Military Muster on mall June 13, 2009

In the aftermath of hurricane Katrinia they disarmed American citizens. They locked American citizens into the Super Dome, blockaded the only bridge out of town and refused to allow victims (mostly black) to cross the bridge into a predominantly white neighborhood. They turned away truck loads of water, food and supplies. They simply obeyed orders most of them knew were wrong. And they didn't understand why.

Then, when President Obama recently announced that he thought veterans should have to pay for their own medical care, (while bailing out car companies and corrupt AIG, banks and others) and that both the military and the police would be expected to disarm Americans in a "national emergency," and that all military veterans were considered "potential terrorists" and a threat to America, and bills were introduced to forbid any veteran diagnosed with PTSD or brain damage (basically anyone returning from Iraq) to ever own a gun for life - including some veterans who are now police officers - this tribe of brothers rebelled.

They formed a new organization called "The Oath Keepers" and on June 13 of 2009 they will assemble in Washington, DC to protest. And THEIR brothers-in-arms - the standing U.S. Military, and police will be tasked with having to "control civil unrest." It will be band-of-brothers against band-of-brothers. One of the tightest, most loyal, fiercest and passionate tribes against their own protesting against their commander-in-chief - President Barack Obama.



Police and military are both waking up to the fact we STILL DO have a Constitution and they swore to defend it AND the Bill of rights when they swore their oath of office. Will they keep that oath? We'll see.

DUH - breaking news from ABC news...

Breaking News from ABCNEWS.com:

Schools No Longer Need to Close Because of Swine Flu, Says CDC [1:55 p.m. ET]



DUH. Didn't I tell you all that this was bogus? Swine flu pandemic? Huh. The drug companies WISH!!!!

Okay....you can get on with your lives now. The government has successfully probed the American public to find out what our reaction to a "PANDEMIC" would be and is now prepared for when they decide to use their chemtrail technology.

But wait - there's more. This from the Health Sciences Institute:

Don’t Panic: 7 FACTS About ‘Swine Flu’

With all the sensationalized news about the so-called swine flu flying around, I figured we’d better set all the facts straight.

1. So far, only 82 cases of so-called swine flu have been definitively identified worldwide, mostly in Mexico (26 confirmed, 7 deaths) and the U.S.(with 40 confirmed, no deaths). (Though about 1600 suspected cases, including 159 deaths, are reported in Mexico.) That does not add up to a pandemic swine flu outbreak.
2. This virus has nothing to do with swine. In fact, it hasn’t been seen in a single animal. And you can’t possibly get it from eating pork.
3. No existing vaccines can prevent this new flu strain. So no matter what you hear - even if it comes from your doctor - don’t get a regular flu shot. They rarely work against seasonal flu…and certainly can’t offer protection from a never-before- seen strain.
4. Speaking of this strain, it doesn’t seem to have come on naturally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this particular strain has never before been seen in pigs or people. And according to Reuters, the strain is a ‘genetic mix’ of swine, avian and human flu. Was it created in a lab? We don’t know yet.
5. The drug companies are getting excited…and that’s never a good thing. According to the Associated Press at least one financial analyst estimates up to $388 million worth of Tamiflu sales in the near future - and that’s without a pandemic outbreak.
6. Let’s not forget that Tamiflu comes with its own problems, including side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, cough…the very symptoms you’re trying to avoid. And let’s not forget that Japan banned this drug for children back in 2007, after links to suicidal behavior.
7. Vaccines for this flu strain probably won’t have to jump through all those annoying hurdles like clinical trials for safety and effectiveness. That won’t, however, stop the government from mandating the vaccine for all of us - a very likely scenario. And if the vaccines are actually harmful…killing people, for example…the vaccine makers will be immune from lawsuits.

Your best defense - your only real defense in any flu season - is a bulletproof immune system. You can learn about the best ways to strengthen yourself in the HSI archives.

You're invited....to a tea party

The Register & Bee won't be there (or will they?) But on April 15, 2009, Americans around the country will be attending "Tax tea parties." After all - they supported Obama. Watch THIS if you need to know more about Obama.



