tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16077497041810668602024-03-13T16:02:30.954-05:00Nothing Is ProvocativeAn assertation of a life lived vicariously through myself.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-81125722251854215572013-04-07T11:50:00.001-05:002013-04-08T08:43:06.605-05:00Being gay versus owning guns.I'm motivated this morning as I am engaged in an online debate with some good people that have an opinion opposite mine on the topic of gun control. Their argument, as passionate as they are about it, is based on emotion, not on fact. It's hard to argue fact to people once their emotions get involved. Harder still, is arguing with people that have based their strong opinion on the slanted angles of major media, but have never bothered to research for themselves the facts.<br />
<br />
Hilter used propaganda in the media to control his countrymen. Unfortunately in America, this same tactic is being used. <br />
<br />
I am against any sort of gun control. Any. In my opinion, when the founding fathers used the phrase "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed..." that the phrase is beyond argument.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpayr3mRDb41S8neS9NZUhESWpttATIfK8UZG38_OZ5e-fdlDPsp1qR_4L3QRcBj0f6NkeNDCO8oNwOTZyKXjv0SlB4QSJo8R5CvUhVxN1FRhyphenhypheng6U-vzKlOrJa6fO6Ah_QaMh5pZ16VeC/s1600/gun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpayr3mRDb41S8neS9NZUhESWpttATIfK8UZG38_OZ5e-fdlDPsp1qR_4L3QRcBj0f6NkeNDCO8oNwOTZyKXjv0SlB4QSJo8R5CvUhVxN1FRhyphenhypheng6U-vzKlOrJa6fO6Ah_QaMh5pZ16VeC/s320/gun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The founding fathers didn't say "...to be regulated by government..." or "...rights are for the current government to decide." The founding father also did not say "shall be infringed by the will of the government." The founding fathers said "shall not be infringed."<br />
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This means:<br />
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infringe [in-frinj] <br />
<br />
Part of Speech: verb <br />
<br />
Definition: violate <br />
<br />
Synonyms: borrow, breach, break, contravene, crash, disobey, encroach, entrench, impose, infract, intrude, invade, lift, meddle, obtrude, offend, pirate, presume, steal, transgress, trespass <br />
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Notes: to impinge is to come into contact or encroach or have an impact; to infringe is to encroach on a right or privilege or to violate <br />
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Antonyms: comply, discharge, obey, observe <br />
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(source:http://thesaurus.com/browse/infringe)<br />
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This is pretty clear to me. There really can be no argument.<br />
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Let's compare gun related deaths to something else people are passionate about: Gay rights.<br />
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To quote from the CDC website from 2010: <br />
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"An estimated 15,529 people with an AIDS diagnosis died in 2010..."<br />
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To quote from another page of the CDC website from 2010: <br />
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Firearm homicides: •Number of deaths: 11,078<br />
•Deaths per 100,000 population: 3.6<br />
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(sources: <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/us.htm">http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/us.htm</a>, and <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/homicide.htm">http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/homicide.htm</a>)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsF46ojxMhfHNyhQdfU2E8vyQCAy2mJIrldFzYW1fOauE-tuX9h7tsLCfYZrPLaMXcIeJWHC3NtSsQMYbJbHCUTpfsKlv3pSNss4qLe6SgvURGkrOrbQwNnUDXBWRKKOdPB8Worj4lP0e/s1600/love+gay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsF46ojxMhfHNyhQdfU2E8vyQCAy2mJIrldFzYW1fOauE-tuX9h7tsLCfYZrPLaMXcIeJWHC3NtSsQMYbJbHCUTpfsKlv3pSNss4qLe6SgvURGkrOrbQwNnUDXBWRKKOdPB8Worj4lP0e/s320/love+gay.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gays murdered 4500 more people than guns in 2010 using gun control advocates' rationale.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So, maybe we should really be banning gays. <br />
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Being gay and having AIDS is MUCH more dangerous than owning guns. Almost 4500 MORE people were killed by being gay and having AIDS in 2010 than were by guns. <br />
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It isn't a Constitutional Right to be gay.<br />
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It isn't specifically written in the Bill of Rights for the United States that anyone can be gay.<br />
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Ban assault gays! Nobody NEEDS to be gay! <br />
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I only make these statements to illustrate how ridiculous the statements are to "Ban assault weapons!" and "Nobody NEEDS assault weapons!"<br />
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Truly, I don't have anything against gays, but I'm trying to make a point.<br />
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Really, I'm trying to trick you. I want you to think. I want you to argue with me that the rate of deaths by AIDS doesn't solidly reflect that everyone that died from AIDS was gay.<br />
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True.<br />
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Using the rationale of gun murder data, it is also true to say that gun murder statistics do NOT include any sort of rate of gun murder from LAWFUL gun owners. The gun murder data also does NOT reflect the rate of gun murder in "gun free" zones. Sounds a little fishy, yes? Using this rationale, if owning a semi automatic defense rifle makes you a murderer, being gay makes you a carrier of AIDS and a danger to others in society. Being gay makes you a murderer of almost 4500 more people per year than guns kill.<br />
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Grouping all gun owners (lawful and criminals) into a category that suggest that they will commit violent crime is dangerous and irresponsible. It is NO different than suggesting that ALL gays can/might/will have AIDS and could be a danger to society via infection with their disease.<br />
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Also, I will argue that not everyone that has a gun of any sort has murdered anyone. If you consider that a MUCH greater percentage of the population has guns than is gay, the rate of death per gun owned in America is very, very low in comparison to the rate of death from AIDS by gays.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oCOoLtEZQHoo8iQkBxoSlBf4D8LwRc1FT29cbI40JUxDaxps_HBwZdEJm5QDujJC7F8R1W02yyDGeHpHBoObWUYMOTeLlxC94XJo21xm0w9GeHioSPYecvzQeWLvhFkx5H_uXQoVDedV/s1600/aboutcontrol.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oCOoLtEZQHoo8iQkBxoSlBf4D8LwRc1FT29cbI40JUxDaxps_HBwZdEJm5QDujJC7F8R1W02yyDGeHpHBoObWUYMOTeLlxC94XJo21xm0w9GeHioSPYecvzQeWLvhFkx5H_uXQoVDedV/s320/aboutcontrol.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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People are so quick to forget that the gun murder capitals of the USA right now have the strictest gun laws. You do know that it is fact that you are more likely to be killed by a gun as a civilian in Chicago than you are as military personal in the middle east. I will post one source of this information behind this post. If you think it's bullcrap, search for yourself.<br />
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(source:<a href="http://www.wnd.com/2013/01/chicago-murders-top-afghanistan-death-toll/">http://www.wnd.com/2013/01/chicago-murders-top-afghanistan-death-toll/</a>)<br />
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Again, I have nothing against gays. Nothing at all. I'm just trying to make a point.<br />
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<br />Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-48152140203486533252013-04-04T12:47:00.002-05:002013-04-04T16:29:22.670-05:00George W. BushI got myself into an online argument yesterday and today on Facebook (strange, right?). It's with a liberal who again, as they all seem to do, blames Bush for the war in the middle east. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ybvvr-wIJYtQI4yYHA4rZvSpiYAF_kTJieIwFn09oC4WZtpbVHYZ4e7Em0tZ4S9ORkCt2fyi_-8Q8ZPHNo7BREmBno8yoIweLBZCcdRDiGuBA6GdewZIND3gt7tL48SqzvtPCA8eycJ_/s1600/obama-angry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ybvvr-wIJYtQI4yYHA4rZvSpiYAF_kTJieIwFn09oC4WZtpbVHYZ4e7Em0tZ4S9ORkCt2fyi_-8Q8ZPHNo7BREmBno8yoIweLBZCcdRDiGuBA6GdewZIND3gt7tL48SqzvtPCA8eycJ_/s320/obama-angry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I remember 9/11/01 like it was yesterday. I remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news of the attacks. I remembered being saddened by the planes crashing into the buildings. I was very saddened by the lives lost. I remember the surge of patriotism that many Americans felt directly after these attacks. America was fueled by emotion and wanting/needing to pounce on somebody like a rabid tiger. Americans were buying flags to support America and shirts to proclaim their hatred of terrorism. There was a flag slapped anywhere a flag could go. Everyone was a patriot. We were united as we had ever been as a country.<br />
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Unfortunately at the time, I was saddened by some of our responses as Americans. In my opinion, many people allowed the emotion of the situation rule their thought process. Americans became an ANGRY MOB THAT IS GOING AFTER ALL RAGHEADS! It's true. It was sad. I kept wondering if killing people in revenge really the answer? Is sending my friends to fight or die the correct course of action? Was that really the answer? Did we want another Vietnam?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9qn5YJxLLF37QKzwnxFqppaNad3oAlKf9ATobKC4dn45_HTcCNYmcKMRLfDb_cf8viMaRHKaFa2a7saI_Sqzq0k3UmVXdMQqSVG92QJlbhHcCfi8YBkLtBPGO5aix_EJNAQPrDF-3pPt/s1600/Glitter_American_Flag-01sm200x120.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9qn5YJxLLF37QKzwnxFqppaNad3oAlKf9ATobKC4dn45_HTcCNYmcKMRLfDb_cf8viMaRHKaFa2a7saI_Sqzq0k3UmVXdMQqSVG92QJlbhHcCfi8YBkLtBPGO5aix_EJNAQPrDF-3pPt/s1600/Glitter_American_Flag-01sm200x120.gif" /></a></div>
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Also, why couldn't our little flags for our cars have been built in the USA and not China? Did anyone realize that it has been said again and again that this war was all oil (and terror, right?), and when Americans put those little flags on their cars, they got worse gas mileage? (RCA dog look) Didn't we want less dependence on foreign oil? I win?</div>
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Don't get me wrong, I'm as patriotic as a person can get. I love America. </div>
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I remembered some interesting facts about that time (circa 2001), and one of them was the procedure in which America went to war in the middle east. Realize that it was the Bush years, not the farce of government we have now with King Obama. So, what does that mean?</div>
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In the past few years, Obama placed us in Libya illegally and undeclared. Obama has us messing around with Syria illegally and undeclared. Obama does not care to follow Constitutional process to go to war. Obama doesn't care about getting out of the wars we are in. Obama wants us to be in more wars and wants to give more and more of our money away to people that want to kill us. Liberals ignore these conflicts completely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r3InMLkcJdb9rwhTsxClMEIxZ5t9sVRiNPw8TSY6LLOzaZXqjTNbGEQsCbmiGuo31VScKvXAQ1iNwK6M6xgXpX0Uk9L8tgoYC6uggZkj4gwveLHsWtl6U08fBXxzUAMtLxJ1qGlcm7We/s1600/george-w-bush-color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r3InMLkcJdb9rwhTsxClMEIxZ5t9sVRiNPw8TSY6LLOzaZXqjTNbGEQsCbmiGuo31VScKvXAQ1iNwK6M6xgXpX0Uk9L8tgoYC6uggZkj4gwveLHsWtl6U08fBXxzUAMtLxJ1qGlcm7We/s320/george-w-bush-color.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bush followed constitutional procedure to go to war. He was advised on courses of action. He and his advisers presented Congress with a plan. Congress approved that plan with the overwhelming support of the American people. It was a declared war that had congressional approval. This is our Constitutional process. It had very, very high public approval. At the time, Bush had the highest presidential approval numbers ever by any president. Ever. In case you missed it: Any. Ever.</div>
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Anyway, no liberal seems to remember this. How quick they are to forget the facts that do not serve their current agenda.<br />
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This morning, I found the Gallup poll from Bush's response to terror. I posted a link to it and the actual data below.<br />
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Do all of you liberals want to blame somebody for going to war? Blame yourselves, you hypocrites. It's mathematically impossible to reach 90% approval of war across the American population without at least 60-80% of Democrats being FOR WAR at the time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimF8PqR1EoANlVHgzsMxYQr_t058j3jjuhKXh2n54nf848Ns3yZDaaVJLMsrTw1EfNXOVTAJzWSsm7tR34e_KTkU3rw9rL75kKxVFeZrB_YBj7zI4Ts_Awu4expwXQRQ4WPtgtOa34M8AQ/s1600/Obama_angry2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimF8PqR1EoANlVHgzsMxYQr_t058j3jjuhKXh2n54nf848Ns3yZDaaVJLMsrTw1EfNXOVTAJzWSsm7tR34e_KTkU3rw9rL75kKxVFeZrB_YBj7zI4Ts_Awu4expwXQRQ4WPtgtOa34M8AQ/s1600/Obama_angry2.jpg" /></a></div>
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So liberals, shut your pie holes. Place your blame where it should go. Own the mistakes of the socialist in chief that you have again elected. Own the FACT that he doesn't care about you or your causes, but rather he just tells you that he does so he can get your support. He exploits you by his actions and he makes you look like fools in any argument supporting his actions to anyone that is informed. You liberals helped open this can of worms, so quit shrugging off the blame. Don't be like the POTUS and get all whiny when you are presented with facts that contradict your half truths.<br />
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I'm going to be in the minority here. I officially blame the liberals for war since I was never for it and I am not liberal. There. There's some of your own liberal logic right back to you.</div>
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<a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/4924/Bush-Job-Approval-Highest-Gallup-History.aspx">http://www.gallup.com/poll/4924/Bush-Job-Approval-Highest-Gallup-History.aspx</a></div>
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<div>
September 24, 2001<br />
<h1>
Bush Job Approval Highest in Gallup History</h1>
<h2>
Widespread public support for war on terrorism</h2>
<div class="authorDisplayLine1">
by David W. Moore</div>
<div class="cmsbody clearfix" id="pagingwrapper">
<strong>GALLUP NEWS SERVICE</strong><br />
PRINCETON, NJ -- President George W. Bush's call to arms in a nationwide address last Thursday evening has elicited widespread public support for a war against terrorism, as well as the highest presidential job approval rating ever measured by Gallup since it began asking the public for its evaluation of presidents over six decades ago.<br />
According to the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted September 21-22, 90% of Americans approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president, up four percentage points from a poll last weekend.<br />
<table align="center" bgcolor="#cccccc" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 350px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center"><b>George W. Bush's Job Approval Rating</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center"><img alt="" border="0" height="209" src="http://media.gallup.com/POLL/Releases/pr010924i.gif" width="350" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
President Bush's current job approval rating is one point higher than the previous high point, registered by his father at the end of hostilities in the Persian Gulf War in late February/early March 1991. Prior to that time, the highest approval rating ever recorded by Gallup was 87%, received by President Harry S. Truman just after the end of World War II hostilities in Europe:<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://media.gallup.com/POLL/Releases/pr010924ii.gif" width="331" /></div>
The record high approval rating for George W. Bush comes in the wake of his address to the nation last week, in which he outlined his approach both to retaliating against the terrorists for attacking the United States on September 11 and to mounting a concerted effort to stop global terrorism altogether. Almost three-quarters of all Americans say they saw the address live, and another 14% saw rebroadcasts or excerpts of the speech.<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 90%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="2" valign="top"><i>As you may know, President Bush addressed Congress and the nation on Thursday night about the recent terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. Did you happen to see President Bush's address to Congress and the nation on Thursday night, or not?</i><br />
<b>IF NOT:</b><br />
<i>Did you see parts of the address rebroadcast later on the news or other programs, or did you not see any part of the address?</i><br />
<div align="right">
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="bottom" width="55%"></td><td valign="bottom" width="45%"><div align="center">
<b>2001 Sep 21-22</b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="55%"></td><td valign="top" width="45%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="55%"><div align="justify">
Saw Bush's address to Congress and the nation</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="45%"><div align="center">
74%</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="55%"></td><td valign="top" width="45%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="55%"><div align="justify">
Saw rebroadcasts or excerpts of Bush's address</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="45%"><div align="center">
14</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="55%"></td><td valign="top" width="45%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="55%"><div align="justify">
Did not see either</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="45%"><div align="center">
12</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="55%"></td><td valign="top" width="45%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="55%"><div align="justify">
No opinion</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="45%"><div align="center">
*</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="55%"></td><td valign="top" width="45%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="55%"></td><td valign="top" width="45%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="55%"><div align="justify">
* Less than 0.5%</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="45%"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<br />
<br />
Nine in 10 Americans give Bush high marks for the speech, with 62% saying the speech was "excellent" and 25% "good." Another 8% say it was "just okay." Only 1% of Americans say it was a "poor" speech. Among those who watched the speech live, 71% say it was excellent and 22% good.<br />
<i>From what you have heard or read, would you rate George W. Bush's speech to Congress and the nation on Thursday night as -- excellent, good, just okay, poor, or terrible?</i><br />
<div align="right">
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 90%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="bottom" width="19%"></td><td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="13%"><div align="center">
<b><br /><br />Excellent</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="11%"><div align="center">
<b><br /><br />Good</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="12%"><div align="center">
<b><br />Just<br />okay</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="12%"><div align="center">
<b><br /><br />Poor</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="12%"><div align="center">
<b><br /><br />Terrible</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="12%"><div align="center">
<b>DID<br />NOT SEE<br />(vol.)</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="12%"><div align="center">
<b><br />No<br />opinion</b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="19%"></td><td valign="top" width="12%"></td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="12%"></td><td valign="top" width="12%"></td><td valign="top" width="12%"></td><td valign="top" width="12%"></td><td valign="top" width="12%"></td><td valign="top" width="12%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="19%">2001 Sep 21-22</td><td valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
62%</div>
</td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
25</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
8</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
1</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
*</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
3</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
1</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="19%"></td><td valign="top" width="12%"></td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="12%"></td><td valign="top" width="12%"></td><td valign="top" width="12%"></td><td valign="top" width="12%"></td><td valign="top" width="12%"></td><td valign="top" width="12%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="19%">2000 Aug 4-5 ^</td><td valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
19%</div>
</td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
32</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
17</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
3</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
1</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
26</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="12%"><div align="center">
2</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="9" valign="top"></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="9" valign="top">^ From what you have heard or read, would you rate George W. Bush's acceptance speech at the Republican convention [on Thursday night] as -- excellent, good, just okay, poor, or terrible?</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="9" valign="top">* Less than 0.5%</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="9" valign="top">(vol.) Volunteered response</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The vast majority of Americans also feel that the president did a good job in his speech of explaining the goals of any military action that may occur as a result of the war on terrorism. Among all Americans, 78% say he has explained the goals clearly enough. Among just those who watched the speech live, 83% find the explanation clear.<br />
<i>Do you think President Bush explained the goals of current U.S. military action clearly enough, or not?</i><br />
<div align="right">
