Back in the day I was young and naive about the world. I was sitting at my MSD position in Sabana Saka, Puerto Rico when I received a message that had originated in South Yemen. It was definitely anti-American but I had no idea of the significance of that message. I received an accommodation for intercepting that communique. It seems it was the first message that had been copied from that area in many years. It gave this country a location and frequency of a possible source for uswful intelligence.
Vile people, even back then. I know countries go to war from time to time and some countries have a deep distrust of each other but I have never heard expressions of hatred for others, even in war time, I I heard from these people towards Americans. This hate was directd at us not because of anything we did or didn't do but just because we were.
I still don't understand that point of view.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Queen of Southgate Update
Some of you know that I wrote a book "Queen of Southgate" which is a true account of what happened in a fire that claimed the life of a young boy and my relationship with a woman involved in that fire who, it turns out, was, and is, a street prostitute in Greensboro, NC.
The book wasn't a success because the subject matter isn't of much interest to the average folk and is a problem most who rather not think about. From time to time I learn of things that happen to the women protrayed in the book. One lady, Lisa, who I referred to as pure evil, is now no longer a street prostitute but a married lady with a job.
One, who really wanted to change her life and re establish a relationship with her children dropped dead of a heart attack a week after ending her legal battles to retain her freedom. Another, Donna Brown, who had two children, the last was by the special police officer hired to police the grounds of the Lost Dimension strip club
and the grounds of the seedier motels, was murdered in Burlington.
A resent event made me realize that I had been given some facts wrong in my book. I knew that TJ's mother has given birth to two daughters when she was young and to TJ after she married a young man. TJ's sisters had children the same age as she was.
I had been under the impression that TJ's parents lived in Raleigh and that her mother died first and the the father. Apparently that wasn't the case. It seems that her parents argued a lot and spent most of their marriage separated. Her father lived in California when he died. I believe he passed away before his wife did.
But what I learned that both shocked and saddened me was to learn that TJ had a brother. The picture of her and her brother identified the two as being three years old but I don't know if that was accurate. It may have only been TJ who was three. The boy was larger and could have been a year or so older. I do know that he was given away. I would hope for adoption but that wasn't siclosed.
One would have the doubts that a little blonde haired green eyed peanut of a girl would have much of a change coming from such a back ground. She didn't.
When she saw her brother's picture, she shed a tear. It is good to know that after all she has been through there is a little part of her that can still care.
The book wasn't a success because the subject matter isn't of much interest to the average folk and is a problem most who rather not think about. From time to time I learn of things that happen to the women protrayed in the book. One lady, Lisa, who I referred to as pure evil, is now no longer a street prostitute but a married lady with a job.
One, who really wanted to change her life and re establish a relationship with her children dropped dead of a heart attack a week after ending her legal battles to retain her freedom. Another, Donna Brown, who had two children, the last was by the special police officer hired to police the grounds of the Lost Dimension strip club
and the grounds of the seedier motels, was murdered in Burlington.
A resent event made me realize that I had been given some facts wrong in my book. I knew that TJ's mother has given birth to two daughters when she was young and to TJ after she married a young man. TJ's sisters had children the same age as she was.
I had been under the impression that TJ's parents lived in Raleigh and that her mother died first and the the father. Apparently that wasn't the case. It seems that her parents argued a lot and spent most of their marriage separated. Her father lived in California when he died. I believe he passed away before his wife did.
But what I learned that both shocked and saddened me was to learn that TJ had a brother. The picture of her and her brother identified the two as being three years old but I don't know if that was accurate. It may have only been TJ who was three. The boy was larger and could have been a year or so older. I do know that he was given away. I would hope for adoption but that wasn't siclosed.
One would have the doubts that a little blonde haired green eyed peanut of a girl would have much of a change coming from such a back ground. She didn't.
When she saw her brother's picture, she shed a tear. It is good to know that after all she has been through there is a little part of her that can still care.
Christmas Spirit
I shopped from my computer for Christmas and except for a quick trip to Hallmark and Macy's of Randleman, I ventured into no retail outlets.
I did noticed that my employer did not play traditional Christmas music this year but the regular music that it plays every other day of the year. I was surprised to learn that my wife's employer didn't play Christmas music either.
Is this a phenom at major retailers or just an oversight this year?
I did noticed that my employer did not play traditional Christmas music this year but the regular music that it plays every other day of the year. I was surprised to learn that my wife's employer didn't play Christmas music either.
Is this a phenom at major retailers or just an oversight this year?
Anonymous
Anonymous asked for permission to quote from one of my blogs and I said no. I do not know who Anonymous is or if the quote would be used for ligitimate purposes.
I seldom read other blogs and usually only when chasing a story that takes me to a someones blog and I have never read a blog written by Anonymous. I do, from time to time, come across a comment from Anonymous. Wanting to know a little bit more about this person other than the fact that their command of proper grammar is weak, I ventured into the blogosphere and found a few comments on Roach's blog.
On that blog Anonymous identified themselves as a black woman.
I found that interesting.
I seldom read other blogs and usually only when chasing a story that takes me to a someones blog and I have never read a blog written by Anonymous. I do, from time to time, come across a comment from Anonymous. Wanting to know a little bit more about this person other than the fact that their command of proper grammar is weak, I ventured into the blogosphere and found a few comments on Roach's blog.
On that blog Anonymous identified themselves as a black woman.
I found that interesting.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Pediatrician Arrested
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland - A pediatrician charged with sexually abusing his patients likely attacked more than 100 children at an office he had decked out with a merry-go-round and a ferris wheel, a state official said Wednesday.
The volume of evidence seized from Dr. Earl Bradley's practice and home, including video tapes and computer files, makes it difficult to estimate the number of victims, said Alexis Slutsky, a deputy attorney general assigned to the state's Child Predator Task Force.
The volume of evidence seized from Dr. Earl Bradley's practice and home, including video tapes and computer files, makes it difficult to estimate the number of victims, said Alexis Slutsky, a deputy attorney general assigned to the state's Child Predator Task Force.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Best Health Care Plan
In spite of the best medical community in the world, Americans do not have the longest lifespan, due in great part to unhealthy lifestyle choices like drugs, smoking, over eating and stress.
Our current President has increased our national debt to an unbelievable high level, and with new costly proposals about to become law, America will be in debt for a long, long time. In order to pay off that debt, taxes will have to be raised and many small business owners cannot afford that and stay in business.
The end result is that eventual Americans will not be able to smoke, or to purchase drugs and eating to excess will be something that is only done in dreams. We will then began to live a healthier lifestyle thereby proving that Obama did, after all, know what he was doing in passing health care reform.
Most of us will one day fall into that 4% category that the new health care system doesn't cover but that is for the younger people to worry about.
Our current President has increased our national debt to an unbelievable high level, and with new costly proposals about to become law, America will be in debt for a long, long time. In order to pay off that debt, taxes will have to be raised and many small business owners cannot afford that and stay in business.
The end result is that eventual Americans will not be able to smoke, or to purchase drugs and eating to excess will be something that is only done in dreams. We will then began to live a healthier lifestyle thereby proving that Obama did, after all, know what he was doing in passing health care reform.
Most of us will one day fall into that 4% category that the new health care system doesn't cover but that is for the younger people to worry about.
News from Randleman
The city police had a large section of Stout Street blocked off around nine o'clock Tuesday, December 22, 2009. That is the street that my wife and I have to take to get to our home.
It seems the police have been busy this week in Randleman. Sunday night there were lots of blue lights on 220 between the Randleman exit and the US 311 exit. There were also plenty of blue lights and an ambulance on High Point Road (the street just in front of Wal-mart) as the street passes over 220. I wonder if the two sites were related?
It seems the police have been busy this week in Randleman. Sunday night there were lots of blue lights on 220 between the Randleman exit and the US 311 exit. There were also plenty of blue lights and an ambulance on High Point Road (the street just in front of Wal-mart) as the street passes over 220. I wonder if the two sites were related?
Monday, December 21, 2009
Terry Fator
Terry Fator?
Never heard of him.
He won America's got Talent year before last. He is a ventriloguist. But..He is no ventriloguist like you have ever seen before.
He has his first CD out, "Terry Fator live in Vegas" which retails for about $15.00 (the CD, not Vegas).
If you have fifteen dollars and need something to spend it on, I highly recommend this CD. Be forwarned though. Have yourself an extra pair of underware handly because it is so funny you will probably pee on yourself laughing.
Not only is it funny, this guy is so talented he will blow you away. Almost a guarentee you'll shed a tear or two before the tape is done.
While you are at the store, you just might want to pick up an extra copy or two. I know there will be someone you will want to share this with but just can't share your copy.
They will thank you.
You will thank me later.
Never heard of him.
He won America's got Talent year before last. He is a ventriloguist. But..He is no ventriloguist like you have ever seen before.
He has his first CD out, "Terry Fator live in Vegas" which retails for about $15.00 (the CD, not Vegas).
If you have fifteen dollars and need something to spend it on, I highly recommend this CD. Be forwarned though. Have yourself an extra pair of underware handly because it is so funny you will probably pee on yourself laughing.
Not only is it funny, this guy is so talented he will blow you away. Almost a guarentee you'll shed a tear or two before the tape is done.
While you are at the store, you just might want to pick up an extra copy or two. I know there will be someone you will want to share this with but just can't share your copy.
They will thank you.
You will thank me later.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sherlock Holmes: the man
The movie Sherlock Holmes ad extolls Homes as the world's greatest mind. Yeah, right.
Sure he was intelligent and highly organized and he documented many things that aided him in his work as a detective, but what he is most famous for is his obsevation abilities and the ability to draw correct, or near correct, conclusions from simple things. From a pair of glasses, he was able to tell the sex, age, and looks of a suspect as well as how often she had been to see her optrometrist.
But even Sherlock admitted that his keen obsevation skills were no match for his brothers. "But the elder Homes was fat and lazy, and wealthy, and sat around the mens club and smoked cigars all day.
I draw the line at brilliant when a man indulges in tobacco (pipe and cigarette) as well as cocaine, which Holmes did. He wasn't a rich man and was probably middle class or a little below in income. He would have been much better off financially to have run a detective school or to have been a free-lance teacher of crime fighting techniques than to rely upon his skills for income.
I know that is a contridiction of the belief that those who can do, does that can't
teach. The best teachers are the ones who have already accomplished great things.
Holmes was observiant, intellignet, and accomplished but far from the worlds most brilliant mind.
Sure he was intelligent and highly organized and he documented many things that aided him in his work as a detective, but what he is most famous for is his obsevation abilities and the ability to draw correct, or near correct, conclusions from simple things. From a pair of glasses, he was able to tell the sex, age, and looks of a suspect as well as how often she had been to see her optrometrist.
But even Sherlock admitted that his keen obsevation skills were no match for his brothers. "But the elder Homes was fat and lazy, and wealthy, and sat around the mens club and smoked cigars all day.
I draw the line at brilliant when a man indulges in tobacco (pipe and cigarette) as well as cocaine, which Holmes did. He wasn't a rich man and was probably middle class or a little below in income. He would have been much better off financially to have run a detective school or to have been a free-lance teacher of crime fighting techniques than to rely upon his skills for income.
I know that is a contridiction of the belief that those who can do, does that can't
teach. The best teachers are the ones who have already accomplished great things.
Holmes was observiant, intellignet, and accomplished but far from the worlds most brilliant mind.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Sherlock Holms: the movie
I have a complete collection of all the works of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and have watched several shows and movies based on that character but I will no being going to the theater to see Robert Downey Jr. in the newest Sherlock Holmes movie.
One reason is from viewing a trailer, there seems to be special effects embellishments and is not needed in a good Sherlock Holmes story and they second, and most compelling reason, is it stars Robert Downing Jr.
It seems that he once filmed himself having sex with a minor. I vowed then never to see anything with him in it and so far I have kept my promise to myself. I just cant bring myself to support some one who does something so wrong.
"Even so. even if I loved Robert Downey Jrs. work, I still would not see this film.
Did you know that Helm never said "Elementary, my dear Watson."
Watson wasn't a bumbling idiot as most people think. He didn't have the powers of observation that Sherlock had or the ability to link little things together but he was a valuable aid to Holmes on many occasions.
Holmes did say "it is elementary." on two occasions.
The closest thing to special effects in a Holmes mystery was the use of fluorescent paint in ""The Hounds of Baskerville."
One reason is from viewing a trailer, there seems to be special effects embellishments and is not needed in a good Sherlock Holmes story and they second, and most compelling reason, is it stars Robert Downing Jr.
It seems that he once filmed himself having sex with a minor. I vowed then never to see anything with him in it and so far I have kept my promise to myself. I just cant bring myself to support some one who does something so wrong.
"Even so. even if I loved Robert Downey Jrs. work, I still would not see this film.
Did you know that Helm never said "Elementary, my dear Watson."
Watson wasn't a bumbling idiot as most people think. He didn't have the powers of observation that Sherlock had or the ability to link little things together but he was a valuable aid to Holmes on many occasions.
Holmes did say "it is elementary." on two occasions.
The closest thing to special effects in a Holmes mystery was the use of fluorescent paint in ""The Hounds of Baskerville."
customer service
I seldom eat at a fast food place and rarer still at a Mickey D's but there are always exceptions to the rule and variants from the norm. I stopped in the one at Friendly Center (I haven't been there since installment 37 of Black and White by Jerry Bledsoe) and was pleased at how quiet the workers were, how friendly, and efficient.
Posted near where I stood waiting for my order was the picture of the General Manager: she was young and pretty. Save for her and one young man, everyone else working there was latino.
Maybe that explains the improvement in customer service.
Posted near where I stood waiting for my order was the picture of the General Manager: she was young and pretty. Save for her and one young man, everyone else working there was latino.
Maybe that explains the improvement in customer service.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Christmas wants
The Asheboro paper features a different need each day for what a family or person needs but cant afford. An unemployed mother wants a computer to help her kids with schoolwork. Maybe she should be seeking a job.
I know for the elderly times are tough and being on a fixed income it is hard to afford extra things but most of what Ive read, if the person really needed the item then they would be willing to trade labor, or expertise, or sell off something they already have for it.
Me. I need a robo mower 1000. Any one who wants to give me one can or you can donate to my robomower fund. Otherwise I might be forced to save my money until I can afford it.
I know for the elderly times are tough and being on a fixed income it is hard to afford extra things but most of what Ive read, if the person really needed the item then they would be willing to trade labor, or expertise, or sell off something they already have for it.
Me. I need a robo mower 1000. Any one who wants to give me one can or you can donate to my robomower fund. Otherwise I might be forced to save my money until I can afford it.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
my 2 cents on woods
i grew tired of Tiger Woods years ago. If he won, it was front page news. If he was behind it was front page news. If he didnt play it was front page news. "
Talk about shoving something down peoples throats, the news media is too good at that.
Now that it has been shown that Tiger Woods is a first class jerk, the media is again shoving him down our throats.
"When the media finally decides that Woods is no longer news worthy, I can hear the cry of many "Free at last, free at last, Thank God Almighty, Im free at ;ast."
Talk about shoving something down peoples throats, the news media is too good at that.
Now that it has been shown that Tiger Woods is a first class jerk, the media is again shoving him down our throats.
"When the media finally decides that Woods is no longer news worthy, I can hear the cry of many "Free at last, free at last, Thank God Almighty, Im free at ;ast."
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Ed Cone Post
I have to admit that I visited an Ed Cone blog today (kind of like admitting I went into Wal-mart). I have to admit that he presented a good summary of Dr. Js problems she has been blogging about. I'll leave the clarification of any issues up to her but even I understand what it is she hopes to gain from the blogosphere.
During Vietnam there were riots in the streets in protest of the war. I still hear people talk with pride about the million man march and Ive read stories where international pressure has caused a country to back down on a policy it was following.
I'm sure that if enough people with blogs got behind an issue, that the powers that be would have to sit up and take notice.
I would have to agree that it might have been easier to have considered lending understanding and support to the good doctor if her approach had been a little less bitter and hyterical but I wonder too if as many people would have paid any attention if she had, say, a style similar to mine? No body reads my blog.
I wouldnt say having to drive to the east coast of the state each week is a full recovery financially versus maintaining a vialble practice in ones hometown. I can't see where her present financial statues is any justification for saying what happened 11 years ago is a non-issue. We didn't have a crytal ball then and still don't.
During Vietnam there were riots in the streets in protest of the war. I still hear people talk with pride about the million man march and Ive read stories where international pressure has caused a country to back down on a policy it was following.
I'm sure that if enough people with blogs got behind an issue, that the powers that be would have to sit up and take notice.
