“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
Lao Tse
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Thursday, December 20, 2012
More religious kindness [not]
Box Turtle Bulletin » American Pastor David Dykes Wants To Kill Gay Ugandans (UPDATED)
Pastor Dykes is upset that the US doesn't want to give money to a government that has passed a law making it a punishable [by death or life in prison] to commit a homosexual act. And also a crime to know of such acts and not report them. Or to advocate for the overthrow of this law.
Pastor Dykes is upset that the US doesn't want to give money to a government that has passed a law making it a punishable [by death or life in prison] to commit a homosexual act. And also a crime to know of such acts and not report them. Or to advocate for the overthrow of this law.
Daily Kos has an email campaign on...
President Obama: don't cut social security:
This is what I wrote:
Mr. President, please stop proposing cuts to Social Security.
Social Security does not contribute even $1 to the deficit, and is 100% solvent for over 20 years according to even the most pessimistic projections. It should not be a part of the fiscal showdown negotiations.
Please live up to your campaign promise of not balancing the budget on the backs of the middle class.
I've been working since I was about 8 or 9 years old. First with a paper route, then baby sitting & summer jobs. Marriage didn't work out, leaving me as a single mom and home owner. I know we're supposed to save for our retirement: but if you have to choose between new shoes for your child or clothes for yourself: paying for insurance or going without: well, spare cash for savings is awfully hard to come by. Seems like every time I get a little bit ahead, start building up the savings account, something comes along and just sucks out the cash. This year it was a hailstorm [insurance deductible] and cataract surgery [$3000 HSA health insurance deductible]. Add in routine house and car repairs, and money stays tight. Oh, and no raise in 6 years, while prices keep going up.
So I'm one of those people who are counting on Social Security. I'm still going to have to work, but maybe I can cut back to part time instead of full time and overtime. Please don't cut the rug out from under my tired old feet.
go add your own note to the Prez. tell him to stand his ground against the right-wing cabal.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
bad proofreading: or deliberate attempt to make us crazy
instructions copied from a web page: to add automated payments for utility accounts
Add Electric Account
Step 2 of 3 - Verify Your Service Address
Continue to add an electric account by confirming the last three digits of your service address for the account you entered.
* = required field
First Three Digits of Service Address
Select the correct three digits below and click next.
WTF???
The Story Of Bill And Lou: A Life And Death Animal Rights Controversy : 13.7: Cosmos And Culture : NPR
The Story Of Bill And Lou: A Life And Death Animal Rights Controversy : 13.7: Cosmos And Culture : NPR
Bill and Lou were an oxen team:
Life is not kind. Death for wild animals is, in most cases, not dignified and only at the end of a rich and rewarding life.
Bill and Lou were an oxen team:
The story turns on two oxen named Lou and Bill who came to the College as youngsters, arriving malnourished from a dairy farm. For the next 10 years, the pair tilled the fields on Green Mountain's working farm. By all accounts, they enjoyed good lives. Then Lou sustained a leg injury, which did not improve with treatment or rest. As a community — administrators, faculty, and students — the College debated what to do, then announced in October that both oxen would be slaughtered and eaten.And animal rights activists went nuts. Even though the plan for all animals on the farm is that they would end their lives as food. All part of the cycle of life and death.
Life is not kind. Death for wild animals is, in most cases, not dignified and only at the end of a rich and rewarding life.
the Citadel : A Community of Liberty
the Citadel : A Community of Liberty
well good, Then we can just build another fence all around the outside, and keep the crazy people safely ensconced in their own little dream world.
But: are they going to fence the entire 1000 acres, or just the mile-square town?
They call themselves a community of liberty: but :
Our intent is to purchase at least one thousand acres, and construct a walled town of at least one square mile to withstand any potential violence from hungry, diseased Souls. Obviously the Citadel is not being built to defy any laws of the United States or the State of Idaho, or to withstand any .gov or .mil attack. Our fortifications are merely defensive for a SHTF world.
The Citadel will have between 3,500 and 5,000 households within the walls, with a single gate permitting access.
well good, Then we can just build another fence all around the outside, and keep the crazy people safely ensconced in their own little dream world.
But: are they going to fence the entire 1000 acres, or just the mile-square town?
They call themselves a community of liberty: but :
Marxists, Socialists, Liberals and Establishment Republicans will likely find that life in our community is incompatible with their existing ideology and preferred lifestyles.liberty with caveats. liberty that follows their rules for what is freedom.
Manifesto Joe on WalMart
From They Gave Us a Republic:
We had a 'normal' size Wal Mart in our county. They abandoned that store, to build the new Super-Size Walmart. And, as happens quite often, the old store sits empty.
Manifesto Joe links to this article on the Winning Words Project website. Nicely illustrated story. Take it with a grain of salt though: the Wal Mart worker used to illustrate the disparity between workers and owners is a made up person, with pictures grabbed from FreeDigitalImages.
This article from GoodJobsFirst is a little less warm & fuzzy, but more detailed.
Disclosures of Employers Whose Workers and Their Dependents are Using State Health Insurance Programs.
