The Holiday Rush is On!

The Holiday rush is on! No, I’m not talking about Black Friday – I’m talking about the rush to keep current on my DVR recordings so that I won’t be seeing Holiday sales ads into March. It is the downside of time shifting your television viewing habits. This same situation occurs close to elections and it is even worse! I hate watching shows long after the election is over only to catch a glimpse of those smear campaigns as I try to zoom through the commercials. It seems like thy just go on forever. Anyway, whatcha gonna do.

Too Many Choices

One thing is certain - fast food isn't fast anymore.

It started out as a great concept - offer a limited menu with items that can be prepared quickly. Get em in - get em out. It was simple and it worked making companies like McDonalds and Burger King a huge success. But then some marketing "genius" decided that they could make things better by offering more menu choices and that's when the lines started. Have you ever been behind the Mom trying to get little Johnny to decide which of the 30 items he would like for lunch? Even grown folks have a hard time deciding what to get with all those choices. And speaking of kids, they used to have one "Happy Meal" with a fun toy for the kids - now they have several to choose from. Honestly, a kid will eat almost anything if it comes with a fun toy. Why hold up the line with all those choices? Don't even get me started with special orders.

Too many choices causes problems in the kitchen too. When you have a limited menu, you can get orders out quickly and efficiently. But having 8 different items on an order makes preparing that order much slower and the margin for error much greater. It takes some time to make a variety of different foods - it has no place in fast food chains. That's why we have sit down restaurants with varied menu options.

Some other marketing "genius" recently decided to start putting several fast food chains in the same building - a trend I find disturbing. Now, not only do you have 30 choices on the Taco Bell menu, you also have 30 choices on the Pizza Hut menu. And in my opinion, these are 2 business that don't even belong together. Pizza takes time to make - Tacos should be fast. Plus, when you walk into a Pizza Hut (on it's own) the smell of the food is fantastic and makes you immediately know you will get exactly what you are hungry for. Same for Tacos. Combined in one building it is odoriferous confusion. I also think it somehow cheapens both brands with the perception that each couldn't afford their own space. I don't like it.

I wish more people were like me. When I go into a fast food place, I already know what I want, and what size. My order should be quick and easy - but some marketing "genius" has complicated even my attempt at keeping fast food fast. Today I went through a Burger King drive thu and ordered a double cheeseburger and small fries - no drink. Just like that. I was then asked if if I wanted "small" fries or "value" fries. What??! After a short confused pause, I said I would like the cheapest fries. This got a chuckle out of the lady taking my order but I was annoyed. How can you make such a simple order complicated? Multiply that one question by the billions served and you add a lot of drive thru waiting time.

Sometimes choice is a good thing, but I really don't think it is when it comes to fast food. I wish we could get back to the days of take it like we make it and "get em in - get em out".

MJ vs JC

They practically crucified Michael Jackson while he was alive,

Now that he is dead they are worshiping him.

Mission

Maybe I've been sent here to observe. Honey, I have seen some things!

Short Stick

Life isn't fair. So if you find you keep getting the short end of the stick, find comfort knowing you are likely the good one.

Over Priced Again

A while back I wrote an article that said market corrections in housing, oil, and other areas of the economy were taking place and we all needed to get used to the new "normal" prices. Here we are, not even a year later with stock prices over 10,000, oil prices on the rise and housing prices starting to inch back up. I think it is happening too fast. The prices of the recent past were over valued and out of control. We shouldn't be hitting those old marks again so soon. To me, this does not indicate an economy that is recovering but rather one that is still broken.

Most personal budgets are very tight and the unemployment rate is still astounding. When people are finally back to work with more money in their pockets, then we should see prices slowly increase. A truly recovered market is one where prices are within the people's purchasing power.

Cross Referenced - Part 3

In Part 1 of this series I described the process of Data Warehousing - where computer systems collect personal data about every detail of our lives. In Part 2 I describe a hypothetical but entirely possible nightmare scenario on what can happen if even a tiny bit of incorrect data gets associated with your computer profile. In this final installment I tackle the question of what can be done about it.

This should be a short article because the real answer is - nothing. There isn't much you can do - the wheels are already in motion and have been for years.

But I try not to write articles without some sort of advice or suggestion. What I'm about to describe is a theory I've been trying but it is certainly something I would NOT recommend. My theory is that if your computer profile is so messed up that it can't logically be correct, then someone - a person hopefully - will have to sit down and try to determine what is real and what is incorrect. Again - this theory is probably WAY off base and I do not recommend it - but this is what I've started doing.

Knowing that almost anything I do is tracked, I started to insert a little bit of harmless misinformation into my data warehoused profile. For example, USA Today won't let me continue to read the article I'm interested in until I complete a very short survey about who I am. So I complete the survey with obviously incorrect information. I'm an 18 year old CEO of a Fortune 500 company making $5.00 an hour. Now can I keep reading? I guarantee that somewhere in the data warehouse world I am indeed an 18 year old CEO of a Fortune 500 company. That information is going to lounge around in my computer profile for years before someone realizes that I should be making more money. I only do this when I am not logged into the site. It is their "cookie" files that will be used to connect this data to me. In my opinion, if that data really does get attached to my profile then it is as dishonest as me providing fictional data.

It is important to note that I never give misinformation on real items or when I am logged into a website. My credit is very important to me and I do not want to mess it up with something that boils down to a pet peeve of mine. But computers work on logic and anything that doesn't appear to be logical will raise a flag for someone to investigate. Maybe if more computer profiles turn up as illogical, it will start to be obvious that this cross referencing of information is dangerous and unreliable. But once more - I don't recommend others do this!

Cross Referenced - Part 2

In part 1 of this series, we learned that powerful data warehousing computers are collecting data about our private lives from the minute we wake up in the morning and check our email, to a numerous security cameras snapping our pictures throughout the day, to where we travel, what we buy and finally what TV shows we are watching. It is all cross referenced with our Facebook, Twitter and other social networking accounts and even our jobs in an effort to provide targeted advertising. All this data collection is big business in the trillions of dollars and for the most part it is harmless and maybe even beneficial to our society - until something goes wrong.

But what could go wrong? You live your life honestly, pay your bills on time and mind your own business. Well let me explain how easily it is for something to go wrong and how extremely difficult or impossible it is to fix.

I don't even know where to begin - the possibilities for personal disaster are so numerous. Lets start with something simple. Why do I, as a single male, get email advertisements for breast enlargement? Shouldn't all this targeted advertising keep that from happening? What likely happened is that I bought yogurt or some other item deemed a woman's product at the grocery store and used that little scan card that cross referenced back to my name and address. Now suddenly I might actually be a woman. OK - big deal, I can delete that email with a snicker - no harm done. Its kind of funny really, if you take one letter out of my name it could even be a common woman's name.

