The New York Times which originally reported the request on its Web site, said that it was President Barack Obama who asked Paterson to withdraw.
I'm sure this isn't the first time that Washington officials have interfered in state politics b ut isn't it up to the people of New York to dicide who they want for governor? If Pateron is weak, would he still win the primary?
Maybe I'm not right on this issue but somehow it seems very wrong to me. Maybe this country needs to find a way to do away with party politics because lately, the system has really begun to stink. It's always had a bad smell but know the stench is becoming unbearable.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Obama first, W. last
This country is so proud of itself for electing a non-white to be president we think it's a big deal Obama is the first. With the population mix of this country changing rapidly, there is the possiblity the George W. Bush could become known as the last white President of the USA.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Say what?
"And the state is paying two security guards $800 a day each to protect him."
I don't make that much a week. Where can I get a job like that?
I don't make that much a week. Where can I get a job like that?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Joe Wilson a racist?
According to Jimmy Carter, racism was behind Joe Wilson's "you lie comment" and maybe it was. Why is it so easy for people to decry whites as being racist when they disagree with a black person or object to an incident that seems to favor one of another race but no one cries racist when the situation is reversed. A perfect example is Kayne West grabbing the microphone from Taylor Swift and decrying the fact that Beyonce had a great video. What if Beonce had won that one and a white dude had grabbed the microphone from her and started singing Taylor Swift's praises. There would have been cries of racism.
The truth is, we are all racist. You can deny it all you want but if everyone examines themselves closely, one will find many examples of decisions based on preferences for one's own race at the expense of another. That's normal and natural.
Pretty women get much better service at the grocery store that unattractive women do; well dressed people receive more positive attention than poorly dressed people,
and handsome men are more likely to receive a promotion than their less good-looking counterparts. That's a fact of life. That's not racism. you say, but but the truth is, it goes to the same mindset. People react more positively towards other people they feel more comfortable around or would like to spend more time with.
Maybe Americans are afraid of Obama because they perceive his policies of redistribution the wealth. One one hand it seems blatantly wrong to take from one who has worked hard, worked smart, and are making their fortune and give that to people who aren't as successful. Then again, if one looks at the hundreds of years of oppression and prejudice some people faced and the opportunities denied to them. maybe it would seem reasonable that the wealthy got their opportunities because of the color of their skin instead of the natural selection of abilities. Maybe Obama is justifying to right a wrong and level the playing field.
Michael Jordan said a lot about prejudice in his acceptance speech to the Hall of Fame-about shuns and denied opportunities. It's one of the things that made him more competitive. It is one of the things that would make many people give up.
It is a human thing to do what is most convenient for ourselves. We expect certain behaviors from society but we don't necessarily want to follow those same behaviors ourselves. We would love to know that we can get into our vehicles and go where we want and arrive there safely. Yet maybe we haven't check our tire pressure or we drive a little faster than we should or maybe we speed up when the light is ready to change.
As a over twenty-one college student one feels they have the right to drink but as as adult we feel concerned that the university hasn't done enough to curb the growing number of student deaths related to alcohol consumption. Somehow, we feel we are not part of the problem when in fact we are.
The truth is we are all racisst. It's not just whites that are racist. If you are human, you have biased opions and racial preferences. But does that make Jimmy Carter right? Does that make what Joe Wilson said a racial statement? No, to me it just goes to another reason I have always thought Jimmy Carter was the most intellignet idiot I've ever known and the worst President during my life time (and that includes W).
Maybe what Joe Wilson was referring to, even with the provison in the proposed health care bill about denying benefits to non-citizens and non-legall residents, was the fact that hospital emergency rooms still provide care to everyone and are not allowed to ask for proof of citizenship. It's a big loophole that someone has to pay for.
I believe we elected Obama President because he was black. He talked like a white man and white American needed a black President to prove to the world we aren't prejuciced and blacks needed a black person in the white house to give them hope that American is truely the land of opportunity for all.
Now to not support Obama because he is black is just as idiotic as it was to elect him because he is black. He should not have been elcted because of his policies and he should not be supported because of his policies.
The truth is, we are all racist. You can deny it all you want but if everyone examines themselves closely, one will find many examples of decisions based on preferences for one's own race at the expense of another. That's normal and natural.
Pretty women get much better service at the grocery store that unattractive women do; well dressed people receive more positive attention than poorly dressed people,
and handsome men are more likely to receive a promotion than their less good-looking counterparts. That's a fact of life. That's not racism. you say, but but the truth is, it goes to the same mindset. People react more positively towards other people they feel more comfortable around or would like to spend more time with.
Maybe Americans are afraid of Obama because they perceive his policies of redistribution the wealth. One one hand it seems blatantly wrong to take from one who has worked hard, worked smart, and are making their fortune and give that to people who aren't as successful. Then again, if one looks at the hundreds of years of oppression and prejudice some people faced and the opportunities denied to them. maybe it would seem reasonable that the wealthy got their opportunities because of the color of their skin instead of the natural selection of abilities. Maybe Obama is justifying to right a wrong and level the playing field.
Michael Jordan said a lot about prejudice in his acceptance speech to the Hall of Fame-about shuns and denied opportunities. It's one of the things that made him more competitive. It is one of the things that would make many people give up.
It is a human thing to do what is most convenient for ourselves. We expect certain behaviors from society but we don't necessarily want to follow those same behaviors ourselves. We would love to know that we can get into our vehicles and go where we want and arrive there safely. Yet maybe we haven't check our tire pressure or we drive a little faster than we should or maybe we speed up when the light is ready to change.
As a over twenty-one college student one feels they have the right to drink but as as adult we feel concerned that the university hasn't done enough to curb the growing number of student deaths related to alcohol consumption. Somehow, we feel we are not part of the problem when in fact we are.
The truth is we are all racisst. It's not just whites that are racist. If you are human, you have biased opions and racial preferences. But does that make Jimmy Carter right? Does that make what Joe Wilson said a racial statement? No, to me it just goes to another reason I have always thought Jimmy Carter was the most intellignet idiot I've ever known and the worst President during my life time (and that includes W).
Maybe what Joe Wilson was referring to, even with the provison in the proposed health care bill about denying benefits to non-citizens and non-legall residents, was the fact that hospital emergency rooms still provide care to everyone and are not allowed to ask for proof of citizenship. It's a big loophole that someone has to pay for.
I believe we elected Obama President because he was black. He talked like a white man and white American needed a black President to prove to the world we aren't prejuciced and blacks needed a black person in the white house to give them hope that American is truely the land of opportunity for all.
Now to not support Obama because he is black is just as idiotic as it was to elect him because he is black. He should not have been elcted because of his policies and he should not be supported because of his policies.
BOGO Sales
Everyone likes a bargin but not everyone recognizes one. Not all stores make a customer buy multiple items during a BOGO (buy one, get one) sale but even so, a retailer will sell more of an item advertised that way than if the item was sold at half price or less.
Really!
Really!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Backyard moments two
The first shot is of a frog that is attempting to digest a baby bird that drowned in my small pond. The frog eventually jumped back into the pond where it drowned,
The second shot is of a red finch baby taking a nap on my bird bath.
The last shot is of Sandra Bullock who was never in my backyard, unfortunately.
Backyard Moments
These shots are from my backyard.
The first shot is of my lighthouse on top of the waterfall to the big pond. The bloom is from my Hipiscus Tree. The third shot is of three of my Koi: Big yellow (I know it is orange but it was yellow when I got it), Shark (orange with a black top) and Showa. The next shot is of my white Koi with black spots named, what else, Spot, The last shot is of my Sarasa Comet, Sasha.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Observation verified
38 years ago I concluded that children are born prejudiced as a defense mechanism. a recent study seems to verify that six month old kids are prejudiced. Check it out:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/214989?GT1=43002
http://www.newsweek.com/id/214989?GT1=43002
Monday, September 07, 2009
The case for bigotry
I'd heard many times as a youth that white people were prejudiced because the parents taught the children to be so. I was always bothered by that sterotyped statement because it removed from me the choice of deciding for myself how I would relate to other people but I couldn't prove to myself whether that statement had a ring of truth to it or not. But while in the service, I started observing things that were to lead me to my own answer.
The first thing I noticed happened while I was at a military base isolated from civilization in a remote foreighn country. None of the locals had never seen white or black people in their lives so they didn't not come with any learned prejudices or favortism towards either race. It was only after a few short months there that I began to hear the locals making derogatory remarks and I asked several why? It was because of the way they acted and related to other people I was told.
I adopted a boy from overseas and I noticed his reaction to me and to other strangers. If a visitor was from his own race he didn't not react or reacted fsavorably but he would cry when I came to near him. With that reaction and other things I observed I have come to the conclusion that prejudical behavior towards another is something we are born with and a trait that has to be educated out of us--not something that has to be taught.
No one has to teach a child how to lie or to be selfish. We do have to teach the importance of telling the truth and the rewards of sharing. We never have to teach our children to poke fun at fat people, or tall people, or short people, or red headed people, or people with pimples, or ugly people, or dumb people, or nerdy people, or--and this list can go on for a long time. Maybe you don't like rich people or Democrats, or people with tattoos, or people with a foreign accent. We do have to be reminded to celebrate diversity and to appreciate the role each of us plays in society.
One may oberve the behavior of peoples from other countires and know for sure this isn't just a black/white issue in America. When I lived in Texas, everyone's favorite jokes were about Aggies (Texas A & M) but I haven't a clue as to why. I believe that a babies world is so small and it's ability to communicate is so limited, that it's natural defense is to alert its protectors whenever it preceives uncomfort or threat, real or imagined. A stranger approaching a young child who feels vulnerable with most likely have a negative reaction to that stranger. it's an inborn survival technique and as that baby grows other, it begins to learn how to protect itself and how to more accurately recognize what is and what isn't a threat.
This trait isn't a white thing or brown thing or black thing or even a human thing. It is a natiral instinct for survival. Some people develop the ability to judge a person on thier own merits while others rely totally on childhood survival techniques.
There is one other thing I've learned--name-calling and blame placing isn't ever going to solve the problem. It's kind of like hitting the crying baby to make it be quiet. It just doesn't work. Everyone does know what will work but hitting the baby is easier.
The first thing I noticed happened while I was at a military base isolated from civilization in a remote foreighn country. None of the locals had never seen white or black people in their lives so they didn't not come with any learned prejudices or favortism towards either race. It was only after a few short months there that I began to hear the locals making derogatory remarks and I asked several why? It was because of the way they acted and related to other people I was told.
I adopted a boy from overseas and I noticed his reaction to me and to other strangers. If a visitor was from his own race he didn't not react or reacted fsavorably but he would cry when I came to near him. With that reaction and other things I observed I have come to the conclusion that prejudical behavior towards another is something we are born with and a trait that has to be educated out of us--not something that has to be taught.
No one has to teach a child how to lie or to be selfish. We do have to teach the importance of telling the truth and the rewards of sharing. We never have to teach our children to poke fun at fat people, or tall people, or short people, or red headed people, or people with pimples, or ugly people, or dumb people, or nerdy people, or--and this list can go on for a long time. Maybe you don't like rich people or Democrats, or people with tattoos, or people with a foreign accent. We do have to be reminded to celebrate diversity and to appreciate the role each of us plays in society.
One may oberve the behavior of peoples from other countires and know for sure this isn't just a black/white issue in America. When I lived in Texas, everyone's favorite jokes were about Aggies (Texas A & M) but I haven't a clue as to why. I believe that a babies world is so small and it's ability to communicate is so limited, that it's natural defense is to alert its protectors whenever it preceives uncomfort or threat, real or imagined. A stranger approaching a young child who feels vulnerable with most likely have a negative reaction to that stranger. it's an inborn survival technique and as that baby grows other, it begins to learn how to protect itself and how to more accurately recognize what is and what isn't a threat.
This trait isn't a white thing or brown thing or black thing or even a human thing. It is a natiral instinct for survival. Some people develop the ability to judge a person on thier own merits while others rely totally on childhood survival techniques.
There is one other thing I've learned--name-calling and blame placing isn't ever going to solve the problem. It's kind of like hitting the crying baby to make it be quiet. It just doesn't work. Everyone does know what will work but hitting the baby is easier.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Stock market recovery
Experts claim that it will take the stock market five to ten more years to fully recover, which to me is good news. My 401k is up 150% since February which leaves me with a net increase of 20% in my account over it's high just before the crash.
Contaminated Food Products
I always read stories of contaminated food with skepticism, especially those occurring at fast food restaurants and sealed containers, like one in the news now about a frog being in a can of diet Pepsi. I'm more willing to believe a story if it occurs in a regular restarant or in a place like an office where one worker doctor's up the coffee.
One story of contaminated foord involving a drink can I know is true because it happened to me. It was 1072 and I was in the US Navy aboard the USS Midway in the Gulf of Tonkin. One interprising sailor had a small refrigarator in ths quarters and sold soft drinks. I purchased a pepsi from him and I heard a rattling sound while taking the drink back to my bunk. It turned out that there was a quarter (25 cent piece) in the bottom of the can. I was a little shocked and somewhat miffed at having a foreign object in my soda but relieved it was something of value.
One story of contaminated foord involving a drink can I know is true because it happened to me. It was 1072 and I was in the US Navy aboard the USS Midway in the Gulf of Tonkin. One interprising sailor had a small refrigarator in ths quarters and sold soft drinks. I purchased a pepsi from him and I heard a rattling sound while taking the drink back to my bunk. It turned out that there was a quarter (25 cent piece) in the bottom of the can. I was a little shocked and somewhat miffed at having a foreign object in my soda but relieved it was something of value.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Fairy tales
Lady lumps and baby bumps and a pocket full of posies.
Are you glad government schools teach sex education so we will learn the truth about reproduction?
Are you glad government schools teach sex education so we will learn the truth about reproduction?
Responsible Debit Card Use
Some people can't handle credit cards (about 50% of us) and run up huge debts. Some people have problems with their debit cards as well. I was once in both categories but I am the type of person who learns from my mistakes. I never use credit cards, although my wife and I have one. Or rather she has one. I don't even know what it looks like.
