

I visited their website, MichiaganAdvantage.org, read through the propaganda and dropped a note to their email address posted: MEDCservices@michigan.org

I asked about the incentives that may be available to a willing-to-move start-up technology company that is currently in San Jose, California, how my company may benefit and any other offerings.

You’ll never guess the response…ahh….the suspense!

Yes, I am still waiting for their response. No email response, no phone call, no postal mail with a Media Kit, no smoke signals. Zip, zilch, nada.

I would be interested in moving our Internet-based company to a location outside California if there were incentives that made fiscal sense, such as tax breaks and investment.

Your tax dollars are paying for these full-page ads, Michigan residents, and the people who are recruiting companies are dropping the ball.

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Tags: fast company, medc, michigan, michigan economic development corporation, michiganadvantage.org, relocation, san jose
Posted in Business, Community, The Economy | No Comments »

Eliminate Government Pensions

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Here is a thought: Moving forward, eliminate all pensions for government jobs where you do not risk life and limb.

The secretary who works at the DMV? She can have a 401k like the rest of us.

The Assistant DA for the county? He gets access to a non-matching 401k just like his peers in the private sector.

Bridge Toll Taker

The Golden Gate Bridge District is once again facing a deficit north of $100 million, and they are looking at ways to raise cash such as letting people walk under the bridge and of course, raising tolls. Never mind that there is a Bridge Commission that draws a salary and other perks such as a pension. Or all the bridge workers that will get paid until the day they die that are factored into this deficit that we, the taxpayer, must make up.

The City of Vallejo, which is also broke, wants to tax people for text messaging. The absurdity of it all…taxing texts!

It’s a never ending cycle of bureaus, task forces, committees and administrative assistants all getting benefits that far exceed the private sector and then can collect a check forever if they are able to slack for a couple of decades

Highway Patrol, State Troopers, police, fire, Secret Service and military – all exempt from this new ruling. Anyone who needs to carry a firearm or goes into situation where they can potentially die, you get a check. Teachers, you get a check, too. You should also get a raise, but the union gardeners are getting that allocation.

If you sit in front of a computer, clean trash receptacles, or take my picture at DMV, welcome to the real world of getting a paycheck twice a month and worrying about retirement like the rest of us.

How can we make this reality? I am not sure, but I am open to your suggestions and would love to hear your thoughts.

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Tags: 401k, golden gate bridge, government pensions, taxes, text messages, vallejo
Posted in Community, Politics, The Economy | No Comments »

Do Muslims Celebrate Halloween?

Saturday, October 31st, 2009

Today is Halloween, and there are a lot of Muslim-American kids who are not trick-or-treating tonight – because they are Muslim.

Poor kids.

My daughter’s first-grade class has two Muslim, Arabic-named kids; both very nice children that are well-behaved and friendly. Yesterday her school had a Halloween Parade where the kids could wear their costumes, and 18 of the 20 students participated.

I came to see the kids have all the fun every six year-old should have on day made for fun, and when I asked my daughter’s friend why she wasn’t all dressed up, she said, “cuz my parents don’t believe in Halloween.”

Poor kid.

Muslims Believe Celebrating Halloween is Sinful

Apparently, many Muslims believe celebrating Halloween would be sinful and haram, or prohibited.

I’ve never understood immigrants that move here and don’t embrace American customs and culture. I am not saying abandon your culture, but embrace the culture your children are growing up in. Sure, I can understand if you are an ex-pat and here for a few years, you can stay in your cocoon, but if you don’t want to handicap your kids, let them join the fun and blend in.

When a parent excludes their children from the fun the other kids experience it makes them stand out and get attention that you will likely complain about as they get older – such as, he was teased because of his name, or she was called names because of her clothes.

Poor kids.

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Tags: halloween, haram, immigrants, islam, muslim, trick-or-treat
Posted in Community, Politics, Race and Ethnicity | No Comments »

San Francisco Illegal Aliens OK To Drive Without A License

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Illegal immigrants in San Francisco can now drive cars without a driver’s license, thanks to new Police Chief George Gascon, who states the city is just “trying to be sensitive to all the communities we serve,” according to a Matier and Ross column on SfGate.com.

Joe Illegal, (I cannot refer to him as Jose Illegal, because I’d be stereotyping) gets pulled over for running a stop sign. Pete Traffic Cop finds he doesn’t have a driver’s license, so he lends him a cell phone to call his neighbor who has a license and insurance to come and get the car. Everywhere else, even places like Berkeley and Davis, havens for wacko radicals, the car winds up in a towing company’s lot.

How many laws are potentially being broken here? Driving without a valid license; driving without insurance; possibly driving an un-registered car; and, oh…being an ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT!

Illegal Aliens Run Free in San Francisco

Remember, San Francisco is a so-called Sanctuary City that refuses to cooperate with the Feds when it comes to rounding up undocumented residents. The city also lets illegal immigrants who are criminals back into the community to commit more crimes.

