Laura_Evans's Blog

Rescue Plan... Bailout Bill... whatever you call it... the legislation passed the House... now signed by the Speaker... signed by President Bush.

But did you know there's a whole lot more on that bill, than just billions upon billions to rescue Wall Street.

take a look at the following pork and tell us what you think!

2008 Emergency
Economic Stabilization Act.

* Manufacturers of kids' wooden arrows - $6 million.
* Puerto Rican and Virgin Is- lands rum producers - $192 million.
* Wool research.
* Auto-racing tracks - $128 million.
* Corporations operating in American Samoa - $33 million.
* Small- to medium-budget film and television productions - $10
million.

Sec. 503. Exemption from excise tax for certain wooden arrows designed
for use by children

Current law places an excise tax of 39 cents on the first sale by the
manufacturer, producer, or importer of any shaft of a type used to
produce certain types of arrows. This proposal would exempt from the
excise tax any shaft consisting of all natural wood with no laminations
or artificial means to enhance the spine of the shaft used in the
manufacture of an arrow that measures 5/16 of an inch or less and is
unsuited for use with a bow with a peak draw weight of 30 pounds or
more. The proposal is effective for shafts first sold after the date of
enactment. The estimated cost of the proposal is $2 million over ten
years, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.

The Oregon senators were the initial sponsors of the provisions.
According to Bloomberg News, the provision would be worth $200,000 to
Rose City Archery in Myrtle Point, Oregon.



Sec. 317. Seven-year cost recovery period for motorsports racing track
facility

Track owners want to be able write-off the cost of their facilities on
their taxes over seven years - a depreciation timetable many of them
have used for decades. But the IRS has wanted to stretch it to at least
15 years and has raised questions whether the increasingly popular
tracks really belong in the same tax category as amusement parks.

Auto track owners are simply trying to get out of paying more taxes -
which they'd have to do if they deducted less every year. These owners
have gotten plenty of tax breaks over the years from states and
localities eager to get speedways. The provision would be extended 2
years till the end of 2009 and would cost $100 million. The provision
encompasses all facilities including grandstands, parking lots and
concession stands.

Sec. 308. Increase in limit on cover over of rum excise tax to Puerto
Rico and the Virgin Islands

Extends until December 31, 2009 a rebate against excise taxes charged
on rum imported from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. A $13.50 per
proof gallon excise tax is applied to distilled spirits imported to the
U.S. Under this provision a $13.25 rebate is returned to PR and the VI,
and is retroactive back to January 1, 2008.  Permanent law sets the
rebate at $10.50 per proof gallon, but the PR and VI provisions have
generally been in place since the first Clinton Administration.  The
most recent extension of the $13.50 rebate expired January 1, 2008. Cost
is $192 million.

Sec. 301. Extension and modification of research credit

The legislation reestablishes and extends the lucrative tax credit for
companies doing research and experimentation in the United States.
Companies that have benefited from this provision include Microsoft
Corp., Boeing Co., United Technologies Corp., Electronic Data Systems
Corp. and Harley-Davidson. The two-year extension is estimated to cost
$19 billion.


Sec. 504. Income averaging for amounts received in connection with the
Exxon Valdez litigation
The bailout bill would give a tax break to Exxon Valdez plaintiffs,
allowing them to average out their punitive damages awards over three
years rather than suffer a one-time tax hit from the Internal Revenue
Service, as well as other provisions. Rep. Don Young (R-AK) is a big
supporter of this provision. Cost is estimated at $49 million.


Sec. 601. Secure rural schools and community self-determination
program.
Secure Rural Schools lead sponsors Reps. DeFazio (D-OR), Bill Sali
(R-ID); Sens. Wyden (D-OR), Larry Craig (R-ID), are major boosters of
this program that expired in 2006. In 1908 the federal government agreed
to share logging revenue from Forest Service land with neighboring
communities that could not tax the land because it was federal. As
logging declined in the 1990s, the "county payments" program was
initiated in 2000 to directly provide federal funding, more than half
going to Oregon, to deal with the loss of revenue. The original version
of this provision was introduced as a bill in early 2007 and was
estimated to cost $2.2 billion when the OR and ID delegations came to
agreement. To give the package more heft, Payment In Lieu of Taxes
(PILT) was added to the package, bringing the total cost to $3.3
billion. PILT provides more general funding to counties for federal
lands located within their borders. Sen. Reid (D-NV) talked about the
PILT program being one of the important elements of the package when the
Senate passed the bailout bill.