I would have to agree that it might have been easier to have considered lending understanding and support to the good doctor if her approach had been a little less bitter and hyterical but I wonder too if as many people would have paid any attention if she had, say, a style similar to mine? No body reads my blog.
I wouldnt say having to drive to the east coast of the state each week is a full recovery financially versus maintaining a vialble practice in ones hometown. I can't see where her present financial statues is any justification for saying what happened 11 years ago is a non-issue. We didn't have a crytal ball then and still don't.
Questionable Wisdom
I was listening to a call-in talk show which was offering up the topics of global-warming and Obamas Nobel Peace Prize as topics for discussion. One caller was raving about the business savy of a former vice-president, Al Gore. In discussing the man business venture, the caller mentioned that it took a minimum investment of 3 million dollars to become part of the Gore business venture.
"If I had three million dollars to invest I would he exclaimed and in a few years I'd be a millionaire."
Uh, I think if he had three million dollars to invest, he would already be a millionaire--a multi-millionaire. If in a few years he would be a millionaire that would mean he had lost 2/3rds of his investment.
I believe I'll continue to get my investment advice from another source.
"If I had three million dollars to invest I would he exclaimed and in a few years I'd be a millionaire."
Uh, I think if he had three million dollars to invest, he would already be a millionaire--a multi-millionaire. If in a few years he would be a millionaire that would mean he had lost 2/3rds of his investment.
I believe I'll continue to get my investment advice from another source.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
IT'S JUST STUPID
When police are putting a person who is handcuffed into the back of a crusier, they almost always say "Watch your head".
If one thinks about it, a person is unable to see their own head.
Isn't it stupid to tell someone to do something that is impossible?
(some comedians make a good living with weird observations like this0
If one thinks about it, a person is unable to see their own head.
Isn't it stupid to tell someone to do something that is impossible?
(some comedians make a good living with weird observations like this0
lawsuit i should have filed
I was just twenty-five. I was hired by the Valdese Printing Company in Valdese, NC. I worked there for about a week when I was called into the owners office. He asked me if it was true I wanted to finish getting my college degree and when i said yes he said " You are fired."
What crosses the line?
Seems some bloggers want to advance the notion that "electronic communication intended to harass, etc." can be extended to any reply to a blog, or any statements within a blog.
Those types of communication falls under our rights to free speech. There are reasonable limits to free speech, like the proverbial yelling of fire in a crowded theater. Another type of speech that is prohibited is outlined in most restraining orders.
The statue on cyberstalking is not intended nor written to prevent the normal flow of communications, even that which we may find annoying, or even statements we totally disagree with.
Call up a stranger and say nothing. Just breath heavily into the phone for a few minutes, or as long as the other person refrains from hanging up on you. Do this repeatedly and see where you will eventually end up. Drive by your ex-spouces or ex-lovers house everyday, real slow, and see if you aren't charged with a crime.
That behaviour is not normal.
Cyber stalking is intended to curb behaviour on the internet that is comparable to unacceptable behaviour via telephone or in person and in no way will be interpreted to affect ever day communication as some bloggers have advanced.
I believe that in the case of a Greensboro blogger charged with cyberstalking a Randolph County blogger, the questioning of the scope and breath of the cyberstalking law is only being questioned because of the unpopularity of the alleged victim to some of the better known bloggers in Greensboro and has nothing to do with fear that the law will be applied outside of its original scope or may limit ordinary and common speech.
One blogger calls himself a satirist but I find him to just be a flippant smart-ass but that doesn't make him any more guilty of a crime than being an acid-tongued crusader make one not a victim. One must put our feelings of the litigants aside and judge the case solely on the merits of the evidence.
Those types of communication falls under our rights to free speech. There are reasonable limits to free speech, like the proverbial yelling of fire in a crowded theater. Another type of speech that is prohibited is outlined in most restraining orders.
The statue on cyberstalking is not intended nor written to prevent the normal flow of communications, even that which we may find annoying, or even statements we totally disagree with.
Call up a stranger and say nothing. Just breath heavily into the phone for a few minutes, or as long as the other person refrains from hanging up on you. Do this repeatedly and see where you will eventually end up. Drive by your ex-spouces or ex-lovers house everyday, real slow, and see if you aren't charged with a crime.
That behaviour is not normal.
Cyber stalking is intended to curb behaviour on the internet that is comparable to unacceptable behaviour via telephone or in person and in no way will be interpreted to affect ever day communication as some bloggers have advanced.
I believe that in the case of a Greensboro blogger charged with cyberstalking a Randolph County blogger, the questioning of the scope and breath of the cyberstalking law is only being questioned because of the unpopularity of the alleged victim to some of the better known bloggers in Greensboro and has nothing to do with fear that the law will be applied outside of its original scope or may limit ordinary and common speech.
One blogger calls himself a satirist but I find him to just be a flippant smart-ass but that doesn't make him any more guilty of a crime than being an acid-tongued crusader make one not a victim. One must put our feelings of the litigants aside and judge the case solely on the merits of the evidence.
Friday, December 04, 2009
Amanda Knox found guilty
of course you don't need me to tell you this but I've followed the case from the beginning. If one reads the prosecution evidence, it seems apparent that she was guilty. If you read the defense view of the evidence, it is just as obvious she was innocent.
Shortly after the murdrs, Amanda Knox and her boyfriend were videotapped embracing and kissing. Depending on your point of view, the scene could have been one of passion or one of compassion.
Even the prosecutor in this case was suspect. In America, he would probable be in jail. At least, he would not have been allowed to prosecute the case.
She received a sentence of twenty-six years, a long time if she is truly innocent but not nearly long enough is she is truly guilty.
Shortly after the murdrs, Amanda Knox and her boyfriend were videotapped embracing and kissing. Depending on your point of view, the scene could have been one of passion or one of compassion.
Even the prosecutor in this case was suspect. In America, he would probable be in jail. At least, he would not have been allowed to prosecute the case.
She received a sentence of twenty-six years, a long time if she is truly innocent but not nearly long enough is she is truly guilty.
Anonymous said
Anonymous said...
What a cretin you are
12/04/2009 10:10:00 AM
When I served in the US Navy we had, from time to time, inspections at which we had to stand at attention while the Admiral or Captain, checked us out as to our dress. Now and then, the Admiral would ask one of the sailors if he had a comment.
It would have been a grave mistake to say something like "the chow sucks or stinks" even though it may well have. If, however, the sailor said "the chow stinks because
(insert reason why it stuck here) and this is what should be done to solve the problem, it would have done only been an acceptable comment, it would have been one that my have been acted upon to improve the situation.
Calling someone names with no reason for why one feels that way is immature. And to do so anonymously is cowardly. A good doctor's practice was taken from her and her livelyhood threatened wrongfully (that part was proved in court) but not all wrongs were righted, and all this person can say when the doctor seeks justice is that she is a cretin. Exactly, whose opinion do you think a reasonable person would pay attention too?
I think someone owes the doctor an apology.
I know she will never get it.
If anonymous was mature enough to apologize for this wrong, they would have been grown-up enough not to have said what they did it the first place.
What a cretin you are
12/04/2009 10:10:00 AM
When I served in the US Navy we had, from time to time, inspections at which we had to stand at attention while the Admiral or Captain, checked us out as to our dress. Now and then, the Admiral would ask one of the sailors if he had a comment.
It would have been a grave mistake to say something like "the chow sucks or stinks" even though it may well have. If, however, the sailor said "the chow stinks because
(insert reason why it stuck here) and this is what should be done to solve the problem, it would have done only been an acceptable comment, it would have been one that my have been acted upon to improve the situation.
Calling someone names with no reason for why one feels that way is immature. And to do so anonymously is cowardly. A good doctor's practice was taken from her and her livelyhood threatened wrongfully (that part was proved in court) but not all wrongs were righted, and all this person can say when the doctor seeks justice is that she is a cretin. Exactly, whose opinion do you think a reasonable person would pay attention too?
I think someone owes the doctor an apology.
I know she will never get it.
If anonymous was mature enough to apologize for this wrong, they would have been grown-up enough not to have said what they did it the first place.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
What is the one shoe women must own?
A question posted on my home page. I didn't read the article but I'm betting the results will be 50/50. Half for the right shoe and half for the left.
N & R Article
I read in the Wednesday edition of the Greensboro N & R an article on cyberstalking. It was especially interesting in that it was about a man who is proud to smell like body waste and Randolph County's own Dr. J., who is my cyber friend.
I have to admit that the first time I read her blog I thought she was an ill mannered, ill-tempered crackpot and about as much of a doctor as Doc Watson. She is just one of those writers that draws people to them so I kept reading, like so many folks from Greensboro do. But unlike the folks from Greensboro, I did something else. I ran her links, researched her claims. looked into her sources, and read related articles. Not only did she have a credible complaint, there is a strong likelihood that she is the victim she claims to be.
Knowing the truth and being able to prove it in court are two different things. I can understand the local DA's position in not wanting to get involved. If he takes on two of the most influential men in the county and loses, his career may well end up in the toilet where he will have to smell Dr. J's cyberstalker for the remainder of one of their lives. Better, thinks he, to offend the good doctor than to antagonize the men who can ruin his career.
That is not the proper choice but it is understandable. Then again, the choice could be one of pure economics. There is only so much time and money to work with so the responsible thing to do would be to concentrate on the more influential, vital, and winnable cases. After all, would wouldn't citizens rather have their DA prosecute four athletes based on the word of a stripper than save the career of a baby doctor? Just think about it, if Marcie Clark had won her big case she might have been governor.
I just don't understand how harassing someone can ever be for their own good and neither can I understand the apparent need someone has to bully other people. I don't use the word bully lightly either.
There is a certain blogger who lives (in my opinion) is a sugar coated fantasy world and she makes me ill ever time I've read her blog. I don't read her blog. If Greensboro bloggers think Dr. J is a crackpot, why give her the time of day? If no one paid attention, she would eventually go away, at least out of their way. No, they love to argue with her to prove she is wrong or that they are smarter or more important, or for what ever reason a bully baits people for.
I know. I'm the real unbalanced on in the blogosphere and I'm totally ignored. When I started gathering a local group of readers, I withdrew into my own little corner. Only one person cared enough to find me. That is a friend. I've never seen or talked to Dr. J and would not know her if we stood side by side. I know her well enough that I can be reading comments on a blog and I know within the first six words of a response that it was penned by Dr. J.
I'm sure there are many of you who may think Dr. J is wrong for charging a fellow bully blogger with cyberstalking. I might respect your opinon if you said it wasn't cyberstalking and can support your claims. But to said she is wrong to charge someone with the crime just because you don't like her is silly and immature.
I have to admit that the first time I read her blog I thought she was an ill mannered, ill-tempered crackpot and about as much of a doctor as Doc Watson. She is just one of those writers that draws people to them so I kept reading, like so many folks from Greensboro do. But unlike the folks from Greensboro, I did something else. I ran her links, researched her claims. looked into her sources, and read related articles. Not only did she have a credible complaint, there is a strong likelihood that she is the victim she claims to be.
Knowing the truth and being able to prove it in court are two different things. I can understand the local DA's position in not wanting to get involved. If he takes on two of the most influential men in the county and loses, his career may well end up in the toilet where he will have to smell Dr. J's cyberstalker for the remainder of one of their lives. Better, thinks he, to offend the good doctor than to antagonize the men who can ruin his career.
That is not the proper choice but it is understandable. Then again, the choice could be one of pure economics. There is only so much time and money to work with so the responsible thing to do would be to concentrate on the more influential, vital, and winnable cases. After all, would wouldn't citizens rather have their DA prosecute four athletes based on the word of a stripper than save the career of a baby doctor? Just think about it, if Marcie Clark had won her big case she might have been governor.
I just don't understand how harassing someone can ever be for their own good and neither can I understand the apparent need someone has to bully other people. I don't use the word bully lightly either.
There is a certain blogger who lives (in my opinion) is a sugar coated fantasy world and she makes me ill ever time I've read her blog. I don't read her blog. If Greensboro bloggers think Dr. J is a crackpot, why give her the time of day? If no one paid attention, she would eventually go away, at least out of their way. No, they love to argue with her to prove she is wrong or that they are smarter or more important, or for what ever reason a bully baits people for.
I know. I'm the real unbalanced on in the blogosphere and I'm totally ignored. When I started gathering a local group of readers, I withdrew into my own little corner. Only one person cared enough to find me. That is a friend. I've never seen or talked to Dr. J and would not know her if we stood side by side. I know her well enough that I can be reading comments on a blog and I know within the first six words of a response that it was penned by Dr. J.
I'm sure there are many of you who may think Dr. J is wrong for charging a fellow bully blogger with cyberstalking. I might respect your opinon if you said it wasn't cyberstalking and can support your claims. But to said she is wrong to charge someone with the crime just because you don't like her is silly and immature.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Before Drugs
She will say whatever she believes you want to hear in order to get you to do what she wants you to do. "I am a manipulator and a liar" she says.
I was this way before I started using drugs.
I was this way before I started using drugs.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Car Crash
Tiger Woods crashed his car and people wantr to know why. One supporter wrote
"First of all, the only thing I was concerned about was if Tiger Woods was okay after the crash. The reasons behind it and any family problems should be kept between he and his family. I feel sorry for people who have nothing better to do than to sit and speculate, in print no less, the reasons why things happen to celebrities. It perpetuates the gossip. It hurts innocent people. The fact they are a celebrity is second to the fact they are human beings first. How would YOU want to be treated?"
The sentiment sounds nice but it doesn't work that way. One must realize that driving is a priviledge and being able to do so is granted by the state for a temporary period of time and if we violate traffic laws the state has a right to know why. Other peoples lives and well being and property are placed at risk when one does not drive responsibily. Just because he is famous does no entitled Tiger Woods to violate the law by impeding a police investigation.
"First of all, the only thing I was concerned about was if Tiger Woods was okay after the crash. The reasons behind it and any family problems should be kept between he and his family. I feel sorry for people who have nothing better to do than to sit and speculate, in print no less, the reasons why things happen to celebrities. It perpetuates the gossip. It hurts innocent people. The fact they are a celebrity is second to the fact they are human beings first. How would YOU want to be treated?"
The sentiment sounds nice but it doesn't work that way. One must realize that driving is a priviledge and being able to do so is granted by the state for a temporary period of time and if we violate traffic laws the state has a right to know why. Other peoples lives and well being and property are placed at risk when one does not drive responsibily. Just because he is famous does no entitled Tiger Woods to violate the law by impeding a police investigation.
Kick a Ginger Day
The episode (of South Park) apparently inspired the 13-year-old to send his friends a Facebook message declaring "Kick a Ginger Day," Zimring said.
I suppose South Park is supposed to be a childrens cartoon. I viewed a few minutes of one episode many years ago and realized it was too far out for me. I hoped then that only adults would ever see such stuff but the kick a ginger episode which inspired these kids to hurt their redheaded classmates prove that stupidity and irresponsiblity are still alive ands well in show business.
I suppose South Park is supposed to be a childrens cartoon. I viewed a few minutes of one episode many years ago and realized it was too far out for me. I hoped then that only adults would ever see such stuff but the kick a ginger episode which inspired these kids to hurt their redheaded classmates prove that stupidity and irresponsiblity are still alive ands well in show business.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Death in the family
Usually the death of a relative brings sadness to a family but it was my evil aunt that passed away. She was so mean that she was kicked out of three nursing homes in less than a year and the fourth was pressuring the family to remove her from their facility.
She once tried to force me into servitude to her by emontional backmail and financial control and attempted to destroy any and all relationships I had with others.
I'll leave any specifics to a later time. I will say that my mother is more of a saint than my aunt thought ever thought about being and she believed she was one. Mom forgave her for what she did and she hurt Mom beyond what one sister should ever do to another.
I don't hate my aunt and never have. I dont know how I feel. At least she was smart enough not to have a funeral but to donate her body to science. I'm not sure even her kids would have come to her funeral except maybe just to make sure she was really gone. That's the saddest part.
She once tried to force me into servitude to her by emontional backmail and financial control and attempted to destroy any and all relationships I had with others.
I'll leave any specifics to a later time. I will say that my mother is more of a saint than my aunt thought ever thought about being and she believed she was one. Mom forgave her for what she did and she hurt Mom beyond what one sister should ever do to another.
I don't hate my aunt and never have. I dont know how I feel. At least she was smart enough not to have a funeral but to donate her body to science. I'm not sure even her kids would have come to her funeral except maybe just to make sure she was really gone. That's the saddest part.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Novel idea
Many years ago while sitting in a bar just opened in Huntington. WVA. by a pitcher for the Pirates and wishing I could get some one's attention so I could place a drink order I had an idea. The concept is simple and yet, as far as I know, it has not been adopted by anyone yet.
