Australian Corn Flakes

I do not understand why the Olympics are a contest between countries. It is, of course, a contest between the best athletes from around the world - as it should be. But does it matter if the best athlete comes from the USA or Australia? The medals should go to the athlete and not the country the athletes are from. I think the counting of the medals by country is silly. And, I don't think it would matter if we had an Australian on the box of corn flakes either.

Should we bomb Austin?

A man from Austin, TX flew his small airplane into the IRS building because he was mad at them. Should we drop a bunch of bombs on Austin to prevent it from happening again. Of course not. It won't solve anything there like it didn't solve anything in Afghanistan (or Iraq).

Granted - I realize this was likely a solo act and the dude died in the crash so not much chance of a repeat from him. But my point is this: an act of an individual - or even a group of people - does not represent the feelings of the entire region. And dropping bombs on an entire region won't likely kill all of the people who MAY be involved. However, it will kill or seriously injure many innocents who would have never been involved.

Dropping bombs is never the answer.

Keep Them Moving

Most of us realize that we can get better gas mileage by keeping our cars tuned up and tires properly inflated and avoiding sudden starts and stops (I say most because Republicans like to joke about common sense proven things like that). But did you know that there are a lot of driving habits that will help other people save gas too? That's not only good for them but good for the environment as well.

Any car that is running but not moving is wasting fuel. You can help by following some simple rules (or even laws).

• If you are on a multi-lane road and are planning to go forward, stay out of the right lane. That way if someone wants to make a right turn on the red light you won't be blocking them.
• Use your turn signal at all times. That way if someone is waiting for you before they can make their turn, they will know they can turn sooner because you won't be passing by.
  
• If you are on a multi-lane road or freeway, don't drive the exact same speed as someone next to you. This causes a road block for people who are going different speeds. Don't cause a DUMB.
• Be nice and let people in.
• At a 4 way stop - don't be nice! Follow the law and let the person on the right go first.
  
• Let the Bus back in. It sucks following a bus but it uses less fuel per person than a single car - unless it isn't moving. You can pass it later.
• Don't stop in traffic before you take your turn. So many people slow down way too much before turning causing everyone behind them to slow or stop too.

In most cases, it is best to be nice, think ahead, and keep the traffic moving. It is good for you, good for them and good for the environment.

Can't they make brakes that don't squeek for garbage trucks??!

Citizens SukZ

I got an 18 page (double sided) document from my Citizens wind storm insurance policy informing me of what they DON'T cover. It would have been a 1 page document (one side) if they listed what they DO cover. This on top of the over $3,000.00 deductible and nearly $2000.00 premium. And, I might mention this is in addition to my outrageous State Farm home owners policy (which they are threatening to drop).

We the people are not pleased and I hope we are Revolting!!!

As I suspected, Supporting Bad Business IS Bad Business

Beware of the D.U.M.B.

They are easy to spot - driving either way too slow or too fast. They eventually get next to you on the freeway and then they just get stuck there. I call them Dialed Unaware Motorized Blocks (or DUMB). The M could also stand for Mesmerized. These are folks who are so involved with their cell phone conversation that they cannot devote the needed concentration to driving - so they unconsciously rely on you to drive for them. You speed up a bit - they match. You slow down a bit - they match. They will unconsciously match you move for move because they figure if you are OK - they are OK. They are driving in a trance. Meanwhile, nobody can get around both of you because they are effectively blocking 2 lanes. But it's OK - these are very important people and that is a very important phone call. F*#K that!

I like to mess with these folks just a bit. First I verify the DUMB by speeding up slightly then slowing slightly. If they match both moves they are DUMB. So after a little while of them right next to me - when it is safe to do so - I slow down fast! Now you will see them panic and look around at what they missed. It is hilarious.

People who talk on the phone while driving are dumb. People who txt and drive are idiots. Neither of those two words are acronyms.

Companies and Products I Like

With all the complaining I do about evil corporations and products that don't work, I thought I should take at least a little time to list a few things I actually do like. It's a shorter list.