Later that day I'm on the phone crossing the street and a security camera snaps a picture of me which isn't particularly clear. Somewhere in the world an alarm shows up because someone of importance has just been identified by the face recognition software used on that camera. Computers are churning, files are accessed, reports are filed and I am suddenly in big trouble. What just happened? Well it seems Denise had some big financial problems for a while now and is in trouble with the IRS and several other big financial institutions. But what does that have to do with me? My name is Dennis - a man with no credit issues. Not according to the data which shows very clearly that I am a woman - after all I do watch a lot of TV programs on the Lifetime channel. My cell phone number (based on my location) now gets cross referenced with Denise. Computers continue to churn and within seconds all of my information is cross referenced with Denise including my address and (gulp) social security number. A blip shows up on the IRS computer indicating a conflict of 2 social security numbers so a person or computer makes a decision on which is the correct number using other information in the account - but they choose the wrong one. By the time I finish crossing the street and go into the store to make a purchase, my credit card is already flagged and disabled. The credit nightmare begins.

Maybe it sounds a bit far fetched - like a science fiction movie staring Tom Cruise (and I realize this hypothetical story has a few "holes" in it). But folks - sadly this type scenario is entirely possible with this dangerous practice of data warehousing. It takes only one small piece of incorrect information to immediately change who you are in your computer profile. In the hypothetical scenario above I may have received a notice from the IRS and after a bit of explaining and verifying of data they would have fixed their records and all would be well.

Not so fast! Don't forget that this incorrect information was transferred to hundreds or maybe even thousands of other computers and databases. Just like a computer virus, erroneous information gets copied from computer to computer faster than the speed of sound. Fix it on one system and that still leaves thousands with incorrect information. This type of situation would likely haunt both me and Denise for the rest of our lives, interfering with credit or even just setting up a web page for a business. It is a nightmare that has already happened to many good people. In fact in this article I wrote just days ago I explain how this cross referencing of data has virtually disabled my home telephone.

So what can we do about it? Continue on to part 3 in this series.

Cross Referenced - Part 1

Ever wonder why you need to have one of those little scan cards at the grocery store in order to get discounts? Its because your name, address and phone number are associated with those little cards and each time you buy something it is logged, analyzed and cross referenced. That data is used to help the store monitor your buying habits so they can send you coupons and "targeted" ads for things that you might be interested in. Its called Data Warehousing and the example above is the nice part of it. But there is a big dark ugly side to this practice that not only violates your privacy but can also make a lot of trouble for you. I'm going to break this topic down into several articles. This one addresses how and why they get your information.

In recent years, computers have gotten very inexpensive, powerful and capable of recording and analyzing massive amounts of data. The grocery store scan card mentioned above is just one of many ways your information is collected. Have you signed up for a drawing to win a trip or some other contest? Did you purchase anything using a personal check or credit card? Do you have one of those gadgets in your car that automatically collects your toll and deduct it from your account? Did you give to your church or a charity? All of these things can be tracked back to your name and address. But those are the obvious ones.

Did you know that your TV DVR is constantly reporting what shows you watch to the TV networks? They use this information for their rating process and again for targeted advertising. Your cell phone calls are likely tracked and because they use a network of cell towers, they know exactly where you are when you made that call. Those toll plazas on the freeway are not only deducting the toll from your account, they are also silently taking a picture of your car and license plate. There are security cameras in the stores you visit, parking lots, churches, parks, intersections - basically everywhere. And all those cameras are able to use face recognition technology to pick you out of the crowd and identify you with an amazing degree of accuracy.

Your computer is also helping a lot. There are little files called "cookies" on your computer that are silently recording every website you go to, when and how often. If your computer isn't protected properly (and maybe even if it is) it is possible that every keystroke including account numbers and passwords could be recorded. Social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace and Twitter not only collect your data but cross reference it with your relatives, friends and, too often, total strangers. So maybe you are paranoid and don't even use your computer at home thinking you are more safe on the computer at the office. Perhaps, but it is likely that now they also know where you work and all the information associated with your job, your clients, your income bracket your retirement savings, etc.

So that is a lot of information being collected on you each day. All of it is being cross referenced by powerful computers all over the world trying to figure out what type of a person you are. They want to know what you enjoy, what might you buy, what charity might you support, where you might travel, how much insurance you need, what you can afford. The result of all this data collection is the ad that pops up on your computer for exactly the kind of car you were thinking of buying. Or the coupons that arrive in your mailbox for just the things you were going to buy. Or that insurance policy that is expensive - but just within your tight budget. Its all about trying to know who you are by what you do.

So what is the big deal - they know a lot about you - but you are a good person and don't have anything to hide - right? Plus, it seems logical to target advertising money to people who actually might buy your product. And you don't want to be bombarded by advertisements that don't mean anything to you. Yes, it all seems harmless and logical - until something goes terribly wrong.............

Stay tuned for part 2!

My Phone Has Bad Credit

I receive constant messages from credit collectors on my personal home phone. Oh they are not calling for me, I have somehow always managed to pay my bills on time and have a credit rating in the 800's. So why is my phone ringing all the time? Well, it seems I've had a few past roommates and apparently even neighbors that have some credit problems that somehow are now my problem. All my past roommates have had their own phones and didn't use my number - yet I get calls daily for these people. Why???

Even though I am registered on the "Do Not Call" list it is somehow legal for other people's creditors to call my personal phone and harass me. Worse - its not even people calling most times - but "robocalls" from computer systems over, and over, and over, and over. My home phone line has been rendered useless for me due to this harassment.

Now I ask you, if folks with credit problems don't answer their own phones, what makes collectors think they will answer mine? Has this ever worked??! Am I supposed to call these people or computers back and give them information on people I haven't seen or heard from in years? right.

Now let me be firm - you do NOT! have the right to call my number looking for someone you have cross-referenced to my address. We need a law that says you may only use the contact information listed in that person's account. If they don't answer their phone or email (surprise!) you are out of luck. A better solution than harassing me is to find some other account under that person's name and arrange to have it disabled. Maybe then they will call you back. But please, leave my phone alone!!!

Wow again!

As a Gay American - I am so very proud of President Obama! If you didn't see the speech to the HRC - please read it as soon as you can. It is important, not only for gays, but for all Americans.

Caught in the Reform

Its just my luck that I would get caught up in all this health care reform mess. In order for me to accomplish my long time goal of a cross country bicycle ride this summer, I was forced to resign from my job because my company does not give leave for personal reasons such as this. I was offered a COBRA health policy but it was unbelievably cost prohibitive. So I was forced into the nightmare of shopping for a personal health policy. The choices were numerous, confusing and costly. Anything that was remotely affordable included very high deductibles and no prescription coverage. Since my bicycle adventure was a potentially dangerous feat, I finally purchased just such a policy - after all, it would only be temporary until I returned to my former job.

Two days after my departure, my former employer declared Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and many people lost their jobs. All those unfortunate co-workers were now in the same situation I was in. The Bankruptcy proceedings were completed just before I completed my journey. Fortunately for me, someone in my old position (but on 3rd shift) wanted to voluntarily leave and so I was able to get back to work (with a substantial pay cut). But because of the bankruptcy, the company was on a hiring freeze and I was forced to work as a contractor through an employment agency with no benefits. I decided to retain the health policy I purchased. The agency I am working for then offered a group policy for less than what my personal policy cost, but also includes high deductibles. That group plan also includes prescription coverage so now I'm applying for that policy which won't be effective for almost 2 months.

Through all this mess I've had to listen to angry mobs in Town Hall meetings scream about how there is nothing wrong with health coverage and there is no need for a public option. These people are likely in a solid job with a good group policy. But there are problems - big ones. Thankfully I didn't have a pre-existing condition which would have further complicated my situation. I can tell you with certainty, if there were a public option for health coverage, I would have taken it. It is needed.