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 90%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
<b>Yes, explained enough</b></div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
<b>No, did not</b></div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
<b>No opinion</b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="justify">
2001 Sep 21-22</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
78%</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
15</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
7</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Bush's high approval ratings are no doubt in part due to the widespread support Americans give to the president's plan of action. The poll shows that about three in four Americans say that Bush's proposed military response, as well as his proposed diplomatic and economic pressures, are "about right," while among those who disagree, most would opt for more rather than less action.<br />
QUESTIONS SPLIT SAMPLED<br />
<div align="justify">
</div>
<i>Do you think President Bush has -- [ROTATED: gone too far in terms of a military response to the terrorist attacks, done about right, or not gone far enough in terms of a military response to the terrorist attacks]?</i><br />
<b>BASED ON -- 519 -- NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM A; ±5 PCT. PTS.</b><br />
<div align="right">
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 90%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="bottom" width="20%"></td><td valign="bottom" width="20%"><div align="center">
<b><br />Gone too far</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="20%"><div align="center">
<b>Done<br />about right</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="20%"><div align="center">
<b>Not gone far enough</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="20%"><div align="center">
<b>No<br />opinion</b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="20%"></td><td valign="top" width="20%"></td><td valign="top" width="20%"></td><td valign="top" width="20%"></td><td valign="top" width="20%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="20%">2001 Sep 21-22</td><td valign="top" width="20%"><div align="center">
4%</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="20%"><div align="center">
75</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="20%"><div align="center">
19</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="20%"><div align="center">
2</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<i>Do you think President Bush has -- [ROTATED: gone too far in terms of an economic and diplomatic response to the terrorist attacks, done about right, or not gone far enough in terms of an economic and diplomatic response to the terrorist attacks]?</i><br />
<b>BASED ON -- 486 -- NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM B; ±5 PCT. PTS.</b><br />
<div align="right">
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 90%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="bottom" width="20%"></td><td valign="bottom" width="20%"><div align="center">
<b><br />Gone too far</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="20%"><div align="center">
<b>Done<br />about right</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="20%"><div align="center">
<b>Not gone far enough</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="20%"><div align="center">
<b>No<br />opinion</b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="20%"></td><td valign="top" width="20%"></td><td valign="top" width="20%"></td><td valign="top" width="20%"></td><td valign="top" width="20%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="20%">2001 Sep 21-22</td><td valign="top" width="20%"><div align="center">
4%</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="20%"><div align="center">
79</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="20%"><div align="center">
14</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="20%"><div align="center">
3</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
More generally, 89% of the American public say they favor the United States taking military action in retaliation for the September 11 attacks, essentially unchanged from responses to the same question asked one week previous.<br />
<i>Do you think the United States should -- or should not -- take military action in retaliation for Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon?</i><br />
<div align="right">
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 90%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="bottom" width="25%"></td><td valign="bottom" width="25%"><div align="center">
<b>Should</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="25%"><div align="center">
<b>Should not</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="25%"><div align="center">
<b>No opinion</b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="justify">
2001 Sep 21-22</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
89%</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
7</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
4</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="justify">
2001 Sep 14-15</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
88%</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
8</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
4</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Survey Methods</b><br />
These results are based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected national sample of 1,005 adults, 18 years and older, conducted September 21-22, 2001. For results based on this sample, one can say with 95 percent confidence that the maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or minus 3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.<br />
<i>Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president?</i><br />
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="right">
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 90%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="bottom" width="26%"></td><td valign="bottom" width="25%"><div align="center">
<b>Approve</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="25%"><div align="center">
<b>Disapprove</b></div>
</td><td valign="bottom" width="25%"><div align="center">
<b>No opinion</b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
%</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
%</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
%</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Sep 21-22</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
90</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
6</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
4</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td><td valign="top" width="25%"></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Sep 14-15</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
86</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
10</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
4</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Sep 7-10</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
51</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
39</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
10</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Aug 24-26</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
55</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
36</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
9</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Aug 16-19</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
57</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
34</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
9</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Aug 10-12</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
57</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
35</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
8</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Aug 3-5</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
55</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
35</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
10</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Jul 19-22</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
56</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
33</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
11</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Jul 10-11</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
57</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
35</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
8</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Jun 28-Jul 1</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
52</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
34</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
14</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Jun 11-17</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
55</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
33</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
12</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Jun 8-10</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
55</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
35</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
10</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 May 18-20</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
56</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
36</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
8</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 May 10-14</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
56</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
31</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
13</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 May 7-9</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
53</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
33</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
14</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Apr 20-22</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
62</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
29</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
9</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Apr 6-8</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
59</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
30</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
11</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Mar 26-28</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
53</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
29</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
18</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Mar 9-11</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
58</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
29</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
13</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Mar 5-7</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
63</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
22</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
15</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Feb 19-21</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
62</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
21</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
17</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Feb 9-11</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
57</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
25</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
18</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top" width="26%"><div align="justify">
2001 Feb 1-4</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
57</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
25</div>
</td><td valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center">
18<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-25375991407991050852012-10-11T10:49:00.001-05:002012-10-11T15:53:54.462-05:00Electile Dysfunction?<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
<span class="userContent">Tired of the election coverage yet?</span></div>
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<span class="userContent"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKR7DYLgzKCJpXke03WVzSRlFLXgDnP82lNddiHk9oU-rxL_fhGU6fFe_dSbgse3AH3wKLEdb8dmc0IgvxJwrXMszPTXPsRYJR9zCmInWfBs_5o49cgONobOjIM7W1F5kXv3yNZAQH0Lcp/s1600/Romney+angry+a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKR7DYLgzKCJpXke03WVzSRlFLXgDnP82lNddiHk9oU-rxL_fhGU6fFe_dSbgse3AH3wKLEdb8dmc0IgvxJwrXMszPTXPsRYJR9zCmInWfBs_5o49cgONobOjIM7W1F5kXv3yNZAQH0Lcp/s320/Romney+angry+a.JPG" width="233" /></a></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
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Who knows what to believe? It's all spin, spin, and spin some more. The televison ads from both parties are ridiculous and misleading. Either candidate speaking is ridiculous and misleading. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rKRtMcR3LnzFmk5a3lQZ6BNynea240yJMT9pBOpP5asp8-sAKHxwg0jpALDNfY8KD_ktepbZ6Qb8vAq2Tx7Hgyy5UreyOARo3VuYDRRVa82VcOZ0JofkAPcMCx7iMStAu_ZU3yzMykiR/s1600/obama_angry_2012_8_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rKRtMcR3LnzFmk5a3lQZ6BNynea240yJMT9pBOpP5asp8-sAKHxwg0jpALDNfY8KD_ktepbZ6Qb8vAq2Tx7Hgyy5UreyOARo3VuYDRRVa82VcOZ0JofkAPcMCx7iMStAu_ZU3yzMykiR/s320/obama_angry_2012_8_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Truth is, even if the "facts" are sourced from investors.com, forbes.com, snopes, factcheck, fox, cbs, cnn, or msnbc we really don't know how factual they are. Every article/story is written from the author's point of view. Take Chris Matthews for example. Can you believe anything he says? Not really. Even though some of what he says might contain the truth, by the time it leaves his mouth it is spun into "facts" the way he sees them. He is very respected in the news media by many of his peers.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrMKFJMiU205Z45NThGdmtJOIIBZYWfoGZJ6-HPaLmVjpgbJN3o2t8Q-fQoOv0wMaixCaDKY1y21TNPY3sNeuwLH0-A8xJ2QLHaY9RKoB62Ba0asinyg8upPUDOGvEwSpnY95tL7vOn1B/s1600/Chris_Matthews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrMKFJMiU205Z45NThGdmtJOIIBZYWfoGZJ6-HPaLmVjpgbJN3o2t8Q-fQoOv0wMaixCaDKY1y21TNPY3sNeuwLH0-A8xJ2QLHaY9RKoB62Ba0asinyg8upPUDOGvEwSpnY95tL7vOn1B/s320/Chris_Matthews.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The biggest sales job that the media does in any election is distract the general public from the important real issues by emotionally involving them in trivial issues. I'm a very good salesman and I have been very successful in sales for many years, so I know a line of bullcrap when I see it. Every political ad I have see from either party is a line of bullcrap.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkewVfqNHR3d3EJtW2hcNDsxfoWshMCKQqgunmVivujWGbZd1Px8VVqyu1HPfPyXYUToHFiAywE2aodAYK7KEuxo55Kob2yi-KujmkNrGf3e_qFRrZfSelKvyG_buXw4nc8I4sMDyJXt7y/s1600/Romney-Angry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkewVfqNHR3d3EJtW2hcNDsxfoWshMCKQqgunmVivujWGbZd1Px8VVqyu1HPfPyXYUToHFiAywE2aodAYK7KEuxo55Kob2yi-KujmkNrGf3e_qFRrZfSelKvyG_buXw4nc8I4sMDyJXt7y/s1600/Romney-Angry.jpg" /></a></div>
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What's more important? Gay marriage or NDAA? Abortion rights or the destruction of our currency? Religious freedom or nation building? A free phone or employment? In regards to all of these things, who among us is willing to let fear and emotion take over rational thinking? Who is so short sighted that they cannot see past the carrot in front of their face? The media wants to scare you into thinking that if we (the USA) don't police the world, we will die. Or, that if we don't be sure to elect candidate "A", we will lose our rights when candidate "B" is elected even though both of the candidates are truly candidate "F". Fear and emotion is all the media spoon feeds Americans.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZraMCzmM21qHyObaCUyOmnRPWYzMj2xGYPVVaUaR9w8RR2HFhqMCXYSaackSfX8rBluFK-S8qQRw8m_db6f63eNcvPdxKq3k5vjPoT9L4V_QlpXjPVy-6MTJtSR629VEv_iPO9dNV7ZN/s1600/obama+angry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZraMCzmM21qHyObaCUyOmnRPWYzMj2xGYPVVaUaR9w8RR2HFhqMCXYSaackSfX8rBluFK-S8qQRw8m_db6f63eNcvPdxKq3k5vjPoT9L4V_QlpXjPVy-6MTJtSR629VEv_iPO9dNV7ZN/s320/obama+angry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Don't get me wrong. I am all for American freedom in every area of our lives whether or not I advocate it or participate in it. The intended beauty of our system of government is that even if one group is radically against what the other group advocates, the two groups balance each other out in the end. We hope.</div>
Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-14879113427812837362012-08-16T14:28:00.003-05:002012-08-16T16:49:52.716-05:00The Olympics! Hooray! As many of you know, I am not a fan of the Olympics. Well, it isn't truly that I am not a fan, rather more that I think the money we spend to have the Olympics seems extremely excessive when we have starving people in our country and our government borrows $.40 of every dollar it spends. Also, it seem like every year there are more and more of the atheletes in competition busted for using illegal performance enhancing drugs. Seems a bit like other professional sports that we unfortunately glorify in the fine country. <br />
<br />
In my opinion, we should sit out of the Olympics until we can afford to pay our own way with our own money. But, that wouldn't stroke most of Americans "superior over the rest of the world" ego we have, so we borrow the money (thanks, China!) and compete anyway. So, in celebration of these amazing atheletes, here are some great quotes from NBC sports.<br />
<br />
Here are the top nine comments made by NBC sports commentators during the London Summer Olympics that they would like to take back:<br />
<br />
1. Weightlifting commentator: "This is Gregoriava from Bulgaria. I saw her snatch this morning during her warm up and it was amazing."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6twBUtHl-1TajhScCV_TS5HIeE-3e5yqLY4rkXErsuQe1MjX-rmqFV8RgU1jKSempM4NWOGrZkot02UHMiWKnhXKle8lztoi-TuQ3CDeSXUmpVING2JOJ-fVX1cqA9yn-PzuIUAXirAA/s1600/Milka+Maneva+Olympics+Day+4+Weightlifting+d5KZCwROJOMl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6twBUtHl-1TajhScCV_TS5HIeE-3e5yqLY4rkXErsuQe1MjX-rmqFV8RgU1jKSempM4NWOGrZkot02UHMiWKnhXKle8lztoi-TuQ3CDeSXUmpVING2JOJ-fVX1cqA9yn-PzuIUAXirAA/s320/Milka+Maneva+Olympics+Day+4+Weightlifting+d5KZCwROJOMl.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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<em>And it looked like a penis?</em></div>
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2. Dressage commentator: "This is really a lovely horse and I speak from personal experience since I once mounted her mother."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wHfzuxasSbCsb_KLdG_KejfLr3tQsI9J274z81KVZ5jI0Q3_BVLfunVHXCZmQ13rrA3HSghf-GbcKn3IaAdYhX8Eo3ypv5LkY8DCN-uas6jHwxWoFgvUzcI8wQGxaNOpl0d0VtC9l5-4/s1600/horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wHfzuxasSbCsb_KLdG_KejfLr3tQsI9J274z81KVZ5jI0Q3_BVLfunVHXCZmQ13rrA3HSghf-GbcKn3IaAdYhX8Eo3ypv5LkY8DCN-uas6jHwxWoFgvUzcI8wQGxaNOpl0d0VtC9l5-4/s320/horse.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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<em>Horses are lovely to mount?</em></div>
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3. Paul Hamm, Gymnast: "I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3_h4oBIt3EKQ-wHhmYnQfpotUlmpYECI6xKQg9HqDPKWavUOjTSa2WhkhKEG8UegvgZySDC1vAXjgrzxFwGrkAGSEi5f6KMapn4qn0oAbjf4PSsVd203mxIjotwaA3zc4kW01vn5f-10/s1600/hamm_paul_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3_h4oBIt3EKQ-wHhmYnQfpotUlmpYECI6xKQg9HqDPKWavUOjTSa2WhkhKEG8UegvgZySDC1vAXjgrzxFwGrkAGSEi5f6KMapn4qn0oAbjf4PSsVd203mxIjotwaA3zc4kW01vn5f-10/s320/hamm_paul_6.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<em>Hooray to my mother and father! And, to my mother and father!</em></div>
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4. Boxing Analyst: "Sure there have been injuries, and even some deaths in boxing, but none of them really that serious."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZiByqivFLqmCUNkN_YBxEvUfftFiPPZB6rCPwqKOJ3wqSGoC83hEnhesldZok8z4hRLeVKkIWbckAbBvNC0h89SOnPeB1twCuznTJMi005xwRMBIQa8MmXroy46Bu6qack7pNJxhbWt9/s1600/boxing_1980608b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZiByqivFLqmCUNkN_YBxEvUfftFiPPZB6rCPwqKOJ3wqSGoC83hEnhesldZok8z4hRLeVKkIWbckAbBvNC0h89SOnPeB1twCuznTJMi005xwRMBIQa8MmXroy46Bu6qack7pNJxhbWt9/s320/boxing_1980608b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Lucky for you, death is NOT serious.</em></div>
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5. Softball announcer: "If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again." (this must be from 2008?)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgsVy1nu11H86BbSHVt9kpfp_Mx0B3fap4eD5zHJUI5Pojrn-YkwReET3WqkpI3ChfYzgS4h5A0wSemitI0qkeOECsKBHQKWiYHsb6Td0do-Axgz9r2YvPtCV1S4pw9PxzhAAV-RaRPQx/s1600/softball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgsVy1nu11H86BbSHVt9kpfp_Mx0B3fap4eD5zHJUI5Pojrn-YkwReET3WqkpI3ChfYzgS4h5A0wSemitI0qkeOECsKBHQKWiYHsb6Td0do-Axgz9r2YvPtCV1S4pw9PxzhAAV-RaRPQx/s320/softball.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Did I just say that? Did I just say that?</em></div>
<br />
6. Basketball analyst: "He dribbles a lot and the opposition doesn't like it. In fact you can see it all over their faces."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJJLUg4thXyxAXifcFoYzS_9ztRzkyFVDIMZ9f17lPwZAtlzGr82BrW9bG6tYFA8V3bKfpBooL6fIkGiWFhcUZLEt_2ukL8WZghgQXjFtWwezBR7wnJY-iPOC3afCCfuZFsFyuVc2GHsP/s1600/basketball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJJLUg4thXyxAXifcFoYzS_9ztRzkyFVDIMZ9f17lPwZAtlzGr82BrW9bG6tYFA8V3bKfpBooL6fIkGiWFhcUZLEt_2ukL8WZghgQXjFtWwezBR7wnJY-iPOC3afCCfuZFsFyuVc2GHsP/s320/basketball.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Skilled in dribbling all over faces.</em></div>
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7. At the rowing medal ceremony: "Ah, isn't that nice, the wife of the IOC president is hugging the cox of the British crew."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTySSBwc2TZJ5fkZvbqsBp99LHuW2jyzuaQI8JxjbUKFsa9NiCe9fmAnFKNmPCX7GdK7yTm8TAnvBwQGztnT6sdwzmcKw7mdDhwcCuMPZsliODe_7pfDDgiwTToSqYaG1RfsxQ-VvvXj2/s1600/rowing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTySSBwc2TZJ5fkZvbqsBp99LHuW2jyzuaQI8JxjbUKFsa9NiCe9fmAnFKNmPCX7GdK7yTm8TAnvBwQGztnT6sdwzmcKw7mdDhwcCuMPZsliODe_7pfDDgiwTToSqYaG1RfsxQ-VvvXj2/s320/rowing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>If they start going down on each other, I'm turning the channel.</em></div>
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8. Soccer commentator: "Julian Dicks is everywhere. It's like they've got eleven Dicks on the field."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqcglJFagzS6ged8Tb6x40rOiC7sE1QpFAjdmMlvZuXLHdIT9mVT3E-hNUAenIBYrF6QNlHkje79WwhrZ8MfZkKxV1RIrWx8XZZaOswLvnE3xAPVDVr0oESiGXBFGlTD3-ArfJYpYW2vK/s1600/soccer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqcglJFagzS6ged8Tb6x40rOiC7sE1QpFAjdmMlvZuXLHdIT9mVT3E-hNUAenIBYrF6QNlHkje79WwhrZ8MfZkKxV1RIrWx8XZZaOswLvnE3xAPVDVr0oESiGXBFGlTD3-ArfJYpYW2vK/s320/soccer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Nothing like a field full of Dicks.</em></div>
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9. Tennis commentator: "One of the reasons Andy is playing so well is that, before the final round, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them... .... Oh my God, what have I just said?"