Sec 502. Provisions related to film and television productions

In an effort to keep film and television productions in the U.S, they
would be eligible for a tax incentive program. Under this program, the
cost of production of qualifying films would be permitted to be
immediately expensed -- that is, fully deducted from income for tax
purposes -- in the year the expenditures occur. This provision also
makes permanent other favorable tax treatments for production.
Historically Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA) has been a supporter (dating from
its creation in the 2004 corporate tax bill). The cost is estimated at
$478 million over 10 years.


Sec. 325. Extension and modification of duty suspension on wool
products; wool research fund; wool duty refunds
The tariff relief (duty savings) is intended to benefit U.S. worsted
wool fabric producers that use imported fibers and yarns as inputs, as
well as U.S. tailored clothing manufacturers that use imported fabrics
as inputs.  This provision was originally introduced as a bill in
December 2007 by Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Melissa Bean (D-IL).
It extends current law provisions until 12/31/14, and in some cases
to12/31/15. The 2010 to 2015 cost is estimated to be $148 million.



Sec. 309. Extension of economic development credit for American Samoa

This extends by two years a previously approved tax credit, the
American Samoa economic development credit. In general, this credit
allows certain corporations operating in American Samoa a tax credit.
The possessions tax credit allows these corporations to offset a portion
of their U.S. tax liability on income earned in American Samoa from
active business operations, sales of assets used in a business, or
certain investments in American Samoa. The cost is $33 million,
according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.


Other Examples:
Here are some other interesting provisions


Sec. 201. Inclusion of cellulosic biofuel in bonus depreciation for
biomass ethanol plant property

Current law allows taxpayers to write-off 50% of the cost of any
facility placed in service before January 1, 2013 that produces
cellulosic ethanol.  This provision expands the types of facilities that
may be written-off to include production of other cellulosic biofuels in
addition to cellulosic ethanol.



Sec. 211. Transportation fringe benefit to bicycle commuters

Allows employers to provide a benefit to employees for costs associated
with bicycle commuting, including purchase and repair of a bicycle,
bicycle improvements, and bicycle storage. This provision was proposed
in 2007 in the Senate by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and in the House by Rep.
Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). This provision is estimated to cost $10
million.


Sec. 323. Enhanced charitable deductions for contributions of food
inventory


Extends by two years, until December 31, 2009, a provision allowing for
deductions related to the charitable donation of “apparently wholesome
food”-defined as food intended for human consumption that meets all
quality and labeling standards imposed by law and regulations even
though the food may not be readily marketable. This provision also
changes the application of the law as it relates to donations by farmers
and ranchers. The cost is $149 million, according to Joint Committee on
Taxation.


Sec. 324. Extension of enhanced charitable deduction for contributions
of bookinventory

Extends by two years, until December 31, 2009, a tax benefit for the
contribution of books to public schools. The provision is worth $49
million.


Sec. 602. Transfer to abandoned mine reclamation fund


Transfers interest earned on money in the abandoned mine reclamation
fund to the United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund, which
helps pay health benefits for retired miners and their dependents who
worked under collective bargaining agreements that promised lifetime
health-care benefits.  States with the most miners receiving benefits
have historically been Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia,
and Ohio. This provision extends existing law to include a $9 million
transfer for 2010.

Rescue Plan... Bailout Bill... whatever you call it... the legislation passed the House... now signed by the Speaker... signed by President Bush.

But did you know there's a whole lot more on that bill, than just billions upon billions to rescue Wall Street.

take a look at the following pork and tell us what you think!