Is there a tea-party near you? You're invited if you are. If you're in Richmond you can find out more about Richmond's tea party here. Check it out:

http://www.taxpayerteaparty.com/

There's no business like show business...

What will happen now? The Danville Register & Bee is a vehicle to sell advertising. They have little or no interest in actually reporting on the news or information that affects us all. Few corporate owned newspapers do. To get your news you need to be online, reading as much as you can, getting information from ALL SIDES, and then drawing your own conclusions. Here's a good place to start.

"Former pro wrestler and Governor of Minnesota Jessie Ventura said it best.
There's no difference between US politics and professional wrestling.
Democrats vs. Republicans. Conservatives vs. Liberals. It's all a big joke.
Anyone who has their hopes pinned on Obama is going to be in for a rude awakening."

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/593.html

If you think Obama is going to save America, watch this.

What has become of Steve Kaylor?

A reader asks - "What has become of Steve Kaylor?" Don't know....other than he is now running the advertising department since Rob's departure for greener grass. He obviously isn't controlling his people - since all the staff reported not to publisher Steve Kaylor, but to Managing Editor Joe Stinnett in Lynchburg. Steve must be a lame duck - on his way out - if someone else is determining who works for the Register & Bee and who doesn't. That - IN THE PAST - was his job. Now he's an ad flunkie.

The woman over him...is over Joe....Terry Jamerson. Hmmmm...... whipped for sure now.

So, the DANVILLE paper is now operating out of Lynchburg. Layout, editing, design, ads, obituaries.....ALL out of Lynchburg. Do you really think a Danville, let alone a Reidsville paper, can really do justice to a LOCAL newspaper from Lynchburg?

The new assistant editor - Charles Wilborn has - what? NO reporting experience...and spends most of his time squealing and sending reporters to go to gang and drug shootings and car wrecks. Sorry Charles - that's not news. It sells newspapers - but it's not NEWS. People want to know what city council is doing, what's happening in the schools, what business is coming to Danville - what business is leaving.

I understand there is a lot of Mormon/LDS recruiting going on that staffers aren't happy with - but that no one will complain about.

How long can an office with so many problems and the only real power management in Lynchburg survive? We're about to find out.

Blood bath is over for now

Rumor has it that Robert Benson is the new editor of The Danville Register and Bee. That's possibly the BEST thing that could have happened to the newspaper. Robert has toiled hard behind the scenes, kept his mouth shut when he was supposed to and opened when it was expedient. An award winning writer he knows Danville, has solid values and COULD quite possibly turn the newspaper around if Lynchburg doesn't hamstring him. Look for good things from Robert once things settle down. He's waited a long time for this. Congratulations Robert!!


Arnold Hendrix has obviously opted not to give up control and be demoted if Robert has moved up. And we hear that the last of the folks who laughed at the "girls gone wild" video reporter Mac McLean joked about making - are ALL gone. Someone at Media General pulled their head out of their nether regions long enough to recognize a great chance to get rid of some liabilities and did. However....there is ONE more wart on the hog - the employee who has been sending me the snotty, whiny emails remains. Media General? Are you sure you want to make that promotion? Or do I need to go after that too?

Bye bye Darren Sweeney. Now you REALLY CAN take that looooong vacation. Lesson? Never dip your pen in the company ink. It WILL come back to bite you.

Register and Bee - alive or dead?

Today is the day employees at The Register & Bee get their boxes shoved in their hands and their computers shut down and are told, "You have 15 minutes to vacate the building," - or they're escorted out by police....no exaggeration - it has happened before...to long time employees no less.

For those who remain...good luck. We'll see you, box in hand, in a few months.

Richmond-Times cuts 90 jobs!

The blood-bath has begun. Monday will tell if the Danville Register & Bee has lied to its employees or not. Another Media General newspaper - The Richmond Times Dispatch sent 90 employees packing last Thursday. The Register & Bee will tell its workforce who has a job and who does not on Monday.

