It seems only fitting that I bring this up over the Easter Holiday. If the government erroneously continues to legislate policies that ban God or religion from the public square why then does it consider Christmas and to a lesser extent Good Friday as Holidays?
Just Wondering.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Castro Love
The Congressional Black Caucus, CBC, returned this week from their sleepover with the Castro brothers in Cuba. The CBC lovefest with Raul and Fidel hit new highs when Rep. Bobby Rush from Il. said "In my household I told Castro he is known as the ultimate survivor” and “It was almost like listening to an old friend". Rep. Emanuel Cleaver said "if there is repression in Cuba we didn’t see it" and speaking of Castro "He’s one of the most amazing human beings I’ve ever met.” Others in the group quoted Castro as wondering what he could do to help Obama.
Apparently religious oppression and jailing political allies is not important to the CBC. I guess when you support ACORN you can support anyone. If this is the direction of the Democratic party do fellow Republicans really need to worry?
Apparently religious oppression and jailing political allies is not important to the CBC. I guess when you support ACORN you can support anyone. If this is the direction of the Democratic party do fellow Republicans really need to worry?
AP IMPACT: Chinese drywall poses potential risks
You would think that when working with a country that produces formula that kills it own babies and lead painted toys to poison ours, that someone in the government would say enough is enough.
"At the height of the U.S. housing boom, when building materials were in short supply, American construction companies used millions of pounds of Chinese-made drywall because it was abundant and cheap."
The only reason that China can produce drywall and then ship it half way around the world and still be cheaper than US factories is government regulations, liability lawsuits and bloated (in some cases) union wages. Compared to what American workers are paid in wages and benefits, Chinese workers are working for slave wages and below.
"The drywall apparently causes a chemical reaction that gives off a rotten-egg stench, which grows worse with heat and humidity."
You mean to tell me that after being shipped from overseas in closed containers through hot and humid conditions that the drywall didn’t stink when they opened the container up? Someone had to look the other way if it did.
"Now that decision is haunting hundreds of homeowners and apartment dwellers who are concerned that the wallboard gives off fumes that can corrode copper pipes, blacken jewelry and silverware, and possibly sicken people."
Where do the homeowners and apartment dweller go to redress their concerns and ailments? Good luck trying to get anything out of the Communist Chinese government or any of their manufacturers. That’s right, in China the government owns everything, including the poison formula, lead painted toy and rotten drywall companies.
"At the height of the U.S. housing boom, when building materials were in short supply, American construction companies used millions of pounds of Chinese-made drywall because it was abundant and cheap."
The only reason that China can produce drywall and then ship it half way around the world and still be cheaper than US factories is government regulations, liability lawsuits and bloated (in some cases) union wages. Compared to what American workers are paid in wages and benefits, Chinese workers are working for slave wages and below.
"The drywall apparently causes a chemical reaction that gives off a rotten-egg stench, which grows worse with heat and humidity."
You mean to tell me that after being shipped from overseas in closed containers through hot and humid conditions that the drywall didn’t stink when they opened the container up? Someone had to look the other way if it did.
"Now that decision is haunting hundreds of homeowners and apartment dwellers who are concerned that the wallboard gives off fumes that can corrode copper pipes, blacken jewelry and silverware, and possibly sicken people."
Where do the homeowners and apartment dweller go to redress their concerns and ailments? Good luck trying to get anything out of the Communist Chinese government or any of their manufacturers. That’s right, in China the government owns everything, including the poison formula, lead painted toy and rotten drywall companies.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Big brother is watching
"We have met the enemy…and he is us" from the comic strip Pogo
Maybe what he was trying to say is at times; we are our own worse enemy. If we aren’t our own, we are our neighbor’s.
The feeling that I am being watched started some time ago. I don’t feel any fear or dread. It’s just that someone is watching my every move. Over the years I’ve become convinced that it’s not just a feeling, it’s a fact. Big Brother is alive and well in the 21st century and your neighbor’s, maybe even your children are working for him.
At one time if you saw a crime, you did your civic duty and called the police, giving them all of the details that you could remember. Now, Big Brother has set up a slush fund to pay people to spy on each other and when they witness a crime, call and be paid for their information.