2008 Emergency
Economic Stabilization Act.

* Manufacturers of kids' wooden arrows - $6 million.
* Puerto Rican and Virgin Is- lands rum producers - $192 million.
* Wool research.
* Auto-racing tracks - $128 million.
* Corporations operating in American Samoa - $33 million.
* Small- to medium-budget film and television productions - $10
million.

Sec. 503. Exemption from excise tax for certain wooden arrows designed
for use by children

Current law places an excise tax of 39 cents on the first sale by the
manufacturer, producer, or importer of any shaft of a type used to
produce certain types of arrows. This proposal would exempt from the
excise tax any shaft consisting of all natural wood with no laminations
or artificial means to enhance the spine of the shaft used in the
manufacture of an arrow that measures 5/16 of an inch or less and is
unsuited for use with a bow with a peak draw weight of 30 pounds or
more. The proposal is effective for shafts first sold after the date of
enactment. The estimated cost of the proposal is $2 million over ten
years, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.

The Oregon senators were the initial sponsors of the provisions.
According to Bloomberg News, the provision would be worth $200,000 to
Rose City Archery in Myrtle Point, Oregon.



Sec. 317. Seven-year cost recovery period for motorsports racing track
facility

Track owners want to be able write-off the cost of their facilities on
their taxes over seven years - a depreciation timetable many of them
have used for decades. But the IRS has wanted to stretch it to at least
15 years and has raised questions whether the increasingly popular
tracks really belong in the same tax category as amusement parks.

Auto track owners are simply trying to get out of paying more taxes -
which they'd have to do if they deducted less every year. These owners
have gotten plenty of tax breaks over the years from states and
localities eager to get speedways. The provision would be extended 2
years till the end of 2009 and would cost $100 million. The provision
encompasses all facilities including grandstands, parking lots and
concession stands.

Sec. 308. Increase in limit on cover over of rum excise tax to Puerto
Rico and the Virgin Islands

Extends until December 31, 2009 a rebate against excise taxes charged
on rum imported from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. A $13.50 per
proof gallon excise tax is applied to distilled spirits imported to the
U.S. Under this provision a $13.25 rebate is returned to PR and the VI,
and is retroactive back to January 1, 2008.  Permanent law sets the
rebate at $10.50 per proof gallon, but the PR and VI provisions have
generally been in place since the first Clinton Administration.  The
most recent extension of the $13.50 rebate expired January 1, 2008. Cost
is $192 million.

Sec. 301. Extension and modification of research credit

The legislation reestablishes and extends the lucrative tax credit for
companies doing research and experimentation in the United States.
Companies that have benefited from this provision include Microsoft
Corp., Boeing Co., United Technologies Corp., Electronic Data Systems
Corp. and Harley-Davidson. The two-year extension is estimated to cost
$19 billion.


Sec. 504. Income averaging for amounts received in connection with the
Exxon Valdez litigation
The bailout bill would give a tax break to Exxon Valdez plaintiffs,
allowing them to average out their punitive damages awards over three
years rather than suffer a one-time tax hit from the Internal Revenue
Service, as well as other provisions. Rep. Don Young (R-AK) is a big
supporter of this provision. Cost is estimated at $49 million.


Sec. 601. Secure rural schools and community self-determination
program.
Secure Rural Schools lead sponsors Reps. DeFazio (D-OR), Bill Sali
(R-ID); Sens. Wyden (D-OR), Larry Craig (R-ID), are major boosters of
this program that expired in 2006. In 1908 the federal government agreed
to share logging revenue from Forest Service land with neighboring
communities that could not tax the land because it was federal. As
logging declined in the 1990s, the "county payments" program was
initiated in 2000 to directly provide federal funding, more than half
going to Oregon, to deal with the loss of revenue. The original version
of this provision was introduced as a bill in early 2007 and was
estimated to cost $2.2 billion when the OR and ID delegations came to
agreement. To give the package more heft, Payment In Lieu of Taxes
(PILT) was added to the package, bringing the total cost to $3.3
billion. PILT provides more general funding to counties for federal
lands located within their borders. Sen. Reid (D-NV) talked about the
PILT program being one of the important elements of the package when the
Senate passed the bailout bill.