Most menu's have numbers for the menu item's so all a customer has to do is tell the waitress "Number 3 please". What if bars had all their drinks and other stuff on a menu numbered? Easy enough, right?. At each table there would be a key pad and all one has to do is key in the number for the item/items one wants order. An order is placed complete with time and table number so one's order would be filled timely and in order, not by the cuteness/cool factor.
Most menu's have numbers for the menu item's so all a customer has to do is tell the waitress "Number 3 please". What if bars had all their drinks and other stuff on a menu numbered? Easy enough, right?. At each table there would be a key pad and all one has to do is key in the number for the item/items one wants order. An order is placed complete with time and table number so one's order would be filled timely and in order, not by the cuteness/cool factor.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Chinese execute 2 in milk scandal
If this had been in the USA, the two convicts might have received a big fine, time sered and probation.
Three people died. That is murder. Punishment was swift. Here many die of natural causes before their sentence can be carried out.
Three people died. That is murder. Punishment was swift. Here many die of natural causes before their sentence can be carried out.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
To this extent
"Galligan said Hasan has no feeling from the chest down and has limited movement in his arms. Hasan has been told his paralysis is permanent, his attorney said."
Hasan, the Ft. Hood murderer, has permanent paralysis from the chest down with limited use of his arms. Maybe rats can gnaw off his toes and fingers and he won't be able to notice.
Gosh, would I love to have a few years alone with this guy. The liberal left would finally learn what cruel and unusual punishment actually means.
Hasan, the Ft. Hood murderer, has permanent paralysis from the chest down with limited use of his arms. Maybe rats can gnaw off his toes and fingers and he won't be able to notice.
Gosh, would I love to have a few years alone with this guy. The liberal left would finally learn what cruel and unusual punishment actually means.
My wife drives me crazy sometimes
My wife and I ordered a special item which ships in two boxes. Our order arrived yesterday but one box had the correct name, the other did not. Mu contention is that since we received everything we were supposed to receive and nothing more, nothing less then there is no harm, no foul and we should just forget about it.
She says she is going to take the errant package back in an attempt to retrieve the one with her name on it. "What if the other order had three or four boxes with it?"
For the life of me, I can't understand what difference how mnay packages the other person's order was supposed to have because they may have ordered several items while we only ordered one. If we received what we were supposed too and they received what they were supposed too, why complicate things and run the risk of the shipper screwing things up the second time.
If she takes the mis shipped package back and the other lady doesn't, then she ends up with extra parts and we end up with half a system.
I say it is better to leave things alone but she just can't see my point of view--at least not until we get screwed and what should have been a good thing will always remind us of how we just don't see eye to eye on some things.
One of her boys just never seems to be able to get things together. He once told her if he had just $800.00 he could get his life straight. I said she could loan him the money and she did and said he agreed to repay her $100.00 a month. I said that was unacceptable. "Maybe fifty a month at most." No, he assured her he could swing the $100.00 a month with no problem.
I told my wife that was the boys problem. "He is unrealistic about money, and life, and doesn't think things through. I'd rather him aggree to pay $20.00 a month than to pay $100.00."
Still, he insisted he could repay $100.00 a month.
It's been almost two years and we haven't received the first penny yet.
Now she wants to go to Iowa to visit him and her other son. Last time she went (before we were married) she ended up doing their laundry and baby sitting their kids and taking them out. She wants to either use our tax refund, cash in some of her retirement, or borrow money on her credit card for the trip and says that I can use my bonus check for some medical expenses.
My position is that if she wants to go, she needs to save for the trip, budgeting so much per week until she has the money. Everthing extra I buy comes from my weekly allowance and my bonus checks. I don't borrow or spend future income on todays wants.
Other than that, I've married a gem.
She says she is going to take the errant package back in an attempt to retrieve the one with her name on it. "What if the other order had three or four boxes with it?"
For the life of me, I can't understand what difference how mnay packages the other person's order was supposed to have because they may have ordered several items while we only ordered one. If we received what we were supposed too and they received what they were supposed too, why complicate things and run the risk of the shipper screwing things up the second time.
If she takes the mis shipped package back and the other lady doesn't, then she ends up with extra parts and we end up with half a system.
I say it is better to leave things alone but she just can't see my point of view--at least not until we get screwed and what should have been a good thing will always remind us of how we just don't see eye to eye on some things.
One of her boys just never seems to be able to get things together. He once told her if he had just $800.00 he could get his life straight. I said she could loan him the money and she did and said he agreed to repay her $100.00 a month. I said that was unacceptable. "Maybe fifty a month at most." No, he assured her he could swing the $100.00 a month with no problem.
I told my wife that was the boys problem. "He is unrealistic about money, and life, and doesn't think things through. I'd rather him aggree to pay $20.00 a month than to pay $100.00."
Still, he insisted he could repay $100.00 a month.
It's been almost two years and we haven't received the first penny yet.
Now she wants to go to Iowa to visit him and her other son. Last time she went (before we were married) she ended up doing their laundry and baby sitting their kids and taking them out. She wants to either use our tax refund, cash in some of her retirement, or borrow money on her credit card for the trip and says that I can use my bonus check for some medical expenses.
My position is that if she wants to go, she needs to save for the trip, budgeting so much per week until she has the money. Everthing extra I buy comes from my weekly allowance and my bonus checks. I don't borrow or spend future income on todays wants.
Other than that, I've married a gem.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Escort and the hitman
A former escort met a client at his office in October 2008, married him 4 months later. Six weeks after that $100,000 of his money intended as repayment to victims of a scheme disappeared. More money disappeared over time, equalling $240,000.00 If that wasn't trouble enough, the husband was stopped and searched several times for drug possession while he was at a location know only to him and his wife.
The final straw came when police notified him that she had been arrested for solicitation of a hitman to have him killed.
My question is: How do men as stupid as this make all that money?
Pick a side
Two bloggers, one a small town doctor who doesn't practice in the town in which she resides. and a big city blogger, who has a job and a wife who runs some kind of retail shop, and goes by a blogger name of the smell of the results of some bodily function usually done in private, have had a history of disagreement.
The small town doctor is a passionate person, strong-willed and determined, not afraid of controversy but not seeking it either, but willing to fight for what she believes is truth, justice, and what is morality and ethically correct. It seems that about eleven years ago she was allegedly done wrong by her employers and the two entities ended up in court where, alleges the doctor, her ex-employers violated the law. State representatives of the law (District Attorneys, for those who can't figure that out) have refused to pursue the case, because, alleges the doctor, it is a small town and the good-ole-boy syndrome still lives on.
Some people believe it is best to forget the past, make the best of a bad situation, and move on. Others believe the doctor has a personality or mental disorder and should seek professional care for her problems. There are others who are supportive of her and then there are a few who have researched her claims and believe they have merit.
Where the rub has come in is that she had hoped that by writing about her situation, she would garner the interest of some influential bloggers and they would lend their support and voices thereby calling public attention to the matter and forcing, as it were, the DA to rethink his refusal to file charges in her complaint.
Now all one has to do is read her story and decide if it has merit or not. One can follow the leads, as I had done, and draw their own conclusion. If one believed she was an impassioned crack pot, then one need only not read her blog and not comment about her on theirs. But some people just can't leave well enough alone.
It's bad enough to have lost a lucrative career and then been cheated out of fair compensation through perjury, but then to have others call you derogatory names, question your sanity, and dismiss your passion as some form of metal disease is enough to fan the flames of rage in anyone.
Some people just believe that they are right and if you don't agree with them, then there is something wrong with you. The problem is, they just can't accept the fact that you are sick and leave the cure to the professionals. No, they just think they are so smart that they just have to convert you to their way of thinking or convince you that you really are sick.
The stinky one may just have stepped over the line in this controversy. It would have been much better and much easier to either support the lady in her cause or to have walked away. He is looking for a drawn. He ain't gonna get one. After all, her passion, strong-will, and determination is what drew the stinky one to her in the first place. One should never mess with a hornet's nest and not expect to get stung. Believe me, once that has happened no apology will be accepted by the hornets nor can that sting ever be unstung.
The small town doctor is a passionate person, strong-willed and determined, not afraid of controversy but not seeking it either, but willing to fight for what she believes is truth, justice, and what is morality and ethically correct. It seems that about eleven years ago she was allegedly done wrong by her employers and the two entities ended up in court where, alleges the doctor, her ex-employers violated the law. State representatives of the law (District Attorneys, for those who can't figure that out) have refused to pursue the case, because, alleges the doctor, it is a small town and the good-ole-boy syndrome still lives on.
Some people believe it is best to forget the past, make the best of a bad situation, and move on. Others believe the doctor has a personality or mental disorder and should seek professional care for her problems. There are others who are supportive of her and then there are a few who have researched her claims and believe they have merit.
Where the rub has come in is that she had hoped that by writing about her situation, she would garner the interest of some influential bloggers and they would lend their support and voices thereby calling public attention to the matter and forcing, as it were, the DA to rethink his refusal to file charges in her complaint.
Now all one has to do is read her story and decide if it has merit or not. One can follow the leads, as I had done, and draw their own conclusion. If one believed she was an impassioned crack pot, then one need only not read her blog and not comment about her on theirs. But some people just can't leave well enough alone.
It's bad enough to have lost a lucrative career and then been cheated out of fair compensation through perjury, but then to have others call you derogatory names, question your sanity, and dismiss your passion as some form of metal disease is enough to fan the flames of rage in anyone.
Some people just believe that they are right and if you don't agree with them, then there is something wrong with you. The problem is, they just can't accept the fact that you are sick and leave the cure to the professionals. No, they just think they are so smart that they just have to convert you to their way of thinking or convince you that you really are sick.
The stinky one may just have stepped over the line in this controversy. It would have been much better and much easier to either support the lady in her cause or to have walked away. He is looking for a drawn. He ain't gonna get one. After all, her passion, strong-will, and determination is what drew the stinky one to her in the first place. One should never mess with a hornet's nest and not expect to get stung. Believe me, once that has happened no apology will be accepted by the hornets nor can that sting ever be unstung.
Freedom versus privilege
"Witnesses told authorities that Ellis cut in front of waiting customers at the Walmart, shoved merchandise already placed on a conveyor belt out of the way, and became belligerent when confronted.
Ellis maintained she was merely joining her cousin, whose checkout line was moving more quickly. She claimed in a written complaint to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People that she was then pushed by a white customer, hassled by store employees, called racial slurs and physically mistreated by Kennett police officers."
I've seen similar scenario's play out many times. One person will get in line while their "friend, cousin, or whomever" will continue to shop. When the person in line is next, the one shopping will push their way through the line and add stuff to what the first person had. Irritating, for sure, bad manners, definitely, but worth getting upset over: probable not. To be honest, most of us have done something similar. Husband and wife shopping and pickup the wrong size of something, or suddenly remembered and item forgotten, or noticed a defect in an item and want to make a quick exchange, One person, usually the husband, runs off to make things right while the other waits her turn in line.
We understand this and make allowances for it. What happened in this story is slightly different. People don't might being nice and helping out but no one likes to be taken advantaged of.
One day I was in a pet store and stopped to look at a display. A woman and her child approached me and although there was plenty of room to have either walked in front of me, which should have required a polite "excuse me" or to have walked behind me, the woman instead choose to stand there at my side and say "excuuuuse me" the kind that reeks of bad attitude. I refused to move and the woman finally had to walk around me, as she should have done in the first place.
The same attitude is on display in this Walmart story. Had the woman said a polite "excuse me" as she approach I would have stepped forward without a thought. Had the shopper in Wal-mart asked politely if she could join her friend in line ahead of them, most customers would not have hesitated in giving permission.
Respect is the key to good relationships and building trust among people and between the races and cultures.
Going on tirades like the president of Virginia's NAACP did over Norfolk's animal shelter's decision to discount adoption fees for black cats and dogs doesn't solve anything. Such reactions only make one look reactionary, unreasonable, foolish,
and ill tempered.
Ellis maintained she was merely joining her cousin, whose checkout line was moving more quickly. She claimed in a written complaint to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People that she was then pushed by a white customer, hassled by store employees, called racial slurs and physically mistreated by Kennett police officers."
I've seen similar scenario's play out many times. One person will get in line while their "friend, cousin, or whomever" will continue to shop. When the person in line is next, the one shopping will push their way through the line and add stuff to what the first person had. Irritating, for sure, bad manners, definitely, but worth getting upset over: probable not. To be honest, most of us have done something similar. Husband and wife shopping and pickup the wrong size of something, or suddenly remembered and item forgotten, or noticed a defect in an item and want to make a quick exchange, One person, usually the husband, runs off to make things right while the other waits her turn in line.
We understand this and make allowances for it. What happened in this story is slightly different. People don't might being nice and helping out but no one likes to be taken advantaged of.
One day I was in a pet store and stopped to look at a display. A woman and her child approached me and although there was plenty of room to have either walked in front of me, which should have required a polite "excuse me" or to have walked behind me, the woman instead choose to stand there at my side and say "excuuuuse me" the kind that reeks of bad attitude. I refused to move and the woman finally had to walk around me, as she should have done in the first place.
The same attitude is on display in this Walmart story. Had the woman said a polite "excuse me" as she approach I would have stepped forward without a thought. Had the shopper in Wal-mart asked politely if she could join her friend in line ahead of them, most customers would not have hesitated in giving permission.
Respect is the key to good relationships and building trust among people and between the races and cultures.
Going on tirades like the president of Virginia's NAACP did over Norfolk's animal shelter's decision to discount adoption fees for black cats and dogs doesn't solve anything. Such reactions only make one look reactionary, unreasonable, foolish,
and ill tempered.
Friday, November 20, 2009
2012
The world is truly coming to an end in 2012. O made is official: she is giving up her show in 2011. With her on TV what is the point of living?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
North Carolina Cyber Stalking law
Cyberstalking Laws
)
North Carolina
S 14-196.3
Cyberstalking
The following definitions apply in this section:
Electronic communication. - Any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature, transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, computer, electromagnetic, photoelectric, or photo-optical system.
Electronic mail. - The transmission of information or communication by the use of the Internet, a computer, a facsimile machine, a pager, a cellular telephone, a video recorder, or other electronic means sent to a person identified by a unique address or address number and received by that person.
It is unlawful for a person to:
Use in electronic mail or electronic communication any words or language threatening to inflict bodily harm to any person or to that person's child, sibling, spouse, or dependent, or physical injury to the property of any person, or for the purpose of extorting money or other things of value from any person.
Electronically mail or electronically communicate to another repeatedly, whether or not conversation ensues, for the purpose of abusing, annoying, threatening, terrifying, harassing, or embarrassing any person.
Electronically mail or electronically communicate to another and to knowingly make any false statement concerning death, injury, illness, disfigurement, indecent conduct, or criminal conduct of the person electronically mailed or of any member of the person's family or household with the intent to abuse, annoy, threaten, terrify, harass, or embarrass.
Knowingly permit an electronic communication device under the person's control to be used for any purpose prohibited by this section.
Any offense under this section committed by the use of electronic mail or electronic communication may be deemed to have been committed where the electronic mail or electronic communication was originally sent, originally received in this State, or first viewed by any person in this State.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
This section does not apply to any peaceable, nonviolent, or nonthreatening activity intended to express political views or to provide lawful information to others. This section shall not be construed to impair any constitutionally protected activity, including speech, protest, or assembly. (2000-125, s. 1; 2000-140, s. 91.)
)
North Carolina
S 14-196.3
Cyberstalking
The following definitions apply in this section:
Electronic communication. - Any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature, transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, computer, electromagnetic, photoelectric, or photo-optical system.
Electronic mail. - The transmission of information or communication by the use of the Internet, a computer, a facsimile machine, a pager, a cellular telephone, a video recorder, or other electronic means sent to a person identified by a unique address or address number and received by that person.
It is unlawful for a person to:
Use in electronic mail or electronic communication any words or language threatening to inflict bodily harm to any person or to that person's child, sibling, spouse, or dependent, or physical injury to the property of any person, or for the purpose of extorting money or other things of value from any person.
Electronically mail or electronically communicate to another repeatedly, whether or not conversation ensues, for the purpose of abusing, annoying, threatening, terrifying, harassing, or embarrassing any person.
Electronically mail or electronically communicate to another and to knowingly make any false statement concerning death, injury, illness, disfigurement, indecent conduct, or criminal conduct of the person electronically mailed or of any member of the person's family or household with the intent to abuse, annoy, threaten, terrify, harass, or embarrass.