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5BJz0bu5XGnCO-oXbSie_05MccSEa20UW2DjvGKE-Vbk6hKVqcGLmDemLhyphenhyphenFQOI9O9P126MCEoVkIT6NTa1ANABf_NgtoSCJFvS01ZBu3m4J9gAoq5KiWITIhcVacdyeQd9soyBVEqqG/s1600/tennis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5BJz0bu5XGnCO-oXbSie_05MccSEa20UW2DjvGKE-Vbk6hKVqcGLmDemLhyphenhyphenFQOI9O9P126MCEoVkIT6NTa1ANABf_NgtoSCJFvS01ZBu3m4J9gAoq5KiWITIhcVacdyeQd9soyBVEqqG/s320/tennis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Kissing balls goes a long way.</em></div>
<br />Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-54889256585127493682012-06-26T14:40:00.000-05:002012-06-28T09:02:58.684-05:00Obey your thirst?To me image is everything (not really), but despite that I bought some new workout shirts (polyester quick dry) the other day. I'm very sorry to report that they are really comfortable. Too bad. Unfortunately for me (and the others around me), I have started wearing them most the time when I am going out. <br />
<br />
I have officially become one of the people that I mock. You know the type I am speaking about, right? They ALWAYS (not just at the gym or at an event, ALWAYS) have on a cycling shirt or some sort of athletic shirt (even if they are challenged in the midriff) no matter what the occasion is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47vcoenp-uTyPz8w80V489_N-kHrcpmlf2KTHTiSNGmid0p794P60U7YDVCS29TSCTFNZ3oUFWpzortUllZIQd8WnD786Q-RiPSaNCip7IRtGqRak4mHL-Wu0nprQ4KwsaR_3-26RnCYT/s1600/cyclists_two_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47vcoenp-uTyPz8w80V489_N-kHrcpmlf2KTHTiSNGmid0p794P60U7YDVCS29TSCTFNZ3oUFWpzortUllZIQd8WnD786Q-RiPSaNCip7IRtGqRak4mHL-Wu0nprQ4KwsaR_3-26RnCYT/s320/cyclists_two_small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Looking sharp!</em></div>
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<br />
Now, I'm that guy. Well, sort of. At least the shirts that I purchased and now wear aren't loud and flamboyant (not that there is anything wrong with that) with crazy multi-colored advertisements for random products like jelly beans, bread, tampons, manure spreaders, hair removal ointments, Chinese puppy flavored diet pills, hair replacement surgury or male enhancement devices. Not yet, anyway. Those are all noble products and services, BTW.<br />
<br />
Is it progression or regression? At what point in my life did I decide that although comfortable, long lasting, easy wearing, and good looking, cotton is out? Huh?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMFOniXtjdcpcX0Kra6GJdKjzd_I8qZ1MhjkzoBYR4_z6jThHWq2YFFKnu_q71XdIL47OzRX_8naLjMAFtgWJqIN5SuHSohzu6bHcrciCYi-MhG4e0voeNwbkNjCBjO1tEUaDE-7ivnxZ/s1600/world_jerseys_global_warming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMFOniXtjdcpcX0Kra6GJdKjzd_I8qZ1MhjkzoBYR4_z6jThHWq2YFFKnu_q71XdIL47OzRX_8naLjMAFtgWJqIN5SuHSohzu6bHcrciCYi-MhG4e0voeNwbkNjCBjO1tEUaDE-7ivnxZ/s320/world_jerseys_global_warming.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>This is an illustration of my ass post Taco Johns.</em></div>
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<br />
<em>Is that pesky cotton just too expensive?</em> Nope.<br />
<em>I</em><em>s it too hot?</em> No. <br />
<em>Does it stain too easily?</em> Well, it does stain, but I am pretty sure so does polyester, right?<br />
<em>Is there any good reason to wear plastic workout shirts instead of cotton shirts?</em> Not really.<br />
<br />
I might as well start wearing a fanny pack all the time. I think that might go nicely with the polyester shirt. I can't look much more silly. I guess a fanny pack could have true benefit. It covers up my love handles (that no matter HOW much time I spend at the gym I cannot get rid of. There is nothing taking those suckers off.). I suppose there is nothing better than having granola bars or other healthy snacks at my fingertips all the time in my fanny pack..er...man purse?!? Maybe some Band-Aids? Chapstick? Midol? (cringes)<br />
<br />
*rolls eyes*<br />
<br />
I do sweat a lot. Like a lot. Like even more than you were just thinking. I don't know why. I have done it my whole life. It could be my fast metabolism (<em>lie to self number 1</em>). Maybe it's endorphins built up from my workout (<em>lie to self number 2</em>). It's normal to sweat a lot in the summer (<em>lie to self number 3</em>). It might be the humidity in Minnesota, right (<em>wrong again, piglet</em>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cgEKn6y8S6FWc01V72e9cP__b7V3uiXEdz4-hvUUuEpxHVrIb2H_WKCMDTwSQs-ATApJuBX3tGQjtmiePHLXWzROpHYvq7DUAMTyPlYIh5N-kPdKUGfwm3hp7qcfsXjYzkgTFsPdNtFB/s1600/Amgen-jersey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cgEKn6y8S6FWc01V72e9cP__b7V3uiXEdz4-hvUUuEpxHVrIb2H_WKCMDTwSQs-ATApJuBX3tGQjtmiePHLXWzROpHYvq7DUAMTyPlYIh5N-kPdKUGfwm3hp7qcfsXjYzkgTFsPdNtFB/s320/Amgen-jersey.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Does ANYONE know what Neulestra pegafartaskin is? Didn't think so. Sounds like a food additive.</em></div>
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<br />
Okay, so I'm a pig that way. A sweaty pig. I wake up in the morning with part of one eye open, stumble into the kitchen (begins to hum Dolly Parton's song<em> "9 to 5"</em>), and pour a huge cup of coffee. I only have one cup before going to the gym. In all honesty, the cup is like 18/10th's scale of most coffee cups. But it's only ONE cup (I win!). Then, I workout. Then, I come home soaking wet, shower and slam two cups of yogurt and 2 Red Bulls and go to work. Throughout my day, I drink a couple more caffeinated sugary drinks. I SUPPOSE that might have something to do with this sweat issue. Maybe.<br />
<br />
Either way, the polyester quick dry clothing is great in that despite my sweaty nature, I stay pretty dry and fresh over the course of the day. Doesn't THAT sound like an advertisement for some sort of unmentionable, embarrassing product?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRp7DEmjlD3ptoe8QdThPweBKKQlEEzFQ0Zl-8zjcqkni8rTclLXTe4gD7g8NzAZEJuYNK_qrnOG56dfeBViNJuNXayiIFvHOoKsnOSHH2IXz7SLcq13rLCldf_7cQqzLlz3bRXbblmBp/s1600/HPIM0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRp7DEmjlD3ptoe8QdThPweBKKQlEEzFQ0Zl-8zjcqkni8rTclLXTe4gD7g8NzAZEJuYNK_qrnOG56dfeBViNJuNXayiIFvHOoKsnOSHH2IXz7SLcq13rLCldf_7cQqzLlz3bRXbblmBp/s1600/HPIM0409.JPG" /></a></div>
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<em>Salsa AND cycles? I can ride and dip my chips all at once! Tada!</em></div>
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<br />
"Want to stay dry, fresh, and clean all day long despite your 'problem?' Try polyester clothing. Nothing keeps you drier than clothing made from ground up pop bottles (that contain chemicals known in the state of California to cause cancer)."<br />
<br />
I hope it's a fad. Either that, or I am subconsciously planning on spilling a lot of shit on my clothes in the near future. Seriously though, who am I kidding? I'm sloppy as fuck. Most things wipe off of polyester. Cotton, not so much. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-olYIoXlTO9UhnmeBF02eGMb7hNZ6ZqkEBmlwiwifOmk1FuwQVj3QUagtluY4XlHVPUrCKWDotGPU_vu0F-fkKwyjry_HaY93yGRpmHZx8oZXq7fjDphr2Q9Y0CVooev-uV9TquqARXrH/s1600/idiocracy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-olYIoXlTO9UhnmeBF02eGMb7hNZ6ZqkEBmlwiwifOmk1FuwQVj3QUagtluY4XlHVPUrCKWDotGPU_vu0F-fkKwyjry_HaY93yGRpmHZx8oZXq7fjDphr2Q9Y0CVooev-uV9TquqARXrH/s1600/idiocracy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<em>It's just wipe and wear, baby. Wipe and wear.</em></div>
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<br />
Regardless, my pride has been publicly detonated to the point where I could be just another random stand-in on the set of "<em>Idiocracy</em>." <br />
<br />
Oh well.<br />
<br />Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-48922506111326681912012-03-06T16:57:00.001-06:002012-03-06T17:45:26.615-06:00Do you want to teach your kids something?<i>"If it keeps up, man will atrophy all his limbs but the push-button finger." <b>Frank Lloyd Wright</b></i><br />
<br />
Do you really want to teach your kids something? Really? <br />
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In the age of technology we live in, most of us count on our gizmos and gadgets to help us through our day almost everyday. Is the road closed? That's okay, use the GPS in your phone to find an alternate route. Is the store closed? That's okay, use Google on your phone to find an different store. How do I feed these hamsters I just bought? Easy. Go on the internet and learn how. What kind of rash is this? WebMD knows. There really are millions of ways technology shapes the world we live in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRxqtB7hb4maZnmwyT4fcc1So-ERlfaF1DNVjOIa3c-vlwPWLG-6ntQEBATQ4EXNX7cfxRYXB3fxHwZXyszYi8u33b3XW5G3A1vHa7ZeC9XX5yqsiqhrWFxghVwdGt5_oNwzm__cNHa_3/s1600/gps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRxqtB7hb4maZnmwyT4fcc1So-ERlfaF1DNVjOIa3c-vlwPWLG-6ntQEBATQ4EXNX7cfxRYXB3fxHwZXyszYi8u33b3XW5G3A1vHa7ZeC9XX5yqsiqhrWFxghVwdGt5_oNwzm__cNHa_3/s320/gps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>"Man is a slow, sloppy and brilliant thinker; the machine is fast, accurate and stupid." <b>William M. Kelly</b></i><br />
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I spoke with a friend a while back that said his son had called him and told him that all the electrical "stuff" is dead in his truck. His son told him that it started and runs fine, but it doesn't have any headlights or tail lights. My friend was initially concerned, but then paused for a second and asked his son if he had turned on the headlights. His son replied, "You have to turn them on?" His 20ish year old son had never driven a vehicle that did not have automatic headlights. This really got me thinking about all this technology in our world. What will this next generation do if they have to solve these problems on their own? I know it sounds a little silly, but think about it. Could your kids figure out how to turn on the headlights when the switch doesn't even say headlights anymore? All the headlight switches now just have generic symbols on them lest we discriminate against people that don't speak fluent English. Back to my point though, what would these kids do if they have to figure this stuff out themselves? I hate to be a doomsday speaker or a wacko, but what would we do if all these technologies failed? What would they do without electricity? What would our kids do with no real skills to survive? Isn't it a big gamble to assume that things will always be okay?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtNETn3mdYcoFy_jY4P62as7Jpa717mkcRmAKEgRt1YmpGONG0QCYC5meQZl6V_Hli6lBc7iFLR4DySe7GmtCXUUSj2_VHG_qHnR96kFFFdK-vKGqJm0UyceQB5XSNDmyeUVbeMq8ODTm/s1600/headlights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtNETn3mdYcoFy_jY4P62as7Jpa717mkcRmAKEgRt1YmpGONG0QCYC5meQZl6V_Hli6lBc7iFLR4DySe7GmtCXUUSj2_VHG_qHnR96kFFFdK-vKGqJm0UyceQB5XSNDmyeUVbeMq8ODTm/s320/headlights.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>"Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards." <b>Aldous Huxley</b></i><br />
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Take almost any area of our lives and technology is in it. Look at your wristwatch. What would you do if the battery failed and you couldn't get a new one? Would you wind it? Or, would it become useless? I imagine a discussion with a group of people comparing their watches in an braggish fashion.<br />
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"<em>My watch is back lit and waterproof to 500 meters</em> " says one person.<br />
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"<em>Oh yeah? My watch is back lit and the color of the back light changes with my mood. It's waterproof to 600 meters</em>" says the next person.<br />
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<em>"That's wonderful, but my watch does all of those things and also measures my walking steps per day, my heart rate, my blood pressure, gives me GPS readings of everywhere I have gone all day, and it is waterproof to 1000 meters</em>" proclaims the next person.<br />
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Then, it comes to me.<br />
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<em>"What does your watch do?"</em> They ask.<br />
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<strong><em>"My watch tells me what time it is. Each day I wind it up and it's very accurate. If I forget to wind it and the time gets off, I can reset it at noon with some sunshine. It isn't back lit at all but I don't really care. If I need to know what time it is after dark, I can lean closer to the fire to illuminate the dials. Since I don't want to see what time it is at the bottom of the ocean and I doubt I could survive at that depth, mine doesn't need to be waterproof to 1000 meters. My watch really needs to be just waterproof enough so I can wash my hands and shower with it on if I forget to take it off without ruining it. My watch does this all without batteries. What will yours do without batteries?"</em></strong><br />
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<em>"Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink." <strong>Samuel Taylor Coleridge</strong></em><br />
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I was trying to decide what is most important to sustain life if everything else in our world fell apart. Simple enough, right? Food and water would be needed by everyone to live. Water more immediately important than food, but both are needed to survive any significant length of time. So, you want your kids to learn? Teach them to purify water. Hopefully there never comes a time when they need to purify water to survive, but it's a great skill to have. What if there is no bottled water? What if you have to drink the river water or no water? Do you know how to purify water for drinking? Do you know how much to set aside for daily consumption? You should. Your kids should, too. It would be easy to have purification tablets or filters to should your kids how to purify water, but what should they do when they run out of those things? Your kids should know to boil water to purify it. Your kids should know that you can add small amounts of iodine or bleach to water to make it safe to drink if it is questionable. If nobody teaches your kids this stuff, how would they know? If they fail to make their water safe for drinking, they get sick and there is no readily available medical attention, what would they do? If we have a technological collapse, who will be able to Google this stuff? So, it's a good skill to know.<br />
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<em>"Life's a garden, dig it?" <strong>Joe Dirt</strong></em><br />
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You want your kids to learn something else valuable? Teach them to garden. I don't mean that you should go to the store, buy a grown tomato plant, water it, and count that as gardening. In a way, it's still a good lesson (a little like cheating), but what would you do it you couldn't buy a plant? I think you should take it a few steps further. I think you should buy seeds to plant. You should find suitable soil to plant them in. You should care for them as they grow. You should fight off insects and rodents. You should aerate their soil and remove the weeds. You should harvest them as they mature. Then, you should save your seeds for next year and do it all over again. This is something you should teach your kids. This would be a great lesson.<br />
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<em>"Everyplace is walking distance if you have the time." <strong>Steven Wright</strong></em><br />
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Teach your kids to walk. That's a great lesson. Most kids you talk to these days seem to think that walking 10 miles is impossible. Or, they think that if you can walk 10 miles that you are some sort of freak. All generations of humans before ours did a lot of walking. In the last couple hundred years we have become used to letting something else like a car or horse carry us. Our bodies are incredible when it comes to exercise and walking. Our bodies are well equipped to walk and can easily carry our own weight for many, many miles. In fact, we can carry a lot more than our own weight for a long, long time. What if a trip to town meant a walking trip to town instead of a drive? Could you do it? Would you do it? It's something to think about.<br />
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<i>"Technology... the knack of so arranging the world that we don't have to experience it." <b>Max Frisch</b></i><br />
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Can any kids read a map these days? I wanted to buy a map a while back and I see it is easiest to find one in a bookstore. In days past, every gas station had them for sale. Most gas stations had one posted for public viewing. But now, if you ask for a map, they look at you like you just asked for lead shot your musket. What would these kids do if we were unable to tell them how to get where they are going? What would they do without GPS? What would we do without it? My fiance is a avid map reader. I used to give her a steady stream of teasing about it, but she's right. The ability to navigate with a map is a great skill. The ability the navigate north, south, east and west without a map is even a better skill. So, touche Amanda. You are wise.<br />
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<i>"What the country needs are a few labor-making inventions." <b>Arnold Glasow</b></i><br />
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Teach your kids how to work. I don't mean go to a job and run a cash register, although that's valuable, too. Teach them to physically work. Teach them that it's sometimes necessary and always okay to get sweaty and dirty. Teach them that to get a job done, it's sometimes unavoidable to get dirty. Encourage them to jump right in and help. Our bodies can be washed. Our clothing can be washed. You cannot put a cost on sweat equity. Teach your kids that there are many, many people in this world that aren't able-bodied whether it's from illness, accident or circumstance, but that those people wish that they could work physically. Impress upon your kids that having the ability to work physically is not something to be taken for granted. Trust me. There are thousands of people that wish they had the physical capabilities that our kids do. Our kids need to be mindful of that. It's a good lesson.<br />
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<i>"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." <b>Albert Einstein</b></i><br />
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Teach your kids to help take care of those that cannot take care of themselves. When they are cutting wood, they can cut some extra for the neighbor not because they can get paid, but because it's the right thing to do. They can pick branches off of the neighbor's lawn and open doors for them. They can help out others just to keep themselves busy. They need to learn to do these things for not reward, but just because. These days, it seems many of our kids don't want to be "bothered" visiting grandma or grandpa. Or, they can't be "bothered" going to help out relatives. As if our kids are really that busy? They're kids, right? Don't we plan their days for them? They are never "too busy" to see their family. They are never "too busy" to help out the neighbors.<br />
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<i>"For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life, please press three." <b>Alice Kahn</b></i><br />
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I think our kids just need to be taught. That might be the most difficult job of all.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-16139161853027372692012-02-21T17:56:00.002-06:002012-02-21T18:36:07.282-06:00The Minnesota FreeloadersI'm frustrated.<br />
I'm confused.<br />
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I don't think I am really arrogant or cocky. I definitely don't think that the way I think of things is the "right" way if it means that to be "right" the views of others would have to be "wrong." But, still I am confused. I simply don't understand many of the views of my peers. For the most part, I don't bother them with my views regardless if they bother me with theirs.<br />
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Jeepers. The last thing I want to be is political or be a guy that rants about current events. It truly is the last thing I want to be. I feel like I am forced to be the crazy extremist political ranter in light of the ideas of our state. I feel for the most part I am pleading with everyone around me and expressing views on things that they do not share. But, does nobody else see the financial state of Minnesota and our world the way I do? I mean, you are all intelligent people and are perfectly capable to make decisions. Each and every person in this world deserves to state their opinion and be heard. Everyone deserves to be able to hold their opinion without criticism or guilt. I guess to me, I don't understand why my views might be the unpopular ones. Here's what I am confused about today.<br />
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The Minnesota Vikings more or less believe that they "deserve" a new stadium to play in if they are to remain in Minnesota. It isn't that they want permission to build one. They don't even want an option on land or a tax break. They more or less want us to build it for them. I think they are willing to chip in a little money, but the bulk of this stadium they want for free. The project began with an estimated $500 million dollar budget and has since expanded into a $1.2 billion dollar project. To put this into perspective, that $1.2 billion dollar amount divides out to be $224.51 for each and every person in Minnesota. This is every man, woman, and child using 2011 census numbers, not just taxpayers. How could this ever be a viable endeavour? How could this even ever be a remote consideration? What would ever give government the power to spend $224 of my money without any sort of choice in the matter on my part? Well, since my daughter is still a minor, I guess I get to pay $448. Better still, right? <br />
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I have had multiple discussions with people about this topic and they seem to just shrug it off and not care about it. Think about this seriously. Do you want government to forcedly take money from everyone in the state disregarding their will? Is it a fair situation to you since you want to Vikings to stay in Minnesota? Are you really so selfish to think that keeping the Vikings in Minnesota by bribing them with a new stadium "works" for everybody whether they like football or not? Or, do you just disregard others completely?<br />
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In 2011, it was the original projection that the state of Minnesota had a rather large deficit. The state of Minnesota actually shut down for a while last year because of budget proposal failures. But, then the topic got changed to the Vikings "needing" a new stadium and the budget "crisis" disappeared and was replaced with a surplus.<br />
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Now, in light of negative talks about the new stadium, Minnesota tax payers have been notified that the state capital building is more or less "in ruins" and they might need $241 million to fix that up. Just so we are clear on this. The figure I saw on the news for repair of the building was $241 MILLION dollars. Yes, $241 MILLION dollars to REPAIR a building. I bet I could have at LEAST 482 huge pole buildings built and furnished for $241 million. I bet our state government could all fit into one or two of them. That would leave about 480 of them empty for use for housing or some other noble cause. How can the state government ever justify this sort of spending? How can all of you, my peers, not be really, really pissed about this? It's your money. It's my money. <br />