I think we just had, in effect, a U.S. plebiscite on whether the American people want continued plutocracy, as we have known it for decades, or at long last some more populist alternative. Now comes time to look more closely at how the institutions that make up this country actually operate, and there's one huge corporate one in particular needs a good and proper ass-kicking.
Walmart is profiting, to the tune of billions annually, from government handouts. Their corporate welfare is mainly "indirect": In some locations, as many as 80% of their "associates" are food-stamp recipients. Since the pay at such corporate wage-slave institutions is so low, their hapless "associates" have no recourse to feed their families and themselves other than to turn to the federal government. This is a subsidy: The government puts up money to help Walmart's wage slaves eat, and therefore the taxpayers subsidize this evil corporate giant.
We had a 'normal' size Wal Mart in our county. They abandoned that store, to build the new Super-Size Walmart. And, as happens quite often, the old store sits empty.
Manifesto Joe links to this article on the Winning Words Project website. Nicely illustrated story. Take it with a grain of salt though: the Wal Mart worker used to illustrate the disparity between workers and owners is a made up person, with pictures grabbed from FreeDigitalImages.
This article from GoodJobsFirst is a little less warm & fuzzy, but more detailed.
Disclosures of Employers Whose Workers and Their Dependents are Using State Health Insurance Programs.
Senate vote on UN disability convention shows pitiful state of US politics - Telegraph
Senate vote on UN disability convention shows pitiful state of US politics - Telegraph
The entire world is laughing at us. Except when they're being really afraid of what we might do to ourselves and to them, when we grind to a complete standstill.
One of my state senators voted against the bill. No big surprise, he's been voting in lock-step with the right wing wing-nuts.
But wait, he didn't really vote against it. He's just not voting for it right now
Confused?
A big part of the objection to this bill came from the Home Schoolers
I know quite a few home schoolers, from my food co-op. Most of them quite nice, intelligent people. Except when they start carrying on about conspiracies, and poisons in the vaccines, and the danger of mammograms. Then they can get quite loopy. And there's the fact that they get to use 'Christian' books to teach science. Which means only science that fits in with biblical teaching.
Yup, we really need to protect the rights of people to teach their children lies.
.
"It needs to be a wake-up call about a broken institution that's letting down the American people." So said John Kerry in a fit of frustration after the Senate voted against ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The entire world is laughing at us. Except when they're being really afraid of what we might do to ourselves and to them, when we grind to a complete standstill.
One of my state senators voted against the bill. No big surprise, he's been voting in lock-step with the right wing wing-nuts.
But wait, he didn't really vote against it. He's just not voting for it right now
Confused?
In a conference call yesterday (Thursday), Portman said he signed a letter in October that pushed for any treaty votes to be delayed until the new Congress that takes office in January. He says he may reconsider the bill itself.Darn, it's another one of those pesky pledges the right likes to sign.
A big part of the objection to this bill came from the Home Schoolers
Then I found out why. The homeschool lobby. And Rick Santorum, but mostly the homeschoolers, particularly those led by Michael Farris of HSLDA fame. Or infamy. However you prefer. They were fearmongering that the treaty, which included language that specifically forbade its use in court. But noooo, the homeschoolers were claiming that it was a direct assault on the family. You know, just like how gay marriage would destroy all hetero marriages and how gay couples were going to raise serial killer kids. And how any laws that attempt to regulate homeschooling, like some oversight from local or state departments of education, are all infringing on their rights to teach their kids however they wish.
I know quite a few home schoolers, from my food co-op. Most of them quite nice, intelligent people. Except when they start carrying on about conspiracies, and poisons in the vaccines, and the danger of mammograms. Then they can get quite loopy. And there's the fact that they get to use 'Christian' books to teach science. Which means only science that fits in with biblical teaching.
Yup, we really need to protect the rights of people to teach their children lies.
.
They gave us a republic...:: If I had Known Then...
They gave us a republic...:: If I had Known Then...
Not much of a surprise here. Listening to stupid can make you stupid.
Americans who obtain their news from Fox News channel have an average IQ of 80, which represents a 20 point deficit when compared to the U.S. national average of 100
Not much of a surprise here. Listening to stupid can make you stupid.
Unintended victim of a childish prank | The Australian
Unintended victim of a childish prank | The Australian
a prank call has unforeseen consequences.
But.....the pranksters are not guilty of murder, as some bloggers and posters have implied. What ever they did: the nurse [if she did commit suicide] made her own choice. She reacted instead of acting.
a prank call has unforeseen consequences.
But.....the pranksters are not guilty of murder, as some bloggers and posters have implied. What ever they did: the nurse [if she did commit suicide] made her own choice. She reacted instead of acting.
Mitch McConnell Filibusters His Own Bill - YouTube
Mitch McConnell Filibusters His Own Bill - YouTube
Oh, this is marvelous. Horribly so.
The Republicans are now [in essence] filibustering their own bills, just to keep things from getting done.
Have they no shame?
Nope, they don't.
Oh, this is marvelous. Horribly so.
The Republicans are now [in essence] filibustering their own bills, just to keep things from getting done.
Have they no shame?
Nope, they don't.
What About Kasandra Perkins?
What About Kasandra Perkins?