I do have a debit card and it stays in my wallet except on Tuesdays. I use it to withdraw my weekly allowance from the ATM. The only other time I ever use it is to buy a tank of gas before i have the opportunity to get by the bank for my allowance. I just subtract the amount of the purchase from my withdrawal and I'm back on track.
A cashless society has it advantages but promoting fiscal responsibility isn't one of them. Using plastic to buy stuff with makes it easy to forget that the money supply is dwindling. Each week I decide what I need to spend money on: A tank of gas, a plant for the yard, a haircut, an oil change, a trip to visit my mother, or a project or want that I need to save up for. Sometimes it comes down to one need or another but not both. Paying cash brings home that reality while using plastic just postpones the inevitable: the piper will be paid or we will face dire consequences.
I do have a debit card and it stays in my wallet except on Tuesdays. I use it to withdraw my weekly allowance from the ATM. The only other time I ever use it is to buy a tank of gas before i have the opportunity to get by the bank for my allowance. I just subtract the amount of the purchase from my withdrawal and I'm back on track.
A cashless society has it advantages but promoting fiscal responsibility isn't one of them. Using plastic to buy stuff with makes it easy to forget that the money supply is dwindling. Each week I decide what I need to spend money on: A tank of gas, a plant for the yard, a haircut, an oil change, a trip to visit my mother, or a project or want that I need to save up for. Sometimes it comes down to one need or another but not both. Paying cash brings home that reality while using plastic just postpones the inevitable: the piper will be paid or we will face dire consequences.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
911 futility
Randleman's police department only staffs the department until 5 o'clock and calling 9-1-1 to have the cops enforce the noise ordinance is an exercise in futility. I wanted a nice quiet neighborhgood to live in and except for one family it is so. ..3
Why is there always one to make things bad for everyone?
Why is there always one to make things bad for everyone?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Rumors
I said the day the Michael jackson died that one day rumors will float around claiming he isn't dead and today that rumor finally hit the internet. A video showing an ambulance picking up Jackson's body was referenced with another video of a person who had a strong resembalnce to Jackson' backside hopping out of the back of an ambulance. The proof that Jackson is alive is not only did the person resemble Jackson from the back, the a,bulance was the same make and model as the one which picked the body up and had a similar if not identical paint job.
I'm sorry but I'm sure a city like city like Los Angelas has more than one ambulance and I'm sure more than one similar van was purchased. I'm almost positive that the city would have a similar paint job on all their ambulances. Every city I've ever lived in has standard designs for their equipment. Hardly reliable evidence that the person was Jackson or even a male.
I'm sorry but I'm sure a city like city like Los Angelas has more than one ambulance and I'm sure more than one similar van was purchased. I'm almost positive that the city would have a similar paint job on all their ambulances. Every city I've ever lived in has standard designs for their equipment. Hardly reliable evidence that the person was Jackson or even a male.
not so sure I want to go
USMagazine, August 26, 2009
Related: Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt
Meet the new Queen of Pop?
Spencer Pratt tells MTV's "The After Show" that his wife Heidi is the "new, modern day, 2010 Michael Jackson."
When host Jessi Cruickshank points out Jackson is dead, Spencer gestures to Heidi and says, "Yeah, but here it is, it's living, like the Holy Spirit."
"Like, Michael Jackson's in heaven," he continues.
Related: Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt
Meet the new Queen of Pop?
Spencer Pratt tells MTV's "The After Show" that his wife Heidi is the "new, modern day, 2010 Michael Jackson."
When host Jessi Cruickshank points out Jackson is dead, Spencer gestures to Heidi and says, "Yeah, but here it is, it's living, like the Holy Spirit."
"Like, Michael Jackson's in heaven," he continues.
Good idea
The governor of California has decided to use Craiglist, e-bay, and the internet to sell stuff to help reduce the states deficit. Maybe Obama could do the same for the rest of the country. We could sell Alaska back to Russia, Lousiana back to the country we bought them from, and swap New York for a % of the debt we owe China.
Instead of holding elections next year, maybe the various states can just aution the seats off to the highest bidders like some governors have.
I also have a plan for health care reform. If one is rich, then you receive the best of care. If you are middle class, then you get what you can afford. if you are employed but poor, you can go to the nurse-in-a-box places along with the unemployed but not broke yet crowd.
If you don't have a job and never had a job, and don't want a job, then you get to attend the end of life classes the government wants to give us. If you are not an American citizen and do not have a legal right to be in this country, you will be entitled to receive alternative medicine treatments in Mexico.
Instead of holding elections next year, maybe the various states can just aution the seats off to the highest bidders like some governors have.
I also have a plan for health care reform. If one is rich, then you receive the best of care. If you are middle class, then you get what you can afford. if you are employed but poor, you can go to the nurse-in-a-box places along with the unemployed but not broke yet crowd.
If you don't have a job and never had a job, and don't want a job, then you get to attend the end of life classes the government wants to give us. If you are not an American citizen and do not have a legal right to be in this country, you will be entitled to receive alternative medicine treatments in Mexico.
I think I'm going to be sick
http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/lunch-box-sandwich-recipes?gt1=47001
Would anyone really fix and then eat this c---.
Would anyone really fix and then eat this c---.
Recovery of economy
Word has it that it will take the stock market another five to ten years to fully recover from the bursting of the bubble. (two years ago, a panel of economists on NPR said the bursting of the bubble would be a slow leak-that turned out to be totally wrong).
For me that seems to be good news. So far my retirement stocks have increased in value 150% since February 16, 2009 so I have not only recovered all that was lost but gained a good percentage as well. It was hard to stay in the market but with a few tweaks here and there it has paid off. I have a car payment on one car and my mortgage but otherwise I live on a pay as I go plan. Sometimes it is tempting to borrow money on a credit card to buy some things I need to finish a few projects around the house but I am able to resist. I work too hard for my money to be giving any of my meagar wages to someone else.
If I could pay the balance off within 30 days the I can save enough money in that time period to pay cash for what I want. So far, the economic crisis has worked in my favor. My savings have increased dramatically and I was able to afford a home at a very good price. Now if only I could sell my mountain property.
For me that seems to be good news. So far my retirement stocks have increased in value 150% since February 16, 2009 so I have not only recovered all that was lost but gained a good percentage as well. It was hard to stay in the market but with a few tweaks here and there it has paid off. I have a car payment on one car and my mortgage but otherwise I live on a pay as I go plan. Sometimes it is tempting to borrow money on a credit card to buy some things I need to finish a few projects around the house but I am able to resist. I work too hard for my money to be giving any of my meagar wages to someone else.
If I could pay the balance off within 30 days the I can save enough money in that time period to pay cash for what I want. So far, the economic crisis has worked in my favor. My savings have increased dramatically and I was able to afford a home at a very good price. Now if only I could sell my mountain property.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Evil thoughts
My first thought after learning Ed Kennedy passed was now Obama only has 59 votes in the senate. Does that make me a bad person?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Time for a new party
If Obama can be defeated and the momentum taken out of his tenture in office and the bite removed from his words, the Republican Party might feel as if it has been rejuvenated. But after Bush and the mistakes of the GOP in the last eight years, I don't think America is ready for a revitalized republican Party. It is still the party of business, the ultra rich and the religious right.
What is needed is a new party, one that shows it cares about the people but also encourages self reliance while embracing business but not at the expense of the workers. Maybe it could be called the Progressive Party or the American Party.
What is needed is a new party, one that shows it cares about the people but also encourages self reliance while embracing business but not at the expense of the workers. Maybe it could be called the Progressive Party or the American Party.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
political cartoons and fat people
During this health care reform debate, several political cartoons have appeared that depict the high cost of health care is the USA on fat people. One of the most common reasons people file bankruptsy is because of medical bills and it is true that being overwight is not healthy, one cannot say because one is fat, everyone else's health care cost will increase.
Recently a local woman died. She was a beautiful women, in her fifties. Her identical twin sister died a year earlier. Car accidents, hunting accidents, injuries in war time (yes, we are at war), indudtrial accidents, failed murder attempts, cancers, industrial toxins, and other long term illnesses also take a toll on health care costs.
While probably true that for the average person costs of health care increases as they age, but so does the amount of ones income that is spent on health care. To be honest, I do not think that old people and fat people are the cause of the health care crisis in the USA.
Recently a local woman died. She was a beautiful women, in her fifties. Her identical twin sister died a year earlier. Car accidents, hunting accidents, injuries in war time (yes, we are at war), indudtrial accidents, failed murder attempts, cancers, industrial toxins, and other long term illnesses also take a toll on health care costs.
While probably true that for the average person costs of health care increases as they age, but so does the amount of ones income that is spent on health care. To be honest, I do not think that old people and fat people are the cause of the health care crisis in the USA.
Two Best Buy employees who tackled a shoplifter were fired for violating company policy
I understand the company policy. Many years ago. concealment of merchandise was considered proof and was all that was needed to get a conviction but the law now says that a shoplifter must have passed the registers thereby showing intent by passing up the last opportunity to pay for the items and the store must have continuance of evidence. (Store personnel must actually see the person pick-up an item, conceal it, and must not allow that person out of their sight until stopped).
Under shoplifting laws, an accused person did not have the right to sue the store or its employees if their detention was done in a reasonable manner but under current law, convictions are harder to get and the person must actually leave the store before many stores will stop a suspect. Once they leave the store it is not considered shoplifting but larceny and the accused does retain the right to sue a store if found not guilty of larceny.
Stores now require that only management level employees can stop a suspect to help protect the store from lawsuits and they also forbid employees from pursuing a suspect to prevent injury to the employee.
An employee can be disciplined for violating these policies because their actions in detaining or pursuing a suspect may prove to be mush more costly to the company than the value of the merchandise that was being stolen.
Under shoplifting laws, an accused person did not have the right to sue the store or its employees if their detention was done in a reasonable manner but under current law, convictions are harder to get and the person must actually leave the store before many stores will stop a suspect. Once they leave the store it is not considered shoplifting but larceny and the accused does retain the right to sue a store if found not guilty of larceny.
Stores now require that only management level employees can stop a suspect to help protect the store from lawsuits and they also forbid employees from pursuing a suspect to prevent injury to the employee.
An employee can be disciplined for violating these policies because their actions in detaining or pursuing a suspect may prove to be mush more costly to the company than the value of the merchandise that was being stolen.
Friday, August 21, 2009
The first ladies pants
Michelle wore shorts and the media reported some people were upset but so far no one has been quoted directly as being upset. I certainly wasn't upset by the shot of her wearing shorts. I was surprised when I found out that the guy on the right with the boobs was actually the first lady but I certainly wasn't upset by her shorts.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Definition: Open Mind
If you listen to my ideas then you have an open mind, but if you won't, then you are a closed minded person. A liberal wants you to tolerate their ideas, tolerate new ways of thinking, and entertain the ideas of change but don't dare disagree with them or they will hurt you or your business. In the story below, some customers disagree with the president of whole foods political views so are calling for a boycott.
I guess it is true: If you agree with Obama, you are liberated, if you don't you are un-American.
Why investors should cross Whole Foods off their shopping lists
Posted Aug 17 2009, 02:15 PM by Minyanville Filed under: Toyota, Whole Foods, Todd Harrison
This article was written by Minyanville's Josh Lipton
The Mother Earth-friendly crowd might enjoy the natural, organic foods lining the pristine shelves of their neighborhood Whole Foods Market (WFMI), but some of them don’t seem as appreciative of the politics of the company’s chief executive.
John Mackey, the controversial co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods, penned an editorial last week in The Wall Street Journal, in which he came down hard on Obama’s health care reform plan. Mackey called for a move toward “less government control and more individual empowerment” rather than “a massive new health-care entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded deficits and move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care system.”
Bing: Whole Foods
Unsurprisingly, not all of Mackey’s Prius (TM)-driving customers appear to agree with his views. (Though he's certainly managed to alienate them before: see CEOs Gone Wild: John Mackey for more.) Now, some of these once loyal patrons are threatening to boycott Whole Foods to demonstrate their opposition.
Those Whole Foods shoppers with a left-leaning political bias and a modem bent have moved to the Internet, where they’re reportedly calling for a boycott on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. Read More...
Discuss (3 comments) 277 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this
A Whole Foods boycott?
Posted Aug 17 2009, 01:44 PM by Kim Peterson Rating: Filed under: Kim Peterson, Whole Foods
There is a small movement afoot to boycott Whole Foods (WFMI) after chief executive John Mackey wrote an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal suggesting eight fixes for health care.
More than 10,000 people have joined the "Boycott Whole Foods" Facebook page. The site decries what it sees as Whole Foods' anti-union, anti-health insurance reform, right-wing stance. "Whole Foods has the right to be as hateful and selfish as they wanna be," the page states. "We also have the right to starve them of our $."
Bing: More on John Mackey
I read Mackey's piece, and I'm sure he didn't set out to enrage the good portion of his customer base that leans left. But some customers are upset, particularly with Mackey's decision to include this quote from Margaret Thatcher at the beginning: "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money."
Here's the CliffsNotes version of the rest of the piece: Read More...
Discuss (47 comments) 3,266 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this
I guess it is true: If you agree with Obama, you are liberated, if you don't you are un-American.
Why investors should cross Whole Foods off their shopping lists
Posted Aug 17 2009, 02:15 PM by Minyanville Filed under: Toyota, Whole Foods, Todd Harrison
This article was written by Minyanville's Josh Lipton
The Mother Earth-friendly crowd might enjoy the natural, organic foods lining the pristine shelves of their neighborhood Whole Foods Market (WFMI), but some of them don’t seem as appreciative of the politics of the company’s chief executive.
John Mackey, the controversial co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods, penned an editorial last week in The Wall Street Journal, in which he came down hard on Obama’s health care reform plan. Mackey called for a move toward “less government control and more individual empowerment” rather than “a massive new health-care entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded deficits and move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care system.”
Bing: Whole Foods
Unsurprisingly, not all of Mackey’s Prius (TM)-driving customers appear to agree with his views. (Though he's certainly managed to alienate them before: see CEOs Gone Wild: John Mackey for more.) Now, some of these once loyal patrons are threatening to boycott Whole Foods to demonstrate their opposition.