Thursday's layoffs mean Media General will have 602 full-time and part-time employees. Last year about this time they had 772. Twenty-eight of Thursday's layoffs were newsroom jobs. While the Register and Bee says they're actually HIRING extra reporters other areas of the paper may be not be so fortunate.

Employees at the paper have ALL had to interview for their jobs and say that the position of managing editor - Arnold Hendrix's job, will be cut - leaving only the position of editor to be filled - putting all power and decision making into the hands of a Lynchburg based Managing Editor who will decide on what is best for Danville in terms of news and other decisions. And people wonder why the paper is failing? Yeah - send your ads, editorial, copyediting and management to India or Lynchburg and see how relevant your news is then!! But remember, this is a company that thinks it's okay that their male reporters videotape the breasts of female advertisers and show them around the newsroom and laugh at them.

Lost lettermen

This is definitely an "off-topic" post, but I just found a great site for all those sports fans out there. I know a lot of you are fans of this blog - so here's one for you:

http://www.lostlettermen.com/

Ever wonder what happened to all those college jocks? If they lettered and were a part of the team at a major college or university - now you can find out! Great new start-up business that tracks what happened to former sports stars. Great site and fun reading for anyone who likes sports. I have no interest or connection to it other than it's a fun new website. Enjoy!

A whole new Register & Bee????

For a week now people (who are in a much better position to know) have been telling me the Register & Bee will not be the same newspaper - if it exists at all after April 6, 2009.

Reporters, well actually EVERYONE at the paper has been interviewing this week for their own job or others. Some of the people laying out the newspaper will not be returning to work as their jobs have moved to Lynchburg.

As a matter of fact, the "job interviewing" has been done by Joe Stinnett - of Media General in Lynchburg. Everyone has been "reassured" their jobs are safe (where have we heard THAT before??" so my question is:

Why is a Lynchburg supervisor INTERVIEWING Danville reporters about their job?
Why are DANVILLE employees - particularly REPORTERS and EVERYONE in the newsroom - including editors and managers, now going to be reporting to a Lynchburg supervisor?

Where is Steve Kaylor? He's taken over advertising since Rob saw the light and abandoned ship and headed to greener grass in Arkansas.

Could it be that Media General wised up to what's happening in the newsroom and is cleaning house?

Do any of you REALLY believe that you'd interview with a Lynchburg supervisor if the paper was going to remain in Danville? C'mon. Grow up.

Five reporters are being hired - layout, advertising, obituaries, everything else about the paper - even circulation is heading north. The building is being SOLD - or is at least UP for sale. Seriously. What does all this mean to Danville?

That all the advertising and subscription sales are going to Lynchburg - not here. The jobs? Lynchburg. Control of a local paper? Lynchburg.

That's what happens when your managers don't know how to listen to what people want - LOCAL LOCAL LOCAL NEWS.

Reparations are back on the Congressional Agenda - BAD NEWS FOR BLACKS

It's pretty easy to throw the term "racist" at any one who looks at a bigger picture that encompasses long term vs short term benefits. It's akin to criticizing parents who discipline their children rather than catering to their every whim. For those blacks or whites who want to call me racist for opposing reparations - take time to read the following and do the research.

A few thousand dollars in your pocket now will only hurt blacks for generations to come. Why? Read on. Trust me - you won't see this discussion in the Danville Register & Bee. In the 60's reporters actually helped hold the hoses who washed black protestors in the streets, they subtly forced out the one black reporter they had by ignoring him and freezing him out and making racist remarks behind his back. They are too busy hand-wringing the victim angle and populist view to take a dispassionate and educated stance on why reparations are bad.

The economy is tanking, people all over the world are circling their wagons in anticipation of a U.S. economic collapse, our economic structure is morphing into a whole new world (order), people are screaming about bank bonuses and bailouts and what pops up next on the Congressional agenda? Reparations. Yep. A commission to study reparation proposals for African-Americans has been introduced into the house. For those who aren't familiar with the idea, it means, in essence, tax dollars paying about 4 million African Americans "blood money" to appease the national white guilt (and political machinations) for slavery that happened between 1619 and 1865.

