EYES IN THE 'BURG - FRIEZE FRAMES

Eyes In The 'Burg has recently added Frieze Frames eyewear to their Optical Boutique and is proud to be the sole provider of the line in the Fredericksburg area. This exquisite eyewear from Mark Franchi and Jason Stanley are retro chic, touted as "Jewelry For The Eyes" and Made in the USA!

The new Presidential Line joins their Americana, Six, Era, Heritage, Strata, Jackie and the Goddess Collections; aptly named for, what else?...Ancient Goddesses!

Pictured above: the Minerva in Brown (Goddess line) Top Left, Roosevelt in Purple Crystal (Presidential Line) Center and the Detroit in Amber (Americana Line), Bottom Right.

Call for an appointment, stop by, check them out and pick out some jewelry for your eyes!  You'll be the talk of the 'Burg!

POCKET KNIVES

Recently, the bane of my existence, TSA, has relaxed its policy regarding certain items being allowed on board, specifically, small pocket knives.

The outcry from the Airline Flight Attendants Association, Airline Pilot's Association and the US Marshall's is specious and asinine, at best.

Why?

On September 11, 2001, the passengers of United Flight 93, unequivocally decided, never again will an aircraft be hijacked and used as a terrorist weapon.  Since that fateful day, we've had the Shoe Bomber, the Underwear Bomber and dozens of other disturbances while aircraft were in flight.  In each and every case, passengers have stood up, taken action and decided the issue.

With all the caterwauling  from the sheeples of the world, one would think safety in the skies, post September 11, is coming to an end.  How terribly pathetic.  There are many threats facing air travel today; pocket knives aren't one of them.

That Annoying Document Called The US Constitution

Can the President of the United States kill a US Citizen without a trial?  Well, Obama has already done so with Anwar al-Aulaqi.  Would Obama do so on US soil?  Absolutely.  So says Attorney General Eric Holder.

The US Constitution clearly states in numerous amendments that he may not.  Does it bother this President that he's violated is oath of office and blatantly rapes the document that guarantees citizen rights?  Not in the least.  To him, it is nothing more than a collection of papers which create annoying obstacles to his control.

Fifty-two men signed the Declaration of Independence knowing the consequences they might suffer.  Americans today must stand up to the tyranny that has been fomented upon them since September 2001.  I would hope, peacefully.  If that fails, then by any other means available to them.

Will they?  Most likely not.  Americans, for the most part, are sheeples who believe their government is there to help and protect them.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Most lack the personal fortitude and conviction to lay down their lives for their freedoms.  America has fallen so far from its roots, I wonder if my daughter or her children will live in anything other than a full blown Police State.

It is said "If one does no learn from history, they are bound to repeat its mistakes."  America is driving full speed down that road, ignorant to the past.  I fear for her future.  

TSA - New Uniforms

As readers (I do have readers don't I?) of this blog are well aware, I despise TSA with every fiber of my being.  So, it should come as no surprise that just before the sequestration, TSA slid in a $50M contract to purchase new uniforms for the thugs, pedophiles, bullies and thieves who happily violate the US Constitution on a daily basis.

DHS Secretary Napolitiano is quoted as saying less than 24 hours after the sequestration kicked in, there were already longer wait times at airports.  Geeze, I wonder if that $50M could have been put to better use?

However, I was able to come across not only a very good rendition of the new TSA Uniforms, and their new badges as well.  Expect to see them rolled out at an airport near you, soon.

 
 Each TSA thug will also be issued a key ring, as a token of their devotion to the abuse of their fellow Americans.

Professionalism vs Thuggery

What DHS & TSA's Sturm Abteilung thugs could learn from the Chinese.

Professional.  Capable.  Polite.

What they will learn.  Nothing.

Police Drones

The city of Charlottesville, Virginia has become the first in the nation to limit the use of Police Drones.

Acting on a resolution drafted by The Rutherford Institute, the city voted 3-2 to limit the use of spy drones.

While the technology has not yet been adopted by the Police Department in the City of Fredericksburg, I decided not to wait and sent off a letter to the Mayor and each member of city council, asking them whether they have the political courage and personal wherewithal to follow on the heels of Charlottesville, contact TRI and be the second city in the nation to limit the use of drones.

Despite the steady, inexorable desedimentation of our Constitutional Rights since September 11, specifically NDAA, FISA, The PATRIOT Act and most recently the DOJ White Paper regarding the legal basis for drones targeting US citizens, I believe this, in all likelihood, remains an intangible issue to city council.  They are unable to fathom for a single moment, the police would abuse the technology and use it for more than just crime prevention.  This, despite law enforcement's (in general) long and treasured history of abusing their powers, believing they are above accountability and answerable to no one.  One need only look at the thousands of citizens who have been detained, threatened and arrested for filming the police.  They care not one iota about court rulings which clearly state, as public servants, they have no expectation of privacy, when in public.