Ants

Has anyone else noticed that ants seem to be taking over the world? I thought maybe it was just a Florida thing but they were everywhere on my trip across the USA this summer. It is amazing to me how something so tiny can be really big when they all work together. They would get nothing accomplished individually. I guess there is a lesson we could learn from ants - before they totally destroy us.

Just Do It

It seems clear at this point that there can be no good compromise on health care reform. Republican suggestions at compromise completely take out any reform from the issue and protect the out of control profits of insurance companies and medical care. There is no regard for people in their plan - only profits. This is politics at its worst.

The issue of health care reform is so important in my opinion that I would rather see the Democrats lose the next election than bow to a compromise that does not achieve real reform. I think President Obama should take the bold step to make these changes as proposed with the public option even without Republican support. If possible it could be done with an Executive Order - done - period.

This action would be wildly unpopular for Republicans and even some Democrats, but the result would be real change. It may cost the Democrats the next election but would save lives, costs and the integrity of the Democratic party. This is no different than ordering a war against the will of most of America as President Bush did. But in this case it would save countless lives rather than kill countless people. President Obama was elected on the hope of change. Keep the hope alive - even if it may be unpopular. History will show it was the right thing to do.

Rescue a Child

Many precious and wonderful animals end up in shelters or pounds every day, but thanks to the kind hearts of good people many of these animals are rescued and become part of loving caring homes. I myself have rescued 4 dogs so far and they have been unbelievable companions and a big part of my "family".

What puzzles me though is why we don't show the same respect and love for children who also end up in shelters and orphanages every day. When couples find they are unable to conceive a child, they resort to all sorts of expensive fertility testing and sometimes ethically questionable means of artificial conception. Meanwhile, young human beings spend their entire childhood homeless and unloved. Why can't we show the same respect for children that we do for animals? Even gay couples go to extremes to have a "mini them" running around. I think it is tragic and selfish.

In my opinion, every fertility clinic should require their patients to first visit an orphanage before any procedure can be performed. Let the people see that there is another option - adoption. Maybe just seeing a child who needs a home would make some of them change their mind. Perhaps their precious child has already been born.

I believe childless couples, gay and straight, are part of God's plan. There will always be homeless children for many reasons. Rescuing a child should be the first choice.

Why does the word "Chipotle" bother me?

I Had to Ask

On my bicycle trip across the USA this summer I talked to a lot of the good folks who live in rural parts of the country. My opinions were often very different from those I encountered and so I stuck with a "smile and nod" technique. I listened because I was very interested in the way they saw the world, but I kept my opinions to myself. One day though, I just had to ask.

My route passed through a very small town in Wyoming - population 2. I stopped there, in the middle of nowhere, to get a bite to eat in the cafe/bar/post office/store - which was all in one small building. While I was eating my surprisingly good cheeseburger, I chatted with 1/2 of the population - the man behind the counter. The TV was on and tuned to Fox news (of course) and the elderly man scoffed in disgust at what he was hearing about the Presidents plans. He started saying how it won't be long before someone at the grocery store would start pulling things out of his cart that he wasn't allowed to buy. I was amazed at how angry he was - especially based on the benign topic that was actually being discussed on TV. I couldn't hold my tongue. I ask him did he really think that would happen - that someone would be telling him what he could or couldn't buy at the store? He replied in all seriousness that he absolutely believed that would be the case. I decided I better go back to my smile and nod rule.

I wish I could say this was an isolated incident - that not all people in rural towns are so out of touch with reality - but I heard it over and over again in the cafe booths next to mine. Their opinions seemed based on a total lack of information on the facts. Either they hadn't heard the facts or they chose not to believe them. The scary part is that these are the people who actually vote while, sadly, lots of people who do have the facts choose not to.

I share this story because I truly wish there was some way to get all the people to hear the same story. People will always have their own opinions and that is good. But the media we have today is often so skewed and dangerously misrepresents the actual facts. The town hall meetings are a prime example. Folks are yelling and screaming about "death panels" and "socialism" without knowing one single word about what is actually in the bills being considered. They heard it on Fox news so it must be true.

I know you are busy America, but you must do some research and verify what you heard before you make an opinion - and especially before you vote. Please!

Mistakes?

If we compare President Obama to President Bush, it seems he has made 2 big mistakes since taking office.
1. Honesty
2. Accountability

On point #1, President Obama has lost some poll support because he has been forthright with the American people about how long some problems may take to fix. He has also been straight with the people about the sacrifices that we may have to endure to turn some situations around. The Bush admin would simply say nothing is wrong - go back to the mall. Obama's honesty may have cost some poll numbers, but at least we know what is going on.

On point #2, some Americans are screaming about how much all this government intervention is costing the taxpayers. Perhaps they would be less angry if we just left those costs out of the budgets the way the Bush Admin left the costs of the wars out of the budgets. Folks are angry because they know - the way they should have known how much those wars were costing.

Oh, and have you seen the protests going on at the town hall meetings? You never saw that with the Bush team. They only gave speeches in front of supporters. The Obama team seems to be letting everyone in. In my opinion, the arguments are healthy and every citizen should have the right to attend and voice their opinions (calmly).

Where Is My Soap Box?

I have been quiet for several months due to my fantastic bicycle adventure. On this trip across the USA I was pretty much shielded from the daily news except for an occasional TV in a Burger King. From what I gathered, there were really only 2 news stories this summer - Swine Flu and Michael Jackson. At least that was all I heard.

Talking with folks in rural America, I had many topics that would have fit well in this blog but I decided to just hold back until I returned to my "normal" life. Now I have so many topics swimming in my hollow head I don't even know where to begin. But I do know where I won't begin and that is on the topic of Health Care Reform. I'll get to it later but the whole thing is just crazy!

Yes, it seems the public is still revolting - so I am obliged to put in my $.02.

TV Slackers

Why can't the folks on TV work the same schedule as everyone else? They only make about 10 shows and then they just keep repeating them over and over. The fall schedule doesn't start until late Sept. and we are already getting repeats by November. Then they don't bring back new episodes until late January and by March we are back to repeats again. Even the "live" shows I enjoy like "The View" and "The Daily Show" take very long breaks over the Holidays, Spring Break, the entire Summer and some Long weekends. These people get paid loads of money for working only a few hours a day anyway. I would expect a repeat on a Holiday weekend or maybe a vacation week but we should get new episodes every day, just like we have to go to work every day.

And here is the thing that really irritates me. The entire cast on "The View" (and other shows) all do other projects on the side! If their production schedule is so grueling that they can't do a full week of live shows, then how do they have the energy to do side projects? I feel cheated.

Lean and Mean

Your call is very important to us - please hold for the next available representative.

Sound familiar? Since the economy tanked late last year, many corporations have done huge staff layoffs to try to stay afloat. But guess what, the work those people were doing didn't go with them. The folks who were fortunate enough to keep their jobs now have to pick up all those extra duties. If my own job is any indication, we now have a workforce that is under a lot of pressure with too much to do and not enough help. With the fear of layoffs still thick in the air, most people accept this extra burden as thanks for another paycheck.