Well written post. Putting the blame back where it belongs. On the shooter, not the victim. Because no matter what she did, she didn't deserve to be killed.
Well written post. Putting the blame back where it belongs. On the shooter, not the victim. Because no matter what she did, she didn't deserve to be killed.
This is why churches and other non-profits should pay taxes
Critics say John Hagee's compensation is too high
This article was from 2003: Mr. Hagee was being paid over a million dollars then. Wonder what he's getting today?
Getting paid a million dollars to preach something that doesn't sound at all like what my grandpa used to. The more money you give to his god, the more you shall receive. Didn't the bible story say that jesus chased the money men out? I don't believe, but he says he does.
And he uses his power to create problems like this: Student objects to ID tags.
A Texas student is suing her school because the school is planning on issuing all students an ID tag: to help them take better attendance records, to ensure they get the maximum school funding they are entitled to.
This article was from 2003: Mr. Hagee was being paid over a million dollars then. Wonder what he's getting today?
Getting paid a million dollars to preach something that doesn't sound at all like what my grandpa used to. The more money you give to his god, the more you shall receive. Didn't the bible story say that jesus chased the money men out? I don't believe, but he says he does.
And he uses his power to create problems like this: Student objects to ID tags.
A Texas student is suing her school because the school is planning on issuing all students an ID tag: to help them take better attendance records, to ensure they get the maximum school funding they are entitled to.
The chip program is costing Northside $500,000, but the district expects to recover about $1.7 million more from the federal government. So that's $1 million worth of teachers Northside doesn't have to let go. The chips have been successfully introduced in a school district near Houston without fanfare.So, one student, because of her personal beliefs, reinforced by the teachings of her church, thinks the school should just throw away that extra $1 million in funding. Perhaps the church that taught her would be willing to make up the difference?
Newtown's martyred children and the cold hearts of the gun lobby - latimes.com
Newtown's martyred children and the cold hearts of the gun lobby - latimes.com
By David Horsey, political commentator for the Los Angeles Times.
I hope he's wrong: but fear he is right. Too many people refusing to listen to reason, listening to fear instead.
don't let them regulate our guns because what that really means is that they're going to come and take them all away from us, and then they'll do something really horrible to us because we'll have no way of protecting ourselves from the big bad gub'mint!
By David Horsey, political commentator for the Los Angeles Times.
"What will be done to prevent similar sick-minded gun rampages in the future?
My early conclusion: Nothing."
I hope he's wrong: but fear he is right. Too many people refusing to listen to reason, listening to fear instead.
don't let them regulate our guns because what that really means is that they're going to come and take them all away from us, and then they'll do something really horrible to us because we'll have no way of protecting ourselves from the big bad gub'mint!
Hey, we don't want to do this, but you sinners are forcing our hand
National Secular Society - Kuwait introduces death penalty for ‘cursing God and prophets’
Yup, killing them is quite a deterrent.
Kuwaiti MPs this week approved a law with a death penalty for Muslims who curse God, the Koran, all prophets and the wives of Islam's Prophet Mohammed. Non-Muslims who commit the same offence face a jail term of not less than 10 years, according to the bill.
Defendants who repent in court will be spared capital punishment but will get a jail sentence for five years and a fine of $36,000 or one of them, while repentance by those who repeat the crime is not acceptable, the bill says.
"We do not want to execute people with opinions or thought because Islam respects these people... But we need this legislation because incidents of cursing God have increased. We need to deter them," opposition MP Ali al-Deqbasi said during the debate.
Yup, killing them is quite a deterrent.
The unlikely faces of same-sex marriage
The unlikely faces of same-sex marriage
Go take a look at the picture. Gosh, those two men look scary don't they. Oh wait, no they don't. They look like any two people you might see on the street. Two ordinary people. Who love each other, and want to be married to each other.
Go take a look at the picture. Gosh, those two men look scary don't they. Oh wait, no they don't. They look like any two people you might see on the street. Two ordinary people. Who love each other, and want to be married to each other.
Youngstown News, Which will Kasich choose: Pay for roads the old-fashioned way, or raid turnpike’s coffers
Youngstown News, Which will Kasich choose: Pay for roads the old-fashioned way, or raid turnpike’s coffers
An editorial against Kasich's plan to lease off the turnpike for some quick cash. His plan to solve a problem that didn't exist, to make money for some of his other grand plans.
An editorial against Kasich's plan to lease off the turnpike for some quick cash. His plan to solve a problem that didn't exist, to make money for some of his other grand plans.
Even while he repeatedly says that the results of a $3.5 million study on the turnpike’s future that he commissioned won’t be released until the end of the month, Kasich appeared before the Ohio Contractors Association with a clear message.What I really want to know is, who gave him the OK to spend that $3.5 million? If our state is so poor that state agencies are being cut back to unworkable levels, where did he find the $3.5 million?
CO2 graphic
IiB-CO2-graphic-v3-001.jpg (940×1848)
I love infographics. But this one is scary as anything I've ever seen.
I love infographics. But this one is scary as anything I've ever seen.