Sec 502. Provisions related to film and television productions

In an effort to keep film and television productions in the U.S, they
would be eligible for a tax incentive program. Under this program, the
cost of production of qualifying films would be permitted to be
immediately expensed -- that is, fully deducted from income for tax
purposes -- in the year the expenditures occur. This provision also
makes permanent other favorable tax treatments for production.
Historically Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA) has been a supporter (dating from
its creation in the 2004 corporate tax bill). The cost is estimated at
$478 million over 10 years.


Sec. 325. Extension and modification of duty suspension on wool
products; wool research fund; wool duty refunds
The tariff relief (duty savings) is intended to benefit U.S. worsted
wool fabric producers that use imported fibers and yarns as inputs, as
well as U.S. tailored clothing manufacturers that use imported fabrics
as inputs.  This provision was originally introduced as a bill in
December 2007 by Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Melissa Bean (D-IL).
It extends current law provisions until 12/31/14, and in some cases
to12/31/15. The 2010 to 2015 cost is estimated to be $148 million.



Sec. 309. Extension of economic development credit for American Samoa

This extends by two years a previously approved tax credit, the
American Samoa economic development credit. In general, this credit
allows certain corporations operating in American Samoa a tax credit.
The possessions tax credit allows these corporations to offset a portion
of their U.S. tax liability on income earned in American Samoa from
active business operations, sales of assets used in a business, or
certain investments in American Samoa. The cost is $33 million,
according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.


Other Examples:
Here are some other interesting provisions


Sec. 201. Inclusion of cellulosic biofuel in bonus depreciation for
biomass ethanol plant property

Current law allows taxpayers to write-off 50% of the cost of any
facility placed in service before January 1, 2013 that produces
cellulosic ethanol.  This provision expands the types of facilities that
may be written-off to include production of other cellulosic biofuels in
addition to cellulosic ethanol.



Sec. 211. Transportation fringe benefit to bicycle commuters

Allows employers to provide a benefit to employees for costs associated
with bicycle commuting, including purchase and repair of a bicycle,
bicycle improvements, and bicycle storage. This provision was proposed
in 2007 in the Senate by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and in the House by Rep.
Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). This provision is estimated to cost $10
million.


Sec. 323. Enhanced charitable deductions for contributions of food
inventory


Extends by two years, until December 31, 2009, a provision allowing for
deductions related to the charitable donation of “apparently wholesome
food”-defined as food intended for human consumption that meets all
quality and labeling standards imposed by law and regulations even
though the food may not be readily marketable. This provision also
changes the application of the law as it relates to donations by farmers
and ranchers. The cost is $149 million, according to Joint Committee on
Taxation.


Sec. 324. Extension of enhanced charitable deduction for contributions
of bookinventory

Extends by two years, until December 31, 2009, a tax benefit for the
contribution of books to public schools. The provision is worth $49
million.


Sec. 602. Transfer to abandoned mine reclamation fund


Transfers interest earned on money in the abandoned mine reclamation
fund to the United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund, which
helps pay health benefits for retired miners and their dependents who
worked under collective bargaining agreements that promised lifetime
health-care benefits.  States with the most miners receiving benefits
have historically been Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia,
and Ohio. This provision extends existing law to include a $9 million
transfer for 2010.

This election keeps getting more interesting by the moment.  It's historic, and no matter how you slice it, extremely exciting to watch! We are now about to see either an African American or a woman make it to the White House.

I'm very curious what you, our viewers, think about John McCain's choice for his runningmate.  In the gym Friday morning I all I heard were groans.  One man said.. "what, is McCain TRYING to lose"?   A woman said "what is she THINKING... with all those kids at home.. how can she take on this job, which isn't 9 - 5, but 24-7."

What do YOU think?  Is Sarah Palin a good candidate in your eyes?   Or will McCain's pick ultimately kill his campaign?

Did you see it?  Michael Phelps just took his 7th gold medal at the Olympics in Beijing.  He battled it out in the 100 meter butterfly, tying Mark Spitz's record of 7 gold medals at a single Olympics.  It's an historic night.   But take a close look at the slow motion replay and one has to wonder if he really did it.  The touch pad technology says Phelps beat Serbia's Cavic by .01-- it doesn't get much closer than that.