Wonder why you snapped at a coworker just now? Having problems sleeping at night? Popping too many pills or drinking too much? Customer satisfaction at an all time low? More road rage incidents lately? Yelling at your kids too much? Read about any mass shootings?

These are all symptoms of a workforce under pressure. We can't expect this situation to continue without dire results. Your company was probably already running lean after 9/11, now it has a serious employment deficit. We need to hire people now and bring sanity back to the workforce.

Karma - from my point of view

I love the show "My Name is Earl" - the characters are great and the show is very funny. On the show Earl has had some very bad luck and he believes Karma is punishing him for all the people he has hurt in his life. So he makes a list of those people and tries to make it right again. It is an interesting concept but it's not quite how Karma works. In fact the show gets that point across too.

Karma isn't a "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" type of thing. First, one should never give of themselves while expecting something in return. Second, the person you just helped is not likely the one who will return your Karma.

A simple example: Lets say you have a sick friend who needs something from the store. Even though you are very busy, you selflessly take time out to help this friend. The friend is very grateful but may not have the means beyond a simple thank you to let you know. Years later you are driving home from work and get a flat tire on the freeway only to find your spare is also flat. A kind stranger stops to help and soon you have it fixed. You don't have any money to give in return and in fact the stranger wouldn't take it anyway. These seemingly unrelated incidents are what Karma is all about.

While it is probably true that one good deed deserves another, those who expect an immediate return for their act of kindness will most surely be disappointed. Karma happens when your need arises, not when you think you deserve it. If you feel those you have helped are ungrateful, it is more likely that your own need has not yet appeared.

Rest assured Karma is watching and what goes around - comes around.

The Pope is DEAD Wrong

I cannot express how irresponsible it is for the Pope to preach that condoms are not effective in HIV / AIDS prevention. His solution, as always, is abstinence. Sure, that is a more effective prevention but it requires that people actually are celibate.

The Pope, who likes to think that he is the authority on Life, clearly doesn't understand it. Sexuality is as much a human need as water, food, and shelter. Is the solution to spoiled food not to eat anymore? Of course not. It is a fact that no matter how much you preach abstinence, people will have sex. If your message is that condoms don't work - then you have their deaths on your hands.

The Pope is wrong on this issue - Dead wrong.

E.R. for Health Care

Everyone was outraged when they learned that the government may have paid $200 for a hammer. Yet the $100 box of Kleenex in the hospital is commonly accepted. We are all mad that the CEO makes over a million dollars a year, but is it OK for the Doctor to do so? We have a big problem in the health care industry because hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies have quietly been allowed to charge whatever they want for their goods and services. This is one of the "other bubbles" that is about to (or should be ) burst.

Because insurance pays for a lot of our health care costs, we don't really need to shop around for the best prices - we are more concerned about getting a doctor that knows how to fix our problem. Therefore health care really isn't a capitalistic business - it actually runs more like a monopoly, even in markets where there is competition. Therefore, the health care industry can't be expected to police itself the way the free market does (or should).

When I watched Michael Moore's documentary called "Sicko" the solution was so very clear and entirely possible. In fact it is working well in many other countries. "Nationalized" health care shouldn't be a dirty word just like nationalized police and fire fighters aren't. This is exactly the type of thing that tax payers should be paying for and the government controlling. It is also the only likely way to get healthcare costs down. At the same time it would put doctors, not insurance companies, in control of how we are treated. Yes, nationalized health care does have its down side too, but I think the positives outweigh the negatives.

If you haven't seen "Sicko" yet, please watch it as soon as you can. We can't afford to keep letting our health care costs go unchecked.

PS - In my opinion, the health care "bubble" will burst with or without government intervention. It is likely to be much more devastating without.

Wow!

I never imagined I would actually ENJOY a Presidential speech.

My TV Sukz Monkey Butt

Feb 17th approaches tomorrow and some over-the-air TV broadcast stations will start to disappear eith rest to follow shortly for folks with older TV sets. I have a tiny Casio TV that I have used at work for probably 10 years - just to watch the evening news and for Hurricane updates when needed. Soon it will be useless, so I went out and got a very cool USB device that brings digital TV right to my PC. Reception inside this building is not great at best but the digital picture is fantastic - when it works.

The problem is that with digital TV - the picture is "all or nothing". Most of the time it is perfect, beautiful and sometimes even in High Definition! But, quite often it just - stops. When I was watching the tiny TV and the picture wasn't perfect - at least I could still follow the program with the fuzzy sound and picture. Now I get nothing. I can't tell you how much more irritating it is to have the picture and sound just stop until the signal is restored. It really gives me a headache.

Poor me - right? I get a headache while trying to watch TV at work. Well yes, I am irritated, but I'm not worried about myself - in fact, we have a TV in our data center that I could watch too - I just can't see it from my desk. The real problem is with all the people who are watching over-the-air broadcasts because they don't have enough money to afford cable or satellite TV. Now, not only are they being forced to buy new equipment to get what they had before, they will also have to deal with the blank screen and headache that goes with it.

While I don't think they should extend the deadline again (it only causes confusion) I strongly believe that it is way too early for this transition to be forced on people - and I'm thinking by at least a decade. When color TV came out - folks still had the option to use their black and white sets if they couldn't afford a color one - and some are still using them. This transition is for one reason only - to open the airwaves for other (more profitable) uses. The poor are the only ones really affected by this change. Tell me how that is fair - or even ethical.

That which goes up - somehow stays up.

It occurs to me that if every business who raised their prices to match the increased fuel prices last year were to now drop them to match the now lower prices, then everyone would have hundreds of extra dollars a month. Wouldn't that be stimulating.

Skeptic

I still think the best way to deal with the economy right now is to not mess with it too much. I'm just not convinced that throwing a bag of sand down the Grand Canyon will stop the water from flowing. Hopefully the economists who are advising the President have more information than I do. And speaking of information, I really wish that all the details of this bailout package were made publicly available so that if we object we could contact our Senators and have our voices heard. But, I suppose that would only open the door for more lobbying and further delay the process. Lets just pray the "stimulus" works!

Where is the FDA?

No prescription drug should be advertised if one of the possible side effects is death. And, in my opinion, no prescription drug should be advertised at all - especially if the possible side effects are worse than the condition, or takes more than one page in the magazine to list. Furthermore, the phrase "ask your doctor if blaz-x is right for you" is absurd.

We need to get back to a place where Doctors decide what we need and then inform the patient, about any possible side effects. Instead, what the pharmaceutical companies have created is a society of hypochondriacs. It is a very profitable situation for them but very unethical if you ask me.

Advertise the over the counter drugs all you want - supposedly they are safe enough to be sold without a doctors advice. But prescription drugs by their very nature should only be advertised and distributed to the physicians. And, the drug should be properly tested, safe, and approved by the FDA before it can ever be an option.

Housing Crisis Solution

Politicians are thinking of ways to fix the housing crisis and most are focusing on the interest rates the home owners are paying. I don't think that lowering the interest rate is going to solve much. These people are in trouble because they are "upside down" on their homes - meaning they over paid for them and now their homes are worth a lot less than what they paid. I have a drastic solution that would be the perfect way to spend the "stimulus" money.