What they said about guns and the killing fields of America
Little Dick Syndrome + NRA = Tragedy
This Time I Won't Forget
[includes a link to our elected representatives who have taken money from the gun lobby. read the list, and contact your elected rep, if they're on it.]
My state 'roster of shame' includes a whole lot of Republicans: no Democrats. Wonder why?
Renacci, Jim (R-OH) House $9,900
Mandel, Josh (R-OH) Senate $9,450
Gibbs, Bob (R-OH) House $3,000
LaTourette, Steve (R-OH) House $3,000
Ryan, Tim (D-OH) House $3,000
Boehner, John (R-OH) House $2,500
Latta, Robert E (R-OH) House $2,150
Chabot, Steve (R-OH) House $2,000
Johnson, Bill (R-OH) House $2,000
Jordan, James D (R-OH) House $2,000
Schmidt, Jean (R-OH) House $2,000
Wenstrup, Brad (R-OH) House $2,000
Austria, Steve (R-OH) House $1,000
Stivers, Steve (R-OH) House $1,000
Turner, Michael R (R-OH) House $1,000
And BlueGirl has a collection of links here.
BrilliantAtBreakfast has links here.
And Jayhawk takes another direction here.
This Time I Won't Forget
[includes a link to our elected representatives who have taken money from the gun lobby. read the list, and contact your elected rep, if they're on it.]
My state 'roster of shame' includes a whole lot of Republicans: no Democrats. Wonder why?
Renacci, Jim (R-OH) House $9,900
Mandel, Josh (R-OH) Senate $9,450
Gibbs, Bob (R-OH) House $3,000
LaTourette, Steve (R-OH) House $3,000
Ryan, Tim (D-OH) House $3,000
Boehner, John (R-OH) House $2,500
Latta, Robert E (R-OH) House $2,150
Chabot, Steve (R-OH) House $2,000
Johnson, Bill (R-OH) House $2,000
Jordan, James D (R-OH) House $2,000
Schmidt, Jean (R-OH) House $2,000
Wenstrup, Brad (R-OH) House $2,000
Austria, Steve (R-OH) House $1,000
Stivers, Steve (R-OH) House $1,000
Turner, Michael R (R-OH) House $1,000
And BlueGirl has a collection of links here.
BrilliantAtBreakfast has links here.
And Jayhawk takes another direction here.
They gave us a republic...:: Don't tell me "now isn't the time" to have a serious conversation about guns
They gave us a republic...:: Don't tell me "now isn't the time" to have a serious conversation about guns
Very good post on a serious issue.
Time to write some letters to my elected representatives, and ask them what they are going to do about this issue. Before any more innocents are sacrificed on the altar of '2nd Amendment' rights.
Very good post on a serious issue.
Time to write some letters to my elected representatives, and ask them what they are going to do about this issue. Before any more innocents are sacrificed on the altar of '2nd Amendment' rights.
'Creat'ive spelling?
taken from a recent work order:
----- L1 ---- CUSTOMER LABOR ----------------------
winterize engine
change engine oil and filter
change lower unit lube
shrink pk and try to cover as much on back
of boat as possible(wants to keep creators out!)
The customer perhaps has an animus towards the gods?
----- L1 ---- CUSTOMER LABOR ----------------------
winterize engine
change engine oil and filter
change lower unit lube
shrink pk and try to cover as much on back
of boat as possible(wants to keep creators out!)
The customer perhaps has an animus towards the gods?
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Thursday, December 06, 2012
I am so angry, so much of the time
And I wish that I could get rid of these feelings, wish I could channel my energy into more useful paths. But I am just so angry. And at what might seem to be the stupidest things. I am angry that my phone service was sold by Verizon to Frontier and that ever since then customer service has been abysmal. The ebill program is down, or refuses to respond, there is no easy way to communicate with them, when you do reach someone after minutes on hold [because they won't let you email a question, and the live chat always seems to be temporarily unavailable] the person you're talking to can't really answer your question. Questions like: why did I get an email telling me that my auto-payment was unable to be processed because of an error in my routing or account number? Routing and account numbers that have not changed in over 20 years. The customer service person says: well, Frontier changed everyone's account numbers [internally]. Why should that affect my payment? I never tied my auto payment to a certain Frontier account number. I just gave them my bank info. If they made changes, they should fix things, not try and tell me that I need to fix it.
And then there's the pile of junk in front of my neighbors house. Today is trash day. I look out my front window and see the neighbors pile of trash. Mountain of trash. A trash bin, one of those big enough to hold a few bodies, full to the brim with an extra bag on top of it. And 7 bags on the ground beside it. And they had the same size pile of trash last week. For a house with 6 people and 2 dogs. WTF are they doing to make so much trash? And why does it make me so angry to see someone else generating so much trash?
And then there's the pile of junk in front of my neighbors house. Today is trash day. I look out my front window and see the neighbors pile of trash. Mountain of trash. A trash bin, one of those big enough to hold a few bodies, full to the brim with an extra bag on top of it. And 7 bags on the ground beside it. And they had the same size pile of trash last week. For a house with 6 people and 2 dogs. WTF are they doing to make so much trash? And why does it make me so angry to see someone else generating so much trash?