Those Whole Foods shoppers with a left-leaning political bias and a modem bent have moved to the Internet, where they’re reportedly calling for a boycott on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. Read More...
Discuss (3 comments) 277 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this
A Whole Foods boycott?
Posted Aug 17 2009, 01:44 PM by Kim Peterson Rating: Filed under: Kim Peterson, Whole Foods
There is a small movement afoot to boycott Whole Foods (WFMI) after chief executive John Mackey wrote an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal suggesting eight fixes for health care.
More than 10,000 people have joined the "Boycott Whole Foods" Facebook page. The site decries what it sees as Whole Foods' anti-union, anti-health insurance reform, right-wing stance. "Whole Foods has the right to be as hateful and selfish as they wanna be," the page states. "We also have the right to starve them of our $."
Bing: More on John Mackey
I read Mackey's piece, and I'm sure he didn't set out to enrage the good portion of his customer base that leans left. But some customers are upset, particularly with Mackey's decision to include this quote from Margaret Thatcher at the beginning: "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money."
Here's the CliffsNotes version of the rest of the piece: Read More...
Discuss (47 comments) 3,266 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this
What if John Edwards had won the Democratic nomination? What if he were president?
He didn't. Why speculate? There are enough problems in the real world so let us deal with them.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Woman sues marriot over rape
Three years ago, a woman was raped at gunpoint in front of her children at a Connecticut hotel. She sued. Now the hotel says she was careless and negligent.
Her claim is that a hotel employee saw a man loitering in the garage area and didn't question him as to why he was there. Apparently his presence didn't bother her enough to seek hotel security or police assistance. If she wasn't alert enough, or concerned enough about her safety and the safety of her children to alert security or the cops, then why would she expect the hotel to be concerned enough to question the man.
The article doesn't say if the victim was of one race and the rapist was of the same or different race but if the rapist was black and was questioned about his presence, couldn't that be construed as racial profiling and maybe the rapist could have sued the hotel for discrimination or cost them business by insinuating the motel.hotel chain was racist.
Cops couldn't stop and question the man because of probably cause laws and unless the employee saw the same man over an extended period of time he may not have had any idea that the rapist was a maintenance worker, a grounds keeper, a quest, or had some other legitimate reason to be there.
It it should have been obvious to the motel worker the man was dangerous, it should have been equally obvious to the victim that the man was dangerous.
I'm sorry she was raped but I'll have to side with the motel on this issue. When are Americans going to start taking responsibility for their own actions and stop blaming others?
Her claim is that a hotel employee saw a man loitering in the garage area and didn't question him as to why he was there. Apparently his presence didn't bother her enough to seek hotel security or police assistance. If she wasn't alert enough, or concerned enough about her safety and the safety of her children to alert security or the cops, then why would she expect the hotel to be concerned enough to question the man.
The article doesn't say if the victim was of one race and the rapist was of the same or different race but if the rapist was black and was questioned about his presence, couldn't that be construed as racial profiling and maybe the rapist could have sued the hotel for discrimination or cost them business by insinuating the motel.hotel chain was racist.
Cops couldn't stop and question the man because of probably cause laws and unless the employee saw the same man over an extended period of time he may not have had any idea that the rapist was a maintenance worker, a grounds keeper, a quest, or had some other legitimate reason to be there.
It it should have been obvious to the motel worker the man was dangerous, it should have been equally obvious to the victim that the man was dangerous.
I'm sorry she was raped but I'll have to side with the motel on this issue. When are Americans going to start taking responsibility for their own actions and stop blaming others?
Thursday, August 13, 2009
It doesn't matter the color, all Presidents lie
The only difference ; if you criticize Obama, you are a racist.
A liberal believes Conservatives are closed minded. A conservative believes he has sound principles to live by.
Some people believed Best Buy was selling $1700.00 TV's for $9.99,
Some people believe Jesus was a white man. Some proposed that he was black just for the shock value. Some people think Obama is Jesus.
Opponenrs of helth care freform think Democrats want to kill the elderly and control the masses by controlling ones access to health care and having access to all your personal records. Democrats think everyone who believes that is crazy.
Obama believes any kind of change is better than the status quo if the status quo isn't perfect. We all can believe in that.
A liberal believes Conservatives are closed minded. A conservative believes he has sound principles to live by.
Some people believed Best Buy was selling $1700.00 TV's for $9.99,
Some people believe Jesus was a white man. Some proposed that he was black just for the shock value. Some people think Obama is Jesus.
Opponenrs of helth care freform think Democrats want to kill the elderly and control the masses by controlling ones access to health care and having access to all your personal records. Democrats think everyone who believes that is crazy.
Obama believes any kind of change is better than the status quo if the status quo isn't perfect. We all can believe in that.
Deli Meat slugfeast
An article in the Courier highlighted the controversial decision by Harris-Teeter to switch from Deitz and Watson to Boar's Head. There is lots of money at stake in the decision but the article was misleading in one point. While it's true that H-T has over 100 stores not all are making the switch at once. For now, only the higher volume stores are changing.
The switch is expensive and time-consuming. Yes, it's a big deal. Boar's head furnished all relevant employees with hats, smocks, and shirts as well as company help during the promotional period and will provide a permanent worker who will be responsible for product rotation, ordering, and stocking.
Deitz and Watson plan to hold a taste test to gather ammunition to fight back with so they can regain the H-T business. Taste isn't the issue here and Deitz and Watson
can't win on those arguments. New Coke won in taste tastes agaisnt Coke classic and we all know what happened in that situation.
I've heard the customer complaints. Not once has anyone commented on rather having Deitz and Watson back or not liking Boarh's head nor have there been complaint about the price. The number one complaint has been the elimination of the Harris-Teeter brand from about the mix in the Fresh Foods (Deli) Department.
The switch is expensive and time-consuming. Yes, it's a big deal. Boar's head furnished all relevant employees with hats, smocks, and shirts as well as company help during the promotional period and will provide a permanent worker who will be responsible for product rotation, ordering, and stocking.
Deitz and Watson plan to hold a taste test to gather ammunition to fight back with so they can regain the H-T business. Taste isn't the issue here and Deitz and Watson
can't win on those arguments. New Coke won in taste tastes agaisnt Coke classic and we all know what happened in that situation.
I've heard the customer complaints. Not once has anyone commented on rather having Deitz and Watson back or not liking Boarh's head nor have there been complaint about the price. The number one complaint has been the elimination of the Harris-Teeter brand from about the mix in the Fresh Foods (Deli) Department.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Talk me into death
There seems to be some controversy about page 435 of the house bill on health care reform. Some say it's the governments way of getting rid of old people. In the Asheboro paper, one columnists laughed at the looney right and said the provisions on page 435 were just to insure that doctors are fairly compesated for their consulting services.
His arguments were well made and seemed to make nay-sayers seem foolish. But there was a basic flaw in his conclusion that page 435 was just to make sure doctors were fairly conpensated for their services. That flaw, as I see it, is that doctors consult with patients on many issues and good doctors will discuss optional treatment methods with their patients. Those situations were ignored on page 435. The only consulting that the doctors are guarenteed fair compensdation for is for living-will and end of life consulting.
How quaint!
His arguments were well made and seemed to make nay-sayers seem foolish. But there was a basic flaw in his conclusion that page 435 was just to make sure doctors were fairly conpensated for their services. That flaw, as I see it, is that doctors consult with patients on many issues and good doctors will discuss optional treatment methods with their patients. Those situations were ignored on page 435. The only consulting that the doctors are guarenteed fair compensdation for is for living-will and end of life consulting.
How quaint!
One's insensitive
Of these three men, one was called a racist, another claimed the racist acted stupidly, and the third man demanded an apology. In case you arn't aware of who these men are, one (the alleged racist is a police office) Mr. Crowley. The second man is Mr. Gates, a professor at Harvard who has a high opinion of himself, and the third is Barrack Obama, the current President of the United States of America who happens to hold the world record in spending this country into debt.
Now professor Gates is in his eighties and as such would have a difficult time walking down so many steps. True to form, the President is oblivious to what is going on around him. Mr. Crowley is the one helping the older gentleman down the steps.
I gave Obama the benefit of the doubt and said he wasn't aware of what was happening around him. Even if that were true, which isn't at all a good quality for our countries leader to have, it still is better than the other option: that he just doesn't give a damn.
You decide: fool or jerk
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Why Clinton?
The big question lately is what did the USA trade of the release of the two journalists from North Korea. According to one of the journalists, all Kim Jong Il wanted was Bill Clinton in his country and the photo op. Now how does one go about explointing that picture for his own benefit?
Maybe the organization that Bill clinton heads is causing the North Koreans problems and considering the reputation Bill has with women, perhaps Il thought Bill might compromise himself if allowed to travel half way around the world with two grateful women.
Maybe the organization that Bill clinton heads is causing the North Koreans problems and considering the reputation Bill has with women, perhaps Il thought Bill might compromise himself if allowed to travel half way around the world with two grateful women.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
links to no where
It seems that the latest gimmick in journalism in the link. More and more stories are being written where there is a link at the end of each paragraph. One such story was on "Mom" jeans, a term I had never heard or paid attention to until Obmama was accused of wearing a pair when he threw out the opening pitch during a ball game.
Now if I had writtten that it the new style, I would have included a link to Mom jeansand asked where Obama was when he was seen wearing a pair and included a link to that story.
I don't have time for that foolishness. If one is going to write a story then say what you have to say. It's okay to add a link if providing a way for the reader to gain more in dept information or to provide background to the story one is writting. To add one to the end of every paragraph or sentence makes for as much pleasure in reading as trying to eat dinner with a fork in your eyeball.
Here is an example article:
What are "mom jeans," and why do people make fun of them?
President Barack Obama has been accused of wearing them. The women of "Saturday Night Live" spoofed them. Jessica Simpson ended up on magazine covers because of them. We search for more on the fashion don't that is "mom jeans."
What are they? Key mom jeans features include a high waist, tapered legs, light blue denim and unflattering fit. (Search found photos.)
Live from New York: "Saturday Night Live" stars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler helped further the anti-mom-jeans cause with their 2003 commercial parody. (Watch the video.)
Hail to the not-so-chic: President Obama was accused of wearing the dad's version of mom jeans when he threw out the first pitch at this year's MLB All-Star game. (What did he say about his fashion sense?)
Major fashion victim: Jessica Simpson took some heat for wearing mom jeans, causing speculation about her weight gain. (See pictures of her in the jeans.)
Not just for moms: Some famous, young, childless women seem determined to popularize the denim atrocities. (Who are they?)
Haute couture: High-waisted, pleated jeans were seen on one designer's runways this spring. (Who was it?)
The queen of talk: Oprah Winfrey joined other women on her show for much-needed denim interventions. (See photos of the blue jeans makeovers.)
Not as tasty as it sounds: One side effect of ill-fitting jeans is the dreaded "muffin top." (Find out more about this fashion no-no.)
In that short article there are thirteen (13) links. Who has the time or patience to search that many links, especially about something as mundane as "mom" jeans.
Now if I had writtten that it the new style, I would have included a link to Mom jeansand asked where Obama was when he was seen wearing a pair and included a link to that story.
I don't have time for that foolishness. If one is going to write a story then say what you have to say. It's okay to add a link if providing a way for the reader to gain more in dept information or to provide background to the story one is writting. To add one to the end of every paragraph or sentence makes for as much pleasure in reading as trying to eat dinner with a fork in your eyeball.
Here is an example article:
What are "mom jeans," and why do people make fun of them?
President Barack Obama has been accused of wearing them. The women of "Saturday Night Live" spoofed them. Jessica Simpson ended up on magazine covers because of them. We search for more on the fashion don't that is "mom jeans."
What are they? Key mom jeans features include a high waist, tapered legs, light blue denim and unflattering fit. (Search found photos.)
Live from New York: "Saturday Night Live" stars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler helped further the anti-mom-jeans cause with their 2003 commercial parody. (Watch the video.)
Hail to the not-so-chic: President Obama was accused of wearing the dad's version of mom jeans when he threw out the first pitch at this year's MLB All-Star game. (What did he say about his fashion sense?)
Major fashion victim: Jessica Simpson took some heat for wearing mom jeans, causing speculation about her weight gain. (See pictures of her in the jeans.)
Not just for moms: Some famous, young, childless women seem determined to popularize the denim atrocities. (Who are they?)
Haute couture: High-waisted, pleated jeans were seen on one designer's runways this spring. (Who was it?)
The queen of talk: Oprah Winfrey joined other women on her show for much-needed denim interventions. (See photos of the blue jeans makeovers.)
Not as tasty as it sounds: One side effect of ill-fitting jeans is the dreaded "muffin top." (Find out more about this fashion no-no.)
In that short article there are thirteen (13) links. Who has the time or patience to search that many links, especially about something as mundane as "mom" jeans.
Monday, August 03, 2009
crime and recession
The cost ($28,000) to house a prisoner for a year in a NC prison is finally causing lawmakers to consder changes to our laws to reduce the number of people in our prison system. Indeed they should but not because of the cost. If we are having to build more and more prisons then at some point we have to realize the system isn't working.
One of the situations I've been pointing out for years is with crack addicted girls working the streets, selling their bodies tor money to get their next fix. Society, in an effort to convince these women to stop doing what they are doing is actually making it impossible to "get out" of the business.
They move from place to place, no permanent home, and with their worldly pocession stuffed into black plastic garbage bags. When they are arrested, they lose everything. When released after two or three days in jail they no longer have a place to live or any clothes so they have to start working again to afford a room for the night and a change of clothing.
Somehow it just seems so much cheaper to get these women drug treatment, phycological treatment, and job trainning, and give them a helping hand to enable them to start live again as a clean productive person.
One of the situations I've been pointing out for years is with crack addicted girls working the streets, selling their bodies tor money to get their next fix. Society, in an effort to convince these women to stop doing what they are doing is actually making it impossible to "get out" of the business.
They move from place to place, no permanent home, and with their worldly pocession stuffed into black plastic garbage bags. When they are arrested, they lose everything. When released after two or three days in jail they no longer have a place to live or any clothes so they have to start working again to afford a room for the night and a change of clothing.