Home owners in a serious "upside down" situation should be able to pay for a reputable appraisal of their property. The lenders should then be able to determine what the real value of the property is. They would then offer a new loan for the true value, plus an added margin -maybe 10% (because people who make bad decisions shouldn't get off scott-free) and perhaps offer a fixed rate if they previously had a variable interest rate. The stimulus money would help the banks finance these transactions that would ultimately help the tax paying home owners.

This way, the home owner will no longer be so far upside down so as to be hopeless enough to abandon the property, and the lenders will not be stuck with a foreclosed property. This should also help stabilize the housing prices more quickly than waiting for the foreclosed properties to sell at drastically reduced rates and then slowly raise up to what should be a normal level.

Done correctly it would be a "win" situation for everyone involved.

Early (Temporary) Retirement

I learned a lot from my Dad. As a kid I used to be the one holding the flashlight while he tinkered with the engine or fixed something around the house. As a teenager I was employed at the plumbing shop he owned and learned many things that helped me in my own life. My Dad was an inventor and could fix or build almost anything and I learned as I watched him. But the most important thing I learned from my Dad he never showed me.

My Dad worked very hard his entire life and managed to raise 7 children who were all comfortably fed, warmly dressed, and always returned from a visit with a few extra dollars in their pocket. He worked long hard days in bitter cold and blazing heat digging ditches with is backhoe. When he got home he worked on a multitude of projects that kept him busy late into the night. Some might call him a "workaholic".

Don't get me wrong, he was a good father and he enjoyed his family. He took us fishing, boating, camping - he even built us a swimming pool which is quite rare in South Dakota. Still I knew that he was waiting to retire so he and Mom could enjoy some real relaxation. He couldn't have known that cancer would end his life at the early age of 60. He was still on his backhoe a week before he died. He never got to retire.

The important lesson I learned is that you must take time to enjoy today. You can't put your dreams off because tomorrow is never guaranteed. I live my life this way. I too work hard at my job and on projects at my house. But I always take time to enjoy the beach when the weather is nice and not feel guilty about it.

Soon I will embark on a grand adventure that my family and friends are concerned about. True, I may be a bit crazy to voluntarily (and hopefully temporarily) quit my job - especially in this economy. Perhaps I should wait until things improve, or until I have more savings, or this reason or that. Well, the lesson I learned is that sometimes waiting can get you in a box six feet underground rather than across the country on a bicycle. A little voice inside me keeps saying "go now" - and I think it sounds like my Dad.

They Walked

President Obama's inauguration was a day to remember. One of the things I found most significant was the fact that the new President and First Lady got out of the car and walked several blocks along the parade route. I'll tell you why I think it was so important.

Ever since 9/11, the Bush Administration has had America living in fear. This fear has proven very profitable for them as people who live in fear will allow things they would normally object to in order to feel safe. Using the constant fear of another attack, they were able to convince Senators, and the American public that the war in Iraq was justified. Fear allowed them the power to change laws to further their financial agenda. And fear allowed them to take away basic rights of privacy and liberty that this country was founded on.

Had President Obama stayed in the car, it would have sent a continued message of fear. It would have justified all the people who worry that this president is an assassination risk. But by stepping out of the car and walking freely down the street with his beautiful wife, waving to the crowd, it displayed a very positive message. President Obama does not live in fear. He trusts that his staff and the secret service are doing their job to keep him and the American people safe. And, I'll have to admit, since it was his first day on the job - it also shows some faith in the Bush administration as well.

I think we will find President Obama will be able to promote his agenda by giving us facts not fears. He has already taken steps to restore some of the civil liberties taken by the previous administration. These returned rights will not compromise our safety but rather secure it. The government will continue to exercise needed investigations - but with due process. That is the way our founding fathers intended and President Obama knows this is important to our country.

They walked tall and proud that day - and now we as Americans can all do the same.

Proud of the USA

We don't get to choose where we are born or where we grow up, but we do get to choose were we live as adults. I live in the United States by choice and I've always been very happy to live here. But today, for the first time in 8 years, I am also proud to be an American. The inauguration literally brought tears to my eyes and I, like so many others, was overwhelmed with hope for our future and pride for the good man who beat the odds to become the 44th President. His speech hit home to so many across the globe offering a fresh start and a message of peace. God bless this man and this country as we begin again.

Save Internet Shopping!

They want to tax all of the Internet? Now I'm starting to get pissed off.

First the states raised our property taxes to match the unrealistic appraised value of the over priced homes in our neighborhoods. Then they based the states budgets on these ballooned tax revenues and now that prices are falling their budgets are falling short. To make up for it they want to start taxing all purchases on the Internet. I don't agree.

Tax free shopping is one of the main reasons most folks shop online, especially if they can also get free shipping. We already have to pay taxes to those business who have a physical store in our state. Adding to that will only hurt the economy more as folks choose not to shop online.

There is also the problem of what rate will virtual sites be taxed at? And who will they pay it to - the state? The Feds? Me? Do all online merchandisers need to get a business license? If so - from what city, state, or country? It will be a big mess - no doubt.

Like the rest of us, States need to adjust their spending to match the lower revenues. And please stop the scare tactics of saying you are going to have to cut education, police and fire budgets. There are lots of other places to cut budgets. Just look back at the budgets of 5 years ago and see how you managed back then.

The Mirror is Your Friend

One more New Year fitness tip: As part of your new healthy eating, more exercise, and weighing yourself daily as I mentioned before, there is one more thing you should do daily and that is to look at yourself in the mirror - naked if possible. The reason this is important is because fat and muscle weigh differently - a little muscle weighs the same as a lot of fat on your body. As you start to tone up with your new healthy lifestyle, you may not notice your weight dropping very quickly because hopefully your fat is being turned into muscle. But you can see changes in your body - good or bad - by simply looking in the mirror. If you have a lot of weight to lose, you may not enjoy this part very much in the beginning but you still need to do it - just as you need to weigh yourself daily.

I have found that a full length mirror in your bathroom or bedroom is perfect for this. If yours is in the bathroom, you will need to take a moment before you shower or bathe (when there is no steam) to just look at yourself - all the way around. The second benefit of this practice is that you will gradually gain body acceptance (no matter what you look like). Body acceptance goes a long way to the mental part of getting into - and staying in shape.

When you reach your goal weight, I'm certain you will actually enjoy the mirror which is good because you need to continue to see yourself each day. As with the scale, you will notice when things are starting to turn for the worst before it gets too far out of control.

I Sure Miss Rosie

Over the last several years I have very much enjoyed reading Rosie O'Donnel's Blog and I felt like part of her family as I watched the kids grow up. Rosie has decided to go "unplugged" in 2009 and that is certainly her prerogative. But, when she reads my blog (ha!) I hope she knows how much we miss her on TV and the Internet. I know she will be back on one or both soon, but until then I wish her some peace and rest in 2009.

Rosie - no matter what you choose to do - you will always be my heRO!

Very Happy Holidays

Well I had a fantastic Holiday season. For the first time in my adult life since college, I had 2 weeks of vacation in a row - during the actual Holidays!!! However, I didn't have any extra money to do any traveling. But that is not a problem when one lives in S. Florida! I can't think of a better place to be "stranded" during a vacation. I did a lot of bike riding, became a professional beach bum, and of course drank a few beers. Fantastic!