Forget the fact that racism is still an issue in this country, that membership in the Klu Klux Klan has been steadily on the rise, that our government has been covertly and legally enslaving black men and women for decades with the prison structure and discrimination.

Forget the fact that black men and women have hit a glass ceiling in America, even though we do have a black president. Forget that less than 3% of all television news stations are owned by people of color and that our government is DOING NOTHING TO ADDRESS THOSE RACIST ISSUES....or to punish the white corporations and government structures that allow THAT discrimination to flourish.

And while the majority of Americans will sit by with their mouths shut, afraid of offending their black neighbors, those who truly care will speak out. $8 million in reparations won't change what happened to blacks in America because it will NOT empower them. These are not the people who were enslaved. Yes, they suffered as a result of their skin color, but why not pay all the women who suffered as a result of their gender? Where's the money that women have been denied since 1619?

At a time when the American people are at the very edge of economic collapse from bailing out institutions that should be allowed to go bankrupt, why are we pouring money into the study of reparations? Am I missing something? Is this not the ultimate straw breaking the camel's back? In a time when we should be pulling together, empowering each other we're going to step in and denigrate 4 million people?

During his campaign Obama said he was opposed to reparations. Was he just hedging his bets to get the vote? Or does he too see how it would hurt, not help America? It's not just me who feels this way.

Project 21 has immense resources, articles and a history of empowering communities/tribes - NOT the government.

Among the arguments made against reparations:

1) One injustice (slavery) cannot be corrected by another injustice (taking money from an innocent party). No one alive today owned slaves legally in the United States. Millions of non-black Americans don't even have ancestors who lived in the U.S. at the time of slavery.

2) It would be impossible to administer fairly. Most Americans don't know their lineage well enough to assert, let alone prove, harm from slavery (or the converse, that their ancestors are responsible for or benefited from slavery). This means -- and most reparations advocates seem to concede -- that reparations would be paid to black Americans by other Americans simply on the basis of race. This would result in reparations payments not only by the distant descendants of actual slaveowners, but of post-Civil War immigrants, such as Vietnamese "boat people" refugees and now-elderly survivors of Nazi concentration camps.

3) Reparations payments based on race alone would be perceived by nearly everyone forced to make payments as a monstrous injustice, embittering many and inevitably setting back race relations. Apologetic feelings many whites hold because of slavery and past civil rights injustices would to a significant extent be replaced by anger. Yet, would one of the goals of the reparations movement: A supposed lessening of black anger (to the extent it exists) because of slavery really abate if reparations were enacted? Evidence is scant.

And finally - an excellent article on Ten Reasons why Reparations are Bad for Blacks and Racist too, from Frontpage Magazine.

If you support reparations - please post a logical, factual response why. Racist rants from whites or blacks won't be published. For those who haven't seen the Act, here it is:


Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act (Introduced in House)

HR 40 IH 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 40
To acknowledge the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish a commission to examine the institution of slavery, subsequently de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African-Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 6, 2009 Mr. CONYERS (for himself and Mr. SCOTT of Virginia ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

___________________________________

A BILL
To acknowledge the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish a commission to examine the institution of slavery, subsequently de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African-Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act ' .
> SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) Findings- The Congress finds that--