Pakistani Minister Stands By Bounty For Filmmaker : NPR
Pakistani Minister Stands By Bounty For Filmmaker : NPR
Well of course. Because no one should have the right to mock someone else's religion because.....
Because why?
I've said it before, I'll say it again. 'Religious intolerance' too often means: I'm religious and I believe this so you have to act as if you believe it too, even if you don't, otherwise you are insulting me and my beliefs. Even if my forcing you to act in this manner might insult you and your beliefs. That doesn't matter, because my beliefs are better than yours.
Despite international condemnation, Pakistan's railways minister says he isn't backing down from his $100,000 bounty offer to anyone who kills the maker of the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims.
Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, the slight, silver-haired minister, says he was angry when he saw the video and that he's a man of great faith, passionately devoted to the Prophet Muhammad.
Bilour says he could not tolerate any insult to Muhammad and felt he had to do something about it. At a news conference last Saturday, he made the $100,000 bounty offer to anyone — including Taliban and al-Qaida members — who kills the maker of the video, who has been identified as Nakoula Basseley Nakoula.
Well of course. Because no one should have the right to mock someone else's religion because.....
Because why?
I've said it before, I'll say it again. 'Religious intolerance' too often means: I'm religious and I believe this so you have to act as if you believe it too, even if you don't, otherwise you are insulting me and my beliefs. Even if my forcing you to act in this manner might insult you and your beliefs. That doesn't matter, because my beliefs are better than yours.
Visualizing the 2012 Sea Ice Minimum : Image of the Day
Visualizing the 2012 Sea Ice Minimum : Image of the Day
Nope nothing to see here. Move along folks, no evidence of global climate change here, just some pretty pictures.
In August and September 2012, sea ice covered less of the Arctic Ocean than at any other time since at least 1979, when the first reliable satellite measurements began. The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) and NASA announced in mid-September that the extent of Arctic sea ice had dropped to 3.41 million square kilometers (1.32 million square miles)—well below the previous record of 4.17 million square kilometers (1.61 million square miles) set in 2007.
Nope nothing to see here. Move along folks, no evidence of global climate change here, just some pretty pictures.
Klein Tools - The #1 choice among professional tradesmen
Klein Tools - The #1 choice among professional tradesmen
Looked up this site after talking to my contractor about the decline in quality of the modern folding rule.
He compared his new Lufkin extension rule to my old one. So old that I have no idea when or where I bought it. But it still looks and feels brand new, with clear numbers, and strong/snappy action. His newer one feels flimsy in comparison. The end of mine is even and smooth. His is wobbly. Oh well.
After he left, I pulled out the even older rule I had, made by M. Klein & Sons, Chicago IL. From my dad's garage, when we cleaned it out after his death. This one is really old. And was obviously well and often used. the edges are rounded from use [but still even]. The paint is scratched. But the folding action is still strong and sure.
Looked up this site after talking to my contractor about the decline in quality of the modern folding rule.
He compared his new Lufkin extension rule to my old one. So old that I have no idea when or where I bought it. But it still looks and feels brand new, with clear numbers, and strong/snappy action. His newer one feels flimsy in comparison. The end of mine is even and smooth. His is wobbly. Oh well.
After he left, I pulled out the even older rule I had, made by M. Klein & Sons, Chicago IL. From my dad's garage, when we cleaned it out after his death. This one is really old. And was obviously well and often used. the edges are rounded from use [but still even]. The paint is scratched. But the folding action is still strong and sure.
Enter the hyperparasites – wasps that lay eggs in wasps that lay eggs in caterpillars : Not Exactly Rocket Science
Enter the hyperparasites – wasps that lay eggs in wasps that lay eggs in caterpillars : Not Exactly Rocket Science
Brilliant. Nature is so wondrous.
A parasite that attacks a parasite that is attracted by 'calls' for help from a cabbage plant!
Brilliant. Nature is so wondrous.
A parasite that attacks a parasite that is attracted by 'calls' for help from a cabbage plant!
Ransomware Is Expanding in the United States - NYTimes.com
Ransomware Is Expanding in the United States - NYTimes.com
Happened to my boss. He couldn't remember where he might have been browsing when he picked up the virus.
Seems to me as if the credit card companies should bear some part of the responsibility in this problem. They're making money off the debit card transactions, aren't they? Can't they track down the accounts the money is being transferred to? Or is it all going to purchases?
Essentially online extortion, ransomware involves infecting a user’s computer with a virus that locks it. The attackers demand money before the computer will be unlocked, but once the money is paid, they rarely unlock it.
Happened to my boss. He couldn't remember where he might have been browsing when he picked up the virus.
The messages often demand that victims buy a preloaded debit card that can be purchased at a local drugstore — and enter the PIN. That way it’s impossible for victims to cancel the transaction once it becomes clear that criminals have no intention of unlocking their PC.
Seems to me as if the credit card companies should bear some part of the responsibility in this problem. They're making money off the debit card transactions, aren't they? Can't they track down the accounts the money is being transferred to? Or is it all going to purchases?