Knowingly permit an electronic communication device under the person's control to be used for any purpose prohibited by this section.
Any offense under this section committed by the use of electronic mail or electronic communication may be deemed to have been committed where the electronic mail or electronic communication was originally sent, originally received in this State, or first viewed by any person in this State.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
This section does not apply to any peaceable, nonviolent, or nonthreatening activity intended to express political views or to provide lawful information to others. This section shall not be construed to impair any constitutionally protected activity, including speech, protest, or assembly. (2000-125, s. 1; 2000-140, s. 91.)
Cyber Stalking
CyberStalking
What Is Cyberstalking?
From the U.S. Department of Justice
Although there is no universally accepted definition of cyberstalking, the term is used in this report to refer to the use of the Internet, e-mail, or other electronic communications devices to stalk another person. Stalking generally involves harassing or threatening behavior that an individual engages in repeatedly, such as following a person, appearing at a person's home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, or vandalizing a person's property. Most stalking laws require that the perpetrator make a credible threat of violence against the victim; others include threats against the victim's immediate family; and still others require only that the alleged stalker's course of conduct constitute an implied threat. While some conduct involving annoying or menacing behavior might fall short of illegal stalking, such behavior may be a prelude to stalking and violence and should be treated seriously.
Nature and Extent of Cyberstalking
Although online harassment and threats can take many forms, cyberstalking shares important characteristics with offline stalking. Many stalkers - online or off - are motivated by a desire to exert control over their victims and engage in similar types of behavior to accomplish this end. As with offline stalking, the available evidence (which is largely anecdotal) suggests that the majority of cyberstalkers are men and the majority of their victims are women, although there have been reported cases of women cyberstalking men and of same-sex cyberstalking. In many cases, the cyberstalker and the victim had a prior relationship, and the cyberstalking begins when the victim attempts to break off the relationship. However, there also have been many instances of cyberstalking by strangers. Given the enormous amount of personal information available through the Internet, a cyberstalker can easily locate private information about a potential victim with a few mouse clicks or key strokes.
The fact that cyberstalking does not involve physical contact may create the misperception that it is more benign than physical stalking. This is not necessarily true. As the Internet becomes an ever more integral part of our personal and professional lives, stalkers can take advantage of the ease of communications as well as increased access to personal information. In addition, the ease of use and non-confrontational, impersonal, and sometimes anonymous nature of Internet communications may remove disincentives to cyberstalking. Put another way, whereas a potential stalker may be unwilling or unable to confront a victim in person or on the telephone, he or she may have little hesitation sending harassing or threatening electronic communications to a victim. Finally, as with physical stalking, online harassment and threats may be a prelude to more serious behavior, including physical violence.
While there are many similarities between offline and online stalking, the Internet and other communications technologies provide new avenues for stalkers to pursue their victims.
A cyberstalker may send repeated, threatening, or harassing messages by the simple push of a button; more sophisticated cyberstalkers use programs to send messages at regular or random intervals without being physically present at the computer terminal. California law enforcement authorities say they have encountered situations where a victim repeatedly receives the message "187" on their pagers - the section of the California Penal Code for murder. In addition, a cyberstalker can dupe other Internet users into harassing or threatening a victim by utilizing Internet bulletin boards or chat rooms. For example, a stalker may post a controversial or enticing message on the board under the name, phone number, or e-mail address of the victim, resulting in subsequent responses being sent to the victim. Each message -- whether from the actual cyberstalker or others -- will have the intended effect on the victim, but the cyberstalker's effort is minimal and the lack of direct contact between the cyberstalker and the victim can make it difficult for law enforcement to identify, locate, and arrest the offender.
Law enforcement response: specialized units show promise in combating cyberstalking
A growing number of law enforcement agencies are recognizing the serious nature and extent of cyberstalking and taking aggressive action to respond. Some larger metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles and New York, have seen numerous incidents of cyberstalking and have specialized units available to investigate and prosecute these cases. For example, Los Angeles has developed the Stalking and Threat Assessment Team. This team combines special sections of the police department and district attorney's office to ensure properly trained investigators and prosecutors are available when cyberstalking cases arise. In addition, this specialized unit is given proper resources, such as adequate computer hardware and advanced training, which is essential in investigating and prosecuting these technical cases. Similarly, the New York City Police Department created the Computer Investigation and Technology Unit. This unit provides regular training for police officers and prosecutors regarding the intricacies of cyberstalking investigations and prosecutions. The training includes understanding how chat rooms operate, how to obtain and preserve electronic evidence, and how to draft search warrants and subpoenas.
The programs in New York and Los Angeles both ensure that enforcement personnel receive proper training and have adequate resources to combat cyberstalking. Other jurisdictions are also taking steps to combat cyberstalking. One of the critical steps is learning how to trace communications sent over computers and the Internet. Traditional law enforcement techniques for surveillance, investigation, and evidence gathering require modification for use on computer networks and often require the use of unfamiliar legal processes. Law enforcement at all levels must be properly trained to use network investigative techniques and legal process while protecting the privacy of legitimate users of the Internet. These techniques are similar to those used in investigating other types of computer crime. Just as a burglar might leave fingerprints at the scene of a crime, a cyberstalker can leave an "electronic trail" on the web that properly trained law enforcement can follow back to the source. Thus, technological proficiency among both investigators and prosecutors is essential.
At present, there are numerous efforts at the federal and state levels that focus solely on high technology crimes. These units do not focus on cyberstalking alone, but they have the necessary expertise in computers and the Internet to assist in the investigation of cyberstalking when it arises. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has Computer Crime Squads throughout the country, as well as the National Infrastructure Protection Center in Washington, to ensure cybercrimes are properly investigated. Additionally, they have Computer Analysis and Response Teams to conduct forensics examinations on seized magnetic media. Similarly, in 1996 the Justice Department established the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section within the Criminal Division. These units have highly trained personnel who remain on the cutting edge of new technology and investigative techniques. In addition, each U.S. Attorney's office contains experienced computer crime prosecutors. These individuals -- Computer and Telecommunications Coordinators -- assist in the investigation and prosecution of a wide variety of computer crimes, including cyberstalking. In addition, at the state level, several attorneys general have established special divisions that focus on computer crimes.
Although high-tech expertise is essential, police and prosecutors have developed other strategies for helping victims of cyberstalking. An Assistant U.S. Attorney reported that in two recent cases of e-mail harassment, he asked an FBI agent to confront the would-be harasser. The agent advised that such behavior might constitute a criminal offense. In both instances, the harassment stopped. Such strategies, however, are no substitute for prosecution under federal or state law in the appropriate circumstances.
A critical step in combating cyberstalking is understanding stalking in general. In many instances, cyberstalking is simply another phase in an overall stalking pattern, or it is regular stalking behavior using new, high-technology tools. Thus, strategies and techniques that have been developed to combat stalking in general often can be adapted to cyberstalking situations. Fortunately, many state and local law enforcement agencies have begun to focus on stalking, and some have developed special task forces to deal with this problem. In addition, the Attorney General submits an annual report to Congress entitled "Stalking and Domestic Violence." This report compiles valuable information about what the Department of Justice has learned about stalking and stalkers and is a valuable resource for law enforcement agencies and others.
Cyberstalking is expected to increase as computers and the Internet become more popular. Accordingly, law enforcement at all levels must become more sensitive to cyberstalking complaints and devote the necessary training and resources to allow proper investigation and prosecution. By becoming technologically proficient and understanding stalking in general, agencies will be better prepared to respond to cyberstalking incidents in their jurisdictions. In addition, state and local agencies can turn to their local FBI or U.S. Attorney's office for additional technical assistance. Also, computer crime units and domestic violence units should share information and expertise, since many cyberstalking cases will include elements of both computer crime and domestic violence. Finally, law enforcement must become more sensitive to the fear and frustration experienced by cyberstalking victims. Proper training should help in this regard, but law enforcement at all levels should take the next step and place special emphasis on this problem. Computers and the Internet are becoming indispensable parts of America's culture, and cyberstalking is a growing threat. Responding to a victim's complaint by saying "just turn off your computer" is not acceptable.
Federal cyberstalking laws
Federal law provides a number of important tools that are available to combat cyberstalking. Under 18 U.S.C. 875(c), it is a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, to transmit any communication in interstate or foreign commerce containing a threat to injure the person of another. Section 875(c) applies to any communication actually transmitted in interstate or foreign commerce - thus it includes threats transmitted in interstate or foreign commerce via the telephone, e-mail, beepers, or the Internet.
Although 18 U.S.C. 875 is an important tool, it is not an all-purpose anti-cyberstalking statute. First, it applies only to communications of actual threats. Thus, it would not apply in a situation where a cyberstalker engaged in a pattern of conduct intended to harass or annoy another (absent some threat). Also, it is not clear that it would apply to situations where a person harasses or terrorizes another by posting messages on a bulletin board or in a chat room encouraging others to harass or annoy another person (as in the California case, discussed infra.).
Certain forms of cyberstalking also may be prosecuted under 47 U.S.C. 223. One provision of this statute makes it a federal crime, punishable by up to two years in prison, to use a telephone or telecommunications device to annoy, abuse, harass, or threaten any person at the called number. The statute also requires that the perpetrator not reveal his or her name. See 47 U.S.C. 223(a)(1)(C). Although this statute is broader than 18 U.S.C. 875 -- in that it covers both threats and harassment -- Section 223 applies only to direct communications between the perpetrator and the victim. Thus, it would not reach a cyberstalking situation where a person harasses or terrorizes another person by posting messages on a bulletin board or in a chat room encouraging others to harass or annoy another person. Moreover, Section 223 is only a misdemeanor, punishable by not more than two years in prison.
The Interstate Stalking Act, signed into law by President Clinton in 1996, makes it a crime for any person to travel across state lines with the intent to injure or harass another person and, in the course thereof, places that person or a member of that person's family in a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. See 18 U.S.C. 2261A. Although a number of serious stalking cases have been prosecuted under Section 2261A, the requirement that the stalker physically travel across state lines makes it largely inapplicable to cyberstalking cases.
Finally, President Clinton signed a bill into law in October 1998 that protects children against online stalking. The statute, 18 U.S.C. 2425, makes it a federal crime to use any means of interstate or foreign commerce (such as a telephone line or the Internet) to knowingly communicate with any person with intent to solicit or entice a child into unlawful sexual activity. While this new statute provides important protections for children, it does not reach harassing phone calls to minors absent a showing of intent to entice or solicit the child for illicit sexual purposes.
Thus, although current statutes address some forms of cyberstalking, there are gaps in current federal and state law. As outlined in the Recommendations below, States should review their existing stalking and other statutes to determine whether they address cyberstalking and, if not, expeditiously enact laws that prohibit cyberstalking.
Federal legislation also is needed to fill the gaps in current law. While most cyberstalking cases will fall within the jurisdiction of state and local authorities, there are instances - such as serious cyberharassment directed at a victim in another state or involving communications intended to encourage third parties to engage in harassment or threats - where state law is inadequate or where state or local agencies do not have the expertise or the resources to investigate and/or prosecute a sophisticated cyberstalking case. Therefore, federal law should be amended to prohibit the transmission of any communication in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to threaten or harass another person, where such communication places another person in fear of death or bodily injury to themselves or another person. Because of the increased vulnerability of children, the statute should provide for enhanced penalties where the victim is a minor. Such targeted, technology-neutral legislation would fill existing gaps in current federal law, without displacing the primary law enforcement role of state and local authorities and without infringing on First Amendment-protected speech.
How You Can Protect Against Cyberstalking - And What To Do If You Are A Victim
Prevention Tips
Do not share personal information in public spaces anywhere online, nor give it to strangers, including in e-mail or chat rooms. Do not use your real name or nickname as your screen name or user ID. Pick a name that is gender- and age-neutral. And do not post personal information as part of any user profiles.
Be extremely cautious about meeting online acquaintances in person. If you choose to meet, do so in a public place and take along a friend.
Make sure that your ISP and Internet Relay Chat (IRC) network have an acceptable use policy that prohibits cyberstalking. And if your network fails to respond to your complaints, consider switching to a provider that is more responsive to user complaints.
If a situation online becomes hostile, log off or surf elsewhere. If a situation places you in fear, contact a local law enforcement agency.
What To Do If You Are Being Cyberstalked
If you are receiving unwanted contact, make clear to that person that you would like him or her not to contact you again.
Save all communications for evidence. Do not edit or alter them in any way. Also, keep a record of your contacts with Internet system administrators or law enforcement officials.
You may want to consider blocking or filtering messages from the harasser. Many e-mail programs such as Eudora and Microsoft Outlook have a filter feature, and software can be easily obtained that will automatically delete e-mails from a particular e-mail address or that contain offensive words. Chat room contact can be blocked as well. Although formats differ, a common chat room command to block someone would be to type: /ignore (without the brackets). However, in some circumstances (such as threats of violence), it may be more appropriate to save the information and contact law enforcement authorities.
If harassment continues after you have asked the person to stop, contact the harasser's Internet Service Provider (ISP). Most ISP's have clear policies prohibiting the use of their services to abuse another person. Often, an ISP can try to stop the conduct by direct contact with the stalker or by closing their account. If you receive abusive e-mails, identify the domain (after the "@" sign) and contact that ISP. Most ISP's have an e-mail address such as abuse@(domain name) or postmaster@(domain name) that can be used for complaints. If the ISP has a website, visit it for information on how to file a complaint.
Contact your local police department and inform them of the situation in as much detail as possible. In appropriate cases, they may refer the matter to state or federal authorities. If you are afraid of taking action, there are resources available to help you, Contact either: -The National Domestice Violence Hotline, 800-799-SAFE (phone); 800-787-3224 (TDD) -A local women's shelter for advice and support.
Credit and reference: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/cyberstalking.htm
What Is Cyberstalking?
From the U.S. Department of Justice
Although there is no universally accepted definition of cyberstalking, the term is used in this report to refer to the use of the Internet, e-mail, or other electronic communications devices to stalk another person. Stalking generally involves harassing or threatening behavior that an individual engages in repeatedly, such as following a person, appearing at a person's home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, or vandalizing a person's property. Most stalking laws require that the perpetrator make a credible threat of violence against the victim; others include threats against the victim's immediate family; and still others require only that the alleged stalker's course of conduct constitute an implied threat. While some conduct involving annoying or menacing behavior might fall short of illegal stalking, such behavior may be a prelude to stalking and violence and should be treated seriously.
Nature and Extent of Cyberstalking
Although online harassment and threats can take many forms, cyberstalking shares important characteristics with offline stalking. Many stalkers - online or off - are motivated by a desire to exert control over their victims and engage in similar types of behavior to accomplish this end. As with offline stalking, the available evidence (which is largely anecdotal) suggests that the majority of cyberstalkers are men and the majority of their victims are women, although there have been reported cases of women cyberstalking men and of same-sex cyberstalking. In many cases, the cyberstalker and the victim had a prior relationship, and the cyberstalking begins when the victim attempts to break off the relationship. However, there also have been many instances of cyberstalking by strangers. Given the enormous amount of personal information available through the Internet, a cyberstalker can easily locate private information about a potential victim with a few mouse clicks or key strokes.
The fact that cyberstalking does not involve physical contact may create the misperception that it is more benign than physical stalking. This is not necessarily true. As the Internet becomes an ever more integral part of our personal and professional lives, stalkers can take advantage of the ease of communications as well as increased access to personal information. In addition, the ease of use and non-confrontational, impersonal, and sometimes anonymous nature of Internet communications may remove disincentives to cyberstalking. Put another way, whereas a potential stalker may be unwilling or unable to confront a victim in person or on the telephone, he or she may have little hesitation sending harassing or threatening electronic communications to a victim. Finally, as with physical stalking, online harassment and threats may be a prelude to more serious behavior, including physical violence.
While there are many similarities between offline and online stalking, the Internet and other communications technologies provide new avenues for stalkers to pursue their victims.
A cyberstalker may send repeated, threatening, or harassing messages by the simple push of a button; more sophisticated cyberstalkers use programs to send messages at regular or random intervals without being physically present at the computer terminal. California law enforcement authorities say they have encountered situations where a victim repeatedly receives the message "187" on their pagers - the section of the California Penal Code for murder. In addition, a cyberstalker can dupe other Internet users into harassing or threatening a victim by utilizing Internet bulletin boards or chat rooms. For example, a stalker may post a controversial or enticing message on the board under the name, phone number, or e-mail address of the victim, resulting in subsequent responses being sent to the victim. Each message -- whether from the actual cyberstalker or others -- will have the intended effect on the victim, but the cyberstalker's effort is minimal and the lack of direct contact between the cyberstalker and the victim can make it difficult for law enforcement to identify, locate, and arrest the offender.