Somehow it just seems so much cheaper to get these women drug treatment, phycological treatment, and job trainning, and give them a helping hand to enable them to start live again as a clean productive person.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Separate but equal
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino told WCVB-TV the city needs "to rid the department of that cancer."
"An individual preaching hate has no place in our society," Menino told the local television station.
A young police officer quoted what has been determined to be a racial slur on an e-mail and has been suspended from his job. Majpr Menino seems to be on a witch hunt. I believe if I was a white police officer in MA, considering the attitude of the mayor and the President of the United States, I would be looking for a more secure line of employement.
Maybe the solution is to have two police departments: On staffed with white cops who can arrest only white people asnd one staffed by manority cops who can arrest anyone.
Now that would be dealing with the situation "stupidly"
"An individual preaching hate has no place in our society," Menino told the local television station.
A young police officer quoted what has been determined to be a racial slur on an e-mail and has been suspended from his job. Majpr Menino seems to be on a witch hunt. I believe if I was a white police officer in MA, considering the attitude of the mayor and the President of the United States, I would be looking for a more secure line of employement.
Maybe the solution is to have two police departments: On staffed with white cops who can arrest only white people asnd one staffed by manority cops who can arrest anyone.
Now that would be dealing with the situation "stupidly"
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
I actually shopped at Wal*Mart
Wal*Mart has great prices, lousy customer service, and bad benefits for employees (which, I admit, may still be better than what the Mom and Pops stores could have afforded to offer). Still, I have resisted shopping there for items I could get elsewhere, especially if shopping locally (from local vendors) was a viable option. But sometimes one just feels like they are being used and enough is enough.
It's not necessarily the fault of local retailers but sometimes operating at a loss is a necessary evil and I'm rather tired of being the one that costs get passed on to. The state wants to raise my taxes, airlines want to charge extra fees, employers want to reduce hours, and manufactures want to pass along cost increases or revenue declines to me.
What I purchased was fish food. I have a backyard water garden with a few fish in the pond. I have been buying Blue Ridge Koi food for years for three reasons. It is a quality food at a reasonable price, I have to shop local pet stores to get it, and it is made in Kernersville. Last year I bought the stuff at Williams Hardware for $7.95 for a three pound bag. I have seen it at other stores for that price to a dollar less but Williams was local. I went in to get some the other day and they wanted $10.99 for the three pound bag. I checked other retailers and found the food for $11.99 a bag.
I'm sure sales are down so the supplier is trying to stay in business at my expenses. I'm sorry but enough is enough. I purchased a 5 pound bag of Wardleys Koi food for $12.86 at Wal*Mart. Sorry guys, but I have to survive too.
Talking about surviving. The stock market fell from 12,000 to around 6,000 and many people lost a lot of money, including myself. But I stuck it out by continually telling myself I'm buying more stock at a cheaper price. My gamble payed off. At 9,000 I have recovered all my money and then some. Yea.
It's not necessarily the fault of local retailers but sometimes operating at a loss is a necessary evil and I'm rather tired of being the one that costs get passed on to. The state wants to raise my taxes, airlines want to charge extra fees, employers want to reduce hours, and manufactures want to pass along cost increases or revenue declines to me.
What I purchased was fish food. I have a backyard water garden with a few fish in the pond. I have been buying Blue Ridge Koi food for years for three reasons. It is a quality food at a reasonable price, I have to shop local pet stores to get it, and it is made in Kernersville. Last year I bought the stuff at Williams Hardware for $7.95 for a three pound bag. I have seen it at other stores for that price to a dollar less but Williams was local. I went in to get some the other day and they wanted $10.99 for the three pound bag. I checked other retailers and found the food for $11.99 a bag.
I'm sure sales are down so the supplier is trying to stay in business at my expenses. I'm sorry but enough is enough. I purchased a 5 pound bag of Wardleys Koi food for $12.86 at Wal*Mart. Sorry guys, but I have to survive too.
Talking about surviving. The stock market fell from 12,000 to around 6,000 and many people lost a lot of money, including myself. But I stuck it out by continually telling myself I'm buying more stock at a cheaper price. My gamble payed off. At 9,000 I have recovered all my money and then some. Yea.
Victimless crime
Of course everyone knows that self-medicating is a victimless crime. Tell that to the family of the young woman who was beaten to death because she couldn't get money for her kidnapper. Tell that to our soldiers who are fighting an enemy financed from drug money. Tell that to the young women walking the streets of our nation selling their bodies in order to get money for drugs.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
He's surprised?
“I have to say I’m surprised by the controversy surrounding my statement, because I think it was a pretty straightforward commentary that you probably don’t need to handcuff a guy — a middle-aged man who uses a cane who was in his own home,” Obama said in an ABC News interview Thursday night
And exactly how tall does one have to be to walk back into his house and get a gun and shoot someone? Police handcuff all suspects, male, female, white, black, old, young, and all other discriptions as a matter of policy. They even handcuff prisoners while they process the paperwork when the prisoner is being released.
So now, is Obama going to detate police procedures and make it improper to handcuff old people using a cane or just black college professor's? What if the professor had only been a part time teacher at Randolph cimmunity College? Would it have been proper to handcuff him then?
Maybe we just put healtj insurance reform legislation on hold while Obama works out all the details of who can and cannot be handcuffed. Maybe it would be better if all future burlary in process calls be ignored if the suspect is determined to be a black male.
Personally I have encountered some black males who were too ready to accused me of being racists. One example occured when I worked at a convenience store. It was a slow day, a rare and welcomed event. A black male pulled up to pump number 5, inserted his credit card and proceeded to pump his gas. About a minute later a car pulled up to pump number nine (the pump most people choose if they are going to drive off without paying) A young woman (hot, may I add without being accused of being sexist)dressed only in a tiny bikini, started pumping gas without either using a credit or debit card or without prepaying.
Now who exactly do you think I was looking at (being a red blooded straight American male). Guess what happened? No, I didn't get a date with the girl but the man came into the store and accused me of watching him and of being a racist.
Another time while working at my regular job I was talking with a customer when a black male came up to the customer and accused him of being a racist and very upset because "you keep watching me without cause." I explainned to the man thast no one was watching him. The person I was talking to had no reason to watch him as he was just a customer.
I could cite example after example but I believe you have the proper picture. I'm not saying racist doesn't occur. I know it does. On my former blog I always posted stories of people, manly black men, who were released from prison after being wrongly accused and convicted of crimes.
I've heard the professors version and I've heard the officer's version and having watched hours and hours of cop shows, I would tend to believe the cop. I have seen instances of cops bullying suspects. A perfect example is on one episode, the sheriif's department in Davidson County was featured. There wasn't enough real crime so a prostitution sting was set up. The local cops grabbed a fat man and drug the dazed and confused man to the pavement and handcuffed him. I honestly believe they (the cops) were trying to act tough for the cameras. I also believe that if they has asked the man to step out of his vehicle, he would have done so. In most situations, the cops just issued the john a citation. There was no need for brute force just like there is no need for Obama to be running off at the mouth.
And exactly how tall does one have to be to walk back into his house and get a gun and shoot someone? Police handcuff all suspects, male, female, white, black, old, young, and all other discriptions as a matter of policy. They even handcuff prisoners while they process the paperwork when the prisoner is being released.
So now, is Obama going to detate police procedures and make it improper to handcuff old people using a cane or just black college professor's? What if the professor had only been a part time teacher at Randolph cimmunity College? Would it have been proper to handcuff him then?
Maybe we just put healtj insurance reform legislation on hold while Obama works out all the details of who can and cannot be handcuffed. Maybe it would be better if all future burlary in process calls be ignored if the suspect is determined to be a black male.
Personally I have encountered some black males who were too ready to accused me of being racists. One example occured when I worked at a convenience store. It was a slow day, a rare and welcomed event. A black male pulled up to pump number 5, inserted his credit card and proceeded to pump his gas. About a minute later a car pulled up to pump number nine (the pump most people choose if they are going to drive off without paying) A young woman (hot, may I add without being accused of being sexist)dressed only in a tiny bikini, started pumping gas without either using a credit or debit card or without prepaying.
Now who exactly do you think I was looking at (being a red blooded straight American male). Guess what happened? No, I didn't get a date with the girl but the man came into the store and accused me of watching him and of being a racist.
Another time while working at my regular job I was talking with a customer when a black male came up to the customer and accused him of being a racist and very upset because "you keep watching me without cause." I explainned to the man thast no one was watching him. The person I was talking to had no reason to watch him as he was just a customer.
I could cite example after example but I believe you have the proper picture. I'm not saying racist doesn't occur. I know it does. On my former blog I always posted stories of people, manly black men, who were released from prison after being wrongly accused and convicted of crimes.
I've heard the professors version and I've heard the officer's version and having watched hours and hours of cop shows, I would tend to believe the cop. I have seen instances of cops bullying suspects. A perfect example is on one episode, the sheriif's department in Davidson County was featured. There wasn't enough real crime so a prostitution sting was set up. The local cops grabbed a fat man and drug the dazed and confused man to the pavement and handcuffed him. I honestly believe they (the cops) were trying to act tough for the cameras. I also believe that if they has asked the man to step out of his vehicle, he would have done so. In most situations, the cops just issued the john a citation. There was no need for brute force just like there is no need for Obama to be running off at the mouth.
Master of Deception
When fishing in brown water, use brown colored bait. When fishing in green water, using green colored bait. The idea is not to stand out but to blend in, to disguise as much as possible the deception of free food for the fish.
I didn't like Obamas ideas when he was a candidate for his parties nomination, I didn't like his ideas when he was the Democratic choice, and I haven't cared at all for his ideas since taking office. After his "stupidly" comment, I'm beginning to dislike him personally. But still, I'll have to give him credit for being the best at what he does. He is the master of Deception.
He promised that under his administration pork barre ll legislation would be eliminated yet on one piece of legislation there were 55 add-ons for pet projects and the vast majority of them were requested by Barrack Obama himself. He said he would accept no new legislation that increased the national debt yet his own budget puts the USA into a $1.8 billion deficit in one year alone.
He proposed a August 1 deadline for passing his health care plan and yet on TV he claimed it wasn't his deadline but the deadline of the American people.
I'm sorry, I could go on and on but I'm getting nauseous.
I didn't like Obamas ideas when he was a candidate for his parties nomination, I didn't like his ideas when he was the Democratic choice, and I haven't cared at all for his ideas since taking office. After his "stupidly" comment, I'm beginning to dislike him personally. But still, I'll have to give him credit for being the best at what he does. He is the master of Deception.
He promised that under his administration pork barre ll legislation would be eliminated yet on one piece of legislation there were 55 add-ons for pet projects and the vast majority of them were requested by Barrack Obama himself. He said he would accept no new legislation that increased the national debt yet his own budget puts the USA into a $1.8 billion deficit in one year alone.
He proposed a August 1 deadline for passing his health care plan and yet on TV he claimed it wasn't his deadline but the deadline of the American people.
I'm sorry, I could go on and on but I'm getting nauseous.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Racial bias President
I am almost positive that the President of the United States has not received a detailed report of what happened between Officer Crowley and professor Gates and spoke how he felt in his heart and not from any special knowledge of the facts that is not know to the general public.
The President said what he meant when he called the Cambridge police stupidily acting and his aides attempt to "quailfy" what the President meant is just a sorry attempt of damage control of a racially charged, prejudical statement that clearly indicates he is not willing to give all races a fair shake.
The police have a tough enough time doing their job without the President of the United States indermining their ability to do their job. If Officer Crowley acted improperly then he should be dealt with in the appropriate manner but the President has no business jumping to conclusions about who was right or wrong or to offer up a blanket charge of stupidity against the entire police force.
Are we going to have to go the route of havng only black police officers arrest black people and white officers arrest only white people? Do we need to require police officers to take the word of everyone who may appear to be doing something wrong? Maybe we can hire only officers that can neither see nor hear so that they cannot tell whom they are arresting?
Or maybe we should elect people to the office of President of the United States that will back up our police officers and not judge the right or wrong of a situation based on the color of the officer's or victims skin.
The President said what he meant when he called the Cambridge police stupidily acting and his aides attempt to "quailfy" what the President meant is just a sorry attempt of damage control of a racially charged, prejudical statement that clearly indicates he is not willing to give all races a fair shake.
The police have a tough enough time doing their job without the President of the United States indermining their ability to do their job. If Officer Crowley acted improperly then he should be dealt with in the appropriate manner but the President has no business jumping to conclusions about who was right or wrong or to offer up a blanket charge of stupidity against the entire police force.
Are we going to have to go the route of havng only black police officers arrest black people and white officers arrest only white people? Do we need to require police officers to take the word of everyone who may appear to be doing something wrong? Maybe we can hire only officers that can neither see nor hear so that they cannot tell whom they are arresting?
Or maybe we should elect people to the office of President of the United States that will back up our police officers and not judge the right or wrong of a situation based on the color of the officer's or victims skin.
Racial profiling
A well know author speaking on a talk radio show made the comment that everyone was racist and if you denied that you were a liar. I, for one, totally disagree with that statement and I don;t believe that makes me a liar. I have stated many times that everyone is prejudiced and I will admit that I am but that doesn't make me a racist.
To me, predudice means that one has preconceived notions that may or not be true or one shows favoritism towards one over another. Racism means that one acts with malious towards another just because of that person's skin color.
In the case of the Harvard Professor, the Cambridge police officer was accused of being a racist or of racial profiling but I totally disagree with that assessment. First, the policement didn't stop the professor because he was black. The officer responded to a call by a neighbor to the resisdence of a possible breakin. Just because the professor was famous in certain circles doesn't mean that everyone knew who he was. I saw his picture posted and he looked just like many other people to be, no one that I would recognize. Even after seeing his picture, I still wouldn't know who he was if he walked into my work place.
Most people carry their ID with them so when the police officer asked him for his ID (which he should have-the officer doesn't know that he was the owner of the house-after all. a neighbor just claimed the man was breaking in) and he wanted to walk into another room to get his ID, the policeman has no idea what the man is really in search of. It could be an escape route, a weapon of some sort, or his ID. If you are in a dwelling with a man a neighbor just claimed was being broken into, would you trust the man that was there with your life?
