Musings, opinions, observations, questions, and random thoughts on island life, Fernandina Beach and more

Musings, opinions, observations, questions, and random thoughts on island life, Fernandina Beach and more

News Leader Sinks Further & Further Into Irrelevance

Following next week’s commentary I’ll be taking time off to concentrate on producing the Amelia Island News Wrecker, an annual parody of local, regional, and national events.

The annual Wrecker has traditionally been published during the Amelia Island Shrimp Festival, but I thought it would be more fun to do it following the national, regional, and local elections this year.

However, after reviewing the latest issue of the Fernandina News Leader it appears that the local print weekly had the same idea. Its editorial pages are crammed full of some of the silliest, side-splitting, inane nonsense I’ve ever read.

On the news side recently the paper’s front page story (Wednesday, October 30, “Rosses honored” ) was about a local conservation group that  planted a tree in Central Park to honor outgoing City Commissioner Chip Ross, the term-limited grump whose last day as a sitting commissioner will be November 6. The News Leader devoted a quarter of a page to the quarrelsome curmudgeon and his tree. I overheard a few locals flipping through the paper chuckle about the story, calling the tree the “Chip Ross Dog Relief Station.”

Ross was pictured with his wife, Faith, in a front-quarter-page piece. The paper’s coverage of Ross was in stark contrast to the scathing news coverage he garnered in his former residence in Solomon’s Island, MD, when Washington, D.C, area news outlets including the Washington Post celebrated his departure from that area following his harassment of a local business organization and its patrons.

The News Leader has never mentioned the negative news coverage Ross generated in his former residence of Solomon’s Island, Maryland, much less the chaos he created there. You can read it at https://www.davescottblog.com/first-do-no-harm-do-not-vote-for-chip-ross-heres-why/  The News Leader editorial crowd here can’t be bothered. It is too busy cranking out propaganda for local extremist candidates (Genece Minshew, Joyce Tuten, James Antun), and bashing conservatives (Bradley Bean, Darron Ayscue, David Sturges), and concentrating on far-left ideological crusades, much to the chagrin of its advertising and circulation departments.

The departure of conservative and balanced 34-year journalism veteran and syndicated conservative business columnist Steve Nicklas to the Yulee News and Citizens Journal Florida left this sad paper’s editorial cupboard as bare as Old Mother Hubbard’s.

All that remains is a bizarre columnist named Jennifer Silverman, a New Yorker, whose only topic is Jennifer Silverman, who has used up her quota of personal pronouns, with “I” being her favorite. If she isn’t annoying enough then you can turn to the another New Yorker, screeching liberal extremist Chuck Olivia. This week’s editorial page junkpile included the third in a three-part series about Tupperware. Yes! Tupperware. I’m not making that up. This is a must read if you suffer from insomnia. Author Howard Pines is a friend and a nice guy, but come on Howard: TUPPERWARE? Three consecutive columns on Tupperware?

One of the most egregious items was the Wednesday, Oct. 30 letter from Robert M. Weintraub, aka, “Bullet Bob”, my former next door neighbor, who eight years ago twice threatened on Facebook  to kill me and my wife, because we put a small congratulatory Trump sign in our yard after the 2016 election. Weintraub’s Facebook postings generated a visit to his house by two police officers. I have a copy of the police report.

Neighborly “Bullet Bob” posting on Facebook.

This unhinged fruitcake’s first threat appeared publicly on Facebook shortly after the Trump sign went up on Veterans Day, November 11. It was surrounded by small American flags, which we put out every Veterans Day.  Weintraub posted :“To my Trumpic bigoted and anti-Semitic neighbors, there is a Jewish motto — ‘NEVER AGAIN’ — so don’t think you can intimidate me with your signs. My rifle and shotgun are loaded, and I will be getting a handgun at tomorrow’s sales. I’ll be waiting for you and your ‘brown shirts.’”