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Precedent for this silly spending was set in 2007 when the state of Minnesota added additional sales taxes to help fund a $522 million dollar stadium for the Twins baseball club. That worked like a charm when it rained most of this past spring and game after game was cancelled. When there was a chance of poor weather, attendance was next to nothing, yet the games went on. But, they were better off there than in the Metrodome, right? <br />
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What are some of the arguments for the new stadium?<br />
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<em>It will create jobs.</em><br />
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It will create jobs. I agree completely. While it is being built, a lot of new jobs will exist. But, after it is completed, most of those jobs will end. So, we could argue that job creation, even it if is short term (1-3 years) is still a good thing. Again, I would agree. But, I would ask you to consider at what cost per job for these jobs? What about fixing up our state highways, streets and bridges? Why don't we demolish some of the rundown buildings in the metro and create some parking ramps or something to help everybody have good access to the events that we already have? Could we level out a block of decrepit buildings and make a park or something? Don't these things create jobs? I mean, the situation isn't really any different except these works would benefit everyone rather than just Vikings fans. Also, I don't know about you, but I get around the metro and out state quite a bit. Our roads are rough and terrible.<br />
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The argument has been made to me that the actual finished Viking facility would employ more people long term. I guess I can see some property management and public relations sort of jobs, but I really can't see the point of them. Creating jobs in a sense of day to day operations for an establishment that is built and operated with tax money is nothing more than another liability. As far as food service goes, I think the discussion is even more moot. There will not be any significant new food service or janitorial jobs created for the new Vikings stadium that don't directly damage the supply of jobs available at the Metrodome. Don't kid yourself. The food service people work their butts off and get paid very little because the margins are fairly tight on food service. The managers of those food service companies will continue to trim back jobs at one location and move staff to the other and will likely even use most of the same staff. It isn't like they are going to schedule huge events at the Metrodome on the same day as Vikings games. It isn't going to happen. Think of it this way: Susie works at the wiener stand on the Metrodome on Tuesday for an event and then again on Friday for Monster Trucks. Then, Susie works the wiener stand at the Twins game Saturday. Then on Sunday, Susie works the wiener stand at the preseason rally at the new Vikings stadium. Susie CAN work at all locations on different days. And, why wouldn't she want to? I see no new jobs here. Well, maybe there is a few, but again, try to justify spending over a billion dollars to create these jobs. <br />
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<em>The new complex will make over $85,000 per event in parking alone.</em><br />
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This is really silly and it makes an assumption. This statement assumes that the events will all sell out. This statement assumes that all parking will be purchased at full retail. You cannot believe that if Xcel Energy, Coke, Pepsi, Target, or anyone else wanted to throw a big party for their employees and take them to a game that the management of the new stadium wouldn't cut them a deal on parking for multiple cars? You better believe they would give them a break. They better. Vikings stadium management would be fools not to. It's only good business. Either way, the Twins pitched us all on a profitability scale figuring that almost all of the seats were full. How much do they make if nobody goes to the games? Hard to bank on unrealized income.<br />
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<em>The new complex will bring lots of tax money into Minnesota.</em><br />
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I guess I don't understand this idea, either. Who is this additional tax money coming from? The players? Most of the players don't even live in Minnesota. Is this additional tax money coming from fans? Is it from increased capacity of the new complex? If it is, it is also banking on unrealized income from an unproven source. I don't remember too many sold out Vikings games in this lifetime. So, does that mean if we the people build a new stadium that seats more people that magically more people will come? No, it doesn't mean that at all. In fact, it is financially irresponsible to assume that it would. But, it comes to your opinion about it, not mine. I do not want my money handled irresponsibly. Do you?<br />
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I think the only way I could see more tax money coming into Minnesota is that the property values of housing and of the property the new stadium is built on would change. There is potential for huge property tax gains. But, that really seems to help out the city and county where the new stadium is. It does not help out anyone else in Minnesota.<br />
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<em>The new stadium is an investment in the future of our state.</em><br />
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I just don't think so. I think roads are an investment. I think education is an investment. I think parks are an investment. I do not think that a stadium is. Even if we build it, we aren't guaranteed that the Vikings won't leave five years from now anyway. Or, maybe ten years from now they will demand another new stadium that costs $5 billion? Who is to say? I do think that if the stadium idea was such an absolute cash cow and a terrific multi-billion dollar making idea, the owner of the Vikings would want to build it himself. Why wouldn't he? He could afford it. He doesn't build it himself because then he is tied to Minnesota. If he built it himself, it would be his neck in the line if it didn't work out, not the tax payers of Minnesota. These risks are not acceptable to him. So, the other way to get the stadium is to threaten to leave and watch Minnesotans that like football kick, scream, and cry about it. Then, when enough pressure gets put on politicians, the Vikings get their stadium for free.<br />
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<em>T</em><em>he Vikings will leave without a new stadium.</em><br />
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Wow. Well, it was fun while it lasted. Sorry Vikings, but this just isn't working out. You can't win a Superbowl and a good portion of your players are being bailed out of jail regularly. I'm sorry, Vikings, but I think we need to see other people. Really, let them leave if they want to. If they don't want to be in Minnesota, let them go. Are you willing to pay $1.2 billion dollars so they stay? If they leave the state, they will still be on television, would they? Or, if they leave the state do they just ride off into the sunset on a dusty saddle with worn out spurs? Seriously? What appeal does any of this argument have to a person like me that just doesn't care about the Vikings?<br />
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Last but not least is my favorite argument.<br />
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<em>Well, I like football so I want a new stadium. If it was something you liked, you would want it, too.</em><br />
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Wrong again. If our state had a product and giving money to the state via taxes actually earned something, an investment in a project of the state might be more appealing. But, when our state does little other than argue over insignificant things, blow billions and billions of dollars of our money, lie right to our face in the media, and place blame in a he said/she said fashion the idea of believing or backing any of the politicians or their ideas has very little luster. I'm sorry, but I just don't trust them. I don't trust the governor. I don't trust any of the house or senate politicians. I think they look out for themselves, their careers, and they pass legislation to help out those that got them elected. They do this much of the time at the expense of what would be decent or good. There frankly is NO project that I can think of that could benefit me that I would think the using tax dollars from everyone in Minnesota would be justified. I would never think it's okay to steal money from you so I can be entertained on the weekends.<br />
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But, what do I know. I am just a crazy political ranter.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-72124948705518959302012-02-20T17:47:00.002-06:002012-02-21T09:29:42.265-06:00You lose with big gas prices.Gas prices being high. Who benefits? Why? How?<br />
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Obama and his administration benefit.<br />
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Obama campaigned for "green" energy and still gets support for this unrealized campaign idea. What's the reality?<br />
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Big gas prices benefit him and his administration. How do they? <br />
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Well, ultra liberals will support him despite high energy costs because not unlike ANY "ultra" stance, they do not want to be confused with facts or reality because their minds are already made up. Their persistence is respectable, but the inability to accept true reality makes them unreliable sources of facts. Also, if they are crazy (like PETA crazy) they would not care about spending their inheritance on gasoline because they are under the illusion that it needs to be expensive to do "the right thing" or what they might think "the right thing" is. So, ultra liberals will love Obama despite whatever energy costs are because they are sure they are correct.<br />
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More moderate liberals will tolerate these inflated fuel prices because gas might not be nearly as big or a topic to them in their world as say abortion, gay marriage or naturalization of illegal immigrants. These people realize that if they fail financially due to excess government taxes, fees, spending, and fuel costs, that the Obama administration has created multiple safety nets for them to live anyway funded by the tax dollars of others. They are under the impression that this is America and they have a "right" to money and a "right" to a good living.<br />
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Obama has also deficit spent more money than all other presidents through Bush combined. A high gas price brings in billions of additional monies in gas taxes and this may help ease the drought of federal money that states have available to them. A representative of the state of New York was on record a couple years back praising high gas prices for helping them balance their budget as a state. Most states have a gas tax of some sort and many of these states use a tax based on the dollar, not on the gallon. So, higher gas prices equals more money for state government. More money for state government means state government spends more money. All in all this just means less money for consumers.<br />
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A few of Obama's biggest financial backers are Wall Street banks and oil companies. British Petroleum is a huge contributor to the Obama cause. So is Goldman Sachs. Do you remember them? They are one of the banks "too big to fail" and they received $10 billion dollars of "stimulus" money because they were in such financial peril. Wait, do you mean Obama has helped out some of the banks that gave him campaign money? Really?<br />
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A high gas price certainly helps out any gas company in the world. In the days of Bush, liberals everywhere would be crying foul and burning crosses on the White House lawn if G.W. would have directly had a hand in helping out oil companies. How does Obama directly have a hand in high gas prices? By banning offshore drilling, his administration has created higher demand and thus higher prices. By letting drilling permits expire without renewal, he has further increased demand and prices and also unemployed thousands of America workers. His excuse for banning drilling and permit renewal was because of the Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico where millions and millions of gallons of crude oil were spilled when a rig blew up and the safety valve failed. The idea that because of disaster, ALL oil drilling and exploration is hazardous to the environment would be same thinking that if one school bus crashes, ALL school buses are unsafe. Or, if we have one car accident in this country, all car driving will result in an accident. Or, if we have one case of food poisoning in this country, food should be banned because food isn't safe. Obama was on record "punishing" BP for their negligence, but then helped gas prices soar and remain high for a prolonged period of time and that allowed BP to pay for their "punishment" money right out of excess cash flow. Convenient. <br />
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Big banks benefit.<br />
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Yes, that's right. Banks benefit greatly from a high gas price. So, all this time spent by Obama and other politicians complaining about "big banking" and how the banks "rip off" consumers is a complete crock of crap. Don't get me wrong, I am not defending the banks. I am just stating the FACT that bank fees are based on the dollar, not on the gallon when it comes to gas. The banks that run Visa/Mastercard/Amex can now charge me the retailer a lot more money for their services even though I am handling less gasoline. Every gasoline retailer pays credit card fees based on the dollar, not on the gallon. Also, if you charge your gas on a credit card and don't get the balance paid monthly, more than likely the dollar amount of gas consumed is higher than it used to be. Then, the banks make more interest off of you, the consumer. What better way to earn money off of the public than increase fees on something that most people cannot operate without? As a consumer, you end up paying for it in the long run as retailers cannot continue to absorb more and more overhead when already faced with low margins.<br />
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Wall Street traders benefit.<br />
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Banks also back Wall Street traders in the gasoline and oil markets. Even though the markets are volatile, the markets end up being manipulated by their trading. Figure it this way: If you are a market trader and are averaging 5% profit per trade, do you make more money in the product is worth $10, or in the product is worth $100? If the margins remain, the traders cash in on high gas prices. Also, in the stock market, if enough people buy up supplies and hold onto them, they price has to go up. It's because of supply and demand. Now, if you and a bunch of your billionaire buddies want to make a bunch of money, why wouldn't you buy up as much of the supply as possible, sit on that supply until the market goes up, and them dump it all on the market? Then, as the market prices fall from being saturated with product, you buy it again at the bottom price, hold on to it until demand gets high again, then sell it again high. Rinse, recycle, repeat. This is what is happening right now every single day. But, instead of the traders making 5% on $10 crude, they are making 5% on $100 crude.<br />
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Alternative energy sources benefit.<br />
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Obama was on record a couple years ago saying that to make solar or wind power a viable energy option, fossil fuels would have to go up drastically in price. This is and has happened. The Al Gores of the world are celebrating I'm sure as he has made billions and billions of dollars preaching his unproven climate claims.<br />
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Our government has justified spending in companies like Solyndra for this very reason. The premise is that before when fossil fuels were cheap, we didn't NEED to look for other choices. Now that fossil fuels aren't cheap, we NEED to. The problem with this theory is that the government fails to acknowledge that they are the ones causing the inflated fuel prices in the first place. Doesn't really seem like much of a crisis if they are in control of it, does it?<br />
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Who doesn't benefit? Everyone else.<br />
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Without a choice in the matter you get to pay more for everything.<br />
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Taxes. Sales tax will increase on each and every item you buy. Why? Because each and every item that is sold in this country will have to cost more to offset additional overhead due to additional fuel costs in trucking and production of these items. The government wins again because anytime that goods cost more, they collect more tax. This is just simple math. If you are paying 10% sales tax on an item that costs $2.00, you pay $.20. Increase the cost of that item to $3.00 and now you pay $.30. This applies to any taxed item. Government wins. You lose.<br />
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Crops are grown and harvested using diesel fuel. Corn is used in 75-95% of products in the grocery store (depending on where I sourced). So, soda will be more expensive because of the high fructose corn syrup. Ketchup will go up. Also Oreo cookies, Wonderbread, Corn Flakes, Eggo Waffles and about a million other products. When the cost of production of corn goes up, the cost of the finished goods almost has to go up. A high petroleum market also means drastic increases in fertilizer costs, too. This increased cost of production will have an effect on every product that is farmed in this country. What's the solution? Import more crops? I mean, we have government mandated ethanol blended into our gasoline in this country, but we aren't buying the ethanol here. We are importing it from South America because it's cheaper. Should we do this with all of our food, too?<br />
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Chickens, cows and pigs all eat crops or by-products of crops, so the price of meat goes up. This increase comes from a few other different ways here, too. Inflated fuel cost adds to increased feed input costs for animals, increased waste handling costs, and also increased costs for trucking and shipping the animals. As a consumer, you lose again.<br />
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Everything you can buy in this country is trucked, trained, or boated to you. Many of the things you buy are handled all three of those ways. With higher fuel costs, the added costs of fuel gets passed down to the consumer. Every shirt, computer, candy bar, cell phone pair of socks, anything and everything is shipped, trucked or trained to you. As a consumer again, you lose.<br />
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Tires for your car have already seen a huge price increase from a high crude oil market. Not only are they manufactured from oil, but they are also shipped and freighted many times before they get to you. Again, you are paying more as a consumer.<br />
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The government in Minnesota is talking about reducing the gas tax and adding a mileage tax. Although the government wants you to drive a very fuel efficient car, they aren't making enough money off of you if you do since you buy less gas. Their solution is to tax you additionally for your mileage. So, even though the government has manipulated gas pricing so you have to pay dearly, they are still unhappy with how much money you give them and they still want more of your money.<br />
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I could site dozens and dozens of examples here, but I hope you get the idea. Don't get me wrong. I am not opposed to green, renewable energy. But, if the government destroys our economy and keeps us broke, how will we be able to afford to try new things that could lead to breakthroughs in energy? Do you think the government should be telling us how to solve these problems? Truly there is no innovation in government. All innovation, creativity and problem solving comes from sources outside of government each and every time. I don't know about you, but I frankly don't think government is the most qualified for the job of creating new ways to be environmentally friendly coupled with financial responsibility. They can't even deliver our mail without going broke. Do you think they can handle this?<br />
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Is your life better now than it was?Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-19486281216782815292011-11-21T16:53:00.000-06:002011-11-21T16:53:03.502-06:00Change.orgDear Change.org~<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7YSYpxu93npXdVOY8mRgT2GQs3JmFXb5GWBYemBbE58ZiJZDD-o79Gx4UBeWrJVlSj3xTp0ClUAqq9wu8vuF6l0bro0Xd-Y5lDqCREHkaP1TBpQbOSPJgO5qXpED7WQbPMfmLBWxpj6k/s1600/change.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7YSYpxu93npXdVOY8mRgT2GQs3JmFXb5GWBYemBbE58ZiJZDD-o79Gx4UBeWrJVlSj3xTp0ClUAqq9wu8vuF6l0bro0Xd-Y5lDqCREHkaP1TBpQbOSPJgO5qXpED7WQbPMfmLBWxpj6k/s320/change.png" width="261" /></a></div>It seems that your organization, like so many others in this fine country really miss the point of things. You allow people to create petitions on your website and then send those petitions out via email to thousands and thousands of people to sign. You do this under the impression that you are going to "change our world."<br />
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Let's set the record straight on a few things here:<br />
Target wants to be open on Thanksgiving evening (In MN) and one of your participants started a petition to gripe about this change of hours and attempt to change Target's schedule to be closed on Thanksgiving evening. I see this morning that this petition has 189,000 signatures. Remember this: Work is work and is not always on anyone's preferred schedule. Work is not always when it's convenient for you. Right now there are about 14 million people in this country looking for a job. Well, I suppose it's fair to say that at least MOST of these people are looking for a job. In my opinion Target employees (and friends/family), if you don't want to work the hours that your store is open, don't show up. There are 14 million people that would like to have a job and would probably jump at the chance to have yours. As an employer, I have wonderful employees because they do NOT bitch about working some crappy hours now and then because they know that it is just part of having a job and being a responsible adult. If my employees started a petition and refused to work on Thanksgiving evening, I would encourage then to find a new job. In this economy, I could wish them luck. I mean, they would only be in competition with 14 million other people. Let's spell that out again for the cheap seats...14 MILLION people are out of work an you (Target employees and their friends/families) are complaining about some shit hours on a holiday?!? Can't buy a lot of presents for Christmas when you are unemployed, can you?!? I hate to say this again because I say it all the time. To everyone that has a job: Shut up. Go to work. Do your job. Be thankful you have a job at all.<br />