Not to take away the glory, because believe me, all of us in this newsroom, and I'm sure most of you, (if you're following these Olympic Games) are rooting for the 23 year old from Baltimore.   But many of us are also a little skeptical of that touch pad technology.

Apparently so is Cavic's coach who filed a petition questioning the times.   That protest was rejected.

No matter how you slice it, Michael Phelps is the world's best swimmer...  arguably the best swimmer in history... smashing world records right and left.  His presence makes the Games even that much more exciting (even though it's airing on our competitor's channel).  

Phelps isn't done yet.  Next rush for the gold?--Sunday in the 400 medley relay.  Phelps, once again, will be swimming the butterfly leg of that race.   His time is heavily favored to win what would be his 8th gold.

Whether you agree with her politics or not, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has quite and incredible story... and she sat down with me to share her story.  

Nancy Pelosi, a local girl from Maryland,  went from the kitchen to Congress in the most untraditional of ways.  She recalls spending most of the 1960's pregnant.  She had 5 kids in 6 years.  She was a stay at home mom...  a housewife.... and proud of it.   It wasn't until she was 46 years old that she was first elected to Congress.   She'd never considered running for office.  20 years later, she would make history as the first female Speaker in the nation's history... 3rd in line for the Presidency.

Pelosi cares deeply about underserved, poor children... that, she says, is what drives her.  The Speaker has several legislative wins under her belt in recent weeks, many of them a result of that drive.... many of them family focused.  However, the American public is not happy with Congress... the majority of those surveyed saying Congress is on the wrong track.

Monday 8/11, on Fox 5 News at 10, I invite you to watch my interview with the Speaker.  You'll hear what led to her run for Congress  and how she responds to those historically low Congressional approval ratings.  Plus...  her take on the Obama/McCain race for the White House.

Please join us Monday for Fox 5 News at 10.  We will also post the entire interview on myfoxdc.com.

In this business it's a hardfast rule to always assume a mic is "hot".   Reverend Jackson broke that rule today causing a firestorm after comments he made "off-air".  

Here's what he said:   "See, Barack been um, talking down to black people on this faith based...   I want to cut his n*ts off..."

He muttered those words while waiting for a live interview on Fox & Friends.  Then,  hours before Fox aired the comments Wednesday night, Jackson came out apologizing to the public and to the Obama campaign.

He said Obama's speeches "can come off as speaking down to black people" and there are other important issues to be addressed in the black community.   He's referring to one recent speech in particular on Father's Day in which the Democratic Nominee was critical of absent black fathers.  Don't forget Obama himself grew up without his father.

The Obama campaign tonight is saying the Presumptive Nominee "will continue to speak out about our responsibilities to ourselves and each other"  and that Obama accepts Jackson's apology.

What is your take on all this?  Is Obama on the right track in his speeches on morality?  Do you agree with Jackson that Obama should "broaden the message"?  And.. do you think this will hurt the Obama campaign? 

What a shock to hear of Tim Russert's death.  Known as the dean of the Washington Media, he served as a roll model to so many of us in the news business.  He was smart, curious, tough AND approachable....  a fantastic combination.  I met him at a Correspondents Dinner a few years ago and he was nothing but friendly.  He seems to be one of those rare guys in Washington who isn't looking around, as he's talking to you, to see if there's someone more interesting in the room.  

Many people in this country would build their Sunday mornings around Russert's show, Meet the Press.   You always learned something when you watched that show... and it was fun to watch him stick it to his guests... call them out on comments they made years before.  Politicians had to be VERY prepared before going on his show... because he could grill them like no one else.

Tim Russert's passing is a shock on so many levels.  For such a huge presence to all of a sudden be gone, it makes you take a look at your own life... to reassess what's important.   It really makes you realize how fragile life is.

Tim Russert will be missed...  