I responded to this threatening Facebook message online saying his comments were “frightening and made us very nervous” telling him there was no justification for his violent reaction. This prompted the following and even more irrational and vehement outburst by this loon:

“Dave Scott you voted for a man who supports the American Nazi Party and the KKK. Trump supporters have been openly anti-Semitic. What else am I to think? You are the frightening one, Dave Scott, and I am ready for you and your friends.” You can read the details here https://www.davescottblog.com/mr-rogers-never-met-my-neighbor/

That was chilling for a variety of reasons. First, we realized that we lived next door to an irrational, dangerous and unhinged person who claims he is armed to the teeth and says he intends to use his guns against us. Also the local newspaper, the News-Leader, gives this lunatic a forum. What the hell are they thinking down there?

The sign that triggered “Bullet Bob”.

I was also told by the authorities that based on his public Facebook threats we could easily obtain a restraining order against him. We – mostly Linda — decided not to pursue it as we felt sorry for his wife, a very nice lady. A renter, Weintraub packed up and moved shortly thereafter to terrorize another unsuspecting neighborhood. I’ve been relieved ever since because I no longer have to put on a helmet and Kevlar vest and tell Linda: “I’m going to get the mail….cover me.”

News Leader editor Tracy Dishman and Publisher Foy Maloy are well aware of the deranged Weintraub’s public threats but don’t care. Maybe they agree with him, as they give him space whenever his decides to fire off one of his inane screeds. Perhaps the paper will start running opinion pieces from convicted felons as a regular feature on its opinion page. “Advice From The Big House” would be appropriate and make a catchy title.

Under left-wing extremist Editor Dishman, a graduate of the “Close Cover Before Striking School of Screen Door Repair and Journalism” and flummoxed Publisher Maloy, the News Leader has no direction at all except toward the print newspaper graveyard, a sad ending for a once-proud outlet.

 ***

 Who NOT To Vote For: In a nutshell if you want males in girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms,  on girls’ sports teams, abortion at any time, enslaving future generations with massive debt, and allowing unvetted illegal aliens, drugs, sex traffickers, rapists, killers, etc. to wander our streets then Kamala Harris, is the candidate for you.

Harris has advocated for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), keeping the border wide open, providing illegal alien taxpayer-funded housing, cell phones, plane tickets, and food stamps, defunding the police, releasing violent offenders, eliminating middle-class tax cuts, banning fracking and ending fossil fuel usage, mandating electric vehicles, confiscating guns from legal gun owners, promoting taxpayer-funded transgender surgeries for illegal aliens and prisoners, among other such programs. If this is your vision for America then she’s your candidate.

Fernandina Commission candidates former Pride President Genece Minshew and extreme environmentalist Joyce Tuten do not distance themselves from this garbage. Far from it. They flat out lie. Just before registering to run for office in our 75 percent Republican Nassau County these two frauds dropped their Democrat party affiliation, with Minshew registering Republican and Tuten No Party Affiliation. Why?

These two phonies campaign together and have never disavowed the nonsense the Democrat party advocates. Poynter’s association with Minshew is troubling and as far as I can tell he has no platform of substance. This trio voting together on the Fernandina City Commission along with brain-dead puppet James Antun would be Fernandina’s worst nightmare.

For the sake of a safe, sane, wholesome and prosperous Fernandina Beach cast your vote for Bradley Bean, David Sturges, Christy Kelly, and Darron Ayscue.

***

A young Ken Timmerman being interviewed by Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes

Local Book Signing With NY Times Best-Selling Author: Area resident Kenneth R. Timmerman will present his latest book of non-fiction, “The Iran House: Tales of Revolution, Persecution, War, and Intrigue”at a book signing hosted by PJD’s  Beer & Wine Garden (12 South 2nd Street) from 5-6:20PM Friday, November 8. Books can be purchased on site. “The Iran House” is Timmerman’s 14th work of non-fiction. Earlier books, “Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson”, and “The French Betrayal” of America, were NY Times best-sellers. He has also published four novels. You can learn more about Ken at his website, kentimmerman.com.

***

Speaking Of Ken Timmerman: “The October Surprise is Kamala herself” concludes Timmerman in a recent editorial piece.

Ken wrote his commentary prior to Joe Biden providing another “October surprise” — his “Trump’s supporters are garbage” statement.

Following Kamala Harris’s recent CNN town hall Timmerman wrote: “Her abysmal performance in interview after interview with friendly networks has left her partisans openly skeptical of her qualifications to hold the highest office in the land.”