To me, predudice means that one has preconceived notions that may or not be true or one shows favoritism towards one over another. Racism means that one acts with malious towards another just because of that person's skin color.
In the case of the Harvard Professor, the Cambridge police officer was accused of being a racist or of racial profiling but I totally disagree with that assessment. First, the policement didn't stop the professor because he was black. The officer responded to a call by a neighbor to the resisdence of a possible breakin. Just because the professor was famous in certain circles doesn't mean that everyone knew who he was. I saw his picture posted and he looked just like many other people to be, no one that I would recognize. Even after seeing his picture, I still wouldn't know who he was if he walked into my work place.
Most people carry their ID with them so when the police officer asked him for his ID (which he should have-the officer doesn't know that he was the owner of the house-after all. a neighbor just claimed the man was breaking in) and he wanted to walk into another room to get his ID, the policeman has no idea what the man is really in search of. It could be an escape route, a weapon of some sort, or his ID. If you are in a dwelling with a man a neighbor just claimed was being broken into, would you trust the man that was there with your life?
Monday, July 20, 2009
Black Mountain
There is a nice nostalgic article in "Our State" magazine, August, 2009, issue on Black Mountain. If anyone happens to read the article or has visited that area and has an urge to build a mountain home near there Iknow where an acre of land is for sale. You can call David Patneaude for details or visit his website.
The land includes a portion of a nice creek and has a section of a nice deck built near the creek.
David Patneaude
828 442 8316
david@catawbaproperties.com
The land includes a portion of a nice creek and has a section of a nice deck built near the creek.
David Patneaude
828 442 8316
david@catawbaproperties.com
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Increasing taxes, fees, etc is cerainly fair
I am just a poor working man doing the best I can to psy my bills, obey the laws, keep my home and yard clean, neat, and presentable, and maybe put s little aside for emergency and old age. Life is tough and it's hard to save. I could do okay if others would just be responsible too.
Would not it be nice if we had the same control over our financies that the government has over thiers and some businesses have? Next time I pay a bill, I'd like to be able to only pay 97.5% of it since my employer is working me 39 hours per week instead of 40. Wouldn;t it have been nie to have charged your boss a fuel surcharge to come to work when gas prices shot up to over $4.00 per gallon?
Airlines are charging fees for things that once were free, government is placing taxes on things that once were tax free, and companies are reducing work hours and/or benefits that once were taken for granted.
Government officials, needing money for pet projects, take money from social security and leave an IOU. If a company set up a retirement benefit fund for its employees and then raided that account for special projects it would be considered illegal.
Maybe it is time we change the way our government operates and give it a stedy job with a steady income like most people have. If the government has a predetermined income every year then it would be forced to live within that budget, just like you and I do. There has to be a way to stop the madness that is the US government.
Would not it be nice if we had the same control over our financies that the government has over thiers and some businesses have? Next time I pay a bill, I'd like to be able to only pay 97.5% of it since my employer is working me 39 hours per week instead of 40. Wouldn;t it have been nie to have charged your boss a fuel surcharge to come to work when gas prices shot up to over $4.00 per gallon?
Airlines are charging fees for things that once were free, government is placing taxes on things that once were tax free, and companies are reducing work hours and/or benefits that once were taken for granted.
Government officials, needing money for pet projects, take money from social security and leave an IOU. If a company set up a retirement benefit fund for its employees and then raided that account for special projects it would be considered illegal.
Maybe it is time we change the way our government operates and give it a stedy job with a steady income like most people have. If the government has a predetermined income every year then it would be forced to live within that budget, just like you and I do. There has to be a way to stop the madness that is the US government.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Courier law log
Yes, I am a subscriper to the Asheboro paper. I read the law log every morning at breakfast as I like to know the bad stuff that is happening in real life that could affect me but more than that, I have been looking for the time my neighbor's name would appear.
Today was the day! I thought maybe it would be for larceny, shoplifting, or b & e but it was for drugs: three felony counts.
Working on my book Queen of Southgate (now just Southgate available at Lulu.com ) has given me a sixth sense about certain kinds of people. I had that feeling about my neighbor.
Today was the day! I thought maybe it would be for larceny, shoplifting, or b & e but it was for drugs: three felony counts.
Working on my book Queen of Southgate (now just Southgate available at Lulu.com ) has given me a sixth sense about certain kinds of people. I had that feeling about my neighbor.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Not for the common man
I just finished an article on work place etiquette which of course centered on behaviour at the office. What if I don't work in an office? Million of people work in retail and in manufacturing. Are we not important enough to write about? I work with a few that sure could benefit from some good work place etiquette (or if the writer thinks we aren't smart enough to understand that word, just call it common sense manners).
How about a good article for the poor fellow whose struggling in everyday life at the factory and hasn't a clue how to invest that $10,000 nest egg in his 401K.
I would write those articles myself but no one reads my stuff.
How about a good article for the poor fellow whose struggling in everyday life at the factory and hasn't a clue how to invest that $10,000 nest egg in his 401K.
I would write those articles myself but no one reads my stuff.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
first 150 days
Observations of the President's 1st Five Months..............
He has.....
1. Offended the Queen of England .
2. Bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia .
3. Praised the Marxist Daniel Ortega.
4. Kissed Hugo Chavez on the cheek.
5. Endorsed the Socialist Evo Morales of Bolivia .
6. Announced we would meet with Iranians with no pre-conditions.
7. Gave away billions to AIG also without pre-conditions.
8. Expanded the bailouts.
9. Insulted everyone who has ever loved a Special Olympian.
10. Doubled our national debt..
11. Announced a termination of the space defense system the day after the North Koreans launched an ICBM.
12. Despite the urgings of his own CIA director and the prior 4 CIA directors, released information on intelligence gathering.
13. Accepted without public comment the fact that five of his cabinet members cheated on their taxes and two others withdrew after they couldn't take the heat.
14. Appointed a Homeland Security Chief who quickly identified as "dangers to the nation", groups including veterans of the military, and opponents to abortion on demand, and who ordered that the word "terrorism" no longer be used but instead referred to such acts as "man made disasters".
15. Circled the globe so he could openly apologize for America's greatness.
16. Told Mexicans the violence in their country was because of us.
17. Politicized the census by moving it into the White House from its Department of Commerce origins..
18. Appointed as Attorney General the man who orchestrated the forced removal and expulsion from America to Cuba of a nine-year old whose mother died trying to bring him to a life of freedom in the United States and approved the pardon of Marc Rich so Clinton could let the felon go free.
19. Salutes as heroes three Navy SEALS who took down three terrorists who threatened one American life and the next day announces members of the Bush administration will likely stand trial for "torturing" a terrorist, who had played a part in killing 3000 Americans, by pouring water up their nose.
20. Flew Air Force One over New York City causing panic at a cost of $400,000 to get a photo you can make with Photo Shop for less than a dollar.
21. Sent his National Defense Advisor to Europe to assure Europe that the US will no longer treat Israel in a special manner and they might be on their own with the Muslims
22.Began the process of nationalizing the Auto Industry and the Insurance industry.
23 Announced that for intent and purposes the Health Insurance Industry will be nationalized.
24 Sided with Hugo Chavez instead of the Rule of Law as Honduras legally deposed Zelaya and installed Roberto Micheletti as President. It must be noted that the army did so following a lawful order of the Honduras Supreme Court.
He has.....
1. Offended the Queen of England .
2. Bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia .
3. Praised the Marxist Daniel Ortega.
4. Kissed Hugo Chavez on the cheek.
5. Endorsed the Socialist Evo Morales of Bolivia .
6. Announced we would meet with Iranians with no pre-conditions.
7. Gave away billions to AIG also without pre-conditions.
8. Expanded the bailouts.
9. Insulted everyone who has ever loved a Special Olympian.
10. Doubled our national debt..
11. Announced a termination of the space defense system the day after the North Koreans launched an ICBM.
12. Despite the urgings of his own CIA director and the prior 4 CIA directors, released information on intelligence gathering.
13. Accepted without public comment the fact that five of his cabinet members cheated on their taxes and two others withdrew after they couldn't take the heat.
14. Appointed a Homeland Security Chief who quickly identified as "dangers to the nation", groups including veterans of the military, and opponents to abortion on demand, and who ordered that the word "terrorism" no longer be used but instead referred to such acts as "man made disasters".
15. Circled the globe so he could openly apologize for America's greatness.
16. Told Mexicans the violence in their country was because of us.
17. Politicized the census by moving it into the White House from its Department of Commerce origins..
18. Appointed as Attorney General the man who orchestrated the forced removal and expulsion from America to Cuba of a nine-year old whose mother died trying to bring him to a life of freedom in the United States and approved the pardon of Marc Rich so Clinton could let the felon go free.
19. Salutes as heroes three Navy SEALS who took down three terrorists who threatened one American life and the next day announces members of the Bush administration will likely stand trial for "torturing" a terrorist, who had played a part in killing 3000 Americans, by pouring water up their nose.
20. Flew Air Force One over New York City causing panic at a cost of $400,000 to get a photo you can make with Photo Shop for less than a dollar.
21. Sent his National Defense Advisor to Europe to assure Europe that the US will no longer treat Israel in a special manner and they might be on their own with the Muslims
22.Began the process of nationalizing the Auto Industry and the Insurance industry.
23 Announced that for intent and purposes the Health Insurance Industry will be nationalized.
24 Sided with Hugo Chavez instead of the Rule of Law as Honduras legally deposed Zelaya and installed Roberto Micheletti as President. It must be noted that the army did so following a lawful order of the Honduras Supreme Court.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Joyce DeWitt a k a Janet Wood
Joyce Dewitt played Janet Wood on "Three's Company". She was the perky dark-hairred cutie. Now 60, she looked anything but cute after her DUI arrest. 
fixing health care
All I wanted from this broken health care system of ours is a requirement that if I lost my job (even if I quit) that I would be entitled to carry my existing health coverage at the same rate until I was employed again. I don't want to pay for the health care of people to lazy to work or to cheap to provide for their family memebers even if my paying came by hidden taxes. After all, I'm already paying to feed them, house them, and to fix the damage they cause when they wreck uninsured motor vehicles.
I certainly don't believe that the US government will be able to pay for it either and not make me pay for it as Obama said would be the case. Cigarettes already cost more than a dollar more a pack (which could be a good thing except that it is proof of a lie).
Obama's personal stimulus of $13.00 a week is a joke. One has to have a job to get it and 1 in 10 workers no longer have a job and the thirteen dollars a week for those who do go to pay tax increases from local, state and federal governments, and for increased cost of goods from struggling businesses.
What I find so really bizarre is any kind of tax increase during a recession. Too bad individuals can't do what government and busisnesses can do. Wouldn't it be nice to go to the grocery store and buy $150.00 and give the cashier %145.50 and said that because of increaed cost to live, you are forced to tax the store on your purchases or to tell your boss that you will be charging $18.50 an hour instead of the $17.25 you had been making because your ARM just increased.
We can't do that. All we can do is vote. Pay attention and vote wisely next election.
I certainly don't believe that the US government will be able to pay for it either and not make me pay for it as Obama said would be the case. Cigarettes already cost more than a dollar more a pack (which could be a good thing except that it is proof of a lie).
Obama's personal stimulus of $13.00 a week is a joke. One has to have a job to get it and 1 in 10 workers no longer have a job and the thirteen dollars a week for those who do go to pay tax increases from local, state and federal governments, and for increased cost of goods from struggling businesses.
What I find so really bizarre is any kind of tax increase during a recession. Too bad individuals can't do what government and busisnesses can do. Wouldn't it be nice to go to the grocery store and buy $150.00 and give the cashier %145.50 and said that because of increaed cost to live, you are forced to tax the store on your purchases or to tell your boss that you will be charging $18.50 an hour instead of the $17.25 you had been making because your ARM just increased.
We can't do that. All we can do is vote. Pay attention and vote wisely next election.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Child's play
Teacher sorry for mock wedding to 4th grader
Parents at Maine school raise concerns over playground ceremony
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
updated 11:06 a.m. ET, Tues., July 7, 2009
PORTLAND, Maine - A fourth-grade teacher has apologized for playing the groom in a mock wedding to a student.
The Portland Press Herald reported that Paul Rosenblum agreed to participate after the girl proposed and his class at the Plummer-Motz School in Falmouth, Maine, cajoled him.
At the brief playground ceremony, Rosenblum wore a black graduation gown and a clown tie. The girl had a sheet draped around her clothes for a gown.
Story continues below ↓
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advertisement | your ad here
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There was no kiss but the newspaper reported the teacher took the student's hand and they ran down a gazebo ramp at the end of the ceremony.
The school later received several phone calls about it.
'Sick with regret'
In a letter sent to parents, Rosenblum said he was only intending to indulge "a little girl's game of dress-up and make-believe." He said he is remorseful and "sick with regret."
"The fact that an adult would consent to 'marry' one of his students, however light the intended context, shows a serious lapse in judgment," he added.
Superintendent Barbara Powers wouldn't say whether any disciplinary action was taken.
"I think it was just lots of class joking around — and crushes and things like that — and the kids thinking it would be a cheerful, fun thing to do for the end of the year," Powers told the newspaper. "The teacher agreed to go along with it, just not thinking it through."
I see nothing to get upset about. If this had been a scene in a movie, I think the audience would have been moved in a positive way.
Parents at Maine school raise concerns over playground ceremony
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
updated 11:06 a.m. ET, Tues., July 7, 2009
PORTLAND, Maine - A fourth-grade teacher has apologized for playing the groom in a mock wedding to a student.
The Portland Press Herald reported that Paul Rosenblum agreed to participate after the girl proposed and his class at the Plummer-Motz School in Falmouth, Maine, cajoled him.
At the brief playground ceremony, Rosenblum wore a black graduation gown and a clown tie. The girl had a sheet draped around her clothes for a gown.
Story continues below ↓
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
advertisement | your ad here
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There was no kiss but the newspaper reported the teacher took the student's hand and they ran down a gazebo ramp at the end of the ceremony.
The school later received several phone calls about it.
'Sick with regret'
In a letter sent to parents, Rosenblum said he was only intending to indulge "a little girl's game of dress-up and make-believe." He said he is remorseful and "sick with regret."