(1) approximately 4,000,000 Africans and their descendants were enslaved in the United States and colonies that became the United States from 1619 to 1865;
(2) the institution of slavery was constitutionally and statutorily sanctioned by the Government of the United States from 1789 through 1865; (3) the slavery that flourished in the United States constituted an immoral and inhumane deprivation of Africans ' life, liberty, African citizenship rights, and cultural heritage, and denied them the fruits of their own labor; and
(4) sufficient inquiry has not been made into the effects of the institution of slavery on living African-Americans and society in the United States .
(b) Purpose- The purpose of this Act is to establish a commission to--(1) examine the institution of slavery which
existed from 1619 through 1865 within the United States and the colonies that became the United States , including the extent to which the Federal and State Governments constitutionally and statutorily supported the institution of slavery;
(2) examine de jure and de facto discrimination against freed slaves and their descendants from the end of
the Civil War to the present, including economic, political, and social discrimination;
(3) examine the lingering negative effects of the institution of slavery and the discrimination described in paragraph (2) on living African-Americans and on society in the United States;
(4) recommend appropriate ways to educate the American public of the Commission ' s findings;
(5) recommend appropriate remedies in consideration of the Commission ' s findings on the matters described in paragraphs (1) and (2); and
(6) submit to the Congress the results of such examination, together with such recommendations.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND DUTIES. (a) Establishment- There is established the Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the `Commission ' ).
(b) Duties- The Commission shall perform the following duties:
(1) Examine the institution of slavery which existed within the United States and the colonies that became the United States from 1619 through 1865. The Commission ' s examination shall include an examination of--
(A) the capture and procurement of Africans;
(B) the transport of Africans to the United States and the colonies that became the United States for the purpose of enslavement, including their treatment during transport;
(C) the sale and acquisition of Africans as chattel property in interstate and instrastate commerce; and (D) the treatment of African slaves in the colonies and the United States , including the deprivation of their freedom, exploitation of their labor, and destruction of their culture, language, religion, and families.
(2) Examine the extent to which the Federal and State governments of the United States supported the institution of slavery in constitutional and statutory provisions, including the extent to which such governments prevented, opposed, or restricted efforts of freed African slaves to repatriate to their homeland.

(3) Examine Federal and State laws that discriminated against freed African slaves and their descendants during the period between the end of the Civil War and the present.
(4) Examine other forms of discrimination in the public and private sectors against freed African slaves and their descendants during the period between the end of the Civil War and the present.

(5) Examine the lingering negative effects of the institution of slavery and the matters described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) on living African-Americans and on society in the United States.

(6) Recommend appropriate ways to educate the American public of the Commission ' s findings.
(7) Recommend appropriate remedies in consideration of the Commission ' s findings on the matters described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4). In making such recommendations, the Commission shall address among other issues, the following questions:

(A) Whether the Government of the United States should offer a formal apology on behalf of the people of the United States for the perpetration of gross human rights violations on African slaves and their descendants.
(B) Whether African-Americans still suffer from the lingering effects of the matters described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4).
(C) Whether, in consideration of the Commission's findings, any form of compensation to the descendants of African slaves is warranted.
(D) If the Commission finds that such compensation is warranted, what should be the amount of compensation,
what form of compensation should be awarded, and who should be eligible for such compensation.
(c) Report to Congress- The Commission shall submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Congress not later than the date which is one year after the date of the first meeting of the Commission held pursuant to section 4(c).
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP. (a) Number and Appointment- (1) The Commission shall be composed of 7 members, who shall be appointed, within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, as follows:

(A) Three members shall be appointed by the President.
(B) Three members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(C) One member shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate.
(2) All members of the Commission shall be persons who are especially qualified to serve on the Commission by virtue of their education, training, or experience, particularly in the field of African-American studies.
(b) Terms- The term of office for members shall be for the life of the Commission. A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect the powers of the Commission, and shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
(c) First Meeting- The President shall call the first meeting of the Commission within 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, or within 30 days after the date on which legislation is enacted making appropriations to carry out this Act, whichever date is later.
(d) Quorum- Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.
(e) Chair and Vice Chair- The Commission shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. The term of office of each shall be for the life of the Commission.
(f) Compensation- (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), each member of the Commission shall receive compensation at the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay payable for GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United
States Code, for each day, including travel time, during which he or she is engaged in the actual
performance of duties vested in the Commission.

(2) A member of the Commission who is a full-time officer or employee of the United States or a Member of Congress shall receive no additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of his or her service to the Commission.
(3) All members of the Commission shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties to the extent authorized by chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
SEC. 5. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. (a) Hearings and Sessions- The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and at such places in the United States, and request the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents, as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may request the Attorney General to invoke the aid of an appropriate United States district court to require, by subpoena or otherwise, such attendance, testimony, or production.