He quoted former Obama advisor David Axelrod after the town hall that “Kamala had a tendency to head to ‘word salad city’ whenever she was challenged.”

“You could almost hear the little gremlins in her brain opening and closing file drawers, searching for the answer,” he added. “For example when she was asked what her greatest fault was she came up with this: ‘I really do value having a team around me of really smart people who bring to my decision-making process different perspectives.’”

When asked what she felt was her biggest mistake as Vice President, she replied saying, “I probably worked very hard at making sure that I am well versed on issues.”

What will Harris do following a loss? One of the most interesting suggestions  I’ve heard was that she will have a permanent seat on “The View.” It’ll be be a tight squeeze with that quartet of heavyweights, but once seated she’ll fit right in babbling incomprehensible nonsense.

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Porn Industry Endorses Harris: Is that a surprise? It’s obvious that Democrats who promote political censorship, do not want ID verification for porn or for voting and want abortion up to the time of birth, are in bed with these folks? Think their pals Jeffrey Epstein and P. Diddy.

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Sign Of The Times? We had several kids Trick Or Treat at our house Thursday wearing sanitation vests and garbage bags.

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Dastardly Democrats Doing Desperate Deeds: Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters who voiced his support for former President Trump was recently targeted by someone flying a plane with a racist banner trailing in its wake. The banner stated, “REPUGNANT-CON COWARD TK WATERS TURNED WHITE.” The black sheriff didn’t miss a beat and shrugged it off as the person’s First Amendment right to voice their opinion.

“Today’s banner is a clear reminder that ignorance and hate will always breed more ignorance and hate. Jacksonville is a great city full of good people who care about one another. Let’s focus on putting that on the world’s stage,” said Waters, Jacksonville’s second black sheriff. I like this guy!

The banner was flown just one day after Waters voiced his support for Trump while excoriating Democratic Mayor Donna Deegan for calling the former president’s immigration policy akin to “concentration camps.” She made the abhorrent comments while traveling on a trade mission in London during an interview with London Times Radio, according to Florida’s Voice. I don’t like this gal.

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Betting On Trump: As an observer, fan and a former sports writer,  I’ve always been intrigued with the bookmakers in Las Vegas.

When calculating the odds, they analyze the statistics, injuries, past performances, locations, the venues, talent, fan turnout and enthusiasm, weather, everything. Nothing passes their scrutiny. In most cases they are rarely ever wrong. The house always wins. Otherwise there would be no casinos, online betting sites, etc.

Based on what I’ve read up to now, these oddsmakers have Trump winning and judging by  their past record I’m betting they’re right.

  • Comment (18)
  • 90%+ of violent actions are carried out by left leaning individuals. So, it made me laugh when your neighbor accused you of the potential of violence by placing American flags on your property. Nobody can ever accuse them of having any self awareness. Projection much???

  • It is amazing that the most conservative county in Florida has mostly left-leaning media. But Citizens Journal Florida and Yulee News can reverse that if you read them, advertise there and spread the word.

    Please join me in praying and acting to see that Constitutional Conservatives are elected to better represent the United States and its founding ideals.

  • Amen, George. The Observer has just turned into a mouth piece for Left Coast Lednovich.

  • Can’t wait to get my hands on the first stacks of the wretched Amelia Island News Wrecker. Obscenity such as that rag has no place in my town and I shall joyfully make it my hobby to go from location to location, each time feeding the dumpster.

  • Oh my god, this blog is abhorrent and offensive to common decency. My valve already suffers enough from attempting to digest the foul content being published in small redneck town Yulee. Sir, be kind and disassociate yourself and this blog from Fernandina Beach. I am sure you and your minions will ultimately be happier somewhere else as this island continues its transition out of the dark ages.

  • The liberal rants above show that your commentary is effective. The heads are spinning and steam is building ready to blow their little pinheads up and off.
    Its funny too since the blog is not tied to the TDS-infected NextDoor, or the Fernandina New LEANer.