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Another recent topic at Change.org. "We're willing the battle against high credit card fees!" Just so you understand REALITY, your elected government has changed regulations for credit card companies the last few years in a row. A couple years back, the government changed the amount of interest and charges that could be compiled on your credit account if you don't pay your bill. Let's let this sink in for a second and truly understand what these regulations are doing. Since you are NOT smart enough to manage your own credit account and found yourself in financial peril, the government will now try to "save" you from the banks you borrowed money from. Aside from the FACT that you agreed to pay the banks back and agreed to specific terms in regards to them extending credit to you, you are still not smart enough to handle it and the government had to step in to "save" you. Since the government has regulated the banks out of making money in this area and has changed the rules in how the banks can make money in other areas, the banks have decided to charge you a fee to use their card and credit services. As a owner of a retail shop, I know all about paying bank fees. In my better card terminals, I pay $.15 per card swipe and 1.5% on each dollar. This is just a cost of doing business for me. For the consumer using a Discover card, Discover gets to money to "pay you back" from me in the form of and increased transaction fee (3.5%). This $5 per month fee the banks want to charge you is CHEAP to use their very secure (and with zero liability for fraudulent use on your part), reliable, and convenient system. What service they give you for so little money! What are you people thinking? How could you protest and petition this? Five dollars a month is a cheap fee for you to have the convenience of instant, secure, risk free money all the time. These banks do not want to lose money on your debt or your business. These banks cannot lose money on your debt because their shareholders and investors cannot afford it. Your debt cannot be made into somebody else's responsibility. Since the government stepped in on your behalf, this is the result. The government has created these regulations because YOU cannot manage your own credit and YOU cannot pay your bills in a timely fashion. Because of YOUR lack of responsibility, the government has regulated the banks into not making money. So, now they want to charge you and upfront fee for their services? Good for them. For what they have to offer, 5 dollars a month is an absolute bargain. Again: Shut up and pay your damn bills. Realize that there isn't anything free in this country. For the secure service the banks give you, their fee is not only fair, but cheap.<br />
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Today the folks at Change.org emailed me about the corruption in our park systems by complaining that Coke donated $13 million dollars. Then, when the parks department decided to ban plastic bottles and Coke asked them not to ban them, they didn't put on the ban. This is really wrong on many levels. I know a lot of people love to hate big companies despite the fact that they use products from these companies all of the time. But, for the petitioners that suggest that Coke's donation of $13 million to the park system was a bribe maybe you could consider that $13 million dollars goes a long way in maintaining parks. Maybe you should consider that it isn't Coke's fault if people throw plastic bottles all over the park. It is all about personal responsibility. PEOPLE throw trash all over the park, not Coke. I go to parks all summer long and I not only see pop bottles and trash, but I also see dirty diapers. Did the people at Change.org petition to ban babies or children from all of the parks because the babies and small children wear diapers? I think not. But really, if you think about it, it's the same thing. People throw used diapers in the woods, not Huggies. This is just like people throw pop bottles into the Grand Canyon, not Coke or Pepsi. Think about it. When will you people become hip to the idea that there HAS to be personal responsibility in this world? At some point, individuals need to be held accountable for what individuals do. This would be a big departure from the mentality the folks at Change.org have now where they are under the impression that it's government's job to punish everyone for the actions of a few. This mentality that we need to be protected from ourselves eliminates our freedoms and our right to make our own choices. It also creates a generation of people that CAN'T think for themselves.<br />
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By the way, companies like Target, Coke, and Pepsi are not the bad guys. These companies donate millions and millions of dollars to many,many different wonderful causes and organizations in this country. Remember this FACT before you try to run their name through the mud. What have YOU done?<br />
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Sorry, Change.org. You missed. Then, you missed again. Then, you missed. I have emailed you my views on these topics and I patiently wait for your response. But, I am sure you will not grant me one.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-48905166137168641022011-10-04T17:45:00.002-05:002011-10-04T17:49:38.968-05:00Taxes? Entitlement?I have opinions about things. Many things. I watched a video on youtube.com today and the man interviewed was a very bright, intelligent man but he had some misguided views.<br />
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One of the things I have an opinion about is this bombardment of entitlement mentality that I have seen everywhere in this country since the economy has come to a halt. Let's get one thing completely entirely perfectly straight here: It isn't your money. None of it is. You might argue and think it is, but it is not. You might have all sorts of reasons why it should be, and your reasons are probably rational and morally correct, but it still isn't your money. It sucks.<br />
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Even though you paid your money into the government, you have elected officials that have the rights BY LAW to decide what to do with said money. So, despite your current financial situation and despite all of your complaints and grumbling, the government's money (although it USED to be yours) is no longer your money. You elected people that took this money from you and you have trusted them in spending wisely for you on things that you may want or need at some time. As it is for now, the federal government has given your money away, most of your children's money, and some of your children's children's money. So, consider this fact before you raise your hand like a 3rd grader that needs to use the bathroom and ask the government for your money back. They don't have it. Plain and simple. The government has spent all of your money taking care of those who elected them and those that could bolster the highest level of public approval from being helped. So, before you ask and think that you deserve some money or that you have some money coming from the government, realize that you don't and they don't have it anymore. The officials you elected have taken your money and given it to somebody other than you. But, all in all, that's what you wanted them to so when you elected them (equality for all Americans, right?), anyway. So, success.<br />
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The idea that higher taxation of any segment of our society solves any of our long term problems is laughable. You know what that reminds me of? It's a friend trying to help out another friend that drinks too much by paying his bar tab. I think Glenn Beck came up with that. It's a great analogy of what's going on here. There is NO solution to excess debt that is more effective than cutting spending. That's the best idea for recovery and it is the only reliable, sound idea. Since taxation is based on consumption and on economic activity, it cannot be deemed a reliable source of proposed income since the government cannot control the rate of spending by consumers (yet). <br />
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Let me give you an example from the fine State of Minnesota. Minnesota decided that smoking is bad (m'kay). So, the State raised the tax on cigarettes drastically with hopes that the extra cost of cigarettes will make people want to quit and also generate scads of income that they (the State) can use to pay for all sorts of other beneficial things (to be fair, one thing was health care for smokers since they have much larger health risks). Not too bad of a plan, eh? Well, then they did it. The result? Lots of smokers quit and many others started buying their tobacco online or buying raw tobacco and rolling their own cigarettes (since these were exempt for the additional tax). So, a successful plan? Not really, since after the initial financial shock people that wanted to smoke regardless of anything still smoked and many of them just became more and more creative with how they were going to accomplish it. So many smokers quit smoking or found other means to smoke that the level of money that the State planned on getting in for these new programs never came and they fell short of their budget for the programs associated with the tobacco taxation. What did the State of Minnesota do? They raised the tax more to try to cover their budget shortfalls. Then what happened? More people quit smoking, bought cigarettes out of state, bought cigarettes online, or grew tobacco at home (no kidding... I know 2 people that do it). So, what happened then? The state STILL fell short of their budget because the people don't WANT to pay so much tax. This went on and on and continues today. A successful plan? No. <br />
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Any time you expect the government to tax another sect of society be it businesses, the super rich, or whoever to make things better for you, be prepared to pay this same level of tax money yourself. Once the government has permission and law that says they can tax one group of people at a high rate, be prepared for them to pass laws that allow them to tax ALL people at a higher rate. If the government cannot reel in the spending, it is purely just a matter of time before they come after your money, too. Think about it. This is a pivotal idea and an important one to consider.<br />
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Nobody wins with tax income based on consumption because as Americans, we come from a long line of innovators and free thinkers. We are bright and creative. We will find a way to do what we want and be able to afford it. Plain and simple. It is too bad we waste this creativity on finding ways to afford to smoke cigarettes rather than use it for something that could benefit others.<br />
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If you are an advocate of higher taxation for the rich or companies, realize that their money is not your money. If you have been evicted from your home, these people did not force you to buy it. If you have huge student loans, these people did not force you to take them out. If you lost your job and then lost your home and cars, life is horrible for you but it is still your fault. I'm very sorry, but it is. If you planned poorly for your financial future (as most of us did) it is OUR OWN fault. We need to own this responsibility. It is ours and ours alone.<br />
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Taxing one group of society at a higher rate to pay our bills is nothing more than stealing. Also, as far as retail goes, you can tax the companies at a higher rate and they will pay it with your dollar. Every time. Each time. They will be forced to inflate the cost of their goods to offset the higher tax, and who do you suppose will pay that tax? YOU. Me. All of us will pay it every single time we buy anything. So, you want to be cocky and not give them an inflated rate? Simple. Buy imported goods and further deflate our own economy. There is no way around this and it takes a fool to not understand this.<br />
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The flat tax idea is a great one, but it will have a hard time getting into practice in this country because those of you that think that people with more money than you are not paying their fair share will have to pay your fair share for the first time ever. What would that be like? You can argue with me if you like, but what I am saying is true. If we get a flat tax rate in this country for the first time in our lives taxes will be fair for all. But, those of you that don't pay any taxes in now (and seem to have many great plans on how to spend the money that belongs to others) will have to pay. It is an exciting idea.<br />
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Plain and simple, the only people we can be mad at for most any of this go to work in Washington. They spent your Social Security. They spent your tax money on programs that may or may not have helped you. Flat out, they spent your money. Now, they don't know what to do to pay the bills they have created. So, they have demonized success, wealth, and innovation in this country to try to gain support from a disheartened and hurting public. They use your financial ruin and hardship as steam to power their train. They propose legislation based on ideas that came out of misery, and as Americans many of us are so beaten down by it all, we are agreeing. Do not let them pollute you with this. You want to make a difference? Take away their jobs. Vote them out. Become educated about who you are voting for before you vote and pick candidates not based on nostalgia or emotion, pick them out of their ability to do their job. Pick them out of what they can do for all of us and America, not just based on what they can do for you short term. If they fail, vote THEM out and find the next candidate for the job.<br />
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Think, people. I am not always correct about all the things I think and say, but this is how I see it.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-44144450353003253612011-09-26T14:44:00.001-05:002011-09-26T15:32:45.833-05:00Monday afternoon comin' down...Does this make any sense?<br />
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You circle the parking lot at the mall 352 times to try to find a close parking spot (almost getting into a brawl with the woman waiting for the open spot you stole). Then, you park and proceed to walk around the mall all day. What? This makes zero sense. I see this silly shit and I shake my head in wonder. What do people really think? Are they robbing the place and need to make a quick getaway? Do they think their car is safer next to the building (It IS a great place to get door dinged because of the congestion)? This silly behavior also applies to outside concerts/festivals and sporting events for the most part. If you aren't in a wheel chair or using a walker, toughen up, take the first readily available parking spot and walk on in. If you aren't handicapped already, walking is a great exercise to keep you from becoming handicapped. If sloth doesn't make you handicapped, you could end up that way from the brawl over a parking space.<br />
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Passing lanes are made for passing. Passing lanes are NOT made for the slow leading car to speed up to ten miles per hour over the speed limit for the duration of the passing lane, only to slow back to ten miles per hour below the speed limit when the road necks back down into two lanes. This drives me crazy. I am usually the "crazy" guy passing everyone going about 120 mph because I KNOW that once it becomes two lanes again, one of the cars in front of me is just waiting to piss me off by drastically slowing down. Then, if I tailgate, they hit the brakes as some sort of "warning" that I should BACK OFF AND GIVE THEM ROOM even though they are going 47 mph in a 55. Seriously. If you aren't passing, stay to the right. Period. If you are passing, move your ass and permit others to pass, too. Then, move to the right. If I was a cop, I would ticket you people for erratic driving for slowing down too much post passing lane. <br />
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Bakery goods made with artificial sweeters are downright insulting. Seriously. I have seen these "diet" rolls and baked goods a few times. Why would anybody want this? I can understand the diabetic argument all day long. I get that. When I see non diabetic people looking for a low calorie cinnamon roll, I really wonder what is wrong with them. Let's get something straight here. No matter how much sugar is sweetening up a sweet roll, it still has no real food value. About 150% of the carbs (read:sugar) you need for the day baked right into it because of the choice of flour and other ingredients. It is not going to be a healthy choice for you no matter what, so why wouldn't you just take your few extra calorie lumps, shut up, and eat the fucking thing. You don't go the bakery's sweet roll area looking for healthy things to eat. Don't kid yourself. You go there to be a glutton and ram 4000 calories of sweetened, sugary bread into your month. So, skip the diet rolls. Skip the artificial sweeteners. If you want to save calories, watch what you put into your coffee. Leave the sugary breakfast foods out of it.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
It is supremely silly to drive fifteen miles to save two cents per gallon on gas. This is silly in many ways. First off, unless you are going that way in the first place, you burn more dollars worth of gas than you could ever save by driving there to get it. I would think in this day and age, people would realize this, but they still do not. Supposing that the average gas purchase is ten gallons, be driving the extra distance to save two cents a gallon, you would have saved twenty cents. Can you drive 30 miles (fifteen each way) for twenty cents? Let's do some simple math: If your car gets 30 miles per gallon and you drive 30 miles to get gas and that gas costs $3.50 per gallon, it cost you $3.50 to get the gas just in fuel costs. You would have to also factor in tire wear, other vehicle wear and also your time (I hope you time is worth something to you. If it isn't, I have a house to paint and a lot of other shit you can do for me). So, a twenty cent savings seems a little silly unless your car gets well over 200 miles per gallon (still like two cents a mile fuel cost) and floats on air (so the tires and brakes don't wear out) and your time is completely useless (in which case, the paintbrushes and ladder are in the garage). Not only is there a very, very limited potential for money savings, there is also the loss of convenience factor that play into it. If you don't buy local and your local businesses close (due to lack of sales) then you have earned the privilege to drive fifteen miles away to buy what you need. Think about it. I know in our minds now we have a mentality that "it all adds up" as far as money goes. This is true thinking except it adds up very, very slowly when it comes to gas. The cost of gas is a significant bill, but in the scale of $3.50 per gallon, two cents or even a nickel is almost an insignificant amount of money. You want to save money? Skip the $5 coffee for breakfast. You save more right there than you could save in many, many tanks of gas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.wg.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/rip-network-tv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://cdn.wg.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/rip-network-tv.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
I hate to sound crazy all the time, but no, I didn't see the new commercial (that was funny) for whatever product on television. Why? Because I don't have network television. I don't have cable at home. Seriously. I have a television to watch movies on and I have Netflix On Demand, but I do not have any other sort of television service. I am not willing to pay for it because it is 99% trash. Sorry, I missed the Bud Light ads at the Super Bowl and the Geico ads during the Nascar race. I cannot bring myself to ever watch another minute of Two And A Half Men because although at some point in my life that might have been funny, it is total shit for my kid to watch. It is eye pollution. It is brain pollution. I don't mean to get all preachy or anything because I don't really give a crap what you chose to do in your house, but in my house I think television is immoral and creates a poor view of reality for our kids. Also, it seems like the really, really racy shows get the best ratings and they are constantly trying to top the last big doozy (Had to look up "doozy." I have said it a thousand times, but never had to spell it.) they pulled off and our kids watch this crap and emulate it in their lives. Our kids think it is normal behavior. Our kids think it is okay. Our kids think "everybody does it." It seems like even the commercials are all full of half naked women and men, too. There are shows about being 16 and having kids. There are shows where the main "hero" characters do little other than look cool sleeping with other people's wives and husbands. Almost each week a professional athlete (This truly is in all sports) is busted in some way doing something pathetic, illegal and immoral. I think characters with integrity don't do well in the ratings on television, so they don't exist anymore. I think since cable exploded a few years ago, network television will do whatever it can to attract and keep viewers. Don't tell me that I can't keep my kid from that stuff because unfortunately, I know you are correct. But, that still isn't acceptable to me. I still have to try. It is still my job to raise my kid, not the television networks. Hopefully my definition of right and wrong will be to her understanding. Hopefully she will learn integrity from me and carry that in her life. <br />
<br />
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<br />
[sighs]<br />
<br />
I wonder about this world we live in.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-32122459543221197822011-07-28T16:52:00.001-05:002011-07-28T18:21:05.001-05:00Want a Job?<em>I was thinking about the employment situation in our fine country. Just so we are clear</em>:<br />
<br />
<br />
If you are unemployed, you will have a hard time finding work because there aren't many new jobs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mindpollution.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/unemployed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256px" src="http://www.mindpollution.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/unemployed.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
There aren't any new jobs because there is little job growth in this country.<br />
<br />
There is little job growth in this country because of all the regulations (See: Big government) and the lack of consumer demand for products that aren't inexpensive (See:China).<br />
<br />
Since you have less or little money to spend on anything because you are on a limited income or unemployment (since you can't find a job), you become thrifty in your spending and may purchase less expensive, imported products. <br />
<br />
When you buy imported products, you further deflate demand for services and products built in this country further slowing the creation of new jobs.<br />
<br />
So....<br />
<br />
If you are unemployed, you will have a hard time finding work because there aren't many new jobs.<br />
<br />
So, be aware that companies like Walmart (92% imported goods) are the ones keeping you from long term prosperity and employment. It is a circle. <br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
When you are a skilled worker and are on unemployment, the rate of pay may not (almost surely not) be enough for you to live on.<br />
<br />
If you choose to do side work "for cash" to supplement your unemployment benefits, you are able to do skilled labor more cheaply then others in your field since you don't have a license, insurance, or pay any taxes.<br />
<br />