District Attorney Kamala Harris should have blood on her hands after an “alleged” MS-13 gang member, Edwin Ramos, gunned down San Franciscan Tony Bologna and two of his sons, Matthew and Michael, and wounded his youngest son.

Illegal Immigrant and MS-13 Member killed Bologna family

You see, Edwin came here illegally and joined MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha), a murderous street gang. He was previously arrested by SFPD and convicted of two felonies, one when he tried to rob a pregnant woman on the bus, but San Francisco’s Probation Department chooses to ignore the immigration status of their criminals.

Soft On Crime Kamala Harris Running for Attorney General

Kamala Harris, who is also running to be California’s next Attorney General, has decided not to pursue the death penalty against Mr. Ramos. Remember this on election day, folks.

I am not saying Joe Illegal, mentioned above, is a bad person or will gun down an innocent family. I am saying he has no driver’s license and he has no insurance, and if he hits you, you are screwed. He hasn’t had the pleasure of taking a driving test and without insurance, he is a literal ghost that will likely run and hide if he hits something or someone.

Scary stuff if you are driver or pedestrian in San Francisco.

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Tags: aliens, edwin ramos, george gascon, illegal immigrats, kamala harris, matier and ross, ms-13, san francisco, sfpd, tony bologna
Posted in Community, Politics, Race and Ethnicity | No Comments »

Why Unions Are Ruining America – Part 1

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Unions had a place in America, once upon a time. Workers were used and abused and tossed aside by unscrupulous employers who had more people to choose from than there were jobs, so the ball was in his court.

Labor laws were enacted so overtime wages must be paid if more than 40-hours in a given week were exceeded, and children were no longer eligible to contract black lung disease next to their fathers in a coal mine.

Then the United Auto Workers took hold of the car industry and killed the golden goose, and other unions drove manual labor overseas by demanding ridiculous wages, benefits and threatening companies with the S-WORD – Strike. Essentially saying, “If we don’t get our way, we will go on strike and do our best to strangle you, the company that feeds our family.”

This is why Nike makes their shoes in Vietnam and my Polo shirt was stitched in Guatemala – they don’t have to deal with your union crap.

Bay Area Nurses Will Go On Strike October 30, 2009

But some things cannot be outsourced. I can’t call Bulgaria for a plumber. Nurses are another perfect example. Hospitals cannot operate without a stable of nurses, and people will die if a hospital has no nurses. But that doesn’t matter to the California Nurse’s Association who has called for a one-day strike on October 30^th at two-dozen Bay Area hospitals, including O’Connor in San Jose and Seton Medical Center in Daly City, just outside San Francisco. It appears they are upset their contract negotiations are not going as planned.

According to Catholic Healthcare West, the hospital group that is being held for ransom, the average nurse earns $100-large, plus has health benefits for the nurse AND their family fully paid for. They are striking over a change in their health care package from a PPO to an HMO.

Welcome to the real world, Miss or Mister RN. I have to pay for my family’s coverage. Yes, it’s pre-tax, but it’s still $800 per month, and most people who are not in a hostage-taking union have to deal with this reality. Companies grow and fold; times are good and we have recessions; we have hiring booms and layoffs. Markets change and maybe if nurses didn’t make idle threats, just maybe the hospitals wouldn’t need to find less expensive health care for their nurses. Just a thought.

Oh, and don’t get sick or hurt or have a life-threatening ailment on October 30^th if you are in the Bay Area…you might die because a nurse is pissed she has to settle for an HMO.

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Tags: california nurse's association, catholic healthcare west, hmo, nurse, october 30, ppo, strike, UAW, walkout
Posted in Business, Community, The Economy, Things That Irritate Me | No Comments »

Logical Republican

Archives

Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

Did An Illegal Alien Steal My Car Registration Tags?

Made In China Is A Good Thing

Levi’s 501 Jeans Are Made in Haiti

Made In China Is A Good Thing

Arrogant Liberal-Owned Bookstores Don’t Carry Sarah Palin’s Going Rogue

Closed-Minded Liberal Bookstores Spit on Sarah Palin’s Book

Liberal Censorship of a Republican is OK, Apparently

Union Workers Are Lazy and Helpless

Sprint, Electronic Arts and Microsoft Cut Jobs

Apparently Union Workers Lack Drive and Ambition

Republicans Are Stupid…Too

Some Republicans Are Idiots

Michigan Economic Development Corporation Wasting Money?

Michigan Economic Development Corporation Never Responded

Eliminate Government Pensions

Do Muslims Celebrate Halloween?

Muslims Believe Celebrating Halloween is Sinful

San Francisco Illegal Aliens OK To Drive Without A License

Illegal Aliens Run Free in San Francisco

Soft On Crime Kamala Harris Running for Attorney General

Why Unions Are Ruining America – Part 1

Bay Area Nurses Will Go On Strike October 30, 2009