"The fact that an adult would consent to 'marry' one of his students, however light the intended context, shows a serious lapse in judgment," he added.
Superintendent Barbara Powers wouldn't say whether any disciplinary action was taken.
"I think it was just lots of class joking around — and crushes and things like that — and the kids thinking it would be a cheerful, fun thing to do for the end of the year," Powers told the newspaper. "The teacher agreed to go along with it, just not thinking it through."
I see nothing to get upset about. If this had been a scene in a movie, I think the audience would have been moved in a positive way.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Queen of Southgate
The shorter version of The Queen of Southgate, entitled simply "Southgate" is available on Lulu.com for $6.96.
Bold, Riveting, and Compelling, November 24, 2006
By Richard R. Blake (Bridgman, Michigan) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Queen of Southgate (Paperback)
This is a story of homeless people, prostitutes, pimps, dealers, and hustlers. Sperling asks the tough questions: How do these people survive? How do they avoid arrest? And, how do we prevent the next child from becoming one of the street people?
After reading a newspaper account of a local fire, in which three year old Tyler suffocated, Dale Sperling became consumed with the question of what really happened. As he researched news reports and internet records of the three adults sleeping in the house, at the time of the fire, he found himself drawn into to a tangled web of deceit, crime, and the human drama of life on the streets of the Southgate District.
Dale decided to find an individual who had experienced drug and alcohol abuse, prostituted their body, and risen above this life to choose personal growth and fulfillment. He then wanted to write their story. Tammy James (TJ) was approached to become the "success" of his book. The book, and Tammy James, became a passion as Dale interviewed dozens of street people, dealers, and prostitutes. He soon became involved in an unusual, intricate relationship with Tammy as friend, protector, and benefactor.
As he traces the steps of Tammy's spiraling descent into the use of crack cocaine Sperling describes in detail the risks of street life. He shows profound insights into Tammy's personality. "I was beginning to understand her motivation better now. TJ wanted the same things we all want: acceptance, friendship, and respect. She also wanted her independence and the chance to express herself. At Southgate, she had all, that she felt, she needed to be happy."
"The more I learned, the more I came to realize that I could not help Tammy. To seek recovery was a decision she had to make on her own. I became an observer and expanded my research to include the total environment."
The environment, pleasure and values of a person influence the risk of addiction. As Dale continued to write he concluded that being a street prostitute was not all about money, nor was it all about drugs. "There was something far more sinister at work in these women's lives."
As work on the book progressed, Sperling continued the focus of alerting others to the dangers caused by using illegal drugs, abusing alcohol and of the effect this has on others, family, friends, and relationships. He reiterates how your influence on others impacts the direction of their lives. This thought provoking account is haunting and heartbreaking. It is a reminder that the choices we make have long range consequences.
Sperling demonstrated spiritual understanding and compassion as he sacrificed of himself to bring this story to fruition. It is a remarkable work well worth reading and passing along to others facing these issues personally or through loved ones caught up in a web of crime and degradation.
Bold, Riveting, and Compelling, November 24, 2006
By Richard R. Blake (Bridgman, Michigan) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Queen of Southgate (Paperback)
This is a story of homeless people, prostitutes, pimps, dealers, and hustlers. Sperling asks the tough questions: How do these people survive? How do they avoid arrest? And, how do we prevent the next child from becoming one of the street people?
After reading a newspaper account of a local fire, in which three year old Tyler suffocated, Dale Sperling became consumed with the question of what really happened. As he researched news reports and internet records of the three adults sleeping in the house, at the time of the fire, he found himself drawn into to a tangled web of deceit, crime, and the human drama of life on the streets of the Southgate District.
Dale decided to find an individual who had experienced drug and alcohol abuse, prostituted their body, and risen above this life to choose personal growth and fulfillment. He then wanted to write their story. Tammy James (TJ) was approached to become the "success" of his book. The book, and Tammy James, became a passion as Dale interviewed dozens of street people, dealers, and prostitutes. He soon became involved in an unusual, intricate relationship with Tammy as friend, protector, and benefactor.
As he traces the steps of Tammy's spiraling descent into the use of crack cocaine Sperling describes in detail the risks of street life. He shows profound insights into Tammy's personality. "I was beginning to understand her motivation better now. TJ wanted the same things we all want: acceptance, friendship, and respect. She also wanted her independence and the chance to express herself. At Southgate, she had all, that she felt, she needed to be happy."
"The more I learned, the more I came to realize that I could not help Tammy. To seek recovery was a decision she had to make on her own. I became an observer and expanded my research to include the total environment."
The environment, pleasure and values of a person influence the risk of addiction. As Dale continued to write he concluded that being a street prostitute was not all about money, nor was it all about drugs. "There was something far more sinister at work in these women's lives."
As work on the book progressed, Sperling continued the focus of alerting others to the dangers caused by using illegal drugs, abusing alcohol and of the effect this has on others, family, friends, and relationships. He reiterates how your influence on others impacts the direction of their lives. This thought provoking account is haunting and heartbreaking. It is a reminder that the choices we make have long range consequences.
Sperling demonstrated spiritual understanding and compassion as he sacrificed of himself to bring this story to fruition. It is a remarkable work well worth reading and passing along to others facing these issues personally or through loved ones caught up in a web of crime and degradation.
Credit card myth
If a family has $125.00 per month left over after paying all necessary bills and living expenses and they find they want a new big screen TV, chances are they will purchase that TV using a credit card. The week after they purchase said TV they have car trouble and are forced to charge that repair bill on their credit card.
Now, and forever they no longer have $125.00 a month left over and will be forced to live paycheck to paycheck. A layoff or even a couple of short weeks at work can force that family into homelessness. Now had they chose to save and/or invest that $125.00 per month, they would have had to do without that big screen TV for four or five months but even after purchasing it, they would still have had enough to cover the emergency repair bill and would have still had the $125.00 or month left over at the end of each month.
If they never had to touch that savings, in twenty years they would have saved $30,000 but would have accrued interest on that. They then could have withdrawn $125.00 a month forever without ever touching the money that had been saved.
Credit cards only stimulate the economy by the amount of debt a family racks up using them and willcause the economy to shrink by at least that amount when a user cannot pay.
The problem most people have is their inability to save their disposable income. People will purchase the most car they can based on their income or buy the biggest house, or the best clothes they think they can afford. If they would pay themselves first, and then spent the rest, they would discover that life would be so much easier and in the long run they will have a much better life that the Joneses ever dreamed of having.
Now, and forever they no longer have $125.00 a month left over and will be forced to live paycheck to paycheck. A layoff or even a couple of short weeks at work can force that family into homelessness. Now had they chose to save and/or invest that $125.00 per month, they would have had to do without that big screen TV for four or five months but even after purchasing it, they would still have had enough to cover the emergency repair bill and would have still had the $125.00 or month left over at the end of each month.
If they never had to touch that savings, in twenty years they would have saved $30,000 but would have accrued interest on that. They then could have withdrawn $125.00 a month forever without ever touching the money that had been saved.
Credit cards only stimulate the economy by the amount of debt a family racks up using them and willcause the economy to shrink by at least that amount when a user cannot pay.
The problem most people have is their inability to save their disposable income. People will purchase the most car they can based on their income or buy the biggest house, or the best clothes they think they can afford. If they would pay themselves first, and then spent the rest, they would discover that life would be so much easier and in the long run they will have a much better life that the Joneses ever dreamed of having.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Change you don't recognize
The President ran for office with the slogan "Change you can believe in>' I have no idea what that was supposed to mean but many people embraced it. But as time goes by, what is changing is more than most people recognize. Obama has proven to be a man of action on the home front even as he remains clueless on foreign policy. Unfortunately, to date none of his actions have produced any good fruit.
What I fear is that when is all said and done by this administration we will have been lead down a path to no where and one from which we will find it impossible to reverse course or to espcape from.
What I fear is that when is all said and done by this administration we will have been lead down a path to no where and one from which we will find it impossible to reverse course or to espcape from.
Friday, July 03, 2009
What's to think about?
"Lawyer: Rowe deciding whether to seek custody"
July 2, 2009, 3:27 PM EST
Michael Jackson was a great entertainer, I suppose (I can't say for sure since I never saw any of his work) but he was weird. A grown man living in a place he called "Neverland" hanging out with pre-teen kids, particularly boys, sharing his bed with them, and getting himself sued and arrested over the practice. And if that wasn't bad enough, he proved himself to be an equally weird father what with dangling his baby over the railings while standing on a balcony.
So given his less than normal behaviour with children, including his own, what mother in her right mind would have her child raised by such a man and what court would have given him custody? And now the mother of two od his children has to "think" about trying to gain custody of her children now that Jackson has died. If she has to think about it then she should be denied from the get-go. The time to have thought about whether or not to raise your children was before you had them , lady. Afterwards, it should be a lifetime commitment.
I don't have much power or influence in this world but I do have my principles and if the way a person lives their life violates my strongest principles then I will not support that person. An actor was caught on tape having sex with a minor. Even though he is a great actor and has done several films I would have liked to have seen, I will not view them. Call me passive-agressive but it is just my way of dealing with people who engage in criminal or disgusting behaviour.
Perhaps the only principals Miss Rowe is exercising in trying to decide whether to seek custody of her children are monetary ones. If it will cost her more to gain custody of her children and raise them than she will gain from having them she will no seek custody but if she stands to make a handsome profit, she'll go forward with the custody suit. It's apparent she isn't motivated by a mother's love.
July 2, 2009, 3:27 PM EST
Michael Jackson was a great entertainer, I suppose (I can't say for sure since I never saw any of his work) but he was weird. A grown man living in a place he called "Neverland" hanging out with pre-teen kids, particularly boys, sharing his bed with them, and getting himself sued and arrested over the practice. And if that wasn't bad enough, he proved himself to be an equally weird father what with dangling his baby over the railings while standing on a balcony.
So given his less than normal behaviour with children, including his own, what mother in her right mind would have her child raised by such a man and what court would have given him custody? And now the mother of two od his children has to "think" about trying to gain custody of her children now that Jackson has died. If she has to think about it then she should be denied from the get-go. The time to have thought about whether or not to raise your children was before you had them , lady. Afterwards, it should be a lifetime commitment.
I don't have much power or influence in this world but I do have my principles and if the way a person lives their life violates my strongest principles then I will not support that person. An actor was caught on tape having sex with a minor. Even though he is a great actor and has done several films I would have liked to have seen, I will not view them. Call me passive-agressive but it is just my way of dealing with people who engage in criminal or disgusting behaviour.
Perhaps the only principals Miss Rowe is exercising in trying to decide whether to seek custody of her children are monetary ones. If it will cost her more to gain custody of her children and raise them than she will gain from having them she will no seek custody but if she stands to make a handsome profit, she'll go forward with the custody suit. It's apparent she isn't motivated by a mother's love.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Backyard deversions
I took time away from blogging to work on a new novel then I found a house I liked, moved into it, and busied myself with turning the house into something that is truly me.
My wife enjoys her bird feeder, I enjoy my fish and we like to relax around the pond. We caught a yellow finch trying to peck a seed from a sunflower and the koi were in a feeding frenzy, even jumping out of the water to grab a piece of food.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
What does that mean?
President Barack Obama said the U.S. is ready to cope with "any contingencies"
The above was said in response to Kim Il's threat to consider boarding a North Korean ship an act of war. When I step out my back door the birds on the bird feeder fly away. Ready to cope is political double-speak for "I don't know what the hell I will do but I'll convince the American public that even if I'm frozen in fear it was the "right thing to do" and "change you can believe in."
I just wonder is pulling the troops from one war zone to another war zone will allow the one zone's fire to flare up again and put us in the position of fighting two unwinnable wars. Maybe we should just declare bin Laden legally dead since he hasn't been seen in seven years. The only way to prove he isn't is to appear live and in person to the masses and then we can kill him for sure.
Maybe the campaign slogan for the next President can be "a person you can trust." I certainly don't trust this one.
The above was said in response to Kim Il's threat to consider boarding a North Korean ship an act of war. When I step out my back door the birds on the bird feeder fly away. Ready to cope is political double-speak for "I don't know what the hell I will do but I'll convince the American public that even if I'm frozen in fear it was the "right thing to do" and "change you can believe in."
I just wonder is pulling the troops from one war zone to another war zone will allow the one zone's fire to flare up again and put us in the position of fighting two unwinnable wars. Maybe we should just declare bin Laden legally dead since he hasn't been seen in seven years. The only way to prove he isn't is to appear live and in person to the masses and then we can kill him for sure.
Maybe the campaign slogan for the next President can be "a person you can trust." I certainly don't trust this one.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Heating up the planer
Wouldn't this account for gloal warming?
20 Things You Didn't Know About ... the Summer Solstice
Why Galileo wasn't in a partying mood during the 1633 solstice, and more
By Dean Christopher
Provided by Discover Magazine
18. And the Sun keeps getting brighter. Models of stellar evolution estimate that the Sun is about 40 percent more luminous today than it was when the Earth formed 4.5 billion years ago.
20 Things You Didn't Know About ... the Summer Solstice
Why Galileo wasn't in a partying mood during the 1633 solstice, and more
By Dean Christopher
Provided by Discover Magazine
18. And the Sun keeps getting brighter. Models of stellar evolution estimate that the Sun is about 40 percent more luminous today than it was when the Earth formed 4.5 billion years ago.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Murder on Iron Mountain
Nice title for a murder mystery but there wasn't exactly a murder. The scenario was a substitute mail carrier was attached by three men and shot. His house was later found to have been involved in an arson. The wife of the victim was out of town.
One possibility is that she hired three men to kill her husband and to destroy the house because it may have had evidence linking her to the crime and she can always collect the insurance money. What's your opinion?
One possibility is that she hired three men to kill her husband and to destroy the house because it may have had evidence linking her to the crime and she can always collect the insurance money. What's your opinion?
Monday, June 15, 2009
The Doctor Visit
She was thin and wheelchair bound but each was equally sweet and interesting. I would have liked to have had more time to talk with her but it wasn't to be. I had taken my mother to see her doctor and chated with an older lady. I thought she was there to see her doctor but she said she was only there for her mother.