If you take potential jobs away from tax paying legitimate employers in your field, those employers decrease their staff and do no new hiring.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.careerealism.com/home/jtodonnell/careerealism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/03.22.11-18-Good-Reasons-You%E2%80%99re-Still-Unemployed-300x203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.careerealism.com/home/jtodonnell/careerealism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/03.22.11-18-Good-Reasons-You%E2%80%99re-Still-Unemployed-300x203.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><br />
When employers do no new hiring, you have a harder time gaining employment, since employers have lost their potential work to people working "for cash" because those people can do the work for a lesser charge.<br />
<br />
So...<br />
<br />
When you are a skilled worker and are on unemployment, the rate of pay may not (almost surely not) be enough for you to live on.<br />
<br />
But, what are you supposed to do? <br />
<br />
<em>Maybe we should start by buying American and using our money to reinvest in our own country like our parents and grandparents did.</em>Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-57172870841668792892011-06-15T09:52:00.006-05:002011-06-21T14:51:03.019-05:00Craigslist<strong><em>Recently I decided to sell one of my cars on Craigslist since I pay insurance on 6 vehicles and I am the only one that drives in my household. I love the car, but I really just don't NEED it. So, I wrote an ad for Craigslist locally and got some strange responses. Well, I got ridiculous responses. It truly is proof positive that people in this country don't bother reading or can't. Also, I am now CERTAIN that Craigslsit is the Walmart flee market of online sales sites. Anyway, here's my ad followed by a few of the responses I got:</em></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk14mkTDp5QjovoqaWnVxMlbQ0tgcflt0ogLinIX7cAeIrcTlz8qq3K_7iiD8ETry8xMQB1I3PC5diqIcLbzd6Q1pIXY4MKWj8dN3I4rdxCddAXjpsf2F64zwx3zahWZtQXpdpWl_IJ9WG/s1600/chargerfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk14mkTDp5QjovoqaWnVxMlbQ0tgcflt0ogLinIX7cAeIrcTlz8qq3K_7iiD8ETry8xMQB1I3PC5diqIcLbzd6Q1pIXY4MKWj8dN3I4rdxCddAXjpsf2F64zwx3zahWZtQXpdpWl_IJ9WG/s320/chargerfront.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Tired of driving a minivan or your mother's weenie Volkswagon? Check this car out.<br />
<br />
For Sale: 2006 Dodge Charger R/T. <br />
<br />
It has:<br />
5.7 Liter HEMI V8<br />
Automatic (Autostick) Transmission<br />
Multi disc CD player<br />
Power Seats<br />
Heated Seats<br />
Upgraded Engine Programming from Dodge<br />
Magnaflow Exhaust<br />
Cold Air Intake<br />
120XXX miles<br />
Clear title<br />
Needs nothing other than your butt in the driver's seat.<br />
<br />
The car is black with a black leather interior.<br />
<br />
Car gets 24ish MPG and should have 375 HP with the performance upgrades.<br />
<br />
This car runs and drives like it is new. I bought the car from an Amsoil dealer and the car has had nothing but premium synthetic oil since new. Interior is very, very nice. Do not let the miles scare you away. <br />
<br />
For the $11,000 you will get the car and also another set of snow tires for it that have about 3000 miles on them.<br />
<br />
It looks wicked. It's fast. It's fun.<br />
<br />
DISCLAIMER (*updated*): I know it isn't a requirement to read the whole ad here, but I have had about 30 calls/emails offering me $4000 and up or a trade for some decorative rock and your Jet Ski (that doesn't run, but did at one time) among other things. Let's get one thing perfectly crystal clear: If you don't have any money or an Indian Chief to trade me, please just go on the the next ad and leave me alone. I don't want your decorative rock. I don't want your Bobcat, your 1978 Mustang, your Lincoln LS or your 2003 Tahoe. I am not a bank. I am not interested in financing you no matter what the terms might be. I would never consider letting you take the car and make payments to me. Never. Let's get that in here again for the cheap seats: NEVER. I don't want your lowball cash offer when you haven't even seen the car. If you can't afford this car, please don't waste my time and yours. I don't want anything on trade besides MAYBE an Indian Chief or money. This is a nice car that I own and I do not NEED to sell it. I am NOT desperate and willing to sell it for a third of what it is worth. I am not getting divorced, hurting for cash or trying to save my home. I know a lot of people selling things are in that reality right now and I was too, but I am not anymore. I have priced this car well below KBB and NADA values for a quick sale. If you aren't able to pay this amount or could only pay half or a third of this amount (and trade me for your neighbor's lawnmower and some bird houses or whatever else you can dream up) please do not bother contacting me. So, serious inquiries only PLEASE, okay? Thank you. ;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbaatASWYG_maAPCWnouR0jj1C2_QiACG8qpwExq_kSVOXN1rMo0uVdlKnOY4YukNymvmdn8NM_Y_l0Yb3_VhauVqNsU6lCOKBK0kd6MHCvha3CjBAOyFBACjGzfqHoqeOWxuVvKkt47N/s1600/chargerrear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbaatASWYG_maAPCWnouR0jj1C2_QiACG8qpwExq_kSVOXN1rMo0uVdlKnOY4YukNymvmdn8NM_Y_l0Yb3_VhauVqNsU6lCOKBK0kd6MHCvha3CjBAOyFBACjGzfqHoqeOWxuVvKkt47N/s320/chargerrear.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
$11,000 FIRM<br />
<br />
Cash or possible trade for Indian Chief only. Email only now since my cell phone has been abused by tire kicking wasters of my time. Sorry. I will answer emails promptly.<br />
<br />
Thanks for looking. <br />
<br />
<i><strong>Here are some of the responses I got:</strong></i><br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
From "Joe:"<br />
<br />
interested in 06 lincoln ls>><br />
<br />
95xxx miles<br />
silver/chrome pillars<br />
heated and cooled leather<br />
tinted windows..<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Response: I woul</em></strong><strong><em>d take your trade if the car has $11,000 or and Indian Chief in the glove box. What do you think?</em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong><br />
From "Hank:"<br />
<br />
Interested in trading for a 1972 mustang convertible?? <br />
<br />
<strong><em>Response: I would take your trade if the car has $11,000 or and Indian Chief in the glove box. What do you think?</em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong><br />
From "Oscar:"<br />
<br />
Hey buddy do u still have the charger 4sale ? If so I want 2 offer u $8000 cash what do u think ?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Response: Haha. No. </em></strong><br />
<br />
Oscar: Haha y?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Response: It's already 3 grand below book. How about $14,000?</em></strong><br />
<br />
Oscar: Why more?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Response: Because if you are willing to go up $3000 and I am willing to go down $3000 we can settle on $11,000.</em></strong><br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
From "Easyrider:"<br />
<br />
Trade for a Bobcat 463 skidsteer with grapple bucket and only 384 hours?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Response: Sounds great! As long as you also trade me $11,000! What do you say?</em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong><br />
<br />
From "Brandon:"<br />
<br />
Would u trade for my 85 cutlass I got it listed on CL for 27,000 but will do a straight out trade for ur charger if interested! <br />
<br />
<strong><em>Response: If it has $11,000 cash in the glove box, yes. If not, no. ;)</em></strong><strong><em></em></strong><br />
<strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong><br />
<br />
From "Brandle:"<br />
<br />
Yo you should definitely call me 347-225-9817. 100 % pure A big heads up. <br />
<br />
<strong><em>Response: Yo! You should definitely email me with your questions, 100% pure big heads up!</em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong><br />
<br />
From "Marcus:"<br />
<br />
I want to trade with you and the rest I'll pay with cash on the spot.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Response: What do you want to trade?</strong></em><br />
<br />
<em><strong>[Crickets chirping]</strong></em><br />
<br />
<strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong><br />
<br />
From "Jake:"<br />
<br />
I am interested in your 06 Charger. If the vehicle is still available, please contact me at 763-354-XXXX. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Response: *I called him. He's a dealer that wants to consign my car. He emails me a couple times a week to tell me how he could easily sell my car, but I need to give it to him to "show" people. So, just so we are clear, he wants me to give him my car to drive for a couple months so he can sell it. Seriously. Where does it say in my listing that I want to give you my car to drive so you can sell it for me? WTF?!?*</em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong><br />
<br />
From "Hoppen:"<br />
<br />
where is the car located? what kind of gas mileage does it get?<br />
<br />
Ever been in a wreck? any thing else about it.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Response: These things are all in the listing. All of the answers you seek are in the ad.</strong></em><br />
<br />
<strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong><br />
<br />
From "Whitney:"<br />
<br />
Would you do a payment plan over 2 months time?<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Response: No. I will not finance. Will you take a reading course and apply your new skills to my ad?</strong></em><br />
<br />
<strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong><br />
<br />
From "Jose:"<br />
<br />
Hey names Jose would you take 9000 cash<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Response: Hard to make an offer on a car you have never seen, isn't it?</em></strong><br />
<br />
Jose: Haha yea but have you sold it <br />
<br />
<em><strong>Response: Nope. I still have the car. I haven't been contacted by anyone that has actual real money yet. </strong></em><br />
<br />
<strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong><br />
<br />
From "Hank:" (AGAIN)<br />
<br />
Interested in trading for a 1972 mustang convertible??<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Response: No. Still no. No.</em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong><br />
<br />
From "Celania:"<br />
<br />
What kind of CAI do you have in your charger? Would you be willing to sell it separate from the car? If so, how much?<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Response: Yes! I would LOVE to sell it. Nothing like parting out a car I am trying to sell. Would you like the driver's seat and perhaps the left rear taillight? I am only asking $11,000 for the CAI, but I will throw all the rest of this stuff in as well as some other parts (the whole car) to sweeten up the deal for you. What do you think?</em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>You have to love Craigslist. You have to be impressed with the brilliance of many of the people that shop there....</em></strong>Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-58014716084332003612011-06-12T20:58:00.004-05:002012-06-26T13:04:32.395-05:00To pay for TV...<strong><em>I recently..well in the last couple months decided that I no longer need cable or television at all. This isn't some strange cult thing, I just see no need to pay for a service that I rarely use and quite frankly think is pretty depressing to watch. Also, I prefer to spend my time being active versus sitting on my ass. Anyway, I cancelled the service and paid all remaining bills I had and then returned my equipment. A month or so after I received an email from them saying all of my equipment was returned in good condition, I received another bill from the company. I am protesting it. Here it is:</em></strong><br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
Hello~<br />
<br />
This is in regards to account # 8255 11 024 00140<br />
<br />
I cancelled my service a couple months ago and paid via credit card for all outstanding charges. In fact, I overpaid. You refunded me my overpayment.<br />
<br />
Today I got another bill in the mail from your company for a "receiver return" fee. I am certain that this bill must be in error since I returned all of the equipment that I ever got from you as per instructed (and in a timely fashion) and I received an email confirming that everything was returned in good condition.<br />
<br />
I am not willing to pay this bill without explanation. It seems that this bill is just another way to get $15 and some sales tax from me. I tried to call and have this bill explained to me, but the customer service line is nothing more than 25 minutes of automated menu nonsense. So, I called the sales line and "ta da!" I got a real, live person right away. I am unwilling to sit on hold and got through countless menus of automated service to try to correct a bill that I think is a mistake.<br />
<br />
So, explain this to me. Or, just correct this incorrect bill and say thanks for the many, many years I paid your company for television.<br />
<br />
I appreciate your attention in this matter.<br />
<br />
Regards,<br />
<br />
Brad Miller<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
<em>Dear Mr. Miller,</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Thank you for taking time to contact us.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>We understand your concern. The customer agreement that you signed upon starting service with DISH states that customers are responsible for the return of leased receivers when disconnecting service. The label included on the box that you will receive is at a discounted price and will cost you significantly less than if you opted to ship the equipment back on your own. If you choose to use the label, you will be charged a flat $15.00. If you choose to use your own shipping method and box to return the receiver, you will not be invoiced for this fee. If you return the equipment before the end of your last billing cycle, you’ll see that fee included on your final invoice.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>If you wish to discuss any points we have not clarified or need any further information, please call our Customer Service Center toll-free number at 1-800-894-9131. You can also visit dishnetwork.com/chat to start a live chat with a customer service representative so we may further assist you. Our DISH Network representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help answer any questions you may have.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Thank you for your e-mail.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Sincerely,</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Darrel G. – CN1</em><br />
<em>TID:OR-Chrysler</em><br />
<em>DISH Network eCare</em><br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <br />
<br />
Dear Darrel G. – CN1<br />
<br />
I appreciate your response.<br />
<br />
Just so I understand this correctly. Via email and telephone I was informed that I was being sent return packaging and a label for my convenience and the safety of the receivers and remotes that I was returning, correct? After you sent these out and since I used them, I am being charged for their use?<br />
<br />
If this is the case, can I have the box sent back to me? If I have paid $15 for a box and a label that your company mailed out for my convenience, at this time I think it would be more convenient for me to have said box since I am not sure that any other time in my life I have seen a box that is worth $15.<br />
<br />
If I had just thrown the box away, I would not have gotten charged? What happens to the box then? Is the label reusable?<br />
<br />
Regards,<br />
<br />
Brad Miller<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
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<em>Dear Sir or Madam,</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Thank you for taking time to contact us.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>We understand your situation. Please contact our Customer Service Center at 1-800-894-9131 and they can better assist you with your concern or by visiting the link below to chat live with a customer service representative.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<a href="http://www.dishnetwork.com/chat"><em>www.dishnetwork.com/chat</em></a><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Thank you for your e-mail.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Sincerely,</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Darrel G. – CN1</em><br />
<em>TID:OR-Chrysler</em><br />
<em>DISH Network eCare</em><br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
Dear Darrel G. – CN1,<br />
The reason for my first email to you was because I had just spent a good portion of my morning on the phone with an automated menu service that was unable to do anything for me other than cause frustration and elevate my blood pressure to levels only normally reserved for people attempting to fly into space with a homemade craft. <br />
<br />
Please reread the first email I sent you. I can wait.<br />
<br />
[waits]<br />
<br />
[still waits]<br />
<br />
[waits even longer]<br />
<br />
[Tom Waits]<br />
<br />
Okay. So, do you understand where I am coming from as far as returning to phone support goes? I really have zero interest in wasting my time on hold with your automated system or with a customer service representative that cannot help me with my problem (READ: Sales department since that's the only line that has a LIVE person on it).<br />
<br />
So please just credit my account for the $15 or return the box to me and I will pay for it. Be sure if you are returning the box to me that you return the box I used and no other. I do not want to have you accidentally give me somebody else's $15 box. I will know my box when I see it as I put a special, secret mark on it.<br />
<br />
Regards,<br />
<br />
Brad Miller<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br /><em>Dear Sir or Madam,</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>Thank you for taking time to contact us.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>We will credit your account for the charges..</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<a href="http://www.dishnetwork.com/chat"><em>www.dishnetwork.com/chat</em></a><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>Thank you for your e-mail.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>Sincerely,</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>Darrel G. – CN1</em><br />
<em>TID:OR-Chrysler</em><br />
<em>DISH Network eCare</em><br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-222430890647752722011-04-19T12:30:00.000-05:002011-04-19T12:30:43.538-05:00More good ol' Barry...http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gulf_oil_spill_bp_moving_on<br />
<br />
"By the fall, there was talk that the crisis wasn't as bad as feared and that the Gulf might recover sooner than expected. Then soaring oil prices came to the company's rescue, boosting its bottom line..."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjrxB8jOz68EiKw68vlaj-yybzjb04XmnZVrJ7jQefjpg4EN72S1YRyVJnRezGDA9FRpH3wMgQfLJuaZlNqNoIdvyI6YEwGJVl2MKPZT03RAftPYLLkSB4-kijV5bN8nek3q9HXpGk88y/s1600/Anti-BP-mural-Lousiana-006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjrxB8jOz68EiKw68vlaj-yybzjb04XmnZVrJ7jQefjpg4EN72S1YRyVJnRezGDA9FRpH3wMgQfLJuaZlNqNoIdvyI6YEwGJVl2MKPZT03RAftPYLLkSB4-kijV5bN8nek3q9HXpGk88y/s320/Anti-BP-mural-Lousiana-006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's truths like this that make the President going on TV saying he's looking for "asses to kick" ridiculous. Seems our government's involvement in "safer and environmentally friendlier" drilling methods via lack of drilling permits and drilling bans actually rewarded BP. Since the drilling ban and limited issuance of permits, crude oil prices have soared and this is directly making billions of dollars of profits for all oil companies including BP. So, at the rate they are at, BP will have recouped ALL losses from the lost Horizon rig within a few years. Sure makes Obama's "ass kicking" monetary fine to "teach BP a lesson" seem silly, yes? Did the Obama administration know that BP was going to be making huge money this year? Well, they are foolish at best if they didn't. Free markets are controlled by supply and demand. If the government hinders the supply, prices will increase because of increased demand. Was this an under the table deal? Who knows? One thing is for sure, though. Pretty tough to keep blindly following the Obama way when it is constantly wrought with failure, lack of foresight, outrageous spending, and lack of understanding of simple economics.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V-AHtEbYvd412usv1yTfqWuH6iTJg0mJ-I5PUhRmfP7uBFK6Zf1T7Wn6sWmlf_FRxUzJwmbL_myOvo0KoaHTxWGh9VQtQ5L1VcK9SVqE8L0oNOeQ5XHLXsLTiQYj3ReOfRC0BW3Hqc0-/s1600/gal_bp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V-AHtEbYvd412usv1yTfqWuH6iTJg0mJ-I5PUhRmfP7uBFK6Zf1T7Wn6sWmlf_FRxUzJwmbL_myOvo0KoaHTxWGh9VQtQ5L1VcK9SVqE8L0oNOeQ5XHLXsLTiQYj3ReOfRC0BW3Hqc0-/s320/gal_bp2.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />
If anyone wants to complain about high gas prices, they should be thankful they voted for Obama (if they did). If you are an Obama supporter, you are now just beginning to get what you wanted so badly. Also, in the next few years with increased taxes, reduced value of the dollar, and drastically higher food costs, you will get another full serving of Obama goodness. I suppose I should also mention the lack of private sector economic growth we will have in this country due to the passage of Obamacare.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnsKkHEnxiuVNdCBkAAdAL4n0O_E7RkxzmC6trqePmPX8aHHpoxlI2Q2oeHJrw1M5qtTXT5DCbQisljWI6jo3gOJQQrRIE3bb_EiEldXtTaGRYlWz8EnGjWO2h0pqK88ScNEo0CtFZJH1/s1600/bpObama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnsKkHEnxiuVNdCBkAAdAL4n0O_E7RkxzmC6trqePmPX8aHHpoxlI2Q2oeHJrw1M5qtTXT5DCbQisljWI6jo3gOJQQrRIE3bb_EiEldXtTaGRYlWz8EnGjWO2h0pqK88ScNEo0CtFZJH1/s320/bpObama.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><br />
Hats off to our government. Bang up job on "kicking asses," Barry. You really showed BP who's boss.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-41385138110383042382011-03-22T18:08:00.002-05:002011-03-23T14:13:54.772-05:00What do we need?I recently traveled to New Zealand from my home of fabulous Minnesota, U.S.A. People told me before I left that this was "the trip of a lifetime" and that I would come back "a changed man." I hate to admit that they were right, but they really were. It was an amazing trip. I did come back a changed man in many ways, so the people were right.<br />
<br />
After my beautiful fiance and I landed over there, I relearned a few things that I had forgotten. I was exposed to ideas that I hadn't considered for many years. My eyes were closed when I left, but upon departure from that lovely little island, I felt like my eyes were open for the first time in years. It was a good feeling. It was grand.<br />
<br />
I decided to write about one of the quirky things I realized whilst on said adventure.<br />
<br />