Do you suspect that a neighbor may be abusing his children? Become part of the Big Brother network and call it in. Don’t worry that what you heard might have been the child abusing the parents, there is no way the neighbor can trace the visit by child welfare services back to you. It’s the law. This also works if your neighbor is a jerk and you want to give him a bad time. After all, all you have to have is a "feeling" that something isn’t just right.
Did you just toss that half-lit cigarette or gum wrapper out of your car window? Watch out, Big Brother’s volunteer force may be watching. All your neighbor has to do is take down you car’s plate number and call it in a littering complaint. You will be receiving a call from law enforcement officers.
Have you ever had friends over and they brought their dog with them? You better hope that their dog and your dog don’t start to mix it up. You friendly neighbor might call the animal abuse or suspected dog fighting hot line and turn you in. Again, proof isn’t needed to have members of Big brother’s hit squad knocking at your door.
Have you every bragged about a tax loop hole that you found? You’re not 100 % sure it’s 100% legal but what the heck, it saved you over $ 500.00 in taxes. Have you ever done an odd job on the side for cash? Your ex-friend or unhappy neighbor can call in Big Brother to report you tax evasion and receive 10% of what you owe as a reward.
Did you use the same software on a business and personal computer at home? Did your IT technician load a program without you having to pay for it? You may be guilty of software piracy. There are big bucks to be made by turning your boss in if he didn’t give you the raise that you thought that you had coming.
There are hotlines to call in suspected poacher, arsonists, insurance fraud, etc., etc. etc. They just came out with one if you heard that there was going to be a party where underage drinking was going to take place.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t support any of these actions. My point is "our right to privacy" is rapidly slipping away. You can’t go anywhere today, scratch your butt without it being preserved digitally for future generations to watch and make fun of.
Maybe what he was trying to say is at times; we are our own worse enemy. If we aren’t our own, we are our neighbor’s.
The feeling that I am being watched started some time ago. I don’t feel any fear or dread. It’s just that someone is watching my every move. Over the years I’ve become convinced that it’s not just a feeling, it’s a fact. Big Brother is alive and well in the 21st century and your neighbor’s, maybe even your children are working for him.
At one time if you saw a crime, you did your civic duty and called the police, giving them all of the details that you could remember. Now, Big Brother has set up a slush fund to pay people to spy on each other and when they witness a crime, call and be paid for their information.
Do you suspect that a neighbor may be abusing his children? Become part of the Big Brother network and call it in. Don’t worry that what you heard might have been the child abusing the parents, there is no way the neighbor can trace the visit by child welfare services back to you. It’s the law. This also works if your neighbor is a jerk and you want to give him a bad time. After all, all you have to have is a "feeling" that something isn’t just right.
Did you just toss that half-lit cigarette or gum wrapper out of your car window? Watch out, Big Brother’s volunteer force may be watching. All your neighbor has to do is take down you car’s plate number and call it in a littering complaint. You will be receiving a call from law enforcement officers.
Have you ever had friends over and they brought their dog with them? You better hope that their dog and your dog don’t start to mix it up. You friendly neighbor might call the animal abuse or suspected dog fighting hot line and turn you in. Again, proof isn’t needed to have members of Big brother’s hit squad knocking at your door.
Have you every bragged about a tax loop hole that you found? You’re not 100 % sure it’s 100% legal but what the heck, it saved you over $ 500.00 in taxes. Have you ever done an odd job on the side for cash? Your ex-friend or unhappy neighbor can call in Big Brother to report you tax evasion and receive 10% of what you owe as a reward.
Did you use the same software on a business and personal computer at home? Did your IT technician load a program without you having to pay for it? You may be guilty of software piracy. There are big bucks to be made by turning your boss in if he didn’t give you the raise that you thought that you had coming.
There are hotlines to call in suspected poacher, arsonists, insurance fraud, etc., etc. etc. They just came out with one if you heard that there was going to be a party where underage drinking was going to take place.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t support any of these actions. My point is "our right to privacy" is rapidly slipping away. You can’t go anywhere today, scratch your butt without it being preserved digitally for future generations to watch and make fun of.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Hypocritical Catholics
From what I hear this is one of the Catholics most Holy weeks of the year. The Pope is the Grand Puba of millions but does he ever look at his flock. We all know the message that comes from the pulpit but what do his followers actually believe?