America's 'actually existing' worker-owned capitalism | Moira Herbst | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
America's 'actually existing' worker-owned capitalism | Moira Herbst | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
Big surprise? Not. People who have more than a paycheck connection with their job are more likely to do a better job. Makes total sense to me.
Far from some communist ideal, employee ownership is an all-American third way that both left and right can embrace. Worker advocates can applaud the model's more democratic structure, while free marketeers can admire its entrepreneurial spirit.
Workers who directly reap the fruits of their labor – rather than toil for higher returns for anonymous investors – are more motivated, productive, and creative. According to a study by Harvard and Rutgers researchers, companies with substantial employee ownership often outperform those without, because of lower staff turnover and stronger trust relationships at work.
Big surprise? Not. People who have more than a paycheck connection with their job are more likely to do a better job. Makes total sense to me.
This has got to be the last of the fresh broccoli
I mean, after all, it's Dec 6th. Far too late in the year for crops to still be growing in northern Ohio, right?
But here it is: a harvest of broccoli and leeks, ready for dinner.
But here it is: a harvest of broccoli and leeks, ready for dinner.
Monday, December 03, 2012
Firearms magazine ‘truly sorry’ for saying ‘pocket sized machine gun’ not for civilians | The Raw Story
Firearms magazine ‘truly sorry’ for saying ‘pocket sized machine gun’ not for civilians | The Raw Story
Sounds like common sense to me. Not a sporting tool, this is something designed to kill people.
Once again, the NRA and it's loyal followers prove that they have no moral sense.
They react with outrage to the suggestion that a weapon that is designed to penetrate body armor is not a weapon that should be sold to the general public. That this weapon is designed only to kill people, not for sporting uses, and thus should be kept out of the hands of untrained civilians.
Imagine the horror if the Aurora movie theater shooter had one of these weapons. No one would have come out alive. Instead of dozens of deaths, we could have hundreds. But THE HALLOWED SECOND AMENDMENT AS INTERPRETED BY THE NRA MUST BE PUT ABOVE ALL OTHER CONCERNS. Because every 'True American' has a right to own as many weapons of great destruction as he/she wants to. And if that makes you afraid, then you should just go out and buy your own stockpile, to protect yourself!
The editor of a firearms magazine is backing down after saying that civilians should not be allowed to purchase the MP7A1 — a concealable submachine gun that was specifically designed to penetrate body armor — because the weapon had no “sporting applications.”
“[T]he MP71A [sic] is unavailable to civilians and for good measure,” Editor Jerry Tsai wrote in the latest issue of Recoil magazine. “We all know that’s technology no civvies should ever get to lay their hands on. This is a purpose-built weapon with no sporting applications to speak of.”
Sounds like common sense to me. Not a sporting tool, this is something designed to kill people.
But many gun enthusiasts took Tsai’s remarks as an attack on the Second Amendment and mounted a social media campaign to pressure advertisers to stop doing businesses with the magazine.
“Over the weekend, a justifiable firestorm exploded over the comments of an editor of RECOIL magazine regarding firearms access and ownership in America,” weapons manufacturer Bravo Company Manufacturing wrote on Facebook. “The BCM and Bravo Company USA teams share the outrage of the firearms community and will not support any organization that so directly opposes the core principles our company and country was built on.”
Other manufacturers like Silencerco, Magpul, Haley Strategic Partners, Imminent Tactical Solutions, Panteao Productions and Surefire also pledged not to advertise in Recoil.
Once again, the NRA and it's loyal followers prove that they have no moral sense.
They react with outrage to the suggestion that a weapon that is designed to penetrate body armor is not a weapon that should be sold to the general public. That this weapon is designed only to kill people, not for sporting uses, and thus should be kept out of the hands of untrained civilians.
Imagine the horror if the Aurora movie theater shooter had one of these weapons. No one would have come out alive. Instead of dozens of deaths, we could have hundreds. But THE HALLOWED SECOND AMENDMENT AS INTERPRETED BY THE NRA MUST BE PUT ABOVE ALL OTHER CONCERNS. Because every 'True American' has a right to own as many weapons of great destruction as he/she wants to. And if that makes you afraid, then you should just go out and buy your own stockpile, to protect yourself!
Six Policies Economists Love (And Politicians Hate) : Planet Money : NPR
Six Policies Economists Love (And Politicians Hate) : Planet Money : NPR
Short recap:
end mortgage interest deduction; end health care costs as a business deduction; eliminate corporate income tax; eliminate all income and payroll taxes [replaced with progressive consumption tax]; tax carbon emissions; legalize marijuana [and I presume then tax it, same as liquor and tobacco].
The article has a list of economists who contributed these ideas.
Interesting approach. I've long considered the mortgage interest deduction a mistake. I bought a house I could afford, on my limited income, and don't have enough deductions to make itemizing worthwhile. Meanwhile, my neighbor, who pays twice what the house should be worth, gets to itemize and I help pay for his house.
Short recap:
end mortgage interest deduction; end health care costs as a business deduction; eliminate corporate income tax; eliminate all income and payroll taxes [replaced with progressive consumption tax]; tax carbon emissions; legalize marijuana [and I presume then tax it, same as liquor and tobacco].
The article has a list of economists who contributed these ideas.