Being without a mobile phone is scary, but liberating. To be completely honest with you, I haven't been without a mobile device of some sort for years and years. I would guess that I have had one with me since they were first available in my area of Minnesota. I suppose it was the early 1990's. I never really knew what life would be like without it. I have been a long time defender of my many reasons for having it near me at all times. I think we all have reasons, don't we? My reasons were things like that I want my daughter to always be able to reach me. Also, I am self employed, so what if something happens at work? What if they need to ask me a question? What if they have an emergency? I think these are not outlandish reasons to carry a phone, by any means. Aside from that, in the last few months I had upgraded to a "smart" phone not realizing that this one "smart" step would slide me further into mobile phone reliance than any step prior. I think it may have made me more reliant on mobile service than all other steps in that direction I had taken up until this point. It is am amazing little device. It has fast internet. It has GPS with phone numbers for your destination built right in. It has the ability to play music, stream live internet music, and text at the same time. It is, in a word, incredible. It is a curse. I think it is a very bad evil.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSczLPctY_Yea0bQ18KDqbRW6fz_sWTZWcz9vgXHzVVFocHmEMYJLzKBwb6xuwxW7js7IaTP89ssv-5YEtAJXQpCK0_7KKG2Gr1AExXCCLq1ifQYH7XZnCcCEbXxF-GcZZzN_Fpqn6I8Go/s1600/smart+phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSczLPctY_Yea0bQ18KDqbRW6fz_sWTZWcz9vgXHzVVFocHmEMYJLzKBwb6xuwxW7js7IaTP89ssv-5YEtAJXQpCK0_7KKG2Gr1AExXCCLq1ifQYH7XZnCcCEbXxF-GcZZzN_Fpqn6I8Go/s320/smart+phone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
This reliance on mobile service has it's very own drawbacks. Before I left on my adventure, I called my mobile provider and I asked them about service options internationally. I was assured that my phone would work as normal, but that it was much more expensive to use it in a foreign land. Fine. I thought that was okay as long as it worked as it did here in the U.S. When we landed in Christchuch, New Zealand, I wanted to call my daughter and tell her that we were okay. I tried, but I couldn't call out. I had service bars, but no luck. What the heck? So, I went back into the airport again to ask the good people at the help counter for advice or tips. They told me to buy an international SIM card and then my phone should work as good as normal. I though about it and remembered that the customer service representative I spoke to with my mobile provider had said something similar to that, too. So, I bought one, I went outside, and I tried to install it. I didn't realize that my new phone doesn't use a SIM card like my old one did. It wouldn't work. There was no place to put it. Crap. My bad. I went back in and asked the help counter people for a different idea since the SIM card plan was a loser. They told me to try an international calling card. It seemed logical, so I bought one. I went outside to try to call home, but still was unable to. Now, instead of it being a parts problem, it was a service provider problem. At this point, I spent about $100 trying to call home and hadn't been able to. My fiance was supremely patient with me as I melted down. I didn't curse, swear, or rant. But, I am sure by this point my face was flushed and my blood pressure was about 300/200. What was I going to do? There was no going home. What if there was an emergency? What if something happens? How will anybody reach me? How will I reach them? I panicked. I was scared. I felt naked.<br />
<br />
This was the beginning. It was a blessed thing. <br />
<br />
As time passed on our trip, I accepted that I didn't need to check my email each and every day as I had become accustomed to on my mobile phone. I had no need for Facebook and I kept living even if I didn't see what so and so's latest status update was. I realized that I didn't need to talk to people at home on and off over the course of the day to survive. I realized that I didn't always need to be reached for questions. I mean, I was on vacation, right? Sure, I missed my family and child, but I knew that they missed me too and that was comfort enough. Realization is a good thing, right?<br />
<br />
My realization was followed with a strong bout of self loathing. I was fully disgusted with myself. I had the full range of emotions. I validated my phone use to myself. I tried to sell it to myself and portray the idea that MY life was SO important. Doing this, I was justified and smug. Soon after, I was sad for losing the freedom to be just "gone." I felt weak that I relied on a nameless, faceless service in my every day life. Even later, I became angry with myself. What had I become? Seriously. Do I really need that? Do I need mobile service? <br />
<br />
I hate the idea that the mobile phone company owns me for about $90 per month. I hate the idea that I might walk down the street with my eyes on a electronic device and miss something beautiful in nature. I hate the idea that not only can I be reached everywhere, but the mobile service provider ALWAYS knows where I am and I have given them that ability of my own free will. I wonder how valuable a skill such as mobile device operation ability would be without electricity? How about without functioning mobile service towers? What good is that gizmo, then? It there an "app" that lights a campfire so I can cook my food? Can I survive in the woods with my phone and nothing else? Does it really have anything to teach me that's valuable? Is there an "app" that has any value without the service? Sorry, but I don't think so. <br />
<br />
My fiance bought maps of New Zealand before we left from the States. I thought they were great to look at and plan our drives and adventures, but when it came to the actual travel, I was sure I would use the GPS built into my phone to navigate us safely and quickly. Boy, was I ever wrong? Bless her and her maps for reminding me that just because something can be done a certain way, doesn't mean that it can ONLY be done that way. <br />
<br />
I had also assumed that I would be able to listen to internet radio the whole time when we drove in our rental car. I was wrong again, and thank heavens for it. My fiance and I played a name game in the car off and on for a couple days. We told stories of our pasts. We talked about deep, interesting things that I think most people are too scared or too detached to talk about. We spoke of our hopes and our dreams. We spoke about our future and what it might hold. Sometimes we spoke. Sometimes we drove in silence and took in the full view of the scenery. Either way, it was absolutely liberating and wonderful.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTnQIzZ09m-72I7DOIDVcXEdY6RkOP9zwG2VzlT8W4irUZuje2B19npCL301t-016VrIBBc1gRwEC3QtcgDFGVMsBHXlQmG5FIjVLGyW03fPBFSaw1ervX_-qu_MLWfYN_AsL9uFZbDy9/s1600/nutella+need.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTnQIzZ09m-72I7DOIDVcXEdY6RkOP9zwG2VzlT8W4irUZuje2B19npCL301t-016VrIBBc1gRwEC3QtcgDFGVMsBHXlQmG5FIjVLGyW03fPBFSaw1ervX_-qu_MLWfYN_AsL9uFZbDy9/s320/nutella+need.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As it all turned out in the end, I was able to text my friends and family in America now and then and they could call me, but I couldn't call them. That's simple enough. After a few days, I began to not really care at all about the grocery list of voicemails I had that I couldn't hear or respond to. I was able to speak to my daughter for a few minutes here and there to tell that I was having fun and missing her. I spoke to my parents for a little while to check on the rest of my family. I was relieved a little. I lived. I survived. I was fine. I was healthy without mobile service convenient and at my fingertips. Without my cell phone, the world still turned and our lives continued. It was a great revelation. Who would have thought?Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-85468361574738208112011-03-07T17:24:00.000-06:002011-03-07T17:24:11.130-06:00Okay.I am trying, okay?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNDKkJ1lDvbDgi95O8vVMNB8hbGl-jCERRQMXzrevqBF488qJ97OSMvjHj76xCbXtSNeAqULcN-fb5Auc91PFNuLiihgD3NFBVvDICuDOx_GCZ893RUtvc4ZJP3N_EN8WaHROa5qAvr1D/s1600/beach.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNDKkJ1lDvbDgi95O8vVMNB8hbGl-jCERRQMXzrevqBF488qJ97OSMvjHj76xCbXtSNeAqULcN-fb5Auc91PFNuLiihgD3NFBVvDICuDOx_GCZ893RUtvc4ZJP3N_EN8WaHROa5qAvr1D/s320/beach.bmp" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I returned from the most life-changing adventure on Feb 26. I am trying to get back into the swing of things some and dedicate some time to write about it. It needs to be written about. I want to spray out some words and pics about it. I need to.<br />
<br />
Anywho, one of these days, I promise to post pics and words. One of these days.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNx6A9mYVaDvQNc0gWERVdfx6T14r8VsqOvUY2q1g9ibGjM_0YelTwcx8cC4-xrYCpeUg9rfsGJEg-bj4uVe5-y3vF7rCr-BTFeVBX4HM3FtZhdGZIANZWDAaNXeF4gdfPI2POdUPiEEWi/s1600/franz+josef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNx6A9mYVaDvQNc0gWERVdfx6T14r8VsqOvUY2q1g9ibGjM_0YelTwcx8cC4-xrYCpeUg9rfsGJEg-bj4uVe5-y3vF7rCr-BTFeVBX4HM3FtZhdGZIANZWDAaNXeF4gdfPI2POdUPiEEWi/s320/franz+josef.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I think the hardest thing about returning from a long, sensational vacation is the harsh realization that I don't enjoy my day to day life working NEARLY as much as I enjoy my day to day having adventures. Career change for me? Probably not. Different perspective on life? Certainly.<br />
<br />
I am sure of a couple things. We are small and insignificant in this world. Our time here in this life is short, violent, and grossly unimportant on the scale of Earth and the world.<br />
<br />
I am so blessed to have Amanda to share my time with. I love her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmB2fq1pA7irKrb7AQDRWi9u0FvaRwdSI-W_VNABlFgHZHMrKEjjjeetqIPP0r9-mVVQezzPs0cbwRof2qFVFm9KntpnTJAENywICkV-GCq3y1kKZHeEr3kSq7gCCtaaXD4vEQSYqCRJ5/s1600/mandersandi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmB2fq1pA7irKrb7AQDRWi9u0FvaRwdSI-W_VNABlFgHZHMrKEjjjeetqIPP0r9-mVVQezzPs0cbwRof2qFVFm9KntpnTJAENywICkV-GCq3y1kKZHeEr3kSq7gCCtaaXD4vEQSYqCRJ5/s320/mandersandi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-24028878144658070732011-01-26T14:12:00.003-06:002011-01-26T14:24:12.565-06:00Ring, ring goes the phone.I hate my home phone. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRac6ogb_nK9moKJgqn5JABMI2rIJNgr_4ZpuB77OzOFW9zILsPXC5l-GdNcuYIdfCLpAdBmVKP2ldiKttW1Cb5WtYNFeQhlN8LnBVDIW3Gb6NsJG4g6x1lCXwnZF_5yBXEKkBvIdU8Vig/s1600/phone.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRac6ogb_nK9moKJgqn5JABMI2rIJNgr_4ZpuB77OzOFW9zILsPXC5l-GdNcuYIdfCLpAdBmVKP2ldiKttW1Cb5WtYNFeQhlN8LnBVDIW3Gb6NsJG4g6x1lCXwnZF_5yBXEKkBvIdU8Vig/s320/phone.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I like the idea of a home phone since the service is super reliable and normally unaffected by weather and whatnot, but I do not like the expense of having it. I wouldn't have it if it wasn't for internet. <br />
<br />
In my town, Mediacom is the cable internet provider. Unfortunately for me, even though I am in city limits they do not provide service on my block since I am the only residence. Well, they will get me service, but only if I agree to pay to have them run the cables. That's pretty much out of the question.<br />
<br />
I should back up.<br />
<br />
In 2007, I got divorced. Since I got divorced, I have switched my home phone number six or seven times. Each time I have done it, I have made my number unlisted. Also, I am on the "Do Not Call" list. The main reasons for these switches is that my ex wife has a multitude of collection agencies after her at any given time and even though she hasn't been a resident at my house for almost four years, they still constantly call looking for her. Daily. Last year I was still getting twenty to twenty five calls a week for her. These days, it is more like fifteen or so per week. Either way, I called the phone company today because I have had enough.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtX1RQ7uxavOGa4i7iqKKN1XI1781RFg348p4IKKXdGkWgO2kiiB_PllhoQG3-_xb2Wa4H72JvefbmhyphenhyphenM_reVWvqcLQCnWEq-bK8YotWKf74i-rzJwyXGOJgVsASzExGahY_kRBz5xz_dg/s1600/CenturyLink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtX1RQ7uxavOGa4i7iqKKN1XI1781RFg348p4IKKXdGkWgO2kiiB_PllhoQG3-_xb2Wa4H72JvefbmhyphenhyphenM_reVWvqcLQCnWEq-bK8YotWKf74i-rzJwyXGOJgVsASzExGahY_kRBz5xz_dg/s320/CenturyLink.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I asked the nice lady at Century Link (my phone provider) how I could be getting these calls since I <em>AM</em> on the "Do Not Call" list and my number is also unlisted. Clearly, I told her, the problem lies with their company because they are the only ones that know I have this phone number. She said that there really isn't anything that she can do for me other than try switching the number again. Or, she told me, for an additional fee I can block up to twelve numbers. I guess she doesn't realize that I don't have numbers to the collection places or telemarketers. If I did, I would call them a hundred times a day until they left me alone. So, a mostly useless suggestion.<br />
<br />
Back to why I called them in the first place. I hate that I have a home phone. Where I live, it is less expensive to have a home phone and compliment that service with DSL than it is to just have the DSL. Go figure. <br />
<br />
So, I decided today that I would call and get information on getting my internet service through my cable provider which is Dish Network. They usually send me a couple letters in the mail each year boldly proclaiming that they can save my "MEGA MONEY" by bundling my television and internet services together. <br />
<br />
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<br />
I found one of my old bills from Dish Network and called customer service. About eight minutes of computer menus later, I got a real, live person and he refused to tell me about their program. He refused. He would NOT tell me because since I am already a Century Link internet customer, so anything he could quote me may not be a solid rate. So, he told me to get the rate, I need to call Century Link and cancel my service. Then, I can call Dish Network back and they can set me up. I asked if I would be saving money in doing this? He said he didn't know. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtX1RQ7uxavOGa4i7iqKKN1XI1781RFg348p4IKKXdGkWgO2kiiB_PllhoQG3-_xb2Wa4H72JvefbmhyphenhyphenM_reVWvqcLQCnWEq-bK8YotWKf74i-rzJwyXGOJgVsASzExGahY_kRBz5xz_dg/s1600/CenturyLink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtX1RQ7uxavOGa4i7iqKKN1XI1781RFg348p4IKKXdGkWgO2kiiB_PllhoQG3-_xb2Wa4H72JvefbmhyphenhyphenM_reVWvqcLQCnWEq-bK8YotWKf74i-rzJwyXGOJgVsASzExGahY_kRBz5xz_dg/s320/CenturyLink.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u_gKbxrM9K7keQwJyfTBaZ40eNg7AgztkHeWd2Kkvfz3BeFbAcgwD3IxK6G36ZvhjHkrh0nvryMWGn2eehQhHeINx1K88TPxz1S-CCchA0mRvZp6RFqG3ovdbW0tWN_5DSlibK99V1J8/s1600/rail-offer.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u_gKbxrM9K7keQwJyfTBaZ40eNg7AgztkHeWd2Kkvfz3BeFbAcgwD3IxK6G36ZvhjHkrh0nvryMWGn2eehQhHeINx1K88TPxz1S-CCchA0mRvZp6RFqG3ovdbW0tWN_5DSlibK99V1J8/s1600/rail-offer.gif" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I hung up the phone and called Century Link back. I got a nice woman that had the title of "Internet Specialist" on this call. I asked her about the package programs that they have with Dish Network. She told me that they don't do any business with Dish Network anymore. She said that they have switched to Direct TV since the program was better. I told her that I just got off the phone with Dish Network and the service representative there just told me that he could bundle his Dish Network programming with Century Link DSL and save me some money. She told me that she had no knowledge that Dish Network could do that anymore. I said thanks and goodbye to her.<br />
<br />
This is getting me nowhere.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMIxroOhmiWPjRyMyC8_S1QGr0v1OUGDogFMeyRaSQyENNfcQoLGqs0v7tpyopqWgIgc4LuGDGLEqVuRuk2x0IeRDDyMY7P0n8GC9DXsOG56X1dTCflVW_YP6LwD5wZETkUTS4Ktuhpqj/s1600/060410043057_image33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMIxroOhmiWPjRyMyC8_S1QGr0v1OUGDogFMeyRaSQyENNfcQoLGqs0v7tpyopqWgIgc4LuGDGLEqVuRuk2x0IeRDDyMY7P0n8GC9DXsOG56X1dTCflVW_YP6LwD5wZETkUTS4Ktuhpqj/s320/060410043057_image33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I called Dish Network back and figured I would try to just tell them that I want to establish new service so I could at least get a rate idea. So, I did. The nice customer service representative I had this time quoted me rates that I thought were okay. I asked her if Dish Network does all the billing for this. She said no. She told me that Century Link would bill me separately from them. I asked her if there would be an access charge from Century Link. She said that she didn't know, but that I would have to call Century Link and find out. I said I already called Century Link and they said that they don't do business with Dish Network anymore. She asked if I was already a Century Link DSL customer. I said yes, but I want to consolidate these services into one bill and do away with my home phone. She got a little angry with me as if I was wasting her time and said that if she would have known that I was already a Century Link customer, she would not have quoted me anything. She informed me that any rate quote she had given me was null and void. She said she could not help me, but if there was anything else she could do for me today, just let her know.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbjmPUair-ZAYlm1fJwUBuzgwrui99OqIzFCqkMA5kQOWbtiN0OkVe63gBAOY2ifehiVH7hNZeziaaHN3Gxf8JMSSk1Wp5FoeySGg2BYkyrBVqcDdOLL_QXa3bu9ARzl0Jvuz2IHycCtA/s1600/facepalm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbjmPUair-ZAYlm1fJwUBuzgwrui99OqIzFCqkMA5kQOWbtiN0OkVe63gBAOY2ifehiVH7hNZeziaaHN3Gxf8JMSSk1Wp5FoeySGg2BYkyrBVqcDdOLL_QXa3bu9ARzl0Jvuz2IHycCtA/s320/facepalm.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br />
<br />
[facepalms]<br />
<br />
[facepalms again]<br />
<br />
So, I called Century Link back and spoke with another "Internet Specialist." This time, though, I asked her what speed my current DSL was. She told me it was 1.5M. I asked her how much more money it would be to go to their <em>fastest</em> service (10M). She told me less than five dollars per month. I told her to do it.<br />
<br />
I don't know how it all came to this. I didn't get rid of my home phone and the harassing calls from collection agencies and telemarketers. I didn't reduce my monthly bills at all. In fact, I raised my monthly bills. I spend over two hours on the phone trying to get answers for questions that are, to my knowledge at this time, impossible to answer.<br />
<br />
So, we are better off outsourcing customer service in this country?Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-86961650410683606372011-01-24T15:28:00.000-06:002011-01-24T15:28:17.247-06:00We ALL want something...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YkpuOu2XFY5Zg7-xvVr5IjKAdruYeaY5Xmb9BFsGd4xIZ7U8lo1gwa_9FgwOoFj831cy1euIwWwJXDABh3hiASgQzAhqMjglTVJaN296JA1D45ztE8yiaI0n3_-zXAOBxVhSNFg_Jc0A/s1600/6a00d83451c29169e20147e1c8a356970b-600wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YkpuOu2XFY5Zg7-xvVr5IjKAdruYeaY5Xmb9BFsGd4xIZ7U8lo1gwa_9FgwOoFj831cy1euIwWwJXDABh3hiASgQzAhqMjglTVJaN296JA1D45ztE8yiaI0n3_-zXAOBxVhSNFg_Jc0A/s320/6a00d83451c29169e20147e1c8a356970b-600wi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This was forwarded to me by a friend. I don't know who made it, so it is possible and likely that I am pissing somebody off.<br />
<br />
It pretty much sums up almost anything I can think of. <br />
<br />
It's true. We ALL want something.<br />
<br />
No animals were injured or eaten in this post.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-13925316512082555752011-01-17T16:14:00.000-06:002011-01-17T16:14:29.727-06:00The Second of June.The second of June. <br />
<br />
I don't know if it is "blue car syndrome" or not. Blue car syndrome would be after you buy a blue car, then you notice that EVERYONE seems to have a blue car. Before you had a blue car, though, you never paid any attention to them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGqlu0ugYJoYpLlaMackT2S2hyphenhyphenRNa2SYlq51EnjdRgRCxKQ3YJXOID524pxOeTJ7CXXv5dTaUYV4V25IVffuYE0DdTyHYkMA4VkRKXaUHpBeKTJgRbWUhd01ByAQd6L3S57iuIP_iznIf/s1600/blue+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGqlu0ugYJoYpLlaMackT2S2hyphenhyphenRNa2SYlq51EnjdRgRCxKQ3YJXOID524pxOeTJ7CXXv5dTaUYV4V25IVffuYE0DdTyHYkMA4VkRKXaUHpBeKTJgRbWUhd01ByAQd6L3S57iuIP_iznIf/s1600/blue+car.jpg" /></a></div>June 2.<br />
Yesterday, I was reading in the reading room (the bathroom) "Wolves of the Calla" by <strong>Stephen King</strong>. The line I read was this. <em>"The second of June."</em> That was the complete sentence. Then, instantly following it was a knocking on the reading room door. Who was knocking? My beautiful fiance with her June 2nd birthday.<br />
<br />
dos Junio<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoh0zk9R5hv02BZlBFOYdiNmSfnqod3CjOXKQIjxac2v9VKecpUsB9JXvHUwMv4qGAJEF2QIrucVEaosrAZD8IL3ASb58lUhucczjGWAL5RItIJxRQuGDhLdiUUBgvjC-n8hrpi0rbiID/s1600/life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoh0zk9R5hv02BZlBFOYdiNmSfnqod3CjOXKQIjxac2v9VKecpUsB9JXvHUwMv4qGAJEF2QIrucVEaosrAZD8IL3ASb58lUhucczjGWAL5RItIJxRQuGDhLdiUUBgvjC-n8hrpi0rbiID/s320/life.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
Last night my fiance and I were hanging out in the garage and I was looking through some boxes of old stuff from when I was a kid. I found my eighth grade diploma from St. James Lutheran School. I looked at the date on my diploma, and it was June 2, 1988.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifc3Z_XtJGPIh3nFYbFvcZpnniG_aiNAuoN9lnUVHxgwdsfLjNorKT6uqOcCFKxW132ZcSDPqebIXRy_lGBqZ9pYrTFgj7DmKEy6eT2nm6T5EPJJFqXoZfyTrbIMQWNtKHgoTQxw3VK7l4/s1600/jet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifc3Z_XtJGPIh3nFYbFvcZpnniG_aiNAuoN9lnUVHxgwdsfLjNorKT6uqOcCFKxW132ZcSDPqebIXRy_lGBqZ9pYrTFgj7DmKEy6eT2nm6T5EPJJFqXoZfyTrbIMQWNtKHgoTQxw3VK7l4/s320/jet.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>June 2nd.<br />
<br />
<br />
In another box in the garage last night I found my fishing license from the last year I went to Canada fishing with my family. This was something that my family did together for a few years, but when my brothers and sisters and I started getting older, it became more difficult to go, so as a family we were never able to go again. The date of issue of my fishing license was June 2, 1987.<br />
<br />
The 2nd of June.<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_Sz7Y7DWZPJrTeBVyt8iBskoZ4n8ScFz98Mf-vp3xaJqcN4CPoAhKMgYN3OsbwOdNgc8-aVLP-vlwO3hsOWRZWz74dpDyuO5XCcGZbk14sy0Jr8VOuF64nbSBzeoG634qEliPL2wFuFS/s1600/Newspaper+Boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_Sz7Y7DWZPJrTeBVyt8iBskoZ4n8ScFz98Mf-vp3xaJqcN4CPoAhKMgYN3OsbwOdNgc8-aVLP-vlwO3hsOWRZWz74dpDyuO5XCcGZbk14sy0Jr8VOuF64nbSBzeoG634qEliPL2wFuFS/s320/Newspaper+Boy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I noted this date quite a bit in the last few months and it seems to be a date for me that is evident in my life very frequently.<br />
<br />
June 2nd happenings with their respective years:<br />
<br />
1692 – Bridget Bishop is the first person to go to trial in the Salem witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts. Found guilty, she is hanged on June 10. <br />
<br />
1835 – P. T. Barnum and his circus start their first tour of the United States. <br />
<br />
1886 – U.S. President Grover Cleveland marries Frances Folsom in the White House, becoming the only president to wed in the executive mansion. <br />
<br />
1896 – Guglielmo Marconi applies for a patent for his newest invention: the radio. <br />
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1924 – U.S. President Calvin Coolidge signs the Indian Citizenship Act into law, granting citizenship to all Native Americans born within the territorial limits of the United States. <br />
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1980 - The birth Amanda Rae. The love of my life. <br />
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I will keep a watchful eye on this date. Or, maybe I won't. Is it all coincidence? Probably not.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-66357724738779593542010-12-30T09:25:00.002-06:002010-12-30T14:57:57.695-06:00Tick.Lead, follow, or get out of the way." --Thomas Paine <br />
<br />