Law enforcement response: specialized units show promise in combating cyberstalking
A growing number of law enforcement agencies are recognizing the serious nature and extent of cyberstalking and taking aggressive action to respond. Some larger metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles and New York, have seen numerous incidents of cyberstalking and have specialized units available to investigate and prosecute these cases. For example, Los Angeles has developed the Stalking and Threat Assessment Team. This team combines special sections of the police department and district attorney's office to ensure properly trained investigators and prosecutors are available when cyberstalking cases arise. In addition, this specialized unit is given proper resources, such as adequate computer hardware and advanced training, which is essential in investigating and prosecuting these technical cases. Similarly, the New York City Police Department created the Computer Investigation and Technology Unit. This unit provides regular training for police officers and prosecutors regarding the intricacies of cyberstalking investigations and prosecutions. The training includes understanding how chat rooms operate, how to obtain and preserve electronic evidence, and how to draft search warrants and subpoenas.
The programs in New York and Los Angeles both ensure that enforcement personnel receive proper training and have adequate resources to combat cyberstalking. Other jurisdictions are also taking steps to combat cyberstalking. One of the critical steps is learning how to trace communications sent over computers and the Internet. Traditional law enforcement techniques for surveillance, investigation, and evidence gathering require modification for use on computer networks and often require the use of unfamiliar legal processes. Law enforcement at all levels must be properly trained to use network investigative techniques and legal process while protecting the privacy of legitimate users of the Internet. These techniques are similar to those used in investigating other types of computer crime. Just as a burglar might leave fingerprints at the scene of a crime, a cyberstalker can leave an "electronic trail" on the web that properly trained law enforcement can follow back to the source. Thus, technological proficiency among both investigators and prosecutors is essential.
At present, there are numerous efforts at the federal and state levels that focus solely on high technology crimes. These units do not focus on cyberstalking alone, but they have the necessary expertise in computers and the Internet to assist in the investigation of cyberstalking when it arises. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has Computer Crime Squads throughout the country, as well as the National Infrastructure Protection Center in Washington, to ensure cybercrimes are properly investigated. Additionally, they have Computer Analysis and Response Teams to conduct forensics examinations on seized magnetic media. Similarly, in 1996 the Justice Department established the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section within the Criminal Division. These units have highly trained personnel who remain on the cutting edge of new technology and investigative techniques. In addition, each U.S. Attorney's office contains experienced computer crime prosecutors. These individuals -- Computer and Telecommunications Coordinators -- assist in the investigation and prosecution of a wide variety of computer crimes, including cyberstalking. In addition, at the state level, several attorneys general have established special divisions that focus on computer crimes.
Although high-tech expertise is essential, police and prosecutors have developed other strategies for helping victims of cyberstalking. An Assistant U.S. Attorney reported that in two recent cases of e-mail harassment, he asked an FBI agent to confront the would-be harasser. The agent advised that such behavior might constitute a criminal offense. In both instances, the harassment stopped. Such strategies, however, are no substitute for prosecution under federal or state law in the appropriate circumstances.
A critical step in combating cyberstalking is understanding stalking in general. In many instances, cyberstalking is simply another phase in an overall stalking pattern, or it is regular stalking behavior using new, high-technology tools. Thus, strategies and techniques that have been developed to combat stalking in general often can be adapted to cyberstalking situations. Fortunately, many state and local law enforcement agencies have begun to focus on stalking, and some have developed special task forces to deal with this problem. In addition, the Attorney General submits an annual report to Congress entitled "Stalking and Domestic Violence." This report compiles valuable information about what the Department of Justice has learned about stalking and stalkers and is a valuable resource for law enforcement agencies and others.
Cyberstalking is expected to increase as computers and the Internet become more popular. Accordingly, law enforcement at all levels must become more sensitive to cyberstalking complaints and devote the necessary training and resources to allow proper investigation and prosecution. By becoming technologically proficient and understanding stalking in general, agencies will be better prepared to respond to cyberstalking incidents in their jurisdictions. In addition, state and local agencies can turn to their local FBI or U.S. Attorney's office for additional technical assistance. Also, computer crime units and domestic violence units should share information and expertise, since many cyberstalking cases will include elements of both computer crime and domestic violence. Finally, law enforcement must become more sensitive to the fear and frustration experienced by cyberstalking victims. Proper training should help in this regard, but law enforcement at all levels should take the next step and place special emphasis on this problem. Computers and the Internet are becoming indispensable parts of America's culture, and cyberstalking is a growing threat. Responding to a victim's complaint by saying "just turn off your computer" is not acceptable.
Federal cyberstalking laws
Federal law provides a number of important tools that are available to combat cyberstalking. Under 18 U.S.C. 875(c), it is a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, to transmit any communication in interstate or foreign commerce containing a threat to injure the person of another. Section 875(c) applies to any communication actually transmitted in interstate or foreign commerce - thus it includes threats transmitted in interstate or foreign commerce via the telephone, e-mail, beepers, or the Internet.
Although 18 U.S.C. 875 is an important tool, it is not an all-purpose anti-cyberstalking statute. First, it applies only to communications of actual threats. Thus, it would not apply in a situation where a cyberstalker engaged in a pattern of conduct intended to harass or annoy another (absent some threat). Also, it is not clear that it would apply to situations where a person harasses or terrorizes another by posting messages on a bulletin board or in a chat room encouraging others to harass or annoy another person (as in the California case, discussed infra.).
Certain forms of cyberstalking also may be prosecuted under 47 U.S.C. 223. One provision of this statute makes it a federal crime, punishable by up to two years in prison, to use a telephone or telecommunications device to annoy, abuse, harass, or threaten any person at the called number. The statute also requires that the perpetrator not reveal his or her name. See 47 U.S.C. 223(a)(1)(C). Although this statute is broader than 18 U.S.C. 875 -- in that it covers both threats and harassment -- Section 223 applies only to direct communications between the perpetrator and the victim. Thus, it would not reach a cyberstalking situation where a person harasses or terrorizes another person by posting messages on a bulletin board or in a chat room encouraging others to harass or annoy another person. Moreover, Section 223 is only a misdemeanor, punishable by not more than two years in prison.
The Interstate Stalking Act, signed into law by President Clinton in 1996, makes it a crime for any person to travel across state lines with the intent to injure or harass another person and, in the course thereof, places that person or a member of that person's family in a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. See 18 U.S.C. 2261A. Although a number of serious stalking cases have been prosecuted under Section 2261A, the requirement that the stalker physically travel across state lines makes it largely inapplicable to cyberstalking cases.
Finally, President Clinton signed a bill into law in October 1998 that protects children against online stalking. The statute, 18 U.S.C. 2425, makes it a federal crime to use any means of interstate or foreign commerce (such as a telephone line or the Internet) to knowingly communicate with any person with intent to solicit or entice a child into unlawful sexual activity. While this new statute provides important protections for children, it does not reach harassing phone calls to minors absent a showing of intent to entice or solicit the child for illicit sexual purposes.
Thus, although current statutes address some forms of cyberstalking, there are gaps in current federal and state law. As outlined in the Recommendations below, States should review their existing stalking and other statutes to determine whether they address cyberstalking and, if not, expeditiously enact laws that prohibit cyberstalking.
Federal legislation also is needed to fill the gaps in current law. While most cyberstalking cases will fall within the jurisdiction of state and local authorities, there are instances - such as serious cyberharassment directed at a victim in another state or involving communications intended to encourage third parties to engage in harassment or threats - where state law is inadequate or where state or local agencies do not have the expertise or the resources to investigate and/or prosecute a sophisticated cyberstalking case. Therefore, federal law should be amended to prohibit the transmission of any communication in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to threaten or harass another person, where such communication places another person in fear of death or bodily injury to themselves or another person. Because of the increased vulnerability of children, the statute should provide for enhanced penalties where the victim is a minor. Such targeted, technology-neutral legislation would fill existing gaps in current federal law, without displacing the primary law enforcement role of state and local authorities and without infringing on First Amendment-protected speech.
How You Can Protect Against Cyberstalking - And What To Do If You Are A Victim
Prevention Tips
Do not share personal information in public spaces anywhere online, nor give it to strangers, including in e-mail or chat rooms. Do not use your real name or nickname as your screen name or user ID. Pick a name that is gender- and age-neutral. And do not post personal information as part of any user profiles.
Be extremely cautious about meeting online acquaintances in person. If you choose to meet, do so in a public place and take along a friend.
Make sure that your ISP and Internet Relay Chat (IRC) network have an acceptable use policy that prohibits cyberstalking. And if your network fails to respond to your complaints, consider switching to a provider that is more responsive to user complaints.
If a situation online becomes hostile, log off or surf elsewhere. If a situation places you in fear, contact a local law enforcement agency.
What To Do If You Are Being Cyberstalked
If you are receiving unwanted contact, make clear to that person that you would like him or her not to contact you again.
Save all communications for evidence. Do not edit or alter them in any way. Also, keep a record of your contacts with Internet system administrators or law enforcement officials.
You may want to consider blocking or filtering messages from the harasser. Many e-mail programs such as Eudora and Microsoft Outlook have a filter feature, and software can be easily obtained that will automatically delete e-mails from a particular e-mail address or that contain offensive words. Chat room contact can be blocked as well. Although formats differ, a common chat room command to block someone would be to type: /ignore
If harassment continues after you have asked the person to stop, contact the harasser's Internet Service Provider (ISP). Most ISP's have clear policies prohibiting the use of their services to abuse another person. Often, an ISP can try to stop the conduct by direct contact with the stalker or by closing their account. If you receive abusive e-mails, identify the domain (after the "@" sign) and contact that ISP. Most ISP's have an e-mail address such as abuse@(domain name) or postmaster@(domain name) that can be used for complaints. If the ISP has a website, visit it for information on how to file a complaint.
Contact your local police department and inform them of the situation in as much detail as possible. In appropriate cases, they may refer the matter to state or federal authorities. If you are afraid of taking action, there are resources available to help you, Contact either: -The National Domestice Violence Hotline, 800-799-SAFE (phone); 800-787-3224 (TDD) -A local women's shelter for advice and support.
Credit and reference: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/cyberstalking.htm
Embarrassed
Over the weekend President Obama declared himself the first Pacific president. I'm not sure if that was before or after he bowed to the Japanese emperor while trying to shake his hand at the same time. Unfortunately, that's not exactly how the Japanese perform their customary bow.
ABC's Jake Tapper reports that at least one Japanese newspaper is not printing the picture of the president's mortifying bow because the Japanese are embarrassed by his behavior. A scholar of traditional Japan tells Mr. Tapper, "The bow… did not just display weakness in Red State terms, but evoked weakness in Japanese terms… The last thing the Japanese want or need is a weak-looking American president."
Wasn't this president elected to restore our alliances and repair our images abroad? Now he's embarrassed the U.S. and one of our allies all at the same time. That takes real effort
ABC's Jake Tapper reports that at least one Japanese newspaper is not printing the picture of the president's mortifying bow because the Japanese are embarrassed by his behavior. A scholar of traditional Japan tells Mr. Tapper, "The bow… did not just display weakness in Red State terms, but evoked weakness in Japanese terms… The last thing the Japanese want or need is a weak-looking American president."
Wasn't this president elected to restore our alliances and repair our images abroad? Now he's embarrassed the U.S. and one of our allies all at the same time. That takes real effort
Marvin Reference
"The problem with that approach, he says — other than making players look like Marvin the Martian — is that heavier helmets would be more likely to cause neck injuries."
The only problem with this quote (Marvin is my favorite cartoon character) is that few people will actually know who the reference is about. There are actually very few cartoons with Marvin and I believe only three feature films. But I was happy to see that he was referenced by a writer and especially in an article about the NFL.
The only problem with this quote (Marvin is my favorite cartoon character) is that few people will actually know who the reference is about. There are actually very few cartoons with Marvin and I believe only three feature films. But I was happy to see that he was referenced by a writer and especially in an article about the NFL.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Great American Smokeout
At least as addictive as cocaine, the substance that turns good girls into prostitutes, good boys into street thugs, and poor farmers into pawns for our enemies, tobacco, especially in the form of a cigarette, is one of the worst things ever invented by man. Diseases abound from its use, clothes stink, money is wasted, property is destroyed, values of homes and cars are lowered, people are inconvenienced, and fires started that destroy forests, homes, and peoples lives.
Putting down those smokes and walking away is the hardest thing I have ever done and it is a daily battle, even after all this time. Like any addiction, pick up just one cigarette, smoke it, and one can be fully hooked again.
Putting down those smokes and walking away is the hardest thing I have ever done and it is a daily battle, even after all this time. Like any addiction, pick up just one cigarette, smoke it, and one can be fully hooked again.
Monday, November 16, 2009
10 events that changed history
A Newsweek article picked its 10 events that changed history. Some of them were Kerry picking Oabma to give a speech, Florida using the butterfly ballot, Jacobs changing parties.
No, those were history making events but no ever one will remember them for long and in the long scheme of history harder will makr a difference, Eve and Adam yieding to temptation, Christ dying on the cross, the shooting of that guy in Austria, and dropping a bomb on Nagasaki are, on my opinion, events that changed history.
I suppose the Newsweek author is a twenty something that can't remember anything muych past the elction (the second one ) of George Bush, or either considers anything else so last century, or so last millinium. I suppose will just forget about the first fire arm, or the first labor saving device.
One would assume the Newsweek writer never studied history. Maybe he was only talking about recent American political history. In that case, who gives a damn.
No, those were history making events but no ever one will remember them for long and in the long scheme of history harder will makr a difference, Eve and Adam yieding to temptation, Christ dying on the cross, the shooting of that guy in Austria, and dropping a bomb on Nagasaki are, on my opinion, events that changed history.
I suppose the Newsweek author is a twenty something that can't remember anything muych past the elction (the second one ) of George Bush, or either considers anything else so last century, or so last millinium. I suppose will just forget about the first fire arm, or the first labor saving device.
One would assume the Newsweek writer never studied history. Maybe he was only talking about recent American political history. In that case, who gives a damn.
Mom sells 5 year old daughter for prostitution
The body of the 5 year old NC year whose mother sold her into prostitution was found along side a roadway this morning.
Sob. Sob.
Sob. Sob.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Official: Obama rejects all Afghan war options
Official reason is he wants a clarification on goals of the war. The real reason is he couldn't figure out a stimulus package that would work. Can't gove the taliban money because they would buy weapons and plant poopies. Can't give the government money because they haven't a clue as to what to use it for, and can't give it to the troops because they can't fight any harder or more bravely.
Obama can't withdraw troops because it would piss off too many Republicans and soldiers who believe in the justification of us being there and he can't send in more troops because it will piss off everyone else.
Hwclaims he can't trust Karzi and can't understand what our objectives are for the war effort. He can't buy his way out or spent his way out and he hasn't a clue as what to do so he makes excuses so he can buy time.
The man has no back bone and no real leadership skills in a time of crisis and no trainning in the ways or warfare or foreigh relations, or diplomacy, or tough decisiuon making skills, or crisis management, and if it wasn't for a teleprompter he couldn't even speak well.
What we should have done there and in Iraq is what the first President Bush did. Blow the hell out of them and then walk away. When they regroup, blow them up again. We could do this forever with much cost or effort and finally they would all give uo or die. But to land therem try to rebuild their country, and fight a contracted war is foolish.
Where is the really wise leader this country needs? Not in the white house, that is for sure.
Obama can't withdraw troops because it would piss off too many Republicans and soldiers who believe in the justification of us being there and he can't send in more troops because it will piss off everyone else.
Hwclaims he can't trust Karzi and can't understand what our objectives are for the war effort. He can't buy his way out or spent his way out and he hasn't a clue as what to do so he makes excuses so he can buy time.
The man has no back bone and no real leadership skills in a time of crisis and no trainning in the ways or warfare or foreigh relations, or diplomacy, or tough decisiuon making skills, or crisis management, and if it wasn't for a teleprompter he couldn't even speak well.
What we should have done there and in Iraq is what the first President Bush did. Blow the hell out of them and then walk away. When they regroup, blow them up again. We could do this forever with much cost or effort and finally they would all give uo or die. But to land therem try to rebuild their country, and fight a contracted war is foolish.
Where is the really wise leader this country needs? Not in the white house, that is for sure.
Dietary tips
Reading articles about healthy eating, portion control. super foods, foods to avoid, etc, there are always commenteries who say to follow healthy eating rules most of the time but an occasional pig out is okay. "you'll be fine" they all say.