I expressed my surprise and when I asked how old her mother was, the lady replied
99 When the almost centurian was wheeled out into the waiting room, I jusmped up to meet her. I wasn't sure at first if she was the ladies mother because she didn't look near her age. I told her she had a very nice daughter. She asked me who I was as she was surprised to have theis stranger taking to her. I said I was no body.
She had a very nice family and I know in my heart that she is truly a special person. I was happy to have met her.
I expressed my surprise and when I asked how old her mother was, the lady replied
99 When the almost centurian was wheeled out into the waiting room, I jusmped up to meet her. I wasn't sure at first if she was the ladies mother because she didn't look near her age. I told her she had a very nice daughter. She asked me who I was as she was surprised to have theis stranger taking to her. I said I was no body.
She had a very nice family and I know in my heart that she is truly a special person. I was happy to have met her.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Local news
The paper is thin but that's okay. My letters get printed and coverage of local stories is excellent--like the purse snatching incident in Randleman or the prostitution arrest in Asheboro. I saw the women just minutes before she was picked up. She looked to be about thirteen at first glance. I had just purchased a peach tree was was heading home when I saw her. She was just walking but somehow one just knew why.
My wife works at the store where the purse snatching incident took place. Just think, if you lived in New York City or Los Angelas, Asheoro would just be a small neighborhood and Randleman would be a sparesly population city block. One would probably not read such stories in thewir local papers.
My wife works at the store where the purse snatching incident took place. Just think, if you lived in New York City or Los Angelas, Asheoro would just be a small neighborhood and Randleman would be a sparesly population city block. One would probably not read such stories in thewir local papers.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Fish Killer
At first it seemed absurd that someone would face legal santions for killing a fish but after carefully thinking the situation through, it seems that punishment is justified. I've kept aquariums at home before (I once owned several pet stores) and I now have an outdoor pond with four koi.
Aquariums and koi ponds are not natural environments for fish and they (the fish) depend on us to provide a liveable environment for them. If we are to keep them as pets it is our responsibility to do so properly. I believe to intentionally harm ones pets, even a lowly fish, in such a situation is a criminal act.
While we are talking about criminal acts, one was attempted last night at work that I found to be comical. It was getting late, a little after eight and was rather slow. Graduation ceremonies had taken many families out of the grocery stores into restaraunts so there were not the usual number of customers.
A young male (I hestitate to use the term man) who appeared to be in the twenties asked me if we had any Ribeyes. I pointed out where those steaks could be found and he said thanks. There wasn't anything unusual about that exchsnge. What was suspicious about the person was his use of a shopping cart.
He was a tall fellow who was wearing a red and white striped pull-over t-shirt type garmet, had unkempt blonde hair and dirty scuffed shoes. he wasn't wearing a wedding band either. He lacked social graces and tact. People like him don't use shopping carts, especially late at night.
I minute or two later he wheeled his cart off. he had placed 10 or 12 packs of steaks in the buggy. I alerted security.
The person then went to cusromer service and asked for two cartons of cigaretttes, then buggied on down to the beer department for a couple of cases of brw, then over to the paper aisle for a pack of toliet paper to cover his merchandise with. He thinks he has a clear shot for a quick exit.
He might have had a better change of getting away with his attempy if he had just come on in to the store holding up a sign that said in bold letters "shoplifter". Or maybe he could have just went to the office and asked for the manager and told him what he was up to. He wasn't the brightest of theives.
Aquariums and koi ponds are not natural environments for fish and they (the fish) depend on us to provide a liveable environment for them. If we are to keep them as pets it is our responsibility to do so properly. I believe to intentionally harm ones pets, even a lowly fish, in such a situation is a criminal act.
While we are talking about criminal acts, one was attempted last night at work that I found to be comical. It was getting late, a little after eight and was rather slow. Graduation ceremonies had taken many families out of the grocery stores into restaraunts so there were not the usual number of customers.
A young male (I hestitate to use the term man) who appeared to be in the twenties asked me if we had any Ribeyes. I pointed out where those steaks could be found and he said thanks. There wasn't anything unusual about that exchsnge. What was suspicious about the person was his use of a shopping cart.
He was a tall fellow who was wearing a red and white striped pull-over t-shirt type garmet, had unkempt blonde hair and dirty scuffed shoes. he wasn't wearing a wedding band either. He lacked social graces and tact. People like him don't use shopping carts, especially late at night.
I minute or two later he wheeled his cart off. he had placed 10 or 12 packs of steaks in the buggy. I alerted security.
The person then went to cusromer service and asked for two cartons of cigaretttes, then buggied on down to the beer department for a couple of cases of brw, then over to the paper aisle for a pack of toliet paper to cover his merchandise with. He thinks he has a clear shot for a quick exit.
He might have had a better change of getting away with his attempy if he had just come on in to the store holding up a sign that said in bold letters "shoplifter". Or maybe he could have just went to the office and asked for the manager and told him what he was up to. He wasn't the brightest of theives.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Vile Tempers
Some people are so righteous that any attempt to give suggestions only results in their turning their vile temper on the person who cares and only wanted to help. Knowing the outcome before hand makes one really hesitant to say anything, even if it isn't meant to criticize but to offer support and help.
"You are so vain you probably think this is about you.'
"You are so vain you probably think this is about you.'
Saturday, May 23, 2009
The Obama Nation
In the socialist utopian world, we find stories like Lisbeth Koelster convicted of killing a fish in Denmark. She is a TV anchorman who placed shampoo in a goldfish aquarium bowl four years ago in a demonstration for her audience.
Lisbeth Koelster, Convicted Guppy Murderer
In such a society where people cede virtually all power to the state, the government will wickedly begin to decide everything for you. Big Brother will decide how much money CEOs should make, which cars should be made, and who should go to jail for flushing a fish. So it is in Denmark. Beware, dear citizens, the socialists currently squatting in Washington for change is a-coming.
So now we have Danish TV anchor Lisbeth Koelster who was doing a reasonable presentation on television in 2004. She added 3 ounces of Obama Shampoo to a goldfish bowl as a scientific experiment to show that the shampoo (Terva brand, actually) was a tad toxic. Sure enough, within three short days most of the poor guppies had perished. A good consumer awareness report if there ever was one.
Sensing a new power opportunity for the state, Denmark launched a fish rescue plan by prosecuting the maligned Lisbeth Koelster, who was just doing her job as a consumer reporter. She was eventually convicted for animal cruelty. You can read the full report in native tongue here.
So when the car companies are finally saved by the ruling princes, and we are all driving tin Obamobiles, what is to become of us insignificant pet owners and the fishes? Curious to hear reader comments about Lisbeth Koelster, convicted of killing guppies, and the long arm of a socialist state.
credit: http://www.rightpundits.com/?p=3951
Friday, May 22, 2009
A rose by any other name is still a rose
Women and men and those that are neither (or both, depending on how one views them) have been advertiseing on Craigslist under erotic services. Those services can be legal message but more often than not were ads for on-line prostitution. Now that Craigslist has agreed to eliminate this section, many feared prostitution would be driven back onto the streets were these women would be forced into more dangerous situations and would have to work side by side with less wholesome mentally-ll and/or addicted street girls. Not to worry. They are adults.
As adults, these people have the right to advertise in the new "adult" section. The new section doesn't allow the code words, or even hints at what th people, mostly women, are advertising, but most ads post pictures and there is little doubt that what is being advertised und the adult section is the same thing that was under erotic. Same pictures are on the new site.
As adults, these people have the right to advertise in the new "adult" section. The new section doesn't allow the code words, or even hints at what th people, mostly women, are advertising, but most ads post pictures and there is little doubt that what is being advertised und the adult section is the same thing that was under erotic. Same pictures are on the new site.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Response to Courier Tribune article
"If you are not cheating, you're not trying hard enough" Kipp C Schauble
That is not his quote but a quote from his column in the Asheboro, NC paper on Friday May 15, 2009 in which he suggests that using performnace enchancing drugs in college to help one pull a cram study session in order to improve ones grades is justified and acceptable behavior if the end result is a better job in the future.
My response follows:
A Prescription For Cheating: A Reply
While this column is not an out and out endorcement of cheating via taking performance enhancing drugs, it does leave one with the impression that doing so in an effort to secure better employment opportunities for ones future is acceptable behavior. I seriously doubt that the retention of information gleamed from drug aided all-nighters is long lasting.
I believe the best method of learning is repetition. Physical activities are enhanced by repetition and so are mental activities. We learned the multiplication table by repeating it over and over. I learned my colors, writing, and most everything I know today by this method. Little of what I learned in cram sessions is retained in my brain.
I once had an economics professor who had never had a student earn an A in his class and he had been teaching for decades. I wanted to be the first. I started at the library and found books on how to study. I followed the formula in one of those books and in the end I got that A. The Dean of the college called me into his office. He congratulated me, remarking he “didn't realize I was that smart.” Proper study techniques trump cram sessions in both the amount of information retained and the length of retention.
I can't accept the argument that illegally taking medication compares equally with drinking too much coffee. Neither can I accept the premise that cheating via performance enhancing medications that are not prescribed to the student is acceptable or justified if the end results in a better job for that person.
For every person who obtains a job as a result of cheating, there is another person who is denied employment that may have deserved that job.
I would rather see a physician that actually learned his medicine than one who received good grades aided by illegally dispensed medications. I hope that cop that pulls me over actually knows what he is doing and is not using performance enhancing, mind altering drugs to help him get that promotion he wants. I hope that whenever I'm faced with a life and death situation on the highway that I have a clear head and know exactly what to do to give me the best chance to live. I just won't have time to pop a pill and read the driver's manual.
Maybe mandatory drug testing should be required of all students making an A on a final exam.
That is not his quote but a quote from his column in the Asheboro, NC paper on Friday May 15, 2009 in which he suggests that using performnace enchancing drugs in college to help one pull a cram study session in order to improve ones grades is justified and acceptable behavior if the end result is a better job in the future.
My response follows:
A Prescription For Cheating: A Reply
While this column is not an out and out endorcement of cheating via taking performance enhancing drugs, it does leave one with the impression that doing so in an effort to secure better employment opportunities for ones future is acceptable behavior. I seriously doubt that the retention of information gleamed from drug aided all-nighters is long lasting.
I believe the best method of learning is repetition. Physical activities are enhanced by repetition and so are mental activities. We learned the multiplication table by repeating it over and over. I learned my colors, writing, and most everything I know today by this method. Little of what I learned in cram sessions is retained in my brain.
I once had an economics professor who had never had a student earn an A in his class and he had been teaching for decades. I wanted to be the first. I started at the library and found books on how to study. I followed the formula in one of those books and in the end I got that A. The Dean of the college called me into his office. He congratulated me, remarking he “didn't realize I was that smart.” Proper study techniques trump cram sessions in both the amount of information retained and the length of retention.
I can't accept the argument that illegally taking medication compares equally with drinking too much coffee. Neither can I accept the premise that cheating via performance enhancing medications that are not prescribed to the student is acceptable or justified if the end results in a better job for that person.
For every person who obtains a job as a result of cheating, there is another person who is denied employment that may have deserved that job.
I would rather see a physician that actually learned his medicine than one who received good grades aided by illegally dispensed medications. I hope that cop that pulls me over actually knows what he is doing and is not using performance enhancing, mind altering drugs to help him get that promotion he wants. I hope that whenever I'm faced with a life and death situation on the highway that I have a clear head and know exactly what to do to give me the best chance to live. I just won't have time to pop a pill and read the driver's manual.
Maybe mandatory drug testing should be required of all students making an A on a final exam.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Hope for America
Obama promised to bring change to America, He was billed as the candidate of hope.
For the first time in American history, the percentage of people claiming to be believers has declined, we accept abortion as a right, many are wanting to legal gay unions (it's just a matter of time), and marijuna is now being touted as the one thing that can turn the US economy around.
True, America has changed and is countinuing to change. My question: is there still hope?
For the first time in American history, the percentage of people claiming to be believers has declined, we accept abortion as a right, many are wanting to legal gay unions (it's just a matter of time), and marijuna is now being touted as the one thing that can turn the US economy around.
True, America has changed and is countinuing to change. My question: is there still hope?
Thursday, May 07, 2009
swine flu and pork
Believe it or not, people have quit buying pork because they are afraid of the swine flu. Will they quick buying chicken if we have a bird flu outbreak?
People are so silly.
People are so silly.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Saving versus spending
Purchasing things gives us a sense of power and especially when we use a credit card to make those buys. You walk into a retail store with $52.00 in your wallet, $364.00in checking, and $1,070.00 in savings and walk out with the exact amount of money plus whatever items or items you "just had to have" from the vendor.
You have a great rate on your credit card and the minimum monthly payment is low at 2%. With an interest rate of only ten percent, it would take one 50 years to pay off the balance at minimum if no interest was added but the balance will double every ten years (actually much less since there a probably fees involved like annual fees and special transaction fees).
You find saving money hard because for every dollar saved you have once less dollar to spend. Are yoiu forever stuck in this determintal financial lifestyle?
We spend money we never see but force ourselves to open our wallets in order to save. If we could reverse this process, saving would be much easier. We can.
I have a jug at home and each payday I put $10.00 in my jug. On the next payday, I put another $10.00 plus all the money I have left in my wallet goes into that jug. All my spare change goes into another container on a daily bases. When I can actually see and feel the money I've saved I feel better and I find it addictive, I soon begin to l,ook for ways to spend less.
Since I don't use credut cards, I have to actually open my wallet everytime I want to make a purchase. I don't use my bank card to make purchases either as that still makes one have the feeling that its not real money being spent.
Sometimes I wish I had a credit card so I can buy the things I want when I want them but that would only serve to reduce future income (by an amount much greater than the cost of the item bought) and if I can't live off what I make now or don't have any extra to save, then I certainly don't have any extra to spend.
Each week my money is deposited directly into my checking account. I stop by the bank and make a withdrawal of my allowance each payday. A certain percentage of my pay is saved in my retirement account before I get paid and a certain percentage is saved in a money market account after I get paid. If I spend all my money before next payday then I do without. I have to make spending decisions wisely.