Totino's Pizza Rolls - Seldom is a product actually improved. But somehow they took this delightful snack that used to require a toaster oven and made it just as good in the microwave! Improved indeed!

Target Stores - I just like to shop there and I'm not even sure why. They always have what I'm looking for, in the style I like and at a reasonable price. Well - maybe that is why!

Amazon.com - This online store has been a favorite of mine for years - especially with free shipping. But be warned - they are starting to get on my nerves by changing prices quickly (up of course) when they see in my cookie files that I'm shopping for an item. Careful Amazon - my list is already short!

Sprint - They are also on my bad list because of the MANY problems I have had, but their excellent customer service (when they communicate amongst themselves) have always kept me satisfied.

Klondike Bars - what I wouldn't do for one! I guess that marketing actually does make it to my head once in a while.

Super 8 Motels - yes, I used to work for them so I may be biased, but I still find most of their locations clean, with free Internet and at a reasonable price.

Volkswagon - even though I had a lot of issues with my 01 GTI - I still loved it. And my 06 GTI is much better. You get a lot of bang for the buck with a VW.

There must be few more - I'll edit if I think of any.

The Republican Machine

I've said it before - the Republicans are MUCH better at politics than Democrats. That's because politics can be a very nasty business and most Democrats don't play that well. On what basis do I make that claim? I could go back to the President Clinton years for a very clear example (remember how they slammed him right from the beginning with controversy after controversy), but that is the past.

I'm also not going to use the health care debacle - even though it is another clear example of slandering the opponent for political gain (remember the out of control town hall meetings?). The example I'm going to use involves online newspaper forums. I read USA Today online daily and I chose it because its target audience (travelers) tends to require it be non partial to either political party. They typically report fair and balanced in my opinion. But, if you were to read the comments on the articles you will notice they are WAY off balance. You would expect to get pro and con comments for most articles but they are overwhelmingly Republican biased, name calling, derogatory slams against President Obama and his administration. And any subject from climate change to kittens is steered to Obama within 2 or 3 posts.

I began to think that perhaps USA today was more biased than I realized, so I started to read some other popular local and national papers and found the very same thing. Post after post of nasty, unfounded political BS on every topic imaginable. It can't be a coincidence. The Republican political machine is a well oiled smooth running movement and I believe this is one of the many ways they are constantly campaigning for their cause. I would bet dollars to donuts that many of the posts come from paid PAC members. And it seems to be working as it usually does. Hammer people with baseless lies, name calling and just plain ole meanness and soon the public will start to believe it.

Let me just add that I do not agree with some of the decisions that the Obama Administration has made so far, but they are not as terrible as you might think if you read those posts (which I do not recommend). The President has been in office only 1 year - dealing with issues that are huge by anyone's definition. Anyone with a brain should know that it is too early to judge the progress, especially based on the constant backlash from the conservatives. I'm hoping, like the President Clinton years, the American people will use their own heads and make their own judgments and not listen to the disturbing noise from the Republican political machine.

One last thing. During the Bush years, the forums were also busy with Bush bashers. But there were plenty of posts from Bush supporters as well. You can't find too many pro Obama posts these days because they are drowned out by the negative ones. It's not that pro Obama readers don't post comments, its just that they are overwhelmingly out numbered at every turn. I honestly do not believe that represents the way the whole country feels.

Seeing Yellow

Enough with the phone books! I don't even need one, let alone 4 different versions. The Internet is all most of us need. Please! Deliver phone books and Yellow Pages only to those who request them.

And don't forget to recycle the ones you do get and no longer need.

God is God

No God would require people to fight each other, drop bombs or blow yourself up in his name. No God would make you a healthy sexual being and then ask you not do act on your sexuality in the name of religion. No God would require you to give 10% of your income to the church. No God would even ask you to fear him.