My brother, a handsome devil in high school (drove the women wild) has tended to carry a little too much weight around the middle. Okay, I'll be honest. I cary a little to much weight around the middle. My brother carries a lot too much weight around the middle.
A few years ago, he decided to lose weight and went on a diet with strick rules of what he could eat and portion size and the whole nine yards of healthy eating. As a reward for following the dietary guidelines, he was allowed to have a cheat night: that's one meal a week in which he could eat what ever he wanted.
Apparently he cheated a lot because he has gaininned a tremendous amount of weight. At first the diet seemed to work he he did lose about thirty pounds but he has since gained those thirty plus at least another thirty to go with them.
Me? I opted not to follow a diet plan but to try for a lifestyle change. Eating stuff I like and eating in a way that is both healthy and satifying and a way I could continue forever.
I choose high fiber whole grain cereal in the morning with a piece of fruit. It could be raisins, a banana, or craisins, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a cup of coffee for breakfast.
For lunch I tend to have a salad, or a sandwhich with a couple of slices of thin sliced meat and mustard with a piece of cheese and finish off my meal with a fuji apple. I drink either water or a diet soda.
For supper, I eat what ever my wife fixes which is usually a hearty stew, or thick soup. I'll have a salad two or three nights a week with itaian dressing--always italian, Our salads tend to be all vegatables-no cheeses or bacon or meat strips or eggs.
During the summer I grow a vegsatable garden and tend to eat almost strictly from it. During the winter alter my garden is gone, and when I get to fix for myself, I like to get dark beans like pintos or black beans, greens, sourkraut (without the winnies) slaw, and sald stuff. (This kind of food tends to fill one up without packing on calories).
My biggest weakness is I eat out of boredom so when I'm by myself, I eat constantly. I do eat a handfull of mixed nuts (deluxe daily) but I get things like fruit-grapes, banannas, strwberries, blueberries, apples, peaches on hand as well as a good bariety of vegatables like whole carrots and tomatoes to snack on.
The weight has come off slowly, I've developed by lifestyle change and I don't need a cheat night to satisfy myself.
Besides the weight loss (which is mainly for the viewing pleasure of other people) my health has improved dramactically (almost perfect scores).
Yes, I eat out occasionally and when I do, the restaraunt meal is usually in place of all meals of the day except breakfast, of course.
My brother, a handsome devil in high school (drove the women wild) has tended to carry a little too much weight around the middle. Okay, I'll be honest. I cary a little to much weight around the middle. My brother carries a lot too much weight around the middle.
A few years ago, he decided to lose weight and went on a diet with strick rules of what he could eat and portion size and the whole nine yards of healthy eating. As a reward for following the dietary guidelines, he was allowed to have a cheat night: that's one meal a week in which he could eat what ever he wanted.
Apparently he cheated a lot because he has gaininned a tremendous amount of weight. At first the diet seemed to work he he did lose about thirty pounds but he has since gained those thirty plus at least another thirty to go with them.
Me? I opted not to follow a diet plan but to try for a lifestyle change. Eating stuff I like and eating in a way that is both healthy and satifying and a way I could continue forever.
I choose high fiber whole grain cereal in the morning with a piece of fruit. It could be raisins, a banana, or craisins, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a cup of coffee for breakfast.
For lunch I tend to have a salad, or a sandwhich with a couple of slices of thin sliced meat and mustard with a piece of cheese and finish off my meal with a fuji apple. I drink either water or a diet soda.
For supper, I eat what ever my wife fixes which is usually a hearty stew, or thick soup. I'll have a salad two or three nights a week with itaian dressing--always italian, Our salads tend to be all vegatables-no cheeses or bacon or meat strips or eggs.
During the summer I grow a vegsatable garden and tend to eat almost strictly from it. During the winter alter my garden is gone, and when I get to fix for myself, I like to get dark beans like pintos or black beans, greens, sourkraut (without the winnies) slaw, and sald stuff. (This kind of food tends to fill one up without packing on calories).
My biggest weakness is I eat out of boredom so when I'm by myself, I eat constantly. I do eat a handfull of mixed nuts (deluxe daily) but I get things like fruit-grapes, banannas, strwberries, blueberries, apples, peaches on hand as well as a good bariety of vegatables like whole carrots and tomatoes to snack on.
The weight has come off slowly, I've developed by lifestyle change and I don't need a cheat night to satisfy myself.
Besides the weight loss (which is mainly for the viewing pleasure of other people) my health has improved dramactically (almost perfect scores).
Yes, I eat out occasionally and when I do, the restaraunt meal is usually in place of all meals of the day except breakfast, of course.
healthy foods
Almost every list of healthy foods begin with the sam item-almonds. That's fine except eating almonds is rough on teeth-my teeth anyway.
Where on any of these lists comes apple's-or marshmallows?
Where on any of these lists comes apple's-or marshmallows?
Proof mysoap box works
Is Saying Sorry Better than Prison?
Posted by: Andrew Price on October 29, 2009 at 3:06 pm
To deal with young criminals, Northern Ireland has been experimenting with something they call the “Youth Conference.” Instead of sending kids who commit assault, theft, or “motoring offences” to a prison, the government sends them to a meeting. There, the young troublemaker is asked to give an account of the offense, and the victim, who is usually present, is invited to ask questions and describe the effects of the crime. Then they decide, together, with the help of a professional coordinator, on a “plan” to make things right. This usually means doing unpaid restorative work and giving a face-to-face apology.
You might think this lets wayward teens off easy if all they have to do is apologize and do a little manual labor. But a new report (.pdf) on the effectiveness of these Youth Conferences just came out and the results are remarkable:
More than 5,500 meetings between victims and offenders have taken place in Northern Ireland since 2003…. Some 38% of 10 to 17 year olds participating in the scheme in Northern Ireland in 2006 re-offended within a year, compared to 71% of those given custodial terms. The percentage of those re-offending where restorative justice was used instead of a prosecution was 28%.
In a report, the PRT said many victims were found to prefer the experience of participating in a restorative justice meeting to attending court.
In Northern Ireland, this system has turned out to be better than prison in every way. It reduces recidivism, saves the public the expense of locking a kid up, and victims actually like it better. There’s now talk of expanding the system to England and Wales.
We should be adopting this approach in America—and expanding it to other kinds of crime as well. Our prison system is at a breaking point and revenge is overrated.
Posted by: Andrew Price on October 29, 2009 at 3:06 pm
To deal with young criminals, Northern Ireland has been experimenting with something they call the “Youth Conference.” Instead of sending kids who commit assault, theft, or “motoring offences” to a prison, the government sends them to a meeting. There, the young troublemaker is asked to give an account of the offense, and the victim, who is usually present, is invited to ask questions and describe the effects of the crime. Then they decide, together, with the help of a professional coordinator, on a “plan” to make things right. This usually means doing unpaid restorative work and giving a face-to-face apology.
You might think this lets wayward teens off easy if all they have to do is apologize and do a little manual labor. But a new report (.pdf) on the effectiveness of these Youth Conferences just came out and the results are remarkable:
More than 5,500 meetings between victims and offenders have taken place in Northern Ireland since 2003…. Some 38% of 10 to 17 year olds participating in the scheme in Northern Ireland in 2006 re-offended within a year, compared to 71% of those given custodial terms. The percentage of those re-offending where restorative justice was used instead of a prosecution was 28%.
In a report, the PRT said many victims were found to prefer the experience of participating in a restorative justice meeting to attending court.
In Northern Ireland, this system has turned out to be better than prison in every way. It reduces recidivism, saves the public the expense of locking a kid up, and victims actually like it better. There’s now talk of expanding the system to England and Wales.
We should be adopting this approach in America—and expanding it to other kinds of crime as well. Our prison system is at a breaking point and revenge is overrated.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thumbs up or thumbs down
I just finish reading a blog that had two buttons at the end of the article, one for thumbs up and the other for thumbs down, which, I assumed, were so readers come rate the article based on apparently, whatever.
I would never put something like that on my blog because I don't care whether people like my blog, fine it helpful, or interesting. I once felt obligated to be interesting so my readership would grow and then I began to feel constrained by the need to be responsible and entertaining or informative, and respectful. That's not necessarily who I always am so I deleted my blog and started this one. It's for me.
If you leave a comment, I'm not notified and will never know unless I look at the actual blog page which I seldom do. I'm not a people person and I can be alone in a crowd and really like it that way. I'm not anti social by any means and have lots of friendly relationships at work and off work too. Just don't expect me to call. I'll e-mail you now and then but those are few and far between.
For the most part. I've found that if you let others get too close, they'll take advantage of you or talk about you behind your back or leave you high and dry when some one else or something different comes along and i nbo longer feel the need to let people hurt me like that any more.
I would never put something like that on my blog because I don't care whether people like my blog, fine it helpful, or interesting. I once felt obligated to be interesting so my readership would grow and then I began to feel constrained by the need to be responsible and entertaining or informative, and respectful. That's not necessarily who I always am so I deleted my blog and started this one. It's for me.
If you leave a comment, I'm not notified and will never know unless I look at the actual blog page which I seldom do. I'm not a people person and I can be alone in a crowd and really like it that way. I'm not anti social by any means and have lots of friendly relationships at work and off work too. Just don't expect me to call. I'll e-mail you now and then but those are few and far between.
For the most part. I've found that if you let others get too close, they'll take advantage of you or talk about you behind your back or leave you high and dry when some one else or something different comes along and i nbo longer feel the need to let people hurt me like that any more.
Monday, November 09, 2009
monotone nonalogue
Is there a required course for athletes is giving an interview after a ball game or sporting event? It seems that all of them, freshman in college, 30 years on the race track, and in any soprt, talk the same way, monotone without periods, comma, or semicolons, peppered with a few huhs and ahs, peppered with standard phrases, and making little or no sense at all.
I don't watch much sports and avoid sports interviews at all costs vbecause you heard one, you have listened to them all.
I don't watch much sports and avoid sports interviews at all costs vbecause you heard one, you have listened to them all.
Wal-Mart starts Black Friday early
Black Friday is the day after thanksgiving, so named because it is the season that puts most retailers into the black, a term used to signify when a business has finally turned a profit. I'm sorry, but the world doesn;t run on Wal-mart time. Again this year I'm not shopping Wal-Mart for Christmas or any other holiday.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Unlikely Heroes
A crazied gunman was shooting people on a military base. Two peo0le stepped forward, putting their lives on the line. Two women, one a civilian polish officer and the other a nutrionist, are unlikely heroes only because the setting was a military base staffed by soldiers, most of whom are men.
All women can look with pride at the female officer for she did what she didn't have to do, especially after being shot four times. The nutritionist was busy tring to save lives in spite of being shot herself. both women have my admiration.
All women can look with pride at the female officer for she did what she didn't have to do, especially after being shot four times. The nutritionist was busy tring to save lives in spite of being shot herself. both women have my admiration.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
There is a name for this
I just read an article about misleading headlines and headlines that one can take in several different ways. There is a namne for this but I can't recall it now. An examp0le is a recent headline
"Murder Suspect Aided By Patrick Accessory"
If taken the way one would normally read the headline would claim there is a actual person named Patrick Accessory. What the story says is that a person from Patrick County is an accessory because they aided a murder suspect by renting them a motel room.
There is an art to writing good headlines. The person writing this one hasn't seemed to master that art.
"Murder Suspect Aided By Patrick Accessory"
If taken the way one would normally read the headline would claim there is a actual person named Patrick Accessory. What the story says is that a person from Patrick County is an accessory because they aided a murder suspect by renting them a motel room.
There is an art to writing good headlines. The person writing this one hasn't seemed to master that art.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
My Dental Experience
I spent Friday night in extreme pain as the left side of my mouth throbbed to the point of causing me to experience insanity. Saturday, while at work, I contacted my dentist who agreed to see me immediately.
He took an ex ray or two, poked and prodded, and then gave me some antibiotics and a prescription for more plus one for pain pills. There was nothing he could do for me until the swelling subsided some. I floated for a while at work and seemed not to care that I could only see out of my right eye as my left one had swollen shut. The pain subsided Monday but the swelling did not but Bo at Amplifo, where I had a hearing appointment, was kind enough not to notice or to say anything if he did.
I was relieved that the puffiness had left me when I awoke Tuesday morning and I tried not to think of my dental appointment scheduled at the end of my work day. I was thirty minutes early and within ten minutes I was back in the dental chair. The dental assistant administered the numbing gel and a few minutes later the dentist administered what was supposed to be the numbing shot, except it wasn't--numbing that is. So he tried again. That didn't do it either so he tried the third time with a different numbing agent. It tasted bitter.
The dentist grabbed my tooth with the tooth pulling tool and asked "Does this hurt?"
My body stiffened, my back arched, and my head went back as nature would allow as I exclaimed "yes" as loudly and clearly as one could with only half a functioning face. He yanked the tooth out anyway.
He took an ex ray or two, poked and prodded, and then gave me some antibiotics and a prescription for more plus one for pain pills. There was nothing he could do for me until the swelling subsided some. I floated for a while at work and seemed not to care that I could only see out of my right eye as my left one had swollen shut. The pain subsided Monday but the swelling did not but Bo at Amplifo, where I had a hearing appointment, was kind enough not to notice or to say anything if he did.
I was relieved that the puffiness had left me when I awoke Tuesday morning and I tried not to think of my dental appointment scheduled at the end of my work day. I was thirty minutes early and within ten minutes I was back in the dental chair. The dental assistant administered the numbing gel and a few minutes later the dentist administered what was supposed to be the numbing shot, except it wasn't--numbing that is. So he tried again. That didn't do it either so he tried the third time with a different numbing agent. It tasted bitter.
The dentist grabbed my tooth with the tooth pulling tool and asked "Does this hurt?"
My body stiffened, my back arched, and my head went back as nature would allow as I exclaimed "yes" as loudly and clearly as one could with only half a functioning face. He yanked the tooth out anyway.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Ford reports surprise $1 billion profit
Maye Ford should hire a better accountant--say someone who once was a congressman.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Puffy Face
Two favorite cartoon characters, chip and dale, little chipmunks, have fat puffy cheeks. I only have one: caused by a abscessed tooth.
I visit my dentist twice a year for cleaning plus one or two other times a year for routine detal work. I brush, floss, gargle and do everything else I'm supposed to do and yet my teeth keep falling out or get sick and have to be pulled out.
Yuck.
I visit my dentist twice a year for cleaning plus one or two other times a year for routine detal work. I brush, floss, gargle and do everything else I'm supposed to do and yet my teeth keep falling out or get sick and have to be pulled out.
Yuck.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Inaccurate info
President Obama has proudly spoken of creating 30,000 jobs with his stimulus program but a report released today cites many errors in the initial report Obmama quoted from. Dan Rather was fired because he failed to verify the accuracy or a report on President Bush's service record but only excuses are offered up for Obama's failure to do the same verifying.
Bush relied on a CIA report to justify going to war in Iraq and that report was later reported to be based on a lie.
One would think people who have power to push the big red button that can plunge the world into nuclear annihaltion would be a little more reponsible. Just a little, you think?
Bush relied on a CIA report to justify going to war in Iraq and that report was later reported to be based on a lie.
One would think people who have power to push the big red button that can plunge the world into nuclear annihaltion would be a little more reponsible. Just a little, you think?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Fat tax and other nonsence
The more I read about some of the things our elected officials are doing or trying to do to raise revenue for government, the more the flat tax makes sense. It's bad enough to pay tax on what we make and then have to pay tax on what we spend, but now there are proposals we will have to pay an extra tax based on how much we weigh. An example is the proposal that diet soda be taxed higher than regular soda because fat people drink diet soda.
Under the flat tax proposal, all taxes will be eliminated: no income taxes, no sales taxes, no hidden taxes, or taxes disguised as fees, or invisible taxes or value added taxes. It has been determined that we pay around 22% of our income on taxes of one kind or another so the proposed tax rate under the flat tax proposal is 22 %. The way this tax is designed, the value added tax paid by manufacturing is eliminated, the tax we pay on our income is eliminated, and all the other little taxes are done away with so all we are left with when we go to purchase an item is the actual cost of that item plus the suppliers profit. The item will retail for about 22% less than it does under our current tax system.
Under the flat tax system, we do not pay tax on what we earn. We only pay tax on what we spend.
I can see other advantages to this system that even the most ardent supporters of this tax system has not ever mentioned. The advantage has to do with percentages.
For example, lets say you earn $200.00 a week and want to purchase a widget that retails for $100.00. You earn your $200.00 and pay 15 % in income tax so you have $170.00 to spend. You buy the widget for the $100.00 plus 7% sales tax. That leaves you with $63.00.