  • Can’t wait to put a congratulatory sign honoring our new black, female, liberal and democrat President ,La in the ground and hold my middle finger up next week to Dave and the rest of the MAGA gang that lives in this space. Bob

  • PHILADELPHIA, PA — Americans across the country breathed a sigh of relief this morning following breaking news that Vice President Kamala Harris had survived an attempted interview.The incident took place late yesterday afternoon during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania when a rogue reporter reportedly approached the vice president and fired off several questions before being tackled to the ground and subdued by Secret Service agents. Harris was quickly evacuated from the area and taken to a secure location.”Thankfully, Vice President Harris is safe and in stable condition,” a campaign spokesperson said. “We all feared the worst when that crazed person emerged from the crowd and attempted to interview the sitting U.S. vice president right there in broad daylight. Someone must be looking out for her, though, because she avoided suffering any damage in the incident.”The FBI arrived at the scene shortly thereafter and discovered that the would-be interviewer was in possession of several notepads, pens, a cellphone, and a camera authorities believed was intended to capture the event for a livestream or video. “Isn’t that sick?” said a campaign insider. “This nutjob had this all planned out. He was coming out here for the specific purpose of interviewing Kamala Harris — and he was trying to record himself doing it. This is the type of America we can expect under Donald Trump.”

    At publishing time, the Secret Service had advised the Harris campaign that it would be best for the Vice President to avoid all public appearances from now through election day.

  • Wow, I just can’t believe how stupid some people (specifically the Harry and Hunter duo). And you’ll be casting votes for the guy who wouldn’t debate her a second time?

  • Tin soldiers and Trump’s poll numbers are nosedivin’
    We’re finally on our own
    This summer I hear the drummin’
    Trump’s dead in Ohio

  • The pseudo electronic news formerly known in better and more honest reporting days as The Fernandina Observer is as biased as the Florida Times Union and every single newspaper under the Gannett banner across the nation. In Fernandina Beach it is a a former worst case scenario of a marching red nose ex-mayor who dances for the corrupt organization BLACK LIVES MATTER when in reality BLM is a sham organization that has no regard for the Lives of Black People. Across the county line it is a lying DemoRAT pseudo reporter Nate Monroe who every time he opens his mouth to bash a Republican loses ten IQ points. Monroe is no different than the majority of reporters for Garnett who are just an extension of the DNC WITH THRIR HATRED OF CONSERVATIVES. Tomorrow, November 5, 2024, this nation is going to receive a serious wake-up over the hate filled words by an ex-mayor, a gay DemoRAT faking being a Republican, a hate for anyone from the Republican Party who operates under the moniker of Nate Monroe or the hundreds if national media at ABC-DNC, CBS-DNC, NBC-DNC, CNN-DNC, MSNBC-DNC, THE NEW YORK TIMES-DNC, THE WASHINGTON POST-DNC, and trash shows like THE VIEW-DNC, and soon to ending THE TALK-DNC, and LONG PAST FUNNY SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE-DNC. My only wish is the current DemoRAT Presidential Candidate who participated in the greatest coup ever against a sitting and elected President loses by such a margin she goes back to California to never show her face again. Her biggest skill in this election cycle flip-flop. Non-comment, and serve up the largest word salad’s in political history.

  • Kara P. November 1, 2024 at 5:45 pm
    Who is giddy with the lies she utters: Can’t wait to get my hands on the first stacks of the wretched Amelia Island News Wrecker. Obscenity such as that rag has no place in my town and I shall joyfully make it my hobby to go from location to location, each time feeding the dumpster. I hope the first stack she tries to destroy results in criminal charges by fine men and women of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.

    This Kara P. Would not know a real newspaper or tabloid if it reached out and smacked her up side the head. The Amelia Islanf News Wrecker has always been an enjoyable and very funny item each year that I have been fortunate to read this paper. It is mouthy DemoRATS such as Kara Pee, Diana Tsymbal, Fred – the original as claimed but in reality as unoriginal as Cackling Hyena Kamala and Tampon Tim who are trying to destroy Fernandina Beach along with West Coast Red Nose Lednovich who was one time the Ex-Mayor who tried to destroy the city by making it Little California. I will proudly be swapping my Trump Signs for my new one that proclaims “The Hoe and Tampon Tim Lost” and “The Nation is Better Off Today.”

  • Robert M. Weintraub (Bob) what a silly post. It was fun to read though!!!!…especially since she lost. But by all means flip your middle finger…we simply don’t care. TRUMP WON Whoo Hooo

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