Edition 9-05-05

	A judge who still believes in the Constitution What: In the first case of its kind, a federal judge chastises the U.S. Department of Justice for trying to constantly track a cell phone user's location without providing any proof of criminal behavior. When: Decided Aug. 25 by U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein in Central Islip, N.Y. Outcome: Justice Department's Patriot Act surveillance request was denied. What happened: Burton T. Ryan Jr., an assistant U.S. attorney, sought a court order that would permit federal agents to track a suspect though his cell phone--but he couldn't offer any evidence of actual criminal activity. Ryan asked Orenstein to sign an order requiring the unnamed cellular provider to divulge the information, which would reveal the suspect's location whenever his cell phone was in use. (Cell phones must provide this information because of potential 911 emergencies, the Federal Communications Commission has ruled.) Such location-tracking was permitted under the 2001 Patriot Act, which amended the definition of a "pen register," Ryan argued. A pen register records phone numbers that are dialed. Orenstein disagreed. Location information amounts to a wiretap, he said, and therefore requires prosecutors to show "probable cause"--that is, at least some evidence of criminal behavior. Such an order "would effectively allow the installation of a tracking device without the showing of probable cause normally required for a warrant." Thank You, Chattanooga, For Welcoming HOG Rally posted August 30, 2005 Dear Chattanooga…Thank You! On behalf of the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, I would like to personally thank the wonderful citizens of Chattanooga for rolling out the red carpet this past weekend during the Harley Owners Group Rally. This was an extremely successful event for the community and the welcome they received was superb. Rave reviews continue to flow in from Harley Davidson visitors commenting on the warm and inviting attitudes extended from area hotels, restaurants, attractions, merchants, citizens, and the list goes on... Our partners at the Friends of the Festival did an outstanding job handling the events and entertainment on Chattanooga’s new stage, the downtown riverfront at Ross’s Landing. Special thanks go out to Mayors Claude Ramsey and Ron Littlefield, whose leadership and support helped make this event a reality for Chattanooga. The many departments of government involved in this event performed perfectly. The phrase we heard over and over was, "Thank you, Chattanooga." I would like to echo that, as well. THANK YOU CHATTANOOGA! Robert B. Doak President & CEO Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
ABATE OF FLORIDA NEXT STATE MEETING Live Web cam action LOUISIANA SHRIMP & PETROLEUM FESTIVAL ~~September 1-5, 2005 Morgan City, LA /www.shrimp-petrofest.org/ 504-385-0703 According to the locals, it's not such an unusual name for a festival once you realize that it celebrates Louisiana's two natural resources: seafood and oil. The festival, held in the heart of Cajun country, was lauded in Time magazine as "the best, the most unusual, the most down-home, the most moving and the most fun the country has to offer." How can you beat that? Highlights feature Cajun culinary pleasures and continuous live music. Other festivities include a shrimp cookoff contest, the Cajun culinary classic, gospel tent, street carnival, both street & water parades and a massive arts and crafts show & sale. Not to mention the historic Blessing of the Fleet, boat tours of the harbor, tours of the Mr. Charlie, an authentic drilling rig and the spectacular Bollinger fireworks display. September 9-11, 2005 ~10am-5pm~ Red Hook, NY http:/ /www.hudsonvalleywinefest.com 888-687-2517 The Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest is a celebration of wine, food and music all set within the natural, timeless beauty of the Catskill Countryside. Located in America's oldest wine growing region, the Hudson Valley Wine Fest will bring more than 30 wineries from the Finger Lakes to Long Island as well as fine gourmet food vendors. Bring the family to enjoy a three-acre corn maze, pick fresh berries, take a hayride and have lots more Autumn fun at our Greig Farm festival site. Exclusive wine-related gifts and local musical performances highlight the festival. Celebrate all the bounty the Hudson Valley has to offer at the Hudson Valley Wine Fest! Breaking News: Dusty Rhodes Officially Joins WWE Story By: Ben Johnson Dusty Rhodes has officially signed on to be part of WWE's creative team, reports PWInsider.com. One would expect a formal announcement to be forthcoming. Dusty Rhodes has begun duties as part of the WWE SmackDown! brand. Few other details, including financial terms, are public at this time.