If there is something I need and have to have it now, like a car repair, then I can take it out of the money market. If it is sometime I need but it doesn't have to be right now, I can budget for it or find alternative means. An example would be if my lawnmower quit, I could hire someone for a few weeks to cut my grass or I could just use the push mower, or I could borrow a mower from a friend or neighbor.
If one follows a sound savings and spending policy, then one doesn't need credit cards, even for an emergency. That may have been a good excuse back when we had to write checks but it certainly isn't an excuse today. The truth is, it wasn't a good excuse way back when. During my college days, I had gone to visit a friend of mine and found my the unfortunate victim of a muggler. (This was the days before most banks used computers and the smaller banks which did rented computer time from bigger banks). I went to a local Western Union and had them wire my bank for emergency funds. In a few hours I was good to go again. No credit card needed: only a good savings plan.
You have a great rate on your credit card and the minimum monthly payment is low at 2%. With an interest rate of only ten percent, it would take one 50 years to pay off the balance at minimum if no interest was added but the balance will double every ten years (actually much less since there a probably fees involved like annual fees and special transaction fees).
You find saving money hard because for every dollar saved you have once less dollar to spend. Are yoiu forever stuck in this determintal financial lifestyle?
We spend money we never see but force ourselves to open our wallets in order to save. If we could reverse this process, saving would be much easier. We can.
I have a jug at home and each payday I put $10.00 in my jug. On the next payday, I put another $10.00 plus all the money I have left in my wallet goes into that jug. All my spare change goes into another container on a daily bases. When I can actually see and feel the money I've saved I feel better and I find it addictive, I soon begin to l,ook for ways to spend less.
Since I don't use credut cards, I have to actually open my wallet everytime I want to make a purchase. I don't use my bank card to make purchases either as that still makes one have the feeling that its not real money being spent.
Sometimes I wish I had a credit card so I can buy the things I want when I want them but that would only serve to reduce future income (by an amount much greater than the cost of the item bought) and if I can't live off what I make now or don't have any extra to save, then I certainly don't have any extra to spend.
Each week my money is deposited directly into my checking account. I stop by the bank and make a withdrawal of my allowance each payday. A certain percentage of my pay is saved in my retirement account before I get paid and a certain percentage is saved in a money market account after I get paid. If I spend all my money before next payday then I do without. I have to make spending decisions wisely.
If there is something I need and have to have it now, like a car repair, then I can take it out of the money market. If it is sometime I need but it doesn't have to be right now, I can budget for it or find alternative means. An example would be if my lawnmower quit, I could hire someone for a few weeks to cut my grass or I could just use the push mower, or I could borrow a mower from a friend or neighbor.
If one follows a sound savings and spending policy, then one doesn't need credit cards, even for an emergency. That may have been a good excuse back when we had to write checks but it certainly isn't an excuse today. The truth is, it wasn't a good excuse way back when. During my college days, I had gone to visit a friend of mine and found my the unfortunate victim of a muggler. (This was the days before most banks used computers and the smaller banks which did rented computer time from bigger banks). I went to a local Western Union and had them wire my bank for emergency funds. In a few hours I was good to go again. No credit card needed: only a good savings plan.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Changing times and righteous statements
Another blogger and I were once close and I was a strong supporter in that bloggers cause but I'm not important enough to hang with, especially after I tested a friend of that bloggers and found that friend wanting. The Asheboro paper is that bloggers second most hated publication so I'm sure the letter to the editor by Mr. Overton was missed. Too bad. That was one righteous statement he made.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Idol bigotry
I was reading some comments that the American Idol TV show is bigoted because so few of its contestants and finalists were black. African-Americans make up 15% of the population of the USA. Three out of the last seven winners (Jordon Sparks, Fantasia, and Ruben) were black. Just because Lil Rounds was unceremoniously eliminated wasn't because she was black. Her leaving has been a forgone conclusion . Who could American Idol stand her up with and created suspense about which one was going home?
Really?
Really?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Innovation
Lately, companies have been getting very innovative. Normally that would be a good thing but remember it was innovative financing schemes that put the world in such a financial mess. Because of the financial crisis and declining revenues, the creative juices are now flowing but instead of bringing us new products, more efficient products, or less expensive products, companies are finding innovative ways for us to pay more for the products and services we are already using.
An example of this is the new service plan for my phone. Instead of the straight 10 cents a minute phone rate, I now have to pay a $6.99 per month service charge. Another example is I reveived an e-mail that had an attachment from Kodak but in order to view the pictures Kodak required that I join their photo club. It was also true that Kodak is now requiring a certain dollar amount of their products and services be purchased by club memebers in order to continue to use their service.
I guess the big one was Time-Warner wanting to charge people by their bandwith usage. Lots of people were really mad about that one.
Is this what America has come too? Companies finding new ways to rip off their customers is not the way they should be doing business. I miss the old Mom and Pop stores were advice was free, help was plentiful, and clerks knew what they were talking about. Sure, thing seemed to cost a little more and one had to search a little harder to find what they needed, but what we have given up in order to get convenience and cheaper prices has cost us more that most of us will ever know.
Two spouses working in the same family meant only that ones kids were finally grown and life was probably getting boring. Now its necessary for survival. Think about it. Have all our innovations really improved our lives? it just doesn't sem so anymore.
An example of this is the new service plan for my phone. Instead of the straight 10 cents a minute phone rate, I now have to pay a $6.99 per month service charge. Another example is I reveived an e-mail that had an attachment from Kodak but in order to view the pictures Kodak required that I join their photo club. It was also true that Kodak is now requiring a certain dollar amount of their products and services be purchased by club memebers in order to continue to use their service.
I guess the big one was Time-Warner wanting to charge people by their bandwith usage. Lots of people were really mad about that one.
Is this what America has come too? Companies finding new ways to rip off their customers is not the way they should be doing business. I miss the old Mom and Pop stores were advice was free, help was plentiful, and clerks knew what they were talking about. Sure, thing seemed to cost a little more and one had to search a little harder to find what they needed, but what we have given up in order to get convenience and cheaper prices has cost us more that most of us will ever know.
Two spouses working in the same family meant only that ones kids were finally grown and life was probably getting boring. Now its necessary for survival. Think about it. Have all our innovations really improved our lives? it just doesn't sem so anymore.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Electric roads
Instead on electric cars, wouldn't it be cheaper and safer to make electric roads. Sort of like bumper cars?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Susan Boyle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk&NR=1 (cut and paste)
You've got to listen to this. WOW!
You've got to listen to this. WOW!
more pain
Writing with crippled hands is hard enough. Now I have tendonitus in my right shoulder. ouch!
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
credit card myths
I think it is absolutely preposterous to believe that the solution for this ailing economy is to begin using our credit cards again. Somnehow we have been sold a bill of goods that the way our fathers lived (pay as you go) keep this country from growing and we have accumulatyed so many things now because we purchase on credit.
I believe we have less because we purchase on credit. Someone else has more but not us. Really.
For example, let's say I make have a take home paycheck of $400.00 per week. I just purchased a new home and now I have to cut the grass everyweek. It's hard with a push lawn mower so I want to buy a riding mower but the one I want cost $1,200.00. I can either save for it or buy it now on credit. The hardware store has a deal on it. Get their crdit card and save $10.00 and buy the mower for just $48.00 a month. (You figure it out-if I make just the minimum payment at 16% interest, just how much is that mower going to cost me when I get it paid for?)
I also want a china cabinet yo display my beautiful dishes. I find a great bargin for only $1389.00 so I put it on my Visa (13.9% interest) and only have to pay %59.00 per month. I also charge the labor to install a water pond in my back yard since i don't feel like digging the big hole. The $800.00 bill goes on my Discovery card.
I could have waited a year or so and saved up the money and paid cash. The drawbacks to that is the price may have increased, I might have missed a once-in-a-lifetime sale, and I have lose the interest I would have made if that money had remained in the bank.
What if instead I took out a whole life insurance policy with the idea that I wanted a huge reserve to to borrow money from not not for the death benefits. I would draw interest on the face value of the policy even if I borrowed the cash value so I would not lose the interest, I would have a savings plan that would allow me to take advantage of those once-in-a lifetime deals, I can buy it now and I would also know the income accumulating in my policy was tax free income.
Wow. I can have it now, not accumulate debt, and still make interest on my investments.
Go ahead, Get yourself another card. I like my way better.
I believe we have less because we purchase on credit. Someone else has more but not us. Really.
For example, let's say I make have a take home paycheck of $400.00 per week. I just purchased a new home and now I have to cut the grass everyweek. It's hard with a push lawn mower so I want to buy a riding mower but the one I want cost $1,200.00. I can either save for it or buy it now on credit. The hardware store has a deal on it. Get their crdit card and save $10.00 and buy the mower for just $48.00 a month. (You figure it out-if I make just the minimum payment at 16% interest, just how much is that mower going to cost me when I get it paid for?)
I also want a china cabinet yo display my beautiful dishes. I find a great bargin for only $1389.00 so I put it on my Visa (13.9% interest) and only have to pay %59.00 per month. I also charge the labor to install a water pond in my back yard since i don't feel like digging the big hole. The $800.00 bill goes on my Discovery card.
I could have waited a year or so and saved up the money and paid cash. The drawbacks to that is the price may have increased, I might have missed a once-in-a-lifetime sale, and I have lose the interest I would have made if that money had remained in the bank.
What if instead I took out a whole life insurance policy with the idea that I wanted a huge reserve to to borrow money from not not for the death benefits. I would draw interest on the face value of the policy even if I borrowed the cash value so I would not lose the interest, I would have a savings plan that would allow me to take advantage of those once-in-a lifetime deals, I can buy it now and I would also know the income accumulating in my policy was tax free income.
Wow. I can have it now, not accumulate debt, and still make interest on my investments.
Go ahead, Get yourself another card. I like my way better.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
dtwd
Don't text while driving (please).
"Shasta County prosecutor Stephanie Bridgett said the 49-year-old woman had paid several bills by cell phone in the moments before the crash.
She was in the middle of one of those transactions when she struck a vehicle that burst into flames, killing 46-year-old Petra Winn.
Defense attorney Jeffrey Stotter said he will appeal."
I think if a lawyer appeals a conviction and loses, the client should receive a longer sentence and.or the attorney should forfeit pay. Some appeals should be automatic to ensure proper procedures were followed but to tie up the court system just because one doesn't like the outcome is getting out of hand. I'm sure, in this case, the dead woman would like a do over too but her fate is final.
"Shasta County prosecutor Stephanie Bridgett said the 49-year-old woman had paid several bills by cell phone in the moments before the crash.
She was in the middle of one of those transactions when she struck a vehicle that burst into flames, killing 46-year-old Petra Winn.
Defense attorney Jeffrey Stotter said he will appeal."
I think if a lawyer appeals a conviction and loses, the client should receive a longer sentence and.or the attorney should forfeit pay. Some appeals should be automatic to ensure proper procedures were followed but to tie up the court system just because one doesn't like the outcome is getting out of hand. I'm sure, in this case, the dead woman would like a do over too but her fate is final.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
firefox
I tried firefox and was pleased by the limited number of adware added to my computer but was irratated to have to enter my info to log into my e-mail every time I wanted to check my mail. If they could fix that problem I would use firefox but it was too much of an irratant. On a happier note, somebody finally beat Villanova.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Pet Peeves
This is the time I like to take to rant about things that bug me. I have been keeping this rant under my hat for quite a while because some of my co-workers read my old blog so I wasn't free to express myself. You see, this rant involves them.
I take pride in my work, striving to produce the best quality I can while still doing my best to be a productive employee. One of my co-workers believes his value to the company lies in the fact that he can out-produce everyone else. He does that by using methods that makes things harder on his fellow co-workers, producing inferior products, and skirting company policies on dating.
A good example of this is in the making of some of our specialty items. I take the time to measure the ingredients according to the recipes provided us while the other guy eyeballs his ingredients. I could write twenty or thirty pages on the irritating things this guy does and the short cuts he takes just so he can brag about how fast he is but I won't. sometimes I get so frustrated with some of the things this man does wish I could afford to quit.
In case one of you may be thinking I am just expressing my dislikes because he is the number one guy and I am his back-up, suffice it to be know that all of my co-workers feel the same about his work as I do and everyone assistant that has come through our market (we are the training store so that number is quite substantial) has attempted to talk the manager into making me the number one guy. No "because the other guy is faster" is the reply.
I suppose the way the manager looks at things, he is the more profitable cutter.
Suppose he cuts $2000 worth of product of which 10% gets marked down and I cut $1600.00 worth of product of which only 4% gets marked down, I actually made more net profit for the company but he put more dollars through on the sales side and our bonuses are figured on % of sales and not profit dollars.
I guess he cuts enough passable meat so everyone can find a descent piece for their family and the bagin hunters can always get their discount. But I look at the long range picture and believe the key to building a business is customer satisfaction and doing a good job consistently.
I take pride in my work, striving to produce the best quality I can while still doing my best to be a productive employee. One of my co-workers believes his value to the company lies in the fact that he can out-produce everyone else. He does that by using methods that makes things harder on his fellow co-workers, producing inferior products, and skirting company policies on dating.
A good example of this is in the making of some of our specialty items. I take the time to measure the ingredients according to the recipes provided us while the other guy eyeballs his ingredients. I could write twenty or thirty pages on the irritating things this guy does and the short cuts he takes just so he can brag about how fast he is but I won't. sometimes I get so frustrated with some of the things this man does wish I could afford to quit.
In case one of you may be thinking I am just expressing my dislikes because he is the number one guy and I am his back-up, suffice it to be know that all of my co-workers feel the same about his work as I do and everyone assistant that has come through our market (we are the training store so that number is quite substantial) has attempted to talk the manager into making me the number one guy. No "because the other guy is faster" is the reply.
I suppose the way the manager looks at things, he is the more profitable cutter.
Suppose he cuts $2000 worth of product of which 10% gets marked down and I cut $1600.00 worth of product of which only 4% gets marked down, I actually made more net profit for the company but he put more dollars through on the sales side and our bonuses are figured on % of sales and not profit dollars.
I guess he cuts enough passable meat so everyone can find a descent piece for their family and the bagin hunters can always get their discount. But I look at the long range picture and believe the key to building a business is customer satisfaction and doing a good job consistently.
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