Under the flat tax proposal, that $100.00 item would retail for 22% less, or $78.00You get your $200.00 pay check (no taxes, remember) and buy the widget for $78.00 plus tax at 22%. You pay a little over %95.00 for the item and have a little over $104.00 left.
Now lets say that inflation is at 4% and you receive a 3% pay increase. You now make $206.00 per week and the widget cost $104.00 You now have $175 to spend after taxes and the widget cost $111.00 including tax. You now have $64.00 left.
Under the flat tax, the widget retail would have increased to $81.00 so with tax the item costs you $99.00 You have $107.00 left.
Under the present system you net savings increased by $1.00. Under the flat tax, your savings increased by $3.00. Under the old system, the cost of the item went up by $4.00 but only $3.00 under the flat tax system. The reason is that cost and retail are figured on a percentage bases.
An example, if an item cost 65 cents to make and retails for $1.50, has a cost to make increase to 75 cents the retail doesn't increase by 10 cents, but by 22 cents. 75 is 15% larger than 65 and $1.72 is 15% larger than %1.50.
Under the present tax system, when a supply cost increases we not only have to pay for the cost of the supply, we have to pay that cost as a percentage increase plus we have to pay the value added tax as a percentage increase. Under the flat tax proposal, we would not be paying a percentage increase on the tax like we do under the current system.
I like the idea.
Under the flat tax proposal, all taxes will be eliminated: no income taxes, no sales taxes, no hidden taxes, or taxes disguised as fees, or invisible taxes or value added taxes. It has been determined that we pay around 22% of our income on taxes of one kind or another so the proposed tax rate under the flat tax proposal is 22 %. The way this tax is designed, the value added tax paid by manufacturing is eliminated, the tax we pay on our income is eliminated, and all the other little taxes are done away with so all we are left with when we go to purchase an item is the actual cost of that item plus the suppliers profit. The item will retail for about 22% less than it does under our current tax system.
Under the flat tax system, we do not pay tax on what we earn. We only pay tax on what we spend.
I can see other advantages to this system that even the most ardent supporters of this tax system has not ever mentioned. The advantage has to do with percentages.
For example, lets say you earn $200.00 a week and want to purchase a widget that retails for $100.00. You earn your $200.00 and pay 15 % in income tax so you have $170.00 to spend. You buy the widget for the $100.00 plus 7% sales tax. That leaves you with $63.00.
Under the flat tax proposal, that $100.00 item would retail for 22% less, or $78.00You get your $200.00 pay check (no taxes, remember) and buy the widget for $78.00 plus tax at 22%. You pay a little over %95.00 for the item and have a little over $104.00 left.
Now lets say that inflation is at 4% and you receive a 3% pay increase. You now make $206.00 per week and the widget cost $104.00 You now have $175 to spend after taxes and the widget cost $111.00 including tax. You now have $64.00 left.
Under the flat tax, the widget retail would have increased to $81.00 so with tax the item costs you $99.00 You have $107.00 left.
Under the present system you net savings increased by $1.00. Under the flat tax, your savings increased by $3.00. Under the old system, the cost of the item went up by $4.00 but only $3.00 under the flat tax system. The reason is that cost and retail are figured on a percentage bases.
An example, if an item cost 65 cents to make and retails for $1.50, has a cost to make increase to 75 cents the retail doesn't increase by 10 cents, but by 22 cents. 75 is 15% larger than 65 and $1.72 is 15% larger than %1.50.
Under the present tax system, when a supply cost increases we not only have to pay for the cost of the supply, we have to pay that cost as a percentage increase plus we have to pay the value added tax as a percentage increase. Under the flat tax proposal, we would not be paying a percentage increase on the tax like we do under the current system.
I like the idea.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Mistaken Identity
I have often heard the President of the USA referred to as the leader of the free world but that isn't correct; he isn't even the leader of the United States of America. No, I'm not mistaken: you are.
Our country is governed by three branches: congress, composed of the Senate and House of Representatives, which is responsible for making our laws, the Supreme Court, which is responsible for interpreting the laws to ensure they are constitutional. and the President, who is responsible for enforcing those laws.
The truth is, we have somehow come to expect that the members of congress who belong to the same party as the President will do their best to enact legislation that will reflect the Presidents will, those making him the leader. As a matter of principle, congress was elected to do two things; represent the will of the people through the house of representatives and the interests of the individual states through the senate. No where is it written otherwise, It is painfully obvious that our system of government does not function as intended,
I wonder what would happen if every member of congress and the President of the United States had never served in that job before? Elect no encumbents. What a novel concept (ha!)
Our country is governed by three branches: congress, composed of the Senate and House of Representatives, which is responsible for making our laws, the Supreme Court, which is responsible for interpreting the laws to ensure they are constitutional. and the President, who is responsible for enforcing those laws.
The truth is, we have somehow come to expect that the members of congress who belong to the same party as the President will do their best to enact legislation that will reflect the Presidents will, those making him the leader. As a matter of principle, congress was elected to do two things; represent the will of the people through the house of representatives and the interests of the individual states through the senate. No where is it written otherwise, It is painfully obvious that our system of government does not function as intended,
I wonder what would happen if every member of congress and the President of the United States had never served in that job before? Elect no encumbents. What a novel concept (ha!)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian and her sisters seem to dominate the news today like Paris Hilton did a few months ago and the Olsen twins before that.
Me?
I could care less about any of them.
Me?
I could care less about any of them.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Justice-or not.
I grew up when superman showed weekly on TV and father knew best and believed in truth, justice and the American way, that all men were created equal and that lady justice was blind which meant that truth will out because judgement was based only on facts and the proper interpretstion thereof and not on a person's wealth, social standing, fame, color, sexual orientation, nationality, or any other criteria but reality but truth is what we want it to be, justice isn't always fair, and the American way isn't always the best or even the right way, father doesn't always know best, and lady justice is blind, but all to often to truth and justice.
Too often innocent people are convicted, given too harsh a sentence, and kept in prison long after their innocence has been established, punishment is not administered uniformaly, and some guilty people are let out of prison way too early.
Often we want to punishment those that need help, help those that just need to be punished, and haven't a clue to tell the difference.
To be perfectly honest, our country has never been right but it seems that every time attempts are made to correct one set of injustices, others crop up to take that ones place. The worst thing is, Americans can no longer taught about problems and come to a sulotion. We know resort to name calling and charater bashing to get our pointsd across. Shame on all of us.
Too often innocent people are convicted, given too harsh a sentence, and kept in prison long after their innocence has been established, punishment is not administered uniformaly, and some guilty people are let out of prison way too early.
Often we want to punishment those that need help, help those that just need to be punished, and haven't a clue to tell the difference.
To be perfectly honest, our country has never been right but it seems that every time attempts are made to correct one set of injustices, others crop up to take that ones place. The worst thing is, Americans can no longer taught about problems and come to a sulotion. We know resort to name calling and charater bashing to get our pointsd across. Shame on all of us.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Ignorance is bliss
It seems Rocky Mount, NC and by association, all of small town southern American is receiving the blame for ten murder victims not receiving national press while a few white women have been featured as lead news stories by all facets of the media (one woman was actually oriental, but she was counted as being white because she wasn't black, it seems).
Not all WASPs are apathetic. I, for one, care. Why the women who gather national headlines do is not because they are white but because they are not only not a typical victim, they are often associated with influential people, hold influential positions, or have great potential, or their disappearance or murder is under highly unusual circumstances. The murder of ten prostitutes, no matter what color, does not fit any of the attention getting circumstances. In fact, these women behaved in the manner that is most likely to result in meeting a serial killer than any other lifestyle.
I'm sure there are a large number of non-white women whose death in like manner would drawn national attention and I can think of at least two whose death would not only drawn national attention but would dominate the news so much one would wish for the days of Michael Jackson and the OJ Simpson trial (the first one).
The truth is, serial killers are hard to catch, especially when the victims willingly get into a strangers car. In fact they willingly get into many different cars during the day and night, almost everyday.
Yea, I would like to very much see this serial killer caught and caught quickly but more than that, I want cases like this and the Green River Killer to draw attention to the victims and muster up a great deal of sympathy for them. Not just because they were murdered but because they are in a situation they cannot escape from without help. No one seems to care and that's the greatest tragedy of all.
Not all WASPs are apathetic. I, for one, care. Why the women who gather national headlines do is not because they are white but because they are not only not a typical victim, they are often associated with influential people, hold influential positions, or have great potential, or their disappearance or murder is under highly unusual circumstances. The murder of ten prostitutes, no matter what color, does not fit any of the attention getting circumstances. In fact, these women behaved in the manner that is most likely to result in meeting a serial killer than any other lifestyle.
I'm sure there are a large number of non-white women whose death in like manner would drawn national attention and I can think of at least two whose death would not only drawn national attention but would dominate the news so much one would wish for the days of Michael Jackson and the OJ Simpson trial (the first one).
The truth is, serial killers are hard to catch, especially when the victims willingly get into a strangers car. In fact they willingly get into many different cars during the day and night, almost everyday.
Yea, I would like to very much see this serial killer caught and caught quickly but more than that, I want cases like this and the Green River Killer to draw attention to the victims and muster up a great deal of sympathy for them. Not just because they were murdered but because they are in a situation they cannot escape from without help. No one seems to care and that's the greatest tragedy of all.
Bubbles
We had the housing bubble, the financial bubble, and we may well have a stimulus bubble. With the government borrowing and printing money with no assets to back it up, all this false money is generating real inbterest and real debt. Like living on credit cards and spending more than one makes, the piper will demand to be paid one day. If we can't pay the piper, we will lose everthing we have and the piper crashes as burns as well.
One day the stimulus bubble will burst.
One day the stimulus bubble will burst.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Can we win in Afganastan?
I'm no an advocate of the n-bomb although I believe we made the correct decision in WWII. I want to make this clear from the get-go. I am a veteran of foreign wars so I have offered up my life for my country sp I have more than a patriotic stake in this matter. I fought on land, in the air and at sea, behind the lines in tech support and at the front with weapon in hand. I believe I have a right to speak- a right I have earned.
Vietnam was lost for two reasons. One was we didn't have acheivable objectives and , two, we didn't fight in the proper manner. Our trouble in the middle east is we just don't know when to quit. In Afganistan, our objective was to topple the Taliban government and in Iraq, it was to topple Sadaa Hussein. We accomplished both objectives quickly. We should have just left when the ovjective was acheived.
If Sadaam retook the seat of government or the taliban moved back into leadership, we could have gone back in and kicked their ass out again. And we could do this forever. No, we just don't have enough sense to do this. We just had to go into the tiger's cage, slap it upside the head, and then go about cleaning up the mess the tiger had made, stopping only to slap the tiger in the face ever now and then. In the end, who is going to win this fight?
In wars like these, one cannot win just by kicking the ass of the enemy: one has to also win over their hearts and minds.
Vietnam was lost for two reasons. One was we didn't have acheivable objectives and , two, we didn't fight in the proper manner. Our trouble in the middle east is we just don't know when to quit. In Afganistan, our objective was to topple the Taliban government and in Iraq, it was to topple Sadaa Hussein. We accomplished both objectives quickly. We should have just left when the ovjective was acheived.
If Sadaam retook the seat of government or the taliban moved back into leadership, we could have gone back in and kicked their ass out again. And we could do this forever. No, we just don't have enough sense to do this. We just had to go into the tiger's cage, slap it upside the head, and then go about cleaning up the mess the tiger had made, stopping only to slap the tiger in the face ever now and then. In the end, who is going to win this fight?
In wars like these, one cannot win just by kicking the ass of the enemy: one has to also win over their hearts and minds.
Monday, October 19, 2009
legal mj/ no arrests
The government announced that it no longer intends to make arrests in the 14 states where medicinal MJ is legal. It is good that state rights be recognized. I just don't believe there should be but a hand full of people who actually need the benefits of m-probably no more than need alcohol to feel better.
One advantage of being old is that soon this madness will be over. Another is that I greww up in a time when a person could live this long.
One advantage of being old is that soon this madness will be over. Another is that I greww up in a time when a person could live this long.
This is so wrong
An article on MS NBC said experts didn't believe texting would affect one's ability to spell but something is sure affecting this girl's ability to communicate-and to thin clearly. Another young lady was concerned because her mother will no let her shave yet and she has been teased because of her arm hair. She asked if it is okay to trim it. Here is my young ladies response:
"i shave my arms just dont ask ur mums premittion do it anway i take it u have dark hair samee just keep the razors u used throw them away but like dump em in a bush sum wear and bye razors secretly get em in the house up ur top u can do anything with out ur mum knowing im on the pill nd she dnt know
3 minutes ago."
What we have is no capitalization, no punctuation, and very bad advice; and probably a young woman headed for a troubled life. The pill presents it's own problems and while it does help prevent pregnancy, it doesn't deter STD. Sneaking, fibbing to ones parents, and underage sex is not a lifestyle one should be proud of.
"i shave my arms just dont ask ur mums premittion do it anway i take it u have dark hair samee just keep the razors u used throw them away but like dump em in a bush sum wear and bye razors secretly get em in the house up ur top u can do anything with out ur mum knowing im on the pill nd she dnt know
3 minutes ago."
What we have is no capitalization, no punctuation, and very bad advice; and probably a young woman headed for a troubled life. The pill presents it's own problems and while it does help prevent pregnancy, it doesn't deter STD. Sneaking, fibbing to ones parents, and underage sex is not a lifestyle one should be proud of.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Jason Midyette
Jason Midyette
On February 24, 2006, Molly Midyette (right) called her pediatrician, saying her 10-month-old, Jason (center), was "out of sorts." Three hours later, the doctor examined Jason and insisted on admitting him immediately to a nearby emergency room. On seeing Jason's condition Elaine Rottinghaus, the emergency room nurse, called 911 to report the incident as one of the worst child abuse cases she'd ever seen. When Molly arrived at the hospital with her husband Alex Midyette (left), the son of a prominent Boulder, Colo., businessman, they had already retained a lawyer, who met them at the hospital, and both refused to talk to police. Jason was removed from life support on March 3, 2006, and died. The autopsy revealed that Jason's brain had been bleeding and that he had 37 fractures to his skull and body in various stages of healing. Coroner Tom Faure ruled that the baby had died of "blunt force craniocerebreal injuries." In 2007 a grand jury indicted both parents in Jason's death. Molly insisted she was unaware of any abuse, but on December 12, 2007, she was sentenced to 16 years in prison for criminal neglect in failing to seek help for her injured child. She asked for a new trial saying she had been bullied by her husband and his family, but her request was denied. Alex Midyette, who admitted to accidentally hitting his boy's head on a chair and table, was convicted on February 17, 2009, of criminally negligent child abuse resulting in death.
On February 24, 2006, Molly Midyette (right) called her pediatrician, saying her 10-month-old, Jason (center), was "out of sorts." Three hours later, the doctor examined Jason and insisted on admitting him immediately to a nearby emergency room. On seeing Jason's condition Elaine Rottinghaus, the emergency room nurse, called 911 to report the incident as one of the worst child abuse cases she'd ever seen. When Molly arrived at the hospital with her husband Alex Midyette (left), the son of a prominent Boulder, Colo., businessman, they had already retained a lawyer, who met them at the hospital, and both refused to talk to police. Jason was removed from life support on March 3, 2006, and died. The autopsy revealed that Jason's brain had been bleeding and that he had 37 fractures to his skull and body in various stages of healing. Coroner Tom Faure ruled that the baby had died of "blunt force craniocerebreal injuries." In 2007 a grand jury indicted both parents in Jason's death. Molly insisted she was unaware of any abuse, but on December 12, 2007, she was sentenced to 16 years in prison for criminal neglect in failing to seek help for her injured child. She asked for a new trial saying she had been bullied by her husband and his family, but her request was denied. Alex Midyette, who admitted to accidentally hitting his boy's head on a chair and table, was convicted on February 17, 2009, of criminally negligent child abuse resulting in death.
Review finds no chronic cocaine use
Billy Mays' family: Review finds no chronic cocaine use
Oct. 15, 2009, 1:38 PM EST
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The family of TV pitchman Billy Mays released the findings of an independent medical examiner Thursday, who concluded that the informercial star's cocaine use was not a significant contributing factor in his sudden death.
The report, released by a family spokeswoman, does not refute Mays' cocaine use, but states there is no evidence to suggest he was a chronic user. A review of the official autopsy also concludes that "cocaine was not a significant contributing factor" in his death.