A recent Gallup poll showed that of catholics who regularly attend church 24% believe in the Moral Acceptability of abortion. 53% says it's OK to have sex between an unmarried man and woman. 44% say homosexual relations are OK. The percentages were even higher for those catholics who were not regular church goers.
On one hand the catholics shout about their disgust for these things in public and on the other they are apparently OK with it behind closed doors. Is Catholicism an actual religion or a giant cult?
A recent Gallup poll showed that of catholics who regularly attend church 24% believe in the Moral Acceptability of abortion. 53% says it's OK to have sex between an unmarried man and woman. 44% say homosexual relations are OK. The percentages were even higher for those catholics who were not regular church goers.
On one hand the catholics shout about their disgust for these things in public and on the other they are apparently OK with it behind closed doors. Is Catholicism an actual religion or a giant cult?
Racial Republican comment?
Republicans continue to put foot in mouth. From the Houston Chronicle "A North Texas legislator during House testimony on voter identification legislation said Asian-descent voters should adopt names that are “easier for Americans to deal with.” State Rep Betty Brown suggested that Asian-Americans should find a way to make their names more accessible.
“Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language — do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?” Brown said.
Racist or not, you decide.
“Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language — do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?” Brown said.
Racist or not, you decide.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Obama bow?
Don't know who has seen this story in the news but the White House is denying that Obama bowed to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at a G-20 meeting in London. Now, politics aside of whether or not he should have bowed, take a look at this site and watch the video.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0409/White_House_No_bow_to_Saudi.html
About 53 sec in is when Obama greets King Abdullah. Obviously it was a bow and how stupid does the White House think we are to accept their statement that "it wasn't a bow. He grasped his hand with two hands, and he's taller than King Abdullah." You can see on the video that his left hand followed after the bow.
Amazing...apparently you can spin anything!
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0409/White_House_No_bow_to_Saudi.html
About 53 sec in is when Obama greets King Abdullah. Obviously it was a bow and how stupid does the White House think we are to accept their statement that "it wasn't a bow. He grasped his hand with two hands, and he's taller than King Abdullah." You can see on the video that his left hand followed after the bow.
Amazing...apparently you can spin anything!
Foreclosure Punishment?
You may have to help me out on this one, is there no punishment for foreclosing on your home? I question this because I have talked with a friend and a couple of customers the last couple of weeks that are just walking away from their homes. They’re not walking because they can no longer afford it, they are walking because they don’t feel their home values will come back any time soon. I can understand foreclosure if you had an adjustable rate mortgage and can no longer afford it, or if you’ve been laid off. These people that I have talked with have had no change in income, and their payment has not increased. They’re just doing it because it seems to be the thing to do and it’s the easy way out.
I’m sure these are not isolated cases. No one seems concerned about any sort of punishment for just walking away. I know there’s a ding on your credit but from what I understand it’s not as bad as a bankruptcy. How can the banks not catch this and force people to pay back at least a portion of these loans.
Since we’ve been asked (no wait…we’ve been told) that we will be paying for these foreclosures down the road, this just makes me so angry. We’re at least $100,000 upside down right now, but we signed the loan documents. Who would we be to just walk away and make everyone else pay for it?
If anyone can help me out and let me know if there is any further punishment other than a ding on your credit for a number or years, I would really appreciate it.
I’m sure these are not isolated cases. No one seems concerned about any sort of punishment for just walking away. I know there’s a ding on your credit but from what I understand it’s not as bad as a bankruptcy. How can the banks not catch this and force people to pay back at least a portion of these loans.
Since we’ve been asked (no wait…we’ve been told) that we will be paying for these foreclosures down the road, this just makes me so angry. We’re at least $100,000 upside down right now, but we signed the loan documents. Who would we be to just walk away and make everyone else pay for it?
If anyone can help me out and let me know if there is any further punishment other than a ding on your credit for a number or years, I would really appreciate it.
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