There is a great debate over what is causing 1 in 150 children (1 in 70 boys) in this country to develop autism.   No matter how you slice it, it's scary.. those numbers are enough to make any parent worry. 

Critics cite this statistic:   children in the US currently get 36 shots before the age of 2.  Compare that to the 11 shots children faced in 1980 .... when only 1 in 10,0000 kids were diagnosed with autism or on the spectrum.   Critics say  we are over vaccinating our babies. ... young developing children can’t always take the trauma to their immune system, especially if they have allergies or a genetic predisposition.

My youngest daughter (now 11 months) is 3 weeks away from getting her MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine.   Some parent believe the MMR vaccine is what caused their child's autism.   My pediatrician assures me that's ridiculous and say the preservative for that vaccine -- thimerisol  (MERCURY) has been removed.  But according to the critics,  that's not true.   They say a trace of thimerisol remains.  And it's not just in the MMR... it's also in all 3 Hepatitis B shots and flu shots as well.  According to the critics, even a trace is too much.  

For my daughter, I have decided to have the MMR vaccine "unbundled"... meaning I'm ordering the three vaccines separately and will have them given individually at different times... with weeks in between each one.  I know my pediatrician thinks I'm crazy... but I'd rather be crazy than have to live with the possibility, no matter how remote it is, of exposing my daughter to a condition that will change all of our lives forever.

If you like to watch or play basketball... how about taking part in a fun and exciting outdoor community sports festival and charity basketball tournament on June 14th?   You will join some of DC's biggest leaders and celebrities, including Redskins players along with NBA and WNBA players.

And as you play in (or watch) the basketball tournament, you will also be supporting some of DC's deserving inner city high school students in their efforts to pursue college! 

The Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund (HDSF) started in 1996. Susie Kay, who taught American Government at H.D. Woodson High School in Washington, DC for more than a decade launched  the organization through a one-day event--  a 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament staged to raise money for academic college scholarships for Kay's students. 

Since then.. the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund (HDSF) has awarded over 1,000 scholarships (new and renewed) and helped over 800 local students fulfill their college dreams.   HDSF also provides a college prep mentoring program, internship program and SAT prep partnership program with the Princeton Review.

SO!........ join me Saturday, June 14th for the Hoop Dreams 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. It starts at 9am on Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd - 6th street, right in front of the US Capitol.

For more information go to www.hoopdreams.org

See you there!

We all watched last night as Silda Spitzer stood next to her husband as he apologized to the public and to his family for disappointing them.  While he wouldn't say exactly WHY he was apologizing...  the seedy details from an affadavit make it painfully clear.

It was also painfully clear how uncomfortable Mrs. Spitzer was standing up there by her man.  Attempting to be stoic, she appeared emotionally tired.  We've seen the scenario a few times before---  Hillary Clinton standing by Bill as he faced the music,  Dina McGreevey next to her man as he admitting to an affair with a man-- it made me think of what I would do in that position... and I've heard so many people talking about this today.

I also think about the Spitzer's girls--  three daughters.  As a mother, would I want to stand by my husband who has just betrayed my trust, and the trust of my daughters?  What kind of lesson does would that teach my girls?   I've (thankfully) never been in that position... but from the outside looking in, I would NOT be there for the public apology.  

What would you do?

A show of emotion Monday from a woman who's been criticized for rarely showing any.   Hillary Clinton had misty eyes as she talked with New Hampshire voters about her campaign.   Things are getting extra stressful as polls show Senator Clinton losing ground on the eve of the nation's first primary.

In an 11th hour pitch for support, a voter asked Senator Clinton how she does it ... keeping up with the grueling campaign schedule.   Clinton said, "It's not easy....   and I couldn't do it if I just didn't, you know, passionately believe it was the right thing to do....it's about our country, it's about our kids' futures... it's really about all of us together"  That was when her voice cracked... and it  was apparent we were seeing the "softer side" of Hillary. 

So...today...  as we here at Fox 5 gathered for our afternoon news meeting, many of us had something to say about this.  We debated whether this was simply an unusual show of genuine emotion..   something that could help Hillary Clinton in the polls-- maybe even help voters see the more "human" side of the candidate???  OR....  could this be perceived as a "weakness"?  Will critics clamp onto the fact that she "cried" and tie it to her being a woman .... then jump to wonder if it's indicative of how she would handle herself under fire in the White House.