"There is no evidence that Mr. Mays' death was related to acute cocaine intoxication with coronary artery spasm or dissection or even aortic dissection for that matter," wrote Dr. William Manion, the independent medical examiner who conducted the review. "Rather, the use of cocaine by Mr. Mays appears to have occurred a remote time several days before his death."
Mays, 50, was found dead in his family's Tampa condo in June.
The Hillsborough County medical examiner's office conducted the official autopsy. The office classified his death as "natural" but said that cocaine use contributed to the heart disease that killed him. Mays' family disagreed with that finding.
"We found this to be so upsetting that we asked for review by an independent medical examiner," Deborah Mays, the late pitchman's wife, said in a statement Thursday.
Manion, chief of pathology for Virtua Health, a multi-hospital health care system based in Marlton, N.J., wrote that he was asked to review the official autopsy and address "the question of whether or not cocaine was a significant contributing cause" in Mays' death.
Manion said that a review of Mays' past and family medical history indicated Mays had mild obesity, a history of smoking and two close relatives with heart conditions.
"Family and friends found no evidence of symptoms or signs of chronic drug use as would be expected in a long-term chronic drug abuser," Manion states in the report.
Other medical conditions consistent with chronic cocaine use — including kidney disease, stroke, and other cardiac conditions — were absent in the autopsy findings.
Hillsborough County released a statement Thursday, saying the medical examiner's office was "aware of media reports regarding a differing opinion of the cause of death," but that it stood by the findings in its autopsy report and had no further comment.
Mays was known for his energetic commercials pitching gadgets and cleaning products like Orange Glo and OxiClean. He got his start on TV on the Home Shopping Network and then branched out into commercials and infomercials. He developed such a strong following that he became the subject of a reality TV series, Discovery Channel's "Pitchmen."
If a man is killed in a head on car crash while exceeding a safe speed, does it really matter if he was going 5 mph too fast or 20 mph too fast? He is still dead.
This man's family can argue that he only drove too fast occasionally or that he wasn't really the speed that killed him but the object he hit while driving and the fact that he didn't have his seat belts on. He is still dead.
An occasional cocaine user is still a user of illegtal drugs. Maybe cocaine didn't kill him but it certainly didn't help. Use of cocaine damages the heart and it was heart failure that killed him: and he had cacaine in his sytem when he died. His family just needs to accept the truth and move on.
Oct. 15, 2009, 1:38 PM EST
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The family of TV pitchman Billy Mays released the findings of an independent medical examiner Thursday, who concluded that the informercial star's cocaine use was not a significant contributing factor in his sudden death.
The report, released by a family spokeswoman, does not refute Mays' cocaine use, but states there is no evidence to suggest he was a chronic user. A review of the official autopsy also concludes that "cocaine was not a significant contributing factor" in his death.
"There is no evidence that Mr. Mays' death was related to acute cocaine intoxication with coronary artery spasm or dissection or even aortic dissection for that matter," wrote Dr. William Manion, the independent medical examiner who conducted the review. "Rather, the use of cocaine by Mr. Mays appears to have occurred a remote time several days before his death."
Mays, 50, was found dead in his family's Tampa condo in June.
The Hillsborough County medical examiner's office conducted the official autopsy. The office classified his death as "natural" but said that cocaine use contributed to the heart disease that killed him. Mays' family disagreed with that finding.
"We found this to be so upsetting that we asked for review by an independent medical examiner," Deborah Mays, the late pitchman's wife, said in a statement Thursday.
Manion, chief of pathology for Virtua Health, a multi-hospital health care system based in Marlton, N.J., wrote that he was asked to review the official autopsy and address "the question of whether or not cocaine was a significant contributing cause" in Mays' death.
Manion said that a review of Mays' past and family medical history indicated Mays had mild obesity, a history of smoking and two close relatives with heart conditions.
"Family and friends found no evidence of symptoms or signs of chronic drug use as would be expected in a long-term chronic drug abuser," Manion states in the report.
Other medical conditions consistent with chronic cocaine use — including kidney disease, stroke, and other cardiac conditions — were absent in the autopsy findings.
Hillsborough County released a statement Thursday, saying the medical examiner's office was "aware of media reports regarding a differing opinion of the cause of death," but that it stood by the findings in its autopsy report and had no further comment.
Mays was known for his energetic commercials pitching gadgets and cleaning products like Orange Glo and OxiClean. He got his start on TV on the Home Shopping Network and then branched out into commercials and infomercials. He developed such a strong following that he became the subject of a reality TV series, Discovery Channel's "Pitchmen."
If a man is killed in a head on car crash while exceeding a safe speed, does it really matter if he was going 5 mph too fast or 20 mph too fast? He is still dead.
This man's family can argue that he only drove too fast occasionally or that he wasn't really the speed that killed him but the object he hit while driving and the fact that he didn't have his seat belts on. He is still dead.
An occasional cocaine user is still a user of illegtal drugs. Maybe cocaine didn't kill him but it certainly didn't help. Use of cocaine damages the heart and it was heart failure that killed him: and he had cacaine in his sytem when he died. His family just needs to accept the truth and move on.
Why certain things are.
updated 9:31 p.m. ET, Wed., Oct . 14, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO - A federal judge challenged the backers of California's voter-enacted ban on same-sex marriage Wednesday to explain how allowing gay couples to wed threatens conventional unions, a demand that prompted their lawyer to acknowledge he did not know.
The unusual exchange between U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker and Charles Cooper, a lawyer for the group that sponsored Proposition 8, came during a hearing on a lawsuit challenging the measure as discriminatory under the U.S. Constitution.
Cooper had asked Walker to throw out the suit or make it more difficult for those civil rights claims to prevail.
--------------------------------------------
A marriage between a man and a woman is not just a Christian institution but one practiced by all cultures and has been practiced from the earliest recorded history. Some people think marriage is just a piece of paper and other think it is a form of government intrusion into ones personal life. It must be something to it that all cultures believe necessary because all cultures practice marriage but one would be hard put to give a convincing argument as to why a marriage should be. One cannot use the "living in sin argument" because the argument would have to include why non-Christian people and people who do not believe in God still practice marriage and feel it is necessary. We just can not adequately explain why.
Certain things we have to take for granted although there is no bases in absolute truth as to why they have to be that way. If one was given a yard stick and a ruler and asked to build a house but was given plans in meters, the project would become infinity harder to accomplish. The reverse is also true. Given plans in inches, feet and yards and measuring tools in the metric system would be difficult. In order to function we have to have standards.
One can argue that a thirteen inch ruler can be used just effectively as a twelve inch ruler and one could not explain adequately why a twelve inch ruler has to be the standard. There is no law of nature or science that requires it to be that way; it just is. People have to have a standard in order to function efficiently.
It has been the standard that a marriage is always between a man and a woman and has been practised that way by all cultures from the beginning of recorded history. It never had to be that way any more than there had to be three feet in a yard, 100 points to a pica, or four quarts to a gallon. Those are just the standards adopted so we can function and communicate effectively.
Of course there is no reason why we should not be able to change our standards. It would probable be better if America was on the metric system. I have no idea how much is a bushel if some one else had not make a "bushel basket". I haven't a clue what a gram looks like although I don't think it's much of anything. Americans are confused about how to measure things because when they want something cut they hold up two fingers and want be to cut the item the distance between their two fingers but they have no clue how big or small that is. One lady asked be if 6 oz. was smaller than a quarter pound. The metric system would probably be easier to use but our government thinks we are not intelligent enough to transition from one system to another (while wanting us to become a multi-language culture). The government could possible be correct about us not being smart enough to adapt to the metric system. Eventually, English will die out in the US and Spanish will become our native tongue.
Maybe I can't give you a good enough reason why gays and lesbians should not get married. I can't tell you why any one does drugs or some people think it's cool to steal, or why any one doubts the existence of God. I can't prove that God exists or prove that he doesn't. He just says he does and I have to take him a face value, just like twelve inches equal a foot, three feet equal a yard, and marrriage is between one man and one one woman. That's the standard the world lives by.
SAN FRANCISCO - A federal judge challenged the backers of California's voter-enacted ban on same-sex marriage Wednesday to explain how allowing gay couples to wed threatens conventional unions, a demand that prompted their lawyer to acknowledge he did not know.
The unusual exchange between U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker and Charles Cooper, a lawyer for the group that sponsored Proposition 8, came during a hearing on a lawsuit challenging the measure as discriminatory under the U.S. Constitution.
Cooper had asked Walker to throw out the suit or make it more difficult for those civil rights claims to prevail.
--------------------------------------------
A marriage between a man and a woman is not just a Christian institution but one practiced by all cultures and has been practiced from the earliest recorded history. Some people think marriage is just a piece of paper and other think it is a form of government intrusion into ones personal life. It must be something to it that all cultures believe necessary because all cultures practice marriage but one would be hard put to give a convincing argument as to why a marriage should be. One cannot use the "living in sin argument" because the argument would have to include why non-Christian people and people who do not believe in God still practice marriage and feel it is necessary. We just can not adequately explain why.
Certain things we have to take for granted although there is no bases in absolute truth as to why they have to be that way. If one was given a yard stick and a ruler and asked to build a house but was given plans in meters, the project would become infinity harder to accomplish. The reverse is also true. Given plans in inches, feet and yards and measuring tools in the metric system would be difficult. In order to function we have to have standards.
One can argue that a thirteen inch ruler can be used just effectively as a twelve inch ruler and one could not explain adequately why a twelve inch ruler has to be the standard. There is no law of nature or science that requires it to be that way; it just is. People have to have a standard in order to function efficiently.
It has been the standard that a marriage is always between a man and a woman and has been practised that way by all cultures from the beginning of recorded history. It never had to be that way any more than there had to be three feet in a yard, 100 points to a pica, or four quarts to a gallon. Those are just the standards adopted so we can function and communicate effectively.
Of course there is no reason why we should not be able to change our standards. It would probable be better if America was on the metric system. I have no idea how much is a bushel if some one else had not make a "bushel basket". I haven't a clue what a gram looks like although I don't think it's much of anything. Americans are confused about how to measure things because when they want something cut they hold up two fingers and want be to cut the item the distance between their two fingers but they have no clue how big or small that is. One lady asked be if 6 oz. was smaller than a quarter pound. The metric system would probably be easier to use but our government thinks we are not intelligent enough to transition from one system to another (while wanting us to become a multi-language culture). The government could possible be correct about us not being smart enough to adapt to the metric system. Eventually, English will die out in the US and Spanish will become our native tongue.
Maybe I can't give you a good enough reason why gays and lesbians should not get married. I can't tell you why any one does drugs or some people think it's cool to steal, or why any one doubts the existence of God. I can't prove that God exists or prove that he doesn't. He just says he does and I have to take him a face value, just like twelve inches equal a foot, three feet equal a yard, and marrriage is between one man and one one woman. That's the standard the world lives by.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Study: Texting Does Not Affect Children’s Ability To Spell
Maybe so but sometimes texters forget who they are writing too. There was an article on a topic I was interested in but the writer used u r and other shortened versions of words and I found it annoying--so annoying I quit reading the article.
I suppose it doesn't change the world much if they write interestingly or whether I can stay focused enough to read what was written but what is the point of writing if the people interested in the topic aren't interested in the author's writing style?
I suppose it doesn't change the world much if they write interestingly or whether I can stay focused enough to read what was written but what is the point of writing if the people interested in the topic aren't interested in the author's writing style?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Koi Ponds and Water Gardens
I enjoy my water garden. Some may wonder what is the difference between a water garden and Koi Pond. Simply, a water garden is built so one can enjoy the various plants that grow only in and around water. One can be smaller and shallower than a pond for keeping koi. I've heard of groups of enthusiats that like to swap fish, plants, tips, and stories but not around here. Anyone know of such a group?
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise
Gomer Pile of USMC had an expression: Surprise, surprise, surprise. I wonder if the committee that gives the Nobel Peace Prize had that goofy look on their face when they made the announcemnt of this year's winner?
For those that don't know, the committe is appointed by the Netherland parliament, which is a socialist government. That helps explain why Ronald Reagan whose policies lead to the end of the Cold War and took the threat of nuclear war off the table didn't win but Al Gore who hasn't done anything of note except made a movie about a problem that may or may not exist and Barrack Obmama, who hasn't done anything of note except make promises to do something that may or may not need to be done won.
Dr. J calls The award and Obama the Velveteen Rabbit. Maybe so. obma approval ratings went up because of the award. Doesn't mean he did something note worthy. Just means some people have no concept of reality--just like the toys in the story.
For those that don't know, the committe is appointed by the Netherland parliament, which is a socialist government. That helps explain why Ronald Reagan whose policies lead to the end of the Cold War and took the threat of nuclear war off the table didn't win but Al Gore who hasn't done anything of note except made a movie about a problem that may or may not exist and Barrack Obmama, who hasn't done anything of note except make promises to do something that may or may not need to be done won.
Dr. J calls The award and Obama the Velveteen Rabbit. Maybe so. obma approval ratings went up because of the award. Doesn't mean he did something note worthy. Just means some people have no concept of reality--just like the toys in the story.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Cardinals vs Dodgers, game two, NLCS
If this was football, your team would be down by six with 12 seconds left on the clock and is forced to kick from thier own 30 yard line. Fans would be heading for the exit as the game is over except for the singing of the fat lady right?
Not so fast. Two out, bottom of the ninth, down two to one, and no one on base. The batter hits a lazy line drive to the left fielder, a player who only commits one error a year, and the game is over, so everyone thinks.
The fat lady had to sit down on this one. The ball was not caught and the Dodgers rally for a three to two win and a two zip lead in the series.
Not so fast. Two out, bottom of the ninth, down two to one, and no one on base. The batter hits a lazy line drive to the left fielder, a player who only commits one error a year, and the game is over, so everyone thinks.
The fat lady had to sit down on this one. The ball was not caught and the Dodgers rally for a three to two win and a two zip lead in the series.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
CBO: Bill Won't Raise Deficit
Whose deficit, mine or the governments?
Oh wait, aren't we suppose to be the same thing?
If I reduce my income through taxes isn't that increasing my deficit?
I'm confused. Exactly how is this bill supposed to benefit me?
Oh wait, aren't we suppose to be the same thing?
If I reduce my income through taxes isn't that increasing my deficit?
I'm confused. Exactly how is this bill supposed to benefit me?
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
CBO: Health care bill to cost $829 billion
CBO: Health care bill to cost $829 billion
Measure would cut federal deficit by $81 billion in 10 years, experts say
Is that like the $20.00 Mom saves when she buys a new dress, or the big sale at the hardware store where dad saves big? And exactly when has a measure only cost what the government thought it would?
Perhaps it is only fitting that since I contribute to the housing of the poor and help feed them too that I might as well pay for their medical care as well. One would think that at least the government would sent me a picture of the family I'm having to help support and yearly updates on their well being. Since I am soon to be retired, I just don't know how medicaid can be cut with out cutting benefits unless its the built in graft that is being eliminated.
It's kind of like when I was homeless and I drove my old beater to the bank to deposit my pay check and this young dude was leanning up against a Cadillac Escalade
while holding a stack of cash which he claimed to be several thousand dollars and then tried to bum a smake from me. There is just something wrong with the system when the honest working man has to pay for the upkeep of the takers. I don't mind helping those that are down on their luck, so to speak but in order to be down one must have been up. If one never had a job or just a meager job because he dropped out of school or has been arrested so many times no one ones to be around you, then I should not be expected to provide for your upkeep.
Exactly, how much of this $829 billion dollars am I expected to pay? More than what I can afford, I bet.
Measure would cut federal deficit by $81 billion in 10 years, experts say
Is that like the $20.00 Mom saves when she buys a new dress, or the big sale at the hardware store where dad saves big? And exactly when has a measure only cost what the government thought it would?
Perhaps it is only fitting that since I contribute to the housing of the poor and help feed them too that I might as well pay for their medical care as well. One would think that at least the government would sent me a picture of the family I'm having to help support and yearly updates on their well being. Since I am soon to be retired, I just don't know how medicaid can be cut with out cutting benefits unless its the built in graft that is being eliminated.
It's kind of like when I was homeless and I drove my old beater to the bank to deposit my pay check and this young dude was leanning up against a Cadillac Escalade
while holding a stack of cash which he claimed to be several thousand dollars and then tried to bum a smake from me. There is just something wrong with the system when the honest working man has to pay for the upkeep of the takers. I don't mind helping those that are down on their luck, so to speak but in order to be down one must have been up. If one never had a job or just a meager job because he dropped out of school or has been arrested so many times no one ones to be around you, then I should not be expected to provide for your upkeep.
Exactly, how much of this $829 billion dollars am I expected to pay? More than what I can afford, I bet.
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