If you believe in God (and I do), you must realize that God is an all powerful, Omnipotent being or force that has the power to create life and end it just as quickly. God doesn't need you - or want you - to do anything! These are human requests.

God is God - that should be all that is necessary.

Fantasy Land

They believe that God wrote the Bible himself - personally.
They believe the universe was created in 7 of our calendar days.
They believe we all came from Adam and Eve.
They believe all living creatures fit on one boat.
They believe in a place called Heaven and one called Hell.
They believe in miracles (and so do I).

But - They don't believe in global warming - because it's chilly today.

Reform the Reformers

When I envision health care reform - I see a different vision than the politicians. Their focus is on getting everyone insured - which is important - but it is only a symptom of the real problem if you pardon the pun.

What I imagine is a system where even a person who isn't insured might be able to afford a Doctor visit, basic prescriptions and perhaps even minor surgery without losing their life savings. My system addresses the costs of health care - including education, equipment, salaries, patents and insurance. All of these costs are out of control. Forcing insurance companies to cover these expenses doesn't lower these costs - it just masks them. Once costs are under control, then perhaps insurance companies might be able to cover more people at a reasonable rate.

We might start at the education level. If healthcare workers don't have to immerse themselves in unbelievable debt to obtain their license to practice, then perhaps they wouldn't have to charge so much for an office visit. Another way to lower the cost of doing business for health care professionals is to put limits on malpractice payouts, which should lower malpractice insurance premiums. Don't get me wrong - if a professional makes a mistake causing damage or death - they should have to pay. But do all cases warrant a million dollar payout? Hardly.

Why does a hospital bed cost thousands of dollars - just because it has a little motor to lift it? Why does a box of tissue in the hospital cost $20 when it is less than a $1 at the store? Why do the drug companies get to charge hundreds of dollars for a new pill (that isn't even fully tested) just because they have an exclusive patent? If I were an insurance company - I wouldn't want to cover those extra costs either.

Doctors and educators also need to take an ethical look at their income statements. Is it justified to have a multi-million dollar income for doing your job? I do believe that if you have a specialized gift you should be duly compensated - but multi-million dollar compensated? I think not. Same goes for Lawyers and CEO's. If you are making that much money, you are stealing it from people who barely make enough to feed their families.

Now, if any of this makes sense to you, then you are probably realizing why health care reform is so hard to implement. Controlling costs means that someone has to make less money. Guess who that might be. If you guess those that are vehemently opposed to health care reform then you get a gold star! Yes folks, the Republicans are against any reform because they will surly lose money in the process. Money they are currently stealing from the good people of the USA in the form of over pricing for goods and services.

Sadly, this is the reason that I fear we will never have true reform.

Stop the Bike

I have avoided writing this article for years because it will likely come across as racist. I assure you - it is nothing more than an observation.

I am fortunate to live in a very diverse neighborhood. We have people from many different cultures living together in relative harmony. Most follow the rules - but some don't. One problem in particular are the rules of riding a bicycle. Some folks just can't seem to stop their bicycle - no matter what. When they near a busy intersection, they either just roll right through - without a look in either direction - or, if they happen to notice a car coming, they simply make a quick right turn until the car swerves to miss them and then continue on. These are not just children mind you and most are young adults. It is a game to them - a dangerous game. I am honestly amazed more of them don't get hit by cars as I have very narrowly missed them on many occasions and I am a very careful driver and a bicyclist.

Where do they learn this behavior and why doesn't anyone in that culture do anything to curb it? I am totally stumped. I would love nothing more than to have someone from this culture (you know who you are) explain to me why people do this and better yet, what can be done to get people to stop their bikes and look for traffic before crossing a busy street. Many people bend the bicycle road rules, myself included, but I would never ride out into traffic without even looking - few people would! But some do and I want to know why.

UPDATE: Last night as I drove home from work shortly after midnight, I was driving down this very street I referenced above. Suddenly a guy on a bicycle going about 10mph darts out into the street without a look or pause - in fact he was riding without his hands on the handlebars where the brakes are. No lights, No hands, No brakes, No brains.

