http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/ en bfranko@wcbd.com Copyright 2008 2008-08-12T11:54:00-05:00 http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/gas_prices_are_fallingwheres_the_hype/ http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/gas_prices_are_fallingwheres_the_hype/#When:10:54:00Z You couldn’t pry gas prices out of the lead story spot on any newscast with a backhoe two months ago...now that they are falling you’re lucky if it makes it as a casual mention...or a BTW as they say in “texting”.  We are dropping the ball. I admit that. When gas prices were steadily climbing...peaking at more than $4/gallon nationally, we were sounding the alarm. Warning people that $7 isn’t far off! Now gas prices have dropped, down 21-cents in a month...23 cents in the Lowcountry to $3.67/gallon. The much maligned dollar made strides against the Euro lately and it went virtually unnoticed by the general public. You can blame left-wing media bias if you want...but I think it’s far less sinister. I think it’s as simple as rising prices, and people struggling are sexier stories to the mainstream national media. Granted...$3.67 is still tough to cope with. But it appears the worst (barring a tropical system or more turmoil in the middle east) is behind us.  I will push for more on this story today during our editorial meetings.  Personal 2008-08-12T10:54:00-05:00 http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/beijing_games_off_to_incredible_start/ http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/beijing_games_off_to_incredible_start/#When:09:57:00Z The opening ceremony was nothing short of incredible...and I’m apparently not the only one who thought so. It was the most watched opening of an Olypmpics in history.  And how bout that Synchronized Diving?!  I will keep this short...I’m actually watching tennis online at the Olympic Zone on our website. First of all..the opening ceremony was incredible.  More people watched it than any other Olympics in history.  Did you see those crazy cubes?  I thought those were operated by hydraulics for sure...nope...humans!! And my new favorite sport is Synchronized Diving...that stuff is CRAZY!!  Two people jumping off diving boards at the same time...looking like mirror images! BTW...Michael Phelps is sick as the kids say.  He grabbed his second of a possible eight gold medals this morning. Watch this...it could be one of the best finishes in olympic swimming history.  Personal 2008-08-11T09:57:00-05:00 http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/cops_are_targets_and_some_think_thats_right/ http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/cops_are_targets_and_some_think_thats_right/#When:12:54:00Z Colleton County Deputy Dennis Compton’s murder is another in a disturbing trend.  Last year was one of the deadliest on record for law enforcemnt in the U.S. with 116 killed. This year we’ve already lost almost 70 of the finest.  Sorry I missed yesterday. It was a little bit crazy trying to keep up with the developments in that tragedy in Colleton County. It amazes me that people still want to get in to law enforcement these days. There is a disdain, and lack of respect by a small, yet powerful group of thugs who turn to a life of crime. Their pension for violence, and willingness to kill is disturbing. The fact is...it’s getting worse. There are parents who actually teach their kids that “nobody can tell you what to do”. They are taught to demonize authority...I have seen and heard this personally. A story from my hometown illustrates the point. An officer was shot four times in the head by a suspect who he was in the process of arresting...and there are people who CONDONE IT! It’s time to wake up people. My thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy Dennis Compton’s family, and the rest of the Colleton County Sheriff’s Department. Get that dirt-bag. Personal 2008-08-07T12:54:00-05:00 http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/child_killed_in_atv_accident_rekindles_debate/ http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/child_killed_in_atv_accident_rekindles_debate/#When:14:32:00Z A seven-year-old from Rock Hill died when his ATV cut in front of an 18-wheeler.  Now the question will again come up about legislation that has been debated, and sent to the governor several times only to be vetoed.  A seven-year-old from Rock Hill died when his ATV cut in front of an 18-wheeler Monday afternoon.  Now the question will again come up about legislation that has been debated, and sent to the governor several times… only to be vetoed. It’s called Chandler’s Law.  It would require kids 6-15 to take an ATV safety course and wear a helmet and goggles if they want to ride. Governor Mark Sanford says the law infringes on parental rights, and would be hard to enforce because it applies to private property. My question is...would it matter?  I think if parents are going to let their kids ride ATV’s, a law requiring a safety course probably wouldn’t change their minds.  And how would they enforce it?  Would cops pull in to every backyard where they see someone riding one? It’s a tough call politically..but hopefully parents wouldn’t need a law to keep their kids safe. Personal 2008-08-05T14:32:00-05:00 http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/lunchablesfor_kids_or_adults/ http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/lunchablesfor_kids_or_adults/#When:13:40:00Z I ran over to the grocery store for a little something to eat Monday morning. I was hungry, but it needed to be something I could throw down the hatch at my desk...I grabbed a Lunchable, and I’m getting hammered for it.  