Happy 2009!

Well this year is off to a fast start - it's already January 9th!

I've mentioned in past years the hoards of new folks at the gym (for a limited time only) so I won't re-hash that. But I do have several January fitness points to make. First, I want to address something I hear a lot. Whenever I tell people that I want to lose 5 pounds I always hear the same thing - "you are so thin! Why would you worry about 5 pounds?" My answer to that is simple: It is much easier to lose 5 lbs that it is to lose 10 lbs or more. Once you let yourself get past a point where it becomes a very difficult task to get back to a normal weight, things start to get hopeless. My advice is weigh yourself DAILY if possible. Most grocery stores I go to have a scale for customers and of course there is that one at the gym (you do go - right?). You might not even feel like you have gained any weight until you have gained way too much so the only way to know is by checking it daily. What I do is pick a target weight zone and try to always stay within that zone. You should always allow at least 5 pounds within this zone because your weight will change that much for a variety of reason. But, once you start to go over that upper limit, you must take action immediately and that action is very simple - eat less and exercise more. That's it!

My next point is that you cannot get enough exercise in your home unless you are doing serious cardio work like a treadmill (for longer than 10 min.) I've noticed a disturbing trend recently that people actually think playing a video game like the Wii is good enough exercise. WRONG! Let me say that again because it is very important - WRONG! I don't care how much you swing your arms with virtual bowling, you are simply not getting a good cardio workout that your body needs. Please, do yourself a big favor and turn off the video game, or the football game and go outside and actually move your entire body to the point of heavy breathing. This is the only way you will help yourself lose weight and stay healthy. I understand it is cold in other parts of the world and it is hard to get motivated, but you must do it. Go to a mall or a school gym and get yourself moving. When you get back home - play the Wii! You can't get too much exercise.

OK - I'm done with my yearly rant on personal fitness. Why do I rant? Because it is so very important. You get one and only one body - take care of it and it will take care of you.

May your 2009 be extra fine!

This Is It - Get Used To It

So the housing market bubble broke and the stock market crashed. Now folks are waiting for things to get back to where they were. I'm afraid that isn't likely - at least in the near future and here is why. For whatever reason, the markets were out of control. Housing prices were way higher than they should have been and the same is true for prices on Wall Street. Both markets are going through a correction, but that doesn't mean that prices will go back to those unreal high points. Rather a correction means that prices will drop to where they SHOULD be.

People who are waiting for the stock market to go over 10,000 are basically waiting for the market to get out of control again. In reality, the market will make adjustments and find a new level of "normal" - the correct level.

And don't expect your house price to reach $400k again when clearly that price was false. Now your house is maybe worth $250k and that is the new "normal" price. To expect more is to expect a new out of control market. If you bought that house at $400k then I'm afraid you way overpaid and you will not likely get that money back for a long time.

We must look at the economy realistically. The prices of the past were not real. The terribly low prices we now have are probably not real either. Sometime soon (hopefully) the markets will find their new "normal" and we will all have to adjust to that.

I Wish You Well.

Our company, like so many others right now, just layed off a whole lot of folks - just in time for the Holidays. It has been a very scary couple of weeks as groups of terminations came through not knowing if mine was next. Thankfully I survived this round - but many I know did not. My heart goes out to them and I wish them all the best of luck finding new careers.

Price Drops?!

Well I honestly never thought it would happen, but today I saw a gas sign where all the numbers started with a 1. Of course my previous posts always suggested that there was no shortage (yet) causing the massive price increases and I guess this proves me correct.

But many folks are taking note that although gas prices are thankfully dropping, the cost of other goods like food are not. Prices have gone up sharply in recent months and blamed on fuel costs for transporting goods. Stores of all sorts must be seeing huge profits now as transportation costs go down. They need to pass the savings on to consumers just as fast as they raised the prices.

I think price drops to match lower transportation costs is unlikely due to greed. But, I was wrong about gas prices dropping - lets hope we see price drops elsewhere too.

Words That Irritate Me

There are several words or phrases that irritate me for some unknown reason:

• "Reach Out" as in contact the person and see if you can get more information.
• "Synergy" It seems whenever this word is used - there isn't any.
• "Brick and Mortar" as in a physical store or building. Isn't physical a shorter word?

I guess I'm a minimalist. I'd rather "call" someone than "reach out" to them. Forgive me if I choose to use the shorter words.

Things That Should Always Be Free

There is no free lunch. But in my opinion some things should be free.

• Air for tires - especially bike tires (why does the cost keep going up?)
• Tap water - wherever it is available. Even if bottled water is sold there.
• Towels in bathrooms. I refuse to support the bathroom attendant occupation - nothing personal to those in the business.
• Advice - directing guests in your hotel is just good customer service.
• Toilets - if you have to take a crap and have no money for the pay toilet - what do they expect you to do?

Do Unto Yourselves As You Do Unto Us

When a person doesn't manage their money correctly, they may overdraw their bank account. At that point the bank not only demands that you deposit money to make up the difference, they also charge a large overdraft fee - something I've never quite understood. If you didn't have enough money to begin with, why do they think you can suddenly come up with more?

Well now it is the bank's turn. Seems many of them have "overdrawn" their systems by investing in bad mortgages and other questionable business practices. If the banking theory of penalties works for them - it should work for us too. They need to come up with the money they owe NOW. And they need to pay a penalty for overextending themselves.

What is happening instead is that the banks want us to bail them out! They actually want the tax payers to give them money so they can continue to be in business. Can you imagine what the bank's response would be if you asked them to "give" you money to cover your overdrafts? That is the same response we need to give them.

Let the banks fail. The taxpayer's money can be used to bail out the good people who would lose their money because of the failure - not the bank itself. So simple.

Electoral College - Still a Bad Idea

The election is finally over and the winner is clear - this time. Depending on which tally you look at it was either a landslide (as viewed from the Electoral College) or fairly close (as viewed by the popular vote). In my opinion the electoral college system is a very bad and dangerous way of counting an election. As witnessed in this election, it can swing the votes for an entire state in a way the popular vote doesn't resemble at all. We need to end this system before we have another mess like 2000.

Change

The result of the election is incredible - and it has little to do with the historic nature of it. I truly believe that Barack Obama is a good and honest man. He is an eloquent speaker and believes in the power of the people. He has the ability to gather support from huge crowds. President Elect Obama has a vision of the future. He understands the many challenges we face. He will listen as well as decide. I truly believe he has the power to heal the international wounds created in the last eight years. I have great hope that he will accomplish much of what he promised. I look forward with great anticipation to his term(s) as President.

But be warned - I am not a "stand by your man" type of person as were many who supported President Bush. The promise of this new President is great, but he must earn the respect of the American people. I have no doubt he will do just that. I wish he could start today.

Change has come to America.

Official 2nd Class Citizen

Yesterday we witnessed an historic election as the people overwhelmingly elected the first African American President. I was so elated by this wonderful event I almost forgot that other blatant discrimination was voted in the very same day. Florida and California joined the ranks of many states that wrote discrimination against homosexuals into their constitution. And Alabama banned adoption by homosexuals -already the law in Florida.