Fly Naked - Part 2

It was bound to happen - a terrorist with explosives in their underwear. I already put my shoes through the scanner after the Shoe Bomber incident - do I get to run my underwear through it now? I don't have a problem with that but Granny might.

We really are getting to the point where everyone will have to fly totally naked - with no luggage. The good news is you will save $15!

I woke up some old people

Today I decided to make a Christmas Eve visit to a dear older friend who is recovering from a fall in a local convalescent home. I accidentally tried to enter through the wrong door and set off the alarm. Folks were screaming and hollering at the loud noise. If there was a sign warning of the alarm - I didn't see it. The nurses and some of the residents laughed it off but I still felt terrible.

Because of my error, at least the residents were awake this time. I was very saddend by my visit several days earlier. Let me start by saying this is a very well run, and clean facility as far as I could see, but it is also a large facility and I was concerned by all the folks who were sleeping in their wheel chairs - mid roll - in the hallways. They were dressed, clean, had their makeup on and they were clearly going somewhere - until they fell off to sleep. I can only imagine this can be blamed on over medication. People don't just fall asleep like that - even if they are elderly. I'm not trying to point fingers at the resident's Doctors or anyone at the facility - I just think we have an issue in the USA where people are taking so many pills that they can't even function. Its sad.

The "Golden Years" should be spent sharing a life full of experiences with Grandchildren, friends, or even just other residents of a center. The friend I was visiting is somewhat of a legend in this area. I enjoy taking him to lunch on occasion where he shares stories of famous people he has met in his life. But even he was a bit "dazzed" from his medications at the center.

I wish I had an answer on how to "fix" this problem but sadly I don't. Suggestions?

The Last Piece

My dogs love to have the last bite of anything that I am eating - and they will wait very patiently for it. However, sometimes I get caught up in a TV show and before I even realize it, I've eaten all of it. The look on their faces is total disappointment and I feel terrible. So, I've decided that perhaps they deserve better than the last piece and I've started putting aside their bit before I finish all of mine. That way when I'm done with my part - they still have theirs waiting. So far it has worked well.

I guess the lesson learned is to always think about others before yourself.

Market of Monsters

The USA has become a market of monsters - business so huge that they can control the market with their policies (AT&T, Microsoft etc.). Would these companies have gotten so huge if they hadn't been able to buy up the competition? I think not - at least not to this extreme. I have a "cure" for business gone bad (and I wrote about it before).

The concept: Do not allow companies to buy or merge with other companies.

It's simple - a company would be allowed to grow as much as they want - as they do in the current market. But, if they are not allowed to buy or merge with other businesses, they will grow slower and more controlled. A business must then use creative ways to entice customers from the competition - thereby creating a real marketplace rather than a monopoly. If a business fails, their customers and employees would be free to choose a new business to support - rather than be forced to do business with a company they would not choose. Hostile takeovers followed by mass layoffs would be a thing of the past.

There really is no downside to this concept because companies could still work together to form synergistic alliances. And imagine how easy it would be to part ways if that synergy didn't work out (think AOL and Time Warner).

This concept would not hinder the free market - but rather easily regulate it.

Bank Bunk

I keep reading about failed banks the Gov. is closing - 131 so far today. Yet I see new banks with names I don't recognize going up daily here in S. Florida. Seems suspect to me.

At Least He Gave It Some Thought

Afghanistan is a complicated issue. Whether the war was justified or not is irrelevant at this point. President Obama inherited the 8 year old war and he needed to decide what to do about it. Personally I voted for peace and I had HOPE the new President felt the same. But, there are things that we as citizens do not completely understand with our limited information. This President is smart and I am certain that he reviewed all the options available to him before he made his decision. If history shows he chose to continue the war for purely political reasons, I will be very sadly disappointed. But I do not believe that is the case.

This President gave it careful thought - and that is a refreshing CHANGE.