I did some thinking this morning while running. The quote "Lead, follow, or get out of the way" has a lot of merit. It's not too shabby of a guideline, is it? It is maybe a little brash, but it does drive home a fine point.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_EGkS2xZ61dhzTUl6m12UEG7lDQOckWMsRzofkl63h7qnSN4qOjQgMMzoNEnHptsZfdID1DnOtEYt1fblFqcFCvyrSL2uQDIysuBlPVXy9XaMRJJvwLe8bpGVdt4Y_CqHnhhTDAc9FUw/s1600/gs022049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_EGkS2xZ61dhzTUl6m12UEG7lDQOckWMsRzofkl63h7qnSN4qOjQgMMzoNEnHptsZfdID1DnOtEYt1fblFqcFCvyrSL2uQDIysuBlPVXy9XaMRJJvwLe8bpGVdt4Y_CqHnhhTDAc9FUw/s320/gs022049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There is a finite amount of time for us on this planet. No matter what course of action you take in this life, time still passes. Time still passes if you want to take things very slowly. Time passes if you want to speed through things very quickly. Time still passes even if you decide to put off making a decision on a course of action. Nothing stops time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfL-VsY5hUJA_EbwMiwG510BZwmp5DgYTn5ADWrpmyMLpaq7mTN8z9DydnWhHUk8MJyNFT5Vuz6bBvQ5K4CAeSW4XgVDQbfgAqtrA9_rLH80aZvCqb0Sn8MMqSm58wxI94b9wG8uwAuZKa/s1600/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfL-VsY5hUJA_EbwMiwG510BZwmp5DgYTn5ADWrpmyMLpaq7mTN8z9DydnWhHUk8MJyNFT5Vuz6bBvQ5K4CAeSW4XgVDQbfgAqtrA9_rLH80aZvCqb0Sn8MMqSm58wxI94b9wG8uwAuZKa/s320/sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
So, there it is. Lead, follow, or get out of the way.<br />
<br />
We have things to do. We have goals to achieve. We have life to live. Tick tock. Time just keeps rolling by.<br />
<br />
In our lives, the people around us can show us how they would live. They can show us how they would do things. They can lead us down the path that they would take. "Follow me!"<br />
<br />
The others in our life can follow us. They can do things how we would do them. "Get behind me!" Ha.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BpH_1Dgse85iFkbRCgp9RmY_JFqGgYpE4LrVTaIt2qkAtaUVoSeHBzgEHeXjvTCUna2_IfPgFylMW4OZXIyT0Nqxn2mD237fmFuLtMjuHLnqJmsFrYxBhVGIbEwxiDt8n9EfqnKfGPzf/s1600/chatroulette-trolling-get-out-the-way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BpH_1Dgse85iFkbRCgp9RmY_JFqGgYpE4LrVTaIt2qkAtaUVoSeHBzgEHeXjvTCUna2_IfPgFylMW4OZXIyT0Nqxn2mD237fmFuLtMjuHLnqJmsFrYxBhVGIbEwxiDt8n9EfqnKfGPzf/s320/chatroulette-trolling-get-out-the-way.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
If the people in our lives cannot choose one of these courses of action, they should just get out of the way. <br />
<br />
Time is wasting. My time is precious. I don't have time to waste on a dead end road. I don't have time to waste on unhappiness. I don't have time to waste on indecisiveness. I don't have time to waste on a tree blocking the road. I don't want to miss out on a minute of happiness because of an hour of despair.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmLJpfnKa61egUfrnOoGmLEtTrv_MTj-2IDJgbngntN8T8mFl9eLaxZtdYcizu2CVEAQ_6DqBMoZINwB13MFDuSfH4mREEXTvFOkM5o7f1eqe5dOp2z6hqG7EFgL25tlTvfPXKZNj34HH/s1600/stuck-in-mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmLJpfnKa61egUfrnOoGmLEtTrv_MTj-2IDJgbngntN8T8mFl9eLaxZtdYcizu2CVEAQ_6DqBMoZINwB13MFDuSfH4mREEXTvFOkM5o7f1eqe5dOp2z6hqG7EFgL25tlTvfPXKZNj34HH/s320/stuck-in-mud.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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So, lead, follow, or get out of the way. I am going to lead, or you show me how. But, if you aren't doing anything at all, get out of my way.<br />
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"Hey ho, let's go! Hey ho, let's go!" - <em>Blitzkrieg Bop</em> - <strong>The Ramones</strong>Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-14072219702694623452010-12-21T11:14:00.008-06:002010-12-21T18:42:21.814-06:00No Exit Needed."I've got arms,<br />
And I've got arms<br />
Let's get together and use those arms!<br />
Let's go!<br />
Times a wastin'!"<br />
<em>Time's A Wastin'</em> (<strong>June Carter Cash</strong>)<br />
<br />
In a time of uncertainty and chaos in the world of life and relationships I have asked somebody participate in a very old tradition with me. I have done what I said I would never do again. Ever. I have asked a woman to be my wife. I asked a girl to marry me. And, she accepted.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLaNHTMXH2ZOBeOrdPPset9Hr5jPJHtVHArAWogih6uTZKHUC1cz5n59lsyDValLoYl-fHA1gz9Wes7FnxNvci_ADKL8GLkuvLnurdq4Zzk7DAcD4W0jkoSh4AxhhKxzDZ_bBLHrNXyhyphenhyphen/s1600/marry-me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLaNHTMXH2ZOBeOrdPPset9Hr5jPJHtVHArAWogih6uTZKHUC1cz5n59lsyDValLoYl-fHA1gz9Wes7FnxNvci_ADKL8GLkuvLnurdq4Zzk7DAcD4W0jkoSh4AxhhKxzDZ_bBLHrNXyhyphenhyphen/s320/marry-me.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i> </i><br />
With the divorce rate in this country hovering at a little over 51% the idea of marriage could be a frightening one. When you factor in that the divorce rate has actually dropped a little in the past few years because people just aren't getting married anymore, it could become even more scary. Numbers and statistics can be hard to ignore, can't they? Does anybody really ever say "forever" and mean it? Odds are that if you have at one time or another, there is a little better than a 50/50 chance that you will end up divorced. Think of ten of your friends that are married and imagine that 5.1 of them gets divorced in the next few years. That's not really very good odds, is it? Then, when you factor in that the actual rate of people staying together for the long term is lower yet since many people aren't even bothering to get married since their confidence in the idea of it lacks luster. Many people feel that getting married just complicates the breakup. I think that they are right in thinking that since marriage does really complicate the breakup. So, why get married if you are just going to split up eventually anyway? Then again, why stay with somebody for any amount of time if you are planning on ending it someday, anyway?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WevuV5tCs6O-BLXLLmK_5x2GAPhTyiHOLTGTtDcFueYIRJkgZPKinnhPZ6-A1w3qMCWhZAWx2lrL6WZxEjJMOfW_FbVlAS19zbysb3xOL7AnFjlnUB2Y9DO5QRb-XeF6KFVZ0Zu1WXKq/s1600/live.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WevuV5tCs6O-BLXLLmK_5x2GAPhTyiHOLTGTtDcFueYIRJkgZPKinnhPZ6-A1w3qMCWhZAWx2lrL6WZxEjJMOfW_FbVlAS19zbysb3xOL7AnFjlnUB2Y9DO5QRb-XeF6KFVZ0Zu1WXKq/s1600/live.jpg" /></a></div><em> </em><br />
What makes my relationship so special that after less than half of a year, I am willing to commit for the rest of my life? Am I a fool? Is she? Are we both just dumb and in love? Are her and I both living in an unrealistic fantasy mindset in which no matter what happens things will just magically work out? Just because? Do people really stay in love anymore? Do people ever stay together anymore? Really? When people say "I do" do they really mean "I do for now?" Or do they mean, "I do until something better comes along?" Do people just keep looking to stoke the fire inside of them, and if it starts to dwindle are they ready to fly away to find a new source of fire? Is it ego? Is it pride? Is it selfishness that people decide to end their relationships?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_laMqbk9CInWnk0SVUQ4rOxwLdorkn9b6uqcXYf1xVw-lMANp3tJfNiikTbkvM1bRxJSiH-ImKcS2MX01cDzK3w0IgSTSxBaRO59I7NY2m7UP8haY9_TDwzBFyrDfWtkAaYZXk5V7MTTe/s1600/No-exit.gif" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_laMqbk9CInWnk0SVUQ4rOxwLdorkn9b6uqcXYf1xVw-lMANp3tJfNiikTbkvM1bRxJSiH-ImKcS2MX01cDzK3w0IgSTSxBaRO59I7NY2m7UP8haY9_TDwzBFyrDfWtkAaYZXk5V7MTTe/s320/No-exit.gif" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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I think my relationship is different than most. I think that her and I are different than most people. I have left myself no exit strategy. I have asked her to leave herself no open exit door. For the first time in my life, I <em>want</em> to be married. For the first time in my life I <em>want</em> this one precious person to share my every waking moment. I look at her and I <em>know</em> that it is right. I <em>know</em> that I want her and her only. I want this one person to be with me, equally and beside me no matter what comes our way. I don't want a way out with her. I don't need to leave myself a lit exit door because I know that together her and I can conquer anything this life can bring in front of us. I look at my parents with envy for the 46 years that they have been together and I know that they are still very in love. I want to be the way that they are, forever. I have found the person that I can do that with. It is very exciting!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaLUk88goJDSi5V0YSf0x2O_5Ve_kNV_PqXNBnBxJR_Z-IxhvGJzmaixUWYe8Hjewewh4JBrhDvIQ24b6NlXtI6MrlCVMnS0qsq423XNR8DDWXsOHm3Fg2uA76uJ0L9o2Mgy7cgmM9aHw/s1600/loveforever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaLUk88goJDSi5V0YSf0x2O_5Ve_kNV_PqXNBnBxJR_Z-IxhvGJzmaixUWYe8Hjewewh4JBrhDvIQ24b6NlXtI6MrlCVMnS0qsq423XNR8DDWXsOHm3Fg2uA76uJ0L9o2Mgy7cgmM9aHw/s320/loveforever.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I know no matter what happens, she has given me the best times of my life. There is nothing anybody can do to erase that. There is nothing anybody can say to tarnish that. That's why I love her and want her without holding back. That is why I don't need a good exit strategy. I don't need an easy way out. I don't need <em>any</em> way out. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggG2LdCiT7ZO8Br58p5cDMf1sbezFTxjvIfnrXkH3SNMFM39ESis2rIkggRd9aVnyfpnRVKKYH3FnhQs6S_uv9ijU5RB0B3xralnNfMFyly-4d8XOAqWAtJ8LacI05SM_gQzGfdwRLD1dy/s1600/marriage4923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggG2LdCiT7ZO8Br58p5cDMf1sbezFTxjvIfnrXkH3SNMFM39ESis2rIkggRd9aVnyfpnRVKKYH3FnhQs6S_uv9ijU5RB0B3xralnNfMFyly-4d8XOAqWAtJ8LacI05SM_gQzGfdwRLD1dy/s320/marriage4923.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I can't wait to be her husband. I cannot wait to call her my wife.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-34590186563222150502010-12-01T08:55:00.002-06:002010-12-21T18:42:58.028-06:00Because.In this world I think most of us, if given a choice, would take the path of least resistance. We would never have to fight to have what we want. Well, there are some of you out there that would disagree, but I know that when you get home at night, you're alone, and there isn't anyone for you put your super-tough-as-nails face on for, you would agree. We all, as a species, truly want peace. We want low stress. It is in our nature.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXkyPBW0hnGuZc8rZefSRHUxOFTavSBvQCfG7Fb1W7g_Te6O9he2P9scby9OJNNM2BYnXOAK3prxJVAHW_OEcrLebbKOnlvNTKHoApRNK3XyYIHr09J30hUmJUlJx13H_L72XTVBYmw75/s1600/tightrope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXkyPBW0hnGuZc8rZefSRHUxOFTavSBvQCfG7Fb1W7g_Te6O9he2P9scby9OJNNM2BYnXOAK3prxJVAHW_OEcrLebbKOnlvNTKHoApRNK3XyYIHr09J30hUmJUlJx13H_L72XTVBYmw75/s320/tightrope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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In this life many times we are presented with problems and situations that not only ask a lot from us, but sometimes way more than we ever thought we have to give. Questions arise. Why me? Why this?<br />
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Why do I always have my neck on the line? Because you can. Because your neck is tough. It has been there before and has persevered. If it hadn't, you wouldn't be here today.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9C725YuSN6wxNZTUQP2KiLXuo3thUClB6uP1t4zVQlCNi548857BEvBkX2DC160oef8uA8Afhz0OnXk7o_qaz9fpdhghes2KjMe-rGDFN4cEMcgTSXv06yDjMas9CymyT93s3o9wQQf3/s1600/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9C725YuSN6wxNZTUQP2KiLXuo3thUClB6uP1t4zVQlCNi548857BEvBkX2DC160oef8uA8Afhz0OnXk7o_qaz9fpdhghes2KjMe-rGDFN4cEMcgTSXv06yDjMas9CymyT93s3o9wQQf3/s320/sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Why am I always the one who has to give a little extra? Because you can. It is in your abilities to give a little extra maybe at a higher level than those others around you. You can do it. <br />
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Why is my life always put on hold for the needs of others? Because you are able to give more in your life than they can. You have the gift of giving of yourself at a higher level than some other people without having your life put into an upheaval in doing it. If your life IS put into disarray because of it, you have the ability to recover quickly. Be thankful for that gift.<br />
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Why am I always the one that has to forgive? Because you can. You have it in you to forgive. You have it in you to see past the shortcomings or unfavorable actions or reactions of others and cut them some slack even though they may not return that slack to you. But, you know it is okay because you look at the big picture and try not to trouble yourself with the petty.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2urweYpw_PiOTWg6bme8CCAzAaF-MFaqqfiJkfQTTZOAZdHSXMCfjGpkZpahwOFLm7YjCpk9WttCOrWms3qmfABt_m31PnGoadl0eT07l6pafWFfIwnWsPyeABXVMjuB9x4_Ihtuo27v/s1600/gloves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2urweYpw_PiOTWg6bme8CCAzAaF-MFaqqfiJkfQTTZOAZdHSXMCfjGpkZpahwOFLm7YjCpk9WttCOrWms3qmfABt_m31PnGoadl0eT07l6pafWFfIwnWsPyeABXVMjuB9x4_Ihtuo27v/s320/gloves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Why do things always have to be so hard? Because God knows what you can take and won't give you more than that. Because you can survive almost anything. You have spent your whole life training to continue your life. Because instead of just looking like you are tough-as-nails, although you may not feel like it, you are tough as nails.<br />
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Why does it seem like I work so hard but never get ahead? Every day you wake up and have a roof over your head and food in your mouth, it is a good day. If you have people to share this day with, it is even a better day. You have gotten ahead just by getting through your day. You are a success. Revel in it.<br />
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What am I supposed to do now? Breathe. Think. Breathe some more. There is a path. There is a way. You will find it. You have always found it before. You will find it again. And, this path, whether it is right or wrong, is your path. This is the way things are supposed to go. This is what you are supposed to do.<br />
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What if I make a mistake? Then you are human. If the people that are important to you can't look past it, then you need to surround yourself with people that accept you as a human. If you fall, you get back up, dust off, and continue. That's what you do.<br />
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What is really important in this life? Love. God. Kindness. Family. Friends. It certainly isn't houses, cars, boats, jobs or anything else that could easily be burned, destroyed, or discarded as rubbish. The moments we share with the people that care define our lives. That's all there is to it.<br />
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This is what was on my mind today.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCsXcuCGagtENyr0W-RQ43UBxMtV1kxxJuHctHv3yQgVaZ7XvO9myTKi288rvZbd9d12GvhHcwjIglDR0fmmbEp3KnSKR4B0kjhNQATH8p01sey3Wq82WrgYw7eLxxnFVZn8wFvNRH8sY/s1600/love-at-first-sight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCsXcuCGagtENyr0W-RQ43UBxMtV1kxxJuHctHv3yQgVaZ7XvO9myTKi288rvZbd9d12GvhHcwjIglDR0fmmbEp3KnSKR4B0kjhNQATH8p01sey3Wq82WrgYw7eLxxnFVZn8wFvNRH8sY/s320/love-at-first-sight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-13332636819391778842010-11-28T17:41:00.001-06:002010-12-21T18:43:38.356-06:00Damn, it feels good..."Now gangsta-ass niggas come in all shapes and colors<br />
Some got killed in the past<br />
But this gangtsa here is a smart one<br />
Started living for the Lord and I last." <br />
"<strong><span style="color: red;">Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta</span>" </strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Geto Boys<strong> </strong></span></em><br />
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There is no reason to keep score.<br />
There used to be a reason. Hell, there used to be reason<em><strong>s</strong></em>. Not anymore. Now, there is just the goal. Now, there is just my life. Now, there is reality and keeping score messes up reality. Aside from that, what good does keeping score do other than feed resentments and hostility? Any? Nope. So, never again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7hzsd77M26XiDrwaZ3PHjWufp51-ubbzCHChmmXhrR0-kKikeNEmLqiSoT-Yfzwi0amhAy6epjmgeOrQocx376WKi83ChgCFyAxQJm0GF_sdddOQfFuMdmMk3FWfz92AO5O132WDGwfL/s1600/tabletop-book-style-flip-scoreboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7hzsd77M26XiDrwaZ3PHjWufp51-ubbzCHChmmXhrR0-kKikeNEmLqiSoT-Yfzwi0amhAy6epjmgeOrQocx376WKi83ChgCFyAxQJm0GF_sdddOQfFuMdmMk3FWfz92AO5O132WDGwfL/s320/tabletop-book-style-flip-scoreboard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Throw away that useless pride. <br />
Seriously, it is time, anyway. The ten-year-old inside me can kick that dented can around all day with my lower lip sticking out, but it doesn't do any good. In my old life, that little kid might had escalated his frustration into something else. But, in this life there is really no point. The little kid is safe. The little kid is sensitive, but he's still in love. He needs to learn patience. It is in his best interest. This is tough sometimes.<br />
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Just because something isn't comfortable, doesn't mean it isn't safe.<br />
Even though at times the scared little shithead inside of me panics for no good apparent reason. Is this part of my "ism" or is it just fear from a life lived less pretty? I think it is both. My old life was one of drinking, paranoia and deceit, but that really has little to do with my current life. But, I don't have the ugly old reality of my past anymore so there is no sense is buggering up about it. It takes a fool to spit in the face of honesty because of fear. There have been many days that I have been that fool. But, not today.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnl-ZT3oukyQXagGYd52eiTyMba8YNqus4r7oMqfGdN9OnDDRo8nE9mTZUrSRBAUhkBSIVDTazDrZGr8imzZnQbrevLqTZnVbMC2LBQzpKs-x8-Wnvm3HQYZRapEfKeo6KfiEa2JlFHy8j/s1600/sleeping_giraffe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnl-ZT3oukyQXagGYd52eiTyMba8YNqus4r7oMqfGdN9OnDDRo8nE9mTZUrSRBAUhkBSIVDTazDrZGr8imzZnQbrevLqTZnVbMC2LBQzpKs-x8-Wnvm3HQYZRapEfKeo6KfiEa2JlFHy8j/s320/sleeping_giraffe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Live in the now.<br />
Experience teaches us many things. Some of them are better unlearned, I think. Experience could teach you that if you are out of money and keep writing checks anyway, that the checks may bounce and you could land yourself into some trouble. But, experience in the realm of relationships seems somewhat pointless. There simply are too many variables in a romance to use the experience from your past to label it our shelf it. See?!? It's easy! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KmMedBbOf_80OA3ZkHOROCvrYU-2lYGnbaU_2JG5BHXKetdXQYWG3osK07OypTChoIvdRuywavahfVmMcaHMeaggPc-KQd_n3DWipxsMYB720IHCBZpC-Oj27LF4ljcVhjjnRKNnokd1/s1600/men-working.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KmMedBbOf_80OA3ZkHOROCvrYU-2lYGnbaU_2JG5BHXKetdXQYWG3osK07OypTChoIvdRuywavahfVmMcaHMeaggPc-KQd_n3DWipxsMYB720IHCBZpC-Oj27LF4ljcVhjjnRKNnokd1/s320/men-working.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br />
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I have learned scads about myself in the last 3 months. Wow, that <em><strong>great</strong></em> handle I thought I had on my emotions and on my life is maybe not as great as I thought it was when it comes to having a relationship with the absolute intimacy and absolute honesty. When you keep others arm's length your whole life, it is easy to run your life with a rule of seemingly rational thinking and lack of emotion. It is easy to see the sound (yet perhaps emotionless) decisions and if they don't work out, it really doesn't matter anyway.<br />
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This life I have now has an entirely different set of rules. So, I need to remember to brace for them. Sit down. Breathe. Know that things are okay. Have faith. Faith is a good thing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffISuZhtATqrvIl3BjVmMGzJFfOgNnJvICeF4H9njpC6E0ZQIVfzslMGy8cpgIDp7f1aOvNmeEhzwj8r94oincu49LIxaeU2I4eaNedL8vV5H2vSStdTi-9f4Sm0ZP7X3whSrHfJ9hGB-/s1600/bound_together_in_love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffISuZhtATqrvIl3BjVmMGzJFfOgNnJvICeF4H9njpC6E0ZQIVfzslMGy8cpgIDp7f1aOvNmeEhzwj8r94oincu49LIxaeU2I4eaNedL8vV5H2vSStdTi-9f4Sm0ZP7X3whSrHfJ9hGB-/s320/bound_together_in_love.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>To quote my beautiful, wonderful and amazing girlfriend, "I am a work in progress." She's brilliant, you know. I AM a work in progress, too. And, I love her. I am not letting her go.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1607749704181066860.post-7312124070707216572010-11-12T10:14:00.001-06:002010-12-21T18:44:02.871-06:00I should have my head examined.I need to have my head examined. I think I do. I do.<br />
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What's obsessive/compulsive disorder at its finest? Apples. Eating apples. Eating a boatload of friggin' apples. Eating 5-7 apples each and every day. I have started to eat apples. I have eaten more apples in the last month than I have my entire life. Thanks to my friends that have introduced these babies into my life. Thanks, guys. Thanks a lot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4EH0dz4FyFXrEy47Fi1ZfH9vOQV0jww6MIBZwS3tDFMP_ndzv1NWMCn-IAqtH8xlxskTLgMcAP-gGQjtxxB9qiAO7SDNAbT4TbKDEtlHbBSiQFFLH3IInMS1vqiV7tOGFF1r5yivPwS-/s1600/apples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4EH0dz4FyFXrEy47Fi1ZfH9vOQV0jww6MIBZwS3tDFMP_ndzv1NWMCn-IAqtH8xlxskTLgMcAP-gGQjtxxB9qiAO7SDNAbT4TbKDEtlHbBSiQFFLH3IInMS1vqiV7tOGFF1r5yivPwS-/s320/apples.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I suppose like any other OCD thing I do, this too will run its course. Well, hopefully it does. They will be out of season soon (some of them are already getting a little mushy in the store) and I certainly don't want to buy "imported" apples. Where would out of season apples come from? Why should I support some other countries' economy? What $.25 a day child labor picked those apples? Did they wash their hands first? Do they have clean water to wash in at all? It opens another complete can of moral worms to mull over. And then, there will be the guilt associated with participating in the purchase of items that have been more or less harvested or created with slave labor. Does feeling guilty and worrying about the morality of eating imported out-of-season fruits and vegetables outweigh the potential health benefits from the consumption of said fruits and vegetables in the first place? <br />
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Or, in the purchase of imported out-of-season foods would I be making those fine people's lives better? Could I be making their lives better? If I purchase imported fruits and vegetables from them WOULD they buy clean water to drink and wash in (if they don't already have it) with their increased income? Do they buy useful things at all? Do they take better care of their health with their money? Do they buy better shoes and clothes for their kids? Do they get a better handle on health care that is maybe perhaps not always a necessity? Do they go to the doctor for a check-up just because they can? Do they go the the dentist? Is purchasing anything from them a helpful, noble thing, or is it just another way the giant corporate beast gets its proverbial meal?<br />
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Hmm...<br />
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Thank God I tire of the same food quickly. Whew! I don't know if I can handle all of the stress from eating fresh fruit.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02592038753275978965noreply@blogger.com0