I spent the morning at that fire out in St. Stephen.  A lightning strike the Roseburg Forest Products plant started a fire near the roof vents.  Turned out, it wasn’t a big deal, but we heard on the scanners that 20 people were trapped...thankfully they weren’t. So I get back to the station, and then I ran over to the grocery store for a little something to eat. I was hungry, but not in the mood to make anything, and it needed to be something I could throw down the hatch at my desk...I grabbed a Lunchable, and I’m getting hammered for it. Larry Collins said that I should get some “big boy food”. BTW...the second picture is what Larry had for lunch.  Looks real tasty dude! ------> I pointed out to him, that no where on the package does it say that the Lunchable is for children...somebody back me up on this! Personal 2008-08-04T13:40:00-05:00 http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/high_school_football_camp_confidential/ http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/high_school_football_camp_confidential/#When:12:41:01Z Football practice starts for the prepsters tomorrow. Just in time too...the thermometer is expected to get close to 100 degrees plus humidity, it will feel like it’s 1000 degrees! Good luck boys!  Football practice starts for the prepsters tomorrow. Just in time too...the thermometer is expected to get close to 100 degrees plus humidity, it will feel like it’s 1000 degrees! Good luck boys! I actually miss the misery of sweating my face off for two weeks! I guess I’m kind of sick that way. There was nothing better than walking to the locker room hearing Metallica’s Enter Sandman blasting. Oh yeah...Enter Sandman...by the end of the year the tape had that garbled sound because we played the tape over, and over, and over again. Personal 2008-07-31T12:41:01-05:00 http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/geek_look_a_likes_on_bikes/ http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/geek_look_a_likes_on_bikes/#When:13:09:00Z By geeks I mean they are dressed like the Geeks on Call, or the Geek Squad.  I have seen these three guys a couple of times now.  They ride down around town dressed in short sleeved white dress shirts, ties, and black pants. Have you seen them? By geeks, I mean they look like the Geeks on Call, or the Geek Squad.  I have seen these three guys a couple of times now.  They ride down around town dressed in short sleeved white dress shirts, ties, and black pants. Who are they? If you see them...snap a picture!  Personal 2008-07-30T13:09:00-05:00 http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/keep_your_thermostat_at_78not_me/ http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/keep_your_thermostat_at_78not_me/#When:10:28:00Z That low-grade hum you hear when you step outside on days like this, is the electric meters on our houses working overtime to keep up with the AC unit.  They say 78 is the optimal setting...that’s a bit stuffy for me.  That low-grade hum you hear when you step outside on days like this, is the electric meters on our houses working overtime to keep up with the AC unit.  They (by they I mean the power companies) say 78 is the optimal setting...that’s a bit stuffy for me. I guess the rule is that for every notch below 78 you can add 10% to your bill...well I’m more of a 73-75 degree kind of guy.  And to me, it’s not super comfy, but that comes out to about $100 a month...and I’m what one would call...frugal...so I’m inclined to sacrifice a bit of comfort to save a few bucks. So c’mon...I’m about to get all up in your business!  What’s your thermostat setting, and how much are you paying? Personal 2008-07-29T10:28:00-05:00 http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/best_email_in_a_long_time/ http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/best_email_in_a_long_time/#When:11:46:00Z This email arrived in my inbox this morning.  I couldn’t help but pass it along because it brought a smile to my face.  Even though the good news expires after 48-hours… I think you will take it for what it’s worth on a Monday.  This email arrived in my inbox this morning.  I couldn’t help but pass it along because it brought a smile to my face.  Even though the good news expires after 48-hours… I think you will take it for what it’s worth on a Monday.  TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 800 AM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO… TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. Personal 2008-07-28T11:46:00-05:00 http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/christmas_in_july/ http://www.counton2extras.com/index.php/frankoBlog/christmas_in_july/#When:15:10:00Z On the air this morning I said that there are something like 153 shopping days left until Christmas.  Now is also the time we here about “Christmas in July” apparently some take is seriously.  On the air this morning I said that there are something like 153 shopping days left until Christmas.  Now is also the time we hear businesses using the phrase “Christmas in July”...apparently some take it seriously. My mom called this morning to tell me that a radio station back home is playing all Christmas music today. I gotta be honest...I was cranking it during the breaks during the noon show! Click here to listen. Personal 2008-07-25T15:10:00-05:00