We invite you to share your opinion with us. What do you think?  Does her display of emotion make you think differently of her?

Happy Holidays!!  How about spending an agonizing several hours at the airport, in long lines... waiting.... waiting...   maybe even getting stuck sitting on an airplane in the middle of the tarmac with no food or water.  Remember that one? -- Passengers stuck on a Jetblue airplane for up to 8 hours.  Oh traveling just isn't as fun as it used to be.... that's not news.... what IS news is that it JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE!!!

Now... the airline industry is reporting an estimated 27 MILLION people will be traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday (up 4% over last year).  It's such a shame that we all have to grin and bear it.   I keep blaming 9/11-- justifying the horrors of travel on the great efforts by our government and the airlines to keep us safe.  However, I'm starting to wonder if the airlines can simply do better. 

On a flight to California just a few weeks ago, United Airlines told us the flight was delayed because of weather in San Francisco.  Ok---understandable...  the fog and low cloud ceiling is often a problem at SFO.  We waiting an hour at the gate.. then we were told to board the plane.  Before pushing away from the gate, a man grabbed his bags and got off the flight, saying the plane wasn't going to leave for another hour.  We all looked around incredulously, thinking the guy was crazy.   Turns out, that guy was a pilot in plain clothes, on a personal trip, but he'd gotten the tip.  We then pushed out onto the tarmac to sit and wait.  no access to food or water. We sat out there for an hour.  Clearly the pilot of that plane knew what was about to happen... and didn't notify any of us.   I had my 3 month old on the flight with me...  it was very upsetting to me not knowing how much longer we were going to be there.

Thankfully, I'm not traveling for Thanksgiving... but Christmas is just around the corner.  How much longer can we all take this?  When are we going to get so fed up we all give up and just stay home???

Beth Parker did a story tonight on Fox 5 news at 5pm about the cost of babysitting in the Washington Metro region.  She found people who say the going rate is $8 - $10/hr.  That sparked a lively conversation among us parents in the newsroom... some of whom are paying as much as $18/hr for a babysitter.

I'm curious what most of you pay out there??  We're not talking nanny wages here... but a babysitter... at night... who plays with the kids then tucks them into bed when you go out on the town. 

A simple night out for a movie and a meal costs big bucks these days when you consider the sitter.  But the peace of mind is worth gold. 

Watching these fires plaguing Southern California brings back many memories for me.  I grew up in the Golden state where wildfires are a fact of life.  Then... for more than 5 years as a news reporter,  I covered wildfires in the Southland...  from Santa Barbara to Ventura and Los Angeles County.   I've been up close to the flames,  reporting with a bandana covering my nose and mouth, watching people lose their homes... but never have I seen anything like this--  such a large area affected all at one time.  

It's purely exhausting, backbreaking work for the firecrews ... and it's heartbreaking chaos for the victims.  One of the most difficult tasks for firefighters is the evacuation process-- getting people out of harm's way.  Those crews are often put in danger themselves when homeowners refuse to pack up and go..  it happens more often than you might think.  Homeowners pull out the garden hose in a futile effort to save everything they own ... a battle they're almost guaranteed to lose.  When you're dealing with the erratic Santa Ana winds, no one has any idea which way they're going to blow next.. no idea which direction fierce flames will go next. 

A photographer of mine learned that the hard way in a recent fire in Malibu.  He drove his live van up a canyon in Malibu to get closer to the flames.  He had the permission of firefighters to be where he was, but then the Santa Anas did their thing and blew the flames right on top of his truck.  He was forced to abandon the truck and run for his life.

As of  Wednesday night, 1/2 million acres are charred, a million people evacuated. and about 1500 homes scorched.   It's devestating watching the flames lapping at and ultimately devouring these homes in California's hillsides.  This emergency isn't close to over.  For now..firefighters and victims are at the mercy of mother nature.