How is it that we can finally break the racial barrier while clinging to other discrimination? Homosexual people are in every country, every state, every town and in a whole lot of families, yet we continue to be the most hated of all people in every corner of the world by the very act of our birth. How is it that lawmakers and some judges do not consider this unfair, especially when the argument against these rights are based on religious beliefs? Where is the separation of Church and State?

We cannot expect the rights of a minority to be protected by the majority. Would slavery have been voted away? Would women have been given the right to vote by popular vote of the men who already had that right? An issue of discrimination should never be voted on.

Equal rights for all people should be so easy. Why is it so hard?

Other countries have broken the racial barrier long before the USA when it comes to their countries leaders. Some even have equal marriage rights for homosexuals. But I can't think of one that has an openly gay President or Head of State. I wonder if it will every happen in my lifetime.

The Future Is So Bright - I Gotta Wear Shades!

Projected winner - Barack Obama!

Sick and Tired

This has been a very exciting election year - but I'm way over it by now. Especially since I already voted for our next great President - President Obama!

But I do have just one request: Whoever wins on November 4th - can they please start on November 5th? I don't think we can wait until January!

The Other Bubbles

We have several other bubbles out there similar to the housing market that are just waiting to burst. Some should be burst on purpose in my opinion. Several examples I can think of off the top of my head:

Health Care Costs
Insurance Premiums and deductables (including medical, home owners, malpractice etc.)
Higher Education

All of these industries are way over priced and their high costs are causing pressure on the market in general. When there is no clear justification for extreme prices then eventually something gives and a correction occurs. Some if these industries are feeding on each other the same way the housing market was feeding off of lenders. A good example is medical costs and insurance. Each keeps raising because the other will support it - and a bubble occurs.

When insurance companies won't pay the high medical costs - the bubble will burst.
When students can't get student loans to cover the high cost of education - the bubble will burst.

Anybody got a pin?

Leave Well Enough Alone

Here is what I think we should do with regard to the troubles on Wall Street:

absolutely nothing.

The market - and economics in general - is a very fragile and volatile balancing act. It doesn't take much to set off the balance - greed and corruption will tip it in a hurry. But once it gets out of balance I think it is best to let it correct itself, even if it hurts a bit. If we tinker with it by putting more money in banks or whatever the plan is, we might actually cause more damage.

I don't think any one person can totally understand the market and it comes down to a guessing game. We should leave alone things we do not totally understand. But I'm not an economist so that is just my opinion.

The Undeniable God

Perhaps one day we will be able to scientifically prove the origin of the universe back to a tiny speck of dust that somehow blew up to create all things we know today. Even so, where did that speck of dust come from?

We The People

Here is something you won't hear me say too often - the Republican concept on the economy is not bad - the problem is it just doesn't work.

I'm talking about the concept that if you support business, the money will flow to the people who work for those companies. It really should work - but it doesn't for one simple reason. Greed. Those at the top, who make the rules and decisions, take a lions share of the profits while the rest of the company barely survive. But that is not the whole problem. Businesses exist because people need money to live. But for some reason, business has taken on a life of its own, with corporations growing and growing - never giving money back to the people for whom it should support. Corporations should be designed to generate money for the people who work there - not only to keep growing. In my opinion, every business, especially a public company, should reward every employee with a pre-determined percentage of the profits in addition to their actual wage. Can you imagine the motivation to succeed if you knew your bonus grows with the profits? This is a concept that cannot work in a totally free market because greed will always keep money from flowing back to the people.

Its people, people. Business exists for the people - not the other way around.

How Old Is Your Soul?

I ran across an interesting on-line profile the other day. The man described himself as having "an old soul who is tired". This man was only in his 20s.

As a person who is interested in many views of creation, life and the afterlife - I found this to be a very intriguing idea. If we explore the possibility that our souls live on after our bodies die, this young old man may have said something very profound. To me it would explain a lot. Why is it that some children under 10 years old are able to play extremely complicated piano concertos? Why do some very young people seem wise beyond their years? Why do some older folks seem like they should have more wisdom for their age? Perhaps it is the age of the soul and not the age of the person that really counts.

For me personally it may explain some other things - like why I have a very strong sense that I am supposed to be doing something really important, but I don't know what that is. This has bothered me for a long time now. I don't feel that my soul is either young or old - more like a middle aged soul with a lot of life left but that I have already learned a lot. I do feel like I've been here before and I experience a lot of that DejaVu feeling - more than other people do I think.

It is a very interesting concept that wise old soul presented to me.

Game, Set, Match

A great political observer, Gary Shandling, said on Real Time with Bill Mahr exactly what I have considered true for a long time now. The terrorists won.

The buildings struck on that fateful September 11th were not chosen because they were easy to hit. They were chosen for their symbolism. The terrorists had 3 goals in mind that day:

1. Kill lots of Americans to instill fear because the fearful will always over react. (thus the planes and buildings with large populations)
2. Set the wheels in motion to bring down the American economy (thus the World Trade Center)
3. Reduce the strength of our military (thus the Pentagon and possibly the Capitol if the other plane had succeeded)

This carefully calculated plan needed one more very important ingredient - the correct people running the country to react (or rather over react) in such a way as to complete the goals started on 9/11. They must have known they had the perfect ingredient with the Bush Administration. I doubt even Bin Laden realized how perfect it would all unfold.

1. An overacting Administration would help increase the total number of American casualties by starting wars they didn't know how to fight (Iraq was a super double bonus)
2. By over reacting and starting those wars costing Trillions, the country would eventually fall into financial ruin (witnessed this month on Wall Street - and it ain't over yet)
3. Our military is over extended to the point were we are now unable to defend ourselves for another attack. (Would Russia be acting this way if they still felt America was a super power?)

Yes, I hate to say it but I believe we feel into a giant, well planned, trap. Now, how do we get out? Its time we acted smarter than terrorists. Lets vote for the right President - one that doesn't keep the policies that the terrorists want us to follow.

The Rich Still Are (Again, Still)

Thank goodness the American tax payers were able to save Dick Cheney's investment portfolio!

Seriously folks - nobody wants to see the market crash. But I have to admit that if such a terrible thing were to happen, finally, it would be the rich that would pay the price. Those that have nothing still wouldn't. Look how quickly we came up with 800 billion dollars (!!!!) to save the rich. Again I mention Katrina and how years later many of the poor still don't have real homes.

I'm not entirely sure what to make of the banking industry failures - most mere mortals couldn't possibly understand this complicated mess. But one thing is for sure - the rich will save the day - for the rich. And Joe Six Pack will pick up the bill. Its like your wealthy boss taking you out to an extremely expensive lunch and then making you pay the tab.

Look Up

Solar energy can be turned back on as soon as the storm has passed and the sky clears. We have the technology to make solar energy as common as automobiles, it just needs to be made affordable. The money for energy independence can be used to fund oil exploration OR to fine tune solar and other forms of renewable energy. We heard the Republicans answer loud and clear at the convention "Drill!, Drill!, Drill!".

That is the wrong answer.