Will Fredericksburg City Council follow suit?  I don't hold out a lot of hope.  I am one of those lone voices in the wilderness, tolling the bell of warning.  Most of my fellow Americans are simply sheeples, complacent and firm in their belief, that the government, at all levels, is there to help them.  They may wake up.  Sadly, by the time they do, it will be far too late and they will already be in the slaughterhouse. 

COWARDS

When faced with a threatening situation, bullies and thugs naturally default to cowardice; run, hide and save themselves.  So, it should come as no surprise that TSA is providing additional training to its Sturm Abteilung workforce.

But this training is slightly different.  TSA is teaching their thugs to save themselves, instead of protecting passengers, in an active shooter situation.

In addition to being bullies, thugs, thieves and pedophiles...TSA is adding "must inherently be a coward" requirement to their list of qualifications necessary, to work for this feckless organization.

If you haven't quite figured it out yet, the government is not there to protect you.  You are nothing more than cannon fodder and they will sacrifice you in the blink of an eye.

Dr. Sandra Grossett & Eyes In The 'Burg Support EmpowerHouse

Dr. Sandra Grossett, the staff and family members of Eyes In The 'Burg were proud sponsors of the 14th annual EmpowerHouse (formerly Rapphannock Council on Domestic Violence) Empty Bowl Event on Sunday, 27 January.  The event drew approximately 400 people, who, with their donations support survivors of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used by one individual intended to exert power and control over another individual in the context of an intimate or family relationship.  It occurs in families of all races, religions, educational levels and income groups.  The abuse can take the form of physical, sexual and verbal abuse, as well as emotional and mental cruelty.  Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 (Uniform Crime Reports, FBI) yet it is the least reported crime.

With their donation, each attendee peruses and anguishes over which one, of the hundreds of unique hand thrown bowls, from the dozen or so local Libertytown potters, they will eat from and take home with them.  It is not an easy decision.  With bowl in hand, they make their way to the tables to settle in briefly, before approaching the vast array of soups, chowders, bisque's and chili's to partake of.  Assorted breads are available (after all, how else do you clean out the bottom of your bowl?) as well as an array of drinks and desserts.

The next three hours are spent with family, friends, co-workers as they try the soups, buy raffle tickets, await the door prizes, listen to great music and most importantly, learn about EmpowerHouse, their mission, efforts and achievements.

I can think of few causes which so rightly deserve the support of their community.  Domestic violence is one.  No woman, child or man (yes, men can be victims of domestic abuse) should have to ever endure the pain and fear of domestic violence.  If you have an organization similar to RCDV in your town or city, I encourage you to support it in any manner you can, in an effort to end the abuse.

"Polishing The Turd"

I can't help but be amused at the BP commercials which have suddenly reappeared.  Touting what the company has done since the Deepwater Horizon debacle, the commercials portray all sorts of happy leaders from the Gulf Coast States saying "Come On Down! It's all good here."

No matter what BP does, no matter how much money they spend, they are only Polishing The Turd. Nothing can change the fact that Deepwater was a disaster of spectacular proportions and from moment one, it was a spin game to lay blame everywhere but where it rightfully belongs...at BP's feet.

I see the same type of spin, at times, in Fredericksburg.  A business will change its facade, throw up some paint, and/or put new signs in the windows in a failed attempt to polish their turd.  Not realizing or accepting the fact, the issue is not with how they look, it's how they treat their customers.  Horrible experiences force people to walk away.  Unprofessionalism, rudeness, uneducated and poorly trained staff and a lack of basic customer service cannot be overcome with paint and new furniture.

Frankly, these owners get what they deserve.  Until such time as they come to this realization, they will continue to lament their lot, blame others for their lost income and watch as their customers abandon them in search of a better experience.        

EYES IN THE 'BURG - THE SIGN

The sign for Eyes In The 'Burg was installed today.  Many thanks to Mike Harvey at Harvey Signs.  You guys did a spectacular job!

Hours of Business are:

Sunday-Monday:  CLOSED
Tuesday:  9 a.m - 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday:  8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Alternating Saturdays

Call for an appointment and stop by to see Sandra L. Grossett, O.D. and her Staff at Fredericksburg's newest, warmest and most welcoming Optometric practice.

Eyes In The 'Burg is a proud sponsor of the 14th annual Empty Bowl Fundraiser for Empowerhouse (formerly Rapphannock Council on Domestic Violence).

DR. GROSSETT - EYES IN THE 'BURG, OD

Yes, it's true! Sandra L. Grossett O.D., the Fredericksburg area's premier Optometrist (I'm somewhat biased) has returned to Fredericksburg and opened her own practice, Eyes In The 'Burg, OD.

Located at 2527 Cowan Blvd in the complex behind MWH next to Virginia Partners Bank, Fitness Studio and across from Basilico's, they are taking appointments, 540-369-EITB (3482) for new and existing patients beginning 8 January.

The practice features an incredible staff, unparalleled patient care, customer service and an Optical department that will make you see (pun intended) life like never before!

Eyes In The 'Burg website www.eyesintheburg.com will be up and running within the next day or so. You will also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

To all of her existing and future patients...Have a safe and Happy New Year!