Interesting approach. I've long considered the mortgage interest deduction a mistake. I bought a house I could afford, on my limited income, and don't have enough deductions to make itemizing worthwhile. Meanwhile, my neighbor, who pays twice what the house should be worth, gets to itemize and I help pay for his house.
Megastorms Could Drown Massive Portions of California: Scientific American
Megastorms Could Drown Massive Portions of California: Scientific American
An alarmist title, but the article is interesting.
More on Atmospheric Rivers here at NOAA
Even without any change to weather or climate as a result of human action, the traditional [normal] weather patterns are bound to cause more destruction as we build more structures, and build in more places. It's just pure plain math. If a flood course down a river towards a community of 10,000 people, it will cause more damage than a river flooding down towards a community of 100 people. And it takes much more time to move those 10,000 people out of the way of danger.
An alarmist title, but the article is interesting.
More on Atmospheric Rivers here at NOAA
Even without any change to weather or climate as a result of human action, the traditional [normal] weather patterns are bound to cause more destruction as we build more structures, and build in more places. It's just pure plain math. If a flood course down a river towards a community of 10,000 people, it will cause more damage than a river flooding down towards a community of 100 people. And it takes much more time to move those 10,000 people out of the way of danger.
Ken Ham Responds to Bill Nye "The Humanist Guy" - YouTube
Ken Ham Responds to Bill Nye "The Humanist Guy" - YouTube
Comments and ratings disabled for Mr. Ham's response. As seems to be often the case with creationist apologists. They just really aren't interested in hearing any facts or arguments that might get in the way of their 'beliefs". "Sorry, can't hear you, I have my fingers in my ears as I read the bible once more, so that I can quote this one book that tops anything you might ever come up with because that's what it says in the book."
Comments and ratings disabled for Mr. Ham's response. As seems to be often the case with creationist apologists. They just really aren't interested in hearing any facts or arguments that might get in the way of their 'beliefs". "Sorry, can't hear you, I have my fingers in my ears as I read the bible once more, so that I can quote this one book that tops anything you might ever come up with because that's what it says in the book."
Texas Business Incentives Highest in Nation - NYTimes.com
Texas Business Incentives Highest in Nation - NYTimes.com
Long article about a very complex issue. But this is one of the best 'take aways'.
Yup, no fair telling businesses that they must pay their employees enough to live on. Because that might impact the bottom line and take away some of those record profits. And the state can always pick up the slack, providing food aid, right? And besides, employees are totally free to take a 2nd or 3rd job if they're having trouble making it on one salary.
Long article about a very complex issue. But this is one of the best 'take aways'.
The rules had been contested by the business community. “The more stipulations you put into an agreement, the more complicated it becomes and the less competitive we become,” Gary Farmer, a local business leader who runs an insurance company, told the county commissioners at a hearing. “We’re concerned about including a living wage into the policy, as we believe that could have a chilling effect on certain companies.”
Yup, no fair telling businesses that they must pay their employees enough to live on. Because that might impact the bottom line and take away some of those record profits. And the state can always pick up the slack, providing food aid, right? And besides, employees are totally free to take a 2nd or 3rd job if they're having trouble making it on one salary.
Scott DesJarlais says God has forgiven him - Local News - Chattanooga, TN | NBC News
Scott DesJarlais says God has forgiven him - Local News - Chattanooga, TN | NBC News
I want to see the forgiveness note. Or was it an email? There must be some proof, right? Otherwise we just have another lying politician saying that it doesn't matter what he does, just what he tells other people to do.
U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., says God has "forgiven me" and asked "fellow Christians" and constituents "to consider doing the same."
I want to see the forgiveness note. Or was it an email? There must be some proof, right? Otherwise we just have another lying politician saying that it doesn't matter what he does, just what he tells other people to do.
Sunday, December 02, 2012
OK, it's time for a whine session
I'm supposed to be 'on vacation'. Doesn't stop boss from sending me emails, because things still need to get done. OK, except I asked him to send anything important to my personal account, as I didn't want to be having to check company account all the time to see if there was anything needing attention.
So, where does he send the note that he's lost his credit card and it needs to be cancelled?
And the note that he has someone coming in to close on a purchase?
To the company account, of course!
And the webmail program we use won't let me read the fancy html formatted emails he sends. So I have to forward them to the account I asked him to use, to be able to read them. Whoop-dee-do!
So I'll probably end up going in to the office today to take care of some things, because I can't keep myself from worrying and fretting over them.
But I really frakking do resent being taken so much for granted.
Oh, and the closing? Paperwork for which is supposed to be prepared by our lending source? He didn't bother to tell them the closing date. Figured I could do that on Wed, a day I had scheduled to come in and take care of things.
[When I scheduled those 6 days over a period of 6 weeks he has us closed down, he asked 'do you really need to spend so much time here over closing?' ].
So, where does he send the note that he's lost his credit card and it needs to be cancelled?
And the note that he has someone coming in to close on a purchase?
To the company account, of course!
And the webmail program we use won't let me read the fancy html formatted emails he sends. So I have to forward them to the account I asked him to use, to be able to read them. Whoop-dee-do!