Bush Defect-ors

I've been watching the Republican National Convention because I like to hear both sides of the story. I'm amazed at how differently they see the world as opposed to the way Democrats see it. But that's not the point of this article. What I find most interesting about the convention is that so many of the speakers have said that the country is on the wrong track (something Dems do agree with) and that John McCain is the man to save the day. But these are the same people who voted for President Bush twice and vehemently supported him through all his bad policies and judgements. Now (NOW?!) they are saying , well, maybe he wasn't right on a lot of things after all. Here is a little secret I'd like to share with the Republican party: You do not need to "stand by your man" when you KNOW he is leading the country on the wrong path. You do not need to vote for your candidate again when you KNOW he will continue the bad policies you already witnessed in the first term. Partisan politics is not the American way - or at least it shouldn't be. We must all vote for the best person for the job - even if they might be on the other ticket. I live by this rule.

John McCain is a good man - but I do believe that Obama has a better plan for the future of America. I hope some Republicans will see this too and vote accordingly. That said, I'm thankful that we do not have any bad candidates this election. President Bush should never have had a 2nd term but either of these candidates can do the job and do it well.

I Now Pronounce

Here is my view on marriage. You notice I didn't say gay marriage because when you think about equality - it isn't necessary. See how easy that is?

I think all couples (gay or straight) should be considered Domestic Partners in the eyes of the Government. If they would then choose to be "Married" in a church then the churches can wrestle with the issue. We have a separation of Church and State for just this very reason. But the laws of Domestic Partnership would apply equally to all with respect to hospital visitation, immigration, property ownership, taxes, divorce, etc.

Oil Soup

As major hurricane Gustov churns in the Gulf of Mexico, we can all expect gas prices to rise rapidly again (until the election gets closer). This is yet another reason why off shore drilling is not a good idea. Major hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico are not rare and, and due to global warming (which the oil folks don't believe in) will be even more frequent. So not only will we have to deal with high gas prices when the inevitable storms threaten (a threat is all it takes raise prices), we will also have to deal with the very real possibility that a storm like Gustov will damage the rigs enough to cause a major oil spill. This is the case in all the areas now under consideration for new drilling around the Gulf of Mexico, coast of Florida and coast of California. These storms are real, they are powerful, and they are inevitable. Putting more toxic rigs in these areas is stupid. Especially given the fact that the oil companies are not drilling in areas already approved on land.

As a side note - I pray this storm weakens before it makes landfall and I also pray it spares the New Orleans area. For some reason - 3 years later - many folks are still living in trailor houses there. That reason is the Bush Admin. The fence on the Mexico border is almost done but those homes have not been rebuilt.

My point made

As if to prove my point on my last article John McCain surprised everyone with is VP pick. The discussions, predictions, and forecasts over and over in the media over the last several weeks are now pointless in hindsight. It was a total waste of airtime when their were much more important issues going on in the world. The media needs to get out of the gossip business and back into reporting real news.

I rest my case on this one.

News Forecasting

The future is not news. We have entered an irritating age where people are so eager for drama that they would rather hear speculation than actual facts. All of the news outlets we have today spend most of their time reporting what might happen rather than what has been proven as true. This hearsay type of reporting is not only annoying but possibly dangerous. It gives power to the media to sway public opinion to what they think might happen - or more accurately - what they want to happen. To forecast the news is not technically lying so therefore it is not illegal. But it is not truth either and therefore it is not real news. And it is so very much worse in an election year. For example - can't we wait until the VP picks are announced to report it? Why waste so much time speculating who we think it might be - that doesn't matter. It is not news until it is a fact.

On a related note, I'm also irritated with the phrase "speaking on condition of annominity because they are not authorized to comment". If you are not authorized to comment then you should not be speaking #1 and what you say should not be reported #2. If you can't reveal your source then how can we know your information is fact and not just gossip? I want proof.

Isn't there enough real news and proven facts that people need to be aware of to fill your newscast, newspaper or website? Leave the gossip to the blogs.

Evil Entities

There are a few corporations that I refuse patronize due to their business practices I find either unethical or unacceptable. Here is my list of the most evil corporate entities that I try to avoid. "Try" is the key word here because some have become so close to a monopoly that they are hard to avoid.

AT&T
Walmart
Capital One
Comcast
J.I. Kislac Mortgage Company
FOX News
Bank of America
AOL
Haliburton
AT&T (they deserve to be listed twice)

State Farm - you have been issued notice - shape up or you will soon be at the top of this list.

Sprint deserves honorable mention but despite all the problem I've had with them (and I've had a lot!) they continue to show good customer service and usually offer some sort of compensation for my inconvenience.

Fay Loves Florida!

Tropical Storm Fay has visited almost all of Florida causing massive rain events for a most of the state. It has been an interesting storm to follow because it seems to love land - only venturing into the water to take a quick breath to ensure its survival.

No offence Fay but we are tired of you - you may leave now.

Election Gas

Did you notice that gas prices are finally dropping a bit? Well it is no surprise to me - an election is fast approaching. If you don't believe that gas prices are being artificially controlled, check out the prices over the last 8 years. Through that entire period prices have been rising rapidly except several months before elections where they went down considerably. That simply can't be a coincidence. Getting the prices lower before the election seems to show that those currently in power are working hard for the people. To me it shows they are manipulating the people.

"They" Might Be More Advanced

I read an article yesterday that said scientists are now theorizing that it might be possible to travel at greater than the speed of light using some sort of "bubble" that travels on a wave of "space time". But of course, the article states, this would be far into the future.

Well perhaps it will be far into the future for humans on this planet. But I strongly believe that life exists elsewhere in the Universe. In fact with the vastness of the Universe - the uncountable stars and planets that clearly exist - it is almost silly to think that we are the only planet with intelligent life. So what if other intelligent life does exist - who is to say they don't already have this technology that we are only theorizing about? After all, they may be billions of years older than we are.

Suddenly, the concept of visitors from other planets doesn't really seem that unlikely. I just hope they are more peaceful than we are.

Sir, What is this charge?

New Buzzword alert - Surcharge.

Everyone from cruiselines, airlines, and even my power company are adding a hefty "fuel surcharge" to my tickets or bills. It's crazy!

When I buy a travel ticket, I expect the cost includes all the costs to the company providing the service plus a profit. The costs include equipment, depreciation, labor and yes - even fuel. Since when has fuel been an added on charge?

Have businesses forgotten that they can simply raise the ticket price by the added fuel costs? Do they think we consumers are so stupid that we won't add in the fuel surcharge when comparing prices? Oh wait, they don't tell you about the added surcharge until after you buy the ticket. I get it now. Kinda like those "Resort Fees" that started showing up on my Priceline.com hotel rooms after I already booked the hotel.

Seems very dishonest to me.

Fly Naked

I hope the airlines don't mind when I show up naked. That way I don't get charged and extra fee for luggage and as an added bonus I don't have undress for the TSA!

All Books Were Written By Humans

Show me a document written by God alone, and I'll show you a whole lot of folks using the wrong document.

Even Jesus didn't write anything down. Every document (Bible, Koran, etc.) was written by humans - and all humans are limited by their own knowledge and their personal biases.

No document can claim to be the "Word of God". Doing so is Blasphemy.

If you believe a document is divinely inspired - that may be true but could never be proven. Use such documents as your own guide to personal growth.

The Bee and the Bird

I saved a bee from drowning in the pool this morning. I wasn't sure it would be able to fly after being wet but it shook its wings and off it went. It made me feel good.

Minutes later, my dogs caught and killed a bird in my yard. Life can be so strange sometimes.