(b) Powers of Subcommittees and Members- Any subcommittee or member of the Commission may, if authorized
by the Commission, take any action which the Commission is authorized to take by this section.
(c) Obtaining Official Data- The Commission may acquire directly from the head of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the executive branch of the Government, available information which the Commission considers useful in the discharge of its duties. All departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the executive branch of the Government shall cooperate with the Commission with respect to such information and shall furnish all information requested by the Commission to the extent
permitted by law.

SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. (a) Staff- The Commission may, without regard to section 5311(b)
of title 5, United States Code, appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as the Commission considers appropriate.
(b) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws- The staff of the Commission may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service,and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that the compensation of any employee of the Commission may not exceed a rate equal to the annual rate of basic pay payable for
GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.
(c) Experts and Consultants- The Commission may procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with the provisions of section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the highest rate payable under section 5332 of such title.
(d) Administrative Support Services- The Commission may enter into agreements with the Administrator of General Services for procurement of financial and administrative services necessary for the discharge of the duties of the Commission. Payment for such services shall be made by reimbursement from funds of the Commission in such amounts as may be agreed upon by the Chairman of the Commission and the Administrator.

(e) Contracts- The Commission may--
(1) procure supplies, services, and property by contract in accordance with applicable laws and regulations
and to the extent or such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts; and
(2) enter into contracts with departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Federal Government, State agencies, and private firms, institutions, and agencies, for the conduct of research or surveys, the preparation of reports, and other activities necessary for the discharge of the duties of the Commission, to the extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts.
SEC. 7. TERMINATION . The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the Commission submits its report to the Congress under section 3(c). SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. To carry out the provisions of this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated $8,000,000.

Relief at last....

Finally, MORE reporters at The Danville Register & Bee. Maybe someone somewhere figured out that two people wasn't enough to cover the NEWS? There are more people in sports than news - so as long as all you care about is baseball, football and basketball - you're probably okay...but don't expect any extensive coverage of the minor sports - like girls, junior varsity, swimming, wrestling, little league etc. There just aren't enough reporters!

But, now the paper is hiring enough to bring it up to FIVE reporters. Yay! MAYBE we'll get more real LOCAL news. We can hope.

Fold or remodel?

Well, which will it be? Fold or remodel? Apparently the decision HAS BEEN MADE to move the editorial layout to Lynchburg. Advertising layout and the obits and other layout functions have already been moved. That means more Danville dollars are trickling to the north and out of the local economy. Circulation keeps losing people - one-by-one. Local people who once laid out the paper will either have to commute or find other jobs. NOT surprising.

The newsroom hasn't been shuffled around yet, but since some editing is going to India, obits and ads are in Lynchburg and now the newspaper layout itself is in Lynchburg as of April 1, 2009 (not a joke), pretty soon we'll all have to go to Lynchburg to read the Danville News!

Maybe the NORTHERN end of the county will finally get some coverage now that the Danville paper is mostly stationed in Lynchburg eh?

Newsroom at Register & Bee all terminated.....

Seems like the entire Newsroom has been terminated effective as of April 1, 2009...so former employees at the paper say.

I've heard this from several credible sources who say it's NOT just the layout department being shuffled to Lynchburg, but in fact - the paper folding. We won't know until April 1, or until I get the memo via my Media General sources in Richmond...but, doesn't look good.

Looks like Arnold can enjoy his stay in Florida a little longer.

Bye Bye Register & Bee.....Gone as of April 1, 2009

Circulation is being moved to Lynchburg, but the "semi-official" word that Arnold (On vacation in Florida....hmmm....) got via phone this week is that the Register & Bee newsroom will be GONE April 1, 2009. A poor April Fools Day joke....or just business as usual at The Register & Bee.

We'll see. The "rumor" from Richmond - that the ENTIRE NEWSROOM will be WITHOUT JOBS as of April 1.