So I'll probably end up going in to the office today to take care of some things, because I can't keep myself from worrying and fretting over them.
But I really frakking do resent being taken so much for granted.
Oh, and the closing? Paperwork for which is supposed to be prepared by our lending source? He didn't bother to tell them the closing date. Figured I could do that on Wed, a day I had scheduled to come in and take care of things.
[When I scheduled those 6 days over a period of 6 weeks he has us closed down, he asked 'do you really need to spend so much time here over closing?' ].
Study: Free birth control leads to way fewer abortions - CBS News
Study: Free birth control leads to way fewer abortions - CBS News
In a logical world, that would be true. But in the world of pro-life, contraception is just as bad as abortion. Because it might lead to WOMEN HAVING SEX JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT INSTEAD OF AS PART OF THEIR DUTY TO SERVE THEIR HUSBAND AND TO HAVE CHILDREN. And we can't be having that.
Let's do the math: if we can cut the rate of unintended pregnancies, in half [from 3 million to 1.5 million] thus eliminating the need for those 43 percent that would end in abortion, that would be 645000 fewer abortions.
Sounds like a good start to me.
"It's just an amazing improvement," Dr. James T. Breeden, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said of the results. "I would think if you were against abortions, you would be 100 percent for contraception access."
In a logical world, that would be true. But in the world of pro-life, contraception is just as bad as abortion. Because it might lead to WOMEN HAVING SEX JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT INSTEAD OF AS PART OF THEIR DUTY TO SERVE THEIR HUSBAND AND TO HAVE CHILDREN. And we can't be having that.
Thursday's data didn't sway the critics.
Jeanne Monahan of the conservative Family Research Council suggested contraceptive use can encourage riskier sexual behavior.
"Additionally, one might conclude that the Obama administration's contraception mandate may ultimately cause more unplanned pregnancies since it mandates that all health plans cover contraceptives, including those that the study's authors claim are less effective," Monahan said.
Here's why this is a public health issue: Nearly half of the nation's 6 million-plus pregnancies each year are unintended. An estimated 43 percent of them end in abortion. Low-income women are far more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy than their wealthier counterparts.
Let's do the math: if we can cut the rate of unintended pregnancies, in half [from 3 million to 1.5 million] thus eliminating the need for those 43 percent that would end in abortion, that would be 645000 fewer abortions.
Sounds like a good start to me.
A Quantum Theory of Mitt Romney - NYTimes.com
A Quantum Theory of Mitt Romney - NYTimes.com
Meant to post this earlier, left it sitting in 'draft' mode. I know it's a moot point know, but the theory is still brilliant!
Meant to post this earlier, left it sitting in 'draft' mode. I know it's a moot point know, but the theory is still brilliant!
Dying Satellites Could Lead to Shaky Weather Forecasts - NYTimes.com
Dying Satellites Could Lead to Shaky Weather Forecasts - NYTimes.com
The infrastructure continues to crumble around us. Government unable to keep up with the pace of demand, as population grows, and our hunger for 'stuff' increases. Maintenance and upgrades to the electrical grid, to utility services, are too often 'kicked down the road', as city/county/state governments run out of funds. Some of it is waste, some just poor planning. And a reluctance to check growth, to tell the public 'no, we can't continue to grow, to put more and more of a strain on infrastructure unless you're willing to pay for it!'.
I don't know what the answers are: and apparently, those who are supposed to be in charge of this stuff don't know either. Or they know, and don't think 'the public' can handle the truth. Either way, we are in for more bad times ahead, so fasten your seat belts!
The infrastructure continues to crumble around us. Government unable to keep up with the pace of demand, as population grows, and our hunger for 'stuff' increases. Maintenance and upgrades to the electrical grid, to utility services, are too often 'kicked down the road', as city/county/state governments run out of funds. Some of it is waste, some just poor planning. And a reluctance to check growth, to tell the public 'no, we can't continue to grow, to put more and more of a strain on infrastructure unless you're willing to pay for it!'.
I don't know what the answers are: and apparently, those who are supposed to be in charge of this stuff don't know either. Or they know, and don't think 'the public' can handle the truth. Either way, we are in for more bad times ahead, so fasten your seat belts!
Breadline Britain | Society | The Guardian
Breadline Britain | Society | The Guardian
Series from the Guardian on problems the lower and middle classes are having, making it in today's world. Faced with rising food and fuel prices and stagnant wages people are left to make very difficult choices.
On the other hand: I just had for dinner, the last [I think, but I've said that before] of the fresh broccoli from my garden. Microwaved with chopped leeks [also from garden; still have a bunch of those, and they're supposed to hold up to a light freeze; we'll test that theory]. Delicious! If you haven't tried that combo, do so!
Series from the Guardian on problems the lower and middle classes are having, making it in today's world. Faced with rising food and fuel prices and stagnant wages people are left to make very difficult choices.
On the other hand: I just had for dinner, the last [I think, but I've said that before] of the fresh broccoli from my garden. Microwaved with chopped leeks [also from garden; still have a bunch of those, and they're supposed to hold up to a light freeze; we'll test that theory]. Delicious! If you haven't tried that combo, do so!
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