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One late afternoon: Four retired guys are walking down a street in Milwaukee. Then they turn a corner and see a sign that says: "Old Timer's Bar" "ALL DRINKS 10 CENTS!" They look at each other, and then go in. The old bartender says in a voice that carries across the room, "Come on in and let me pour one for you. What'll it be, Gentlemen?" There seems to be a fully stocked bar, so the men all ask for a martini. In short order, the bartender serves up 4 iced martinis and says, "That'll be 10 cents each, please." They can't believe their good luck. They pay the 40 cents, finish their martinis, and order another round. Again, four excellent martinis are produced with the bartender again saying, "That's 40 more cents, please." They pay the 40 cents, but their curiosity is more than they can stand. They've each had two martinis and so far they've spent less than a dollar. Finally one of the men couldn't stand it any longer ! and asks the bartender, "How can you afford to serve martinis as good as these for a dime apiece?" "Here's my story. I'm a retired tailor from Brooklyn, and I always wanted to own a bar. Last year I hit the lottery for $25 million and decided to open this place. Every drink costs a dime - wine, liquor, beer, all the same." "Wow!! That's quite a story," says one of the men. The four of them sipped at their martinis and couldn't help but notice three other guys at the end of the bar who didn't have a drink in front of them, and hadn't ordered anything the whole time they were there. One man gestures at the three at the end of the bar without drinks and asks the bartender, "What's with them?" The bartender says, "They're seniors from Florida. They're waiting for happy hour."
TALLAHASSEE – Fuel supplies at Florida’s ports remain steady as major fuel companies continue to deliver millions of gallons of gasoline and diesel to the Ports of Jacksonville, Everglades and Tampa by tanker ship. Working closely with members of the petroleum industry, the Department reported on Monday that more than 162 million gallons of fuel was in storage or at Florida’s ports for distribution throughout the state. “The State of Florida is working with petroleum companies to maintain fuel levels even as the industry begins assessing the impact of Hurricane Katrina to refineries,” said Secretary Castille. “Over the next 48 hours, contingency plans will begin to take affect to minimize supply interruptions. In the meantime, residents can continue to do their part by purchasing and using fuel responsibly. The Florida panhandle and our Gulf neighbors will need the support and consideration of every consumer as they conduct emergency response activities and begin to rebuild critical infrastructure.” As in any hurricane emergency, fuel will be replenished based on regional priorities. Fuel is reserved first for emergency crews and first responders. Supplies are then replenished at retail gas stations with available power along major transportation corridors and in metro areas to support evacuees returning to areas affected by the storm. To maximize fuel distribution and availability, companies will supplement fuel supply deliveries from Texas, northeastern states and Europe. In addition, DEP has been working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to temporarily waive certain federal fuel requirements to increase gasoline supply and provide diesel fuel for emergency vehicles and utility repair vehicles during the storm recovery.

WORD of the DAY
panacea \pan-uh-SEE-uh\ noun : a remedy for all ills or difficulties : cure-all Example sentence: Education reform is sometimes viewed as a panacea for all of society's problems. Did you know? "Panacea" is from Latin, and the Latin, in turn, is from Greek "panakeia." In Greek, "panakes" means "all-healing," combining "pan-" ("all") and "akos," which means "remedy." The Latin designation "Panacea" or "Panaces" has been awarded more than one plant at one time or other, among them the herb today known as Prunella vulgaris, whose common name is "self-heal." More often than not, the word "panacea" is used when decrying a claim made for a remedy that seems too good to be true. Most likely that's what the author is doing in a 1625 anatomical treatise, describing "a certaine medicine made of saffron, quick silver, vermilion, antimonie, and certaine sea shels made up in fashion of triangular lozenges," and calling it a panacea. *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
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