Survey says???? What do you think?

More Layoffs coming at The Danville Register & Bee

More layoffs are in the works for The Danville Register & Bee. Bernard Baker went on personal leave three months ago and will not be returning. No word on why but if it is for ongoing health reasons, we wish him well. Add him to your prayer list, send him a card or give him a call. He spent many a year there and was a gifted writer. He will be missed I'm sure.

If your press releases aren't being returned, it's because they're being forwarded to Arnold Hendrix. The Register & Bee is manager heavy and always has been. Our money's on at least one manager being let go.

The newsroom is down to John Crane, Denice Thibodeau and Brenda Neugent (formerly Erickson) and the "sports guys," although rumors have persisted that one of the sports department would be cut - at least for the slack summer season, no football or basketball, we'll have to wait and see.

But stay tuned. Richmond tells me the layoffs are in the works.

GONE!!! With no warning....

Tommy Hundley (formerly of trophy center/sign shop on Wooding) was picking up the papers from Lynchburg and bringing them down to Danville. He showed up at work the other day and now he's GONE! No warning. Just gone. Sorry to hear it Tommy. But that's how things work at The Register & Bee. One minute you're there - the next you're gone.

The axe is always swinging. Who will be next? Will it be someone else in circulation? Maybe it will be an editor or copy editor or reporter or publisher?

All we know is that the end is coming.....I hope everyone down there is polishing their resumes and looking for the door. Rob was and got out before he got screwed.

Experienced employees from ANY industry will tell you - when the managers start taking jobs elsewhere - they KNOW something bad is coming...no matter what they say about "Wanting to be close to family" or "I got a better opportunity." Un-huh...writing is on the wall folks. Get out while you can. It's easier to GET a job when you HAVE a job.

Is the Piedmont Shopper making its bid to take over?

The Dan River Regions favorite newspaper, The Piedmont Shopper, is so easy to view on the net.....just click on paper and it comes up full screen ...click again and it comes up big enough to read each page...or pick one up at your favorite store. And now they're starting to make their bid to kick R&B butt. Readers are invited to send in their news and stories about local events.

Do you have a photo, a community event, news? If you do, don't forget to send it in to The Piedmont Shopper. We all love stews this time of the year. Share your favorite recipe. Send in a photo of your favorite team, officers in your club...action shot from a little league or one of the many different high school teams or an award, etc...any aspiring writers who want to cover a game, your stories are welcome.

The Register & Bee likes national and state news. Danville readers like LOCAL news. So just send in your story and photo or an exciting story about someone who perhaps was a Danville trolley conductor,fighter pilot,or anyone with a story to tell.

Did you notice the Piedmont Shopper has a column by Mr. Leigg who for years taught at GWHS.....look on the back page for all the happenings ...I see a pancake breakfast this Saturday.....the South Boston Speedway has an ad here with a coupon buy two general admissions and get the third one free.....this Saturday March 7 they have an open pratice from 10 - 4 and it is Free and the next Saturday the 14th the season opens with racing beginning at 2pm.....and while there enjoy the great food...Yummmmmmy........excitement is on every turn..... ... even if you aren't a race fan you might just like it here....

You're about to lose your internet FOREVER!!

Net neutrality. It is a GOOD thing. If you haven't heard the term before you will soon. We're about to LOSE our net neutrality, our free access to the internet and only those with money and lots of it, will be able to use the internet. We NEED the internet to stay neutral - NOT to be controlled by corporations. If you are a small business you could LOSE your business....and everything that it brings you. Watch this and get informed before it's too late. Why don't you read about it in the newspapers? Because they want it - then they can control advertising again. Big media and cellphone companies, corporations DON'T want the internet to remain neutral because THEY can't make money off of YOU if it does. Fight back now. Contact your congressman - although here in VA it will do little good....he's already in bed with the money'd people....

Why isn't Media General enforcing its policies?

Gee, Media General HAS policies in place to supposedly prevent sexual harassment, but no one seems too worried about actually ENFORCING them. Why? Click on the photo to enlarge it.